INTRODUCTION. 
xlvii 
and longest ; tertials very long ; tail short and truncate ; tarsi entire, moderately long, slight ; toes slender, the hinder 
toe and claw shorter than the middle one, the inner toe rather shorter than the outer. 
Three species of this form are all that are at present known, and of these two are figured for the first time in 
the present work. They all inhabit the southern part of Australia, where they frequent the open districts studded 
with bushes and low trees ; the E. albi/rons is occasionally found on the open plains. 
217. Ephthianura albifrons . Vol. III. PL 64. 
218. Ephthianura aurifrons, Gould Vol. III. PI. 65. 
219. Ephthianura tricolor, Gould Vol. III. PL 66. 
Genus Xerophila, Gould. 
Generic characters. 
Bill short, semiconical, robust at the base, without any notch at the tip ; and provided with a few hairs at the 
base of the upper mandible ; nostrils round and covered by minute feathers ; wings moderate in size ; first primary 
short, the third and fourth the longest; tertiaries broad and somewhat elongated ; tail moderate, square and slightly 
concave ; tarsi robust ; hind-toe strong, anterior toes feeble, the exterior longer than the inner one. 
A curious form, of which only one species is known, and the situation of which in the natural system is quite 
undetermined. It has many of the actions and manners of the AcantTiizce, but its robust and gibbose bill precludes 
its being placed with that group. It is mainly terrestrial in its habits and builds a domed nest. 
220. Xerophila leucopsis, Gould Vol. III. PI. 67. 
Genus Pyrrhol^mus, Gould. 
Generic characters. 
Bill shorter than the head, slightly compressed at the sides, with a very minute notch at the tip, and beset 
with a few hairs at the base ; nostrils linear and covered with an operculum ; wings short, round, first primary 
rather short, the third the longest ; tail short, round and concave, tarsi moderate ; external toe longer than the 
inner one. 
Another anomalous form, the structure of which does not approximate very nearly to that of any other genus, 
but is perhaps most nearly allied to AcantUza. The only species known frequents scrubby places and thick under- 
wood ; is much on the ground, but occasionally mounts on a twig to sing. 
221. Pyrrholsemus brunneus, Goidd ........... Vol. III. PL 68. 
Genus Origma, Gould. 
Bill nearly as long as the head, incurved, carinated, indented near the tip ; nostrils oval, lateral, basal, and 
covered by an operculum ; wings moderate, rounded, first quill short, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh nearly equal 
and longest ; tail moderate and slightly rounded ; tarsi moderate ; toes rather short, the outer toe much longer than 
the inner ; plumage dense. 
We are here again presented with another form, the structure, habits, and manners of which are all equally 
singular. The only species yet discovered inhabits New South Wales, where it frequents stony gullies and rocky 
situations in the neighbourhood of caverns, to the roofs of which it attaches its pendent nest, as shown in the Plate. 
222. Origma rubricata ............. Vol. III. PL 69. 
Genus Calamanthus, Gould. 
Generic characters. 
Bill shorter than the head, dilated at the base, compressed laterally towards the tip ; cidmen sharp and advancing 
upon the forehead; nostrils lateral, large, oval, and covered by an operculum; rictus destitute of bristles; wings 
