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HANDBOOK 


TO THE 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


_ = 


HANDBOOK = 


TO THE 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


BY 


JOHN GOULD, F.RS, ere. 


AUTHOR OF THE ‘BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA,” ‘MAMMALS OF 
AUSTRALIA,’ ‘BIRDS OF EUROPE, ‘BIRDS OF ASIA,’ 
MONOGRAPHS OF THE TROCHILIDA, 
RAMPHASTIDA, TROGONID A, 
ODONTOPHORINA, ETC. 


IN TWO VOLUMES. 
VOL. II. 


LONDON: 


PUBLISEED Baw Rees U THOR, 
26, CHARLOTTE STREET BEDFORD SQUARE. 


1865. 


The right of Translation is reserved.| 
g | 


Cambridge University Library, 
On pe ent deposit from 
tany School 


PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS, RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET. 


ALERE ff FLAMMAM. 


PREFACE TO THE SECOND VOLUME. 


In the last paragraph of the Introduction I stated that the 
_various species would be arranged nearly in the same order 
as in the folio edition; and, with some trifling exceptions, 
this rule has been observed, the exceptions being the trans- 
position of two or three of the genera into other parts of 
their respective Orders. All the Raptores, and as many 
families of the Insessores as could be conveniently com- 
prised therein, are contained in the first volume; and I com- 
mence the second with the Psittacide or Parrots, with which 
the Order Insessores will be brought to a close. As before 
stated, they will be followed by the Rasores, Grallatores, and 
Natatores. I have considered it necessary to add an Appendix 
at the end of this volume, comprising those birds figured in 
the folio edition which are not found in Australia, and a 
Table of the distribution of the species in the seven colonies 


into which Australia is divided, and a General Index. 


HANDBOOK 


TO THE 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA, 


Order INSESSORES. 
Family PSITTACIDA. 


No group of birds gives to Australia so tropical and foreign 
an air as the numerous species of this great family, by which 
it is tenanted, each and all of which are individually very 
abundant. Immense flocks of white Cockatoos are sometimes 
seen perched among the green foliage of the loftiest trees; the 
brilliant scarlet breasts of the Rose-hills blaze forth from the 
yellow flowering Acacie: the Trichoglossi or Honey-eating Par- 
rakeets enliven the flowering branches of the larger Hucalypti 
with their beauty and their lively actions; the little Grass 
Parrakeets rise from the plains of the interior and render these 
solitary spots a world of animation ; nay the very towns, parti- 
cularly Hobart Town and Adelaide, are constantly visited by 
flights of this beautiful tribe of birds, which traverse the 
streets with arrow-like swiftness, and chase each other precisely 
after the manner the Cypseli are seen to do in our own islands. 
In Tasmania I have seen flocks of from fifty to a hundred 
of the Platycercus flaviventris, like tame pigeons, at the 
barn-doors in the farm-yards of the settlers, to which 
they descend for the refuse grain thrown out with the 

VOL. II. B 


_ BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


straw by the threshers. As might naturally be expected, 
the agriculturist is often annoyed by the destruction 
certain species effect among his newly-sown and ripening 
corn, particularly where the land has been recently cleared and 
is adjacent to the forests. About sixty well-defined species 
of this family are described in the present work. They appear 
to constitute four great groups, each comprising several genera, 
nearly the whole of which are peculiarly Australian. 

I shall follow the arrangement of these birds as it is in the 
folio edition as nearly as possible, and insert in their proper 
places those species which have been discovered since the 
completion of that work. 


Genus CACATUA, Veillot. 


Australia, the Molucca and Philippine Islands and New 
Guinea are the great nurseries of the members of this genus. 
They incubate in holes of trees or in rocks, and lay two 
white eggs. 


Sp. 391. CACATUA GALERITA. 


Great SULPHUR-CRESTED CocKkATOO. 


The Crested Cockatoo, White’s Journ., pl. at p. 237. 
Psittacus galeritus, Lath. Ind, Orn., vol. i. p. 109. 
(Kakadoe) galeritus, Kuhl, Consp. Psitt. pp. 12, 87. 
Great Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Shaw, Gen. Zool., vol. viii. p. 479. 
Crested Cockatoo, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. ii. p. 205. 
Cacatua galerita, Vieill., 2nde édit. du Nouy. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., 
tom. xvi. p. Ll. 
Plyctolophus galeritus, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 268. 
Cacatua chrysolophus, Less. Traité @Orn., p. 182. © 
Kakadoe sulfureus major vel australensis, Bourj. de St.-Hil. Perr. tab. 
Car’ away and Cur’riang, Aborigines of New South Wales. 


Cacatua galerita, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 1. 


If we regard the White Cockatoo of Tasmania and that of 
the adjacent continent as mere varictics of each other, this 


species has a very extensive range. 


INSESSORES. ; 3 


On a close examination of specimens from different parts 
of Australia, a decided variation is observable in the form of 
the bill, but of too trivial a character, in my opinion, to war- 
‘Tant their being considered as distinct. The Tasmanian 
bird is the largest in every respect, and has the bill, particu- 
larly the upper mandible, less abruptly curved, exhibiting a 
tendency to the form of that organ in the genus Licmetis : 
the bill of the north-western bird is much rounder than that 
of the White Cockatoo of Tasmania: on this head the late 
Mr. Elsey furnished me with the followimg note :— 

“The Cacatua galerita of the Victoria has many points of 
difference from that of the eastern coast, especially in the 
upper mandible. TI find that the mandibles of the Cockatoos 
differ in a striking manner according to the season, and the 
kind of food upon which they subsist. _When feeding on the 
seeds of the Hucalypti, the brittle outer layers disappear, and 
the tip becomes hard and sharp, while when feeding on roots 
grubbed from soft ground, the outer layers are not worn, and 
the end is square and spade-like. Leichardt mentions that 
the Cockatoos shot round the gulf had a pink colouring on 
the breast, and asks whether they were to be considered as a 
variety. We noticed this fact also; and the first bird I saw 
was so well coloured on the breast, and the dye so uniform, 
that it deceived me; but I soon found others in which, not 
only the breast, but the wings, tail, and face were dyed of a 
pale rose-colour ; spots of the same hue also occurred on their 
bodies. The cause is this:—all the large sandy river-beds 
contain a large quantity of iron, and the pools formed in them 
are usually covered with a thin film of oxide of iron which is 
transferred to the bird when drinking.” 

The crops and stomachs of those killed in Tasmania were 
very muscular, and contained seeds, grain, native bread (a 
species of fungus), small tuberous and bulbous roots, and in 
most instances large stones. 

As may be readily imagined, this bird is not regarded 

B2 


4 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


with favour by the agriculturist, upon whose fields of newly- 
sown grain and ripening maize it commits the greatest devas- 
tation ; it is consequently hunted and shot down wherever 
it is found, a circumstance which tends much to lessen its 
numbers. It evinces a decided preference for the open plains 
and cleared lands, rather than for the dense brushes near the 
coast ; and, except when feeding or reposing on the trees after 
a repast, the presence of a flock, which sometimes amounts to 
thousands, is certain to be indicated by their screaming notes, 
the discordance of which may be easily conceived by those 
who have heard the peculiarly loud, piercing, grating scream 
of the bird in captivity, always remembermg the immense 
increase of the din occasioned by the large number of birds 
emitting their harsh notes at the same moment ; still I con- 
sidered this annoyance amply compensated by their sprightly 
actions and the life their snowy forms imparted to the dense 
and never-varying green of the Australian forest—a feeling 
participated in by Sir Thomas Mitchell, who says, “amidst 
the umbrageous foliage, forming dense masses of shade, the 
White Cockatoos sported like spirits of light.” 

The situations chosen for the purpose of nidification vary 
with the nature of the locality the bird inhabits; the eggs 
are usually deposited in the holes of trees, but they are 
also placed in fissures in the rocks wherever they may present 
a convenient site: the crevices of the white cliffs bordering 
the Murray, in South Australia, are annually resorted to for 
this purpose by thousands of this bird, and are said to be 
completely honeycombed by them. The eggs are two in 
number, of a pure white, rather pointed at the smaller end, 
one inch and seven lines long by one inch two and a half 
lines broad. 

All the plumage white, with the exception of the elongated 
occipital crest, which is deep sulphur-yellow, and the ear- 
coverts, centre of the under surface of the wing, and the 
basal portion of the inner webs of the tail-feathers, which are 


INSESSORES. o 


pale sulphur-yellow ; irides and bill black ; orbits white ; feet 
greyish brown. 


Sp. 892. CACATUA LEADBEATERI. 
LEADBEATER’s COCKATOO. 


Plyctolophus leadbeateri, Vig. in Proc. of Comm. of Sci. and Corr. of 
Zool. Soc., part i. p. 61. 

——. erythropterus, Swains. Class. of Birds, vol. ii. p- 802. 

Cacatua leadbeateri, Wagl. Mon. Psitt. in Abhand., p- 692. 

Kakadoe crista tricolorata, Bourj. de St.-Hil. Perr., tab. 77. 

Lophochroa leadbeateri, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de PAcad. Sci., 1857, 


t " 
Jak-kul-yak-kul, Aborigines of the mountain districts of Western 
Australia. 
Pink Cockatoo, Colonists of Swan River. 


Cacatua leadbeateri, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol. vol. v. pl. 2.. 


This beautiful species of Cockatoo enjoys a wide range over 
the southern portions of the Australian continent ; it never 
approaches very near the sea, but evinces a decided preference 
for the belts of lofty gums and scrubs clothing the sides of 
the rivers of the interior of the country ; it annually visits the 
Toodyay district of Western Australia, and breeds at Gawler, 
in South Australia. On reading the works of Sturt and 
Mitchell, I find that both those travellers met with it in the 
course of their explorations, particularly on the banks of the 
rivers Darling and Murray; in fact, most of the interior 
districts between New South Wales and Adelaide are in- 
habited by it: but as yet no specimen has been received either 
from the north or north-west coasts. 

It must be admitted that this species is the most beautiful 
and elegant of the genus yet discovered, and it will conse- 
quently ever be most highly prized for the cage and the aviary ; 
it appears to bear confinement as well as any of its congeners; 
In disposition it is not so sprightly and animated, but it is 


6 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


much less noisy, a circumstance tending to enhance rather 
than to decrease our partiality for it. 

Few birds more enliven the monotonous hues of the 
Australian forests than this beautiful species, whose ‘ pink- 
coloured wings and glowing crest,” says Sir T. Mitchell, 
“might have embellished the air of a more voluptuous 
region.” 

Its note is more plaintive than that of C. galerita, and 
does not partake of the harsh grating sound peculiar to that 
species. | 

General plumage white; forehead, front and sides of the 
neck, centre of the under surface of the wing, middle of the 
abdomen, and the basal portion of the inner webs of the tail- 
feathers tinged with rose-colour, becoming of a rich salmon- 
colour under the wing; feathers of the occipital crest crimson 
at the base, with a yellow spot in the centre and white at the 
tip; bill light horn-colour ; feet dark brown. 

The sexes are nearly equal in size; but the female has the 
yellow spots in the centre of the crest more conspicuous and 
better defined than the male, whose crest, although larger, | 
is not so diversified in colour as that of the female; on the 
other hand, the salmon tint of the under surface is much 
more intense in the male than in the female. 


Sp. 3938. CACATUA SANGUINEA, Gould. 


BuLoop-staiIneD CocKAToo. 


Cacatua sanguinea, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part x. p. 138. 
Eolophus sanguneus, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de PAcad. Sci., 1857, 


De 
Cacatua sanguinea, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 3. 


The circumstance of this species never having been cha- 
racterized until I described it in the ‘Proceedings of the 
Zoological Society,’ above quoted, may doubtless be attributed 
to its being an inhabitant of the north-west coasts, portions 


INSESSORES. 7 


of the country where few collections have been formed. With 
the exception of a specimen brought home by Captain Cham- 
bers, R.N., and another in the collection of Mr. Bankier, my 
Own specimens are all that I have ever seen; the whole of 
these were collected at Port Essington ; but, as it was ob- 
served by Captain Sturt at the Depot, in Central Australia, 
we may infer that its range extends over all the intermediate 
country; and that no bird is more common on the Victoria 
is certain, for Mr. Elsey informed me he saw it there in flocks 
of millions. 

The Blood-stained Cockatoo inhabits swamps and wet 
grassy meadows, and is often to be seen in company with its 
near ally, the Cacatua galerita, but I am informed it is even 
more shy and difficult of approach than that bird. It is 
doubtless attracted to the swampy districts by the various 
species of Orchidaceous plants that grow in such localities, 
upon the roots of which at some seasons it mainly subsists. 

But little difference occurs either in the size or the colouring 
of the sexes, and I have young birds, which, although a third 
less in size, closely assimilate in every respect to the adult ; so 
much so that an examination of the bill, which during 
immaturity is soft and yielding to the touch, is necessary to 
distinguish them. 

General plumage white, with the exception of the basal 
portions, the feathers of the lores, and sides of the face, which 
are stained with patches of blood-red, and the base of the inner 
webs of the primaries, secondaries, and tail-feathers with fine 
sulphur-yellow ; bill yellowish white; feet mealy brown. 

Total length 15 inches; bill 14; wing 108; tail 6; tarsi 4. 

Other species of white Cockatoos nearly allied to this bird 
occur in the islands immediately to the northward of Aus- 
tralia, some of which extend their range to the Philippines. 


8 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Sp. 394. CACATUA ROSEICAPILLA. 


Rosz-BREASTED CocKATOO. 


Cacatua roseicapilla, Vieill. Nouy. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., tom. xvii. p- 12, 
eos, Less. Man. d’Orn., tom. ii. p. 143. 
rosea, Vieill. Gal. des Ois., tom. ii. p. 5. pl. 25. 
Psittacus eos, Kuhl. Nova Acta, tom. x. p- 88. 
Rose-coloured Cockatoo, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. ii. p. 207. 
Plyctolophus eos, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p- 269. 
Kakadoe rosea, Bourj. de St.-Hil. Perr., tab. 74. 
Eolophus roseus, Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool., 1854, p. 155. 
roseicaptllus, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de V’Acad. Sci., 1857, p. 
The Rose Cockatoo, Sturt’s Travels in Australia, vol. ii. pl. in De Fo 


Cacatua eos, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 4. 


This beautiful Cockatoo is abundantly dispersed over a 
great part of the interior of Australia; both Oxley and Sturt 
speak of it as inhabiting the country to the north-west of the 
Blue Mountains; in fact, few travellers have visited the 
interior without having had their attention attracted by its 


appearance ; and I myself saw it in great numbers on the 
plains bordering the river Namoi, particularly under the 
Nundewar range of Sir Thomas Mitchell; I possess speci- 
mens also from the north coast, procured by the officers of 
the ‘Beagle.’ A difference, however, which may hereafter 
prove to be specific, exists between the birds from New 
South Wales and those of the north coast. Those from the 
latter locality are the largest in size, and have the bare skin © 
round the eye more extended; the rosy colour of the breast 
and the grey colourmg of the back are darker than in the 
specimens I killed on the Namoi. The late Mr. Elsey informed 
me that “The country round the Gulf seems to be the favourite 
resort of this species; it there feeds on the broad open 
plains in flocks of from fifty to two hundred. Nothing can 
exceed the beauty of their appearance as they wheel about 
over these plains in the light of an early sun.” 


INSESSORES. 9 


The Rose-breasted Cockatoo possesses considerable power 
of wing, and frequently passes in flocks over the plains with 
a long sweeping flight, at one minute displaying their beau- 
tiful silvery grey backs, at the next by a simultaneous change 
of position bringing their rich rosy breasts into view, the 
effect of which is so beautiful that it is a source of regret to 
me that my readers cannot participate in the pleasure I have 
derived from the sight. I was informed by the natives of 
the Namoi that the bird had but recently arrived in the dis- 
trict, and they supposed it had migrated from the north. 
During the years 1839 and 1840 it bred in considerable 
numbers in the boles of the large Liucalypti skirting the 
Nundewar range, and afforded an abundant supply of young 
ones for the draymen and stock-keepers to transport to Sydney, 
where they were sold for a considerable sum to be shipped 
to England ; and as the bird is very hardy, bears cold and con- 
finement extremely well, and is perfectly contented in a cage, 
there are, perhaps, more of this species living in Europe at the 
present time than of any other member of the genus. In 
Australia I have seen it as tame as the ordinary denizens 
of the farm-yard, enjoying perfect liberty, and coming round 
the door to receive food in company with the pigeons and 
poultry, amongst which it mingled on terms of intimate 
friendship. : 

In a letter received from my friend Captain Sturt, he says, 
“The Rose-breasted Cockatoo is a bird of the low country 
entirely, and limited in the extent of its habitat, never being 
found in any great number on the banks of the Darling, or 
rising higher than 600 feet above the level of the sea. It 
feeds on Sailsole, and occupies those vast plains which lie 
immediately to the westward of the Blue Mountains. It has 
a peculiar flight, and the whole flock turning together show 
the rose-colour of the under surface with pretty effect.” I 
have not yet seen specimens. of this bird from any part of 
the Swan River colony, neither did I observe it in any part 


10 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


of South Australia that I visited; the eastern and northern 
portions of Australia are evidently those most frequented 
by it. 

The eggs, which are white, are generally three in number, 
about an inch and a half long by an inch and an eighth 
broad. 

The sexes do not vary in colouring and scarcely in size, 
but individuals differ considerably in the depth of the tint of 
the under surface, some being much deeper than others, and 
in the extent of the bare space round the eye. 

Crown of the head pale rosy white ; all the upper surface 
grey, deepening into brown at the extremity of the wings and 
tail, and becoming nearly white on the rump and upper tail- 
coverts ; sides of the neck, all the under surface from below 
the eyes and the under surface of the shoulder rich deep rosy 
red ; thighs and under tail-coverts grey ; irides rich deep rosy 
red ; orbits brick-red ; bill white ; feet mealy dark brown. 

The young at first are covered with long, fine downy fea- 
thers, which at an early age give place to the colours which 
characterize the plumage of the adult. 


Genus LICMETIS, W agler. 


The two species forming the genus Licmetis are not only 

confined to Australia, but, so far as we yet know, to the 
southern portions of that continent, one inhabiting the western 
and the other the eastern part of the country. ‘Their singu- 
larly formed bill being admirably adapted for procuring their 
food on the ground, they are more terrestrial in their habits 
than the other members of the family. 
_ They appear to be allied to the Nestors in form, but are 
more quiet and sedate in disposition ; and moreover differ 
from them in having longer wings and in their plumage being 
nearly uniform white. 


INSESSORES. a 


Sp. 395. LICMETIS TENUIROSTRIS. 


LonG-BILLED CocKATOO. 


Psittacus nasicus, Temm. in Linn. Trans., vol. xii. p. 115. 

Long-nosed Cockatoo, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. i. p. 205. 

Licmetis tenuirostris, Wagl. Mon. Psitt. in Abhand., vol. i. pp. 505 
and 695. 

Psittacus tenuirostris, Kuhl in Novy. Acta, tom. x. p. 88. 

Cacatua nasica, Less. Traité @’Orn., p. 1838. 

Plyctolophus tenuirostris, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xiv. 
p- 108. 

Kakadoe tenuirostris, Bourj. de St.-Hil. Perr., tab. 76. 

The Red-vented Cockatoo, Brown’s Ill., p. 10, pl. 5. 


Licmetis nasicus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 5. 


The habitat of the present species would appear to be 
confined to Victoria and South Australia, where it inhabits 
the interior rather than the neighbourhood of the coast. 
Like the Cacatua galerita, it assembles in large flocks and 
spends much of its time on the ground, where it grubs 
up the roots of Orchids and other bulbous plants upon 
which it mainly subsists, and hence the necessity for its 
singularly formed bill. It not unfrequently invades the 
newly sown fields of corn, where it is the most destructive 
bird imaginable. It passes over the ground in a succession 
of hops, much more quickly than: the Cacatua galerita ; its 
powers of flight also exceed those of that bird, not perhaps in 
duration, but in the rapidity with which it passes through the 
air. I noticed this particularly when a flock passed me in 
the interior of South Australia. I have seen many individuals 
of this species in captivity, both in New South Wales and in 
this country; and although they appear to bear confinement 
equally well with the other members of the family, they 
seemed more dull and morose, and of a very irritable temper. 

The eggs, which are white, two in number, and about the 
size of those of the Caucatua galerita, are usually deposited on 


12 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


a layer of rotten wood at the bottom of holes in the larger 
- gum-trees, 

' The sexes are alike in colour and size. 

The general plumage white, washed with pale brimstone- 
_ yellow on the under surface of the wing, and with bright 
brimstone-yellow on the under surface of the tail; line across 
the forehead and lores scarlet ; the feathers’of the head, neck, 
and breast are also scarlet at the base, showing through the - 
white, particularly on the breast ; irides light brown ; bill 
white; naked skin round the eye light blue ; legs and feet 
dull olive-grey. 


Sp.396. LICMETIS PASTINATOR, Gould. 


Western Lone-Bittep CocKkaToo. 


Licmetis pastinator, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part viii. p- 175. 


All ornithologists now admit that there are two species of 
the genus Licmetis ; one inhabiting the western and the other 
the eastern portions of Australia. Living examples of both 
have been for some time in the Menagerie of the Zoological 
Society of London, where their differences are far more appa- 
rent than in the skins which have from time to time been 
sent to this country. 

Lores scarlet; general plumage white; the base of the 
feathers of the head and front of the neck scarlet, showing 
through, and giving those parts a stained appearance ; the 
basal half of the inner webs of the primaries, the inner webs 
of all the other feathers of the wing, and the inner webs of 
the tail-feathers beautiful brimstone-yellow; naked space 
round the eye greenish blue ; irides light brown ; bill white ; 
feet dull olive grey. 


Genus CALYPTORHYNCHUS, Vig. and Florsf. 


The members of this genus are strictly arboreal, and are 
evidently formed to live upon the seeds of the Lanksia, 


INSESSORES. 13 


Lucalypti, and other trees peculiar to the country they 
inhabit; but they diversify their food by occasionally devouring 
large caterpillars, They can scarcely be considered gregarious, 
but move about in small companies. Their flight is rather 
powerful, but at the same time laboured and heavy; and 
their voice is a low crying call, totally different from the 
harsh screaming notes of the Oacatue. ach division of the 
country, from the northern portions of the continent to 
Tasmania, is inhabited by its own peculiar species. 

I have never seen a bird of this form from any other 
country than Australia, but I have heard that an extraordinary 
Parrot, said to be larger than any at present in our collections, 
inhabits New Guinea, and which, from the description given 
of it, will probably belong to this genus, or possibly to that 


of Microglossum. The Calyptorhynchi lay from two to four 
eggs in the holes of trees. 


Sp.397. CALYPTORHYNCHUS BANKSIL. 


Banxstan Cockatoo. 


Psittacus banksti, Lath. Ind. Orn., vol. i. p. 107. 

magnificus, Shaw, Nat. Misc., pl. 50. 

—— (Kakadoe) banksii, Kuhl, Consp. Psitt., pp. 12, 90. 
(Banksianus) australis, Less. Traité Orn., p. 180. 
Plyctolophus banksii, Swains. Class. of Birds, vol. ii. p. 302. 

Cacatua banksii, Vieill. Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., tom. xvii. p. 8. 
Calyptorhynchus banksii, Vig.and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 271. 


—— banksti et. stellatus, Wag]. Mon. Psitt. in Abhand., tom. i. pp. 685, 
686, pl. 27. 


Calyptorhynchus Banksii, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. 
ear A 

I have abundant reasons for stating that every portion of 

Australia yet visited by Europeans is inhabited by members 

of the genus Calyptorhynchus, and that at least six species are 

now known, each of which has its own peculiar limits, whence 

it seldom or never passes. The present species is the one with 


14. BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


which ornithologists first became acquainted ; it is a native 
of New South Wales and Victoria, out of which colonies I 
have never known it to occur, its range appearing to be 
limited by Moreton Bay on the east and Port Philip on the 
south. It is not unfrequently seen in the immediate neigh- 
bourhood of Sydney and other large towns, and it alike 
frequents the brushes and the more open wooded parts of the 
colony, where it feeds on the seeds of the Banksie and 
Casuarine, but occasionally changes its diet to caterpil- 
lars, particularly those that infest the wattles and other 
low trees. The facility with which it procures these large 
grubs is no less remarkable than the structure of the bird’s 
bill, which is admirably adapted for scooping out the wood 
of both the larger and smaller branches, and by this means 
obtaining possession of the hidden treasure within. 

The Banksian Cockatoo is a suspicious and shy bird, and a 
considerable degree of caution is required to approach it 
within gunshot; there are times, however, particularly when 
it is feeding, when this may be more readily accomplished. 
It never assembles in large flocks like the White Cockatoo, 
but moves about either in pairs or in small companies of 
from four to eight in number. Its flight is heavy, and the 
wings are moved with a flapping laboured motion; it seldom 
mounts high in the air, for although its flight is somewhat 
protracted, and journeys of several miles are performed, it 
rarely rises higher than is sufficient to surmount the tops of 
the lofty Hucalypti, a tribe of trees it often frequents, and in 
the larger kinds of which it almost invariably breeds, depo- 
siting its two or three white eggs m some inaccessible hole, 
spout, or dead limb, the only nest being the rotten wood at 
the bottom, or the chips made by the bird in forming an 
_ excavation. 

_ The female and young birds of both sexes differ very con- 
| siderably from the old male in the marking of their tails. 
It is with feelings of great pleasure I find the term Banksii 


INSESSORES. 15 


was the first specific appellation assigned to this species. The 
name of the illustrious Banks will ever be retained as the 
distinctive designation of this noble and ornamental bird ; 
and I would that it were in my power to write as many pages 
respecting its habits and economy as I have written lines; but 
this task must devolve upon some future historian of the 
productions of a country teeming with the highest interest, 
who will doubtless find occupation in investigating the minute 
details of that respecting which I am only able to give a 
general outline. 

The male has the entire plumage glossy greenish black, 
with a broad band of rich deep vermilion across the middle 
of all but the two central tail-feathers, and the external web 
of the outer feather on each side; feet mealy brown; bill in 
young specimens greyish white, in old specimens black. 

The female has the general plumage glossy greenish black, 
each feather of the head, sides of the neck, and wing-coverts 
_ pale yellow; under surface crossed by narrow irregular bars 
of pale yellow, becoming fainter on the abdomen; under 
tail-coverts crossed by narrow freckled bars of yellowish red ; 
tail banded with red, passing into sulphur-yellow on the inner 
margins of the feathers, and interrupted by numerous narrow 
irregular bars and freckles of black. 


Sp. 898. CALYPTORHYNCHUS MACRORHYNCHUS, 
Gould. 


GREAT-BILLED Bnack Cockatoo. 


Calyptorhynchus macrorhynchus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part x. 
p. 188. 
Lar-a-wuk, Natives of Taratong. 


Calyptorhynchus macrorhynchus, Gould, Birds of Aueieait, fol., 
vol. v. pl. 8. 


All the examples of this species that have come under my 
notice have been collected at Port Essington, where it 1s 


16 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


usually seen in small troops of from four to six in number. 
It has many characters in common with the Black Cockatoos 
of the south coast, but no species of the genus yet discovered 
has the bill so largely developed, which development is doubt- 
less requisite to enable it to procure some peculiar kind of 
food at present unknown to us; it assimilates to the C. 
banksii of New South Wales in the lengthened form of its 
crest, but differs in having much shorter wings, and in the 
mandibles bemg fully one-third larger. The females of the 
two species also vary considerably in the colouring of the 
bands across the tail-feathers, which in the C. danksii is pure 
scarlet, while the same part of the female of the present bird 
is mingled yellow and scarlet. It differs from the C. zaso of 
Western Australia in having a larger bill than that species, 
and in the much greater length of the crest. 

The male has the whole of the plumage glossy bluish black ; 
lateral tail-feathers, except the external web of the outer one, 
crossed by a broad band of fine scarlet ; bill horn-colour ; 
irides blackish brown ; feet mealy blackish brown. 

The female has the general plumage as in the male, but 
with the crest-feathers, those on the sides of the face and 
neck, and the wing-coverts spotted with light yellow; each 
feather of the under surface, but particularly the chest, crossed 
by several semicircular fascize of yellowish buff; lateral tail- 
feathers crossed on the under surface by numerous irregular 
bands of dull yellow, which are broad and freckled with black 
at the base of the tail, and become narrower and more irre- 
gular as they approach the tip; on the upper surface of the 
tail these bands are bright yellow at the base of the feathers, 
and gradually change into pale scarlet as they approach the 
tip; irides blackish brown. 

Total length 22 inches ; bill—length 14, depth 3; wing 16; 
tail 21; tarsi 1. 


INSESSORES, 17 


Sp. 399. CALYPTORHYNCHUS NASO, Gould. 


Western Brack Cockaroo. 


Calyptorhynchus naso, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part iv. p. 106. 

Kar-rak, Aborigines of the mountain and lowland, and 

Keer-sjan-dee of the Aborigines of the northern districts of Western 
Australia. 

Red-tailed Black Cockatoo of the Colonists of Swan River. 


Calyptorhynchus naso, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 9. 


The characters by which this species is distinguished from 
the Calyptorhynchus macrorhynchus are a smaller bill and a 
shorter and more rounded crest. The bill is moreover inclined 
to be gibbous, like that of C-Jeachii, to which species it also 
offers a further alliance in its shorter contour and more rounded 
crest and short tail. 

The extent of range enjoyed by the Calyptorhynchus naso I 
have not been able to ascertain; it appears to be most numerous 
in the colony of Swan River, where it inhabits all parts of the 
country. As might be expected, its general economy closely 
resembles that of the other members of the genus. Except 
in the breeding-season, when it pairs, it may often be observed 
in companies of from six to fifteen in number. 

It breeds in the holes of trees, where it deposits its snow- 
white eggs on the soft dead wood, They are generally placed 
In trees so difficult of access that even the natives dislike to 
climb them. Those given to Gilbert by the son of the colonial 
chaplain were taken by a native from a hole in a very high 
white gum, in the last week of October ; they are white, one 
inch and eight lines long by one inch and four lines broad, 

It flies slowly and heavily, and while on the wing utters a 
very harsh and grating cry, resembling the native name. 

The stomach is membranous and capacious, and the food of 
those examined contained seeds of the Eucalypti, Banksia, &e. 

The sexes differ considerably in the colour of the tail. . | 

The male has the entire plumage glossy greenish black ; 

VOL. II. ga Samael 


18 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


lateral tail-feathers, except the external web of the outer one, 
crossed by a broad band of fine scarlet; irides dark blackish 
brown ; bill bluish lead-colour, feet brownish black, with a 
leaden tinge. 3 

The female has the upper surface similar to, but not so 
rich as, that of the male, and has an irregularly shaped spot 
of yellowish white near the tip of each of the feathers of the 
head, crest, cheeks, and wing-coverts; the under surface 
brownish black, crossed by numerous narrow irregular bars 
of dull sulphur-yellow ; the under tail-coverts crossed by several 
irregular bars of mingled yellow and dull scarlet ; the lateral 
tail-feathers dull scarlet, crossed by numerous irregular bars 
of black, which are narrow at the base of the feathers and 
gradually increase in breadth towards the tip. 

Total length 22 inches; bill in height 24; wing 14; tail 
1035. tarsi,3. 


Sp. 400. CALYPTORHYNCHUS LEACHII. 
Lraca’s Cockatoo. 


Psittacus leachti, Kuhl, Consp. Psitt. in Nova Acta, vol. x. p. 91, pl. 3. 
—— temmincki, Kuhl, Ib., vol. x. p. 89. 
solandru, Temm. Ib., vol. xiii. p. 118. 
Cacatua viridis, Vieill. Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., tom. xvii. p- 18. 
Calyptorhynchus cookit, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xy. p. 272. 
solandri, Vig. and Horsf. Ib., vol. xv. p. 274. 
leach, Wagl. Mon. Psit. in Abhand., vol. i. p. 683. 
temmincku, Wagl, Ib., vol. i. p. 684. 
stellatus, Selb. in Nat. Lib. Orn., vol. vi. Parrots, p. 134, pl. 15. 
Banksianus australis, Less. Traité d’Orn., p. 180, Atlas, pl. 18. fig. 2, 
female. 
Plyctolophus solandri et cookii, Swains. Class. of Birds, vol. ii. p. 802. 
Carat, Aborigines of New South Wales. 


Calyptorhynchus leachii, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. 
pl. 10. 


The Calyptorhynchus leachii is the least species of the 


INSESSORES. 19 


Senus yet discovered, and, independently of its smaller size, 
it may be distinguished from its congeners by the more 
swollen and gibbous form of its bill. Tts native habitat is 
New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. I obtained 
Specimens on the Lower Namoi, more than three hundred 
miles in the interior; and the cedar-brushes of the Liverpool 
range, Mr. Charles Throsby’s park at Bong-bong, and the 
sides of the creeks of the Upper Hunter, were also among the 
places in which I killed it. So invariably did I find it among 
the Casuaring, that those trees appear to be as essential to 
its existence as the Banksia are to that of some species of 
Honey-eater; the crops of those I killed were invariably 
filled with the seeds of the trees in question. Its disposition 
is less shy and distrusting than those of the Calyptorhynchi 
éanksti and funereus, but little stratagem being required to 
get within gunshot; when one is killed or wounded, the rest 
of the flock either fly around or perch on the neighbouring 
_ trees, and every one may be procured. It has the feeble 
Whining call of the other members of the genus. Its flight 
is laboured and heavy; but when it is necessary for it to pass 
to a distant part of the country, it mounts high in the air and 
sustains a flight of many miles. 

It is not unusual to find individuals of this species with 
yellow feathers on the cheeks and other parts of the head; 
this variation I am unable to account for ; It is evidently 
subject to no law, as it frequently happens that six or eight 
may be seen together without one of them exhibiting this 
mark, while on the contrary a like number may be encountered 
with two or three of them thus distinguished. To this 
circumstance, and to the variation in the colouring of the tail- 
feathers of the two sexes, may be attributed the voluminous 
list of synonyms pertaining to this species. 

There is no doubt that Mr. Caley was right in the opinion 
expressed in his notes that this is the Carat of the natives ; 
and he adds that it lays two eggs in the holes of the trees ; 

c2 


20 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


“does not cut off the branches of trees like the C. Junereus, 
but cuts off May-rybor-ro and Mun-mow (the fruit of two 
species of Persoonia), without however eating them, before 
they are ripe, to the great injury and vexation of the natives.” 

The adult male may at all times be distinguished from the 
female by the broad band of scarlet on the tail. The females 
and males during the first year have this part banded with 
black. 

The old male has the entire plumage glossy greenish black, 
washed with brown on the head and neck, with a broad band 
of deep vermilion across the middle of all but the two centre 
tail-feathers, and the external web of the outer feather on 
each side; irides very dark brown; orbits mealy black in 
some, in others pinky; bill dark horn-colour; feet mealy 
black. 

The females and young males differ in having the head and 
neck -browner than in the adult male, and in haying the 


scarlet band on the tail crossed by narrow bands of greenish 
black. 


Sp.401. CALYPTORHYNCHUS FUNEREUS. 


FunEREAL Cockatoo. 


Psittacus funereus, Shaw, Nat. Misc., pl. 186. 

Funereal Cockatoo, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. ii. p. 202. 

Calyptorhynchus funereus, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xy. 
p. 271. 

Plyctolophus funeralis, Swains. Class. of Birds, vol. ii. p. 302. 

Cacatua banksti, p., Vieill. Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., tom. xvii. pro. 

Psittacus (Banksianus) australis, p., Less. Traité d’Orn., p. 180. 
(Kakadoe) funereus, Kuhl, Consp. Psitt., pp. 12, 89. 

Wy-la, Aborigines of the Upper Hunter in New South Wales. 


Calyptorhynchus funereus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol. vol. v. 
pl. 11. 


Although not the most powerful in its mandibles, the 
present bird is the largest species of the genus to which it 


INSESSORES. 21 


belongs, its great wings and expansive tail being unequalled in 
size by those of any other member of the great family of Psitta- 
cide yet discovered.. The true habitat of the Calyptorhynchus 
Junereus is New South Wales, or that portion of the Australian 
continent forming its south-eastern division. Among other 
places, I observed it in the neighbourhood of Sydney, at 
Bong-bong, on Mosquito Island, near the mouth of the river 
Hunter, and on the Liverpool range; and it may be said to 
be universally distributed over this part of the continent. 
The thick brushes clothing the mountain sides and bordering 
the coast-line, the trees of the plains, and the more open 
country are equally frequented by it; at the same time it is 
nowhere very numerous, but is usually ‘met with associated 
in small companies of from four to eight in number, except 
during the breeding-season, when it is only to be seen in 
pairs. Its food is much varied; sometimes the great belts of 
Banksias are visited, and the seed-covers torn open for the 
sake of their contents; while at others it searches with avidity 
for the larvae of the large caterpillars which are deposited in 
the wattles and gums. Its flight, as might be expected, is 
very heavy, flapping, and laboured, but it sometimes dives 
about between the trees in a most rapid and extraordinary 
manner. 

When busily engaged in scooping off the bark in search of 
its insect food, it may be approached very closely ; and if one 
be shot, the remainder of the company will fly round for a 
short distance and perch on the neighbouring trees, until the 
whole are brought down, if you are desirous of so doing. 

Its note is very singular—a kind of whining call, which it 
is impossible to describe, but which somewhat resembles the 
syllables Wy-da, whence the native name. 

The eggs, which are white and two in number, about one 
inch and five-eighths long by one inch and three-eighths 
broad, are deposited on the rotten wood in the hollow branch 
of a large gum. 


99 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Caley mentions that this bird has a habit of cutting off the 
smaller branches of the apple-trees (Angophore), apparently - 
_ from no other than a mischievous motive. 
| The sexes are very nearly alike, and may be thus de- 
/ scribed :— 

The general plumage brownish black, glossed with green, 
particularly on the head; feathers of the body, both above 
and beneath, narrowly margined with brown; ear-coverts 
dull wax-yellow ; all but the two central tail-feathers crossed 
i the centre by a broad band, equal to half their length, of 
brimstone-yellow, thickly freckled with irregular zigzag mark- 
ings of brownish black; the external web of the outer pri- 
mary on each side, and the margin of the external web of the 
other banded feathers, brownish black; bill black in some 
and white in others, the latter being probably young birds ; 
eyes blackish brown; feet mealy blackish brown; orbits in 
some black, in others pinkish red, and in others whitish. 


402. CALYPTORHYNCHUS XANTHONOTUS, Gould. 
YELLOW-EARED Buack CockarToo. 


Calyptorhynchus xanthonotus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part v. 
p. 151. 


Calyptorhynchus xanthonotus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., 
vol. v. pl. 12. 


The principal habitat of this species is Tasmania, but I 
have also seen specimens from Flinder’s Island and Port Lin- 
coln in South Australia. It is very plentifully dispersed over 
all parts of ‘Tasmania, where it evinces a preference for the 
thickly wooded and mountainous districts ; and is always to be 
observed in the gulleys under Mount Wellington, particularly 
in the neighbourhood of New Town. In fine weather it takes 
a higher range, but descends to the lower part of the country 
on the approach of rain, when it becomes excessively noisy, and 
utters as it flies a very peculiar whining cry. Its flight is 


INSESSORES. 23 


heavy and laboured, and while on the wing it presents a very 
remarkable appearance, its short neck, rounded head, and 
long wings and tail giving it a very singular contour. It is 
generally to be observed in companies of from four to ten in 
number, but occasionally in pairs only. I found it very shy 
and difficult of approach, which may perhaps be attributed to 
its being wantonly shot wherever it may be met with. 

Its principal food is a large kind of caterpillar, which it 
obtains from the wattle- and gum-trees, and in procuring 
Which it displays the greatest activity and perseverance, 
scooping off the bark and cutting through the thickest branch 
until it arrives at the object of its search; it is in fact sur- 
prising to see what enormous excavations it makes in the 
larger branches, and how expertly it cuts across the smaller 
ones: besides these large caterpillars, it also feeds upon the 
larvee of several kinds of coleopterous insects, and occasionally 
on the seeds of the Banksias and berries; chrysalides were 
also found in the stomachs of some that were dissected. 

I found it exceedingly difficult to obtain any particulars 
respecting the nidification of this bird, in consequence of its 
resorting for the performance of this duty to the most retired 
and inaccessible parts of the forests. Lieut. Breton, R.N., 
having informed me that a pair were breeding in a tree on 
the estate of Mr. Wettenhall, I requested him to use his in- 
fluence with that gentleman to have their eggs procured for 
me; and on the 2nd of February 1839, I received a note from 
him, in which he says :— 

“In compliance with your request, I wrote to Mr. Wetten- 
hall upon the subject of the Black Cockatoo’s nest, and he 
forthwith directed his shepherd to fell the tree in which the 
bird had established itself. It was situated in a gulley or 
bottom, and was about four feet and a half in diameter. The 
hole was from ninety to one hundred feet from the ground, 
two feet in depth, and made quite smooth, the heart of the 
tree being decayed. ‘There was no appearance whatever of a 


24 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


nest. ‘The tree was broken in pieces by the fall, and the 
contents of the hole or nest destroyed; the fragments, how- 
ever, were sought for with the greatest care, and all that could 
be found are sent you. It may perhaps be as well to state, 
that both while the tree was being felled and for a short time 
afterwards, a Hawk kept attacking the Cockatoo, which flew 
in circles round the tree before it fell, uttering its loudest and 
most mournful notes, and at times turning upon the Hawk, 
until at length it flew off.” 

Mr. G. French Angas informs me that this bird “ lays two 
white eggs in some large rotten gum-tree, generally where 
one of the large branches has rotted off at the fork; inside 
this hole, which occasionally extends five or six feet down 
the bole of the tree, the bird scrapes and clears away some 
of the rotten wood until a sort of seat is formed; for it is a 
very rude attempt at making a nest. The laying commences 
about the latter end of October or beginning of November. 
The bird, which at other times is very shy and wild, now 
becomes very tame; and I have known an old bird to perch 
herself quietly close to me while I have been examining the 
hole beneath which contained her eggs. When the young are 
hatched, both the old birds go to the adjacent grounds for 
a supply of food, which generally consists of the seeds of some 
leguminous plant, and having filled their crops and throats, 
they both return, when one of them commences feeding one 
young one, and the other attends to and feeds the second. 
‘The young birds eat an immense quantity of seeds, and are 
very soon able to leave the nest; but the old ones continue to 
feed them for some time longer. They utter a very peculiar 
low, continued, plaintive, screeching cry when hungry. As 
the old birds disgorge the food and push it into the mouth of 
the young they make a very curious noise, sounding like 
‘chucka, chucka, chucka,’ rapidly repeated.” 

The eggs are one inch and eight lines long by one inch and 
four lines broad. 


INSESSORES. 25 


The bird varies considerably in size and weight, some spe- 
cimens weighing as much as one pound and ten ounces, while 
_ Others weighed no more than one pound and three ounces. 

The sexes differ but little from each other. I believe the 
birds with white bills to be immature. | 

Crown of the head, checks, throat, upper and under surface 
brownish black ; feathers of the breast obscurely tipped with 
dull olive; ear-coverts yellow; two centre tail-feathers deep 
blackish brown, the remainder black at the base and tips, the 

central portion being in some specimens uniform light lemon- 
_ yellow, and in others the same colour blotched with spots and 
markings of brown; bill in some specimens white, in others 
blackish brown ; feet greyish brown; orbits in some black, 
in others pink ; irides nearly black. | 

Total length 24 inches ; wing 144; tail 12; tarsi 1. 


Sp. 403. CALYPTORHYNCHUS BAUDINII, Vig. 


Bavpin’s Cockatoo. 
Calyptorhynchus baudinii, Vig. in Lear’s Il. Psitt., pl. 6. 
Plyctolophus ? baudinii, Swains. Class. of Birds, vol. ii. p- 802. 
Oo-laak of the Aborigines of the lowland, and 
Ngol-yé-nuk of the Aborigines of the mountain districts of Western 
Australia. 
White-tailed Black Cockatoo of the Colonists. 


Calyptoryhnchus baudinii, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. 
pl. 13. ; 
This species, which is a native of Western Australia, is 
distinguished from all the other known members of the group 
by its smaller size and by the white markings of its tail- 


feathers. It belongs to that section of the Black’ Cockatoos | 


in which a similarity of marking characterizes both sexes, | 
such as Calyptorhynchus funereus and C. xanthonotus. ike ‘ 
the other members of the genus it frequents the large forests 
of Eucalypti and the belts of Banksie, upon the seeds of 


26 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


which it mainly subsists ; occasionally it seeks its food on the 
ground, when inseets, fallen seeds, &c. are equally partaken 
of; the larvee of moths and other insects are also extracted . 
by it from the trunks and limbs of such trees as are infested 
by them. 

Its flight is heavy and apparently laboured: when on the 
wing it frequently utters a note very similar to its aboriginal 
name; at other times when perched on the trees it emits a 
harsh croaking sound, which is kept up all the time the bird 
is feeding. 

It breeds in the holes of the highest white gum-trees, often 
in the most dense and retired part of the forest. The eggs 
are generally two in number, of a pure white; their average 
length being one inch and three-quarters by one inch and 
three-eighths in breadth. The breeding-season extends over 
the months of October, November, and December. 

I have never seen specimens from any other part of Aus- 
tralia than the colony of Swan River, over the whole of which 
it seems to be equally distributed. 

The entire plumage is blackish brown, glossed with green, 
especially on the forehead; all the feathers narrowly tipped 
with dull white; ear-coverts creamy white; all but the two 
central tail-feathers crossed by a broad band, equal to half 
their length, of cream-white; the external web of the outer 
primary and the margin of the external web of the other 
banded feathers blackish brown; the shafts black; irides 
blackish brown; bill lead-colour; in some specimens the 
upper mandible is blackish brown; legs and feet dull yel- 
lowish grey, tinged with olive. 


Genus MICROGLOSSUM, Geoffroy. 


The species of this genus are among the largest members 
of the great family of Parrots; they are also rendered con- 
spicuously different from the whole of their congeners by their 


INSESSORES. 27 


extraordinarily developed bills and their lengthened lanceolate 
crest-feathers. Two species are all that are known, one of 
which is Australian. 


Sp. 404. MICROGLOSSUM ATERRIMUM. 


Great Paum Cockatoo. 


Great Black Cockatoo, Edw. Glean., pl. 316. 

Psittacus aterrimus, Gmel. Edit. Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 830. 
gigas, Lath. Ind. Orn., vol. i. p. 107. 

griseus, Bechst. 

goliath, Kuhl, Consp. Psitt. in Nov. Acta, vol. x. p. 92. 

Cacatua aterrima, Vieill. Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., tom. xvii. p. 13. 
Microglossus aterrimus, Wagl. Mon. Psitt. in Abhand., vol. i. p. 682. 
et griseus, Swains. Classif. of Birds, vol. ii. p. 302. 
Microglossum aterrimum, Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. ii. p. 424. 
ater, Less. Traité d’Orn., p. 184, Atlas, pl. 19. fig. 1 et A. 
Psittacus (Probosciger) aterrimus, Kuhl, Consp. Psitt. in Nov. Acta, 
pp. 12, 91. 

( ) goliath, Kuhl, Ib., pp. 9, 94. 

Solenoglossus zeylanicus, Ranz. Klem. d’Orn., tom. 1. p. 21. 
Psittacus (Cacatua) goliath, Mill. et Schleg. 

Paytintoo, Goodang Tribe of the Aborigines at Cape York. 


Microglossus aterrimus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., Supple- 
ment, pl. 


As might have been expected, the fauna of the Cape York 
district is found to comprise many species common to the 
islands immediately to the northward of that part of the 
country ; among which the present noble bird must now be 
enumerated. Although not new to science, no one of the 
accessions obtained during the expedition of H.M.S. Rattle- 
snake is of greater interest than the Mecroglossum aterrimum, 
adding, as it does, another to the rich series of the Psittacide 
previously described as pertaining to the ornithology of Aus- 
tralia. 

I have much pleasure in communicating the following 
interesting notes on this species by Mr. Macgillivray :— 


98 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


«This very fine bird, which is not uncommon in the 
vicinity of Cape York, was usually found in the densest scrub 
among the tops of the tallest trees, but was occasionally seen 
in the open forest land perched on the largest of the Hucalypti, 
apparently resting on its passage from one belt of trees or 
patch of scrub to another: like the Calyptorhynchz, it flies 
slowly, and usually but a short distance. In November 1849, 
the period of our last visit to Cape York, it was always found 
in pairs, very shy, and difficult of approach. Its cry is 
merely a low short whistle of a single note, which may be 
represented by the letters ‘ Hweet-hweet.’ The stomach of 
the first one killed contained a few small pieces of quartz 
and triturated fragments of palm cabbage, with which the 
crop of another specimen was completely filled; and the 
idea immediately suggests itself, that the powerful bill of this 
bird is a most fitting instrument for stripping off the leaves 
near the summits of the Seaforthia elegans and other palms to 
enable it to arrive at the central tender shoot.”’ 

Lores deep velvety black ; lengthened crest-feathers greyish 
black; the remainder of the plumage black, with purple 
reflexions ; irides purplish brown ; cheeks pale dull crimson, 
bordered with pale yellow, the two colours gradually blending 
into each other; bill and feet purplish black. 

In the young male the tip of the upper and the whole of 
the lower mandible is horn-colour, and the under surface is 
brownish black, with narrow obscure crescentic marks of 
yellowish white at the tips of the abdominal feathers. 


Genus CALLOCEPHALON, Lesson. 


Of this form the only species known is a very remarkable 
bird, and is doubtless adapted for some particular mode of 
existence; bemg short and thickset, and furnished with a 
very powerful bill. The sexes are alike in colour, except in 
the hue of their long filamentous crest, which is scarlet in 
the male and grey in the female. 


INSESSORES. 29 


Sp.405. CALLOCEPHALON GALEATUM. 
7 GANG-GANG CocKATOO. 


Psittacus galeatus, Lath. Ind. Orn., Supp. p. xxiii. 

jimbriatus, Grant. 

Red-crowned Parrot, Lath. Gen. Syn.. Supp. vol. ii. p. 369, pl. 140. 

Calyptorhynchus galeatus, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. 
p. 274. 

Corydon galeatus, Wagl. Mon. Psitt. in Abhand., vol. i. pp. 504, 690. 

Plyctolophus galeatus, Swains. Class. of Birds, vol. u. p. 302. 

Banksianus galeatus, Less. Traité d’Orn., p. 181. 

Callocephalon australe, Less. Zool. Voy. of Thetis, pls. 47, 48. 

galeatum, G. R. Gray, List of Gen. of Birds, 2nd edit., p. 68. 

Cacatua galeata, Vieill. Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., tom. xvii. p. 12. 

Psittacus phenicocephalus, Mus. de Paris. 

(Banksianus) galeatus, Less. Traité d’Orn., p. 181. 

Kakadoe rubro-galeatus, Bourj. de St.-Hil. Perr., tabs. 75, 75a, 750. 

Gang-gang Cockatoo, Colonists of New South Wales. 


Callocephalon galeatum, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. 
pl. 14. 


The only information I can give respecting this fine species 
is that it is a native of the forests bordering the south coast 
of Australia, some of the larger islands in Bass’s Straits, and 
the northern parts of Tasmania, and that it frequents the 
most lofty trees, and feeds on the seeds of the various Lucalypti. 
A few instances have occurred of its being brought to England 
alive, where it has borne captivity quite as well as the other 
members of the great family to which it belongs. While 
this Handbook was passing through the press, individuals 
of this species graced the Menagerie of the Zoological 
Society of London, and I trust this fact may induce some 
of our Australian friends to send others, for no birds would 
be more highly prized. This species being closely allied 
to the Black Cockatoos (Calyptorhynchi) we may reasonably 
infer that these latter birds would thrive equally well, were 


30 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


the experiment more extensively made, their form and habits 
being very similar. 

The paucity of information here given will I trust’ be a 
sufficient hint to those who may be favourably situated for 
observing the habits of this species, that by transmitting 
an account of the number of its eggs or other particulars 
respecting it either to myself or to any scientific journal, they 
would be promoting the cause of science, and adding to the 
stock of ornithological knowledge. 

The sexes are readily distinguished by the marked difference 
in their plumage; both are crested, but the crest of the male 
is a rich scarlet, while that of the female is grey. 

The male has the forehead, crest, and cheeks fine scarlet, 
the remainder of the plumage dark slate-grey ; all the feathers, 
with the exception of the primaries, secondaries, and tail, 
narrowly margined with greyish white—decided and distinct 
on the upper, but much fainter on the under surface ; irides 
blackish brown ; bill light horn-colour; feet mealy black. 

The general plumage of the female is dark slate-colour, the 
feathers of the neck and back slightly margined with pale 
grey, the remainder of the upper surface crossed with irregular 
bars of greyish white; the wings have also a sulphurous hue, 
as if powdered with sulphur; the feathers of the under 
surface are margined with sulphur-yellow and dull red, 
changing into dull yellow on the under tail-coverts. 


Genus POLYTELIS, Wagler. 


This genus comprises three species, all of which are peculiar 
to the southern portions of Australia. In their lengthened 
form they resemble in appearance the Palgorni of India; but 
they differ from them considerably in structure, and form a 
very isolated genus among the Psittacide 

The sexes are very different in colour; the male being by 
far the finest; both, however, are adorned with lengthened 
and elegantly formed tails. 


INSESSORES. 31 


Sp. 406. POLYTELIS BARRABANDI. 
BARRABAND’S PARRAKEET. 


Psittacus barrabandii, Swains. Zool. Ill, 1st ser. pl. 59. 

Paleornis barrabandi, Vig. in Zool. Journ., vol. 11. p. 56. 

- Polytelis barrabandi, Wag\. Mon. Psitt. in Abhand., pp. 489 and 519. 

Scarlet-breasted Parrot, Lath. Gen. Syn., vol. ii. p. 121. 

Paleornis? rosaceus, Vig. in Zool. Journ., vol. v. p. 274; female. 

Platycercus barrabandi, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 287. 

Barrabandius rosaceus, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., tom. i. p. 2, Barra- 
bandius, sp. 1. 

Psittacus swainsoni, Desm. 

Platycercus rosaceus, G. R. Gray List. of Spec. of Birds in Brit. Mus., 
part iii. sec. ii., Psittacida, p. 9. 

Psittacus sagittifer barrabandi et rosaceus, Bourj. de St.-Hil. Supp. to 
Le Vaill. Hist. Nat. des Perr., pls. 4 et 6. 

Green-leek of the Colonists of New South Wales. 


Polytelis barrabandi, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 15. 


Tn the great family of Parrots, few species are more ele- 
gant in form or more exquisitely coloured than the present, 
which is a native of the interior of New South Wales, and 
Victoria. Living individuals are frequently brought down to 
Sydney by the draymen of the Argyle county, where it appears 
to be a common species. When we know more of its history 
I expect it will be found to inhabit similar localities, and 
enjoy a similar range to the P. melanura, and that the two 
species as closely assimilate in their habits and economy as 
they do in form. It is somewhat singular, that the females of 
this and the succeding bird should have been described by | 
the late Mr. Vigors as distinct species from the males. | 

From the length of its wings and the general contour of its 
body, we may be assured that its power of flight is very 
great, and that it doubtless removes from one part of the con- 
tinent to another whenever nature prompts it so to do. 

The female, though equally as graceful in form as the male, 
is nevertheless much inferior to him in the colourimg of her 


32 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


plumage ; the green of the wings and body being less brilliant, 
and the rich hues of the crown and cheeks being entirely 
wanting; a similar kind of plumage also characterizes the 
male during the first year. 

The male has the forehead, cheeks and throat rich gam- 
boge-yellow ; immediately beneath the yellow of the throat a 
crescent of scarlet ; back of the head, all the upper and under 
surface grass-green ; primaries, secondaries, spurious wing and 
tail dark blue tinged with green; thighs in some scarlet, in 
others grass-green ; irides orange-yellow; bill rich red; feet 
brown. 

The female has the face dull greenish blue; chest dull rose- 
colour; thighs scarlet; the remainder of the body grass- 
green ; primaries bluish green ; central tail-feathers uniform 
green, the remainder bluish green, with the inner webs for 
their entire length fine rosy red; irides brown; Dill pale 
reddish orange ; feet dark brown. | 


Sp. 407. POLYTELIS ALEXANDRA, Gould. 


Tur Princess or WALES PARRAKERT. 
Polytelts alexandre, Gould in Proce. of Zool. Soc., 1868, p. 232. 


I feel assured that the discovery of an additional species 
of the lovely genus Polytelis will be hailed with pleasure by 
all ornithologists, and that they will assent to its bearing the 
specific name of alexandre, in honour of that Princess who, 
we may reasonably hope, is destined at some future time to 
be the Queen of these realms and their dependencies, of which 
Australia is by no means the most inconspicuous. 

The Polytelis alewandre is in every respect a typical Poly- 
telis, having the delicate bill and elegantly striped tail charac- 
teristic of that form. It is of the same size as P. barraband,, 
but differs from that species in having the crown blue and the 
lower part of the cheeks rose-pink instead of yellow. 

For my knowledge of this new species I am indebted to the 


INSESSORES. 33 


Board of Governors of the South Australian Institute, who 
liberally forwarded for my inspection a selection from the orni- 
thological collection made by Mr. Frederick G. Waterhouse 
during Mr. Stuart’s late Exploratory Expedition into Cen- 
tral Australia. The locality on the label attached to the spe- 
cimens is Howell’s Ponds, Central. Australia, 16° 54’ 7” S. 

Forehead delicate light blue ; lower part of the cheeks, chin, 
and throat rose-pink ; head, nape, mantle, back, and scapu- 
laries olive-green ; lower part of the back and rump blue; 
shoulders and wing-coverts pale yellowish green; external webs 
of the principal primaries dull blue ; breast and abdomen olive- 
grey; thighs rosy red; upper tail-coverts olive, tinged with 
blue; two centre tail-feathers bluish olive green ; the two next 
on each side olive-green on their outer webs and dark brown on 
the inner ones ; the remaining tail-feathers tricoloured, the cen- 
tral portion being black, the outer olive-grey, and the mner 
deep rosy red ; bill coral-red; feet mealy brown. 

Total length 14 inches; bill $; wing 7; tail 9; tarsi $. 


Sp. 408. POLYTELIS MELANURA. 
BuLACK-TAILED PARRAKEET. 


Paleornis melanura, Vig. in Lear’s Ill. Psitt., pl. 28, male. 

anthopeplus, Vig. in Ib., pl. 29, female. 

Polytelis melanura, Gould in Syn. Birds of Australia, Part IV. 

Psittacus Sagittifer melanura et anthopeplus, Bourj. de St-Hil. Perr., 
tab. 5 et 7. 

Platycercus melanurus, G. R. Gray, Gen of Birds, vol. ii. p. 408. 

Barrabandius melanurus, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., tom. i. p. 2, Barra 
bandius, sp. 2. 


U 
Wouk-un-ga, Aborigines of Western Australia. 
Jul-u-up, Aborigines of King George’s Sound. 
Mountain Parrot, Colonists of Western Australia. 


Polytelis melanura, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 16. 


So little is known of the habits and economy of this beau- 
Vou; Tr. D 


34 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


tiful Parakeet, which has hitherto only been found on the 
southern portion of the continent of Australia, that the pre- 
sent paper must necessarily be brief. It is strictly an inha- 
bitant of the interior, over which it doubtless enjoys a wide 
range. Sir George Grey procured it in the dense scrub to the 
north-west of Adelaide, and Gilbert encountered it in the 
white-gum forests of the Swan River settlement. Captain 
Sturt at page 188 of the second volume of the narrative of 
his journeys into the interior, says, ‘I believe I have already 
mentioned that, shortly after we first entered the Murray, 
flocks of a new Paroquet passed over our heads, apparently 
emigrating to the N.W, They always kept too high to be 
fired-at, but on our return, hereabouts, we succeeded in killing 
one, It made a good addition to our scanty stock of objects 
of natural history.” 

Gilbert remarks that, in Western Australia, it is met with 
in small families of from nine to twelve in number, feeding on 
seeds, buds of flowers and honey gathered from the white 
gum-tree. Its flight, as indicated by its form, is rapid in the 
extreme. 

The male has the head, neck, shoulders, rump, and all the 
under surface beautiful jonquil-yellow ; upper part of the 
back and scapularies olive; primaries and tail deep blue; 
several of the greater wing-coverts dull scarlet, forming a con- 
spicuous mark on the centre of the wing ; irides bright red ; 
bill scarlet ; feet ash-grey. 

The female has the head, sides of the face, back of the neck, 
upper part of the back and scapulars dull olive-green ; throat, 
all the under surface, rump and wing-coverts yellowish green, 
the latter passing into deep green on the centre of the 
shoulder; primaries, some of the secondaries, and spurious 
wing deep blue-black, margined externally with yellowish 
green; the remainder of the secondaries and a few of the 
greater coverts deep red ; two centre tail-feathers deep green, 
the remainder green at the base, passing into black on the 


INSESSORES. 35 


inner webs; the five lateral feathers on each side margined on 
their inner des and tipped with rosy red, which is broadest 
and most conspicuous on the two outer feathers; bill scarlet ; 
feet ash-grey. 


Genus APROSMICTUS, Gould. 


One species only of this form inhabits Australia; others 
are found in New Guinea and the neighbouring islands. 
They are distinguished from the Platycerci by the possession 
of a well- -developed os furcatortum, a bone which is entirely 
wanting inthe members of that genus; in their habits the 
Aprosmicti are mainly arboreal, and in their disposition 
morose and sullen. 


Sp. 409, APROSMICTUS SCAPULATUS. 
Kine Lory. 


Psittacus scapulatus, Bechst., Kuhl, Nova Acta, p. 56. 

Psitiacus tabuensis, var. 8, Lath. Ind. Orn., p. 88. 

La Grande Perruche & collier et croupion bleu, Le Vaill. Hist. des 
Perr., pls. 55 and 56. 

Tabuan Parrot, White’s Journ., pl. in p. 168,.male, and p. 169, female. 

Platycercus scapulatus, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. 
p. 284, 

Psittacus cyanopygius, Vieill., 2nde ait. du Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., 
tom. xxv. p. 339. 

Searlet and Green Parrot, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. ii. p. 116. 

Platycercus scapularis, Swains. Zool. Ill., 2nd Ser. pl. 26. 

Aprosmictus scapulatus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part x. p. 112. 

Wellat, Aborigines of New South Wales. 


Aprosmictus scapulatus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. 
pl. 17. 


__ This very showy and noble species appears to be extremely 

local in its habitat ; I have not seen it from any other portion 

of Australia than New South Wales, in which country it 

appears to be almost exclusively confined to the brushes, par- 
D2 


36 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


ticularly such as are low and humid, and where the large 
Casuarine grow in the greatest profusion. All the brushes 
stretching along the southern and eastern coast appear to be 
equally favoured with its presence, as it there finds a plenti- 
ful supply of food, consisting of seeds and berries. At the 
period when the Indian corn is becoming ripe it leaves its 
umbrageous abode and sallies forth in vast flocks, which 
commit great devastation on the ripening grain. It is rather 
a dull and inactive species compared with the members of the 
restricted genus Platycercus ; it flies much more heavily, and 
is very different in its disposition, for although it soon becomes 
habituated to confinement, it is less easily tamed and much 
less confiding and familiar; the great beauty of the male, 
however, somewhat compensates for this unpleasant trait, and 
consequently it is highly prized as a cage-bird. 

I was never so fortunate as to find the eggs of this species, 
neither could I gather any information respecting this part of 
the bird’s economy; and I am inclined to look with suspi- 
cion on the account of its breeding given by Mr. Caley in the 
Linnean Transactions: in my opinion it must have reference 
to some other bird. 

When fully adult the sexes differ very considerably in the 
colouring of the plumage, as will be seen by the following 
descriptions. 

The male has the head, neck and all the under surface scar- 
let; back and wings green, the inner webs of the primaries 
and secondaries being black; along the scapularies a broad 
line of pale verdigris green; a line bounding the scarlet at 
the back of the neck, the rump and upper tail-coverts rich 
deep blue; tail black; pupil large and black ; irides narrow 
and yellow ; bill scarlet ; legs mealy brown. 

The female has the head and all the upper surface green ; 
throat and chest green tinged with red ; abdomen and under 
tail-coverts scarlet ; rump dull blue; two centre tail-feathers 
ereen; the remainder green, passing into bluish black ; and 


INSESSORES. 37 


with a rose-coloured spot at the extremity on the under 
surface. 

The young male for the first two years resembles the | 
female, which is doubtless the cause why so few birds are / 
seen in the bright red dress, compared with those having a _ 
green head and chest. 


Genus PTISTES, Gould. 


The birds for which I propose the above generic appellation 
are, in my opinion, sufficiently different in form and colouring 
to warrant their being separated from Aprosmictus, and formed 
into a new genus. At present three species are known to me, 
two of which are Australian; the third is the Ptistes vulne- 
ratus, figured in the voyage of the Astrolabe as Psittacus 
erythropterus, and said to be from Timor. They have a very 
laboured flight, consequent on the great size of their wings, 
which has suggested the generic name of Péistes, i. e. winnower. 


Sp. 410. PTISTES ERYTHROPTERUS. 
RepD-winceD Lory. 


Psittacus erythropterus, Gmel. Syst., vol. i. p. 348. 

melanotus, Shaw, Nat. Misc., pl. 653. 

Crimson-winged Parrot, Lath. Gen. Syn., vol. i. p. 299; and Supp., 
p-. 60. 

Platycercus erythropterus, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. 
p- 284. 

Aprosmictus erythropterus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part x. p. 112. 


or ae erythropterus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v, 
pl. 18. 

The extensive belts of Acacia pendula which diversify the 
plains of the eastern portion of Australia are tenanted by this 
bird, either in small companies of six or eight, or in flocks of 
a much greater number. It is beyond my power to describe 
the extreme beauty of the appearance of the Red-winged Lory 


38 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


when seen among the silvery branches of the Acacia, particu- 
larly when the flocks comprise a large number of adult males, 
the gorgeous scarlet of whose shoulders offers so striking a con- 
trast to the surrounding objects. It is rather thinly dispersed 
among the trees skirting the rivers which intersect the. Liver- 
pool Plains, but from these towards the interior it increases 
in number. Being naturally shy and wary, it is much more 
difficult of approach than the generality of the Parrakeets: and 
it seldom becomes tame or familiar in captivity. 

Its flight is performed with a motion of the wings totally 
different from that of any other member of the great family 
of Psittacide I have seen, and has frequently reminded me 
of the heavy flapping manner of the Pewit, except that the 
motion was even slower and more laboured. While on the 
wing, it frequently utters a loud screeching cry. 

Its food consists of berries, the fruit of a species of Loran- 
thus, and the pollen of flowers, to which is added a species of 
scaly bug-like insect, that infests the branches of its favourite 
trees ; and in all probability small caterpillars, for I have found 
them in the crops of several of the Platycerci. It breeds in the 
holes of the large Kucalypti growing on the banks of rivers ; 
the eggs, which are white, being four or five in number, about 
an inch and an eighth long by seven-eighths broad. 

The sexes differ very considerably in the colouring of their 
plumage; and the young males during the first two years 
resemble the female. 

The male has the head and back of the neck verditer 
green; throat, all the upper surface, edge of the shoulder, 
and upper tail-coverts bright yellowish green; back black ; 
rump lazuline blue; wing-coverts deep rich crimson-red ; 
scapularies dark green, tipped with black ; primaries black at 
the base, with the external webs and the apical portion of the 
inner webs deep green; secondaries black, edged with deep 
green, and one or two with a tinge of red at the tip; tail 
green above, passing into yellow at the tip, the extreme end 


INSESSORES. 39 


frmged with pink; under surface of the tail black, tipped 
with yellow and pink as above; irides reddish orange in 
some, scarlet in others; bill rich orange-scarlet; feet olive- 
brown. 

The female has the head and upper surface dull green ; 
under surface dull yellowish green ; a few of the wing-coverts 
crimson-red, forming a stripe down the wing; rump pale 
verditer blue ; tail-feathers more largely tipped with pink than 
in the male ; irides olive-brown ; bill light horn-colour. 


Sp. 411. PTISTES COCCINEOPTERUS, Gould. 


CRIMSON-WINGED Lory. 


If ornithologists will compare the Crimson-winged Lories 
of Port Essington and the adjacent north-western portions of 
Australia with the Red-winged birds from the east coast, 7 
think but little doubt will remain on their minds that they 
are distinct from each other. The former are smaller than the 
latter in all their admeasurements, except in the bill, which is 
rather larger; and the adult males are more richly coloured, 
both in the green of the body and the red on the wing, which, 
moreover, has a crimson hue, and is not so extensive as in 
of erythropterus ; in all other respects the colourmg of the 
two species is very similar. 

I propose for this new species the trivial name of Crimson- 
winged Lory, and the scientific one of Péistes coccineopterus. — 

The female so nearly resembles the same sex of P. erythrop- 
terus and the extra Australian species P. vudneratus that it is 
difficult to distinguish them. I may add that of the last- 
mentioned bird I have not yet seen a male with red shoulders, 
and if this conspicuous mark never occurs, the two sexes are 
alike in colour. 

Total a of the adult ak 12 inches; bill $; wing 73; 
tail 53; tarsi $ 

Splendid adult examples of the three species above 1 men- 
tioned are contained in the national collection. 7 


BIRDS. OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus PLATYCERCUS, Vigors. 


All the members of this very well defined genus’are 
extremely ornamental; they have very ample tails, and the 
power of displaying them in a manner to show off the 
beautiful colours with which this organ is adorned. The 
species are very widely spread, for they are found from 
Tasmania in the south to Port Essington in the north. 
None of them, I believe, have an os furcatorium, the absence 
of which would seem to have some influence on their flight, 
for they seldom employ their wings further than as a means 
of transport from places where they obtain an abundant 
supply of the grass-seeds upon which they mainly subsist, to 
the nearest trees of the neighbouring forest; very unlike, 
indeed, is their flight to that of Piistes, which passes high in 
‘the air from one part of the country to another. 

Bonaparte, who has subdivided the Platycerci still farther 
than I have done here, places the three species with stouter 
bills and less ample tails (P. darnardi, P. semitorquatus, and 
P. zonarius) in a genus by themselves, under the name of 
Barnardius ; but as I conceive such terms objectionable when 
employed generically, and the differences alluded to unimpor- 
tant, I think I shall be excused for not separating these birds 
from Platycercus. 


Sp. 412. PLATYCERCUS BARNARDI. 


BARNARD’S PARRAKEET. 


Barnard’s Parrot, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. ii. p. 121. 
Platycercus barnardi, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 283. 
Barnardius typicus, Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool., 1854, p. 1538. 


Platycercus barnardii, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 21. 


To see Barnard’s Parrakeet in perfection, and to observe 
its rich plumage in all its glory, the native country of the 
bird must be visited, its brooks and streamlets traced ; for it 


INSESSORES. 4] 


is principally on the banks of the latter, either among the 
“high-flooded gums” or the larger shrub-like trees along the 
edges of the water that this beautiful species is seen, and 
where the brilliant hues of its expanded wings and tail show 
very conspicuously as it passes from tree to tree amidst the 
dark masses of foliage. 

The range of Barnard’s Parrakeet extends throughout the 
interior from South Australia to New South Wales, but it 
seldom appears within the boundary of the latter colony; I 
never met with it nearer than the Liverpool Plains, from 
which northwards towards the interior its numbers increased, 
and it doubtless inhabits the banks of the Darling and all 
other rivers which disembogue into Lake Alexandrina; and in 
confirmation of this opinion I may state that I found it abund- 
ant in the Great Murray scrub of South Australia. It is ge- 
nerally met with in small companies of from five to ten in 
number, sometimes on the ground among the tall grasses, at 
others among the high trees, particularly the Hucalypti. 

The sexes differ but little in colour; the males are, how-~- 
ever, at all times the largest and finest in plumage. 

I did not succeed in obtaining the eggs of this species, 
although it was breeding in all the large trees of the different 
parts of the country I visited. 

Forehead red; crown, cheeks, chest, abdomen, central 
portion of wing, and rump verditer-green; occiput crossed 
by a band of brown, succeeded by a crescent-shaped mark of 
yellow ; back bluish grey ; centre of the abdomen crossed by 
a broad crescent of orange; primaries and spurious wing 
black; the external margin of each feather and the tip of 
the shoulder rich deep blue; two central tail-feathers deép 
green, passing into deep blue at the tip; the lateral feathers 
deep blue at the base, gradually fading into bluish white at 
the tip; bill horn colour; feet brown. 


42 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Sp. 413. PLATYCERCUS SEMITORQUATUS, 


YELLOW-COLLARED PARRAKEET. 


Psittacus semitorquatus, Quoy et Gaim. Voy. de]’Astrol. Zool., pl. 
Barnardius semitorquatus, Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1854, p. 153. 
Dow-arn, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Australia. 
Duin-ul-uk, Aborigines of the mountain districts of Western Australia. 
Twenty-eight Parrakeet, Colonists of Swan River. 


Platycercus semitorquatus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. 
pl. 19. 


This noble Parrakeet is abundantly dispersed over the 
greater portion of Western Australia, where it inhabits almost 
every variety of situation, sometimes searching for food upon 
the ground, and at others on the trees; its chief food being 
either grass-seeds or the hard-stoned fruits and seeds peculiar 
to the trees of the country in which it lives. It is equally as 
abundant at King George’s Sound as it is at Swan River; I 
have not been so fortunate as to obtain any precise information 
as to the extent of its range over the continent, the only parts 
of the country from which I have received specimens being the 
two localities mentioned above. 

While on the wing its motions are rapid, and it often utters 
a note, which from its resemblance to those words has pro- 
cured for it the appellation of “twenty-eight ” Parrakeet from 
the colonists ; the last word or note being sometimes repeated 
five or six times in succession. 

The Platycercus semitorquatus begins breeding in the latter 
part of September or beginning of October, and deposits its 
eggs in a hole in either a gum- or mahogany-tree, on the soft 


black dust collected at the bottom; they are from seven to 
nine in number and of a pure white. In most instances these 


eggs have a pinky blush before being blown. 
This is the largest species of ground Parrakeet that has yet 
been discovered in Australia. 


INSESSORES. 43 


The sexes may be distinguished by the smaller size of the 
female, and by her markings being much less distinct. 

Forehead crossed by a narrow band of crimson ; head 
blackish brown, passing into blue on the cheeks ; back of the 
neck encircled by a band of bright yellow; back and upper 
surface generally deep grass-green, passing into pale green on 
the shoulders ; primaries and spurious wing blackish brown, 
the external webs of each feather deep blue; two central tail 
feathers deep grass-green, the next on each side the same, 
passing into blue and ending in bluish white at the tip; the 
lateral feathers green at the base passing into blue, which gra- 
dually fades into bluish white at the tip; chest green ; under 
surface light green; irides dark brown; bill light horn- 
colour, becoming of a lead-colour on the front of the upper 
mandible; legs and feet dark brown. 


Sp. 414. PLATYCERCUS ZONARIUS. 


BANDED PARRAKEET, 


Psittacus zonarius, Shaw’s Nat. Misc., pl. 657. 

viridis, Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. vii. p. 465. 

baueri, Temm. in Linn. Trans., vol. xiii. p. 118. 

cyanomelas, Kuhl, Consp. Psitt. in Nov. Act., vol. x. p. 53. 
Bauer’s Parrot, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. u. p. 120. 

Platycercus baueri, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 283. 
zonarius, Wagl. Mon. Psitt. in Abhand., p. 538. 

Nanodes? zonarius, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xiv. p. 119. 
Conurus ceruleo-barbatus, Bourj. St.-Hil. Perr., tab. 40. 

Barnardius zonarius, Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1854, p. 153. 


Platycercus baueri, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 85. | 


Although this bird is very nearly allied to the Platycercus 
semitorquatus, it possesses several characters by which it may 
be distinguished from that species; in the first place it is 
much less in size, and in the next it has a brighter and more — 
contrasted style of plumage, the green of the under surface of 
which is relieved by a gorgeous band of bright yellow across 


44, BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


the abdomen; the rich band of scarlet which ornaments the 
front of the P. semitorquatus is also wanting im the present 
bird, or if not entirely, the slightest indication of it and that 
only in the finest old males is to be seen. The only portion 
of Australia from which I have received specimens of this bird 
is Port Lincoln. The sexes present a similar contrast in the 
lesser size and less brilliant style of colouring of the female. 

Head and upper part of the neck black, the cheek-feathers 
tipped with deep blue; at the back of the neck a broad 
crescent of bright yellow ; chest, back, and wings dark green, 
passing into verditer-green on the outer webs of the wing- 
coverts ; rump and upper tail-coverts grass-green ; two centre 
tail-feathers deep green, the next on each side deep green, 
tipped with bluish white, the remainder deep green at the 
base, passing into bluish white, the blue on the outer margins 
of the feathers being of lazuline hue ; centre of the abdomen 
deep gamboge-yellow ; remainder of the under surface yellow- 
ish grass-green ; primaries, secondaries, and spurious wing- 
coverts black, with the base of their external webs rich deep 
blue ; bill horn-colour ; feet dark brown. 


Sp. 415. PLATYCERGUS PENNANTII. 
Prannant’s PARRAKEET. 


Psittacus pennantii, Lath. Ind. Orn., vol. 1. p. 90. 

gloriosus, Shaw. Nat. Mise., pl. 53. 

splendidus, Shaw, Mus. Lev., pl. 7. p. 27. 
Perruche & large queue, Levaill. Hist. Nat. des Perr., pls. 78, 79. 
Pennantian Parrot, Lath. Gen. Syn., Supp. vol. i. p. 61; vol. 1. p. 88. 
Psittacus elegans, Gmel. Edit. Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 318 
Platycercus pennantii, Vig. and Horsf.in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 280. 
Dulang and Julang, Aborigines of New South Wales. 


Platycercus pennantii, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 23, 
This beautiful bird is very generally dispersed over New 


INSESSORES. A5 


South Wales, where it frequents grassy hills and brushes, 
particularly those of the Liverpool range and all similar 
districts: it also inhabits Kangaroo Island, but I never met 
with it in the belts of the Murray, or in any of the forests 
round Adelaide, in which part of the country the Platy- 
cercus adelaidensis occurs abundantly. Its food consists 
of berries and the seeds of various grasses, to which insects 
and caterpillars are occasionally added, and to obtain which it 
descends to the bases of the hills and to open glades in the 
forests; I have often flushed it from such situations; and 
when six or eight rose together with outspread tails of beau- 
tiful pale blue, offering a decided contrast to the rich scarlet 
livery of the body, I never failed to pause and admire the 
splendour of their appearance, of which no description can 
give an adequate idea; the Platycerci must, in fact, be seen in 
their native wilds before their beautiful appearance can be 
appreciated, or the interesting nature of their habits at all 
understood. 

Like the other members of the genus, the Platycercus 
pennantit runs rapidly over the ground, but its flight is 
not enduring. In disposition it is tame and destitute of 
distrust, and as a pet for the aviary or cage few birds can 
exceed it in interest or beauty ; consequently it is one of the 
commonest of the living Parrakeets sent from Australia to 
this country. 

It breeds in the holes of the large gum-trees, generally 
selecting those on the hill-sides within the brushes ; of which 
situations, the cedar brushes of the Liverpool range appear 
to be a favourite. The months of September, October, and 
November constitute the breeding-season. ‘The eggs, which 
are white, about an inch and two lines long, eleven and a half 
lines broad, and from four to seven in number, are deposited 
on the rotten wood at the bottom of the hole. 

The colouring of the sexes when fully adult is alike, but 
much variation exists between youth and maturity; during 


AB BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


the first autumn the young birds are clothed in a plumage 
of a nearly uniform green; to this succeeds a parti-coloured 
livery of scarlet, blue, and green, which colouring is con- 
tially changing until the full plumage of maturity is as- 
sumed ; and hence has arisen no little confusion respecting 
this species in the writings of the older ornithologists, and it 
is not to be wondered at that its synonyms are so numerous. 
The adult male has the head, neck, all the under surface, 
the rump, and upper tail-coverts rich deep crimson-red; the 
feathers of the back and scapularies black, broadly margined 
with rich crimson-red; the cheeks and shoulders ccerulean 
blue; the greater wing-coverts pale blue; the primaries and 
secondaries black, with the basal half of their external webs 
margined with deep blue; the two centre tail-feathers green, 
passing into blue on their margins and at the tip; the 
remainder black on the inner webs for three-fourths of their 
length; deep blue for nearly the same length on their outer 
webs, and largely tipped on both webs with pale blue, which 
becomes still paler to the tips of the feathers; bill horn- 
colour; wides very dark brown; feet blackish brown. 


Sp. 416. PLATYCERCUS ADELAIDENSIS, Gould. 
ADELAIDE PARRAKEBRT, 


Platycercus adelaidie, Gould in Proe. of Zool. Soc., part viii. p. 161. 
Pheasant Parrot, Colonists of South Australia. 


Platycercus adelaidie, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 22. 


This beautiful Platycercus is a native of South Australia, 
and from the circumstance of my having procured some of my 
finest specimens in the very streets of the city of Adelaide, 
I have been induced to give it the specific name of ade- 
laidensis. In all probability the bird may in a few years be 
looked for in vain even in the suburbs of this rapidly increas- 
ing settlement, as it 1s too large a species and possesses too 
many attractions to remain unmolested; indeed it was much 


INSESSORES. AT 


persecuted and destroyed by the newly-arrived emigrants at 
the time I paid this distant land a visit. 

The Platycercus adelaidensis at first caused me consider- 
able perplexity from its close similarity in some stages of its 
plumage to the P. pennantii; as in that species, the plumage 
of the young for the first season is wholly green, which colour- 
ing gradually gives place to pale orange-red on the head, ramp 
and upper surface, the scapularies and back feathers being 
margined with the same, but which soon disappears and gives 
place to dull yellow on the flanks and olive-yellow on. the 
upper surface, the scapularies and back feathers in the mature 
dress being edged with yellowish buff and violet. It was only 
by killing numerous examples in all their various stages of 
plumage, from the nestling to the adult, that I was enabled to 
_ determine the fact of its being a distinct species. 

When I visited the interior of South Australia, in the win- 
ter of 1838, I found the adults associated in small groups of 
from six to twenty in number; while near the coast, between 
-Holdfast Bay and the Port of Adelaide, the young in the 
green dress were assembled in flocks of hundreds ; they were 
generally on the ground in search of grass-seeds, and when so 
occupied would admit of a near approach: when flushed they 
merely flew up to the branches of the nearest tree. It is 
impossible to conceive anything more beautiful than the rising 
of a flock of newly moulted adults of this species, for their 
beautiful broad blue tails and wings glittering in the sun pre- 
sent a really magnificent spectacle. 

The fully adult male has the crown of the head, lores, sides 
of the neck, breast, and centre of the abdomen scarlet, passing 
into dull yellow on the flanks; cheeks and wing-coverts light 
lazuline blue; primaries deep blue, passing into black at the 
extremity; back of the neck dull yellow; back black, each 
feather margined with yellowish buff, some of the margina- 
tions tinged with blue, others with scarlet; rump and upper 
tail-coverts dull greenish yellow, the latter sometimes tinged 


A8 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


with scarlet ; two centre tail-feathers greenish blue; the re- 
mainder deep blue at the base, gradually becoming lighter 
until almost white at the tip; irides brown; bill horn-colour ; 
feet greyish brown. 

Total length 134 inches ; wing 7; tail 8 ; tarsi 2. 


Sp.417. PLATYCERCUS FLAVIVENTRIS. 
YELLOW-BELLIED PARRAKEET. 


Psittacus flaviventris, Temm. in Linn. Trans., vol. xiii. pp. 116-118. 
brownii, Kuhl, Nova Acta etc., vol. x. p. 56, no. 90. 
Perruche & large queue, Le Vaill. Hist. Nat. des Perr., pl. 80. 
Van Diemen’s Parrot, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. ii. p. 130, no. 33. 
Platycercus flaviventris, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 281. 
caledonicus, p., Wagl. Mon. Psitt., p. 532. 
xanthogaster, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xiv. p. 120. 
Green Parrot, Colonists of Tasmania. 


Platycercus flaviventris, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. 
pl. 24. 

The Yellow-bellied Parrakeet is dispersed over all parts of 
Tasmania and the islands in Bass’s Straits; but is not con- 
fined to particular localities like the Platycercus eximius, with 
which it sometimes associates. It frequents every variety of 
situation, from the low-crowned hills and gullies in the depths 
of the forest to the open cleared lands and gardens of the set- 
tlers. It runs over the ground with great facility, and when 
observed in small flocks searching for seeds among the tall 
grass, few birds are seen to greater advantage. ! 

I found this species very abundant on the banks of the 
Tamar, and in one instance I saw hundreds congregated at a 
barn-door among the straw of some recently thrashed corn, 


precisely after the manner of Pigeons and Sparrows in Eng- 
land. 

The sexes during the first year are not to be distinguished 
from each other ; but when fully adult, the female is smaller in 
size and less brilliantly coloured than the male. 


INSESSORES. 49 


Besides grass-seeds, the flowers of the Lucalypti with insects 
and their larvee constitute a considerable portion of its food, 
and it may be often seen very busily engaged about the 
branches loaded with flowers in the depths of the forest far 
away from any cleared lands. 

If we take into consideration the kind of food upon which 
this bird subsists, we might naturally conclude that its flesh 
would be delicate, tender, and well-flavoured. When I visited 
Tasmania it was commonly eaten by the settlers, and it was 
not long after my arrival before J tested its goodness, when I 
found it so excellent that I partook of it whenever an oppor- 
tunity for so doing presented itself. _ 

Holes in the large gum-trees afford this species a natural 
breeding-place. The eggs, which are laid in September and 
the three following months, are of a pure white colour, and 
six or eight in number, one inch and two lines long by 
eleven and a half lines broad. When the young are first 
hatched they are covered with long, white down, and. present 
an appearance not very dissimilar to that of a round ball of 
white cotton wool. 

Forehead crimson; crown of the head and back of the 
neck pale yellow, each feather very slightly margined with 
brown; space under the eye dull crimson; cheeks blue ; 
back and shoulders dark olive-black, each feather edged with 
green ; middle of the wings blue; the basal half of the pri- 
maries blue on their external edges, the remainder blackish 
brown; rump and two middle tail-feathers green, the remain- 
der of the tail-feathers dark blue at the base, lighter towards 
the tip; under surface of the body yellow; bill flesh-colour ; 
feet greyish brown. 

The adults of both sexes are very similar, but a consider- | 
able difference exists in birds of different ages, the young of 
the year being greenish olive with a slight tinge of blue on the 
cheeks, wings, and outer tail-feathers, and a faint indication 
of the red mark on the forehead. As they advance in age 

VOL. II. E 


50 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


they gradually assume the plumage of the adult, which is not 
fully accomplished until the second or third year. 


Sp. 418. PLATYCERCUS FLAVEOLUS, Gould. 


YELLOW-RUMPED PARRAKEET. 
Platycercus flaveolus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part V. p. 26. 


Platycercus flaveolus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol. vol. v. pl. 25. 


I have no other information to communicate respecting this 
beautiful Platycercus, than that it is an inhabitant of New 
South Wales, and is abundant on the banks of the rivers 
Lachlan and Darling. It was first sent to this country by 
Captain Sturt. I also saw in the Museum at Sydney several 
specimens which had been collected by Sir Thomas Mitchell 
during his expeditions to the interior. In all these specimens 
little or no variation in their plumage was observable—a 
circumstance which induces me to suspect that, ike the Rose- 
hill Parrakeet, the young are clothed in a similar character 
of plumage to that of the adults, or if not, that they gain the 
full colouring at a very early age: the sexes offer no external 
differences. 

Forehead crimson ; cheeks light blue; crown of the head, 
back of the neck, back, rump, upper tail-coverts, and all the 
under surface pale yellow, the feathers of the back bemg black 
in the centre and pale yellow on their outer edges ; middle of 
the wing pale blue; spuricus wing and the outer web of the 
basal portion of the primaries deep violet-blue, the remainder 
of the primaries dark brown; two central tail-feathers tinted 
with green at the base, passing into blue towards the tip ; the 
remaining feathers have the basal portion of their outer webs 
deep blue, passing into very pale blue towards their tips; the 
inner webs brown for a greater or less portion of their length, 
the extreme tips of all being white; bill light horn-colour ; 
feet dark brown. 

Total length 184 inches; wing 7; tail 73; tarsi 2. 


INSESSORES. oe 


Sp. 419. PLATYCERCUS PALLICEPS, Vig. 
PALE-HEADED PARRAKEET. 


Platycercus palliceps, Vig. in Lear’s Ill. Psitt., pl. 19. 
Moreton Bay Rose-hill, Colonists of New South Wales. 


Platycercus palliceps, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 26. 


This elegant species of Platycercus is a native of the eastern 
portions of Australia, and is tolerably numerous at Moreton 
Bay, where all the specimens I have seen were procured. It is 
known in Sydney by the name of Moreton Bay Rose-hill, an 
appellation bestowed on it from its near alliance to the Platy- 
cercus eximius. The specific name of palliceps has been ap- 
plied to this bird from the light colouring of the head, which 
amounts in some specimens to a total absence of colour: 
this, however, I think, may be attributed to the effects of ex- 
posure to light, since, in recently moulted birds, there is always 
a delicate tinge of yellow pervading the crown; the pale blue 
of the cheeks also appears to be affected by the same cause, 
though not to so great an extent. 

It bears confinement remarkably well, and is very docile 
and familiar, which, added to its very elegant plumage, ren- 
ders it a general favourite. 

The sexes differ in no respect in outward appearance, with 
the exception of a slight superiority of size in the male. 

Crown of the head either wholly white or pale gamboge- 
yellow; in some specimens also there is a fine line of 
scarlet. crossing the forehead, and the lower part of the 
cheeks is deep blue; feathers of the nape, back, and scapu- 
laries black, broadly margined with gamboge-yellow ; rump 
1M some instances greenish blue, in others this part is strongly 
tinged with gamboge-yellow; primaries and secondaries 
blackish brown, with the base of their external webs deep 
blue; greater and lesser wing-coverts, and the shoulders, 
both above and below, beautiful blue; that part of the wing 

E2 


52 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


nearest the body black ; all the under surface verditer-blue, 
with the exception of the under tail-coverts, which are scarlet ; 
two middle tail-feathers greenish blue ; the basal half of the 
remainder being blackish brown on their internal webs, rich 
deep blue on their outer webs, and the terminal half delicate 
pale blue, passing into white at the tip; bill horn-colour ; 
irides blackish brown ; feet dark mealy brown. 


Sp. 420. PLATYCERCUS CYANOGENYS, Gould. 
BLUE-CHEEKED PARRAKEET. 


Platycercus cyanogenys, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xxii. pp. 
165, 166. 


—— amathusia, Bonap. in Cab. Journ. fiir Orn. 1857. 


Platycercus cyanogenys, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., Supple- 
ment, pl. 


The presence of so many of the beautiful Platycerci adds a 
peculiar charm to the country of Australia, and gives to it a 
tropical character at once striking and novel; the emigrant 
must, however, greatly extend his roaming before this bird 
comes under his notice, for it has only as yet been found at 
the distant peninsula of Cape York. It was there that the 
single specimen now in the British Museum was shot by Mr. 
Macgillivray, on the 7th of October 1848. 

The Platycercus cyanogenys is very nearly allied to P. 
palliceps, but differs in the greener tone of the colouring of 
the body, and in the rich blue cheeks, which suggested the 
specific name. 3 

Crown of the head pale sulphur-yellow ; cheeks ccerulean 
blue; feathers of the nape, back, and scapularies black, 
broadly margined with sulphur-yellow, and staimed with 
green on the lower part of the back; rump and upper tail- 
coverts greenish-yellow, with an extremely narrow fringe of 
black at the tip of the feathers; shoulder and greater wing- 
coverts deep blue; lesser coverts black, bordered with deep 


INSESSORES. 33 


blue; primaries and secondaries blackish-brown, the basal 
half of their external webs deep blue, the apical half pale 
blue; tertiaries black, broadly margined with greenish yellow ; 
breast pale greenish yellow; abdomen light greenish blue ; 
all the feathers of the under surface slightly frmged with 
black; under tail-coverts scarlet, narrowly margined with 
yellow; two middle tail-feathers greenish blue; the next on 
each side blue, slightly tipped with pale blue; the remainder 
blackish brown at the base of their internal webs, and deep 
blue externally, their apical portions being beautiful pale 
blue. 


Total length 13 inches; wing 64; tail 7; tarsi 2. 


Sp. 421. PLATYCERCUS VENUSTUS. 


BErAvuTiFuL PARRAKEET. 


Psittacus venustus, Kuhl, Nov. Acta, vol. x. p. 52. 
— brownii, Temm. in Linn. Trans., vol, xu. p. 119. 
Brown’s Parrot, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. 1. p. 139. 
Platycercus brownii, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 282. 
venustus, Kuhl, Mon. Psitt. in Abhand., p. 529. 
Motn-dark, Aborigines of Port Essington. 
Smutty Parrot, Residents at ditto. 


Platycercus brownii, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 31. 


This is a very abundant species on the northern and north- 
western coast of Australia, where it inhabits grassy meadow- 
like land and the edges of swamps, and mostly feeds upon 
the seeds of grasses and other plants, sometimes it is seen 
in pairs, but more frequently in families of from ten to 
twenty in number. It frequently utters a rapid succession 
of double notes resembling ‘ ¢rin-se trin-se.’ Its flight is low, 
somewhat rapid and zigzag, seldom farther prolonged than 
from tree to tree. Specimens of this bird, given me by my 
friends Sir George Grey and Mr. Bynoe, from the north-west 
coast, differ somewhat in plumage from those killed on the 


5A BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Cobourg Peninsula; the concentric bands on the breast are 
much finer, the extreme margins only of the feathers being 
black ; I have one specimen also with the whole of the crown 
of the head of a deep blood-red, and others with more or less 
of this colour. That this kind of plumage is unusual is 
proved by the fact of numerous specimens from Port Essington 
not exhibiting it, and had I not seen others from the north- 
west with black crowns (with the exception of the band across 
the forehead), I should have regarded as specific what I now 
look upon as a mere local variety, or possibly a very old bird. 

Crown of the head, lores, and ear-coverts deep black ; 
cheeks snow-white, bounded below with blue; breast and 
rump pale yellow, each feather slightly fringed with black ; 
feathers of the back deep black, with a broad margin of pale 
yellow ; wing-coverts, outer webs of the secondaries, and base 
of the primaries rich blue, inner webs of the primaries and 
secondaries deep black; under tail-coverts scarlet; centre 
tail-feathers green at the base, passing into blue on the 
margins and at the tip; lateral feathers deep blue at the 
base of the outer webs, brown at the base of the inner webs, 
and then pale blue, terminating in white, with black shafts ; 
iides blackish brown; bill light horn-colour, passing into 
blue at the base; legs and feet blackish brown. 

Young birds are similar in colour, but have all the markings 
dull and indistinct ; as the individual approaches to maturity 
the breast becomes ornamented with a number of crescent- 
shaped markings of black and pale yellow, and as the bird 
advances in age the yellow increases in extent and the black 


nearly disappears. 
Hitherto this bird has been known to ornithologists as the 


the Platycercus browni, a specific appellation applied to it in 
honour of the celebrated botanist ; but which, I regret to say, 
must give place to the prior one of venustus. 


INSESSORES. 55 


Sp. 422. PLATYCERCUS EXIMIUS, Vig. and Horsf. 
RoseE-HILL PARRAKEET. 


Psittacus eximius, Shaw, Nat. Misc., pl. 96. 

Perruche omnicolore, Le Vaill., Hist. Nat. des Perr., p. 29, pl. 28. 
Nonpareil Parrot, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. i. p. 188, No. 41. 
Platycercus eximius, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 281. 
ignitus, Leadb. in Proc. of Zool., part v. p. 8, abnormal colouring. 
Psittacus capitatus, Shaw, Gen. Zool., vol. vill. p. 466. 

Rose-hill Parrakeet, Colonists of New South Wales. 


Platycercus eximius, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 27. 


Although the Rose-hill Parrakeet is one of the commonest 
birds of New South Wales and Tasmania, it is very local, a 
river frequently constituting the boundary of its habitat, over 
which it so rarely passes, that I never saw the bird on the 
south side of the Derwent; while in the forests of the opposite 
shore, not more than a quarter or half a mile distant, it was 
very numerous. I believe it is never seen in the forests cloth- 
ing the borders of D’Entrecasteaux’ Channel on the south, 
or of the River Tamar on the north of the island, those dis- 
tricts beg inhabited by the Platycercus flaviventris, whose 
greater size and olive-green plumage are In beautiful accor- 
dance with those vast and but little explored forests of ever- 
green Hucalypti. The Platycercus eximius resorts to the open 
parts of the country, undulating grassy hills and plains bor- 
dered and studded here and there with large trees or belts 
of low acacias or banksias, among the branches of which, 
particularly those of the acacias, this beautiful bird may be 
seen in small companies, the rich scarlet and yellow of their 
breasts vieing with the lovely blossoms of the trees ; in a word, 
districts of a sandy nature, small plains, open spots among the 
hills, and thinly timbered country where grass abounds, con- 
stitute the peculiar and natural habitat of this bird. Like the 
Sparrow in England, this beautiful Parrakeet may constantly 
be seen resorting to the public roads, and upon being dis- 


56 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


turbed by the passer-by will merely fly off to the nearest tree, 
or to the rails of the wayside fences. Scenes like these fill the 
mind with sensations of no ordinary description, and excite 
the greatest astonishment in those who have recently arrived 
in the country; the novelty, however, soon wears off, and 
a caged lark, linnet, or blackbird from the land of their birth 
are highly cherished and valued, while the beautiful produc- 
tions of the island are passed by unheeded, except to deal out 
destruction among them, with no sparmg hand, for some 
slight injury they may have inflicted upon the rising corn. 
The above remarks refer more particularly to Tasmania, but 
apply with equal force to New South Wales, where the bird 
inhabits all situations similar in character to those above re- 
ferred to. It is found in great numbers in the district of 
the Upper Hunter, and was formerly very numerous at Para- 
matta, particularly in the neighbourhood of Rose Hill, whence 
its name. It breeds abundantly both in Tasmania and New 
South Wales, during October and the three following months, 
and lays from seven to ten beautiful white eggs, one inch and 
an eighth long by seven-eighths of an inch broad, in the 
hollow of a gum-tree. 

The natural food of this bird consists of seeds of various 
kinds, particularly those of different grasses, and occasionally 
of insects and caterpillars. 

Its flight is short and undulating, and is rarely extended to 
a greater distance than a quarter of a mile, as the bird fre- 
quently alights on a leafless branch, always flying a little 
below it and rising again just before it settles. 

Its note is a somewhat —— — sound, which is 
very frequently uttered. fa Pos | | 
| ‘The sexes are alike in plumage, anid the young assume the 

bright colouring from the nest ; the birds of the year, although 
they may have attained their full size, are not so brilliant as the 
adult, and may always be distinguished by the bill and nos- 
trils being of a delicate gamboge-yellow. 


7 


Or 


INSESSORES. 


Crown of the head, back of the neck, chest, and under tail- 
coverts scarlet; cheeks white; feathers of the back black, 
margined all round with rich yellow ; rump, upper tail-coverts, 
and lower part of the belly pale green; centre of the belly 
yellow; shoulders and middle of the wing rich blue ; exter- 
nal edges of the primaries blue, the remainder of these 
feathers dark brown; two middle tail-feathers green, passing 
into bluish green at the tip, the remainder of the tail-feathers 
dark blue at the base, passing into light blue, and tipped 
with white ; bill horn-colour ; feet brown ; irides brown. 

Specimens from Tasmania are rather larger in size, and 
have the markings of the upper surface of a greener 
yellow, and altogether less brilliant than those from New - 
South Wales. 3 


Sp. 423. PLATYCERCUS SPLENDIDUS, Gould. 
| SPLENDID PARRAKEET. 
Platycercus splendidus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part XIII. p. 105. 


Platycercus splendidus, Gould,Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 28. 


The lovely species here described was killed by Gilbert 
in the newly-located district to the northward of the Darling 
Downs in New South Wales. In beauty it even exceeds 
the common Rose-hill Parrakeet, and is consequently one of 
the finest species of the genus yet discovered. It differs 
from that bird in having the centre of the breast, only, of 
a-rich scarlet, the sides being gamboge-yellow ; in the lower 
part of the abdomen and the upper tail-coverts being verditer 
instead of grass-green, and in the feathers of the back being 
broadly margined with rich gamboge instead of greenish yellow. 
Th the youthful state it very much resembles the P. palliceps, 
from which however it differs in having the head yellow in- 
stead of pale yellowish white, and the breast yellow instead 
of pale blue ; the breast also has indications of the rich scarlet 


58 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


of maturity, of which colour no trace is at any time perceptible 
in the P. palliceps. 

Head, sides of the neck and centre of the breast scarlet ; 
cheeks white, faintly tinged with blue; feathers of the back 
and scapularies black, broadly margined with gamboge-yellow ; 
lower part of the back and upper tail-coverts pale green ; on 
the shoulder a patch of black; wing-coverts pale blue; pri- 
maries black with the exception of the basal portion of the 
external web, which is rich deep blue; two central tail-feathers 
dark green at the base, passing into deep blue on the apical 
half of the external web and tipped with black; the next on 
each side is black on the internal web, green at the base of 
the external web, blue for the remainder of its length, and 
slightly tipped with white ; the remainder of the tail-feathers 
are deep blue at the base of the external, and black at the base 
of the internal web, the remaining portion of both webs being 
pale delicate blue, passing into white at the tip; sides of the 
breast and the abdomen bright gamboge-yellow; vent pale 
green in some, in others pale bluish green ; under tail-coverts 
scarlet; irides dark brown; bill horn-colour; feet mealy brown. 

Total length 12 inches; bill; wings 6; tail 7; tarsi 3. 


Sp. 424. PLATYCERCUS ICTEROTIS, Wagi. 


YELLOW-CHEEKED PARRAKEET. 


Psittacus icterotis, Temm. in Linn. Trans., vol. xiii. p. 120. 
Platycercus stanleyti, Vig. m Zool. Journ., vol. v. p. 278. 
—— icterotis, Wagl. Mon. Psitt. in Abhand. p. 530. 
icterodes, Bourj. St.-Hil. Supp. to Le Vaill. Hist. Nat. des Perr., 
pl. 30. 
Govtd-un-gostd-un, Aborigines of the lowland, and 
Moy-a-duk, Aborigines of the mountain districts of Western Australia. 
Rose-hill of the Colonists of Swan River. 


Platycercus icterotis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 29. 


From the little that is known of the history of this species 


INSESSORES. {7 


it would appear that its range is very limited, the colony of 
Swan River in Western Australia being the only locality in 
which it has yet been scen ina state of nature ; there, how- 
ever, it is one of the most common birds of the country, and, 
except in the breeding-season, may always be seen in large 
flocks, which approach so near to the houses of the settlers as 
frequently to visit their gardens. It generally feeds on the 
ground, on the seeds of various kinds of grasses, and not un- 
frequently attacks ripe fruit of the garden, especially if it be 
left unprotected. ; 

Like most other members of the genus, the Platycercus ; 
icterotis does not differ in the colouring of the sexes of the 
same age. During the first year they are green, which gra- : 
dually gives place to the fine colouring of maturity. q 

Its flight is of short duration, and consists of a series of 
rather rapid undulating sweeps. 

Its note is a feeble, piping kind of whistle, which is occa- 
sionally so much varied and lengthened as almost to assume 
the character of a song. 

The eggs, which are white and six or seven in number, are 
eleven lines long and nine and a half lines broad; they are 
deposited in the holes of large trees without any nest. 

