ears ess eerie testa Division of Birds A MANUAL OF THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA - | : : a mL ae AMIAMTAUA TO adsaiad ANT FO TAUAAM A” ve vA \ 22 bel rte MANUAL OF THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 3 | GREGORY M. MATHEWS, ] FRS.E., MRAOU., AND TOM IREDALE, Members of the British Ornithologists’ Union and Corresponding Fellows of the American Ornithologists’ Union. ILLUSTRATED WITH COLOURED AND MONOCHROME PLATES: BY LILIAN MEDLAND. VOLUME I. ORDERS CASUARIT TO COLUMBZ& He & Gs WLUEERBY 326 HIGH HOLBORN, LONDON 1921 This Volume was first published on March 9th, 1921. INTRODUCTION. WE have attempted to provide a handy book of reference to the known facts concerning Australian birds for the use of students, and to this end have given a complete primary synonymy, with reference to the coloured plates furnished in Gould’s and Mathews’s Birds of Australia, the standard works on the subject. The present work is entirely based upon Mathews’s work, in which will be found complete accounts, as far as recorded, of the life- histories and economics, with full discussion of all nomenclatural problems, dissertations on the phylogeny of the groups and detailed synonymy. Any item not fully understood in the present essay will be found elaborately explained in that place. We have extracted the detailed descriptions of the plumages from the same work, but have supplemented them whenever oppor- tunity has been afforded by the receipt of new material, and have made reference to literature recently published for additional matter. With regard to the description of nests and eggs we have purposely restricted these to the smallest items possible, as Australians have already two magnificent works on this subject, viz., those of Campbell and North. In his List of the Birds of Australia Mathews gave a résumé of the workers on the subject, and, consequently, we have not referred to that item here. We have treated the Ornis under binomial headings, recording the sub- species differentiated in one item. This is somewhat different from general usage, but we believe it to be the most useful method of displaying subspecies, whether these be considered by the professional ornithologist or by the amateur field worker, and it is to this latter class we hope this book will appeal, We add a few notes under the headings Nomenclature, Classification and Zoogeo- graphical Distribution, which should be of assistance to students, I.—NOMENCLATURE, This subject has long been a controversial one through the absolute carelessness of “authoritative ’’ writers, whose action has misled those ignorant of the facts into belief of accuracy, whereas superficiality was most obvious to the critic. Moreover, such workers, when easy opportunity was afforded, made much stir about the changing of a single name, conceiving ostrich-like to hide their omissions by the pillorying of such an instance. It is the pride of the present writers that the reduction of this subject to its present status of comparative insignificance is due to their exertions, and that succeeding workers will be able to deal with the scientific side of ornithology without much trouble from this factor. The International Laws are now accepted by all workers, so that easy determination of the correct name to be used is vi A MANUAL OF THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA, possible. The older writers desired notoriety with the least labour, and their ambition was quantity, not quality. Consequently, accuracy in detail was not possible, as such would have curtailed production. The aim of the writers has ever been to allow of good work to those who, through lack of opportunity of access to complete literature, are dependent upon few books. Hence the nomenclature in this work is more complete than has ever been offered to any students in any previous book. The International Laws and Opinions have been followed in detail, save in the one exception of similarly formed words of the same origin. At the present time the recommendation regarding the acceptance of such names is a dead-letter, and so we have treated it as such, especially in view of the preparation of authoritative lists by Committees of World Ornithologists who have, so far, agreed to our methods of usage. There is nothing more to be said on this “ contentious ”’ subject, as there need be no further discussions, save where a few of the older men stubbornly argue non-debatable items. Genus splitting has long been confused in the arguments of careless commentators with nomenclature, but it has no connection and should be dealt with in the consideration of classification; we do not agree with the famous ornithologist who considered the nomination of a bird-skin in a cabinet the highest work achievable, and consequently demurred at name changes. II.