622 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION D. 
tint, moderately marked with reddish or pinkish-brown, and dull 
purplish spots, more numerous about the apex. Dimensions of 
two clutches in parts of an inch. A—(1) ‘95 x ‘69; (2) 94 x 68; 
B—(1) :92 x 63; (2) -91 x ‘64. 
Observations.—The Helmeted or Leadbeater’s Honey-eater is 
perhaps the rarest and the most splendid bird of its genus. It 
was brought to scientific light in a peculiar way. Gould’s friend, 
Sir William Jardine, sent him a specimen obtained in Edinburgh 
from among a collection of ordinary Australian species. The new 
bird was exhibited at a meeting of the London Zoological Society, 
December, 1866. 
The Helmeted Honey-eater has a somewhat local habitat, con- 
fined to the great forests of Gippsland, where no doubt it takes 
the place of its more inland congener, the beautiful Tufted Honey- 
eater (P. awricomis), which it resembles. Like the Tufted, the 
Helmeted is gregarious at seasons; Mr. A. W. Milligan informed 
me he had seen a large flock in the vicinity of Olinda Creek, near 
Lilydale. 
It was at that creek that the only three authenticated nests 
have been discovered. The first and historical nest being found 
during the first camp-out of the Field Naturalists’ Club of Vic- 
toria, November, 1884. I was aware these fine birds existed in a 
certain patch of Native Hazel (Pomaderris) scrub, where on 
several occasions I made attempts, but failed to discover their 
breeding-place. The camp-out having formed themselves into 
parties, I piloted the oologists to the hazel patch, which was hardly 
entered before the honor fell to the late Mr. W. Hatton of detect- 
ing the first nest with the rare Honey-eater sitting. The nest was 
situated at a height of about 20 feet, and was suspended to an 
out-stretched branch of a Hazel overhanging the creek. With what 
ecstacy of delight the small tree was ascended! The handsome 
bird still retained possession of its nest. With Mr. Hatton’s 
assistance, I all but had my hands on the coveted prize, when, 
without a moment’s warning, crash went the tree by the root, and 
all—the two naturalists, tree, bird, nest, and eggs—went headlong 
into the stream beneath. Alas! I thought, farewell to the eggs 
of Ptilotis cassidix. So near and yet sofar! But imagine our 
astonishment when, after dragging ourselves out of the water, and 
removing some of the fallen débris, to find nest and eggs intact 
—thanks to the poor bird, which bravely stuck to its home till 
“overwhelmed by the falling foliage. The eggs, in which incuba- 
tion had just commenced, were beautiful specimens, and are now 
in my cabinet. 
The second nest was discovered by two field naturalists the 
following season, near the same locality, also in a Hazel, overhang- 
ing the stream, while the third nest I found 9th October, 1886, in 
the same creek, but nearer Lilydale. By bending the bush or 
