Part 37

PACHYCEPHALA LANOÏDES: Gould.

J. Gould and H. C. Richter del et lith. C. Hullmandel Imp. ]

PACHYCEPHALA LANOÏDES, Gould. Shrike-like Pachycephala.

Pachycephala Lanoïdes, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part VII. p. 142.

A single specimen only of this bird has come under my notice, and from the locality in which it was procured, the north-west coast of Australia, it is probable that it is the only one in Europe. On reference to the figure on the Plate, it will be seen that it is a most robust and powerful species, and that it so closely approximates to the form of the genus Lanius, that had it been a native of any other country than Australia, where the true Shrikes are not found, it might have been referred to that genus.

That it feeds on insects of a large size there can be but little doubt, its whole structure indicating that it exists upon this kind of food.

No information whatever has been obtained with respect to its habits and economy; this blank therefore remains to be filled up by those naturalists who may hereafter visit the part of the country of which it is a denizen.

Crown of the head, ear-coverts and chest black, bounded posteriorly by a narrow band of chestnut; throat, centre of the abdomen and under tail-coverts white; flanks, back, shoulders and external webs of the primaries, secondaries and wing-coverts grey; tail, bill and feet black.

The Plate represents the bird in two different positions, of the natural size.

PACHYCEPHALA RUFOGULARIS: Gould.

J. Gould and H. C. Richter del et lith. Hullmandel & Walton Imp. ]

PACHYCEPHALA RUFOGULARIS, Gould. Red-throated Pachycephala.

Pachycephala rufogularis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part VIII. p. 164.

I have never seen this species of Pachycephala in any other collection than my own; all the specimens therein contained fell to my own gun during my explorations in South Australia: I found it anything but abundant; in fact, although I was constantly seeking it, many days frequently elapsed without my procuring a specimen. Its stronghold, probably a part of the vast country of the interior, has yet to be discovered. From the little I saw of it, I am induced to believe that it is a very solitary bird, for I always encountered it singly, and mostly hopping about on the ground in the thinly-timbered forest which surrounds the city of Adelaide. Its actions were so particularly quiet, and its plumage so unattractive, that had not my attention been directed to birds of a sombre hue as well as to those of gay attire, I might have easily overlooked it. I never heard it utter any note, nor did I observe anything in its habits and economy worthy of remark. It doubtless resorted to the ground for coleopterous and other insects, the remains of which formed the contents of the stomachs of those I procured.

The adult males and females differ considerably in the colouring of their plumage; the young males resemble the females. The rusty colouring of the throat and face distinguishes this species from every other member of the genus.

As South Australia is the only country in which this rare species has yet been discovered, and as nothing whatever is known of its history, I would call the attention of future collectors to the subject, with a view of procuring information respecting it; and when I state that my specimens were procured within two miles of the city of Adelaide, it will be admitted that I am not imposing too great a task on my talented friend Governor Grey, and the other residents at Adelaide.

The male has the crown of the head and all the upper surface deep brownish grey; wings and tail dark brown, the feathers margined with greyish brown; lores, chin, throat, under surface of the shoulder and all the under surface reddish sandy brown, crossed on the breast by a broad irregular band of greyish brown; irides reddish brown; bill black; feet blackish brown.

The female differs from the male in having the throat and under surface greyish white, the chest being crossed by an obscure mark of greyish brown, and with a line down the centre of each feather.

The Plate represents the two sexes of the natural size.

PACHYCEPHALA GILBERTII: Gould.

J. Gould and H. C. Richter del et lith. Hullmandel & Walton Imp. ]

PACHYCEPHALA GILBERTII, Gould. Gilbert’s Pachycephala.

Pachycephala Gilbertii, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part XII. p. 107.

Although the practice of naming species after individuals is a means by which the names of men eminent for their scientific attainments may be perpetuated to after-ages, I have ever questioned its propriety, and have rarely resorted to it; but in assigning the name of Gilbertii to this new and interesting species, I feel that I am only paying a just compliment to one who has most assiduously assisted me in the laborious investigations required for the production of the present work, and who was the discoverer of the birds forming the subject of this paper. The specimens transmitted to me by Mr. Gilbert are I believe all that have yet been procured.

Although the P. Gilbertii is nearly allied to the P. rufogularis, it may be readily distinguished by the rufous colouring being confined to the throat, and not ascending upon the forehead and occupying the space between the bill and the eyes as in that species; it is also a smaller bird in all its admeasurements.

Gilbert’s Pachycephala is an inhabitant of the interior of Western Australia. The following notes, which are all that is known of its history, accompanied the specimens sent to me:—“This species inhabits the thick brushes of the interior. It is an early breeder, as is proved by my finding a nest with three newly-hatched young birds in the middle of August. The nest was built in the upright fork of a small shrub about four feet from the ground. It was deep, cup-shaped in form, and constructed of dried grasses, and except that it was rather more compactly built, it was very similar to those of the other members of the genus.”

I trust that the publication of this species will induce Mr. Burgess, Mr. Drummond and other residents in Western Australia to seek for and investigate its history. To Mr. Drummond, and his son Mr. Johnson Drummond, botanical science is indebted for many valuable discoveries, and that this slight tribute to their labours in that department may induce them to turn their attention to other branches of natural history is my earnest wish.

The sexes of the present bird, as will be seen on reference to the accompanying Plate, exhibit a similar difference in colour as in the P. rufogularis; the females of both species being very sombre and devoid of any rufous colouring on the throat and breast.