DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW HAEMOPROTOZOA FROM BIRDS IN N.S.W. 77 



matozoa of two species of Meliomis and Spirochaete-try- 

 panosomes. Should a male bird be shot in the breeding 

 season and the abdominal cavity injured, it is possible (as 

 occurred with us) that some of these spermatozoa might 

 gain entrance into the blood-films and lead to puzzling 

 results. 



We are indebted to one of our assistants at the Bureau, 

 Mr. G. Grant, for the microphotographs. 



Halteridium ptilotis (sp. nou.), from the blood of Ptilotis 

 chrysops, (Pam. Meliphagidse). 



(Diagram I, figs. 1-15.) 



In the blood of a specimen of Ptilotis chrysops, shot at 

 Milson Island, Hawkesbury River, in April, 1909, a few 

 Halteridia were found. Only the larger forms of the 

 parasite were met with, from a size extending half-way 

 between the nucleus and the end of the red cell to speci- 

 mens occupying the side and all this space and quite 

 embracing the nucleus save on its opposite lateral aspect. 

 Some of these latter must have occupied fully three-fourths 

 of the available space, and in one or two examples there 

 was some suggestion of displacement to a slight degree of 

 the nucleus. 



The following is a description of twenty consecutive 

 parasites arranged afterwards according to the appearances 

 presented : — 



1. Protoplasm quite clear. Melauin aggregated as coarse 

 masses, 6 at one end, 8 at the other. 



2. Protoplasm quite clear. Melanin aggregated as coarse 

 masses, 4 at one end, 7 at the other. 



3. Protoplasm very pale. Melanin as rods (9 and 7) at 



each end. 

 5. Protoplasm faint. Melanin as coarse masses (5 and 6) 

 towards each end. 



