RI RN PELE Sena ee bene

ENERO DUE Ce OPN: xli
146. Gerygone albogularis, Gould. , : Wolk, JUL Tak @ 7.
Psilopus olivaceus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part V. p. 147, Young.
Wolk Wl TPL Osh.
Vo les tee leo 9)

147. Gerygone fusca, Gould

148. Gerygone culicivorus, Gould .

149. Gerygone magnirostris, Gould ; : : : : : ; : : WO JUL TAL WOO.
150. Gerygone levigaster, Gould : : : ; : : : Woll, Hl. IAL WO.
151. Gerygone chloronotus, Gould : : : ; : é : é Wolk We iS hO2

Genus Smicrornis, Gould.
Generic characters.
Bill very small and short, swollen at the sides ; nostrils basal, oblong and protected by an operculum ; at the
base of the bill a few fine hairs; wings moderately long, first quill very short ; the first, third, fourth and fifth equal
and the longest ; tai short and square ; tarsi moderate ; toes rather short, adapted for clmging; the hinder and the

middle toes equal in length.
The members of this genus are the smallest birds of the Australian fauna. I have described two species, one

 

 

inhabiting New South Wales and the other Port Essington ; and had I characterized the bird of this form inhabiting
Western Australia as distinct, I should most likely not have been in error, as it is probable that when the subject

has been more fully investigated it will prove to be so.

152. Smicrornis brevirostris, Gould : i 5 ‘ ; ‘ : A ; : ‘ Wolk, Uf, JPL, 1083.

153. Smicrornis flavescens, Gould . : : : ; ; : : : : ‘ : NV 101 Leki

Family SYLVIADA, ig.

Subfamily SAXICOLINAL, Bonap.

Genus Eryruropryas, Gould.

Generic characters.

As in Petroica, but with the bill shorter and more flattened at the base, where it is beset with a number of fine
hairs which curve forward and overhang the nostrils ; wings shorter and more rounded ; first and second primaries
much shorter than the rest ; the fifth the longest; tarsi shorter; toes more lengthened ; lateral toes nearly even ; claws
much sharper and more curved.

The members of the genus Erythrodryas are much more delicate in structure than the Petroice, have their feeble
bill strongly beset with bristles, and are more arboreal in their habits; their usual places of resort beimg the
innermost recesses of the forest, where, in a state of quiet seclusion, they flit about in search of insects; the true
Petroice, on the other hand, frequent open plains, are more bold and vigorous, and possess a structure which adapts
them for the ground over which they pass like the Sawicole.

The two species of this genus, all that are at present known, are confined to the south-eastern portions of

Australia and Van Diemen’s Land.

154. Erythrodryas rhodinogaster : f : ; : : : ; af Woll, WUT. TPL a.
155. Erythrodryas rosea, Gould : : : 4 : : : ; Wool, JOUL, IHL ®.

Genus Perroica, Swains.

The birds I have retained im this genus might with propriety be divided by separating the pied Robins from
the red-breasted species. The dusky Robin of Van Diemen’s Land and the white eye-browed Robin of the
north-east coast of Australia would also constitute another group of equal value with Erythrodryas, Drymodes and
Eopsaltria.

The red-breasted Petroice are confined to the south-eastern portions of Australia, Van Diemen’s Land and

Norfolk Island ; but I believe that the range of the pied birds extends to New Guinea.