Genus —N ESOPTILOTIS. 
Nesoptilotis Mathews, Austral Avian Record, 
Vol. II., pts. 2-3, p. 60, Oct. 23rd, 1913. 
Type (by original designation) .. .. Ptilotis flavigula Gould. 
I differentiated this group thus : “ Differs from Ptilotula Mathews in its 
much longer wing and tail and much stronger feet, though the bill is as small 
as in that genus.” 
This is rather a peculiar little group with headquarters in Tasmania and 
a specialised offshoot on the mainland. 
As shown by Hall, the island form has preserved more nearly the ancestral 
coloration, the yellow ear-coverts being fixed in the adult on the island species, 
and becoming white, a novel feature, in the whole series of “ Ptilotis ” on 
the mainland. 
Key to the Species. 
Chin yellow, ear patch yellow 
Chin black, ear patch white 
N. flavicollis. 
N. leucotis. 
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