646 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION D. 
ACANTHOCH#RA RUFIGULARIS, Gould. 
‘“‘Spiny-cheeked Honey-eater.” 
Figure.—Gould, Bds. of Australia, fol., vol. iv, pl. 53. 
Reference.—Cat. Bds. Brit. Mus., vol. ix, p. 265. 
Previous Descriptions of Eggs.—Gould, Bds. of Aust. (1848) ; 
also Hdbk., vol. 1, p. 535 (1865). North, Cat. Nests and Eggs, 
Austn. Mus., p. 213 (1889). 
Geographical Distribution.—South Queensland, New South 
Wales, Victoria, South and West Australia. 
Nest.—Cup-shaped, strong, but thin, so thin that in some in- 
stances the contents may be seen from beneath ; composed of long, 
round pieces of greenish grass, interwoven or matted with spider’s 
web, some with the addition of a few cocoons; scantily lined on 
the inside bottom with wool and such like material, in some in- 
stances there is no particular lining; usually suspended by the rim 
in a bush—Acacia, &e.—or swaying branch of Casuarina or other 
low tree, in open forest. Dimensions over all, 4—5 inches by 24 
inches in depth; egg cavity, 23-3 inches across by 1-2 inches deep. 
Eggs.—Clutch, 2-3 ; oval, compressed and pointed at one end ; 
texture, fine ; surface, glossy ; colour, light olive, moderately marked, 
but more thickly about the apex with umber and dull grey spots. 
Dimensions of a clutch in inches—(1) 1°06 x ‘76; (2) 1-01 x °74. 
Another pair—(1) 1:06 x ‘72; (2) 1:05 x ‘72. 
These eggs are quite an exception to the usual character of 
colouring for Honey-eaters’, and more resemble types of the Yellow- 
breasted Thickheads (Pachycephale). 
Observations.—Probably no Australian Honey-eater is more 
interesting and pleasing than the elegant Spiny-cheeked. Its 
geographical range extends from Southern Queensland down south 
and across to Western Australia. It may be regarded as an inland 
species, but in winter it moves towards the seaboard, and is a 
visitor to the parks, cemeteries, &c., around Melbourne, Geelong, 
&e., where its peculiar gurgling call may be frequently heard. 
The earliest I have heard the Spiny-cheeked Honey-eater about 
Melbourne (exact locality, Armadale), has been the 22nd May. 
The latest I have heard them being the Ist September, in the 
Botanical Gardens. About September these birds commence to 
return inland to their breeding haunts, which in some instances 
are not far away. 
In October, 1882, I found two nests in the Mallee, near Nhill, 
Victoria. One was in an Acacia bush within reach. It was then 
building, the first egg being laid on the 20th, the second three 
days afterwards, when the nest was taken. The other nest was 
at a height of about 10 feet in an erect Casuarina (Bull-oak). It 
was also building. The first egg was deposited on the 18th, then 
an egg on each of the two following days. Full clutch, three. 
