CYSTICOLA RUFICEPS, Gould.
Rufous-headed Warbler.
Cysticola ruficeps, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part Y. p. 150; and in Syn. Birds of Australia, Part IY.
I t would give me great pleasure could I communicate any particulars respecting this pretty little bird, but
this unfortunately I am unable to do, no information of any kind having as yet reached m e ; I can only say
therefore that I possess three examples, one from the Liverpool Plains in New South Wales, another from
the district o f Port Philip, and a third from the north coast, which proves that it enjoys a widely extended
range of habitat. The uniform rufous colouring of the head and occiput at once distinguishes it from all
the other Australian members o f the genus. In its habits, manners and general economy it doubtless
closely assimilates to its congeners the C. exilis and lineocapilla, and like them inhabits the open grassy
glades between the forests, the grassy crowns of thinly-timbered hills, and all similar situations.
Crown of the head, and back o f the neck, rump, chest, flanks and thighs delicate fawn-colour, becoming
deeper and redder on the crown and the rump; upper part of the back, secondaries and tail deep brownish
black, each feather margined all round with buff; throat and centre of the abdomen white; bill brown;
feet yellowish brown.
The Plate represents the birds o f the natural size on one of the plants o f New South Wales.