MELIRRHOPHETES OCHROMELAS, Meyer. 
Ochraceous Honey-eater. 
Melirrhopbetes ochromelas, A. B. Meyer, Sitzungsberichte der k.-lt. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Wien, lxx. 
Juni 1874, p. 112. 
This bird is somewhat similar to M. leucostephes or the White-faced Honey-eater ; however, it has several 
characters which separate it from that species. First, it is a smaller bird, its hill more slender, whilst the 
caruncles of the face and naked skin round the eye are less developed. Its general colouring is much 
darker, and, as its trivial name implies, is of an ochraceous tint. Its legs arc more slender and of a pale 
yellow colour, whilst they are bluish black in M. leucostephes. 
I wish it were in my power to add some information respecting the habits and economy of this novelty, 
the discovery of which is due to Dr. Meyer, who has kindly forwarded me his unique example for the 
purpose of figuring it in the present work, together with the following short note (made, I suppose, at the 
time the bird was killed) :• — 
“ Melirrophetes ochromelas and M. leucostephes are closely allied ; hut the former has no white on the 
head or under surface, with the exception of some small marks. It has, as before stated, a smaller hill, 
light-coloured feet, smaller and deeper orange-coloured caruncles at the throat, more lively tints on the 
outer edges of the wings &c. 
“ Head black, with a small stripe of the eyebrows and ends of the ear-feathers brownish ; naked skin 
of the eye and lengthened skin-fold at the angle of the mouth yellowish ; caruncles of the throat orange- 
red. Upperside brownish, feathers of the upper surface of the hack edged with white ; under surface 
blackish, with some faint white stripes on the abdomen ; wings like those of M. leucostephes , the only 
difference being that the edges of the outer webs arc of a more ochreous colour. Tail like that of 
M. leucostephes, but with the edges of the outer webs of a lively yellowish tint. Bill bluish grey, with a 
lighter tip ; feet yellowish flesh-colour, tarsi darker.” 
Total length 9i inches, hill lir, wings 4i, tail 4i, tarsus li. 
Hab. Arfak Mountains, New Guinea. 
The figure is of the natural size. 