Crown of the head and back of the neck, chest, and all the 
under surface scarlet; cheeks and thighs yellow ; feathers of 
the back black, bordered with green, yellow, and in some 
instances scarlet; rump and upper tail-coverts yellowish 
green ; shoulders and outer edges of the primaries blue, the 
inner webs and tips of the latter blackish brown; two middle 
tail-feathers green ; the remaining feathers light blue tipped 
with white, with the basal portion of a darker blue tinged 
with green; bill light horn-colour ; feet and legs dull ashy 
brow ; irides blackish brown. 

The young birds of both sexes are nearly of a uniform — 
green, becoming parti-coloured as they advance in age; the 
scarlet of the crown and abdomen and the yellow of the 


60 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


cheeks gradually taking the place of the green colouring of 
youth. 


Genus PURPUREICEPHALUS, Bonaparte. 


Only one species of this form is at present known—the Pur- 
pureicephalus pileatus, which differs so much in the colouring 
of its plumage from every other species of the great family of 
Parrots, as to render it one of the most remarkable yet dis- 
covered; in the form and structure of the bill it deviates 
from the true Platycerci, and it will probably be found that 
its habits are peculiar. 


Sp. 425. PURPUREICEPHALUS PILEATUS. 


Rep-cAPpPpeD PARRAKEBRT. 


Platycercus pileatus, Vig. in Zool. Journ., vol. v. p. 274. 

Psittacus purpureocephalus, Quoy et Gaim. Voy. de Astrolabe, pl. 22. 

Conurus purpureocephalus, Bour}. de St.-Hil. Perr. tab. 39. 

Purpureicephalus pileatus, Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1854, p. 153. 

Platycercus rufifrons, Less. Traité d’Orn., p. 208? 

Pezoporus rufifrons, Bourj. de St.-Hil. Perr., tab. 9? 

Djat'-rail-bur-tong, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western 
Australia. 

Blue Parrot of the Colonists. 


Platycercus pileatus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 32. 


The Red-capped Parrakeet is an inhabitant of Western 
Australia, where it is rather numerously dispersed over the 
country from King George’s Sound to the northern limits of 
the colony. I have also received specimens from the neigh- 
bourhood of Port Essington. It is usually seen in small families 
feeding on the ground, but upon what kind of food it subsists 
has not been ascertained. The breeding-season extends over 
the months of October, November, and December. The hol- 
low dead branch of a gum- or mahogany-tree is the place 
usually chosen by the female for the reception of her eggs, 


INSESSORES. 61 


which are milk-white and from seven to nine in number, about 
an inch and an eighth long by seven-cighths of an inch broad. 

The flight of this species, although swift, is not of long du- 
ration, nor is it characterised by those undulating sweeps com- 
mon to the members of the genus Platycercus. Its voice is a 
sharp clucking note several times repeated, in which respect it 
also offers a marked difference from those birds. 

Forehead, crown and nape deep maroon red; cheeks 
yellowish green, becoming more yellow on the sides of the 
neck ; back, scapularies and greater wing-coverts deep green; 
rump jonquil-yellow; edge of the shoulder, spurious wing 
and base of the outer webs of the primaries rich deep blue ; 
remainder of the primaries and the secondaries deep black ; 
breast and abdomen blue; vent and under tail-coverts scar- 
let: two centre tail-feathers yellowish green, deepening into 
black at the tip and crossed by indistinct bars of a darker 
tint; lateral feathers green at their base, passing into black 
on their inner webs, and into pale blue on the outer, both 
webs becoming blue towards the extremity of the feather, and 
fading into white at the tip; irides dark brown; bill horn- 
colour ; legs and feet dull brown. 


The females are never so finely marked as the males, neither 


are they so large or so gracefully formed. 

The young during the first year of their existence are of 
nearly uniform green; at the same time, the hues which cha- 
racterize the adult are perceptible at almost any age. 


Genus PSEPHOTUS, Gould. 


All the members of this genus are confined to Australia, 
and hold an intermediate station between the Platycerca and 
the Eupheme. ‘They pass much of their time on the ground, 
where the principal part of their food is procured, inhabit the 
interior rather than the country near the coast, and are adapted 
for the open plains, where they often assemble in vast flocks. 


se, 


aemeorracn 


62 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Sp. 426. PSEPHOTUS HASMATORRHOUS. 
RED-vENTED PARRAKEET. 


Psephotus hematogaster, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 33. 
hematorrhous, Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool., 1854, p. 154. 
Platycercus hematogaster, G. R. Gray, List of Spee. of Birds in Coll. 

Brit. Mus., part iii. sec. ii. p. 7. ~ 
Blue bonnet of the Colonists of New South Wales. 


Psephotus hematogaster, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. 
pl. 33. 


This species of Parrakeet is an inhabitant of the interior of 
New South Wales, where it frequents the borders of the rivers 
Namoi and Darling; and in all probability its range extends far 
to the northward; but, so far as is yet known, it has never 
been found in Southern or Western Australia; I met with it 
in tolerable abundance in the neighbourhood of the Lower 
Namoi, where it appeared to give a decided preference to 
those parts of the plains which were of a loose mouldy 
character, and with which the colour of its back so closely 
assimilates as to be scarcely distinguished from it. Like the 
other members of the family, it is mostly observed in small 
flocks, feeding upon the seeds of the various grasses abound- 
ing on the plains. It is only when the bird, after a short 
flight, alights on the branches, that the splendid scarlet of the 
abdomen, relieved by the yellow of the sides, is seen to ad- 
vantage ; when thus seen, however, it is a truly beautiful object, 
and is scarcely excelled by any other species of the group. 

I did not ascertain any particulars respecting its nidification, 
but we may easily suppose that it breeds in the districts 
above mentioned, as I met with it there at Christmas—the 
height of the Australian summer. 

The male has the forehead and face ultramarine blue ; 
crown of the head, upper surface, sides of the neck, and the 
chest greyish olive-brown, washed with yellow on the rump 
and upper’ tail-coverts ; lesser wing-coverts mingled verditer- 


INSESSORES. .  6e 


green and blue; greater coverts rich reddish chestnut; basal 
half of the external webs of the primaries and secondaries 
and edge of the wing rich indigo-blue; under surface of the 
shoulder light indigo-blue; inner webs and tips of the pri- 
maries. dark brown; apical half of the external web of the 
primaries fringed with grey; two centre tail-feathers light 
olive-green, passing into deep blue at the tip; the remainder 
deep blue at the base, largely tipped with white, the blue 
gradually blending with the white on the external web; 
upper part of the abdomen and flanks primrose-yellow ; 
centre of the abdomen and under tail-coverts crimson-red ; 
irides dark brown; feet mealy brown; bill horn-colour. 

The female differs in being smaller, and less brilliant in all 
her markings. 


Sp. 427. PSEPHOTUS XANTHORRHOUS, Gould. 


YELLOW-VENTED PARRAKEET. 


Platycercus hematogaster, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part v. p. 89 ; 
Birds of Australia (cancelled), part ui. pl. 7. 

Psephotus xanthorrhous, Gould, Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool,, 1854, 
p. 154. 7 

Platycercus cvanthorrhous, G. R. Gray, List of Spec. of Birds in Coll. 
Brit. Mus., part iil. sec. 1. p. 7. 


In the introduction to the folio edition I remarked that I 
had reason to believe that the specific term Aematogaster had 
been inadvertently applied to two distinct species, both of 
which have the centre of the abdomen red, but differ from 
each other in the colouring of the centre of the wing and of 
the under tail-coverts; a further investigation of the subject 
having convinced me that this is the case, it becomes necessary 
to take some steps for the correction of the error. ,.With this 
view, therefore, I have to state that my description of P. 
hematogaster, published in the ‘ Proceedings of the Zoological 
Society’ above quoted, and the figure, with the same name 
attached, which appeared in the second of the two parts of 


a 


64 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


the ‘Birds of Australia,’ published prior to my visit to that 
country, and cancelled on my return, have reference to the 
present species, which has bright yellow under tail-coverts and 
a lengthened patch of saffron-yellow on the centre of the wing, 
while the P. hematogaster of the folio edition (vol. v. pl. 33) is 
the other species, with red under tail-coverts and a patch of 
red on the wing. The late Prince Charles Bonaparte and my- 
self agreed that it would be well to abolish the term hemato- 
gaster, and call the former bird awanthorrhous and the latter 
hematorrhous, a course which I here adopt, and trust orni- 
thologists will agree in its propriety. 

On reference to my account of P. hematorrhous it will be 
seen that the native habitat of that bird is the interior of New 
South Wales, while the present ranges more to the westward, 
having been found in abundance by Captain Sturt at the 
Depot, and by Mr. White, of Adelaide, at Cooper’s Creek. 
There can be no mistake on this point, for I have specimens 
from both those gentlemen now before me. Captain Sturt’s 
are a little darker on the upper surface than those transmitted 
by Mr. White. 

Forehead and face ultramarine blue; crown of the head, 
upper surface, ear-coverts, and chest delicate yellowish grey, 
the yellow tint becoming deeper on the rump and upper tail- 
coverts; edge of the shoulders, above and beneath, light 
greenish blue; anterior portion of the greater wing-coverts 
and basal portion of the external webs of the primaries and 
secondaries rich deep blue; remainder of the primaries and 
secondaries dark blackish brown with whitish margins, the 
hinder portion of the greater coverts and the tertiaries deep 
saffron-yellow, forming a patch along the centre of the wing; 
flanks and under tail-coverts rich primrose-yellow, with specks 
of red on the tips of some of the latter; centre of the 
abdomen rich scarlet; base of the two central tail-feathers 
light olive-green, tinged with oil-green, merging into dark 
blue at the tips, the remaining feathers deep blue at the base, 


INSESSORES. 65 


gradually passing into white at the tip; bill light horn- 
colour; feet nearly brown. 
Total length 12 inches; wing 5; tail 77; tarsi $. 


Sp. 428. -PSEPHOTUS CHRYSOPTERYGIUS, Gould. 


GOLDEN-SHOULDERED PARRAKEET. 


Psephotus chrysopteryyius, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xxv. 
ee a 


Psephotus chrysopterygius, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., Supple- 
ment, pl. 


One of the greatest pleasures enjoyed by the late celebrated 
botanist Robert Brown, during the last thirty years of his life, 
was now and then to show me the drawing of a Parrakect 
made by one of the brothers Bauer, from a specimen pro- 
cured somewhere on the north coast of Australia, but of 
which no specimen was preserved at the time, and none had 
been sent to England, until several were brought home 
by Mr. Elsey, a year or two prior to Mr. Brown’s death. 
On comparing these with the drawing made at least forty 
years before, no doubt remained on my mind as to its 
having been made from an example of this species. This, 
then, is one of the novelties for which we are indebted to the 
explorations of A. C. Gregory, Esq.; and I trust it may not 
be the last I shall have to characterize through the re- 
Searches of this intrepid traveller. Mr. Elsey, who, as is well 
known, accompanied the expedition to the Victoria River, 
obtained three examples—a male, a female, and a young bird 
—all of which are now in our national collection. In the 
notes accompanying the specimens, Mr. Elsey states that they 
were procured on the 14th of September, 1856, in lat. 18° S. 
and long. 141° 33' H., and that their crops contained some 
monocotyledonous seeds. 

This bird, which is in every respect a true Psephotus, is 


allied both to the P. pulcherrimus and P. multicolor, but differs 
VOL. Il. F 


66 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


from them, among other characters, in the rich yéllow mark 
on the shoulder. 

The male has a band across the forehead, extending above 
the eye to its posterior angle, ofa very pale yellow; on the 
centre of the crown a patch of black ; sides of the head, cheeks, 
neck, throat, upper portion of the abdomen, lower part of the 
back, rump, and upper tail-coverts verditer blue, tinged with 
green on the cheeks and upper tail-coverts; immediately 
below the eye a wash of yellow; back of the neck, back, and 
scapularies light greyish brown, slightly tinted with green ; 
shoulder and lesser wing-coverts fine yellow; primaries and 
secondaries black, margined externally with blue; feathers of 
the lower part of the abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts 
light scarlet, margined with greyish green; two centre tail- 
feathers dark green at the base, passing into deep blue 
towards the extremity, and tipped with dull black; the re- 
maining tail-feathers light green crossed byan irregular oblique 
band of dull bluish black, beyond which they become of a 
paler glaucous green, until they end in white ; but each has a 
dark stain of bluish green on the outer margin near the tip ; 
- ipides brown; bill and nostrils bluish horn-colour ; feet mealy 
orey. 

Total length 11 inches; bill $; wing 47; tail 7; tarsi 3. 

. ‘The female is similar to the male in colour, but all the hues 
_ much paler, and the markings much less strongly defined. 

In the young state the whole of the head, all the upper sur- 
face, wing-coverts, throat, and breast are of a pale glaucous 
ereen ; the rump and upper tail-coverts and the tail similar to 
the same parts in the male, but not so bright ; and the lower 
part of the abdomen is greyish white, with faint stains of 
scarlet. 


INSESSORES. 67 


Sp. 429. PSEPHOTUS PULCHERRIMUS, Gould. 
| BEAUTIFUL PARRAKEET. 


Platycercus pulcherrimus, Gould in Ann. and Mag. of Nat. Hist., 
vol. xv. p. 114. 


Psephotus pulcherrimus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. 
pl. 34. 


. The graceful form of this Parrakeet, combined with the 
ba * ; 

extreme brilliancy of its plumage, renders it one of the most 
lovely of the Psittacide yet discovered; and in whatever light we 
regard it, whether as a beautiful ornament to our cabinets or 
a desirable addition to our aviaries, it is still an object of no 
ordinary interest. . | 

Little more is at present known respecting this bird than 
that it is an inhabitant of the upland grassy plains of Queens- 
land. Specimens were procured by Gilbert on the Darling 
Downs, where it was observed in small families feeding on the 
seeds of grasses and other plants growing on the plains; the 
stomachs of those examined were fully distended with grass 
seeds exclusively. | 

The sexes are much alike in plumage; but the female is | 
less brilliantly coloured and somewhat smaller than the male. \ 

Band across the forehead scarlet, fading around the eyes, — 
lores, and cheeks into pale lemon-yellow, which again gra- 
dually blends with the green of the under surface ; crown 
of the head and nape blackish brown; sides of the neck 
to the shoulders verdigris-green with yellowish reflexions ; 
back greyish brown ; rump and upper tail-coverts verditer- 
blue, the longer coverts with a band of black at their 
extreme tip; primaries and secondaries black, edged with 
bluish green ; shoulders with a spot of rich vermilion ; under 
wing-coverts and edges of the pinions verditer-blue; two 
middle tail-feathers olive brown at the base, gradually passing 
mto greenish blue at the tip with olive reflexions ; the three 

F 2 


68 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


outer feathers on each side with a narrow zigzag band of 
black at about half their length from the base, then greenish 
blue to the tip, the inner webs fading into white near the 
extremity ; throat and chest yellowish emerald-green, each 
feather tipped with verditer-blue ; middle of the breast and the 
sides verditer-blue ; abdomen and under tail-coverts scarlet ; 
irides dark brown; bill horn-colour, becoming blackish grey 
at the base; legs and feet yellowish brown. 

Total length 12 inches; bill>; wing 53; tail7}; tarsi 3. 


Sp. 430. PSEPHOTUS MULTICOLOR. 


VARIED PARRAKEET. 


Psittacus multicolor, Temm. in Linn. Trans., vol. xt. p. 119. 
Varied Parrot, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. ii. p. 182. 
Platycercus multicolor, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 283. 


Psephotus multicolor, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 35. 


The natural home of this bird is the mterior of Australia, 
where it is abundant, particularly on the plains bordering the 
Lachlan, the Upper Murray and the Darling. It is a true 
Psephotus, and is closely allied to P. Lematonotus, but differs 
from that and the other species of the genus in the bands of 
colour which ornament the head, wings and rump; it is a 
species I did not meet with myself, and of which no informa- 
tion has been given by those travellers who have visited its 
habitat. 

Much variation is found to exist in the colouring of this 
bird; some individuals having the band across the wing- 
coverts bright yellow, while in others the same part is tinged 
with red. 

The adult male has the forehead and shoulders sulphur- 
yellow ; under tail-coverts citron-yellow ; rump crossed by 
three distinct bands of yellowish green, dark green and 
reddish chestnut; occiput reddish chestnut; base of the 
primaries, secondaries and spurious wing, and the under wing- 


INSESSORES. 69 


coverts rich deep blue ; lower part of the abdomen and thighs 
scarlet ; middle tail-feathers blue ; the outer ones bluish green, 
passing into very pale blue at their tips; all the tail-feathers, 
except the four middle ones, crossed by a band of black near 
the base ; remainder of the plumage deep grass-green ; bill 
horny brown; legs wood-brown. 

The female is attired in a similar style of colours, but is 
much less brilliant, has the throat and breast yellowish brown, 
and only an indication of the bands on the occiput and wing- 
coverts. 


Sp. 431. PSEPHOTUS HASMATONOTUS, Gould. 
RED-RUMPED PARRAKEET. 


Platycercus hematonotus, Gould in Proce. of Zool. Soe., part v. p. 151. 


Psephotus hematonotus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. 
pl. 36. 

This species inhabits the interior of the south-eastern divi- 
sion of the Australian continent; it is abundantly dispersed 
over the Liverpool Plains, and all the open country to the 
northward as far as it has yet been explored ; it also inhabits 
similar tracts of country in Victoria and South Australia; on 
the plains around Adelaide it is seldom seen, but as the tra- 
veller advances towards the interior every succeeding mile 
brings him in contact with it in greater numbers. It is more 
frequently seen on the ground than among the trees; and it 
evidently gives a decided preference to open grassy valleys and 
the naked crowns of hills, rather than to the wide and almost 
boundless plain. During winter it associates in flocks, varying 
from twenty to a hundred in number, which trip nimbly 
ever the ground in search of the seeds of grasses and other 
plants, with which the crops of many that were shot were 
found to be distended. In the early morning, and not unfre- 
quently in other parts of the day, I have often seen hundreds 
perched together on some leafless limb of a Hucalyptus, sitting 


70 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


in close order along the whole length of the branch, until 
hunger prompted them to descend. to the feeding-ground, or 
the approach of a hawk caused them to disperse. Their 
movements on the ground are characterized by much grace 
and activity, and although assembled in one great mass run- 
ning over the ground like Plovers, they are generally mated 
in pairs,—a fact easily ascertained by the difference in the 
colouring of the sexes; the rich red mark on the rump of the 
male appearing, as the bright sun shmes upon it, hke a spot 
of fire. 

This bird has a pleasing whistling note, almost approach- 
ing to a song, which is poured forth both while perching on 
the branches of the trees and while flying over the plains. The 
eggs, which are white and five or six in number, eleven lines 
long by eight and a half lines broad, are deposited without any 
nest in the spouts and hollows of the gum-trees. 

Crown of the head, back of the neck, cheeks and chest eme- 
yald-green, which is lightest on the forehead and cheeks ; back 
brownish green; rump scarlet ; tip and under surface of the 
shoulder, spurious wing, and the outer edge of the basal half 
of the primaries rich ultramarine blue ; the blue of the shoulder 
above passing into sulphur-yellow, and forming a conspicuous 
spot of the latter colour in the centre of the shoulder ; greater 
and lesser wing-coverts and secondaries bluish green; upper 
tail-coverts and two centre tail-feathers green, passing into 
blue towards the tip, which is blackish brown ; the remainder 
of the tail-feathers green at the base gradually passing into 
delicate greyish white on the inner webs and the tips; 
centre of the abdomen yellow; thighs dull bluish green ; 
under tail-coverts greyish white; bill horn-colour; feet 
brown ; irides pale brown. 

The young male of the year differs from the adult in having 
those parts delicate greenish grey which in the latter are 
emerald-green ; in being destitute of the red colouring of the 
rump, and of the yellow on the centre of the abdomen ; and 


INSESSORES. 71 


in having the bases of the secondaries and some of the prima- 
ries white. 


Total length 11 inches; wing 5; tail 65; tarsi 3 


Genus EUPHEMA, Wagler. 


The members of this genus are exclusively Australian, 
and appear to be confined to the extra-tropical parts of the 
country, no species having yet been seen from the north coast, 
while the seven species known are abundantly distributed 
over the southern portions of the continent, and two of them 
over Tasmania. | : 


Sp. 432.  EUPHEMA CHRYSOSTOMA. 


BLUE-BANDED GRASS-PARRAKEET. 


Psittacus chrysostomus, Kuhl, Consp. in Psitt. in Nova Acta, vol. x. 
p. 58, pl. 1. | 

Psittacus venustus, Temm. in Linn. Trans., vol. xii. p. 121. 

Blue-banded Parrakeet, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. 1. p. 188. 

Nanodes venustus, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans. vol. xv. p. 274. 

Euphema chrysostoma, Wag]. Mon. Psitt. in Abhand., vol. i. pp. 492, 
544, and 707. 

Conurus chrysostomus, Bourj. de St.-Hil. Perr., tab. 10. 


Euphema chrysostoma, Gould, Birds of Australia, = vol. v. 
pl. 37. 


This bird is a summer resident in Tasmania, arriving in 
September and departing again in February and March. 
During its sojourn it takes up its abode in such open and 
thinly-timbered localities as are favourable for the growth of 
various kinds of grasses, upon the seeds of which it almost 
solely subsists. Among the places in which I observed it to 
be most abundant were Bruni Island, Sandby Bay imme- 
diately adjoining Hobart Town, New Norfolk, Spring Hill 
im the interior, the banks of the Tamar, and on Flinder’s 
Island in Bass’s Straits. As a matter of course it is also 


72 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


found in Victoria, that country being in the direct line of its 
migration. 

The Blue-banded Grass-Parrakeet is one of the most beau- 
tiful and interesting of the Psittacide ; for whether perched 
on the small dead branches of a low bush, or resting upon 
the stronger grasses, there is grace and elegance in all its 
actions. It runs over the ground and threads its way among 
the grasses with the greatest facility, and the little flocks are 
usually so intent upon gathering the seeds, as to admit of 
your walking close up to them before they will rise; the 
whole will then get up simultaneously, uttering a feeble ery 
and settling again at a short distance, or flying off to some 
thickly-foliaged tree, where they sit for a time and again 
descend to the ground. 

The breeding-season is at its height i October and No- 
vember ; the eggs are usually deposited in the holes of Auca- 
lypti, but occasionally in the hollow trunks of fallen trees: 
they vary from five to seven im number, and are perfectly 
white. 
| The sexes present no observable difference ; but the young, 
' like those of the Pigtycerci, have the bill and nostrils of a 
delicate yellow, and the band on the forehead less conspicuous. 

A conspicuous band of deep indigo-blue across the fore- 
head, bordered above by a narrow edging of light metallic 
blue; lores, and a stripe behind the eye, rich yellow; crown 
of the head, back, rump, upper tail-coverts, throat, chest, and 
flanks brownish olive-green ; shoulders and wing-coverts deep 
blue; primaries black, the outer edges of the first three or 
four slightly tinged with bluish green ; centre of the abdomen 
and under’ tail-coverts yellow; four middle tail-feathers 
greenish blue; the basal portions of the remainder beautiful 
blue on their outer edges, and largely tipped with fine 
yellow ; irides, bill, and feet brown. 


INSESSORES. oe 


Sp. 438. EUPHEMA ELEGANS, Gould. 
ELEGANT GRASS-PARRAKEET. 


Nanodes elegans, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part v. p. 25. 
Gool-ye-der-ung, Aborigines of the lowlands of Western Australia. 
Ground Parrakeet of the Colonists. rat 


Euphema elegans, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 38, 


Although closely resembling in size and form the Blue- 
banded Grass-Parrakeet, this species differs from it'in several 
minor particulars. The green colouring of its plumage is of 
a more golden hue, and the blue frontal band extends behind 
the eye, while in the former it reaches no farther than the 
front: the difference in the colouring of the wing of the two 
species is also strongly marked, being wholly blue in one, 
while in the other the shoulders and the part near the scapu- 
laries are green. 

As far as I could learn, the present species is never seen 
in Tasmania, while the Blue-banded is a constant summer 
visitant to that island; neither is it common in New South 
Wales, its visits to that country being apparently accidental. 
Its proper home is Western-Australia, over which country it 
is generally dispersed. 

It appears to prefer the barren and sandy belts bordering 
the coast, but occasionally resorts to the more distant in- 
terior, Flocks were constantly rising before me while tra- 
versing the salt-marshes, which stretch along the coast from 
Holdfast Bay to the Port of Adelaide; they were feeding 
upon the seeds of grasses and various other plants, which 
were there abundant: in the middle of the day, or when dis- 
turbed, they retreated to the thick Banksias that grow on the 
sandy ridges in the immediate neighbourhood, and in such 
numbers, that I have seen those trees literally covered with 
them, intermingled with the orange-breasted species (£. auran- 
lia), which, however, was far less numerous. When they rise, 


TA BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


they spread out and display their beautiful yellow tail-feathers 
to the greatest advantage. 

Gilbert informed me that, in Western Australia, “the elegant 
Grass-Parrakeet inhabits every variety of situation, but parti- 
cularly where there is an abundance of grass, the seeds of 
which are its favourite food: it may be generally observed in 
small families, but at Kojenup, where there are several pools, 
and no other water for many miles round, I saw these birds in 
myriads ; but although I shot a great many, they were nearly 
all young birds. Its flight is rapid and even, and frequently 
at considerable altitudes. The breeding-season is in Septem- 
ber and October; the eggs bemg from four to seven in 
number,” of a pure white, eleven lines long by eight and a 
half lines broad. 

The sexes differ but little im their outward appearance ; 
| but the female is never so bright in her colouring, neither is 
she so large as the male. 

A bar of deep indigo-blue across the forehead, bordered 
above by a narrow edging of light metallic blue, which is 
continued over the eye; lores rich yellow; head, cheeks, 
scapularies, back, and upper shoulders greenish blue ; second- 
aries deep blue, edged with lighter; primaries black, the first 
three or four edged externally with greenish blue ; tail-coverts 
golden olive-green ; throat and chest greenish yellow, passing 
into bright yellow on the abdomen and under tail-coverts ; 
the centre of the abdomen tinged with orange; two middle 
tail-feathers greenish blue, the remainder blue at the base, and 
largely tipped with yellow ; irides very dark brown ; bill dark 
brown, lighter on the under side; legs and feet dull brown. 

Total length 9 inches; wing 43; tail 57; tarsi >. 


INSESSORES. . 7d 


Sp. 434. EUPHEMA AURANTIA, Gould. 
ORANGE-BELLIED GRASS-PARRAKEET. 


Euphema pulchella, p. Wag. Mon. Psitt. p. 548. 

aurantia, Gould in Proce. of Zool. Soc., part vii. p. 148. 
chrysogaster, R. G. Gray, List of Spec. of Birds in Brit. Mus., _ 
part iii. sec. 11, Psittacide, p. 16. 


Euphema aurantia, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 39. 


Athough the present bird is not so elegant in form, nor 
graced with so brilliant a frontal band as several others of the 
group, it has received an ample compensation in the rich orange 
mark that adorns the under surface, a character by which 
it may be distinguished from every other known species. 
Like the Euphema chrysostoma, it is a summer visitant to 
Tasmania. I observed it sparingly dispersed in the neigh- 
bourhood of Hobart Town and New Norfolk, but found it in 
far greater abundance on the Acton Islands, at the entrance 
of D’Entrecasteaux Channel. These small and uninhabited 
islands are covered with grasses and scrub, intermingled with 
a species of Barilla, nearly allied to Atriplex halimus; and 
almost the only land-bird that enlivens these solitary spots, is 
the present beautiful Parrakeet: I frequently flushed small 
flocks from among the grass, when they almost immedi- 
ately alighted on the Barilla bushes around me, their spark- 
ling orange bellies forming a striking contrast with the green 
of the other parts of their plumage and the silvery foliage of 
the plant upon which they rested. I made many unsuccessful 
attempts to discover their breeding-places ; as, however, these 
islands are destitute of large trees, I am induced to believe 
that they lay eggs in holes on the ground, or among the 
stones on the shore. On visiting South Australia in winter, I 
there found it equally abundant on the flat, marshy grounds 
bordering the coast, especially between the Port of Adelaide 
and Holdfast Bay. 


76 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


It may be a casual visitor to New South Wales and Swan 
River, but I have not yet seen it in any collections from those 
parts of Australia. 

Frontal band blue, margined before and behind with a very 

.faint line of greenish blue; crown of the head and all the 
upper surface deep grass-green; shoulders, many of the 
secondaries, and outer edges of the primaries deep indigo- 
blue ; lores, cheeks, and breast yellowish green, passing into 
greenish yellow on the abdomen and under tail-coverts, the cen- 
tre of the abdomen being ornamented with a large spot of rich 
orange; two centre tail-feathers green; the next on each side 
blackish brown on the inner, and green on the outer webs; 
the remainder blackish brown on their inner and green on their 
outer webs, and largely tipped with bright yellow; irides 
very dark brown; bill dark brown, becoming lighter on the 
under side; legs and feet dull brown. 

Total length 83 inches ; wing 44; tail 44; tarsi 4, 

The female possesses the orange spot in common with the 
male, although, in her case, it is neither so extensive nor so 
brilliant. 


Sp. 435. HUPHEMA PETROPHILA, Gould. 
Rock-PARRAKEET. 


Euphema petrophila, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part viii. p. 148. 
Rock Parrakeet, Colonists of Swan River. 


Euphema petrophila, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 40. 


I have received specimens of this bird from Port Lincoln, 
in South Australia, but its principal habitat appears to be the 
western coast, where it occurs in great numbers on Rottnest 
and other islands near Swan River: “ Here,” says Gilbert, 
“it breeds in the holes of the most precipitous cliffs, choosing 
in preference those facing the water and most difficult of 
access; and hence it required no slight degree of exertion to 


INSESSORES. ae 


procure examples of the eggs, which, according to the testimony 
of the natives, are white, and seven or eight in number. 

“Its flight is extremely rapid, and at times it mounts to a 
great height in the air.” . ; 

The sexes are nearly alike in colour, and may be thus | 
described :— | 

Frontal band deep indigo-blue, bounded before and behind 
with a very narrow line of dull verditer-blue; lores and 
circle surrounding the eye dull verditer-blue; all the upper 
surface yellowish olive-green; under surface the same, but 
lighter, and passing into yellow, tinged with orange on the 
lower part of the abdomen; under surface of the shoulder 
indigo-blue; a few of the wing-coverts greenish blue; pri- 
maries brownish black on their inner webs, and deep indigo- 
blue on the outer; two centre tail-feathers bluish green; the 
remainder of the feathers brown at the base on the mner 
webs, green at the base on the outer webs, and largely tipped 
with bright yellow; irides very dark brown; upper mandible 
dark reddish brown ; sides of the under mandible light yellow, 
the tip bluish grey ; legs and feet dark brownish grey. 

Total length 8 inches; wing 4¢ ; tail 44; tarsi 4. 


Sp. 436. EUPHEMA PULCHELLA. 
CHESTNUT-SHOULDERED GRrASS-PARRAKEET. 


- Psittacus pulchellus, Shaw, Nat. Misc., pl. 96. 

—— (Conurus) pulchellus, Kuhl, Consp. Psitt., pp. 8, 50. 

La Perruche Edwards, Uevaill. Hist. des Perr., p. 68, female. 
Psittacus chrysogaster, Lath. Ind. Orn., vol. i. p. 97? 

Orange-bellied Parrot, Lath. Gen. Syn., Supp. p. 62. 

Orange-bellied Parrakeet, Shaw, Gen. Zool., vol. vill. p. 468. 
Psittacus edwardsii, Bechst. in Lath. Uebers. der Vog., p. 74. 
Nanodes pulchellus, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 277. 
Lathamus azureus, Less. Traité d’Orn., p. 205. 

Euphema pulchella, Wag\. Mon. Psitt. in Abhand., pp. 4938, 542. 


Euphema pulchella, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 41. 
All those who have traversed the “bush” in New South - 


98 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Wales will recognize in this lovely species an old favourite, 
for it must have often come under their notice; during my 
own rambles in that country my attention was constantly at- 
tracted by its beautiful outspread, tail and wings as it rose 
before me. Its sole food being the seeds of grasses and of 
the smaller annuals, it spends much of its time on the ground, 
and appears to evince a greater partiality for stony ridges than 
for the rich alluvial flats. When flushed it flies off to a short 
distance between the trees, perches on some dead branch and 
remains there until hunger impels it to return to the ground. 
I have never seen this bird congregated in large flocks like 
the Zuphema chrysostoma and L. elegans; but usually met with 
it in small companies of six or eight in number. 

I did not succeed in finding a nest of this species, though I 
doubt not that it was breeding in the district of the Upper 
Hunter at the time I visited it. Mr. Caley states, on the au- 
thority of the natives, that it lays eight white eggs in the hole 
of a tree. 

' The sexes differ so little in colour, that dissection must be 
' resorted to to distinguish them. 

Forehead, stripe over the eye, cheeks, shoulders, and lesser 
wing-coverts rich metallic greenish blue; crown of the head, 
back of the neck, upper surface, and flanks bright olive-green ; 
a bright spot of chestnut-red at the insertion of the wings, 
primaries and secondaries deep blue on thei outer webs, 
and blackish brown on the inner; chest, centre of the abdo- 
men, and under tail-coverts rich yellow; four middle tail- 
feathers green, the remainder green at the base and largely 
tipped with yellow; bill and feet dark brown. 

In size the Huphema pulchella is about the same as the 
Rock-Parrakeet, whose admeasurements are given on the pre- 
ceding page. 


INSESSORES. 79 


Sp. 437. EUPHEMA SPLENDIDA, Gozld. 
SPLENDID Grass-PARRAKEET. 
Euphema splendida, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part VIII. p. 147. 


Euphema splendida, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 42. 


It is a source of much regret to me, that I am unable to 
give more than avery slight notice of this beautiful bird. The 
specimen from which my description was taken came into my 
possession in 1840, unfortunately without any other informa- 
ation accompanying it than that it was a native of Swan River ; 
from that period no other example occurred until 1845, when 
several were transmitted to me by the late Johnson Drummond, 
who had killed them near Moore’s River in Western Australia. 
Captain Sturt obtained a male during one of his journeys into 
the interior of South Australia, and Mr. J. Gardner informs me 
that he has procured examples in the Murray scrub near the 
north-west band of that river, and has been told that it is 
found in the country bordering the head of St. Vincent’s Gulf; 
he adds that it is of a very shy disposition, and nowhere very 
numerous. 

The Splendid Grass-Parrakeet has many characters in 
common with the #. pulchella, but differs from that species 
in the entire absence of the chestnut mark on the shoulders, 
in the more intense blue of the face, and in the gorgeously 
rich scarlet colouring of the chest; and is rendered remark- 
ably conspicuous by the brilliant display of the three primi- 
tive colours—blue, red and yellow—on its face, breast, and 
abdomen. 

The male has the face and ear-coverts deep indigo-blue, 
becoming paler on the latter; all the upper surface ‘grass- 
green; upper wing-coverts _ beautiful lazuline blue; under 
Wing-coverts deep indigo-blue ; primaries and secondaries 
black ; the first three or four primaries slightly margined with 
green; two centre tail-feathers dark green; the remaining 


80 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


tail-feathers black on the internal webs, green on the external 
webs and largely tipped with bright yellow, which increases in 
extent as the feathers recede from the centre; chest rich deep 
scarlet ; under surface yellow, passing into green on the sides 
of the chest and flanks. 

Total length 8 inches; wing 43; tail 45; tarsi 5. 

The female differs in having the face and wing-coverts, both 
above and beneath, of a pale lazuline blue, and in the chest 
being green instead of scarlet. 


Sp. 438. EUPHEMA BOURKIL 


BouRKeEe’s GRASS-PARRAKEET. 


Nanodes bourkii, Mitch. Australian Expeditions, vol. i. p. Xviil. 


Euphema bourkii, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 43. 


For a knowledge of this Grass-Parrakeet, we are indebted 
to the late Major Sir T. L. Mitchell, who discovered it on 
the banks of the River Bogan, during one of his expeditions 
into the interior of New South Wales. It is particularly 
interesting, as exhibiting, in the crescentic form of the mark- 
ings on the back, an approach to the style of colouring ob- 
servable in the single species of the genus Melopsitiacus 
(M. undulatas); at the same time, in its structure it so closely 
assimilates to the form of the genus Huphema, that I have 
been induced to place it im that group. 

I did not meet with it during my own expedition, nor could 
I gain any information whatever respecting it ; it is therefore 
another of those Australian birds to which I would direct the 
attention of the travellers who may hereafter visit the interior, 
over which it will doubtless prove to be widely spread, for 
Captain Sturt found it in abundance at the Depot in Central 
Australia. 

Band across the forehead, shoulders above and_ beneath, 
secondaries and base of the primaries deep blue; flanks and 


* 


INSESSORES. SL 


under tail-coverts turquoise-blue ; all the upper surface dark 
olive-brown, the feathers of the wings edged with greyish white; 
centre of the abdomen salmon-red ; cheeks and the remainder 
of the under surface brown, strongly tinged with salmon-red; 
six middle tail-feathers deep brown, the external webs tinged 
with blue; the three outer ones on each side brown at the 
base, with their external webs blue and the tips white; bill 
dark horn-colour; legs and feet. brown. 


Genus MELOPSITTACUS, Gould. 


The only known species of this form is strictly gregarious, 
assembles in vast flocks, and is admirably adapted for plains 
and downs covered with grasses, upon the seeds of which it 
entirely subsists. 


Sp. 439. MELOPSITTACUS UNDULATUS. 


WaRBLING GrAss-PARRAKEBT. 


Psittacus undulatus, Shaw, Nat. Misc., pl. 678. 

Undulated Parrot, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. ii. p. 179, pl. 26. 

Nanodes undulatus, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 277. 

Euphema undulata, Wagl. Mon. Psitt. in Abhand., &c., pp. 493, 545, 
and 707. 

_ Psittacus (Conurus) undulatus, Wagl. Mon. Psitt., pp. 8, 49. 

Sagittifer minor undulatus, Bourj. de St.-Hil. Perr., tab. 8. 

Canary Parrot of the Colonists of New South Wales. 

Betcherrygah of the Natives of the Liverpool Plains. 


Melopsittacus undulatus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. 
pl. 44, 


Among the numerous members of the Psitéacide inhabit- 
ing Australia, this lovely little bird is preeminent both for beauty 
of plumage and elegance of form, which, together with its ex- 
treme cheerfulness of disposition and sprightliness of manner, 
render it an especial favourite with all who have had an op- 


portunity of seeing it alive ; the more so as this animated dis- 
VOL. II. 25 


89 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


position is as conspicuous in confinement as in its native 
wilds. 

In all probability it is generally dispersed over the central 
parts of Australia ; in the whole of the southern portion it is 
migratory, appearing in large flocks in spring, when the grass- 
seeds are plentiful, and retirmg again after the breeding- 
season is over to more northern latitudes. 

On arriving at Brezi, to the north of the Liverpool Plains, 
in the beginning of December, I found myself surrounded by 
numbers, breeding in all the hollow spouts of the large Euca- 
lypti bordering the Mokai; and on crossing the plains between 
that river and the Peel, in the direction of the Turi Mountain, 
Isaw them in flocks of thousands. Their flight is remarkably 
straight and rapid, and is generally accompanied by a screech- 
ing noise. During the heat of the day, when flocks of them 
are sitting motionless among the leaves of the gum-trees, 
they are with difficulty detected. 

The breeding-season is at its height in December, and by 
the end of the month the young are generally capable of pro- 
viding for themselves. The eggs are three or four in number, 
pure white, nine lines long by seven lines in diameter, and are 
deposited in the holes and spouts of the gum-trees without 
any nests. 

As cage-birds they are as interesting as can possibly be 
imagined ; for, independently of their highly ornamental ap- 
pearance, they are constantly coquetting, squabbling, and 
assuming every variety of graceful position. Their inward 
song, which cannot well be described, is unceasingly warbled 
forth from morn to eve, and is even continued throughout 
the night if they are placed in a room where an animated 
conversation is carried on; indeed I am unacquainted with 
any Australian species which has been brought to England, 
that has contributed so much to the pleasure of those who 
keep living birds. I believe I was one of the first who intro- 
duced living examples to this country, having succeeded in 


INSESSORES. 83 


bringmg home several on my return in 1840. Since that 
period nearly every ship coming direct from the southern 
parts of Australia has added to the numbers of this bird in 
England; and I have more than once seen two thousand at a 
time in a small room at a dealer’s in Wapping. 

The bird has also bred here as readily as the Canary ; still 
it is one which cannot be naturalized in a wild state, our 
climate not having the requisite degree of warmth, nor the 
country producing the kind of food suited to it. 

In a state of nature they feed exclusively upon grass-seeds, 
with which their crops are always found crammed: in con- 
finement they thrive equally well upon canary seed. 

The sexes are precisely alike in the colouring and marking © 
of their plumage ; but the female is somewhat smaller than the | 
male, and has the colouring round the nostrils of a lighter 
tint. 

The adults have the forehead and crown straw yellow; the 
remainder of the head, ear-coverts, nape, upper part of the 
back, scapularies and wing-coverts pale greenish yellow, each. 
feather having a crescent-shaped mark of blackish brown near 
the extremity, these marks being numerous and minute on the 
head and neck ; wings brown ; the outer webs of the feathers 
deep green, margined with greenish yellow; face and throat 
yellow, ornamented on each cheek with a patch of rich blue, 
below which are three circular drops or spots of bluish black ; 
rump, upper tail-coverts, and all the under surface bright 
green; two centre tail-feathers blue; the remaining tail-fea- 
thers green, crossed in the middle by an oblique band of 
yellow; irides straw white; nostrils bright blue in some, 
greenish blue and brown in others; legs pale bluish lead- 
colour. 

The young are distinguished from the adults by the crown | 
of the head, which is yellow in the adult, being crossed by | 
numerous fine bars of brown, and by the absence of the deep | 
blue spots on the throat. 3 

G 2 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus CALOPSITTA, Lesson. 


Like MWelopsittacus, there is only one species known of this 
eenus. It is strictly Australian, and will doubtless hereafter 
be found to be universally distributed over that vast country ; 
it is equally well adapted for the plains as the last-mentioned 
species, and the two birds are frequently found associated. 


Sp. 440. CALOPSITTA NOVA-HOLLANDIAE. 
CocKkATOO-PARRAKERT. 


Psittacus nove-hollandia, Lath. Ind. Orn., vol. i. p. 102. 
Palaornis nove-hollandia, Vig. in Lear, Ill. Psitt. Pl. 27. 
Nymphicus nove-hollanhe, Wagl. Mon. Psit. in Abhand., pp. 490, 522. 
Leptolophus auricomis, Swains. Zool. Il. 2nd Ser. Pl. 112. 
Calopsitia guy, Less., Il. Zool. Pl. 49. 
nove-hollandia, G. R. Gray, List of Gen. of Birds, 1855, p. 85. 


Nymphicus nove-hollandie, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. 
pl. 45. 


The range of this beautiful species extends over the whole 
of the southern portion of the country, and the bird being 
strictly migratory it makes a simultaneous movement south- 
ward to within one hundred miles of the coast in September, 
arriving in the York district of Western Australia precisely 
at the same time that it appears on the Liverpool Plains in 
the eastern portion of the country. After breeding and rear- 
ing a numerous progeny, the whole again retire northwards in 
February and March, but to what degree of latitude towards 
the tropics they wend their way I have not been able satis- 
factorily to ascertain. It would appear to be more numerous 
in the eastern division of Australia than in the western. 
During the summer of 1839 it was breeding in all the apple- 
tree (Angophora) flats on the Upper Hunter, as well as on all 
similar districts on the Peel, and other rivers which flow to the 
north-west. I have seen the ground quite covered by them 


INSESSORES. 85 


while engaged in procuring food, and it was not an unusual cir- 
cumstance to see hundreds together on the dead branches of 
the gum-trees in the neighbourhood of water, a plentiful sup- 
ply of which would appear to be essential to their existence. 

The flight of the Cockatoo-Parrakeet is even and easy, and 
is capable of being long protracted. When it rises from the 
ground it flies up into the nearest tree, almost invariably 
selecting a dead branch, upon which it frequently perches 
lengthwise. It is by no means a shy bird; and from the 
circumstance of its being excellent eating, many are killed for 
this purpose by persons leading a bush life. 

It breeds in the holes of gum and other trees growing in the 
neighbourhood of water. The eggs are white, five or six in 
number, one inch long by three quarters of an inch broad. 

Considerable difference exists in the plumage of the sexes, | 
the tail-feathers of the male being entirely destitute of the | 
transverse bars which adorn those of the other sex. 

‘The male has the forehead, crest and cheeks lemon yellow ; 
ear-coverts rich reddish orange; back of the neck, two centre 
tail-feathers, and the external margins of the primaries 
brownish grey; back, shoulders, all the under surface and 
outer tail-feathers greyish chocolate brown, the shoulders and 
flanks being the darkest; a white mark extends from the 
shoulders lengthwise down the centre of the wing; irides dark 
brown ; bill bluish lead-colour, light on the under side of the 
lower mandible; legs and feet bluish grey. 

The female differs from the male in the colour of the face 
and crest being of a dull olive yellow, the latter becoming still 
darker at its extremity ; in having the throat greyish brown, 
and the back lighter than in the male; the lower part of the 
abdomen, upper tail-coverts, yellow ; four middle tail-feathers 
grey, the remainder yellow, the whole transversely and irregu- 
larly barred with lines of brown, with the exception of the 
outer web of the outer feather on each side, which is pure 
vellow. 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus PEZOPORUS, Mliger. 


Of this terrestrial form but one species is known, which is 
very generally distributed over the temperate portions of Au- 
stralia, the islands in Bass’s Straits, and Tasmania. 


Sp. 441. PEZOPORUS FORMOSUS. 
GROUND-PARRAKEET. 


Psittacus formosus, Lath. Ind. Orn., vol. i. p. 103. 
terrestris, Shaw, Mus. Lev., p. 217, pl. 53. 
(Conurus) formosus, Kuhl. Consp. Psitt.,"pp. 7, 43. 
Perruche ingambé, Le Vaill. Hist. Nat. des Perr., tom. 1. p. 66, pl. 32. 
Pezoporus formosus, Ill. Prod. Syst. Mamm. et Av., p. 201. 
rufifrons, Bourj. de St.-Hil. Supp. to Le Vaill. Hist. Nat. des 
Peres pl. 9. 
Bob-run-duj-dee, Aborigines northward of Perth in Western Australia. 
Djar-doon-gul!-ree, Aborigines around Perth. 
Djul-bat-la, Aborigines southward of Perth. 
Ky-lo-ing, Aborigines of King George’s Sound. 
Goolingnang, Aborigines near Sydney, New South Wales. 
Swamp-Parrakeet, Colonists of Tasmania. 
Ground-Parrakeet, Colonists of New South Wales and Western 


Australia. 


Pezoporus formosus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 46. 


The Ground-Parrakeet is “diffused over the whole of the 
southern portions of Australia, including Tasmania, wherever 
localities exist suitable to its habits. I also procured both 
adults and young on Flinder’s Island, where I found them 
breeding on the grassy plains which cover the greater portion 
of that island. So far as I could learn, it is everywhere a 
stationary species. Having very frequently met with it ina 
state of nature, I am enabled to state that in its actions it 
differs from every other known species of its family. Whether 
the power of perching is entirely denied to it or not I am un- 
certain, but I never saw it fly to a tree, nor could. I ever 


INSESSORES. 87 


force it to take shelter on the branches. It usually fre- 
quents either sandy sterile districts covered with tufts of 
rank grass and herbage, or low swampy flats abounding with 
rushes and the other kinds of vegetation peculiar to such 
situations. From its very recluse habits and great powers 
of running it is seldom or ever seen until it is flushed, and 
then only for a short time; as it soon pitches again and runs 
off to a place of seclusion. On the approach of danger it 
crouches on the earth or runs stealthily through the grasses, 
and, from the strong scent it emits, dogs road and point as dead 
to it as they do to ordinary game-birds ; consequently, when 
shooting over swampy land in Australia, the sportsman is 
never certain whether a parrakeet, a quail, or a snipe will rise 
to the pomt of his dog. It flies with great rapidity, fre- 
quently making several zigzag turns in the short distance of 
a hundred yards, which it seldom exceeds without again 
pitching to the ground. Its flesh is excellent, being delicate 
in flavour, and equalling, if not surpassing, that of the quail 
and snipe. Its five or six white eggs, are deposited on the 
bare ground. | 

Plumage of the upper surface dark grass-green, each feather 
crossed by irregular bands of black and yellow; feathers 
of the crown and nape with a broad streak of black down 
the centre; forehead scarlet; throat, neck, and breast pale 
yellowish green, passing into bright greenish yellow on the 
abdomen and under tail-coverts, crossed by numerous irregular 
waved blackish bands; primaries and spurious wings green 
on their outer webs and dark brown on the inner, each of the 
latter with a triangular spot of pale yellow near the base ; 
four centre tail-feathers green, crossed by numerous narrow 
bars of yellow; lateral tail-feathers yellow, crossed by nume- 
rous bars of deep green; irides black, with a fine ring of 
light grey; feet and legs bluish flesh-colour; claws very 
much lengthened, and of a blackish brown. 

The young assume the colouring of the adult at a very 


88 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


early age, and the’sexes offer no external difference by which 
they can be distinguished. 


Genus GEOPSITTACUS, Gould. 


Of this form only a single species and a single example is 
known ; nothing has at present been ascertained of its habits. 


Sp. 442. GEOPSITTACUS OCCIDENTALIS, Gould. 
Western GrounD-PARRAKEET. 
Geopsittacus occidentalis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., 1861, p. 100. 


I have had in my possession for many years the skin of a 
Parrakeet, which was sent to me direct from Perth, in Western 
Australia, and which differs, in my opinion, both generically 
and specifically from every other known species. In general 
appearance, and especially in its colouring, it resembles the 
Pezoporus formosus; but, on carefully comparing it with that 
species, some remarkable differences are apparent. In Pezo- 
porus the proportions of the head, bill, body, wings, and tail 
are evenly balanced, the legs are especially adapted for running 
over the ground, and the claws, particularly that of the outer 
hind toe, are remarkably long; while, in the bird under 
consideration, the head is disproportionately large, the man- 
dibles short and robust, the nostrils high and round, the tarsi 
and toes short and delicate, and the nails unusually diminu- 
tive when compared with those of other Parrakeets; to com- 
plete the differences seen in this anomalous bird, the wings 
are large and long, while the tail is very short. The whole 
contour of Pezoporus is graceful and elegant; the present 
bird, on the other hand, is short and dumpy, and much 
reminds me of a diminutive Strigops. 

I need scarcely add how desirable it is that additional ex- 
amples of this bird should be procured by those who may 
have favourable opportunities for so doing. 


INSESSORES. . 89 


I have considered it advisable to give this bird a generic 
appellation distinct from Pezoporus; ornithologists can adopt 
it or not as they please. 

All the upper surface grass-green, each feather crossed by 
regular bands of black and greenish yellow ; feathers of the 
crown and nape with a streak of black down the centre; 
throat and breast yellowish green, passing into sulphur- 
yellow on the abdomen; spurious wings brown; primaries 
and secondaries brown, narrowly fringed with a greenish hue 
on their external webs, with the exception of the first three ; 
the primaries and secondaries have also an oblique mark of 
yellow near their bases, which mark increases in breadth and 
in depth of colour as the feathers approach the body; two 
centre tail-feathers dark brown, toothed on the edge of both 
webs with greenish yellow; the next on each side dark 
brown, toothed on the other web only with brighter and 
longer marks of yellow; the remainder dark brown, crossed 
by bands of yellow, which in some cases are continuous across 
both webs, and in others alternate ; under tail-coverts sulphur- 
yellow, crossed on their outer webs with narrow oblique and 
irregular bands of blackish brown ; bill horn; feet fieshy. 

Total length 10 inches; bill $; wing 53; tail 5; tarsi Z. 


Genus LATHAMUS, Lesson. 


The single species known of this form has been assigned to 
a different genus by almost every writer on ornithology, 
Vigors and Horsfield placing it in their genus Manodes, 
Wagler in his genus Luphema; but Lesson, perceiving that it 
did not belong to either of those forms, made it the type of 
his genus Lathamus. 

Having had ample opportunities of observing the bird in a 
State of nature, I concur in the propriety of separating it into 
a distinct genus ; in its whole economy it is most closely allied 
to the Zrichiglossi, and in no degree related to the Lupheme. 


90 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Sp. 443. LATHAMUS DISCOLOR. 


Swirt LorIKkEET. 


Psittacus discolor, Shaw, in White’s Voy., pl. in p. 268. 
Red-shouldered Parrakeet, Phill. Bot. Bay, pl. in p. 269. 
Psittacus humeralis, Kuhl. Consp. Psitt. in Nova Acta, vol. x. p. 47. 
Psittacus australis, Ibid., p. 48. 
Lathami, Bechst. Lath. Uebers. der Vég. p. 81. 
Perruche Banks, Le Vaill. Hist. des Perr., p. 104, pl. 50. 
Nanodes discolor, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 276. 
Euphema discolor, Wag]. Mon. Psitt. in Abhand.., vol. i. pp. 492 and 
645. 
Psittacus banksianus, Vieill. Nouv. Dict. d’ Hist. Nat., tom. xxv. p. 342. 
Lathamus rubifrons, Less. Traité d’Orn., p. 205. 
La Perruche Latham, Le Vaill. Hist. des Perr., p. 1238, pl. 62, young. 
Psittacus discolor, Kuhl, Consp. in Nov. Acta, vol. x. p. 48, young. 
Trichoglossus discolor, G. R. Gray, List. of Spec. of Birds in Brit. 
Mus. part iii. sec. il. p. 63. 
Swift Parrakeet, Colonists of Tasmania. 


Lathamus discolor, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 47. 


This elegant Lorikeet is a migratory species, passing the 
summer and. breeding-season only in the more southern parts 
of the Australian continent and Tasmania, and retiring north- 
ward for the remainder of the year. During September and 
the four following months, it is not only abundant in all the 
gum-forests of Tasmania, but is very common in the shrub- 
beries and gardens at Hobart Town. It is frequently to be 
seen on the gum-trees bordering the streets, within a few feet 
of the heads of the passing inhabitants, and so intent upon 
gathering the honey from the fresh-blown flowers which daily 
expand, as almost entirely to disregard their presence. The tree 
to which it is so eagerly attracted is the Hucalyptus gibbosus, 
cultivated specimens of which appear to have finer blossoms 
than those in their native forests. It is certainly the finest 
of the Hucalypti I have ever seen, and when its pendent 
branches are covered with thick clusters of pale yellow blos- 


INSESSORES. ol 


soms, presents a most beautiful appearance ; these blossoms 
are so charged with saccharine matter, that the birds soon fill 
themselves with honey, even to their very throats: several of 
those I shot, upon being held up by the feet, discharged from 
their mouths a stream of this liquid to the amount of a 
dessert-spoonful. Small flocks of from four to twenty in 
number are also frequently to be seen passing over the town, 
chasing each other, like the Swift of Europe, whence in all 
probability has arisen its colonial name. Sometimes these 
flights appear to be taken for the sake of exercise, or in the mere 
playfulness of disposition, while at others the birds are passing 
from one garden to another, or proceeding from the town to 
the forests at the foot of Mount Wellington, or vice versd. 
Their plumage so closely assimilates in colour to the leaves of 
the trees they frequent, and they moreover creep so quietly 
yet actively from branch to branch, clinging in every possible 
position, that were it not for their movements and the 
trembling of the leaves, it would be difficult to perceive them 
without a minute examination of the tree upon which they 
have alighted. I found them breeding about midway between 
Hobart Town and Brown’s River, but was not fortunate 
enough to obtain their eggs, in consequence of their being 
laid in holes of the loftiest and most inaccessible trees ; they 
are said to be two in number, and perfectly white. 

The only part of New South Wales in which I have ob- 
served this bird was the district of the Upper Hunter, through 
which it periodically passes durmg the months of February 
and March. 

In its actions and manners it is closely allied to the Zri- 
choglossi, but differs from them in some few particulars, which 
are more perceptible in captivity than in a state of nature ; 
it has neither the musky smell nor the jumping motions of 
the Zrichoglossi. 1 have never observed it to alight upon 
the ground, or elsewhere than among the branches. 

The sexes are very similar in colour, but the female may 


99 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


always be distinguished from the male by being much smaller 
in size and less brilliant in all her markings. The young at 
an early age assume the plumage of the adult, after which 
_ they undergo no change. 

Face scarlet, with a spot of yellow at the gape; crown of 
the head deep blue; all the upper and under surface green, 
the latter being somewhat the lightest; shoulders, under 
wing- and under tail-coverts scarlet ; secondaries and wing- 
coverts bluish green; primaries deep blackish blue, finely 
margined with yellow ; tail deep blue, tinged with red, passing 
into black at the extremity; irides rich hazel-yellow ; feet 
flesh-brown ; bill horn-colour. . 


Genus TRICHOGLOSSUS, Vigors and Horsfield. 


This arboreal group of Honey-eating Lorikeets, if not so 
numerous in species as the seed-feeding Parrakeets, is indi- 
vidually as abundant, and more universally dispersed, being 
found in every part of the country yet visited. Other members 
of the genus are found also in New Guinea and the Moluccas. 

In their structure, habits, food, and mode of nidification, 
no two groups of the same family can be more widely different 
than these forms; the pencilled tongue, diminutive stomach, 
thick skin, tough flesh, and fcetid odour of the Zrechaglossi 
presenting a decided contrast to the simple tongue, capacious 
crop and stomach, thin skin, delicate flesh, and freedom from 
odour of the Platycerci: besides which, the Trichoglossi 
possess a strong os furcatorium, which bone is wanting in the 
Platycerci ; hence, while the Trichoglosst are powerful, swift, 
and arrow-like in their flight, the P/atycerci are feeble, pass 
through the air in a succession of undulations near the 
ground, and never fly to any great distance. ‘The mode in 
which the two groups approach, alight upon, and quit the 
trees is also remarkably different; the Z7richoglossi dashing 


INSESSORES. 93 


among and alighting upon the branches simultaneously, and 
with the utmost rapidity, and quitting them in like manner, 
leaving the deafening sound of their thousand voices echoing 
through the woods; while the Platycerci rise to the branch 


after their undulating flight, and leave them again in a quiet 


manner, no sound being heard but their inward piping note. 
The eggs of the Zrichoglossi are from two to four in 
number; those of the Platycerci are more numerous. 


Sp. 444. TRICHOGLOSSUS MULTICOLOR. 


BLvE-BELLIED LORIKEET. 


Psittacus nove-hollandie, Gmel. Edit. Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 316. 
multicolor, Gmel. Ib., p. 828. 
semicollaris, Lath. Ind. Orn., tom. i. p. 103. 
cyanogaster, Shaw, Gen. Zool., vol. viii. p. 413. 
—— (Conurus) hematopus, Kuhl, Consp. Psitt., pp. 6, 34. 
—— hematopus, Hahn. Papag., tab. 3. 

— hematodus, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 289. 
Trichoglossus multicolor, Wagl. Mon. Psitt., p. 553. 
swainsonii, Jard. and Selby, Il. Orn., pl. 112. 
hematopus, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xiv. p. 129. 
Australasia nove-hollandia, Less. Traité d’Orn., p. 209. ; 
Blue-bellied Parrot, White’s Voy., pl. in p. 140. 
War-rin, Aborigines of New South Wales. 


Trichoglossus swainsonii, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. 
pl. 48. 


This beautiful Lorikeet, so far as is yet known, is almost 
exclusively an inhabitant of that portion of the Australian 
continent lying between South Australia and Moreton Bay ; 
at least I have never heard of its existence im any part west- 
ward of the former or northward of the latter. It also occurs 
in Tasmania, but its visits to that island do not appear to be 
either regular or frequent. 

The flowers of the various species of Hucalypti furnish this 
bird with an abundant supply of food, and so exclusively is it 


QA, BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


confined to the forests composed of those trees, that I do not 
recollect to have met with it in any other. However graphi- 
cally it might be described, I scarcely believe it possible to 
convey an idea of the appearance of a forest of flowermg gums 
tenanted by Zrichoglossi ; three or four species being frequently 
seen on the same tree, and often simultaneously attacking the 
pendant blossoms of the same branch. The incessant din 
produced by their thousand voices, and the screaming notes 
they emit when a flock of either species simultaneously leave 
the trees for some other part of the forest, is not easily de- 
scribed, and must be seen and heard to be fully comprehended. 
So intent are they for some time after sunrise upon extracting 
their honey-food, that they are not easily alarmed or made to quit 
the trees upon which they are feeding. The report of a gun 
discharged immediately beneath them has no other effect than 
to elicit an extra scream, or cause them to move to a neigh- 
bouring branch, where they again recommence feeding with 
avidity, creeping among the leaves and clinging beneath the 
branches in every variety of position. Durmg one of my 
morning rambles in the brushes of the Hunter, I came 
suddenly upon an immense Mucalyptus, which was at least 
two hundred feet high. The blossoms of this noble tree had 
attracted hundreds of birds, both Parrots and Honey-suckers ; 
and from a single branch I killed the four species of the former 
inhabiting the district, viz. Trichoglossus multicolor and TL. chlo- 
rolepidotus, Glossopsitta australis, and G. pusilla. I mention 
this fact in proof of the perfect harmony existing between 
these species while feeding ; a night’s rest, however, and the 
taming effect of hunger doubtless contributed much to this 
harmonious feeling, as I observed that at other periods of the 
day they were not so friendly. 

Although the 7 multicolor is so numerous in New South 
Wales, I did not succeed in procuring its eggs; the natives 
informed me that they are two in number, and that they are 
deposited in the holes of the largest Zucalypti, the period of 
incubation being from September to January. 


INSESSORES. 95 


Head, sides of the face, and throat blue, with a lighter 
stripe down the centre of each feather; across the occiput a 
narrow band of greenish yellow; all the upper surface green, 
blotched at the base of the neck with scarlet and yellow ; 
wings dark green on their outer webs; their inner webs 
black, crossed by a broad oblique band of bright yellow; tail 
green above, passing into blue on the tips of the two central 
feathers; under surface of the tail greenish yellow; chest 
crossed by a broad band, the centre of which is rich scarlet, 
with a few of the feathers fringed with deep blue, and the 
sides being rich orange-yellow, margined with scarlet; under 
surface of the shoulder and sides of the chest deep blood-red ; 
abdomen rich deep blue, blotched on each side with scarlet 
and yellow; under tail-coverts rich yellow, with an oblong 
patch of green at the extremity of each feather; bill blood- 
red, with the extreme tip yellow; nostrils ‘and bare space 
round the eye brownish black ; irides reddish orange, with a 
narrow ring of dark brown next the pupil; feet olive. 

‘The sexes resemble each other so closely both in size and 
colouring that they cannot be distinguished with certainty. 


Sp. 445. TRICHOGLOSSUS RUBRITORQUIS, 
Vig. and Horsf. 
RED-cOLLARED LoRIKEET. 


Trichoglossus rubritorquis, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. 
p- 291. 


Trichoglossus rubritorquis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v- 
pl. 49, 


This lovely Zrichoglossus inhabits the northern coasts of 
Australia, and is as beautiful a representative of its near ally, 
the 7. multicolor of the south coast, as can well be imagined. 
In their habits and economy also the two birds so closely 
approximate that a description of one will serve for both. 
Independently of the richer blue of the head, the red nuchal 


96 BIRDS OF AUSTRATIA. 


collar and dull blackish olive mark on the abdomen are marks 
by which it may readily be distinguished. 

Gilbert remarks, that “this species is abundant in all parts 
of the Cobourg Peninsula and the adjacent islands, and is an 
especial favourite with the natives, who carefully preserve the 
heads of all they kill, for the purpose of ornamenting their 
persons by slinging them to the arm a little above the elbow. 
It is generally seen in large flocks, feeding on the summits of 
the loftiest trees. Its flight is rapid in the extreme. Like 
the other Zrichoglossi, its food consists of honey and the buds 
of flowers. 

The sexes present very little difference in appearance. 

Head and cheeks resplendent blue; throat and abdomen 
deep olive-green; chest crossed by a broad band of orange- 
red; a narrow band of the same colour across the occiput, 
below which band is a broader one of deep blue, the basal 
portion of the feathers being red; back, wings, tail, and 
under tail-coverts grass-green ; basal half of the mner webs 


of the primaries yellow ; ivides red, with a narrow ring of 
yellowish round the pupil; bill vermilion ; tarsi silken green 
in front; inside of the feet and back of the tarsi ash-grey. 


Sp. 446. TRICHOGLOSSUS CHLOROLEPIDOTUS. 


ScALY-BREASTED LORIKEET. 


Psittacus chlorolepidotus, Kuhl, Consp. Psitt. in Nov. Acta, vol. x. p. 48. 
Trichoglossus matont, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 292. 
chlorolepidotus, Wagl. Mon. Psitt. in Abhand., p. 550. 


Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., 
vol. v. pl. 50. 


The present Lorikeet inhabits New South Wales. To give 
any detailed account of its habits and mode of life would be 


merely repeating what I have said respecting the Trichoglossus 
multicolor, with which it frequently associates and even feeds 


INSESSORES. 97 


on the same branch ; it is, however, not so numerous as that 
species, nor so generally distributed over the face of the 
country. The brushes near the coast, studded here and there 
with enormous gums, towering high above every other tree 
by which they are surrounded, are the localities especially 
resorted to by it. 

Its principal food is honey, gathered from the cups of the 
newly expanded blossoms of the Hucalypti, upon which it feeds 
to such an excess, that on suspending a fresh-shot specimen by 
the toes a large teaspoonful of liquid honey will flow from the 
mouth. A proper attention to the diet of these birds by 
supplying them with food of a saccharine character; would 
doubtless enable us to keep them as denizens of our cages 
and avaries, as well as the other members of the family. 

Among other places, the Scaly-breasted Lorikeet breeds in 
all the large Hucalypti near Maitland on the Hunter, but I 
regret to say I did not procure its eggs. ) 

~The sexes are so closely alike as not to be — dis- 
tinguished. 

All the upper surface, wings, and tail rich grass-green; a 
few feathers at the back of the neck and all the feathers of 
the under surface bright yellow, margined at the tip with a 
crescent of grass-green, giving the whole a fasciated appear- 
ance ; under surface of the shoulder and base of the primaries 
and secondaries rich scarlet ; bill beautiful blood-red, inclining 
to orange at the tip; cere and orbits olive; irides in some 
Specimens scarlet with a circle. of buff round the pupil, in 
others buffy yellow. 

As far as I am aware, this is the only species of Zricho- 
glossus that has the bases of the feathers of the under sur- 
face yellow; those feathers are, however, fringed round with 
green, imparting that scale-like appearance to the breast of 
the bird which suggested its specific appellation. In size 
this species is intermediate between the larger Trichoglossi 
and the succeeding species, Pilosclera versicolor. — 

VOL. Il. H 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus PTILOSCLERA, Bonaparte. 


This term has been proposed by Bonaparte for the Pricho-. 
glossus versicolor of Vigors; I think the separation a judicious 
one, and believe that other species of the form will be found 
to inhabit the islands lying to the northward of Australia. 


Sp: 447. PTILOSCLERA VERSICOLOR. 
Varirp LoRiKEET. 


Trichoglossus versicolor, Vig. in Lear’s Ill. Psitt., pl. 36. 

Psitteuteles versicolor, Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool., 1854, p. 157. 

Ptilosclera versicolor, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de Acad. Sci., 1857. 

Conurus lori scintillatus, Bour}. de St.-Hil. Perr., tab. 52. 

Coriphilus versicolor, G. R. Gray, List of Spec. of Birds in Coll. Brit. 
Mus., part iii. sec. 1. p. 59. 

W e-ro-ole, Aborigines of Port Essington. 


Trichoglossus versicolor, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. 
pl. 51. 


There is no Australian species of the little honey-feeding 
Lorikeets yet discovered with which the present could be con- 
founded ; it is at once rendered conspicuously distinct from 
all its allies by the narrow stripe of yellow down the centre of 
the feathers of the upper and under surface. The red of the 
crown and the varied tints of blue and yellow about the sides 
of the face and ear-coverts render it remarkably different from 
all other Lorikeets; the red: patch on the chest also is an 
additional feature by which it is distinguished from them ; for 
although red on this part of the body is not unusual, in no 
other instance are the feathers streaked down the centre with 
yellow. 

The northern coast is the only part of the country in which 
it has as yet been discovered ; it is particularly abundant at 
Port Essington, where its suctorial mode of feeding leads it, 
like the other members of the genus, to frequent the flowery 


INSESSORES. 99 


ucalypti. Gilbert informed me that it “ congregates in 
immense numbers ; and when a flock is on the wing their 
movements are so regular and simultaneous it might easily be 
mistaken for a cloud passing rapidly along, were it not for 
the utterance of the usual piercing scream, which is frequently 
so loud as to be almost deafening. They feed on the topmost 
branches of the Hucalypti and Melaleuce. 1 observed them 
to be extremely abundant during the month of August on all 
the small islands in Van Diemen’s Gulf. | 

“The stomach is membranous and extremely diminutive 
in size. The food consists of honey and minute portions of 
the blossoms of their favourite trees.” 

Could this species be transmitted to Europe, and a kind of 
food suitable to it be discovered, it would form one of the 
most delightful cage-pets that has ever been introduced. 

The male has the lores and crown of the head rich deep 
red ; round the neck a collar of deep ceerulean blue ; back 
brownish green; wings green; rump and upper tail-coverts 
light yellowish green ; across the chest a broad band of pur- 
plish red ; under surface of the shoulder, abdomen, flanks and 
under tail-coverts light yellowish green ; all the feathers of the 
upper surface with a narrow stripe of yellowish green; the 
stripes, being more yellow at the occiput, almost form a band ; 
ear-coverts yellow; all the feathers of the under surface with 
-@ narrow line of bright yellow down the centre; on each side 
of the abdomen and down the inside of the thighs stained 
with patches of purplish red; primaries black, margined ex- 
ternally with deep green, with a fine line of yellowish green 
on the extreme edge of the feathers ; tail deep green, all but 
the two middle feathers greenish yellow on their internal webs; 
irides bright reddish yellow, with a very narrow ring of dark — 
red next the pupil; bill scarlet; cere and naked space round 
the eyes grecnish white; tarsi and feet light ash-grey. 

The female resembles the male, but is much less brilliant 
in all her markings. 

H 2 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus GLOSSOPSITTA, Bonaparte. 


Of this form three species inhabit Australia, and others New 
Guinea and the adjacent islands; they have many habits in 
common with the typical Zrichogloss?, but they somewhat differ 
from them in size and in the colouring of their plumage. 


Sp. 448. — GLOSSOPSITTA AUSTRALIS. 
i Musx-LoriKxeEert. 


Psittacus australis, Lath. Ind. Orn., vol. i. p. 104. 
concinnus, Shaw, Nat. Mise. pl. 87. 
Pacific Paroquet, Phil. Bot. Bay., pl. in p. 155. 
- Psittacus pacificus, Shaw, Gen. Zool., vol. viii. p. 419. 
rubrifrons, Bechst. Uebers. der Vog. Lath., S. 84. no. 99. 
Trichoglossus concinnus, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. 
p. 292. 
Lathamus concinnus, Less. Traité d’Orn., p. 206. 
Trichoglossus australis, Wagl., Mon. Psitt. in Abhand., tom.i. pp. 493 
and 549. 
Psittacus velatus, Vieill. Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., tom. xxv. p. 373. 
Glossopsitta australis, Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool., 1854, p. 197. 
Coolich, Aborigines of New South Wales. 
Musk Parrakeet, Colonists. 


Trichoglossus concinnus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. 
pl. 52. 


This species inhabits Tasmania, New South Wales and 
South Australia, and is very generally distributed over all 
parts of those countries. I have never heard of its occur- 
ing either in the western or northern portions of Australia, 
whence L infer that its habitat is restricted to the south and 
south-eastern divisions of the continent. Like every other 
species of Lorikeet, the present bird is always to be found 
upon the Hucalypti, whose blossoms afford it a never-failing 
supply of honey, one or other of the numerous species of that 
tribe of trees being in flower at all seasons of the year. It is 


INSESSORES. 101 


stationary in New South Wales, but I am not certain that it 
is so i the more southern country of Tasmania, where it is 
known by the name of the Musk-Parrakeet, from the peculiar 
odour it emits. 

It is a noisy species, and with its screeching note keeps up 
a perpetual din around the trees in which it is located. Dur- 
ing its search for honey it creeps among the leaves and smaller 
branches in the most extraordinary manner, hanging and 
clinging about them in every possible variety of position. It 
is so excessively tame that it is very difficult to drive it from 
the trees, or even from any particular branch. Although 
usually associated in flocks, it appears to be mated in pairs, 
which at all times keep together during flight, and settle side 
by side when the heat of the sun prompts them to shelter 
themselves under the shade of the more redundantly leaved 
branches. | 

The eggs, which are dirty white and two in number, are of 
a rounded form, one inch in length and seven-eighths of an 
inch in breadth. Those I obtained were taken from a hole in 
a large Kucalyptus growing on the Liverpool range. 

The sexes present no difference in colour, and the young \ 
assume the plumage of the adult at a very early age. 

Forehead and ear-coverts deep crimson red ; at the upper 
part of the back a broad patch of light chestnut brown; the 
remainder of the plumage grass-green ; on the flanks a spot 
of orange ; primaries and secondaries black, broadly margined 
on the external webs with grass-green; base of all but the 
timer webs of the lateral tail-feathers deep red at the base, 
passing into yellow and tipped with grass-green ;_ bill blackish 
brown, passing into reddish orange at the tip ; cere and orbits 
olive-brown ; irides buff, surrounded by a narrow circle of 
yellow. 


102 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Sp. 449. GLOSSOPSITTA PORPHYROCEPHALUS. 
PoRPHYRY-CROWNED LORIKEET. 


Psittacus purpurea, Diet. Phil. Mag. 1832, vol. xi. p. 387. 

—~— purpureus, Wag]. Mon. Psitt. in Abhand., vol. x. p. 747. 

Trichoglossus porphyrocephalus, Diet. Trans. Linn. Soc. vol. Xvil. 
p. 558. 

Psittacula florentis, Bourj. de St.-Hil., Supp. Le Vaill. Hist. des Perr., 
pl. 84. 

Glossopsitta porphyrocephalus, Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool., 1854, 
De £07. 


" AF 
Kow-ar, Aborigines of Western Australia. 


Trichoglossus porphyrocephalus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., 
vol, v. pl. 53. 

This handsome little bird is abundant in South Aus- 
tralia, is equally numerous at Swan River, and in all pro- 
bability is dispersed over the whole of the mtermediate 
country. It is the only true honey-feeding Lorikeet I have 
seen from Western Australia, a circumstance which cannot be 
accounted for, since the face of the country is covered with 
trees of a character so conducive to the well-being of the other 
members of the group. 

Most of the specimens I collected were shot during the 
months of June and July in the neighbourhood of Adelaide, 
and some of them in the town itself. It appears to arrive in 
this district at the flowering season of the Mucalypti, in com- 
pany with Trichoglossus multicolor, Glossopsitta australis and G. 
pusilla, all of which may frequently be seen on the same ‘tree 
at one time. As this tribe of birds depends solely for its 
subsistence upon the flowers of the gum-trees, their presence 
in any locality would be vainly sought for at any season when 
_ those trees are not in blossom. 

The sexes are precisely alike in size and in the colour of 
their plumage. 

Forehead, lores and ear-coverts yellow, intermingled with 


INSESSORES. . - Oa 


scarlet ; crown of the head deep purple ; back of the head and 
neck yellowish green; wing-coverts and rump grass-green ; 
shoulder light blue ; under surface of the wing crimson ; pri- 
maries blackish brown, margined externally with deep green, 
the extreme edge being greenish yellow; tail green above, 
golden beneath; throat and under surface greenish grey, 
passing into golden green on the flanks and under tail-coverts; 
bill black ; irides in some dark brown, in others light reddish 
brown, with a narrow ring of orange round the pupil; feet 
bluish flesh-colour. : 


Sp. 450. GLOSSOPSITTA PUSILLA. 
Lirtte Lorikeert. 


Psittacus pusillus, Shaw in White’s Journ., pl. in p. 262. 

nuchalis, Bechst. Uebers. der Vog., p. 81. 

—— (Conurus) pusillus, Kuhl. Consp. Psitt., pp. 8, 47. 

Perruche & face rouge, Le Vaill. Perr., tom. : p. 124, pl. 62. 

Small Parrakeet, Lath. Gen. Syn., vol. ii. p. 88. 

Small Parrot, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. ii. p. 194. 

Trichoglossus pusillus, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 298. 
Lathamus pusillus, Less. Traité d’Orn., p. 206. 

Glossopsitta pusilla, Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool., 1854, p. 157. 
Jerryang, Aborigines of New South Wales. 


Trichoglossus pusillus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 54. 


This familiar species, the least of the Australian Psitiacde, 
enjoys a range of habitat precisely similar to that of the Glos- 
sopsitta australis, bemg dispersed over the whole of New 
South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania; it is, however, 
more sparingly diffused over the latter country. I found it 
tolerably abundant, and killed several specimens on Maria 
Island, near the entrance of Storm Bay. On the continent of 
- Australia it is not only to be found in the same districts and 
at the same seasons of the year as G. australis, but it is more 
frequently observed in company with that species than alone ; 

flocks of each often occupying the same tree, and even the 


104 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


same branch, all busily engaged in extracting their nectarine 
food. It creeps about under and among the leaves with the 
greatest facility, and, like the other members of the group, ap- 
pears to be always associated in pairs. As might be expected 
from the structure of its wing, which is admirably adapted for 
rapid progression, it flies through the air with arrow-like swift- 
ness. | 

I succeeded in finding the breeding-places of this species, 
and on the 11th of October 1839, procured four eggs from a 
hole in a small branch of a lofty Hucalyptus, growing on the 
flats at Yarrundi on the Upper Hunter. They were white 
and of an oval form, nine lines and a half long by seven lines 
and a half broad. 

The sexes are similar in plumage, and differ but little in size; 
the female is, however, rather more diminutive than the male. 

Face deep red; back of the neck brown ; all the remainder 
of the plumage grass-green ; primaries, secondaries and greater 
coverts black, margined externally with grass-green; two 
centre tail-feathers and outer webs of the remainder grass- 


green ; the inner webs of the lateral feathers fine red at the 
base, passing into greenish yellow towards the tip ; bill black; 
cere and orbits dark olive-brown ; irides orange, surrounded 
by a narrow line of yellow. : 


RASORES. 105 


Order RASORES. 


If we were to remove the Columbide (or Pigeons) from the 
fasores, Australia would indeed be meagrely supplied with 
the members of this Order; for how sparingly do its varied 
forms occur therein! No bird like the gorgeous Peacock of 
‘India; no Pheasant, as in ancient Colchis; no true Gallus, 
the bird that from all time has supplied the wants of man ; 
no Grouse or Partridge:to herald in a season of sport or 
pastime: a few Turnices, a Quail, and an apology for our 
Perdixv cinerea in the Synoicus australis are nearly all the 
birds of this Order to which she can lay claim ; but on the 
other hand, among the few she does possess, she can boast 
of her Zualegallus, her Leipoa, and her Megapodius, as birds 
whose extraordinary habits and economy compensate for the 
paucity of Gallinacez. 


Family COLUMBIDZ. 


The members of this important family are distributed over 
every portion of the globe, in no part of which are they more 
numerous than in Australia, since that country is inhabited 
by more than twenty species, which, like the Psittacide, 
comprise several well-marked and distinct genera, and appear 
to be naturally divided into two great groups, the one arboreal, 
the other terrestrial; the Ptilinopi, Carpophage, and Lopho- 
laimus, with their expansive gullets and broad hand-like feet, 
forming part of the former, and the members of the genera 
Phaps, Geophaps, and Geopelia, the latter. The Ptilinopi 
and other allied forms are, in consequence of the peculiar 
character of the vegetation, confined, without a single excep- 
tion, to the eastern and northern coasts. - . 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus PTILINOPUS, Swainson. 


The species of this genus, the most brilliant and highly- 
coloured of the Columbide, range over Australia, New Guinea, 
the Moluccas, the Celebes, and Polynesia. 


Sp. 451. PTILINOPUS SWAINSONIT, Gould. 
Swainson’s Frurr-Preron. 


Ptilinopus purpuratus, var. regina, Swains. Zool. Journ., vol. i. p. 474? 

Columba purpurata, Jard. and Selb. Ill. Orn., vol. 11. pl. 70. 

Ptilinopus swainsonit, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part x. p. 18. 

Ptilopus swainsoni, Bonap.Coup d’Ciil des Pig., Compt. Rend. de l’Acad. 
Sci., tom. xxxix et xl. 1854, 1855. 


Ptilinopus swainsonii, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 55. 


The specimens from which my description of this species 
was taken are from the brushes of the river Clarence, in 
which district and in many parts of Queensland it is tolerably 
abundant, the dense and luxuriant brushes affording it a con- 
genial habitat and breeding-place ; but as I have never myself 
seen this bird in a state of nature, I am unable to give any 
account of its habits or economy. ‘The sexes are so nearly 
alike in colouring that dissection alone can distinguish them 
with certainty. 

Forehead. and crown deep crimson-red, surrounded except 
in front with a narrow ring of light yellow; back of the neck 
greyish green; all the upper surface bright green tinged with 
yellow, the green becoming deep blue towards the extremities 
of the tertiaries, which are broadly margined with yellow; 
primaries slaty grey on their inner webs and green on the 
outer, very slightly margined with yellow ; tail-feathers deep 
green, largely tipped with rich yellow; throat greenish grey, 
stained with yellow on the chin in some specimens and 
greyish white in others ; breast dull green, each feather forked 
at the end and with a triangular silvery-grey spot at each 


RASORES., . 107 


extremity ; flanks and abdomen green, with a large patch of 
orange-red in the centre of the latter; under tail-coverts 
orange yellow; thighs green; irides reddish orange; bill 
greenish black and horn-colour at tip; feet olive brown. 
‘Total length 9 inches ; bill?; wing 52; tail 32; tarsi 3. 


Sp. 452. PTILINOPUS EWINGII, Gould. 
Ewine’s Fruit-Picnon. © 


Ptilinopus ewingii, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part x. p. 19. 
Ptilopus ewingi, Bonap. Coup d’diil des Pig., Compt. Rend. de Acad. 
Sci., tom. xxxix et xl. 1854, 1855. 


Ptilinopus ewingii, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 56. 


This lovely species, which is a native of the Coburg Penin- 
Sula, and doubtless ranges over the northern coast of Australia 
generally, differs from the preceding, Ptilinopus swainsonit, 
in being much smaller in all its admeasurements, in the colour 
of the crown being rose-pink instead of crimson-red ; in the 
breast being pale greenish grey instead of dull green; in 
having the centre of the abdomen rich orange instead of lilac ; 
and also in having the tail-feathers tipped with greenish 
yellow instead of clear rich yellow. 

In naming the second Australian species of this beautiful 
form after the Rev. Thomas J. Ewing, D.D., I am actuated 
by a desire to pay a just compliment to one who has devoted 
considerable attention to the literature of ornithology; I feel 
assured, therefore, that however objectionable the naming of 
Species after persons may be under ordinary circumstances, 
it will not in this instance be deemed an inappropriate mode 
of evincing my sense of the many admirable qualities of a 
highly esteemed friend. 

Forehead and crown of the head rose-pink, bordered with 
@ narrow line of yellow, except in front; back of the head 
and neck greenish grey; all the upper surface bright green, 


108 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


passing into deep blue on the tertiaries ; primaries, seconda- 
ries, and tertiaries slightly margined with yellow; tail largely 
tipped with yellow, tinged with green, particularly on the two 
centre feathers ; chin pale yellow; sides of the neck greenish 
grey ; chest pale greenish grey, each feather forked at the end 
and tipped with grey; below the chest an indistinct band of 
sulphur-yellow ; flanks and lower part of the abdomen green ; 
centre of the abdomen rich orange, in the middle of which is 
a lunar-shaped mark of lilac; under tail-coverts orange ; 
thighs and tarsi green; irides orange; feet olive. 
Total length 72 inches; bill $; wing 43; tail 3; tarsi 2. 


Genus LAMPROTRERON, Bonaparte. 


This genus was established for the Columba superba of 
Temminck, and two other species—C. porphyrea and C. holo- 
sericea. Whether the latter two birds are really of the same 
form as the first | am unable to say; but the present species 
is the type of the genus, and the only one found in Australia. 


Sp. 453. LAMPROTRERON SUPERBUS. 


SupeRB FRuit-PIGEON. 


Columba superba, Temm. Les Pig., fol. 2nd fam., p. 75, pl. 33. 

Ptthnopus superbus, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xiv. p. 279. 

Lamprotreron superba, Bonap. Coup d’Ckil des Pig. Compt. Rend. de 
VAcad. Sci., tom. xxxix et xl. 1854, 1855. 


Ptilinopus superbus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 57. 


This lovely species was originally figured and described in 
the splendid work on the Pigeons by Madame Knip and 
Temminck as an inhabitant of one of the islands of the 
Pacific Ocean ; and it affords me much pleasure to be enabled 
to include it in the Fauna of Australia, specimens having been 
procured by Mr. Bynoe on Booby Island, which lies off the 
north coast; since then it has, I believe, been found on the 


RASORES. 109 


mainland. In all probability it enjoys 4n extensive range 
over the islands of New Guinea. The specimens procured 
by Mr. Bynoe were fortunately male and female: the latter 
sex exhibits in its plumage traces of immaturity ; but whether 
the rich colouring of the crown of the head is at all times 
absent is a point yet to be ascertained, a knowledge of which 
would greatly tend to clear up the confusion which reigns 
throughout this gorgeously-coloured group of Pigeons. 

The specific term superdus is a most appropriate designation 
for this charming little Pigeon, which must be seen in its native 
wilds before a just conception can be formed of its beauty ; for 
the hues of no other feathered creature can surpass those of 
newly moulted individuals of this bird. i 

The male has the crown of the head of a very deep rich | 
purple; sides of the head and occiput olive-green; sides and | 
back of the neck bright rufous; shoulders very dark bluish 
black ; all the upper surface and wings deep yellowish green, 
tinged with rufous; the scapularies and tertiaries with a spot 
of deep green near the extremity; primaries and secondaries 
black, slightly margined externally near the tip with pale 
yellow; tail grey at the base, to which succeeds a broad band 
of black, glossed particularly on the central feathers with 
green; beyond this the tips are white, all but the outer ones 
washed with green; chin white; breast grey, below which a 
band of black; abdomen and under tail-coverts white, the 
latter with a stripe of olive down the centre; band crossing 
the flanks and another crossing the thighs a feet 
orange; bill dark horn-colour. : 

The female has the crown of the head and all the upper | 
surface yellowish green, with a small spot of deep blue near ( 
the tips of the scapularies; primaries and secondaries black, 
slightly edged with yellow; at the occiput a large patch of 
deep green; chin grey; centre of breast greenish grey ; 
flanks green; centre of abdomen straw-yellow. 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus MEGALOPREPIA, Reichenbach. — 


The species of this genus are widely dispersed over Eastern 
Australia, New Guinea, and the adjacent islands. Strictly 
arboreal in their habits, and feeding entirely upon fruits, 
berries, and seeds, they frequent the towering fig-trees when 
their fruit is ripe, and the lofty palms for the sake of their 
large round seeds. ‘Their short tarsi and dilated feet are 
admirably adapted for clasping the branches. ‘T'wo species 
inhabit Australia. 


Sp. 454. MEGALOPREPIA MAGNIFICA. 


Maeniricent Fruit-Picgron. 


Columba magnifica, Temm. in Linn. Trans., vol. xiii. p. 125. 
Carpophaga magnifica, Selby in Nat. Lib. Orn., vol. v. Pigeons, p. 115. 
Megaloprepia magnifica, Reich. Syst. Av., tab. 33. figs. 1299, 1300. 


Carpophaga magnifica, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 58, 


This splendid bird, the finest of the Pigeons yet discovered 
in Australia, is abundant in all the brushes on the south-east 
portion of that country, but is less numerous in the Illawarra 
district than in the neighbourhood of the rivers Macquarrie, 
Clarence, and Macleay; how far its range may extend from 
thence to the northward has yet to be ascertained ; I did not 
observe it in any of the brushes clothing the ranges of the 
interior. Its chief food is the wild fig and the nut-like fruit 
of the large palms. It is rather a shy bird, and from its 
quiet habits is not easily discovered, unless it betrays its 
presence by the hoarse, loud, and monotonous note, which is 
frequently uttered by the male during the pairing-season. 
This note is so extraordinary, and so unlike that of any other 
bird, that it causes the utmost surprise and wonderment as 
to what it can proceed from, in the minds of those persons 
who hear it for the first time. 


RASORES. lil 


The sexes present no external difference, but the smaller- 
sized individuals may generally be regarded as females. 
_ Head and neck pale grey ; all the upper surface and wings 
rich golden green; the greater coverts and the tertiaries with 
a patch of light yellow near the base of the outer webs, forming 
an irregular oblique band across the wing; primaries green ; 
under surface of the wing brown, passing into cinnamon- 
brown at the base of the feathers; tail rich deep bronzy 
green; lie down the centre of the throat, and the whole of 
the breast and abdomen rich deep purple; under surface of 
the shoulder, the thighs, and vent deep gamboge-yellow ; under 
tail-coverts greenish grey, washed with gamboge-yellow. 


Sp. 455. MEGALOPREPIA ASSIMILIS, Gould. 


AuLieD Fruit-Picxon. 
Carpophaga assimilis, Gould in Proce. of Zool. Soc., 1850, p. 201. 
Megaloprepia assimilis, Bonap. Coup d’Miil des Pig., Compt. Rend. de 
‘PAcad. Sci., tom. xxxix et xl. 1854, 1855. ; 


Carpophaga assimilis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., Supple- 
ment, pl. 

I am not surprised that an additional Fruit-Pigeon should 
have been discovered in the north-eastern parts of Australia, 
Since in every degree nearer the tropics palm-trees, among 
which these birds are principally found, become more abundant. 

There exists in New Guinea another nearly allied species, 
to which the name of puella has been given by Lesson. This 
bird is still smaller than the present one, and has the yellow 
markings at the tips of the wing-coverts in the form of round 
Spots instead of oval blotches; its face and neck are more 
grey, and its back less golden or sulphur-green, than in 
M. assimilis. | | 

Numerous specimens of this bird were collected on the 
Cape York Peninsula by Mr. Macgillivray and the officers of 
Her Majesty’s Ship Rattlesnake. 


112 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


The only outward differences between the sexes consist in 
the somewhat smaller size and less brilliant colouring of the 
female. ' 

Head, throat, and ear-coverts grey; all the upper surface, 
wings, and tail sulphur-green ; each of the wing-coverts with - 
an oblong mark of rich yellow at the tip, forming an oblique 
band across the shoulder ; line down the centre of the throat, 
chest aud abdomen rich purple; under wing-coverts, vent, 
thighs, and under tail-coverts rich orange-yellow ; basal por- 
tion of the inner webs of the primaries and_ secondaries 
cinnamon. | 

Total length 14 inches; bill 1; wing 7; tail 6; tarsi 2. 


Genus LEUCOMAELANA, Bonaparte. 


Bonaparte places the next species in his division Palumbce, 
but keeps it distinct from the other genera of the section. 
Although a bird of large size, it is certainly of a very delicate 
structure, and in this respect differs from the other members 
of the family. 


Sp. 456. LEUCOMELAINA NORFOLCIENSIS. 


Waitr-HEADED Fruit-PigEon. 


Columba norfolciensis, Lath. Ind. Orn., Supp. p. Ix. 
leucomela, Temm. in Trans. Linn. Soc., vol. xii. p. 126. 
leucomelana, Wag. Syst. Av., Columba, sp. 56. 

Carpophaga norfolciensis, Gray, List of Spec. of Birds in Coll. Brit. 
Mus., part i. p. 5. 

Alsocomus leucomela, Blyth. 

Myristicivora norfolciensis, Reich. Syst. Av., t. cexxix. figs. 1280-82. 

Leucomelana norfolciensis, Bonap. Coup @ (iil des Pig., Compt. Rend 
de PAcad. Sci., tom. xxxix et xl. 1854, 1855. 


Carpophaga leucomela, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 59. 


This fine species of Pigeon is an inhabitant of those vast 
primeeval forests of New South Wales to which the colonists 


RASORES. 113 


. have applied the name of Brushes. I found it very numerous 
on Mosquito and the other low islands near the mouth of the 
river Hunter, as well as in the cedar brushes of the Liverpool 
range; I believe that it breeds in both those districts; and 
that it never quits these luxuriant forests for other parts of the 
country is more than probable, as a plentiful supply of fruits 
and berries is furnished by the various trees at every season 
of the year; the wild fig, the palm-nut, and the wild grape 
constitute a considerable portion of its food. The slender 
branches are often borne down by its weight, particularly 
when it clings to the extreme end of the spray to obtain 
the best and ripest fruit; in this mode of clinging and in 
many of its actions it far more resembles the larger Honey- 
eaters and Parrots than the Pigeons; the structure of its 
foot is beautifully adapted for the duties it is intended to 
perform. : 

The powers of flight of this species are very great, its 
voluminous wing enabling it to pass from one part of the 
forest to another in a comparatively short space of time ; hence 
flocks may frequently be observed passing over the tops of 
the trees, forsaking a locality they have exhausted of its 
supplies, and im search of another where food is more 
abundant. | 

The nest of this species, like those of other Pigeons, is a 
slight flat structure formed of small-sticks and twigs; the 
eggs are frequently only one, and never more than two in 
number, of a pure white. 

‘The sexes may be distinguished by the smaller size of the 
female, and by her colours being less strongly contrasted 
than those of the male, the yellowish white of the head \ 
and breast blending into the darker colouring of the other — 
parts. 

The male has the head, neck, and breast white, washed 
with buff, particularly on the crown; all the upper surface, 
wings, and tail greyish black; all the feathers of the back, 

VOL. II. I 


114 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


» 


rump, and lesser wing-coverts bordered with bronzy-purple in 
some, and greenish purple in others; flanks slate-colour ; 
abdomen dingy buff; bill for two-thirds from the base beau- 
tiful pink-red, covered with a mealy substance ; tip of the bill 
yellowish white, tinged with lilac; irides large and of a rich 
yellowish hazel in some specimens, reddish orange in others ; 
naked skin of the orbits mealy pink-red ; feet buff, with the 
scales pink-red and the nails white. 


Genus MYRISTICIVORA, Reichenbach 


A genus of fruit-eating Pigeons, whose range extends from 
the Philippines, through the Indian Islands, to Australia. The 
general plumage of these birds is white or cream-white, with 
markings of black on the tail and wings. 


Sp. 457. MYRISTICIVORA SPILORRHOA, G. 2. Gray. 


Wuitte Nutmec-PicEon. 


Carpophaga spilorrhoa, G. R. Gray in Proc. of Zool. Soc. XXVI. p, 186, 
M6b-koitt, Aborigines of Port Essington. 


Carpophaga luctuosa, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 60. 


This bird arrives in the Cobourg Peninsula at the be- 
ginning of November, and departs again in April or May, 
It is strictly arboreal in its habits, living among the branches 
of the highest trees, and feeding upon various fruits and 
berries. Gilbert’s notes respecting it are as follows :—‘ This 
Pigeon may generally be seen in great numbers wherever the 
wild nutmeg is to be found, and so exclusively does it confine 
itself to the trees in search of food, that during the whole 
time I was in the country I never saw one rise from the 
ground, nor did I meet with any person in the settlement who 
had. It flies very rapidly, and generally mounts up to so great 
a height as to be beyond the range of a gun. The only time 


RASORES. 115 


at which I could succeed in procuring specimens was the 
evening, when it resorts to the mangroves on the small islands 
lying off the shore, or to the dense thickets a short dis- 
tance inland ; at this time it may be seen arriving in small 
flocks of from ten to fifteen to roost for the night. Its note, 
like that of the other pigeons, is a coo, but at times, particu- 
larly when it has paired, it is much louder and deeper than 
that of any other species I ever heard. 

“Tt pairs and commences breeding immediately after its 
arrival in November, and I have obtained eggs as late as the 
middle of January. The nest is formed of a few sticks laid 
across one another in opposite directions, and is so slight a 
structure that the eggs may usually be seen through the inter- 
stices from beneath, and it is so flat that it appears wonderful 
how the eggs remain upon it when the branch is waving 
about in the wind; it is usually built on the horizontal 
branch of a mangrove, and it would seem that it prefers for 
this purpose a branch overhanging water. ‘That it never lays 
more than one egg appears to me without a doubt, for upon 
visiting Table Head River on the eastern side of the harbour 
of Port Essington I found no less than twenty nests, all of 
which contained either a single egg or a single young bird.” 
Mr. Elsey found it on the Victoria River; and out of Australia 
it has been met with in the Aru Islands, whence Mr. Wallace 
brought specimens. 

Mr. G. R. Gray states that this bird, which I had con- 
sidered to be identical with C. Juctuosa of Temminck, iin 
distinguished by the feathers of the thighs and under tail- 
coverts being spotted near the margins and the outer tail- 
feathers, with the greater part of the outer web and tip black, 
while in C. ductuosa the feathers of the thighs and under tail- 
coverts end in deep black, and the outer tail-feathers in white 
throughout, except on the outer. web nearest the base.” 

The whole of the plumage buffy white, with the exception of 
the primaries, secondaries and greater wing-coverts, which are 

12 


116 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


greyish black, and the tips of the tail-feathers, which are black, 
the black becoming of less extent as the feathers recede from 
the centre of the tail, until the outer feather is only slightly 
tipped; this feather is also broadly margined with black on 
the outer web for three-fourths of its length from the base ; 
the under tail-coverts also have an irregular band of black 
near the tip of each feather ; irides dark brown; bill dark 
greenish grey, except the tip, which is light yellow. 


Genus LOPHOLAIMUS, G. R. Gray. 


The single species of this genus is strictly a fruit-eating 
Pigeon, and is, so far as we yet know, confined to Australia. 


Sp. 458. LOPHOLAIMUS ANTARCTICUS. 
Topr-KNoT PIGEON. 


Columba antarctica, Shaw, Zool. of New Holl., pl. 5. 
dilopha, Temm. in Linn. Trans., vol. xii. p. 124. 
Lophorhynchus dilophus, Swains. Class. of Birds, vol. i. p. 848. 
antarcticus, G. R. Gray, List of Gen. of Birds, Ist Hdit., p. 58. 
Lopholaimus antarcticus, G. R. Gray, [bid., App. to 2nd Edit., p. 12. 
Top-knot Pigeon of the Colonists of New South Wales. 


Da antarcticus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. 
pi Ol. ? 

Although the specific term of anfarcticus 1s not an appro- 
priate appellation for this noble Pigeon, it cannot, I think, be 
sunk into a synonym, since it was first applied to it m a work 
exclusively on the zoology of New Holland, as will be seen on 
reference to the synonyms above quoted. I feel assured that 
Temminck was either unacquainted with the publication alluded 
to, or that the circumstance of its having been previously de- 
scribed and figured had escaped his memory, when he cha- 
racterized this bird in the thirteenth volume of the “ Linnean 
Transactions,” and subsequently figured it in his “ Planches 


Coloriées,” under the name of Columba dilopha. 


RASORES. 117 


I have not yet seen specimens of this Pigeon from the 
northern or western coast, and it appears to be exclusively 
confined to the rich and luxuriant districts of the southern 
and eastern portions of Australia ; being particularly abundant 
in the brushes of Illawarra, the Hunter, the Clarence, &c., 
where there are trees which furnish it at all seasons with a plen- 
tiful supply of food. So entirely arboreal are its habits, that 
I never once saw it descend to the ground, or even to the low 
shrub-like trees. It is strictly gregarious, often traversing the 
forests in flocks of many hundreds in search of those trees 
most laden with its favourite fruit; upon discovering which 
the entire flock alight simultaneously, often bearing down 
the smaller twigs and branches with their weight. 

Among other substances found in the stomachs of those 
specimens I dissected, were the wild-fig and the large round 
berries of the cabbage-palm ; in all probability it also feeds 
upon fruits of a still larger size, as its bill and throat are ca- 
pable of being dilated to a great extent. 3 

Its flesh is not so good as that of many other members of 
its family, being coarse and dry-eating. 

I had no opportunity of observing its nidification, neither 
could I obtain any information on the subject. 

The sexes are alike in plumage. 

Frontal crest, .sides of the head, neck, breast, and under 
surface silvery grey, the feathers of the neck and breast 
being hackled, and admitting the darker colouring of their 
bases to be perceived through the interstices; elongated 
occipital plumes rust-red; from the eye to the occiput 


a line of black, which, meeting behind, is continued for 


a short distance down the back of the neck; all the upper 
surface dark slate-grey ; primaries, secondaries, and edge of 
the wing black; tail light grey at the base, black for the re- 
mainder of its length, crossed by an irregular band of buffy 
grey about an inch from the extremity; irides fiery orange, 
Surrounded by a lash of pink-red, and seated in a bare mealy 


118 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


space of the same colour, but hardly so bright; bill bright 
rose-red, inclining to lilac at the tip; fleshy part coverimg the 
nostrils and at the base of the lower mandible greenish lead- 
colour in the male, and lead-colour in the female; feet pur- 
plish red; back of the tarsi and sole of the feet greyish brown. 


Genus CHALCOPHAPS, Gould. 


A genus of Brush Pigeons, which seek their food on the 
ground and live on the fallen seeds and berries they find there. 
Two species inhabit Australia, one of which is confined to the 
eastern and the other to the northern coast ; other species are 
found in Java, Sumatra, and on the continent of India, the 
whole forming a group well worthy of investigation. 


Sp. 459. CHALCOPHAPS CHRYSOCHLORA. 
Lirtute GREEN PIGEON. 


Colomba javanica, Temm. Les Pig., pl. 26, but not the description 
(Bonaparte). 
chrysochlora, Wagl. Syst. Av. Columba, sp. 79, but not the 
habitat (Bonaparte). 


Chalcophaps chrysochlora, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. 
pl. 62. 

The Little Green Pigeon is sparingly dispersed in all the 
brushes of New South Wales, both those clothing the moun- 
tain ranges as well as those near the coast ; how far it may 
proceed northwards has not yet been ascertained. The brushy 
districts are the localities peculiarly adapted to it, and these 
I believe it never leaves for the more open parts of the country; 
hence it is but little known to, and seldom seen by, the colo- 
nists, a circumstance the more to be regretted, as the beauty 
and brilliancy of its plumage and the neatness of its form ren- 
der it one of the prettiest of the Australian birds. When 
flushed, it flies very quickly through the scrub, but to no great 


RASORES. 119 


distance, and readily eludes pursuit by pitching suddenly to 
the ground, and remaining so quiet that it can rarely be dis- 
covered. 

I never met with its nest, nor could I obtain, either from 
the natives or settlers, any particulars respecting its nidifica- 
tion. . ' 

The sexes differ considerably in colour, and the female is 
somewhat smaller than the male. 

The male has the crown of the head, face and all the under 
surface deep vinaceous ; nape and back of the neck dark grey; 
edge of the shoulder snow-white : centre of the back, wing- 
coverts and outer webs of the tertiaries shining greenish cop- 
per-colour ; rump and upper tail-coverts slaty-black, crossed 
by three indistinct bands of grey; primaries and secondaries 
brown, largely margined with ferruginous on the base of their 
iner webs; tail black, except the two outer feathers on 
each side, which are light grey, crossed by a broad band of 
black near the tip; under tail-coverts black ; apical half of 
the bill blood-red, basal half plum-colour ; feet dull reddish 
plum-colour ; orbits dark grey ; eyelash lilac-red ; irides lila- 
ceous lead-colour. 

