

MELITHREPTINiE. 



It is in various parts of the great continent of Australia, that the species of this genus are found. They are seen 

 mostly on the Eucalypti examining the flowers for the insects that abound in them, as well as for the honey they 

 contain. They rarely expose themselves while thus engaged, but generally keep in the midst of the closely-set foliage, 

 among which they move about with the greatest ease, possessing much sprightliness of action, raising their crest and 

 spreading out and slightly elevating their tail at the same time. They are occasionally observed on the ground, when 

 they are occupied in turning over the fallen leaves and small stones for the purpose of procuring various kinds of insects 

 that are found in such places. Their chattering noise is generally ended by a loud sharp note, which has been compared 

 to the cracking of a whip. 



1. P. crepitans (Lath.) Vig. et Horsf., Lamb. Icon. ined. ii. 4-7., 

 Jard. and Selby, 111. Orn. pi. 60. — Corvus olivaceus Lath. Lamb. 

 Icon. ined. i. 48. ; Pica gularis Wagl. ; Dasyornis Abeillei, Less. 



2. P. nigra 



; Gould, Proc. Z. S. 1844. p. 5., B. of Austr. 



Pi- 



November, 1846. 



