( 370) 



Vol. IX. To decide aliont the exact position of this Lird would require a study of 

 the structure of all the known species, wliich I cannot underttike at present. 



Behind the eyes and above the ear-coverts the feathers are so thin that there 

 is an indication of a bare spot, but otherwise there is no naked skin anywhere, and 

 there are no wattles, nor any elongated or modified feathers anywhere. The tail is 

 sli"htly srradnated, the outer rectrices considerably shorter, but the inner pairs 

 almost equal to each other. This species, which I believe to be undescribed, may 

 be called 



Ptilotis praecipua sp. nov. 



cJ. Top of the head and nape black, with olive-grey edges to the feathers. 

 Sides of the head similar, but with the colours not so well defined and somewhat 

 merging into the colour of the chin and throat, where the feathers are ashy grey 

 with darker bases. Short feathers round tlie e3-es of the same colour as those on 

 the throat. Hind-neck like crown, but somewhat merging into the colour of tlic back, 

 where the feathers are brownish black, with broad rusty rufous border to the sides. 

 Feathers of rump and upper tail-coverts deep brown, with faint olive-brown edges. 

 Primaries blackish, with buff edges to the inner webs ; the outer six (about) with 

 buff edges to the outer webs, more distinct towards the bases ; the inner ones 

 without paler edges, except some very narrow ones near the tips. Secondaries like 

 inner primaries, but a little more distinctly bordered. Wing-coverts deep brown, 

 with buff edges. Tail dark sepia-l)rown, with faint olive-brown edges and tips. 

 Feathers of breast and abdomen brownish black, with light greyish buff or pale 

 yellowish grey broad fringes. Feathers on sides of breast, flanks, vent, and under 

 tail-coverts dark brown, with broad rusty rufous borders, under tail-coverts paler. 



Wing 89—00 mm. ; tail about 80 ; tarsus 27 — 28 ; exposed culmen 20—22. 



S . Like male, but colours on back and under parts not so clearly defined. 

 Considerably smaller, as in most Honey-eaters. (The difference in size, for example, 

 is very great in the sexes of Melirrhophetes belfordi de Vis.) 



Wing 79 ; tail about 74 ; tarsus 2-5 ; exposed culmen 17-6 mm. 



Shot .0000— OOOU feet high between Mounts Musgrave and Scratchley. 



