Genus — E RYTHRODRYAS. 
Erythrodryas Gould, Proc. Zool. Soc. (Lond.), 
1842, p. 112, Jan. 1843. Type (by original 
designation ) . . . ... ... ... ... Saxicola rodinogaster Drapiez. 
Gould placed the Australian Robins with the Wheatears, and of this genus 
explained : “ The birds of this form are much more delicate in structure 
than the members of the restricted genus Petroica, have their feeble bill 
strongly beset with bristles, and are more arboreal in their habits ; their usual 
places of resort being the innermost recesses of the forest, where, in a state 
of quiet seclusion, they flit about in search of insects ; the true Petroicce, on 
the other hand, frequent open plains, are more bold and vigorous, and possess 
a structure which adapts them for the ground, over which they pass like the 
Wheatears.” 
This species has the upper-surface grey, a minute frontal spot, a grey 
throat and rose breast, and as the bird is smaller is sharply differentiated 
from Petroica s. str. The bill and legs are small and weak, the rictal bristles 
in this form prominent. 
The wing has the fourth and fifth primaries subequal, the latter slightly 
the longer ; the third primary is equal to the sixth, while the second is less 
than the seventh and the first is about half the length of the second. 
In coloration this and the following agree and differ appreciably from 
the true Petroicse, while in their habits they also differ. Though Gould 
supposed that these were separable on this account, this was due to an 
impression gained by a short experience and has not been confirmed by recent 
observers. Nevertheless they seem to show distinct evolution and the locality 
or headquarters of this genus, Tasmania, is quite suggestive. 
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