PLATE 



X XIII. 



GENUS MYZOMELA (Vig. and Mors/.) 



OF the present genus, five species inhabit Australia, and others are found in New Guinea and the 

 adjacent islands. 



MYZOMELA SANGUINOLENTA. 



SANGUINEOUS HONEY-EATER. 



J I iHE brushes of New South Wales contain large numbers of this species, which is very seldom 

 -L seen in the large, open forests of the interior. It is also found in Victoria and the north 

 coast, but is not plentiful there. 



The sexes differ very considerably in colouring, that of the female being very plain, thus forming 

 a great contrast to the lovely plumage of the male. 



The male has the head, neck, breast, back, and upper tail-coverts scarlet, the back having a 

 crescent-shaped mark of black at the tip of each feather ; lores, wings and tail, black, the primaries 

 margined with greyish-olive; abdomen and under tail-coverts, buffy- white ; irides, dark-brown: bill. le<_- s 

 and feet, black. 



The female is of a uniform brown, much lighter beneath than above. 

 Habitats : New South Wales, Victoria, and the north coast. 



MYZOMELA ERYTHEOCEPHALA {Gould). 



RED-HEADED HONEY-EATER. 



•nnHE northern part of Australia, the home of so many beautiful birds, also possesses this 

 -L interesting and beautiful little Honey-eater, which there inhabits the mangrove forests on the 

 coast. It is not abundant, and, as a general rule, shuns all settlements, on which account it is very 

 difficult to procure specimens. It flits about the flowering trees, with great activity, and all the time 

 uttering its cry, which is harsh and discordant. 



The male has the head, neck and chest scarlet; the rest of the plumage dark brown, 

 becoming much lighter on the abdomen; irides, reddish-brown: bill. brown: legs and feet, 

 brownish-grey. 



The female is uniform brown above and lighter beneath. 



Total length of male, 4^ inches; bill, £ inch; wing, 2^ inches; tail, If inch: tarsi, | inch. 

 Habitat : North coast, especially about Port Essington. 



