112 



PECORDS OF THE At'STRAT.IAN MUSEHM. 



Tlie position of the nasal in relation to tlie preocular iu D. frovfidls 

 iu comparison with a specimen which most nearly agrees with the 

 description of D. ^uta, is illnstrated in the accompanying figures. 



FiK. I Showing; relationsliip of nasal to preocular in the tj pt- of Ih-nisoiiui fiouiaiis 



Fig. 'I. Showin.M relationship of nasal to preocLilar in Drnisdiiui siilii. 



Chin Shields. — Another character formerly used to distinguish the 

 two species is whether tlie anterior chin shields are as long as (D. snta) or 

 larger than (I), frontalis) tlie posterior. This also proves to be of no value, 

 since it is inconstant, and the difference, where it exists, is extremely 

 small ; in some specimens the posterior and in others the anterior chin 

 shields are slightly the larger, but they are most often equal in length. 

 In some cases there is a slight difference in the shape of the two shields, 

 and this, unless a nieasnrement be taken, may make one appear to be 

 longer than the other. A very young living specimen-, fioui Willow Tree, 

 New South Wales, which agrees most nearly with IK sitta in all othei" 

 respects, has the posterior chin sliiolds longer than the anterior. 



- This specimen also was cullivtrd liy Mr. W. W. Frosjajatt, Govt. Entoniolo^i.st. 

 and preseutod to tho Australian Mnsouiii on Auj^nst Htli. 1920. It boars evidenco of 

 having been born in midwintor as the unibiiicus is vory plainly visible to the naked 

 eye. 



