176 MELIPHAGID.'E. 



the wing measurement varies from 5-25 to 5-45 inches. P. occidentalis is an immature specimen 

 of this species. The type was procured by the late Mr. T. H. Bowyer-Bower near Derby, and 

 is in precisely the same stage of plumage as the immature male of P. sordidits, obtained by Mr. 

 Keartland, and from which it cannot be distinguished. Both specimens have all the feathers of 

 the interscapular region edged with ashy-white, the outer webs of the inner primaries margined 

 with greenish-yellow, a conspicuous patch of citron-yellow feathers on the sides of the lower 

 neck, and only a faint tinge of yellow on the silvery-white throat. Immature specimens of P. 

 citreogularis from Eastern and Southern Australia, differ in having a bright citron-yellow throat, 

 and only a few feathers on the sides of the lower throat tipped with citron-yellow. Adult 

 specimens o{ P. sordidiis from North-west Australia can only be distinguished from P. citreogularis 

 by their bleached appearance and slightly larger bill. The latter character is subject to much 

 variation, especially in specimens obtained in different localities. In other respects the two birds 

 are similar. 



Mr. Keartland who met with P. sordidus in great numbers while encamped near the junction 

 of the P'itzroy and Margaret Rivers,* writes as follows : — "In the neighbourhood of the Fitzroy 

 River, and especially at Derby, these birds were very numerous. They seemed to require water 

 as frequently as Finches and Pigeons, and dearly love a bath. Often whilst watching the 

 different birds arriving and departing from the water troughs, I was amazed by the visit of one 

 or more of these birds, whose sudden arrival caused the immediate dispersal of all other species 

 from the water. It is very pugnacious and chases any intruders from the vicinity of its nest. 

 Should an Owl be disturbed during the day, it is immediately noticed by a Friar-bird, and 

 chased and worried for a great distance, during which time many other birds join in the hunt. 

 Many of their nests were found near the river, but only two eggs obtained. The nests were 

 made of coarse grass, cup-shaped, and placed in the drooping foliage of Eucalypts. When seen 

 from below, they bore a strong resemblance to those of the Chestnut-eared Finch." 



A nest received from Mr. G. A. Keartland, was built in the drooping leafy twigs of a 

 Eucalyptus growing near the B'itzroy River. It is deep cup-shaped in form, and is outwardly 

 constructed of dried grass stems and long strips of very fine bark-fibre, held together and worked 

 over the twigs between which it is built with the outer covering of some composite plant, the 

 inside being lined entirely with dried grasses. Externally it measures three inches and three- 

 quarters in diameter, by five inches and a half m depth ; internally two inches and a half in 

 depth. An egg belonging to this species is of a very pale purplish-red ground colour, with a 

 few rounded spots and dots of dark purplish-red on the larger end ; while appearing as if beneath 

 the surface of the shell are underlying spots of faint purplish-grey. Length 1-03 x 073 inch. 

 Another specimen has dull purplish-red blotches uniformly distributed over the surface of the 

 shell, except on one side, and the faint purplish-white ground colour almost obscured by numerous 

 streaky markings of purplish-grey. Length 1-12 x 077 inches. A set of two taken by Mr. J. 

 Harris near the Fitzroy River, in February 1899, measures: — Length {\) 1-05 x 075 inches; 

 (B) 1-07 x 077 inches. 



Typically the eggs of this northern form, are like the birds, smaller than examples from the 

 southern portion of the continent. 



Dr. W. Macgillivray, writes me: — ''Philemon sordidus is plentiful about Cloncurry, North 

 (Queensland. It nests after the wet season, in April and March, laying usually four eggs.'" 



* Trans. Roy. Soc, S.A., Vol. XXII., p. 151 (iS 



