M YZOMELA OBSCURA, Gould. 
Obscure Honey-eater. 
Myzomela obscura, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part X. p. 136. 
This species is a native of the northern parts of Australia. At Port Essington, where my specimens were 
procured, it is only to be met with in quiet, secluded and thickly-wooded districts adjacent to small streams 
of water ; its favourite tree appears to be the Grevillia, from the blossoms of which it obtains great quan- 
tities of honey and insects. The shy and retiring disposition of this species renders the acquisition of 
specimens very difficult : “ at no time during my stay,” remarks Mr. Gilbert, “ did I succeed in getting- 
sight of more than a solitary individual, and I believe it to be a rare bird in all parts of the Cobourg 
Peninsula.” 
This bird differs so much in colour from all the other species yet discovered, that it is readily distin- 
guished from all of them. 
Th e sexes present no external marks of distinction, except that the female is somewhat smaller than her 
mate. 
The whole of the plumage is dull brown, with a vinous tinge on the head ; under surface paler than the 
upper ; irides bright red ; bill dark greenish black ; feet dark bluish grey ; tarsi tinged with yellow. 
The figures are of the natural size. 
