Bill as long as the head, gradually curving downwards from the base, nearly cylindrical and very pointed; nostrils basal and covered with an operculum; wings rather lengthened, the first primary short, the third the longest; tail moderately long, and nearly square; tarsi long and stout.
A genus containing only a single species, which so far as we yet know is confined to Southern and Western Australia.
| 300. Melicophila picata, Gould | Vol. IV. Pl. 49. |
Possesses many singular habits, and differs from most other species of the Meliphagidæ in the totally different colouring of the sexes; as well as in assembling in vast flocks, which continue soaring about during the greater portion of the day. I was not aware until after my drawing was made that this bird has a small fleshy appendage beneath the eye of an ashy-grey colour, which is invisible in a dried skin. The nest and eggs are said to be very similar to those of Petroïca multicolor, and to be placed in similar situations.
Genus Entomophila, Gould.
Generic characters.
Bill nearly as long as the head, somewhat broad at the base, becoming compressed and pointed at the apex; tomia of the upper mandible arched and slightly notched at the tip; nostrils basal, oval, pierced in a membrane and protected by an operculum; wings rather long, first quill spurious, the second nearly as long as the third, which is the longest; tail short and nearly square; tarsi short and rather feeble; hind-toe short and stout; lateral toes unequal, the inner one being rather the shortest.
| 301. Entomophila picta, Gould | Vol. IV. Pl. 50. |
The pointed wings of the examples of this bird I had seen prior to my visit to Australia, led me to infer that its habits were more aërial than those of the other members of the family, and such proved to be the case; for while the greater number of the latter cling to and creep about the branches, the present bird flies about the trees, captures insects on the wing, and during flight displays the beautiful yellow of its wings and the white markings of its tail to the greatest advantage.
Its frail cup-shaped nest is sometimes suspended among the drooping leaves of the Acacia pendula.