MYZOMELA PECTORALIS, Gould.
Banded Honey-eater.
Myzomela pectoralis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part VIII. p. 170.
It will be seen from the number of novelties received from that territory, that the northern coast of Australia possesses a fauna almost peculiar to itself, few species, of the smaller birds at least, being similar to those of the southern coast.
The present interesting bird was forwarded to me by Mr. Bynoe as having been shot by him on the north coast, but I regret to say it was unaccompanied by any information whatever respecting its habits. In its structure it offers so close an alliance to the typical Myzomelæ that I have provisionally placed it in that group.
Some of the specimens sent me had the centre of the back of a ferruginous hue, while in others the same part was jet-black; I am inclined to regard the former to be the plumage of the young birds of the year, and it is just possible it may also be characteristic of the adult female.
Forehead, crown of the head, upper surface, wings, tail and a narrow band across the chest black; throat, upper tail-coverts and all the under surface white; bill and feet black.
The birds are all figured of the natural size on one of the interesting plants from the same locality.