THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



type of Trichotropis gabrieli, Pritchard and Gatlifif. By Mr. R. 

 Hall. — Several species of the Rallidte. By Mr. D. Le Souef, 

 C.M.Z.S. — Egg of Great Bower-bird, Ghlamydodera nuchalis, 

 from North-West Australia. 



After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. 



DESCRIPTIONS OF THREE NEW AUSTRALIAN 



BIRDS. 



By a. J. Campbell. 

 {Read before the Field Naturalists'' Oluh of Victoria, 13th March, 1899.) 



Calamanthus rubiginosis (n.s), Rusty-red Field- Wren. 



Most resembles C. campestris (Gould), but is more rufous or 

 rusty-red in character of colouring. The white tail tips are 

 absent, but there are a few white feathers on the nape of the 

 neck, which, however, may not be permanent. The whitish line 

 over the eye is also absent. 



Dimensions in inches : — Length, 4.5 ; wing, 1.95 ; tail, 1.7 ; 

 bill, .42 ; tarsus, .9. 



This variety may possibly be the Desert-Wren, C. isabellinus 

 (North), which is described as having the dark streaks of the 

 upper surface almost obsolete. In the skin under consideration 

 these marks are fairly distinct. 



Mr. Tom Carter, the collector, informs me that the bird is 

 numerous on his station, near Point Cloates, and may be seen 

 warbling on the tops of bushes at almost any time of the year ; 

 but it is difficult to shoot, because as soon as one is approached 

 it dives into the undergrowth and creeps out of sight. 



Ptilotis carteri (n.s.), Western White-plumed Honey-eater. 



Differs from P. penicillata (Gould) by its smaller size and 

 yellow-tinted plumage — almost as yellow as P. flavescens (Gould). 

 However, the only skin at my command appears to be that of an 

 immature bird ; therefore, more material is necessary before the 

 new species can be confirmed or otherwise. In the mean- 

 time I beg to submit the name carteri, after the discoverer, 

 Mr. Thomas Carter, as a small compliment for his enthusiasm as 

 a field ornithologist, and for his British pluck in starting pastoral 

 pursuits in such a dry and uninviting country as the region of the 

 North-west Cape. 



Comparative dimensions, in inches, of Eastern and Western 

 varieties of White-plumed Honey-eaters : — 



Length. Wing. Tail. Bill. Tarsus. 



P. PENICILLATA ... 6.75 3.25 3.0 .43 .85 



P. CARTERI ... 6.0 2.8 2.75 .4 .8 



AcANTHOGENYS FLAVACANTHUS (n.s.), Yellow-spined Honey- 

 eater. 



