_J. Gould and H. C. Richter del et lith._ _C. Hullmandel Imp._
]
POMATORHINUS RUBECULUS, _Gould_.
Red-breasted Pomatorhinus.
_Pomatorhinus rubeculus_, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part VII. p.
144.
This bird is rather numerously dispersed over the northern parts of
Australia, where it takes the place of the _Pomatorhinus temporalis_ of
New South Wales, from which it differs but little either in size or
colouring; its slightly smaller dimensions and the red hue of the breast
are, however, characteristics by which it may at all times be
distinguished from its prototype. Mr. Gilbert states that on the Cobourg
Peninsula, it inhabits the open parts of the country, and when disturbed
takes to the higher branches of the gums, first mounting upon one of the
lower boughs, and then by a succession of hops and leaps ascending to
the top. In its actions and economy it very closely assimilates to the
other species of the genus, being like them a noisy and restless bird;
and feeding on insects, which are frequently sought for on the ground
under the canopy of the larger trees.
Throat and stripe over each eye white; chest and upper part of the
abdomen dull brownish red; stripe from the nostrils through each eye to
the occiput blackish brown; centre of the crown, back and lower part of
the abdomen dark brown, slightly tinged with olive; upper and under
tail-coverts and tail black, all the feathers of the latter tipped with
white; irides straw-yellow; bill blackish grey, becoming paler at the
base; legs and feet greenish grey.
The sexes are alike in plumage, as will be seen by the accompanying
Plate, which represents a male and a female of the natural size.
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