S IT T E IX A . IB1UC0PTERA: t,m/.U
ffo n M u n d -B C lU e k U r d e l a ld &
S ITTELLA LEUCOPTERA, Gould.
White-winged Sittella.
Sittella leucoptera, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part VII. p. 144.
The present bird, which is a native of the northern parts o f Australia, is a perfect representative of the
Sittella chrysoptera of the south coast, to which species it is most nearly allied. The contrasted style o f its
plumage, together with the white spot in the wings, sufficiently distinguish it from every other species o f
the genus yet discovered. It is found in the Cobourg Peninsula, hut is nowhere very abundant: it is mostly
met with in small families o f from four to twelve in number. Its note, actions and general habits are
precisely similar to those of the other members o f the genus.
The sexes differ from each other in the markings of the head; the male has the summit only black, while
the female has the whole of the head and ear-coverts o f that colour.
The male has the forehead, crown of the head and occiput deep black; wings black, with a broad band
of white crossing the primaries near the base; tail black, the lateral feathers tipped with white; throat,
under surface and upper tail-coverts white; under tail-coverts white, with a spot o f black near the tip of
each feather; back greyish brown, the centre of each feather streaked with blackish brown; irides ochre-
yellow ; eyelash straw-yellow; bill straw-yellow, tipped with black; legs and feet lemon-yellow.
The Plate represents the two sexes and an immature bird o f the natural size.