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GENUS ACANTHOGENYS (Gould). 



THIS genus, of winch there is only one species, is intermediate in size and structure between the 

 smaller Honey-eaters and those of the largest size. 



ACANTHOGENYS EUFIGULAELS (Gould). 



SPIN Y- CHEEKED HONE Y-EA TER. 



THIS, one of the most interesting of the Meliphagidce, is very common in the interior of New 

 South Wales and South Australia, but is very rarely, if ever, found on the coast. Specimens 

 have also been obtained in the interior of Western Australia. 



In habits it resembles greatly the Antoclmrce, and, like them, is very shy. Its presence in 

 any place can generally be taken as an indication of the poverty of the ground, since it almost 

 invariably frequents Banksise and other trees which only grow on sandy, poor soil. Whilst flying, 

 it utters a loud, whistling note, by which its presence may always be detected. 



The nest, composed of grasses joined together both inside and out with wool, is suspended 

 from one of the small branches of a low tree. The e^trs, three in number, are one inch longf and 

 nine lines broad. Their colour is dull olive-buff, thickly spotted with chestnut-brown and bluish-grey. 



The sexes are alike in plumage. 



Crown of the head, back, and wings, blackish-brown, the primaries margined with yellow 

 and the secondaries with greyish-white ; stripe behind the eye and on the sides of the neck, black ; 

 between these is a broad line of white, with elongated dark spots ; throat, chest and under surface, 

 rufous, becoming paler towards the abdomen and flanks, where each feather is striated with darker 

 colour; tail, brownish-black, tipped witli white; irides, grey; bill, flesh-colour; legs and feet, olive-grey. 



Total length, 9| inches; bill, 1^ inch; wing, 4^ inches; tail, 4^ inches; tarsi, 1 inch. 



Habitats : Interior of Xew South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. 



GENUS PLECTORHYNCHA (Gould). 



TipHE eastern portion of the Continent of Australia is the exclusive home of the only speeies of 

 J- this genus which is known. 



