_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. The sexes are alike in plumage, and the young assume the adult plumage at a very early age. 298. Plectorhyncha lanceolata, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 47. Genus XANTHOMYZA, _Swains._ Of this genus only one species is known. 299. Xanthomyza Phrygia Vol. IV. Pl. 48. The habitat of this bird appears to be confined to the south-eastern portion of Australia. It generally frequents the highest branches of the lofty _Eucalypti_, both of the brushes and of the plains, but is most abundant in the districts near the coast. In its disposition it is bold and extremely pugnacious. The sexes are alike in plumage, and but little difference is observable between nestling and adult birds. The nests I saw were round and cup-shaped, and were mostly placed in the fork of a tree. Genus MELICOPHILA, _Gould_. Generic characters. _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.