24 White, Birds of Lake Victoria and Murray River. [i^f "July 



Melithreptus atricapilla (M. brevirostris). Brown-headed Honey- 

 eater. — Seen in the low scrub close to the river. Two specimens 

 taken at " Millewa," 11/10/17: — No. i, ? — iris brown; bare skin 

 round eye pale yellow ; bill black ; feet brownish-yellow ; length, 150 

 mm. ; spread of wings, 220 mm. Upon comparison these birds do 

 not differ from specimens from the north-west of the State. 



Plectorhyncha lanceolata. Striped Honey-eater. — Observed by 

 Dr. INIorgan on the Rufus Creek. 



Cissomela nigra ashbyi (Myzomela nigra). Black Honey-eater. — 

 Seen in the flowering box-trees at Lake Victoria. One specimen 

 taken, 2/ 10/ 17 — iris dark brown ; inside mouth flesh colour ; bill 

 black ; feet dark brown. 



Meliphaga sonora (Ptilotis sonora). Southern Singing Honey-eater. 

 — Seen in almost every situation. Iris brown ; inside mouth yellow ; 

 legs and feet dark grey ; bill black. 



Ptilotula penicillata {Ptilotis penicillata). White-plumed Honey- 

 eater. — A common bird all through the district. One specimen taken 

 at Lake Victoria, ^ — iris brown ; feet yellowish-brown ; inside mouth 

 orange ; length, 192 mm. ; spread, 240 mm. ; wing, 83 mm. ; bill, 

 12 mm. ; tarsus, 18 mm. ; tail, 43 mm. Stomach contents, insects 

 and nectar. 



Myzantha melanocephala. Black-headed Miner. — A very common 

 and noisy bird all along the river and round the lake, bvit never seen 

 out back, where M. flavigula takes its place. 



Myzantha flavigula. Yellow-throated Miner. — As soon as the river 

 belt is left this bird appears ; the preceding species, being much more 

 robust, seems to keep this bird back from the river timber. One 

 bird taken near Lake Victoria, 6/ 10/17, 6 — i^is brown ; bill orange ; 

 feet oli^'e-yellow. 



Acanthogenys rufogularis {Acanthogenys rufigularis). Spiny-cheeked 

 Honey-eater. — A very common bird. Its strange gurgling note was 

 heard on the river as well as in the scrub far back. Two birds pro- 

 cured : — No. I, (J, Lake Victoria — iris brown, with white rim ; bare 

 skin round eye light flesh colour ; base of bill flesh colour, tip black ; 

 inside mouth orange ; feet dark slate ; length, 260 mm. ; wing, 

 120 mm. ; tail, 120 mm. ; bill, 23 mm. ; tarsus, 29 mm. ; spread of 

 wings, 340 mm. ; stomach contained insect remains and part of small 

 wasp. The rufous coloration on the throat seemed to be much paler 

 in comparison with birds from further north. 



Dr. Morgan kindly supplies me with the following notes of a nest 

 he observed near " Chowella " : — Measured 3^ inches in diameter, 

 2 inches deep ; built of green convolvulus stems, spider webs and 

 cocoons, lined with thistledown, spear-grass seeds, and a piece of 

 sheep's wool ; contained three slightly-incubated eggs. 



Entomyzon cyanotis (Entomyza cyanotis). Yellow-throated Friar- 

 Bird. — These birds were very numerous round Lake Victoria, and 

 their noisy yet musical note was often heard. They are very pug- 

 nacious. Although no nests were seen, I am sure they were breeding 

 by their antics. Three specimens taken at Lake Victoria: — No. i, 

 iris brown ; bare skin below eye leaden colour ; legs and feet greenish- 

 black ; inside mouth light flesh colour. No. 2, 3/10/17, ^ — length, 

 285 mm. ; spread, 415 mm. No. 3, 4/10/17, J — iris greyish-brown • 