—CLASSIFICATION. In the Austral Avian Record, Vol. IV., pp. 29-48, we have given a sketch of the scheme we propose to follow in this book, and we will not detail it here, but cite the allied groups as we deal with the Austral orders, etc. It is necessary, however, to indicate the present state of bird systematics by synopsising the characters hitherto utilised. Superficial features were first employed in a superficial manner but more recently attention has been given to the growth stages whereby con- vergence has been noted and its significance recognised. Thus the tarsal covering may show certain features in the adult, and examination of the nestling prove the adult formation to be secondary. It was long ago evident that assistance could be gained from study of internal features, and a few anatomists wrote essays on particular items, such as Nitzsch’s on the Carotid Arteries. Nitzsch also showed that taxonomic evidence might be gained from study of the pterylosis of birds, and his well-known work on Pterylography is a standard, but little work has since been done on the subject. Then came the epoch-making study by Huxley of the skulls of birds and his revolutionary re-classification thereof. Had the superficial characters been thoroughly understood his essay would have caused little dismay but simply advanced our science a little more rapidly. As it was, the anatomists continued their researches and working upon new ground were apt to overrate the differences observed. The culmination appeared in a series of articles which laid stress on the shape of the nasal openings, the presence or absence of ceca, the presence INTRODUCTION. vii of the ambiens muscle and other leg muscles, and other inconstant minor internal features. The author of these articles unfortunately died before he was able to revise his early guesses as to the value of these items, and for the last thirty years these have been accepted at an abnormal valuation. It is now time to attempt a reasonable classification, but as previous schemes have quoted the above it is important that they should be cited. In connection with the skull the palate was used by Huxley as a distin- guishing character capable of differentiating groups of birds accurately. He indicated four styles of formation to which he applied the names— dromxognathous, desmognathous, schizognathous and egithognathous. Parker studied the matter more fully and added a fifth, saurognathous, at the same time putting on record many facts indicating the spurious nature of these divisions. As a matter of fact, all the forms are produced by con- vergence and divergence and cannot absolutely be used for the separation of groups. It has already been stated that none of the divisions are really satisfactory from the classificatory point of view by a professional anatomist, but we consider they are valuable, after the external structure of the bird has been well studied, in connection with other items. Garrod’s great idea was the usage of the formation of the nasal bones, the differences being termed holorhinal or schizorhinal. Here, again, there was soon seen to be pseudo-holorhiny present, and consequently the terms as originally proposed were proved to be futile. Once more, it will be found that as a subsidiary item the distinctions may be accepted as confirmatory evidence in many cases. Again, the presence or absence of basipterygoid processes was supposed to be of importance, but the variability of their presence seems to relegate these to a subordinate position. Regarded as indicating reptilian ancestry they recur in the most specialised avian forms and are absent from admittedly older groups, while in some groups they are present in the juvenile and absent in the adult, and in very closely allied species do not occur at all. The absence or presence of supraorbital grooves is sometimes quoted, but in a closely allied series of species great variation may beseen. The form of the pterygoids varies, but not much importance has been given to this character though it appears just as worthy of usage as some of the other items cited by osteologists. The quadrate is sometimes quoted, and it is a little variable so that it may be used later in connection with other skeletal features. The lower jaw seems so far to have been ignored but, we think, incorrectly. Owing to the exaggerated importance given to the palatal features the rest of the skeleton has been comparatively neglected. When extraordinary