Yellow-browed Honeyeater (Melidectes rufocrissalis) - HBW 13, p. 613

Taxonomy: Melirrhophetes rufocrissalis Reichenow, 1915, Schraderberg, Sepik Mountains = Schrader Range, north-east New Guinea.
Study of relationships within genus needed. Forms a superspecies with M. leucostephes, M. belfordi and M. foersteri; all four, along with M. ochromelas and M. torquatus, comprise a group of relatively large species that differ from others in genus in size, morphology, plumage and voice. Sometimes treated as conspecific with M. belfordi, and on Mt Koimjim (in Schrader Mts) the two co-occur but appear to exclude each other altitudinally; they hybridize freely, however, where they come into contact; Herzog Mts, much of Eastern Highlands, Mt Goliath (in E Star Mts) and N slopes of Snow Mts may once have supported both species, but hybrid populations now found extensively through these areas (although populations of N slopes of Snow Mts are almost pure M. belfordi). Has been suggested that race thomasi is of hybrid origin on basis of its black forehead; this race was originally described under name gilliardi, but that name invalid, as preoccupied. Precise geographical limits of each race complicated by extensive hybridization with M. belfordi. Two subspecies recognized.