48 
193. Hylacola cauta, Gould ........ Vol. III. PI. 40. 
When I characterized this species in the ‘ Proceedings of the 
Zoological Society of London/ I had only seen a single example ; I 
have since received a second, proving the correctness of my view of 
its being quite distinct from the H. pyrrhopygia, a fact disputed by 
Mr. Strickland, who had stated it to be his opinion that my figures 
were referable to one and the same species, but who upon an exa- 
mination of the specimens themselves acknowledged he was in error. 
Subfamily — — - ? 
Genus Cysticola. 
However numerous birds of this form may be in Europe, Africa, 
Asia and the Indian Islands, Australia outvies them all in the number 
of species that frequent its grassy plains. With the exception of 
Van Diemen’s Land, every colony is inhabited by one or more spe- 
cies performing there precisely similar offices to those executed by 
the remaining species in the other parts of the world. 
194. Cysticola magna, Gould 
195. Cysticola exilis .... 
196. Cysticola lineocapilla, Gould 
197* Cysticola isura, Goidd . 
198. Cysticola ruficeps, Gould . 
Subfamily 
Vol. III. PL 41. 
Vol. III. PL 42. 
Vol. III. PL 43. 
Vol. III. PL 44. 
Vol. III. PL 45. 
Genus Sericornis. 
Generic characters. 
Bill strong, straight, nearly as long as the head, compressed late- 
rally towards and notched at the tip ; nostrils basal, lateral, oval, 
and covered by an operculum ; wings moderate, rounded, the first 
quill very short, the fourth, fifth and sixth nearly equal and the 
longest ; tail moderate and square ; tarsi long; hind-toe and claw 
strong, and nearly equal to the middle toe and claw in length ; outer 
and inner toes equal ; plumage soft and silky to the touch. 
A group of small birds peculiar to Australia, and confined almost 
exclusively to the southern portion of the country. Their habits 
lead them to frequent the most retired parts of the forests, damp 
and secluded places and scrubby gullies where the herbage is thick 
and dense ; but some species are found on the flat islands near the 
coast, covered with Salsolce and other shrub-like trees ; they usually 
frequent the ground, over which they pass with celerity, and when 
their haunts are intruded upon conceal themselves under the fallen 
or dried herbage. Their flight is peculiar and never protracted, and 
they all build domed nests like that of the common Wren ( Troglo- 
dytes Europeeus) . 
199. Sericornis citreogularis, Gould .... Vol. III. PL 46. 
Muscicapa harbata , Lath.? 
200. Sericornis humilis, Gould . . . . . . Vol. III. PL 47. 
201 . Sericornis osculans, Gould Vol. III. PL 48. 
