ip Hi ^ t m x^r. 



PTILOTIS VEKSICOLOE (Gould). 



VARIED HONEY-EATER. 



THE Varied Honey-eater, which is found in the northern part of Australia, is one of the finest 

 members of its genus. It resembles the Ptilotis Sonora in many respects, but differs from it 

 in its larger size and more distinct markings, and also in the colour of the breast. 



All the upper surface is brownish-olive ; wings, brown, each feather margined with yellow ; 

 under surface of the tail, yellowish-buff ; stripe over the eye to the back of the neck, black ; ear- 

 coverts, dark grey ; a stripe of bright yellow below the ear-coverts ; throat and under surface, yellow , 

 becoming paler as it approaches the vent ; each feather has a stripe of olive-brown down the centre : 

 bill, brownish-olive ; feet, black. 



Total length, 8 inches ; bill, I inch ; wing, 4 inches ; tail, :5f inches ; tarsi, 1 inch. 



Habitat : North of Australia. 



PTILOTIS LEUCOTIS. 



WHITE-EA RED HONE Y-EA TER . 



THIS is one of the most widely distributed of the Ptilotes, being found in New South Wales, South 

 Australia, and even in Western Australia, though it is very rare in the latter colony. It 

 frequents both open Eucalyptus forests and the brushes near the coast, more especially the Bargo 

 brush in New South Wales. 



When creeping about the trees searching for food, it utters a loud note much resembling 

 that of Ptilotis Penicillata. The food consists of various insects and the pollen of flowers. 



The upper surface and abdomen are olive; crown of the head, grey, streaked with black; 

 throat and chest, black ; ear-coverts, white ; wings and tail, olive-brown, the tail feathers being tipped 

 with white; bill, black: irides, brown; legs and feet, brownish-black. 



Habitats : New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia. 



PTILOTIS FLA V I G U L A (Gould). 



YELLO W- THRO A TED HONE Y-EA TER. 



IN nearly all the ravines and gullies of Tasmania this fine Ptilotis may be found, although, from the 

 similarity of its colouring to that of the trees which it frequents, it is very difficult of detection. 

 Specimens have also been procured in Victoria. 



In its search for food it creeps about the branches, clinging to them in various beautiful 



attitudes. 