features were noted, through lack of knowledge these were unduly emphasised or unfairly minimised. The variability of the sternum may prove just as valuable as any feature of the skull when carefully studied. We have recognised phylogenetic affinity in its variation in a few cases we have recently studied ; the features sometimes quoted, the presence of spina externa and interna, do not appear to have much significance. The forms of the vertebra Vili A MANUAL OF THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. are four in number, but only two of these are generally utilised, the heteroccelous and opisthoccelous, and they vary rather erratically, so that they have little primary importance. The shape of the coracoids, clavicles and scapule varies considerably and has been extensively quoted and appears to have value in connection with the sternum. When the clavicles join, the combina- tion is known as the furcula, and the presence or absence of such an item is oftenimportant. The wing bones have not been much considered in connection with taxonomy, but detailed study should allow good characters from the development of these ; but here, as in the leg bones, adaptive features must not be misunderstood. Thus, in the latter, the tarso-metatarsus has been commonly cited when the development was purely adaptive and not of the phylogenetic importance credited to it—the study of the birds would have explained this. The first and most commonly utilised item of the soft parts, generally so called (not the soft parts external of the taxonomist), has been the formation of the syrinx. The Passeriform birds have been divided into primary sections by means of this organ, and it is certain that degradation has been mistaken for lack of development. This is a matter which will be settled when the new school of anatomists attack bird development from a scientific standpoint. We will deal more particularly with this feature later on, as the modes of syrinx development in the groups now being dealt with are of little importance, the variation being inconstant. As above noted the development of the carotid arteries was investigated by Nitzsch and elaborated by Garrod, who practically proved that the feature was so inconstant as to be useless when its confirmation would have been of value. The presence or absence of the ceca was also studied with similar results, no satisfactory conclusions as to its value being possible. Like conclusions attended similar research in connection with the length of the intestines, the presence of the gall blader, the size and position of the liver, etc., ete. Gadow considered the position of the intestines as they are stowed away in the body, and Chalmers Mitchell followed with a criticism of the methods of coiling of the intestinal canal. From their results it appears that these follow definite lines and that, as confirmatory evidence, they are probably quite as valuable a feature as any other internal character. Garrod also investigated the muscles of the leg, and, finding them variable as to their presence, endeavoured to influence classification by their means. The mystic formula ABXY-+ was invented by him, and its variations are always cited in connection with bird grouping, though its value is of little moment. The meaning of the letters had better be explained here. A stands for the femoro-caudal muscle, B for the accessory femoro-caudal, X for the semitendinosus, and Y for the accessory semi- tendinosus, and the + sign for the presence of the ambiens muscle. The — minus is used if the latter be absent. The wing muscles have never been given as much prominence, though they have just as much right and also show variation, but their vartation has not been tabulated as fully as that of the leg muscles. Taken individually, as these characters have been, the INTRODUCTION. ix general results are more or less of little value, but the consideration of them taken as a whole is of great value when the superficial characters are well understood. Pterylosis is not well known at present, so that definite conclusions cannot be recorded, the only point to emphasise being the continual examina- tion of specimens and that criticism of results will later follow. All we now Inow is that variation: is seen when not anticipated and consequently commonly misunderstood, and the present facts are not of great significance through ignorance of basic data. It is a subject that will repay continued study, but not occasional excursions. Another item continually quoted is the presence or absence of the oil gland, and whether it be nude, tufted or feathered. The absurdity of the usage of such