The female has the head and neck dark cinnamon-brown, 
approaching to chocolate ; the wing-coverts much more green 
than in the male; face and all the under surface cinnamon- 
brown, with merely a wash on the breast of the vinaccous 
tint; upper tail-coverts brown; four centre tail-feathers 
brown; the two next on each side chestnut-brown, and the 
outer one on each side grey; all but the four middle ones 
crossed near the tip with a broad band of black ; and the soft 
parts similar, but less brilliant than in the male. 


Sp. 460. CHALCOPHAPS LONGIROSTRIS, Gould 


LoNnG-BILLED Green Piczron. 


As the bird of this form inhabiting the country in the neigh- 


een 


120 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


bourhood of Port Essington differs from those inhabiting New 
South Wales in the much greater length of the mandibles. 1 
have named it Chalcophaps longirostris. Its colouring is 
similar to that of C. chrysochlora, but is more brilliant, and 
the bands across the rump are more distinct. 


Genus LEUCOSARCIA, Gould. 


A genus proposed by me for the reception of the Wonga- 
Wonga Pigeon of the Australian Brushes, a bird having many 
peculiar habits. Its flesh being white, and extremely delicate, 
it is one of the best birds for the table inhabiting Australia, 


or indeed any other country. 
The colour of the flesh suggested the generic term I have 


assigned to it. 
Sp. 461. LEUCOSARCIA PICATA. 


WoNGA-WONGA. 


Columba picata et melanoleuca, Lath. Ind. Orn. Supp., p. lix. 


armillaris, Temm. Les Pig., p. 18, pl. 6. 
jamiesonii, Quoy et Gaim. Voy. Zoolog., p. 123. 
Colombe Goad-gang, Temm. Les Pig., p. 118. 
Phaps picata, G. R. Gray, Gen. of Birds, vol. ii. p. 477, Phaps, sp. 4. 
Wonga-wonga, Aborigines of New South Wales. 
White-fleshed and Wonga-wonga Pigeon, Colonists of New South Wales. 


Leucosarcia picata, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 63. 


This Pigeon must always be an object of interest, from 
its large size and the whiteness of its flesh rendering it a 
great delicacy for the table; im which respect it is second 
to no other member of its family, the only one at all ap- 
proximating to it being the Geophaps scripta. It is to be 
regretted that a bird possessing so many qualifications should 
not be generally dispersed over the country, but such is not 
the case. ‘To look for it on the plains or in any of the open 
hilly parts would be useless; no other districts than the 


RASORES. 12] 


brushes which stretch along the line of coast of New South 
Wales, or those clothing the sides of the hills of the interior, 
being favoured with its presence. The same kind of situa- 
tions that are suited to the Brush Turkey (Zalegallus lathami), 
the Menura and the Satin-bird are equally adapted to those 
of the Wonga-wonga; its distribution, therefore, over Aus- 
tralia mainly depends upon whether the surface of the country 
be or be not clothed with that rich character of vegetation 
common to the south-eastern portion of the continent. As 
the length of its tarsi would lead one to expect, it spends 
most of its time on the ground, where it feeds upon the seeds 
and stones of the fallen fruits of the towering trees under 
whose shade it dwells, seldom exposing itself to the rays of 
the sun, or seeking the open parts of the forest. While tra- 
~ versing these solitudes, the explorer is frequently startled by 
the sudden rising of the Wonga-wonga, the noise of whose 
wings is not very different from that made by the rising of a 
Pheasant. Its flight is not of long duration, this power being 
merely employed to remove it to a sufficient distance to avoid 
detection by again descending to the ground, or mounting to 
the branch of a neighbouring tree. I had frequent oppor- 
tunities of personally observing it at Illawarra, on the low 
islands at the mouth of the river Hunter, and in the cedar- 
brushes of the Liverpool range. During my encampment in 
each of these parts, it was always secured whenever an oppor- 
tunity occurred, for the purpose of eating. 

Of the nidification of this valuable bird I could gain no 
precise information. 


The sexes present no external difference in the markings © 


of their plumage, but the female is somewhat inferior to the 
male in size. 


Lores black ; forehead and chin white; all the upper sur- 


face, wings, and tail deep slate-grey ; primaries brown; the 
three lateral tail-feathers on each side tipped. with white ; 
sides of the head light grey, gradually passing into the greyish 


122 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA, 


black of the breast, which latter colour is interrupted on each 
side by a broad line of white which passes obliquely down, 
and meets on the centre of the breast near the lower margin 
of the greyish black ; feathers of the abdomen and flanks 
white, the latter with a triangular black spot near the ex- 
tremity of each feather ; under tail-coverts dark brown, largely 
tipped with buff, particularly on the inner webs ; irides very 
dark brown, surrounded by a narrow pink-red lash ; tip of the 
bill purplish black ; base of the bill and the fleshy operculum. 
covering the nostrils pink-red ; legs and feet bright pink-red. 


Genus PHAPS, Selby. 


The species of the genus Phaps, a form which I believe to 
be confined to Australia, are more widely dispersed than those 
of any other section of the family, being universally distri- 
buted over the entire country from north to south and from 
east to west; even the parched deserts of the interior are 
visited by them if a supply of water sufficient for their exist- 
ence be within reach of ther evening flight, which is per- 
formed with the most extraordinary rapidity and power. 


Sp. 462. PHAPS CHALCOPTERA. 
Common BRONZE-WING. 


Columba chaleoptera, Lath. Ind. Orn., vol. ii. p. 604. 

Bronze-winged Pigeon, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp. vol. ii. p. 266. 
Peristera chalcoptera, Swains. Class. of Birds, vol. ii. p. 349. 

Phaps chalcoptera, Selby, Nat. Lib. Orn., vol. v. Pigeons, p. 195, pl. 21. 
Ov-da, Aborigines of Western Australia. 

Ar-a-wal'-ra-wa, Aborigines of Port Essington. 

Bronze Pigeon, Colonists of Swan River. 


Peristera chalcoptera, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 64. 


The Bronze-winged Pigeon is so generally distributed over 
all parts of Australia, that, without a single exception, the 


RASORES. 123 


colonists of every settlement have found the surrounding 
country inhabited by this fine bird. Specimens from Port 
Essington, Swan River, Tasmania, and New South Wales 
differ so little from each other, either in their size or mark- 
ings, that they must all be regarded as one and the same 
species. At Swan River it is said to be migratory, and to 
be met with in the interior of that part of the country in large 
flocks. At Port Essington, on the contrary, it would seem 
to be stationary. 

It is a plump, heavy bird, weighing when in good condition 
fully a pound; and is constantly eaten by every class of 
persons resident in Australia. Its amazing powers of flight 
enable it to pass in an incredibly short space of time over 
a great expanse of country, and just before sunset it may 
be observed swiftly winging its way over the plains or 
down the gullies to its drmking-place. During the long 
drought of 1839-40, when I was encamped at the northern 
extremity of the Brezi range, I had daily opportunities 
of observing the arrival of this bird to drink; the only 
water for miles, as I was assured by the natives, being that in 
the immediate vicinity of my tent, and that merely the 
scanty supply left in a few small natural basins in the rocks, 
which had been filled by the rains of many months before. 
This peculiar situation afforded me an excellent opportunity 
for observing not only the Bronze-wing, but many other birds 
inhabiting the neighbourhood: few if any of the true insecti- 
vorous or fissirostral birds came to the water-holes ; but, on 
the other hand, those species that live upon grain and seeds, 
particularly the Parrakeets and Honey-eaters (Zrichoglossi and 
Meliphagi), were continually rushing down to the edges of 
the pools, utterly regardless of my presence, their thirst quite 
overcoming their sense of danger; seldom, if ever, however, 
did the Bronze-wing make its appearance during the heat 
of the day, but at sundown it arrived with arrow-like swift- 
ness, either singly or in pairs. It did not descend at once 


Hit 


124 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


to the edge of the pool, but dashed down to the ground at 
about ten yards’ distance, remained quiet for a short time, 
_then walked leisurely to the water, and, after drinking, 
winged its way to its roosting-place: with a knowledge, there- 
fore, of the habits of this bird, the weary traveller may always 
know when he is in the vicinity of water; and, however arid 
the appearance of the country may be,if he observes the Bronze- 
wing wending its way to a given point, he may be certain 
to procure a supply of water. When rain has fallen in abun- 
dance, and the rivers and lagoons are filled, the case is mate- 
rially altered; then the Bronze-wing and many other birds 
are not so easily procured. 

It has been supposed that a partial exodus of this species 
takes place from time to time, a circumstance which I think 
is very probable, as its numbers are sometimes suddenly in- 
creased. After the breeding season is over, both the adults 
and young resort to the stubble-fields of the settlers, when 
from twenty to thirty brace may be killed in a day. Although, 
as I have before stated, the Bronze-wing is an excellent article 
of food, it must yield the palm in this respect to the Wonga- 
wonga Pigeon (Leucosarcia picata) and the Partridge Bronze- 
wing (Geophaps scripta), whose flesh is white and more deli- 
cate in flavour. 

The Bronze-wing feeds almost entirely on the ground, where 
it finds the various kinds of leguminous seeds that constitute its 
food. It breeds during August and four following months, and 
often rears two or more broods; the eggs are white and two 
in number, one inch and three-eighths long and one inch broad. 

Its nest, which is very similar to that of the other members 
of the family, is a frail structure of small twigs, rather hollow 
in form, and is usually placed on the horizontal branch of an 
apple- or gum-tree near the ground, those trees growing on 
flat meadow land near water being evidently preferred. This 
species is very frequently seen in confinement, both in its 
native country and in England. 


RASORES. 125 


Forehead in some deep buff, in others buffy white; line 
under the eye and the chin yellowish white; crown of the 
head and occiput dark brown, bounded on the sides with 
plum-colour; sides of the neck grey; back of the neck and 
all the upper surface brown, each feather margined with tawny 
brown; wings brown, with paler edges; each of the coverts 
with an oblong spot of rich lustrous coppery bronze on the 
outer web near the base, the outline of which towards the 
extremity of the feather is sharply defined; tip of each of the 
coverts grey, fading into white on the extreme tip; two or 
three of the tertiaries with an oblong spot of lustrous green 
on their outer webs at. the base, bounded by a narrow line of 
buff; two centre tail-feathers brown; the remainder deep 
grey, crossed by a band of black near the tip; under surface 
of the wing and inner edges of the primaries and secondaries 
ferruginous; breast deep vinaceous, passing into greyish on 
the centre of the abdomen and under tail-coverts ; irides dark 
reddish brown ; bill blackish grey; legs and feet carmine-red. 


Sp. 463. PHAPS ELEGANS. 
Brusu BRonzE-wIinea. 


Columba elegans, Temm. Les Pig,, fol., p. 56, pl. 22. 
Opaline Pigeon, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. vii. p. 33. 
Columba lawsonii, Sieber, Isis, No. 67. 

Oo-da, Aborigines of Western Australia. 

Little Bronze Pigeon, Colonists of Swan River. 


Peristera elegans, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 65. 


This species is neither so plentiful nor so widely distributed 
as the Common Bronze-wing (Phaps chalcoptera) ; it is, how- 
ever, tolerably abundant in Tasmania, the islands in Bass’s 
Straits, and the whole of the southern portion of the Australian 
continent, from Swan River on the west to Moreton Bay on 
the east. In Tasmania it is very numerous, from Circular 


Head to the north-eastern corner of the island. It affects 


126 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


the most scrubby localities, giving preference to such as are low 
and swampy; and I have never seen it perch on the branches 
of trees. When flushed it rises very quickly with a loud 
burring noise similar'to that made by the rising of a Partridge. 
The shortness of its wings and tail, and the extreme depth of 
its pectoral muscle, render its appearanee more plump and 
round than that of the generality of Pigeons. It is a very 
difficult. bird to shoot, from its inhabiting the denser parts 
of the scrub, from which it is not easily driven. It flies 
but little, rarely for a greater distance than to cross a gully 
or top a ridge before it again abruptly descends into the 
scrub. 

Its food consists of seeds and berries of various kinds, 
particularly in Tasmania of a plant there called Boobyaller. 

I believe it never migrates, but merely removes from one 
locality to another, as food may be more or less abundant. 

Its note, more lengthened than that of the Common 
Bronze-wing, is a low and mournful strain, and is more often 
repeated towards the close of the evening than at any other 
time. As an article of food it is by no means to be despised. 
On a comparison of this species with the Phaps chalcoptera, 
the two birds will be found to differ materially in structure ; 
the wings of the present species being shorter, and the tail 
comprising a smaller number of feathers, than that of the 
other. 

The sexes differ so little in the colouring of their plumage 
that dissection is requisite to distinguish them. 

In Western Australia it has been observed to breed some- 
times on the ground, and in a fork of the Xanthorrhea or 
grass-tree; the nest beimg formed of a few small sticks, and 
the eggs as usual being white and two in number, fifteen 
lines long by eleven lines broad. 

Forehead light chestnut; lores black; crown of the head 
and nape dark grey; a broad line of rich deep chestnut 
commences at the posterior part of the eye and unites at the 


RASORES, “Bee 


occiput ; on the throat a small gorget-shaped mark of reddish 
chestnut ; all the upper surface rich deep lustrous chestnut, 
becoming gradually paler on the rump and upper tail-coverts ; 
primaries dark brown, with pale edges, and broadly margined 
on the base of their external webs with ferruginous; a few of 
the wing-coverts with an oblong spot of rich lustrous coppery 
bronze on the outer web near the base, the outline of which 
towards the extremity of the feather is sharply defined and 
bounded by a line of whitish grey; others of the coverts are 
similarly ornamented with a spot of golden-green, and others 
with deep bluish green, bounded by a more conspicuous line 
of white; four central tail-feathers brown; the remainder 
grey at the base and tipped with brown, the two colours 
separated by a broad band of dull black, which band is 
continued, but is much less apparent upon the central feathers ; 
sides of. the neck and all the under surface grey, which 
becomes paler on the abdomen and under tail-coverts ; irides 
very dark brown; feet bright pink-red. 


Sp. 464. PHAPS HISTRIONICA, Gould. 
Har.eQvuin Bronzewine. 


Columba (Peristera) histrionica, Gould in Proce. of Zool. Soc., part viii. 
p. 114. 


Peristera histrionica, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 66. 


I first met with this new and beautiful Pigeon on the 
2nd of December 1839, while encamped on the banks of the 
Mokai, a river which rises in the Liverpool range, and falls 
into the Namoi. 

I was strolling beside the stream at sunrise, when one of 
these birds rose from the water’s edge, flew to the distance of 
forty yards, and again alighted on the ground, where it 
assumed much of the air and actions of a Sand-Grouse 
(Pterocles). A fortnight after this I descended about one hun- 
dred and fifty miles down the Namoi, and while traversing the 


128 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


extensive plains, studded here and there with patches of trees 
that skirt the Nundawar range, I was suddenly startled by 
an immense flock of these birds rising before me, and again 
alighting on the ground at a short distance; finding they 
would not admit of near approach, I secreted myself, and 
desired my aboriginal companion Natty to go round and turn 
the flock towards me: the whole simultaneously rose as before 
with a loud burring noise, so closely packed, that had they 
not passed me at a considerable distance, many must have 
fallen to my shot; as it was I succeeded im obtaiming four, 
two of which were males. About a week afterwards, while 
returning from a kangaroo hunt on a distant part of the same 
plain, we approached a small group of Myalls (Acacza pendula), 
and Natty suddenly called out, ‘Look, massa ;’”’ in an instant 
the air before us seemed literally filled with a dense mass of 
these birds, which had suddenly risen from under the trees at 
his exclamation ; we had scarcely time to bring our guns to 
the shoulder before they were seventy or eighty yards off; 
our united discharge, however, brought down eight additional 
specimens, all of which, being merely winged and fluttering 
about, attracted the attention of our kangaroo dogs, and it 
was with the greatest difficulty they could be prevented from 
tearing them to pieces; in the midst of the scramble, a Kite, 
with the utmost audacity, came to the attack, and would. 
doubtless have carried off his share, had not the contents of 
my second barrel stopped his career. ‘This was the last time 
I met with the Harlequin Bronzewing. I took every oppor- 
tunity of making inquiries respecting it of the natives of the 
interior, and of the stockmen at the out stations, both of 
whom assured me they had never observed it before the 
present season. If this assertion be correct, and there seems 
to be no reason for doubting it, whence had this fine bird 
made its appearance? May we not reasonably suppose that it 
had migrated from the central regions of this vast continent, 
which has yet much in store for future discovery? The great 


RASORES. 129 


length of wing which this bird possesses admirably adapts it 
for inhabiting such districts as those of which the far interior 
is generally imagined to be composed, since by this means it 
may readily pass over a vast extent of territory; this great 
power of flight is also a highly necessary qualification to enable 
it to traverse the great distances it is probably often necessi- 
tated to do in search of water. 

On dissecfing the specimens obtained, I found their crops 
half filled with small hard seeds, which they procured from the 
open plains, but of what kinds I was unable to determine. 

Forehead, stripe from behind the eye, forming a circle 
round the ear-coverts, and a crescent-shaped mark across the 
throat snow-white; the remainder of the head, throat, and 
ear-coverts jet-black; all the upper surface, wing-coverts, 
flanks, and two centre tail-feathers deep cinnamon-brown ; 
edge of the shoulder dull white; spurious wing bluish grey, 
slightly margined with white; primaries brownish grey, mar- 
gined on their outer web with rufous at the base, largely 
marked with the same on the inner web, forming a conspicuous 
patch on the under surface of the wing, and with an oval spot 
of white at the tip of each feather; secondaries crossed by a 
beautiful deep crimson bronze on the outer webs near the tip ; 
lateral tail-feathers bluish grey at the base, passing into black 
towards the extremity, which is white; breast and centre of 
the abdomen bluish grey ; under tail-coverts light buff; nos- 
trils and bill black; bare skin surrounding the eye purplish 
black ; irides dark brown; frontal scales of the legs and feet 
lilac-red ; hind part flesh-red. 

Total length 104 inches; bill 1; wing 8; tail 84; tarsi 1. 

The female has only a faint indication of the markings 


which adorn the male, and is altogether much less brilliant in ; |. 


her appearance. | 
“This beautiful Pigeon,” says Captain Sturt, “is an in- 
habitant of the interior. It lays its eggs in February, depo- 


siting them under any low bush in the middle of the open 
VOL. II. K 


130 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


plains. In the latter part of March and the beginning of April 
they collect in large flocks, and live on the seed of the rice- 
grass, which the natives also collect for food. During’ the 
short period this harvest lasts the flavour of this Pigeon is 
most delicious, but at other times it is indifferent. It flies to 
water at sunset, but, like the Bronze-wing, only wets the bill. 
It is astonishing, indeed, that so small a quantity as a bare 
mouthful should be sufficient to quench its thirst in the 
burning deserts it inhabits. It left us in the beginning of 
May, and I think migrated to the N.E., for the further we 
went to the westward the fewer did we see of it.” 

Gilbert observed this species in vast flocks on the plains in 
latitude 19°S. 

Mr. Elsey only observed it on the Victoria in April and May. 

Mr. White, of Adelaide, informs me that he saw great 
numbers of this species round Lake Hope in October and a 
part of November; the birds were then travelling south- 
ward in large flocks. 


Genus GEOPHAPS, Gould. 


The members of this genus are peculiar to Australia; they 
are more terrestrial in their habits than any other form of 
Pigeons inhabiting that country; incubate on the ground ; 
inhabit the plains and open downs; have white pectoral 
muscles ; and are excellent food for man. 


Sp. 465. GEOPHAPS SCRIPTA. 


PARTRIDGE BRONZE-WING. 


Columba scripta, Temm. PI. Col. 187. 
inscripta, Wagl. Syst. Av., Columba, sp. 59. 
Peristera scripta, Swains. Class. of Birds, vol. u. p. 349. 


Geophaps scripta, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 67. 


This Pigeon has more than ordinary claims to the attention 


RASORES, 131 


both of the ornithologist and the epicure, since to the first. it 
is of interest as being a typical example of a minor group of 
the Columbide, whose habits and economy are very peculiar, 
and to the second as a most delicate viand for the table. It 
is unquestionably one of the very best birds I ate while in 
Australia; and, in my opinion, it is second to none in any 
other part of the world; for, as in the Wonga-wonga, both 
the upper and under pectoral muscles are white, juicy and de- 
licately flavoured. It is to be regretted that a bird pos- 
sessing such high qualifications as an article of food should 
be so exclusively a denizen of the plains of the interior that it 
is available to few except inland travellers ; for it would be of 
especial interest to the sportsman from its offering a closer 
resemblance to the Gallinacee than any other Pigeon. 

I sometimes observed it in pairs, but more frequently in 
small flocks of from four to six in number, which, when ap- 
proached, instead of seeking safety by flight, ran off with 
exceeding rapidity in an opposite direction,and crouched down, 
either on the bare plain or among any scanty herbage that 
appeared to offer the best shelter, and where they often 
laid until all but trodden upon. It was not unfrequently 
killed by bullock-drivers with their whips, while passing along 
the roads with their teams. When it does rise, it flies with 
extreme rapidity, making a loud burring noise with the wings 
and generally spinning off to another part of the plain, or to 
the horizontal branch of a tree, on which it immediately 
Squats in the same line with the limb, from which it is not 
easily distinguished or driven off. 

I met with this bird on the Liverpool Plains, whence 
as far as I proceeded on the Lower Namoi its numbers ap- 
peared to increase. I have also heard that it is equally abun- 
dant on all the plains and banks of the rivers between New 
South Wales and the Murray in South Australia; and Mr. 
Elsey informed me that the Squatter or Partridge Bronze- 
Wing is numerous on the Lower Burdekin and in the scrubs 


KZ 


= 


a ae ee 


182 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


of the Suttor and Dawson ; but I have never yet observed it 
in collections either from the northern or western portions of 
the continent. 

The eggs are two in number, and are deposited on the bare 
ground without any nest. The young both run and fly 
strongly when they are only as large as a quail, as I satisfac- 
torily ascertained by killing one which rose before me; but 
at what bird I had fired I had not the slightest conception 
until I picked it up. 

In speaking of this bird as an Bs ee of the plains, 1 
must not fail to mention that it was far more abundant on such 
as were intersected by rivers and waterholes; in fact, water 
seemed to be essential to its existence. Its chief food is the 
seeds of various grasses and other small plants, to which are 
_ added at some seasons insects and berries. 

There is so little difference in the plumage of the sexes, 
that it is necessary to resort to dissection to distinguish the 
male from the female. 

Head, all the upper surface and chest light brown, the ex- 
tremities of the wing-coverts and the edges of the primaries 
being much paler; the outer webs of several of the greater 
coverts with a speculum of greenish purple obscured, 
barred with a darker tint; chin and throat, a broad stripe 
from the lower mandible to beneath the eye, another stripe 
from the posterior angle of the eye down the side of the neck, 
and a spot on the side of the neck snow-white, the interspaces 
being jet-black, the latter colour surrounding the eye, and also 
forming a crescent across the lower part of the throat; abdo- 
men grey; flanks white ; all but the two centre tail-feathers 
greyish brown at the base and largely tipped with black ; bill 
black ; irides black ; naked skin surrounding the eye bluish 
lead-colour ; the corners immediately before and behind the 
eye mealy vinous red; feet and frontal scales dark purplish 
vinous red. 


RASORES. 133. 


Sp. 466. GEOPHAPS SMITHII. 


Smitn’s Parrripce Bronze-winc, 


Columba smithii, Jard. and Selb. Ill. Orn., vol. iii. pl. 104. 
Min-ga, Aborigines of the Coburg Peninsula. 
Partridge Pigeon, Residents of Port Essington. 


Geophaps smithii, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 68. 


This species is in every respect a true Geophaps, and 


the accompanying notes by Gilbert show that it closely 
assimilates in its habits and economy to the type of the genus. 


It appears to be abundant on the north coast of Australia, 


which is the only part of the country from which I have yet 
received it: :— 

“Like the G. seripta this bird, which at Port Essington is 
termed the Partridge, differs considerably from its congeners 
in its general habits, flight, voice, mode of incubation, and the 
character of its newly hatched young. It is rather abundant 
in all parts of the Peninsula, is mostly seen in small families 
and always on the ground, unless when disturbed or alarmed; 
it then usually flies into the nearest tree, generally choosing 
the largest part of a horizontal branch to perch upon. When 
it rises from the ground its flight is accompanied with a 
louder flapping or burring noise than I have observed in any 
other Pigeon. 

“Its note is a coo, so rolled out that it greatly resembles 
the note of the Quail, and which, like that bird, it scarcely ever 
utters but when on the ground, where it frequently remains 
stationary, allowing itself to be almost trod upon before rising. 
Its favourite haunts are meadows covered with short grass 
near water, or the edges of newly burnt brush. It would 
seem that this species migrates occasionally from one part of 
the country to another ; for during the months of September 
and October not a single individual was to be seen, while at 
the time of my arrival and for a month after they were so 


134 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


abundant that it was a common and daily occurrence for per- 
sons to leave the settlement for an hour or two and return 
with several brace ; in the latter part of November they again 
appeared, but were not so numerous as before; and in the 
January and February following they were rarely to be met 
with, and then mostly in pairs inhabiting the long grasses 
clothing the moister parts of the meadows. 

“Tt incubates from August to October, making no nest, but 
merely smoothing down a small part of a clump of grass and 
forming a slight hollow, in which it deposits two eggs, which 
are greenish white, one inch and a quarter long by seven- 
eighths of an inch in breadth. The young bird on emerging 
from the egg is clothed with down like the young of the 
Quail.” : 

Eyes surrounded with a large naked space of a bright 
reddish orange colour ; head and all the upper surface olive- 
brown; throat white, the tips of the last feathers grey, form- 
ing a surrounding margin of that colour; on the cheeks a 
large brownish grey spot, nearly insulated by the large space 
of the eyes being surrounded by a narrow band of white, the 
feathers of which are tipped with black ; chest reddish brown ; 
on the centre of the breast a few of the feathers are clear grey, 
margined at the tip with black ; breast and abdomen purplish 
olive-brown; flanks white; lower part of the abdomen and 
vent buff; primaries and secondaries dark brown, margined 
with pale brown; the outer webs of the three or four last 
secondaries and one or two greater coverts for two thirds of 
of their length from the base rich purple with greenish wavy 
reflexions ; two centre tail-feathers olive-brown, the remainder 
deep slate-grey at base and black at the extremity ; under 
tail-coverts dark brown margined with light brown ; irides of 
three colours, first a narrow ring of red next the pupil, then a 
broader ring of pure white, and lastly a narrow one of grey ; 
bill blackish grey ; legs and feet bluish grey; back of the 
tarsi and inner side of the feet yellowish grey. , 


RASORES. - #85 


Genus LOPHOPHAPS, Reichenbach 


The birds of this form are apparently destined to inhabit 
the most arid, heated plains; thus even the desert has a pe- 
culiar kind of bird-life, and in this instance one of a highly 
ornamental character, for there are scarcely any birds more 
graceful than these little plumed Pigeons. 


Sp. 467. LOPHOPHAPS PLUMIFERA, Gould. 
PiuMED BRONZE-WING. 


Geophaps plumifera, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part-x. ps 19. 
Lophophaps plumifera, Reichenbach. 


Geophaps plumifera, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 69. 


I have traced this elegant species from South Australia 
through the intervening country to Victoria River. The 
far west is evidently inhabited by the succeeding species of 
this form. . 

‘Tt was on the return of my party from the eastern extrem- 
ity of Cooper’s Creek,” says Captain Sturt, “that we first 
saw and procured specimens of this beautiful little bird. Its 
locality was entirely confined to about thirty miles along the 
banks of the creek in question ; it was generally perched on 
some rock fully exposed to the sun’s rays, and evidently taking 
a pleasure in basking in the tremendous heat. It was very 
wild and took wing on hearing the least noise. In the after- 
noon it was seen running in the grass on the creek side, and 
could hardly be distinguished from a quail. It never perched 
on the trees; when it dropped after rising from the ground, it 
could seldom.be flushed again, but ran with such speed through 
the grass as to elude our search.” 

From Gilbert’s journal I extract the following passage :— 

“Lat. 17° 30°, March 6. I was fortunate enough to kill 
for the first time Lophophaps plumifera. The irides are bright 
orange, the naked skin before and surrounding the eyes 


136 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


bright crimson; the bill dark greenish grey; the scales of 
the legs and toes greenish grey ; skin between scales light 
ashy grey. I only saw the specimen I killed, but afterwards 
learnt that one of my companions had seen a flock rise 
precisely like Geophaps scripta.” 

Mr. Elsey, writing from the Victoria, informed me that 
“this lovely little bird was abundant on the Victoria, especially 
about rocky holes and exposed hot gullies and on the hot 
sandy beds of the broad rivers of the Gulf, where it was strut- 
ing about in the full glare of the sun, with its crest erect. I 
have shot six or eight at a time on those rivers. ‘To my fancy 
this is one of the most graceful and harmoniously coloured 
birds I have ever seen.” 

To this I may add that Mr. Bynoe found it in the country 
between Cape Hotham and the Island of Depuch. 

Bill olive-black ; irides yellow; lores and bare skin round 
the eye either crimson or orange red, bounded above and 
below by a narrow line of black ; forehead and a line above the 
black one over the eye grey; centre of the crown and 
lengthened crest-plumes delicate cinnamon; chin and lower 
part of the neck black ; centre of the throat and upper part of 
the ear-coverts white; lower part of the ear-coverts grey ; 
chest very rich cinnamon bounded below by a crescentic band 
of white, to which succeeds a narrow one of black; centre of 
the abdomen snow-white ; flanks cinnamon; under tail-co- 
verts brown, edged with greyish white; under side of the 
wings delicate cinnamon ; inner parts of the upper portion of 
the primaries cinnamon, hey outer webs and tips brown; a 
beautiful oblong bronzy-purple metal-like mark on three: of 
the secondaries; back of the neck and mantle alternately 
rayed with cinnamon and brown, the latter hue not so distinct 
as the former ; the feathers of the upper portion of the wings 
rayed with cinnamon, blackish brown and grey, the tips of the 
feathers being cinnamon, their centres blackish-brown and 
their bases grey; rump and upper tail-coverts cinnamon- 


RASORES. —«(187 


brown ; basal half of the tail-feathers cinnamon-brown, the 
apical half black ; legs greenish grey inclining to purple. 

Total length 84 inches; bill Z; wing 43; tail3; tarsi3 ; 
longest crest-plume 22. 

I have lately seen at Mr. Ward’s, in Vere Street, some very 
fine specimens of this bird, which were procured in the inte- 
rior of Australia by Mr. Galbraith, of Machrihanish Station, 
South Australia, and which are now in the possession of his 
sister, Mrs. E. F. M. Craufiurd, of Budleigh Salterton, Devon. 


Sp. 468. LOPHOPHAPS FERRUGINEA, Gould. 


Rust-coLourED BRonzE-wING. 


For a knowledge of this species we are indebted to the 
researches of T. F. Gregory, Esq., a gentleman whose name, like 
that of his brother, A. 'T’. Gregory, Esq., will ever be associated 
with Australia as one of its most successful explorers. 

The habitat of the Lophophaps ferruginea is the extreme 
western part of that great country opposite Sharks’ Bay and 


Dirk Hartog’s Island. 
The following brief note is all Iam able to offer to ornitho- 


logists respecting this highly interesting bird. It is from the 
pen of Mr. Gregory, and accompanied the specimen he kindly 
Sent me :— 

“I found this species in large numbers on the Gascoigne 
River. It almost invariably frequents rocky ground near 
water, and in such situations I have occasionally seen more 
than five hundred come down to drink in less than half-an- 
hour. On the wing it exactly resembles the common Partridge, 


but it is not quite so plump in the body, and does not appear 


ever to fly in coveys. Its eggs, which are two in number, are 
generally laid during the months of July and August.” 

Both the present and the preceding species are about the 
size of a Quail, and when their crest-plumes are carried erect 
must have a very sprightly air and appearance. 


138 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Having seen but a single example of this species, I am un- 
able to say if there be any outward difference in the sexes. I 
suspect there is not, and I am led to this conclusion from an 
examination of numerous examples of both sexes of its near 
ally Lophophaps plumifera, in which no variation occurs; in 
all probability, both sexes of the species of this genus are 
similarly coloured. If we may judge from analogy, we may 
also infer that the young of these little ground Bronze-wings 
do not remain callow and helpless for any length of time, but 
that, like the young of the Gallinacee generally, they are able 
to trip over the ground soon after exclusion from the egg. 

The Z. ferruginea differs from L. plumifera in the nearly 
uniform rust-red colouring of its body and in the absence of 
the broad white pectoral band so conspicuous in the latter. 

Bill olive-black ; irides yellow; lores and bare skin round 
the eye either crimson or orange-red, bounded above and 
below by a narrow line of black ; forehead and a line above 
the black one over the eye grey ; centre of the crown and the 
lengthened crest-plumes cinnamon ; chin and lower part of 
the neck black; centre of the throat and upper part of the 
ear-coverts white, lower part of the ear-coverts grey, all the 
under surface deep rust-red; on each side of the chest two 
or three narrow crescentic bars of black, the longest of 
which nearly meet in the centre; under tail-coverts brown, 
edged externally with white ; under surface of the wing deep 
cinnamon ; basal portion of the primaries rust-red, their apices 
brown; a beautiful oblong bronzy-purple metal-like mark on 
three of the secondaries ; back of the neck and mantle alter- 
nately rayed with rust-red and dark brown ; the feathers of the 
upper portion of the wings rayed with rusty red, blackish- 
brown and grey, the tips being rust-red, the centre black and 
the base grey; rump and upper tail-coverts rusty brown ; 
basal half of the tail-feathers rusty brown, the apical half black ; 
legs greenish grey inclining to purple. 

Total length 8 inches; bill?; wing 4; tail 22; tarsi 2. 


* 


| 
RASORES. 139 | | 


Genus OCYPHAPS, Gould. 


A genus consisting of a single species whose natural habitat Wi 
is the interior of Australia, over the vast expanse of which its | 
long pointed wings enable it to pass at pleasure from one 
district to another whenever a scarcity of food prompts it so 
to do: although mainly terrestrial in its habits, it is more fre- 

quently seen on the trees than the members of the genus 
Phaps. 


Sp. 469. OCYPHAPS LOPHOTES. 


CresteD BRonzkE-WING. 


Columba lophotes, Temm. PI. Col. 142. 

The Crested Pigeon of the Marshes, Sturt’s two Exp. to the interior of 
Southern Australia, vol. i. pl. in p. 24. 

Turtur ? lophotes, Selby, Nat. Lib. Orn., vol. v. Pigeons, p. 174, pl. 18. 


Ocyphaps lophotes, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. ‘70. 


The chasteness of its colouring, the extreme elegance of its 
form, and the graceful crest which flows from its occiput, all 
tend to render this Pigeon one of the most lovely members of 
its family, and it is therefore to be regretted that, owing to its 
being exclusively an inhabitant of the plaims of the interior, 
it can never become an object of general observation. aa 

As might be supposed, this bird has attracted the notice of 
all the travellers who have crossed the “ Blue Mountains ;” 
Captain Sturt mentions it as bemg numerous on the plains of 
Wellington valley, and in the neighbourhood of the Morum- 
bidgee. The locality nearest the coast-line that I know it to 
inhabit is the country near the bend of the river Murray in 
South Australia, where it is tolerably abundant ; it abounds on | 
the banks of the Namoi, and is occasionally seen on the Liver- 
pool Plains. It frequently assembles in very large flocks, and 
when it visits the lagoons or river-sides for water, during the | 


140 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


dry seasons, generally selects a single tree, or even a parti- 
cular branch, on which to congregate before descending —— 
taneously to drink. 

Its flight is so rapid as to be unequalled by those of 
any member of the group to which it belongs; an impetus 
being acquired by a few quick flaps of the wings, it goes 
skimming off apparently without any further movement 
of the pinions. Upon alighting on a branch it elevates its 
tail and throws back its head, so as to bring them nearly 
together, at the same time erecting its crest and showing itself 
off to the utmost advantage. 

I met with the nest of this species in a low tree, on the 
great plain near Gundermein on the Lower Namoi, on the 
23rd of December 1839; like that of the other species of 
Pigeon, it was a slight structure of small twigs, and contained 
two white eggs, which were one inch and a quarter long and 
nearly an inch broad, upon which the female was then sitting. 

Head, face, throat, breast, and abdomen grey ; lengthened 
occipital plumes black ; back of the neck, back, rump, flanks, 
upper and under tail-coverts light olive-brown ; the upper 
tail-coverts tipped with white ; sides of the neck washed with 
pinky salmon-colour; feathers covering the insertion of the 
wing deep buff, each crossed near the tip with a line of deep 
black, giving this part of the plumage a barred appearance ; 
greater wing-coverts shining bronzy green, margined with 
white; primaries brown; the third, fourth, and fifth finely mar- 
gined on the apical half of their external web with brownish 
white, the remainder with a narrow line of white bounding 
the extremities of both webs; secondaries brown on thelt 
inner webs, bronzy purple on their outer webs at the base, 
and brown at the extremity, broadly margined with white ; 
two centre tail-feathers brown, the remainder blackish brown, 
glossed with green on their outer webs, and tipped with 
white ; irides buffy orange; orbits naked, wrinkled, and of a 
pink-red ; bill olive-black ; legs and feet: pink-red. 


RASORES. 14] | 


Genus PETROPHASSA, Gould. 


So little is known respecting the single species of this Aus- 
tralian genus that I am unable to say more than that it inha- 
: bits rocky situations near the sea-coast. ; 


Sp.470. PETROPHASSA ALBIPENNIS, Gould. 


WHITE-QUILLED Rock-PicEon. 


| Petrophassa albipennis, Gould in Proe. of Zool. Soc., part viii. p. 173. 


phe albipennis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. 
pl. 71. 

This highly singular species of Pigeon is an inhabitant of 
the most rugged and sterile districts of the north-west coast 
of Australia. Specimens were sent me by one of the Officers 
of the ‘ Beagle,’ but, I regret to say, were unaccompanied by 
any particulars respecting their history. Writing to me from 
the Victoria River, Mr. Elsey states that it is common among 
the sandstone cliffs of the ranges. The form of the wing 
would lead us to imagine that in many parts of its economy 
this species much resembles those of the members of the 
genus (reophaps; but on these points nothing can be ascer- 
tained with certainty, until the productions of those remote 
parts of Australia have been carefully investigated, a period 
which, from the inhospitable character of the country, I fear, al 
is far distant. “ 

Crown of the head and neck greyish brown, margined with 
sandy brown; all the upper surface, chest, and tail rufous 
brown, the centre of each feather inclining to grey; lores 
black ; abdomen and under tail-coverts chocolate brown ; 
throat clothed with small feathers, white at the tip, black at 
the base; primaries dark brown at their tips, the basal half 
pure white; bill and irides blackish brown; feet reddish 
brown. | 
Total length 104 inches; bill 2; wing 51; tail 5; tarsi 3. ad 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus ERYTHRAUCHAENA, Bonaparte. 


Few birds are more delicate or elegant in form than the 
one to which the above generic appellation has been given, 
and which is the only species known to inhabit Australia. 


Sp. 471. ERYTHRAUCHANA HUMERALIS. 
BARRED-SHOULDERED Dove. 


Columba humeralis, Temm. Pl. Col. 191. 
erythrauchen, Wagl. Syst. Av., Columba, sp. 98. 
Erythrauchena humeralis, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., tom. ii. p. 93. 


Geopelia humeralis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 72. 


There are reasons for believing that the Hrythanchena hume- 
ralis mhabits the whole of the vast interior of Australia as well 
as the neighbourhood of the coasts of its northern and eastern 
portions. In New South Wales it is sparingly dispersed over 
the Liverpool Plains, where some of the specimens I possess 
were obtained. As the structure of its legs would indicate, 
it passes much of its time on the ground, feeding on the seeds 
of various kinds of grasses and leguminous plants. Not only 
is it one of the most elegant of the Dove tribe inhabiting 
Australia, but it is also one of the most tame and docile, if I 
may judge from the few I observed on the heated plains of | 
New South Wales : their confidence was such that they some- 
times perched within two yards of the spot where I was 
sitting ; extreme thirst and a scanty supply of water may, how- 
ever, have rendered them more tame or bold than they 
otherwise would have been. 

Gilbert states that at Port Essington “this Dove is ex- 
tremely abundant, inhabiting thickets, swampy grounds, and 
the banks of running streams. It mostly feeds on the seeds 
of various kinds of grasses, but when the country becomes 
burnt it finds an abundant supply of berries in the thickets. 


RASORES. 148 


It may often be seen among the mangroves in flocks of several 
hundreds, and hence its colonial name of Mangrove Dove. 
It was equally numerous during the whole period of my stay 
in that part of the country. Any number of specimens may be 
readily procured, for when disturbed the bird merely flits from 
branch to branch, or if in an open part of the country 
to the nearest tree. I did not observe it take anything 
approaching a sustamed flight. Its most common note 
is arather loud coo-coo, occasionally uttered at long intervals ; 
during the pairing-season the note becomes of a softer tone, 
and is more rapidly repeated, and its actions very much re- 
semble those of the Common Dove of Europe. It breeds in 
August, and makes a very slight nest of slender twigs, loosely 
and carelessly laid across each other on two or three of the 
lower leaves of the Pandanus, the upper leaves of which afford 
it a shelter from the rays of the sun and from the rain; the 
egos are two in number, of a delicate fleshy-white.” 
The sexes are alike in colouring, but, as is the case with all 
Doves, the female is smaller than the male. — 7 
Forehead, cheeks, sides of the neck and breast delicate 
grey; occiput, back, wing-coverts, rump, and upper tail- 
coverts silky brown; back of the neck rufous, every feather 
of the upper surface bounded at the extremity with a narrow 
band of black, giving the whole a squamated or scaled appear- 
ance ; under surface of the shoulder and the inner webs, except 
their tips, of the primaries and secondaries fine rust-red ; 
outer webs and tips of the inner webs of the primaries and 
secondaries brown; two centre tail-feathers dark grey, the 
remainder reddish brown at the base, gradually increasing in 
intensity towards their tips, those next the centre ones washed 
with grey on their outer webs, and largely tipped with white ; 
centre of the abdomen white; the remainder of the under 
surface washed with vinous; irides ochre-yellow; bill and 
nostrils delicate mealy light blue; naked skin round the eye 
mealy purple; legs and feet pink red. 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus GEOPELIA, Swainson. 


A form very generally distributed over the Indian Islands 
and Australia, and of which two species are peculiar to the latter 
country; grassy hills, flats, and extensive plains are the situ- 
ations these birds affect, consequently in Australia they are 
almost exclusively confined to the interior; they pass over the 
ground in a quiet and peaceful manner, and when disturbed 
fly to some neighbouring tree, descend again almost imme- 
diately, and search about for the minute seeds of annuals and 
other plants, upon which they principally subsist. 


Sp. 472. GHOPELIA TRANQUILLA, Gould. 


Pracerut Dove. 


Geopelia tranquilla, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 73. 


The interior of the country northward from New South 
Wales is inhabited by considerable numbers of this pretty 
little Dove, but it has not yet been met with either in Southern 
or Western Australia. It was very abundant on the Namoi, 
particularly on the lower part of that river; and that its 
range will extend over a large part of the interior is more 
than probable. 

It is chiefly observed on the ground, feeding on the seeds 
of the various kinds of plants that grow under the shelter of 
the thinly-timbered forests bordering the plains. 

The only observable difference between the sexes is the 
smaller size of the female. 

Face and throat grey; occiput, back, and wings ashy 
brown, each feather with a band of deep velvety black at the 
extremity ; spurious wings and primaries dark brown; under 
surface of the shoulders chestnut; chest, sides, and back of 
the neck grey, crossed by numerous narrow bands of black ; 
abdomen and flanks vinous; four central tail-feathers ashy 


RASORES. 145 


brown, the remainder black, largely tipped with white ; irides 
light ash-grey ; bill and orbits bright greyish blue, becoming 
much paler before and behind the eye; frontal scales of the 


tarsi and feet dark greenish grey ; remainder of the legs and 
feet reddish flesh-colour. 


Total length 83 inches; bill $; wing 4; tail 43; tarsi Z. 


Sp. 473. GEOPELIA PLACIDA, Gould. 


Pracrp Dove. 


Geophelia placida, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. i. Introd. 
p. lxxi. . 


This bird is abundantly and equally distributed over all 


parts of the Cobourg Peninsula and the neighbouring islands ; — 


its favourite haunts being moist meadows or the grassy banks 
of small streams, and grass-seeds its principal food. It is 
usually met with in flocks of from twenty to fifty in number, 
which, when disturbed, generally fly off to the nearest tree ; 
on alighting they jerk the tail very erect, and utter their 
slowly-repeated and monotonous double note; at other times 
they coo very faintly, after the manner of the other members 
of the family. 

The Placid Ground-Dove is nearly one-third less than the 
G. tranquilla, but is so precisely the same in colouring that a 
description of it is quite unnecessary. . 

It may not be out of place to mention that many other 
species of this form of little Ground-Doves occur in the islands 
immediately to the northward of Australia, in Java, Sumatra, 
and the Malayan Peninsula; where they form a considerable 
article of commerce, many of them being caged and sent to 
Singapore, and, according to Mr. Jerdon, to the bazaars at 
Calcutta; examples are also frequently brought to England. 


No bird being more tranquil in confinement, it is everywhere 
a favourite. 


VOL, It. L 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus STICTOPELIA, Reichenbach. 


I consider that Dr. Reichenbach was warranted in making 
the elegant Columba cuneata the type of a new genus; it is 
the only one of the form at present known. 


Sp. 474. STICTOPELIA CUNEATA. 
Lirris Turtir-Dove. 


Columba cuneata, Lath. Ind. Orn., Supp. p. 61. 
macquarie, Quoy et Gaim. Voy. de lUranie, Ois., t. 31. 
spiloptera, Vig. in Zool. Journ., vol. v. p. 275. 
Geopelia cuneata, G. R. Gray, List of Brit. Mus. Coll., part iu. p. 11. 
Stictopelia cuneata, Reich. Syst. Av., tab. 250. figs. 1887-1389. 
Men-na-brun-ka, Aborigines of Western Australia. 
Turtle Dove, Colonists of Swan River. 


Geopelia cuneata, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 74. 


I have seen specimens of this elegant little Dove from 
every one of the Australian colonies. Jt is rarely met with 
on the seaside of the mountain ranges, but occurs in con- 
siderable numbers on the plains of the interior. 

All that we read or imagine of the softness and innocence 
of the Dove,” says Captain Sturt, “is realized in this beautiful 
and delicate little bird; it is common on the Murray and the 
Darling, and was met with in various parts of the interior. 
Two remained with us at the Depdt, in latitude 89° 40, 
longitude 142°, during a great part of the winter, and on one 
occasion roosted on the tent-ropes near the fire. Its note is 
exceedingly plaintive.” 

The little Turtle-Dove is more frequently observed on the 
ground than among the trees; I sometimes met with it in 
small flocks, but more often in pairs. It runs over the ground 
with a short bobbing motion of the tail, ard while feeding is 
so remarkably tame as almost to admit of its bemg taken by 
the hand, and if forced to take wing it merely flies to the 


RASORES. 147 


nearest tree, and there remains motionless among the branches. 
I not unfrequently observed it close to the open doors of the 
huts of the stock-keepers of the interior, who, from its being 
so constantly before them, regard it with little interest. 

The nest is a frail but beautiful structure, formed of the 
stalks of a few flowering grasses, crossed and interwoven after 
the manner of the other Doves. One sent me from Western 
Australia is “ composed,” says Gilbert, “of a small species of 
knotted everlasting-like plant (Composita), and was placed on 
the overhanging grasses of the Xanthorrhwa. During my 
first visit to this part of the country only two situations were 
known as places of resort for this species, and I did not meet 
with more than five or six examples; since that period it has 
become extremely abundant, and now a pair or two may 
oceasionally be seen about most of the settlers’ houses on the 
Avon, becoming apparently very tame and familiarized to man. 
It utters a rather singular note, which at times very much 
resembles the distant crowing of a cock. The term Men-na- 
brun-ka is applied to it by the natives from a traditionary idea 
that the bird originally introduced the MJen-na, a kind of 
gum which exudes from a species of Acacia, and which is one 
of the favourite articles of food of the natives.” 

The eggs are white and two in number, eleven-sixteenths 
of an inch long by seven-sixteenths broad. 


The sexes, although bearing a general resemblance to each | 
other, may be readily distinguished by the smaller size of the | 
female, by the browner hue of her wing-feathers, and by the | 


spotting of her upper surface not being so numerous or so 
regular as in the male. 

The male has the head, neck, and breast delicate grey, 
passing into white on the abdomen and under tail-coverts ; 
back and scapularies cinnamon-brown; wing-coverts dark 
grey; each feather of the wing-coverts and scapularies with 
two spots, one on the edge of either web near the tip, of 
white encircled with black; spurious wing and primaries 

L2 


148 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


brown, the latter rufous on their inner webs for two-thirds of 
their length; four centre tail-feathers grey, deepening into 
black at the extremity and with black shafts; the remainder 
greyish black at the base, and pure white for the remainder 
of their length; irides in some instances bright red, and the 
naked skin round the eyes light scarlet; m others the irides 
and naked skin round the eyes are pale greenish yellow; bill 
dark olive brown ; feet reddish flesh-colour in some instances, 
in others yellowish. 

The female differs in having the back of the head, neck, and 
upper surface browner, and the spots on the wings larger 
than the male. 


Genus MACROPYGIA, Swainson. 


A genus the members of which are distributed over India, 
Java, New Guinea,- Ceram, the Moluccas, and Australia. 
Only one species, J. phasianella, has yet been characterized 
from the last-mentioned country. 


Sp. 475. MACROPYGIA PHASIANELLA. 


LARGE-TAILED PIGEON. 
Columba phasianella, Temm. Pl. Col. 100. 


pee phasianella, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. 
pl. 75. 

The interior of the dense brushes are the favourite haunts 
of this bird, but it occasionally resorts to the crowns of the 
low hills and the open glades of the forest, where it searches 
for its food on the ground; on being disturbed it flies to the 
branches of the nearest tree, spreading out its broad tail at 
the moment of alighting. From Illawarra to Moreton Bay it 
is a common and stationary species. It is a fine showy bird 
in a state of nature, and exhibits itself to great advantage 
when it rises from the ground to the trees. While travers- 
ing the brushes I frequently saw this bird busily engaged 


RASORES. 149 


searching on the ground for fallen seeds and_berrics. 
Rarely were more than four or five seen at one time, and 
most frequently it occurred singly or in pairs. Up to the 
present time, our knowledge of the extent of habitat enjoyed 
by this bird is very limited; I have never myself seen it in 
any collections but those made in New South Wales. As its 
lengthened tarsi would lead us to imagine, it spends much of 
its time on the ground; and when flushed in the depths of 
the forest it merely flies to the branch of some low tree, and 
there remains with little appearance of fear. 
Its note is loud, mournful, and monotonous. 


The sexes are precisely similar'in colour and nearly so in {\ 


size; dissection, in fact, is necessary to distinguish them. 
General plumage rich rusty brown, becoming of a dark 
brown on the wings; wing-coverts margined with rusty 
brown; ear-coverts crossed by narrow bars of black; sides 
and back of the neck glossed with bronzy purple; lateral 
tail-feathers crossed near the tip by a broad band of black, 
beyond which the brown colour is paler than at the base ; 
bill dark olive-brown, mealy at the base; irides blue, with 
an outer circle of scarlet; orbits mealy bluish lilac; feet 
pink-red. | 


Family MEGAPODIDA. 


The habits and economy of the birds comprised in this 
family are both curious and extraordinary, nor are they less 
singular in their structure, and in my opinion no group of 
birds is more isolated. By one of our best ornithologists 
one of the species was classed with the Vultures; another 
placed it with Meleagris; and a third considered it to be 
allied to the members of the genus Rallus. From the colonists 
of Australia the three species inhabiting that country have 
received the trivial names of Brush-Turkey, Native Pheasant, 
and Jungle-Fowl; but to none of these birds are they in any 


150 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


way allied. In general appearance the Megapodide otter a 
certain degree of alliance to the Gallinacee ; but im the pecu- 
liar odour, shape, and colouring of their eggs, and in the 
mode in which they are incubated, they are totally different, 
and in some of these respects offer a resemblance to the 
Tortoises and Turtles. Three species, pertaining to different 
genera, inhabit Australia, others exist in New Guinea and 
the neighbouring islands, and extend as far north as the Phi- 
lippines. 


Genus TALEGALLUS, Lesson. 


The eastern portion of Australia is the habitat of the solitary 
species of this form of mound-raising bird. 


Sp. 476. TALEGALLUS LATHAMI. 


Warritep TALEGALLUS. 


New Holland Vulture, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. 1. p. 32. 

Genus Alectura, Lath. Ibid., vol. x. p. 455. 

Alectura lathami, Gray, Zool. Misc., No. I. p. 3. 

Catheturus australis, Swains. Class. of Birds, vol. ii. p. 206. 

Meleagris lindesayii, Jameson, Mem. Wern. Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. vil. 
p. 478. 

Brush-Turkey of the Colonists; Wee-lah, Aborigines of the Namoi. 


Talegalla lathami, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 77. 


This singular bird was originally described and figured 
by Latham in the first volume of his ‘General History of 
Birds,’ under the name of New Holland Vulture ; but, subse- 
quently, he conceived himself in error in classing it with the 
Vulturide, and at the end of the tenth volume of the same 
work placed it among the Gallinacee, with the generic 
appellation of Alectura: the species was afterwards dedicated 
to that venerable ornithologist by Dr. Gray, in his ‘ Zoological 
Miscellany,’ as Alectura lathami. 

The generic and specific terms, Cathetwrus australis, were 


RASORES. . 16 


subsequently applied to it by Swainson, who, in both volumes 
of his ‘ Classification of Birds,’ replaces it among the Vudtwide, 
in order, apparently, to establish his own views respecting that 
family. 

The term Alectura having been previously employed for a 
eroup of Flycatchers, Lesson’s genus Zalegallus, which was 
published prior to Swainson’s Cathetwrus, is necessarily the one 
adopted. | 

How far the range of the Wattled Talegallus may extend 
over Australia is not yet satisfactorily ascertained ; it is known 
to inhabit various parts of New South Wales, from Cape Howe 
to Moreton Bay, and Mr. Macgillivray informed me that he had 
killed it as far up the east coast as Port Molle; the assaults 
of the cedar-cutters and others, who frequently hunt through 
the brushes of Illawarra and Maitland, had, however, nearly 
extirpated it from those localities when I visited the colony 
in 1838, and it probably does not now exist there; but I 
believe it is still plentiful in the dense and little-trodden 
brushes of the Manning and Clarence. I was at first led 
to believe that the country between the mountain-ranges and 
the coast constituted its sole habitat; but I was agreeably 
surprised when I found it in the Liverpool brushes and in the 
scrubby gullies and sides of the lower hills that branch off 
towards the interior. 

It has often been asserted that Australia abounds in ano- 
malies, and in no instance is the truth of this assertion more 
fully exemplified than in the history of this very singular bird, 
respecting the situation of which in the natural system much 
diversity of opinion, as above noticed, had hitherto prevailed. 
It was consequently one of the birds which demanded my 
utmost attention during my visit to Australia; and, imme- 
diately upon its remarkable habits becoming known to me, I 
published an account of them in the first volume of the ‘ Tas- 
manian Journal’ for 1840. The remarks therein contained, 
and which are recapitulated below, comprise all that is known 


152 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


respecting them, nothing of importance having since been 
discovered. ! 

The most remarkable circumstance connected with the 
economy of this species is the fact of its eggs not being incu- 
bated in the manner of other birds. At the commencement of 
spring the Wattled Talegallus scratches together an immense 
heap of decaying vegetable matter as a depository for the 
eggs, and trusts to the heat engendered by the process of fer- 
mentation for the development of the young. The heap em- 
ployed for this purpose is collected by the birds during several 
weeks previous to the period of laying ; it varies in size from 
two to many cart-loads, and in most instances is of a pyra- 
midal form. The construction of the mound is either the 
work of one pair of birds or, as some suppose, the united 
labours of several; the same site appears to be resorted to for 
several years in succession, the birds adding a fresh supply of 
materials each succeeding season. 

The materials composing these mounds are accumulated 
by the bird grasping a quantity in its foot and throwing it 
backwards to one common centre, the surface of the ground 
for a considerable distance being so completely scratched over 
that scarcely a leaf or a blade of grass is left. The mound 
being completed, and time allowed for a sufficient heat to be 
engendered, the eggs are deposited in acircle at the distance of 
nine or twelve inches from each other, and buried more than 
an arm’s depth, with the large end upwards ; they are covered 
up as they are laid, and allowed to remain until hatched. I 
have been credibly informed, both by natives and settlers 
living near their haunts, that it is not an unusual event to 
obtain half a bushel of eggs at one time from a single mound ; 
and I have myself seen a native woman bring to the encamp- 
ment in her net half as many as the spoils of a foraging ex- 
cursion to the neighbouring scrub. Some of the natives state 
that the females are constantly in the neighbourhood of the 
mound about the time the young are likely to be hatched, and 


RASORES. 153 


frequently uncover and cover them up again, apparently for the 
purpose of assisting those that may have appeared; while others 
have informed me that the eggs are merely deposited, and the 
young allowed to force their way unassisted. One point has 
been clearly ascertained, namely, that the young from the 
hour they are hatched are clothed with feathers, and have 
their wings sufficiently developed to enable them to fly on to 
the branches of trees, should they need to do so to escape 
from danger ; they are equally nimble on their legs; in fact, 
as a moth emerges from a chrysalis, dries its wings, and flies 
away, so the youthful Zulegallus, when it leaves the egg, is 
sufficiently perfect to be able to act independently and 
procure its own food. This we know from personal obser- 
vation of the bird in a state of captivity; several old birds 
having constructed mounds, in which their eggs have been 
deposited and their young developed, in the Gardens of the 
Zoological Society in the Regent’s Park. I shall always look 
back with pleasure to the fact of my being the first to make 
known these singular habits. Although, unfortunately, I was 
almost too late for the breeding-season, I nevertheless saw 


several of these hatching-mounds, both in the interior of New’ 


South Wales and at Illawarra; in every instance they were 
placed in the most retired and shady glens, and on the slope 
of a hill, the part above the mound being scratched clean, 
while all below remained untouched, as if the birds had 
found it more easy to convey the materials down than to 
throw them up. The eggs are perfectly white, of a long 
oval form, three inches and three-quarters long by two 
inches and a half in diameter. . 

When disturbed, the Wattled Talegallus readily eludes 
pursuit by the facility with which it runs through the tangled 
brush. If hard pressed, or when rushed upon by its great 
enemy the native dog, it springs upon the lowermost bough 
of some neighbouring tree, and by a succession of leaps from 
branch to branch ascends to the top, and either perches there 


154 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


or flies off to another part of the brush. It is also in the 
habit of resorting to the branches of trees as a shelter from the 
mid-day sun—a peculiarity that greatly tends to their destruc- 
tion; for, like the Ruffed Grouse of America, when assembled 
in small companies, they will allow a succession of shots to be 
fired until they are all brought down. Unless some measures 
be adopted for their preservation, this circumstance must lead 
to an early extinction of this singular species—an event much 
to be regretted, since, independently of its being an interesting 
object for the aviary, it is an excellent bird for the table. 

While stalking about the woods the Talegallus frequently 
utters a rather loud clucking noise; but whether this sound 
is uttered by the female only I could not ascertain; still | 
think such is the case, and that the spiteful male, who appears 
to delight in expanding his richly-coloured fleshy wattles and 
unmercifully thrashing his helpmate, is generally mute. 

In various parts of.the brush I observed depressions in the 
earth, which the natives informed me were made by the birds 
in dusting themselves. 

_ The stomach is extremely muscular, and the crop of one 
dissected was filled with seeds, berries, and a few insects. 

The adults, which are nearly the size of a female Turkey 

have the whole of the upper surface, wings, and tail blackish 
brown; the feathers of the under surface blackish brown at 
the base, becoming silvery grey at the tip; skin of the head 
and neck deep pink red, thinly sprinkled with short hair-like 
-blackish-brown feathers; wattle bright yellow, tinged with 
red where it unites with the red of the neck; bill black; 
- irides and feet brown. 
The female, which is about a fourth less than the male in 
size, is so closely the same in colour as to render a separate 
description unnecessary, She also possesses the wattle, but 
not to so great an extent. 


RASORES. . 155 


Genus LEIPOA, Gould. 


As in the case with Zulegallus, the only species of this form 
that has yet been discovered is strictly confined to Australia. 


Sp. 477. LEIPOA OCELLATA, Gould. 


OcELLATED LEIpoa. 


Leipoa ocellata, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part viii. p. 126. 

Ngow, Aborigines of the lowland; Nyow-oo, of the mountain districts 
of Western Australia. 

Native Pheasant, Colonists of Western Australia. 


Leipoa ocellata, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. ‘78. 


This remarkable bird is among the most important of the 
ornithological novelties which the exploration of Western and 
Southern Australia has unfolded to us. | 

Like the Wattled Talegallus, it is rendered highly interesting 
from the circumstance of its not hatching its own eggs, which, 
instead of being incubated in the usual way, are deposited in 
mounds of mixed sand and herbage, and there left for the 
heating of the mass to develope the young, which, when ac- 
complished, force their way through the sides of the mound 
and commence an active life from the moment they see the 
light of day. 

The Ocellated Leipoa appears to be more peculiarly suited 
for a plain and open country than for the tangled brush; and 
it is most curious to observe how beautifully the means em- 
ployed by Nature for the reproduction of the species is adapted 
to the situations it is destined to inhabit. The following 
sketches of its economy, as far as it has yet been ascertained, 
were sent me by Gilbert and Sir George Grey, and are here 
given in their own words :— 


«‘ Wongan Hills, Western Australia, September 28, 1842. 


“This morning I had the good fortune to penetrate into 
the dense thicket I had been so long anxious to visit in search 


156 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


of the Leipoa’s eggs, and had not proceeded far before the 
native who was with me told me to keep a good look-out, as 
we were among the MVgou-oo’s hillocks; and in half-an-hour 
after we found one, around which the brush was so thick that 
we were almost running over it before seeing it. So anxious 
was I to see the hidden treasures within, that in my haste I 
threw aside the black fellow and began scraping off the upper 
part of the mound ; this did not at all please him, and he be- 
came very indignant, at the same time making me understand 
‘that as I had never seen this nest before I had better trust 
to him to get out the eggs, or I should, in my haste and im- 
patience, certainly break them.’ I therefore let him have his 
own way, and he began scraping off the earth very carefully 
from the centre, throwing it over the side, so that the mound 
very soon presented the appearance of a huge basin; about 
two feet in depth of earth was in this way thrown off, when 
the large ends of two eggs met my anxious gaze; both these 
eggs were resting on their smaller apex, and the earth round 
them had to be very carefully removed to avoid breaking the 
shell, which is extremely fragile when first exposed to the atmo- 
sphere. About a hundred yards from this first mound we 
came upon a second, rather larger, of the same external form 
and appearance ; it contained three eggs. Although we saw 
seven or eight more mounds, only these two contained eggs : 
we were too early ; a week later and we should doubtless have 
found many more. ‘To give you an idea of the place these 
birds choose for their remarkable mode of rearing their young, 
I will describe it as nearly as I can:—The Wongan Hills are 
about thirteen hundred feet above the level of the sea, in a 
north-north-east direction from Drummond’s house in the 
Toodyay : their sides are thickly clothed with a dense forest 
of Lucalypti ; and at their base is a thicket, extending for se- 
veral miles, of upright-growing and thick bushy plants, so 
high in most parts that we could not see over their tops, and 
so dense, that if we separated only for a few yards, we were 


RASORES. 157 


obliged to cooey, to prevent our straying from each other ; 
this thicket is again shadowed by a very curious species of 
dwarf Eucalyptus bearing yellow blossoms, and growing from 
fifteen to thirty feet in height, known to the native as the 
spear-wood, and of which they make their spears, digging- 
sticks, dowaks, &c.; the whole formation is a fine reddish 
ironstone gravel, and this the Leipoa scratches up from several 
yards around, and thus forms its mound, to be afterwards. 
converted into a hot-bed for the reproduction of its offspring. 
The interior of the mound is composed of the finer particles 
of the gravel mixed with vegetable matter, the fermentation 
of which produces a warmth sufficient for the purpose of 
hatching. Mr. Drummond, who had been for years accus- 
tomed to hot-beds in England, gave it as his opinion that the 
heat around the eggs was about 89°. In both the nests with eggs 
the White Ant was very numerous, making its little covered 
galleries of earth around and attached to the shell, thus 
showing a beautiful provision of Nature in preparing the 
necessary tender food for the young bird on its emergence; 
one of the eggs I have preserved shows the White Ants’ tracks 
most beautifully; the largest mound I saw, and which ap- 
- peared as if in a state of preparation for eggs, measured forty- 
five feet in circumference, and if rounded in proportion on the 
top would have been full five feet in height. I remarked in 
all the mounds not ready for the reception of eggs the inside 
or vegetable portion was always wet and cold, and I imagine, 
from the state of others, that the bird turns out the whole of 
the materials to dry before depositing its eggs and covering 
them up with the soil; in both cases where I found eggs the 
upper part of the mound was perfectly and smoothly rounded 
over, so that any one passing it without knowing the singular 
habit of the bird might very readily suppose it to be an ant-hill: 
mounds in this state always contain eggs within, while those 
without eggs are not only zo¢ rounded over, but have the 
centres so scooped out that they form a hollow. The eggs 


158 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


are deposited in a very different manner from those of the 
Megapodius ; instead of each being placed in a separate ex- 
cavation in different parts of the mound, they are laid divectly 
in the centre, all at the same depth, separated only by about 
three inches of earth, and so placed as to form a circle. I 
regret we were so early; had we been a week later, the 
probability is I should have found the circle of eggs com- 
plete. Is it not singular that all the eggs were equally 
fresh, as if their development was arrested until the full 
number was deposited, so that the young might all appear 
about the same time? No one considering the immense 
size of the egg can for a moment suppose the bird capable of 
laying more than one without at least the intermission of a day, 
and perhaps even more. Like those of the Megapodius, they 
are covered with an epidermis-like coating, and are certainly as 
large, beg three inches and three quarters in length by two 
and a half in breadth; they vary in colour from a very light 
brown to a light salmon. During the whole day we did not 
succeed in obtaiming sight of the bird, although we saw nume- 
rous tracks of its feet, and many places where it had been 
scratching ; we also saw its tracks on the sand when crossing 
the dried beds of the swamps at least two miles from the . 
breeding-thicket, which proves that the bird, in procuring its 
food, does not confine itself to the brushes around its nest, but 
merely resorts to them for the purpose of incubating. The 
native informed us that the only chance of procuring the bird 
was by stationing ourselves in sight of the mound at a little 
distance, and remaining quiet and immovable till it made its 
appearance at sundown; this I attempted, and, with the 
native, encamped within twenty yards of the mound about an 
hour before sunset, taking the precaution to conceal ourselves 
well with bushes from the quick eye of the bird, but leaving 
just a sufficient opening to get a fair sight with my gun; ina 
half-sitting, half-crouching position, I thus remained in breath- 
less anxiety for the approach of the bird I had so long wished to 


-RASORES. — 159 


see, not daring to move a muscle, for fear of moving a branch 
or making a noise by crushing a dead leaf, till I was so 
cramped I could scarcely bear the pain in my limbs ; the bird 
did not however make its appearance, and the native, with the 
fear of wading through the thicket in darkness (for there was 
no moon), became so impatient, that he started up and began 
to talk so loud, and make so much noise, that I was compelled 
to give up all hopes of seeing the bird that night; however, 
just as we were passing the mound we started the bird from 
the opposite side, but, from the denseness of the thicket 
and the darkness closing around us, I had no chance of getting 
a shot at it. Mr. Roe, the Surveyor-General, who examined 
several mounds during his expedition to the interior in the 
year 1836, found the eggs nearly ready to hatch in the month 
of November, and invariably seven or eight in number ; while 
another authority has informed me of an instance of fourteen 
being taken from one mound.” 

In a subsequent letter Gilbert states that the flavour of the 
egg is very similar to that of the Tortoise or Turtle, and that 
when mixed with tea its similarity to the peculiar roughness 
and earthy flavour of that of the Hawk’s-bill Turtle is very re- 
markable. 

“Government House, Adelaide, December 12th, 1842. 

“ My pear Mr. Goutp,—l have lately returned from the 
Murray, where I have been studymg the habits and manners 
of the Leipoa ocellata, which is very plentiful im the sandy 
districts of the scrub. The eyes of the living bird are of a 
bright, light hazel; its legs and feet dark brown; whilst the 
bare parts of the head and face are of a very delicate and clear 
blue. The gizzard is very large and muscular; the inner 
coats peculiarly horny and hard. Its food consists chiefly of 
insects, such as Phasmide and a species of Cimew; it also 
feeds on the seeds of various shrubs. ‘The entire lungs and 
intestines of the one which I dissected were full of Tenioides. 
I have never seen any other animal infested with them to any- 


160 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


thing like the same extent; and yet the bird was perfectly 
healthy. It possesses the power of running with extraordi- 
nary rapidity ; it roosts at night on trees, and never flies if it 
can avoid so doing. 

“The mounds they construct are from twelve to thirteen 
yards in circumference at the base, and from two to three 
feet in height; the general form being that of a dome. The 
sand and grass are sometimes scraped up for a distance of from 
fifteen to sixteen feet from its outer edge. 

“The mound appears to be constructed as follows: —A nearly 
circular hole, of about eighteen inches in diameter, is scratched 
in the ground to the depth of seven or eight inches, and filled 
with dead leaves, dead grass, and similar materials; anda 
large mass of the same substances is placed all round it upon 
the ground. Over this first layer a large mound of sand, 
mixed with dried grass, &., is thrown, and finally the whole 
assumes the form of a dome, as I have before stated. 

“When an egg is to be deposited, the top is laid open and 
a hole scraped in its centre to within two or three inches of the 
bottom of the layer of dead leaves. The egg is placed in the 
sand just at the edge of the hole, in a vertical position, with 
the smaller end downwards. The sand is then thrown in 
again, and the mound left in its original form. The egg 
which has been thus deposited is therefore completely sur- 
rounded and enveloped in soft sand, having from four to six 
inches of sand between the lower end of the egg and the layer 
of dead leaves. When a second egg is laid it is deposited in 
precisely the same plane as the first, but at the opposite side 
of the hole before alluded to. When a third egg is laid it is 
placed in the same plane as the others, but, as it were, at the 
third corner of a square. When the fourth egg is laid, it is 
still placed in the same plane, but in the fourth corner of the 
square, or rather of the lozenge, the figure being of this 
form :—e¢0; the next four eggs in succession are placed in the 
interstices, but always in the same plane, so that at last there 


RASORES. 161 


is a circle of eight eggs all standing upright in the sand, with 
several inches of sand intervening between each. The male 
bird assists the female in opening and covering up the mound; 
and, provided the birds are not themselves disturbed, the 
female continues to lay in the same mound, even after it has 
been several times robbed. The natives say that the females 
lay an egg every day. | 

“ Hight is the greatest number I have heard of from good 
authority as having been found in one nest ; but I opened a 
mound which had been previously robbed of several eggs, and 
found that two had been laid opposite to each other in the 
same plane, in the usual manner ; and a third deposited in a 
plane parallel to that in which the other two were placed, but 
4+ inches below them. This circumstance led me to imagine 
it was possible that there might be sometimes successive cir- 
cles of eggs in different planes. 

“ T enclose three sketches, which will convey to you a com- 
plete idea of the form of the mound, and of the manner in 
which the eggs are placed in it. These sketches were drawn 
by Mr. Knight, from a rude one of mine, and are very ac- 
curate. 


This sketch represents a section through the mound after the sand has 
been cleared out in such a manner that the eggs could all be removed, and 
the bottom of the nest of leaves be laid bare. It shows the form of the 
opening the natives make in the mound when they rob it of its eggs; this 
opening has, however, been continued below where the eggs are placed, in 
order to show the form of the interior nest. 

The pale tint represents that portion which is made of sand; the darker 
tint the part which is made of leaves, &c. 


VOL. II. M 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


SN 
S SSA 

SSR 

SEQ SS SS 


This sketch represents a section through the mound in its undis- 
turbed state ; the pale tint indicates the portion of sand, the darker tint the 
leaves, &e. 


This sketch shows a bird’s-eye view of the mound, as seen from above ; 
the sand is supposed to have been so far thrown out as to leave the tops 
of the eggs exposed, and to show them standing upright in their relative 
positions. 


RASORES. 163 


“ One of the mounds of these birds which had been robbed 
of its eggs on the 11th of November, some of which were 
quite fresh, had two fresh egos laid in it on the 27th of the 
same month, and the birds were seen at the nest on the 
morning of the 28th, apparently for the purpose of laying, 
when the male bird was shot. 

“« Sometimes several of these mounds are constructed close 
to one another. I found two within 200 or 300 yards ; and 
have seen five within the distance of four or five miles. They 
were built in precisely the same situations that 1 have seen 
them in other parts of the continent, that is, in a sandy 
scrubby country, the site of the mound being in some little 
open glade, in the very thickest part of the scrub. 

“The eggs are of a light pink, the colour being brightest 
and most uniform when freshly laid. As the time of hatching 
approaches they become discoloured, and marked in places 
with dark spots. 

“ The greatest length of these eggs is about . 38; inches. 

> breadth of Mad De"Rotigg 

“ Circumference in direction of length. . . . 10 5 

5 - y breadth ... 775  ,; 

“The temperature of the nests I have examined has always 
been warm; not so much so, however, as I should have 
thought necessary for the purpose of hatching eggs. 

“There are two great peculiarities about these eggs; the 
first is, that both ends are of nearly the same size, which 
form is peculiarly adapted to the position in which they are 
always placed; the egg being compressed in every part as 
nearly as possible towards the axis, in which the centre of 
gravity lies, there is the least possible tendency to its equili- 
brium being destroyed when it is placed in a vertical posi- 
tion. A second peculiarity is the extreme thinness of the 
shell, and its consequent fragility. This is so great, that, 
unless the egg is handled with the greatest care, it is sure to 
be broken ; and every effort which has heen made to hatch 

M 2 


164 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


these eggs under domestic fowls has failed, the egg having in 
every instance been broken by the bird under which it was 
placed. 

“The native name for the bird on the Murray River is 
Marrak-ko or Marra-ko; in Western Australia the name of 
the bird is Nyow-o or Nyow. The name in Western Australia 
is given from the tuft on its head, Ngoweer meaning a tuft of 
feathers. 

“I have found this bird in different parts of that portion 
of Australia included between the 26th and 36th parallels of 
south latitude, and the 113th and 141st parallels of east 
- longitude, and I think that there is every probability that it 
inhabits a much wider range. It is found in all the scrubby 
districts of South Australia. 

“The farthest point north at which I have seen the breed- 
ing-places of this bird is Gantheaume Bay. ‘The natives of 
King George's Sound say the bird exists in that neighbour- 
hood. I have never fallen in with its nests but in one de- 
scription of country, viz. where the soil was dry and sandy, 
and so thickly wooded with a species of dwarf Leptospermum, 
that if you stray from the native paths, it is almost impossible 
to force your way through. 


“ Yours truly, 


“ G. Grey.” 


“ December 14th. 

« P.S.—I have, by cross-examination of several natives, 
elicited the following account of this bird :— 

“There is only one male and one female to each mound: 
they repair an old mound, and do not build a new one; both 
assist in scratching the sand to the nest. The female com- 
mences laying about the beginning of September, or when 
the spear-grass begins to shoot. Both sexes approach the 
nest together when the female is about to lay, and they take 
an equal share in the labour of covering and uncovering the 
mound. After every sunrise the female lays an egg, and lays 


RASORES. 165 


altogether from eight to ten. If the natives rob the mound, 
the female will lay again in the same nest, but she will only 
lay the full number of eggs twice in one summer. From the 
commencement of building, until the last eggs are hatched, 
four moons elapse (this would give a very long period of time 
before the eggs were hatched). The young one scratches its 
way out alone; the mother does not assist it, They usually 
come out one at a time; occasionally a pair appear toge- 
ther. The mother, who is feeding in the scrub in the vicinity, 
hears its call and runs to it. She then takes care of the young 
one as a European hen does of its chick. When the young 
are all hatched, the mother is accompanied by eight or ten 
young ones, who remain with her until they are more than 
half-grown. The male bird does not accompany them. The 
two sexes have different calls: that of the female is constantly 
uttered while she walks about in the scrub with her young 
ones. 

‘ The natives frequently find the eggs and nests, but they 
seldom see the old birds, which are very timid and quick- 
sighted. They run very fast, like the Emu, roost on trees, 
and live for a long time without water, but drink when it 
rains. The natives state that the Hutozoa which I found in 
the bird mentioned above were unusual, and that it must 
have been in ill health. | 

“It is a remarkably stout, compact bird. and appears, 
when alive, to have as large a body as the female Turkey, but 
it is shorter on the legs.” 

Besides the above valuable notes by Gilbert and Sir George 
Grey, Mr. Richard Schomburgk has kindly sent me a copy of 
the ‘ Leopoldina,’ Haft iii., October 1862, containing a com- 
munication from him respecting this bird, which, in the main, 
agrees with the above statements; but he has been led to 
believe that an interval of three or four days elapses between 
the laying of the eggs by one female; he also particularly 
remarks upon the base of the mound being sunk in the 


166 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


round to the depth of twenty or twenty-four inches, and the 
cavity filled with leaves of the Eucalypti, on the top of and 
surrounding which the mound of sand and mixed herbage is 
raised. Mr. Schomburgk also states that an egg he took 
home and placed under a domestic hen was hatched the next 
day, and the young bird appeared covered with feathers and 
capable of at once obtaining its own food. 

The Ocellated Leipoa is altogether a more slender and 
elegantly formed bird than the Wattled Talegallus, and 
moreover differs from that bird in having the head and neck 
thickly clothed with feathers, and in being adorned with a 
beautifully variegated style of colouring. 

Head and crest blackish brown; neck and shoulders dark 
ash-grey ; the fore part of the former, from the chin to the 
breast, marked by a series of lanceolate feathers, which are 
black, with a white stripe down the centre; back and wings 
conspicuously marked with three distinct bands of greyish 
white, brown, and black near the tip of each feather, the 
marks assuming an ocellate form, particularly on the tips of 
the secondaries ; primaries brown, their outer webs marked 
with zigzag lines of darker brown; rump and upper tail- 
coverts brownish grey, the feathers of the latter transversely 
marked with two or three zigzag lines near their tip; all the 
under surface light buff, the tips of the flank-feathers barred 
with black; tail blackish brown, broadly tipped with buff; 
bill black ; feet blackish brown. 

Total length 24 inches; bill 1g; wing 12; tail 82; tarsi 24. 

The female so nearly resembles the male in the colouring 
and general markings of her plumage, that a separate de- 
scription is quite unnecessary ; I may remark, however, that 
she is somewhat smaller in size. 


RASORES. | 167 


Genus MEGAPODIUS, Quoy et Gaimard. — 


The members of this genus inhabit many of the Indian and 
Philippine Islands, and one species is found in Australia. It 
is said that the females of some species associate in bands 
during the night and deposit their eggs in the sand of the 
sea-shore to the depth of two or three feet; that the suc- 
cessive deposits of eggs amount to a hundred or more, and are 
left to be hatched by the solar rays. 


Sp. 478. MEGAPODIUS TUMULUS, Gould. 
AUSTRALIAN Mucapone. 


Megapodius tumulus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part x. p. 20. 
Oooregoorga, Aborigines of the Cobourg Peninsula. 
Jungle-fowl, Colonists of Port Essington. 


Megapodius tumulus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 79. 


The discovery of a species of Megapodius in Australia is no 
more than might have been expected, considering that New 
Guinea and the adjacent islands are the great nursery of this 
extraordinary tribe of birds. 

When the Megapodius tumulus first came under my obser- 
vation I conceived it to be the M. rubripes of Temminck, and 
it was not until I had examined specimens of that species in 
the Museums of Paris and Leyden that I was satisfied of its 
being distinct. Its much greater size and more than propor- 
tionately powerful legs are among the specific differences 
which will be observable by those who may feel disposed to 
institute a comparison. Interesting as this bird must be to 
every naturalist, to myself it is peculiarly so, since the 
valuable notes on its habits and economy, which happily I am 
enabled to give, fully confirm all that I had previously asserted 
respecting the extraordinary mode of incubation of the Zule- 
gallus, verifying the opinion I have before expressed, that 


168 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Megapodius, Talegallus, and Leipoa are most nearly allied 
genera, forming part of a great family of birds, whose range 
will be found to extend from the Philippines through: the 
islands of the Indian Archipelago to Australia. 

The Megapodius tumulus is rather numerously spread over 
the whole of the Cobourg Peninsula on the north coast of the 
Australian continent ; future research will doubtless require 
us to assign to it a much wider range, probably over many 
of the islands lying off the east coast. 

The following account of its habits is taken from Gilbert’s 
notes; and, novel and extraordinary as those of Zalegallus 
and Leipoa may have been considered, this will be read with 
even greater interest :— 

“On my arrival at Port Essington my attention was 
attracted to numerous immense mounds of earth, which were 
pointed out to me by some of the residents as the tumuli of 
the aborigines; on the other hand, I was assured by the 
natives that they were formed by the Megapode for the 
purpose of incubating its eggs: their statement appeared so 
extraordinary, and so much at variance with the general 
habits of birds, that no one in the settlement believed them 
or took sufficient interest in the matter to examine the 
mounds, and thus to verify or refute their accounts; another 
circumstance which induced a- doubt of their veracity was the 
great size of the eggs brought in by the natives as those of 
this bird. Aware that the eggs of ZLeipoa were hatched in a 
similar manner, my attention was immediately arrested by 
these accounts, and I at once determined to ascertain all I 
possibly could respecting so singular a feature in the bird’s 
economy; and, having procured the assistance of a very 
intelligent native, who undertook to guide me to the different 
places resorted to by the bird, I proceeded on the sixteenth 
of November to Knocker’s Bay, a part of Port Essington 
Harbour comparatively but little known, and where I had 
been informed a number of these birds were always to be 


RASORES. 169 


seen. I landed beside a thicket, and had not proceeded far 
from the shore ere I came to a mound of sand and shells, with 
a slight mixture of black soil, the base resting on a sandy 
beach, only a few feet above high-water mark; it was 
enveloped in the large yellow-blossomed Hidiscus, was of a 
conical form, twenty feet in circumference at the base, and 
about five feet in height. On pointing it out to the native 
and asking him what it was, he replied ‘Oooregoorga 
Rambal,’ Megapode’s house or nest. I then scrambled up 
the sides of it, and to my extreme delight found a young bird 
in a hole about two feet deep; it was lying on a few dry 
withered leaves, and appeared to be only a few days old. So 
far I was satisfied that these mounds had some connexion 
with the bird’s mode of incubation; but I was still sceptical 
as to the probability of these young birds ascending from so 
great a depth as the natives represented; and my suspicions 
were confirmed by my being unable to induce the native, in 
this instance, to search for the eggs, his excuse being that 
‘he knew it would be useless, as he saw no traces of the 
old birds having recently been there.’ I took the utmost 
care of the young bird, intending to rear it if possible; I 
therefore obtained a moderately-sized box, and placed in it a 
large portion of sand. As it fed rather freely on bruised 
Indian corn, I was in full hopes of succeeding ; but it proved 
of so wild and intractable a disposition that it would not 
reconcile itself to such close confinement, and effected its 
escape on the third day. During the period it remained in 
captivity it was icessantly occupied in scratching up the 
sand into heaps; and the rapidity with which it threw the 
sand from one end of the box to the other was quite sur- 
prising for so young and small a bird, its size not being 
larger than that of a small Quail. At night it was so restless 
that I was constantly kept awake by the noise it made in its 
endeavours to escape. In scratching up the sand it only used 
one foot, and having grasped a handful as it were, the sand 


170 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


was thrown behind it, with but little apparent exertion, and 
without shifting its standing position on the other leg; this 
habit seemed to be the result of an innate restless disposition 
and a desire to use its powerful feet, and to have but little 
connexion with its feeding; for although Indian corn was 
mixed with the sand, I never detected the bird in picking any’ 
of it up while thus employed. 

“T continued to receive the eggs without having an oppor- 
tunity of seeing them taken from the mound until the 6th of 
February, when on again visiting Knocker’s Bay I had the 
gratification of seeing two taken from a depth of six feet, in 
one of the largest mounds I had then seen. In this instance 
the holes ran down in an oblique direction from the centre 
towards the outer slope of the hillock, so that, although the 
eggs were six feet deep from the summit, they were only two or 
three feet from the side. The birds are said to lay but a 
single egg in each hole, and after the egg is deposited the 
earth is immediately thrown down lightly until the hole is 
filled up; the upper part of the mound is then smoothed and 
rounded over. It is easily known when a Megapode has 
been recently excavating, from the distinct impressions of its 
feet on the top and sides of the mound, and the earth being 
so lightly thrown over, that with a slender stick the direction 
of the hole is readily detected, the ease or difficulty of thrusting 
the stick down indicating the length of time that may have 
elapsed since the bird’s operations. Thus far it is easy 
enough; but to reach the eggs requires no little exertion and 
perseverance. The natives dig them up with their hands 
alone, and only make sufficient room to admit their bodies, 
and to throw out the earth between their legs; by grubbing 
with their fingers alone they are enabled to follow the direction 
of the hole with greater certainty, which will sometimes, at a 
depth of several feet, turn off abruptly at right angles, its 
direct course being obstructed by a clump of wood or some 
other impediment. ‘Their patience is, however, often put to 


RASORES. 171 


severe trials. In the present instance the native dug down 
six times in succession to a depth of at least six or seven feet 
without finding an egg, and at the last attempt came up in 
such a state of exhaustion that he refused to try again; but 
my interest was now too much excited to relinquish the op- 
portunity of verifying the native’s statements, and by the offer 
of an additional reward I induced him to make another effort : 
this seventh trial proved successful, and my gratification was 
complete, when the native with equal pride and satisfaction 
held up an egg, and after two or three more attempts pro- 
duced a second; thus proving how cautious Europeans should 
be of disregarding the narratives of these poor children. of 
nature, because they happen to sound extraordinary or different 
from anything with which they were previously acquainted. 
“J revisited Knocker’s Bay on the 10th of February, and 
having with some difficulty penetrated into a dense thicket of 
-eane-like creeping plants, I suddenly found myself beside a 
mound of gigantic proportions. It was fifteen feet in height 
and sixty in circumference at the base, the upper part being 
about a third less, and was entirely composed of the richest 
description of light vegetable mould; on the top were very 
recent marks of the bird’s feet. The native and myself im- 
mediately set to work, and after an hour’s extreme labour, 
rendered the more fatiguing from the excessive heat, and the 
tormenting attacks of myriads of mosquitoes and sand-flies, I 
succeeded in obtaining an egg from a depth of about five feet ; 
it was in a perpendicular position, with the earth surrounding 
and very lightly touching it on all sides, and without any other 
material to impart warmth, which in fact did not appear neces- 
sary, the mound being quite warm to the hands. The holes in 
this mound commenced at the outer edge of the summit, and 
ran down obliquely towards the centre: their direction there- 
fore is not uniform. Like the majority of the mounds I have 
scen, this was so enveloped in thickly foliaged trees as to pre- 
clude the possibility of the sun’s rays reaching any part of it. 


172 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


“The mounds differ very much in their composition, form, 
and situation: most of those that are placed near the water’s 
edge were formed of sand and shells without a vestige of any 
other material, but in some of them I met with a portion of 
soil and decaying wood ; when constructed of this loose ma- 
terial they are very irregular in outline, and often resemble a 
bank thrown up by a constant heavy surf. One remarkable 
specimen of this description, situated on the southern side of 
Knocker’s Bay, has the appearance of a bank, from twenty-five 
to thirty feet in length, with an average height of five feet ; an- 
other even more singular is situated at the head of the harbour, 
and is composed entirely of pebbly iron-stone, resembling a 
confused heap of sifted gravel ; into this I dug to the depth of 
two or three feet without finding any change of character ; it 
may have been conical originally, but is now without any 
regularity, and is very extensive, covering a space of at least 
a hundred and fifty feet in circumference. These remarkable 
specimens would, however, seem to be exceptions, as by far 
the greater number are entirely formed of light black veget- 
able soil, are of a conical form, and are situated in the densest 
thickets. Occasionally the mounds are met with in barren, 
rocky and sandy situations, where not a particle of soil similar 
to that of which they are composed occurs for miles round: 
how the soil is produced in such situations appears unac- 
countable ; it has been said that the parent: birds bring it 
from a great distance ; but as we have seen that they readily 
adapt themselves to the difference of situation, this is scarcely 
probable: I conceive that they collect the dead leaves and other 
vegetable matter that may be at hand, and which decomposing 
forms this particular description of soil, The mounds are 
doubtless the work of many years, and of many birds in suc- 
cession ; some of them are evidently very ancient, trees being 
often seen growing from their sides; in one instance I found 
a tree growing from the middle of a mound which was a foot 
in diameter. I endeavoured to glean from the natives how 


RASORES. | 173 


the young effect their escape; but on this point they do not 
agree; some asserting that they find their way unaided ; 
others, on the contrary, affirmed that the old birds, knowing 
when the young are ready to emerge from their confinement, 
scratch down and release them. : 

“ The natives say that only a single pair of birds are ever 
found at one mound at a time, and such, judging from my 
own observation, I believe to be the case ; they also affirm 
that the eggs are deposited at night, at intervals of several 
days, and this I also believe to be correct, as four egos taken 
on the same day, and from the same mound, contained young 
in different stages of development ; and the fact that they are 
always placed perpendicularly is established by the concurring 
testimony of all the different tribes of natives I have questioned 
on the subject. . 

“The Megapode is almost exclusively confined to the 
dense thickets immediately adjacent to the sea-beach ; it 
appears never to go far inland, except along the banks of 
creeks. It is always met with in pairs or quite solitary, and 
feeds on the ground, its food consisting of roots, which its 
powerful claws enable it to scratch up with the utmost facility, 
and also of seeds, berries, and insects, particularly the larger 
species of coleoptera. 

“It is at all times a very difficult bird to procure ; for 
although the rustling noise produced by its stiff pinions when 
flying may be frequently heard, the bird itself is seldom to be 
seen. Its flight is heavy and unsustained in the extreme ; 
when first disturbed it invariably flies to a tree, and on 
alighting stretches out its head and neck in a straight line 
with its body, remaining in this position as stationary and 
motionless as the branch upon which it is perched ; if, how- 
ever, it becomes fairly alarmed, it takes a horizontal but 
laborious flight for about a hundred yards, with its legs hang- 
ing down as if broken. I did not myself detect any note or 
cry; but, from the natives’ description and imitation of it, it 


174 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


much resembles the clucking of the domestic fowl, ending 
with a scream like that of the Peacock. 

‘I observed that the birds continued to lay from the latter 
part of August to March, when I left that part of the country ; 
and, according to the testimony of the natives, there is only 
an interval of about four or five months, the dryest and hot- 
test part of the year, between their seasons of incubation. 
The composition of the mound appears to influence the co- 
louring of a thin epidermis with which the eggs are covered, 
and which readily chips off, showing the true shell to be 
white ; those deposited in the black soil are always of a dark 
reddish brown, while those from the sandy hillocks near the 
beach are of a dirty yellowish white ; they differ a good deal 
in size, but in form they all assimilate, both ends being equal ; 
they are three inches and five limes long by two inches and 
three lines broad.” 

The following interesting account of the breeding-places of 
this remarkable bird has been transmitted to me by Mr. John 
Macgillivray as the result of his observations on Nogo or 
Megapodius Island in Endeavour Straits. It will be seen that 
its range is more extensive than I had assigned to it :— 

‘The most southern locality known to me for this singular 
bird is Haggerston Island (in lat. 12° 3’ south), where I observed 
several of its mounds of very large size, but did not see any 
of the birds. During the survey of Endeavour Straits in 
H.M.S. ‘Bramble,’ I was more fortunate, having succeeded 
in procuring both male and female on the island marked 
‘Nogo’ upon the chart, where I resided for several days for 
that sole purpose. On this small island, not more than half 
a mile in length, rising at one extremity into a low rounded 
hill densely covered with jnngle (or what in New South Wales 
would be called ‘brush’), three mounds, one of them appa- 
rently «deserted before completion, were found. The two 
others were examined by Mr. Jukes and myself. The most 
recent, judging from the smoothness of its sides and the want 


RASORES. 175 


of vegetable matter, was situated upon the crest of the hill, 

and measured 8 feet in height (or 184 from the base of the 

slope to the summit) and 77 feet in circumference. In this 

mound, after several hours’ hard digging into a well-packed 

mass of earth, stones, decaying branches and leaves and other 

vegetable matter, and the living roots of trees, we found nu- 

merous fragments of eggs, besides one broken egg containing 

a dead and putrid chick, and another whole one, which proved 

to be addled. All were imbedded at a depth of sia feet from 

the nearest part of the surface, at which place the heat pro- 
duced by the fermentation of the mass was considerable. The 

egg, 3 by 2% inches, was dirty brown, covered with a kind 

of epidermis, which easily chipped off, exposing a pure white 

surface beneath. Another mound, situated at the foot of the 

hill close to the beach, measured no less than 150 feet in cir- 

cumference ; and to form this immense accumulation of mate- 

rials the ground in the vicinity had been scraped quite bare — 
by the birds, and numerous shallow excavations pointed out 

whence the materials had been derived. Its form was an 

irregular oval, the flattened summit not being central as in 

the first instance, but situated nearer the larger end, which 

was elevated 14 feet from the ground, the slope measuring in 

various directions 18, 214, and 24 feet. At Port Lihou, in 

a small bay a few miles to the westward, at Cape York and at: 
Port Essington, I found other mounds which were compara- 
tively low, and appeared to have been dug into by the natives.. 
The great size the tumuli (which are probably the work of 
several generations) have attained on Haggerston and Nogo 

Islands arises doubtless from those places being seldom visited 

by the aborigines. I found several eggs of large size in the 

ovarium of a female shot in August, while the condition of the 
oviduct showed that an egg had very recently passed ; hence 
it is probable that, in spite of their great comparative size, one 
bird lays several; but whether each mound is resorted to by 
more than one pair, I had not the means of ascertaining. 


176 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


“ Few birds are more wary and less easily procured than 
the Megapcdius: it inhabits the belts of brush along the 
coast, and I never found the tumulus at a greater distance 
from the sea than a few hundred yards. When disturbed it 
seldom rises at once, unless on the margin of a thicket, but 
runs off to some distance and then takes to wing, flying 
heavily, but without any of the whirring noise of the true 
Gallinacee. It seldom takes a Jong flight, and usually perches 
on a tree, remaining there in a crouching attitude with out- 
stretched neck, but flying off again upon observing any mo- 
tion made by its pursuer ; and it is only by cautiously sneak- 
ing up under cover of the largest trees that it can be ap- 
proached within gun-shot. As an example of its shyness, I 
may mention that a party of three persons, scattered about in 
a small jungle on Nogo Island, for the purpose of shooting the 
Megapodius, did not see a single bird, although they put up 
several, one of which came towards me and perched, uncon- 
scious of my presence, within twenty yards. At Port Essing- 
ton I have shot this bird among mangroves, the roots of 
which were washed by the sea at high water; and Capt. F. P. 
Blackwood killed one while running on the mud in a similar 
locality, in both imstances close to a mound. I never wit- 
nessed the escape of the young from the mound ; but one, as 
large as a quail, and covered with feathers, was brought to 
Lieut. Ince by a native, who affirmed that he had dug it out 
along with several eggs. 

“ Tris yellowish brown ; stomach a complete gizzard, being 
thick and muscular, containing small quartz pebbles, small 
shells (Helix and Bulimus), and black seeds; intestine 34 
inches in length, of the size of a goose-quill, and nearly uni- 
form in thickness, much twisted and contracted at intervals ; 
cecum slender, dilated at the extremity, and 48 inches in 
length.” 

The late Mr. Elsey informed me that “ the mounds of this 
bird were observed in the dense bottle-scrubs of the lower 


RASORES. 177 


Burdekin ; always in localities where I could not examine 
them; never in open ground. They abound in the scrubs 
about the stations on the Dawson and Mackenzie.” 

Head and crest very deep cinnamon-brown ; back of the 
neck and all the under surface very dark grey ; back and wings 
cinamon-brown ; upper and under tail-coverts dark chestnut- 
brown ; tail blackish brown ; irides generally dark brown, 
but in some specimens light reddish brown ; bill reddish 
brown, with yellow edges; tarsi and feet bright orange, the 
scales on the front of the tarsi from the fourth downwards 
and the scales of the toes dark reddish brown. 

The size of this bird is about that of a hen Pheasant (Pha- 
sianus colchicus). 


Family TURNICIDZ. 


In outward appearance the Turnices are seemingly allied to 
the Quails and Partridges, but no real affinity exists between 
them ; neither are they, in my opinion, allied to the Tinamous, 
with which they have been associated. Those persons who 
have seen much of these birds in a state of nature cannot 
have failed to notice their many singular actions and manners, 
while their mode of nidification, the number and colour of 
their eggs, must have no less interested them. Although, of 
course, they must be placed with the Gallinacee, we cannot 
shut our eyes to their Plover-like economy. 


Genus TURNIX, Bonnaterre. 


However widely the members of this genus are dispersed, 
inhabiting, as one or other of them do, most of the Indian 
Islands, the Peninsula of India, Europe, and Africa, in 
Australia we find the species more numerous than elsewhere ; 
they not only inhabit every part of the continent that has yet 
been explored, but they extend their range to the islands 
adjacent to the coast and even to Tasmania; some species 

VOL. 1. = N 


178 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


enjoy a wide range across the country from east to west, 
while others are very local; grassy plains and stony ridges 
thinly interspersed with scrubs and grasses are the situations 
they frequent ; their eggs are mvariably four in number, and 
rather pointed in form ; their only nest is a few grasses placed 
in a hollow on the ground. 


Sp.479. TURNIX MELANOGASTER, Gould. 
BLACK-BREASTED TURNIX. 


Hemipodius melanogaster, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part v. p. 7. 


Hemipodius melanogaster, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. 
pl. 81. 


I regret that, never having seen this species in a state of 
nature, Iam unable to render any account of its habits and 
economy. It is a native of the eastern portion of Australia; and * 
the specimens in my collection were all procured at Moreton 
, Bay. ‘The sexes present considerable difference in their size 
| and markings, the male being the smallest and being destitute 
| of the black colouring which distinguishes the female. It is 
about half the size of an English Partridge, and is the largest 
species of the genus yet discovered. 

‘Crown of the head, ear-coverts, throat and centre of the 
abdomen black; over each eye extends a line of feathers 
having each a small white spot at the tip; this line extends to 
the nape, which part is also thickly spotted with white on a 
black and chestnut-coloured ground; feathers on the sides of 
the chest and flanks black, having a large crescent-shaped 
marking of white near the tip; mantle and upper part of the 
back rich chestnut brown, each feather having a spot of white 
and a stripe of black on each side, and barred with black at or 
near the tip; shoulders, greater and lesser wing-coverts rufous 
brown, each feather having a white spot surrounded with a 
black line; primaries dark brown; thighs and upper and 


RASORES. 7 179 


under tail-coverts brown, freckled and crossed with black ; 
bill light brown; feet flesh-colour. | 
Total length 84 inches; bill 1; wing 43; tail 2; tarsi 14. 


Sp. 480. TURNIX VARIUS. 


Variep Turnix. 


Perdix varia, Lath. Ind. Orn., Supp. p. Ixiii. 

New Holland Partridge, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. p. 283. 

Varied Quail, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. viii. p. 344, no. 88. 

Hemipodius varius, Temm. Pl. Col., 454. f. 1, 

Turnix varius, Vieill. 2nd Edit. du Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., 
tom. Xxxiv. 

Mob-ro-lum, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Australia. 

Painted Quail, Colonists of Tasmania and Swan River. 


Hemipodius varius, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 82. 


Among the game birds of Australia the Varied Turnix 
plays a rather prominent part, for although its flesh is not so 
good for the table as that of the little Partridge and Quail, 
Synoicus australis and Coturnix pectoralis, it is a bird which 
is not to be despised when the game-bag is emptied at the 
end of a day’s sport, for it forms an acceptable variety to its 
contents. Although it does not actually associate with either 
of the birds mentioned above, it is often found in the same 
districts, and all three species may be procured in the course 
of a morning’s walk in many parts of New South Wales, 
Victoria and South Australia, where it frequents sterile stony 
ridges, interspersed with scrubby trees and moderately thick 
grass. 

It is also very common in all parts of Tasmania suitable to 
its habits, hills of moderate elevation and of a dry stony 
character being the localities preferred ; it is also numerous 
on the sandy and sterile islands in Bass’s Straits. Specimens 
from Western Australia, which at first sight appear to be 
identical with the bird here figured, are found to be smaller 

N 2 


180 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


in size and to differ in their markings, and they will probably 
prove to be a distinct species. Tasmanian specimens, having 
an average weight of five ounces each, are rather larger than . 
those of New South Wales; no difference, however, occurs 
in their markings, and I consider them to be mere local 
varieties: no example has yet come under my notice from 
the north coast, and the range of the species doubtless does 
not extend to within several degrees of that latitude. 

It runs remarkably quick, and when flushed flies low, its 
pointed wings giving it much the appearance of a Snipe or 
Sandpiper. When running or walking over the ground the 
neck is stretched out and the head carried very high, which 
together with the rounded contour of the back give it a very 
grotesque appearance. The breeding-season commences in 
August or September and terminates in January, during 
which period at least two broods are reared. The eggs are 
invariably four in number, and are either deposited on the 
bare ground or in a slightly constructed nest of grasses, 
placed in some shallow depression, not unfrequently under the 
lee of a stone or at the foot of a tuft of grass; they are more 
pointed than those of other gallinaceous birds, are of a very 
pale buff, very minutely and thickly spotted and freckled 
with reddish brown, chestnut, and purplish grey, and are 
one inch and a quarter long by one inch broad. | 

The note of the Varied Turnix is a loud and plaintive 
sound, which is often repeated, particularly during the pairing- 
season. SNE 7 
, » One-very remarkable feature connected with this bird, and 
indeed with all the species of the genus, is the large size of 
the female when compared with that of the male ; no difference 
however exists in their colour and markings. 

The young run as soon as they are hatched, and their 
appearance then assimilates so closely to that of the young 
Partridges and Quails that they can scarcely be distinguished. 
The pretty downy coat with which they are then covered soon 


RASORES. ; 181 


gives place to feathers, whose markings and colours resemble, 
but are less brilliant than those of the adult, 

The food of this species consists of insects, grain, and 
berries; of the former many kinds are eaten, but locusts 
and grasshoppers form the principal part; a considerable 
quantity of sand is also found in the gizzard, which is very 
thick and muscular. 

The adults have the crown of the head, nape, and forehead 
rich brown, spotted with white, and transversely rayed with 
large markings of brown; feathers of the checks and a stripe 
over each eye white, slightly fringed with black at their tips ; 
throat greyish white; back and sides of the neck and mantle 
rich rufous brown ; feathers of the back, rump, and upper 
tail-coverts transversely rayed with chestnut-red and black, 
the former and the scapularies striped laterally with black 
and white; wings rufous, each feather spotted with white, 
which is bounded posteriorly with an irregular spot of black ; 
primaries brown; chest and flanks olive, each feather having 
a triangular yellowish-white spot at the tip; centre of the 
abdomen and under tail-coverts yellowish white ; bill brown, 
with a bluish tinge; irides bright reddish orange; legs and 
feet orange; claws white. 


Sp. 480. TURNIX SCIN TILLANS, Gould. 
SPECKLED 'TurNIX. 


Hemipodius scintillans, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soce., part xiii. p. 62. 


Hemipodius scintillans, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 83. 


