I 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
base of the lower jaw. Types shot in July, Cape York. The female is like 
the male ; one of the females has a sulphur-yellow wash on the middle of the 
abdomen, wing 56-57, $ wing 56-57 mm. Zosterops westemensis tephor- 
pleura, from Lord Howe’s Island, is more like the Cape York bird than like 
typical Z. westemensis, but larger, the wing more than 60 mm. Zosterops 
westemensis jlaviceps, from the Fiji Islands, seems to differ constantly from 
the Australian forms of Z. westemensis by having light coloured feet and bilk, 
though the colour of the plumage is very much like that of Z. westemensis 
westemensis .” 
It will be noted that Hartert here treated the yellow-throated form as 
a distinct species. 
Later, A. G. Campbell in his memorable essay on the Birds of Kangaroo 
Island named Zosterops halmaturina (new subspecies): “ Here, too, is an 
interesting link. Z. ccerulescens, of South-eastern Australia, is characterized 
by its grey back, chestnut flanks, and greyish throat (sometimes tinged with 
greenish-yellow) ; Z. gouldii, of Western Australia, by its green back, greyish 
flanks, and yellow throat. The Kangaroo Island bird has grey back, greyish 
flanks, and yellow upper throat, thus linking one with another. The legs 
are of a very light horn-colour, and not grey-black; the bill is heavier— 
•4 in. against ‘33 in. ; wing is 2*25 in. ; tarsus -7 in. Withal it is quite 
a distinct variety.” 
North recorded : “ The White-eye appeared to be the same as the ordinary 
species of South Australia ( Zosterops ccerulescens), the slight difference of 
coloration being attributed to seasonable changes,” and wrote me to the same 
effect. 
Broadbent recorded Z. ccerulescens as “ Common at Cardwell.” 
Campbell and White, reporting on the Birds of the Capricorn Group, wrote: 
" Zosterops were numerous and appeared to breed upon the islands, judging 
by a few old nests. As at some of our more southern camps, it was delightful 
to listen to the subdued chorus of the birds’ sweet warbling songs at daybreak. 
Regularly on Mast Head they commenced to warble from 10 to 5 minutes 
before 5 o’clock. White-eyes were observed in great numbers on North- 
West and Tryon Islands, where, also, the nesting season had not yet 
commenced. Several skins were procured, the first by Mr. J. W. Mellor. From 
a critical examination of these skins it was at once noticeable that they are not 
referable to Z. ccerulescens, but are more in agreement with the description 
of Quoy and Gaimard’s Z. ivesternensis. Should further research prove them 
different, we venture to suggest the name Z. chlorocephalus, or Green-headed 
White-eye (on account of the ‘ clean-cut ’ markings of that colour), the following 
being the general description : Male. Distinct ring of silvery-white round 
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