a character should be obvious. However, it has been seriously put forward as of value, but its true insignificance is now generally accepted. The presence or absence of the aftershaft and its size are also mentioned, but, of course, that character has also been minimised through better material and more study, as species which have been commonly cited as showing no aftershaft prove to possess one. A peculiar feature of the wing feathering was noted, and immediately investigated as of import, but here again its absolute value cannot yet be appreciated. We refer to the loss of the fifth secondary, though its covert is present. This state of the wing has two alternative terms, quincubital or eutaxic and aquincubital or diastataxic. The comparative value of this state is well seen among the Swifts, where both forms occur. More valuable as an absolute character is the coloration of the nestling from the egg onward. The state of the nestling when it emerged from the egg was once utilised, but this seems of less value than the coloration of the first feathering. That this is extremely important is at once seen by study of downy nestlings of the Scolopacine group. It is always necessary to remember that secondary results are apt to obscure hasty examination in connection with many of the above features, but the only conclusion possible from an unprejudiced viewpoint is that there are no internal features of outstanding importance, the exceptions being so numerous, and the main items so imperfectly investigated ; while external characters show less variation and are better known and their develop- ment can be more perfectly studied through the much greater mass of material available. Consequently throughout this work we have given full details of the external features, and also added the internal items as commonly given in text books for the benefit of workers—the former all being drawn up from actual specimens, and therefore accurate ; the latter compiled from. various authoritative sources, and only in few instances, as yet, verified by ourselves. Before we leave this subject we may enter an apology as to the genus splitting complained of in connection with our work. We have given a description of the generic characters observed, and have endorsed these with a beautiful painting of the character noted. When we have studied all the x A MANUAL OF THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA, groups with their plumage changes and growth stages we may suggest genus lumping, and we prophesy now that our efforts in that direction will receive less encouragement than our present work. We have been accused of dogmatism, but never has any work shown so little of that vice ; as a matter of fact, many complaints have been made against our changeableness. Conse- quently we feel at liberty to allow our successors with better facilities and more material to judge our conclusions. An American reviewer has complained of our neglect of subgenera “so commonly used now,” but we would point out that in the American Ornitho- logists’ Union Checklist, out of the first 180 genera (nearly), covering the same ground as this volume, only “ 13” are subdivided into subgenera, while Ridgway’s proportion is apparently the same as ours, when dealing with the same groups. IlI.—ZOOGEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. It is unfortunate for the study of zoology that political boundaries are adhered to in the nomination of localities and areas inhabited by animals. As a general rule such limits are never coincident with those imposed by nature, and nowhere is this fact seen so clearly as in Australia. Having studied the avifauna from the viewpoint of the zoogeographer, we here give a slight sketch of the peculiarities of the bird life as an incentive to further study. When the limits of the zoological divisions are understood the arrange- ment of subspecies is a comparatively easy task and their non-admittance in certain cases is worthy of attention. The primary constituents appear to be complex, as there can be seen two early sources of endemic forms, with two later immigrations from the north. Confusion may arise through the earlier immigrants being mistaken for the later, and vice versa, while it is possible that the two early sources cannot be definitely differentiated. At the present time the study of paleontology in Australia cannot give us much help, though later it may be of service. It is probable, moreover, that when the study of ecological ornithology is well established, facts may be derived from that source, which, in conjunction with geological data, may assist us to valid conclusions. With