PLATE XI. 



GENUS EPHTHIANURA (Gould). 



rjlHREE members of this genus, all differing greatly in appearance, inhabit Australia. 



EPHTHIANURA TRICOLOR {Gould). 



TRI-COLORED EPHTHIANURA. 



THE range of this bird extends westward from the northern part of New South Wales, especially 

 about the Liverpool Plains, into South Australia, though in the latter colony it is sometimes 

 found further south, in the vicinity of the coast. It is nowhere abundant. 



It principally inhabits plains, covered with scrub and small trees, where it is seen in small 

 flocks of ten or twelve. 



It feeds on insects, in the capture of which it displays great activity. 



The male has the crown of the head, the breast, abdomen and upper tail-coverts bright 

 scarlet ; ear-coverts, occiput, back, tail and wings, dark brown, the wing-feathers bordered with brownish- 

 white ; chin and throat, white ; irides, buffy-white ; bill, legs, and feet, blackish-brown. 



The colouring of the female is not so brilliant as that of the male. 



Total length, Z\ inches ; bill, 9 /ie mcn ', wing, 2f inches ; tail, 1^ inch ; tarsi, f inch. 

 Habitats : New South Wales and South Australia. 



EPHTHIANURA AURIFRONS (h'ouid). 



ORANGE -FP< WTED EPHTHIANURA. 



THE species under notice is a native of Victoria and South Australia, where it frequents the same 

 class of country as its congener, Ephthianura Tricolor. 



The food consists of insects of all kinds, and caterpillars. 



The nest is constructed of small twigs, lined with fine grass and hair. The' eggs, four or 

 five in number, are white, with spots of reddish-brown distributed over the surface. 



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