210 The American Naturalist. [March, 
while one or two more touches of white may be seen on the 
wing-covertsand middle of abdomen. The ground color above | 
is yellowish-green, below buff. A distinct line of yellow marks 
the side of the face. Eye, bill and feet black or dusky. Total 
length 5 inches. ` 
Ptilotis cinerea (Salvad.) the Gray Honey-eater is much 
larger than the preceding species measuring about 8 inches in 
length. Upper surface with tail is brown, gray of a some- 
what dingy hue; marking the under body and head. The bill 
is noticeably strong and curved. Its coloris black. The eyes 
are black and prominent. White quills are conspicuous on 
the wings and tail. 
Another interesting member of the Meliphagidx found by 
Senor D’Albertis in 1872 is Melidectes torquatus, so-called from 
the torque or partial circlet of white, around the neck. Like 
its race it has the curving bill, long tail, bare orbits and other 
peculiar marks which characterize the honey eaters. This spe- 
cies is fuscous above, tail and wings dark olivaceous, contain- 
ing white spots on the black inserscapular feathers. Black or 
dark appears on the side face and throat, and again over the 
upper breast below a band of white somewhat longer. This 
is margined below by a narrow line of dull yellow about the 
same tint as that around the eyes and side neck. Under parts 
are mainly whitish, passing into yellowish near the vent and 
much marked with black spots along the sides. Feet, bill and 
iris are almost black. The sexes do not differ noticeably and 
are both about 8.5 inches in total length. 
EDITOR’S TABLE. 
—TueE greater part of the American newspaper press needs a radi- 
cal change of heart in the matter of reporting on subjects which come 
within the domain of biology It would pay the leading newspapers at 
least to have a scientific editor or referee to whom all paragraphs and 
articles on such subjects should be referred before publication. AS the 
