XEROPHILA PECTORALI S, Gould,
Chestnut-breasted Xerophila
Xerophila pectoralis, Gould, Ann. N. H. (4 ) viii. p. 192.
O f the many puzzling forms which Australia produces, the little genus Xerophila is one o f the most characteristic.
The present species has all the appearance of a Finch; and the coloration even approaches that
of some Fringilline birds I could mention; to find, therefore, that it had been placed by systematists in the
family Fringillidas is not so very surprising. The late Mr. George Robert Gray, in his ‘ Hand-list o f Birds’
(part i. p. 235), has associated Xerophila with Suthora and Certhipanis. My own view o f the case, as will
be seen on consulting my ‘ Hand-book o f the Birds o f Australia,’ is very different: notwithstanding its thick
bill, I have referred the type to the Acanthizce; and the discovery o f the second species does not alter my
opinion.
I have to express my regret that absolutely nothing has been recorded respecting this pretty little bird.
I am indebted to the kindness of the Director o f the South-Australian Institute at Adelaide, and to
Mr. Waterhouse, for the opportunity of describing and figuring it. I reproduce the original diagnosis,
published by me in 1871.
Face and throat white, passing into greyish white on the ear-coverts; crown and nape hair-brown,
mottled with blackish brown, the darker tint occupying the céntre o f each feather; back chestnut-brown,
becoming much darker and richer on the rump; upper tail-coverts hair-brown; two central tail-feathers
hair-brown, with lighter edges, the five lateral feathers on each side black, tipped with white; across the
chest a well-defined band o f cinnamon-brown ; under surface white, with a mark of chestnut down the
centre o f each o f the flank-feathers; wings dark brown, the secondaries broadly margined with dull buff;
under tail-coverts buffy white ; bill and feet black.
Total length 3 f inches ; bill I, wing 2 i, tail I f , tarsi f .
The type specimen was procured at Port Augusta, South Australia. The figures in the Plate are o f the
natural size.