NESTS AND EGGS OF HWONEY-EATERS. 603 
ENTOMOPHILA ALBIGULARIS, Gould. 
“ Rufous-breasted Honey-eater” 
Figure.—Gould, Bds. of Australia, fol., vol. iv, pl. 51. 
Reference.—Cat. Bds. Brit. Mus., vol. ix, p. 219. 
Previous Descriptions of Eggs. —Gould, Bds. of Australia 
(1848) ; also, Hdbk, vol. i, p. 532 (1865). 
Geographical Distribution.— North-west Australia, Northern 
Territory, and North Queensland ; also, New Guinea and Aru 
Islands. 
Nest.—Cup-shaped, smal], deep ; composed of narrow strips of 
soft paper-like bark of the Melaleuca, matted together with small 
vegetable fibres, and slightly lined with soft grass ; suspended 
from the extremity of a weak projecting branch overhanging 
water (Gilbert). 
Eggs.—Clutch, 2-3 ; rather lengthened in form, and not unlike 
those of Malwrus cyaneus in the colour and disposition of their 
markings, their ground colour being white, thinly freckled all over 
with bright chestnut-red, particularly at the larger end. Dimen- 
sions, 9 lines (‘75 inch) x 6 lines (‘5 inch)—(Gilbert). 
Observations.— All the knowledge we possess at present of the 
small Rufous-breasted (White-throated of Gould) Honey-eater is 
limited to good Gilbert’s researches in Northern Australia. He 
says: “TI first met with it on Mayday Island, in Van Dieman’s 
Gulf, where it appeared to be tolerably abundant. I afterwards 
found it to be equally numerous ina large inland mangrove swamp 
near Point Smith. I never observed it anywhere than swampy 
situations, or among mangroves bordering deep bays and creeks of 
the harbours. Its small pensile nest is suspended from the ex- 
tremity of a weak projecting branch in such a manner that it 
hangs over the water, the bird always selecting a branch bearing 
a sufficient number of leaves to protect the entrance from the 
rays of the sun. I found a nest in the latter part of November, 
and another in the early part of December, which contained three 
eggs each, while a third procured towards the end of January had 
only two. During the breeding season it exhibits considerable 
pugnacity of disposition, and instead of its usual pretty note, 
utters a chattering and vociferous squeaking.” 
ENTOMOPHILA LEUCOMELAS, Cuvier. 
“Pied Honey-eater.” 
Figure.—Gould, Bds. of Australia, fol., vol. iv, pl. 49. 
feference.—Cat. Bds. Brit. Mus., vol. ix, p. 220. 
Previous Description of Eggs.—Keartland, Victorian Naturalist 
(1897). 
