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genus SPHECOTHERES (Vieillot). 



rj^WO species of this genus are found in Australia, and others in New Guinea and the adjacent islands. 



SPHECOTHERES MAXILLARIS (a R dray). 



SOUTHERN SPHECOTHERES. 



TI^HE range of this species extends from the north coast down as far as the Hunter River, though 

 J- its principal abode is in the brushes near the Clarence River, and the southern parts of Queens- 

 land. 



It feeds on berries and insects, obtained principally in the brushes, and in all other habits 

 resembles the members of the genus Mimeta. 



The dilference in colouring between the sexes is very striking. 



The male has the crown of the head and the cheeks black ; orbit, and a narrow space leading 

 to the nostrils, naked, and of a light yellow ; throat, chest and collar at the back of the neck, dark slate- 

 grey ; upper and under surface, greenish-grey ; primaries and inner webs of secondaries, black ; tail, black, 

 all the feathers more or less tipped with white ; bill, black ; irides, hazel ; legs and feet, flesh-colour. 



The female has the upper surface brown, each feather with a darker centre ; wings, dark brown, 

 primaries and secondaries edged with greenish-grey ; under surface, buffy-white, each feather with a mark 

 of brown down the centre ; tail, brown, each feather edged on the inner web with white. 



Habitats : Northern and north-eastern coast. 



SPHECOTHERES FLA VI VENTRES (Gould). 



NORTHERN SPHECOTHERES. 



MR. MACGILLIVRAY was the first to discover this bird, while in the neighbourhood of Cape 

 York, where it is to be found in considerable numbers, though, on account of its shyness, it is 

 very difficult to obtain specimens. 



