Crown of the head, back of the neck, all the upper surface, wings and tail dark brown with a slight tinge of olive; throat and under surface dark greyish brown, the latter colour predominating on the chest; a fine line of black runs from the nostrils through the eye; this black line is bounded below by a stripe of yellow which runs under the eye and over the ear-coverts, and below this runs another parallel line of black, which commences at the base of the lower mandible and extends beyond the line of the ear-coverts; immediately above the eye behind is a small spot of yellow, and behind the ear-coverts a like spot of white; bill blackish brown; irides and eyelash dark brown; legs leaden brown. The Plate represents the two sexes of the natural size. [Illustration: PTILOTIS UNICOLOR: _Gould_. _J. Gould and H. C. Richter del et lith._ _Hullmandel & Walton Imp._ ] PTILOTIS UNICOLOR, _Gould_. Uniform Honey-eater. _Ptilotis unicolor_, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part X. p. 136. Although I have placed this species in the genus _Ptilotis_, it is more than probable that it will hereafter be found necessary to constitute it the type of a distinct form, as on a careful comparison it will be seen that it differs from the true _Ptiloti_ in some parts of its structure and in the uniform colouring of its plumage; besides which, its habits and manners are also somewhat different. It is one of the many species that rewarded Mr. Gilbert’s researches at Port Essington; where he states it was seldom met with in the immediate vicinity of the harbour, but that it gradually increased in number as he approached the narrow neck of the peninsula and the mainland about Mountnorris Bay. The situations in which it was usually observed were those adjacent to swampy thickets, and here it was generally seen in pairs: it appears to be of a most lively disposition, being always in motion; its actions much resemble those of the _Tropidorhynchus argenticeps_, with which bird it often fights severe battles. When among the trees its movements are very amusing, and its agility in running upon and creeping round the branches in search of insects is fully equal to that of the _Sittellæ_. Its flight is very short, feeble and peculiar, rarely extending to a greater distance than from branch to branch or from tree to tree, and is performed with a very rapid motion of the wings; the tail being at the same time much retroverted over the back, gives the bird a most ludicrous appearance. It emits a great variety of notes and calls; frequently giving utterance to a loud chattering cry much resembling that of the _Myzanthæ_, but more often a note so similar to the well-known chirrup of the common English Sparrow, that it might be easily mistaken for the note of that bird. The stomach is diminutive but muscular, and the food consists of honey, insects of various kinds, seeds and berries.