ION a OD CO Ne

Genus Pritotis, Swans.

The species of this group are not only more numerous than those of any other division of the Meliphagida, but

they also comprise some of the most beautiful and gaily-coloured members of the family. Nearly all the species

are either prettily marked about the face, or have the ear-coverts largely developed and characterized bya colouring
different from that of the other parts of the plumage. The Eucalypti and Acacie are the trees upon which they
are usually found; the species with olive-green backs, such as P. flavigula and P. leucotis, frequent the dwarf or
thickly-leaved kinds, the foliage of which assimilates in colour to that of their plumage; the more gaily-attired
species with bright yellow cheeks and ear-coverts, such as P. ornatus and P. plumulus, are most frequently found
among the flowering Acacie ; some species, particularly P. penicillata, descend from the trees and seek Coleoptera
and other insects on the ground; the Caswarine are the favourite trees of P. sonorus and P. versicolor; while the
P. chrysotis, P. chrysops and P. fusca are almost entirely confined to the brushes and seek their food among the
Eucalypti, the hanging festoons of Tecoma and other beautiful brush creepers. The members of this group are
principally Australian, but I believe that some species inhabit New Guinea; they mainly subsist upon insects, to
which berries are sometimes added.

The sexes are alike in plumage, but the females are smaller than the males, and the young assume the adult

livery from the nest.

283. Ptilotis chrysotis . : : , : : ; : Vol. IV. Pl
Ptilotis Lewinii, Swains. Class. of Birds, vol. 1. p. 326 ?

284. Ptilotis sonorus, Gould . : ; : : : Vol Werk
285. Ptilotis versicolor, Gould : : : : : s : , Wolk IAW,
286. Ptilotis flavigula, Gould . ; F : ; ; ; : F é VO) ee Vee
287. Ptilotis leucotis ; E : : Wool IA, 12.
288. Ptilotis auricomis . ; ; : ; Vol Vek
289. Ptilotis cratitius, Gould . ; : : Wolk, JOY. IL
290. Ptilotis ornatus, Gould. ; , : , ; ; Vol Vea
291. Ptilotis plumulus, Gould . : ; : AWOL IY, IAL 4
292. Ptilotis flavescens, Gould s : 5 : : é : ; : : i : Vol. IV.
293. Ptilotis flava, Gould : ; : Wolk, IDV.
294. Ptilotis penicillatus, Gould : . : , : : ; Volo ive
295. Ptilotis fusca, Gould ; : , : , : é ; Vol Ie
296. Ptilotis chrysops . : : : : ; : : Vol. IV.
297. Ptilotis unicolor, Gould . ; ; ; . ; : ; : : , Vol iv:

Genus Precroruyncua, Gould.

Generic characters.

Bul shorter than the head, slightly arched, very pointed, almost conical and acute; nostrils basal and partly
covered by an operculum ; an obsolete notch near the tip of the upper mandible ; wings moderate, the first feather
short, the third and fourth the longest ; tai] moderate and square; tarsi strong; hind-toe and claw long, powerful
and longer than the middle toe and claw ; lateral toes unequal; the outer one the longest, and united to the middle
one nearly to the first joint.

Of this singular form only one species has yet been discovered. It inhabits the plains of the eastern portion
of Australia, where it dwells among the Eucalypti and Acacia ; and is a very noisy garrulous bird.

The sexes are alike in plumage, and the young assume the adult plumage at a very early age.

298. Plectorhyncha lanceolata, Gould . : : : : ; ; Vol. liven Bieeie

= . i
Genus Xanruomyza, Swains.

Of this genus only one species is known.