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MYZOMELA OBSCURA, Gould.

Obscure Honey-eater.

Myzomela obscura, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part X. p. 136.

 

Tus species is a native of the northern parts of Australia. At Port Essington, where my specimens were
procured, it is only to be met with in quiet, secluded and thickly-wooded districts adjacent to small streams
of water ; its favourite tree appears to be the Grevillia, from the blossoms of which it obtains great quan-
tities of honey and insects. The shy and retiring disposition of this species renders the acquisition of
specimens very difficult : ‘at no time during my stay,” remarks Mr. Gilbert, “‘ did I succeed in getting
sight of more than a solitary individual, and I believe it to be a rare bird in all parts of the Cobourg
Peninsula.”

This bird differs so much in colour from all the other species yet discovered, that it is readily distin-
guished from all of them.

The sexes present no external marks of distinction, except that the female is somewhat smaller than her
mate.

The whole of the plumage is dull brown, with a vinous tinge on the head ; under surface paler than the
upper ; irides bright red ; bill dark greenish black ; feet dark bluish grey; tarsi tinged with yellow.
The figures are of the natural size.

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