THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
that the relationship of the smaller forms to these large ones is quite unknown, 
and leaves a great field for study in this group. 
In the group known as “ Ptilotis ,” for a number of years many well 
differentiated genera have been confused, and famous extra-limital workers 
have been astonished at the idea of classing some of the forms together 
when I have asked their opinion, suggesting that probably different families 
were represented and this is certainly the truth. 
It may be noted that Melithreptus itself is somewhat aberrant, 
constituting a well-defined very restricted little group with two distinct 
species in Tasmania, so that it may not be a true “ Honey-eater ” at all. 
This has been suggested previously, but no data has been furnished yet, 
though a Zosteropine affinity has been suggested, yet I do not think this 
is at all probable. 
I 
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