This fine bird, which is strictly Australian, is distributed over all parts of the interior of the country, and is as abundant in the north as it is in the south; it was also observed by Captain Sturt at the Depôt.
The specimens from the north are of a larger size and have the orbits more denuded than those from the south.
Genus Licmetis, Wagl.
The two species forming the genus Licmetis are not only confined to Australia, but, so far as we yet know, to the southern portions of that continent; one inhabits the western and the other the eastern part of the country. Their singularly formed bill being admirably adapted for procuring their food on the ground, they are more terrestrial in their habits than the other members of the family.
| 365. Licmetis nasicus | [Vol. V. ] Pl. 5. |
| 366. Licmetis pastinator, | Gould. |
- Licmetis pastinator, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part VIII. p. 175.
Lores scarlet; general plumage white; the base of the feathers of the head and front of the neck scarlet, showing through and giving those parts a stained appearance; the basal half of the inner webs of the primaries, the inner webs of all the other feathers of the wing, and the inner webs of the tail-feathers beautiful brimstone-yellow; naked space round the eye greenish blue; irides light brown; bill white; feet dull olive-grey.
Inhabits Western Australia.
Differs from L. nasicus in being of a much larger size; but the colouring being similar, I have not thought it necessary to figure it.