63 
A genus containing only a single species, which so far as we yet 
know is confined to Southern and Western Australia. It possesses 
many singular habits, and differs from most other species of the 
Meliphagidce in the totally different colouring of the sexes ; as well 
as in assembling in vast flocks, which continue soaring about during 
the greater portion of the day. 
300. Melicophila picata, Gould Vol. IV. PI. 49. 
I was not aware until after my drawing was made that this bird 
has a small fleshy appendage beneath the eye of an ashy-grey colour. 
The nest and eggs are said to be very similar to those of Petroica 
multicolor , and to be placed in similar situations. 
Genus Entomophila. 
Generic characters. 
Bill nearly as long as the head, somewhat broad at the base, be- 
coming compressed and pointed at the tip; tomia of the upper man- 
dible arched and slightly notched at the tip; nostrils basal, oval, 
pierced in a membrane and protected by an operculum ; wings rather 
long, first quill spurious, the second nearly as long as the third, which 
is the longest ; tail short and nearly square ; tarsi short and rather 
feeble; hind-toe short and stout; lateral toes unequal, the inner 
one being rather the shortest. 
301. Entomophila picta, Gould Vol. IV. PI. 50. 
The long pointed wings and short square tail of the specimens of 
this form I had seen prior to my visit to Australia, had led me to infer 
that its habits were more aerial than those of the other members of 
the family, and such proved to be the case ; for while they are con- 
tinually clinging to and creeping about the branches, the present 
bird is constantly flying about the trees, capturing insects and dis- 
playing the beautiful yellow of its wings and the white markings of 
its outspread tail. 
Its frail cup-shaped nest is sometimes suspended among the droop- 
ing leaves of the Acacia pendula. 
302. Entomophila albogularis, Gould .... Vol. IV. PI. 51. 
303. Entomophila rufogularis, Gould .... Vol. IV. PI. 52. 
I fear I have committed an error in referring the birds from the 
north coast ( E \ albogularis and E. rufogularis) to the present genus, 
for upon further consideration I believe they will prove to be suffi- 
ciently different from every other form yet characterized to justify 
their being separated into a distinct genus. 
i 
Genus Acanthogenys. 
Generic characters. 
Bill equalling the head, compressed, slightly arched, acute at the 
tip ; nostrils sub-basal, the edges of the upper mandible notched near 
the tip, and delicately serrated ; from the base of the mandible a 
naked stripe runs below the eyes, and below this the cheeks are 
covered with stiff spines ; wings moderate, the first quill-feather very 
