502 BIRDS OP AUSTRALIA. 



I believe that another species of this form exists on the north- 

 west coast. 



The JS. suhocularis is a smaller bird than S. ocularis, and 

 consequently one of the most diminutive of the MeliphagidcB ; 

 besides differing in size, a yellower tint pervades the entire 

 plumage, and the little spangle-like feathers behind the eye 

 are scarcely observable ; in all other respects the two birds 

 are very similar. 



The /S. siibociilaris was shot on the north-west coast, and the 

 skin kindly sent to me by Lieut. Emery of H. M.S. Beagle. 



Total length 4f inches; bill \^ ; wing 2| ; tail 2\; tarsi \^. 



Genus PTILOTIS, Swainson. 



The species of this group are not only more numerous than 

 those of any other division of the Meliphagid(B, but they also 

 comprise some of the most beautiful and gaily-coloured mem- 

 bers of the family. Nearly all the species are either prettily 

 marked about the face, or have the ear-coverts largely deve- 

 loped and characterized by a colouring different from that of 

 the other parts of the plumage. The species with olive-green 

 backs, such as P. jlavigula and P. leucoiis, frequent the 

 dwarf and thickly-leaved Eucalypti ; the more gaily-attired 

 species with bright yellow cheeks and ear-coverts, such as 

 P. ornata and P. plumula, are most frequently found among 

 the flowering AcacicB ; some species, particularly P.^wnicillata, 

 descend from the trees and seek for insects on the ground ; 

 while the P. chri/sotis, P. clirysops, and P.fusca are almost 

 entirely confined to the brushes and seek honey and insects 

 from among the hanging festoons of Tecoma and other beau- 

 tiful creepers. The members of this group are principally 

 Australian, but some inhabit New Guinea and the adjacent 

 islands ; they are generally alike in plumage, but the females 

 are smaller than the males, and the young assume the adult 

 livery from the nest. 



