464 



preceding species. Specimens taken show a very close 

 resemblance to birds collected in the Gawler Ranges. 



Total length. Expanse of wings. 



September 14 J 115 mm. 202 mm. 



September 15 $ 108 mm. 190 mm. 



Family MELIPHAGIDAE. 

 Certhionyx variegatus, Lesson (Pied Honey-eater). 



PI. xxxi., fig. 2. 

 These honey-eaters were met with in the sandy country 

 along the Strzelecki Creek. They were breeding at the time 

 we were there. The nest is neatly constructed of dry grasses 

 and rootlets, suspended in the overhanging foliage of acacia 

 trees. The general clutch is three eggs. Each egg is covered 

 with small brown spots on a light ground. The birds are most 

 conspicuous owing to their erratic flight — they twist and turn, 

 shoot upwards, then down, will often turn sharp round and 

 return to where they started from. Wherever the Eremophila 

 bushes were in flower these birds were sure to be found. 









Total length. 



Expanse of wings 



September 



18 



6 



180 mm. 



269 mm. 



September 



18 



9 



180 mm. 



269 mm. 



September 



24 



6 



174 mm. 



253 mm. 



Meliphaga sonora, Gould (Southern Singing Honey-eater). 



They were met with several times during the expedition, 

 but nowhere common. 



Total length. Expanse of wings. 



September 12 ^ 195 mm. 278 mm. 



Ptilotula penicillata leilavalensis, North 

 (Cloncurry White-plumed Honey-eater). 



These birds were met with from Farina to Innamincka, 

 and almost throughout the return journey. Innamincka 

 being the nearest point to Cloncurry, the type locality from 

 which I have taken specimens, it can be understood that one 

 would expect these birds to be very light in colouration. Upon 

 comparison it is found that the Central Australian birds are 

 of a much lighter tone all over than those taken upon this 

 trip . 



Total length. Expanse of wings. 



September 13 — 174 mm. 267 mm. 



September 23 j 170 mm. 240 mm. 



September 25 (j> 155 mm. 240 mm. 



October 2 ... tf 170 mm. 262 mm. 



October 18 ... tf 174 mm. 259 mm. 