the above limitations we may separate the facts into groups and use them conservatively in considering the existing avifauna with the following results. The Tasmanian fauna shows a little peculiarity in the fact that the majority of the birds are separable from the mainland ones, but generally only with subspecific rank ; a few are specifically distinct, while two have been commonly accepted as showing generic differences. It is remarkable that these two are purely island degradation forms, whereas some of the restricted genera we utilise are more valuable phylogenetically as showing ancestral forms, the mainland representative being more specialised. A more peculiar feature is the absence from Tasmania of certain old forms which still persist on the almost adjacent mainland. These, moreover, inhabit the southern portion of Victoria which is so closely allied as to be almost, zoologically, part of Tasmania. It must be here confirmed that the INTRODUCTION. xi Victorian fauna is divisible into three sections—a northern, southern, and western desert one. Consequently Victoria is a confusing term when cited as the locality of any bird, and this refers to most other State names, though not so well marked in so circumscribed an area. The most famed endemic Australian birds, such as the Emu and Lyre Bird, are equalled in zoogeographic interest by less well-known forms which are too numerous even to mention here. Each provides an essay in itself as to its distribution, but it may here be asserted that all are confined to the southern part of Australia, both east and west. At the present time some show discontinuous range through the intervention of the great central desert. Some, apparently definitely restricted and evolved in this southern area, have again spread northwards and repopulated the areas from which their ancestors ranged southwards. At the same time the succeeding fauna has extended its limits and penetrated into Australia even to the southernmost limits, but scarcely ever reaching Tasmania. It is this complex which makes the study so interesting, as the facts are so obvious that these succeeding migrations can almost be defined with unfailing accuracy. However, we will suggest these movements, without dealing in great detail, thus : Paleontologically, we have not the data to assert a definite period, but we can fix an early migration from the north which overran Australia before the severance of the Bassian Isthmus and whose members quickly developed in a degenerate manner through lack of inimical opposition. The separation of Tasmania took place after degeneration had set in, so that the island forms were left as isolated unprogressives. On the mainland, changing conditions compelled a certain amount of competition, and we find the con- temporaries of the island species a little more advanced on the mainland. Some of them even, adapting themselves as the situations demanded, progressed so that they could not only defend themselves but take the offensive, and these, being barred from any advance southward, attempted a northward dispersal. These constitute the bulk of the Australian Ornis and include the majority of the endemic genera and species. From the observed data we conclude that after the division of Bass Straits another immigration from the north took place and this also succeeded in overrunning Australia, but did not cross the Straits into Tasmania. It is probable that the competi- tion between these two elements—the invaders and the settlers—resulted in the extermination of many of the weaker forms of the latter, a few resisting and being now recognised in such a survival as Atrichornis. The stronger settlers, of course, continued their progress accumulatively under the stress of the stronger newcomers in order to retain their places. The new immigrants in their turn soon accustomed themselves to the environment and became adapted to the lack of great stress, and a few of these again evolved the role of pioneer and perforce had to retrace their ancestors’ steps into the north. In these attempts probably many more failed than succeeded, and we have only record of the successes. This migration can be seen throughout Australia in the form of differentiated species of prevailing northern genera. xii A MANUAL OF THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA, The complex persists in the fact that it is sometimes difficult to judge whether a species, as it may show little distinction, should be referred to this or the earlier migration, and this can only be determined by the relative antiquity of the genus considered. This may be gauged to some extent by the