14 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. 



rectrix, which is whitish with a brown edge along most of the 

 inner web, and a brown patch towards the extremity of the 

 outer one ; throat, chest, lower breast, and lower abdomen, 

 greyish-brown; upper breast, pale o range- red ; under wing 

 coverts, pale salmon-grey ; bill, deep brown ; legs, brownish- 

 black. Length of wing, 2-8 inches; tail, 2-25 inches. 



There is a possibility that an error has been made in the 

 identification of this specimen, as both P. phoenicea and P. leggii 

 breed in the same district. It is not consistent with the 

 numerous other skins of young handled by me, and in all 

 probability it should not show any red. That phase C shows a 

 single red feather is more likely to be abnormal than normal. 

 For this reason it will be better to consider this phase of P. 

 phoenicea has not red upon the under surface. 



Phase C. 



Stage Cj. Young J", sk., 10-1-97. Myrniong, Victoria. 



Although older than B it shows no pale orange-red breast. 

 This is the nearest stage to B, because in it there remain the 

 characteristic shaft-marking of the dorsal contour feathers and 

 buff, oblique markings of the wings ; coverts greatly tipped with 

 rufous brown; outer tail quills, though mostly white, show brown 

 markings at the bases ; upper surface brown, small frontal mark 

 light brown, tending to cream, all but outer tail feathers deep 

 brown ; under surface light brown, tending to white, and whiter 

 than in any other stage ; the abdomen almost white ; beneath 

 breast plumage lie concealed three solitary faint red feathers 

 which are not of very recent development ; under wing coverts 

 ruddy brown ; bill and legs deep brownish-black. Length of 

 wing, 2-85 inches; tail, 2*4 inches. 



Stage Co. Young (?, sk., Oct. 1899. Essendon, Victoria. 



Upper surface brown ; foi'ehead like back ; under surface 

 lighter brown, except on abdomen, which is creamy white ; under 

 tail coverts cream white, and whiter than in C, ; oblique bands 

 across wings whiter than in Cj ; outer tail quills whiter than in 

 Ci; bill and feet blackish; length of wing, 2-85 ins.; tail, 2-2ins. 



Stage C3. Young <?, sk., 1-6-97. Box Hill, Victoria. 



Similar to Co, except the frontal mark, which is more distinct 

 from the forehead ; primaries lighter brown than in 1 and 2. 



