WHTTE-NAPEI) HONEY-EATER, 
displayed by Australian birds and very commonly emphasized small observed 
differences on account of distinct geographical range. He was perfectly 
justified in such action and the only difference between his usage and ours 
to-day is that he called his geographical forms species, whereas we call them 
subspecies. Nevertheless, whatever rank we may give the forms the facts 
remain that Gould was keen on recognising geographical forms on account 
of their geographical range and any small difference was sufficient. Some 
recent workers have overlooked this fact and have been inclined to argue 
that Gould only considered large differences without regard to geography 
at all. In the present case Gould differentiated as new species 
Mdithreptus chloropsis 
“ Allied to M. lunulatus, from which it differs in being of a larger size, and 
in having the bare space over the eye pale green instead of red. Western 
Australia.” 
and 
Melithreptus albogularis. 
Rather smaller than M. lunulatus, from which it differs in the brighter 
colouring of the back, and in the total absence of any black on the chin. 
Northern and Eastern Australia.” 
Gould of course maintained these as distinct species, but Gadow 
synonymised the former and ranked the latter as of subspecific value only. 
In this particular instance, however, even the authority of a British Museum 
Catalogue could not impress local students of the correctness of the conclusions, 
and we find Ramsay in 1888 simply ignoring Gadow and allowing three species 
without comment. 
Hall admitted the three but noted against albigularis “ subsp. of 
lunulatus ,” but apparently recognising chloropsus as a distinct species. It 
is interesting to know the points Hall gave for the species: 
lunulatus “ Chin pure white ; naked space above eye scarlet; wing 
2-8 to 3'1 in.” 
albigularis “ Wing 2 - 6 to 2‘8 in.” 
chloropsis “ Similar to lunulatus; larger and naked space above eye 
greenish-white. ’ ’ 
Campbell arranged them again differently, admitting M. lunulatus 
subsp. chloropsis. 
subsp. albigularis 
and stating that the latter two were the western and northern representatives. 
Then North, receiving specimens from the Clarence River, counselled 
the admission of albigularis as a distinct species, contending there was no 
intergradation between it and lunulatus, and in addition to the olive-yellow 
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