XEROPHILA PECTORALIS, Gould . 
Chestnut-breasted Xeropliila. 
Xerophila pectoralis, Gould, Ann. N. H. (4) viii. p. 192. 
Of the many puzzling forms which Australia produces, the little genus Xerophila is one of the most charac- 
teristic. The present species has all the appearance of a Finch ; and the coloration even approaches that 
of some Fringilline birds I could mention; to find, therefore, that it had been placed by systematists in the 
family Fringillidse is not so very surprising. The late Mr. George Robert Gray, in his ‘ Hand-list of Birds’ 
(part i. p. 235), has associated Xerophila with Suthora and Certhiparus. My own view of the case, as will 
be seen on consulting my ‘Hand-book of the Birds of Australia,’ is very different : notwithstanding its thick 
bill, I have referred the type to the Acant.hhce ; and the discovery of the second species does not alter my 
opinion. 
I have to express my regret that absolutely nothing has been recorded respecting this pretty little bird. 
I am indebted to tbe kindness of the Director of the South-Australian Institute at Adelaide, and to 
Mr. Waterhouse, for the opportunity of describing and figuring it. I reproduce the original diagnosis, 
published bv me in 1871. 
Face and throat white, passing into greyish white on the ear-coverts; crown and nape hair-brown, 
mottled with blackish brown, the darker tint occupying the centre of each feather ; back chestnut-brown, 
becoming much darker and richer on the rump ; upper tail-coverts hair-brown ; two central tail-feathers 
hair-brown, with lighter edges, the five lateral feathers on each side black, tipped with white ; across the 
chest a well-defined band of cinnamon-brown ; under surface white, with a mark of chestnut down the 
centre of each of the flank-feathers; wings dark brown, the secondaries broadly margined with dull buff; 
under tail-coverts buffy white ; bill and feet black. 
Total length 3f inches ; bill f, wing 2J, tail If, tarsi §. 
The type specimen was procured at Port Augusta, South Australia. The figures in the Plate are of the 
natural size. 
