PNP ARR, (0) 1B) 1G) (G1 ILO) INT.

Genus Micraca, Gord.

Generic characters.

Rill shorter than the head, depressed, broad at the base; gonys straight; curving downwards and slightly
notched at the tip; nostrils round, placed at the base of the bill, which is beset with strong bristles ; wings
lengthened and powerful, first primary short, the third the longest; fail rather short and nearly square; tarsi mo-
derate and feeble ; toes feeble, the external toe much longer than the internal one.

Three species of this genus inhabit Australia, to which country they are confined.
141. Microeca macroptera E Vol. IL. Pl. 93.
Sylvia leucophaa, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. vu. p. 139.
142. Micreeca assimilis, Gould.
Micreca assimilis, Gould in Proce. of Zool. Soc., Part VIII. p. 172.

All the upper surface brown, primaries dark brown ; tail brownish black ; the tips and the terminal half of the
external margins of the two outer feathers white: the three next on each side also tipped with white, the extent of
the white becoming less upon each feather as they approach the centre of the tail; the four middle feathers without
the white tip; throat, centre of the abdomen and under tail-coverts white, passing into pale brown on the sides of
the chest and flanks ; irides reddish brown ; bill and feet blackish brown.

Total length, 42 inches ; Jill, 2; wings, 32; tail, 24; tarsi, 3%.

Inhabits Western Australia; and is so nearly allied to the Micreca macroptera, from which it only differs in
being much less in size and in having the base of the outer tail-feather brown, that I have not considered it neces-

sary to figure it.
143. Micreeca flavigaster ; i ; Vol, II, Pl. 94.

Genus Monarcna, /7e. &§& Horsf.

Several species of this genus occur in the Indian Islands and two in Australia. They are insectivorous birds,

and procure their food by quietly hopping about among the branches of the trees.

144. Monarcha carinata . : : d : . : : : : : : . (Oe leleeG s
145. Monarcha trivirgata : ‘ : ; : : : ; : ‘ Wool, IL PL OG.

Genus Geryaone, Gould.

Generic characters.

Bill shorter than the head, swollen, notched at the tip; commissure straight; nostrils basal, lateral, oval ;
rictus beset with two or three extremely fine and weak bristles ; wings moderately long, first quill almost spurious,
second long, third, fourth and fifth equal and longest ; tail rather short and square; farsi entire, slender, mode-
rately long ; foes extremely short and small, the lateral toes even, and united to the middle one nearly to the first
joint ; claws much curved.

» ter Don . re Ree Bs > : ‘ .

The term Psilopus was originally proposed by me for this genus, but that name having been previously em-

ployed, Gerygone was substituted for it.
or 7 eat very ar : 4a oe if 4 1 S ] ief f

A group inhabiting every part of Australia, and probably New Guinea and Polynesia. Their chief food
consists of msects of the most diminutive size, such as aphides, gnats and mosquitos. The more thickly-billed
species may probably fee arger insects ¢ 4 : i s wuods

I ay probably feed upon larger insects and their larvee. They mostly frequent the thick umbrageous W vods,
where they dart al for insects ee en ee ; : ; 5 ee
a y dart about for insects under the canopy of the dense foliage, or sally forth into the open glade like true
‘lycatchers. Their nests are of , a | ing

J nests are of a domed form, with the entrance near the top, some species protecting the opening
by constructing ‘ojecti it li

St a AR at 2 Sa ees D- i ry . 2 fees O

y g a projection above it like the eaves of a house ; the eges are generally four in number, and spotted
with red like those of the Maluri and Pari.