Genus Ptilotis, Swains.
The species of this group are not only more numerous than those of any other division of the Meliphagidæ, but they also comprise some of the most beautiful and gaily-coloured members of the family. Nearly all the species are either prettily marked about the face, or have the ear-coverts largely developed and characterized by a colouring different from that of the other parts of the plumage. The Eucalypti and Acaciæ are the trees upon which they are usually found; the species with olive-green backs, such as P. flavigula and P. leucotis, frequent the dwarf or thickly-leaved kinds, the foliage of which assimilates in colour to that of their plumage; the more gaily-attired species with bright yellow cheeks and ear-coverts, such as P. ornatus and P. plumulus, are most frequently found among the flowering Acaciæ; some species, particularly P. penicillata, descend from the trees and seek Coleoptera and other insects on the ground; the Casuarinæ are the favourite trees of P. sonorus and P. versicolor; while the P. chrysotis, P. chrysops and P. fusca are almost entirely confined to the brushes and seek their food among the Eucalypti, the hanging festoons of Tecoma and other beautiful brush creepers. The members of this group are principally Australian, but I believe that some species inhabit New Guinea; they mainly subsist upon insects, to which berries are sometimes added.
The sexes are alike in plumage, but the females are smaller than the males, and the young assume the adult livery from the nest.
| 283. Ptilotis chrysotis | Vol. IV. Pl 32. |
- Ptilotis Lewinii, Swains. Class. of Birds, vol. ii. p. 326?
| 284. Ptilotis sonorus, Gould | Vol. IV. Pl. 33. |
| 285. Ptilotis versicolor, Gould | Vol. IV. Pl. 34. |
| 286. Ptilotis flavigula, Gould | Vol. IV. Pl. 35. |
| 287. Ptilotis leucotis | Vol. IV. Pl. 36. |
| 288. Ptilotis auricomis | Vol. IV. Pl 37. |
| 289. Ptilotis cratitius, Gould | Vol. IV. Pl. 38. |
| 290. Ptilotis ornatus, Gould | Vol. IV. Pl. 39. |
| 291. Ptilotis plumulus, Gould | Vol. IV. Pl. 40. |
| 292. Ptilotis flavescens, Gould | Vol. IV. Pl. 41. |
| 293. Ptilotis flava, Gould | Vol. IV. Pl. 42. |
| 294. Ptilotis penicillatus, Gould | Vol. IV. Pl. 43. |
| 295. Ptilotis fusca, Gould | Vol. IV. Pl. 44. |
| 296. Ptilotis chrysops | Vol. IV. Pl. 45. |
| 297. Ptilotis unicolor, Gould | Vol. IV. Pl. 46. |
Genus Plectorhyncha, Gould.
Generic characters.
Bill shorter than the head, slightly arched, very pointed, almost conical and acute; nostrils basal and partly covered by an operculum; an obsolete notch near the tip of the upper mandible; wings moderate, the first feather short, the third and fourth the longest; tail moderate and square; tarsi strong; hind-toe and claw long, powerful and longer than the middle toe and claw; lateral toes unequal; the outer one the longest, and united to the middle one nearly to the first joint.
Of this singular form only one species has yet been discovered. It inhabits the plains of the eastern portion of Australia, where it dwells among the Eucalypti and Acaciæ; and is a very noisy garrulous bird.