DUSKY HONEY-EATER. 
(including all classes of country) 51 were heard. Their note at times might 
easily be mistaken for that of the Reed-Warbler. They were chiefly seen 
in the acacia scrubs.’ ” 
From the Islands of Torres Straits, Campbell wrote: “Numerous,” while 
giving McLennan’s note: “23/1/20. Saw three Dusky Honey-eaters and 
shot one. Could not find the others. Have been on the lookout for this 
bird for about three weeks ; was beginning to think thej'- had all left the island.” 
No subspecies were distinguished until Hartert studied a collection of 
Australian birds made in North-west Australia and the Northern Territory, 
when he named 
Myzomela obscura grisescens. 
“ This new form differs at a glance from M. o. obscura by its greyish, 
instead of dark brownish, upper- and under-surface. This is most evident 
on the throat and breast. I have compared a fine series from Cape York, 
Bowen, Cooktown, and other parts of Queensland, as well as from Port 
Essington.” 
Type from Brock’s Creek, Northern Territory. 
This nomenclatorial lapse is explained by the fact that Hartert thought 
that Port Essington was in North Queensland. I find, however, that 
Northern Territory specimens do not agree with Queensland ones, and, as 
the differences were recognisable, I named the Cairns bird 
Myzomela obscura harterti 
and M. o. grisescens Hartert became a synonym of the typical subspecies. 
In my “Reference List” in 1912 I added 
Myzomela obscura munna. 
“Differs from M. o. harterti in its paler coloration above and below. Cape 
York, North Queensland.” 
and a little later added : 
Myzomela obscura apsleyi. 
“ Differs from M. o. obscura in its darker coloration. Melville Island, Northern 
Territory.” 
hi 1913 I lumped M. o. munna with M. o. harterti and transferred the 
species to the genus Melomyza, which I had introduced for this “ obscure ” 
Myzomela , ranging : 
Melomyza obscura obscura. Northern Territory. 
Melomyza obscura apsleyi. Melville Island. 
Melomyza obscura harterti. North Queensland. 
When Campbell and Barnard reported upon the Birds of Cardwell, 
North Queensland, they wrote : “Mathews’s munna (which = harterti) is too 
near the type locality of obscura for scientific separation.” 
333 
