624 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION D. 
Observations.—In a small parcel of skins collected by Mr. Tom. 
Carter in the vicinity of the North-west Cape about 1890, I 
received one skin of this Honey-eater. I did not pay much atten- 
tion to it at the time beyond taking it to be a variety of the Singing 
Honey-eater. 
Mr. G. A. Keartland found the same kind of bird in Central 
Australia during the Horn Scientific Exploring Expedition, 1890, 
and Mr. A. J. North, who was entrusted to examine all the skins 
collected by the expedition, recognised a specific difference in the 
Honey-eater and dedicated it fa Mr. Keartland, a compliment 
richly deserved for his enthusiasm as a field ornithologist. 
In 1896 Mr. Keartland again met his namesake in some 
scattered Mallee near the tropical line in Western Australia 
during the unfortunate expedition promoted by Mr. Calvert. 
PTILOTIS PENCILLATA, Gould. 
“‘ White-plumed Honey-eater.” 
Figure.—Gould, Bds. of Australia, fol., vol. iv, pl. 43. 
Reference.—Cat. Bds. Brit. Mus., vol. ix, p. 244. 
Previous Descriptions of Hggs. , Southern Science 
Record (1883); North, Cat. Nests and Eggs, Australian Mus., p. 
205 (1889). 
Geographical Dastribution.—South Queensland, New South 
Wales, Victoria, South (includes the interior) and West Australia. 
Nest.—Cup-shaped, small, sides slightly swollen ; constructed of 
grass matted with spider’s web and cottony substances, sometimes 
with greenish-coloured cocoons ; inside lined with cottony material 
and long horsehair ; usually situated well out of reach, suspended 
to the pendulous branch of a Eucalypt, not unfrequently near or 
overhanging water, but eceasionally placed low in - ela noes 
Acacia, &c. Dimensions over all 2—24 inches by 2—24 inches in 
depth ; egg cavity 24 inches across by 14 inches deep. 
Eggs.—Clutch 23: Jong oval, compressed towards one end; 
texture fine ; surface very slightly ¢ glossy ; colour, delicate pinkish- 
white, moderately marked with distinct roundish spots of pinkish- 
brown and purplish-grey. Sometimes, especially more inland, the 
ground colour is pure white and the markings few ana faint. 
Dimensions of a clutch in parts of an inch: (1) 86 x :59; (2) 
"84 x 58; (3) 83 x °d8. 
Gis —The principal habitat of this familiar Honey- 
eater may, roughly speaking, be said to be the south. However, 
it has been observed in Central Australia and a portion of the 
west, notably between Lake Way and Lake Augusta, where Mr, 
G. A. Keartland states he observed the birds numerous wherever 
water was found. Several nests containing young were noticed 