This very ‘beautiful species is an inhabitant of the Hout- 
man’s Abrolhos, a group of islands lying off the western coast 
of Australia, and is tolerably abundant on two of them named 
East and West Wallaby Islands, where it is principally met 
with among the limestone crags. 

Tn its general appearance and the style of its markings it 


eo BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


much resembles the 7urnixr varius, but on comparison will be 
found to be but little more than half the size of that species ; 
besides which, its colouring is much lighter, more varied, and 
sparkling, the white margins of the back-feathers are more 
numerous and conspicuous, and the markings of the throat 
and breast of a crescentic instead of an elongated form. 

Nothing whatever is known of its habits and economy, but 
they doubtless closely resemble those of the other species of 
the genus. 

The whole of the upper surface is light chestnut-red, each 
feather crossed by broad bars of brownish black, and margined 
with grey, within which are two narrow lines of black and 
white ; wing-coverts and tertiaries light chestnut-red, crossed 
by irregular zigzag bars of black, the interspaces of the outer 
margins greyish white; chin and sides of the face white, with 
a nalrow crescent- toe mark of brown at the tip of each 
feather ; sides of the chest chestnut, each feather tipped with 
white, wikis which is an indistinct mark of deep black ; 
chest and under surface pale buffy white, the feathers of the 
chest with a row of dark grey spots on each margin, giving 
that part a speckled appearance; primaries brown, narrowly 
edged with white; irides reddish yellow; bill greenish grey, 
darkest on the culmen, and becoming ashy grey beneath ; legs 
and feet orange-yellow. 

Male.—Total length 5 inches; bill43; wing 31; ‘tarsi 24. 

Female. > 6 s 3 31 


39 33 


Sp. 481. TURNIX MELANOTUS, Gould. 
° BuLACK-BACKED TURNIX. 


Hemipodius melanotus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soe., part y. p. 8. 
Turmz melanotus, Gould in Grey’s Trav. App., vol. ii. p. 419, note. 


Hemipodius melanotus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 84. 


Several years have now elapsed since 1 described this 
species from a specimen received from Moreton Bay; since 


(i 


RASORES. 188 


then I have obtained other examples from the eastern and 
northern parts of Australia; but have not obtained any in- 
formation respecting its habits and economy. | 

The female is a larger bird than the male, in which respect | 
only do the sexes differ in outward appearance. | 

Crown of the head black, each feather fringed with brown 
at the tip; space between the bill and the eye, stripe over 
the eye and cheeks, light yellowish brown, the feathers of the 
latter slightly tipped with black; back. of the neck rich 
chestnut-red; scapularies deep chestnut-red, with a large 
transverse black mark in the centre of each feather, and a 
longitudinal stripe of fawn-yellow on their outer edges ; rump 
and upper tail-coverts black, each feather freckled with fine 
markings of brown, with indistinct spots of buff on the 
external edges of the upper tail-coverts; greater and lesser 
wing-coverts buff-yellow, each feather having a spot of black 
in the centre; primaries brown; throat whitish ; front of 
the neck and chest deep buff; sides of the neck and flanks | 
light buff, with an oblong spot of black transversely disposed | 
im the centre of each feather; centre of the abdomen and | 
under tail-coverts buffy white; bill and feet brown. 

Total length 63 inches; bill $; wing 34; tail 2; tarsi 3. 


Sp. 482. TURNIX CASTANOTUS, Gould. 
CHESTNUT-BACKED TuRNIXx. 


Hemipodius castanotus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part vii. p. 145. 
Win-do-loom, Aborigines of Port Essington. 
Thick-billed Quail, Colonists. 


Hemipodius castanotus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. 
pl. 85. © . 


The Chestnut-backed Hemipode inhabits the northern and 
north-western portions of Australia; specimens from the 
latter have been forwarded to me by Mr. Bynoe and by Mr. 


184 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Dring of H.MLS. ‘ Beagle ;’ Gilbert also found it at Port Es- 
sington, and his notes respecting it I here transcribe :— 

“This species inhabits the sides of stony hills in coveys of 
from fifteen to thirty in number; which, when disturbed, 
seldom rise together, but run along the ground, and it is 
only upon being very closely pursued that they will take wing, 
and then they merely fly to a short distance: while running 
on the ground their heads are thrown up as high as their 
necks will permit, and their bodies being carried very erect, a 
waddling motion is given to their gait, which is very ludicrous. 
The stomachs of those dissected were very muscular, and con- 
tained seeds and a large proportion of pebbles.” 

Head, neck, and chest olive-grey, the feathers of the head 
and neck spotted with fawn-white at the tip, and those of the 
chest having a spatulate mark of the same colour down the 
centre ; centre of the abdomen and the under tail-coverts pale 
buff; a narrow stripe over each eye, back, shoulders, and tail 
rich chestnut ; the feathers on the back and shoulders spotted 
with white, the white spots bounded anteriorly with black ; 
primaries brown, edged with buff; irides gamboge-yellow ; 
bill light ash-grey ; naked skin round the eye smoke-grey ; 
tarsi and feet king’s-yellow. 

Total length 7 mches; bill $; wing 34; tarsi 1. 


Sp. 483. TURNIX VELOX, Gould. 


SwIiFt-FLyIng Turnrx. 


Hemipodius velox, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part viii. p. 150. 
Kar-a-dong, Aborigines of the mountain districts of Western Australia. 
Little Quail of the Colonists. 


Hemipodius velox, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 87. 


T found this interesting species of Zwrnia abundant in 
various parts of New South Wales, and ascertained that it is 
strictly migratory, by finding it in those places in summer 


RASORKS. 185 


which I had previously visited in winter, when no appearance 
of one was to be seen. 

It appears to give preference to low stony ridges thinly 
covered with grasses, for it was in such situations that I gene- 
rally found it, though on some occasions I started it from 
among the rank herbage clothing the alluvial soil of the bot- 


toms. It lies so close as to be nearly trodden upon before it - 


will rise, and when flushed flies off with such extreme rapidity, 
as, when its small size and the intervention of trees combine, to 
render it a most difficult shot to the sportsman. On rising 
it flies to the distance of one or two hundred yards within 
two or three feet of the surface, and then suddenly pitches to 
the ground. As might be expected, it lies well to a pointer, 
and it was by this means that I found many which I could 
not otherwise have started. 

In addition to the districts above named, I observed it, 
although rarely, in the interior of the country north of the 
Liverpool Plains. Before I left Sydney a single specimen was 
sent me from South Australia, and in a collection from Swan 
River I found both the bird and its eggs; these circumstances 
proving that it possesses a range extending from one side of 
the continent to the other, and im all probability it inhabits a 
great portion of the interior. In Western Australia it is 
stated to frequent clear open spots of grass, and may 
occasionally be met with in the thick scrub, but its most 
favourite retreat is the grassy valleys of the interior adjacent 
to water. 

Pleased as I was at making acquaintance with this little 
bird, I was still more gratified at finding its nest and eggs, 

It breeds in September and October. The nest is slightly 
constructed of grasses placed in a shallow depression of the 
ground under the shelter of a small tuft of grass: the eggs 
are four in number, of a dirty white, very thickly blotched all 
over with markings of chestnut, eleven lines and a half long 
by nine lines broad: eggs from Western Australia are much 


186 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


much lighter in colour, and* have the chestnut blotchings 
more minute. 

The stomach is extremely muscular, and the food consists 
of grasshoppers and other insects, seeds, &c. 

One of the most singular circumstances connected with the 
| history of this and the following species is the great difference 
/ in the size of the sexes, the males being but little more than 
| half the size of the females. 

Head, ear-coverts, and all the upper surface chestnut-red ; 
the crown of the head in some specimens has a longitudinal 
mark of buff down the centre; the feathers of the back, rump, 
scapularies, and sides of the chest margined with buff, within 
which is a narrow line of black running in the same direction; 
the feathers of the lower part of the back are also crossed by 
several narrow irregular bands of black; primaries light brown, 
margined with buff on their internal edges; throat, chest, and — 
flanks sandy buff, passing into white on the abdomen ; bill 
horn-colour ; irides straw-white ; legs and feet yellowish white. 

Total length 55 inches; bill 4; wing 3; tarsi 3. 

The above is the description of a female: the male has the 


_ feathers on the sides of the chest conspicuously margined 
| with buff. : 


Sp. 484. TURNIX PYRRHOTHORAX, Gould. 


ReED-cHESTED TuRNIXx. 


Hemipodius pyrrhothorax, Gould in Proe. of Zool. Soc., part viii. 
p- 150. 


Hemipodius pyrrohothorax Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. 
pl. 86. 


But little is known respecting the Swift-flying Turnix, 
and even less information has been obtained respecting the 
history of the present species, which, although assimilating to 
the former in some of its characters, differs from it in the 
markings of the face and neck, and in the rufous colouring of 


| csi a, 


RASORES. $87 


the fore part of the throat and chest: it is also somewhat more 
slender and elegant in its proportions. It first came under 
my notice while traversing the flats near Aberdeen, on the 
Upper Hunter, where I obtained a single example of the 
female ; since then, however, Mr. Coxen has kindly sent me 
examples of the opposite sex, and I have seen others in col- 
lections from the east coast. 

The female has the crown of the head dark brown, with a 
line of buff down the centre ; feathers surrounding the eye, 
ear-coverts and sides of the neck extremely small, white, edged 
with black; back and rump dark brown, transversely rayed 
with bars and freckles of black and buff; wings paler, edged 
with buff, within which is a line of black running in the same 
direction ; primaries brown, margined with buff ; throat, chest, 
flanks and under tail-coverts sandy red, passing into white on 
the centre of the abdomen ; bill horn-colour ; rides straw- 
yellow ; feet yellowish white. 

Total length 53 inches; bill 95; wing 8 ; tarsi 3. 

The male has a similar character of markings on the upper | 
surface, but the colouring of his throat and flanks is much 
paler, and he is fully a third smaller in size. | 


Genus PEDIONOMUS, Gould. 


Allied to Zurnix, but differing in having a small hind-toe. 
A single species only of this curious form has yet been dis- 
covered. 
Sp. 485. PEDIONOMUS TORQUATUS, Goudd. | 
Conuarep PLain-WAnDERER. : 


a 


Pedionomus torquatus, Gould in Proe. of Zool. Soc., part viii. p. 114. 
microurus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part x. p. 20. 
Turnix gouldiana, O. des Murs. (Bonaparte), 


Pedionomus torquatus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 80. 


The structure of this singular little bird is admirably adapted 


188 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


for inhabiting those extensive and arid plains which charac- 
terize the central portions of Australia; and we may reason- 
ably suppose, that whenever the vast interior of that country 
shall be explored, other species of this form will be discovered. 

The lengthened and courser-like legs of the Collared Plain- 
Wanderer are admirably suited for running, while its short, 
round and concave wings are as little adapted for extensive 
flight. Its general contour suggests the idea of a diminutive 
Bustard. As is the case with the Zurnices, the sexes differ 
| considerably both in size and markings, the female being by 
far the largest and richest in colour. On its native plains 
this bird has many singular habits, particularly that of secret- 
ing itself among the scanty herbage or of remaining quiet on 
the bare ground until it is nearly trodden upon before it will 
rise, and when it does take wing its flight is more contracted 
than that of any bird with which I am acquainted. Ina state of 
captivity it becomes less shy and assumes, as the following notes 
by Sur George Grey will testify, many sprightly actions :— 

“We have had several of these birds in confinement at diffe- 
rent times ; they eat pounded wheat, raw and boiled rice, bread 
and flies ; the latter appear to be their favourite food. They 
soon become perfectly tame ; the three now in our possession 
we have had for upwards of four months. 

“These birds are migratory; they appear at Adelaide in 
June, and disappear about January ; where they go has not 
yet been ascertained. They never fly if they can avoid so 
doing, and are often caught by dogs; when disturbed, they 
crouch down and endeavour to hide themselves in a tuft of 
grass. While running about they are in the habit of raising 
themselves in a nearly perpendicular position on the extremi- 
ties of their toes, so that the hinder part of the foot does not 
touch the ground, and of taking a wide survey around them. 
The Emu sometimes stands in a similar position. I have not 
yet ascertained anything respecting their nests, eggs, or time 
of breeding. The call of those we have in confinement pre- 


RASORES. | 189 


cisely resembles that of the Emu, not the whistle, but the 
hollow-sounding noise like that produced by tapping on a cask, 
which the Emu utters, but is of course much fainter.” 
Strange sent me a fully developed egg of this bird which he 
took from the ovarium of a female; in general character it 


resembles those of the Zurnices ; it is somewhat suddenly con- 


tracted at the smaller end, the ground-colour is stone-white 
sprinkled with small blotches of umber-brown and vinous 
grey, the latter colour appearing as if beneath the surface of 
the shell, the sprinkled markings predominating at the larger 
end; the length of the egg is one inch and one-eighth by 
seven-eighths in breadth. 

The male has the crown of the head, back, and upper sur- 
face mottled with black, brown and fawn-colour, the latter 
occupying the external edge of the feathers, and the black and 
brown forming alternate circular markings on each feather ; 
throat, neck, chest and flanks dull fawn-colour, the feathers of 
the neck and chest blotched with brown ; flanks marked with 
the same colour, assuming the form of bars; tail-feathers 
almost invisible ; centre of the abdomen and under tail-coverts 
buffy-white ; irides straw-yellow ; feet greenish yellow. 

Total length 44 inches; bill}g¢; wing 31; tarsi Z. 

The female has the crown of the head reddish brown, 
speckled with black; sides of the head and neck light buff, 
speckled with black ; neck surrounded by a broad band of 
white, thickly spotted with black; all the upper surface 
reddish brown, each feather having several transverse crescent- 
shaped marks in the centre, and margined with buff; tail 
buff, crossed by numerous narrow brown bars; centre of the 
breast rufous, the remainder of the under surface buff; the 
feathers on the breast marked in a similar manner to those on 
the upper surface, and the flanks with large irregular spots of 
black ; irides straw-yellow ; bill yellow, passing into black at 
the point; feet greenish yellow. 

Total length 7 inches; bill 2; wing 33; tail 12; tarsi Z. 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Family PERDICIDZ. 


Genus COTURNIX, Mehring. 


One true Quail is all that has yet been described in Aus- 
tralia; this, as might be expected, is a denizen of the plains, 
and of all the open districts of any extent where grass-lands 
occur; but it also resorts to the arable districts in great 
abundance. Another species occurs in New Zealand and 
others in India, Africa, and Kurope, but not in America. 


Sp. 486. COTURNIX PECTORALIS, Gould. 


PEcToRAL Quai, 


Coturnix pectoralis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soe., part v. p. 8. 
Stubble Quail of the Colonists of Tasmania. 


Coturnix pectoralis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 88, 


The present species is very abundant in Tasmania, South 
Australia, and New South Wales; I have also received speci- 
mens from Western Australia and a single example from the 
north coast, from both of which localities the specimens are 
smaller, and have a more buffy tint pervading the under sur- 
face; I am not, however, prepared to affirm that they are 
specifically distinct. Open grassy plains, extensive grass flats, 
and the parts of the country under cultivation, are situations 
favourable to the habits of the bird ; in its economy and mode 
of life, in fact, it so closely resembles the Quail of Kurope 
(Coturnix communis) that a description of one is equally de- 
scriptive of the other. It powers of flight are considerable, 
and when flushed, it wings its way with arrow-like swiftness 
to a distant part of the plain; it lies well to a pointer, and 
has from the first settlement of the colony always afforded — 
considerable amusement to the sportsman. It is an excellent 
bird for the table, fully equalling in this respect its European 


= SS Ee 


RASORES. 191 


representative. During my rambles in the districts resorted 
to by this bird, I frequently found its nest and eggs; they 
bear a strong resemblance to those of our own Quail; but 
much variation exists in their colouring, some being largely 
blotched all over with brown on a straw-white ground, 
while from this to a finely spotted marking every variety 
occurs ; the number of eggs in each nest varies from eleven 
to fourteen. The situations chosen for the nest are much 
diversified ; sometimes it is placed among the thick grass of 
the luxuriant flats, while at others it is artfully concealed by a 
tuft of herbage on the open plains. The chief food of this 
species is grain, seeds and insects, the grain, as a matter of 
course, being only procured in cultivated districts ; and hence 
the name of Stubble Quail has been given to it by the colonists 
of Tasmania, from the great numbers that visit the fields after 
the harvest is over. , | 

September and the three following months constitute the 
breeding-season ; but it is somewhat later in Tasmania than 
in South Australia and New South Wales. 


The average weight of the male is four ounces and a half ; 


the female, which rarely equals the male in size, may at all 


times be distinguished by the total absence of the black mark-: | 
ings on the chest, and by the throat being white instead of — 


buff. 
The male has the lores, ear-coverts and throat buff ; crown 
of the head and back of the neck deep brown; over each eye 


two parallel lines of yellowish white ; a similar line down the’ 


centre of the head from the forchead to the nape ; back of the 
neck brown, each feather marked down its centre with a lan- 
ceolate mark of yellowish white, blotched on each side with 
black; mantle, back and upper tail-coverts brown, trans- 
versely rayed with zigzag markings of black, and striped down 
the centre with lanceolate markings of yellowish white ; wings 
brown, transversely rayed with zigzag lines of grey and black; 
primaries and centre of the chest black; sides of the chest 


192 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


brown ; abdomen white, each feather marked down its centre 
with black ; flanks rich brown, the centre of each feather white, 
bounded on either side by a fine line of black ; bill black ; 
irides hazel ; feet pearly vinous white. 

Total length 6$ inches; bill; wing 32; tarsi 2. 

The female differs in being destitute of the black marks on 
the chest, in the throat being white instead of buff, and in the 
bill being olive instead of black. 


Genus SYNOICUS, Gould. 


The similarity in the habits and economy of these birds 
to those of the true Partridges, particularly of our well-known 
species the Perdix cinerea, allies them more nearly to that 
genus than to the true Quails (Coturniz). 

The various species move about in small coveys, and when 
flushed fly but a short distance before they again alight. As 
an article of food they are all that can be wished. 

Every part of Australia, from Port Essington to Tasmania, 
is inhabited by one or other member of the genus. ‘The 
species are extremely difficult to distinguish from each other, 
and all of them may not yet have been described. 

T may remark that these birds assume an infinite variety of 
markings; but whether these markings are subject to any 
law I know not. It would be desirable to ascertain if the fully 
adult mated sexes are alike in colour, or if the female be 
darker or lighter than the male, and if those with strongly- 
marked bars of black on the upper surface be birds of the 
year. 

The markings of the eggs of the various species differ as 
much as those of the plumage, some being of a uniform 
creamy-white, while others are thickly dotted all over with 
minute specks of brown. 


RASORES. 193 


Sp. 487. SYNOICUS AUSTRALIS. 
Swamp-Qualtu. 


Perdix australis, Lath. Ind. Orn., Supp. p. lxii. 

Coturnix australis, Temm. Pig. et Gall. 8vo, tom. il. pp. 474 and 740, 
New Holland Quail, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. p. 283. 
Moo-reete, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Australia. 
Brown Quail, Colonists of Swan River and Tasmania. 


Synoicus australis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 89. 


Although this bird and its allies are ordinarily known in 
Australia under the trivial name of Quails (Coturnix), they 
are really more nearly allied to the Common Partridge 
(Perdiz cinerea) of the British Islands, so renowned for 
the goodness of its flesh, and for the healthy pastime it an- 
nually affords to all who follow the sports of the field. 
Although much more diminutive in size, the Australian bird 
offers in many points of its economy a great similarity to its 
antipodean ally. The Synotcus australis is distributed over 
the whole of New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasma- 
mia, the localities most suited to its habits being thick grassy 
flats and humid spots overgrown with herbage, by the sides 
of rivers and water-holes. Its call is very similar to that of 
the Common Partridge, and like that bird it is found in coveys 
of from ten to eighteen in number, which simultaneously rise 
from the ground and pitch again within a hundred yards of 
the spot whence they rose. It sits so close, that it will often 
admit of being nearly trodden upon before it will rise. Pointers 
stand readily to it, and it offers perhaps better sport to the 
sportsman than any other bird inhabiting Australia. Its 
weight is about four ounces and three quarters, and its flesh 
is delicious. 

The Swamp-Quail breeds on the ground, where it con- 
structs a slight nest of grass and leaves; the eggs, which are 
of large size, and from ten to eighteen in number, are some- 


FOL. 41. O 


194 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


times uniform bluish white, at others minutely freckled all 
over with buff. 3 

Forehead, space between the bill and the eye, and the throat 
greyish white, with a tinge of buff; all the upper surface ir- 
regularly marked with beautiful transverse bars of grey, black 
and chestnut, each feather on the back having a fine stripe 
down the centre ; shoulders greyish brown, the remainder of 
the wing marked with obscure transverse lines of grey, brown 
and black; primaries brown, mottled on the external edges 
with greyish brown ; all the under surface buffy grey, each 
feather having numerous zigzag markings of black, and many 
of them having a very fine line of white down the centre ; bill - 
blue, deepening into black at the tip; irides orange ; feet dull 
yellow. 


Sp. 488. SYNOICUS DIEMENENSIS, Gould. 
| TASMANIAN SwAMP-QUAIL. 


Synotcus diemenensis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xv. p. 33. 
Greater Brown Quail of the Colonists. 


Synoicus diemenensis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 90. 


The Tasmanian Swamp-Quail is fully a third larger than the 
Synoicus australis, and has the markings of the upper surfaces 
more numerous and varied ; the situations it affects appear to 
be low marshy grounds covered with dense masses of herbage. 
The eggs I procured were found in the swamps immediately 
below New Norfolk; they are more green-than those of 8, 
australis, are sprinkled all over with minute spots of brown, 
and are from twelve to eighteen in number, one inch and seven- 
sixteenths long by one inch and an eighth broad. 

Forehead, lores and chin greyish white tinged with buff; 
crown of the head dark brown, with a line of buff down the 
centre ; all the upper surface irregularly marked with beauti- 
ful transverse bars of grey, black and chestnut, each feather 
with a fine stripe of greyish white down the centre; primaries 


RASORES. 195 


brown, mottled on their external edges with greyish brown; 
all the under surface greyish buff, each feather with numerous 


regular somewhat arrow-shaped marks of black, and many of — 


them with a very fine line of white down the centre ; bill 
blue, deepening into black at the tip ; irides orange ; feet dull 
yellow. 

Total length 84 inches; bill 2; wing 43; tarsi 12. 


Sp. 489. | SYNOICUS SORDIDUS, Gouid. 


Sompre Swamp-Quarn. 
Synoicus sordidus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xv. p. 83. 


Synoicus sordidus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 91. 


This species differs from its congeners in the absence of 
any variety in the markings of its plumage, in lieu of which all 
the feathers of the upper surface have a broad bluish-grey 
stripe down the middle. . 

Two specimens are all that have come under my notice ; both 
of which were received from South Australia. 

Its habits doubtless resemble those of the other members 
of the genus, but nothing is at present known respecting 
them. 

General plumage dark brown, minutely freckled with black, 
each feather of the upper and under surface with a broad 
stripe of bluish grey down the centre; feathers of the head 
and back of the neck with a spot of blackish brown at the tip, 
those down the centre of the head and a few of the back- 
feathers with white shafts; chin buff ; flank-feathers with an 
arrow-head-shaped mark of black near the tip. 

Total length 7 inches ; bill; wing 32; tarsi é. 


Sp. 490. SYNOICUS CERVINUS, Gould. 


Norruzrn Swamp-Quatn. 


As I have before remarked, the Swamp-Quails of Australia 
o 2 


196 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


must either be regarded as constituting but one or several 
species—a point which must be left for future investigation, 
and which can only be determined by persons resident in the 
colony, or by a careful examination and comparison of a much 
larger number of examples than are at present to be found in 
this country. I have enumerated three species which appear 
to possess tangible specific characters, and I now venture to 
describe a bird commonly found in the neighbourhood of 
Port Essington, as distinct from those of the southern 
portions of the continent: it is one of the smallest members 
of the genus, and distinguished by a more delicate and sandy 
buff colouring. | 3 

The eggs of this species, like those of the other members 
of the genus, vary from ten to fourteen in number, and are 
- usually deposited in a depresssion of the ground lined with a 
few grasses or other herbage. Some examples, received direct 
from Port Essington, are cream-white, without markings of 
any kind; their average length is one inch and a sixteenth, 
and their breadth seven-eighths of an inch. 

Lores, sides of the head, and throat buff; all the upper 
surface marked with transverse bars of black, grey, and 
chestnut-brown, with a fine stripe of buffy white down the 
centre of each of the feathers of the back; shoulders greyish 
brown, remainder of the wing marked with obscure spots and 
freckles of brown and black; primaries brown, mottled 
externally with greyish brown; all the under surface buff, 
washed with grey, each feather with several zigzag transverse 
lines of black, and many with a fine line of white down the 
centre; bill blue, darkening into black at the tip; irides 
orange; feet dull yellow. 

Total length of the male 64 inches; bill =; wing 33; 
tall]; tarsi Z, ; 


RASORES, 197 


Genus EXCALFATORIA, Bonaparte, 


Three or four species of this well-defined genus inhabit 


India, China, the Indian Islands, and Australia; while others, 


equally typical, are found in Africa. They are among the 
most diminutive of the Gallinacee, if not the least of any of 
that extensive group of birds. 


Sp. 491. EXCALFATORIA AUSTRALIS, Gould. 


Least Swamp-Qualt. 


Synoicus? chinensis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 92. 


In separating this species from the old Perdix chinensis 
of authors, I have no desire to add my own name to the end 
of a specific term; but I find there are several species of 
this form, and not one only, as was formerly supposed. 
The Australian bird is altogether smaller than the Indian 
specimens with which I have compared it, has a somewhat 
more delicate bill, shorter tarsi, a much darker upper sur- 
face, and the black blotches on the back much more con- 
spicuous. 

This is one of the species of Australian birds I have 
not personally seen in a state of nature, which is the more 
singular as I have received skins from nearly every loca- 


lity. I have ascertained, however, that at some seasons it. 


is very numerous in such low and humid districts as are 
clothed with dense and luxuriant grasses and other vege- 
table productions; but, beyond this, nothing is known of its 


history. 
The male has the crown of the head and upper surface 


brown, irregularly blotched with black, some of the feathers 
with a narrow stripe of buff down the centre ; wings brown, 
the coverts broadly margined with brown; sides of the head, 
breast, and flanks fine blue grey; throat black; within the 


198 . BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


black on each side an oblong patch, and on its lower part a 
crescent-shaped mark of white; abdomen and under tail- 
coverts deep rich chestnut-red ; irides hazel; bill black; feet 
yellow. 

Total length 44 inches; bill 3; wing 23; tarsi 3. 

The female has a broad stripe over each eye sandy buff; crown 
of the head and all the upper surface dark brown, crossed by 
fine bars of lighter brown, and each feather, particularly those 
of the back and rump, with a line of buff down the centre ; 
throat and centre of the abdomen buff; breast, sides of the 
neck, flanks, and under tail-coverts sandy buff, crossed by 
numerous crescentic marks of blackish brown; irides dark 
brown; bill black; feet yellow. 

Mr. Wallace sent to this country a new species of this 
form, so diminutive in size that I question if it be not the 
smallest gallinaceous bird yet discovered. A fine male of this 
species, bearing the name of Hucalfatoria minima, Gould, 
now graces the national collection, and a second specimen is 


contained in my own. 


GRALLATORES. 199 


Order GRALLATORES. 


The birds comprised in this Order are very fairly repre- 
sented in Australia. Among the forms peculiar to that 
country are the genera Dromaius, Cladorhynchus, Tribonya, 
and Fulabeornis, while among those also found in other 
countries are Casuarius, Otis, Ardea, Lgretia, Ardeola, Lobi- 
vanellus, Strepsilas, Squatarola, Charadrius, Haematopus, 
Eudromias, Himantopus, Scheniclus, Terekia, Gallinago, Re- 
curvirostra, Limosa, Rhynchea, Numenius, Mycteria, Parra, 
Rallus, and Porzana. 

I have not failed to remark that wherever similar physical 
conditions exist similar forms of birds generally occur: thus 
the marshes of Australia have the usual accompaniment of 
Herons, Rails, and Snipes; the plains their Bustard, and 
the strands of the sea-shore their Sandpipers and Plovers. 
Still there are some remarkable exceptions to this rule in 


Australia: for she has no Pterocles among her Rasorial Birds, - 


or Cursorius among her Grallatores, for both of which forms 
the country would seem to be well adapted ; neither has she a 
Phenicopterus, like Africa. 


Family STRUTHIONIDA. 


Time was when many parts of our globe were inhabited by 
enormous birds of this family, evidence of which is afforded 
by their semi-fossilized remains found in Madagascar, New 
Zealand, and elsewhere. These great Struthiones have still 
their representatives; for America has two, if not three, 
species of Rhea; Africa, its Ostrich; New Guinea and the 
neighbouring islands, their Cassowaries ; Australia, its Emus ; 
and the islands of New Zealand, two or three species of dimi- 
nutive Apteryges. 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus DROMAIUS, Vieillot. 


At least two species of this form inhabit Australia,- to 
which country and Tasmania they are restricted. Structurally 
they differ from the Ostrich in having three toes instead. of 
two, and from the Rheas and Cassowaries in other particulars. 
The sexes are alike in colouring, and the male takes upon 
himself the task of incubating the eggs. 


a 


Sp. 492. DROMAIUS NOVA-HOLLANDIA. 


Emu. 


New Holland Cassowary, Phill. Bot. Bay, pl. in p. 271. 

Southern Cassowary, Shaw, Nat. Misc., pl. 99. 

Emu of New South Wales, Collin’s Voy., vol. ii. pl. in p. 307. 

Casuartus nove-hollandie, Lath. Ind. Orn., vol. ii. p. 665. 

Casoare de la Nouvelle Hollande, Péron, Voy. aux Terr. Aust., tom. i. 
p- 467, pls. 36 and 41. 

Dromawus ater, Vieill. Gal. des Ois., tom. ii. pl. 226. 

The Emeu, Benn. Gard. and Menag. of Zool. Soc., Birds, p. 192. 

Van Diemen’s Land Cassowary, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. viii. p. 884, 
pl. cxxxvill. 

Dromiceus australis, Swains. Class. of Birds, vol. ii. p. 346. 
emu, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xi. p. 489, and vol. 
xiv. p. 307, pl. 39. 

Dromaius nove-hollandia, G. R. Gray, List of Gen. of Birds, 2nd edit. 
p. 82. 


Dromaius nove-hollandiz, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. 
pl. 1. . 


This well-known bird was first described and figured 
under the name of the New Holland Cassowary in Governor 
Phillip’s ‘Voyage to Botany Bay,’ published in 1789, and 
it has been included in all ornithological works of a general 
nature that have appeared since that date; but by far the 
most accurate account of it is that given by the late Mr. 
Bennett in the ‘Gardens and Menagerie of the Zoological 


GRALLATORES. 201 


Society delineated.’ “ In size and bulk the Emu is exceeded 
by the African Ostrich alone. Its average measurement may 
be estimated at between five and six feet in height. In form 
it closely resembles the Ostrich, but is lower on the legs, 
shorter in the neck, and of a more thick-set and clumsy make. 
At a distance its feathers have more the appearance of hair than 
of plumage, their barbs being all loose and separate. As in 
the Ostriches, they take their origin by pairs from the same 
shaft. The wings are so extremely small as to be quite in- 
visible when applied to the surface of the body. They are 
clothed with feathers exactly similar to those of the back, 
which divide from a middle line and fall gracefully over on 
either side.” 

Its flesh has been compared to coarse beef, which it re- 


sembles, according to Mr. Cunningham, “ both in appearance: 


and taste, and is good and sweet eating ; nothing indeed can 
be more delicate than the flesh of the young ones. ‘There is 
but little fit for culinary use upon any part of the Emu, except 
the hind-quarters, which are of such dimensions that the 
shouldering of two hind-legs homewards for a mile distance 
once proved to me as tiresome a task as I ever recollect to 
have encountered in the colony.” I may remark that its flesh 
proved of the greatest service to Dr. Leichhardt and his 
intrepid companions during their overland route from More- 
ton Bay to Port Essington, in the course of which, but more 
particularly between the head of the Gulf of Carpentaria and 
Port Essington, the sight and capture of the Emu was almost 
a daily occurrence; so abundant in fact was it, that he states 
he saw in the short space of eight miles at least a hundred, 
in flocks of three, five, ten, and even more, at a time. Dr. 
Leichhardt mentions that the natives on killmg an Emu in- 
variably break the wings—why, he was at a loss to conceive, 
as they could but slightly assist the animal in making its 


escape, should it survive; some curious practices also exist — 


with respect to this bird among the natives, the particulars of 


202 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


which I have not been able to learn, but I may mention that 
the young men and boys are not allowed to feed upon it. 

The range of the present species is still unknown; but in 
all probability it extends from Tasmania through the whole 
of the eastern division of Australia to its most northern 
limits. And now a word to the Australians, particularly to 
those who are interesting themselves about acclimatizing 
animals from other countries— wishing for things they have 
not and neglecting those they possess. At what cross pur- 
poses are we playing both in Europe and Australia !—in 
England a price is put upon the head of the Sparrow, while 
in Australia rewards are offered for its introduction; but on 
this subject any remarks would be out of place here, and I must 
content myself by praying that protection may be afforded to 
that noble bird, the Emu, in order that it may not be extir- 
pated from the continent, as it nearly has been from Tasmania, 
where, I hear, it would require a month’s search, in the most 
remote parts of the island, before one could see any of the 
few that are still living thereon. How much will the loss of 
this fine bird be regretted by every right-minded person who 
claims Tasmania as his father-land ! 

On the continent of Australia the Emu was formerly abun- 
dant about Botany Bay and Port Jackson Harbour, but is 
now only to be seen on the plains of the interior, over whose 
solitudes it still roams in great numbers, and where it breeds, 
depending upon the strength and swiftness of its legs to 
avoid the pursuit of the stockmen and their dogs. Further 
and further back, however, will it be driven until it be 
extirpated, unless some law be instituted to check its wanton 
destruction. That it might easily be preserved is evident 
from the readiness with which it breeds in confinement; and 
surely I have here said sufficient to induce the Australian 
authorities to give a thought to its protection, as well as that 
of the great red and grey Kangaroos and other interesting 
native birds and quadrupeds. 


GRALLATORES. _ — 


The note of the Emu is a low booming or pumping noise, 
which we know is produced in the female by means of the 
expansion and contraction of a large membranous bag, sur- 
rounding an oblong opening through the rings of the trachea ; 
but whether this peculiarity of structure is also to be found 
in the male I am not aware. 

They pair with tolerable constancy, and the male bird 
appears to take a lage share in the task of incubation. 

The eggs, which are merely placed in a cavity scooped in the 
earth, generally in a sandy soil, are six or seven in number, 
of a beautiful dark green, resembling shagreen in appear- 
ance ; five inches and three-quarters in length by three inches 
and three-quarters in breadth. They are held in much esteem 
by the natives, who feed upon them whenever they can be 
procured. . 

Little or no difference of colour is observable in the 
sexes; but I believe the female is always smaller than the 
male. 

The entire plumage is of a dull brown, mottled, particularly 
on the under surface, with dirty grey; the feathers of the 
head and neck becoming gradually shorter, and so thinly 
placed that the purplish hue of the skin of the throat and 
round the ears is perfectly visible ; irides brown ; bill and legs 
dusky black. 

The young on first quitting the shell have a very elegant 
appearance, the ground-colour being greyish white, with two 
longitudinal broad black stripes along the back, and two 
others on each side, each subdivided by a narrow middle 
line of white; these stripes being continued along the neck 
without subdivision and broken into irregular spots on the 
head ; two other broken stripes pass down the fore-part of 
the neck and breast and terminate in a broad band across the 
thighs. 


204 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Sp. 493. DROMAIUS IRRORATUS, Bartlett. 


Sporrep Emu. 


Dromeus irroratus, Bartl. in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xxvii. p. 205. 


At the scientific meeting of the Zoological Society of Lon- 
don, held on the 24th of May, 1859, Mr. Bartlett, Super- 
intendent of the Society’s Gardens in the Regent’s Park, 
exhibited a specimen of an Emu which had been obtained 
with several others in the interior of South Australia, and 
remarked that— 

“Tt differs from Dromeus nove-hollandieé in having the 
whole of the feathers of the body distinctly marked with 
narrow transverse bars of light grey and dark brownish black. 
The feathers of the back and sides are broader, longer, and 
Jess silky in texture than those of the common species, the 
latter difference being quite evident to the touch; the upper 
part of the head and neck is nearly black, and the feathers 
appear thicker than those of the same parts in the other 
bird. 

“The specimen to which these remarks refer was one of 
three examined by me, two of which were adult and one a 
young bird about one-third grown. The latter exhibited the 
transverse bars on its plumage as distinctly as the adult bird, 
and the broad longitudinal stripes were clearly to be seen. 
Judging from the skins I have seen, I am inclined to consider 
that this new bird is smaller than the common species. I beg 
to propose provisionally the name of Dromeus irroratus for 
this supposed new species.” 

Having seen adult and youthful examples of this Emu, all 
bearing the characters which suggested its specific name, I 
have no doubt of its being distinct from the D. nove hollandie. 
T am almost equally certain that it is confined to the western 
division of Australia, and that it represents there the Emu 
of the eastern. Whether the two species inosculate in South 


GRALLATORES. ~— 205 


Australia, and if the present bird extends its range to the 
north and north-western coast, future research must deter- 
mine. 

In some remarks on the Struthionide read at the scientific 
meeting of the Society, on the 24th of April, 1860, Dr. Sclater, 
referring to this new Emu, says, “I have lately had the 
pleasure of examining two specimens in Holland. One of 
these, now in the Gardens of the Zoological Society of Amster- 
dam, was brought from Albany in Western Australia, and thus 
renders it probable that the Spotted Emu is the Western re- 
presentative of the D. nove-hollandie. The second, now in 
the Zoological Gardens at Rotterdam, I have obtained by ex- 
change for this Society. The Emu of Western Australia may, || 
as was pointed out by Mr. Bartlett when he first described it, | 
be easily distinguished from the well-known Eastern bird by 
its spotted plumage. On comparing the feathers of the two | 
species together, the mode in which this spotting is produced 
is clearly apparent. The feathers of D. irroratus are barred 
alternately with silky white and darkish grey throughout their 
length, terminating in a black tip margined posteriorly with 
rufous. ‘Those of D. xove-hollandie are uniform blackish grey ol 
from the base to the extremity, which is black with a black yl 
terminal band ofrufous. On comparing the two living birds | 
we find D. «rroratus generally of a much more slender habit. | 
The tarsi are longer and thinner, the toes longer and much || 
more slender, and the tarsal scutes smaller. The irides are _ nl 
pale hazel, instead of reddish brown, as in D. nove-hollandie | 1 
As Mr. Bartlett’s original skin of D. crroratus was obtained ie 
in the interior of Southern Australia, the range of this Emu 
may be supposed to extend over the western portion of Au- 
stralia into the latter colony, where it probably inosculates 
with D. nove-hollandie. Two additional specimens of the 
Spotted Emu (both immature) have been lately received by the 
Society from Swan River. In this state of plumage the bird 
is decidedly darker than its near ally, D. nove-hollandie.” 


i | 
| i 
| | 
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” 4 Z ae ee | 
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& 
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iy 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus CASUARIUS, Linneus. 


New Guinea and the adjacent islands are the countries in 
which the birds of this form principally exist ; and it is more 
than probable that one species is found in Australia. They 
appear to be the remnant of a great group of Struthious birds 
closely allied to the Ostriches and Emus, and perhaps still more 
intimately to the extinct Dinornithes, the remains of which 
are almost daily being exhumed from the morasses of New 
Zealand. 


Sp. 494. CASUARIUS AUSTRALIS, Wall. 


AUSTRALIAN CASSoWARY. 


Casuarius australis, Wall, Illustrated Sydney Herald, June 3, 1854 ; 
Gould in Proc, of Zool. Soc., part xxy. p. 270. 


Although no specimen of this bird has been brought before 
the scientific world, we cannot, I think, doubt that a species of 
this form does really exist in the northern part of Australia ; 
but whether it be identical with some previously described 
species inhabiting New Guinea and the neighbouring islands, 
or entirely new, must remain for the present an open question. 
All that we at present know on the subject is comprised in 
the following extract from the ‘ Illustrated Sydney Herald,’ 
above quoted :—* A specimen of this bird was procured by the 
late Mr. Thomas Wall, naturalist to the expedition commanded 
by Mr. Kennedy. It was shot near Cape York, in one of 
those almost inaccesssible gullies which abound in that part 
of the Australian continent. This: Cassowary, when erect, 
stands about five feet high; the head is without feathers, but 
covered with a blue skin, and, like the Emu, is almost without 
wings, having mere rudiments; the body is thickly covered 
with dark brown wiry feathers; on the head is a large pro- | 
mimence or helmet of a bright red colour, and to the neck are 
attached, like bells, six or eight round fleshy balls of bright 


GRALLATORES. 207 


blue and scarlet, which give the bird a very beautiful appear- 
ance. The first and indeed the only specimen obtained 
of the Australian Cassowary was unfortunately left at Wey- 
mouth Bay, and has not been recovered. Mr. Wall, being 
most anxious for its preservation, had secured it in a canvas 
bag and carried it with him to the spot where, unfortunately 
for science, it was lost. In the ravine where the bird was 
killed, as well as other deep and stony valleys of that neigh- 
bourhood, it was seen running in companies of seven or eight. 
On that part of the north-eastern coast, therefore, it is probably 
plentiful, and will be met with in all the deep gullies at the base 
of high hills. The flesh was eaten, and found to be delicious ; 
_ a single leg afforded more substantial food than ten or twelve 
hungry men could dispose of at a single meal. The bird 
possesses great strength in its legs, and makes use of it in the 
same manner as the Emu, Its whole build is more strong 
and heavy than the latter bird. It is very wary, but its pre- 
sence may be easily detected by its utterance of a peculiarly 
loud note, which is taken up and echoed along the gullies ; 
and it could be easily killed with a rifle.” 

The above account was furnished by Mr. Thomas Wall’s 
brother, Mr. William Sheridan Wall, Curator of the Australian 
Museum. 


Family OTIDIDA. 


A country better adapted than Australia for the members 
of this family can scarcely be imagined; yet, singularly 
enough, only one species has yet been found there. Africa 
is the country where the species are most numerous. — 


Genus CHORIOTIS, Bonaparte. 


The Choriotis edwardsi, of the plains of Upper India, and 
the C. australis are beautiful representatives of each other in 
their respective countries. | 


208 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Sp. 495. CHORIOTIS AUSTRALIS. 
AUSTRALIAN BustTarD. 


Otis australis, Gray in Griff. Anim. King., vol. iii. p. 805. 
australasianus, Gould in Proce. of Zool. Soc., part viii. p. 176. 
Choriotis australis, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de l’Acad. Sci., tom. xliii. 


ul 
Be-bil-ya, Aborigines of Western Australia, 
Turkey, Colonists of New South Wales, 
Native Turkey, Colonists of Swan River. 


Otis australasianus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 4. 


In size this species exceeds the European Bustard (Otis 
tarda), standing higher upon its legs, and having a longer 
neck ; and, when seen at freedom slowly stalking over its 
native plains, no Australian bird, except the Emu, is so 
majestic, or assumes in its carriage so great an air of 
independence. The male, whose weight is from thirteen to 
sixteen pounds, considerably exceeds the female in size, and, 
from the greater length of the plumes of the neck and 
occiput, is much more stately in appearance. 

I am of opinion that it is merely a summer visitant to all 
the southern parts of Australia, but to determine this point 
requires a longer residence than the nature of my visit 
permitted. I frequently encountered and killed it both on 
the plains of the Lower Namoi and also in South Australia, 
and Gilbert met with it in Western Australia, Leichardt 
within the region of the tropics, and Sturt around the Depot 
in the desert; its range over the country, therefore, is 
probably universal. Within the precincts of the colony of 
New South Wales, as might be expected, a bird of so large a 
size 1s much persecuted, and has consequently become very 
shy. I met with it upon several occasions on the downs near 
Scone, the flats in the neighbourhood of Aberdeen, and other 
similar situations in the Upper Hunter district. It flies 
heavily, with its long neck stretched out to the utmost; but 
it is capable of sustaining flight for a considerable distance. 


GRALLATORES. 20) 
As an article of food its flesh is delicate and well-flavoured, 
and in every respect equals that of its well-known prototype 
of Europe. , | i 
Its food consists of seeds, vegetables, grasses, lizards, mol- 
lusks, insects, &e. ' : 

It breeds in the latter part of September; the situation 
chosen for the purpose being a clear spot in a valley, or on 
the side of a grassy hill: the eggs are usually deposited on 
the bare ground ; occasionally, however, a few grasses are 
spread for them to lie upon. They are two in number, three 
inches long by two inches and two lines broad, and are of an 
olive-colour, stained with longitudinal dashes of brown. 

Crown of the head and occiput black; sides of the head, 
the neck, and breast greyish white, each feather crossed by 
numerous fine zigzag bands of brown, giving those parts a 
freckled appearance ; wing-coverts black, largely tipped with 
white; all the upper surface, wings, and upper tail-coverts 
brown, very minutely freckled with reddish brown; some of 
the feathers towards the hinder parts of the body tinged with 
grey; tail grey, crossed near the centre by an interrupted 
band of white, minutely frecked with white, margined with 
brown, and slightly tipped with white; chest crossed by an. 
irregular band of black, beyond which the under surface js 
white; under tail-coverts greyish black, tipped with white ;- 
irides greenish white ; eyelash pale olive-yellow ; bill straw: 
white, with olive and black culmen; legs and feet straw- 
yellow. 

Total length 40 inches ; bill 4; wing 25; tail 10; tarsi7 Z. 


VOL. II. ‘be 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Family CHARADRIADZ. — 


I should suppose that there is no country on the entire 
face of the globe, except, perhaps, the antarctic land, that is 
not inhabited by some species of this family. From Arctic 
America, through the course of the Andes, to Cape Horn 
species occur; while from Siberia, through India and its 
islands, to the southern portions of Tasmania they are also 
found, and also in Polynesia and New Zealand. Australia is 
tolerably furnished with members of this group, since she has 
many genera and species, ranging from the great Gicnemi 
to the little Aiaticule inclusive. 


Genus GDICNEMUS, Temminck. 


Species of this form are very generally dispersed over 

Africa, India, and Europe; in Australia there are one or two, 
and, I believe, the same number is found in South America. 
_ These birds are allied on the one hand to the Bustards, 
and on the other to the Plovers; a more complete union of 
the characters of both could not, indeed, be found ; but, 
perhaps, they are most nearly allied to the latter. 


Sp. 496. (EDICNEMUS GRALLARIUS. 
SouTHERN StonE-PLOVER. 


Charadrius grallarius, Lath. Ind. Orn., Supp. p. lxvi. 

frenatus, Lath. Ib., p. lxvii. 
figh-legged Plover, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. p. 319. 
Cidicnemus longipes, Geoff. in Mus. Paris. 
Bridled Plover, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., tom. ii. p. 320. 
Cidicnemus grallarius, List of Birds in Brit. Mus. Coll., part iii. p. 59. 
Charadrius longipes, Wagl. Syst. Avium, Charadrius, sp. 4. 
Burhinus grallarius, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de Acad. Sci., tom. xliii. 
Wee-lo, Aborigines of Western Australia. 


Gdicnemus grallarius, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol. vol. vi. pl. 5. 


This is the largest species of its genus yet discovered, its 


GRALLATORES, ~ 211 


body being nearly the size of that of a hen Pheasant, and it 
i has also longer legs than any of the others. I have seen 
ar specimens from Swan River, South Australia, and New South 
# l Wales, in all of which countries it is equally common, wherever 
i districts occur suitable to its habits and mode of life. Sandy 
i plains, the crowns and sides of grassy hills, and flats between — 
elke the mountain ridges, particularly those that are of a rough 
i and stony character, are the situations it usually frequents, 
" 4 and where it is mostly met with in pairs, but is occasionally 
3 seen in small companies of from eight to ten or more in 
number ; it is at all times a shy bird, and it requires some 
degree of stratagem to approach it within gunshot. It runs 
with great facility, and when not disposed to take wing 
Squats on the ground by the side of a stone or a prostrate 
| log of wood, and there remains so close as almost to admit of 
| ; being trodden upon before it will rise. Upon an intruder 
approaching the vicinity of its young, it employs many 
enticing actions to attract his notice to itself, and if possible 
lead him away from the spot; at one moment assuming 
lameness to such an extent as to appear incapable of walking, 
at other times hanging down its wings as if escape by flight 
was impossible, yet withal is so wary that I never knew one 
captured by the hand, or obtained by any other means than 
by shooting it. While walking about the plains, it is a 
stately and imposing bird; and, when on the wing, it mounts 
high in the air with a quick, rather laboured motion of the 
wings, does not fly to any great distance, but usually pitches 
again in some clear place among the trees, and seeks safety 
by running off and secreting itself among the bushes or 
squatting on the ground. On the approach of evening and 
during the early part of the night, its loud, harsh, and 
peculiar cry, resembling the words wee-lo two or three times 
repeated, 1s often heard. It chiefly feeds at night upon 
| insects of various kinds and berries. 
The eggs are invariably two in number, and are deposited 
| . a 4 


212 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


on the bare ground during September and the four following 
months. ‘They vary considerably in colour, as well as in the 
form of their markings; their usual ground-colour is pale 
buif, thickly blotched all over with umber-brown; they are 
about two inches and a quarter long by one inch and five- 
eighths broad. 

The markings and general appearance of the two sexes are 
_ so similar, that it is scarcely possible to distinguish the male 
from the female without the aid of dissection. 

Crown of the head, back of the neck, and back grey, each 
feather with a line of brownish black down the centre; space 
surrounding the eye white, bounded in front and below with 
a narrow streak, which, as well as the ear-coverts and a broad 
stripe down each side of the neck, is dark brown; lores and 
chin white; scapularies blackish brown, margined at the base 
with grey; the upper rows of wing-coverts brown, the lower 
ones white, tipped with brown, all with a broad stripe of 
black down the centre; primaries brownish black, crossed 
towards the extremities by a broad irregular band of white ; 
tertiaries light brown, with a dark stripe down the centre, 
and margined with white; tail brown, crossed by several 
bands of white and dark brown, and largely tipped with 
black; breast and abdomen buffy white, with a broad stripe 
of brownish black down the centre of each feather ; lower 
part of the abdomen white; bill black; irides yellow ; eye- 
lash black ; legs sickly yellowish olive, gradually passing into 
the brown of the feet. 

It has for a long time appeared to me that a second species 
of this form exists on the northern coast, since I have received 
specimens from thence which have longer tarsi and shorter 
wings. If this be the case, the species is undescribed; but 
if these birds be identical with the present, then the range is 
greater than I have stated. : 


GRALLATORES. pedis: 


Genus ESACUS, Lesson. 


Of this genus two species are known, one of which inhabits 
India, the other Australia. The form is nearly allied to G- 
cnemus ; still the members of these genera perform different 
offices, and inhabit different situations. The bill of Hsacus 
is admirably adapted for gathering Crustaceans on the oozy 
mud-banks and flat sea-Shores, while that of Gdicnemus is 
fitted for seizing the slugs, worms and insects which it finds 
on sterile grassy hills, 


Sp. 497. ESACUS MAGNIROSTRIS. 


oh 


LARGE-BILLED SnorE Provur, 


Cidicnemus maynirostris, Geoff.—Temm. Pl. Col. 387. 

Burhinus magnirostris, 1. Prod. Syst. Mamm. et Av., p. 250. 
Esacus magnirostris, G. R.. Gray, List of Gen. of Birds, 2nd edit. p. 83, 
Wee-lo, Aborigines of Port Essington. . 


Esacus magnirostris, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 6. 


This fine species is tolerably abundant along the northern 
and north-western parts of Australia, where it gives a pre- 
ference to the low flat shores of the sea, and feeds on crabs, 


marine insects, worms and various kinds of mollusks. At 

night it is said to utter a loud scream or cry, resembling the | 
word weé-lo, whence its aboriginal ‘name: it is somewhat al 
singular that the same name is applied to the Gdicnemus al) 
grallarius by the natives of Western Australia, where the pre- 
sent bird has not as yet been seen; the cry of the two birds 
being similar is doubtless the cause of their both being known 
to the natives of those distant parts of the country by the ci 
same appellation, as it is not unusual for them to name birds : | i 
after the sound they utter. | al 
The sexes bear a general resemblance to each other, and || 
the young of the first autumn is only distinguished by its — : 
feathers being margined with grey. 3 


214 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


I was favoured with an egg of this fine bird by the late Com- 
mander J. M. R. Ince, R.N., who obtained it at Port Essing- 
ton. Its ground-colour was cream-white, streaked and marked 
all over with dark olive-brown, some of the markings being 
large and bold without assuming any regular form, and others 
mere blotches about an eighth of an inch in diameter; while 
many of the streaks were as fine as a hair, and were of a 
crooked or zigzag form: it was two inches and a half long 
by one inch and three-quarters broad ; judging from analogy, 
I may venture to assert that two are laid at a time. 

Above and below the eye a broad mark of white, which is 
continued down the side of the head, the eye and the white 
marks being surrounded by a large patch of dark blackish 
brown ; at the angle of the lower mandible is a small patch of 
blackish brown ; throat and sides of the face dull white ; head 
and all the upper surface light brown, the feathers of the head 
and neck with a narrow line of dark brown down the centre ; 
lesser wing-coverts dark brown, the last row crossed with 
white near the tip, forming a line along the wing ; remainder 
of the coverts grey, deepening into brown on the tertiaries ; 
first three primaries dark brown at the base and tip, and 
white in the centre, the remainder white stained with brown 
near the tip; tail grey, crossed with white near the tip, which 
is dark brown ; fore-part of the neck like the head, but paler; 
breast brownish grey ; abdomen and under tail-coverts buffy 
white ; irides pale yellow; eyelids primrose-yellow ; base of 
the bill sulphur-yellow, which colour is continued along the 
sides of the upper mandible above the nostrils ; remainder of 
the bill black ; tibize lemon-yellow ; tarsi and feet wine-yellow; 
the upper ridge of the scales of the toes lead-colour. 


GRALLATORES. 215 


Genus HAAMATOPUS, Linnaeus. 


I believe there is no country in the world of any extent 
the shores of which are not inhabited by one or other of the 
5 humerous species of this genus; but it would seem that all 
| those which exist in the southern hemisphere are totally differ- 
ent from those of the northern. Two species inhabit Au- 
stralia. , 
These birds inhabit the sea-shores, particularly those that 
are rocky, and where every receding tide leaves masses of kelp 
-and corallines, among which they obtain mollusks and other 
marine animals. During the breeding-season they sometimes 
ascend rivers and deposit their two eggs on the shingle above 
high-water mark. Some of the species are subject to a slight 
seasonal change of plumage, particularly in the colour of the / 
throat. The sexes are alike in external appearance. | 


Sp. 498. HLAMATOPUS LONGIROSTRIS, Vieilot. 
WHITE-BREASTED OYSTER-CATCHER. 


Hematopus longirostris, Vieill., 2nd Edit. du Nouv. Dict. @’Hist. Nat., 
tom. xv. p. 410. 

picatus, Vig. App. to King’s Voy. to Australia, 

australasianus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soe., part v. p. 155. 


ee longirostris, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol, vol. vi. 
pl. 7. 

This species is so generally dispersed over the southern 
coast of Australia, that to particularize localities where it may 
be found would be superfluous, but I may state that it is more 
abundant in Tasmania and the islands in Bass’s Straits than 
elsewhere. As is the case with the European species, low 
muddy flats under the influence of the tide, sandy bays on the cai 
sea-shore, estuaries, the mouths of rivers and marshes are its | i 

| natural places of resort. During the greater part of the year | 
it may be observed in small companies of from three to ten or 


216 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


more in number, associating with Hematopus fuliginosus and 
other shore birds, such as Curlews, Whimbrels, Stints, Sand- 

pipers, &., that seek their food on beaches and sand-banks, 

whereon each receding tide leaves numerous mollusks and 

other marine animals, which afford a plentiful repast to my- 

riads of birds of the order of which the present species forms 

apart. In its appearance it is very handsome and attractive, 

the white feathers of the wings and breast showing very con- 

spicuously as it nimbly trips over the sands. During the 

breeding-season, which lasts from September to January, it 

leaves the shores and resorts to small islands and rocky pro-_ 
montories for the purpose of rearing its young. The eggs, 

which are two or three in number, are usually deposited on 

the bare ground near the water’s edge; they are of a buffy 

stone-colour, marked all over with large irregular blotches of 
dark chestnut-brown, approaching to black ; two inches and a 

quarter long by one inch five-eighths broad. The young are 

soon capable of running, and in case of danger secrete them- 

selves behind a stone or in a crevice of the rocks, while the 

adults keep flying backwards and forwards, uttering their 

loud and clamorous cries with the view of decoying away 

the intruder—a stratagem often resorted to by other birds. 

The sexes present no external difference whatever. The 
young, from the time they are half-grown until they have 
arrived at maturity, have the same kind of plumage, but 
differ from the adults in having each black feather of the back 
and wings strongly edged with brown, forming circular marks 
and bars on nearly the whole of the upper surface. 

Head, neck, breast, back, wings and tail-feathers for three 
parts of their length from the tip, deep greenish black ; the - 
tips of the wing-coverts, abdomen, rump, upper and under 
tail-coverts, and the bases of the tail-feathers pure white ; 
irides crimson; bill and eyelash deep orange-scarlet ; feet 
hieht brick-red. ~ 


GRALLATORES. pan bf 


Sp. 499. HAIMATOPUS FULIGINOSUS, Gould. 


Sooty OystTER-CATCHER. 


Mur-roo-wa-di-ree, Aborigines of Port Essington. 

Black Red-bill, Colonists of Western Australia. 

Black Oyster-catcher, Colonists of New South Wales, Tasmania, and 
Port Essington. 


Hematopus fuliginosus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. 
pl. 8. 


After a careful examination and comparison of the Black 
Oyster-catchers of the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Horn, and 
Australia, I find them to differ so much from each other, 
that I can come to no other conclusion than that they are so 
many distinct species, and hence I have been induced to 
characterize the Australian bird under the appellation of 7. 
Julrginosus, from the sooty colour of its plumage. 

Tasmania, the islands in Bass’s Straits, and the southern 
coast of the Australian continent generally are the princi- 
pal resorts of this species. Like its near ally, it is equally 
abundant wherever situations occur suited to its habits and 
economy, low sandy beaches at the mouths of rivers, spits of 
land running into the sea and small islands being its favour- 
ite places of abode; and so universally is it dispersed, that, 
as I have stated with regard to the H. longirostris, it is quite 
unnecessary to point out particular localities where it may be 
found ; in fact, every small island and every mile of the coasts 
of the countries I have mentioned are more or less visited by 
it. It is a strictly stationary species, breeding in the places 
of its usual resort; or if any change in this respect takes 
place, it is that, for the sake of safety and freedom from in- 
trusion, the bird leaves the main shore and betakes itself to 
small rocky islands, such as those in Bass’s Straits, where, 
exempt from annoyance of every kind, it may rear its brood 
in safety. . 

The present species is a stout-built and powerful bird, 


218 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


but from the sombre colouring of its plumage it is not so con-— 
spicuous and attractive as the White-breasted Oyster-catcher. 

Its eggs are two in number, two inches and three quar- 
ters long by one and three-quarters broad, of a light stone- 
colour, blotched all over with large irregular markings of dark 
brown, some of which appear as if beneath the surface and 
of a purplish hue. 

It becomes exceedingly clamorous if its nest be intruded 
upon, frequently uttering a loud shrill call while flying back- 
wards and forwards near its breeding-place. 

The entire plumage of a uniform sooty black, slightly 
glossed on the neck and under surface with green; bill and 
eyelash extremely rich orange-yellow ; irides red ; legs and 
feet dull brick-red. | 

Total length 15 inches; bill8; wing 94; tail A; tarsi 24, 


Genus LOBIVANELLUS, Sirickland. 


Two species of this beautiful form inhabit Australia, one 
the northern and the other the southern parts of the country ; 
I believe they are both confined. to this portion of the globe. 
Other species are found in India and Africa. 


Sp. 500. LOBIVANELLUS LOBATUS. 
. Warrntep PLovER. 

Tringa lobata, Lath. Ind. Orn., Supp. p. Ixv. 
Watiled Sandpiper, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. p. 313. 
Vanellus lobatus, Vieill. Ency. Méth. Orn., part iii, p. 1075. 
Charadrius lobatus, Wagl. Syst. Av., sp. 51. 
Vanellus nove-hollandiea, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xi. 

p- 516. 

gallinaceus, Jard. and Selby, Il. Orn., vol. iii. pl. 84. 
Kalloo-nagh, Aborigines of New South Wales. 
Alarm-bird of the Colonists, 


Lobivanellus lobatus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol, vi. pl. 9. 
_ This species is common in most parts of New South Wales, 


GRALLATORES. 219 


and on some of the islands in Bass’s Straits, particularly on 
Green Island, where it was breeding at the period of my visit 
m January 1839. I did not observe it in Tasmania, but 
it is not improbable that it will hereafter be found to be an 
inhabitant of that country as well as of those above mentioned. 
It has not yet been seen in Western Australia, neither 
have I heard of its occurrence on the northern coast of the 
continent. It is an attractive and showy bird, and when 
unmolested approaches sufficiently close to the dwellings of | 
the settlers to permit its actions and manners to be minutely 
observed. Among other places where I noticed this species, I 
may mention that I saw it in flocks on the edge of the small 
ponds immediately adjoming the house of C. Throsby, Esq., 
at Bong Bong, on the fine estate of James Macarthur, Hsq., 
at Camden, and at Yarrundi on the Upper Hunter. Open flats 
and high dry grounds appeared to be equally suitable to its 
existence; for nothing could be more sterile and parched than 
the islands in Bass’s Straits, when compared with the humid 
flats of the Upper Hunter, covered as they are with grasses and 
rank vegetation; yet in both these situations I observed it 
at nearly the same season of the year. Its food consists of 
insects and worms. While on the ground it has much of the 
carriage of the common European Pewit (Vanellus cristatus), 
but a decided difference is observable in its mode of run- 
ning, and in its bold and attractive manners. The more 
lengthened form of its wings also induces a considerable dif- 
ference in its flight, which has less of the flappimg laboured 
action so conspicuous in that of the Pewit. 

In some parts of New South Wales this ornamental bird 
has obtained the name of the Alarm-bird from its rising 
in the air, flying round and screaming at the approach of 
an intruder, causing not only all of its own species to follow 
its example, but every other animal in the district to be 
on the alert. This fact I had ample opportunities of veri- 
fying on the islands in-Bass’s Straits, where I had scarcely 


220 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


stepped from the boat before every creature was made ac- 
quainted with my presence—no small annoyance to me, whose 
object was to secure the wary cereopsis and eagle, which with 
thousands of petrels and many other kinds of water-birds 
tenant these dreary islands. 

The sexes are scarcely to be distinguished from each other, 
either in size or plumage; both possess the spur on the 
_ shoulder, but it is much more developed in the male than in 
_ the female ; the beautiful primrose-coloured wattle, with which 
_ the colouring of the bill and the bold eye closely assimilate, 
the pinky vermilion hue of its legs, and the strongly contrasted 
colours of its plumage, render it one of the most beautiful 
of the Plovers yet discovered. 

Head, back of the neck, and sides of the chest black ; 
back, wing-coverts, and scapularies dark greyish brown in- 
clining to cinnamon; primaries black; tail white, crossed 
near the extremity by a broad band of black; sides of the. 
face, throat, and all the under surface white ; eye rich prim- 
rose-yellow ; wattles primrose-yellow ; bill pale yellow, with 
a horn-coloured tip; tarsi purplish red; scales black ; spur 
yellow. 


Sp. 501. LOBIVANELLUS PERSONATUS, Gould. 


Masxkep Puover. 


Lobwanellus personatus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part x. p. 113. 
Al-ga-ra-ra, Aborigines of Port Essington. . 
Wattled Plover, Residents of Port Essington. 


Lobivanellus personatus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. 
pl.10. 


This Plover, which is as abundant in the northern parts of 
Australia as the Wattled Pewit is in the eastern, is more 
elegantly formed than that species, being of the same size in 
the body, but with more lengthened legs; the fleshy wattles 
surrounding the eyes are much more extensively developed ; 


GRALLATORES. | 991 


the crown of the head only in the present species is black, 
while in the Wattled Plover the sides of the chest and upper 
part of the back are of the same colour, It is avery common 
bird in the Cobourg Peninsula, inhabiting swamps, the borders 
of lakes, and open spots among the mangroves, and, like its 
near ally, is mostly seen associated in small families. It is 
rather a noisy species, frequently uttering a note, which is 
not unlike its native name, both while on the wing and on 
the ground. 

_ 'T. F. Gregory, Esq., informs me that he found this beautiful 
little wader at Breaker Inlet; where it frequented the sand- 
banks in pairs, and was very shy; that the hood or membranous 
sheath which covers more than half the head is of the clearest 
gamboge-yellow,and, when the bird is alive, resembles the petal 
ofa flower; and that it lies close over the feathers, and protects 
them when the beak is plunged into the sand in search of food : 
the eye is also bright yellow; that the spine at the shoulder 
is used very vigorously and with advantage when attacked by 
birds of prey. The body is slight, very elegantly proportioned, 
and the general appearance of the bird is very graceful. 

The stomach of the Masked Plover is very muscular, and 
its food, while living in the marshes, consists of aquatie 
coleoptera and small crustaceous animals, but when on the 
plains of the interior it readily accommodates itself to the 
kind of insect-food it may find there. 

The task of incubation is performed during the months of 
August and September, the eggs, which are two or three in 
number, being laid in a hollow on the bare ground at the 
edge of a flat adjoining a salt-marsh ; they are of a dull olive- 
yellow, dashed all over with spots and markings of blackish 
brown and dark olive-brown, particularly at the larger end; 
they are one inch and five-eighths long by one inch and three- 
sixteenths broad, somewhat pointed at the smaller end. 

Crown of the head and occiput jet-black ; sides of the face, 
back of the neck, rump, and all the under surface pure white ; 


pips BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


back and scapularies light brownish grey ; wing-coverts grey ; 
primaries deep black ; secondaries white at the base on their 
inner webs, cinnamon-grey on their outer webs, and largely 
tipped with black ; tail white at the base, largely tipped with 
black, the extreme ends of the feathers being cinnamon-grey, 
particularly the two centre ones; irides primrose-yellow ; 
wattles lemon-yellow ; bill lemon-yellow at the base, black at 
the tip; legs and feet carmine-red; the scales in front 
blackish green. 

Total length 12 inches; billl#; wing 8$; tail4; tarsi 23. 


Genus SARCIOPHORUS, Strickland. 


A genus nearly allied to the last, and of which a single 
species inhabits Australia. 


Sp. 502. SARCIOPHORUS PECTORALIS, 
BLACK-BREASTED PLOVER. 


Charadrius pectoralis, Cuv. in Mus. Par.—Wagl. Syst. Av., sp. 8. 
tricolor, Vieill. 2nde Edit. du Nouv. Dict. d’ Hist. Nat., tom. xxvii. 
p- 147. 
vanelloides, Peale. 


Sarre aes pectoralis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. 
pl. 11. 

This species is known to inhabit Tasmania, South Australia, 
and New South Wales, but over what other portions of the 
Australian continent its range is extended has not yet been 
ascertained. I have never seen it in collections either from 
the western or northern shores. Its favourite localities are 
open sterile downs, thinly covered with grasses or other kinds 
of vegetation ; but it is occasionally to be met with on the 
grassy flats in the neighbourhood of rivers. It is much more 
tame in its disposition than the Wattled Plover, and permits 
a near approach before taking alarm. It trips very quickly 


- GRALLATORES. ~~ - 223 


over the ground, much after the manner of the true Pewits, 
and when flushed generally flies off in a straight line. I have 
never seen it mount ‘in the air like the Common Lapwing, or 
perform during flight. those sudden turns and dips so fre- 
quently exhibited by that species. So far as I have observed, 
it goes in pairs, or at most in companies of three. Nearly 
full-grown young were obtained in the month of November, 
from which we may infer that it is a very early breeder. 

The eggs are three or four in number, and are deposited 
on the bare ground without any nest; they are one inch and 
a half long by one inch and an eighth broad ; ground-colour 
light olive-grey, very thickly blotched and stained with brown, 
So as nearly to cover the surface, particularly at the larger 
end. : | 

The sexes are alike in colour, but the female has the lobe 
before the eye much smaller than in the male. 

Crown of the head, line running from the-angle of the 
mouth beneath the eye, and down the sides of the neck, and 
a broad crescent-shaped band across the breast jet-black ; 
line from the eye to near the occiput, chin, throat, flanks, 
abdomen, upper and under tail-coverts white; back light — 
brown; primaries brownish black ; wing-coverts bronzy 
brown, passing into black towards the tip of each feather, 
and tipped with white; a few of the outer secondaries white, 
margined on the extremities of their outer webs with black, 
then a few entirely white, and the last two marked like the 
coverts, but largely margined with white ; Scapularies and 
lower part of the back bronzy brown ; rump dark olive, with 
bronzy reflexions ; tail white, crossed near the tip by a broad 
irregular band of black ; tip of the upper mandible horn: 
colour; the remainder of the bill beautiful primrose-yellow ; 
naked parts of the thigh and knees dark pink ; tarsi and toes 
blackish brown, the latter inclining to pink-red ; irides yellow, 
surrounded by a rim of deep primrose extending in an oblique 
direction to the fleshy protuberance at the base of the upper 


224 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


mandible, which is blood-red in the male, much lighter or 


flesh-red in the female. 
, ¢ 


Genus SQUATAROLA, Cuvier. 


The single species of this genus inhabits Europe, Asia, 
North America, and occasionally occurs in Australia. It 
differs from Charadrius in having a small hind-toe. 


Sp. 503. SQUATAROLA HELVETICA. 


Grey PLovER. 


Tringa helvetica, Linn, Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 250. 

Vanellus helveticus, Briss. Orn., vol. v. p. 106, tab. 10. fig. 1. 

Charadrius hypomelas, Pall. Reise, vol. 11. p. 699. 

Swiss Sandpiper, Lath. Gen. Syn., vol. v. p. 167. 

Tringa squatarola, Linn. Faun. Suecica, No. 186. 

Vanellus griseus, Briss. Orn., vol. v. p. 100, tab. 9. fig. 1. 
melanogaster, Bechst.—Temm. Man. d’Orn., vol, ii. p. 345. 

Vanneau Pluvier, Buff. Pl. Enl., 854, 

Squatarola helvetica, Cuv.—G. R. Gray, List of Birds in Brit. Mus. 
Coll., part ui. p. 62. 

— , var. b, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de l’Acad. Sci., tom. xliii. 
séance du 2 Aotit 1856. 

Grey Plover and Grey Sandpiper of British authors. 


Squatarola helvetica, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 12. 


I have compared specimens of this bird killed in Australia 
with others obtained in India, North America, and Europe, 
and find the whole of them identical. I have never seen an 
Australian specimen with the rich black colouring of the 
under surface which renders Asiatic, American, and European 
specimens so conspicuous in the breeding-season, hence we 
may infer that it is only the young birds that wander so 
far to the southward as Australia. The specimens I possess 
are from different parts of the country, some being from the 
eastern and others from the western colonies. 


ae 


GRALLATORES. 225 


The Grey Plover affects the low muddy shores of the sea- 
coast and the mouths of large rivers, and feeds upon worms, 
various kinds of insects, and their larvee. 

Crown of the head, upper surface, and wings light olive, 
mottled with white; primaries blackish brown, with the 
basal portion of their inner webs and the apical half of their 
shafts white; rump white; tail white, crossed by broad bars 
of light olive; face and all the under surface white, with 
numerous brown striz, and a wash of buff on the sides of the 
neck and across the breast ; irides blackish brown; bill and 
feet blackish olive. 


Genus CHARADRIUS, Linneus. 


The Australian fauna comprises a single species of this 
genus, the representative of the C. pluvialis of Europe, from 
which it differs in having brown axillaries. 


Sp. 504. CHARADRIUS ORIENTALIS. 
AUSTRALIAN GonDEN PLOVER. 


Charadrius pluvialis orientalis, Temm. et Schleg. Faun. Jap., p. 104, 
tab. 62. 


Charadrius xanthocheilus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. 
pl. 13. 


Although nowhere very abundant, this bird is generally dis- 
persed over all the colonies from Tasmania to the extreme north 
of the continent of Australia. In all probability it is the same 
bird that is found in the island of Java, and more than 
probably the species inhabiting India; its range therefore is 
very extensive. I obtained several specimens on the banks 
of the Derwent in Tasmania, observed it in small numbers 
on the flats below Clarence Plains, and also killed examples 
on one of the islands in Bass’s Straits. 

Its habits, manners, and general economy so closely re- 
VOL. II. Q 


226 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


semble those of the Golden Plover (Charadrius pluvialis) of 
_ Europe, that a description of one is equally characteristic of 
the other. Like that bird, it frequents open plains in the 
neighbourhood of marshy lands or the sea-beach, runs with 
amazing facility, and flies with equal rapidity. 

Indications of the black colouring of the breast. or breed- 
ing plumage begin to appear early in the spring, and as the 
season advances every variety of colouring occurs from the 
mottled yellow of winter to the uniform black under-surface 
of summer, which latter state however is but seldom seen ; 
whence I am induced to doubt its remaining to breed in any 
of the southern parts of Australia. 

The full summer plumage is as follows :—The whole of the 

upper surface and tail very dark brown, each feather with a 
series of oblong yellowish and whitish spots along their mar- 
gins; primaries dark brown, with white shafts; lores, sides 
of the face, breast and all the under surface black, bounded 
by a broad mark of white, which crosses the forehead, passes 
over the eye, down the side of the neck and along the flanks, 
where it becomes broad and conspicuous ; under wing-coverts 
and the lengthened feathers covering the insertion of the wing 
uniform pale silvery brown ; irides dark brown; bill dark 
olive ; legs and feet leaden grey. 
_ In the winter season the black and white markings of the 
under-surface entirely disappear, and are replaced by a buffy 
tint mottled with brown, the mottled appearance being pro- 
duced by a triangular spot of pale brown at the tip of each 
feather. . 

I formerly considered the Australian Golden Plover to be 
the Charadrius xanthocheilus of Wagler, but upon a recon- 
sideration of the subject I find it is impossible to determine 
to what species that name was assigned; I believe that the 
present bird is the same as the C. ortentalis of Temminck and 
Schlegel, and that name I therefore adopt. 


GRALLATORES. 997 


Genus EUDROMIAS, Boie. 


Of this genus of upland Plovers two species at least are 
known, viz. the Z. morinellus of Europe and the 2. australis 
of Australia. 


Sp. 505. EUDROMIAS AUSTRALIS, Gould. 


AUSTRALIAN Dorrret. 


Eudromias australis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part vili. p.174. 
Morinellus australis, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de P’Acad. Sci., tom. 43, 
séance du 2 Aoit, 1856. 


Eudromias australis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 15. 


By the ornithologist, the bird forming the subject of the 
present memoir will be looked upon with the greatest interest, 
as an additional species of a genus of which hitherto only a 
single example was known, namely the Common Dottrel 
(Ludromias morinellus) of the British Islands. Nothing can 
be more interesting than to observe how beautifully many of 
the species of the limited groups of the northern hemisphere 
are represented by others in Australia: for instance, the mem- 
bers of the genera Himantopus, Avocetta, Glareola, &e., of 
which a single species only of each has yet been discovered 
in either country. For my first knowledge of this very rare 
bird I am indebted to the kindness of Captain Sturt, who 
Sent me a young individual from the high lands near the river 
Murray in South Australia ; subsequently I received numerous 
examples from Victoria and South Australia. 

Many years must probably elapse before anything is known 
of the habits and economy of the Australian Dottrel ; for even 
those of its European ally, Mudromias morinellus, are but 
little understood, in consequence perhaps of its affecting loca- 


ities far removed from the habitation of man. If its flesh 


should be similar in flavour to that of our own highly prized 
Q 2 


228 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


bird, the time will not be far distant when it will be diligently 
sought after as an equally choice viand for the table. 

The Ludromias australis inhabits the low hills and plains of 
the interior of Australia, a kind of habitat precisely similar to 
that of its European prototype. 

“This singular bird,” says Captain Sturt, in the Appendix 
to his account of his recent expedition into the interior of 
South Australia, “made its appearance in 1841 suddenly on 
the plains of Adelaide, seeming to have come from the north. 
It occupied the sand-hills at the edge of the mangrove swamps, 
and fed round the puddles of water on the plains. This bird 
afforded my friend, Mr. Torrens, an abundant harvest, as it was 
numerous round his house; but although some few have 
visited South Australia every subsequent year, they have never 
appeared in such numbers as on the first occasion. It runs 
very fast along the ground. Mr. Browne and I met or rather 
crossed several flights of these birds in August of 1845, going 
south. ‘They were on the large open plains, and were very 
wild.” 

Forehead and all the upper surface light sandy buff, the 
centres of the feathers being brown ; primaries brownish black 
with sandy buff shafts, and all but the first four broadly mar- 
gined with the same; throat buffy white, below which a 
_erescent-shaped mark of blackish brown; chest, flanks, and 
under surface of the wing buff, passing into reddish chestnut 
on the abdomen, beyond which the vent and under tail-coverts 
are white; tail brownish black, the centre feather margined 
with buff, the outer ones with white; bill dark olive-brown ; 
feet yellowish brown. 

It will be interesting should the female of this bird prove 
larger and more richly coloured than the male, as is the case 
with the European Dottrel. 

Total length 74 inches; bill?; wing 51; tail 24; tarsi 13. 


GRALLATORES. ; 229 


Genus CIRREPIDESMUS, Bonaparte. 


This generic term was proposed for the Charadrius geoffroyi 
of Wagler, and the C. pyrrhothorax of Temminck ; to which, 
perhaps, must be added the C. asiaticus of Pallas; and if SO, 
my C. veredus must sink into a synonym, since it is the young 
of that species. 


Sp. 506. CIRREPIDESMUS ASIATICUS ? 


Astatic DortRet. 


Charadrius asiaticus et caspius, Pall. ? 

Cursorius isabellinus, Horsf. 

Morinellus caspws, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de Acad. Sci., tom. xliii. 
Pluvialis xanthocheilus, Bonap. 

Charadrius veredus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., 1848, p. 38. 


Charadrius veredus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 14. 


From the time I characterized the bird to which I gave the 
name of Charadrius veredus in the ‘ Proceedings of the Zoo- 
logical Society ’ for 1848 to the present moment, it has been 
a stumbling-block to all ornithologists, myself included. 
Horsfield regarded it as identical with Cursorius isabellinus ; 
and Bonaparte considered it to be the young of C. 2antho- 
cheilus, which it certainly is not. My C. veredus is a young 
bird which closely resembles, in form, a specimen in fully 
adult summer dress which I have direct from China, and with 
which I have no doubt of its identity, whatever species the 
latter may be; I say whatever it may be, because the adult 
specimen alluded to differs slightly from the O. asiaticus 
of Pallas; the difference, however, is only in its greater 
size, for my specimen and the mounted one in the British 
Museum, with which I have carefully compared it, are pre- 
cisely alike. My C. veredus and the Chinese bird have very 
thin bills and very long legs, which I déem it necessary to 
mention, because there are other species of Asiatic Plovers in 


230 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


the British Museum with thick bills and rather shorter tarsi ; 
these are doubtless distinct. Mr. Wallace brought skins of 
my C. veredus from Macassar, and there is a specimen in the 
British Museum from Japan, which favours the opinion that 
these young birds, like the young of other species of this family, 
wander far away from their true home. 

A specimen of this species was procured at Port Essington 
by Gilbert, and a second has been sent to me from Sydney 
by Strange. Judging from its structure and the character of 
its plumage, it would seem to be nearly allied to the restricted 
genus Hudromias. 

Crown of the head and all the upper surface brown, each 
feather narrowly fringed with buff ; primaries blackish brown, 
the shaft of the first white; tail brown, narrowly edged with 
white, the brown colour gradually fading as the feathers re- 
cede from the centre; face, a broad stripe over the eye and 
the chin buffy white ; sides and back of the neck and the breast 
buffy brown ; abdomen and under surface white ; irides very 
dark brown; legs and feet brownish flesh-colour ; bill dark 
brown. 

Total length 83 inches ; bill 14; wing 62; tail 24; tarsi 2. 


Genus EGIALITES, Boie. 


The little Ring-Dottrels, composing the genus Ayialites, 
inhabit both the Old and the New World. Two species at 
least are found in Europe and Asia, and three in Australia. 
They are rather dumpy little birds, with large heads, generally 
banded with black, and have a gorget of the same hue on the 
chest; their bills are short and pulpy, and are generally 
yellow at the base, while their legs are fleshy and mostly 
of this colour. The sexes are alike in their markings, and the 
young attain their full plumage in the second year. 


GRALLATORES. 231 


Sp. 507. AGIALITES HIATICULA. 
Rine-Dorttret. 


Charadrius hiaticula, Linn. Syst. i. 258. 1. 
torquatus, Briss. Orn. 5. 63. 8. t. v. f. 2. 
homeyeri, Brehm. 


I possess an undoubted Australian specimen of this com- 
mon European species. How it wandered that far, or if 
stragglers frequently visit that distant region, I cannot say. 
Hitherto the British Islands, the continent of Europe, North 
Africa, and Persia were considered the extent of its range, but 


- we must now include Australia therein. The specimen above 


alluded to was killed at Port Stevens; it is not quite adult, 
still the markings of the head and wee are sufficiently ap- 
parent to enable me to identify it with our own bird. 


Sp. 508. AXGIALITES MONACHA. 
Hoopep Dortret. 


Charadrius monachus, Geoff. in Mus. Paris.—Wagl. Syst. Av., sp. 15. 
cucullatus, Vieill., Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., p. 136. 

Aigialitis monachus, Gould in Syn. Birds of Australia, part ii. 
Miaticula monacha, List of Birds in Brit. Mus. Coll., part iti. p. 70. 


Hiaticula monacha, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 18. 


This elegant species of Ring-Dottrel is universally dispersed 
over the sea-coasts of the southern parts of Australia, but 
is perhaps more abundant in Tasmania and the islands in 
Bass’s Straits than elsewhere ; I never observed it far inland, 
in which respect it differs from the habits of the Common 
Dottrel of Europe, to which it is so nearly allied. I fre- 
quently found its two eggs on the shingly beach, in a slight 
depression hollowed out by the bird for their reception just 
above high-water mark: these are so similar in appearance 
to the material upon which they are deposited that they would 
readily escape the attention of a casual observer; those I 


232 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


collected were of a pale stone-colour, sprinked over with 
numerous small irregularly-shaped marks of brownish black, 
and are one inch and a half long by one inch and an eighth 
broad. 

While tripping over the sandy beach, which it does with 
much elegance of movement, the black head of the male shows 
very conspicuously. 

The male has the head, fore-part of the neck, and a band 
across the upper part of the back sooty black; back of the 
neck and all the under surface white; back, shoulders and 
tertials greyish brown; centre of the wing and the basal 
portion of the internal webs of the primaries and secondaries 
white, the rest black; two middle tail-feathers black ; the 
three next on each side white at the base and tip and black in 
the centre, the remaining feathers wholly white; irides yel- 
lowish or orange-brown ; eyelash rich reddish orange or scar- 
let; bill rich orange at the base, passing into yellow and 
black at the tip; legs flesh-colour. 

The female differs from the male in having the crown mot- 
tled with black and white, the face and throat white, and in 
having only a narrow line of black at the base of the neck 
behind. 

Youthful birds may be known by their resembling the 
female, but having the feathers of the back and upper surface 
narrowly fringed with brownish black. 


Sp. 509. AUGIALITES NIGRIFRONS. 
BLACcK-FRONTED Dorrret, 


Charadrius nigrifrons, Cav. in Mus. Paris.—Temm. Pl. Col., 47. fig. 1. 
melanops, Vieill. Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., tom. xxvii. p. 139. 

Hyialitis nigrifrons, Gould in Syn. Birds of Australia, part ii. 

Lhaticula nigrifrons, G. R. Gray, List of Birds in Brit. Mus. Coll., 
part i. p. 71. 


Hiaticula nigrifrons, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 20. 


The temperate latitudes of Australia constitute the true 


GRALLATORES. yay 


habitat of this beautiful little Dottrel; for, so far as I have 
been able to learn, it is never found in the northern part of 
that country, nor can Tasmania claim it as a part of its avi- 
fauna ; the climate of the latter country being less genial, and 
the seas which wash its shores being too rough and boisterous 
for the abode of so delicate a bird as the Aigialites nigrifrons. 
Even in Australia the exposed sea-beaches seem to be 
avoided, and it is most frequently found in the interior of the 
country, on the margins of pools and lakes, and in the most 
retired situations. It also frequents the sides of rivers which 
sparingly occur in the heart of the country; I frequently 
encountered it while descending the Namoi, on the lowest 
part of which river I was so fortunate as to discover its egos, 
They were deposited on the ground beside-the stream ; they 
now grace my cabinet, and are esteemed as one of my greatest 
rarities, and to which many pleasing associations are attached, 
connected with my visit to the distant region in which they 


_ were procured. 


The colonies of Swan River, South Australia, and New 
South Wales are equally visited by this bird; and its range 
appears to be general over those portions of Australia lying 
between the twenty-eighth and thirty-seventh degrees of south 
latitude. 

No member of the genus is more tame than the present ; 
for as it trips nimbly along the sides of the pools it will allow 
of a sufficiently near approach for the observer to sce the 
colour of the eye, and the brilliant ring of scarlet which 


encircles it; and when forced to take wing it merely flies to 


the opposite bank or to a very short distance, and then 
alights again. 

The two eggs above mentioned so nearly resembled the 
surface of the sand-bank upon which they were deposited, 
that it was by the merest chance they were not passed by 
unnoticed. In form they nearly resemble the eges of other 
Dottrels, being considerably pointed at the smaller end; they 


234 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


are one inch and three-sixteenths long by three-quarters of 
an inch broad; of a pale stone or dirty white colour, very 
numerously but minutely speckled with dark brown. 

The sexes are precisely alike in the colouring of their 
plumage, and nearly so in size. 

Forehead, a stripe commencing at the eye, passing over the 
ear-coverts and round the back of the neck, and a broad band 
crossing the chest and advancing somewhat down the centre 
of the breast black; a stripe of white passes over each eye 
and continues round the back of the neck, separating the 
black band from the crown, which, with the back, the long 
tertials, and the middle of the wing, are brown; scapularies 
deep chestnut ; tips of the greater coverts white, forming an 
obscure band across the wing; primaries black; throat, 
abdomen, and under tail-coverts white; two middle tail- 
feathers brown at the base and black at the tip; the next 
three on each side white at the base, gradually passing into 
blackish brown, and largely tipped with white, the remainder 
entirely white; bill rich orange at the base and black at the 


tip; feet orange flesh-colour in some, in others pale flesh- 
colour; irides dark brown; eyelash bright red. 

_ The young have a crescentic mark of a lighter colour on 
| the feathers of the upper surface, and have the colouring of 
_ the plumage and soft parts less brilliant and well-defined 
than the adults. 


Genus AUGIALOPHILUS, Gould. 


In accordance with the spirit of minute subdivision which 
now pervades all branches of natural science, I have for a 
long time considered that the small Plovers hitherto comprised 
in the genus Zyialites, of which the _Z. hiaticula is the type, 
required a further subdivision ; I therefore propose the term 
above given for the Z. cantianus of Europe, and to associate 
with it the &. ruficapillus of Australia. There are many 


GRALLATORES. ; 235 


other species of the form, all or nearly all of which have black 
bills and long legs, and are less banded with black than the 
members of the genus Zyialites. They have a different note, 
are very nimble of foot, and affect situations bordering the 
open sea. 


Sp. 510. AIGIALOPHILUS RUFICAPILLUS. 


Rep-caprep Dorrret. 


Charadrius ruficapillus, Temm. Pl. Col., 47. fig. 2. 

marginatus, Geoff. in Mus. Paris.—Less. Traité d’Orn., p- 544. 

EMiaticula ruficapilla, G. R. Gray, List of Birds in Brit. Mus. Coll., 
part i. p. 71. 

Sand-Lark and Red-necked Plover, Colonists of Swan River. 


Hiaticula ruficapilla, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 17. 


The Red-capped Dottrel is universally dispersed over every 
part of the sea-shores of Australia that I have visited, and 


everywhere evinces a greater preference for the shingly beach 


of the ocean, and especially for deep salt-water bays, than for 
the sides of rivers and inland waters; it is very numerous in 
Tasmania, on Flinders’ Island, on the sand-banks at the 
mouth of the Hunter in New South Wales and at Port Ade- 
laide in South Australia; and Gilbert states that it is equally 
abundant in Western Australia, where it is likewise so strictly 
a bird of the coast that he never saw it inland. It is usually 
met with in pairs, but may be occasionally observed asso- 
ciating in small companies. 

I found many of its eggs on Flinders’ Island, deposited in 
pairs ina slight depression of the sand among the shingle 
just above high-water mark; they were very difficult to 
detect, in consequence of their colouring very closely assimi- 
lating to that of the material among which they were placed ; 
those procured by Gilbert in Western Australia were deposited 
on a small mound of sand and _ sea-weed on the sandy beach at 
a distance of from ten to twenty yards above high-water 


236 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


mark. The breeding-season comprises September and the 
three or four following months. 

The stomach is very muscular, and the food consists of 
small mollusca of various kinds. 

like the Zringe, this bird resorts to every possible device 
in order to lure an intruder from its nest: throwing itself 
down upon its chest and flapping its wings as if in the agonies 
of death, it will so continue until he has approached almost 
hear enough to place his hand upon it, when it moves along 
for several yards, dragging one of its legs behind, and if still 
followed up attempts to fly, and so well imitates the motion of 
a bird wounded in the wing, that the intruder is easily misled, 
and the eggs remain undiscovered. 

The eggs, which are an inch and a quarter in length by 
seven-eighths of an inch in breadth, are of a pale stone-colour, 
sprinkled all over with small irregular blotches of brownish 
black. 

The male has the forehead crossed by a broad band of 
white, which gradually diminishes to a point at the posterior 
angle of the eye; above this is another band of black, which 
also diminishes to a point at the same place; from the 
angle of the mouth to the eye is a line of black, which is con- 
tinued from the posterior angle of the eye down the sides of 
the neck; crown of the head, nape, and back of the neck 
rich rusty red ; all the upper surface and wings pale brown, 
each feather margined with a still lighter tint; primaries 
blackish brown; the shafts and extreme edge of the inner 
webs white; four central tail-feathers dark brown, the re- 
mainder white ; all the under surface white ; irides very dark 
brown; bill dark reddish brown; naked part of the legs 
above the tarsi dark greenish grey; tarsi light grey ; feet 
blackish brown. 

In the female the distribution of colour is precisely the 
same, but the hues are all much paler, and the marks about 
the face are light brown instead of black. 


GRALLATORES. Zot 


Genus OCHTHODROMUS, Reichenbach. 


Professor Reichenbach has instituted this genus for the 
Charadrius wilsonius of America, and as the bird I have called 
Hiaticula inornata is precisely of the same form, I now place 
it in the same genus. There are many other species in India 
and America. : 


Sp. 511. OCHTHODROMUS INORNATUS, Gould. 


Auuigp Dorrren. 


Hiaticula inornata, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 19. 


I have for some years had in my possession two examples 
of this species, the uniformity of whose colouring suggested 
the term of izornata as an appropriate appellation ; I have 
received other examples with a brighter style of marking, 
which is doubtless characteristic of the summer or breeding- 
season, and which renders the above name only applicable to 
the bird when in the plumage of winter. It is nearly allied © 
to the Ochthodromus wilsont of North America, of which it 
forms a beautiful representative in the distant country of 
which it is a native. 

I possess no information whatever as to the extent of the 
range of this species; Gilbert found it abundant on most 
of the sandy points and bays in the neighbourhood of Port 
Essington, and I believe that-it also inhabits the islands in 
Torres’ Straits and New Guinea. 

The stomachs of those dissected contained the remains of 
small crustaceous animals, and a large portion of sand. 

The male in summer has the forehead white, above which is 
a stripe of black ; all the upper surface pale greyish brown ; 
crown of the head rufous, which colour is continued on the 
back and sides of the neck, and meeting on the centre of the 
breast forms a pectoral band ; wings dark brown, the coverts 


238 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


and secondaries margined and tipped with white ; the shafts 
of the primaries are also white; rump white; six central 
tail-feathers dark brown tipped with white; the lateral 
feathers white, tinged with brown in the centre ; lores, line 
below the eye and ear-coverts black ; chin, throat and all the 
under surface white ; irides dark brown 3 bill blackish grey ; 
tarsi light ash-grey ; feet greenish grey. 

The winter plumage differs in wanting the rufous tints about 
the head, neck and breast; in the ear-coverts being brown, 
and in having a brown patch like the commencement of a 
band on either side of the chest. 


Sp. 512. OCHTHODROMUS? BICINCTUS. 


DovsLe-BANDED Dorrret. 


Charadrius bicinctus, Jard. and Selb. Ul. Orn. , vol. i. pl. 28. 
Chestnut-breasted Plover, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. ix. p. 324. 
Higialitis bicinetus, Gould in Syn. Birds of Australia, part ii. 


Hiaticula bicincta, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 16. 


Mr. Ronald C. Gunn informs me that he has found this 
fine species plentifully dispersed along the northern shores 
of Tasmania, particularly at Circular Head and its neigh- 
bourhood. I never but once encountered it in a state of 
nature myself, and judging from the infrequency of its oc- 
currence in collections from Australia, its true habitat would 
seem to be but seldom visited. During my stay at George 
Town, considerable numbers visited the common in the 
vicinity, and appeared to be acting under some migratory 
impulse, for after remaining a day or two they departed to 
some other part of the country ; not, however, before I had 
procured as many specimens as I required. This occurred 
about the 15th of May, the middle of the Australian winter, 
These flights consisted of birds of various ages and in diffe- 
rent states of plumage, some having mere indications only of . 
the bands on the breast, while others had these marks well 


GRALLATORES. 239 


defined, which appears to be the full summer or breeding plu- 
mage. The circumstance of their assembling in large flocks, 
and evincing a partiality to the green sward rather than to the 
shingly beach, leads me to assign to this bird a different habit 
from the more typical members of the genus, and the dark 
colour and greater length of its tarsi and bill show an approach 
to the more typical Plovers. It would not surprise me if it 
should prove that, instead of breeding on the sandy shores, 
this species resorts for that purpose to inland districts ; a point 
it would be most interesting to ascertain. Of the numerous 
specimens I killed at George Town, no two were alike; con- 
sequently | am uncertain whether the sexes when adult are 
similarly marked or not, but, judging from other species of the 
genus, I presume they are. 

The Double-banded Dottrel runs over the ground with great 
swiftness ; all in the flock take flight together, and mounting 
high in the air, which they pass through very quickly, suddenly 


_ wheel about, and after flying a mile or two return, and pitch 


again within a hundred yards of the spot from whence they 
had arisen. 

In the adult state a broad stripe of white crosses the fore- 
head, above which the feathers are black, which colour gra- 
dually passes into the uniform pale brown which covers the 
whole of the upper surface ; outer webs of the primaries black- 
ish brown; inner webs paler; throat white, surrounded with 
a narrow line of black, which commences above the upper 
mandible and continues down the sides of the neck and forms 
a broad band across the breast ; across and down the centre 
of the abdomen a broad band of bright chestnut; the rest of 
the under surface pure white; two centre tail-feathers greyish 
brown, those on each side paler, and the exterior ones white ; 
irides blackish brown; eyelash scarlet; bill black, slightly 
tinged with olive ; feet pale sickly yellowish white; joints of 
the knees and toes browner. 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus ERYTHROGONYS, Gould. 


The single species of this genus appears to be strictly Au- 
stralian, for I have never seen examples from any other 
country. 

In structure, actions and economy this elegantly formed 
bird is very nearly allied to the ligialites on the one hand, 
and the Schenicli on the other. 


Sp: 518. ERYTHROGONYS CINCTUS, Gould. 
ReED-KNEED Dorrret. 


Erythrogonys cinctus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part v. p. 155. 
Vanellus rufiventris, Less. 


Erythrogonys cinctus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 21. 


Over what extent of country the Red-kneed Dottrel ranges 
is yet to be determined; the south-eastern portions of Aus- 
tralia are the only localities from which, if I recollect rightly, 


I have ever seen or received specimens. 

It is a summer visitor to New South Wales, where it is 
esteemed a rare bird, and where its presence is probably alto- 
gether dependent upon the kind of season that may occur : 
its natural habits leading it to frequent the borders of lagoons, — 
muddy flats and the banks of rivers ; none but wet and humid 
seasons, which, it is to be regretted, are so unfrequent in 
Australia, are suitable to it: I believe it is seldom or ever seen 
either on or even near the sea-coast, but that. it Is strictly an 
inhabitant of the interior. In October and November 1839, I 
found it tolerably abundant on the flats near Aberdeen, and 
on the upper part of the Dartbrook, a tributary of the River 
Hunter, and on visiting the Mokai and Namoi in the follow- | 
ing month I observed it to be equally numerous on those 
rivers. I seldom saw more than two together, and these were 
almost always male and female: they appeared, as I have 


‘GRALLATORES. 24) 
before stated, to prefer soft muddy banks to the stony or 
shingly margins of the rivers. It is a most showy and active 
little bird, and is so tame that I had not the slightest trouble 
in shooting as many as I pleased. Its actions and manners 
are very peculiar, and partake both of those of the Dottrell 
and the Sandpiper; having the stooping carriage of the 
former, and the quick bobbing motion of the head and tail of 
the latter: its olive-green plumage and long tertiaries also 
ally it to the Sandpipers. 

Those who have ‘closely observed the motions of this bird 
while running over the ground must have remarked that they 
much resemble those of the Common Summer Snipe (Achitis 
hypoleucus), with which, however, it cannot be generically asso- 
ciated. The flight of the two birds is very different. | 

The sexes present no variation in the colour or marking of 
their plumage, neither did I detect any difference in size by 
which they might be distinguished. _ Although they were 
probably breeding at the period of my visit to the above-men- 
tioned localities, I could never discover their eggs, nor could 
the two intelligent natives accompanying me either aid or give 
me any information on the subject. 

Its food consists of insects of various kinds. 

Head, ear-coverts, back of the neck, and chest black ; a small 
patch under the eye, throat, chest, sides of the neck, centre of 
the abdomen, and under tail-coverts white, the latter spotted 
with dark brown; back, centre of the wings, and tertiaries 
olive, tinged with bronzy brown; tips of the secondaries and 
the inner webs of the tips of the six contiguous primaries white; 
rump and two.middle tail-feathers olive, the remaining tail-fea- 
thers white; flanks chestnut; irides nearly black, with a narrow 
black eyelash ; bill pulpy, pink-red at the base, black at the 
tip; thigh, knee, and for a quarter of an inch down the tarsus 
pink-red, the remainder of the tarsus and the toes lively 
bluish lead-colour. 

Total length 7 inches; bill 1; wing 44; tail 12; tarsi 14. 
VoL. II. R | 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus ACTITURUS, Bonaparte. 


An American form, of which the single species is thé well- 
known Zringa bartramia of authors, and which is evidently a 
wide wanderer, examples having been killed in England, on 
the continent of Europe, and in Australia. 


Sp. 514. ACTITURUS BARTRAMIUS. 


Bartram’s SANDPIPER. 


Tringa bartramia, Wilson, Am. Orn., vol. ii. p. 353, pl. 59. fig. 2 
(Jardine’s Edition). 

Totanus bartramius, Ib. (Ord’s Edition), vol. vii. p. 67. 

Actiturus bartramius, Bonap. Comp. List of Birds of Eur. and N. Am., 
Bek 

Bartramia laticauda, Less. Traité d’Orn. + Pe GOS. 

Tringa longicauda, Bechst. 

Totanus variegatus, Vieill. Gal. des Ois., t. cexxxix. 
melanopygius, Vieill. 2de Edit. du Nouv. Dict. @’Hist. Nat., tom. 
vi. p. 401. 
campestris, Vieill. 2de Edit. du Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat. tom. vi. 
p. 400. 

Tringoides bartramius, Gray, Gen. of Birds, vol. iii. p. 574, Tringoides, 
sp. 4. 


Tam indebted to the Directors of the Museum at Sydney 
for the loan of a very fine example of this species, which they 
kindly permitted to be sent to England for my inspection. 
It was shot by an old sportsman, during the Snipe season of 
1848, near the water-reservoir, in the vicinity of Sydney. 
On examination it was found to be a male, and had the 
stomach filled with aquatic insects. 

Speaking of this species, Audubon says, “Like all ex- 
perienced travellers, it appears to accommodate itself to cir- 
cumstances as regards food, for in Louisiana it feeds on 
cantharides and other coleopterous insects ; in Massachusetts 
on grasshoppers, on which, it is said, it soon grows very fat ; 


ee. 


GRALLATORES. 943 


in the Carolinas on crickets and other insects, as well as the — 
seeds of the crab-grass (Digitaria sanguinaria); and in the 
barrens of Kentucky often picks the strawberries. Those 
which have fed much on cantharides require to be very care- 
fully cleaned, otherwise persons eating them are liable to 
suffer severely.” 


Family GLAREOLIDA. 


I think Bonaparte was right when he instituted a family 
name for the Pratincoles, for few groups of birds are more 
isolated. Most modern ornithologists associate them with 
the Plovers ; in many of their features they show an affinity 
to the Swallows, with which group the illustrious Linnwus 
originally placed them. 


Genus GLAREOLA, Brisson. 


Species of this form inhabit India, the Indian Islands, 
Kurope, and Africa. 


Sp. 515. GLAREHOLA GRALLARIA, Zemm. 
. AUSTRALIAN PRATINCOLE. 


Glareola grallaria, Temm. Man. d’Orn., tom. ii. p. 503. 

isabella, Vieill. Gal. des Ois., tom. ii. p. 159, pl. 263. 

australis, Leach in Linn. Trans., vol. xiii. p. 182, pl. 14. figs. 1,2. 

Australasian Pratincole, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. ix. p- 366. 

Stiliia grallaria, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de Acad. Sci., tom. xliii, séance 
du 2 Aott 1856. 


Glareola grallaria, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 22. 
This species of Pratincole possesses several remarkable 
specific distinctions, the great length of the tarsi and primaries, 
which, combined with the graceful contour of its body and the 
small size of its head, render it the most elegant species of the 
genus that has yet been discovered. ‘The figure in Vieillot’s 


‘Galérie des Oiseaux’ is far less accurate than the description. 


ie 


944, BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


The bird is there portrayed with the primaries brown, whereas 
they should: be black; the white of the throat is also much 
less defined in the bird than it is in the drawing; this mark, 
which is go conspicuous in the other members of. the genus, 
being scarcely distinguishable in the present species from the 
surrounding reddish-buff colouring of the head and neck. 

