INTRODUCTION. 
h'ii 
299. Xanthomyza Phrygia ■ ■ • • • • • Vol. IV. PI. 48. 
The habitat of this bird appears to be coiifined to the south-eastern portion of Australia. It generally 
frequents the highest branches of the lofty Eucalypti, both of the brushes and of the plains, but is most abundant in 
the districts near the coast. In its disposition it is bold and extremely pugnacious. 
The sexes are alike in plumage, and but httle difference is observable between nesthng and adult birds. 
The nests I saw were round and cup-shaped, and were mostly placed in the fork of a tree. 
Genus Melicophila, Gould. 
Generic characters. 
Bill as long as the head, gradually curving downwards from the base, nearly cylindrical and very pointed; 
nostrils basal and covered with an operculum ; wings rather lengthened, the first primary short, the third the 
longest; tail moderately long, and nearly square ; tarsi long and stout. 
A genus containing only a single species, which so far as we yet know is confined to Southern and Western 
Australia. 
300. Melicophila picata, Gould Vol. IV. PI. 49. 
Possesses many singular habits, and differs from most other species of the MeliphagidcB in the totally different 
colouring of the sexes ; as well as in assembling in vast flocks, which continue soaring about during the greater 
portion of the day. I was not aware until after my drawing was made that this bird has a small fleshy appendage 
beneath the eye of an ashy-grey colour, which is invisible in a dried skin. The nest and eggs are said to be very 
similar to those of Petroica multicolor, and to be placed in similar situations. 
Genus Entomophila, Gould. 
Generic characters. 
Bill nearly as long as the head, somewhat broad at the base, becoming compressed and pointed at the apex ; 
tomia of the upper mandible arched and slightly notched at the tip ; nostrils basal, oval, pierced in a membrane and 
protected by an operculum ; ivings rather long, first quill spurious, the second nearly as long as the third, which is 
the longest; tail short and nearly square; tarsi short and rather feeble; hind- toe short and stout; lateral toes 
unequal, the inner one being rather the shortest. 
301. Entomophila picta, Gould • Vol. IV. PI. 50. 
The pointed wings of the examples of this bird I had seen prior to my visit to Austraha, led me to infer that 
its habits were more aerial than those of the other members of the family, and such proved to be the case ; for 
while the greater number of the latter cling to and creep about the branches, the present bird flies about the trees, 
captures insects on the wing, and during flight displays the beautiful yellow of its wings and the white markings 
of its tail to the greatest advantage. 
Its frail cup-shaped nest is sometimes suspended among the drooping leaves of the Acacia pendula. 
302. Entomophila albogularis, Gould Vol. IV. PI. 51. 
303. Entomophila rufogularis, Gould . .. . . . . . . . . . Vol. IV. PI. 52. 
I fear I have committed an error in referring the birds from the north coast albogularis and E. rufogularis') 
to the present genus, for upon further consideration I beheve they will prove to be sufficiently different from every 
other form yet characterized to justify their being separated into a distinct genus. 
Genus Acanthogenys, Gould. 
Generic characters. 
Bill as long as the head, compressed, slightly arched, acute at the tip ; the edges of the upper mandible notched 
near the tip, and delicately serrated ; nostrils sub-basal ; from the base of the mandibles a naked stripe runs below 
