Java 8: type type output fails by method reference?

Question

Can someone tell me why the following code is not compiled, but the lambda version is:

Are there rules for general type inference? Anything I should avoid?

Error:

EntityLayerManager.refreshLayerRenderables(
        wwd, this.networkNodeShapeLayer, nodeMap.values(),
        MissionDetailUIConst::createNetworkNodeRenderable,
        MissionDetailUIConst::updateNetworkNodeRenderable) // <<== FAILED 

Success (with normal lambda):

EntityLayerManager.refreshLayerRenderables(
        wwd, this.networkNodeShapeLayer, nodeMap.values(),
        MissionDetailUIConst::createNetworkNodeRenderable,
        (e, coll) -> MissionDetailUIConst.updateNetworkNodeRenderable(e, coll));

Success (with general parameters):

EntityLayerManager.<EwmsVwNetworkNodeEntity, KolladaRoot>refreshLayerRenderables(
        wwd, this.networkNodeShapeLayer, nodeMap.values(),
        MissionDetailUIConst::createNetworkNodeRenderable,
        MissionDetailUIConst::updateNetworkNodeRenderable)

Related Methods:

public static <E, R extends Renderable> int refreshLayerRenderables(WorldWindow wwd,
        RenderableLayer renderableLayer, Collection<E> entityList,
        Function<E, ? extends Collection<? extends R>> createRenderables,
        BiPredicate<E, Collection<R>> updateRenderables);

public static Collection<KolladaRoot> createNetworkNodeRenderable(EwmsVwNetworkNodeEntity networkNode);

public static boolean updateNetworkNodeRenderable(EwmsVwNetworkNodeEntity networkNode, Collection<KolladaRoot> colladaRootCollection);

Answer 1

This is an Eclipse error. I narrowed it down to using the nested general parameter ( Collection<R>) as the argument type (in BiPredicate) for the reference method (specified as Collection<KolladaRoot>). It should compile in javac.exe.

, , 4.5 M2, ( ), .