534 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



darker brown ; primaries, secondaries, and tail-feathers mar- 

 gined externally with wax -yellow ; throat rust-red ; sides of 

 the head and all the under surface very pale brown ; bill and 

 feet dark purplish brown. 



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



Genus ACANTHOGENYS, Gould. 



The genus Acanthogenys^ of which only one species is 

 known, presents us with a form intermediate in size and in 

 structure between the smaller Honey-eaters [MeliorneSy 

 Ptilotes, &c.) on the one hand, and the larger kinds {Antho- 

 ch(Br(£) on the other. 



The sexes are alike in plumage, and the young are very 

 similar, but are destitute of the spines on the cheek, which 

 are scarcely assumed during the first year. The Banksia are 

 the trees most frequented by it. 



Sp. 329. ACANTHOGENYS ROTIGULARIS, Gould. 



Spiny-cheeked Honey-eater. 



Acanthagenys rufogularis, Gould in Proc.of Zool. Soc, part v. p. 153. 

 Meliphaga rufogularis, Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. i. p. 122. 

 Meliphaga, sp. 28. 



Acanthogenys rufogularis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol.,vol. iv. 

 pi. 53. 



Numerous and diversified as are the forms of the great 

 family of the Meli^hagidce, the present species has always 

 appeared to me more than usually interesting, because in 

 the first place few are more elegantly formed, and in the 

 second it differs widely from all others in plumage, and in the 

 singular spiny processes which adorn its cheeks and ear- 

 coverts. In its habits and general economy it bears a close 

 alliance to the Wattle-birds {Antliochcercs), but still presents 

 in these respects sufficient differences to waiTant its separa- 



