PACHYCEPHALA FALCATA, Gowa.
Lunated Pachycephala.

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Pachycephala falcata, Gould in Proce. of Zool. Soc., Part X. p. 134.

 

We find in this species of Pachycephala, which inhabits the northern parts of Australia, a beautiful
representative of the P. pectoralis of the southern parts of the continent ; from which it differs in its much
smaller size, and in the black crescent which bounds the white throat of the male not extending upwards
to the ear-coverts, which with the lores are grey. All the specimens I possess were killed on the Cobourg
Peninsula, near the settlement at Port Essington, where, as well as on the adjacent islands, it is a
stationary species, and very abundant. It breeds in September and the two following months, and lays two
gos. Its habits and manners are precisely similar to those of the other members of the family.

The adult male has the crown of the head, lores, ear-coverts, back and upper tail-coverts grey ; wings
dark brown, all the feathers margined with grey; throat white, bounded below by a distinct crescent of

black ; abdomen, flanks and under tail-coverts orange-brown ; tail dark brown, the basal portion of the

c

webs edged with grey; irides reddish brown ; bill black ; feet blackish brown.

The adult female has the crown of the head and all the upper surface grey; ear-coverts brownish grey ;
throat buffy white, passing into light buff or fawn-colour on the chest, flanks, abdomen and under tail-
coverts ; the feathers of the throat and chest with a narrow dark line down the centre; wings and tail as
in the male.

The young male is similar in colour to the female, but has the throat whiter and the markings on the
chest much more distinct, and extending over the abdomen also.

In very young individuals a rich rufous or tawny tint pervades the greater part of the upper surface.

The figures represent the two sexes of the natural size.