580 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION D. 
MyzZoMELA ERYTHROCEPHALA, Gould. 
‘“*Red-headed Honey-eater.” 
Tigures.—Gould, Bds. of Australia, fol., vol. iv, pl. 64. 
Reference.—Cat. Bds. Brit. Mus., vol. ix, p. 133. 
Geographical Distribution.—Northern Territory, North Queens- 
land, also New Guinea and Aru Islands. 
Nest and Hqgs.— Unknown. 
Observations.—This beautiful and active little Honey-eater is 
found in Northern Australia, where it seems to be exclusively 
confined to the extensive beds of mangroves bordering the inlets 
of the sea, as we learn from Gilbert. 
Myzometa nicra, Gould. 
‘** Black Honey-eater.” 
Figure.—Gould, Bds. of Australia, fol., vol. iv, pl. 66. 
Reference.—Cat. Bds. Brit. Mus., vol. ix, p. 138. 
Previous Descriptions of Eggs.—Gould, Bds. of Austr. (1848), 
also Hdbk., vol. i, p. 558 (1865). Ramsay, P.L.8.N.8.W., vol. i, 
2nd ser., p. 1151 (1886). 
Geographical Distribution.—Northern Territory, Queensland 
(probably), New South Wales, Victoria, South and West Australia. 
Nest.—Cup-shaped, oval, shallow ; composed of dried grasses, 
fine shreds of bark, &e. ; usually placed in an exposed situation in 
the forked branches of a bush or tree (Gilbert). 
Eggs.—Clutch, 2; roundish or round oval in shape, sligtitly 
pointed at one end; texture fine; surface slightly glossy ; colour, 
delicate salmon-pink or flesh tint, blotched and spotted chiefly 
round the apex with reddish-brown or chestnut and dull or light 
purple. Dimensions ofa clutch in parts of an inch—(1) 67 x 54; 
(2) 67 x ‘53. 
Observations. —The range of the splendid little Black Honey- 
eater extends across the southern part of Australia, Gould having 
found it on the plains of the Namoi, while Gilbert met the pets 
amongst the Myalls (dcac ia) in Western Australia. 
The interesting species would, however, appear to be more 
peculiar to inland parts. In October, 1884, I met the Black 
Honey-eater in the Bull-oak (Caswarina) belts of timber that 
intersect the Mallee country in the Wimmera district, Victoria, 
The prettily-contrasted black and white plumage of the male 
agreeably harmonised with the surroundings. The flight of the bird 
at times is peculiar, being spasmodic rises and falls. On each 
downward motion a tremulously plaintive note is uttered. I was 
convinced by the actions of several pairs of birds that they were 
breeding in the vicinity ; but my perseverance, which extended 
over several days, failed to discover a nest, although good Gilbert 
told us their nests were usually placed in most conspicuous situa- 
tions. One he found in Western Australia was in a fork at the 
