BROWN-HEADED HONEY-EATER. 
and the crown, ear-coverts, back, and under tail-coverts are all slightly 
darker. In life a bluish spot exists in the centre of the bare lower eyelid. 
This has not been noted in M. brevirostris, though it occurs with M. leucogenys 
of Western Australia.” 
Apparently Gould referred to this western form, leucogenys, as the 
immature of chloropsis, as previously noted. 
Milligan found this bird in the Stirling Ranges, and wrote “ The locality 
was very rich in dowering shrubs, and as a consequence Honey-eaters of all 
kinds were numerous and characteristically vivacious. Whilst standing on 
a hillside in the midst of the scrub, a Melithreptus perched for an instant on a 
bush close by. Its blackish-grown head and white cheeks at once arrested 
my attention, but before I had time to shoot it it flew away. Subsequently 
1 heard a series of rattle-like notes. These I traced to birds similar to the one 
described. The birds were very shy, but after much patience and pursuit I 
secured one, and afterwards two others. On examining them the orange- 
coloured eye-spaces and bluish-emerald orbits and their white cheeks appeared 
to me at once to distinguish them from M. brevirostris. ... [I described 
them as a new species M. leucogenys .] Later, at the Wongan Hills, Milligan 
shot several specimens: “in every specimen the eye-zones were yellow and the 
orbits bluish-emerald, and the other characteristics upon which I distinguished 
it from the Eastern form were also constant.” 
Whitlock later went to the Stirling Ranges and reported: “ This 
Honey-eater seems to prefer the open country rather than the forests of gums. 
1 did not find it common anywhere. Where it occurred it was usually fluttering 
about in little parties of less than half a dozen. It is a fussy, animated bird 
and is constantly uttering its rather unmusical and rattling notes. Its favourite 
haunts appeared to be the sand-plain which had escaped the general destruction 
and where there was a growth of stunted jarrahs. Certain creeks whose banks 
were well-clothed with scrub of the mallee type were also much favoured, and 
it was hi such localities this bird seemed to find its food. I cannot recollect ever 
having observed it extracting the nectar from flowers. Its quest seemed to be 
more insectivorous, and the sprays of foliage were assiduously searched hi pursuit 
of its prey. It must be a late breeder, as I saw the sexes more than once in the 
act of pairing. This was hi the beginning of October, when many species had eggs. 
Mr. Tom Carter has written me: “ The Western Brown-headed Honev- 
eater occurs rather sparingly about Broome Hill. Seen in some numbers, and 
specimens obtained at Kellerberin. This species occurs inland, taking the 
place of Melithreptus chloropsis .” 
Regarding the Perth district Alexander has stated: “ Resident. Uncommon, 
but met with among the bushes in the more open county in the district.” 
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