THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
The family Sittidse to which this and the succeeding genus are attached 
is one of the remarkable groups which, very well-known superficially, has not 
received the study as regards anatomy that it deserves. Often classed with 
the Certhidae, because it frequents trees in a similar manner, it probably has 
no close relationship with that family. The peculiar development of the forms 
of the family in Australia is worthy of a few remarks. None have penetrated 
into Tasmania, yet apparently extraordinary development has taken place 
in Australia, as we have both black-headed and white-headed species, while 
the Northern species have a prominent white wing-bar and the Southern have 
red wing-bars. The white wing-bars occur in the north in both the white- 
headed and black-headed species, whilst two distinct species in the south 
show the red wing-bars. Again the Northern form of the white-headed species 
has a white wing-bar, the Southern a red wing-bar. In New Guinea a white- 
headed bird occurs, quite a distinct species, with a white wing-bar ; but also 
in New Guinea is found a bird referred to this family quite unlike any of the 
Australian birds or any of the Northern species of the family. 
This group would afford much of value were an intensive study undertaken, 
both as regards external and internal features. A. G. Campbell, some years 
ago, gave a sketch of the forms and distribution as at the time known, and 
this is a very interesting essay, which could serve as a basis. 
Key to Species. 
Head brown 
Head white 
Wing-bar white 
Whig-bar reddish-buff 
Top of head black 
Under-surface white 
Wing-bar white.. 
Wing-bar reddish buff 
Under-surface striated 
N. chrysoptera 
N. albata 
N. leucocephala 
N. leucoptera 
N. pileata 
N. striata 
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