520 BIRDS or AUSTRALIA. 



feathers tinged with a richer colour ; under surface Hght 

 yellowish brown ; bill black ; legs purplish flesh-colour ; 

 irides very dark brown. 



Total length 6 J inches ; bill f • wing 3 ; tail 3 -, tarsi f . 



Sp. 319. PTILOTIS FUSCA, GouM. 



Fuscous Honey-eater. 



Meliphaga fusca, Gould in Syn. Birds of Australia, part ii. 



Ptilotis fusca, Gould, id., part iv. 



Certhia chrysotis, Lath. Ind. Orn., Supp. p. xxxviii ? 



Ptilotis fusca, Gould, Birds of Australia, foL, vol. iv. pi. 44. 



This species of Honey-eater, which is not distinguished by 

 any brilliancy in its plumage, is abundantly dispersed over the 

 thick brushes of New South Wales ; and in the months of 

 August and September, when the beautiful Tecoma is in 

 blossom, it may be seen flitting about among the thick 

 clusters of the pendent flowers in search of insects, which are 

 sometimes captured while on the wing, but more generally 

 extracted from the tubular florets. 



I observed nothing remarkable in its economy, or in which 

 it diff'ered from the other members of the group. Like them 

 it is generally found among the flowers and the most leafy 

 branches of the trees. I have never seen it on the plains, nor 

 have I received specimens from any other part of Australia 

 than New South Wales, where it is to be met with both in 

 winter and summer. 



The sexes are very nearly alike in colouring ; in fact, with 

 the exception of the female being a trifle smaller than the 

 male, no outward distinction is visible. 



The whole of the upper surface greyish brown with a tinge of 

 olive ; a ring of black feathers surrounds the eye ; ear-coverts 

 blackish brown ; behind the ear a small patch of yellow ; 

 throat, chest, and under surface light greyish brown j irides 