While traversing the plains bordering the river Namoi, in 
New South Wales, I once had-a_ transient view of this 
interesting bird; it was on the wing, and so rapid and 
extended was its flight, and so close did it keep to the 
ground, that I had scarcely satisfied myself as to what kind 
of bird it was, before it was lost in the distant horizon. TI 
possess, however, two specimens, both of which were collected 
in the Moreton Bay district, the eastern portion of the con- 
tinent of Australia, therefore, may be regarded as one of the. 
localities in which it is found, but which, from its rare 
occurrence therein, can scarcely be considered its natural 
habitat: in all probability the vast interior of the country is 
its native home. _ | 

We may reasonably suppose that nature has destined this 
bird to the same offices in Australia that are performed by the 
Glareola pratincola in Hurope, that insects of various kinds 
constitute its principal food, and that they are taken both in 
the air and on the ground, as the great development of its 
“wings and legs must give it peculiar facility for capturing them: 
in both situations ; future discovery; however, must determine 
this among numerous other points now unknown respecting 
the economy of the birds of that comparatively unknown 
country, Australia. 
_ ‘The male has the head, all the upper surface, wings, and 
breast light rufous, becoming nearly white on the throat ; 
lores dark brown; primaries and under surface of the wing 
black ; shaft of the outer primary white for three-fourths of 
its length from the base; abdomen rich chestnut ; thighs, 
upper and tnder tail-coverts white ; central tail-feathers. black,: 


GRALLATORES,  ° Q45 


tipped on their outer webs with brown, and on their inner 
webs with white; lateral tail-feathers white, with an oval 
spot of brown near the tip of the inner web; the next on 
each side white, crossed by a band, the inner portion of which 
is black, and the outer brown; bill red at the base, black. at 
the tip; legs and feet brown. 2 : 

The young during their first year have all the upper surface 
light reddish brown ; the feathers of the breast with a spot of 
brown in the centre; the band across the abdomen pale 
chestnut; in other respects the colouring is similar to that 
of the male. — | 


Sp. 516. GLAREOLA ORIENTALIS, Leach. 


Oriental PratIncoue. 
Glareola orientalis, Leach in Linn. Trans., vol. xiii. pp. 182, 187, 
tab. 18. fig. 1, male, fig. 2, female. » 
Oriental Pratincole, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. ix. p- 365. 


Glareola orientalis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol. vol. vi. pl. 23. 


A small collection of birds presented to the Linnean Society 
in the early part of 1827 by Alexander Macleay, .Hsq., of 
Sydney, comprised a pair of these birds; unfortunately the 
whole were unaccompanied by any information as to the part 
of Australia in which they had been procured, but as all the 
other species were peculiar to the eastern and northern parts 
of the continent, it is reasonable to infer that the present bird 
was also killed in one or other of those localities.’ The true 
habitat of the Oriental Pratincole is India and the neighbouring 
islands ; it is most likely, therefore, that its visits to Australia 
are only occasional. | 

Crown and all the upper surface olive; primaries brownish 
black ; secondaries black, glossed with green ; tail-coverts and 
tail white, the apical portion of the latter black ; throat white, 
encircled by a broken ring of black; chest greyish brown; 
upper part of the abdomen crossed by an indistinct band of 


246 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


buff, which gradually fades into the white of the vent and 
under tail-coverts ; under surface of the wing rich deep rust- 
red; bill black; gape yellow; feet blackish brown. 

The young of the year is similar in colour, but much 


paler, and has only an indication of the ring surrounding 
the throat. | 


Family HIMANTOPODIDZA. 


The Stilts differ so remarkably from all the other Plovers 
and Sandpipers, that I have ventured to raise them to the 
rank of a family. The various species inhabit many parts 


both of the Old and New Worlds. 


Genus HIMANTOPUS, Brisson. 


Europe, India, and Africa are inhabited by one, North 
America by a second, South America by a third, New Zealand 
by a fourth, and Australia by a fifth species of this elegant 
but singular genus. 


Sp. 517. HIMANTOPUS LEUCOCEPHALUS, Gould. 


WHITE-HEADED Sriyr. 


Himantopus leucocephalus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part v. p. 26. 
Djah-jar-uk, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Australia 


Himantopus leucocephalus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. 
pl. 24. | 


Although the extreme length of the legs of this bird, as 
compared with the small size of its body, would seem incom- 
patible with easy carriage and graceful deportment, this is in 
reality not the case, for I never saw a bird which combined 
more grace of movement and elegance of appearance than the 
White-headed Stilt, which I for the first time observed in the 
month of December, near Mr. Edward Uhr’s station on the 
banks of the river Mokai, where it was associated im small 


GRALLATORES. 247 


flocks of from six to twenty in number, which, by their pic- 
turesque appearance as they ran along the margin and knee- 
deep in the shallows of the stream, added greatly to the beauty 
of the scene. This part of the Mokai was one of the most in- 
teresting localities I visited in New South Wales; I encamped 
on its banks for some time, and had no difficulty in obtaining 
as many specimens of this fine bird as I desired. The flocks 
were composed of both sexes, in the finest state of plumage ; 
and I ascertained by dissection of numerous specimens that 
the larger birds were the males. In this locality the Stilts 
were feeding entirely on imsects and small shelled snails, 
which food was procured on the margin of the stream, or by 
wading into the shallows: they ran about with great celerity, 
displaying many graceful, lively actions ; their flight on the 
contrary was heavy and inelegant, and their long legs stream- 
ing out behind gave them a very grotesque appearance : while 
on the wing they continually uttered a plaintive piping cry, 
as if of distress, but which they seldom emitted when on the 
ground. 

I was unable to obtain any information respecting the 
nidification of this bird, or to arrive at any conclusion as to 
its being a stationary or migratory species. It appears to 
possess an extensive range over the continent, as besides 
killing it myself in New South Wales, I have received speci- 
mens both from South and Western Australia. In the neigh- 
bourhood of Perth it is sometimes seen in company with the 
Avocet (Recurvirostra rubricollis), feeding upon freshwater 
shrimps and aquatic insects. 

Back of the neck, back, and wings glossy greenish black, 
the rest of the plumage pure white; irides pink, margined 
externally with a deep red ring; bill black; legs and feet 
deep pink flesh-colour, becoming red after death. 3 

Total length 15 inches; bill 23; wing 84; tail 3; tarsi 4; 
naked space above the knee 24, 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus CLADORHYNCHUS, G. R. Gray. 


The only species of this form known is peculiar to Australia, 
and differs from Reeurvirostra in several minor particulars, 
but principally in the structure of the bill. 


Sp. 518. CLADORHYNCHUS PECTORALIS. 
Banpep Sriyr. 


Leptorhynchus pectoralis, Dubus in Mem. Roy. Acad. Bruss., 1835. 
Eimantopus palmatus, Gould, Syn. Birds of Australia, part il. 
Cladorhynchus pectoralis, G. R. Gray, List of Gen. of Birds, p. 69. 


Chladorhynchus pectoralis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. 
pl. 26. 


During the time that has elapsed since I described this 
species in the year 1837 I have had an opportunity of ex- 
amming two other examples, one of which was destitute of 
the pectoral band on the breast ; whether this-mark is merely 
assumed during summer, or is distinctive of the sexes, I 
regret to say that not even my visit to Australia has enabled 
me satisfactorily to determine, never having had the good 
fortune to meet-with it in a state of nature. The Banded 
Stilt is an inhabitant of the southern and western coast, where 
it lives much after the manner of the Australian Avocet 
(Lecurvirostra rubricollis). While at Adelaide I saw a speci- 
men that had been shot in that neighbourhood ; and Gilbert, 
in his Notes from Western Australia, states that he found it 
on Rottnest Island, but in no other part of the colony. 
Captain Sturt, who observed it in great numbers during his 
journey into the interior, says :—“ This singular bird, with 
_ legs so admirably adapted by their length for wading into 
the shallow lakes and sheets of water, was seen in large 
flocks. It was very abundant on Lepson’s Lake to the north- 
ward of Cooper’s Creek; and on Strzelecki’s Creek it was 
sittmg on the water making a singular plaintive whistle.” 


EES 


- GRALLATORES. * 249 


Body white; breast crossed by a broad band of chestnut, 
bordered anteriorly with black; wings and centre of the 
abdomen black; bill black; legs reddish yellow. In a spe- 
cimen, which I presume may be a female, the band on the 
chest was greyish brown instead of chestnut, and there was 


no appearance of the black mark on the centre of the abdo- 


men; and in another the pectoral band was apparently 
disappearing, from which I infer that this. mark only exists 
during the breeding-season. 


Family RECURVIROSTRIDZ. 


Every ornithologist must admit that the Avocets are as 
singular in their habits, actions, and economy, as they are in 


their structure.. I have, therefore, raised them to the rank 


of a family. 
_ Genus RECURVIROSTRA, Linneus. 
- This form, like that of Zimantopus, is widely distributed 


over the globe, since species inhabit America, Africa, Europe, 


India, and Australia, in which latter caine as in Europe, 
only one species is found. — | 


Sp. 519. RECURVIROSTRA RUBRICOLLIS, Zemm. 


RuEp-NECKED AVocErT. 
Reeurvirostris rubricollis, Temm. Man. d’Orn., part ii. p. 592. ; 
nove-hollandia, Vieill. 2nde Edit. du Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., 
tom. iii. p. 108? 
Ya-jin-goo-rong, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western 
Australia. 


Recurvirostra rubricollis, Gould, Birds of Australia, wa vol. Vi. 
pl. 27. 

The western and southern portions of Australia appear to 
be inhabited by this beautiful Avocet. I did: not myself 
meet with it during my rambles in New South Wales, but I 
have now and then seen it in collections from those parts. 

Like its European representative, the Red-necked Avocet 


250 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


frequents the shallow parts of lakes, inlets of the sea, and the 
muddy banks of rivers, often wading knee-deep in the water, 
and readily swimming when necessity requires it so to do. 

Its food consists of minute marine mollusca and insects, 
which it gathers from the surface of the mud with its deli- 
cately organized bill, the structure of which is admirably 
adapted for the purpose: not less appropriate is the structure 
of its feet, which, being partially webbed, enable the bird to 
pass over the soft surface of the ground with far greater ease 
than could be effected by any of the Sandpipers, whose toes 
are divided to their base. In Western Australia the favourite 
localities of this bird are the lakes in the neighbourhood of 
Perth and on Rottnest Island, where it is seen in small flocks 
im company with the Himantopus leucocephalus. In South Aus- 
tralia, the River Murray, and the shores of Lake Alexandrina 
afford situations equally adapted for its existence. 

The sexes are alike in plumage, and differ but little in size. 

Head and upper half of the neck chestnut, extending down- 
wards on the front of the neck; middle of the wings, prima- 
ries and part of the scapularies black, the rest of the plumage 
white ;- irides bright red; bill black : legs greyish blue ; tarsi 
and feet tinged with olive. 

The habits and economy of the four or five species known 
of this family are very similar. In England the European 
bird is called Yelper, from the peculiar noise it makes, when 
flying, while the extraordinary form of its upturned bill 
has obtained for it the trivial names of Shoe-horn, Cobbler’s 
Awl, Scooper, &c. This elastic whalebone-like organ is 
doubtless formed for the procuration of some peculiar food 
which has not yet been fully ascertained. The bird is said, 
however, to live on sea-Worms, aquatic insects, and small 
crustaceans. Its eges, which are generally two in number, 
are laid on the bare sand or among the shingle ; and doubt- 
less the breeding of the Australian bird is very similar. 


GRALLATORES. 251 


Family LIMOSIDA. 


The birds of this family range between the Snipes (Scolo- 
pacide) and the Sandpipers (Trimgide). They are large and 
powerful in form, and differ considerably from both the 
groups mentioned. 


Genus LIMOSA, Brisson. 


‘wo very distinct species of this genus inhabit Austraha, 
one the southern and the other the northern divisions of the 
country; others occur in India, Africa, Europe, and North 


America. 


Sp. 520. LIMOSA MELANUROIDES, Gould. 
BiLAcK-TAILED GopwITt. 


_ Limosa melanuroides, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xiv. p. 84. 
Muh-doore-git, Aborigines of Port Essington. 


Limosa melanuroides, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 28. 


On comparison the Limosa melanuroides will be found of 
much smaller size than the European species, and to exhibit 
other differences which, although but slight, fully satisfy me 
that it is distinct: it is one of the many novelties which 
rewarded Gilbert’s researches in the neighbourhood of Port 
Essington, and who states that it inhabits shallow muddy 
swamps and lakes, and that he usually met with it im tolerably 
large flocks; he also adds that its stomach was extremely 
muscular, and that its food consists of aquatic insects of 
various kinds. 

In its habits, actions, and general economy it doubtless closely 
resembles its European ally, and, in all probability, undergoes 
similar changes of plumage, the dull colouring of winter 
giving place to a rufous tint in summer. 


252 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


The winter dress may be thus described :-— 

Head and all the upper surface greyish brown, with a small 
streak of black down the centre of the feathers ; wings ‘dark 
brown, shafts white; base of the primaries and secondaries 
and tips of the greater coverts white, forming a band when 
the wing is expanded; upper tail-coverts white, forming a 
conspicuous mark; tail black, with the exception of the two 
lateral feathers on each side, which are white at the base and 
black at the tip; neck, breast, and flanks greyish brown ; 
abdomen and under tail-coverts white; irides brown: bill 
greenish grey, becoming paler on the sides of the upper 
mandible; legs and feet greenish grey. se 

Total length 13 inches ; bill 33; wing 73; tail 31;. tarsi 22. 


Sp. 521. “ LIMOSA UROPYGIALIS, Gould. 
BarReD-RuMPED Gopwrrt. 


Limosa uropygialis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soe., 1848, p. 38. 


Limosa uropygialis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 29. 


I saw this species in very great abundance, in company 
with Curlews, Oyster-catchers and Sandpipers, at Pitwater in 
Tasmania, feeding on the extensive flats left bare by the re- 
ceding tide ; I also observed it on the sandy flats in Spencer’s 
Gulf and on the sand-banks at the mouth of the river Hunter 
in New South Wales ; and in all probability it is dispersed 
over the whole of the Australian coasts. 

Another instance of the law of representation, so frequently 
spoken of in the course of the present work, is here most con- 
spicuously shown. To a common observer this bird would be 
considered identical with the Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa rufa) 
of Europe; but on comparing the two birds, he will find that the 
Australian has at all times the lower part of the rump strongly 
barred with brown, while the same part in the Limosa rufa, 
when in the light-coloured dress, is snow-white. The 


-GRALLATORES.: 253 


habits, manners and economy of the two birds are so precisely 
similar that I was unable to detect any difference ; various 
kinds of marine insects and small-shelled mollusks are. its 
principal food. 

_ Mr. Macgillivray, however, informs me ie one of the 
specimens sent home by him from Australia was clothed in 
a rufous dress very similar to the summer plumage of the 
European species. 

All the upper surface brownish grey, becoming home brown 
on the centre and nearly white on the edges of the feathers ; pri- 
maries brown with white shafts; rump and upper tail-coverts 
conspicuously barred with brown and white ; tail alternately 
barred with brown and white; throat and abdomen white ; 
neck and breast brownish grey; under wing-coverts and 
flanks barred with brown and white; bill white at the base, 
becoming brown at the OP. ; Indes EE brown ; legs brownish 
black. 9983 
Total length 15 inches ; bill gh ; wing g8, ; tail 34 sta QL. 

Tn the youthful state the ihc of the back are ate a much 
darker hue, and the tertiaries are conspicuously toothed. with 
white on their margins. 7 

Every ornithologist is aware how difficult it is to trace our 
own Bar-tailed Godwit to its breeding-place ; so great indeed is 
it that its eggs are desiderata in nearly every European cabinet ; 
and this want of knowledge is equally felt with regard to the 
Australian ‘species, for we have not the most. remote idea 
what country it resorts to during the breeding-season,. and no 
Australian egg has yet been collected which can with certainty 
be referred to this bird; any information, therefore, on this 
point will be received ™ me, and I am sure by every. oreer 
centhelogited with pleasure. 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Family TRINGIDZ, 


The members of this family are very numerous, and com- 
prise many distinct forms or genera. 

These strand and shore birds are very generally distri- 
buted over the face of the globe, there being few countries in 
which they are not found. In Australia there are species 
some of which closely resemble others inhabiting Europe. 


Genus LIMNOCIN CLUS, Gould. 


The two species of this genus range over many degrees of 
latitude, the Limnocinclus bectorals of America being one of 
them, the following’ species the other. They, or at least the 
Australian bird, inhabit marshy districts and the borders of 
rivers ; and run about among the grass and herbage much 
after the manner of the true Snipes. Of their nidification 
little or nothing has yet been recorded, and I would especially 
direct the attention of Australian ornithologists to this point 
so far as it regards the bird inhabiting their country. 


Sp. 522. LIMNOCINCLUS ACUMINATUS. 


Marsu TRInGa. 


Totanus acuminatus, Horsf. Lin. Trans. , Vol. xii. p. 192. 
Tringa australis, Sard. and Selb. Ill. Orn., vol. ii. pl. 91. 
Scheniclus australis, G. R. Gray, List of Birds in Brit. Mus. Coll., 


part ii. p. 105. 


Scheeniclus australis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 30. - 


This pretty species of Sandpiper is distributed over all parts 
of Australia, including Tasmania. - The sandy beaches of the 
sea-coast and the banks of the rivers in the interior of the 
country are equally visited by it; and in all such situations it 
is to be seen either in pairs or in small parties of from six to 
fifteen in number. It is very fearless, and will allow of the 


GRALLATORES. 255 


nearest approach before it will take wing. In its economy it 
appeared to me to hold an intermediate station between the 
Sandpipers and true Snipes. It is a bird especially fond of the 
grassy sides of lagoons and open wet marshy places, where it 


_ trips over the herbage which rests on the surface of the water, 


and sometimes wades up to its body in search of insects. Its 
flight resembles that of the true Snipes. Of the specimens 
killed, by far the greater number were birds of the year, at 
Which period of their existence a rufous tint pervades the 
breast and flanks ; the feathers of the back are also margined 
with the same hue, except where they are varied with greenish 
white, some of the feathers of the scapularies and back being 
edged with this colour; when fully adult, an almost uniform 
grey pervades the upper surface, the centre of the abdomen 
alone being white. 


group of birds; the Ruff, however, may be quoted as an 


instance contrary to the usual law ; several of the males were | 


weighed, and averaged two ounces and three-quarters. 

The food consists of aquatic insects and their larve. 

All the feathers of the upper surface very dark brown in 

the centre, gradually fading into grey on the margins ; crown 
shightly washed with rufous; primaries brown with white 
shafts ; under surface white, washed on the breast with grey- 
ish brown, and where this tint appears, each feather has a 
small streak of brown down the centre; under tail-coverts 
with a conspicuous streak of dark brown down the centre ; 
bill olive at the base, becoming dark brown at the tip ; legs 
yellowish olive ; irides black. 
- The above is the description of an adult in winter plumage ; 
the young of the year are similarly marked, but have the 
greater portion of the feathers, and particularly those of the 
crown and the tertiaries; distinctly margined with sandy red 
and white; the breast washed with buff. 


Dis 
I dissected a number of specimens and found the larger — 
ones to be males, a somewhat unusual circumstance in this 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus ANCYLOCHILUS, Kaup. 


The single species of this genus inhabits Kurope, America, 
India, and Australia. 


Sp. 523. ANCYLOCHILUS SUBARQUATUS. 
_ ‘Curnew Sanppiprr. 


Scolopax subarquata, Gmel. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 658. 

Tringa subarquata, Temm. Man. Om. tom. i. p. 609. 

Pelidna subarquata, Steph. Cont. of Shaws Ga. Zool., vol. xii. p. 96. 

Scheeniclus subarquatus, G. R. Gray, List of Birds in Brit. Mus. Coll., 
part i. p. 105. 

Ancytocheilus subarquatus, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de l’Acad. Sci., tom. 

.  xlin. séance du 2 Aout, 1856. 

Pygmy ews of mane ena eats, 


Scheniclus metas Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. 
pl. 32. | ! 


Some species of Australian birds are precisely identical with 


those of India and Europe, and the present may be quoted as 
a case in point, for I find no difference between this bird and 
the Pygmy Curlew of England, except that Australian spe- 
cimens are a little larger than those of Europe; its distribution 
over the shores of Australia appears to be universal, but at 
the same time it is very thinly dispersed; and there seem to 
_be.no localities in which it can be looked for and found with 
certainty at any stated time. Like the rest of the Sandpipers, 
it resorts to the shingly beach of the sea-shore and the banks 
of estuaries and rivers. The change from the grey to the red 
livery, which renders the birds so conspicuous in the summer 
season, takes place in Australia at precisely the opposite 
time of the year to that in which it occurs in Europe. 

Of the three specimens in my collection, one was killed on 
Rottnest Island, another on the main-land of Western Au- 
stralia, and the third at Port Macquarrie in New South Wales. 


| GRALLATORES. 257 


In summer the upper surface is deep rufous; wings dark 
greyish brown; upper tail-coverts white; tail grey, barred 
with black and rufous; head mottled black and white ; all 
the under surface deep rufous; bill and legs black, slightly 
tinged with olive ; irides dark brown. 

In winter the rump is white, the remainder of the upper 
surface greyish brown ; under surface white, except the chest, 
which is slightly tinged with grey. 

Young birds differ from both in having the upper surface 
dark brown, each feather fringed with grey and a wash of 
brown across the chest. 


Genus ACTODROMAS, Kaup. 


The little Sandpipers of Europe, America, and Australia 
have been separated under the above generic appellation, 
with the Zringa minuta of authors as the type. One species 
inhabits Australia. i20rp 


Sp. 524. ACTODROMAS AUSTRALIS. 
LirtLe SANDPIPER. 


Calidris australis, Cuv. Gal. de Paris.—Less. Traité d’Orn., p. 558. 

Tringa albescens, Temm. PI. Col., 41. fig. 2. 

Land Snipe and Least Sandpiper of the Colonists of Western Au- 
stralia. . 


Scheeniclus albescens, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 31. 


I have received specimens of this little Sandpiper from 
every one of the Australian colonies, the islands in Bass’s 
Straits, the Houtmann’s Abrolhos off the western coast, and 
Raine’s Islet in Torres’ Straits; no one, therefore, of the 
Australian Sandpipers is more generally dispersed. T'o 
those who are acquainted with the Little Dunlin (Actodromas 
minutus) of Europe. I may say that the habits of the two 
species so closely assimilate as to render a separate descrip- 

VOL. II. : 


258 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


tion unnecessary ; low flat shingly beaches fringing deep bays 
and inlets of the sea, salt estuaries and spits of land at the 
extremities of small islands, are its usual places of resort. In 
Tasmania I observed it in hundreds at Ralph Bay Neck and 
the adjoining estuary near the mouth of the Derwent ; and it 
was equally plentiful at Nepean Bay and other parts of the 
shores of Kangaroo Island, at the entrance of Spencer’s Gulf 
in South Australia. Agile and elegant in its movements, it 
trips over the ground with astonishing celerity, following each 
receding tide in search of such small marine insects as form 
part of its diet. All the examples procured by myself were 
in the winter or light-coloured dress, and had I not recently 
received specimens from South Australia, which exhibit traces 
of red on the breast and dark feathers on the upper surface, I 
should have been led to suppose that it did not undergo the 
usual changes of the other members of the genus. 

Gilbert found it breeding on the Houtmann’s Abrolhos in 
December, its two eggs being deposited in a hollow, which it 
had formed in the ridge of black deposit and salt thrown up 
by the ripple of the water, and which, when the water receded, 
was left high and dry at about four or five yards from the 
water's edge. Gilbert also states that it assembles in large 
flocks on all the lakes around Perth and on Rottnest Island, 
_that it utters a weak piping note when on the wing, that its 
stomach is muscular, and that its food consists of small land 
and aquatic insects and small mollusca. He further observes, 
that at Port Essington it congregates in flocks of several 
hundreds, and, like the Greenshank and other members of the 
group, perches on the mangroves during the height of the 
flood-tide. 

In summer the crown of the head and upper surface is 
greyish brown, with a patch of blackish brown in the centre 
of each feather, deepening into rusty red on the margins of the 
scapularies, with a slight wash of rufous ; wing-coverts tipped 
with white; primaries blackish brown with white shafts ; 


GRALLATORES. 259 


rump, upper tail-coverts and two centre tail-feathers blackish 
brown ; tail pale brownish white with white shafts; forehead 
and under surface white; sides of the breast spotted with 
dark brown, and stained with rusty red in the centre; irides 
brownish black ; bill blackish brown; tarsi and feet olive- 
brown. | 

The winter plumage is similar, but much paler, and entirely 
destitute of the red markings ; the spottings of the sides of 
the breast are also much less extensive. 


Genus TRINGA, Linneus. 


The Knot of Europe is the type of this genus, and with 
that species may be associated the 7. ¢enucrostris, although it 
differs from it in the colouring of the summer plumage. 


Sp. 525. TRINGA CANUTUS, Linnaeus. 
i Knot. 


Tringa canutus, Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. 1. p. 251. 

cinerea, Gmel. edit. Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. 1. p. 673. 
calidris, Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 252. 

—— nevia, Gmel. edit. Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. 1. p. 681. 
grisea, Gmel. Ib., p. 681. 

ferruginea, Meyer.Taschenb. Deut., tom. ii. p. 895. 
islandica, Gmel. edit. Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 682. 
Calidris canutus, Gould, Birds of Eur., vol. iv. pl. 324. 


Of this well-known British bird I have undoubted examples 
from Moreton Bay, whence they were sent by Strange. The 
fact of its beg found in Australia need not surprise us when 
we take into consideration its great wing-powers, and how 
widely it is distributed throughout Europe and North Ame- 
rica. Curiously enough, however, it is so seldom met with 
in India that it is regarded as one of the rarest of the birds 
of that country. One of the specimens sent by Strange had 
the under surface much suffused with red, with many new 

S 2 


260 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


black feathers among the grey ones on the back showing 
that the bird was changing into its summer livery at the com- 
mencement of the Australian spring ; for the date on the label 
of the specimen now before me clearly written by Strange is, 
““ Female, Sept. 2, 1861; irides dark hazel.” It will scarcely 
be necessary for me to give a description of this well-known 
species, as it may be found in every European work ; I would, 
however, direct attention to the fact of its having been found 
on the east coast of Australia, that some one may record 
hereafter if its visits are regular. | 


Sp. 526. TRINGA TENUIROSTRIS. 


GREAT SANDPIPER. 


Totanus tenuirostris, Horsf. Linn. Trans., vol. xiii. p. 192. 
Scheniclus magnus, Gould in Proce. of Zool. Soc., 1848, p. 39. 
Tringa crassirostris, Temm. et Schleg. Faun. J ap., p. 107. pl. Ixiv. 


Scheniclus magnus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 33. 


This is one of the birds that I did not meet with during my 
sojourn in Australia ; there are, however, many specimens in 
this country ; one in the British Museum was obtained on the 

north coast of Australia; and another, procured at Swan 
River, is in the possession of Lord Braybrooke, a nobleman 
much attached to natural history. It is one of the most sin- 
gular species of the Zringe, being in size fully equal to the 
Ruff. 

Besides being found in Australia, this bird also inhabits 
China and Japan, and beautiful figures of it in its various 
stages of plumage will be found in the ‘ Fauna Japonica’ as 
above quoted. ; 

Crown of the head and the neck brownish grey, each feather 
with a stripe of brown down the centre; back and wings 
brown, broadly margined with brownish grey; primaries 
blackish brown ; rump white, each feather tipped with brown ; 
tail brownish grey ; feathers of the breast dark brown, with a 


~— 7 


GRALLATORES. 261 


crescent of white at the extremity ; abdomen and under tail- 
coverts white; flanks mottled with brown ; bill, feet and irides 
olive. — 

Total length 94 inches; bill12; wing 7; tail 24; tarsi 13. 


Genus TEREKIA, Bonaparte. 


Only one species of this form is known. The upward 
curvature of the bill renders it remarkably different from all 
other Sandpipers. 


Sp. 527. TEREKIA CINEREA. 


TEREK SANDPIPER. 


Scolopax terek, Lath. Ind. Orn., vol. u. p. 724. 
cinerea, Gmel. Linn., vol. i. p. 657. 


- Limosa recurvirostra, Pall. Zool. Rosso-Asiat., vol. ii. p. 181. 


Terek Avoset, Penn. Arct. Zool., vol. u. p. 502. 

Snipe, Lath. Gen. Syn., vol. v. p. 155. 

Limosa terek, Temm. Man. d’Orn., tom. iv. p. 426. 

Terek Godwit, Gould, Birds of Europe, vol. iv. pl. 307. 

Totanus javanicus, Horsf. Linn. Trans., vol. xin. p. 198. 

sumatranus, Raff. 

Fedoa terekensis, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xi. p. 83. 

Numenius cinereus, Vieill. Ency. Meth. Orn., part ii. p. 1157. 

Limicula indiana, Viel. 

Terekia javanica, Bonap. List. of Kur. and Am. Birds, p. 52. 

cinerea, G. R. Gray, List. of Gen. of Birds, 2nd edit. p. 88. 

Xenus cinereus, Kaup.—G. KR. Gray, List of Birds in Brit. Mus. Coll., 
“Dp. U6. 


Terekia cinerea, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 34. 


I killed a single example of this species on the river 
Mokai in New South Wales on the 12th of July 1839, 
and neither before nor since have I seen another Australian 
specimen ; the individual in question was very shy, and it was 
with difficulty that I got sufficiently near to shoot it. On 


262 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


dissection it proved to be a male. It is a common bird in 
Java and Sumatra ; its range also extends to India, China and 
Europe, and probably to North Africa. 

But little has been hitherto recorded respecting its habits : 
Temminck states that it occurs accidentally in Kurope, lives in 
Russia, Siberia, the borders of the Caspian Sea, in Japan, 
Sumatra, and Borneo, and that specimens from the latter 
island compared with others taken in Normandy and in the 
environs of Paris do not present the slightest differences ; that 
it inhabits the borders of rivers, has a sonorous voice, and 
feeds on worms, insects and small-shelled mollusks. 

The nest according to Pallas is formed of plants, and the 
eggs are four in number, of a pale olive-yellow marked 
with spots of reddish brown. 

“ This neat-plumaged little Sandpiper,” says Mr. Jerdon, 
“is not very abundant in the South of India, but is met with 
more frequently towards the north ; it frequents the shores of 
seas, back-waters, tanks, and rivers, in small flocks. In 
summer plumage its scapulars become black, edged with 
brown. It breeds in Northern Asia, laying four pale olive- 
yellow eggs, with brown spots. It is extensively distributed 
over Hurope and Asia to Australia.”—Birds of India, vol. ii. 
part 1. p. 683. 

Latham states that in the summer it is numerous in the 
neighbourhood of the Caspian Sea, particularly about the 
mouth of the River Terek, where it breeds, and that it is 
usually met with in flocks in the marshes, especially on the 
borders of the salt lakes. 

Head, all the upper surface, wings and tail pale brown, with 
a fine line of a darker tint down the centre of each feather ; 
shoulders and primaries dark brown, with the shaft of the 
first quill white ; secondaries white ; base of the bill orange- 
brown, passing into blackish brown at the tip; irides black ; 
legs brownish orange, the brown tint predominating on the 
joints. 


GRALLATORES. 263 


Genus ACTITIS, Jiliger. 


At least two species of this form are known, one inhabiting 
America, the other the Old World. 


Sp. 528. ACTITIS HYPOLEUCOS. 
ComMMON SANDPIPER. 


Tringa minor, Ray, Syn., p. 108, A. 6. 

hypoleucos, Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 250. 

leucoptera, Pall. 

Actitis hypoleucos, Il. Prod. Syst. Mamm. et Av., p. 262. 

Totanus hypoleucos, Temm. Man. d’Orn., 2nd edit., tom. i. p. 657, et 
tom. iv. p. 419. 

Tringoides hypoleucos, Gray, Cat. of Gen. and Subgen. of Birds in Brit. 
Mus., p. 117. 

Actites hypoleucus, Blas. List of Birds of Eur. (Engl. Edit.), p. 18. 

Actitis empusa, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xv. p. 222. 

Green Sandpiper, Colonists of Port Essington. 


Actitis empusa, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 35. 


Although I have seen specimens of this bird from every 
colony, with the exception of that on the north coast, | am 
unable to say in which it is most plentiful, or in which it may ~ 
be sought for at any given period with the certainty of finding 
it. I did not meet with it myself in any of my various 
wanderings, but Gilbert observed it both at Swan River and 
at Port Essington. When speaking of Swan River, he says, 
“T only saw this species once. When near the entrance of 
the Swan, I noticed it flitting from rock to rock, and every 
time it rested on its feet the tail was constantly moved up 
and down with a shaking motion.” On referring to the Port 
Essington specimens, he remarks, ‘“ Although solitary in its 
habits, I have seen three or four together; they were mostly 
observed inhabiting the beds of mangroves, over the roots of 
which, just above the water, they were very actively engaged 
in searching for their food, the tail being in constant motion : 


264 BIBDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


occasionally I saw solitary individuals on the margins of the 
lakes inland.” Those persons resident in Australia who are 
conversant with our British birds will readily recognize the 
well-known Summer Snipe, a bird which appears to be 
almost universally distributed over the Old World. 

Its food consists of aquatic insects and very small-shelled 
mollusks. 

It will be seen that I formerly regarded this bird as dis- 
tinct from the Common Sandpiper of Europe; but a more 
careful and minute comparison induces me now to believe 
that it is identical; and, if so, the species is an inhabitant of 
nearly every country of the world. It is very generally dis- 
tributed over Africa from north to south; and specimens 
from China, Japan, and the Indian Islands are precisely like 
those killed in the British Islands. 

In Europe this species makes its slight nest in a tuft of 
rushes bordering a stream, in which it deposits its four large 
pointed eggs. 

The sexes are precisely alike in the colour of their plumage, 
and but little difference exists in their size; the young, on 
the contrary, which are met with in greater abundance than 
the adults, have the brown feathers of the upper surface 
barred or freckled with darker brown. 

The adults have all the upper surface pale glossy or bronzy 
brown, each feather crossed with irregular bars of dark brown, 
bounded on either side by a narrow line of pale brown ; base 
and tips of the secondaries white; primaries very slightly 
tipped with white ; centre tail-feathers pale glossy or bronzy- 
brown, with a row of irregular-shaped spots of dark brown 
along the margins; lateral feathers white, crossed by irre- 
gular blended bars of dark and pale brown; under surface 
white, with the exception of the sides of the chest, and the 
shafts of the feathers of the front of the chest, which are pale 
brown. 

Total length 64 inches; bill14; wing 44; tail 2+; tarsi 1. 


GRALLATORES. 265 


Genus GLOTTIS, Nilsson. 


The only species of this genus found in Australia appears 
to be identical. with the Glottis canescens of the British 
Islands. 


Sp. 529. GLOTTIS GLOTTOIDES. 


GREENSHANK. 


Scolopax glottis, Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 245. 


canescens, Gmel. edit. Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 668. 

grisea, Briss. 

chloropus, Nilss. 

totanus, Pall. 

fistulans, Bechst. 

natans, Koch. 

Totanus glottoides, Vig. in Proc. of Comm. Sci. and Corr. of Zool. Soc., 
part i. p. 173. 

vigorsi, Gray. 

Glottis canescens, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de l’Acad. Sci., tom. xliti. 
séance du 2 Aotit 1856. 


Glottis glottoides, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 36. 


This wandering species inhabits every country of the Old 
World from Europe and India to the most southern part of 
Australia. Although nowhere very abundant, it is so gene- 
rally dispersed over Australia, that I have seen specimens 
from every settlement in that vast portion of the globe; but, 
although its distribution is so general, its presence is not, I 
believe, to be depended upon in any given locality ; it is, in 
fact, a chance but not unfrequent visitor to all. A more 
elegant bird on the sands can scarcely be imagined, and it is 
as graceful in all its actions as it is in form, tripping over the 
beach with a lightness and ease peculiar to itself. It some- 
times leaves the sea-side for estuaries and inland lakes; but 
these localities are not so favourable to its habits as sandy 
points and spits of land on the sea-shore, where it is fre- 


266 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


quently seen in company with the Whimbrel, Curlew, and 
Oyster-catcher. 

It is sometimes seen in small flocks, of from seven to ten 
in number, but more frequently in pairs. 

Like many other members of the family to which it belongs, 
this bird is subject to considerable change in its plumage, 
being much darker and more blotched and spotted during 
the breeding-season than at any other. 

Face, all the under surface, rump, and tail pure white; thie 
sides of the breast streaked with dark brown, and the tail 
barred on the margins and freckled with dark blackish 
brown; crown of the head and back of the neck grey, 
_ streaked down the centre with dark brown; shoulders and 
primaries very dark brown, the outer quill with a pure white 
shaft; the remainder of the upper surface light brown, each 
feather margined with grey, with a streak of dark brown 
down the centre, and a series of oblong spots on the margins 
of the same hue; bill dark olive; irides black; feet and legs 
deep olive-green. 

The sexes differ so little in colour that dissection must be 
resorted to, to distinguish one from the other. 

The above is the description of the plumage of summer ; in 
winter the colouring is similar, but much paler, and the dark 
spots almost obsolete. 


Genus TOTANUS, Bechstein. 


Of this genus one species is all that has yet been discovered 
in Australia, and this I regard as identical with the Zotanus 
stagnatilis of Europe; and, if this view be correct, then the 
range of the species will extend from Asia to Australia; 
certain it is, that I have seen specimens, which are strictly 
identical with the European bird, from all the intermediate 
countries. 


GRALLATORES, 267 


Sp. 530. TOTANUS STAGNATILIS. 
Marsu SANDPIPER. 


Totanus stagnatilis, Temm. Man. d’Orn., tom. iv. p. 414. 


Totanus stagnatilis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 37. 


I shot a specimen of this bird on the banks of the Lower 
Mokai on the 16th of December 1839: on comparing it with 
Indian and European specimens, I find the whole to be iden- 
tical; the Australian bird is, however, somewhat lighter in 
colour. The individual above mentioned was feeding on the 
bank close to the water’s edge: from its being the only one I 
had ever seen alive, I was more desirous of procuring it than 
of watching its actions, and, as no opportunity afterwards 
occurred of my so doing with other individuals, I am unable 
to give any particulars respecting them. 

Lord Lilford, in his “‘ Notes on Birds observed in the 
Ionian Islands, &c.,” published in the ‘Ibis’ for 1860, says 
of this species :—‘‘ Abundant in March, April, and the early 
part of May, on the race-course of Corfu. Its habits closely 
resemble those of the Green Sandpiper (Z! ochropus), but it is 
less shy, and not so clamorous. I have had excellent oppor- 
tunities of observing closely the habits of this and many 
other allied species on the race-course, having sometimes seen 
within a few yards of the spot where I lay hidden 7. glottis, 
T. stagnatilis, T. glareola, T. ochropus, Himantopus melano- 
pterus, Tringa minuta, Numenius pheopus, and Glareola pra- 
tincola.” 

Face, fore-part of the neck, and all the under surface white ; 
crown of the head and neck grey, streaked longitudinally with 
black ; upper surface grey, each feather with a lighter margin ; 
wings blackish brown; tail white, marked with diagonal bars 
of brown; forehead, rump, and all the under surface white ; 
bill dark greenish olive, tipped with brown ; legs sickly olive- 
yellow ; irides blackish brown. 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus GAMBETTA, Kaup. 


As in the case of the preceding genus, Zotanus, there is 
only one species in Australia; in size and structure it is very 
similar to the Redshank of the British Islands. 


Sp. 581. GAMBETTA PULVERULENTUS. 
GREY-RUMPED SANDPIPER. 


Tringa glareola, Pall. (Bonaparte). 
Totanus pulverulentus, Mill. Naturk. Verhand. Land- en Volkenk., 


p- 152. 
griseopygius, Gould in Proe. of Zool. Soc., 1848, p. 39. 


M ul-woo-ing-a-nillg-e, Aborigines of Port Essington. 


pipes _Smiseopyeius, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. 
pl. 38. 

All the specimens I have seen of this bird were killed near 
the harbour of Port Essington, where it frequents the sandy 
beaches and rocks just above high-water mark; the salt- 
water lakes and swamps near the settlement also afford it a 
natural asylum, and there, at some seasons of the year, it may 
be seen in vast flocks in company with Stints and Plovers. 

- The stomach is very muscular, and the food consists of 
aquatic insects and their larvee and small-shelled mollusks. 

But little difference exists in the colouring of the sexes. 

The head, all the upper surface, rump, and tail are greyish 
brown ; primaries dark brown; line over the eye and all the 
under surface white, the neck, breast, and flanks strongly 
freckled with brown; irides reddish brown; bill blackish 
brown, except the base of the under mandible, which is 
scarlet ; legs and feet hyacinth-red. 

In ine the upper surface is of a much lighter hue, and 
the under surface is of a greyish white and destitute of the 
freckles of brown. 

Total length 82 inches ; bill 14; wing 62; tail 2g; tarsi 14. 


GRALLATORES. 269 


It will be seen that I formerly described this bird as Zo- 
tanus griseopygius believing it to be undescribed, but I now 
find that it had been previously characterized in the work 
above quoted as 7. pulverulentus, which specific appellation I 
therefore adopt. | 


Genus STREPSILAS, Ilhger. 


If any bird may be regarded as a cosmopolite, it is the Turn- 
stone, for it is found in most of the countries of the Old and 
New World. ‘Two or, at most, three species of this form are 
all that are known. 


Sp. 532. STREPSILAS INTERPRES. 
TURNSTONE. 


Tringa interpres, Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 248. 
Strepsilas interpres, Leach in Cat. of Brit. Mus., p. 29. 
collaris, Temm. Man. d’Orn., tom. ii. p. 553. 


Strepsilas interpres, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 39. 


If any one bird be universally dispersed over the sca-shores 
of the globe it is the Turnstone, for there are few of which it 
is not an inhabitant. I find no differences whatever between 
Australian and European specimens, nor do examples from 
America present sufficient variation to warrant any other con- 
clusion than that the whole are one and the same species. 

I could never detect the breeding-place of the Turnstone in 
any one of the Australian colonies, and I must not fail to add, 
that in the southern parts of that continent and ‘Tasmania 
examples in the adult livery are but seldom seen, while indi- 
viduals in the immature dress are very abundant; on the 
contrary, most of the specimens from Raine’s Islet and other 
parts of Torres’ Straits are mature birds clothed in the full 
livery or breeding-plumage. In all probability the northern 
parts of Australia will hereafter prove to be the part of the 


270 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


country in which it breeds, and that the young make an 
annual migration towards the south and disperse themselves 
over every part of the coasts of Southern Australia, the islands 
in Bass’s Straits, and Tasmania, all of which, as well as the 
Houtmann’s Abrolhos off the western coast, are visited by it. 

The habits, manners, and economy of the bird in Australia 
do not differ from those it exhibits in Hurope ; there, as here, it 
feeds on marine insects, as well as on small bivalve mollusca 
and crustacea. | 

The sexes, when fully adult, are alike, but the colours of 
the female are not so bright as those of the male; the young, 
even when they have attained the size of the adult, differ con- 
siderably, being much darker in colour, and destitute of the 
white markings of the face, and the chestnut-red tints which 
add so much to the beauty of the old birds. 

The adult has the forehead, eyebrows, an oval spot before 
each eye, the centre of the throat, ear-coverts, nape of the 
neck, lower part.of the back, abdomen, and under tail-coverts 
white ; from eye to eye across the forehead a band of black, 
which dips downwards in the centre to the bill; from the 
base of the lower mandible proceeds a mark of black, which 
passes upwards to the eye, dilates backwards towards the 
nape, covers the front of the chest, and bifurcates towards 
the insertion of the wing; mantle and scapularies reddish 
brown irregularly varied with black; rump black; wings 
black, the basal part of the inner webs and the shafts of the 
primaries white; secondaries broadly tipped with white, 
forming a conspicuous bar across the wings ; bill black ; irides 
black ; legs and feet rich orange, darkest on the joints. 

The young has the whole of the upper surface and the 
breast mottled brown and black, the white mark on the throat 
much larger, and only a trace of the white markings of the 
face and nape. 


GRALLATORES. oye 


Family SCOLOPACIDA. 


There is no group of marsh birds more deserving a family 
name than the Snipes and Woodcocks, for they are very 
numerous in species and are divisible into many genera. In 
size they range from that of the well-known Woodcock to the 
equally familiar Jack Snipe, and are universally dispersed over 
the globe, being found in every country. 


Genus GALLINAGO, Leach. 


This genus was established for that section of the Snipes 
of which our common species (Gallinago scolopacinus) is a 
typical representative, and of which only one kind has yet 
been recorded as an inhabitant of Australia. 


Sp. 533. GALLINAGO AUSTRALIS. 


New Hoiuanp SNIPE. 


Scolopax australis, Lath. Ind. Orn., Supp. p. lxiv. 

New Holland Snipe, Lath. Gen. Syn., Supp. vol. i. p. 310. 
Scolopax hardwickii, Gray, Zool. Misc., vol. i. p. 16. 

Gallinago australis, List of Birds in Brit. Mus., part iii. p. 111. 
O-laj'cg-a, Aborigines of Port Essington. 


Scolopax australis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 40. 


On comparing the Snipes killed at Port Essington with 
others obtained in Tasmania, some trivial differences are found 
to exist, and which it is necessary to point out, in order that 
future observers may be induced to ascertain if they be iden- 
tical or if they constitute two distinct species ; on a minute 
examination, the Port Essington bird is found to have a 
shorter tail, and the four lateral feathers narrower than in 
that from Tasmania ; besides which, the tail of the former is 
composed of eighteen feathers in both sexes, while the speci- 


* mens of the latter, contamed in my collection, number but 


276 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


sixteen ; it is true they were killed during a partial moult, 
which circumstance renders it somewhat doubtful whether 
sixteen be the right number or not. If the two birds should 
prove to be identical, then the range of the species will extend 
over the whole of Australia and Tasmania ; still, like its pro- 
totype im Europe, its presence will depend much upon the 
occurrence of favourable localities; for in fact the same laws 
that regulate the movements of one species equally govern 
those of the other. | 
In Tasmania it is very abundant during the months of 
October, November, December, and J anuary, affords excellent 
sport to those fond of Snipe-shooting, and is to be found in 
all low swampy grounds, lagoons, rivulets, and similar situa- 
tions. Its weight varies from five ounces to six ounces and a 
quarter ; it is consequently a much larger species than the 
Gallinago scolopacinus of Europe. It flies much heavier than 
that species, and thus affords a more easy mark for the 
sportsman ; it is also more tame, sits closer, and when flushed 
flies but a short distance before it again alights. On rising 
it utters the same call of scape-scape as the Gallinago scolo- 
pacinus. It is said to breed in Tasmania, but although many 
of the birds that I killed bore evident marks of youth, I could 
‘hot satisfactorily ascertain that such was the case. Lieut. 
Breton, in his ‘ Excursion to the Western Range, Tasmania,’ 
mentions that it always appears the last week in August or 
the first in September. I found it very abundant in many 
parts of New South Wales, in none more so than in the 
lagoons of the Upper Hunter, during the months of November 
and December ; but it was only a transient visitor, the lagoons 
and swampy places then filled with water having attracted it. 
At the moment of this Handbook going through the press, 
I have received a letter from Mr. Morton Allport, of Hobarton, 
dated July 21st, 1865, in which he says, “Three couple of 
Snipe were shot on the Macquarie River near Ross, in Tas- 
mania, last month (June) ; and several have been seen since. 


GRALLATORES. 273 


This unusual visit may be due to the long drought in many 
parts of Australia, especially as several other casual visitors 
have this winter made their appearance, viz. Night-Herons, 
Kgrets, Maned Geese, &c.’’ : | 

Captain Sturt informs us that this Snipe is common in 
South Australia, but scarce in the interior of the country ; 
that it breeds in great numbers in the valley of Mypunga, but 
is only to be found in those localities where the ground is 
constantly soft. 

Gilbert mentions that the Port Essington bird is only an 
occasional visitor to the Coburg Peninsula, arriving about the 
middle of November, when the rainy season commences, and 
disappearing again in a few weeks; during its short stay it 
inhabits swampy but open grassy meadows: he adds, that he 
never saw more than six or eight at a time, and always found 
them very wild. | 

‘The stomachs of those examined were muscular, and con- 
tained small aquatic insects and sand. 

‘he sexes are so similar in colour that a separate dnatsriggs 
tion is not requisite. 

Crown of the head deep brownish black, divided down the 
centre by a line of buff; face and chin buffy white; sides of 
the neck, breast, and flanks washed with pale reddish brown, 
and mottled with irregular spots of deep brown, which in- 
crease in size, until on the flanks they assume the form of 
irregular bars; back dark brownish black, the scapularies 
mottled with deep sandy buff, and broadly margined on 
their external webs with pale buff; wing-coverts dark 
brown, largely tipped with pale buff; wings dark brown, 
all the feathers slightly frmged with white at the extremity ; 
lengthened flank-feathers regularly barred with brown and 
white ; centre of the abdomen white; under tail-coverts buff, 
barred with dark brown; four central tail-feathers blackish 
brown, crossed near the tip by a broad band of rufous, beyond 
which is a narrow irregular line of brown, and the tip white ; 

VOL. II. T 


Q74 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


the lateral feathers alternately barred with dark and lighter 
brown, and tipped with white ; irides dark brown ; basal half. 
of the bill yellowish olive, the remainder dark brown ; legs 
yellowish tinged with olive. 


Genus RHYNCHAAA, Cuvier. 


‘The few species comprised in this genus are widely dispersed 
over the face of the globe; one inhabits the southernmost 
parts of America, another South Africa, a third India, and a 
fourth Australia. They affect different situations from those 
resorted to by the true Snipes, usually selecting drier ground 
and knolls under low bushes contiguous to marshy lands, 
where they can readily procure their natural food. 


Sp. 5384. RHYNCHAIA AUSTRALIS, Gould. 
AUSTRALIAN RHyYNcH@A. 


Rhynchea australis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part v. p. 155. 


Rhynchea australis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 41. 


The Australian Rhynchea is a summer visitant to New 
South Wales, where it arrives in August and September ; but 
whether its visits are regular, or only occur in such wet 
periods as fill the lagoons and cause a redundance of rushes 
and other herbage to spring forth, I know not; in all pro- 
bability they are influenced by the character of the season, as 
none but humid situations appear to suit its habits. During 
the fine season of 1839, when much rain had fallen and the 
whole face of the country was covered with the most luxuriant 
and varied verdure, and every hollow formed a shallow lagoon, 
this bird was tolerably plentiful in the district of the Upper 
Hunter, particularly in the flats of Segenho, Aberdeen, 
Scone, &c. Although I did not succeed in finding its nest, 
no doubt exists in my mind of its breeding in the immediate 
locality, as on dissecting a female an egg was found in the 


GRALLATORES. 275 


ovarium, nearly of the full size, and ready to receive its 


calcareous covering. In its habits and disposition this bird 


neither lies so close, nor has the crouching manner of the true 


Snipes, but exposes itself to view like the Sandpipers, running 
about either among the rushes or on the bare ground at the 
edge of the water: on being disturbed, those I saw generally 
flew off towards the brush, seeking shelter among the low 


bushes, from which they were not easily driven or forced to 


take wing. Its flight is straighter, slower, more laboured, and 
nearer to the ground than that of the true Snipes. Considerable 
confusion has always existed respecting the members of the 


group to which this bird belongs, the opposite sexes of the 


same species having been described as distinct ; from actual 


dissection, however, of numerous examples, and from seeing 


these birds mated in a state of nature, 1 am enabled to affirm 


that the figures in the plate of the folio edition above referred 


to are accurate representations of an adult male and female, 
This species will be found on comparison to possess, among 
other characters, much shorter toes than the Indian and 


.Chinese species, to which it is most nearly allied. On dissection | 


I also observed an anatomical peculiarity of a very extra- | 
ordinary nature, the more so as it exists in the female alone; — 


I allude to the great elongation of the trachea, which passes | — 


down between the skin and the muscles of the breast for the | 
whole length of the body, making four distinct. convolutions | 
before entering the lungs. On discovering this extraordinary | 
formation I placed a body in spirits, for the examination of my 
late friend Yarrell, who, as is well known, paid great attention 
to this part of the organization of birds, and who informed 
me that the position and form of the trachea in the Rhyn- 
chea australis is similar to that of the Semipalmated Goose, 
figured in the 15th volume of the ‘Trans. Linn. Soc.’ tab. 14, 
The Cranes, Swans, Guans, &c., present us with species having 
the trachea most singularly developed, several of them with 
extensive convolutions before entering the lungs; some with 
2 


276 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


a receptacle for its folds within the cavity of the keel of the 
breast-bone ; while in others it is situated outside the pectoral 
muscles, immediately beneath the outer skin of the breast ; 
but in no instance is it more extensively or more curiously 
developed than in the present bird. 

The use of this convoluted trachea, so exclusively confined 
to the female, I could not in any way discover or surmise. No 
note whatever was heard to proceed from either sex, while on 
the wing or when flushed. 

“This beautiful bird,” says Captain Sturt, “was very 
scarce in the interior, and, indeed, is not common anywhere. 
Some three or four couples visit my residence at Grange 
yearly, and remain in the high reeds at the bottom of the 
creek, among which they doubtless breed, but we never 
found one of their nests. ‘They lay basking in the shade of a 
tree on the sand-hills during the day, and separate when 


alarmed.” 
The male is much smaller than the female, and has the 


sides, back, and front of the neck much lighter and mingled 
_with patches of white; wings more olive, the coverts orna- 
/mented with numerous large irregular patches of buff, en- 
circled with a narrow line of black; the buff bands on the 
' primaries richer and more distinct; the scapularies speckled 
with white; the patch on each side of the chest dark olive, 
with large patches of white surrounded by a line of black. 
Total length 83 inches ; bill2; wing 54; tail 24; tarsi 14. 
The female has a stripe from the bill, down the centre of the 
head, to the nape pale buff; circle surrounding and a short 
stripe behind each eye white; back of the neck chestnut, 
crossed with indistinct narrow bars of greenish brown; crown 
dark brown; sides of the face and the sides and fore part of 
the neck chocolate; chin white; back olive-green, tinged 
with grey, and marbled with dark brown ; scapularies blotched 
on their éxternal webs with deep buff; wing-coverts olive- 
green, crossed by numerous fine irregular bars of black ; 


GRALLATORES. - 277 


tertiaries olive-green, tinged with grey, crossed by irregular 
bars, and numerously sprinked with black; three outer 
primaries dark brown, crossed on their outer webs with 
broad irregular patches of deep buff, and sprinkled with grey 
on the inner; the remainder of the primaries and the second- 
aries grey, crossed by numerous narrow irregular lines of 
black, and spotted with white surrounded with black; rump 
and tail grey like the secondaries, but spotted with both 
white and buff, each of which colours are bounded with black ; 
breast and all the under surface white, with a large irregular 
patch of olive-green, narrowly barred with black, on each side 
of the chest; bill pale green at the base, passing into brownish 
horn-colour at the tip; irides rather dark hazel; legs pale 
green. 


_ Family —— ? 
Genus NUMENIUS, Latham. 


Three species of this form are found in Australia, and others 
inhabit Asia, Africa, and America. For the greater part of 
the year they frequent the flat shores of the ocean, but retire 
in spring to the upland districts of their respective countries 
to breed. 


Sp. 535. NUMENIUS CYANOPUS, Viezdlot. 
AUSTRALIAN CURLEW. 


Numenius cyanopus, Vieill. 2nd Edit. du Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., 
. tom. vill. p. 306. 

rostratus, Licht. (Bonap.). 

australis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part v. p. 155. 


Wid-joo-oi-ong, Aborigines of the Murray River, Western Australia. 
Man-do-weidt, Aborigines of Port Essington. 
Curlew of the Colonists. 


Numenius australis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 42. 
In investigating the ornithology of any part of the world, 


278 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


we find many instances of species so closely resembling others, 
known to be inhabitants of distant countries, that they at first 
sight appear to be identical, but on a more careful comparison 
and examination they prove to be distinct; in no case, 
however, is this law of representation, for such it must be 
called, so decidedly marked as in Australia, where not a few 
instances occur of birds closely resembling species found in 
other countries ; and the present bird may be cited as a case 
in point, for a casual observer would at once pronounce ‘it to 
be the Common Curlew of Europe; on comparison, however, 
it is found to differ from that species in having a longer bill, 
the rump and upper tail-coverts barred with brown instead 
of being of a uniform white, and the under surface washed 
with buff. 

The range of this species over Australia appears to be 
universal, for I have received specimens from Port Essington, 
Swan River, South Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania, 
and all the islands in Bass’s Straits; but in no one of these 
countries is it more abundant than in Tasmania, where it is 
to be met with in flocks in the neighbourhood of rivers and 
marshy situations ; it is also especially fond of running over 
the flats left bare by the receding tide, to feed upon the 
- various molluscous animals abounding in such situations. 

The weight of this bird is about two pounds; the stomachs 
of those dissected were found to be extremely muscular, and 
contaimed the remains of shelled mollusks, crabs, &c. 

The breeding-ground has not yet been discovered; the 
bird probably retires to the high lands of Tasmania or 
Australia Felix for that purpose. 

A similarity of colouring pervades both sexes. 

Crown of the head and back of the neck blackish brown, 
each feather margined with buff; back blackish brown, each 
feather irregularly blotched with reddish buff on the margins ; 
wing-coverts blackish brown, margined with greyish white ; 
tertiaries brown, irregularly blotched on the margins with 


GRALLATORES. 279 


lighter brown; rump and upper tail-coverts dark brown, 
barred across the margins with greyish buff; tail light brown, 
crossed with bars of dark brown; greater coverts blackish 
brown, slightly tipped with white; first five primaries dark 
brown, with white stems, the remainder and the secondaries 
crossed by irregular interrupted bars of white; sides of the 
face, throat, and all the under surface pale buff, with a fine 
line of blackish brown down the centre of each feather ; 
basal half of the bill flesh-colour, tinged with olive ; apical 
portion deep blackish brown ; legs bluish lead-colour ; irides 
dark brown. 


Sp. 586. NUMENIUS UROPYGIALIS, Gould. 


AUSTRALIAN WHIMBREL. 


Numenius uropygialis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part vill. p. 175. 


~ Man-do-weidt, Aborigines of Port Essington. 


Numenius uropygialis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vie 
pl. 43. | 


This species is somewhat smaller than the Numenius pheo- 
pus of Europe, and moreover differs in having the rump barred. 
and mottled instead of a pure white as in that bird; in other 
rsspects they are so similar that a description of one would 
apply with nearly equal accuracy to the other ; the Australian 
bird is, however, of a paler brown than its European ally. 

It is distributed over the whole of the continent of Australia 
and the island of Tasmania, wherever localities occur suitable 
to its habits, which are so precisely similar to those of the 
Numenius pheopus, that a description of them is quite un- 
necessary. : 

It is generally met with in large flocks im swampy districts 
on the banks of rivers and all similar situations; I killed 
several specimens on the Hunter, in New South Wales, but 
could never succced in discovering its eggs, whence I infer 


280 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


that for the purposes of incubation it betakes itself to the 
interior of the country. 

The sexes are so precisely alike, that by dissection alone 
can we distinguish the one from the other. 

Crown of the head brown, with a narrow irregular stripe of 
buffy white down the centre; lores and line behind the eye 
brown; line over the eye, neck, and breast buffy white, with 
a brown line down the centre of each feather, the brown 
colour predominating; centre of the back and scapulary 
feathers dark olive, spotted on their margins with light buff ; 
wing-coverts the same, but lighter, and presenting a mottled 
appearance ; primaries blackish brown, with light shafts; 
rump and upper tail-coverts barred with brown and white; 
tail pale brown, barred with dark brown ; chin, lower part of 
the abdomen, and under tail-coverts white; bill blackish 
horn-colour, fleshy at the base; feet greyish black. 

Total length 15 inches; bill8; wing 93; tail 3; tarsi 24. 


Sp. 537. NUMENIUS MINOR, Miller. 


Lircte WHIMBREL. 


Numenius minor, Mill. Naturk. Verhand. Land- en Volkenkunde, 


p.AL1Q. 
minutus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part viii. p. 176. 


Numenius minutus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 44. 


I killed a pair of this species out of a flock of about twenty 
in number which was flying over the race-course at Maitland, 
in New South Wales, on the 4th of April 1839. The flock 
was constantly rising and flying round, sometimes to the 
distance of a mile, returning again, alighting, and running 
quickly over the ground much after the manner of the Plovers. 
The above was the only instance in which the bird came under 
my observation during my stay in the country, consequently 
Tam unable to state anything respecting its habits or the 


. Sa 


GRALLATORES. oek 


extent of its range, but I may mention that I have seen a 
specimen from Port Essington. 

Forehead dark brown, mottled with buff; lores and line 
behind the eye buff; back, sides, and front of the neck buff, 
with a fine line of brown down the centre of each feather ; 
all the upper surface blackish brown, with a series of tri- 
angular spots round the margins of the feathers of a sandy 
buff; shoulders, primaries, and secondaries blackish brown, 
the latter with white shafts; rump and. tail-coverts dark 
brown, spotted with white on the margins; tail greyish 
brown, barred with black; chin white; under surface light 
buff; flanks and under surface of the wing deep buff, 
regularly barred with arrow-shaped marks of. brown ; irides 
black ; bill fleshy at the base, olive-brown at the tip; feet 
bluish flesh-colour. : | 

Total length 12 inches; billl1#; wing 7; tail 3; tarsi 14. 


‘Family TANTALIDE. 


Among other genera, Tantalus, Carphibis, Threskiornis, Fal- 
cinellus, Platalea, and Platibis have been assigned to the 
above family. By far the greater number of the species of 
each of those genera, as well as others which it is not neces- 
sary to enumerate, are denizens of the Old World. 

The three Australian Ibises pertain, as will be hereafter 
seen, to as many genera. 

The first or Straw-necked Ibis of the colonists—a very sin- 
gular form, which stands alone—to Carphibis; the second, 
which has its representative in other countries, particularly in 
Egypt (where it has lived from time immemorial, since it is the 
species that was embalmed by the ancient Heyptians), to 
Threskiornis ; and the third, a widely spread species found in 
Australia, India, Africa, and Europe, and occasionally in the 
British Islands, to Palcinellus. 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus CARPHIBIS, Reichenbach. 


Of this form the single species known is confined to Au- 
stralia, and must ever rank among the most beautiful and 
remarkable members of its family. 


Sp. 538. CARPHIBIS SPINICOLLIS. 
STRAW-NECKED Isis. 
New Holland Ibis, Lath. Gen. Hist. of Birds, vol. ix. p. 167. 
Ibis spinicollis, Jameson, — New Phil. Journ., No. xxxvii. p. 218. 
lathami, Gray. 
lamellicollis, LaF res. Mag. de Zool., 1836, liv. 4™° et 5™°, pk 57. 


Geronticus spinicollis, G. R. Gray, ris of Birds, vol. ii. p. 566; 
Geronticus, sp. 3. 


Geronticus spinicollis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 45. 


This beautiful Ibis has not I believe been discovered out of 
Australia, over the whole of which immense country it is pro- 
bably distributed ; its presence, however, in any particular lo- 


cality appears to depend upon whether the season be or be 
not favourable to increase of the lower animals upon which 


the vast hordes of this bird feed. After the severe drought of 
1839 it was in such abundance on the Liverpool Plains, and 
on those of the Lower Namoi, that to compute the number in 
a single flock was impossible. It was also very numerous on 
the sea side of the great Liverpool range, inhabiting the open 
down and flats, particularly such as were studded with shal- 
low lagoons, through which it would wade knee-high in search 
of shelled mollusks, frogs, newts and insects: independently 
of the food I have mentioned, it feeds on grasshoppers and 
insects generally. ‘The natives informed me that sometimes 
many seasons elapse without the bird being seen. 

The Straw-necked Ibis walks over the surface of the ground 
ina very stately manner ; it perches readily on trees, and its 
flight is both singular aid striking, particularly when large 
flocks are passing over the plains, at one moment showing 
their white breasts, and at the next, by a change in their po- 


GRALLATORES. 283 


sition, exhibiting their dark-coloured backs and snow-white 
tails. During the large semicircular sweeps they take over 
the plains, and when performing a long flight, they rise tole- 
rably high in the air ; the whole flock then arrange themselves 
in the form of a nae or letter similar to that so frequently 
observed in flights of geese and ducks. 

The note is a loud, hoarse, croaking sound, which may be 
heard at a considerable distance. When feeding in flocks 
they are closely packed, and from the movement of their bills 
and tails, the whole mass seems in constant motion. In disposi- 
tion this bird is rather shy than otherwise; still, with a very 
little care, successful shots may be made with an ordinary 
fowling-piece. 

The sexes when fully adult exhibit the same beautiful me- 
tallic colouring of the plumage. The female is, however, smaller, 
and has the straw-like appendages on the neck less prolonged 
and less stout than the male. Mature birds only have the 
whole of the head and back of the neck destitute of feathers. 

Head and forepart of the neck naked, and of a dull inky 
black ; back and sides of the neck clothed with white down ; 
on the front of the neck and breast the shafts of the feathers 
are produced into long lanceolate straw-lke and straw-coloured 
processes, with merely a rudiment of the lateral webs at the 
base; sides and back of the neck, breast and all the upper 
surface rich shining bronzy green and purple, crossed parti- 
cularly on the wing-coverts, scapularies, and outer webs of the 
secondaries with numerous bars of dull black; primaries and 
inner webs of the secondaries dull greenish black ; abdomen, 
flanks, under tail-coverts and tail white ; bill dull black, 
crossed at the base by irregular transverse bars of yellowish 
brown; irides dark brown; thighs crimson; legs blackish 
brown, the two colours blending on the knee. 

Tmmature birds have the head and neck clothed with white / 
down, the straw-like appendages less in number, and less of | 
the rich colouring on the breast. | 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus THRESKIORNIS, G. R. Gray.’ 


The well-known Sacred Ibis of ligypt is the type of this 
genus, of which there are several species, all inhabiting the Old 


World. 


Sp. 539. THRESKIORNIS STRICTIPENNIS. 
Wurrs Izts, 
Ibis strictipennis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soe., part v. p- 106. 


Yam-bull-bull, Aborigines of Port Essington. 
Black-necked Ibis, Colonists of Port Essington. 
White Ibis of the Colonists of New South Wales. 


Threskiornis strictipennis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. 
pl. 46. 


The same cause that induced the Straw-necked Ibis (Car- 
plibrs spinicollis) to visit New South Wales in such abundance 
during the year 1839 acted equally on the present bird, which 


was not only observed at the same period, but the two species 
were frequently seen in company ; one marked difference, 
however, was noticed, namely, that while the Carphibis spini- 
collis visited equally the lagoons and the plains, the Zhreshi- 
ornis strictipennis confined itself solely to the wet hollows of 
flats, the banks of rivers, lagoons, &c., wading knee-deep 
among the rushes and green herbage in search of frogs, newts, 
and insects, upon which it feeds; when satiated it mounted 
upon the bare branches of the large gum-trees bordering the 
feeding-place, and then became so watchful that it could not 
be approached within gun-shot without the utmost caution. 
The natives as well as the colonists assured me that it was 
— Seldom so abundant as at the period of my visit, and I be- 
lieve that many seasons sometimes elapse without its appear- 
ing there at all. I encountered this bird either in pairs or in 
small flocks of from five to twenty in number, but it was 
never a hundredth part so plentiful as the Carphibis spinicollis, 


GRALLATORES. ~ 285 


Like that bird it must retire to some unknown part of Au- 
stralia, doubtless towards the interior, a single skin from the 
north coast being all that I have ever seen from any other 
part of the country. 

The Threskiornis strictipennis may at all times be distin- 
guished from its near ally 7. ethiopica, mhabiting the banks — 
of the Nile, as well as from the 7. melanocephala, by the 
lengthened plumes which hang down from the front of the 
neck, and from which its specific appellation has been taken. 

Head and upper half of the neck bare, and with the bill of 
a deep slaty black ; back of the head and neck crossed by ten 
narrow distinct bands of rose-pink, and on the crown of the 
head a series of oval spots, arranged in the form of a star, of 
the same colour; the whole of the body and wings white, 
tinged with buff; the feathers on the fore part of the neck 
long, narrow, lanceolate and stiff; primaries tipped with 
deep bluish green; webs of the tertiaries extremely pro- 
longed and recurved, and of a deep blue-black mingled with 
white; thighs and knees deep purple; tarsi and feet light 
purple; irides dark brown. ; 

Total length 30 inches ; bill 6 ; wing 143; tail 6; tarsi 4. 

I have observed considerable difference in the transverse 
‘rose-pink markings at the back of the neck; in some spe- 
cimens these are very conspicuous, while in others they are 
scarcely apparent. 

The sexes, when fully adult, present but little difference in 
the style or colouring of their plumage; but the female may | 
be distinguished by her smaller size. The young, on the | 
other hand, for the first and perhaps the second year of their — 
existence, have that part of the neck which is bare in the — 
adult partially clothed with white feathers like the rest of the — 


body. 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus FALCINELLUS, Bechstein. 


The type of this form is the Common Ibis of the British 
Islands, a species which is widely spread over Africa, India, 
‘and Australia. 


Sp. 540. +“ FALCINELLUS IGNEUS. 
Guossy Isis. 


Tantalus falcinellus, Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 241. 

Ibis falcinellus, Flem. Brit. Anim., p. 102. 

Tantalus igneus, Gmel. Edit. Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 649. 
Falcinellus igneus, G. R. Gray, Gen. of Birds, 2nd edit., p. 87. 
Phlegadius falcinellus, Kaup. 


Falcinellus igneus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 47. 


The present species is one of the few birds inhabiting both 
hemispheres ; it has also been found in every part of the vast 
continent of Australia at present known to us. I observed 
examples in the collection formed by Bynoe on the north 
coast, and I have seen others obtained in New South Wales 
and South Australia. A careful comparison of all these spe- 
cimens with others killed in Europe has satisfied me that they 
-are identical. I never observed it in a state of nature myself, 
and from what I could learn from the colonists, its presence 
must be regarded as accidental ; it is not a stationary species, 
nor are its migratory movements characterized by any degree 
of regularity. 

Head dark chestnut; neck, breast, top of the back, upper 
edge of the wing and all the under surface rich reddish chest- 
nut ; lower part of the back, rump, quill- and tail-feathers of 
a dark green, with bronze and purple reflexions ; orbits olive- 
green ; irides brown; bill, legs and feet dull olive-brown. 

When this bird has attained the age of two or three years, 
little or no difference is perceptible in the outward appearance 
of the sexes. 


GRALLATORES. 287 


Genus PLATALEA, Linneus. 


Widely distributed indeed are the members of this strik- 
ingly peculiar form; besides inhabiting most of the countries 
of the Old World, Spoonbills also occur in North and South 
America. Only one species of the genus as now restricted is 
found in Australia. 


Sp. 541. PLATALEA REGIA, Gould. 


Roya SPoonsBI.Lu. 


Platalea regia, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part v. p. 106. 


Platalea regia, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 50. 


This fine species may be readily distinguished from the 
Platalea leucorodia of Europe by the nudity of its face, 
which even considerably beyond the eyes is entirely des- 
titute of feathers, and is of the same black colour as the 
bill; in other respects—size and colouring of the plumage— 
little difference exists between the two species. The fine 
crest which adorns the head is, doubtless, only assumed during — 
the pairing and breeding season, as | have seen adult speci- 
mens both with and without these feathers, and this is precisely 
the case with the European bird. 

The Royal Spoonbill is tolerably common on the eastern 
and northern coast of Australia, and I have been informed 
that, although a rare visitant there, it has been killed within 
the colony of New South Wales. All my specimens were | 
procured at Moreton Bay, and I have seen others from Port 
Essington. In its habits and disposition it as closely assimi- 
lates to its European prototype as it does in general appear- 
ance, for, like that bird, it takes up its abode on the margin of 
those marshy inlets of the sea that run for a considerable dis- 
tance into the interior, and on the banks of rivers and lakes, 
and feeds upon small-shelled mollusks, frogs, insects and the 


288 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


fry of fish, which are readily taken by its beautifully organized 
bill. 

But little difference exists in the outward appearance of 
the sexes, both having the ornamental crest, which at the will 
of the bird is spread out on all sides, and droops gracefully 
over the back of the neck. 

The whole of the plumage is white ; bill, face, legs, and feet 
black ; on the crown of the head and over each eye a trian- 
gular mark of orange; eye red. 

Total length 29 inches ; bill 84; wing 15; tail 53; tarsi 54. 


Genus PLATIBIS, Bonaparte. 


In my original account of the following species I mentioned 
that it differed in many points from the typical members of 
the genusPlatalea, and had many characters in common with 
the white Ibises of India and Africa, but did not venture to 
make it the type of a new genus; this, however, has since 
been done by Bonaparte, and his name is here adopted. 


Sp. 542. PLATIBIS FLAVIPES, Gould. 


YELLOW-LEGGED SPOONBILL. 


Platalea flavipes, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part v. p. 106. 
Platibis flavipes, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de Acad. Sei., tom. xliii. 
Séance du 2 Aotit, 1856. 


Platalea fiavipes, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 49, 


The rainy and luxuriant season which followed the drought 
experienced in New South Wales in 1839 attracted to that 
part of Australia, among many other rare birds, numerous 
flocks of the present species; in fact, so plentiful was it, that 
there was scarcely a brook or lagoon from the Hunter to the 
Lower Naomi that was not tenanted by numbers of this bird ; 
in most instances accompanied by Straw-necked and White 
Ibises (Carphibis spinicollis and Threskiornis strictipennis). 


GRALLATORES. 289 
* 


The food suitable to one species was equally so to the other, 
all devouring with equal avidity the thousands of aquatic in- 
sects, small-shelled mollusks, &c., which the rains had appa- 
rently called into being. 

I particularly mention its occurrence at this period, as I had 
not observed a single example during a previous visit to the 
same districts, when the whole face of the country presented 
as sad a spectacle of sterility as could well be imagined. 

Over what extent of Australia this interesting bird will be 
found to range it is impossible to conjecture; as yet I have 
never received a specimen from any other part than New South 
Wales. In disposition I found it shy and distrustful, and 
it was not without a considerable degree of caution and ma- 
noeuvring that I could ever approach sufficiently near to make 
successful shots. I occasionally met with it singly, but 
more frequently in pairs or in small companies of from six to 
eight. When not occupied in procuring food, which it does 
while skirting the edge of the lagoon, or by wading knee- 
deep among the grasses and rushes, it may be seen repo- 
sing on the dead branches of the highest trees growing near 
the water, frequently standing on one leg, with the head 
drawn back and the bill resting on the breast; when thus 
situated an approach sufficiently near to procure specimens is 
almost impossible. 

The sexes exhibit no external differences and are only to be 
distinguished by dissection; the female is, however, rather 
smaller than the male. _ 

The whole of the plumage is pure white, with the exception 
of the outer webs of the tertiaries, which are black ; face white, 
entirely devoid of feathers, and bounded posteriorly by a nar- 
row line of black: bill primrose-yellow, passing into fleshy 
pink at the base; irides straw-white; legs and feet yellow ; 
nails black. | 

Total length 28 inches; bill 74; wing 144; tail 54; 
tarsi 43. 

VOL, II. U 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Family GRUIDA. 


In America the Cranes are confined to the northern por- 
tion of that continent, but in the Old World they are much 
more widely dispersed, being found throughout Africa and 
Asia, and one extends to Australia; still they are not very 
numerous in species, about fifteen being all that are known. 


Genus GRUS, Linneus. 


The Australian member of this genus is, as far as | am 
aware, confined to that country; in India it is beautifully re- 
presented by the Grus antigone, and in Europe by the G. 
cimered. 


Sp. 548. GRUS AUSTRALASIANUS, Gould. 
AUSTRALIAN CRANE. 


Native Companion of the Colonists. 


Grus australasianus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 48. 


The Grus australasianus 1s abundantly distributed over the 
greater portion of Australia from New South Wales on the 
south to Port Essington on the north; but although it is thus 
widely diffused, it has not yet been observed in the colony of 
Swan River, and it does not inhabit Tasmania. It was fre- 
quently observed by Leichardt during his overland expedition 
from Moreton Bay; Captain Sturt states that it was very 
abundant on the Macquarrie; and I found it numerous in 
the neighbourhood of the Namoi and on the Brezi Plains 
‘in December 1839, as well as on the low flat islands at the 
mouth of the Hunter. In these localities 1t might then have 
been seen at almost every season of the year, sometimes 
singly or in pairs, and at others in flocks of from thirty to 
forty im number. | 

Like other members of the genus Grus, it is stately and 


GRALLATORES. 991 


elegant in all its movements, and its presence adds greatly 
to the interest of the scenery. It is not unfrequently cap- 
tured, and is very easily tamed: when at Paramatta I saw 
a remarkably fine example walking about the streets in 
the midst of the inhabitants perfectly at its ease; and Mr. 
James M‘Arthur informed me that a pair which he had kept 
in the immediate neighbourhood of his house at Camden, and 
which had become perfectly domesticated, so far attracted 
the notice of a pair of wild birds as to induce them to settle 
and feed near the house, and becoming still tamer, to approach 
the yard, feed from his hand, and even to follow the domes- 
ticated birds into the kitchen, until unfortunately a servant 
imprudently seizing at one of the wild birds and tearing a 
handful of feathers from its back, the wildness of its disposi- 
tion was roused, and darting forth followed by its companion 
it mounted in the air soaring higher and higher at every circle, 
at the same time uttering its hoarse call, which was responded 
to by the tame birds below; for several days did they return 
and perform the same evolutions without alighting, until the 
dormant impulses of the tame birds being aroused they also 
winged their way to some far distant part of the country, and 
never returned to the home where they. had been so long 
fostered. + 

When near the ground the action of the wings is very 
laboured; but when soaring in a series of circles at such a 
height in the air as to be almost imperceptible to human vision, 
it appears to be altogether as easy and graceful; it is while 
performing these gyrations that it frequently utters its hoarse 
croaking cry. 

It breeds on the ground, usually depositing its two eggs in 
a slight depression on the bare plains; but occasionally the 
low swampy lands in the vicinity of the coast are resorted to 
for that purpose. The eggs are three inches and a half long 
by two inches and a quarter in breadth, and are of a cream- 
colour blotched all over, particularly at the larger end, with 

U2 


292 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


chestnut and purplish brown, the latter colour appearing as if 
beneath the surface of the shell. 

Its food consists of insects, lizards, bulbous roots and va- 
rious other vegetable substances, in search of which it tears 
up the earth with great facility with its powerful bill. 

The sexes are alike in colouring, but may be distinguished 
by the smaller size of the female. 

The general plumage deep silvery grey; the feathers of the 
back dark brownish grey with silvery-grey edges; lesser 
wing-coverts dark brown; primaries black; crown of the 
head and bill olive-green, the bill becoming lighter towards 
the tip; irides fine orange-yellow ; raised fleshy papille sur- 
rounding the ears and the back of the head fine eoral-red, 
passing into an orange tint above and below the eye, and be- 
coming less briiliant on the sides of the face, which together 
with the gular pouch is covered with fine black hairs, so 
closely set on the latter as almost to conceal the red colouring 
of the skin: upper part of the pouch and the bare skin 
beneath the lower mandible olive-green; in old males the 
gular pouch is very pendulous, and forms a conspicuous appen- 
dage ; legs and feet purplish black. | 

Total length 48 inches; bill 62; wing 24; tail 93; 
tarsi 104. “, 


Family CICONIDZ. 


Species of this family inhabit Europe, Asia, Africa, and 
America. Generally speaking, they are large and powerful 
birds, and in most countries migratory. Like the Cranes, 
they are rather limited in the number of species, about twelve 
being all that are known. Most of these are migratory, and 
one of them at least—the Common Stork of Europe—period- 
ically performs very extensive journeys; and the inhabitants 
of Holland can calculate almost to a day when the bird will 
arrive there in spring. 


* 


GRALLATORES. 295 


Genus XENORHYNCHUS, Bonaparte. 


This. noble species is, I believe, identical with the bird of 
the same form inhabiting India; and if such be the case, it 
enjoys a wide range of habitat. 


Sp. 544. XENORHYNCHUS AUSTRALIS. 


AUSTRALIAN JABIRU. 


Mycteria australis, Lath. Ind. Orn., Supp. p. lxiv. 

New Holland Jabiru, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. p. 294, pl. 138. 

Ciconia leucoptera, Wag. Syst. Av., Ciconia, sp. 6. 

australis, Temm. Linn. Trans., vol. v. p. 34. 

Xenorhynchus australis, Bonap. Compt. Rend. del’ Acad. Sci., tom. xli. 
séance du 2 Aoit, 1856. 

Barri-enna, Aborigines of New South Wales. 


Mycteria australis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 51. 


I regret that 1 did not meet with this fine bird im a state 
of nature, but I learnt that it possesses a wide range over the 
continent of Australia; and that it is more abundant on the 


northern and eastern shores than elsewhere : when the country 


was first colonized it was found as near to Sydney as Botany 
Bay, and even now is sometimes seen on the small islands in 
the mouth of the river Hunter; as we proceed eastward to 
Moreton Bay it becomes more common, and in the neigh- 
bourhood of the Clarence and MacLeay it may be almost 
daily seen: both Gilbert and Macgillivray met with it at 
PortEssington ; the former also observed it in the lagoons 
of the interior, while in company with Dr. Leichardt ; and 
that it does inhabit the extreme western part of Australia is 
proved by Mr. Gregory having sent me the head and legs of 
a specimen which he killed on the Gascoyne River, and who 
informed me that “ only two examples of this singular bird 
were seen; both near Breaker Inlet. It lives in the muddy 
creeks, and is very difficult of approach. It flies exceedingly 


294, BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


slow, with its head, neck, and legs extended horizontally to 
their utmost length, which measure six feet one inch, its 
‘breadth across the wings being seven feet two inches; it 
weighs eleven pounds. The colour of its skin and flesh is 
of arich salmon tint; the flavour of the latter has a fishy 
flavour, too over-powerful to admit of its being eaten by any 
one but a hungry explorer.” This species probably ranges 
throughout Java and Sumatra to central India, where it is 
occasionally found. No bird is more shy in disposition or 
more difficult of approach, its feeding-ground and resting- 
place being always in the most exposed situation, such as 
spits of land running out into the sea, large morasses, &c., 
where it can survey all around. 

Its food is said to be very varied, consisting of every kind - 
of animal life inhabiting marshy situations, but more parti- 
cularly fish and reptiles. 

Head and neck rich deep glossy green, ‘changing into pur- 
ple and violet at the occiput; greater wing-coverts both 
above and beneath, scapularies, lower part:of the back, and 
tail rich glossy green, tinged with a golden lustre; the re- 
mainder of the plumage pure white ; bill black ; irides dark 

hazel; legs fine red. 


Family ARDEIDZ. 


The members of this family range over every part of the 
globe. ‘Those inhabiting Australia include examples of many 
genera, among them Ardea, Herodias, Nycticorax, Botaurus, - 
Ardetta, &c. They differ very considerably in size, and not 
less so in habits and economy, some being extremely shy and 
retiring, while others, such as the typical Ardea, affect open 
and exposed situations. Their chief food is reptiles, to which 
small quadrupeds, young water-birds, and insects are added. 


GRALLATORES. 295 


Genus ARDEA, Linneus. 


Members of this genus are found in America, Asia, Africa, 
and Australia. 


Sp. 545. ARDEA CINEREA, Lina. 
Common Heron. 


Ardea cinerea, Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 236. 
leucophea, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., 1848, p. 58. 


Ardoa leucophea, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 55. 


During my journey into the interior of South Australia in 
1839, I saw a fine adult example of this bird, but although I 
resorted to every possible stratagem in my power to get within 
shot of it, I regret to say I was unsuccessful; I have since, 


~ however, received a skin direct from New South Wales. 


Mr. Blyth considers that this Heron is not specifically dis- 
tinct from the Ardea cinerea of India and Europe; and if this 
be really the case, the species enjoys a very extensive range 
over the whole world, including Africa. 

Forehead and upper portion of the crest white ; sides of the 
head and lower portion of the crest deep glossy black ; neck 
white, washed with vinous, and with a series of lanceolate 
marks of black disposed alternately down the front ; all the 
upper surface, wings, and tail dark grey, the lanceolate 
feathers of the back fading into white; edge of the wings 


“buffy white; primaries and secondaries dark slate-colour ; 


flanks and under surface of the wing grey; chest and abdo- 
men white, separated from the grey of the flanks by a series 
of black feathers; under tail-coverts and thighs white; bill 
yellow ; tarsi olive. 


The young differs in having the whole of the crown of the | 
head black ; all the upper surface greyish brown; and the | 


under surface striated with brown and white. 


296 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Sp. 546. ARDEA SUMATRANA, Raffles. 
GREAT-BILLED Hrron. 


Ardea sumatrana, Raffl. Linn. Trans. vol. xiii. p- 325. 
typhon, Temm. Pl. Col., 475. 
fusca, Blyth, Ann. Nat. Hist., 1844, p. 176. 
insignis, Hodgs. 
rectirostris, Gould in Proe. of Zool. Soc., part xi. p. 22. 
Typhon rectirostris, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de VAcad. Sci., tom. xliii. 
séance du 2 Aotit 1856. 
Oo-loo-mung-a, Aborigines of Port Essington, Gilbert. 
Maitch, Aborigines of Port Essington, Macgillivray. 


Ardea rectirostris, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 54, 


The only part of Australia in which this bird has been seen 
is the Cobourg Peninsula on the north coast, where Gilbert 
found it breeding on the 5th of February. He states that it 
is solitary in its habits, and is only to be found in the most 
secluded creeks or in the open spaces among the mangroves. 
Mr. Megillivray also observed it at Port Essington, but could 
not obtain any information respecting it. A fine adult specimen 
was procured by Dr. Sibbald, R.N., and Mr. Macgillivray was 
so fortunate as to kill a young bird in a large mangrove 
swamp at the head of a bay called Wan-man-méma: it was 
exceedingly shy and watchful of his motions, and he had 
great difficulty in getting even a long shot at it. 

The nest observed by Gilbert was built in an upright fork 
of a large and lofty Melaleuca at about eighty feet from the 
ground, and was formed of an outer layer of very strong 
sticks, with a few small twigs as a lining, and contained two 
eggs of a light ash-grey. 

The bird when discovered appeared very reluctant to leave 
the nest, and instead of the harsh croak usually uttered by it, 
emitted on this occasion a note drawn out to a considerable 
length, and at times resembling distant thunder, which was 


GRALLATORES. 297 


suddenly changed to a sound og like the groan of a person 
in extreme agony. 

Head, neck, and all the upper surface vinous brown, a few 
of the back feathers with a faint line of white down the centre, 
and the primaries and tail washed with grey; chin white ; 
front of the neck and all the under surface greyish brown, 
the lengthened plumes on the lower part of the neck and 
chest with a stripe of white down the centre; irides yellow ; 
bill blackish brown; basal half of the lower mandible yel- 
lowish white, apical half yellow; legs and feet dark greenish 
grey ; hinder part of the tarsi and inside of the feet yellowish 
grey. 

Total length 37 inches; bill7; wing 163; tail7; tarsi 63. 


Sp. 547. ARDEA PACIFICA, Lath. 
Pacrric Hrron. 


Ardea pacifica, Lath. Ind. Orn., Supp. p. lxv. 
Pacific Heron, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. 11. p. 305. 
Ardea ballaragang, Wag). Syst. Av., gen. Ardea, sp. 5. 
Fit-lee-mil-apii, Aborigines of the lowland, and 
Koon-jere, Aborigines of the mountain districts of Western Australia. 
White-necked Heron of the Colonists. 


Ardea pacifica, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 52. 


The Ardea pacifica appears to be a summer visitor to the 
whole of the southern coast of Australia. In New South 
Wales its occurrence depends in a great degree upon the 
nature of the season; if much rain has fallen, the la- 
goons and rivers become filled, and abound with frogs, 
newts, and aquatic insects: its presence may be looked for in 
all such situations, where it wades about in search of the 
animals enumerated, upon all of which it feeds with avidity, 
and partakes less of fish than other Herons. No one of the 
Ardeide is more ornamental to the landscape than the present 
bird, its white neck offering a decided and pleasing contrast 


298 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


to the green colouring of the herbage with which it is 
surrounded: its walk, too, is characterized by a greater 
degree of stateliness and grace than that of most of the other 
members of the group. 

In general it merely flies from district to district in search 
of a more abundant supply of food; but, when necessity 
requires, it is capable of performing extensive journeys. 

That it breeds in the southern portion of Australia there 
can be but little doubt; the brevity of my stay in the country 
did not, however, admit of my finding its nest or of obtaining 
its eggs, which latter, when discovered, will probably prove to 
be of a light blue in colour, and somewhat smaller in size than 
those of Ardea cinerea. 

Considerable variation exists in the colouring of this species, 
some specimens having the neck wholly white, while others 
have the centre of that part spotted with black. 

The sexes when fully adult are so nearly alike, that it is 
only by the smaller size of the female that they can be 
distinguished from each other. 

Head, neck, and elongated feathers of the breast white, 
tinged with purplish grey; on the fore part of the neck a 
series of irregularly-placed black spots; upper surface, wings, 
and tail bluish black, glossed with green on the back and 
wing-coverts ; under surface chocolate-brown, each feather of 
the abdomen with a broad stripe of white down the centre : 
feathers of the breast and the elongated scapularies deep 
purplish red, the tips and outer webs of some of the latter 
dull green; shoulder and edge of the wing pure white; 
upper mandible black, lower part of the under mandible 
yellowish olive in some specimens and yellowish horn-colour 
in others ; irides in some specimens rich primrose-yellow, and 
in others very dark brown; upper part of the tarsi yellowish 
olive; feet black; orbits greenish yellow, becoming more 
yellow immediately before and round the eye. 


GRALLATORES. 299 


Sp. 548. ARDEA NOV-HOLLANDIA, Lath. 
WHITE-FRONTED Heron. 


Ardea nove-hollandia, Lath. Ind. Orn., vol. ii. p. 701. 

White-fronted Heron, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. 11. p. 804. 

Ardea leucops, Wagl. Syst. Av., Ardea, sp. 17. 

Herodias nove-hollandia, List of Birds in Brit. Mus. Coll., part iii. p. 80. 
Wy-an, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Australia. 
Blue Crane of the Colonists. 


Ardea novex-hollandie, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. 
pl. 53. - : 

The White-fronted Heron is abundantly dispersed over 
every part of Tasmania, the colonies of New South Wales, 
South Australia, and Swan River; but I have never seen it 
from the north coast, and consequently infer that it is not 
found there. Low sandy beaches washed by the open ocean, 
arms of the sea, and the sides of rivers and lagoons, both in 
the interior of the country as well as near the coast, are 
equally tenanted by it ; consequently it is one of the commonest 
species of the genus in all the countries above mentioned, and 
may frequently be seen wading knee-deep in the water of the 
salt-marshes in search of food, which consists of crabs, fish, 
and marine insects. Its flight is heavy and flapping like that 
of the other Herons, but it runs more quickly over the ground, 
and is continually moving about when searching for food, and 
never stands motionless in the water as the true Herons do; 
these active habits are, in fact, necessary to enable it to 
capture insects and crabs, upon which it mainly subsists. 

Some nests I observed in the month of October 1838, on 
the banks of the Derwent, were placed on the tops of the 
smaller gum-trees, and most of them contained newly hatched 
birds; Mr. Kermode informed me that it annually breeds 
in the neighbourhood of his estate, near the centre of 
Tasmania. ‘The nest is of a moderate size, and is composed 
of sticks and leaves. The eggs are four in number, of a pale 


300 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


bluish green, one inch and seven-eighths long by one inch and 
a quarter broad. ; 

The stomach is very capacious, and the weight of the adult 
bird about one pound five ounces. 

Little or no difference is observable in the sexes; but the 
female is somewhat smaller than the male. 

Face and throat white; crown of the head and back of the 
neck dark slate-colour; sides of the neck, all the upper 
surface, and wings dark grey, tinged with brown on the 
wings; primaries and tail-feathers dark slate-colour; elon- 
gated feathers of the back grey, tinged with brown ; elongated 
feathers of the breast cinnamon-brown; under surface grey, 
washed with rufous, which tint becomes gradually paler as it 
proceeds along the abdomen to the under tail-coverts; down 
the lower part of the neck a stripe of buff, gradually blending 
above with the white of the throat, and below with the 
cinnamon tint of the breast; irides in some lead-colour, in 
others yellow, and in others pale buff; orbits and base of the 
bill, in some pale grey, mn others deep lead-colour; base of 
the lower mandible flesh-colour. 

The white colouring of the face and throat is much more 
extensive in some individuals than in others ; and the base of 
‘the bill, the orbits, and irides are deep lead-colour in some 
specimens, while in others those parts are pale grey, and the 
irides pale buff. 

A further subdivision of the Herons will doubtless be here- 
after instituted, when this and the foregoing species will be 
placed under one generic title. They differ from the true 
Ardee in their more slender form, and in the somewhat down- 
ward curvature of the mandibles ; they also vary from them in 
their colouring. 


GRALLATORES. 301 


Genus HERODIAS, Boie. 


Nearly every part of the globe is tenanted by species of 
this genus. Most of those inhabiting Australia are identical 
with species found in India. 


Sp. 549. HERODIAS ALBA. 


AUSTRALIAN EGRET. 


Ardea alba, Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 239. 


candida, Briss. Orn., tom. v. p. 428. 
modesta, Gray, Zool. Misc., p. 19. 
Egretta alba, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de Acad. Sci., tom. = séance du 


2 Avril 1855. 


Herodias syrmatophorus, Gould, Birds of Suara fol., vol. vi. 
pl. 56. 


This noble species of Egret, the largest of the group 
inhabiting Australia, is sparingly dispersed over all parts 
of that continent, and is usually met with along the rivers 
and lagoons of the interior as well as in the neighbourhood 
of the coast. I have occasionally seen it near the mouth 
of the Hunter, but more frequently on the banks of the 
Clarence and other rivers little frequented by civilized man. 
I also observed it in Tasmania, in the vicinity of George’s 
River, and the other unfrequented streams to the north- 
ward of the island. Mr. Gregory remarks that this species 
is “only found on the banks of rivers and inlets, and in 
no instance did we see more than one at a time. It flies 
very slowly, and in form much resembles the Common Crane. 
The specimen sent is from the mouth of the De Grey.” 
The example from which my description was taken was 
killed, on the 2nd of January 1840, on the banks of the 
Mokai. It is of an extremely shy ‘and distrustful disposi- 
tion, and can only be approached within range by the ex- 
ercise of the utmost care and caution. Its powers of wing 


302 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


are considerable, and, like other Herons, it occasionally 
performs long-continued flights at a great height in the air ; 
its food is also of a similar character, consisting of fish, 
frogs, aquatic insects, &c. When on the ground its snowy 
plumage presents a strong and pleasing contrast to the green 
sedge and other herbage clothing the banks of the rivers. 

That it undergoes seasonal changes of plumage is evident, 
since I possess specimens, some of which are adorned with 
long ornamental plumes on the back, while in others they 
are entirely wanting, from which I infer that, as they all 
appear to be old birds, they have been killed at different 
periods of the year, and that these ornamental plumes are 
only carried during the months of spring and the breeding- 
season. _ 

The sexes are precisely alike in external appearance, and both 
possess the lengthened plumes during the vernal season. 

The whole of the plumage pure white; irides rich straw- 
yellow; naked space before and behind the eye fine greenish 
yellow ; bill beautiful orange; legs above the knee pale dull 
yellow, which colour is continued down the centre of the 
inner part of the tarsi; remainder of the tarsi and feet black. 

Mr. Blyth says that the “ Herodias syrmatophorus, Gould, 
from Australia and New Zealand, does not differ (that I can 
perceive) from H. modesta, Gray (Hardwicke, ‘Ill. Ind. Zool.’), 
of Asia and Africa, which is very common in India; and I 
have seen no specimens referred to Z. alba, Linn., which 
were in any respect different.” —Jdis, 1865, p. 36. 

If this view be correct, and it really would appear to be so, 
the Great White Heron is universally dispersed over the Old 
World; and few, if any, of the Egrets are more. ornamental 
or delicate in appearance, than this species. 


GRALLATORES. 303 


Sp. 550. HERODIAS EGRETTOIDES. 
Piumep Eerer. 


Ardea intermedia, Wag). Isis, 1829, p. 659. 

flavirostris, Bonnat. et Vieill. Ency. Méth. Orn., part iii. p. 1124. 

nigrirostris, Gray, Zool. Misc., p. 19. 

figretta egrettoides, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de l’Acad. Sci., tom. xl. 
séance du 2 Avril 1855. 

Herodias plumiferus, Gould in Proce. of Zool. Soc., part xv. p. 221. 


Herodias plumiferus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 57. 


No one of the members of the beautiful genus Herodzas is 
more interesting than the present species, masmuch as it is 
not only adorned with the redundance of graceful plumes 
springing from the back, common to the other species, but it 
has a mass of feathers of precisely the same structure depending 
from the lower part of the neck and the chest. In size it is 
directly intermediate between H. alba and H. melanopus. 1 
possess a specimen from the Namoi, in the southern part of 
Australia, and another from the north coast; and I have also 
a third from Torres Straits, which proves that its range is very 
extensive; the latter example is destitute of the lengthened 
plumes, which are probably only assumed during the breeding- 
season. | 

The entire plumage is pure white; bill and orbits yellow; 
feet and lower part of the tarsi black ; upper part of the tarsi 
inclining to flesh-colour. | 

Total length 24 inches; bill4; wing 11; tail4¢; tarsi 44. 

In the folio edition this bird is figured under the name of 
H. plumiferus ; but ornithologists generally consider that the 
specific term egrettoides of Bonaparte is the one which properly 
pertains to it, and hence the adoption of that name. 

From my remarks on the wide distribution of some of the 
preceding species, we are led to infer that these Water-Herons 
are great wanderers. ‘They are generally solitary birds, except 
in the breeding-season, when they congregate in great numbers. 


304 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Sp. 551. HERODIAS MELANOPUS. 
Spotuess Eeret, 


Ardea melanopus, Wag]. Isis., 1829, p. 660. 
Garzetta immaculata, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de I’Acad. Sci., tom. xl. 
séance du 2 Avril 1855. 


rT 
Yab- be-ruk, Aborigines of Port Essington. 
Whate Crane of the Colonists. 


Herodias immaculata, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 58. 


This Spotless Egret is a native of the northern portion of 
Australia, and is extremely abundant in almost all parts of 
the Coburg Peninsula, both on the open sea-beach and in 
the secluded parts of the harbour; it also occurs in all the 
neighbouring swamps and lakes. “On one occasion,’ says 
Gilbert, “ while lying at anchor in Van Diemen’s Gulf, about 
half a mile from an isolated rock, covered with a stunted 
plant growing from the crevices, I saw these birds repairing 
thither for the purpose of roosting in such numbers, that in a 
very short time the dark-coloured rock assumed an appear- 
ance of snowy whiteness, resembling in the distance, and 
particularly by moonlight, a pile of snow; at the same time 
I observed them in different parts of the harbour congregated 
in flocks, and when seen perched upon the branches over- 
hanging the water, they greatly resembled a flock of Cocka- 
toos; but although they are met with in such numbers, it is 
by no means easy to procure specimens, for a more shy and 
wary bird is scarcely to be found.” . 

The sexes are alike externally, and both are adorned with 
the long flowing plumes during summer. 

The entire plumage of a pure and snowy whiteness ; irides 
yellow ; upper mandible, half the lower mandible, and apical 
dark purplish black ; base of the latter dull yellowish grey; cere 
and orbits saffron-yellow ; legs blackish grey ; inner side and 
back of the tarsi, and the under surface of the feet siskin-green. 


GRALLATORES. 305 


Sp. 552. HERODIAS GARZETTA. 
Lirrtiz Eeret. 


Ardea garzetia, Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p- 937. 
ortentalts, Gray, Zool. Misc., p. 20. 


Mr. Coxen, of Queensland, has sent me a photograph of a 
little white Egret which had been killed in the neighbourhood 
of Brisbane. The lithograph shows two lengthened, narrow, 
white, pendant plumes, springing from the occiput, like 
those seen in the Herodias garzetla of India and Europe, 
and I have not the slightest doubt that the Australian bird is 
identical with that species; thus another member of the Ar- 
deude is added to the avifauna of Australia. 


Sp. 553. HERODIAS ASHA. 
Somspre Eeret. 


Ardea asha, Sykes, Proc. of Comm. of Sci. and Corr. of Zool. Soc., 
part x1. p. 157. 

Herodias pannosus, Gould in Proce. of Zool. Soc., part xv. p. 221. 

asha, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de l’Acad. Sci., tom. xl. séance du 

2 Avril, 1855. ) 

Demiegretta asha, Jerd. Birds of India, vol. ii. part ii. p. 747, 


Herodias pannosus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 59. 


The only example of this species that has come under my 
observation is the fine adult specimen I received from the 
neighbourhood of Port Stephens in 1843. Unfortunately I 
am not able to give any information respecting it, as no note 
of any kind accompanied the specimen. Its dark colouring 
and very slender and elegant form distinguish it from every 
other species of the group to which it belongs. 

The entire plumage is bluish or slaty black, with the excep- 
tion of the chin, which is pure white. 

Total length 24 inches ; bill 44; wing 104; tail 4; tarsi 42. 
VOL. II. | x 


306 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Sp. 554. HERODIAS PICATA, Gould. 


Piep Eerer. 


Ardea (Herodias) picata, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xiii. p. 62. 
Go-le-buk-o, Aborigines of Port Essington. 


Herodias picata, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 62. 


Examples of this species, not the least beautiful member of 
the tribe to which it belongs, have been sent to me by Gilbert 
and by Commander Ince; they were all procured in the 
neighbourhood of Port Essington, where Gilbert states that it 
inhabits the inland swamps, and is usually encountered in small 
families often in company with other species, but is not so 
abundant in the vicinity of the harbour as on the islands at 
the head of Van Diemen’s Gulf, where it appeared to be very 
numerous. 

The stomachs of those dissected were found to be capacious » 
and membranous, and the food to consist of fish, aquatic 
insects and their larvee. 

I regret to say that nothing more is at present known re- 
specting it. 

Upper part of the head, occiput, occipital plumes, the whole 
of the plumage of the body, wings, and tail bluish slaty black ; 
chin, neck, chest, and some of the lanceolate feathers depend- 
ent therefrom, white ; some few of the lanceolate feathers on 
the neck and breast have one web white and the other web 
bluish slaty black ; the remainder of these lanceolate feathers 
are the same colour as the body ; irides yellow; bill, legs, and 
feet greenish yellow. 

The young birds differ in having the whole of the under 
surface white. 

Total length 17 inches ; bill 84; wing 10; tail 33; tarsi 34. 


GRALLATORES. - 307 


Genus DEMIEGRETTA, Blyth. 


Mr. Blyth ‘has proposed this term for the Reef Herons, and 
according to Mr. G. R. Gray’s list of genera D. jugularis is 
the type. They are widely distributed over the shores of the 


southern parts of the Old World, and according to Dr. Baird 


three species of the same form are found in North America. 


Sp. 555.  DEMIEGRETTA JUGULARIS. 
Buve Reer Heron. 


Ardea jugularis, Forst. Icon. Ined., t. exiv. 

cerulea, var. Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. ix. p. 117. 

matook, Vieill. 2de Edit. du Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., tom. xiv. 
p. 416. 

Herodias jugularis, List of Birds in Brit. Mus. Coll., part iii. p. 80. 


Blue Crane, Colonists of Port Essington. 


Herodias jugularis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 60. 


The Blue Reef Heron is universally distributed over the 
whole of the coasts of the great continent of Australia, and is 
also found in New Zealand: the sea-coast is evidently the 
place destined by nature for this bird to inhabit ; it especially 
loves to dwell on shores of a rocky nature; and when dis- 
turbed merely takes short flights to seaward, and returns again 
to some prominent point, whence it can survey all around and 
feel itself in security. Its food appears to consist of crabs and 
shelled mollusks; the stomachs of those dissected were very 
muscular, and contained the remains of both those kinds of 
animals ; hence the necessity for the powerful bill and pecu- 
liar structure of feet with which this bird’is provided. 

