THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
neighbouring black colouring ; in the size of the body the two species are 
very much ahke.” 
This has been accepted as a species by some, as a subspecies or variety 
by other, writers since that time. 
Discussing the birds of Kangaroo Island, A. G. Campbell wrote: 
“ Concerning the nomenclatui'e for these intermediate or island fornis it is 
difficult to prescribe. I would suggest that the specific name Imlmaturim . . 
be apphed to Ileliornis {Lichmera) australasiana ; and, should subsequent 
research and more material waiTant it, that the same name be also sub- 
specifically applied to Meliw'nis novcehollandice.'’' As both are here gi'ouped 
in the same genus the last named one must be invalid and I have renamed it. 
Pecuharly enough on p. 143 Campbell proposed “ Lichmera halmaturina new 
subspecies,” and gave no name to Meliornis novcehollandice, writing simply 
(? variety) with the explanation : “ Tins showy bird was plentiful in all the 
scrubby country and could often be seen perched on the flow'er stalk of some 
grass tree extracting nectar from the upright column. Comparing it rith 
specimens from Victoria show’ed it to be Mttle different in plumage, excepting 
that the chest striations wme jet black, fike the head. But from its longer 
and stronger bill it brings the Western Australian ill. longirostris very close 
to its eastern congener. The bill of the former measures ’78 to ’8 m., of the 
latter "7 to *72 in., and of Kangaroo Island specimens *75 to ’78 in.” 
A little later I separated the Tasmanian bird Avith the name 
Meliornis diemenensis 
and then in the preparation of my “ Reference List” m 1912 I subordinated 
this and Gould’s M. longirostris to subspecific rank, omitting the Kangaroo 
Island form of wdiich I had no specimens and addmg two new subspecies thus: 
Meliornis novcehollandice novcehollayidice (Latham). 
New South Wales. 
Meliornis novcehollandice assimilis Mathews. 
“ Differs from M. n. novcehollandice in its darker coloration on the head and 
with fewer stripes on the belly. (Olinda, Victoria).” 
Victoria. 
Meliornis novcehollandice diemenensis Mathews. 
Tasmania. 
Meliornis novcehollandice subassimilis Mathews. 
“ Differs from M. n. assimilis in its larger size and darker coloration. Mt. 
Lofty Ranges, South Australia.” 
South Austraha, 
Meliornis novcehollandice longirostris (Gould). 
West Australia. 
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