MELIRRHOPHETES OCHROMELAS, Meer.

Ochraceous Honey-eater.

Melirrhophetes ochromelas, A. B. Meyer, Sitzungsberichte der k.-k. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Wien, Ixx.
Juni 1874, p. 112.

 

Tuis bird is somewhat similar to JZ Jeucostephes or the White-faced Honey-eater ; however, it has several
characters which separate it from that species. First, it is a smaller bird, its bill more slender, whilst the
caruncles of the face and naked skin round the eye are less developed. Its general colouring is much
darker, and, as its trivial name implies, is of an ochraceous tint. Its legs are more slender and of a pale
yellow colour, whilst they are bluish black in M. leucostephes.

I wish it were in my power to add some information respecting the habits and economy of this novelty,
the discovery of which is due to Dr. Meyer, who has kindly forwarded me his unique example for the
purpose of figuring it in the present work, together with the following short note (made, I suppose, at the
time the bird was killed) :-—

‘© Melirrophetes ochromelas and M. leucostephes are closely allied; but the former has no white on the
head or under surface, with the exception of some small marks. It has, as before stated, a smaller bill,
light-coloured feet, smaller and deeper orange-coloured caruncles at the throat, more lively tints on the
outer edges of the wings &c.

‘Head black, with a small stripe of the eyebrows and ends of the ear-feathers brownish ; naked skin
of the eye and lengthened skin-fold at the angle of the mouth yellowish ; caruncles of the throat orange-
red. | Upperside brownish, feathers of the upper surface of the back edged with white ; under surface
blackish, with some faint white stripes on the abdomen ; wings like those of M. leucostephes, the only
difference being that the edges of the outer webs are of a more ochreous colour. Tail like that of
M. leucostephes, but with the edges of the outer webs of a lively yellowish tint. Bill bluish grey, with a
lighter tip; feet yellowish flesh-colour, tarsi darker.”

Total length 94 inches, bill 12, wings Ay, tail 43, tarsus 1%.

Hab. Arfak Mountains, New Guinea.

The figure is of the natural size.

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