PLATE 



GENUS ENTOMYZA (Swainson). 



THIS genus is confined entirely to Australia. Two species have been discovered, one inhabiting 

 New South Wales and the other the north-eastern portion of the continent. 



ENTOMYZA CYANOTIS (Swains). 

 BLUE-FACED HONEY-EATER. 



THIS, one of the largest and most beautiful of the Honey-eaters, is found only in New South 

 Wales, in nearly every part of which colony it is plentifully distributed, though it is principally 

 confined to the part adjacent to the coast. 



In habits it bears a great resemblance to the Melithrepti, like them displaying great activity 

 among the branches of the trees. Eight or ten are generally seen together on a tree, from which 

 they drive away all birds of other species. 



Its cry is loud and monotonous, and not at all pleasing. 



Perhaps the most remarkable fact about this bird is that it does not build a nest, but 

 deposits its eggs, generally two in number, in a depression on the top of the dome-shaped nests of 

 the Pomatostomus Temporalis. The eggs are of a rich salmon-colour, with spots of rust-brown 

 irregularly distributed over the surface. They are one inch and a quarter long by ten and a half lines 

 broad. It generally raises two broods in the year. 



The crown of the head and back of the neck are black ; chin and centre of the chest, slaty- 

 black ; a crescent-shaped mark at the occiput, a line from the lower mandible passing down each side of 

 the neck, and all the under-surface, white ; the upper-surface, wings and tail, olive-brown ; the inner 

 webs of the primaries, and all but the two centre tail-feathers, dark-brown, the tail-feathers tipped with 

 white: bill, horn-colour; space surrounding the eye, deep-blue, becoming lighter and more greenish above 

 the eye ; hides, yellowish-white : legs and feet, grey. 



Habitat : New South Wales. 



ENTOMYZA ALBIPENNIS (Gould). 



WHITE- Q UILLED HONEY-EA TEE, 



ALTHOUGH resembling its congener, Entomyza Cyanotis, in many respects, this species has several 

 characteristic features in its plumage which prevent the possibility of mistaking one bird for 

 the other. It is found only on the north coast, and is very abundant in the neighbourhood of Port 

 Essington. It is seldom seen on the ground, and appears to be almost entirely confined to the upper 

 branches of hiffh trees, where it is seen in families of from six to ten. Its note is loud and harsh, 

 and is repeated frequently while the bird is flying. 



