POEPHILA LEUCOTIS, Gowa.
White-eared Grass Finch.

Poéphila leucotis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part XCRY = ps 0G:

 

Tue present beautiful species of Poéphila is one of the novelties discovered during Dr. Leichardt’s expedi-
tion from Moreton Bay to Port Essington ; it was killed in the neighbourhood of the river Lynd by Mr.
Gilbert, in whose Journal, under the date of June 3, 1845, I find the following remark :—‘‘The most
interesting circumstance that occurred to me to-day was the discovery of a new species of Poéphila, which is
very nearly allied to the one from Port Essington (P. personaia, Gould), but which differs from that
bird in having the bill light yellowish horn-colour instead of orange, the irides dark brown and the legs
red; it is in every respect a true Poéphila, having the black face and throat, the black marks on the
flanks, the lengthened tail-feathers and the general plumage of a light brown; like the other members
of the genus too, it inhabits the open spots of country, and feeds on grass seeds.”

This I regret to say is all that is known respecting it. In addition to the differences pointed out by
Mr. Gilbert, I may mention that it may also be distinguished from the P. personata by its white ear-coverts
and by the black of the throat being bounded below and the black marks on the flanks anteriorly with
white; the colouring of the upper surface is also a somewhat richer brown.

I possess both sexes of this species, and, as is the case with the other members of the genus, they differ
but little from each other.

Band crossing the forehead, lores, throat,

coverts, a narrow line beneath the black of the throat, and a spac
all the upper surface and wings dark cinnamon-brown ;

and a large patch on each flank deep velvety black; ear-
e surrounding the black patch on the flanks
white ; crown of the head deep reddish chestnut 5
3 upper and under tail-coverts white, the former margined externally

ve °
chest and abdomen pale vinous brow
ed ; bill yellowish horn-colour.

with deep black ; tail black ; irides dark brown ; feet r
The Plate represents the two sexes of the natural size.