Page:The Emu volume 13.djvu/239

 Vol. XIII. 1914 J ] White, Neiv Sub-species of Honey-eater. 187 New Sub-species of Honey-eater. By H. L. White, R.A.O.U., Belltrees (N.S.W.) From Mr. H. G. Barnard, who is collecting for me on the Mac- arthur River, Northern Territory, I lately received skins of a Honey-eater which appears to be a new sub-species of Ento- mophila picta. I suggest the name of Entomophila borealis, or Northern Painted Honey-eater. As far as I can learn, the Painted Honey-eater has not hitherto been recorded north of New South Wales, from which State I have a series of skins. The northern bird, as compared with the southern, is smaller generally, the comparative measurements being — Length Wing E. picta (according to A. J. North).* 6.3 inches. 3.5 inches. Bill. . . . .55 inches. Tarsus. . . . .7 inches. E. borealis (in tlie flesh). 6 inches. 3.3 inches. .5 inches. .6 inches. It also differs in both sexes being darker above, the yellow on wings being more pronounced, and in having the wing feathers faintly tipped with white (this is more noticeable in the female). The white markings on the under part of tail feathers are much smaller, while the breast is purer white and less spotted. The female is slightly lighter on the upper parts than the male ; otherwise the colouring of the sexes is almost identical.
 * " Nests and Eggs of Birds," &c., vol. ii., p. 83.

New Parrot for Australia and Description of Eggs.

By (Dr.) Wm. Macgillivray, R.A.O.U., Broken Hill (N.S.W.)

Before leaving Broken Hill for a trip to Cape York it was my pleasure to receive from Mr. W. M'Lennan three fine specimens, a male and two females, of an Eclectus taken on the Claudie River, which runs into Lloyd's Bay, on the Cape York Peninsula, where these birds are fairly common. So far as I can make out, this bird does not differ specifically from the Papuan bird, E. pectoraUs. which is to be seen alive in the Adelaide Zoological Gardens. Description of Eggs. — The clutch consists of two eggs, oval in shape, smooth, without lustre, and pitted, pure white, usually nest-stained. Long axis, 45 mm. ; short axis, 35 mm. This set was taken on the Claudie River from a deciduous tree in the scrub at a height of over 70 feet. Average eggs are dumpier and more pointed at the smaller end than are those of this first set.