PTILOTIS PENICILLATUS, Gould.
White-plumed Honey-eater.
Meliphaga penicillata, Gould in Proc. of Zoo). Soc., Part IV. p. 143 ; and in Syn. Birds of Australia, Part I.
T h is species, which is rarely met with in New South Wales, is very abundant in South Australia ; I met with
it even in the streets and gardens of Adelaide, where it strongly reminded me of thè Sparrow of our own
island ; and it doubtless enjoys a wide range over the interior o f the country. From what I observed of its
habits, it appears to differ from the generality of Honey-eaters in the partiality it evinces for the ground ; for
although most of its time is spent among the leafy branches of the gums and wattles, where its movements
are characterized by ease and grace, it is often to be seen hopping about under the trees in search of
insects and seeds, which with the pollen of the flowers of the Eucalypti and Acacias constitute its food.
Its silvery white neck-plumes present a character by which it is at once distinguished from all other
known species. The smaller size o f the female is the only external difference between the sexes, for
when fully adult their markings are precisely alike. Some of the specimens killed had the bill entirely
black, while others had the base o f that organ of' a yellowish white, which is doubtless indicative of immaturity.
Its slightly-constructed nest, formed of grasses and wool, is cup-shaped, and is suspended by the rim, like
those of the other Honey-eaters ; I ascertained that the eggs are two in number, but unfortunately did not
succeed in procuring specimens of them.
The figures in the accompanying Plate represent the birds coloured so closely after nature as to render
the following description almost unnecessary. The beautiful tree upon which they are placed is one of the
numerous Acacias that abound in the interior o f the country.
Sides o f the face and ear-coverts pale yellow; behind the ear-coverts a small tuft of white silky feathers ;
upper surface rich yellowish grey, the outer edges of the quill- and tail-feathers tinged with a richer colour ;
under surface light yellowish brown ; bill black ; legs purplish flesh-colour ; irides very dark brown.
The figures are of the natural size.