IP H. _A_ T IE XXXII. 



GENUS SMICRORNIS (Gould). 



THE two species of this form are remarkable as being the most diminutive of all the Australian 

 birds. 



SMICRORNIS BREVIROSTRIS (Gould). 



SHORT-BILLED SMICRORNIS. 



THIS very interesting bird has a most extensive range, being found in New South Wales, Victoria, 

 South Australia, and Western Australia. 



It is almost entirely arboreal in habits, and shows a decided preference for trees of the 

 Eucalyptus tribe, among the branches and leaves of which it procures abundance of small insects, on 

 which it feeds. 



The breeding season extends from September to December. The nest, which is attached to a 

 small branch of a tree, is globular in shape, with an entrance in the side. It is constructed of moss, 

 the down of flowers, and cobwebs, the inside being warmly lined with feathers. Three eggs are laid, 

 brownish-buff in colour, and speckled at the larger end with darker colour. Their average length is 

 about six and a-half lines, and their breadth four and a-half lines. 



The crown of the head, centre part of the back, rump, tail, and wing-feathers, except the 

 primaries, greenish-olive ; rest of the upper surface and primaries, brown ; ear-coverts, brownish-grey ; 

 patch round the eye, white ; throat and chest, yellowish-white ; rest of under surface, light reddish- 

 buff ; irides, light brown ; bill, black ; legs and feet, reddish-brown. 



Total length, 3^ inches ; bill, § inch ; wing, 2 inches ; tail, 1^ inch ; tarsi, ^ inch. 



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



SMICRORNIS FLAVESCENS (Gould). 



YELLOW-TINTED SMICRORNIS. 



THE home of this, the smallest of all the Australian birds, is the northern coast of Australia, 

 more especially about the Cobourg Peninsula. 



It always perches on the branches at the top of the highest trees, on which account, and 

 also from its diminutive size, it is difficult to discover anything of its habits, or even to procure specimens. 



