^'"^'k,)^!^'] ^Vhitk. Nczv SiiJ)-.';f^ec!('s of J'tichvn'/i/ia/a n/ivacen. 273 



New Sub-species of Pachycephala olivacea. 



By Hexky L. Whiti:, R.A.O.l'., Belltkees, Scone, N.S.W. 



While collecting for me in the Macpherson Range, between New- 

 South Wales and Queensland, IVIr. Sid. W. Jackson procured a 

 single specimen, apparently a male, of this species, which differs 

 from all other examples I have seen of Pachycephala olivacea 

 (Vigors and Horsfield). 



For this I would propose; the sub-specific titli^ Pacliycepluda 

 olivacea macphcrsonianiis. TIic l)ird was ]M-()curr(l in the densely- 

 wooded heights of the range, at an ele\-ati()n ;il)()\'e st'a-levcl of 

 nearly 4,000 feet. 



The new bird differs from the southern form in being much 

 lighter coloured, especially its dull greyish head, which more ap- 

 proaches slate-grey, while the outer edgings of the tail feathers 

 are more decidedly yellow. In this specimen, however, the tail 

 feathers were much abraded. Eyes coffee brown ; feet horn- 

 colour. Dimensions in the flesh, in millimetres : — Total length, 

 202 ; wing, loi ; tarsus, 26 ; bill, 22. 



Note. — From the organs, which were much damaged, Mr. 

 Jackson diagnoses the sex " female (?) " ; but the southern form 

 lacks the greyish head and greyish band on the breast — both 

 markings being characteristic-of the male. Should, however, more 

 material prove the above-described, specimen to be a female, then 

 the bird would take full specific rantc, instead of being merel}^ a 

 sub-species. 



Field Notes on the Painted Honey^eater 



(Entomophila picta). 



By J. S. P. Ramsay, R.A.O.U., Sydney, N.S.W. 



On 2r)th January, 1901, while observing near Abbotsford on tlio 

 Parramatta River, about seven miles from Sydney, I was surprised 

 to find a small flock of Painted Honey-eaters feeding among the 

 flowering cones of a large species of Banksia. On the 31st a 

 pair was noticed building in a small " bloodwood " {Eucalyptus, 

 sp.) at a height of about 20 feet, the nest being slung between 

 the seedrpods in the outer branches, and of so frail a structure 

 that it would scarcely have been recognized had not the birds 

 visited it frequently. Seven days later it contained two eggs. 

 This provides, I believe, the first record of these birds for tlie 

 locality about Sydney. 



My next acquaintance with the species was in December, 1915. 

 While camped by the Nepean River I noted a male feeding in 

 the Mistletoe (Loranthus), which is there growing in such abund- 

 ance upon the Sheoaks [Casuarina). A close search, however, 

 failed to discover either a female or a nest. 



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