“This species,” says Mr. Macgillivray, “inhabits the islands 
of the north-east coast of Australia and Torres’ Straits, and is 
abundantly distributed from the Capricorn group in lat. 
23° 30'S., as far north as Darnley Island in lat. 9°35'S. It 
procures its food at low water on the coral reef surrounding 

x2 


308 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


the low wooded islands it loves to frequent ; although. gene- 
rally a wary bird even when little disturbed by man, yet on 
one occasion on Heron Island I knocked down several with a 
stick. The nest is usually placed on a tree, but on those 
islands where there are none, such as Raine’s Islet and else- 
where, it breeds among the recesses of the rocks; where the 
trees are tall, as on Oomaga or Keat’s Island, the nests are 
placed near the summit ; on Dugong Island they were placed 
on the root of a tree, on a low stump, or halfway up a low 
bushy tree ; they are shallow in form, eighteen inches in diame- 
ter, and constructed of small sticks and lined with twigs ; the 
eggs are two in number, and of a pale bluish white, one inch 
and seven-eighths long by one inch and a quarter broad.” 
Strange says, ‘I procured specimens about ten miles north of 
Sydney Heads ;. it appears to be strictly confined to the rocky 
cliffs and ledges of rocks, where it takes great delight in 
allowing the spray to beat over it. It is very shy and 
wary, and never stops long in one place.” In his notes 
from Port Essington, Gilbert states that “it is abundant 
on all the small islands and rocks immediately adjacent 
to the mainland. It is gregarious in its habits the whole 
year round, for | remarked that it was congregated in as 
large numbers before as after the breeding-season, which is 
the month of August. The nest is built of sticks on the 
ground, and is perfectly round and from twelve to eighteen 
inches in height, with a considerable depression for the recep- 
tion of the eggs; they are always placed in thickets or under- 
wood, and as near the outer edge of the rock as possible. 
On one small rock I found at least fifty of these nests, some 
of which were so close as nearly to touch each other. The 
eggs were sometimes two, and at others three in number.” 
The sexes are so similar that dissection must be resorted to 
to distinguish the one from the other. : 
It will be observed that these statements are contradictory 
in some particulars, which may perhaps be accounted for by 


GRALLATORES. 209 


the habits of the bird being modified by circumstances, or the 
peculiar nature of the situations in which they happened to be 
observed. 

Down the centre of the chin a line of buff in some, white 
in others; the whole of the remainder of the plumage dark 
slaty black, with a wash of grey on the lengthened scapularics, 
and the lanceolate feathers pendent from the chest; bill pale 
dirty yellowish green; lores dull oil-green ; tarsi and tibia 
pale or apple-green ; soles of the feet dirty yellow. 

Some ornithologists believe that this and the succeeding 
species are identical and the latter merely a white variety, but 
{ must refer my readers to what Mr. Macgillivray says on this 
head in my account of HZ. greyi, and I think they will then 
agree with me in keeping them distinct. I certainly have 
never seen a white variety on the southern coasts of Australia. 


Sp. 556. DEMIEGRETTA GREYT. 


Waits Reer-Heron. 
Herodias Greyi, Gray, List of Birds in Brit. Mus. Coll., part iii. p. 80. 


Herodias greyi, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol,, vol. vi. pl. 61. 


This species of Heron is abundantly dispersed over the 
northern and eastern coasts of Australia wherever low islands 
and reefs of coral running parallel to those coasts occur. It 
presents so many points of similarity in size and in form to 
the D. jugularis, that I have long been of opinion that it is 
merely an albino variety of that species, an opinion which I 
find has been entertained by others. Mr. Macgillivray, how- 
ever, states that they are distinct, and to him I am indebted 
for the following observations :— 

“From the circumstance of my having always found this 
and the dark-coloured species” (D. jugularis) “in company, 
I considered them as the same bird in different states of plu- 
mage, their size and proportions being so similar, and was 


310 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


surprised that individuals exhibiting a change from blue to 
white or vice versdé never ‘occurred. At length, while on 
Dugong Island, I was convinced they were specifically dis- 
tinct by seeing that the half-grown young from the nest had 
assumed the distinctive colour of the parents. This was first 
pointed out to me by Dr. Muirhead, R.N., whose attention I 
had previously drawn to the subject. he habits of both 
species are similar; and they procure their food in the same 
manner at low water on the coral reefs surrounding the low 
islands they frequent. The nest and eggs are precisely simi- 
lar, but the young of this bird is white from the nest.” 

The entire plumage snow-white ; bill yellowish straw-colour, 
with a dusky tinge on the culmen and towards the point ; 
irides primrose-yellow ; eyelids bright yellow ; lores and orbits 
dull greenish ; legs and feet yellowish green ; soles orange ; 
claws pale horn-colour, hind one dark ; anterior plates of the 


toes bluish black. 


Genus NYCTICORAX, Stephens. 


Europe, Africa, and America are all inhabited by Night 
Herons ; consequently they constitute one of the most widely 
distributed sections of the family. They are nocturnal in their 
habits, and approximate to the members of the genus Botau- 
rus, particularly in the laxity of their neck-plumes. The sexes 
do not differ from each other in their colouring, but the 
young are rendered remarkable during the first year of their 
existence by their plumage being conspicuously blotched and 
spotted all over. 

The single Australian species cannot by any possibility be 
confounded with either of those inhabiting any other part of 
the world, the cinnamon colour of its back rendering it con- 
spicuously different from all of them. 


a ts oe NR Rema teee 


GRALLATORES. ~ 311 


Sp. 557. NYCTICORAX CALEDONICUS. 
| Nanxemn Nicut Heron. 


Ardea caledonica, Lath. Ind. Orn., vol. ii. p. 679. 

Caledonian Night Heron, Lath. Gen. Syn., vol. v. p. 55. _ 

Nycticorax caledonicus, Less. Traité d’Orn., p. 571. 

Ardea sparmannit, Wag). Syst. Av., sp. 82. 

New Holland Night Heron, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. ix. p. 62, young. 

Gnal-gaii-ning, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Au- 
stralia. ' 

Al-ér-woon, Aborigines of Port Essington. 

Quaker and Nankeen-bird of the Colonists. 


Nycticorax caledonicus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. 
pl. 63. 


This richly coloured species is universally dispersed over 
the continent of Australia, but is far less abundant on the 
western coast than elsewhere. Mr. Macgillivray procured it 
at Cape York, where it is called Youko by the natives. In 
the southern latitudes it is only a summer visitant, arriving in 
New South Wales and South Australia in August and Sep- 
tember, and retiring again in February. As its name implies, 
it is nocturnal in its habits, and from its frequenting swamps, 
the sedgy banks of rivers, and other secluded situations, it is 
seldom seen. On the approach of morning it retires to the 
forests and perches among the branches of large trees, where, 
shrouded from the heat of the sun, it sleeps the whole day, 
and when once discovered is easily shot, for if forced to quit 
its perch it merely flies a short distance and again alights. 
Its flight is slow and flapping, and during its passage through 
the air the head is drawn back between the shoulders and the 
legs are stretched out backwards after the manner of the true 
Herons. When perched on the trees or resting on the ground, 
it exhibits none of the grace and elegance of those birds, its 
short neck resting on the shoulders. When impelled to search 
for a supply of food it naturally becomes more animated, 


312 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


and its actions lively and prying; the varied nature. of its 
food in fact demands some degree of activity, fishes, water- 
lizards, crabs, frogs, leeches, and insects being all partaken of 
with equal avidity. 

It breeds in the months of November and December, and 
generally in companies like the true Herons, the favourite. 
localities being the neighbourhood of swampy districts, where 
an abundant supply of food is to be procured; the branches 
of large trees, points of shelving rocks, and caverns are equally 
chosen as a site for the nest, which is rather large and flat, 
and generally composed of crooked sticks loosely interwoven. 
The eggs, which are usually three in number, are of a pale 
green colour, and average two inches and five-eighths in length 
by one inch and a half in breadth. 

So little difference exists in the colouring of the sexes, that 
it is extremely difficult to distinguish the male from the fe- 
male, and never with certainty unless dissection be resorted 
to ; both have the three beautiful elongated occipital plumes, 
the use of which except for ornament is not easily imagined. 
‘The young, on the contrary, differ so greatly from the adult, 
that they might readily be regarded as a distinct species. 

The adult has the crown of the head and the nape black ; 
occipital plumes white ; back of the neck, all the upper sur- 
face, wings and tail rich cinnamon-brown ; Stripe over the 
eye, sides of the face, neck, and all the under surface pure 
white, the white and cinnamon gradually blending on the 
sides of the neck; bare space surrounding the eye greenish 
yellow ; irides orange ; bill in some specimens black, slightly 
tipped with yellow, in others black with a streak of greenish 
yellow along the lower mandible, and a wash of the same hue 
along the lower edge of the upper one; legs and feet jonquil- 
yellow ; claws black. 

‘The young bird of the first year has the whole of the upper 
surface striated with buff and blackish brown, narrow and 
lanceolate on the head and neck, broad and conspicuous on 


GRALLATORES. , 313 


the back and wings; primaries and tail-feathers dark chest- 
nut-red, deepening into black near the extremity and tipped 
with buffy white; all the under surface buffy white, with a 
stripe of brown down the centre of each feather ; irides yellow. 


Genus BOTAURUS, Stephens. 


Members of this genus are found in most parts of both 
the Old and New Worlds, and they inhabit many of the 
islands as well as the mainlands. ‘The Bitterns are birds of 
the night, for it is then that they skulk about the marshes 
and sides of rivers for their peculiar food, such as frogs, snails, 
water-voles, and insects. In the daytime they sleep among 
the reeds, whence they are not easily roused. 


Sp. 558. ~  BOTAURUS POICILOPTILUS. 
AUSTRALIAN Brirrern. 


Ardea poiciloptila, Wagl. Syst. Av., Note to Ardea, sp. 28. 

Botaurus australis, Cav. Gal. de Paris.—Less. Traité d’Orn. p. 572. 
melanotus, G. R. Gray, App. to Dieffenb. Trav. in New Zeal., 
vol. ii. p. 196. — 

peciloptila, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de Acad. Sci., tom. xliii. 
séance du 2 Aoit, 1856. 

Buf!-den-etch, Aborigines of the lowlands of Western Australia. 


Botaurus australis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 64. - 


The Australian Bittern, although nowhere very abundant, is 
so generally diffused over the surface of the country wherever 
marshes and the sedgy banks of rivers occur, that there are 
few localities of this description in which its presence may 
not be detected: owing to the frequent occurrence of such 
districts in Tasmania, it is perhaps more numerous in that 
island than elsewhere. A fine specimen, which had been 
captured on the Torrens, was sent to me during my stay in 
Adelaide by Mr. Dark, the Surveyor; I killed another myself 


314 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


on the Ist of July 1839, above Gleeson’s Station, while journey: 
ing towards the Murray, and I subsequently procured others 
at Illawarra: Captain Sturt mentions that he found it abun- 
dant in the marshes of the interior, in the neighbourhood of 
the river Macquarrie, and Gilbert procured it in Western Au- 
stralia; and according to Mr. G. R. Gray his Botaurus me- 
lanotus of New Zealand is referable to this species. 

_ In its actions, habits, manners and mode of flight it 
closely resembles the Botaurus stellaris of Furope ; like that 
bird also it feeds on fish, frogs, newts, aquatic animals of all 
kinds, and insects, and has a capacious and membranous 
stomach. 

The sexes are alike in plumage, but the female is smaller 
than the male. 

Head and back of the neck purplish brown: back and sca- 
pularies dark purplish brown; wings buff, conspicuously and 
largely freckled with brown; ear-coverts tawny; throat and 
all the under surface deep tawny buff, with irregular markings 
of deep brown down the centre, giving the whole a mottled 
appearance ; the brown colour however prevails on the lower 
part of the throat; bill yellowish olive in some, greenish 
horn-colour in others; space round the eyes and the legs 
‘beautiful pale green; irides in some yellow, lilac-red in 
others. 


Genus BUTOROIDES, Blyth. 


The members of this genus of Mangrove Bitterns usually 
frequent the extensive belts of mangroves and low dells covered 
with reed-beds and dense herbage. 

Africa and America are each inhabited by birds of this form, 
one species of which is also found in India and the adjacent 
islands, and three in Australia. No marked differences are 
observable between the sexes in birds of the same age. 


GRALLATORES. 315 


Sp. 559. | BUTOROIDES FLAVICOLLIS. 
YELLOW-NECKED Man GROVE-BITTERN. 


Ardea flavicollis, Lath. Ind. Orn., vol. ii. p. 701. 

nigra, Vieill. 2nd Edit. du Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., tom. xiv. 
p. 417. 

Yellow-necked Heron, Lath. Gen. Syn., Supp. p. 239. 
Ardetia flavicollis, G. R. Gray, List of Birds in Brit. Mus. Coll., 
part m. p. 84. 

gouldi, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de VAcad. Sci., tom. xliii., séance 
du 2 Aodt, 1856. 

Wer-gorl, Aborigines of Port Essington. 
Lutile Brown Bittern of the Colonists. 


Ardetta flavicollis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 65. 


I have received examples of this beautiful species from 
New South Wales, Swan River and Port Essington; others 
were also obtained by Sir George Grey on the north-west 
coast. 

The Yellow-necked Bittern is exclusively an inhabitant of 
the mangroves, from which it is not easily driven, for it readily 
eludes pursuit by the facility with which it runs over the mud 
beneath their roots for a long time and distance, and it must 
be very closely followed up before it can be forced to take 
wing. 

Eggs were taken on the 6th of January, in a nest formed 
of small sticks resting on a slender horizontal branch of a 
mangrove; they were two in number, and of a very much 
paler bluish green and more rounded form than those of any 
other species of the group, being one inch and a half long by 
one inch and an eighth broad. 

The male has the crown of the head, back of the neck and 
all the upper surface bronzy black; primaries and tail bluish 
slate-colour ; chin whitish; throat deep buff, the feathers 
down the centre of the chin and throat having their inner webs 
pale buff and their tips blackish brown, giving the whole a 


316 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


richly variegated appearance ; elongated feathers of the breast 
pale brown, narrowly margined with buff; under surface 
greyish brown, stained with buff; irides yellow; bill dark 
horn-colour ; feet olive-brown. 

The female differs in having the colours of the throat less 
brilliant and contrasted, and the upper surface of a lighter 
brown than that of the male. 

The late Prince Charles Lucian Bonaparte was of opinion 
that this bird was distinct from the Indian species to which 
the specific name of favicollis was originally applied, and 
under this impression named after myself; if it should prove 
to be different, then the bird must bear the name the Prince 
assigned to it. 


Sp. 560. BUTOROIDES MACRORHYNCHA, Gould. 


THICK-BILLED MAancRovE-BITrEerRn. 


Ardetta macrorhyncha, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., 1848, p- 39. 
Butorides macrorhyncha, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de VAcad. Sci., 
tom. xli. séance du 2 Aoit, 1856. 


Ardetta macrorhyncha, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. 
pl. 66. 


The more robust bill, larger head and greater size of this 
species will at all times distinguish it from Butoroides javanica. 
The only part of Australia from which it has yet been received 
is the east coast. I myself observed two individuals sitting - 
close to their flat nest on the branch of a mangrove growing 
on Garden Island near the mouth of the Hunter. It inhabits 
the mangrove swamps, and assumes all the habits and actions 
of the 4. javanica, and like that species feeds upon the crabs 
and other crustaceans which there abound. 

Crown of the head and occipital crest black, with green 
reflexions ; neck, all the upper surface, and wing-coverts 
greenish olive ; wing-coverts narrowly margined with deep 
rufous ; primaries and tail slate-grey ; spurious wing, second- 


GRALLATORES. : 817 


aries, and all but the three or four external primaries with an 
irregular triangular-shaped spot at the tip; down the centre 
of the throat a series of oblong marks of dark brown and white, 
forming a conspicuous mottled stripe continued on to the 
breast, where it is lost in the mingled grey and bnffy brown 
of the abdomen ; upper mandible dark reddish brown ; basal 
portion of the lower one oil-green ; tibicee and hinder part of 
the tarsi bright yellow; remainder of the legs and feet yel- 
lowish brown. 

Total length 17 inches ; bill 832; wing 72; tail 3; tarsi 23. 


Sp. 561. BUTOROIDES JAVANICA. 
Lirrts Manerove-Brrrern. 


Ardea javanica, Horsf. Linn. Trans., vol. xii. p. 190. 

Butorides javanica, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de P Acad. Sci., tom. xl. 
séance du 2 Aotit 1856. 

Ardetta stagnatilis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xv. p. 221. 

Wot-gorl, Aborigines of Port Essington. | 

Little Grey Bittern of the Colonists. 


Ardetta stagnatilis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 67. 


This bird is tolerably abundant at Port Essington and other 
parts of the north coast of Australia, where its favourite 
haunts are small islets covered with mangroves and low 
swampy points of land running out into the sea; its chief 
place of resort, however, is the dense beds of mangroves, 
beneath the shade of which it runs about in search of food, of 
which there is a great variety, such as fish, crustaceans, and 
numerous marine worms and insects: when the tide rises and 
the muddy beds and roots of the mangroves are covered with 


water, the bird betakes itself to the higher braches, where it 


sits motionless until the tide retires and leaves behind a fresh 
supply of food. . 

Although generally speaking it is a solitary species, yet at 
times it congregates in considerable numbers. Gilbert found 


318 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


a colony breeding on two small islets in Coral Bay, near the 
entrance of the harbour of Port Essington. Their nests, 
about thirty in number, were built both on the mangroves 
and on the branches of the yellow-blossomed Hidiscus ; they 
were very frail structures, consisting of a few small twigs 
placed across each other on the horizontal branches, and none 
of them were more than six feet from the ground; each con- 
tained either two young birds or two eggs of a uniform very 
pale green, one inch and five-eighths long by one inch and a 
quarter broad. ? 

Crown of the head, occipital crest, and a small tuft beneath 
each eye black; neck and all the under surface grey, with a 
vinous tinge, which becomes much deeper on the abdomen 
and under tail-coverts ; lengthened feathers of the back bluish 
grey with lighter shafts; wing-coverts dark slate-grey, nar- 
rowly margined with buff and white ; remainder of the wings 
and tail dark grey; irides light yellow; orbits and eyelash 
gamboge-yellow; upper mandible and cutting edge of the 
lower mandible very dark reddish brown ; remainder of the 
lower mandible oil-green ; tibise and hinder part of the tarsi 
bright yellow ; remainder of the legs and feet yellowish brown. 

Total length 14 inches ; bill 3+; wing 73; tail 23; tarsi Qt. 

The young differ in having all the upper surface brown, 
with a triangular spot of white at the tip of all the wing- 
feathers, and the throat broadly and conspicuously striated 
with brown on a white ground. 

Mr. Jerdon states that the B. javanica is found throughout 
the greater part of India, and that it extends to Burmah and 
Malayana ; if then the bird to which I have assigned the name 
of B. stagnatilis should ultimately prove to be identical with 
the Indian bird, the species will enjoy a most extensive range 
of habitat. 


} 


GRALLATORES. 319 


Genus ARDETTA, G. R. Gray. 


This genus has been instituted for the Little Bittern of the 
British Islands, and several other diminutive species inhabit- 
ing India, Africa, and America. _ 


Sp. 562. ARDETTA PUSILLA. 


Minvure Birrern. 


Ardea pusilla, Vieill. Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., tom. xiv. p. 482. 

maculata, Lath. Ind. Orn., Supp. p. Ixiv, young. 

Spotted Heron, Lath. Gen. Syn., Supp. vol. ii. p. 805, young. 

Ardeola pusilla, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de V’Acad. Sci., tom. xliii. 
séance du 2 Aoit 1856. 


Ardetta pusilla, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 68. 


The Minute Bittern is a very rare s ecies, and at present 
a3 p p 


nothing whatever is known respecting it. During my sojourn 


in the country I ascertained that the few individuals known had 
been procured between Sydney and Botany Bay. I have fre- 
quently had occasion to allude to the beautiful manner in which 
many birds peculiar to Hurope are represented in Australia by 
other closely allied species, and the present bird forms another 
case in point, since it is clearly a representative of the Little Bit- 
tern (Ardetta minuta) of this part of the world, which it much 
resembles in the style of its plumage, but is of a still smaller 
size. This is another of the species, therefore, to which I 
would direct the attention of residents in its native country, 
with a view to their making known the result of their observ- 
ations for the promotion of ornithological science. 

The sexes differ considerably from each other, the female 
being mottled and of a smaller size than the male. 

The male has the crown of the head, back, and tail bronzy 
greenish black ; front of the neck buff, gradually passing into 
rich deep chestnut on the sides of the head and back of the 
neck ; down the centre of the chin and neck in front a broad 


320 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


irregular stripe of reddish brown ; on either side of the chest 
a patch of black feathers margined with deep buff; all the 
under surface pale buff ; wing-coverts deep buff, with a patch 
of rich chestnut on the shoulder and a wash of the same colour 
along the edge of the wing; primaries slaty black; space 
round the eye, bill and feet yellow ; culmen nearly: black ; 
irides orange. 

The female has the head and back chestnut ; wing-coverts 
very deep tawny, passing into chestnut on the tips of the 
coverts and secondaries ; primaries grey, tipped with brown ; 
tail black; sides of the neck pale chestnut; front of the 
throat and the under surface white, with a stripe of tawny 
down the middle, and a small streak of brown in the centre 
of each feather, the brown hue predominating and forming a * 
conspicuous mark down the throat. : 


Family RALLIDA. 


Of this family no less than sixteen species inhabit Australia, 
and are comprised in the following genera, viz. Porphyrio, 
Fulica, Gallinula, Rallus, and Porgana, all of which are 
Kuropean forms; and Parra, Hulabeornis, and Tribonyz : of 
the latter, the first is common to India and the Indian 
Islands, and the other two are confined, so far as we know, to 
Australia. 


Genus PORPHYRIO, Brisson. 


The members of this genus are among the very largest of 
the Rallide, are very highly coloured birds, their prevailing 
tints being blue or greenish blue interspersed with black, and 
are nearly allied to the nearly extinct Notornes of New Zea- 
land. Species of this form are found in all the countries both 
of the Old and New Worlds. 


GRALLATORES. | 321 


Sp. 563. PORPHYRIO MELANOTUS, Zemm. 
BLACK-BACKED PorpPHuyrio. - 


Porphyrio melanotus, Temm. Man. d’Orn. 2nd Edit., tom. ii. p. 701. 
Black-backed Gallinule, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. ix. p. 472. 
Ar-ra-weid-bit, Aborigines of Port Essington. 


Porphyrio melanotus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 69. 


This bird is universally distributed over Tasmania and the 
greater part of the continent of Australia wherever situations 
suitable to its habits occur, such as marshes, lagoons clothed 
with sedge and rushes, and the sides of rivers. On comparing 
specimens from Tasmania, South Australia, and Port Essing- 
ton, I find them to differ in size; those from the first- and 
last-mentioned localities bemg smaller than examples pro-— 
cured in South Australia and New South Wales: Gilbert’s 
notes also indicate a difference in the habits of the Port 
Essington bird, but I am inclined to believe this to be 
merely the result of a difference in the nature of the locality 
and the kind of vegetation. 

In Tasmania the Porphyrio melanotus is very abundant 
on the banks of the Derwent above Bridgewater ; I also 
found it on the lagoons between Kangaroo Point and Cla- 
rence Plains, on the Tamar for ten miles below Launceston, 
and in every part of the island wherever favourable localities 
occur. arly in the morning, and on the approach of evening, 
it sallies forth over the land in search of food, which consists 
of snails, insects, grain, and various vegetable substances ; it 
runs with great facility, and readily avails itself of this power 
on the approach of an intruder, making for the thickest 
covert, and threading it with amazing quickness, much after 
the manner of the Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) of Europe ; 
its flight is also very similar to that of the Moorhen, and like 
that bird it resorts to this mode of progression only when 
hard-pressed. In New South Wales it inhabits precisely the 

VOL. II. 3 


322 - BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


same kind of situations as those described above, and is to be 
found in the lagoons at Illawarra, and wherever the vege- 
tation affords it a sufficient shelter. It soon becomes do- 
mesticated, and may be allowed to roam at large in the 
garden or inclosure withont fear of its wandering away. My 
friend Dr. Bennett, of Sydney, informs me that one he had 
seen domesticated in a poultry-yard was in the habit of 
roosting upon the roofs of sheds, and was very fond of 
perching on some parrot-cages; he mentions also that the 
bird invariably seizes maize, or any vegetable it intends 
eating, in the palm of the foot, holding it m that manner 
until it be devoured; after watching it for some time he 
never saw it take food in any other manner, and the owner 
assured him that it never did. 

The sexes do not differ in colouring, but the female is 
somewhat smaller than the male, and the young have the 
naked space on the crown less developed and not so bright 
as in the adult. 

Cheeks, back of the head, centre of the abdomen, and 
thighs sooty-black ; back of the neck, breast, and flanks rich 
deep indigo-blue; back, wings, and tail deep shining black, 
the primaries with a wash of indigo-blue on their outer webs ; 
under tail-coverts pure white; irides bright orange-red ; fron- 
tal plate, bill, legs, and feet red. 


Sp. 564. PORPHYRIO BELLUS, Gould. 
AZURE-BREASTED PoRPHYRIO. 


Porphyrio bellus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soe., part viii. p. 176. 
Swamp-Hen, Colonists of Western Australia. 


i 
Gool-le-ma, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Australia. 


Porphyrio bellus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. ‘70. 


Of the two species of Porphyrio found in Australia the 
present is by far the finest, exceeding the Porphyrio melanotus 
not only in size, but in the greater diversity and richness of 


GRALLATORES. 323 


its colouring, particularly in the azure-blue of the throat and 
chest, a character by which it is readily distinguished. 

The Azure-breasted Porphyrio is abundant at Swan River, 
inhabiting the thick reed-beds and swampy districts of the 
lakes and rivers round Perth and Freemantle. Its habits and 
economy so nearly resemble those of the Porphyrio melanotus 
of Tasmania and New South Wales, that the description of 
one equally applies to the other, and therefore need not be 
repeated here. 

The gizzard is strong and muscular, and the food consists 
of vegetable substances, aquatic insects, and mollusca. 

The only difference observable between the sexes is, that the 
male is rather brighter in colour and somewhat larger in size. 

Occiput and crown of the head blackish brown, gradually 
passing into the light violet-purple which spreads over the 
nape, flanks, and abdomen; throat, cheeks, fore part of the 
neck and breast light azure-blue; all the upper surface from 
the nape downwards, including the tail, deep chocolate-brown ; 
shoulders and spurious wing azure-blue; primaries blackish 
brown, their outer webs strongly tinged with green; irides 
bright red ; bill red; knees, lower part of the tarsi, and inside 
of the feet dark greenish grey; remainder of the legs and feet_ 
grass-green. 

Total length 18 inches; bill 12; wing 103; tail 43; tarsi 34. 


Genus TRIBONYX, Du Bus. 


The habits and economy of the two known species of this 
genus differ so much from those of the Gallinules that no 
ornithologist can question the propriety of their separation, 
As their longer tarsi and shorter toes would indicate, they are 
more terrestrial than the members of the genus Porphyrio, 
and accordingly we find that they wander over the plains and 
open pasture lands, instead of keeping to the water or the 
sedey portions of river-sides. 

¥ 2 


324, BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Sp. 565. TRIBONYX MORTIERII, Du Bus. 
| Mortimr’s TRIBONYX. 


Tribonyx mortierti, Du Bus, Bull. Acad. Sci. Brux., tom. vii. p- 215, pl. 
Brachyptrailus ralloides, Lafres. ? 
Natwe Hen of the Colonists. 


Tribonyx mortieri, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 71. 


This bird is rather abundantly dispersed over the southern 
parts of Australia and Tasmania, but from the extreme shyness 
of its disposition, and the almost inaccessible nature of the 
situations it frequents, it is seldom seen by ordinary observers. 
‘The localities it affects are marsh lands and the sides of rivers. 
It was daily seen by me during my stay on the Government de- 
mesne at New Norfolk, in Tasmania, where it frequently left its 
sedgy retreats and walked about the paths and other parts of 
the garden, with its tail erect like the Common Hen; even 
here, however, the greatest circumspection and quietude were 
necessary to obtain a sight of it, for the slightest noise or 
movement excited its suspicions, and in an instant it vanished 
in the most extraordinary manner into some thicket, from 
which it did not again enienge until all apparent cause for 
alarm was past. 

‘The sternum and pectoral muscles of this bird are but 
feebly developed in proportion to its bulk, and it consequently 
rarely resorts to flight; on the other hand, the legs and 
thighs are extremely dee and hence its power of running is 
very great, and upon this it mainly depends for security from 
molestation. Its habits and general manners are very similar 
to those of the Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) of Europe, but 
it does not dive or swim so much as that bird. It is very 
easily captured with a common horsehair noose, by which 
means some of my specimens were procured. 

The male is about three pounds in weight; and the sto- 
machs of those I examined were extremely thick and muscular, 
and contained aquatic plants and insects, gravel, &e. 


GRALLATORES. 325 


_ The nest, which is very similar to that of the Moorhen, is 
formed of a bundle of rushes placed on the border of the 
stream: the eggs, which are also similar to that of the 
Moorhen, are seven in number, two inches and an eighth 
long, one inch and a half broad, and of a stone-colour, marked 
all over with thinly dispersed, irregularly shaped, and vari- 
ously sized spots and blotches of dark chestnut-brown. 

The sexes are alike in appearance, but the female is some- 
what smaller and less brilliant in colour than the male. 

All the upper surface greyish olive, washed with chestnut- 
brown on the head, back of the neck, back, and the tips of 
the secondaries ; primaries blackish brown; tail deep black ; 
under surface bluish slate-colour, passing into black on the 
abdomen and under tail-coverts; flank-feathers largely tipped 
with white, forming a conspicuous mark on each side; thighs 
purplish grey; irides orange-red; bill greenish yellow; legs 
and feet leaden yellow. 


Sp. 566. TRIBONYX VENTRALIS, Gould. 
BLACK-TAILED ‘I'RIBONYX. 


Gallinula ventralis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part iv. p. 85. 

Tribonyx ventralis, Gould in App. to Grey’s Trav. in Australia, vol. u. 
p- 420. 

Bel-gar-be-jal, Aborigines of the lowland, and 

Nol-yang, Aborigines of the mountain districts of Western Australia. 

Moorhen of the Colonists. 


Tribonyx ventralis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol. vol. vi. pl. 72. 


Since my attention has been directed to the ornithology of 
Australia, I have received this species from every part of the 
country southward of the 25th degree of south latitude, but I 
have not yet seen it from any part of Tasmania, that country 
being in all probability too cold and ungenial for its habits. 

Although in outward contour and general appearance this 
bird bears a great resemblance to the Gallinules or Water- 


326 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


hens, it will be found on comparison to possess a very 
different structure, particularly in the form of the tarsi and 
toes, and of the tail, and in its economy it differs from them 
quite as much as it does in form. Its migratory movements 
are very uncertain, great numbers occasionally visiting parts 
of the country where it had seldom before been seen, and 
retirmg again to some distant unknown locality as suddenly 
as it appeared. We are naturally led to inquire whence they 
come, and anxiously to desire a more intimate knowledge of 
that great ¢erra incognita, the interior of the country, by 
which means alone can the mystery be solved. 

John Hutt, Esq., late Governor of Western Australia, in- 
formed me that in the neighbourhood of Perth the Zribonyx 
ventralis “‘ sometimes makes its appearance suddenly in large 
flocks at a time,” and asks, “Is this not a proof of there 
being an oasis of good land in the interior? ‘his bird 
invaded the settlers’ fields and gardens in the month of May 
1833 in amazing numbers; it had not been seen before, and 
has hardly been seen since.” 

Gilbert states that “upon one occasion it visited the Swan 
River colony in myriads, treading down and destroying whole 
fields of corn in a single night. ‘The natives, not having seen 
them before, attributed their appearance to the settlers, and 
for a long time termed them the ‘ White-men’s birds’: after 
the harvest was over they nearly all disappeared as suddenly 
as they arrived. The natives of the banks of the Upper 
Swan, on making inquiries respecting these birds of some of 
the tribes of the interior, were told they came from the 
north.” | 

“This bird,” says Captain Sturt, “appeared suddenly in 
South Australia in 1840. It came from the north, fresh 
flights coming up and pushing on those which had preceded 
them. It was moreover evident that they had been un- 
accustomed to the sight of man, for they dropped in great 
numbers in the streets and gardens of Adelaide, and ran 


GRALLATORES. 2o7 


about like fowls. At last they increased so much in number 
as to swarm on all the waters and creeks, doing great damage 
to the crops in their neighbourhood. They took the entire 
possession of the creek near my house, and broke down and 
wholly destroyed about an acre and a quarter of wheat as if 
cattle had bedded on it. They made their first appearance in 
November, and left in the beginning of March, graduall 

retiring northwards as they had advanced.” 

“Jn the autumn of 1854,” says Mr. Elsey, “the stations 
about the Mackenzie were besieged by swarms of this species. 
They remained some time, then disappeared, and not a 
single specimen appeared there for certainly the next three 
years. | | 
I frequently met with the bird myself during my journey 
into the interior of New South Wales; it was tolerably 
abundant on the banks of the Mokai in the month of 
December 1839, but not in such numbers as particularly to 
attract my attention. When I first saw it I was much struck 
with its grotesque appearance, as it strutted along the bank 
of the river with its tail quite erect like that of a domestic 
fowl. Although the herbage on the river-sides was very 
scanty, and the plains were so parched that scarcely a blade 
of grass was to be seen, it readily eluded pursuit by its 
amazing powers of running, and seereting itself bencath the 
roots of the large trees or the shelving of the bank. I never 
saw it take wing, and I believe that it rarely resorts to flight 
for security. 

It breeds in November, the nest, which is formed of dead 
soft grasses and rushes, being placed on the ground among 
the long grass-like rushes of the river-side. ‘The eggs are 
seven in number, of a cream-colour, thinly sprinkled with 
irregularly shaped spots of chestnut-red, some of which appear 
as if beneath the surface of the shell: they are an inch and a 
half long by one inch and an eighth broad. 

The stomach is extremely thick and muscular ; and the 


328 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


food consists of grain, seeds, and other vegetable substances, 
shelled mollusks, insects, &c. 

Throat, breast, and under surface dark bluish grey; flank- 
feathers black, with an oblong mark of white near their 
extremities ; lower part of the abdomen and under tail-coverts 
black ; all the upper surface brownish olive ; primaries brown, 
the outer one margined externally with white; tail black ; 
irides fine orange; upper mandible beautiful pea-green, 
becoming rather paler at the tip; base of the lower mandible 
light reddish orange, the tip like that of the upper; legs and 
feet deep brick-red. 

Total length 15 to 17 inches; bill 11; wing 9; tail 34; 
tarsi 24. 


Genus GALLINULA, Brisson. 


The true Gallinule are very numerous, and are found in 
nearly every part of the world. Australia is inhabited by a 
species peculiarly its own, which is distributed over all the 
southern parts of the continent. The well-known British 
Moorhen (G. chloropsis) is a typical example of this form. 


Sp. 567. GALLINULA TENEBROSA, Gould. 


SomBre GALLINULE. 


Gallinula tenebrosa, Gouldin Proce. of Zool. Soc., part xiv. p. 20. 


fetaatles tenebrosa, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. ‘73, 


This species of Gallinule inhabits the sedgy banks of rivers, 
creeks, and water-holes. I frequently encountered it in New 
South Wales, particularly in the neighbourhood of the Upper 
Hunter; and I also possess specimens collected on the banks 
of the Murray, in South Australia. ‘The total absence of any 
white marks on the flanks forms a good specific character, and 
at once distinguishes this Gallinule from most of the other 
members of the genus. In size it considerably exceeds the 


GRALLATORES. 329 


Gallinula chloropus of Europe ; and the garter above the knee 
is more brilliantly coloured with red and yellow than in that 
species. When disturbed, it readily eludes pursuit by running 
with great swiftness into a place of safety. It swims with 
considerable ease and buoyancy, and its food consists of 
various aquatic insects and small shelled mollusks. 

The female is smaller than the male, and the colours of her 
bill are often brighter. 
~The whole of the plumage greyish black, with the exception 
of the back and scapularies, which are deep brown, and the 
primaries and tail, which are nearly a pure black ; under tail- 
coverts black in the centre and white on the sides; frontal 
plate orange; base of the bill blood-red, tip greenish yellow ; 
above the knee a garter of yellow and scarlet; joints of the 
legs and feet green; under surface of the legs and feet olive ; 
sides of the tarsi and frontal plates of the toes yellow ; frontal 
plates of the tarsi yellow, those nearest the knee stained with 
scarlet ; irides olive. — | 

Total length 15 inches; bill1}; wing 8; tail 3; tarsi 24. 


Genus FULICA, Linneus. 


Coots are found in nearly every part of the great continent 
of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, and one species in 
Australia, where it represents the Mulica atra of Hurope. 


Sp. 568. FULICA AUSTRALIS, Gould. 
AusTRALIAN Coor. 

Fulica australis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xiii. p. 2. 

Mool-ya-witl-doo (Ugly Nose), and . 


Gid-jee-broon, Aborigines of Western Australia. 


Fulica australis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl.'74. 


That a true Coot should be found in Australia need not 


330 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


be a matter of surprise, when we have seen how many of 
the forms hitherto considered to be peculiar to the northern 
hemisphere are represented in that country; and in no in- 
stance is this law more interestingly carried out than in the 
present, since the two birds are not only identical in form, 
but are precisely alike in their habits and general economy. 

The favourite places of resort of the Australian Coot are 
the inland waters of the country and the salt-water lagoons 
near the coast, which it seldom quits unless to seek for a 
more abundant supply of food, consisting of aquatic insects, 
small shelled mollusks, &c. Like the European species, it 
constructs a floating nest of decayed aquatic plants, upon 
which it deposits its eggs and rears its young. 

Head and neck black; all the upper surface greyish black ; 
under surface sooty black; irides bright red; bill light bluish 
grey; crown of the head greenish white; legs and feet french 
grey. 

Total length 14 mches; billl4¢; wing 8; tail 24; tarsi 24. 


Genus PARRA, Latham. 


A tropical form of birds, admirably adapted for progression 
among the aquatic plants and floating leaves of the lagoons 
and inland waters they frequent, and over which they pass with 
facility, their expansive feet spreading over a large surface of 
fallen grasses and leaves, readily sustaining them. 

Species of this genus are found in India, Africa, and America. 


Sp. 569. PARRA GALLINACEA, Zemm. 


CoMB-CRESTED PARRA. 


Parra gallinacea, Tem. Pl. Col., 464. 
Mur-re-mi-rang-geit, Aborigines of Port Essington. 


Parra gallinacea, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 75. 


The Parra gallinacea is one of the most typical members of 


GRALLATORES. 331 


the genus, its hind-toe and claw being more largely developed 
than those of any other species; hence it is beautifully and 
expressly adapted for traversing the leaves floating on the 
surface of the water. 

The specimens in my collection were obtained at Port 
Essington, where this bird is tolerably numerous, but always 
affects such localities as render it very difficult to procure. 
Having never seen this species in a state of nature, I cannot 
do better than transcribe Gilbert’s notes respecting it; pre- 
vious to which I may mention that it is also a native of New 
Guinea, and that Temminck published a figure of it in his 
‘Planches Coloriées,’ as quoted above. 

“TJ did not meet with this bird,” says Gilbert, “until the 
latter part of my stay in the country, just before the wet 
season set in, when I observed it on the large lake near Point 
Smith, which at this time (the month of December) contained 
so little water that I could wade over every part of it; and it 
was fortunate that this was the case, for this bird confines 
itself so much to the muddy parts of the middle of the lake, 
that it might be looked for in vain from the shores. It ° 
would seem to be a very local species, for I did not meet 
with it in any other part of the Peninsula. In the following 
January, after a succession of heavy rains, the lake became so 
far filled as to be too deep for a person to attempt to cross 
any part of it, consequently no second opportunity of observing 
the Parra occurred before my departure. Those observed by 
me were distributed in four or five small families in different 
parts of the lake, and were usually occupied in feeding from 
the floating aquatic plants, over which the great length of 
their toes and nails enables them to run with great facility : 
at the slightest alarm they dive down at once or take to flight. 
Their powers of diving and of remaining under water are 
equal to those of any bird I have ever met with: onthe other 
hand, their powers of flight are very weak ; they will, however, 
often mount up fifteen or twenty yards, and fly from one end 


doe BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


of the lake to the other, a distance of half or three-quarters 
of a mile, but generally they merely rise above the surface of 
the water and fly off for about a hundred yards; during 
flight their long legs are thrown out horizontally to their full 
length ; while feeding they utter a slowly-repeated cluch-cluck. 
The stomach is extremely muscular, and the food consists of 
aquatic insects and some kind of vegetable matter.” 

Mr. Elsey informed me that he procured examples of this 
bird “at a large lagoon, surrounded by a dense fringe of 
Polygonum, near the Flinders. Among them was a female, 
which contained matured eggs, and had, I felt convinced, a 
nest somewhere in the Polygonum, but I could not find it, 
though I closely examined the whole circuit. She remained 
out the whole day without once retiring to sit. Its singular 
calyptra was bright crimson, which colour seems to be due to 
the excessive vascularity of the membrane, as it was com- 

pletely blanched before I got the bird out of the water.” 
J am indebted to Sir Daniel Cooper, Bart., for many acts 
of kindness in connexion with Australian ornithology, which 
I take this opportunity of recording. It is to him that I owe 
a knowledge of the eggs of this species, two examples having 
been transmitted to me, through his instrumentality, from 
Eastern Australia, by his relative Mr. Hills. 

The ground-colour of these eggs is of a dark, shiny, raw 
sienna-tint, over which are traced in various directions a 
series of broad and. fine hair-like contorted lines of brownish 
black, which, by occasionally uniting laterally and crossing 
each other, form here and there large blotches. Although 
these markings are of the same character on each egg, 
they are somewhat differently distributed; thus, on one of 
the two I possess they are more numerous at the larger 
end and absent at the smaller, while in the other they are 
‘more abundant at the smaller and less so at the larger 
extremity. ‘The eggs are one inch and an eighth in length 
by seven-eighths of an inch in breadth. They are, moreover, 


eer 


GRALLATORES. 333 


rendered remarkably conspicuous by the singularly pointed 
form of the smaller end, and by their small size as compared 
with that of the bird; but, above all, by the form and 
disposition of the markings, which are as if traced by the 
hand of a person who had amused. himself by attempting to 
cover the surface with fantastic streaks, blotches, and con- 
torted curves from end to end. 

Back of the head, line down the back of the neck, tips of 
the shoulders, under surface of the wing, flanks, and a broad 
band crossing the chest and abdomen deep bluish black ; 
chin and throat white; orbits, ear-coverts, sides of the neck 
and breast pale glossy orange, the white and the orange 
gradually blending into each other; back and scapularies 
bronzy olive-green, becoming nearly black at the base of the 
neck and on the rump; wing-coverts olive-brown; the re- 
mainder of the wing and tail greenish black ; vent and under 


~ tail-coverts buffy white; irides light sulphur-yellow ; eyelash 


light ash-grey; bill greenish grey at the extreme tip, then 
black to near the nostrils; the basal portion of the upper 
mandible and the helmet aurora-red; base of the lower 
mandible light primrose-yellow ; fore part of the tibia red, 
with a mixture in patches of yellow and greenish grey ; 
hinder part of the tibia, tarsi, and toes dark greenish grey. 

The young differs in having all the under surface white, 
crown of the head and occiput reddish chestnut, the line 
down the back of the neck brown, and the back reddish 
brown, each feather margined with a still redder hue; only 
an indication of the helmet; irides light brown, and the bill 
aurora-red, with the exception of the base of the lower 
mandible, which is light yellowish white. 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus HYPOTAENIDIA, Reichenbach. 


It would have been rather surprising if the Rallus pectoralis 
of Cuvier had not received a generic appellation, since it is 
very different in structure and habits from the true Rails, 
and is indeed very nearly allied to Crex. Other species of 
the form exist m New Zealand, the Celebes, and the Fiji 
Islands. 


Sp. 570. HYPOTANIDIA PHILIPPENSIS. 


ProroraL Ratu. 


Rallus philippensis, Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 263. 

Hypotendia philippensis, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de lAcad. Sci., tom. 
. xlin. séances des 15 et 22 Sept. 1856. 

Kil-lee, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Australia. 

Land-Rail of the Colonists. 


Rallus pectoralis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 76. 


The Pectoral Rail is a summer visitant to New South 
Wales; but if we regard the Rails from Southern and Western 
Australia, which are rather smaller and have somewhat more 
attenuated bills, as mere local varieties, the above remark 
will extend to the southern portion of the continent generally ; 
in fact, it may then be said to be dispersed over the whole of 
this part of the country, in all situations suitable to its habits. 
It usually makes its appearance in New South Wales in the 
month of August, and retires again in February; the extent 
of its range northwards, however, I have not satisfactorily 
ascertained ; for, although I have specimens from the north 
coast and Raine’s Islet, they present sufficient differences in 
their form and markings to warrant the supposition of their 
being a distinct species. 

In habits, actions, and general economy the Hypotenidia 
philippensis closely assimilates to the Land-Rail (Crea pra- 
tensis) of Kurope, grassy flats between the hills and humid 


GRALLATORES. 385 


places covered with dense herbage being the localities favour- 
able to its mode of life. It has the same indisposition for 
exposing itself to view, the same manner of eluding pursuit by 
running through the grasses, and when forced to quit its 
retreat flies low, straight, and with the same flappimg motion 
of the wing. 

The eggs, which are placed on the ground, are four or six 
in number, of a cream-colour, with numerous large irregular 
blotches of dark chestnut-red at the larger end, and a few 
smaller ones distributed over the remainder of their surface ; 
they are one inch and three-eighths long by one inch broad. 
It breeds in September, October, and November. 

The stomach is very muscular, and is usually found to 
contain portions of grasses, seeds, and a quantity of sand. 
Its flesh forms an excellent article for the table, and the bird 
itself affords considerable amusement to the sportsman, as 
- pointers will stand to it as to the Land-Rail of Hurope. 

The sexes are so similar in colour and markings that they 
are not easily distinguishable from each other, and the young 
at an early age assume the plumage of the adult. 

Crown of the head and all the upper surface olive; each 
feather of the back and scapularies blackish brown in the 
centre; the feathers at the back of the neck with a double 
spot of black and white near the edge of each web; a broad 
stripe of chestnut-red commences at the base t the bill, 
passes through the eye, and unites at the occiput; wing- 
coverts olive, spotted on the margins with black and white ; 
primaries dark brown, the two outer ones crossed by narrow 
bars of white, and the remainder with broad bars of dull 
chestnut-red ; stripe over the eye and the chin greyish white, 
deepening into dark grey on the lower part of the throat ; 
under surface brownish black, crossed by numerous narrow 
well-defined bars of greyish white; across the breast a broad 
band of deep sandy buff; thigh and vent buff; under tail- 
coverts black, barred with white and tipped with buff; bill 


336 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


red at the base, passing into brown at the tip; irides reddish 
hazel; feet brown. 

In some specimens the white spottings of the upper surface 
are much brighter than in others. 


Genus RALLUS, Linneus. 


The genus Rallus, the type of which is the R. aquaticus, is 
represented in Australia by a single, or perhaps two species ; 
other examples of this truly fluviatile form are found both in 
the Old and New Worlds. 


Sp. 571. RALLUS BRACHIPUS, Swains. 
Lewin’s Water-Ratn. 


Rallus brachipus, Swains. An. in Menag., p. 836. 
lewintt, Swains. Ibid., p. 336. 
brachipus, G. R. Gray, List of Birds in Brit. Mus. Coll., part ii. 
p- 115. 

Lewinia brachypus, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de ’Acad. Sci., tom. xliii. 
séances des 15 et 22 Sept. 1856. 


Rallus lewinii, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. ‘77. 


In Tasmania this species is very abundant in all low 
marshy situations, lagoons, and the rushy banks of rivers; it 
occurs on most of the small islands in D’Entrecasteaux 
Channel; I have also seen specimens from Southern and 
Western Australia which are precisely similar in their markings, 
and only differ in bemg somewhat larger. 

Swainson has, I think, described this bird under two names, 
those of drachipus and lewinit. The shortness of the nails 
and consequent apparent shortness of the toes, which must 
have suggested the former appellation, appears to pertain only 
to those birds which inhabit the small islands, where, from 
the hard and stony nature of the ground they have to 
traverse, the nails become much worn and blunted, while 


GRALLATORES. 337 


those of the birds inhabiting the mainland and resorting 
more exclusively to the soft sedgy banks of rivers remain 
intact. 7 

It is very closely allied to the Water-Rail (Rad/us aquaticus) 
of Europe, and its habits, manners, and mode of life closely 
resemble those of that bird. In this species, then, we find 
another representative of European forms; for it as clearly 
resembles our Water Rail as the sombre Gallinule does the 
Gallinula chloropus, and the little Crake the Porzana maruetta ; 
how similar, too, is the Pectoral Rail (Hypotenidia pectoralis) 
to the well-known Corn Crake of the British Islands! 

The stomach is rather muscular, and the food consists of 
aquatic insects and small mollusks, to which are doubtless 
added the leaves of aquatic plants and probably newts, frogs, 
and small fish. | 

A nest I found in a lagoon near the river Derwent, in 
- Tasmania, was formed of flags and other aquatic vegetables, 
placed in a low tuft of rushes, and contained two eggs, one 
inch and a quarter in length by seven-eighths of an inch in 
breadth, and of a pale olive-colour, blotched all over, but 
particularly at the larger end, with reddish and dark brown. 

The male has the head and sides of the neck rufous, striated 
with black on the crown and down the nape; all the upper 
‘surface and tail black, striped with olive; wings, flanks, and. 
abdomen banded broadly with black and narrowly with white ; 
chin white; centre of the throat, breast, and abdomen slate- 
grey ; vent buff; bill brownish red; irides hazel; feet flesh- _ 
colour, becoming darker about the toes. | 

The female is similar, but not so bright in colour. 

The young birds, when fully fledged, are destitute of the 
red hue on the neck, have only a trace of the barring on the © 
flanks and abdomen, and the barring of the wings much less _ 
distinct than in the male. The chicks are clothed in a soft | 
and silky black down. 


¥OL, i. Z 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus EULABEORNIS, Gould. 


A genus established for the reception of a singular species 
of Rail mmhabiting the north coast of Australia. 


Sp. 572. HULABEORNIS CASTANEIVENTRIS, Gould. 


CHESTNUT-BELLIED Ratt. 


Eulabeornis castaneoventris, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soce., part xii. 
p. 56. 
castaneiventris, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de Acad. Sci., tom. xliii. 
séances du 15 et 22 Sept. 1856. 

Mor-dug-e-ra, Aborigines of Port Essington. 


Eulabeornis castneoventris, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. 
pl. 78. 

This large and fine species of Rail inhabits the low 
muddy shores and mangrove swamps of the north coast of 
Australia. ‘The specimen above alluded to, which is in my 
own collection, was killed in the Gulf of Carpentaria by Rear- 
Admiral Stokes, R.N., late Commander of H.M.S. the Beagle; 
to this gentleman I am also indebted for many acts of kind- 
ness and liberality, while science in more than one branch has 
been enriched by the discoveries made by himself and his 
- officers during their late survey. I had some time before 
received the eggs of this species from Port Essington, but from 
its extreme shyness the bird could never be obtained ; in fact, 
the wariness of its disposition is such, that even to catch a 
glimpse of it among the dense herbage and mangroves is an 
extremely rare occurrence. It runs with extraordinary fleet- 
ness, and takes alarm the instant the vicinity of its habitat is 
intruded upon. di: 

The eggs are rather lengthened in form, of a pale pinky 
white, dotted all over with reddish chestnut, the spots being 
thinly dispersed, and some of them appearing as if beneath 
the surface of the shell, giving them a darker tint, two inches 
aud one-eighth long, one inch and five-eighths broad. 


GRALLATORES. 339 


Head and neck ash-grey ; all the upper surface, wings and 
tail olive; breast and all the under surface greyish chestnut ; 
bill yellow at the base, horn-colour at the tip; legs and feet 
brown. 

Total length 19 inches; bill24; wing 93; tail 6; tarsi 23. 

Both sexes will doubtless be hereafter found to possess a 
similar kind of plumage. 


Genus PORZANA, Vieill. 


The Porzane inhabit Europe, Africa, India and Australia ; 
the species inhabiting the latter country are very similarly 
marked to those inhabiting India and Europe. The form, 
but not the same species, also occurs in America. 


Sp. 573. PORZANA FLUMINEA, Gould. 
Srotrep WatTER CRAKE. 


Porzana fluminea, Gould in Proce. of Zool. Soc., part x. p. 139. 


Porzana fluminea, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. ‘79. 


This species, like its representative m the British Islands 
(Rallus porzana, Linn.), inhabits morasses, reed-beds, and the 
neighbourhood of rivers clothed with dense herbage ; hence it 
is seldom to be seen unless the greatest trouble and labour be 
taken to hunt it out from its hiding-place. The uniform grey — 
tint of its breast and under surface, and its smaller size, are 
characters by which it may at once be distinguished from 
the European species. 

The Spotted Water Crake is an inhabitant of Tasmania, 
South Australia and New South Wales, to which portions of 
Australia it would seem to be confined. My stay in the 
country was too short to afford me opportunities of thoroughly 
investigating its habits, or of gaming any precise information 
respecting its nidification ; but it is natural to suppose that in 

z2 


840 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


these respects it as closely assimilates to its Huropean ally as 
it does in its structure and outward appearance. 

The sexes present so little difference in colour, that they are 
only to be distinguished by dissection. 

All the. upper surface olive, with a broad stripe of blackish 


brown down the centre and two oval spots of white, bounded 
above and below with black on the margin of each web of 


every feather; primaries and secondaries brown; tail dark 
brown, margined with lighter brown and with an indication of 
white spots on the extreme edge; face, throat, chest and 
upper part of the abdomen dark slate-grey ; lower part of the 
abdomen and flanks greyish black, crossed by narrow irregu- 
lar bars of white; under tail-coverts white ; bill orange-red at 
the base, and dark olive-green for the remainder of its length; 
feet dark olive-green. 
Total length 7 inches; bill $; wing 32; tail 12; tarsi 1. 


Sp. 574. PORZANA PALUSTRIS, Gould. 
Littte Water CRAKE. 


Porzana palustris, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part x. p. 139. 


Porzana palustris, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 80. 


This little Water Crake would appear to be more abundant 
in Tasmania than on the continent of Australia, for although 
I clearly ascertained that it inhabits New South Wales, it is 
not so numerous there, in consequence, probably, of the 
country being much less fluviatile, and therefore much less 
suitable to its habits; for, like the Porzana fluminea, the 
present bird finds a natural abode in morasses covered with 
reeds and luxuriant herbage, to the more dense parts of which 
it is exclusively confined. Like all the other members of the 
genus, the present species swims with great facility, and dis- 
plays the same power of diving, to which it equally resorts in 
time of need, and thus often successfully eludes the attack of 
its natural enemies; in addition, few birds are more agile or 


~ GRALLATORES. 341 


thread the reeds with greater activity; hence, like the last 
species, it is seldom to be caught sight of unless the greatest 
vigilance be exerted in search of it. 

I am indebted to the Rev. T. J. Ewing, D.D., of Tasmania, 
for the nest and eggs of this bird ; the former is a flat struc- 
ture formed of various kinds of grasses, and the latter are four 
or five in number, of a nearly uniform brownish olive, about 
one inch in length by three-quarters of an inch in breadth. 

Head and back of the neck rusty brown, with a stripe of 
blackish brown down the centre of each feather ; feathers of 
the back, scapularies, and secondaries brownish black mar- 
gined with rusty brown, and with an oblong stripe or mark 
of white, interrupted in the middle with black ; wing-coverts 
rusty brown, a few of them marked on their inner webs like 
the scapularies ; primaries brown, two or three of the inner- 
most with a mark or marks of white at the tip; tail dark 
brown, fringed with rusty brown; face, throat, chest and 
upper part of the abdomen grey ; lower part of the abdomen 
and flanks blackish grey, crossed by broad irregular bands of 
grey ; bill and feet olive-brown. 

Total length 6 inches; bill 2; wing 3; tail 14; tarsi 1. 


Sp. 575. PORZANA? TABUENSIS. 
Taspuan Water CRAKE. 


Tabuan Rail, Lath. Gen. Syn., tom. ui. p. 235. 

Rallus tabuensis, Gmel. Edit. Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. 1. p. 717. 

Ortygometra tabuensis, G. R. Gray, Voy.of Ereb. and Terr., Birds, p. 14. 

Corethrura tabuensis, G. R. eney Gen. of Birds, vol. ui. p. 595, and 
App. 527. 

Gallinula immaculata, Swains. An. in Menag., p. oar 

Wat-ra-jah, Aborigines of the lowland. ee of Western Australia. 

Little Swamp Hen of the Colonists. 


Porzana? immaculata, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. 
pl. 82. 


I believe I am correct in stating that this species is uni- 


342 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


versally distributed over the whole of Australia, Tasmania and 
the islands in Bass’s Straits. Specimens from every one of 
the colonies so closely resemble each other that they scarcely 
exhibit sufficient difference to constitute local varieties. Be- 
sides inhabiting Australia, this species appears to be widely 
spread over many of the islands of the Indian Ocean, such as 
the Society, Tonga, and Feejees ; and I question if any one of 
the Rails has received so many specific appellations, or if there 
be one whose synonyms are so numerous. (See alist of them in 
Mr, G. R. Gray’s ‘Catalogue of the Birds of the Tropical Islands 
of the Pacific Ocean in the Collection of the British Museum,’ 
p. 53.) Like the other members of this group, this bird is very 
recluse in its habits, and seldom to be seen, although it is 
tolerably abundant in all districts of a wet and swampy cha- 
racter, where thick reed-beds and the sedgy banks of rivers 
or lagoons constitute its most favourite places of abode. 
When urged by necessity, it swims with grace and elegance, 
and sports about with ease among the floating leaves of 
aquatic plants in search of snails and other mollusks, of which, 
with insects, seeds, and the tender blades of grasses and other 
vegetables, its food consists. It rarely takes wing, scarcely 
ever indeed unless forced to do so. 

I regret that I did not succeed in finding the nest and 
eggs of this bird, as in all probability they will be found to 
differ from those of the typical Porzane, and also from those 
of the true Rails. 

The sexes are precisely alike in colour, and the young, 
when fully fledged, are very similar to the adults. 

Head and all the under surface dark slate-grey, becoming 
nearly white on the chin; back, wing-coverts, and tertiaries 
rich deep reddish brown; bill black; irides and eyelash 
bright red ; feet and legs dull brick-red. 


GRALLATORES. 343 


Genus ERYTHRA, Reichenbach. 


In accordance with the views of Professor Reichenbach, 1 
adopt the above generic term for this singularly marked Rail. 
It is the only species I have seen from Australia. I believe 
another species is found in the Indian Islands, and that the 


- synonyms assigned to it by Mr. G. R. Gray in his ‘ Catalogue ; 


of the Birds of the Tropical Islands,’ in the British Museum, 
will require modification. 


Sp. 576. ERYTHRA QUADRISTRIGATA. 
Waitr-EYEBROWED Water Crake. 


Rallus quadristrigatus, Horsf. Linn. Trans., vol. xu. p. 196. 

quadristriatus, Licht. 

Gallinula mystacinus, Temm. ? 

Porzana leucophrys, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xv. p. 33. 

Erythra leucophrys, Bonap. Compt. Rend, de Acad. Sci., tom. xl. 
séances des 15 et 22 Sept. 1856. 

Al-man-di-ar-ga, Aborigines of Port Essington. 


Porzana leucophrys, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 81. 


This species is an inhabitant of the northern parts of Au- 
stralia, where it frequents the thick clumps of mangrove roots 
bordering the lakes. It is a somewhat familiar bird, and is 
~ but little disturbed by the approach of an intruder; on the 
contrary, it will frequently run up a branch, turn round, gaze 
at him, and utter its very singular loud and chattering cutche, 


cutche, with but little apparent alarm. Occasionally several are. 


heard in chorus, as. if attempting to excel each other in noise. 
It is by no means difficult to obtain specimens, except when 
the water is too deep to admit of wading round the roots of 
the mangroves. As yet it has only been observed on one 
lake near Port Essington ; but as the natives are perfectly ac- 
quainted with it, it is doubtless abundant on some other part 


344 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


of the Coburg Peninsula. It is also found in Java, and, I 
believe, in several of the islands of the Indian Ocean. 

The stomachs of those dissected were muscular, and con- 
tained the remains of insects of various kinds, and a large 
proportion of sand. The bird also eats worms, slugs, and the 
leaves of aquatic plants; these kinds of food being obtained 
either in the marshes or while swimming, which it can do as 
perfectly as the Moor Hen, Gallinule and little Porzane. 

As the nest and eggs of this species have not yet been dis- 
covered, they form some of the desiderata to which I would 
call the attention of the rising ornithologists of Australia; and 
I can assure them that the study of the eggs will greatly 
assist them in assigning the birds to which they belong to 
their proper genus. 

The young differ from the adult in having only an indica- 
tion of the marks on the face, in having the crown of the 
head brown instead of brownish black, and the sides of the 
neck and flanks deep buff instead of dark grey. 

From the base of the upper mandible to the posterior 
angle of the eye a streak of greyish white; from the eye to 
the gape a broad patch of deep black; crown of the head 
brownish black ; back of the neck, upper surface and tail 
brownish black, each feather margined with pale reddish, — 
the latter colour becoming very conspicuous on the wing- 
coverts and scapularies; wings pale brown; sides of the 
head, neck, and breast grey; chin-and centre of the abdo- 
men white; flanks and under tail-coverts rufous ; upper 
mandible reddish brown ; tomia of both mandibles tile-red : 
legs and feet oil-green, blotched with light ash-colour. 

Total length 63 inches; bill 1; wing 34; tail2; tarsi 12. 


NATATORES, B45 
Order NATATORES. 

Upon taking a general view of the birds of this order 
inhabiting Europe and Australia, our attention cannot fail to 
be arrested by some remarkable contrasts which present 
themselves to our notice. TI allude to the great excess in the 
number of species of some of the principal groups, and the 
paucity of others ; for instance, of the Azatide, the European 
fauna comprises at least forty species, while eighteen are all 
that are known in Australia; of the Zaride, exclusive of the 
Terns, twenty species inhabit Europe, while three are all that 
are known in Australia; on the other hand, sixteen species 
of Terns frequent the shores of Australia, while about twelve 
resort to those of Europe; of the family Procellaride, or 
Albatroses and Petrels, nearly forty species enliven the Aus- 
_ tralian seas, while about seven are all that are known to inhabit 
those of Europe; of the Mergansers, Puffins, and Guillemots 
of the northern hemisphere no species is found in Australia 
or in any other part of the south seas; on the other hand, 
the Penguins so common there are unknown in Europe ; 
while the Grebes and Cormorants are about equal in number 
in both hemispheres. Australia, it is true, has a Swan, but it 
is of a different form, and is but a feeble representative of 
the true Cygut of our part of the world; the same may be 
said of the Geese, for she has no member of the genus 
Anser ; neither does any species of this important group of 
birds exists south of the line, either in Australia or any other 
country. 


Family ANATIDZ. 


Of this family the most important Australian species is 
the Black Swan, and the next the Cereopsis Goose. Like 
Europe, that country has two fine Sheldrakes, about three true 
Ducks, two species of Shovellers, two Tree- and three Diving-. 


346 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Ducks, one of which, the Biziwra lobata, is confined to the 
country ; these, with the little Wettapi and the members of 
two or three other genera, comprise the whole of her duatde. 
The absence of large rivers and the non-existence of great 
lakes is doubtless the cause of this paucity of aquatic birds in 
the interior ; but how are we to account for the absence from 
her seas and rocky shores of the huge Steamer Ducks so 
common in similar latitudes of South America, and of the 
Bernicle which are so numerous at the Falklands ? 


Genus CHENOPIS, Wagler. 


Subdivided as the avifauna of the world now is, it would 
have been surprising, indeed, if the Black Swan had been left 
in the old genus Cygnus, from which it departs in many par- 
ticulars ; I accordingly adopt the above generic term, which 
Wagler had the honour of proposing for it. 


Sp. 577. CHENOPIS ATRATA. 


Buack SwAN. 


Black Swan, Philip’s Voy., p. 96.—White’s Journ., p. 137. — 
Anas atrata, Lath. Ind. Orn., vol. 1. p. 834. . 
plutonia, Shaw, Nat. Misc., pl. 108. 
Black Swan of Van Diemen, D’Entrecast. Voy., 8vo, vol. i. p. 140, 
plows 
Shawian or Black Swan, Penn. Outl., vol. iv. p. 130. 
Cygnus atratus, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xii. p. 18. 
Chenopis atrata, Wagl. in Oken’s Isis, 1832, p. 1234. 
Le Cygne noir, Cuv. Régne Anim., tom. i. p. 529. 
Mul-go, Aborigines of New South Wales. 
Guljak, Aborigines of Perth. 
Mil-lee, Aborigines northward of Perth. 


Cygnus atratus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 6. 


This “rara avis in terris”’ is not only strictly confined to 
Australia, of which country it forms one of the most orna- 


NATATORES. 347 


mental of its feathered tribes, but is so exclusively an inha- 


- bitant of the southern and western districts, that no notice 


has been recorded of its having been seen in Torres Straits, or 
on any part of the north coast. 

The first notice on record respecting it occurs in a letter 
written by Mr. Witsen to Dr. M. Lister about the year 1698, 
in which he says, “Here is returned a ship, which by our 
East India Company was sent to the south land called 
Hollandia Nova;” and adds that Black Swans, Parrots, and 
many Sea Cows were found there. In 1726 two were 
brought alive to Batavia, having been procured on the west 
coast. of Australia, near Dirk Hartog’s Bay. Our celebrated 
countryman and navigator Cook observed it on several parts — 
of the coast, and from that time to the present it has attracted 
the attention of every traveller in Australia, and been noticed 
by most authors who have written upon its natural produc- 
tions; still, all that has hitherto been placed upon record 
has been mere notices of its existence, unaccompanied by 
any information respecting its habits and economy, or the 
extent of its range; and my account will fall far short of 
what the historian of so noble a bird ought to be able to 
give ; for our knowledge of it is still very limited, and must 
necessarily remain so until geographical research has cleared 
our path, and made us more intimately acquainted with the 
portions of the country it principally inhabits. 

I may state that the Black Swan is generally distributed 
over the whole of the southern portion of Australia, the 
islands in Bass’s Straits, and the still more southern country 
of Tasmania, wherever there are rivers, estuaries of the sea, 
lagoons, and pools of water of any extent ; im some instances 
it occurs in such numbers that flocks of many hundreds may 
be seen together, particularly on those arms of the sea which, 
after passing the beach-line of the coast, expand into great 
sheets of shallow water, on which the birds are seldom dis- 
turbed either by the force of boisterous winds or the intru- 


848 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


sions of the natives. In the white man, however, the. Black 
Swan finds an enemy so deadly, that in many parts where it 
was formerly numerous it has been almost, if not entirely, 
extirpated ; and this has been particularly the case on some 
of the large rivers. of Tasmania, such as the Derwent, &c. ; 
but im the salt lagoons and inlets of D’Entrecasteaux’s 
Channel, the little-frequented bays of the southern and west- 
ern shores of that island, the entrance to Melbourne Harbour 
at Port Philip, Spencer’s and St. Vincent’s Gulfs in South Au- 
stralia, the Clarence, MacLeay and other rivers northward of 
the Hunter in New South Wales, the Black Swan is still 
numerous. One most destructive mode by which vast num- 
bers are annually destroyed is that of chasing the birds in a 
boat at the time they shed their primary quill-feathers, when 
being unable to fly they are soon rowed down and captured ; 
this practice, which is much to be regretted, is usually re- 
sorted to for the sake of the beautiful down with which the 
breasts are clothed, but not unfrequently in mere wantonness. 
I have heard of the boats of a whaler entering an estuary and 
returning to the ship, nearly filled with Black Swans destroyed 
in this manner. 

When flying it forms a most conspicuous object, the white 
of the wings offering a strong contrast to the black colouring 
of its body and the green herbage bounding the scene in 
which it is disporting. 2 

The breeding-season commences in October and continues 
to the middle of January ; I procured newly-hatched young 
clothed in greyish white down at South Port River on the 
31st of December, and I took five newly-laid eggs on Flinders’ 
Island, in Bass’s Straits, on the 13th of January. The nest 
is of a large size, composed of flags and other herbage, and 
generally placed on an isolated island. The eggs are from 
five to eight in number, of a pale green, stained all over with 
buffy brown, four and a half inches long by two inches and 
three-quarters broad. | 


NATATORES, 349 


In disposition, unless molested, or its precincts intruded 
upon, it is as tame, gentle, and harmless as it is graceful and 
ornamental in appearance, and as it readily becomes domesti- 
cated there are few aviaries in Europe which are not adorned 
with its presence. 

But no one has been so fortunate in breeding the Black 
Swan as Samuel Gurney, Esq., and the following account of 
the fecundity of a single pair kept by that gentleman on his 
estate at Carshalton, on the River Wandle, in Surrey, I con- 
sider to be of the highest interest :—‘‘ They were,’ says Mr. 
Gurney, “purchased from Baker, of Leadenhall Market, in_ 
1851; they did not breed until 1854, when they laid their first 
egg on January 1. It was a most severe winter—snow on 
the ground and intense frost nearly the whole time they were 
sitting. They hatched their young during the greatest cold 
of that winter, from which they did not suffer, though they 
had no shelter of any kind, and their nest was fully exposed 
to the east wind. Out of. the ninety-three young ones 
hatched by them up to this present year, 1862 (inclusive), — 
about half that number have been reared. Some of them 
have died from disease; but most of them have been killed 
by the old ones dragging them about in the fields, when they 
have fallen into small holes on their backs, and have not been 
able to recover themselves. They have bred sixteen times in 
seven years, having laid one hundred and eleven eggs. The 
nest was composed of a large heap of rushes, collected by 
themselves, to which they were continually adding during 
incubation. ‘The male and female would sit alternately on 
the nest. The male bird was found dead on February 17, 
1862. No cause could be assigned for his death, as he had 
been in perfect health.” 

The whole of the plumage brownish black, the under sur- 
face paler than the upper; the feathers of the back tipped 
with greyish brown ; primaries and secondaries pure white ; 
bill beautiful pinky scarlet, crossed near the tip with a broad 


350 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


band of white; the extremities of both mandibles are also 


white ; irides scarlet ; eyelash and lores pinky scarlet ; feet 
black. 


Genus CEREOPSIS, Latham. 


But one species of this singular and strictly Australian 
form has yet been discovered, and I do not think it likely 
that another will be found. 


Sp. 578. CEREOPSIS NOVAi-HOLLANDIA, Lath. 
CrrEopsis Goose. 


Cereopsis nove-hollandia, Lath. Ind. Orn., Supp. p. lxvi. 

New Holland Cereopsis, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. 11. p. 325, pl. 138. 

Cereopsis cinereus, Vieill. Gal. des Ois., tom. ii. pl. 284. 

Anser griseus, Vieill. 2nde édit. du Nouv. Dict. d’ Hist. Nat., tom. xxiii. 
p. 838. 

Cereopsis australis, Swains. An. in Menag., p. 219, fig. 32. 

Cape Barren Goose of the Colonists. 


Cereopsis nove-hollandix, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. 
pl.1. 


This is one of the Australian birds which particularly 
attracted the notice of the earlier voyagers to that country, 
by nearly every one of whom it is mentioned as being very 
plentiful on all the islands in Bass’s Straits, and so tame that 
it might be easily knocked down with sticks or even captured 
by hand ; during my sojourn in the country I visited many of 
the localities above-mentioned, and found that, so far from its 
being still numerous, it is almost extirpated; I killed a pair 
on Isabella Island, one of a small group near Flinders’ Island, 
on the 12th of January 1839. I believe that it may be still 
found on some parts of the south coast of Australia; but in the 
colonized districts, where it has been much molested, it has 
now become so scarce that it is very rarely seen. It passes 
the greater portion of its time on the ground, and seldom takes 


NATATORES. 351 


to the water. It appears to be strictly a vegetable feeder, 
and to subsist principally upon grasses in the neighbourhood 
of the coast; consequently its flesh is excellent, and all who 
have tasted it agree in extolling its delicacy and flavour. It 
bears confinement remarkably well, but is by no means a 
desirable addition to the farmyard; for it is so pugnacious, 
that it not only drives all other birds before it, but readily 
attacks pigs, dogs, or any other animal that may approach, 
and often inflicts severe wounds with its hard and sharp bill. 

Its voice is a deep, short, hoarse, clanging, and disagreeable 
sound. It readily breeds in confinement. The eggs are 
creamy white, about three inches and a quarter in length by 
two inches and a quarter in breadth. 

The sexes are precisely alike in plumage ; and the young 
at an early age assume the plumage of the adults, but have 
the greenish yellow cere much less conspicuous. 

Crown of the head whitish, the remainder of the plumage 
brownish grey ; the wing-coverts and scapularies with a spot 
of brownish black near the tip; the feathers of the back 
margined with pale brownish grey; the apical half of the 
primaries, the tips of the secondaries, the tail, and the under 
tail-coverts blackish brown; bill black; cere lemon-yellow ; 
irides vermilion ; eyelash dark brown; legs reddish orange ; 
toes, webs, claws, and a streak up the front of the legs black. 

Living examples of this species have graced the gardens of 
the Zoological Society, from their formation to the present 
time; and also formed part of the extensive collection kept 
by King George the Fourth m the Great Park at Windsor. © 
They bred there as freely as the Emus or any of the other 
animals of Australia, and are all descended from one pair 
originally brought to this country. (See a detailed account of 
the history of the genus Cereopsis, and of these birds, in the 
late E. T. Bennett’s ‘Gardens and Menagerie of the Zoologi- 
cal Society delineated,’ Birds, p. 315.) 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


-Genus ANSERANAS, Lesson. 


This genus, like that of Cereopsis, contains but a single 
species, and is peculiar to Australia. 


Sp. 579. ANSERANAS MELANOLEUCA. 
SEMIPALMATED GoosE. 


Anas melanoleuca, Lath. Ind. Orn., Supp. p. Ixix. 

Black and White Goose, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. 11. p. 344. 
Anas semipalmata, Lath. Ind. Orn., Supp. p. lxix. 

Semipalmated Goose, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. il. p. 347, pl. 139. 
Anseranas melanoleuca, Less. Man. d’Orn., tom. ii. p. 418. 
Choristopus semipalmatus, Kyton, Mon. Anat., p. 79. 

Anseranas melanoleuca, List of Birds in Brit. Mus., part iii. p. 125. 
Newal-gang, Aborigines of New South Wales. 


Anseranas melanoleuca, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. 
pl. 2. ! 


When New South Wales was first colonized, this fine 
species was very abundant on the Hawkesbury ; it is however 
no longer a denizen of that river, or perhaps of any of the 
_ streams within the colony, and thus affords another instance 
that the progress of civilization invariably leads to the gradual 
extirpation of the more conspicuous of the natural productions 
of the countries over which it extends its sway; it is still, 
however, abundant as we progress northwards, and gradually 
becomes more numerous until we reach the rivers and lagoons - 
which empty themselves into Torres Straits; here it occurs 
in such countless multitudes that it forms one of the chief 
articles of the food of the Aborigines, and was of the utmost 
value to Leichardt and his party, during their adventurous 
journey from Moreton Bay to Port Essington, as shown 
in numerous parts of his interesting account of the expe- 
dition. So dense are the flocks that occur in the northern 
parts of the country, that the natives are enabled to procure 


NATATORES. 353 


numbers of them by spearing; and, says Leichardt, “ It 
seemed that they only spear them when flying, and always 
crouch down when they see a flight of them approaching ; the 
geese, however, know their enemies so well that they imme- 
diately turn upon seeing a native rise and put his spear into 
the throwing-stick : some of my companions asserted that 
they had often seen them hit their object at the almost incre- 
dible distance of two hundred yards ;” an assertion which, 
from what I have myself witnessed, I can readily believe. 

It is well known that many of the natatorial birds exhibit 
very singular conformations of the trachea, but in no one 
species are the convolutions and situation of this organ more 
remarkable than in the present bird. “The trachea,” says 
Yarrell, in the fifteenth volume of the ‘ Linnean Transactions,’ 
p- 383, “is situated on the outside of the pectoral muscle, 


under the skin, sufficiently raised under the wing that respi- 


ration would not be impeded. when the bird rested with its 
breast on the ground, the parallel tubes being firmly attached 
both to the muscle and the skin by cellular tissue. The 
clavicle of the right side of the bird is of the usual character, 
but that on the left is both shorter and wider, having an 
aperture about the middle, the sides diverging with a pro- 
jecting point on the inner side, to which the tube of the 
trachea is firmly attached, about two inches above the bone of 
divarication. The trachea lying on the left side of the bird, 
the lower portion of the tube in its passage to the lungs 
crosses the left branch of the furcula at a right angle, but be- 
coming attached to this projection of the clavicle, receives 
from the point described its centrical direction into the body. 
The whole length of the windpipe is four feet eight inches.” 
In young birds the trachea is not nearly so much convoluted. 
This curious structure of the trachea has also been noticed and 
figured by Latham, on the 178th plate of his ‘General 
History of Birds,’ vol. x. p. 295, above quoted. The speci- 
mens from the north are somewhat smaller than those from 
VOL. I. : 2A 


354 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


the south coast, and have the knob on the bill rising higher on 
the forehead. 

Head, neck, wings, centre of the back, tail and thighs glossy 
greenish black, the remainder of the plumage white; irides 
blackish brown ; bill reddish brown ; feet yellow. 


Genus CHLAMYDOCHEN, Bonaparie. 


The Australian bird referred to this genus is the only one 
of a form which is nearly allied to, but differs in several minor 
particulars from, Bernicla. 


Sp. 580. CHLAMYDOCHEN JUBATA. 
Manep Goose. 


Anas jubata, Lath. Ind. Orn., Supp. p. Ixix, 

Hawkesbury Duck, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. i. p. 358, pl. in title- 
page. 

Bernicla jubata, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xu. p. 63. 

Chlamydochen jubata, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de Acad. Sci., tom. 
xliii. séances des 15 et 22 Sept. 1856. 

Ma!'-rang-an-ner, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Au- 
stralia. 

Wood Duck, Colonists of New South Wales and Swan River. 


Bernicla jubata, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 3. 


During the period I had the privilege of observing the birds 
of Australia in a state of nature, no one of the natatorial forms 
interested me more than the present species. The result of 
my-observations enables me to state that it seldom, if ever, 
visits Tasmania or any of the islands in Bass’s Straits ; but 
that on the continent of Australia it is met with at Swan 
River in South Australia and on the east coast generally, and 
that its probable range extends across the country between 
the 25th and 30th degrees of south latitude. During the 
carly days of the colony of New South Wales, it was very 


NATATORES. 355 


common on the rivers near Sydney, particularly on the 
Hawkesbury ; at the present time it is sometimes seen there, 
and is still numerous on the Hunter and other rivers 
towards the interior limits of the colony. In South Australia 
it is one of the commonest of the water birds, frequenting the 
brooks of the interior. No specimen has yet been procured 
at Port Essington, nor, as far as I am aware, on any part of 
the north coast. It presents a very pleasing appearance while 
flymg up and down the brooks in flocks of from six to thirty » 
in number, and is equally interesting when perched in small 
companies on the branches of fallen trees which have found a 
resting-place in the beds of the rivers and water-holes, or when 
sitting on the topmost branches of the high gum-trees im the 
‘midst of the woods. Its flesh is excellent, and not unfre-— 
quently forms an acceptable repast for the settled colonist and 
the weary traveller. It frequently utters a loud barking note so 
unlike the voice of any other goose, as at once to excite the 
attention of any person who may be traversing the parts of 
the country it inhabits. I found it to be tolerably tame in 
disposition, which circumstance enabled me to procure nu- 
merous examples without difficulty. 

It usually breeds in the hollow parts of large trees, those 
chosen for the purpose being often situated in the bush far 
away from water. 

The food consists of grasses and aquatic plants, snails, and 
insects. | 

The sexes vary considerably in size and in the beauty of | 
their plumage, the male far exceeding the female in both © 
respects. 

The male has the head and neck rich brown ; the length- 
ened plumes down the back of the neck black; back, lesser 
wing-coverts, tertiaries and scapularies brownish grey; the 
scapularies very broadly margined on their external webs, and 
very narrowly on their internal webs, with deep velvety black; 
lower part of the back, rump, upper tail-coverts and tail deep 

2A 2 


356 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


black ; greater wing-coverts dark grey largely tipped with 
pure white, the two colours separated by a narrow line of black; 
spurious wing and primaries very dark brown, the latter 
deepening into black at their extremities; outer webs of the 
secondaries or speculum rich glossy green broadly margined 
with white, their inner webs grey; the last two have their 
outer webs entirely glossy green and their inner webs 
grey, with the exception of a narrow margin of white; breast- 
feathers buffy white, each feather crossed by two irregular 
bands of brown, the margin between the bands freckled with 
brown, and a spot of black at each end of the band nearest 
the tip, giving the whole a mottled appearance ; flanks silver- 
grey, delicately pencilled with fine wavy lines of black ; 
centre of the abdomen and under tail-coverts deep glossy 
black ; bill olive-brown; irides very dark brown; legs and 
feet dark brown. 

The female has the head and neck pale brown, speckled 
with white on the sides of the face; all the upper surface and 
wings greyish brown; the scapularies stained with black on 
their outer webs; lower part of the back black ; primaries 
brown ; secondaries and greater coverts tipped with white, the 
_ former with a trace of the glossy green so conspicuous in the 
male, at the base of the outer webs; the markings of the 
breast are similar to those of the male, but they are larger 
and paler, and the feathers are destitute of the minute freckles 
on the margins of the feathers; flanks hight brown, crossed 
with bars of white freckled with brown; centre of the abdo- 
men and under tail-coverts white. 

Although I have applied the trivial name of goose to this 
bird it has but little relationship to the typical member of the 
genus Anser, none of which, as stated in the introduction, 
exist in Australia, nor, so far as I am aware, in any of the 
Polynesian Islands. 


NATATORES. 3507 


Genus NETTAPUS, Brandt. 


Of this genus of Pygmy Geese there are now at least four 
species known; one inhabiting Africa, one India, and two 
Australia. | 


Sp. 581. NETTAPUS PULCHELLUS, Gould. 


Green Pyamy Goosn. 


Nettapus pulchellus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part ix. p. 89. 
Loon-byte, Aborigines of the northern coast of Australia. 
Little Goose, Residents at Port Essington. 


Nettapus pulchellus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vil. pl. 4.. 


The acquisition of an entirely new species of Nettapus, a 
generic name applied to these Pygmy Geese by M. Brandt of 
St. Petersburg, is not one of the least valuable results of the 
exploration of the northern coast of Australia; independently 
of its great beauty, the present species is interesting, as 
uniting most completely, in the character and disposition 
of some of its markings, the two previously known species, 
NV. coromandelianus and N. madagascariensis, which differ 
very considerably in these pomts. Although very goose- 
like in the form of its head, particularly in the elevation of 
the upper mandible, its largely webbed feet indicate a strictly 
aquatic mode of life; and in the notes accompanying the two 
specimens shot at Port Essington by Gilbert, he states that he 
first saw a pair of these beautiful birds on the 16th of January, 
swimming on a quiet secluded lake, shut in on all sides by 
very high grass: both of these he succeeded in killing at a 
shot ; he further states that they are rare in the Peninsula, 
only one specimen having been procured prior to his obtain- 
ing these two. It is an extremely shy species, and at the 
slightest movement of anything near it, dives and remains 
under water a long time. Having, on dissecting. the female, 
found a nearly developed egg in the ovarium, he was induced 


358 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


to seek for the nest, which he found built up in the long grass 
about a foot above the water, the bottom of the nest resting 
on its surface ; it was composed of long dried grasses, slightly 
hollowed for the reception of the eggs: the nest in this m- 
stance was destitute of any kind of lining ; but one afterwards 
brought him by the natives was interiorly constructed with 
feathers and contained six eggs, which are white, one inch and 
seven-cighths long by one inch and three-eighths broad. 

Mr. Gregory informs me that during his expedition “ this 
elegantly symmetrical waterfowl was only found on the Sher- 
lock river. It is remarkable for its tameness and for its light 
and sportive movements on the water. It was seen in flights 
of eight or ten together.” 

The male has the head brownish green, indistinctly barred 
with light brown; beneath the eye an oval spot of white ; 
neck, back and wings deep glossy green; primaries black ; 
outer webs of the secondaries snow-white; feathers of the 
chest, sides and back of the neck white, with a number of 
greenish-black circles one within the other, so numerous that 
the white is nearly lost; flanks similarly marked, but in them 
the circles, bars, and pencillings are broader and more apparent; 
tail black glossed with green; abdomen white; under tail- 
coverts black ; irides dark brown; bill dark greenish grey ; 
legs and feet blackish brown, with a yellowish-white nail ; 
under mandible greenish grey, irregularly blotched with a 
lighter colour. 

The female resembles the male, but differs in having the 
crown, occiput and a stripe down the back of the neck deep 
brown; in being destitute of the white spot beneath the eye ; 
in having the chin and upper part of the throat white, mottled 
with small markings of brown; bill French grey, becoming 
more yellow at the base; lower mandible bluish grey; tarsi 
fleshy white on the sides, back and front blackish brown ; feet 
dark brown. 

Total length 124inches; bill 1g; wing 63; tail 3; tarsi 1. 


NATATORES. . 309 


Sp. 582. NETTAPUS ALBIPENNIS, Gould. 
Wuitst-quittep Pyemy Goosz. 
Nettapus albipennis, Gould Birds of Aus., fol. vol. i. Introd. p. xci. 


ee coromandelianus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. 
pl. 5. 

This species is nearly allied to the Nettapus coromandelianus 
of Java and India, from which it differs in being of a much 
larger size; I have therefore named it Nettapus albipennis, a 
term applicable to both, but which, from the greater length of 
the primaries, and the consequent increased development of 
the white mark on those feathers of the Australian bird, will, I 
hope, not be deemed an inappropriate appellation. 

This elegant little Goose is tolerably abundant on the 
eastern portions of the Australian continent, inhabiting the 
estuaries and rivers between the ranges, and the coast from 
the Hunter to Moreton Bay, and in all probability far to 
the northward of these localities, though my knowledge of its 
range will not allow me to say such is the case, as it is one of 
the few birds of New South Wales which I had no opportu- 
nity of observing in a state of nature; I am consequently 
unable to furnish any account of its habits and economy ; 
neither, I regret to say, can I supply the deficiency from the 
notes of any other observer. : 

The sexes are easily distinguished from each other by the | 
greater size of the male, and by the far more brilliant colour- — 
ing of his markings. 

_ Mr. Jerdon, speaking of the allied species, V. coroman- 
delianus, says, “it frequents weedy and grassy tanks in mo- 
derate or rather large flocks, flies with great rapidity, uttering 
a cackling call, and is, when undisturbed, very familiar and 
unwary. It breeds generally in the holes of trees, often at 
some distance from water, and lays eight or ten white eggs.” 
This account I have no doubt is eqnaly descriptive of the 
present species. 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus TADORNA, Leach. 


The Australian Shieldrake does not, that I can perceive, 
differ sufficiently from the 7. vudpanser of Europe to warrant 
its generic separation ; I have not, therefore, adopted Reichen- 
bach’s generic term of Radjah for this very delicately coloured 


bird. 


Sp. 583. TADORNA RADJAH. 


RADJAH SHIELDRAKE. 


Anas radjah, Garnot, Voy. de la Coquille, p. 602.—Atlas to ditto, pl. 49. 
leucomelas, Garnot (Bonap.). 

Tadorna radjah, Wyton, Mon. of the Anat., p. 106. 

Radja eytoni, Reich. (Bonap.). 

White Duck, Residents at Port Essington. 

Co-mér-do, Aborigines of Port Essington. 


Tadorna radjah, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 8. 


This beautiful Shieldrake is found in numerous flocks on 
all the lakes and swamps of the northern and eastern portions 
of Australia; like the other members of the genus, it fre- 
quently perches on trees and resorts to the hollow branches 
and boles for the purpose of breeding, the young being 
removed to the water by their parents immediately after they 
are hatched. When the rainy season has set in, and the 
water of the lakes has become too deep for them to reach the 
roots of a species of rush upon which they feed, they scatter 
over the face of the country, and are then to be seen wading 
through the mangrove bushes and over the soft mud left by 
the receding tide, the surface of which affords an abundant 
supply of food, consisting of crabs, mollusks, and other marine 
| animals. The sexes present no visible difference in their 
colour or markings, nor is there a sufficient difference in size 
' to distinguish the male from the female. 

Head, neck, breast, abdomen, flanks, wing-coverts, inner 


A 


NATATORES. 36] 


webs, and tips of the outer webs of the secondaries white ; 
band across the breast and upper part of the back rich deep 
chestnut, which colour gradually passes into the deep dull 
black of the scapularies, tertiaries, back, rump, and tail; 
feathers of the centre of the back finely freckled with chestnut ; 
outer edges of tertiaries rich reddish chestnut ; wing-coverts 
crossed near the tip of each feather with a narrow irregular 
line of black; speculum, or base of the outer webs of the 
secondaries, rich, shining, bronzy green, between which and 
the white tip is a broad line of dull black; primaries and 
spurious wing black; lower part of the flanks and under 
tail-coverts dull black, freckled with white; irides yellowish 
white; bill and legs reddish flesh-colour, with, in some 
great specimens, a bluish tinge. | 


Genus CASARCA, Bonaparte. 


The species of this section of the Anatide are not very 
numerous; one or two inhabit New Zealand and one Aus- 
tralia, which latter represents the C. ruti/a of Europe. 


Sp. 584. CASARCA TADORNOIDES. 
CHESTNUT-COLOURED SHIELDRAKRE. 


New Holland Shieldrake, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. x. p. 806. 

Anas tadornoides, Jard. and Selb. Ill. Orn., vol. ii. pl. 62. 

Casarca tadornoides, Eyton, Mon. of the Anat., p. 171. 

Goo-ré-ga, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Australia. 
Mountain Duck, Colonists of Swan River. : 


Casarca tadornoides, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. Dhak 


‘This fine Shieldrake is universally spread over all such 
parts of Tasmania, South and Western Australia, as present 
localities suitable to its habits, but is nowhere very plentiful. 
During my residence in Tasmania I saw several fresh speci- 
mens that had been shot on the lakes of the interior of the 


362 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


island, and ascertained that it had formerly resorted to the 
rivers, heads of the bays, and inlets of the sea near Hobart 
Town. In South Australia it breeds annually at Gawler, on 
all the alluvial flats that abound in that district: it is also 
said to deposit its eggs in the hollow spouts and boles of the 
lofty gum-trees. 

Strange informed me that the nest is formed of the down 
plucked by the bird from its own breast, that he has taken 
thirteen eggs from a single nest, and that their colour was 
similar to those of the Teal. It breeds early in the spring, 
which in Australia is at an opposite period of the year to the 
spring of the northern hemisphere. 

Its food consists of the small fish, crustacea, mollusks, Xc. 
which abound in the flats and swampy places. I have never 
received this species from New South Wales ; and much in- 
formation yet remains to be obtained respecting the range, 
etc., of this fine bird. 

The sexes may be distinguished by the smaller size of the 
- female, as well as by the whole of her markings being less 
_ pure, and by the ring of white or mottled feathers which sur- 
round the base of the bill. 

Head and upper part of the neck shining dark green ; chest, 
lower part of the neck and upper part of the back pale chest- 
nut or rusty red, between which colour and the green of the 
upper part of the neck is a ring of pure white; upper and 
under surface black, finely freckled and waved with pale 
chestnut; upper and under tail-coverts and tail black, glossed 
with green ; wing-coverts pure white; primaries dull black ; 
secondaries rich glossy green on their outer webs, black on the 
inner ; tertiaries rich chestnut on their outer and grey on 
their inner webs ; irides dark brown; bill black ; legs greyish 


black. 
In size this species exceeds every other Australian Duck, 


and is even larger than the Maned Goose, Chlamydochen 
jubata. 


NATATORES. 363 


Genus ANAS, Linneus. 


The well-known Mallard or Wild Duck of Europe is the 
type of this genus, of which there is a representative in every 
division of the globe, and at least two m Australia. - 


Sp. 585. ANAS SUPERCILIOSA, Gmelin. 


AUSTRALIAN Wixtp Duck. 


Anas superciliosa, Gmel. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 587. 

leucophrys, Forst. Drawings, No. 77. 

Supercilious Duck, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. vi. p. 497. 

Gwoom-ndn-na, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Aus- 
tralia. 

Black Duck, Colonists of New South Wales and Tasmania. 

He-turrera, Aborigines of New Zealand. 


_ Grey Duck, Colonists of Swan River. 


Anas superciliosa, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 9. 


This species may be considered as the Australian repre- 
sentative of the Common Wild Duck (Azas boschas) of Europe. 
It enjoys a wide range of habitat, all the southern portion of 
the continent, Tasmania, and the Islands in Bass’s Straits 
being alike favoured its presence; it also inhabits New 
Zealand; at least specimens from thence offer so slight a 
variation that I cannot consider them to be otherwise than 
identical. 

In habits, manners, and general economy the European 
and Australian species approximate most closely; their flesh 
is similar in flavour, and the one is as highly esteemed and as 
much sought after for the table in Australia as the other is in 


‘Europe; as regards external appearance, however, no com- 


parison can be made between the two birds; for, while the 
male of the Anas boschas during the greater part of the year 
is remarkable for the beauty of his plumage, the Anas super- | 
ciliosa, being subject to but little periodical change, is gene- 


364 "BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


rally clothed in a sombre-coloured dress ; neither do the sexes 
offer sufficient difference of colour by which the one may be 
distinguished from the other. Arms of the sea, rivers with 
sedgy banks, lagoons, and water-holes are its favourite places 
of resort. I met with it often and under every variety of 
circumstance, sometimes in flocks, at others either singly 
or in pairs, and not unfrequently in company with other 
species. ‘The tameness of its disposition depends much upon 
whether the locality has or has not been frequented by 
man; in some of the rivers in Recherche Bay in Tasmania 
and others in the interior of the continent of Australia, 
which are rarely visited, it evinced much less shyness than 
when observed on the waters of the populated districts. It 
is everywhere either a stationary species or subject to very 
partial migrations. In the choice of a breeding-place it 
appears to be influenced by circumstances, sometimes depo- 
siting its eggs among long grass and sedges, and not un- 
frequently resorting to hollow spouts and boles of trees for 
the same purpose. Nine eggs, taken in September from the 
hollow part of a tree at Moore’s River in Western Australia, 
were of a dark cream-colour, two inches and a quarter long 
by one inch and five-eighths broad. 
_ Head very dark brown; a narrow line above the eye, a 
broad stripe from the bill beneath the eye, and the throat 
buff; sides of the neck striated with buff and dark brown ; 
all the upper surface, wings, and tail rich brown; the feathers 
narrowly margined with buffy brown; tips of the greater 
wing-coverts velvety black; speculum rich deep glossy green, 
bounded posteriorly with velvety black ; under surface brown, 
each feather edged with pale brownish white; bill light bluish 
lead-colour ; irides bright hazel; legs yellowish brown, with 
darker webs. 

The above is the description of a male; the female, as 
before stated, is very similarly coloured. 


NATATORES. 365 


Sp. 586. ANAS PUNCTATA, Cuvier. 


AUSTRALIAN THAL. 
Anas punctata, Cuv. 
Mareca castanea, Kyton, Mon. Anat., pl. in p- 119. 
punctata, List of Birds in Brit. Mus. Coll., part iii. p. 134. 
Gnwool-ye-nug-ger-rang, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western 
Australia. . 
Teal, Colonists of Swan River. 


Anas punctata, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 11. 


The Anas punctata is universally diffused over the southern 
portion of Australia; it is also equally numerous in some 
parts of Tasmania. It is not migratory, but may be met 
with durmg every month of the year. In two instances I 
found its nest and eggs. The situation of one was rather 
unusual, a hole near the top of a large tree growing on the 
flats near Aberdeen on the Upper Hunter; this occurred in 
the month of October, and in the following December I raised 
a female from her nest among the herbage on Green Island in 
D’Entrecasteaux’s Channel. In both instances the eggs were 
nine in number. 

Like the Wild Duck and Teal of Europe, this bird inhabits 
rivers, brooks, lagoons, and ponds, both inland and near the 
sea. It is a true grass-feeder, and is one of the best Ducks 
for the table found in the country. When surprised it 
rises quickly, but is less active than the European Teal ; it 
is, however, a bird of powerful flight. I frequently met 
with it in vast flocks while ascending the little-visited rivers 
of the southern part of Tasmania, particularly those which 
empty themselves into Recherche Bay. In these retired 
and solitary retreats it is much more tame than in frequented 
situations, and never failed to fly down the rivers over our 
heads as we ascended ; a measure which, although at the 
first view it appears to be that of flying into the danger it 
wished to avoid, was in fact the readiest means of escaping ; 


366 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


for had it taken the opposite course, it would have required 
great exertion to surmount the impenetrable forest of high 
trees, rising perpendicularly from the water’s edge, in which 
these short and sluggish rivers usually terminate. It is very 
rare that the male is killed in the nuptial dress, and 1 am 
induced to believe that it is not assumed until the bird is 
two or three years old; after the breeding-season the sexes 
are alike in plumage, and for at least nine months of the year 
there is no difference in their outward appearance. 

The adult male in the spring of the year has the head and 
neck of arich deep changeable bronzy green ; the whole of 
the upper surface rich brown, narrowly margined with light 
reddish brown ; all the under surface chestnut, with a round 
spot of black near the tip of each feather; greater wing- 
coverts white; outer webs of the secondaries deep rich 
velvety black, two or three of the central feathers margined 
with bronzy reflexions; remainder of the wings brown; tail 
dark brown; on either side of the vent a patch of white ; 
under tail-coverts black, freckled with tawny and white; bill 
bluish lead-colour; the nail and. the edges of the upper 
mandible black, and the under mandible crossed near the tip 
by a band of reddish flesh-colour ; irides hazel ; feet lead- 
colour, with the membranes of a somewhat darker hue. 

The female, the male in winter, and the young male of the 

year, have the head and neck minutely striated with brown 
and buffy white; all the under surface brown, with a blotch 
of black in the centre of each feather, and the upper surface, 
wings, and tail similarly marked, but less brilliant than in 
the male. 
_ There appear to be two very distinct races of this bird, one 
of which is much larger than the other; so great in fact is the 
difference in this respect in specimens from various parts of 
the country, that the idea presents itself of their being really 
distinct species. The smaller race inhabits Tasmania, the 
larger the western and southern portions of Australia. 


NATATORES. 367 


Genus STICTONETTA, Reichenbach. 


A very singular form, nearly allied to Chaulelasmus. The 
only species of the genus is a very rare bird, and has only yet 
been seen on the western and southern coasts of Australia ; 
it probably inhabits the distant interior. Reichenbach has 
assigned it the above generic title, which I have much 
pleasure in adopting. 


Sp. 587. STICTONETTA NAVOSA, Gould. 
. FRreckLED Duck. 


Anas nevosa, Gould in Proe. of Zool. Soc., part viii. p. 177. 

Stictonetta nevosa, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de Acad. Sci., tom. xliii. 
séances des 15 et 22 Sept. 1856. 

_ Freckled Duck, Colonists of Western Australia. 


Anas nevosa, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 10. 


Two specimens of this rare Duck are all that had come 
under my notice when my folio edition was completed ; several 
other examples have since been sent to Europe, all of which 
bore a general similitude. ‘The native habitat of the species 
are the western and southern parts of Australia. A further 
knowledge of this bird would be highly interesting: and it 
would be especially desirable to know whether the plumage in 
which I have figured it be permanent, whether, like most 
other members of its tribe, the bird undergoes seasonal 
changes, and also if the speculum of the wing ~ absent in 
the male as well as in the female. 

The stomach is very muscular, and those Selarnied con- 
tained small fish and minute shells. 

The whole of the plumage is dark brown, minutely freckled 
and spotted with irregular oblong marks of white in the 
direction of the feathers; the under surface the same, but 
lighter and tinged with buff; wings without a speculum ; 


368 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


primaries plain brown; irides light brown; bill greenish 
grey, becoming much darker at the tip; legs bluish green. 
Total length 17 inches; bill 24; wing 9; tail3; tarsi 2. 


Genus SPATULA, Bote. 


The great continents of America, Africa, Asia, and Australia 
are each inhabited by one or more species of this restricted 
genus. The well-known Shoveller of the British Islands is 
the type of this form, all the members of which are true 
grass-feeding Ducks, and most of them are subject to seasonal 
changes. ‘The nuptial dress of the male is very beautiful. 


Sp. 588. SPATULA RHYNCHOTIS. 


AUSTRALIAN SHOVELLER. 


Anas rhynchotis, Lath. Ind. Orn., Supp. p. Ixx. 

New Holland Shoveller, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp. vol. ii. p. 359. 

Rhynchaspis rhynchotis, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xi. 
p. 123. 

Spatula rhynchotis, List of Birds in Brit. Mus. Coll., part ii. p. 140. 

Bér-doo-ngoo-ba, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Aus- 
tralia. 

Shovel-nosed Duck of the Colonists. 


Spatula rhynchotis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. Vii. pl. 12. 


[In size and structure, and particularly in the conformation 
of the bill, the Spatula rhynchotis closely assimilates to the 
Spatula clypeata of Europe and the Spatula variegata of New 
Zealand; and the three species, whose distinctive characters 
are most plainly marked, are doubtless all characterized by 
a similarity of habits and actions. Although ranging widely 
from east to west, the habitat of this species, so far as is yet 
known, is confined to the southern portion of Australia. It 
is, however, more abundant in Tasmania and the islands in 
Bass’s Straits. New South Wales, South Australia, and 


NATATORES. 369 


Swan River all come within the range of its habitat, but it is 
much more rare in Western Australia than in any other of 
| the countries I have enumerated. Freshwater rivers, creeks, 
marshes, lakes, and pools both near the coast and in the 
interior of the country are the situations in which the Au- 
stralian Shoveller is to be found. I frequently met with it 
in company with other common ducks of the country, all 
united in one flock. It feeds on aquatic plants, shelled 
mollusks, and water insects. Its flesh’ as an article of food is 
little if at all inferior to that of the Australian Wild Duck 
(Anas superciliosa); consequently it is frequently shot and 
eaten by the settlers. Like most of its tribe it assumes a 
richer dress at one season than at another, that of the spring 
or pairing-time being much the finest; at other times the 
male is so much like the female, which undergoes no change 
_ of plumage, as scarcely to be distinguishable from her. 

I did not succeed in finding the breeding-places of this 
species, consequently I am unable to give any account of its 
incubation, nest, or eggs. 

The male has the crown of the head and the space surround- 
ing the base of the bill brownish black ; on either side of the 
face between the bill and the eye a broad lunar-shaped line of 
white, bounded posteriorly by speckles of black; head and 
neck grey, with greenish reflexions; all the under surface 
very dark chestnut-brown, each feather with a broad crescent- 
shaped mark of black at the tip, which is very conspicuous 
on the breast; flanks rich chestnut, each feather crossed by 
several broad crescentic bands of black; back brownish 
black, the feathers of the upper part margined with greyish 
brown ; lesser wing-coverts and outer webs of the scapularies 
blue-grey, the inner webs of the latter black, with a distinct 
line of white in the direction of and next to the shaft; greater 
wing-coverts black, largely tipped with white; outer webs of 
the secondaries rich deep glossy green ; primaries very dark 
brown with lighter shafts ; under surface of the wing white ; 

VOL. 11. 3 2B 


370 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


on either side of the vent a patch of white, freckled with 
black ; under tail-coverts black, tinged with shining green ; tail 
dark brown; irides bright yellow; bill dark purplish black, 
the under mandible clouded with yellow ; legs and feet yellow. 
The female has the head and neck buff, striated with dark 
brown, the latter colour predominating on the crown of the 
head and back of the neck; all the upper surface dark brown, 
each feather margined with whitish brown; the wings as in 
the male, but the colours and markings much less brilliant 
and decided ; all the under surface mottled brown and buff. 


