POEPHILA LEUCOTIS, Gowa. 
White-eared Grass Finch. 
Poephila leucotis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part XIV. p. 106. 
Tue present beautiful species of Poéphila is one of the novelties discovered during Dr. Leichardt’s expedi- 
tion from Moreton Bay to Port Essington ; it was killed in the neighbourhood of the river Lynd by Mr. 
Gilbert, in whose Journal, under the date of June 3, 1845, I find the following remark :—* The most 
interesting circumstance that occurred to me to-day was the discovery of a new species of Poéphila, which is 
very nearly allied to the one from Port Essington (P. personata, Gould), but which differs from that 
bird in having the bill light yellowish horn-colour instead of orange, the irides dark brown and the legs 
red; it is in every respect a true Poéphila, having the black face and throat, the black marks on the 
flanks, the lengthened tail-feathers and the general plumage of a light brown; like the other members 
of the genus too, it inhabits the open spots of country, and feeds on grass seeds.” 
This I regret to say is all that is known respecting it. In addition to the differences pointed out by 
Mr. Gilbert, I may mention that it may also be distinguished from the P. personata by its white ear-coverts 
and by the black of the throat being bounded below and the black marks on the flanks anteriorly with 
white ; the colouring of the upper surface is also a somewhat richer brown. 
I possess both sexes of this species, and, as is the case with the other members of the genus, they differ 
but little from each other. 
Band crossing the forehead, lores, throat, and a large patch on each flank deep velvety black; ear- 
coverts, a narrow line beneath the black of the throat, and a space surrounding the black patch on the flanks 
white; crown of the head deep reddish chestnut ; all the upper surface and wings dark cinnamon-brown : 
chest and abdomen pale vinous brown ; upper and under tail-coverts winte, the former margined externally 
with deep black ; tail black ; irides dark brown ; feet red ; bill yellowish horn-colour. 
The Plate represents the two sexes of the natural size. 
