PACHYCEPHALA GILBERTII, Gowa.
Gilbert’s Pachycephala.

Pachycephala Gilbertu, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part XII. p. 107.

 

Aurnouen the practice of naming species after individuals is a means by which the names of men eminent
for their scientific attainments may be perpetuated to after-ages, I have ever questioned its propriety,
and have rarely resorted to it; but in assigning the name of Giertii to this new and interesting species,
I feel that I am only paying a just compliment to one who has most assiduously assisted me in the laborious
investigations required for the production of the present work, and who was the discoverer of the birds
forming the subject of this paper. The specimens transmitted to me by Mr. Gilbert are I believe all that
have yet been procured.

Although the P. Gilbertii is nearly allied to the P. rufogularis, it may be readily distinguished by the
rufous colouring being confined to the throat, and not ascending upon the forehead and occupying the space
between the bill and the eyes as in that species; it is also a smaller bird in all its admeasurements.

Gilbert’s Pachycephala is an inhabitant of the interior of Western Australia. The following notes, which
are all that is known of its history, accompanied the specimens sent to me :—“‘ This species inhabits the
thick brushes of the interior. It is an early breeder, as is proved by my finding a nest with three newly-
hatched young birds in the middle of August. The nest was built in the upright fork of a small shrub
about four feet from the ground. It was deep, cup-shaped in form, and constructed of dried grasses, and
except that it was rather more compactly built, it was very similar to those of the other members of the
genus.”

I trust that the publication of this species will induce Mr. Burgess, Mr. Drummond and other residents
in Western Australia to seek for and investigate its history. ‘To Mr. Drummond, and his son Mr. Johnson
Drummond, botanical science is indebted for many valuable discoveries, and that this slight tribute to their
labours in that department may induce them to turn their attention to other branches of natural history is
my earnest wish.

The sexes of the present bird, as will be seen on reference to the accompanying Plate, exhibit a similar
difference in colour as in the P. rufogularis; the females of both species being very sombre and devoid of
any rufous colouring on the throat and breast.

The male has the upper surface dark greyish olive-brown ; head dark slate-grey ; breast of a highter grey ;
lores black ; throat rust-red; under surface of the shoulder, centre of the abdomen and under tail-coverts
sandy buff; irides light brown ; bill and feet black.

The figures represent the two sexes of the natural size.

 

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