Sp. 589. SPATULA CLYPEATA. 
EvRoPEAN SHOVELLER. 


Anas clypeata, Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 200. 
rubens, Gmel. Edit. Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. 1. p.519. 

Clypeata macrorhynchos, platyrhynchos, pomarina, et brachyrhnychos, 
Brehm, Handb. der Naturg. aller Vig. Deutschl., pp. 87 6, 877, 


878, 879. 
Rhynchaspis clypeata, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de PAcad. Sci., tom. xl. 
séances des 15 et 22 Sept. 1856. 


Although I have no Australian skin of this species to con- 
firm the following remarks, I must ask my ornithological 
readers both in Australia and Europe to take my word for 
the occasional appearance of the bird in Australia, When I 
visited New South Wales during the rainy season of 1839, 
all the depressed parts of the land were filled with water, and 
the lagoons here, there, and everywhere were tenanted by 
hundreds of Ducks of various species, and every now and 
then one, two, or more beautifully plumaged Shovellers were 
seen among them; but I did not succeed in shooting one of 
them, and must have left the matter in doubt as to the par- 
ticular species, if the late Mr. Coxen, of Yarrundi, had not had 
the skin of a splendid old male in his possession, which he 
had himself shot, and which, after a careful examination, | 
found to be identical with the Spatula clypeata of Britain and 


NATATORES. SFL 


the European continent. Misfortune, I regret to say, attended 
Mr. Coxen’s specimen; for a day or two afterwards a rat or 
some other kind of vermin entered the room in which it was 
kept, ate off its bill and legs, and so otherwise mutilated the 
skin as to render it useless. The débris would still have been 
saved had I not hoped and felt assured of obtaining other 
examples with my gun; this hope, however, was never 
realized. | 

To this subject, therefore, I recommend the attention of 
those in Australia, who will doubtless meet with the bird 
some day when the country is subject to a partial inundation. 
That this species should extend its wanderings to Australia 
is not a matter of surprise, when we know that it has been 
found within the tropics, both in the Old and New Worlds. 

To enable my Australian readers to recognize the bird, I 
append a careful description of the two sexes, and of the male 
after the termination of the breeding-season. 

The male has the head and upper part of the neck deep 
glossy green ; lower part of the neck, breast, scapularies, and 
sides of the ramp white; back blackish brown, each feather 
margined with grey and tinged with green ; lesser wing- 
coverts and some of the scapularies greyish blue ; tips of the 
larger coverts white, forming a bar across the wing ; speculum 
rich green ; tertials rich purplish black, with a streak of white 
down the centre; middle tail-feathers brown, edged with 
white, outer ones entirely white ; upper and under tail-coverts 
black, tinged with green; under surface reddish brown ; 
flanks and vent pale brown, crossed with numerous irregular 
lines of black; bill blackish brown ; legs orange-red. 

The female has the whole of the upper surface deep brown, 
each feather barred and margined with white. 

After the breeding-season is over, the male has the cheeks, 
sides of the neck, and throat reddish white, speckled with 
brown; crown of the head and nape of the neck black, 
glossed with green, and each feather with a paler margin ; 

2B 2 


RY oe BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


back and scapulars deep brown, margined with pale yel- 
lowish brown; breast mingled yellowish brown and white ; 
abdomen mingled yellow and orange-brown. 


Genus MALACORHYNCHUS, Swainson. 


A very delicate form, of which the single species, confined 
to Australia, is the only one known ; and in which a beautiful 
pink-colour, unusual in the plumage of birds, shows itself in 
the shape of a minute spot on each side of the head. 


Sp. 590. MALACORHYNCHUS MEMBRANACEUS. 
Pink-EYED Duck. 


Anas membranacea, Lath. Ind. Orn., Supp. p. Ixix. 
fasciata, Shaw, Nat. Misce., pl. 697. 
New Holland Duck, Lath. Gen. Syn., Supp. vol. u. p. 359. 
Membranaceous Duck, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. x. p. 331. 
Rhynchaspis fasciata, Less. Traité d’Orn., p. 682. 
membranacea, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xi. p. 124. 
Malacorhynchus membranaceus, Swains. Class. of Birds, vol. 1. p. 866. 
fasciatus, Wag]. 
Wrongi, Aborigines of New South Wales. 
Wyin-bin, Aborigines of Perth, Western Australia. 
- Pink-eyed Duck, Colonists of Swan River. 


Malacorhynchus membranaceus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., 
vol. vi. pl. 13. 

Although this is by no means a common bird in any part 
of Australia that I have visited, it is very generally distributed 
over the southern portion of that country, and it also occa- 
sionally visits Tasmania; its occurrence there, however, is 
very irregular, the shortness or duration of the intervals 
being evidently influenced by some peculiarity of the season. 
Shallow freshwater lagoons seem to be its favourite places of 
resort ; hence, in New South Wales during the rainy season, 
when the flats and hollows are temporarily filled with water, 
giving life to myriads of the lower animals upon which this 


NATATORES, 373 


Duck feeds, its presence may at all times be looked for, while 
on the other hand it is seldom to be met with during seasons 
of drought. As it has never yet been seen out of Australia, or 
even on the northern shores of that country, we may reasonably 
suppose that toward the interior it finds situations suited to 
its existence, and where it doubtless breeds; but respecting 
this portion of its economy no particulars whatever have yet 
been ascertained. No one of the tribe that I have observed 
in a state of nature presents a more elegant or graceful 
appearance than this little Duck, which is generally seen in 
small companies of from six to twenty in number, swimming 
over the placid lagoons, and betraying so little fear and 
shyness on the approach of man, as to present a singular 
contrast in this respect to the other members of the family. 
Its flight is very powerful and swift. : 

The sexes are so perfectly similar in plumage as not to be 
certainly distinguished ; but the male is generally the larger. 

Sides of the face and chin white; crown greyish brown, 
becoming paler on the forehead; space round the eye, and a 
line from either eye uniting at the occiput and passing down 
the back of the neck brownish black ; immediately beneath 
this line and behind the dark patch surrounding the eye an 
oblong mark of rose-pink; back and wings brown, very 
minutely freckled with black; rump dark brown; upper 
tail-coverts buffy white, with a broad stripe of dark brown 
across the tip of each; tail dark brown, slightly tipped with 
white; sides of the head and neck, back of the neck, and all 
the under surface brownish white, crossed by numerous dark 
brown fasciee, which are narrow on the sides of the head and 
neck, broad and distinct on the back of the neck, the breast, 
and flanks, and nearly obliterated on the centre of the abdo- 
men ; under tail-coverts deep buff; irides dark reddish brown ; 
bill varies from greenish grey to bluish olive ; tip of the lower 
mandible white; tarsi and toes emerald-green in some speci- 
mens and yellow-brown in others; webs dark brown. 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus DENDROCYGNA, Swainson. 


This form is found in India, Africa, America, and Austra- 
lia; the bird I have separated into a distinct genus under the 
appellation of ZLeptotarsis should be included in the genus, 
the difference which it presents being too slight to warrant 
its division therefrom. 


Sp. 591. DENDROCYGNA GOULDI, Bonaparte. 


Wuistiine Tres-Ducx. 


Anas arcuata, Cuv., Horsf. Zool. Research. in Java. 
Dendrocygna arcuata, Swains. Class. of Birds, vol. 1. p. 365. 
, var. Gouldi, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de Acad. Sci., tom. 
xliii., séances des 15 et 22 Sept. 1856. 
En-jép-ere, Aborigines of Port Essington. 
Whistling Duck of the Colonists. 


Dendrocygna arcuata, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. 
pl. 14. 


I possess specimens of this fine Duck from Moreton Bay 
and from various parts of the north coast, on comparing which 
with others procured in Java I find that they are larger, and 
that they have the throat and fore-part of the neck of a less 
deeply tinted buff. These and other minor differences induced 
the late Prince Charles L. Bonaparte to give the Australian 
bird a new specific appellation, that of gouldi. 1 believe the 
Prince was right in considering it distinct from D. arcuata, 
and it would therefore be ungraceful in me not to accept the 
compliment from my distinguished coadjutor. 

During the months of September, October, November, ad 
December the Whistling Duck assembles in vast flocks on the 
lakes around the settlement at Port Essington: the lagoons 
and water at that season of the year are so shallow, that this 
and many other species of the Duck tribe are enabled to 
wade among the herbage and procure an abundant supply of 


- NATATORES. 875 


food. Gilbert states that, on the approach of man or the 
report of a gun, this and the other species in company with 
it rise altogether, but that each species separates itself into a 
distinct flock during the act of rising. While on the water 
it is quite silent, emitting no kind of noise; but all the time 
it is on the wing it gives utterance to a peculiar whistle. 

The stomach is extremely muscular, and the food consists 
of small fish and aquatic plants. 

Some eges brought to the settlement by the roti and 
said to belong to this bird, were taken early in March, from 
nests built in long grass on the small islands adjacent to the 
harbour at Port Essington ; they are of a creamy white, one 
inch and seven-eighths long by one inch and a half in breadth. 

Crown of the head, line down the back of the neck, all the 
upper surface, wings and tail brownish black, each feather of 
the back broadly margined with deep buff; wing-coverts deep 
chestnut ; chin white’; sides of the head buffy white ; breast 
deep buff, each feather crossed by a short bar of black ; abdo- 
men chestnut; line down the centre of the abdomen and 
vent buff, mottled with black ; under tail-coverts white ; flank- 
feathers buffy white, margined on either side with two stripes, 
the inner one of which is brownish black and the outer chest- 


nut; irides dark brown; bill black; tarsi greenish grey ; 


feet blackish grey. 
Sp. 592. DENDROCYGNA EYTONI, Gould. 


Eyton’s Tren-Dvucx. 


Leptotarsis eytoni, Gould, MS.—Eyton’s Mon. of Anat., p. 111. 

Dendrocygna eytoni, G. R. Gray, List of Birds in Brit. Mus. Coll., 
part il. p. 182. 

Now-é-rayen, Aborigines of Port Basiayton. 


Leptotarsis eytoni, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii, pl. 15. 


I gave the specific name of eytoni to this fine bird as a just 
tribute of respect to T. C. si Hsq., a gentleman ardently 


376 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


attached to the science of ornithology, and well known for his 
valuable ‘ Monograph of the Anatidee.’ 

The true habitat of the species appears to be the north- 
west coast of Australia, where, as Captain Stokes informs 
me, “it is: one of the commonest birds of the country. 
When on the wing it makes a peculiar whistling sound that 
can be heard at a great distance, and which changes as it 
alights into a sort of chatter. It perches on trees in a very 
clumsy manner, swinging and pitching to and fro. We 
subsequently often found it on the rivers of the north coast, 
but not within some miles of their mouths, or near their 
upper waters, from which it would appear that it inhabits 
certain reaches of the river only; we never found it in the 
swamps. The furthest south it was afterwards met with was 
on the Albert River, in the Gulf of Carpentaria, in lat. 18° S., 
which gives it a range of six and a half deégrees of latitude 
over the northern part of the continent. Its nest never came 
under our notice, consequently we are not aware either of the 
size or colour of the eggs; neither did we see any young 
birds during the period of our observation, ranging from 
July to November.” 

Mr. White, of Adelaide, im a letter to me, says, “I found a 
‘nest of this species in a log; I am not sure of the number of 
eggs it lays, but the natives say about eight or ten, mostly in 
the sand-hills, at Cooper’s Creek.” 

To this I may add another note supplied by the late 
Mr. Elsey :—‘ The Whistling Duck is very common, and was 
frequently shot on lagoons in the interior, but is very wary on 
the river. Large V-shaped flights passed over our camp 
during March, from S.E. to N.W., in which direction the 
bird appears to have a favourite resort.” 

Crown of the head and back of the neck dark sandy brown ; 
sides of the head and neck and the breast fawn-colour ; throat 
and fore part of the neck brownish white; all the upper 
surface greyish olive-brown; rump and tail brownish black, 


NATATORES. O17 


crossed by a band of buff; primaries and secondaries deep 
sandy red; tertiaries dark brown; across the upper part of 
the abdomen a broad band of purplish sandy red, each feather 
crossed by several narrow bands of black; feathers imme- 
diately before and beneath the insertion of the wing chestnut- 
red, crossed by several broad bars of black; flank-feathers 
buff, broadly and distinctly margined with black ; lower part 
of the abdomen and under tail-coverts buffy white; feet flesh- 
colour; irides dark orange. 


Genus NYROCA, Fleming. 


The members of this genus are true diving Ducks, and 
obtain much of their food from the muddy bottoms of lakes 
and estuaries. 


Sp. 598. NYROCA AUSTRALIS, Gould. 
Wuitt-ryep Duck. 


Nyroca australis, Gould, MSS. Eyton, Mon. of Anat., p. 160. 
Er-roo-dod, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Australia. 
Bud-bun-bun-loot, Aborigines of Port Essington. 

White-winged Duck of the Colonists. 


Nyroca australis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 16. 


This bird is frequently seen on the rivers in Tasmania, 
where I am certain that it breeds, the eggs in my own 
collection having been taken on the banks of the Derwent ; 
T also shot many individuals on the Upper Hunter in the 
autumn of 1839, and, from what I could learn from persons 
resident there, it visits those parts of New South Wales 
when the lagoons are filled with water and food consequently 
abundant. The flats between Aberdeen and Scone were 
tenanted by hundreds of these birds, in company with 
the Pink-eyed Ducks and Shovellers. I have also a fine 
example killed by the late Commander Ince, R.N., near the 


“B78 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


settlement at Port Essington, where, however, it is very rare ; 
it is also occasionally met with in Western Australia. In this 
bird we have another beautiful representative of a species 
common to Europe and India, the Myroca leucophthalmos, 
both birds having white eyes and a similar style of plumage ; 
the Australian species differs, however, from its near ally in 
having a lighter-coloured plumage, and less of the chestnut 
hue; it is also a much larger bird. Quiet reaches of rivers 
where the water runs slowly, bays and inlets of the sea and 
lagoons, are among its favourite places of resort. As may be 
supposed, it is a very excellent diver, and gains much of its 
food beneath the surface of the water, readily descending to 
the bottom in search of small mollusca, crustaceans, insects, 
and aquatic plants. 

The only outward difference between the sexes consists in 
_ the female being rather smaller than the male, and somewhat 
~ less bright in colour. 

The male has the general plumage chestnut-brown ; across 
the breast a broad band of brownish white ; secondaries white 
at the base, forming a»conspicuous mark across the wing, 
and tipped with bronzy brown; basal portion of the inner 
webs of the primaries and under tail-coverts white; bill 
black, with a band of blue-grey near the tip; irides white ; 
fore part of the tarsi lead-colour; hind part of the tarsi and 
the webs blackish brown. 

Why is it that so many of the Australian birds have white 
irides? What can be the object and mtention of this de- 
parture from the normal rule? The following are a few of 
the instances in which this peculiarity occurs :—the Crow, 
Grallina, and Struthidea; the beautiful Marsh Gull, of the 
genus Chroicocephalus ; and the present bird. 


NATATORES. | 379 


Genus ERISMATURA, Bonaparte. 


The members of this genus, although but few in number, 
are found in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and Australia. 
They are especially adapted for immersion, and for obtaining 
their food from the bottom of the water rather than on its 
surface. | , | 

In Bonaparte’s Classification these birds are placed next to 
the Mergansers, and are raised to the rank of a family —Zris- 
maturide—comprising the following genera: Biziura, Thalas- 
siornis, and Hrismatura. I think, however, the Prince was 
not justified in uniting Merganetta with them, which, in my 
opinion, should be associated with the Mergansers. 


Sp. 594. ERISMATURA AUSTRALIS. 


BLUE-BILLED Duck. 


Oxyura australis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part iv. p. 85. 
Erismatura australis, Hyton, Mon. of Anat., p. 172. 

Bovd-doo, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Australia. 
Blue-billed Duck of the Colonists. 


Erismatura australis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 17. 


This bird would appear to be so limited in its habitat as to 
be confined to the colony of Western Australia; at least up 
to this time it has not been discovered in any other part of 
the country. Giulbert’s notes inform me that it is never seen 
in the rivers, either those communicating with the sea or 
those of the interior, and that it is only found on the lakes 
running parallel to and near the coast that are surrounded — 
with high reeds and tea-trees. Its general habits resemble 
those of the Biziura lobata; like that bird it possesses the 
power of remaining under water for a great length of time, 
and if closely hunted flaps along the surface without taking 
wing. Its voice is a peculiar inward tone, which the natives 
describe by saying, “it has no voice, but makes a noise with 
its heart.” — : 


380 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


It breeds in September and October, constructing a nest 
very like that of the Biziura lobata, and laying from two to 
nine or ten eggs, which are of a large size, and of a uniform 
bluish white, with a very rough surface; two inches and five- 
eighths long by two inches broad. 

Its food consists of insects, shelled mollusks, fish, &e. 

The sexes differ very considerably in plumage. 

The male has the whole of the head, throat, and neck 
black ; chest, breast, back, and flanks rich chestnut; wings 
and. tail brownish black; rump brownish black, freckled with 
brown ; belly and under tail-coverts brownish grey, obscurely 
marked transversely with dark brown; irides very dark 
brown; bill light blue; front and inner side of the tarsi and 
toes french-grey ; outside of tarsi and webs blackish grey. 

The female is the same size as the male, and has a plumage 
of uniform blackish brown, transversely marked with in- 
distinct zigzag lines and freckles of chestnut-brown, lighter 
and more greyish brown on the under surface; tail-feathers 
black ; bill dark olive-green ; the under mandible lighter than 
the upper ; irides, legs, and feet as in the male, but paler. 

I append a description of that portion of the economy of the 
North African species Lrismatura leucocephala which relates 
to its nidification, because it serves to confirm my assertion 
that the eggs of the Australian bird are from two to ten in 
number, which is rendered remarkable by the circumstance of 
the nearly allied Biziwra lobata being said to lay only two. 

“We found two nests of the White-headed Duck,” says 
the Rev. H. B. Tristram, “ among the sedge, containing, the 
one three, the other eight eggs. ‘These are very large for the 
size of the bird, almost perfectly elliptical in shape, of an ex- 
tremely rough texture, unlike that of any other Duck, more 
resembling the egg of the Bean Goose, but far more coarsely 
grained and of a dull white colour. The habits and ae of 
the bird are more like those of a Grebe than a Duck: it 
often saves itself ee, diving, and remains under water for a 
considerable time.” —Jdzs, 1860, p. 163. 


NATATORES. 381 


Genus BIZIURA, Leach. 


A genus of which only a single species is known, and 
which is singularly different from every other member of the 
Anatide ; so different, in fact, that I question if this be its 
natural situation ; and although, like Bonaparte, I have placed 
it next to Hrismatura, I believe its alliance to that form is 
_ but a seeming one. There is something about this extra- 
ordinary bird which reminds one of the Cormorants ; yet no 
ornithologist would, I presume, associate it with those birds. 
Like many other of these antipodean forms, it must be 
regarded as an anomaly. It is, in fact, a Biziwra, and 
nothing more, for it stands alone. 

‘The male has a lengthened, stiff, and leather-like appen- 
dage hanging from the under surface of the bill; the female 
is similarly clothed, but is not above half the size of the male, 
and is destitute of the appendage which renders the male so 
conspicuous. 


Sp. 595. | BIZIURA LOBATA. 
~ Musx-Dvcx. 


Anas lobata, Shaw, Nat. Mise. pl. 255. 

Lobated Duck, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. p. 349. 

Biziura nove-hollandia, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xii. 
p. 222. 

Hydrobates lobatus, Temm. Pl. Col., 406. 

Biziura lobata, Kyton, Mon. of Anat., p. 168.—Bonap. Comp. Rend. 
de Acad. Sc., tom. xliii., séances des 15 et 22 Sept. 1856. 
Anas carunculata, Vieill. 2nde Edit. du Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., 

tom. v. p. 109. 
_ Go-da-ra, Aborigines of Western Australia. 


Biziura lobata, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol. vol. vii. pl.18. 


This singular species is widely and very generally dis- 
tributed over the whole of the southern countries of Austra- 
lia, including Tasmania and the smaller islands in Bass’s 


382 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Straits. I have specimens in my collection from the extreme 
western, southern and eastern portions of the continent, which 
present no differences sufficiently marked to establish a second 
species. It frequents deep bays and inlets of the sea, the up- 
per part of rivers, lakes, and secluded pools. More than a 
a pair are rarely seen at one time; often a solitary individual 
takes up its abode in some favourite pool, where it lives a 
life of complete seclusion, depending for its food and for its 
preservation from danger upon its powers of diving rather than 
upon those of flying. Although I have many times come 
suddenly upon this bird I could never force it to take wing 

even when I surprised it at one of those small ribnbshilie 
that are frequently met with in the beds of rivers during 
droughts, instead of attempting to escape by flight, it would 
immediately dive and remain submerged for a great length of 
time, merely rising to the ‘surface at long intervals for the 
purpose of breathing. It would seem that neither large sheets 
of water nor reaches of rivers are necessary for the well-being 
of this species, for I often met with it on the smallest water- 
holes, where it lives a solitary life, and allows no other species 
to share with it the small amount of animal life which is 
found in such places; and I quite agree with Lieut. Bre- 
ton, R.N., who says “he has never heard of any instance 
in which more than two were seen together. It is extremely 
difficult to shoot, on account of the readiness with which it 
dives ; the instant the trigger is drawn, the bird is under 
water. The chief food of the Musk-Duck is mussels, leeches, 
and aquatic worms. In Western Australia it is said to 
leave the rivers in August, and to take up its abode for 
the purpose of breeding in the numerous lakes which 
stretch along parallel to the coast; a-precaution probably 
taken for the better protection of the eggs, which would 
become an easy prey to the natives and colonists, were the 
task of mcubation performed on the banks of the narrow 
rivers and pools; besides which, the lakes not being subject to 


NATATORES. 383 


the sudden rising of the water which always occurs in the 
rivers after rain, the birds are thus secured from this among 
other dangers: the nest, which is placed either on the stump 
of a low tree or on the bank about two feet above the level of 
the water, is formed of dried reeds, and lined with feathers 
and down plucked by the bird from its own breast ; the eggs 
are of a large size, usually two in number and of a uniform 
_ pale olive, three inches long by two broad. 

The young birds if pursued while on the water mount on 
the back of their parent, who immediately dives with them 
to a place of safety; just as Grebes do when any danger 
threatens them. ) 

During the pairing- and breeding-season, which is in the | 
months of September and October, this bird emits a strong | 
musky odour, which is often perceptible long before it can be | 
seen, and this odour is retained for years afterwards in the | 
skins of specimens killed during that particular season. | 

Its note is extremely singular, resembling the sound caused 
by a large drop of water falling into a deep well; or it may be 
imitated by the sudden opening of the lips. | 

A most remarkable difference exists in the relative size of 
the sexes, the bulk and admeasurements of the female being 
not more than half of those of the male, who alone possesses 
the wattle under the throat, the use of which I could not detect. 

The male has the crown of the head and the back of the 
neck brownish black; the remainder of the upper surface, 
chest and flanks blackish brown, crossed by numerous narrow 
freckled bars of buffy white ; wings and tail blackish brown ; 
- throat and under surface dark brown, each feather tipped with 
pale buffy white; irides dark brown; bill and lobe beneath 
the chin greenish black; legs and feet dark leaden grey; in- 
side of the tarsi greenish grey. . 

The female is similar in colour, but has all the markings — 
lighter and less distinct, and is destitute of the lobe beneath 
the chin. | 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Family LARID. 


The Gulls are birds of the sea-shores rather than of the 
open ocean; they are of a wandering disposition, and wing 
their way up and down the beach in search of stranded mol- 
lusks and garbage ; they also frequent oozy sand-flats where 
they obtain salt-water worms, &c. The family comprises 
numerous species, which have been divided into many genera 
in accordance with the differences in their structure, mode of 
life, and nidification. They have an elegant carriage, and 
swim well; but their dense and soft plumage is unsuited to 
immersion, and consequently they seldom seek their food 
beneath the surface. At the breeding-season they are strictly 
eregarious; some construct their nests on rocks, while others 
assemble in vast multitudes and resort for this purpose to 
rivers and inland waters. Usually the sexes are alike in 
colour, but the whole of them are subject to seasonal changes 
of plumage; some of the genera, as the black-headed Gulls 
are remarkable in this respect, for their heads are black 
during summer only. 


Genus LARUS, Linneus. 


The members of this genus are distributed over the sea- 
shores of every part of the globe. Only one species inhabits 
Australia, to which country it is confined, and where it repre- 
sents the Larus marinus of Kurope and America. 

With reference to the species of this form, Macgillivray 
remarks, “They have a strong, buoyant flight, performed by 
slow beats of their long, extended, arched wings, walk and run 
- with short steps, emit a loud, clear, or harsh cry, and a suc- 
cession of short sounds resembling a laugh. They perform a 
singular action with their feet upon the sands, patting them 
repeatedly with considerable celerity, and at the same time 
retiring backwards. ‘Their food consists of fish, flesh of dead 


NATATORES. 385 


cetacea, and land quadrupeds, young sea-birds, crustacea, 
mollusks, asteria, worms, and larve. In stormy weather 
they often leave their ordinary haunts and proceed inland to 
pick up the larvae and worms exposed by the plough or found 
in the pastures. In winter they congregate in large flocks at 
the mouths of rivers or on the sands. They rest by day 
either on shore or floating on the water, by night on the sands 
or rocks, or in the fields, either standing on one foot, with re- 
tracted neck, or lying down. In the breeding-season they ~ 
generally keep in flocks, nestling on rocks, headlands, or 
islands.” | - 


Sp. 596. LARUS PACIFICUS, Zath. 
Paciric GULL. 


Larus pacificus, Lath. Ind. Orn., Supp. p. Ixviii. 

Pacific Gull, Lat. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. p. 332. 

Larus leucomelas, Vieill. 2nde édit. du Nouv. Dict, @Hist. Nat., tom. 
xxi. 509. 

frontals, Vieill. 2nde édit. du Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., tom. 
xxi. p. 505 ? 

georgit, King, Survey of the Intertropical Coast of Australia, vol. 
ll. p. 423. 

Gabianus georgi, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de VAcad. Sci., tom. xli. 
Nga-ga-la, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Australia. 
Larger Gull of the Colonists. 


Larus pacificus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 19. 


The Larus pacificus, which differs from every other species 
Tam acquainted with in the deepened form of the bill and in 
the pearly whiteness of the irides, is abundantly dispersed 
over all the shores of Tasmania, the islands in Bass’s Straits, 
and the southern parts of the Australian continent. It ascends 
high up the larger rivers and arms of the sea, but is never, so 
far as I am aware, seen in the interior of the country. It is 
very powerful on the wing, often mounts high in the air, and 
Soars in circles after the manner of the Eagle ; in this particu- 

Vou, 11. —2 2 


356 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


lar habit, and in its less laborious flight, it differs consider- 
ably from its prototype, the Larus marinus of Kurope, while 
in most other parts of its economy it as closely assimilates to 
it. It traverses the line of coast in search of food, which con- 
sists of any stranded carrion or floating animal substance, to 
which living fish, crabs, mollusks, and even small quadrupeds 
are added whenever opportunities occur. 

This fine Gull breeds on most of the low islands round 
Tasmania; the eggs, which are generally three in number, 
being usually placed on the bare ledges of rock, although not 
unfrequently on the shore of the projecting points of small 
islands. They are of a clear olive, marked all over with 
blotches of blackish and umber brown, some of the markings 
appearing as if beneath the surface of the shell ; they are two 
inches and five-eighths long by one inch and seven-eighths in 
breadth. 

When fully adult, the sexes can only be distinguished by 
the smaller size of the female; the young, on the contrary, 
for at least two years, differ very considerably like the youthful 
birds of the other species of the genus; the mottled brown 
of this state, however, may frequently be seen gradually 
changing to the colouring of the adult, as may also the 
hues of the eye, bill, and legs, which gradually change with 
the plumage. 

Head, neck, upper part of the back, all the under surface, 
upper and under tail-coverts white ; back and wings dark slaty 
black, the secondaries largely tipped with white; primaries 
black, the innermost slightly tipped with white; tail white, the 
inner web of the outer feather and both webs of the remain- 
der crossed near the tip with a broad band of black; irides 
pearl-white ; legs yellow; claws black; eyelash yellow; bill 
orange stained with blood-red at the tip, in the midst of which 
in some specimens are a few blotches of black. 

The young have the general plumage brown, with lighter 
margins to the feathers, giving them a mottled appearance ; 


NATATORES. 387 


under tail-coverts nearly white; primaries and tail blackish 


brown ; irides brown ; bill yellowish brown, deepening into 
black at the tip. 


Genus BRUCHIGAVIA, Bonaparte. 


A genus of Gulls, the members of which are delicate in 
their structure, elegant in their appearance, and graceful in 
all their actions. One species is said to inhabit Brazil, 
another Otaheiti, and two Australia. ) 

In habits, economy, and general appearance the members 
of this genus are very similar to the Chroicocephalus ridibundus 
of Europe, but at no season do they obtain any dark or black 
colouring on the head. 


Sp. 597. BRUCHIGAVIA JAMESONII. 


Sinver Guuu. 


Crimson-billed Gull, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. x. p- 145. 

Larus jamesonii, Wils. Ill. Zool., pl. 23. 

scopulinus, Forst. Drawings, tab. 109, very young. 

nove-hollandie, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xiii. . 
p- 196. 

Silver Gull, Ewing, List of Birds in Tasmanian Journal, vol. i. p. 58. 

Gelastes jamesoni, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de Acad. Sci., tom. 41. 

Bruchigavia jamesoni, Bonap. Comp. Gen. Av., tom. ii. p. 228 ; Bruchi- 
gavia, sp. 38. 

Djé-je-nup, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Australia. 

Little Gull of.the Colonists of ditto. 


Xema jamesonii, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 20. 


This beautiful species of Gull is abundantly dispersed over 
the sea-shores of Tasmania and the southern coasts of Australia 
generally ; it also frequents the rivers and inland lakes wher- 
ever they occur of any extent. Like the other Bruchigavie 
it frequently congregates in immense flocks, and colonies of. 
many hundreds have been found breeding together, some- 

208 


388 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


times on the marshes, at other times on the low small islands; 
a colony of this kind existed on Great Actzon Island in 
D’Entrecasteaux’s Channel when I visited it in 1838. 

The flight of this little Gull is light and buoyant in the 
extreme, it runs over the surface of the ground with lightness 
and great facility, and is altogether one of the most beautiful 
and fairy-like birds I have ever met with. 

Its nest is formed of a few rushes and grasses, and it lays 
four or five eggs, which differ considerably in colour, hardly 
any two being alike; the ground colour varying from pale 
greenish to dark brownish olive; in some instances slightly, 
in others largely blotched and streaked with blackish brown ; 
they also vary in shape, some being shorter and thicker than 
others. 

The two sexes are precisely alike in colour, and may be thus 
described :— . 

Head, neck, all the under surface, spurious wing, rump, 
-and tail white; back and wings delicate grey; primaries 
white, eccentrically marked with black, largely on their inner 
and narrowly on their outer webs, and largely tipped with the 
same hue, with a slight fringe of white at the extremity ; eye- 
lash, bill, legs and feet deep blood-red ; nails black ; irides 


pearl-white. 


Sp. 598. BRUCHIGAVIA GOULDI, Bonaparte. 
Govuup’s Sitver GULL. 


Larus nove-hollandia, var., Blyth, Cat. of Birds in Mus: Asiat. Soc., 
p- 289. 

Gavia jamesoni et gouldi, Bruch. 

Gelastes gouldi, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de l’Acad. Sci., tom. xli. 

Bruchigavia gouldi, Bonap. Comp. Gen, Av., tom. i. p. 228; Bruchi- 
gavia, sp. 2. 


This is the bird spoken of in the folio edition as being from 
Torres Straits, and larger in all its admeasurements than the 
B. jamesont of the south coast. My view of its being speci- 


NATATORES. 389 


fically distinct has been followed by Bonaparte in his minute 
subdivision of the Laride. Like the B. jamesoni, this bird 
has a white head and white eyes at all seasons. 


Me 


Genus STERCORARIUS, Brisson. 


The seas of the higher latitudes of both the northern and 
_ Southern hemispheres are frequented by parasitic Gulls, but 
they are more numerous in the former than the latter. 

One species only of this form has been found in Australia. 


Sp. 599. STERCORARIUS CATARRHACTES. 
GREAT SKUA. 


Larus catarrhactes, Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 226. 
fuscus, Briss. Orn., tom. vi. p. 165. 
Lestris catharactes, Ill. Prod. Syst. Mamm. et Av., p. 273. 
-Catharacta skua, Briinn. Orn. Bor., no. 125. 
Cataractes vulgaris, Flem. Edinb. Phil. Journ., vol. i. p. 97. 
Catarractes skua, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xiii. p. 215. 
noster, Sibb. Scot. Ilust., vol. ii. p. 20, pl. 14. fig. 1. 
Stercorarius catarrhactes, Gray, Gen. of Birds, vol. iii. p. 663; Ster- 
corarius, sp. 5. 

Lestris antarctica, Less. Traité d’Orn., p. 616. 
Megalestris catarractes, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., 1856, p. 206. 

Port Egmont Hen, Hawks. Voy., vol. ii. p. 288. 
_Skua Gull of British Authors. 


Lestris catarractes, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 21. 


Every voyager to and from Australia, whether by the Cape 
of Good Hope or Cape Horn, will observe that in all the higher 
latitudes the ship will be frequently visited by solitary ex- 
amples of this Gull, which may be distinguished from the 
Albatroses and Petrels by its more flapping and heavier mode 
of flight, and by the white mark on the wing, which shows | 
conspicuously when seen from beneath ; it appears, however, to 
be attracted to the ship more from curiosity than from aught 


390 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


else, for after passing round it two or three times, it wings its 
way again over the expansive ocean until lost to sight; it is 
as often seen a thousand miles from land as it is near the 
coast, and I was for a long time surprised how a bird of this 
family could exist so far from any apparent means of repose, 
until the difficulty was at last solved by my seeing the bird 
settle on the masses of sea-weeds which here and there float 
about in all seas, and on which it rested with as much ease as 
if standing on a rock. So little difference is observable be- 
tween the examples of the Southern Ocean and those found 
in our own seas, that I have been compelled to consider them 
to belong to the same species. It was nowhere more abun- 
dant than off the coast of Tasmania, and may be frequently 
seen in Storm Bay at the mouth of the Derwent ; it may also 
be seen off New Zealand and all similar latitudes round the 
globe ; and that it also visits higher latitudes is evidenced by 
a note with which I have been favoured by R. McCormick, 
Esq., Surgeon R.N., wherein he states that it is found as far 
south as Kerguelen’s Land and Campbell Island. 

In a letter from Mr. Macgillivray, dated on board H.M.S. 
Rattlesnake, Feb. 6, 1848, that gentleman says, “The Sterco- 
rarius catarrhactes was noticed on various occasions in differ- 
ent parts of the South Indian Ocean; while off the Cape of 
Good Hope a solitary individual and subsequently two in 
company were seen. I have observed it following and hover- 
ing over a bait towing astern, and once saw it chase a Cape 
Petrel and force it to alight on the water. ‘This bird seldom 
remained with us for more than half an hour at a time, dur- 
ing which it made a few circular flights about the ship.” 

Captain F. W. Hutton in his notes on some of the birds 
inhabiting the Southern Ocean, published in the ‘Ibis’ for 
1865, p. 276, says:—‘ This bird does not skim over the 
water like. the Petrels, but flies low with a heavy slow flap- 
ping of its roundish-looking wings, and is therefore easily re- 
cognized. It is rare at sea north of latitude 45° 8., one 


NATATORES, 391 


individual only having come under my observation. It is, 
however, very numerous on the Prince Edward Islands and 
Kerguelen’s Land, where it breeds on the low flats among 
moss and grass two or three feet high, making no nest, but 
laying three brown, dark-spotted eggs on the ground. The 
young birds are dark brown mottled with white. During 
the breeding-season the old birds are very fierce, flying 
round the head of an intruder, dashing every now and then 
at him, and making at the same time acurious croaking noise 
in their throats.” 

According to Mr. Alfred Newton, the Great Skua is com- 
mon along the coasts of Iceland. Faber says it is resident, 
and mentions four breeding-places in the south. As Dr. 
Kriiper saw it in the north, it probably breeds there also. 
In Scandinavia it is accounted rare, and it is doubtful if it 
breeds there; Mr. Newton does not recollect seeing it more 
than once during three voyages along the coast of Norway. 
It is not found in Spitzbergen, and although Von Baer in- 
cludes it among the birds of Nova Zembla, I am inclined to 
think he is in error. It is utterly unknown on the coasts of 
Siberia. -The Western or Californian coast is said to be its 
only habitat in America. In all the situations above-men- 
tioned, whether the bird be at sea or on the grass-covered 
bleak islands on which it breeds, its presence is soon made 
known by its daring spirit during the breeding-season ; it is 
said that every animal is savagely attacked that approaches too 
near its nest, and that the Eagle and the Great Gull speedily 
scurry away, should they have ventured within its precincts. 

I may mention that all the specimens from the southern 
hemisphere are rather darker in colour and somewhat larger 
in size than those from the northern. I observed no difference 
in the colouring of the sexes, which may be thus described :— 
_ All the upper surface blackish brown, the feathers of the 
back with whitish shafts and tips; all the under surface 
chocolate-brown ; base and shafts of the primaries white. 


~~ 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Family STERNID. 


The members of this aérial group of sea-birds I consider to 
be deserving of a family designation, for the species are very 
numerous and constitute many genera. ‘They are dispersed 
over all the sea-girt lands of the globe, and their range may 
therefore be said to be universal, or if there be any exception 
it is only near the poles. Australia is well represented in this 
group, for nearly twenty species pertain to her fauna, and 
doubtless others will yet be discovered. 


Genus SYLOCHELIDON, Brehm. 


A single species of this form inhabits Australia ; the same 
bird is also found in India and Europe. It is the largest and 
most powerful member of the family. 


Sp. 600. SYLOCHELIDON CASPIA. 
Caspran TERN. 


Sterna tschegrava, Lepechin, Nov. Com. Pet., tom. xiv. p. 500. 
caspia, Pall. Nov. Com. Pet., tom. xiv. p. 582. 

Thalasseus caspius, Boie, Ibis, 1822, p. 568. 

Hydroprogne caspia, Kaup, Sk. Ent. Eur. Thierw., 1829, p. 91. 

Helopus caspius, Wag}. Isis, 1832, p. 1224. 

Sylochelidon caspia, Brehm. Handb. der Nat. Vég. Deutschl., p. 770. 

Sterna megarhynchos, Mey. Tasch. Deuts., tom. ii. p. 457. 
(Sylochelidon) strenuus, Gould in Proe. of Zool. Soc., part p. . 


Sylochelidon strenuus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. 
pl. 22. 


The Sylochelidon caspia frequents Southern Europe, India, 
Africa, and all the shores of Australia, but is perhaps more nu- 
merous on the islands in Bass’s Straits and Tasmania than else- 
where. Its favourite breeding-places are the promontories of 
small islands, spits of land running out from the shores of 


-NATATORES. 893 


the mainland, extensive flats at the entrances of large rivers 
and all similar situations. I never observed it breeding in 
company, and seldom met with more than a pair on an 
island, unless it was one of considerable extent. It lays two 
eggs on the bare ground, often within a very short distance 
of the water’s edge. No bird watches its eggs with greater 
assiduity, or defends them with greater courage, and woe 
betides the unlucky Gull or other natural enemy that may 
- wander within the precincts of its breeding-place. I could 
always discover its eggs by the clamorous, cackling, screeching 
note which it constantly utters while flying over the place 
where they were deposited. The breeding-season comprises 
the months of August, September, and October, during 
which period the crown of the head is of a deep black hue, 
which gives place to a spotted appearance at other seasons. 
Both sexes are subject to precisely the same changes, and so 
much are they alike, that it is only by the somewhat smaller size 
of the female that they can be distinguished. The extensive 
development of the wings gives this fine species immense 
powers of flight; it also plunges into the water with the 
greatest impetuosity, and brings from beneath the surface 
fishes of a very considerable size. 

The eggs are of a stone-colour, marked all over with large 
and small blotches of umber-brown, a great portion of which 
appear as if beneath the surface of the shell; they are about 
two inches and five-eighths long by one inch and three- 
quarters broad. 

Forehead, crown, and nape deep glossy black ; back, wings, 
and tail pale ashy grey, becoming lighter on the tail and 
deepening into dark grey on the primaries, the shafts of which 
are white ; remainder of the plumage pure white ; indes black ; 
bill scarlet, stained with yellow on the sides and tip. . 


Total length 205 inches; bill4; wing 164; tail 64; tarsi 2. 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus THALASSEUS, Boie. 


The members of this genus, the type of which is the 7: 
cantiacus of the British Islands, are widely dispersed over most 
parts of the Old World, and three distinct species inhabit Au- 
stralia. 


Sp. 601. THALASSEUS CRISTATUS. 


Torres Straits’ Tern. 


Caspian Tern, var. B., Lath. Gen. Syn., vol. vi. p. 851. 
Crested Tern, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. x. p. 101. 
Sterna cristata, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xii. p. 146. 

pelecanoides, King’s Survey of Intertropical Australia, vol. 11. 

p. 422. 

velox, Riipp. Atl. zu der Reise Nord. Afrika, pl. 18. 
Pelecanopus pelecanoides, Wag. 

pelecanoides, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de l’Acad. Sci., tom. xli. 
Gerra-gerra, Aborigines of New South Wales. 
Kal-jéer-gang, Aborigines of the lowlands of Western Australia. 
Yellow-billed Tern of the Colonists. 


Thalasseus pelecanoides, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. 
pl. 23. 

This Tern I believe to be the bird described by Capt. King as 
Sterna pelecanoides, as it is the only large species of the family 
inhabiting Torres’ Straits. Captain King’s description was 
doubtless taken either from an immature bird or one in the 
winter plumage. It differs from Zhalasseus poliocercus in its 
much larger bill and in being a much stouter bird ; it is how- 
ever most nearly allied. I have received specimens and eggs 
from Port Essington, and also from Rottnest Island off the 
western coast of Australia, where Gilbert found the bird breed- 
ing in great numbers on an isolated rock about two hundred 
yards from the mainland. It also attracted the notice of Mr. 
Macgillivray while cruising in Torres’ Straits, and it is to 
him that I am indebted for the following information as to its 
range, &ec. :—“ This handsome Tern, which supplies the place 


NATATORES. 395 


of the Zhalasseus poliocercus upon the north-east coast, is ge- 
nerally distributed from Lizard Island to the southward as far 
northward as Bramble Quay, and is also to be found in En- 
deavour Straits. It was breeding on Lizard Island in the be- 
ginning of May, and on Raine’s Island in June, when both 
eggs and young birds were procured; in the latter locality 
I found it in three small parties upon a low ridge on one side 
of the island, depositing its single egg in a shght hollow 
scooped out of the ground in a bare smooth spot surrounded 
with herbage. This bird was so much more shy than the 
Sooty Tern and Noddy, that I was obliged to resort to the 
gun to procure specimens, as it would not allow me to 
approach sufficiently near to throw a short stick with effect. 
The eggs vary considerably in their markings; the ground- 
colour is generally stone-grey, mm some instances thickly 
speckled and blotched with black; others are marked with 
uregular waved streaks and minute spots of dark brown; 
others again with scattered irregular streaks and spots of 
black ; some are thickly blotched, especially at the larger 
end, with reddish, and others are finely blotched and 
streaked with dark red on a light pinkish-grey ground; they 
also vary somewhat in size, but they usually average two 
inches and three-eighths in length by one inch and a half in 
breadth.” I possess one which differs both in size and 
colouring, being considerably larger and of a rich reddish 
buff, blotched all over, but particularly at the larger end, 
with brownish black, and others in which the streaks assume 
the appearance of Chinese characters. 

Crown of the head and occipital crest jet-black ; forehead, 
sides, and back of the neck, and all the under surface silky 
white ; back, wings, and tail dark grey, deepening into black 
on the edges and tips of the primaries, the shafts of. which as 
well as those of the tail are white ; bill pale greenish yellow ; 
irides very dark brown; legs and feet black; soles dirty 
brownish yellow. 


396 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Young birds have the grey of the upper surface much paler, 
and the black of the head mottled with white. 


Sp. 602. THALASSEUS POLIOCERCUS, Gouwld. 
Bass’s Straits’ Tern. 


Sterna poliocerca, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part v. p. 26. 
Sylochelidon poliocerca, List of Birds in Brit. Mus. Coll., part iii. p. 175. 
Pelecanopus poliocercus, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de Acad. Sci., tom. xi. 


Thalasseus poliocercus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. 
pl. 24. 


No species of Tern is so abundant on the shores of Tas- 
mania and New South Wales during the months of winter as 
the present bird, which then inhabits the bays and inlets of the 
sea, and ascends high up the rivers in flocks of from ten to 
fifty in number, for the purpose of securing the abundant 
supply of food afforded by the shoals of fish which there 
abound ; at this season of the year the heads of all are mottled 
with black and white, a style of plumage which gives place 
to an intensely jet-black hue in summer: the only part of 
Australia from which I have received specimens in this latter 
state 1s Port Lincoln, where both sexes and the eggs were 
_ procured, and sent to me by my late friend J. B. Harvey, Esq. 

This bird is about the size of, or perhaps rather larger 
than the Kentish Tern of England, and has many habits in 
common with that species. 

The eggs vary considerably in colour, some being of a stone- 
grey and others of a buffy hue, all more or less marked with 
brown, the markings in some being large and irregular 
blotches, in others streaks and spots, in others in the form of 
Chinese or Hindustanee characters ; others again are freckled 
and blotched all over with brown ; and some have the mark- 
ings so thick at the larger end that they blend into each 
other and form a broad zone. 

Crown of the head and occipital crest jet-black ; forehead, 


NATATORES. 397 


back of the neck, and all the under surface silky white; back, 
wings, and tail grey; secondaries tipped with white ; shafts 
of the wings and tail white; bill yellow; irides black; legs 
and feet brownish black. 

Total length 173 inches ; bill 22; wing 123; tail7; tarsi 1. 


Sp. 603. THALASSEUS BENGALENSIS. 
INDIAN TERN. 


Sterna media, Horsf. ? 

bengalensis, Less. 

affinis, Riipp. ? 
Thalasseus torres, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part x. p. 140. 
Pelecanopus torrest, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de l’Acad. Sci., tom. xli. 
Mair-id-bo, Aborigines of Port Essington. 


Thalasseus torresii, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 25. 


In the collection formed by Gilbert at Port Essington were 
two examples of this species, respecting which he says, ‘This. 
bird is numerous on all the sandy points in the harbour 
as well as all round the coast and the neighbouring islands ; 
and I am informed that it breeds on the sandy islands during 
the months of April and May:” beyond this I have no 
information to communicate, except that I possess examples 
killed at Madras, in the East Indies, whence I infer that its 
range extends from thence throughout the islands of the 
Eastern Archipelago to the northern coasts of Australia. It 
is intimately allied to the Thalasseus cristatus and T. polio- 
cercus, which it doubtless resembles in its general habits and 
nidification. 

The stomach is membranous, and the food consists of fish. 

The sexes are alike in plumage ; in summer the forepart of 
the head is black, while in winter it is white. 

Forehead, sides of the face and neck, upper part of the 
back, and all the under surface silky white ; feathers of the 
crown and surrounding the eye white, with a minute spot of 


398 BIRDS. OF AUSTRALIA. 


black in the centre of each ; occiput and back of the neck 
black; back and wings deep grey; tail grey; primaries 
greyish black, broadly margined on their inner web with 
white; the shafts white; irides dark brown; bill ochre- 
sallouas feet blackish grey. 

Total length 134 inches ; bill 22; wing 12; ; tail 43; tarsi 1. 


Genus STERNA, Linneus. 


The members of this genus, as now restricted, enjoy so 
wide a range over the seas of the globe, that they may be 
said to be universally dispersed: three species are found in 
Australia. 


Sp. 604. STERNA MELANORHYNCHA, Gould. - 
SourHerRn Tern. 


Sterna velox, Gould in Proce. of Zool. Soc., part x. p. 139. 
(Thalassea) melanorhyncha, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de l’Acad. Sci., 


tom. xli. 


Sterna melanorhyncha, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. 
pl. 26. 


I killed several fine examples of this Tern off the coast of 
Tasmania, and within a few miles of Maria Island: all the 
specimens I procured had the forehead white, a character of 
plumage which I have since ascertained to be indicative of the 
winter dress. 


More recently I have received from Mr. Macgillivray spe- 
cimens which I consider to be fully adult examples of this 
bird in their summer or breeding-costume ; in this state the 
crown of the head is wholly black, the bill in some specimens 
red, in others red stained with black on the upper mandible ; 
legs orange-red ; the upper and under surface dark blue-grey, 
except a line of snow-white running along the face, below the 
eye, and separating the grey of the throat from the jet-black 


NATATORES. | 399 


crown ; rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail white, except the 
outer feathers of the latter, which are washed with grey. This 
bird nearly resembles the S. cassini¢ of the Falkland Islands ; 
but differs in its darker colouring and its much smaller size. 

‘The specific term melanorhyncha applied to the young of this 
species being a very inappropriate designation for a bird which 
in its adult state has a red bill, I would therefore suggest 
that it be called Sencti-pault. 

An egg of this species, sent by Mr. Macgillivray from St. 
Paul’s Island, is very like some of the dark varieties of the 
Common Tern of Britain (Sterna hirundo). The ground colour 
being olive-brown, blotched and marked all over, but parti- 
cularly at the larger end, with rich umber, intermingled with 
obscure markings of grey, the latter appearing as. if beneath 
_ the surface of the shell. The length is 14 inch, the breadth 13. 

The sexes do not differ from each other in external appear- 
ance. 

Forehead, lores, sides of the neck, and all the under surface 
white ; space surrounding the eye, occiput, and back of the 
neck black ; all the upper surface, wings, and tail delicate 
grey ; outer web of the external quill greyish black ; shafts of 
all the primaries white ; irides blackish brown ; bill black. 

Total length 13 inches ; bill 2$; wing 92; tail 64; tarsi 3. 


Sp. 605. STERNA GRACILIS, Gould. : 


GRACEFUL TERN. 


Sterna gracilis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 27. 


This graceful and elegant Tern was killed by Gilbert on 
the Houtmann’s Abrolhos, off the western coast of Australia, 
where he states it 1s very numerous, continually moving about 
from one part of those islands to another, and settling during 
the heat of the day on the coral ridges in large flocks. He 
was informed that it breeds there in great’ numbers during 
the month of November, but he was unfortunately too late to 


400 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


procure its eggs, which are said to be two in number, and to 
be deposited on the ground in a slight hollow among the 
loose coral ridges. 

I regret to say that to this meagre account I have nothing 
to add, as I did not meet with the species myself, neither 
have I seen or received specimens from any other locality. 

Crown of the head and back of the neck rich deep black ; 
all the upper surface, wings, and tail silvery grey; sides of 
the neck and all the under surface white, with a blush of 
rose-colour on the breast and centre of the abdomen; shafts 
of the primaries white, their outer webs slaty black, and a 
narrow stripe of dark slate-colour along the inner web close 
to the stem ; irides brownish red; bill red ; feet orange-red ; 
nails black. 


Sp. 606. STERNA MELANAUCHEN, Zemm. 
| BuACK-NAPED TERN. 


Sterna melanauchen, Temm. Pl. Col., 427. 
sumatrana, Raff. 
Sternula melanauchen, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de l Acad. Sci., tom. xli. 


Sterna melanauchen, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol, vol. vii. 
pl. 28. 


Although this species has been figured by Temminck in 
his valuable “ Planches Coloriées,’’ it becomes necessary to 
include a description of it in the present work, in consequence 
of its being a frequent visitor to the northern shores of Au- 
stralia. Lesson states that it is found in the Celebes and on 
most of the Moluccas; and there is but little doubt that 
its range extends over the whole of the Indian Archipelago. 
It is about the size of the Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) of 
Europe, is one of the most beautiful species yet discovered, 
and is. distinguished from all the other members of its genus 
by the snowy whiteness of its crown, and by the — gorget- 
shaped black mark at the occiput. 


NATATORES. 401 


“This beautiful bird,” says Mr. Macgillivray, “is very local 
in its breeding-places, the only one known to me being one 
of the ‘three sand-banks’ near Sir Charles Hardy’s Islands. 
The eggs are two in number, deposited in a slight hollow in 
the sand. I have seen this bird on another neighbouring 
sand-bank, also on Solitary Island, near Cape York, and in 
Endeavour Straits, but was unable to procure a specimen 

from any of the last-mentioned localities, on account of 
its excessive shyness. It is one of the most noisy of the 
Terns, and I generally saw it in small parties of half-a-dozen, 
or thereabouts. The fully-fledged young of the year differs 
from the adult in having the black on the head dark brown 
mottled with white, and the whole of the upper surface and 
wings variegated with dark brownish grey.” 

According to Mr. Jerdon, the range of the Sterna melan- 
auchen extends throughout the Malayan Peninsula to the 
Bay of Bengal, and it is said that it breeds on the Nicobar 
Islands. 

The plumage of the young bird being mixed with blackish 
brown above shows, says Mr. Blyth, an affinity to the members 
of the genus Oxychoprion. 

So far as I have been able to ascertain, there appears to be 
no outward difference in the sexes; I have never scen eXx- 
amples in any other than the adult plumage here represented ; 
but, judging from analogy, we may reasonably infer that this 
Species undergoes changes similar to those of the other mem- 
bers of the family, and consequently that at some seasons of 
the year the black mark at the occiput is far less brilliant 
than at others. | | 

Crown of the head, neck, and under surface white, with a 
faint tinge of rose-colour on the breast ; lores and a gorget- 
Shaped mark commencing immediately behind the eye and 
Spreading over the nape black; upper surface, wings, and 
tail delicate silvery grey, with white shafts; outer web of the 
external primary black ; bill black; feet brownish black. 

VOL. II. 2D 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus STERNULA, Bore. 


Europe and Australia are both tenanted by Little Terns, the 
specific distinctness of which cannot be questioned. They are 
very fairy-like birds, and differ somewhat in their habits from 
the true Terns. 


Sp. 607. STERNULA NEREIS, Gould. 
Lirrze TERN. 


Sternula nereis, Gould in Proe. of Zool. Soc., part x. p. 140. 
Little Tern, Colonists of Western Australia. 


Sternula nereis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 29. 


This delicately coloured and elegant Little Tern inhabits 
many of the low sandy islands in Bass’s Straits, whence its 
range extends along the south coast to Western Australia. I 
observed several pairs on the small island opposite the settle- 
ment on Flinder’s Island, where they appeared to be breeding. 
It would seem, however, to be much more numerous on the 
western coast, and during the month of December congre- 
_ gates in immense flocks on Rottnest and Garden Islands. It 
makes no nest, but lays its two eggs in a depression on the 
sand or shingle. Like that of other Terns, the food of this 
species principally consists of the smaller oceanic fishes, which 
it captures with apparent ease, plunging down into the water 
from a considerable height with such unerring aim that it. 
rarely misses the object. 

The Sternula nereis is a beautiful representative in the 
southern ocean of the Little Tern of the European seas, the 
habits, actions, and economy of both being precisely alike. 

The eggs are two in number, of a pale stone-colour, in 
some instances marked all over, but more thickly at the larger 
end, with dark umber-brown ; in others very largely blotched 
with the same colour; they are one inch and three-cighths 
long by seven-eighths broad. 


NATATORES. 403 


Crown of the head, back of the neck, circle round and a 
spot before the eye black; forehead white; back and wings 
delicate silvery grey ; outer web of the external primary dark 
grey at the base, gradually passing into light grey at the tip ; 
all the under surface, rump, and _ tail pure white; irides 
black ; bill, tongue, and feet rich orange yellow. 

Total length 103 inches ; bill 12; wing 72; tail 44; tarsi 95. 


Genus GELOCHELIDON, Brehm. 


The Gull-billed Tern of the British Islands (Gelochelidon 
anglica) is a typical example of this genus. The form also 
occurs in America, and in Australia. 


Sp. 608. GHLOCHELIDON MACROTARSA, Gould. 
Lone-LEGGED TERN. 


Sterna macrotarsa, Gould in Proe. of Zool. Soc., part v. p. 26. 


Gelochelidon macrotarsa, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., Supp., pl. 


Many years have elapsed since a small collection of Au- 
stralian birds was sent to the Council of King’s College, 
London, as a donation to their museum. In this collection 
was a fine species of ‘ern, which proved to be new to science, 
and of which I published, in 1837, a full description, together 
with its admeasurements, under the name of Sterna macro- 
tarsa. In the interval between 1837 and 1865, I have only 
seen two other examples; it is evident, therefore, that the 
bird is extremely rare, or that no collector has visited its true 
habitat. One of the two specimens referred to was procured 
by the late Mr. Elsey on the Victoria River in North-western 
Australia, and is now in the British Museum ; the other was 
obtained at Moreton Bay. The Gelochelidon macrotarsa is 
considerably larger in all its admeasurements than the Gull- 
billed Tern of Europe, to which species it is nearly allied, and 
of which it is evidently the representative on the Australian 

2D? 


404 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


continent. One of the principal features which distinguishes 
the Australian bird from its northern representative is its 
light and silvery coloured back and wings; it has also a 
much stouter and longer bill, as well as longer and larger 
legs. 

I have at this moment before me, for the purpose of com- 
parison, beautiful skins of the G. anglica, collected by Osbert 
Salvin, Esq., in Algeria; one from the content of India, 
and another from Java: all these are as nearly alike as possi- 
ble in colour and admeasurements; it is evident, therefore, 
that the European and Indian birds are of the same species. 

In summer the crown of the head and back of the neck 
are black; all the upper surface and primaries are light 
silvery grey; the remainder of the plumage is white; and 
the bill and feet are black. 

In winter the black colouring of the head probably dis- 
appears and is replaced by white. 

Total length 17 inches ; bill 24; wing 134; tail 6; tarsi 13. 


Genus GYGIS, Wagler. 


One species of this genus of Terns is found in Australia. 
Little is known respecting it or its allies, all of which frequent 
the South Indian Ocean and the seas of Polynesia and 
Australia. 3 | 

Mr. G. R. Gray remarks, in his ‘ Catalogue of the Birds of 
the Tropical Islands of the Pacific Ocean in the Collection of 
theBritish Museum,’ that “the late Prince Bonaparte gives three 
species of this form in the ‘Comptes Rendus de P Académie 
des Sciences’ for 1856, p.778, viz. Gygis alba, Sparrm., G. can- 
dida, Forst., and G. nupoleonis, Pr. B.; but 1 have not met 
with any characters by which he distinguishes them from 
one another.” | 

The birds of this genus appear to deposit their single egg 
on the branches of trees. 


NATATORES. 405 


Sp. 609. GYGIS CANDIDA. 


Waite Tren. 


Sterna candida, Forst. Descrip. &e., p. 179. 
alba, Lath. Ind. Orn., vol. ii. p. 808 ? 
White Tern, Lath. Gen. Syn., vol. vi. p. 863. 
Gygis candida, Wag). 


Gygis candida, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 30. 


This lovely Tern visits the whole of the south-eastern coast 
of Australia from Moreton Bay to Cape York, and is also 
found on Norfolk Island, where it is said to breed. 

The late Mr. Cuming informed me that, on his visiting 
Elizabeth Island, in the South Seas, which is entirely destitute 
of inhabitants and of fresh water, he found this or an allied 
_ Species breeding on a species of Pandanus, its single egg 
being deposited on the horizontal branches in a depression, 
which, although slight, was sufficient to retain it in position 
despite of the high winds and consequent oscillations to which 
it was subjected. Mr. Cuming added that the old birds 
were flying about in thousands, like swarms of bees, and 
that he noticed several breeding on the same tree; some of 
the young birds were hatched and covered with down, and 
being within reach, he took a few of them in his hand, and 
after examining replaced them on their dangerous resting- 
place, from which it appeared they occasionally fell down and 
were destroyed, as he observed several lying dead on the 
ground. 

A bird of this genus, and perhaps the same species, is also 
noticed in the ‘ Journal of Researches in Geology and Natural 
History’ of C. Darwin, Esq., who, when speaking of Keeling 
Island, says, “ But there is one charming bird—a small and 
snow-white Tern which smoothly hovers at the distance of an 
arm’s length from your head; its large black eye scanning 
with quiet curiosity your expression. Little imagination is 


406 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


required to fancy that so light and delicate a body must be 
tenanted by some wandering fairy spirit.” 

The sexes do not differ from each other in outward 
appearance. 

The entire plumage is snow-white; bill dark blue at the 
base, black at the tip; irides black; feet orange. 


Genus HYDROCHELIDON, Boie. 


The members of the present genus inhabit inland waters 
and marshes, make their nests among the rushes, and lay 
strongly-marked eggs, in which they differ from the other 
Terns, the generality of which deposit their eggs on the 
shingles of the sea-shore. 


Sp. 610. HYDROCHELIDON LEUCOPAREIA. 
Marsu-Tern. 


Sterna hybrida, Pall. Zoog. Rosso-Asiat., tom. i. p. 338. 
leucopareia, Natt., Temm. Man. d’ Orn., 2de edit., tom. 11. p. 746. 
. delamotta, Vieill. Ency. Méth. Orn., part i. p. 350. 
leucogenys, Brehm. 
Viralva leucopareia, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool. vol. xii. p. 171. 
Hydrochelidon hybrida, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de l’Acad. Sci., tom. xli. 
fluviatilis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part x. p. 140. 


Hydrochelidon fiuviatilis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. 
pl. 31. 


The present bird, which I figured and described in the 
folio edition as Hydrochelidon fluwiatilis, but which I now 
believe to be identical with H. Jewcopareia of Kurope and 
India, is a denizen of inland waters rather than those of the 
sea-coast, and wherever lagoons of any extent have been dis- 
covered in the interior of Australia, it has been found enliven- 
ing the scene. I frequently observed it in the reaches of the. 
rivers Mokai and Namoi, and both Sturt and Hume mention 


NATATORES. 407 


it as frequenting many parts of the country visited by them ; 
I have also seen specimens from Swan River: it is evident, 
therefore, that it has a wide range of habitat. Its chief food 
consists of aquatic insects and small fish, which it procures 
after the usual manner of the Marsh Terns, by hunting with 
scrutinizing care over the surface of the water. 

The breeding-place of this species in Australia has not been 
discovered, but in its nidification it doubtless closely resembles 
its congeners, which we know breed among the sedgy herbage, 
making a nest just above the surface of the water. 

“This Tern,” says Mr. Jerdon, “is exceedingly abundant 
in India, frequenting marshes, tanks, and rivers, usually prey- 
ing on aquatic food, not unfrequently hunting over fields, 
beds of reeds, and marshy ground, where it captures grass- 
hoppers, caterpillars, and other insects. In some parts of the 
country it roosts during the night on thick beds of reeds, 
congregating in vast numbers: for some time after sunset _ 
till nearly dark, it may be seen flying in scattered flocks in 
an excited manner over the surface of the water; but I do 
not think that the birds I saw thus occupied were at the same 
time engaged in capturing food. It breeds in large churrs 
on the Ganges, and probably on most other large rivers. It 
is found over the greater part of Europe, temperate Asia, and 
Africa. 

Little or no difference is observable in the sexes. 

Forehead, crown, and nape deep black; all the upper 
surface, wings, and tail light grey; sides of the face and the 
throat white, gradually deepening into grey on the chest, and 
the grey into black on the abdomen and flanks ; under surface 
of the shoulder and under tail-coverts white ; irides black ; 
bill blood-red ; feet light blood-red. 

- Total length 92 inches; bill 13; wing 82; tail 81; tarsi Z. 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus ONYCHOPRION, Wagler. 


Of this form two species frequent the Australian seas; and 
one of them appears to be universally distributed over the 
Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. 


Sp. 611. ONYCHOPRION FULIGINOSA. 
Sooty Trrn. 


Sterna serrata, Forst. Descr. Anim., p. 276. 
guttata, Forst. Ib., p. 211. 
- fuliginosa, Gmel. Edit. Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 605. 
Onychoprion serrata, Wag). Isis, 1882, p. 277. 
Haliplana fuliginosa, Wag}. Ib., p. 1224. 
serrata, Bonap., Compt. Rend. de l’Acad. Sci., 1856, p: 772. 
Sterna oahuensis, Bloxh. Voy. of Blonde, p. 291. 
(Onychoprion) serrata, G. R. Gray, Cat. of Birds of Trop. Isl. of 
Pac. Ocean in Coll. Brit. Mus., p. 59. 
Anous Pherminiert, Less. Descr. de Mamm. et d’Ois., p. 255. 
Haliplana gould, Reich. (Bonap.). 


Onychoprion fuliginosus?, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. 
pl. 32. 


This common species appears to be very generally distri- 
buted over the seas surrounding Australia, but to be less 
numerous on the southern than on the western, northern, and 
eastern coasts. It is now supposed to be the same species 
which frequents the shores of the countries washed by the 
Atlantic, both north and south, and that examples from 
North America and Australia are not different; if this be 
. the case, no bird of its family enjoys so wide a range over the 

globe. Gilbert found it breeding on the Houtmann’s Abrolhos 
in December, and Mr. Macgillivray in Torres Straits in May 
and June. 

Gilbert states that it “lays a single egg on the bare ground 
beneath the thick scrub ; and that the egg varies considerably 


NATATORES, ; 409 


in colour. The breeding-season is at its height in December, 
but a few may be found performing the task of incubation in 
January. So reluctant is it to leave its egg or young, that it 
will suffer itself to be taken by the hand rather than desert 
them. For several weeks after the young are able to fly, this 
bird may be seen in vast flocks soaring at a great height. It 
is an extremely noisy species, and may be heard on the wing 
during all hours of the night.” 
“The Onychoprion fuliginosa,” says Mr. Macgillivray, “ was 
found breeding in prodigious numbers on Raine’s Islet and 
Bramble Key in May and June, associated with Noddies 
(Anous stolidus). 'The Sooty Tern deposits its solitary egg in 
a slight excavation in the sand, without lining of any kind. 
The egg varies considerably in its markings. After the party 
employed in building the beacon on Raine’s Islet had been 
on shore about ten days, and the Terns had had their nests 
robbed repeatedly, the birds collected into two or three large 
flocks, and laid their eggs in company, shifting their quarters 
repeatedly on finding themselves continually molested ; for 
new-laid eggs were much in request among people who had 
for some time been living upon ship’s fare. By sitting down 
and keeping quiet I have seen the poor birds dropping their 
eggs within two yards of where I sat, apparently glad to get 
rid of their burthen at all hazards. During the month of 
June 1844 about 1500 dozen of eggs were procured by the 
party upon the island. About the 20th of June nearly one- 
half of the young birds (hatched twenty-five or thirty days pre- 
viously) were able to fly, and many were quite strong upon 
the wing. Great numbers of young birds unable to fly were 
killed for the pot: in one mess of twenty-two men the average 
number consumed daily in June was fifty, and supposing the 
convicts (twenty im number) to have consumed as many, 
3000 young birds must have been killed in one month; yet 
I could observe no sensible diminution of the number of 
young, a circumstance which will give the reader some idea 


410 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


of the vast numbers of birds of this species congregated on a 
mere vegetated sand-bank like Raine’s Islet.” 

Audubon, in the fifth volume of his ‘ Ornithological Bio- 
graphy,’ states that on the Tortugas this species lays three 
eggs, and not one only as in Australia; and I may quote the 
following passage, in confirmation of Mr. Macgillivray, of the 
immense numbers of these birds which assemble together for 
the purpose of breeding :—‘ At Bird Key we found a party 
of Spanish eggers from Havannah. ‘They had already laid in 
a cargo of about eight tons of the eggs of the Tern and the 
Noddy. On asking them how many they supposed they had, 
they answered that they never counted them, even while 
selling them, but disposed of them at twenty-five cents per 
gallon, and that one turn to market sometimes produced 
upwards of two hundred dollars, while it took only a week to 
sail backwards and forwards and collect their cargo. Some 
eggers who now and then come from’ Key West sell their 
egos at twelve and a half cents the dozen. Wherever these 
eggs are carried they must be disposed of and eaten, for they 
become putrid in a few weeks.” 

The ground-colour of the eggs is a creamy white, in some 
very pale, in others very rich, blotched all over with irregular- 
sized markings of chestnut and dark brown, the latter hue 
appearing as if beneath the surface; the lighter-coloured eggs 
have these markings much smaller and more thinly dispersed, 
except at the larger end; they are two inches and an eighth 
long by one inch and a half in breadth. 

The colouring of this species is as follows :— 

Lores, crown of the head, and back of the neck deep black ; 
all the upper surface, wings, and tail deep sooty black; the 
apical half, the shaft, and the outer web of the lateral tail- 
feathers white ; a V-shaped mark on the forehead and all the 
under surface of the wings and body white, passing into grey 
on the lower part of the abdomen and under tail-coverts ; 
irides dark brown; bill black; feet brownish black. 


NATATORES. All 


Sp. 612. ONYCHOPRION PANAYENSIS. 
 Panayan TERN. 

Sterna panayensis, Gmel. Edit. Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 607. 

panaya, Lath. Ind. Orn., vol. 1. p. 808. 

I? Hirondelle de mer de Panay, Sonn. Voy., p. 125. pl. 84. 

Panayan Tern, Lath. Gen. Syn., vol. vii. p. 363. 

Haliplana panayensis, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de Acad. Sci., 1856, p.772. 


Onychoprion panaya, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol, vol. vii. pi. 33. 


This bird visits many parts of the coasts of Australia, 
particularly those of the western side of the continent. It 
was found on the Houtmann’s Abrolhos by Gilbert, who 
remarks that it commences breeding in the latter part of 
November, and that during the period of incubation it differs 
in its habits from all the other allied species, inasmuch as, 
instead of being gregarious, each pair remains solitary, and 
its single egg is deposited in the fissure of a rock close to the 
water's edge without any nest or flooring; he further states 
that it was very seldom seen at Port Essington, but that a 
great number flew around the ship during his voyage from 
thence to Singapore. Mr. Macgillivray informs me that he 
first met with it on Solitary Island, near Cape York; subse- 
quently it was found on Raine’s Islet by the late Commander 
Ince, R.N., and by himself on Bramble Quay, in Torres 
Straits, where it was breeding in small numbers, and where 
it deposits its single egg in the holes of the loose friable coral 
sandstone; and it was here, while turning over some of the 
shells of dead turtle which had been apparently arranged by 
the natives who occasionally visit the place, that he was 
surprised to find beneath them several of these pretty Terns 
sitting on their egg without any nest. The egg is so similar 
in colour to that of the Sooty Tern that the description of one 
will answer for both, but it is considerably smaller in size, 
the average measurement being one inch nine and a half lines 
long by one inch three and a half lines broad. 


412 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


The stomach is membranous, and the food consists princi- 
pally of fish. 

Forehead, line over the eye, chin, and throat white; lores, 
crown of the head, and nape black ;_ back, wings, and tail light 
sooty brown, the outer tail-feather being white at the base 
and on the outer web for two-third of its length; edge of 
the shoulder and under surface of the wing white; under 
surface white, slightly washed with grey; irides blackish 
brown; bill black; legs and feet blackish green. 


Genus ANOUS, Leach. 


“The Noddies,” remarks Mr. Jerdon, “are well-known 
oceanic birds, frequenting tropical and juxta-tropical seas. 
They differ from most Terns in their even or somewhat 
rounded tails ; and still more in the manner of their flight, 
which is steady and slow. They settle on the water when 
taking their food, which consists chiefly of mollusks and fatty 
matter ; and they are very silent birds. Sundevall, who noted 
these differences, states that in their mode of life they resem- 
ble Petrels rather than Terns.” 

Unlike other Terns which frequent the sea-shores and 
rivers, the Noddies frequent the wide ocean, far remote from 
Jand, and which, like the Petrels, they seldom quit,. except at 
the breeding-season, when they congregate in vast multitudes 
on small islands suited to the purpose. Great nurseries of 
this kind are to be found in every ocean; in the North 
Atlantic, one of the Tortugas, called Noddy Key, is a favourite 
resort, and the Bahama Islands are another; in the South 
Pacific and Indian Oceans, beside other situations, the Hout- 
mann’s Abrolhos, off the western coast of Australia, and 
on Bramble Key in Torres Straits, are resorted to in such 
immense numbers that Mr. Gilbert was perfectly astonished 
at the multitudes with which he found himself surrounded, 
upon landing on those remote and little-explored islands. 


NATATORES. 413 


Sp. 613. ANOUS STOLIDUS. 
Noppy Tern. 


Passer stultus, Ray, Syn. 154. 

Sterna stolida, Lath. Ind. Orn., vol. ii. p. 805. 

Gaira fusca, Briss. Orn., tom. vi. p. 199. tab. 18. fig. 2. 

La Mouette brune, Buff. Pl. Enl., 997. 

Noddy Tern, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. x. p. 104. 

- Anous niger, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xiii. p. 140. pl. 17. 
Megalopterus stolidus, Boie. 

Le Noddi noir, Cuv. Régn. Anim., tom. i. p. 522. 

Anous stolidus, G. R. Gray, List of Gen. of Birds, 2nd Edit., p. 100. 
leucoceps, Swains. 


_ Anous stolidus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 34. 


If the present bird be identical with the Sterna stolida of 
the older writers, then the range of the species over the 
temperate and warmer parts of the ocean must be almost 
universal; but it will be seen that although the Noddies of 
the northern and southern hemispheres are very much alike, 
considerable variation is found to exist in their modes of 
nidification and the season at which that duty is performed; 
a difference is also found in the number and colouring of 
their eggs, those inhabitmg the northern hemisphere being 
said to lay three, and those inhabiting the southern only one. 
Mr. Coues, after instituting a most careful and minute com- 
parison of the American and Pacific birds, is still undecided 
as to whether they are or are not different. “lIf,” says he, 
“the Pacific bird be really distinct, it has probably yet to 
receive a name, for it is very different from the various spe- 
cies of Anous mostly described by Mr. Gould. In that event 
it may be called Anous frater ”. but, rather than unnecessarily 
multiply the number of specific appellations, I prefer for the 
present at least to describe the srusinelion bird under the old 
name of stolidus. 

“The Noddy and an allied species’? (A. melanops), says 


A14, BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Gilbert, “are extremely numerous on the Houtmann’s Abrol- 
hos, where they breed in prodigious numbers. The present 
species lays its eggs in November and December, on a nest 
constructed of sca-weed, about six inches in diameter and 
varying in height from four to eight inches, but without 
anything like regularity of form; the top is nearly flat, 
there being but a very slight hollow to prevent their single 
ege from rolling off. The nests are so completely plastered 
with the excrement of the bird, that at first sight they ap- 
pear to be entirely formed of that material; they are either 
placed on the ground in a clear open space, or on the tops of 
the thick scrub, over those of the Onychoprion fuliginosus, the 
two species incubating together with the most perfect har- 
mony, and the bushes presenting a mottled appearance from - 
the great numbers of both species perched on the top: the 
male O, fuliginosa sitting quite close to the nest of the 
Noddy, while its mate is beneath performing the duties of in- 
cubation. On walking among the nests I was surprised to 
observe the pertinacity with which the birds kept their post ; 
in fact they would not remove from off the egg or the young, 
but would suffer themselves to be trodden upon or taken off 
with the hand; and so thickly were the nests placed, that it 
was no easy matter to avoid crushing either eggs or birds at 
every step. By the middle of January the eggs were nearly 
ready to hatch, and there would be an overwhelming increase 
of this species yearly but for the check which nature has pro- 
vided against it in the presence of a small lizard which is very 
abundant about their breeding-places, and which finds an easy 
prey in the young of this Noddy and of Onychoprion fuligi- 
nosus. 1 am satisfied that not more than one out of every 
twenty birds hatched ever reaches maturity, or lives long enough 
to take wing; besides which, great numbers of the old birds 
are constantly killed: these lizards do not eat the whole bird, 
but merely extract the brain and vertebral marrow; the re- 
mainder is however soon cleared off by the Dermestes larda- 


NATATORES. 415 


“rius, an insect which occurs in amazing numbers, and gave 
me a great deal of uneasiness and constant trouble to preserve 
my collection from their repeated attacks. I did not observe 
the Noddy on any but the South Island. As it finds an 
abundant supply of food, consisting of small fish, small mol- 
lusca, meduse, cuttle-fish, &c., immediately outside the outer 
reef, it has no occasion to go far out to sea; I never observed 
it feeding in the smooth quiet water ee the outer reef 
and the islands.” 

“ The large Noddy,” says Mr. Macgillivray, “is abundantly 
distributed over Torres Straits, but I never met with it to the 
southward of Raine’s Islet, on which, as at Bramble Key, it 
was found breeding in prodigious numbers. Unlike its con- 
stant associate, thes Sooty Tern, it constructs a shallow nest of 
small twigs arranged in a slovenly manner, over which are 
strewed about a handful of fragments of coral from the beach, 
shells, and occasionally portions of tortoise-shell and bones of 
turtle. The nest is sometimes placed upon the ground, but 
more usually upon tufts of grass and other herbage at about a 
.. foot from the ground.” 

I here transcribe Audubon’s account of the breeding of the 
true Anous stoldus, as it is not only interesting in itself, but, 
when coupled with Gilbert’s and Macgillivray’s observations 
on the Australian bird, may tend to show that in this, as in 
many other instances, birds inhabiting opposite sides of the 
equator have very similar habits; and whether identical or 
not, it is somewhat singular that a American vaicisia 16 should 
lay two eggs and the Australian but one. 

“The Noddies,” says Audubon, “form regular nests of 
twigs and dry grass, which they place on the bushes or low 
trees, but never on the ground. On visiting their island on 
the 11th of May 1832, I was surprised to see that many of 
them were repairing and augmenting nests that had remained 
throughout the winter, while others were employed in con- 
structing new ones, and some were already sitting on their 


416 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


a 


eggs. In a great many instances the repaired nests formed 
masses nearly two feet in height, and yet all of them had only 
a slight hollow for the eggs, broken shells of which were found 
among the entire ones, as if they had been purposely placed 
there. The birds did not discontinue their labours, although 
there were nine or ten of us walking among the bushes; and 
when we had gone a few yards into the thicket, thousands of 
them flew quite low over us, some at times coming so close as 
to enable us to catch a few, of them with the hand. On one 
side might be seen a Noddy carrying a stick in its bill, or 
picking up something to add to its nest; on the other seve- 
ral were seen sitting on their eggs unconscious of danger, 
while their mates brought them food. The greater part rose 
on the wing as we advanced, but re-alighted as soon as we 
had passed. ‘The bushes were rarely taller than ourselves, so 
that we could easily see the eggs inthenests. . . . The 
Noddy lays three eggs, which average two inches in length by 
an inch and three-eighths in breadth, and are of a reddish 
yellow colour, spotted and patched with dull red and faint 
purple. They afford excellent eating, and our sailors seldom 
failed to collect bucketsful of them daily during our stay at 
the Tortugas.” 

Considerable variation is found to exist in the markings of 
the eggs; the greater number are of a cream-colour, thinly 
sprinkled all over, except at the larger end, where they 
become more numerous and form an irregular zone, with 
blotches of chestnut-red and dark brown, the latter colour 
appearing as if beneath the surface of the shell; but examples 
occur in which the markings are much more numerous and 
almost equally distributed over the surface, and others which 
are nearly pure white; and I possess one specimen in which 
the markings are so large and dark that it might be readily 
mistaken for the egg of some other bird. They are two 
inches in length by one inch and a half in breadth. 

The flight of this species is apparently laboured, being per- 


NATATORES. 417 


formed with a considerable action of the wings; at the same 
time the bird is capable of sustaining itself for a long time 
just above the surface of the water, and of frequently making 
abrupt and rapid turns while engaged in the search of its 
prey; its soft and dense plumage renders it extremely 
buoyant, and, as the largely-developed membrane of the feet 
would indicate, it swims with great ease. 
__ The sexes are so nearly alike, that by dissection alone can 
they be distinguished ; and the young acquire the plumage 
of the adult at a very early age. | 

Upper and under surface chocolate-brown; crown of the 
head pale grey, gradually blending with the brown of the 
upper surface; primaries and tail brownish black; imme- 
diately before and above the anterior angle of the eye a spot 
of black ; irides brown; bill black ; feet dull brownish red ; 
webs dusky ; claws black. 


Sp. 614... ANOUS MELANOPS, Gould. 
Lusszr Noppy. 
? (Lesser Noddy), Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xii. 


Anous 
p- 36. 
Anous melanops, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xiii. p. 104. 


Anous melanops, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 35. 


All that has been said respecting the Noddy is equally 
descriptive of this bird. It is as abundant in Australian seas, 
and at the breeding-season resorts to similar situations. On 
the Houtmann’s Abrolhos it is even more numerous than the 
A, stolidus; like that bird, it is truly gregarious, the nests 
being arranged as closely as possible on the branches of the 
mangrove, at a height of from four to ten feet above the ground, 
the sea-weed of which each nest is constructed being merely 
thrown across the branch, without any regard to form, until 
it has accumulated to a mass varying from two to four inches in 
height ; in many instances long pieces of sea-weed hang down 

VOL, II. 25 


418 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


beneath the branch, giving it the appearance of a much larger 
structure than the reality; the nests and the branches of the 
trees are completely whitened with the excrement of the bird, 
the disagreeable and sickly odour of which is perceptible at a 
considerable distance. South Island, Houtmann’s Abrolhos, 
appears to be the only one resorted to for the purpose of nidi- 
fication ; for although large mangroves occur on others of the 
neighbouring islands, it was not observed on any of them. 
‘‘ T have seen many vast flocks of birds,” says Gilbert, “ but 
I confess I was not at all prepared for the surprise I expe- 
rienced in witnessing the amazing clouds, literally speaking, 
of these birds when congregating in the evening while they 
had their young to feed. During their alternate departure 
and return with food they presented a most singular appear- 
ance. From their breeding-place to the outer reef, beyond 
the smooth water, the distance is four miles; and over this 
space the numbers constantly passing were in such close 
array that they formed one continuous and unbroken line. 
After the young birds were able to accompany their parents, 
I observed that they all left the breeding- or roosting- 
place in the morning and did not again return until even- 
ing, the first-comers apparently awaiting the arrival of the 
last before finally roosting for the night. It is when thus 
assembling that their immense numbers strike you with 
astonishment. Even those who have witnessed the vast 
flights of the Passenger Pigeon, so vividly described by Au- 
dubon, could hardly avoid expressing surprise at seeing the 
multitudes of these birds which at sunset move in one dense 
mass over and around the roosting-place, when the noise of 
the old birds, the quack and the piping whistle of the young 
ones, are almost deafening. Like its near ally, it commences 
the task of incubation in December, and lays but a single egg: 
while sitting on which, or tending its young, it is very easily 
caught, as it will suffer itself to be taken off the nest rather 
than quit it. It forms an excellent article of food, and several 


NATATORES. ALQ 


hundreds were daily killed during our stay on the island. As 
this bird resorts to the upper branches alone, it is secure 
from the attacks of the lizard, so destructive to the Noddy, the 
animal not being able to climb the branches with sufficient 
facility to capture it; and this may doubtless be one of the 
causes why it is more numerous than any of the many other 
birds inhabiting the islands.’ 
_ The egg is of a pale stone or cream colour, marked all over 

with large irregular-shaped blotches of dull chestnut-red and 
dark brown, the latter appearing as if beneath the surface of 
the shell; the blotches are thinly dispersed except at the 
larger end, where they are largest and most numerous ; it is 
one inch and three-quarters long by one inch and five six- 
teenths broad. : 

_ There is no visible difference in the outward appearance of 
_ the sexes. 

Crown of the head and back of the neck light ash-colour, 
passing into deep grey on the mantle and back ; immediately 
before the eyes a large patch, and behind a smaller one, of 
jet-black ; posterior half of the lower and a smaller space on 
the upper lash snow-white; throat, forepart of the neck, and 
all the under surface deep sooty black; wings and all the 
under surface of the same colour, but rather browner ; bill 
black ; tarsi and toes brownish black. 

Total length 12 to 13 inches; tail 22; wing 83; tail 5; 
tarsi $; middle toe and nail 1}. 


Sp. 615. ANOUS LEUCOCAPILLUS, Gould. 
_ Warrr-carpep Noppy. 
Anous leucocapillus, Gould in Proce. of Zool. Soe., part xiii. p. 108. 


Anous leucocapillus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 36. 


Examples of this beautiful Tern were presented to me by 
the late Commander Ince, R.N., by whom they were pro- 
cured on Raine’s Islet, where it was very abundant. It is 

2H 2 


420 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


nearly allied to the Anois tenuirostris of Western Africa, with 
which indeed Sir William Jardine considers it to be identical ; 
but the late Prince Bonaparte treats it as distinct in his ar- 
rangement of the Laride in the ‘Comptes Rendus de l’Aca- 
démie des Sciences’ for 1856, and I shall therefore retain 
it under the name I assigned to it. All that has been said 
respecting the Anous stolidus is equally applicable to the pre- 
sent species, their habits, manners, and mode of life bemg 
very similar. 

Crown of the head and nape of the neck white; lores and 
space surrounding the eye deep black; near the posterior 
angle of the upper and lower eyelids a small patch of white ; 
breast, all the under surface and the wings deep sooty black; 
back of the neck, back, and tail the same, slightly tinged with 
ash ; bill black ; feet brownish black. 

Total length 14 inches; bill 24; wing 9; tail 5; tarsi ¢; 
middle toe and nail 15. 


Genus PROCELSTERNA, Lafresnaye. 


This genus was established for two little Terns, nearly - 
allied to the members of the genus Anous, but from which 
they differ in some minor particulars. The specific term 
cinereus applied by me to the following species having been 
previously employed by Neboux, the late Prince Bonaparte 
sunk my name into a synonym, and replaced it with a/v- 
vitta, which I accordingly adopt. 


Sp. 616. PROCELSTERNA ALBIVITTA. 
Grey Noppy. 


Anots cinereus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xi. p. 104. 

Pelecanopus pelecanvides, G. R. Gray, List of Birds in Coll. Brit. Mus., 
_ part in. p. 180. 

Procelsterna albivitta, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de l’Acad. Sci., 1856. 


Anous cinereus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 37. 


This little species is a native of the seas bordering the 


NATATORES. 421 


eastern and north-eastern coasts of Australia, and is said to 
breed on Norfolk Island. It is in every respect a true Anoziis, 
and, so far as is known, has many habits in common with 
those of the other members of the genus. 

Mr. Macgillivray sent beautiful examples of the eggs of 
this species. They are cream-coloured, sparingly spotted, and 
dashed with reddish brown and grey markings, the latter 
appearing to be beneath the surface; they are one inch and 
five-eighths long by one inch and a quarter wide. 

Head, neck, and all the under surface silvery greyish 
white ; round the eye a narrow ring of feathers, the anterior 
half of which is deep black and the posterior half white ; 
back, wings, and tail light grey; secondaries tipped with 
white ; bill black ; tarsiand toes brownish black ; interdigital 
membrane yellowish. 

Total length 11 inches ; bill 12; wing 8; tail 5; tarsi 12; 
middle toe and nail 12. | 


Family PROCELLARIDA. 


There is perhaps no group of birds respecting which so 
much confusion exists, and the extent of whose range over the 
ocean is so little known, as that forming the present family. 

Having paid much attention to these birds during my pas- 
sages to and from Australia, my researches were rewarded by 
my obtaining a knowledge of nearly forty different species, 
most of which are peculiar to the southern hemisphere, and 
many of them frequenters of the Australian seas. The largest 
and most important of these truly oceanic birds are the 
Albatroses, next to these the great Petrels, and then the 
Shearwaters, Prions, Diving and Storm-Petrels. All these 
frequenters of the great deep, from the huge Diomedee to 
the little Zialassidrome, principally live on the Physalie, 
gelatinous Meduse, and other lowly organized creatures, the 
larger birds changing their diet occasionally by feeding upon 


422 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


floating crustaceans, the oily blubber of dead cetaceans, and 
the fatty offal thrown overboard from passenger-ships during 
their long voyages. The powers of flight with which these 
birds are endowed are perfectly astonishing, and they appear to 
be constantly performing journeys round the globe from west 
to east; and Australia lying in their track, all the species may 
be found near its shores at one or another season of the year. 

These Albatroses have been divided by Dr. Reichenbach 
into three genera—Diomedea, Thalassarche, and Phebetria, 
the members of each of which certainly differ somewhat in 
structure, and, my own observation of them in a state of nature 
énables me to add, in their habits and economy also. 

Respecting the flight of these birds, I take the liberty of 
making a lengthened extract from Capt. F. W. Hutton’s 
valuable ‘“‘ Notes on some of the Birds inhabiting the Southern 
Ocean,” read at the Natural History Society of Dublin, March 
3, and published in the July number of the ‘Ibis,’ 1865, 
pp. 294-298 :— 

“The unrivalled flight of the Albatros has been the admira- 
tion of voyagers from the earliest time. Day after day, with 
unabated interest I have watched them, and I quite agree 
with Mr. Gould that the Sooty Albatros (D. fuliginosa) carries 
off the palm from all competitors. Never have I seen any- 
thing to equal the ease and grace of this bird as he sweeps 
past, often within a few yards, every part of his body perfectly 
motionless except the head and eye, which turn slowly, and 
seem to take notice of everything. I have sometimes watched 
narrowly one of these birds sailing and wheeling about in all 
directions for more than an hour, without seeing the slightest 
movement of the wings. This, however, is longer than usual. 
Wonderful as is this power of flight, it can all be explained 
by the simple mechanical laws which govern the direction and 
magnitude of pressures. Dr. Bennett states that he believes 
‘that the whole surface [of the body of the Albatros] is 
covered by numerous air-cells, capable of a voluntary inflation 


NATATORES. 4.23 


or diminution by means of a beautiful muscular apparatus. 
By this power the birds can raise or depress 

themselves at will.’ Now, I do not for a moment doubt the 
existence of this apparatus, for it is well known that all birds 
have it to a greater or less extent; but I do doubt its capa- 
bility of doing the duty assigned to it, viz. raising the bird 
in the air. The temperature of the Albatros, as taken by Sir 
G. Grey, by placing a thermometer under the tongue, is 98° F., 
and if we add 10° F. to this, in order to allow for the differ- 
ence between the head and the body, we shall have the tem- 
perature of the air-cells at 108° F. The temperature of the 
surrounding air cannot be taken lower than 48° F., as the 
mean winter temperature of lat. 50°S. is about 50°F. The 
bird, therefore, could not raise the temperature of the air taken 
into these cells more than 60°F. This would increase its 
volume not quite one-eighth; and taking 100 cubic inches of 
air to weigh 31 grains, and the average weight of an Albatros 
to be 17 Ibs., as given by Gould, it would be necessary, in 
order that the specific gravity of the bird might be brought 
to that of the atmosphere, that these cells should contain 1820 
cubic feet of air; or, in other words, they must be more than 
1200 times the size of the body itself of the bird, which, to 
say the least, would give it when flying an aldermanic appear- 
ance which I have never observed. In fact it would require 
a sphere of more than fifteen feet in diameter to contain the 
necessary quantity of air. Even if it could thus buoy itself 
up, it would entirely defeat its own object; for it would at 
once destroy the whole of its momentum, and unless propelled 
forward by its wings, would drift helplessly to leeward. 
However, I do not wish it to be inferred that I consider the 
air-cells of no use. The greater portion of them are situated 
round the neck, wings, and fore-part of the body of the bird, 
and I believe that by their means he is enabled to shift 
slightly the position of his centre of gravity, and thus, with 
very slight muscular exertion, to vary the inclination of his 


424, BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


body to the horizon, according to the rate at which he is mov- 
ing through the air. 

“Dr. Bennett, in his ‘ Gatherings of a Naturalist ’ (p. 78) 
gives a diagram explanatory of the flight of the Albatros,” con- 
tinues Capt. Hutton; and, if I understand him rightly, says 
that ‘it cannot sail directly against the wind, but only in the 
way which sailors call ‘ close-hauled.’ This diagram represents 
a square-rigged ship sailing six points from the wind, a cutter 
sailing four and a half points, and an Albatros flying two 
points from the wind ; from which I infer, although he does 
not expressly say so, that he considers that the wind helps 
forward the Albatros in the same way that it does the ships. 
But that this is erroneous is apparent at a glance. A ship 
can sail at an acute angle with the wind, because the pressure 
of the wind against its sails being met by the resistance of the 
water is resolved into pressures having other directions. Ad- 
vantage of this being taken by trimming the sails, it ultimately 
results that the ship is moved in the direction of least resist- 
ance, viz. forwards. If, however, the pressure of the wind 
had not been met by the resistance of the water, no resolution 
of it into other directions could have taken place. For this 
reason a balloon can only drift with the wind, and the same 
would be the case with the Albatros. Moreover, the state- 
ment that he cannot sail against the wind is incorrect, 
as Dr. Bennett himself said in his first book, ‘ Wanderings 
in New South Wales ;’ the truth being that he is more 
often seen sailing in this direction than in any other, for the 
simple reason that as he moves slower against the wind than 
with it, he is obliged to keep going for a longer time in the 
former direction than in the latter, in order to retain his posi- 
tion near the stern of the ship. However, when sailing 
against the wind the position of his wings, body, and tail, slant. 
ing a little downwards, is somewhat analogous to the sails of a 
ship close-hauled, or, still better, to the position of a kite in 
the air; the momentum of the bird taking the place of the 


NATATORES. 425 


salen of the water, or the string of the kite. This mo- 
mentum is entirely owing to impulses previously given to the 
air by means of his wings, and when, owing to the resistance 
of the air, it has decreased so much that he is no longer able 
to move with sufficient rapidity to prevent his falling, fresh _ 
impulses have to be given. For this reason, Albatroses sail 
much longer in fine than in stormy weather, rain especially 
soon destroying their momentum, and frequently obliging 
them to use their wings for propulsion. 

“Tt is by combining, according to the laws of mechanics, 
this pressure of the air against his wings with the force of 
gravity, and by using his head and tail as bow and stern 
rudders, that the Albatros is enabled to sail in any direction 
he pleases, so long as his momentum lasts. If, when sailing 
against the wind, the inclination of his body is such that the 
upward pressure of the wind against his wings and body just 
balances the force of gravity, his momentum alone acts, and 
he sails straight in the ‘ wind’s eye.’ If he wishes to ascend, 
he inclines his body more to the horizon by means of his head 
and tail. If he wishes to turn to the right, he bends his head 
and tail slightly upwards, at the same time raising his left 
side and wing, and lowering the right in proportion to the 
sharpness of the curve he wishes to make, the wings being 
kept quite rigid the whole time. ‘To such an extent does he 
do this that, in sweeping round, his wings are often pointed 
in a direction nearly perpendicular to the sea; and _ this 
position of the wings, more or less inclined to the horizon, is 
seen always, and only when the bird is turning. It will be 
observed that, on this principle, an Albatros sailing down 
wind must necessarily be descending, unless his pace is much 
greater than that of the air, and such I have found to be 
invariably the case. 

“Tt may be objected that the resistance of the air must soon 
destroy his momentum; but the fact is that it does not do 
so. A good illustration of this is seen in an experiment, 


4.26 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


common in lecture-rooms a few years ago, by which the 
rotation of the earth was demonstrated by means of a pen- 
dulum, composed of a metal ball suspended by a long string 
from the ceiling of the lecture-hall. The impetus obtained by 
causing the metal ball to fall through the space of a few feet 
only was sufficient to keep the pendulum swinging, with a 
velocity but little diminished, for the greater part of an hour, 
notwithstanding the resistance of the sand, which the point of 
the pendulum had to cut through twice during each vibration. 
The resistance of the air is well known to depend on the shape 
and velocity of the moving body, and to increase in proportion 
much more rapidly than the velocity increases. For this 
reason a properly-shaped body and a low velocity are required 
to reduce it toa minimum. A certain amount of weight is 
also necessary to give a bird momentum sufficient to overcome 
the resistance for a certain time, and wings are required of 
sufficient expanse to support it as it sails slowly through the 
air. ‘These conditions are admirably carried out in the 
Albatros ; its expanse of wing is perhaps greater than that of 
any other bird, and its weight, 15 lbs. and upwards, is very 
large. Its shape, also, when the neck is stretched out, as in 
flymg, approaches very nearly to that of Newton’s solid of 
least resistance, while more than one voyager has remarked 
the slowness with which it sails past. The Petrels I have 
mentioned sail very nearly in proportion to their size and 
weight. The Stormy Petrel never sails; the Cape Pigeon 
only for a very short time, perhaps a minute; the ‘ Night- 
Hawk’ much longer, often between five and ten minutes ; 
while the Albatros, as I have before mentioned, sails sometimes 
for an hour, ‘rising and falling,’ says Dr. Bennett, ‘as if 
some concealed power guided its various motions, without 
any muscular exertion of its own,’ but which we must only 
look upon as another illustration of the small resistance offered 
by the air to the passage of a properly-shaped heavy body 
moving through it with a low velocity.” 


NATATORES. 4.27 


Genus DIOMEDEA, Linneus. 


This genus, as restricted, comprises the largest of the 
oceanic birds. The two or three species known of this form 
frequent the seas on both sides of the equator. 


Sp. 617. DIOMEDEA EXULANS, Linn. 


WANDERING ALBATROS. 


Diomedea exulans, Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 214, 
Plautus albatrus, Klein, Aves, p. 148, no. 138. 
Albatrus, Briss. Orn., tom. vi. p. 126. 

Man-of-War Bird, Albin, vol. iu. p. 34, pl. 81, head. 
Wandering Albatros, Edw. Glean., pl. 88. 


Diomedea exulans, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 38. 


It is a very prevalent idea that a lengthened voyage at sea 
must be attended with much monotony and ennui; such 
however is not the case, as from experience I can testify that 
the mind may be so far occupied in observing the hundreds 
of novelties which are constantly presenting themselves to its 
notice, that a voyage, however extensive, is neither tedious 
nor uninstructive, and I shall always look back with feelings 
of pleasure to that in the course of which I made the circuit 
of the globe. It was then that I first had an opportunity of 
observing in a state’ of nature the noble bird known as 
Diomedea exulans, by far the largest and most powerful 
species of its tribe, and which, from its great strength and 
ferocious disposition, is held in terror by every other bird 
with which it is surrounded. So sanguinary in fact is it, 
that it is even said it will attack and tear out the eyes of a 
drowning man, a feat, from what I have observed of it, I can 
readily imagine it would attempt, if a human being should 
unhappily be placed in such a position, and be unable to 
defend himself. The Wandering Albatros is most abundant 
between the 30th and 60th degrees of south latitude, and 


428 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


appears to be equally numerous in all parts of the ocean 
bounded by those degrees, and I feel assured that it is 
confined to no one part. The open sea is, in fact, its natural 
home, and this it never leaves except for the purpose of 
breeding, when it usually resorts to rocky islands the most 
difficult of access. To mention particular times and places 
where I observed this bird would be superfluous, as it was 
almost daily seen while sailing within the prescribed latitudes ; 
it will not, however, be out of place to mention that I first 
hailed its presence on the 24th of J uly 1838, in lat. 30° 38’ 
south, long. 20° 43’ west, and from that day until my arrival 
at Storm Bay, Tasmania, it was constantly around the ship, 
but was more abundant off the Cape of Good Hope and the 
island of St. Paul’s than elsewhere. 

The powers of flight of the Wandering Albatros are much 
greater than those of any other bird that has come under my 
observation. Although during calm or moderate weather it 
sometimes rests on the surface of the water, it is almost 
constantly on the wing, and is equally at ease while passing 
over the glassy surface during the stillest calm, or flying with 
meteor-like swiftness before the most furious gale; and the 
manner in which it just tops the raging billows and sweeps 
between the gulfy waves has a hundred times called forth my 
wonder and admiration. Although a vessel running before 
the wind frequently sails more than 200 miles in the twenty- 
four hours, and that for days together, still the Albatros has 
not the slightest difficulty in keeping up with the ship, but 
also performs circles of many miles in extent, returning again 
to hunt up the wake of the vessel for any substances thrown 
overboard. : 

“It is pleasing,” says Mr. Bennett, in his ‘Wanderings,’ 
“to observe this superb bird sailing in the air in graceful and 
elegant movements, seemingly excited by some invisible power, 
for there is scarcely any movement of the wings seen after the 
first and frequent impulses are given, when the creature 


NATATORES, : 429 


elevates itself in the air, rising and falling as if some concealed 
power guided its various motions, without any muscular 
exertion of its own, and then descending sweeps the air close 
_to the stern of the ship with an independence of manner as if 
it were ‘monarch of all it survey’d.’ It is from the very little 
muscular exertion used by these birds that they are capable 
of sustaining such long flights without repose...... When 
seizing an object floating on the water they gradually descend 
with expanded or upraised wings, or sometimes alight and 
float ke a Duck on the water, while devouring their food ; 
then, elevating themselves, they skim the surface with ex- 
panded wings, giving frequent impulses as they run along for 
some distance, until they again soar in mid-air and recommence 
their erratic flights.”’ 

Like the other species of the genus, it is nocturnal as well 
as diurnal, and no bird with which I am acquainted takes so 
little repose; it appears to be perpetually on the wing, 
scanning the surface of the ocean for mollusks and medusz, 
and the other marine animals that constitute its food. So 
frequently does the boldness of this species cost it its life, 
that hundreds are annually killed without, however, its num- 
bers being apparently in any degree lessened; it readily 
seizes a hook baited with fat of any kind, and if a boat be | 
lowered its attention is immediately attracted, and while 
flying round it is easily shot. Many exaggerated and mar- 
vellous accounts having been published respecting the weight 
and the dimensions of this bird, particularly of the extent 
from tip to tip of the wings, I paid much attention to the 
subject, and, after killing numerous examples of both sexes 
and of all ages, I found the average weight of the Diomedea 
evulans to be seventeen pounds, and the extent from tip to 
tip of the wing ten feet one inch. Dr. McCormick, R.N., 
however, informs me that he has met with examples weighing 
as much as twenty pounds, the extent of whose outstretched 
wings measured twelve feet. The known breeding-places of 


430 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


the Diomedea exulans are the islands of Tristan d’Acunha, 
Auckland, and Campbell; that it also breeds on the Mew- 
stone, Eddystone, and the adjacent rocks to the southward of 
Tasmania, I have but little doubt, as some of the finest adult 
specimens I procured were shot within a few miles of those 
barren and inaccessible rocks; but as I have not had an 
opportunity of observing the nidification of this bird, I avail 
myself of Mr. Augustus Harle’s ‘ Narrative of a nine Months’ 
Residence on the Island of Tristan d’Acunha,’ wherein he 
says— 7 

“Yesterday, May the 28th, being a fine morning, accom- 
panied by two of the men, I determined to ascend the 
mountain. As several parties had before gone up, they had 
formed a kind of path; at least we endeavoured to trace the 
same way, but it required a great deal of nerve to attempt it. 
The sides of the mountain are nearly perpendicular ; but after 
ascending about 200 feet, it is there entirely covered with 
wood, which’ renders the footing much more safe; but in 
order to get to the wood, the road is so dangerous that it 
made me almost tremble to think of it; slippery grey rocks, 
and many of them unfortunately loose, so that when we took 
hold they separated from the mass, and fell with a horrid 
rumbling noise; here and there were a few patches of grass, 
the only thing we could depend upon to assist us in climbing, 
which must be done with extreme caution, for the least slip 
or false step would dash one to atoms on the rocks below. 
By constantly looking upwards and continuing to haul our- 
selves up, by catching firm hold of the grass, after an hour’s 
painful toil we gained the summit, where we found ourselves 
on an extended plain of several miles’ expanse, which termi- 
minates in the peak, composed of dark grey lava, bare and 
frightful to behold.. We proceeded towards it, the plain 
gradually rising, but the walk was most fatiguing over strong 
rank grass and fern several feet high. A deathlike stillness 
prevailed-in these high regions, and, to my ear, our voices 


NATATORES. 43 1 


had a strange unnatural echo, and I fancied our forms 
appeared gigantic, whilst the air was piercing cold. The 
prospect was altogether sublime and filled the mind with awe: 
the huge Albatros here appeared to dread no interloper or 
enemy, for their young were on the ground completely 
uncovered, and the old ones were stalking around them. 
They lay but one egg, on the ground, where they make a 
kind of nest by scraping the earth around it; the young is 
entirely white and covered with a woolly down, which is very 
beautiful. As we approached they snapped their beaks with 
a very quick motion, making a great noise; this and the 
throwing up of the contents of the stomach are the only 
means of offence and defence they seem to possess. I again 
visited the mountain about five months afterwards, when I 
found the young Albatroses still sitting on their nests, and 
_they had never moved away from them.” 

