SERICULUS CHRYSOCEPHALUS, Swainson. 

 Golden-headed Sericulus. 



PLATES XVIII, XIX, XX. 



Mas. Niger ; capite, cervice remigibusque secondares aureis. 



Fcem. Brunnea; dorso pectoreque albido-lunulatis ; vertice, gulas medio torque- 

 que nuchali nigris ; abdomine albido, brunneo-limulato. — Auct. Vig. <% Horsf. 

 Trans. Linn. Soc. 



Jux. Vertice gulaque nigris, corpore albido-lunulatis, lunulis magnitudine varian- 



tibus ; caeteris ut in foemina. 



Melliphaga chrysocephala, Lenin, Birds of New Holland. 

 Golden-crowned Honey-eater, Lath. Gen. Hist. iv. p. 184. 

 Loriot Prince Regent, Temm. PI. Col. 320. — Quoy et Gaimard, Voyage de Freycinet 



autour du Monde, pi. 22. 

 Sericulus chrysocephalus, Swains. Zool. Journ. vol. i. p. 478. — Vig. Sf Horsf. Trans. 



Linn. Soc. vol. xv. part i. p. 326. 



J. his beautiful species is the type of Mr Swainson's genus Sericulus, and 

 presents one of those forms which has hitherto completely puzzled orni- 

 thologists with regard to its natural affinities, and its proper station in 

 the extensive order of animated beings to which it belongs. In its general 

 outward shape, it approaches nearest to the Orioles and Thrushes, possess- 

 ing the bill, nostrils, and shape of the wings belonging to the former, 

 while the tarsi and feet are those of the Merulidce or shorter-legged Pittce. 

 The chief difference consists in the structure of the feathers of the head 

 and neck, and in the form of the tail, which is slightly though decidedly 

 forked, a form always indicative of a greater power of flight. The point, 

 however, which has caused the greatest uncertainty, and on which we are 

 sorry we cannot yet decide, is the idea that it is melliphagous, or derives 

 its sustenance by sucking the nectar or juices of flowers. Lewin places 

 it at the head of his genus Melliphaga, and, although he does not enter 

 very fully into its manner of living, yet the habits of the bird are indi- 

 3 &2 



