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62 
290. Ptilotis ornatus, Gould ...... 
291. Ptilotis plumulus, Gould 
292. Ptilotis flavescens, Gould 
293. Ptilotis flava, Goidd 
294. Ptilotis penicillatus, Gould 
295. Ptilotis fusca, Gould 
296. Ptilotis chrysops 
297. Ptilotis unicolor, Gould 
Genus Plectorhynciia. 
Generic characters. 
Bill shorter than the head, slightly arched, very pointed, almost 
conical and acute ; nostrils basal and partly covered by an opercu- 
lum ; an obsolete notch near the tip of the upper mandible ; icings 
moderate, the first feather short, the third and fourth the longest ; 
tail moderate and square ; tarsi strong ; hind-toe and claw long, 
powerful and longer than the middle toe and claw; lateral toes un- 
equal ; the outer one the longest, and united to the middle one 
nearly to the first joint. 
Of this singular form only one species has yet been discovered. 
It inhabits the plains of the eastern portion of Australia, where it 
dwells among the Eucalypti and Acacice ; and is a very noisy gar- 
rulous bird. 
The sexes are alike in plumage, and the young assume the adult 
plumage at a very early age. 
298. Plectorhynciia lanceolata, Gould . . . Yoi. IV. PI. 47- 
Genus Xanthomyza. 
One species only of this genus is known. 
299. Xanthomyza Phrygia Vol. IV. PI. 48. 
The habitat of this bird appears to be confined to the south- 
eastern portion of Australia. In its disposition it is bold and ex- 
tremely pugnacious, and 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. 
The sexes are alike in plumage, and but little difference is ob- 
servable between nestling and adult birds. 
The nests I saw were round and cup-shaped, and were mostly 
placed in the fork of a tree. 
Genus Melicophila. 
Generic characters. 
Bill as long as the head, 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. 
Vol. IV. PI. 39. 
Vol. IV. PI. 40. 
Vol. IV. PI. 41. 
Vol. IV. PI. 42. 
Vol. IV. Pi. 43. 
Vol. IV. PI. 44. 
Vol. IV. PI. 45. 
Vol. IV. PI. 46. 
