Genus P tilotis, 'Stoains.
The species of this group are not only more numerous than those of any other division of the Meliphagida, but
they also comprise some of the most beautiful and gaily-coloured members of the family. Nearly all the species
are either prettily marked about the face, or have the ear-coverts largely developed and characterized by a colouring
different from that of the other parts of the plumage. The Eucalypti and Acacia are the trees upon which they
are usually found; the species with olive-green backs, such as P. flavigula and P . leucotis, frequent the dwarf or*
thickly-leaved kinds, the foliage of which assimilates in colour to that of their plumage; the more gaily-attired
species with bright yellow cheeks and ear-coverts, such as P. omatus and. P. plumulus, are most frequently found
among the flowering Acacia; some species, particularly P. penicillata, descend from the trees and seek Coleoptera
and other insects on the ground; the Casuarina are the favourite trees of P. sonorus and P. versicolor; while the
P. chrysotis, P. chrysops and P. fusca are almost entirely confined to the brushes and seek their food among the
Eucalypti, the hanging festoons of Tecoma and other beautiful brush creepers. The members of this group are
principally Australian, but I believe that some species inhabit New Guinea; they mainly subsist upon insects, to
which berries are sometimes added.
The sexes are alike in plumage, but the females are smaller than the males, and the young assume the advdt
livery from the nest.
283. Ptilotis chrysotis . . . . . . .
Ptilotis Lewinii, Swains. Class, of Birds, vol. ii. p. 326 ?
284. Ptilotis sonorus, Gould . . . . . .
285. Ptilotis versicolor, Gould . . . . .
286. Ptilotis flavigula, Gould . . . . . .
287. Ptilotis leucotis . . . . . . .
288. Ptilotis auricomis . . . . . . .
289. Ptilotis cratitius, Gould................................................
290. Ptilotis omatus, Gould . . .
291. Ptilotis plumulus, Gould . . . . . .
292. Ptilotis flavescens, G o u l d .......................................
293. Ptilotis flava, Gould . . . . . .
294. Ptilotis penicillatus, Gould . . . . .
295. Ptilotis fusca, Gould . . . . . .
296. Ptilotis chrysops . .
297. Ptilotis unicolor, Gould . . . . . .
Genus P lectorhyncha, Gould.
Generic characters.
Bill shorter than the head, slightly arched, very pointed, almost conical and acute; nostrils basal and partly
covered by an operculum; an obsolete notch near the tip of the upper mandible; wings moderate, the first feather
short, the third and fourth the longest; tail moderate and square; tarsi strong; hind-toe and claw long, powerful
and longer than the middle toe and claw; lateral toes unequal; the outer one the longest, and united to the middle
one nearly to the first joint.
Of this singular form only one species has yet been discovered. I t inhabits the plains of the eastern portion
of Australia, where it dwells among the Eucalypti and Acacia; and is a very noisy garrulous bird.
The sexes are alike in plumage, and the young assume the adult plumage at a very early age.
298. Plectorhyncha lanceolata, G o u l d .................................................. v 0l. IV. pi. 47.
Genus Xanthomyza, Swains.
Of this genus only one species is known.
Vol. IV. PI 32.
Vol. IV. PI. 33.
Vol. IV. PI. 34.
Vol. IV. PI. 35.
Vol. IV. PI. 36.
Vol. IV. PI. 37.
Vol. IV. PI. 38
Vol. IV. PI. 39.
Vol. IV. PI. 46.
Vol. IV. PI. 4i;
Vol. IV. PL 42.
Vol. IV. PL 43.
VOL IV. Pl. 44.
Vol. IV. Pl. 45.
Vol. IV. Pl. 46.
299. Xanthomyza Phrygia . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. IV. Pl. 48.
The habitat of this bird appears to be confined to the south-eastern portion of Australia. I t generally
frequents the highest branches of the lofty Eucalypti, both of the brushes and of the plains, but is most abundant in
the districts near the coast. In its disposition it is bold and extremely pugnacious.
The sexes are alike in plumage, and b ut little difference is observable between nestling and adult birds.
The nests I saw were round and cup-shaped, and were mostly placed in the fork of a tree.
Genus M e l ic o p h il a , Gould.
Generic characters.
Bill as long as the head, gradually curving downwards from the base, nearly cylindrical and very pointed;
nostrils basal and covered with an operculum; wings rather lengthened, the first primary short, the third the
longest; tail moderately long, and nearly square; tarsi long and stout.
A genus containing only a single species, which so far as we yet know is confined to Southern and Western
Australia.
300. Melicophila picata, G o u l d ................................................................... Vol. IV. Pl. 49.
Possesses many singular habits, and differs from most other species of the Meliphagida in the totally different
colouring of the sexes; as well as in assembling in vast flocks, which continue soaring about during the greater
portion of the day. I was not aware until after my drawing was made that this bird has a small fleshy appendage
beneath the eye of an ashy-grey colour, which is invisible in a dried skin. The nest and eggs are said to be very
similar to those of Petroica multicolor, and to be placed in similar situations.
Genus E n t o m o p h il a , Gould.
Generic characters.
Bill nearly as long as the head, somewhat broad at the base, becoming compressed and pointed at the apex;
tomia of the upper mandible arched and slightly notched at the tip ; nostrils basal, oval, pierced in a membrane and
protected by an operculum; wings rather long, first quill spurious, the second nearly as long as the third, which is
the longest; tail short and nearly square; tarsi short and rather feeble; hind-toe short and stout; lateral toes
unequal, the inner one being rather the shortest.
301. Entomophila picta, Gould . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. IV. Pl. 50.
The pointed wings of the examples of this bird I had seen prior to my visit to Australia, led me to infer that
its habits were more aerial than those of the other members of the family, and such proved to be the case; for
while the greater number of the latter cling to and creep about the branches, the present bird flies about the trees,
captures insects on the wing, and during flight displays the beautiful yellow of its wings and the white markings
of its tail to the greatest advantage.
Its frail cup-shaped nest is sometimes suspended among the drooping leaves of the Acacia pendula.
302. Entomophila albogulatis, Gould . . . . . . . . . . Vol. IV. Pl. 51.
303. Entomophila rufogularis, Gould . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. IV. Pl. 52.
I fear I have committed an error in referring the birds from the north coast (E. albogularis and E. rufogularis')
to the present genus, for upon further consideration I believe they will prove to be sufficiently different from every
other form yet characterized to justify their being separated into a distinct genus.
Genus A c a n t h o g e n y s , Gould.
Generic characters.
Bill as long as the head, compressed, slightly arched, acute a t the t ip ; the edges of the upper mandible notched
near the tip, and delicately serrated; nostrils sub-basal; from the base of the mandibles a naked stripe runs below