INSESSORES. 353 



paler on the chin and centre of the abdomen ; bill brown ; 

 feet yellowish brown. 



Total length 4 inches ; bill ^ ; wing If; tail 1-|- ; tarsi f . 



Sp. 212. CISTICOLA RUFICEPS, Gould. 



RUFOUS-HEADED GrASS-WaRBLER. 

 Cysticola ruficeps, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc, part v. p. 150. 



Cysticola ruficeps, Gould, Birds of Australia, foL, vol. ill. pi. 45. 



It would give me great pleasure could I communicate any 

 particulars respecting this pretty little bird, but unfortunately 

 I am unable so to do, no information of any kind having 

 as yet reached me; I can only say therefore that I possess 

 three examples, one from the Liverpool Plains, another from 

 the district of Port Philip, and a third from the north coast, 

 which proves that it enjoys a widely extended range of habitat. 

 The uniform rufous colouring of the head and occiput at once 

 distinguishes it from all the other Australian members of the 

 genus. In its habits, manners, and general economy it doubt- 

 less closely assimilates to its congeners, and like them inhabits 

 the open grassy glades between the forests, the grassy crowns 

 of thinly-timbered hills, and all similar situations. 



Crown of the head, and back of the neck, rump, chest, 

 flanks, and thighs delicate fawn-colour, becoming deeper and 

 redder on the crown and the rump ; upper part of the back, 

 secondaries, and tail deep brownish black, each feather mar- 

 gined all round with buff; throat and centre of the abdomen 

 white ; bill brown ; feet yellowish brown. 



Total length 4 inches ; bill \ ; wing If ; tail If ; tarsi f . 



Genus SERICORNIS, Gould. 



A group of small birds peculiar to Australia, and confined 

 almost exclusively to the southern portion of the country. 

 Their habits lead them to frequent the most retired parts of 



2 A 



