MYZOMELA PECTORALTS, Gould.
Banded Honey-eater.
Myzomela pectoralis, Gould in. Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part VIII. p. 170.
It will be seen from the number o f novelties received from that territory, that the northern coast o f Australia
possesses a fauna almost peculiar to itself, few species, o f the smaller birds at least, being similar to those
of the southern coast.
The present interesting bird was forwarded to me by Mr. Bynoe as having been shot by him on the north
coast, but I regret to say it was unaccompanied by any information whatever respecting its habits. In its
structure it offers so close an alliance to the typical Myzomelse that I have provisionally placed it in that
group.
Some of the specimens sent me had the centre o f the back o f a ferruginous hue, while in others the same
part was jet black ; I am inclined to regard the former to be the plumage of the young birds o f the year, and
it is just possible it may also be characteristic of the adult female.
Forehead, crown of the head, upper surface, wings, tail and a narrow band across the chest black ;
throat, upper tail-coverts and all thè under surface white ; bill and feet black.
The birds are all figured of the natural size on one of the interesting plants from the same locality.