No example of this genus has yet been discovered in the northern or intertropical regions of Australia, all the species known being confined to the southern parts of the continent, the islands in Bass’s Straits and Van Diemen’s Land. The members of this group feed principally upon the pollen and honey of the flower-cups, but occasionally upon insects; in disposition they are tame and familiar; and they frequent the Banksiæ in preference to other trees.
The sexes are alike in plumage, and the young assume the adult plumage at an early period of their existence.
| 274. Meliphaga Novæ-Hollandiæ | Vol. IV. Pl. 23. |
| 275. Meliphaga longirostris, Gould | Vol. IV. Pl. 24. |
| 276. Meliphaga sericea, Gould | Vol. IV. Pl. 25. |
| 277. Meliphaga mystacalis, Gould | Vol. IV. Pl. 26. |
| 278. Meliphaga Australasiana | Vol. IV. Pl. 27. |
- Certhia pyrrhoptera, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. iv. p. 197?
Genus Glyciphila, Swains.
The members of this genus resort to higher trees than the Meliphaga, are more shy in disposition, possess considerable powers of flight, and partake more exclusively of insect food. Of the four Australian species, two, G. fulvifrons and G. albifrons, inhabit the southern parts of the country, the G. fasciata the northern portion, and the little G. ocularis is universally distributed over the country, and if I mistake not, is also found in New Guinea and Timor.
The young of G. fulvifrons and G. albifrons differ considerably from the adult in their markings.
| 279. Glyciphila fulvifrons | Vol. IV. Pl. 28. |
- Certhia melanops, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. iv. p. 173?
| 280. Glyciphila albifrons, Gould | Vol. IV. Pl. 29. |
| 281. Glyciphila fasciata, Gould | Vol. IV. Pl. 30. |
| 282. Glyciphila ocularis, Gould | Vol. IV. Pl. 31. |