distribu- tion of the genus and its allies, and it is in connection with these studies that genus lumping proves so misleading. We conclude that when this second migration took place Australia was connected by land with New Guinea, and Torres Straits had not been evolved. Since the division a third irruption into Australia has taken place, and the procedure is still going on. This irruption has never overrun the continent, but has either run down the east coast or along the north coast into the north-west or both, and comprises species still living unchanged in New Guinea. It has been suggested that at one time a connection of Australia with the Northern Islands existed in the north-west, quite distinct and separate from the Torresian connection. There exist a few forms which seem to countenance this suggestion, as instance, Eremiornis, isolated in the north-west and living on the Montebello Islands, a form almost as peculiar as Atrichornis. To crystallise the above migrations we may cite a concrete example. The ancestral Moorhen arrived in Australia and penetrated into Tasmania ; retaining primitive features upon the separa- tion of the latter country, the island form degenerated into a huge semi-flightless big-footed bird ; the mainland one, through stress of environment, drought, etc., was compelled to retain its flying powers and also its smaller size, but still shows primitive appearance. In the north, alteration through necessity proceeded, and then the more highly developed bird with the second immigration proceeded to colonise Australia, and spread over the continent but not into Tasmania. At the third immigration a new development, the Rufous-tailed Moorhen, crossed Torres Straits and ranged along the north to the Northern Territory and into North Queensland. This sequence can be traced in connection with many other birds and is worthy of study. A few words must be given in connection with the desert forms; these are apparently referable to the first immigration and have been evolved through environmental stresses, sometimes so much that their relationship has become obscure, and it is always possible that their ancestral relations have become extinct without leaving any obvious descendants. It is possible that complete anatomical and osteological examination would assist in tracing such to an acceptable ancestry, and as a good example for investigation we suggest Peltohyas, the Australian Dotterel. Though the arrangement in this work is limited to species it must not be concluded that we minimise the value of the study of subspecies, but rather we have allotted to them their full value, and we appreciate their worth in the consideration of zoogeographical problems, especially such as are presented by the numerous “islands ”’ indicated on the Australian mainland. These have been previously indicated by Mathews, so we will not deal with them here, but simply call attention to their presence once again. The study of subspecies is now being undertaken by Australian ornithologists, and it is. INTRODUCTION. xiii very pleasing to the senior author to see the new school attacking the live subject in so thorough a manner, and we hope that the present work will assist such in the most complete manner. In this volume we give an illustration of the subspecific characters of the Silver Gull, and we propose in the succeeding volumes to illustrate further such features when of sufficient import. GREGORY M. MATHEWS. TOM IREDALE. 12th February, 1921. i P 4 ene ive i mr eee ee ’ eersig 08! myst. Sod ME 7. ig te of r vw a erie ts jie. Ve \ ni¥y i SYSTEMATIC LIST OF CONTENTS AND ILLUSTRATIONS. PLATE PAGE Class Aves 1 Subclass Dromeornithes | 1 Order Casuarii 1 Suborder Casuariiformes 2 Family Dromiceiide 2 Genus Dromiceius a vie 56 ae 2 Dromiceius novehollandice. . ae ae ae an I. 3 Genus Peronista 5 Peronista peroni 5 Family Casuariide 6 Genus Casuarius ; a Sic A aie Bt 6 Casuarius casuarius al os se a ve Il. 6 Subclass Impennes U Order Sphenisci .. 8 Suborder Sphenisciformes 8 Family Spheniscidze 8 Genus Eudyptula sis x Bie ats 50 8 Eudyptula minor .. as ” En BS ae IX. 9 Genus Eudyptes q6 a o8 56 ms 10 Eudyptes pachyrhy ynchus an ats a a iG Il. 10 serresianus ae dic 11 schlegela 12 Family Aptenodytide .. 