MYZOMELA CINERACEA.
Ash-coloured Honey-eater.

Myzomela cineracea, Sclater, Proc, Zool. Soc. 1879, p. 448, pl. xxxvii. fio, ] -
XXXVI. fig, 1;

: 1880, p. 65.—Salvad. Ann. Mus.
Civ. Genova, xvi. p. 73, no. 15 (1880).—Id.

Jrn. della Papuasia&e. ii, p. 304 (1881),

, 2) 2 4] , 4 Tan ee ~ 7 - S
~~ emerea, Reichenow et Schalow, Journ. f. Orn. 1880, p. 197,

Tuts plain-coloured Honey-eater was met with by the Rev. G. Brown in New Britain, and belongs to the
section of the genus without any bright colouring on the throat, and with the under surface ’
the same colour as the upper surface. Its nearest ally is my Myzomela obscura from Northern Australia,
which has also been found to inhabit South-eastern New Guinea. The latter bird, however, in addition to
its dusky grey colour, has a slight vinous tinge on the head ; this

is absent in AZ. cineracea, which is entirely
ash-coloured above and below.

Beyond the mere fact of recording the discovery of this spe
to say that I have absolutely nothing to add respecting the habits or mode of life.
same as those of the other species of the genus.

cies, I regret
These are doubtless the
As Mr. Forbes remarks, “in their habits the Myzomele
seem to resemble the other smaller Honeysuckers, frequenting flowering shrubs and trees, not apparently
so much for the sake of the nectar of the flowers as for the insects attracted thereby.”

The following short description of the species is a translation of that given by Dr. Sclater in his paper
on Mr. Brown’s fourth collection :—Uniform dark ashy; under wing-coverts and inner margins of quills
white ; bill and feet black. Total length 55 inches, wing 2°8, tail 2-4, tarsus 0°8, bill from gape 1-05.

I am again indebted to Dr. Sclater for the opportunity of figuring this species, which has since been
added to the collection of the British Museum. The figures in the Plate are drawn from the typical
example, and represent the bird in different attitudes, all the figures being of about the size of life.

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