Ivi 
INTRODUCTION. 
Genus Ptilotis, Swains. 
The species of this group ai-e not only more numerous than those of any other division of the Meliphagidce, but 
they also comprise some of the most beautiful and gaily-coloured members of the family. Nearly all the species 
are either prettily marked about the face, or have the ear-coverts largely developed and characterized by a colouring 
different from that of the other parts of the plumage. The Eucalypti and Acacice are the trees upon which they 
are usually found ; the species with olive-green backs, such as P. flavigula and P. leucotis, frequent the dwarf or 
thickly-leaved kinds, the foliage of which assimilates in colour to that of their plumage ; the more gaily-attired 
species with bright yellow cheeks and ear-coverts, such as P. ornatus and P. plumulus, are most frequently found 
among the flowering Acacice ; some species, particularly P. penicillata, descend from the trees and seek Coleoptera 
and other insects on the ground ; the Casuarince are the favourite trees of P. sonorus and P. versicolor ; while the 
P. cJirysotis, P. chrysops and P. fusca are almost entirely confined to the brushes and seek their food among the 
Eucalypti, the hanging festoons of Tecoma and other beautiful brush creepers. The members of this group are 
principally Australian, but I believe that some species inhabit New Guinea ; they mainly subsist upon insects, to 
which berries are sometimes added. 
The sexes are alike in plumage, but the females are smaller than the males, and the young assume the adult 
livery from the nest. / 
283. Ptilotis chrysotis 
Ptilotis Lewinii, Swains. Class, of Birds, vol. 
284. Ptilotis sonorus, Gould . 
285. Ptilotis versicolor, Gould 
286. Ptilotis flavigula, Gould . 
287. Ptilotis leucotis 
288. Ptilotis auricomis . 
289. Ptilotis cratitius, Gould . 
290. Ptilotis ornatus, Gould . 
291. Ptilotis plumulus, Gould . 
292. Ptilotis flavescens, Gould 
293. Ptilotis flava, Gould 
294. Ptilotis penicillatus, Gould 
295. Ptilotis fusca, Gould 
296. Ptilotis chrysops 
297. Ptilotis unicolor, Gould . 
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Genus Plectorhyncha, Gould. 
Generic characters. 
Bill shorter than the head, slightly arched, very pointed, almost conical and acute ; nostrils basal and partly 
covered by an operculum ; an obsolete notch near the tip of the upper mandible ; wings moderate, the first feather 
short, the third and fourth the longest ; tail moderate and square ; tarsi strong ; hind-toe and claw long, powerful 
and longer than the middle toe and claw ; lateral toes unequal ; the outer one the longest, and united to the middle 
one nearly to the first joint. 
Of this singular form only one species has yet been discovered. It inhabits the plains of the eastern portion 
of Australia, where it dwells among the Eucalypti and Acacice ; and is a very noisy garrulous bird. 
The sexes are alike in plumage, and the young assume the adult plumage at a very early age. 
298. Plectorhyncha lanceolata, Gould 
Vol. IV. PI. 47. 
Genus Xanthomyza, Swains. 
Of this genus only one species is known. 
