XEROPHILA PECTORALIS, Gowa.

Chestnut-breasted Xerophila.

Xerophila pectoralis, Gould, Ann. N. H. (4) viii. p. 192.

 

Or the many puzzling forms which Australia produces, the little genus Xerop/ia is one of the most charac-
teristic. The present species has all the appearance of a Finch; and the coloration even approaches that
of some Fringilline birds I could mention; to find, therefore, that it had been placed by systematists in the
family Fringillide is not so very surprising. The late Mr. George Robert Gray, in his ‘ Hand-list of Birds’
(part i. p. 235), has associated Xerophila with Suthora and Certhiparus. My own view of the case, as will
be seen on consulting my ‘ Hand-book of the Birds of Australia,’ is very different : notwithstanding its thick
bill, I have referred the type to the Acanthize ; and the discovery of the second species does not alter my
opinion.

I have to express my regret that absolutely nothing has been recorded respecting this pretty little bird.
I am indebted to the kindness of the Director of the South-Australian Institute at Adelaide, and to
Mr. Waterhouse, for the opportunity of describing and figuring it. I reproduce the original diagnosis,
published by me in 1871.

Face and throat white, passing into greyish white on the ear-coverts; crown and nape hair-brown,
mottled with blackish brown, the darker tint occupying the centre of each feather ; back chestnut-brown,
becoming much darker and richer on the rump; upper tail-coverts hair-brown ; two central tail-feathers
hair-brown, with lighter edges, the five lateral feathers on each side black, tipped with white; across the
chest a well-defined band of cinnamon-brown ; under surface white, with a mark of chestnut down the
centre of each of the flank-feathers ; wings dark brown, the secondaries broadly margined with dull buff ;
under tail-coverts buffy white ; bill and feet black.

Total length 3% inches ; bill $, wing 22, tail 12, tarsi 3.

The type specimen was procured at Port Augusta, South Australia. The figures in the Plate are of the

natural size.

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