M. Jules Verreaux, who has written a highly interesting account of this bird, states that it is strictly terrestrial, and scratches among the detritus and fallen leaves for its food, throwing back the earth like the _Gallinaceæ_. It never climbs, as was formerly supposed, but runs over fallen trunks of trees;—is rather solitary in its habits, seldom more than two being seen together. Its often-repeated cry of _cri-cri-cri-crite_ betrays its presence, when its native haunts, the most retired parts of the forest, are visited. Its chief food consists of insects, their larvæ, and woodbugs. It builds a large domed nest, of slender mosses; the entrance being by a lateral hole near the bottom. The eggs are white and disproportionately large. The situation of the nest is the side of a slanting rock or large stone, the entrance-hole being level with the surface.—_Revue Zoologique_, July 1847. Genus PTILORIS, _Swains._ In placing this beautiful bird near the _Climacteres_, I am influenced in the first place by the great similarity of its structure, and in the next by the account I have received of its actions in a state of nature; I allude more particularly to its mode of ascending the trees, which precisely resembles that of the _Certhiæ_. One species only of this form is found in Australia, but many allied genera, _Promerops_, &c., inhabit New Guinea and the neighbouring islands. 356. Ptiloris paradiseus, _Swains._ Vol. IV. Pl. 100. That the range of this species extends from the eastern parts of Australia to within the tropics, is proved by Mr. Gilbert’s having once seen it near the Gulf of Carpentaria during his last Expedition. Genus SITTELLA, _Swains._ The _Sittella chrysoptera_ was the only species of this Australian form known to previous writers; to this has been added one from Southern and Western Australia, another from Moreton Bay, and a third from the north coast. The form does not exist in Van Diemen’s Land. 357. Sittella chrysoptera Vol. IV. Pl. 101. 358. Sittella leucocephala, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 102. 359. Sittella leucoptera, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 103. 360. Sittella pileata, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 104. Family PSITTACIDÆ, _Leach_.