Genus — SACRAMELA. 
Sacramela Mathews, Austral Avian Record, Vol. 
II., pt. 5, p. Ill, Sept. 24th, 1914. Type (by 
original designation) . Ptilotis keartlandi North. 
I wrote at the introduction of this name : “ Differs from Lichenostomus 
Cabanis in the absence of the fleshy caruncle at the base of the bill.” When 
I separated the “ genus Ptilotis ” into sections I arranged under Lichenostomus 
the four species c rati tins, keartlandi, ornatus and plumulus, and under Ptilotula 
I placed flavescens and penicillata. Later, as above, I recognised that Lichenos¬ 
tomus cratitius alone possessed a fleshy wattle at gape and separated the 
other three under the name Sacramela. I am leaving these under this name 
as, although there is very little difference between Ptilotula and Sacramela, I 
note in the dried specimens apparent differences in the tongue structure, and 
this point needs investigation upon recent specimens. If I lump these birds 
this will not be undertaken, but if an apparent “ unnecessary ” genus is retained 
it will invite criticism. 
Small Ptilotis with short black bills, long wings, long tail and long slender 
legs and small feet. 
The hill is short, shorter than the head, laterally compressed, basal 
expansion slight, culmen semi-keeled and arched ; under mandible nearly 
straight; interramal space triangular, feathered, nearly half the length of the 
bill; gonys straight not angulate, a little depressed anteriorly ; nasal groove 
long but not half the length of the short bill, linear nostrils pervious, operculum 
large. 
The wing has the first primary small, less than half the length of the 
second, which nearly equals the third, which is a little longer than the sixth; 
the third, fourth and fifth primaries subequal and longest; the second primary 
much longer than the secondaries. Tail long and square. 
The legs are comparatively long and slender as in the preceding genus, 
the feet similar and small. 
Key to 
the Species. 
Head grey 
• • • • • • 
keartlandi. 
Head greenish-yellow .. 
• • 
ornata. 
523 