12 Genus Aptenodytes 12 Aptenodytes patagonica 13 Subclass Euornithes : : 13 Order Procellariz or Tubinares 14 Suborder Procellariiformes 15 Superfamily Procellarioidea 15 Family Thalassidromide 15 Genus Oceanites ore at an Bs 56 16 Oceanites oceanicus 50 as Ae ae ae ID, WAU, U3 Genus Garrodia .. og as be at oe iV Garrodia nereis Sri ae D0 a0 ee 2 iY 17 Genus Pelagodroma Be ks ae an a 18 Pelagodroma marina ws a ae as ae LV Vs Genus Fregetta .. ag C0 as ee or 4 19 Fregetta tropica Ss as acs me ae ac Io, WAL PX —— tubulata a Bic ae a 20 Genus Fregettornis oe Ae ote we 3 21 Fregettornis grallarius ae D6 Oo ar Se Ve 21 Family Procellariide is 21 Genus Puffinus 22 Puffinus assimilis ei fe oi ze IVES Wo, WALL Xvi A MANUAL OF THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA, PLATE PAGE Genus Calonectris ; 45 a a Ph ye 23 Calonectris leucomelas ie ate iss ae ate 24 Genus Reinholdia ae ae ip =f bs 50 24 Reinholdia reinholdi Ob Pc a - x 24 Genus Thyellodroma .. “x0 Sc 30 as = 25 Thyellodroma poetics ae a0 a0 D0 ae 26 Genus Neonectris : iS 2. ws ae cf 27 Neonectris griseus .. of sie ste a ¥e 27 lenwirostris .. tte ric EA bc “ 27 Genus Hemipuffinus .. = a Bi oi 50 28 Hemipufjinus carneipes .. #0 49 ac fs We 28 Genus Procellaria a ne te a ase 3 29 Procellaria equinoctialis .. xe ve 28 Brees eA DI eet, conspicillata oS as a és Be VI. 30 parkinson... 5 50 5 ae oc 30 Genus Adamastor ds bi eis 5D a5 xe 31 Adamastor cinereus. . a Bc at Sy ae 3l Genus Priocella .. He ae ie nb A 5 32 Priocella antarctica Ys 50 5c O16 SO 32 Genus Pterodroma A Ne als ays oi mG 33 Pterodroma macroptera .. as ave sits Soe AYE NUS 13383 melanopus .. BA ae a 50 ae 34 inexpectata .. 28 30 50 50 50 34 —— mollis .. % ie Re a Si ond 35 Genus Aistrelata.. ae 3% si oe ae or 36 Aistrelata lessonii .. ae a ac a ae Vil. 36 Genus Cookilaria a Ks 50 >0 oO ac 37 Cookilaria cookit .. én aa ats a? ae We VA 37 Genus Daption .. bc ‘is es oe ae St 38 Daption capensis .. ae Dc Sc bc ie 39 Genus Halobeena AS hs ae xe ac ae 39 Halobena cerulea .. a ie Ae aie BO V. 40 Genus Heteroprion ac 5% bo ts or 30 41 Heteroprion belcheri ; 3c 3c ae 56 Wal 4] —— desolatus ee ae re ove oe xe Wale 41 Genus Pseudoprion er or ve ae is is 42 Pseudoprion turtur ae ere 60 G6 ae VI. 42 Genus Pachyptila ie wie he 4c oc ae 43 Pachyptila vittata .. se ars 56 00 v0 VLG WEL. ts Genus Macronectes Bie ah PR ate bs se 44 Macronectes giganteus 5b 30 30 30 sca LV: 45 Family Pelecanoidide .. dc $6 oc oie ac 45 Genus Pelecanoides aie se ae Bo 40 On 46 Pelecanoides urinatrix i 4 is a AG ae VI., VII. 46 Superfamily Diomedeoidea .. ah Ne 60 De 47 Family Diomedeide .. ass a0 5c as a0 48 Genus Pheebetria we ae fc Sis e a0 48 Phebetria fusca .. 50 20 oe oe ae 48 palpebrata.. até 50 ae 56 50 49 Genus Thalassarche . sis ae oe ac Ae 50 Thalassarche melanophrys 56 io ae 56 50 —— chrysostoma .. ae Re Ba os ei VIII. 51 —— chlororhynchus Be a: ore oe Sit: VEE: 52 SYSTEMATIC LIST AND ILLUSTRATIONS. Genus Diomedella Diomedella cauta Genus Diomedea Diomedea exulans .. —— chionoptera —— epomophora Order Fregati Family Fregatide Genus Fregata Fregata minor ariel Order Pelecani : Superfamily Phalacrocoracoidea Family Phalacrocoracide Genus Hypoleucus Hypoleucus perthi .. —— fuscescens Genus Mesocarbo Mesocarbo ater Genus Microcarbo Microcarbo meianoleucus Genus Phalacrocorax Phalacrocorax carbo Family Anhingide Genus Anhinga .. Anhinga novehollandice Superfamily Pelecanoidea Family Pelecanid Genus Catoptropelicanus : Catoptropelicanus conspicillatus Superfamily Suloidea Family Sulidee enus Sula Sula leucogaster Genus Piscatrix .. Piscatrix sula Genus Parasula .. ae Parasula dactylatra.. Genus Sulita 5A Sulita serrator Order Lari Suborder Phaéthontiformes Family Phaéthontide Genus Leptophaéthon Leptophaéthon lepturus Genus Sczophaéthon es Sceeophaéthon rubricauda Suborder Lariformes Family Sternide.. Genus Chlidonias Chlidonias leucopareia —— leucoptera PLATE PAGE VIII. VIE VLE: VIl. IX. aie KKH XI. XI. XVili A MANUAL OF THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. PLATE PAGE Genus Sterna... ot fe a 5e 5 Sc 86 Sterna striata 50 ae a 56 a ah 86 dougallir ec ae cr 50 ak ne XI. 87 Genus Gygisterna ae Le De Se 5 3° 88 Gygisterna sumatrana ar Be tc es Ac XIV. 88 Genus Sternula .. Ne oe oe AS oc ae 89 Sternula albifrons .. 35 = 2c 2s 4c 89 nereis .. ws ote ve ae ae 30 XIV. 91 Genus Pelecanopus he aye se bE ae aye 91 Pelecanopus bergit .. 36 5 ac a6 oe XIV. 92 bengalensis .. re ae a 33 5x8 93 Genus Gelochelidon ee 56 a0 ere a oe 94 Gelochelidon nilotica ex ak a Ae cs XII. 94 Genus Hydroprogne.. Re Ae Re oi af 96 Hydroprogne caspia Ms oe ate 36 a8 XII. 96 Genus Melanosterna .. ve cs a a3 ah 97 Melanosterna anethetus .. So a vs ave XX. 97 Genus Onychoprion.. oi oY a aye St 98 Onychoprion fuscatus at ne 4c aye ac XX. 99 Genus Megalopterus.. 3a Be a as aie 100 Megalopterus minutus Ae 50 4c ae Bic XII. 100 tenwirostris .. 66 Be 36 an Br 101 Genus Anous.. oe ee sé “e a tte 102 Anous stolidus a ic ae ead aie OKC XIIl. 102 Genus Procelsterna te ae of ete ss ae 103 Procelsterna cerulea 50 mye Ae ae of XIil. 103 Genus Leucanous ae Se a sis vs ae 104 Leucanous albus... FO ta on 5% Ae XII. 105 Family Laride .. 