Genus M icrceca, , Gould.
Generic characters.
Bill shorter than the head, depressed, broad at the base; gonys straight; curving downwards and slightly
notched at the tip ; nostrils round, placed at the base of the bill, which is beset with strong bristles; wings
lengthened and powerful, first primary short, the third the longest ; tail rather short and nearly square ; tarsi moderate
and feeble ; toes feeble, the external toe much longer than the internal one.
Three species of this genus inhabit Australia, to which country they are confined.
141. Micrceca macroptera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. II. PI. 93.
Sylvia leucophcea, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. vii. p. 139.
142. Microeca assimilis, Gould.
Micrceca assimilis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part VIII. p. 172..-
All the upper surface brown, primaries dark brown ; tail brownish black ; the tips and the terminal half of the
external margins of the two outer feathers white ; the three next on each side also tipped with white, the extent of
the white becoming less upon each feather as they approach the centre of the tail ; the four middle feathers without
the white tip ; throat, centre of the abdomen and under tail-coverts white, passing into pale brown on the sides of
the chest and flanks ; irides reddish brown ; bill and feet blackish brown.
Total length, 4-f- inches ; bill, f a • wings, 3f-; tail, 2^- ; tarsi, fa .
Inhabits Western Australia ; and is so nearly allied to the Micrceca macroptera, from which it only differs in
being much less in size and in having the base of the outer tail-feather brown, that I have not considered it necessary
to figure it.
143. Microeca f l a v i g a s t e r ........................................................................................... Vol. II. PI. 94.
Genus M o n a r c h a , Vig. Sc Hors/.
Several species of this genus occur in the Indian Islands and two in Australia. They are insectivorous birds,
and procure their food by quietly hopping about among the branches of the trees.-
144. Monarcha carinata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. II. PI. 95.
145. Monarcha trivirgata . . ' . . . . . . . . . .. - Vol. II. PI. 96.
Genus G e r y g o n e , Gould.
Generic characters.
Bill shorter than the head, swollen, notched at the tip ; commissure straight; nostrils basal, lateral, oval;
rictus beset with two or three extremely fine and weak bristles ; wings moderately long, first quill almost spurious,
second long, third, fourth and fifth equal and longest ; tail rather short and square ; tarsi entire, slender, moderately
long ; toes extremely short and small, the lateral toes even, and united to the middle one nearly to the first
joint ; claws much curved.
The term Psilopus was originally proposed by me for this genus, but that name having been previously employed,
Gerygone was substituted for it.
A group inhabiting every part of Australia, and probably New Guinea and Polynesia. Their chief food
consists of insects of the most diminutive size, such as aphides, gnats and mosquitos. The more thickly-billed
species may probably feed upon larger insects and their larvse. They mostly frequent the thick umbrageous woods,
where they dart about for insects under the canopy of the dense foliage, or sally forth into the open glade like true
Flycatchers. Their nests are of a domed form, with the entrance near the top, some species protecting the opening
by constructing a projection above it like the eaves of a house ; the eggs are generally four in number,,and spotted
with red like those of the Maluri and Pari.
146. Gerygone albogularis,. Gould . . . . • • • •. • • • Vol. II. PI. 97.
Psilopus olivaceus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part V. p. 147, Young.
147. Gerygone fusca, Gould Vol. II. PI. 98.
148. Gerygone culicivorus, Gould ,' . . . . . . • • ■ Vol. II. PI. 99.
149. Gerygone magnirostris, Gould . . . . . . • • • • • Vol. II. PI. 100.
150; Gerygone lsevigaster, Gould . . . . Vol. II. PI. 101.-
151. Gerygone chloronotus, Gould . . . . . . . . ■ • Vol. II. PI. 102.
Genus S m ic r o r n i s , Gould.
Generic characters.
Bill very small and short, swollen at the sides ; nostrils basal, oblong and protected by an operculum; at the
base of the bill a few fine hairs ; wings moderately long, first quill very short ; the first, third, fourth and fifth equal
and the longest ; tail short and square; tarsi moderate ; toes rather short, adapted for clinging ; the hinder and the
middle toes equal in length.
The members of this genus are the smallest birds of the Australian fauna. I have described two species, one
inhabiting New South Wales and the other Port Essington ; and had I characterized the bird of this form inhabiting
Western Australia as distinct, I should most likely not have been in error, as it is probable that when the subject
has been more fully investigated it will prove to be soW .
152. Smicrornis brevirostris, Gould ■ • • • • • • • ■ ■ • ' Vol. II. PI,. 103.
153. Smicrornis fiavescens, Gould . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. II. PI. 104.
Family SYLVIADJ3, Vig.
Subfamily SAXICOLINjE, Bonap.
Genus E r y t h r o d r y a s , Gould.
Generic characters.
As in Petroica, but with-the bill shorter-and more flattened at the base, where it is beset with a number of fine
hairs which curve forward and overhang the nostrils ; wings shorter and more rounded ; first and second primaries
much shorter than thè rest; the fifth the longest; tarsi shorter ; toes more lengthened; lateral toes nearly even; claws
much sharper and more curved.
The members of the gènus Erythrodryas are much more delicate in structure than the Petroica!, have their feeble
bill strongly beset with bristles, and are more arboreal in their' habits ; their usual places of resort being the
innermost recesses of the forest, where, in a state of quiet seclusion, they flit about in search of insects ; the true
Petroicce, on the other hand, frequent open plains, are more bold and vigorous, and possess a structure which adapts
them for the ground over which they pass like the Sannicola.
The two species of this genus, all that are at present known, are confined to the south-eastern portions of
Australia and Van Diemen’s Land.
154. . Erythrodryas rhodinogaster . . . . . . ......................................................................Vol. III. PI. 1.
155. Erythrodryas rosea, Gould . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. III. PI. 2.,
Genus P e t r o i c a , Swains.
Thè birds I havè retained in this genus might with propriety be divided by separating the pied Robins from
the redibreasted, species. : The. dusky Robin of Van Diemen’s Land and the white; eye-browed Robin of the
north-east coast of Australia would also constitute another group of equal value with Erythrodryas, Drymodes and
Eópsaltria.
The red-breasted Petroica are confined to the south-eastern portions of Australia, Van Diemen’s Land and
Norfolk Island ; but I believe that the range of the pied birds extends to New Guinea.