PACHYCEPHALA RUFOGULARIS,Gould.Red-throated Pachycephala.
Pachycephala rufogularis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part VIII. p. 164.
I have never seen this species ofPachycephalain 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.