55 ac 5.0 50 Pte oe 106 Genus Bruchigavia < : 2 5.6 te fs 106 Bruchigavia novechollandice a: af be wie) RODVES EXC) LOG Genus Gabianus a ie 6 ae 23 ss 108 Gabianus pacificus .. Ae a xe oes ere XIV. 108 Family Stercorariide .. 5:0 oe S¢ Re ne 109 Genus Catharacta : Ns ee ae “ie re 110 Catharacta lonnbergi ns ois Ae wis $e XII. 110 Genus Coprotheres oe aie is Pe eve 4-6 111 Coprotheres pomarinus.. ae Se a at lll Genus Stercorarius 36 fe ae oe se as 112 Stercorarius parasiticus .. ie He we se 113 Suborder Charadriiformes ss a 3s a a 114 Superfamily Burhinoidea ae 5. 3a a: te 115 Family Burhinide So a6 i ae ks He 115 Genus Burhinus : a Sp oe ae at 115 Burhinus magnirostris ss bys ie bd as XVI. 116 Genus Orthorhamphus .. ain ae oe 5% as 117 Orthorhamphus magnirostris Sts bs we bt XVI. 117 Superfamily Scolopacoidea .. ns es Se ee 118 Family Rostratulide .. dic os Ac a oe 119 Genus Rostratula e. sr o Ae a bi 119 Rostratula australis . . ae = a 2k Bie XVIII. 119 Family Scolopacide .. Be ie ne Sie oe 120 Genus Ditelmatias bye 55 ah se a: zs 121 Ditelmatias hardwickii A af m x4 aE XVII. 121 SYSTEMATIC LIST AND ILLUSTRATIONS, Genus Subspilura Subspilura megala .. Genus Calidris Calidris canutus Genus Anteliotringa 34 Anteliotringa tenuirostris . Genus Platyrhamphus .. Me Platyrhamphus ears Genus Erolia Ay Hrolia ferruginea Genus Limnocinclus a0 Limnocinclus acuminatus .. Genus Pisobia Pisobia ruficollis subminuta Genus Crocethia Crocethia alba Genus Glottis Glottis nebularius Genus Iliornis 3s Iliornis stagnatilis .. Genus Rhyacophilus Rhyacophilus glareola Genus Actitis os Actitis hypoleucus Genus Terekia Terekia cinerea Genus Heteractitis Heteractitis incanus brevipes Genus Bartramia : Bartramia longicauda Genus Vetola Be Vetola lapponica Genus Limosa Limosa limosa Genus Mesoscolopax Mesoscolopax minutus Genus Pheopus .. as Pheopus pheopus .. Genus Numenius Numenius c yanopus Family Recurvirostride Genus Himantopus on Himantopus leucocephalus Genus Cladorhynchus Cladorhynchus leucocephalus Us Genus Recurvirostra Recurvirostra novehollandice Superfamily Charadrioidea Family Hematopodide. . Genus Hezmatopus : Hematopus ostralegus —— unicolor PLATE XVII. XIX. XXII. XXII. XIX. XVIII. XVIII. XVIII. XIX. XXIV. XXIV. XVIII. XVIII. XVI. xix PAGE 122 123 123 124 125 125 126 126 128 128 129 129 130 131 132 132 133 134 HS 136 136 137 138 139 139 140 141 142 142 143 144 144 145 145 147 147 149 149 150 150 151 151 152 153 lay] 154 154. 155 155 156 157 157 157 158 xx A MANUAL OF THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. PLATE PAGE Family Arenariidz sus ae as oe ais AE 159 Genus Arenaria .. Se Se ie # a8 ets 159 Arenaria interpres .. ys bis aye re ae XIX. 159 Family Charadriide .. a oh are Re ae 161 Genus Squatarola a nie am a8 ae owe 161 Squatarola squatarola = at. a: ae x XXII. 162 Genus Pluvialis .. ; 5 By ne a oes 163 Pluvialis dominicus fe as ake sis ¥. XXII. 163 Genus Cirrepidesmus .. a Ae 35 ae Bis 165 Cirrepidesmus a 5 “te fs a oe XX. 165 Genus Nesoceryx : a a a oe fe 166 Nesoceryx bicinctus ae aa ut a 1s ROX, SOL, L6G Genus Pagoa : ae ae Se ac 56 BA 167 Pagoa leschenaultii a as is ue Re XXII. 168 Genus Leucopolius 3 ee Ss se ss ac 169 Leucopolius ruficapillus 58 $e 5c Yc aif XXIII. 169 Genus Charadrius Ne ae Be are ie 170 Charadrius cucullatus 3h as te as as OXT 70 Genus Eupodella sts ia ae ee 56 zie 171 ELupodella vereda .. sie ae a ee ye XXII. 172 Genus Elseyornis - ae a as ae NG 172 Elseyornis melanops ae atc Se 2 re XX. 173 Family Vanellidz ae om ar oi ae es 174 Genus Lobibyx .. a Se se ok 30 as 174 Lobibyx miles ss oe ie a ats ae 175 novehollandie ss oe ab 36 3¢ SOT awlio Genus Zonifer .. “fs ae os oe 30 a 176 Zonifer tricolor ee ae As a ee re XXIII. 177 Genus Erythrogonys .. as Any oc 36 ae 177 Erythrogonys cinctus an ae sie 52 ane XXIII. 178 Superfamily Jacanoidea ae be Lo arc Ae 179 Family Jacanidz ae ee a8 oC ae is 179 Genus Irediparra ae ae a s ait Ae 179 Trediparra gallinacea ok a ae ae we XXIII. 180 Superfamily Glareoloidea oe Be Be < ets 18] Family Glareolide as ai Be a He =< 181 Genus Glareola .. : ae we Be se 5c 181 Glareola maldivarum ss Hi oe ae at XXIV. 182 Genus Stiltia .. as oe Ne ote Sc af 183 Stiltia isabella ae a aie i: ai a XXIV. 183 Genus Peltohyas. . S06 a ae ae 5c oe 184 Peltohyas australis .. at os as Se vs XXIV. 184 Suborder Otidiformes .. oy ue fs be: ws 185 Family Otidide .. ss =i: Pe Sie ae Se 185 Genus Austrotis .. ets a ae Si Sf ec 185 Austrotis australis .. =. xe : A di XXV. 186 Order Psophii or Grues Se a6 5% st ats 187 Suborder Psophiiformes fe a a a