The Emu. 
97 
14. Myzomela PECTORALIS (Gould), Banded Honey-eater. 
Myzouiela pectoralis^ Gould, Birds Aust., fol., vol. iv., pi. 65 (1848) ; 
Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. ix., p. 138 (1884). 
Eleven specimens have been received — nine males, two 
females. 
Six of the males show distinct phases in the plumage 
development from the time of nest quittal to adult age. It is 
remarkable that the youngest has rich saffron-yellow ear coverts, 
which are quite lost in the adult, and that the uniform rufous 
back of the youngest gradually gets to a dense black by change 
of pigment. The rachis as in a is rufous, in b it shows a 
narrow black line, in <: a broader one, in a much broader 
one, while in e the rufous has almost been displaced by dense 
black. In the moult following black feathers appear without 
rufous. 
The young of Glycyphtla fulvifrons also displays a prominent 
patch of yellow (throat). In this respect they stand as 
remarkable cases. 
The principal points of interest in these six male birds are : — 
a (24/5/OO). Fully-fledged nestling. Ear coverts rich yellow; 
dull cinnamon pectoral band ; under surface creamy-white, with 
flush of pale yellow on upper throat ; head, neck, and back 
cinnamon-coloured, paler on the head ; lores black ; upper tail 
coverts white ; all quills edged with brown. [Bill and tail 
blackish-brown ; iris brown ; corner of mouth yellow ; legs and 
feet dull blackish-brown.] 
b (19/6/00). Young recently from nest. Very much as in a. 
The pectoral band is partly black and partly brown. It shows 
the first indication of the black breast-band. 
c (25,7/00). Immature. Midway between b and / ; yellow 
ear coverts ; black pectoral band ; head, neck, and back 
cinnamon-coloured, with numerous rufous feathers with black 
midribs. The brown quills are being moulted in favour of 
dense blackness. 
d (9 I 00). Immature. This specimen approaches the 
appearance of the adult. A faint wash of yellow^ appears upon 
the ear coverts, and some black feathers of the back edged with 
rufous brown ; head and lores black, not contrasted rufous and 
black as in previous stages ; brown lateral edges to tail quills as 
in a, b, c. 
^ (19/9/96). Immature. Ear coverts white as in adult, and 
0'5 per cent, of the back feathers showing rufous edges ; lateral 
edges to tail quills black as with other parts ; tips of secondaries 
creamy-white as in previous stages. 
/ Adult skin. Whole of upper surface varies, strongly 
contrasted black and white, no cinnamon. 
Tw^o specimens of young females, appearing to be the age of 
<2, answer to the same description. Date, 25/7/00. 
