PLATE 



XLII. 



GENUS AILURCEDUS (Cabanis). 



THIS genus differs from PtilonorhynchuS in the colouring of the plumage and in the structure of the 

 bill. 



AILURCEDUS SMITHI] (Vig. and Horsf.) 



CAT- Bin I). 



THIS very peculiar bird inhabits the brushes of the east coast of New South Wales — in fact, very 

 much the same localities as those frequented by the Regent-bird and Satin-bird. 



Its food consists of berries and wild fruits, and sometimes, but rarely, of insects. 



It is very bold in disposition, and may be approached closely either when feeding or when 

 perched on a tree. 



Its note is a most extraordinary one, and can be compared to nothing but that of the animal 

 from which it takes its name. In fact, as Gould says, when several are uttering it, the noise resembles 

 much the nightly concerts of cats on the house-tops. 



It is not certain if this bird constructs a bower, but it is most probable that it does so. 



The head is olive-green ; back, wings, and tail, dark green ; the wing-coverts and secondaries 



with a spot of white at the extremity of their outer webs ; tail-feathers tipped with white ; all the 



under surface olive-green, with a mark of white down the centre of each feather ; irides, brown ; bill, 

 light horn-colour ; legs and feet, blackish-brown. 



Habitats : New South Wales, northern part of Victoria, and southern part of Queensland. 



M 



CHLAMYDODERA CERVIN I VENTRES (Gould) 



FA WN-B RE A ST ED BOWER-BIB I >. 



R. MACGILLIVRAY first discovered this species at Cape York, during the voyage of H.M.S. 

 Rattlesnake." 



It is distinguished from the other members of the genus principally by its buff-coloured under 



surface. 



