SMICRORNIS FLAVESCENS, Gould.

Yellow-tinted Smicrornis.

Smicrornis flavescens, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part X. peelaae

 

Turs is the least of the Australian birds I have yet seen, scarcely exceeding the smallest Humming-bird.
It is tolerably abundant on many parts of the northern coasts of Australia, and particularly on the Cobourg
Peninsula ; it inhabits most of the high trees in the neighbourhood of Port Essington, keeping to their
topmost branches, and there seeking its insect food among the leaves, over which it creeps and clings
in every possible variety of position. From the circumstance of its confining itself exclusively to the top-
most branches of the trees, it is not easily procured, its diminutive size preventing its being seen.

There is no outward difference in the sexes, either in plumage or in magnitude. Future research, and
a longer sojourn in the country than has hitherto been afforded for the investigation of the natural pro-
ductions of those distant parts, are requisite to determine whether it be migratory or not, and to procure
correct information respecting its nidification.

All the upper surface bright yellowish olive; the feathers of the head with an indistinct line of brown
down the centre; wings brown; tail brown, deepening into black near the extremity, and with a large oval
spot of white on the inner web near the tip of all but the two central feathers; all the under surface bright
yellow.

The Plate represents the two sexes of the natural size.