MKLITHUKPTES. I'LECTORIIAMIMIUS. 33 



Melithreptes validirostris, Gould. 



Melithreptus validirostris, Gadow, Cat. Birds B. M. ix. p. 206 (1884) ; 



Nehrk. Kat. Eiersamml. p. 80 (1809) ; Campbell, Nests $ Eggs 



Austr. Birds, i. p. 364 (1901). 

 Melitkreptes validirostris, Shar^e, Hand-l. v. p. 65 (1906). 



An egg of the Strong-billed Honey-eater is similar to those of 

 M. atricajrillus, but is somewhat larger. It measures '9 by '63. 



1. Tasmania. Crowley Bequest. 



Melithreptes brevirostris, Vig. $ Horsf. 

 (Plate II. figs. 5 & 9.) 



Melithreptus brevirostris, Gadow, Cat. Birds B. M. ix. p. 207 (1884) ; 



North, Nests fy Egys Austr. Birds, p. 225 (1889) ; Campbell, Nests 



Sf Etjgs Austr. Birds, i. p. 304 (1901). 

 Melithreptes brevirostris, Sharpe, Hand-l. v. p. 65 (1906). 



The eggs of the Short-billed, or Brown-headed, Honey-eater are 

 somewhat elliptical in shape and exhibit a very small amount of 

 gloss. They vary from flesh-colour to pale salmon-colour or light 

 buff and are marked in various ways. Two examples are speckled 

 with chestnut and lilac, but almost entirely at the broad end, 

 where the markings form a broad zone. .Two other eggs are 

 mottled all over with pale brownish-purple, and others again 

 are speckled with brownish-purple, chiefly at the larger end. They 

 measure from '6 to '7 in length, and from '45 to '48 in breadth. 



1. Rockhampton, Queensland. Crowley Bequest. 



2. Dawson River, Queensland, 13th Crowley Bequest. 



Aug. (North Coll.}. 



2. Western Port, Victoria (E. P. Sey- Crowley Bequest. 

 mour) . 



2. Melbourne, 9th Nov. (A. J. North). Crowley Bequest. 



Melithreptes melanocephalus, Gould. 



Melithreptus melanocephalus, Gadow, Cat. Birds B. M. ix. p. 207 (1884) ; 



Campbell, Nests fy Eggs Austr. Birds, i. p. 366 (1901). 

 Melithreptes melanocephalus, Sharpe, Hand-l. v. p. 65 (1906). 



Three eggs of the Black-headed Honey-eater are similar to those 

 of M. atricapillus. They measure respectively -68 by -57 ; '77 by 



58 ; -83 by -58. 



3. Tasmania. Crowley Bequest. 



Genus PLECTORHAMPHUS, Gray. 



Plectorhamphus lanceolatus, Gould. 



Meliphaga lanceolata, Thien. Fortpjlanz. ges. Vog. tab. xvi. fig. 14 



(1845-54). 

 Plectorhyncha lanceolata, Gould, Handb. Birds Austr. i. p. 525 (1865) ; 



North, Nests fy Eggs Austr. Birds, p. 209, pi. xiii. fig. 2 (1889). 



VOL. V. D 



