PACHYCEPHALA RUFOGULARIS, Gould.
Red-throated Pachycephala.
Pachycephala rufogularis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part VIII. p. 164.
I h a v e never seen this species of Pachycephala in any other collection than my own; all the specimens
therein contained fell to my own gun during my explorations in South Australia: I found it anything
but abundant; in fact, although I was constantly seeking it, many days frequently elapsed without my
procuring a specimen. Its stronghold, probably a part of the vast country o f the interior, has yet to be
discovered. From the little I saw o f it, I am induced to believe that it is a very solitary bird, for I
always encountered it singly, and mostly hopping about on the ground in the thinly-timbered forest
which surrounds the city o f Adelaide. Its actions were so particularly quiet, and its plumage so unattractive,
that had not my attention been directed to birds of a sombre hue as well as to those o f gay attire,
I might have easily overlooked it. I never heard it utter any note, nor did I observe anything in its habits
and economy worthy o f remark. It doubtless resorted to the ground for coleopterous and other insects,
the remains of which formed the contents o f the stomachs of those I procured.
The adult males and females differ considerably in the colouring o f their plumage; the young males
resemble the females. The rusty colouring o f the throat and face distinguishes this species from every
other member o f the genus.
As South Australia is the only country in which this rare species has yet been discovered, and as nothing
whatever is known o f its history, I would call the attention of future collectors to the subject, with a view of
procuring information respecting i t ; and when I state that my specimens were procured within two miles of
the city o f Adelaide, it will be admitted that I am not imposing too great a task on my talented friend
Governor Grey, and the other residents at Adelaide.
The male has the crown of the head and all the upper surface deep brownish g r ey ; wings and tail dark
brown, the feathers margined with greyish brown ; lores, chin, throat, under surface of the shoulder and all
the under surface reddish sandy brown, crossed on the breast by a broad irregular band o f greyish brown;
irides reddish brown ; bill black; feet blackish brown.
The female differs from the male in having the throat and under surface greyish white, the chest being
crossed by an obscure mark o f greyish brown, and with a line down the centre o f each feather.
The Plate represents the two sexes of the natural size.