OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 11 



The sexes are alike in plumage. 



Hab. north- east coast of Australia. 



This fine species of Ptilotis, which I propose naming in honour 

 of our distinguished President, is closely allied to Ptilotis versicolor 

 of Gould (Birds of Aust., vol. iv., pi. 34), differing somewhat in the 

 general markings, but chiefly in the absence of the white patch 

 behind the ear-coverts and the black and yellow markings on the 

 sides of the head ; the bird is about the same in size, and curiously 

 enough has every appearance of being a young bird, so much so 

 that, although I have been acquainted with this bird for some 

 time, I deferred describing it until several more specimens were 

 obtained. In some notes sent to the Zoological Society of London 

 in 1868 (proc. Zool. Soc, 1868, p. 386, sp. 25, P. Versicolor?), 

 I erroneously entered it as the young of Ptilotis versicolor (of 

 Gould). I have since, however, through the kindness of Mr. 

 Macleay, been enabled to examine several fine specimens obtained 

 by his collector, Edward Spalding, near Cooktown, and have no 

 doubt whatever of its being a fully adult bird of a distinct species. 



The original specimen referred to in my list of birds from 

 Rockingham Bay, published in the Proceedings of the Zoological 

 Society of London in 1868 (Proc. Zool. Soc, 1868, p 386, No. 

 25) was obtained by Spalding near Cardwell, and was the only one 

 seen during his stay in that locality. During my last Natural 

 History excursion to those parts, I was fortunate enough to obtain 

 three others on the Herbert River, some 30 miles south of Card- 

 well. It is a quiet retiring species, in habits resembling Ptilotis 

 Lewinii, and frequents the scrubs and bushes fringing the River 

 Herbert. Its note is a feeble cry, resembling that of Ptilotis 

 chrysops. The young assume the plumage of the adult at an early 

 stage. This species, as far as it is yet known, has a very limited 

 range, being confined to the brushes and scrubs of the east coast, 

 from the River Herbert to Cooktown, on the Endeavour River. I 

 found this district one of the richest fields for the pursuit of 

 Natural History in Australia, and one which has almost been 

 untouched, I found there nearly 300 species of Birds, including 10 

 species new to Science ; several new Mammals — including a musk 

 rat, and numerous hats. 



