MYZOMELA OBSCURA, Gould.
Obscure Honey-eater.
Myzomela obscura, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part X. p. 136.
This species is a native of the northern parts of Australia. At Port Essington, where my specimens were procured, it is only to be met with in quiet, secluded and thickly-wooded districts adjacent to small streams of water; its favourite tree appears to be the Grevillia, from the blossoms of which it obtains great quantities of honey and insects. The shy and retiring disposition of this species renders the acquisition of specimens very difficult: “at no time during my stay,” remarks Mr. Gilbert, “did I succeed in getting sight of more than a solitary individual, and I believe it to be a rare bird in all parts of the Cobourg Peninsula.”
This bird differs so much in colour from all the other species yet discovered, that it is readily distinguished from all of them.
The sexes present no external marks of distinction, except that the female is somewhat smaller than her mate.
The whole of the plumage is dull brown, with a vinous tinge on the head; under surface paler than the upper; irides bright red; bill dark greenish black; feet dark bluish grey; tarsi tinged with yellow.
The figures are of the natural size.