GRAUCALUS SWAINSONII.
Swain son’s Graucalus.
Ceblepyris lineatus, Swains, in Zool. Journ., vol. i. p. 466.
Gh'aucalus Swainsonii, Gould in Syn. Birds of Australia, Part IV.
T h i s species o f Graucalus, which is distinguished from all the other Australian members of the genus by the
beautiful barring o f the breast, was originally described by Mr. Swainson under the appellation o f lineatus;
hut that term having been previously applied to another species of the group, it became necessary to change
i t ; and in substituting that o f Swainsonii, I was desirous o f paying a just tribute to the talents of a gentleman
who has laboured most zealously in the cause o f natural science, and whose researches and writings are so
well known to all ornithologists.
Examples of this species occur in almost every collection sent from Moreton B a y ; I regret to add that it
is one o f the few birds I had no opportunities o f observing in a state o f nature, and that nothing is at present
known o f its habits and economy. Judging from the specimens I have examined, I believe that the sexes
are alike in plumage.
Lores black ; head, all the upper surface, wing-coverts, throat and breast grey ; primaries and secondaries
black ; the former narrowly, and the latter broadly margined on their external edges with grey ; tail
grey at the base, black for the remainder of its length; abdomen, under surface of the shoulder, and under
tail-coverts white, crossed by numerous decided narrow bars o f black; bill and feet black.
The figures are of the natural size.