Generic characters.
Bill shorter than the head, slightly compressed at the sides, with a very minute notch at the tip, and beset with a few hairs at the base; nostrils linear and covered with an operculum; wings short, round, first primary rather short, the third the longest; tail short, round and concave, tarsi moderate; external toe longer than the inner one.
Another anomalous form, the structure of which does not approximate very nearly to that of any other genus, but is perhaps most nearly allied to Acanthiza. The only species known frequents scrubby places and thick underwood; is much on the ground, but occasionally mounts on a twig to sing.
| 221. Pyrrholæmus brunneus, Gould | [Vol. II. ] Pl. 68. |
Genus Origma, Gould.
Bill nearly as long as the head, incurved, carinated, indented near the tip; nostrils oval, lateral, basal, and covered by an operculum; wings moderate, rounded, first quill short, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh nearly equal and longest; tail moderate and slightly rounded; tarsi moderate; toes rather short, the outer toe much longer than the inner; plumage dense.
We are here again presented with another form, the structure, habits, and manners of which are all equally singular. The only species yet discovered inhabits New South Wales, where it frequents stony gullies and rocky situations in the neighbourhood of caverns, to the roofs of which it attaches its pendent nest, as shown in the Plate.
| 222. Origma rubricata | [Vol. II. ] Pl. 69. |
Genus Calamanthus, Gould.
Generic characters.