To this interesting account I beg to append the eis 
notes, kindly furnished me by Dis McCormick, Surgeon of 
H.M.S. ‘ Erebus’ audias the late expedition to the south 

ole :— | 
: “ The Diomedea exulans weeasis in Auckland and Campbell 
Islands, in the months of November and December. The 
grass-covered declivities of the hills, above the thickets of 
wood, are the spots selected by the Albatros for constructing 
its nest; which consists of a mound of earth, intermingled 
with withered grass and leaves matted together, 18 inches in 
height, 6 feet in circumference at the base, and 27 inches in 
diameter at the top, in which only oxe egg is usually depo- 
sited ; for after an examination of more than a hundred nests, 
I met with ¢wo eggs in the same nest in one solitary instance 
only. The eggs I had an opportunity of weighing varied in 
weight from 143 to 19 oz., thirty specimens giving an ave- 
rage weight of 17 oz.; colour white. The Albatros during 
the period of incubation is frequently found asleep, with its 
head under its wing: its beautiful white head and neck, ap-. 


432 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


pearing above the grass, betray its situation at a considerable 
distance off. On the approach of an intruder it resolutely 
defends its egg, refusing to quit the nest until forced off, 
when it slowly waddles away in an awkward manner to a 
short distance, without attempting to take wing. Its greatest 
enemy is a fierce species of Zestris, always on the watch for 
the Albatros quitting its nest, when this rapacious pirate in- 
stantly pounces down and devours the egg. So well is the 
poor bird aware of the propensity of its foe, that it snaps the 
mandibles of its beak violently together whenever it observes 
the Lestris flymg overhead.” 

Captain F. W. Hutton states that Wandering Albatroses 
“are very common south of latitude 40° S., and monopolize 
nearly the whole of the Prince Edward Islands, and the south- 
east portion, or lee side, as the sailors call it, of Kerguelen’s 
Land, to which places they retire to breed in October. The 
nest, which is always placed on high table-lands, is in the 
shape of a frustrum of a cone, with a slightly hollowed top, 
and is made of grass and mud, which the birds obtain by 
digging a circular ditch, about two yards in diameter, and 
pushing the earth towards the centre until it is about eighteen 
inches high. In this nest the female lays one white egg, 
which is not hatched till January.”—Jdis, 1865, p. 279. 

I am indebted to Dr. McCormick for a fine egg of this 
species, which is four inches and three-quarters long by three 
and a quarter broad, of a pure white and of the ordinary 
shape; another, presented by this gentleman to the Royal 
College of Surgeons, is much longer and nearly equal in size 
at both ends. 3 

Mr. Earle states that the young are a year old before they 
can fly, but on this point I fear he must be mistaken; for 
although a long period must elapse before their lengthened 
wings are sufficiently developed to sustain their heavy bodies 
during their lengthened flights, still it is natural to suppose 
-that the young would leave the nest before the recurrence of 


= 
NATATORES. 433 


the breeding-season ; and we know that such is the case, from. 
the circumstance of young birds and newly laid eggs not 
having been found at the same time on the islands visited by 
the officers of the expedition under Captain Ross. 

The Wandering Albatros varies much in colour at different 
ages : very old birds are entirely white, with the exception of 
the pinions, which are black ; and they are to be met with in 
every stage, from pure white, white freckled, and barred with 
dark brown, to dark chocolate-brown approaching to black, 
the latter colouring being always accompanied by a white 
face, which in some specimens is washed with buff; beneath 
the true feathers they are abundantly supplied with a fine 
white down ; the bill is delicate pinky white inclining to yellow 
at the tip; irides very dark brown ; eyelash bare, fleshy and 
of a pale green ; legs, feet, and webs pinky white. 

The young are at first clothed in a pure white down, which 
gives place to the dark brown colouring mentioned above. 


Sp. 618. DIOMEDEA BRACHYURA, Zemm. 


SHORT-TAILED ALBATROS, 


Diomedea brachyura, Temm. Pl. Col. 554. 
chinensis, Temm. (G. R. Gray). 


Diomedea brachyura, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 39. 


This is the only bird of this form, with which I am ac- 
quainted, that flies to the northward of the equator, and it is 
described in the present work more for the purpose of includ- 
ing a second species of the restricted genus Diomedea than 
for its being strictly speaking an Australian bird; still the 
chances are that it does frequently visit the northern coasts of 
that country, since it is abundantly dispersed over the North 
Pacific and Indian Oceans ; it is, however, most numerous in 
the China Seas. It is a very fine species, and only exceeded 
in size by the Diomedea exulans, to which it bears a consider- 
able resemblance, but from which it may be distinguished by 

VOL. ITI. 2k 


434 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


the shortness of its tail and by the truncated form of the base 
of the bill. 

Its habits, manners and food doubtless resemble those of 
Diomedea exulans. 

The adults of both sexes have the general plumage white, 
washed with buff on the head and neck; the edge and centre 
of the wing white, the remainder and the tips of the tail dark 
brown ; bill pmky flesh-colour ; irides brown; legs and feet 
bluish white; eyelash greenish white. 

The young differ in being of a uniform chocolate-brown. 


Sp. 619. DIOMEDEA CAUTA, Gould. 
~ Suy ALBATROS. 


Diomedea cauta, Gould in Proce. of Zool. Soe., part viii. p. 177. 
—— (Thalassarche) cauta, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de l’Acad. Sci., 1856. 


Diomedea cauta, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 40. 


I first saw this species of Albatros off the south coast of 
Tasmania, and had frequent opportunities of observing it 
during my stay in Recherche Bay, at the southern entrance — 
of D’Entrecasteaux’s Channel, where I was wind-bound for 
nearly a fortnight. Unlike other Albatroses, it was most 
difficult to procure, for it seldom approached our ship suffi- 
ciently near for a successful shot: I succeeded, however, 
in shooting several examples while they were flying round 
the Bay in which we had taken shelter. It is not usual for 
Albatroses to approach the land or enter a secluded bay like 
that of Recherche, and I attribute this deviation from the 
ordinary habits to the temptation presented by the vast quan- 
tities of fat and other remains of Whales floating about, the 
locality being one of the principal whaling stations on the 
coast of Tasmania; I have no doubt likewise that it was 
breeding on the Mewstone and other isolated rocks in the 
neighbourhood, as the plumage of some of the specimens I 


NATATORES. 435 


procured indicated that they had lately been engaged in the 
task of incubation. 

_ It is a large and powerful bird, the male being scarcely a 
third less in size than the D. eaulans; is rapid and vigorous 
on the wing, and takes immense sweeps over the surface of 
the ocean. It will be interesting to learn the extent of the 
range of this species. A head in the possession of Sir William, 
Jardine was said to have been procured at the Cape of Good 
Hope, but I believe this was by no means certain. 

When fully adult the sexes differ but little in colour; the 
female may, however, at all times be distinguished by her 
diminutive size, and the young by the bill being clouded with 
dark grey. | 
_ Besides being larger than the three succeeding species (to 
which and the present the generic appellation of Thalassarche 
_ has been given), the beautiful grey on the sides of the man- 
dibles, and the yellow mark at the base of the lower mandible 
will at all times distinguish this bird from the other member 
of the genus. : 

The stomachs of those I obtained in Recherche Bay con- 
tained blubber, the remains of large fish, barnacles, and other 
crustaceans, . 

Crown of the head, back of the neck, throat, all the under 
surface, rump, and upper tail-coverts pure white; lores and 
line over the eye greyish black, gradually passing into the 
delicate pearl-grey which extends over the face ; back, wings, 
and tail greyish brown ; irides dark vinous orange ; bill light 
vinous grey or bluish horn-colour, except on the culmen, 
where it is more yellow, particularly at the base; the upper 
mandible surrounded at the base by a narrow belt of black, 
which also extends on each side the culmen to the nostrils ; 
base of the lower mandible’ surrounded by a belt of rich 
orange, which extends to the corners of the mouth ; feet 
bluish white ; irides brown. | 

Total length 31 inches; bill 42; wing 214; tail 9; tarsi 3. 

2F2 


436 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Sp. 620. DIOMEDEA CULMINATA, Gould. 


CuLMINATED ALBATROS. 


Diomedea culminata, Gould in Ann. and Mag. of Nat. Hist., vol. xin. 
p. 861. 

—— (Thalassarche) culminata, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de P Acad. Sci., 
1856, 


Diomedea culminata, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 41. 


This species appears to be more plentiful in the Australian 
seas than elsewhere; numbers came under my notice during 
a voyage from Launceston to Adelaide, particularly off Capes 
Jervis and Northumberland ; I frequently observed it between 
Sydney and the northern extremity of New Zealand, and it 
also occurred in the same latitude of the Indian Ocean as 
abundantly as any of it congeners. It is a powerful bird, 
and directly intermediate in size between Doomedea cauta 
and D. chlororhynchos. The specific differences of the three 
species are so apparent, that I had no difficulty whatever 
in distinguishing them while on the wing. In D. chlororhyn- 
chos the bill is more compressed laterally, the culmen is round, 
and the yellow colouring terminates in an obtuse point mid- 
way between the nostrils and the base; while in D. ewlminata 
the culmen is broad and flat, and has its greyish-yellow 
colouring continued of the same breadth to the base ; the feet 
of the latter are also fully a third larger than those of the 
former. 

The habits, mode of life, and the kind of food partaken of 
by the .D. culminata are so precisely similar to those of its con- 
geners, that a separate description would be a mere repetition 
of what has already been said respecting the preceding 
species. 

Back, wings, and tail dark greyish black, the latter with 
white shafts; head and neck white, washed with greyish 
black ; round the eye a mark of greyish black, interrupted 
by a streak of white immediately below the lower part of the 


NATATORES. 437 


lid; rump, upper tail-coverts, and all the under surface pure 
white ; bill black, with the exception of the culmen and tip 
and the lower edge of the basal three-fourths of the under 
mandible, which are horn-colour. 

In the youthful state the head and neck are dark grey, and 
the bill is of an almost uniform brownish black, with only an 
indication of the lighter colour of the culmen. 


Sp. 621. DIOMEDEA CHLORORHYNCHOS, 
Latham. 


YELLOW-NoSED ALBATROS. 


Diomedea chlororhynchos, Lath. Ind. Orn., vol. ii. p. 790. 

Yellow-nosed Albatros, Lath. Gen. Syn., vol. v. p. 309, pl. 99. 

Diomedea chrysostoma, Forst. Drawings, and Lichtenstein’s Edit. of 
Forster’s MSS., p. 24. . 

_—— (Thalassarche) chlororhynchos, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de V Acad. 
Sci., 1856. ee, 

Wool-wobl, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Australia. 


Diomedea chlororhynchos, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. 
pl. 42. 


This species came under my observation for the first time 
on the 24th of July, 1838, in Lat. 30° 38! 8, and Long. 
20° 43’ W.; from which period until we reached New South 
Wales scarcely a day passed without the ship being visited by 
it; upon some occasions it appeared in considerable numbers, 
of which many were apparently birds of one year old, or at 
most two years of age; these may be easily distinguished 
from the adults, especially while flying, by the darker colour- 
ing of their wings, back, and tail, and by the culmen of the 
bill being less distinctly marked with yellow. 

The Yellow-nosed Albatros is plentiful off the Cape of Good 
Hope, and in all the intermediate seas between that point and 
Tasmania; I also observed it off Capes Howe-and Northum- 
_ berland on the southern coast of Australia, and Gilbert states 


438 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


that he saw it flying about Rottnest Island on the western 
coast. 

In its flight and general economy it greatly resembles the 
next species, with which it is often in company. 

Spot before and line above the eye washed with grey ; head, 
neck, all the under surface, rump, upper tail-coverts and 
under surface of the wing snow-white; back and wings 
brownish black ; tail brownish slate-colour, with white shafts; 
culmen from near the base to the point bright orange-yellow ; 
remainder of the bill black ; irides greyish brown ; feet bluish 
white. 


Sp. 622. DIOMEDEA MELANOPHRYS, Zemm. 


BLACK-EYEBROWED ALBATROS. 


Diomedea melanophrys, Temm. Pl. Col. 456. 
(Thalassarche) melanophrys, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de TAcad. 
Sci., 1856. 


Diomedea melanophrys, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. 
pl. 43. 


The Diomedea melanophrys may be regarded as the most com- 
mon species of Albatros inhabiting the southern ocean, and, 
from its gregarious habits and very familiar disposition, it is 
known to every voyager who has rounded either of the Capes. 
I have never myself been at sea many days between the 35th 
and 55th degrees of south latitude without recognizing it, and 
it appeared to me to be equally numerous in the Atlantic as 
in the Pacific. On my passage to Australia, numerous indi- 
viduals followed our vessel for hundreds of miles as we pro- 
ceeded eastward, and I have no doubt that in the course of 
their peregrination they frequently make the circuit of the 
globe; a not unnatural conclusion, when we reflect upon the 
great powers of flight given to all the members of the present 
genus, and that their natural food is as abundant at one part 
as at another. It was nowhere more numerous than off the 


NATATORES. 439 


southern coast of Tasmania, where a large company followed 
our vessel for many days and continued to hover around us until 
we entered Storm Bay, but on our approaching the land, 
they suddenly disappeared, betaking themselves again to the 
open ocean. Of all the species with which I am acquainted, 
this is the most fearless of man, for it often approaches many 
yards nearer the vessel than any other ; I have even observed 
it so near that the tips of its pinions were not more than two 
arms’ length from the taffrail. It is very easily captured with 
a hook and line, and as this operation gives not the least pain 
to the bird, the point of the hook merely taking hold in the 
horny and insensible tip of the bill, I frequently amused 
myself by capturing specimens in this way, and after detaining 
them sufficiently long to afford me an opportunity for inves- 
tigating any particular pomt respecting which I wished to 
satisfy myself, setting them at liberty again, after having 
marked many, in order to ascertain whether the individuals 
which were flying round the ship at nightfall were the same 
that were similarly engaged at daylight in the morning after 
a night’s run of 120 miles, and this in many instances 
proved to be the case. When brought upon deck, from 
which it cannot take wing, it readily becomes tame, and 
allows itself to be handled almost immediately ; still, I believe 
that no member of this group can be domesticated in conse- 
quence of the difficulty of procuring a supply of its natural 
food. 

In heavy, black, and lowering weather the snowy white 
plumage of this bird offers a striking contrast to the murky 
clouds above and behind it. , 

Captain Hutton, in his ‘Notes on some of the birds fio. 
quenting the Southern Ocean,’ says this species “dives some- 
times, but does not appear to like doing so, generally pre- 
ferring, when anything good to eat is under water, to let a 
‘Night Hawk’ fish it up; then giving chase and running 
along the top of the water, croaking and with outstretched 


440 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


wings, it compels him to drop it, and then seizes it before it 
sinks again. This bird, which is called ‘ Molly Hawk’ by 
the sailors, is common round Cape Agulhas; and, in August 
1857, I saw a large number in False Bay and round Cape 
Hanglip. It is apparently quite diurnal in its habits, both 
at sea and near land.” —Jdis, 1865, p- 283. 

But little difference is observable in the plumage of the 
sexes, neither is there any visible variation in this respect 
between youth and maturity ; a never-failing mark, however, 
exists by which the latter state may be distinguished: the young 
bird has the bill dark brown, while in the adult that organ is 
of a bright buffy yellow ; and individuals in the same flight 
may frequently be seen in which the bill varies from dark 
horn-brown to the most delicate yellow. 

I did not discover the breeding-place of this species. 
** Commander Snow, in his ‘ Two Years’ Cruise off Terra del 
Fuego,’ says it breeds on the Falkland Islands, and describes 
its nest as similar to that of Diomedea exulans, but not more 
than twelve inches high; and Captain Carmichael states that 
it breeds on Tristan d’Acunha.”—Jéis, 1865, p. 283. 

Head, back of the neck, all the under surface, and the upper 
tail-coverts pure white; before, above, and behind the eye a 
streak of blackish grey ; wings dark brown; centre of the 
back slaty black, into which the white of the back of the neck 
gradually passes ; tail dark grey, with white shafts ; bill buffy 
yellow, with a narrow line of black round the base ; legs and 
toes yellowish white, the interdigital membrane and the joints 
washed with pale blue; irides very light brown, freckled with 
a darker tint. 


NATATORES. 44] 


Genus PHQABETRIA, Reichenbach. 


Only one species of this form has yet been discovered. It 
exhibits some peculiarities in the structure of its bill, in the 
lengthened or acuminate shape of its tail, and in the large 
size of its wings. These departures from the structure of the 
other Albatroses have an influence on its actions and economy, 
as will be perceived on perusal of the following description. 


Sp. 623. PHCBETRIA FULIGINOSA, Gmel. 
Sooty ALBATROS. 


Diomedea fuliginosa, Gmel. Edit. of Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 568. 
palpebrata, Forst. Drawings, No. 102. 

antarctica, Banks’s Drawings, No. 26, 

fusca, Aud. Birds of Amer., vol. iv. pl. 407.—Ib. Orn. Bio., 
Tob 7. 216.. ~ 

(Phaebetria) fuliginosa, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de Acad. Sci., 
1856. 

Black Albatros, Linn. Trans., vol. xii. p. 489. 

Sooty Albatros, Lath. Gen. Syn., vol. v. p. 309. 


Diomedea fuliginosa, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 44, 


The Phebetria fuliginosa is one of the commonest species of 
the genus, and is universally distributed over all the tempe- 
rate latitudes to the southward of the equator. On referring 
to my notes I find that it first came under my notice on the 
23rd of July 1838, in lat. 31°10'S., long. 34° W., when three 
examples were seen flying round the ship, which they con- 
tinued to do until we doubled the Cape and entered the South 
Indian Ocean, on the 14th of August. It was constantly 
seen between the island of St. Paul and Tasmania, but was 
never very numerous, six or eight being the greatest number 
that I saw at any one time; and days sometimes passed away 
without more than a single individual having made its ap- 
pearance. On my voyage homeward it was noticed on the 


44.2 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


6th of May in lat. 40°S., long. 154° W.; in the Pacific near 
Cape Horn on the 20th of May in lat. 50° S., long. 90° W., 
and still more abundantly in the Atlantic on the 12th of June 
in lat. 41°S., long. 844° W. 

The cuneated form of the tail, which is peculiar to this 
species, together with its slight and small legs and more de- 
licate structure, clearly indicate that it is the most aérial 
species of the genus; and accordingly we find that in its 
actions and mode of flight it differs very considerably from 
all the other species of Albatros, its aérial evolutions being 
far more easy, its flight much higher, and its stoops more 
rapid ; it is moreover the only species that passes directly over 
the ship, which it frequently does in blowing weather, often 
poising itself over the masthead, as if inquisitively viewing 
the scene below ; at this moment it offers so inviting a mark 
for the gunner, that it often forfeits its life. 

Latham states that it breeds on “the island of Tristan 
d’Acunha, is gregarious, many of them building their nests 
close to each other ; in the area of half an acre were reckoned 
upwards of a hundred. ‘The nest is of mud, raised five or six 
inches, and slightly depressed at the top; when the young 
birds are more than half-grown they are covered with a whitish 
down ; they stand on their respective hillocks like statues, 
till approached close, when they make a strange clattering 


with their beaks, and if touched, squirt a deluge of foetid oily 
fluid from the nostrils.”’ 


The whole of the plumage deep sooty grey, darkest on the 
face, wings, and tail; shafts of the primaries and tail-feathers 
white; eyes very dark greyish brown, surrounded, except 
anteriorly, by a beautiful mark of white; bill jet-black, with 
a longitudinal line of white along the under mandible, this 
white portion not being horny like the rest of the bill, but 
composed of fleshy cartilage, which becomes nearly black 
soon after death; feet white, tinged with fleshy purple. 


-NATATORES. 44.3 


As will be seen, the ten following species of Petrels have 
been divided into several genera, the majority of which have 
been adopted by Dr. Elhott Coues in his valuable memoirs on 
this family of birds in the ‘ Proceedings of the Academy of 
Sciences of Philadelphia’ for 1864. Generally speaking, all 
of them are of medium size, the exception bemg the Ossifraga 
gigantea, Aistrelata leucoptera, and 4. cooki, which, on the 
one hand, leads to the Albatroses, and on the other, through 
Halobena, to the more diminutive Prions. 


Genus OSSIFRAGA, Homb. et Jacq. 


Of this genus but one species is known. It is a most 
powerful bird, equalling in size and strength the smaller 
Albatroses. ‘The sexes are alike in plumage. 


Sp. 624. OSSIFRAGA GIGANTEA. 
Grant PETREL. 


Procellaria gigantea, Gmel. Edit. of Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 563. 
ossifraga, Forst. 

Mother Cary’s Goose, Cook’s Voy., vol. ui. p. 205. 

Giant Petrel, Lath. Gen. Syn., vol. vi. p. 396, pl. 100. 

Ossifraga gigantea, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de Acad. Sci., 1856. 


Procellaria gigantea, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol. vol. vii. pl. 45. 


This, the largest of the Petrels, is universally distributed 
over all the temperate and high southern latitudes: and that 
it frequently performs the circuit of the globe may, I think, 
be fairly inferred from the circumstance of an albino variety 
having followed the vessel in which I made my passage to 
Australia for three weeks while we were running down our 
longitude between the Cape of Good Hope and Tasmania, the 
ship often making nearly two hundred miles during the 
twenty-four hours; it must not, however, be understood that 
the bird was merely following the vessel’s speed, nor deemed 


AAA, BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


incredible when I state that during the twenty-four hours it 
must have performed a much greater distance, since it was 
only at intervals of perhaps half an hour that it was seen, 
hunting up the wake of the vessel to secure any offal, &. 
that had been thrown overboard, the interim being employed 
in scanning the ocean in immense circles. 

Its flight is not so easy, graceful and buoyant as that of 
the Albatros, but is of a more laboured and flapping cha- 
racter ; the bird is also of a more shy disposition, and never 
approaches so near the vessel as the other members of the 
family ; while flyimg, its white bill shows very conspicuously. 

On visiting Recherche Bay in D’Entrecasteaux’s Channel, 
Tasmania, I found thousands of this species sitting together 
on the water and feeding on the blubber and other refuse of 
the whaling-station. I did not observe the bird between 
Sydney and New Zealand, but on arriving in lat. 50°S., long. 
90° W., nearly off Cape Horn, a solitary wanderer flew about 
the ship; and in lat. 41°S., long. 34° W., a few were still 
seen in pairs. Captain Cook found it very abundant on 
Christmas Island, Kerguelen’s Land, in December, when it 
was so tame that his sailors knocked it down with sticks. 

Captain F.. W. Hutton states that “ this bird breeds in the 
cliffs of the Prince Edward Islands and Kerguelen’s Land, 
but the nests can be got at occasionally. The young are at 
first covered with a beautiful long light grey down; when 
fledged they are dark brown mottled with white. When 
a person approaches the nest the old birds keep a short 
distance away while the young ones squirt a horridly smelling 
oil out of their mouths to the distance of six or eight feet. It 
is very voracious, hovering over the sealers when engaged 
cutting up a seal, and devouring the carcase the moment it is 
left, which the Albatros never does. It sometimes chases the 
smaller species, but whether or not it can catch birds pos- 
sessed apparently of powers of flight superior to its own is 
doubtful ; but, supposing one killed, that it feeds only on its 


_ NATATORES, 445 


heart and liver I cannot believe ; yet it is said to do so in the 
works of many ornithologists.”—Jois, 1865, p. 284. 

The adults have the entire plumage of a dark chocolate- 
brown ; bill light horn-colour, the tip tinged with vinous ; 
irides dark blackish brown ; legs blackish brown. 


Genus MAJAQUEUS, Reichenbach. 


Bonaparte adopted this name for the Procellaria equinoc- 
tialis and P. conspicillata—two robust birds differing consi- 
derably from the species of the succeeding forms. The South 
Atlantic, South Indian, and South Pacific Oceans are their 
native haunts. 


Sp. 625. MAJAQUEUS CONSPICILLATUS, Gould. 
SPECTACLED PETREL. 


Procellaria conspicillata, Gould in Ann. and Mag. of Nat. Hist., vol. 
xiii. p. 862. 

larvata, Less. (Bonap.). 

Majaqueus conspicillatus, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de l’Acad. Sci., 1856. 


Procellaria conspicillata, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol. vol. vii. 
pl. 46. 

Although some ornithologists consider that I have com- 
mitted an error in characterizing this bird as distinct from 
the Procellaria equinoctialis of Linneus, I am still of opinion 
that it is not referable to that species; at the same time it 
must be admitted that itis most nearly allied to it ; the subject 
is fraught with the more difficulty from the circumstance of 
the white markings on the face not being always of the same 
form in different individuals ; and from the gular region being 
white in some instances, while in others it is black. Jn size the 
two species are very similar, but all the specimens of the present 
bird that I have seen have a much shorter and more robust bill 
than the true JZ. equinoctialis, which moreover never has the 
white mark around the eye, the throat only being white. 


446 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


The Majaqueus conspicillatus flies both in the Atlantic and 
Pacific, but is most plentiful between the twenty-fifth and 
fiftieth degrees of south latitude. I observed it to be very 
abundant about the islands of St. Paul and Amsterdam, 
and thence to Tasmania; I also noticed it in considerable 
numbers off the Falkland Islands in the Atlantic, and in the 
neighbourhood of Tristan d’Acunha. 

Like the other members of the genus, it feeds upon mollusca, 
the remains of dead cetacea, &. 

The entire plumage sooty black, with the exception of the 
chin, sides of the face, and a broad band which crosses the 
forepart of the crown, passes down before and beneath, and 
curves upward behind the eye, which is white; nostrils and 
sides of the mandibles yellowish horn-colour ; culmen, tips of 


both mandibles, and a groove running slots the lower man- 
dible black ; feet black ; irides dark brown. 


Genus ADAMASTOR, Bonaparte. 


Bonaparte has classed several Petrels under the above 
generic appellation, one of which has a claim to be considered 
as pertaining to the avifauna of Australia, since I obtained 
specimens during my passage from Hobart Town to Sydney. 


Sp. 626. ADAMASTOR CINEREA. 


Great Grey Perren. 
Procellaria cinerea, Gmel. Edit. Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 563. 
Puffinus cinereus, Lawr. Birds of N. America, p. 835. 
Procellaria hesitata, Forst. Desc. Anim. Ed. Licht., p. 208. 
adamastor, Schleg. Mon. Proc. Mus. Pay. Bas, p. 25. 

Adamastor typus, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., tom. ii. p. 187, Adamastor, 

sp. l. 

- cinerea, Coues, Proc. Acad. Sci. Philad., 1864, p. 119. 


Procellaria hasitata, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 47. 


This species enjoys ‘so wide a range of habitat that it may 


NATATORES. 447 


be said to be universally diffused between the 30th and 55th 
degrees of south latitude. I first observed it in lat. 38° 41'S., 
long. 36° 30' W., on the 16th of August 1838; during the 
next five days not more than a single specimen was seen at 
one time; on the 21st it was very numerous, and the day 
being nearly calm, I had a boat lowered, and succeeded in 
killing several in lat. 39° 23’ S., long. 54° W. Its powers of 
flight are very great, and in its passage over the ocean it often 
mounts higher in the air than most other members of the | 
group, and descends again with the utmost eagerness to seize 
any fat substance thrown overboard. Its actions and flight 
differ slightly from those of the other Petrels, and more 
closely resemble those of the Albatroses. 

I subsequently observed this bird in lat. 41° 12'S., long. 

115° W., and obtained specimens on my passage from Hobart 
Town to Sydney. 
On my voyage homeward it appeared in considerable 
numbers during some strong heavy gales which occurred on 
the 6th of May 1840 in lat. 40° S., long. 154° W., and it 
was very abundant in the South Atlantic on the. 12th bE June 
in lat. 4]° S., long. 842° W. 

“This bird,” says Capt. Hutton, “ combines the appearance 
of a Procellaria with some of the habits of a Pufinus. Its 
feathers fit very close, and have a glossy look. Like all other 
Petrels, it flies with its legs stretched out straight behind, and 
as they are rather long, they make the tail appear forked. Its 
cry is something like the bleating of a lamb. It is very com- 
mon at sea from May to August, but retires to Kerguelen’s 
Land and other places in September or October to breed. 
Hach pair burrows horizontally into wet peaty earth from two 
to eighteen feet. At the end of the hole they form a large 
chamber, and construct in the centre of it a nest similar, 
except in size, to that of the Albatros (D. exulans), in the 
hollowed top of which the female lays one white egg. They 
Seldom leave their burrows in the daytime, and when one 


448 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


happens to do so it is at once hunted bya ‘ Nelly’ ( Ossi/raga 
gigantea), although no such jealousy exists at sea. From this 
habit of flying only by night it is called ‘Night Hawk’ by 
the sealers. 

“Mr. Harris’s party, when wrecked on Kerguelen’s Land, 
used to dig these birds out of their burrows and eat them; 
and, in order to save useless digging, for their spades were 
only made from the staves of old casks, they would hold one 
to the mouth of a hole and make it cry out, when, if another 
was inside, it would answer. ‘This is by far the best diver of 
all the sea-going Petrels. It seems even fond of it, and more- 
over remains under water for several minutes, when it comes 
up again, shaking the water off its feathers like a dog. Some- 
times I have seen it poise itself for a moment in the air at a 
height of about twenty or twenty five feet above the sea, and, 
shutting its wings, take a header into the water. It dives 
with its wings open, and uses them under water much in 
the same manner as when flying.” 

Little or no difference is observable in the sexes, but the 
female is rather smaller than the male ; neither did I observe 
any of the individuals that surrounded the ship to be of a 
darker colour. In all probability, the young attain their 
normal colouring at their first moult. I quite agree with 
Captain Hutton in considering this bird to be allied to the 
members of the genus Pufinus. 

Crown of the head, ear-coverts, nape and upper surface, 
tips of the tail-feathers, tips of the under tail-coverts, and the 
primaries dark brownish grey; throat, chest, and under sur- 
face white; irides dark brown; culmen and nostrils black ; 
tip of the upper mandible blackish horn-colour ; tomia whitish 
horn-colour ; lower part of the under mandible blackish horn- 


colour ; feet white, tinged with blue, the outer toe brownish 
black. 


NATATORES. 44,9. 


Genus PTERODROMA, Bonaparte. 


Of this genus, which is intended to comprise the nearly 
uniformly coloured black Petrels of the Southern Ocean, there 
are at least three species which frequent the Australian seas, 
and which I believe are correctly named in the succeeding 
descriptions. 


Sp. 627. PTERODROMA MACROPTERA. 
Great Wincep Perren. 


Procellaria macroptera, Smith, Zool. of South Africa, Aves, pl. 52. 

brevirostris, Less. 

Ossifraga macroptera, Reichenb. 

Pterodroma macroptera, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., tom. ii. p. 191, 
Pterodroma, sp. 1. 


I consider a bird I killed over the seas surrounding Tas- 
“mania, where it was tolerably abundant, and which differs 
from the next species in being of a larger size, having much 
longer wings and a greyer face, to be identical with the P. 
macroptera of Smith, and I therefore retain it under that 
appellation, in preference to assigning it a new name. 

“This bird, when on the wing,” says Capt. Hutton, “looks 
very like a huge Swift. It is not by any means common, and 
I have only seen it east of the Cape of Good Hope. It is not 
found on Prince Edward Islands nor Kerguelen’s Land.” — 
Lois, 1865, p. 286. 


Sp. 628. PTERODROMA ATLANTICA, Gould. 
ATLANTIC PETREL. 


Procellaria atlantica, Gould in Ann. and Mag. of Nat. Hist., vol. xiii. 

p. 362. 

fuliginosa, Banks, Forst. Draw., No. 93. ; 

Pterodroma atlantica, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., tom. ii. p. 191, Ptero- 
droma, sp. 2. 


This species frequents both the Atlantic and the Pacific — 
VOL. II, 26 


450 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Oceans, and no ship passes between our shores and the Cape 
of Good Hope without meeting it. Very considerable con- 
fusion exists in the writings of some of the older authors with 
regard to this bird. It is the P. fuliginosa of Forster’s Draw- 
ings, No. 93 B, and the P. fuliginosa of Lichtenstein’s edition 
of Forster’s MSS., p. 23, which term cannot be retained, as 
it had already been applied by Latham to a very different bird 
from Otaheite ; itis the P. grisea of Kuhl, but not of Linneeus, 
who has given the term to another species, consequently grisea 
must also be rejected; and hence I have been induced to 
give it a new appellation, and thereby prevent misapprehension 
for the future. 

Maie.—The whole of the plumage deep chocolate-black ; 
bill and feet jet-black. 

Total length 154+ inches; bill 13; wing 114; tail 5; tarsi 23; 
middle toe and nail 27. 


Sp. 629. PTERODROMA SOLANDRI, Gould. 


SOLANDER’S PETREL. 


Procellaria solandri, Gould in Proe. of Zool. Soc., part xii. p. 57. 
Cookilaria solandri, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., tom. 1. p. 190, Cooki- 
laria, sp. 8. 


Of this remarkably robust and compact bird I shot a single 
individual in Bass’s Straits on the 13th of March 1839, which 
the late John Natterer, to whom I showed the specimen, 
thought might possibly be identical with the bird figured in 
Banks’s drawings, and to which Dr. Solander has affixed the 
term melanopus, an opinion in which I cannot concur; I have 
therefore named it in honour of that celebrated botanist. The 
specimen described below may possibly not be fully adult, 
as the dark colouring of the under surface only occupies the 
extreme tips of the feathers, the basal portions of which are 
snow-white. 

Head; back of the neck, shoulders, primaries, and tail dark 


NATATORES. A451 


brown ; back, wing-coverts, and upper tail-coverts slate-grey, 
each feather margined with dark brown; face and all the 
under surface brown, washed with grey on the abdomen; 
bill, tarsi, toes, and membranes black. 

Total length 16 inches; bill 13; wing 12; tail 52; tarsi 2; 
middie toe and nail 23. 


Genus AUSTRELATA, Bonaparte. 


The members of this well-marked genus, as might be ex- 
pected from the length of their wings, have great powers of 
flight. In the delicate form and colour of their feet and legs 
they differ very considerably from the Pterodrome. One 
species—Hstrelata hasitata (Procellaria hasitata, Temm.)— 
has been killed in England. 


Sp. 630. AISTRELATA LEUCOCEPHALA. 
WHITE-HEADED Perret. 


Procellaria leucocephala, Forst. Drawings, No. 98. 

lessonii, Garn. Ann. des Sci. Nat., tom. vii. t. 4. 

vagabunda, Sol. MSS. 

istrelata leucocephala, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., tom. ii. p. 189, 
Astrelata, sp. 4. 

Rhantistes lessoni, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de l’Acad. Sci., 1856. 


Procellaria lessonii, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 49, 


While engaged in watching the movements of the several 
species of the great family of Procellaride, which at one time 
often and often surrounded the ships that conveyed me round 
the world, a bright speck would appear on the distant 
horizon, and, gradually approaching nearer and nearer, at 
length assumed the form of the White-headed Petrel, whose 
Wwing-powers far exceed those of any of its congeners ; at 
one moment it would be rising high in the air, at the next 
Sweeping comet-like through the flocks flying around ; never, 

2G 2 


4,52 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


however, approaching the ship sufficiently near for a successful 
shot, and it was equally wary in avoiding the boat with which 
I was frequently favoured for the purpose of securing examples 
of other species; but, to make use of a familiar adage, “ the 
most knowing are taken in at last ;”’ one beautiful morning, 
the 20th of February 1839, during my passage from Hobart 
Town to Sydney, when the sea was perfectly calm and of a 
glassy smoothness, this wanderer of the ocean came in sight 
and approached within three hundred yards of the vessel ; 
anxious to attract him still closer, so as to bring him within 
range, I thought of the following stratagem :—a corked bottle, 
attached to a long line, was thrown overboard and allowed to 
drift to the distance of forty or fifty yards, and kept there 
until the bird favoured us with another visit, while flying 
round in immense circles; at length his keen eye caught 
sight of the neck of the bottle (to which a bobbing motion 
was communicated by sudden jerks of the string), and he at. 
once proceeded to examine more closely what it was that 
had arrested his attention; during this momentary pause the 
trigger was pulled, the boat lowered, and the bird was soon 
in my possession. 

The wings of the White-headed Petrel are longer and more 
arched than those of any other species of its size and weight, 
and it is consequently one of the boldest and most powerful 
fliers of the Procellaride. During flight the dark colouring 
of the wing shows very conspicuously, and presents the form 
of a W as seen in some other species: as is the case with most 
birds of powerful flight, its legs are thin and delicate. 

Forehead, face, all the under surface, and tail white ; hinder 
part of the head, back of the neck, and upper tail-coverts grey ; 
back greyish brown; wings blackish brown; round and 
before the eye a mark of black; bill and irides black ; tarsi 
and half the toes and webs flesh-white; the tips of the toes 
and webs black. 


NATATORES. | 458 


Sp.631.  ASTRELATA MOLLIS, Gould. 


SoFrt-PLUMAGED PrTrREL. 
Procellaria mollis, Gould in Ann. and Mag. of Nat. Hist., vol. xiii. 
p- 363. 
Rhantistes mollis, Bonap. Comp. Rend. de l’Acad. Se., 1856. 
Cookilaria mollis, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., tom. ii. p. 190, Cookilaria, 
sp. 4. 


Procellaria mollis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 50. 


This species flies in the greatest abundance between the 
20th and 50th degrees of south latitude ; but I observed it to 
be more numerous in the Atlantic than in the Pacific; and 
probably, like the other wandermg members of this genus, it 
makes a circuit of the globe: although I have not seen it 
within sight of the shores of Australia, it doubtless occasion- 
ally visits them, for I observed it to be plentiful off the eastern 
end of the islands of St. Paul and Amsterdam. It is a species 
which will ever live in my memory, from its being the first 
large Petrel I saw after crossing the line, and from a some- 
what curious incident that then occurred. The weather being 
too boisterous to admit of a boat being lowered, I endeavoured 
to ‘capture the bird with a hook and line; and the ordinary 
sea-hooks being too large for the purpose, I was im the act of 
selecting one from my stock of salmon-flies, when a sudden 
gust of wind blew my hooks and a piece of parchment ten 
inches long by six imches wide, between which they were 
placed, overboard into the sea, and I was obliged to give up the 
attempt for that day; on the next I succeeded in capturing 
the bird with a hook I had still left, and the reader may judge 
of my surprise when on opening the stomach I there found 
the piece of parchment, softened by the action of the salt 
water and the animal juices to which it had been subjected, 
but so completely uninjured that it was dried and again 
restored to its original use when a further pegs of flies could 
be procured. | 


454 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Its powers of flight are considerable, and the action of its 
wings is very rapid. 

The food, which appears to be precisely the same as that of 
the other Petrels, consists of mollusks, the fat of dead cetacea, 
small fish, &c. 

The sexes are similar in colour, but the young differ from 
the adult in having all the under surface dark grey and the 
throat speckled with grey. 

Crown of the head and all the upper surface slate-grey, the 
feathers of the forehead margined with white; wings dark 
brown ; before and beneath the eye a mark of brownish black; 
face, throat, and all the under surface pure white, interrupted 
by the slate-grey of the upper surface advancing upon the 
sides of the chest and forming a faint band across the breast ; 
centre tail-feathers dark grey; outer feathers greyish white, 
freckled with dark grey; bill black ; tarsi, base of the toes 
and basal half of the interdigital membrane pale fleshy white, 
the remainder black. 

Total length 134 inches ; bill 1$; wing 92; tail 5 ; tarsi 12; 
middle toe and nail 14. 


Sp. 632.  AISTRELATA LEUCOPTERA, Gould. 


WHITE-WINGED PETREL. 


Procellaria leucoptera, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xii. p. 57. 

Rhantistes leucoptera, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de l’Acad. Sci., 1856. 

Cookilaria leucoptera, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., tom. ii. p. 190, Cooki- 
laria, sp. 1. 

Procellaria velox, Sol. MSS. ? 


Procellaria cookii, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 51. 


I feel assured that this bird is different from the P. cooki 
of Mr. G. R. Gray. On comparing the specimens of both, 
now before me, I find that my bird, which was obtained 
while breeding on Cabbage Tree Island at the mouth of Port 
Stephen’s Harbour, has a shorter and much stouter bill, a 


NATATORES. : 455 


much darker head, neck, and upper surface, and a uniform- 
coloured tail, whereas Mr. Gray’s P. cooki has the inner webs 
of the outer tail-feathers snow-white. It is impossible to say 
to which of these two birds the P. velox of Solander’s draw- 
ings has reference, and consequently that name will neces- 
sarily sink into a synonym. | 

The Australian seas abound with Petrels, the investigation 
of the various species of which, their habits and economy, as 
well as their places of abode, will serve to occupy the atten- 
tion of ornithologists for years to come. It could scarcely be 
expected that a single voyage to Australia could add much to 
our knowledge of the subject ; my readers must therefore be 
contented with little more than an illustration. 

That, like the other members of the genus, it subsists upon 
small fishes, medusze, and others of the lower marine animals, 
there can be no doubt. 

I have been informed that this species breeds in abundance 
on one of the small islands near the mouth of the harbour of 
Port Stephen, in New South Wales, where my specimens were 
procured. I frequently saw it during my passage from Syd- 
ney to Cape Horn, but it was most numerous between the 
coast of Australia and the northern part of New Zealand. It 
is one of the most elegantly formed species of the genus, and 
is rendered conspicuously different from the rest of its con- 
geners by its white abdomen and under wing-coverts, which 
show very conspicuously when the bird is on the wing, parti- 
cularly when seen from beneath, as it frequently may be when 
the breeze is fresh or a gale rising; it seldom, however, even 
then mounts higher than the vane of the vessel. 

The sexes do not differ in external appearance. 

Crown of the head, all the upper surface, and wings dark 
slaty black ; tail slate-grey; greater wing-coverts slightly 
fringed with white ; face, throat, all the under surface, the 
base of the inner webs of the primaries and secondaries, and 
a line along the inner edge of the shoulder pure white; bill 


456 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


black; tarsus and basal half of the interdigital membrane 


fleshy white ; remainder of the toes and interdigital mem- 
brane black. 


Total length 13 inches ; bill 1 and 5 lines ; wing 84; tail 4; 
tarsi 14; middle toe and nail 12. | 


Sp. 633. AISTRELATA COOKI, G@. RB. Gray. 
Coox’s PEtReE.. 


Procellaria velox, Sol. MSS. Banks’s Icon. inedit., t. 16? 
cooki, G. R. Gray in Dieff. Trav. in New Zeal., vol. 1. p. 199. 


This bird frequents the seas between Australia and New 
Zealand. Like the . leucoptera, it is very delicately formed, 
and with that bird, the #7. mollis, and the other species 
having flesh-coloured tarsi, forms a very natural division of 
the Procellaride or Petrels. 

The following is Mr. Gray’s description and admeasure- 
ments as given in the zoology of the voyage of the ‘ Erebus’ 


and ‘ Terror,’ and which will be seen to differ somewhat from 
the description and admeasurements of /. leucoptera. 

“ Grey above, with the apex of each feather narrowly mar- 
gined, as well as their bases, white ; oblong spot below each 
eye, wing-coverts, secondaries, and quills brownish black, with 
the basal portion of the inner webs of the two last white; the 
front cheeks, under wing-coverts, and the whole of the under 
part white ; bill black; tarsi and knee brownish yellow ; feet 
black, with the intermediate webs yellow. 

Total length 124 inches; bill, length 1 inch 7 lines, 
depth in middle 34 lines; wings 24+ inches; tarsi 1 inch 2 
lines.” 


NATATORES. — A567 


Genus HALOBANA, Is. Geoff. de St. Hilaire. 


The single species of this genus assimilates to the Prions in 
its outward appearance, but is, in my opinion, more nearly 
allied to the true Petrels. 


Sp. 634. HALOBAINA CCGIRULEA. 
Buvuz PEtTREL. 


Procellaria cwrulea, Gmel. Edit. of Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 560. 
Blue Petrel, Lath. Gen. Syn., vol. vi. p. 415. 

Procellaria similis, Forst. Draw., No. 86. 

forsteri, Smith, Zool. of S. Africa, Birds, pl. 54. 

Halabena cerulea, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de l Acad. Sci., tom. 1856. 


Procellaria coerulea, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 52. 


This bird may be distinguished from every other of the 
smaller Petrels by the conspicuous white tips of the centre 
tail-feathers. It is a very powerful flier, and I observed it in 
every part of the ocean I traversed between the 40th and 55th 
degrees of south latitude, both in the Atlantic and Pacific. 

It is generally seen in company with the fairy-like Prion 
turtur, from which when on the wing it can scarcely be dis- 
tinguished, unless it passes sufficiently near for the observer 
to note the more square form, and the white tips of the tail- 
feathers, which, as well as the silvery ends of the secon- 
daries and scapularies, show very conspicuously. On my 
passage to Australia I first observed it in lat. 39° 23'S., long. 
54°E.; as we proceeded it gradually increased in pomberd; 
and was very plentiful off the coast of Tasmania; I also met 
with it in my passage from Hobart Town to South Australia 
and Sydney; and on my return to England in the beginning 
of May 1840, I observed it to be very abundant off the north- 
east coast of New Zealand; tolerably numerous on the 20th 
of May near Cape Horn, lat. 50° S., long. 90° W. ; plentiful 


midway between Tristan d’Acunha and the coast of America ; 


458 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


and in the Atlantic on the 12th of June, lat. 41° S., long. 
345° W., a few were still hovering round the ship. 

The sexes are precisely alike. 

Forehead, lores, cheeks, throat, centre of the chest, and all 
the under surface white; narrow space beneath the eye, 
shoulders, and the outer webs of the first primaries deep 
brownish black; back of the neck, sides of the chest, back, 
rump, wings and tail grey ; the secondaries, scapularies, and 
six middle tail-feathers tipped with white; the two outer tail- 
feathers almost wholly white, and the shafts of all black ; bill 
dull blackish brown, with a stripe of blue-grey along the lower 
part of the under mandible; tarsi and toes delicate blue ; 
interdigital membrane flesh-white traversed by red veins. 


Genus PUFFINUS, Brisson. 


The Shearwaters, like many other portions of the family 
Procellaride, have been much subdivided, and what was but 
the other day a genus now constitutes a subfamily. The 
well-known Pufinus anglorum and the P. obscurus are re-- 
garded as typical Pufini, of which form a single species, 
P. nugaz, is found in Australia; while the P. érevicaudus and 
P. carneipes are placed in the genus Nectris, and the P. sphe- 
nurus in Thiellus. The various members of these divisions 
differ slightly in their habits. They are all gregarious, and 
particularly during the breeding-season assemble in immense 
numbers. 


Sp. 635. PUFFINUS NUGAX. 


ALLIED PETREL. 


Procellaria nugax, Sol. MSS. 
Puffinus assimilis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part v. p- 156, 
nugaz, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., tom. ii. p. 205. 


Puffinus assimilis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 59. 


All the specimens of this species that I have seen were pro- 


NATATORES. A59 


cured on Norfolk Island, where it is said to breed ; conse- 
quently the seas washing the eastern shores of Australia may 
be considered its native habitat; it is evidently the represen- 
tative of the Pufinus obscurus of Europe. On my homeward 
voyage from Australia 1 saw numerous examples flying off 
the north-eastern end of New Zealand, and this I regret to 
say is all the information I have to communicate respecting it. 

I have received two beautiful snow-white eggs of this bird 
from Mr. Macgillivray ; they were collected on Royal Island 
in July 1854, and are two inches in length by one inch and 
three lines in breadth. 

Crown of the head, all the upper surface, wings, and tail 
sooty black ; sides of the face, throat, and all the under sur- 
face white; bill dark horn-colour; tarsi and toes greenish 
yellow ; webs yellowish orange. 

Total length 11 inches ; bill 23; wing 63; tail 3; tarsi 14. 


Genus NECTRIS, Bonaparte. 


The members of this genus inhabiting Australia are two in 
number, both of which make one or other of the groups of 
islands lying off the coast their great nurseries or breeding- 
places. They are distinguished by their ample wings and 
very short tails, and by the uniform dark colouring of their 
plumage. 


Sp. 636. NECTRIS BREVICAUDUS. 


SHORT-TAILED PETREL. 


Puffinus brevicaudus, Brandt, Icon. Rossic. Av., tab. 6. fig. 17. 

Priofinus brevicaudus, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de Acad. Sci., tom. xli. 

Nectris brevicaudus, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av. tom. ii. p. 201; Nectris, 
sp, 1. 

Mutton-bird of the Sealers. — 


Puffinus brevicaudus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 56, 


This bird is an inhabitant of the seas surrounding Tasma- 


460 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


nia and the islands in Bass’s Straits, to some of which, but 
especially to Green Island, it resorts during the summer in 
countless numbers for the purpose of breeding and rearing its 
young. I visited this island in January 1839, when, al- 
though the season was far advanced, both eggs and young 
were still so numerous as to excite my astonishment. I had 
previously heard much of this great nursery of Petrels, and 
might have added much to the length of this paper by record- 
ing my own observations ; but so much has been written by 
others, that I prefer giving their statements, notwithstanding 
a little repetition in the details comprised therein. Mr. Davies, 
in the second volume of the ‘ Tasmanian Journal,’ states that 
‘About the commencement of September these birds con- 
gregate in immense flocks, and shortly afterwards proceed at 
sunset to the different isles upon which they have established 
their rookeries. Here they remain during the night for the 
space of about ten days, forming their burrows and preparing 
for the ensuing laying-season. They then leave, and continue 
at sea for about five weeks. | 

“About the 20th of November at sunset a few come in to 
lay, and gradually increase in numbers until the night of the 
24th. Still there are comparatively few, and a person would 
find some difficulty in collecting two dozen eggs on the morn- 
ing of that day. , 

“It is not in my power to describe the scene that presents 
itself at Green Island on the night of the 24th of November. 
A few minutes before sunset flocks are seen making for the 
island from every quarter, and that with a rapidity hardly 
conceivable; when they congregate together, so dense is the 
cloud, that night is ushered in full ten minutes before the 
usual time. The birds continue flitting about the island for 
nearly an hour and then settle upon it. The whole island is 
burrowed ; and when I state that there are not sufficient bur- 
rows for one-fourth of the birds to lay in, the scene of noise 
and confusion that ensues may be imagined—I will not 


NATATORES. 461 


attempt to describe it. On the morning of the 25th the 
male birds take their departure, returning again in the even- 
ing, and so they continue to do until the end of the season. 

Every burrow on the island contains, according 
to its size, from one to three or four birds, and as many 
eggs; one is the general rule. At least three-fourths of the 
birds lay under the bushes, and the eggs are so numerous, 
that great care must be taken to avoid treading upon them. 
The natives from Flinders generally live for some days on 
Green Island at this time of the year for the purpose of col- 
lecting the eggs, and again in March or April for curing the 
young birds. . . . . Besides Green Island, the princi- 
pal rookeries of these birds are situated between Flinder’s 
Island and Cape Barren, and most of the smaller islands in 
Furneaux’s group. The eggs and cured birds form a great 
portion of the food of sealers, and, together with the fea- 
thers, constitute the principal articles of their traffic. The 
mode by which the feathers are obtamed has been described 
_to me as follows :— . 

«The birds cannot rise from the ground, but must first go 
into the water; in effecting which, they make numerous tracks 
to the beach similar to those of a kangaroo ; these are stopped 
before morning, with the exception of one leading over a shelv- 
ing bank, at the bottom of which is dug a pit in the sand ; the 
birds, finding all avenues closed but this, follow each other in 
such numbers, that, as they fall mto the pit, they are imme- 
diately smothered by those succeeding them. It takes the 
feathers of forty birds to weigh a pound; consequently six- 
teen hundred must be sacrificed to make a feather-bed of 
forty pounds weight. Notwithstanding the enormous annual 
‘destruction of these birds, I did not, during the five years that 
I was in the habit of visiting the Straits, perceive any sensi- 
ble diminution in their number. The young birds leave the 
rookeries about the latter end of April, and form one scattered 
flock in Bass’s Straits. I have actually sailed through them 


462 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


from Flinder’s Island to the heads of the Tamar, a distance of 
eighty miles. They shortly afterwards separate into dense 
flocks, and finally leave the coast. The old birds are very 
oily, but the young are literally one mass of fat, which has a 
tallowy appearance, and hence I presume the name of Mutton 
Bird.” To this I may add that the young birds are very 
good when fresh, and the old birds after being skinned and 
preserved in lime are excellent eating. 

It will be seen that I have alluded in forcible terms to the 
great abundance of this species, in confirmation of which I 
annex the following extract from Flinder’s Voyage, vol. i. 
p- L70:— 

“A large flock of Gannets was observed at daylight, and 
they were followed by such a number of the Sooty Petrels as 
we had never seen equalled. There was a stream of from 
fifty to eighty yards in depth, and of three hundred yards or 
more in breadth; the birds were not scattered, but were 
flying as compactly as a free movement of their wings seemed 
to allow; and during a full hour and a half this stream of 
Petrels continued to pass without interruption, at a rate little 
inferior to the swiftness of the Pigeon. On the lowest 
computation I think the number could not have been less than 
a hundred millions. Taking the stream to have been fifty 
yards deep by three hundred in width, and that it moved at 
the rate of thirty miles an hour, and allowing nine cubic yards 
_ of space to each bird, the number would amount to151,500,000. 
‘The burrows required to lodge this quantity of birds would 
be 75,750,000; and allowing a square yard to each burrow, 
they would cover something more than 183 geographic square 
miles of ground.” : 

The following highly interesting note respecting this species 
is from the personal observation of R. Elwes, Hsq., of Norfolk, 
and is here transcribed in confirmation of the statements 
given above, and to show that even so recently as 1859 the 
bird appeared to be as numerous as ever :— 


NATATORES. ) 463 


“ The little settlement on Vansittart’s or Gun-carriage Island, 
one of the Flinder’s Islands group in Bass’s Straits, lies in a 
cove, on one side sandy, but on the other closed in by huge 
granite rocks, behind which the sealers have built their houses, 
and which serve also to shelter their boats from the sea. 
Tucker’s (the chief settler’s) house was comfortable enough. 
His wife was a Hindoo woman from Calcutta, active and in- 
dustrious, who kept it in good order. The other men had 
native wives or ‘ gins,’ as they called them, from Australia and 
Van Diemen’s Land. 

“Their original occupation was sealing, for these islands 
formerly swarmed with seals. In the course of time these 
animals became exterminated, and now their principal liveli- 
hood is derived from the Mutton-birds, which are found here 
in incredible numbers. These birds, called also Sooty or 
Short-tailed Petrels (Pufinus brevicaudus, Gould, B. Austr. vii. 
pl. 56), have such long wings that, like the Albatros, the 
largest of their tribe, they have great difficulty in rising from 
the ground when settled ; and it is this peculiarity that makes 
their capture so easy. They build in holes in the ground. 
The islands which they frequent are burrowed over in all di- 
rections, just like a rabbit-warren. ‘They arrive in huge flocks 
about the 21st of September, generally to the day, to prepare 
their holes and clean them out. There is tremendous fight- 
ing and quarrelling for these holes. When the birds have 
arrived a few days, their tracks or pathways begin to be 
apparent, or, as the sealers say, ‘ they begin to show their runs,’ 
for they go down to the sea every morning. ‘The sealers then 
dig a large pit in one of the main runs, with small fences on 
each side, leading down to it like a funnel. When allis ready, 
some morning at daybreak, when the birds come out of their 
holes, they are driven down these runs into the pitfall. ‘We 
rushes ’em down, sir, and they all tumbles over one another 
into the hole, was the way the men expressed it. They 
crowd down and fall in by hundreds, crushing and smothering 


464 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


each other until the pit is full, when the men break down the 
fence at the sides and let the rest escape. They generally take 


2000 to 2200 in each drive. The men then jump into the hole 
and set to work to pick them, pulling off the body-feathers and 
stuffing them into bags, and throwing the carcasses out of the 
hole. This lasts till noon. It is hard work, and before the 
end of the season their nails sometimes come off from the con- 
tinual plucking. It takes the feathers of twenty-five birds 
a make a pound, which sells at Launceston for twopence ; but 
Tucker, his wife, and his pal, Dick, collected a ton of feathers 
last year. To do this they must have killed 56,000 birds; 
and yet they say their numbers do not seem to decrease. The 
birds come back to the islands again on the 23rd of Novem- 
ber to lay. They lay but one egg, and generally on the day 
or the day after they arrive. The sealers collect a good many 
for their use ; and when the young birds are nearly full-grown, 
they attack them again for the sake of the oil with which the 
old birds feed them. They thrust their hands into the hole, 
pull out the young bird by the head, kill it by squeezing it, 
and, holding it up by the legs, the oil runs out at the beak. 
This oil is very clean and pure, burns well, and sells at 
Launceston at four shillings per gallon. When the young 
birds are full-grown, they are very fat. The men then pull 
them out of their holes, spit them, and salt them. It is 
rather dangerous work catching them in this way, for many 
venomous snakes dwell in the holes, and are sometimes seized 
and pulled out instead of a bird.” —Zdis, 1859, p. 397. 

The egg is very large for the size of the bird, being two 
inches and three-quarters long by one inch and seven-eighths 
broad, and is of a snow-white. The white or albumen forms 
a very large proportion of its contents; and it is remarkable 
that a small part of both the yolk and the white remains soft 
and watery, however long the egg may be boiled. 

The food of the old birds consists of shrimps, small crus- 
taceans and mollusks, which they principally procure from 


NATATORES. 465 


among the large beds of kelp along the coast. The young are 
fed with grass, sea-weed, &c. Pike 

The flight of this and the other species of Pufinus differs 
considerably from that of the Procellarig in being straighter 
and performed close above the surface of the water; it is 
moreover so exceedingly rapid, that Mr. Davies states it can- 
not be fairly estimated at less than sixty miles an hour. 

The sexes are so much alike that they can only be distin- 
guished by dissection. 

The whole of the plumage ue brown, the under surface 
much paler than the upper ; bill blackish brown tinged with 
olive ; the under mandible with a longitudinal mark of vinous 
grey ; irides brownish black ; outer side of the tarsi and outer 
toe brownish black ; inner side of the tarsi and two inner toes 
vinous grey ; webs yellowish flesh- colour, becoming blackish 
brown towards the extremity. 


Sp. 637. NECTRIS CARNEIPES, Gould. 
| FLesHy-rootrep Prrret. 


Puffinus carneipes, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xii. p. 57. 

Majaqueus carneipes, Reich. Syst. av., tab. xxiv. fig. 2601. 

Priofinus carneipes, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de l’Acad. Sci., 1856. 

Nectris carneipes, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., tom. li. p. 201; Nectris, 
sp. 2. 


Puffinus carneipes, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 57. 


This species of Petrel flies over the seas bordering the 
southern and western coasts of Australia, and resorts among 
other places to the small islands off Cape Leeuwin for the 
purpose of breeding ; it was here that the specimens and eggs 
contained in my collection were procured. It differs from the 
Nectris brevicaudus in the greater length and in the more 
Square form of its tail, and in the light or fleshy colour of its 
bill and legs. | | 

VOL. II. 2H 


466 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Its single white egg is about two inches and seven- aa 
long by nearly two inches wide. 

There is no difference in the colouring of the sexes, which 
may be thus described :— 

The whole of the plumage chocolate-black; bill fleshy 
white, the culmen and tips of the mandibles brown; legs, 
feet, and interdigital membranes yellowish flesh-colour. 

Total length 15 inches; bill 1¢; wing 12; tail 5; tarsi 
2; middle toe and nail 24. 


Genus THIELLUS, Gloger. 


Bonaparte places in this genus the bird I have characterized 
as Pufinus sphenurus and the P. chlororhynchus of Lesson. 
These birds are slender in form and have long and pointed 
tails. The former, if not both these birds, frequent the Aus- 
tralian seas. 


Sp. 638. THIELLUS SPHENURUS, Gould. 


WEDGE-TAILED PEerrun. 


Puffinus sphenurus, Gould in Ann. and Mag. of Nat. Hist., vol. xiii. 
p. 365. 
Thiellus sphenurus, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de Acad. Sci., tom. 1866. 


Puffinus sphenurus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 58, 


This species was procured by Gilbert on the Houtmann’s 
Abrolhos, off the western coast of Australia; he also observed 
it on all the neighbourmg sandy islands, but on none was it 
more abundant than on West Wallaby Island, which appears 
to be one of its chief breeding-places, and where it burrows 
to a considerable distance before depositing its egg. Mr. 
Macgillivray also procured specimens of this bird on Lord 
Howe's Island; we may therefore infer that it frequents the 
seas washing the whole of the southern portion of Australia. 


NATATORES. 467 


Its single white egg is two inches and three-quarters long 
by one and three-quarters wide. 

All the upper surface dark chocolate-brown, which gra- 
dually deepens into black on the primaries and tail; feathers 
of the seapularies, which are very broad in form, washed with 
lighter brown at their tips; face and throat dark brownish 
grey, the remainder of the under surface greyish brown ; bill 
reddish fleshy brown, darker‘on the culmen and tip ; legs and 
feet yellowish flesh-colour. | 

Total length 153 inches ; bill 13; wing 114; tail 6; tarsi 12; 
middle toe and nail 23. | 


Genus THALASSOICA, Reichenbach. 


The delicately coloured Petrel, for which the above generic 
name has been proposed, differs from all its congeners, and I 
_ therefore concur in the propriety of its separation. It is nearly 
allied to Pulmarus. 


Sp. 639. THALASSOICA GLACIALOIDES. 


SILVERY-GREY PrrreE.. 


Procellaria glacialoides, Smith, Zool. of South Africa, Aves, pl. 51. 
Thalassoica glacialoides, Reich. Syst. Av., tab. xxi. fig. 789, et tab. 25. 
figs. 2608, 2609. 


Procellaria glacialoides, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. 
pl. 48. | 


Durmg my passage to and from Australia I saw numerous 
examples of this bird, both in the Atlantic and Pacific. I 
first met with it off the Cape of Good Hope, and it was fre- 
quently seen from thence across the South Indian Ocean to 
New South Wales; I subsequently observed it between Syd- 
ney and Cape Horn ; it was numerous off the Falkland Islands, 
and I have a specimen killed on the shores of New Zea- 
land. One of the finest examples I possess was captured 
2H 2 


468 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


with a hook and line, and thus afforded Mrs. Gould an oppor- 
tunity of making a beautiful drawing from life. It was a 
species which particularly interested me while at sea, as much 
for its familiar habits as for its peculiar actions and mode of 
flight: with the exception of the Cape Petrel (Daption ca- 
pensis), No species was more readily taken with a baited hook. 
Like that bird it has very broad primaries, giving an appear- 
ance of great breadth to the end of the wing, has the same 
number of feathers (14) in the tail, and the nostrils placed in 
a single tube. 

The late Sir Andrew Smith, who was the first to discri- 
minate the characters which distinguish this species, remarks 
that, “In many respects it has a strong resemblance to the 
Procellaria glacialis of authors; the length of the bill, how- 
ever, is not only greater, but the thickness is also different, 
being inferior to that of P. glacials, and neither are ever 
otherwise in any individual of the Cape species... . It 
often hunts for its food in the neighbourhood of the South 
African coasts, and even frequently enters the bays, appa- 
rently for the same purpose. It flies higher above the surface 
of the water than the smaller species, rests more frequently- 
and seems well-disposed to feed upon dead animal matter, 
when such can be procured.” 

All the upper surface and tail delicate silvery grey ; outer 
webs, shafts, a line along the inner webs, and the tips of the 
primaries and the outer webs of the secondaries slaty black ; 
face and all the under surface pure silky white ; irides Wve: 
ish black ; nostrils, culmen, and a portion of the base of the 
upper mandible bluish lead-colour ; tips of both mandibles 
fleshy horn- colour, deepening into black at their points ; 
remainder of the bill pinky flesh-colour; legs and feet grey, 
washed with pink on the tarsi and blotched with slaty black 
on the joints. 


NATATORES, 469 


Genus DAPTION, Stephens. 


A genus established for the reception of the Procellaria ca- 
pensis of Linneeus, a species abounding in all the temperate 
latitudes of the southern seas. 


Sp. 640. DAPTION CAPENSIS. 
Capt PEtreu. 


Proeellaria capensis, Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 2138. 

Procellaria nevia, Briss. Orn., tom. vi. p. 146. 

Le Petrel tacheté, ou le Damier, Buff. Hist. des Ois., tom. ix. pl. 304, 
pl. 21. 

White- and Black-spotted Petrel, Edw. Glean., pl. 90. 

Pintado Petrel, Lath. Gen. Syn., vol. vi. p. 401. 

Daption capensis, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol, xiii. p. 241, 
pl. 28. 

Cape Pigeon and Cape Petrel of Voyagers. 


Daption capensis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vil. pl. 53. 


This species of Petrel is well known to every person who 
has visited the southern hemisphere ; for it is equally common 
in the Atlantic and Pacific, and is nowhere more numerous 
than off the south coast of Tasmania; it may, in fact, be said 
to inhabit the temperate latitudes of all the seas above-mien- 
tioned, and to be without exception the most familiar species 
of Petrel the voyager meets with. From the circumstance of 
individuals which have been caught, marked and again set at 
liberty, having been found to follow vessels for hundreds of 
miles for the sake of the offal thrown overboard, no doubt 
exists in my mind that it constantly circumnavigates the 
globe. During my passage from Hobart Town to Sydney 
and from Sydney to Cape Horn, on my return to England, it 
was a constant attendant on the ship. It is frequently seen 
close to the vessel, and if fed with any oily substance, it may 
during a calm be attracted to within three yards of the ship’s 
side. When other resources.of amusement fail, the cap- 


470 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


turing of this bird frequently affords the passengers occupa- 
tion for hours together, and often serves to break the mono- 
tony of a lengthened voyage. It is said to breed on the island 
of South Georgia, and Sir James Ross saw flocks of young 
birds, in January 1841, in 71° 50’ S., near South Victoria. 
The following notes were made during my passages out and 
home, and are worth transcribing, as they record some of the 
latitudes and longitudes in which the bird was seen, and the 
date of the observations :— 

“July 27, 1838, lat. 26° 54’ S., long. 31° 25° W.—Saw 
the first Cape Petrel, and from this date until we doubled the 
Cape of Good Hope it paid daily visits to the ship, sometimes 
in considerable numbers, at others only two or three appeared. 

“ August 18.—Off the island of St. Paul. Cape Petrels 
very plentiful. 

“‘ September 8.—Off King George’s Sound. Cape Petrels 
still very numerous. 

“ May 6, 1840, lat. 40° S., long. 154° W.—Two Cape 
Petrels hovering round the ship, the first of the species seen - 
since leaving Sydney. 

“ May 20.—Off Cape Horn, lat. 50° S., long. 90° W. Cape 
Petrels very abundant. 

“This Martin among the Petrels is extremely tame, passing 
immediately under the stern and settling down close to the 
sides of the ship, if fat of any kind or other oily substance be 
thrown overboard. Swims lightly, but rarely exercises its 
natatorial powers except to procure food, in pursuit of which 
it occasionally dives for a moment or two. Nothing can be 
more graceful than its motions while on the wing, with the 
neck shortened, and the legs entirely hidden among the 
feathers of the under tail-coverts. Like the other Petrels, it 
ejects, when irritated, an oily fluid from its mouth. Its 
feeble note of “ cac, cac, cac, cac’’ is frequently uttered, the 
third, says Captain Hutton, being pronounced the quickest. 
Its weight varies from fourteen to eighteen ounces: there is 


NATATORES. 471 


no difference in the weight of the sexes, neither is there any 
visible variation in their colouring, nor do they appear to be 
subject to any seasonal change.” 

~ Head, chin, back and sides of neck, upper ‘part of the back, 
lesser wing-coverts, edge of the under surface of the wing, 
and the primaries sooty brown; wing-coverts, back, and 


upper tail-coverts white, each feather tipped with sooty brown ; 
basal half of the tail white, apical half sooty brown ; under 


surface white ; the under tail-coverts tipped with sooty brown ; 
beneath the eye a small streak of white; bill blackish brown ; 
irides and feet very dark brown. 


Genus PRION, Lacépéde. 


At least four species of this form frequent the seas washing 
the southern parts of Australia. These fairy-like birds are 
individually very numerous, for I have seen them in flocks of 
thousands. They are truly oceanic birds, seldom if ever near- 
ing land except for the purpose of breeding, when they take up 
their abode on the most isolated spots, such as St. Paul, Am- 
sterdam, Tristan d’Acunha, Prince Edward Islands, Kergue- 
len’s Land, &c. Their broad laminated bills are evidently 
formed for procuring some peculiar kind of food, of which 
doubtless the lower sea-creatures known as Meduse form a 
part. Besides the singular form of their bills, their delicate 
grey colouring at once distinguishes them from the rest of the 
Petrels. Generally speaking, this is a southern form, but one 
species has occurred north of the line, and im our own seas. 
The species alluded to is the P. drevirostris, so named by me 
at the meeting of the Zoological Society of London held on 
the 12th of June 1855, and for a knowledge of which I was 
indebted to my late friend William Yarrell, who informed me 
it had been captured on the Island of Madeira or on the 
neighbouring rocky islets called the Desertas. The sexes 
present no external difference either in colour or size. 


472 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Sp. 641. PRION TURTUR.. 
Dovez-1ikE Prion. 


Procellaria turtur, Banks’s Drawings, No. 15. 
Prion turtur, Gould in Ann, and Mag. of Nat Hist., vol. xiii. p. 366. 
Whale Bird of the Sailors. 


Prion turtur, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 54, 


So much confusion exists among the species of this genus 
of Petrels, that a very minute examination has been required 
to identifiy those described by the older writers, and it has 
been with no little attention and care on the part of the late 
John Natterer and myself that we came to the conclusion that 
the bird forming the subject of the 54th plate in the seventh 
volume of my folio edition is the one for which the specific name 
of ¢wrtur should be retained. Of the four species inhabiting 
the southern seas, the present is the most delicate in colour, 
as well as the most slender and elegant in form; its bill is 
much less dilated at the base, and has the laminze much less 
developed than those of the P. danksii, to which it is nearly 
allied, and with which it is sometimes seen in company. I 
find by my notes that I killed four specimens off Cape Howe 
on the 16th of April, during my passage from Tasmania to 
Sydney; and I have but little doubt that it traverses the 
whole surface of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, between the 
30th and 50th degrees of south latitude, having seen and fre- 
quently killed specimens while sailing within those prescribed 
limits. Sometimes it appeared’in countless multitudes, but 
more often thinly dispersed over the surface of the ocean. 
During calms it flits over the glassy waters with a noiseless and 
easy flight, often performing small circles, and fluttering butter- 
fly-like over any oily substance thrown overboard, which it 
sips off the surface without settling ; occasionally, however, it 
rests its buoyant and fairy little body on the waters, where it 
reposes at perfect ease, until hunger again impels it to take 
wing in search of food. A more vigorous and active action of 


NATATORES.. AT3 — 


the wing being necessary to sustain it during the raging of 
of the gale, it then moves with zigzag turns of great swiftness, 
ascending the billows, topping their surgy summits, and de- 
scending into the gulf between, where a momentary shelter 
enables it to gain fresh vigour, and seize from the slanting 
surface any floating mollusks that may present themselves, 
and which, from the disturbed state of the sea, are apparently 
more abundant then than at other times. 
- The plumage of all the members of this genus is dense, 
thick, and extremely light; hence their bodies are much 
smaller than they appear to be.. The average weight of seve- 
‘tal examples of this species was five ounces. Although the 
present bird and Prion banksit were seen in company, as 
before stated, the differences between the two were very ob- 
servable, the,extreme delicacy of colouring and the smaller size 
of the P. ¢urtur strongly contrasting with the more bluff and 
darker-coloured head of the P. danksii ; when the wings were 
expanded, the black mark, similar to the letter W, was 
equally conspicuous in both. | 

All the upper surface delicate blue-grey; the edge of the 
shoulder, the scapularies, outer margins of the external prima- 
ries and the tips of the middle tail-feather black; small spot 
before the eye and a stripe beneath black ; lores, line over, 
beneath, and behind the eye and all the under surface white, 
stained with blue on the flanks and under tail-coverts ; bill 
light blue, deepening into black on the sides of the nostrils 
and at the tip, and with a black line along the side of the 
under mandible; irides very dark brown; feet beautiful 
light blue. 


Sp. 642. PRION ARIEL, Gould. 
Farry Prion. 
Prion ariel, Gould in Ann. and Mag. of Nat. Hist., vol. xiii. p. 866. 


This is one of the smallest species of the genus, being much 
less than P. ¢urtur and its near ally the P. érevirostris of the 


47 4, BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Madeiran seas. Like P. turtur, the pectination of the bill is 
not discernible when that organ is closed. | 

I procured several examples of this bird in Bass’s Straits 
on the 16th of April 1839, when many were flying around 
me. In colour and general appearance it resembles P. turtur, 
except that it has a white face or no grey mark before the eye ; 
but not in its admeasurements, which are as follows :— 

Total length 9 inches; bill lag; wing 62; tail33; tarsi lj. 


Sp. 643. PRION BANKSII. 
Banks's Prion. 


Pachyptila banksii, Smith, Zool. of South Africa, Aves, pl. 55. 
Prion banksit, Gould in Ann. and Mag. of Nat. Hist., vol. xin. p. 366. 


This species is constantly seen in all the south seas. In 
breadth its bill is intermediate between that of P. turfur and 
that of P. vittatus; it is, moreover, of a lengthened and 
somewhat elegant form, and exhibits the pectination of the 
mandibles when the bill is closed. 

In colour this species assimilates to the other members 
of the genus. 


Sp. 644. PRION VITTATUS. 


BROAD-BILLED PRION. 


Pachyptila vittata, Il. Prod. Syst. Mamm. et Av., p. 275. 
Procellaria vitiata, Forst. Draw., No. 86. 
forsteri, Lath. Ind. Orn., vol. ii. p. 827. 
Prion vittatus, Lacép. and Cuv. 
Pachyptila forsteri, Swains. Class. of Birds, vol. i. p. 374. 


Prion vittatus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 55. 


This species of Prion is very plentiful in the South Indian 
Ocean. I observed it on my outward passage to Tasmania, 
near the islands of Amsterdam and St. Paul. I never met 
with it in the South Atlantic, although, in all probability, like 


NATATORES. AT) 


most of the other Petrels, it makes in the course of its 
peregrinations a circuit of the globe. The seas washing the 
coasts of Tasmania, New Zealand, and the Auckland Islands 
are the localities whence most of the specimens in our 
museums have been obtained. 

This bird is rather larger than the last species. Its bill is 
much dilated, and the pectinations are very conspicuous, and — 
doubtless perform some important function in the economy 
of the bird, but for what particular purpose these appendages 
to the bill are imtended has not yet been ascertained. Its 
powers of flight and mode of life are very similar to those of 
the Prion turtur and P. banksii,as detailed in the description 
of those species. I believe that the sexes present little or no 
difference in size or plumage, but I have not had an oppor- 
tunity of satisfactorily determining this pot; had any ex- 
isted, however, it is not likely that it would have escaped the 
notice of those ornithologists who have from time to time 
examined the members of this group. 

Mr. Macgillivray sent to England two very fine eggs of 
this bird which he collected on the Island of St. Paul, in the 
Indian Ocean. ‘They are pure white, and somewhat lengthened 
in form, being two inches long by one and a half broad. 

All the upper surface delicate blue-grey; the edge of the 
shoulder, the scapularies, outer primaries, and tips of the 
middle tail-feathers black ; space surrounding the eye and the 
ear-coverts black; lores, line over the eye, and all the under 
surface white, stained with blue on the flanks and under tail- 
coverts; bill light blue, deepening into black on the sides of 
the nostrils and at the tip, and with a black line along the 
side of the under mandible; irides very dark brown; feet 


beautiful light blue. 


There is another and. broader billed species than P. vittatus, 
but the precise latitudes in which this fine bird flies is un- 
known to me. 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus PROCELLARIA, Linneus. 


The little tenants of the ocean, which we have known of 
late years under the generic title of Thalassidroma, but for 
which I believe the term Procellaria was first proposed, are 
so universally dispersed, that they are found in all the seas 
except those of the very high latitudes of both hemispheres. 
The Australian avi-fauna is particularly rich in birds of this 
form, inasmuch as no less than five distinct species frequent 
the seas which wash the shores of that country. 

They have now been divided into several genera, P. pela- 
gica and my P. nereis being a typical species of the restricted 
genus Procellaria. 


Sp. 645. PROCELLARIA NEREIS, Gould. 
GREY-BACKED STORM-PETREL. 


Thalassidroma nereis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part viii. p. 178. 
Procellaria nereis, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., tom. i. p.196; Procellaria, 
sp. 1. 


Thalassidroma nereis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. 
pl. 64. 3 


During a calm which occurred on my passage from Hobart 
‘Town to Sydney.in May 1839, I obtained four examples of 
this species of Petrel, and I subsequently observed it flying 
about in considerable numbers near the eastern entrance 
of Bass’s Straits; I also met with it on my passage home to 
England in April 1840, between New South Wales and the 
northernmost point of New Zealand ; further than this I have 
little to communicate respecting it. 

The Procellaria nereis is a species readily distinguishable 
from its congeners by the total absence of any white mark on 
the rump, the want of which first drew my attention and 
induced me to suspect it, as it subsequently proved to be, a 
different species from any I had before seen; my readers 


NATATORES. : A477 


will therefore easily imagine with what pleasure I descended 
the ship’s side and sallied forth in a little ‘ dingy ’ to procure 
Specimens. This is not the only instance i which science 
has been benefited through the kindness of the captains I 
have sailed with in allowing me the use of a boat whenever the 
weather permitted such a favour to be granted me without 
retarding the progress of the ship. Nearly thirty species 
of oceanic birds were obtained in this way during my voyage 
to Australia; whence some idea may be formed of the 
numbers encountered in the open sea, and of the employment 
the naturalist may find during a voyage round the globe. 

In the habits and mode of flight of this species I could 
observe no difference whatever from those of the other Storm- 
Petrels; and, as a matter of course, its food is also similar ; 
any oily substance, together with mollusks, being equally 
partaken of by all the members of the genus. 

_ I did not observe this species in any other parts of the 
ocean than those mentioned above; at the same time it is not 
improbable that it may possess a much wider range. 

The sexes are alike in plumage, and are not materially 
different in size. 

Head, neck, and chest sooty grey; lower part of the wing- 
coverts, back, rump, and upper tail-coverts grey, each feather 
very slightly margined with white; wings greyish black ; tail 
grey, broadly tipped with black; under surface pure white ; 
irides, bill, and feet black. 

Total length 64 inches ; bill3% ; wing 54; tail23; tarsi 1Z. 


Note.—It would be well if naturalists accompanying expe- 
ditions to the South Pacific and South Indian Oceans were 
to collect examples of this species, as but few of our museums 
possess it. | 


478 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus OCEANITES, Keyserling et Blasius. 


‘Two or three species of this genus are all that are known. 
Modern research tends to prove that the Australian bird, 
which I believed to be identical with the American O. wilsoni, 
is distinct from that bird, and that it is identical with the 
Procellaria oceanica of Banks, a view which I here adopt. 


Sp. 646. OCHANITES OCEANICA. 


YELLOW-WEBBED StorM-PETREL. 


Procellaria oceanica, Banks.—Forst. Draw., No. 12. 
Thalassidroma oceanica, Kuhl, Brit. Zool. Monog. Proc., p. 186, tab. 
10. fig. 1. 


Oceanites wilsont, Keys. et Blas. Wirb. Eur , tom, ii. p. 238. 


Thalassidroma wilsonii, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. 
pl. 65. 


This is also one of the most abundant species of the genus 
inhabiting the Australian seas: I observed it in great numbers 
within sight of the shores of Tasmania, and shot and preserved 
several specimens during my passage from Sydney to Hobart 
Town in April 1839; I also encountered it in the following 
year in the seas between Sydney and New Zealand, while on 
my passage towards Cape Horn. 

It is exceedingly active when flying, its wings being kept 
fully expanded; it also makes considerable use of its feet, 
in patting the surface of the water, with its wings extended 
upwards and its head inclined downwards, to gather any food 
that may present itself. Its usual diet consists of mollusca, 
small fish, crustacea, and any kind of greasy substance that 
may be floating on the water. 

The sexes are so precisely similar that they can only be 
distinguished by dissection. 

The head, neck, back, wings, and breast sooty black, the 
wing-coverts passing into pale brown at the extremity ; pri- 


_ NATATORES. A479 


- maries and tail black; upper and lateral portions of the under 
tail-coverts white; irides dark brown; bill and feet black ; 
webs yellow for three parts of their length from the base. 


Genus FREGETTA, Bonaparte. 


The members of this genus are distinguished by their large 
size, long legs, and parti-coloured plumage. ‘Two species — 
frequent the seas surrounding Australia. 


Sp. 647. FREGETTA MELANOGASTER, Gould. 


BLACK-BELLIED StoRM-PETREL. 


Procellaria fregata, Forst. Draw. 13? and 14. 

grallaria, Licht. Verz. der Doubl. Mus. Berl., p. 83. 

oceanica, Bonap., 1827, Zool. Journ., vol. ui. p. 89. 

Thalassidroma melanogaster, Gould in Ann. and Mag. of Nat. Hist., 
vol. xiii. p. 367. 

Fregetta melanogastra, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., tom. ii. p- 198, Fre- 
getta, sp. 4. 


Thalassidroma melanogaster, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., 
vol, vii. pl. 62. 


My acquaintance with this species commenced on the 
12th of August 1839, when off Cape Lagulhas on my voyage 
to Australia, and from that date it was almost daily observed 
during our transit across the South Indian Ocean until we 
arrived at Tasmania on the 19th of September ; its numbers 
gradually increasing from the neighbourhood of the islands of 
St. Paul and Amsterdam to the termination of the voyage. 
In March 1840, during my passage home, I again met with it 
in great abundance between the eastern coast of Australia 
and New Zealand. 

When viewed from the ship, it is at once distinguished 
from all the other Petrels by the broad black mark which 
passes down the centre of the abdomen, and offers a strong 
contrast to the snowy whiteness of the flanks. 


480 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


It is a bird of powerful flight, and pats the surface of the 
rising waves more frequently than any other species that 
came under my notice, or perhaps the great length of its legs 
rendered this action more conspicuous ; its habits and general 
economy are of course very similar to those of the other 
members of the genus. 

All the plumage deep sooty black, with the exception of 
the upper tail-coverts and flanks, which are snow-white ; bill, 
legs, and feet black. 

Total length 74 inches; bill 2; "wing 6; tail 3; tarsi 12; 
middle toe 2a nail 14. 


Sp. 648. FREGETTA GRALLARIA. 


WHiITE-BELLIED StoRM-PETREL. 


Procellaria fregata, Kuhl, Brit. Zool. Mon. Proc., tab. 10. fig. 2. 
grallaria, Vieill. Ency. Méth., part i. p. 344. 

Thalassidroma oceanica, Bonap. Gen. et Syn. Am. Birds in Ann. Lye. 
New York, vol. u. p. 449. 


Fregetta grallaria, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., tom. ii. p. 197, Fregetta, 
sp. 2. . 

Thalassidroma leucogaster, Gould in Ann. and Mag. of Nat. Hist., 
vol. xi. p. 867. 


Dperaneione leucogaster, Gould, Birds of REA fol., vol. vii. 
Pp 

This bird is about the same size as the Fregetta melano- 
gaster, but possesses two characters by which it may at all 
times be distinguished from it: namely, the total absence 
of black down the centre of the abdomen, and the shortness — 
of its toes. I observed it to be very generally distributed over 
the South Indian Ocean, and I have reason to believe that 
it ranges over all the temperate latitudes between the Cape of 
Good Hope and Cape Horn, and it is not unlikely that it 
may inhabit similar latitudes in the South Atlantic. I killed 
specimens of a nearly allied species within the tropics of the 


NATATORES. A81 


South Atlantic, which differed in being of a larger size, and in 
having a patch of greyish white on the throat; these differ- 
ences will doubtless prove it to be a distinct species, and 1 
mention this in order that the two birds might not be con- 
founded by subsequent voyagers or writers on the subject. 
I have presented a specimen of the larger species, killed by 
myself at the Equator, to the British Museum, where it is 
always accessible for comparison and other scientific purposes. 

Like the F. melanogaster, the White-bellied Storm-Petrel is 
a fine and powerful species, fluttering over the glassy surface 
of the ocean during calms with an easy butterfly-like motion 
of the wings, and buffeting and breasting with equal vigour 
the crests of the loftiest waves of the storm; at one moment 
descending into their deep troughs, and at the next rising 
with the utmost alertness to their highest points, apparently 
from an impulse communicated as much by striking the 
surface of the water with its webbed feet as by the action of 
the wings. Like the other members of the genus, it feeds 
on mollusca, the spawn of fish, and any kind of fatty matter 
that may be floating on the surface of the ocean. 

Ihave not been able to trace the breeding-place of this or 
of the preceding species; information on this part of their 
economy is therefore desirable. 

The sexes are so much alike that I could never distinguish 
them by their outward appearance. 

Head and neck deep sooty black ; back greyish black, each | 
feather margined with white; wings and tail black; chest, 
all the under surface, and the upper tail-coverts white; bill 
and feet jet-black. 

Some slight variation appears to exist in the extent of the 
sooty colouring of the neck; in some specimens it merely 
descends to the base of the throat, while in others it spreads 
over the chest, but never down the centre of the abdomen. 

Total length 74 mches; bill $; wing 6; tail 3; tarsi 14; 
middle toe and nail 1. 

VOL. II. 21 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus PELAGODROMA, Reichenbach. 


Of this singularly marked Petrel one species only is known. 


Sp. 649. PELAGODROMA FREGATA. 
WHitTk-FACED StorM-PErreu. 


Procellaria fregata, Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. 1. p. 212. 
equorea, Soland. M.S. Banks’s Draw., no. 1s. 
hypoleuca, Webb et Berth. 
Pelagodroma marina, Reich. Syst. Av. tab. 16. fig. 784, et tab. 18. 
figs. 2447, 2448 at 2449. 
fregata, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., tom. ii. p. 198. 
Procellaria marina, Lath. Ind. Orn., vol. 11. p. 826. 
Frigate Petrel, Lath. Gen. Syn., vol. vi. p. 410. 
Thalassidroma marina, Less. Traité d’Orn., p. 612. 


Thalassidroma marina, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. 
pl. 61. 


That this fine species enjoys a wide range over the southern 


ocean is certain, the specimen figured by Vieillot in his ‘Galérie . 
des Oiseaux’ having been procured at New Zealand, while 
numerous individuals in my own collection were procured in 
Australia. Gilbert discovered it breeding on some of the 
small islands lying off Cape Leuwin in December, where he 
procured numbers of its eggs, as well as many examples of 
the adult birds; he also met with it on a small island about 
three miles south of East Wallaby Island in January, by 
which time the young birds were almost ready to leave their 
holes. ‘The specimens procured on this island are peculiarly 
interesting, as showing how completely the true feathers are 
assumed before the downy covering is thrown off. 

The egg of this species is pure white, one inch and a half 
long by one inch and an eighth broad: whether one or two 
are laid at a time is uncertain, but I believe only one. 

Forehead, face, line over the eye, and all the under surface 
pure white; crown and nape, a broad patch beneath the eye, 


NATATORES. 483 


and the ear-coverts slate-colour; sides of the chest, back of 
the neck, and upper part of the back dark grey, gradually 
passing into the dark brown of the back and wings; upper 
tail-coverts light grey ; primaries and tail black; irides dark 
reddish brown ; legs and feet black; webs yellow. 

_ The plumage of the immature birds being carefully repre- 
sented in the drawing, a minute description is unnecessary. 


Genus HALADROMA, Illiger. 


Of this singular southern form two species are known only, 
one of which, I believe, pertains to the avifauna of Australia. 


Sp. 650. HALADROMA URINATRIX. 
Divine Perren. 


Procellaria urimatrix, Lath. Ind. Orn., vol. ii. p. 827. 

Haladroma urinatriz, Il. Prod. Syst. Mamm. et Av., p. 274. 

Diving Petrel, Lath. Gen. Syn., vol. vi. p. 418. 

Procellaria tridactyla, Forst. Drawings, No. 88. 

Halodroma urinatrix, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xiii. 
p- 257. 

Puffinuria garnoti, Less. Zool. de la Voy. de la Cogq., pl. 46. 

Pelecanotdes urinatrix, Cuv. 

Tee-tee, Aborigines of New Zealand. 


Puffinuria urinatrix, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 60. 


I observed that this curious little bird was very abundant 
in Storm Bay, in Tasmania; I have also seen specimens from 
New Zealand. <As might be supposed from its structure, the 
habits and economy of this Diving Petrel are totally different 
from those of all the other members of the family. It possesses 
none of those vast powers of flight common to the rest of the 
Petrels, but has this loss amply compensated for by its powers 
of diving, which are so great that it is even said to fly under 
water. Its flight is a curious fluttering motion, performed so 
close to the surface that it rarely rises high enough to top the 

212 


484. BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


waves, but upon being met by them makes progress by a 
direct course through instead of over them. Latham states 
that it inhabits “Queen Charlotte’s Sound, and other parts 
adjacent to New Zealand in vast flocks; fluttering upon the 
surface of the water or sitting upon it, and dive well; arising 
often at a considerable distance, with amazing agility. They 
croak like frogs, sometimes make a noise like the cackling of 
a hen, and are known by the name of Tee-tee.”” 

In external appearance the Diving Petrel so much resembles 
the Little Auk of the northern seas, that at the first glance it 
might be readily mistaken for that species ; their resemblance, 
however, is merely that of analogy, for they are representa- 
tives of each other in the respective families to which they 
belong. I observed this or a nearly allied species about 20 
degrees to the eastward of New Zealand, taking some of the 
lower animals from the surface of the ocean, now and then 
dashing under water, rising again, skimming close to the 
surface and then flying off in a straight line with a quick 
fluttering motion of the wings. 

Examples of this bird differ considerably in colour, some 
having the under surface washed with dark grey, while in 
others, and by far the greater number, that part of the 
plumage is white. 

Head, all the upper surface, wings, and tail shining black ; 
ear-coverts, sides of the neck, and flanks dark grey; all the 
under surface white ; irides very dark greyish brown ; base 
of the cutting edge of the upper mandible and a line along 
the lower edge of the under mandible blue grey; tarsi and 
toes beautiful light blue; webs transparent bluish white, 
tinged with brown; naked pouch hanging from the chin 
nearly black, and being very thin lies in folds like a bat’s 
wing. 


Tee aa Se adit Ee Seen EE TiS et I i ley ies 


NATATORES. 485 


Family PELECANIDE. 


The members of this extensive family are the most truly 
ichthyophagous birds in existence; and it is particularly 
interesting to observe how varied are their forms, and how 
admirably each is adapted for some particular end and 
purpose ; if is the investigation of these especial adaptations 
which gives a zest to the study of nature generally, but more 
so perhaps to ornithology than to other branches of natural 
science. Such adaptations exist in all great groups of birds, 
but in none are they more remarkable than in the Pelecanide. 

In the first rank of this family are the Gigantic Pelicans 
with their heavy bodies, large boat-like bills, extensive gullets, 
and widely webbed feet; next in size, but different in struc- 
ture, are the Cormorants with their hooked bills, dense ad- 
pressed plumage adapted for immersion, and their feet well 
formed for perching on rocks and the branches of trees; to 
these succeed the Darters with their long snake-like necks 
and narrow pointed bills; then the Frigate-birds with their 
greatly developed wings and diminutive feet, a form especially 
adapted for aérial progression, whether for soaring Eagle-like 
in the air, for performing extensive flights from one part of 
the ocean to another, or for seeking the shore from immense 
distances when desirous of roosting. Of all birds they are 
the most powerful fliers. ‘To these succeed the Gannets, 
lovers of the salt sea, into which they plunge their heavy 
bodies with a force that is truly astonishing ; last of all come 
the fairy-like Tropic-birds, who, while sailing over the ocean, 
perform many pleasing evolutions, and exhibit their lengthened 
tail-plumes to the utmost advantage. 

All these forms occur in various parts of the globe, and 
most of them fly over the seas surrounding Australia, and live 
on the rocky promontories or on the rivers and inland waters 
of that extensive country 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus PELECANUS, Linneus. 


Six species of this remarkable genus of birds inhabit the 
Old World, and three America. None of them brave the 
cold blasts of the north or dwell in the high antarctic regions 
of the south, but frequent the warmer or more temperate 
latitudes. Their food consists solely of fish, for procuring 
which they combine in small companies and drive their finny 
prey into shallow bays and inlets of the sea. They frequently 
ascend rivers far into the interior of the respective countries 
they inhabit, and even visit inland lakes and great pools of 
water in the centre of such countries as Africa and Palestine ; 
and hence one of the species, either P. onocrotatus or P. 
crispus, is spoken of in Sacred Writ as the “ Pelican of the 
Wilderness.” 

Australia, like other warm countries, has a Pelican, which 
is specifically distinct from all the others. 


Sp. 651. PELECANUS CONSPICILLATUS, Zemm. 


AUSTRALIAN PELICAN. 


New Holland Pelican, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. x. p. 402. 

Pelecanus conspicillatus, Temm. Pl. Col., 276. 
australis, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xii. part 1. 
p- lls. 

Ne-rim-ba, Aborigines in the neighbourhood of Perth. 

Beo-dee-lung, Aborigines near the Murray. 


Pelecanus conspicillatus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. 
pl. 74. , 


Of the members of the genus Pelecanus the present may 
be regarded as one of the very finest species; in size it fully 
equals its European prototypes the P. onocrotalus and P. 
crispus, and although devoid of crest-plumes, this ornament is 
fully compensated by the varied markings of the face and 
mandibles. It is abundant in all the rivers and inlets of the 


NATATORES. 487 


sea, both in Tasmania and on the continent of Australia. I 
shot specimens on Green Island in D’Entrecasteaux’ Channel, 
and I also met with it in abundance in South Port River: 
owing to the advance of colonization it had become scarce in 
the Derwent and Tamar when I visited Tasmania, but it may 
still breed on the small group called Stanners’ Bay Islands, 
lying off the south-western end of Flinder’s Island in Bass’s 
Straits. In Australia it is common on the Hunter as well as 
in Spencer’s and St. Vincent’s Gulfs, and on all the waters of 
the interior, such as the Mokai, Namoi, &c., and on all lakes 
of sufficient magnitude to afford it a supply of food. So 
numerous is it on these inland waters, that Captain Sturt 
states that the channel of a river from seventy to eighty yards 
broad. was literally covered with Pelicans; and that they were 
in such numbers upon the Darling as to be quite dazzling to 
the eye. 

The nest is a large structure of sticks and grassy herbage, 
placed just above high-water mark ; the eggs are generally two 
in number, of a dirty yellowish white, three inches and three- 
quarters long by two inches and three-cighths broad. 

The entire plumage white, with the exception of the scapu- 
laries, a line along the edge of the shoulder, the lower row 
of the greater wing-coverts, the primaries, secondaries, a few 
of the upper tail-coverts, and the tail, which are black; on the 
breast a pale wash of sulphur-yellow; gular pouch and man- 
dibles yellowish white, the latter stamed with blue, which 
gradually increases in depth to the tip; apical half of the 
cutting edges of the mandibles yellow, gradually increasing 
in depth to the tip ; nail of both mandibles greenish yellow ; 
irides dark brown; eyelash indigo-blue; orbits pale sulphur- 
yellow, bounded by a narrow ring of pale indigo-blue; legs 
and upper part of the tarsi yellowish white ; feet, webs, and 
lower part of the tarsi pale bluish grey, the two colours 
blending with each other at the middle of the tarsi; nails dull 
yellowish white. 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus PHALACROCORAX, Brisson. 


The Cormorants, whose range is universal, are well repre- 
sented in Australia, since five species inhabit and are peculiar 
to that country. In New Zealand the birds are nearly as nu- 
merous, and among them are some not found in Australia. 

These birds have been divided into several genera by Bona- 
parte and others; the term Phalacrocorax being retained for 
the largest and most powerful of them ; Hypoleucus for those 
distinguished by the dark colouring of their upper and the 
whiteness of their under surface ; Helieus for the species dis- 
tinguished by the small size of their bills and the great 
development of the feathers of the head during the breeding- 
season, which differ from the true Cormorants in their habits, 
particularly in affecting inland waters and in constructing 
their nests on the branches of trees, and of which one species 
inhabits Australia, and another, it is said, New Zealand ; and 
lastly Microcarbo for the small black Cormorant of Australia, 
a form of which it is the only one known there. 


Sp. 652. PHALACROCORAX NOV AI-HOLLANDIA, 
Stephens. 


AUSTRALIAN CORMORANT. 


New Holland Shag, Lat. Gen. Hist., vol. x. p. 431. 

Phalacrocorax nove-hollandie, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., 
vol. xii. pt. 1. p. 93. 
carbotdes, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part v. p. 156. 

Gracalus carbotdes, G. R. Gray, Zool. of Voy. of Ereb. and Terr. 
Birds, p. 20. 

Black Shag, Colonists of Western Australia. 


Phalacrocorax carboides, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. 
pl. 66. 


This is the largest species of Cormorant yet discovered in 
Australia, and even exceeds in size its prototype the Phalacro- 


NATATORES. A89 


corax carbo of Europe. Although enjoying a wide range over 
the southern part of the country, it is nowhere so abundant 
as in Tasmania. In this island it not only inhabits all the 
bays and inlets of the sea, but it also ascends the large 
rivers even to the lakes in the middle of the island, on seve- 
ral of which it breeds. In Western Australia it is tolerably 
abundant at King George’s Sound; it also ascends the Swan, 
and is sometimes observed far up the Murray. In South 
Australia and New South Wales it frequents similar localities, 
and I killed several while perched on the high gum-trees on 
various parts of the Hunter. It is, however, so shy and wary 
that it is very difficult to get within shot of it: when flying 
it frequently mounts in circles until nearly out of sight. 

Its habits, manners and mode of life are so precisely simi- 
lar to those of the Common Cormorant of Europe that a de- 
scription of them would be superfluous. Its chief food as a 
matter of course consists of fish. 

It lays two bluish white eggs, about two inches and a half 
long by one inch and three-quarters broad, on a nest composed 
of sea-weed and other marine vegetables placed on the ledge 
of a rock. 

This fine bird weighs from six to seven pounds. 

In summer the adult male has the throat and sides of the 
face buffy white ; crown of the head, lengthened plumes at the 
occiput, neck, all the under surface, rump and tail deep glossy 
blackish green ; feathers of the back, wings, and upper part 
of the flanks chocolate, broadly margined with deep glossy 
blackish green ; neck ornamented with numerous fine white 
feathers; a patch of white feathers is also situated on the 
outer side of each thigh ; irides green ; bare skin round the eye 
and under the throat rich yellow; feet jet black; culmen and 
tips of both mandibles horn-colour; remainder of the bill 
fleshy white. 

Total length 34 inches ; bill 4; wing 133; tail 8; tarsi 2¢. 

In winter the plumage is precisely similar, with this excep- 


490 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


tion, that the white feathers on the neck have entirely disap- 
peared, leaving that part of the same hue as the under surface. 

The nestlings are sparingly covered with black down; 
when they are fledged the upper surface is paler than in the 
adult, and the under surface nearly white. In this state of 
plumage they resemble the young of the Common Shag or 
Cormorant of the European seas. 


Sp. 653. PHALACROCORAX VARIUS. 


Prep Cormorant. 

Pelecanus pica, Forster’s Drawings, no. 106. 
varius, Gmel. Edit. Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 575. 
fuscescens, Vieill. 2nd Edit. du Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., tom. viii. 
p. 86. 

Pied Shag, Lat. Gen. Syn., vol. vi. p. 605. 

Carbo albiventer, Less. 

Gracalus varius, G. R. Gray, Zool. of Voy. of Ereb. and Terr., Birds, 
p. 19. 

Hypoleucus varius, Reich. Syst. Av., tab. 63. fig. 874. 

Ma-dee, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Australia. 

Black and White Shag, Colonists of Western Australia. 


Phalacrocorax hypoleucus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. 
pl. 68. 

I first observed this fine Cormorant in Nepean Bay, Kan- 
garoo Island, where it was very abundant, and I have since 
ascertained that no species of the genus inhabiting Australia 
possesses a wider range, for it is almost universally dispersed 
along the whole line of the southern coast from Swan River 
on the west to Moreton Bay on the east ; I have also received 
specimens from New Zealand, which present no perceptible 
differences. 

_ The Pied Cormorant may be regarded as a gregarious 
Species, many hundreds being sometimes seen in company, 
particularly in those bays and inlets of the sea whose shores 
are flat and sandy, and where the tide brings in an abundant 
supply of fish, upon which the bird almost solely subsists, and 


lia eR ap ee 


NATATORKS. AOL 


in the capture of which it exhibits the same dexterity as the 
other members of the genus. Its large size and the contrast 
of its pied plumage render it a most conspicuous bird when 
seen on the surface of the water, but at no time does it form 
so prominent an object in the scene as when observed repos- 
ing on the sand-banks and low ledges . rock, after having 
ae itself with food. 

The eggs of this species, taken on Three Sisters’ Island, 
about twenty miles southward of Swan River, were two inches 
and a half long and of a pale bluish white; I obtained no 
other particulars respecting its nidification, but Latham states _ 
in his ‘ General History’ that it builds in trees, on which “a 
dozen or more are seen at once, bemg more numerous than 
the Spotted Shag” (Phalacrocorax punctatus). “The egg is 
two inches and a half long, rather smaller than that of a hen, 
and of a pale bluish white.’’ 

I know of no other instance of Cormorants building on 
trees except the present and that of the Phalacrocorax mela- 
noleucus, and this habit of the Phalacrocorax varius is given 
on Latham’s authority. . 

The sexes are precisely alike in plumage, and also in the \ 
brilliant markings of the lores and orbits; the young of the 7 
first autumn differ in having all the upper surface brown, each 
feather having lighter edges ; the sides of the neck and upper 
part of the breast are also mottled with brown and white. 

Crown of the head, back of the neck, lower part of the 
back, upper tail-coverts, flanks and thighs deep glossy steel- 
blue; all the upper surface and wings deep dull green, each 
feather with a very narrow margin of velvety black ; primaries 
and tail deep greenish black; sides of the face and all the 
under surface pure white ; irides pale sea-green ; bare space in 
front of the eye bright orange ; eyelash and naked skin be- 
neath the eye rich indigo-blue ; throat and cheeks light bluish 
ash ; bill dark horn-colour, becoming lighter at the ‘ips ; legs 
and feet black. 


492 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Sp. 654. PHALACROCORAX LEUCOGASTER, Gould. 
WHITE-BREASTED CoRMORANT. 


Phalacrocorax leucogaster, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part v. p. 156. 

Carbo hypoleucus, Brandt. 

Gracalus leucogaster, G. R. Gray, Zool. of Voy. of Ereb. and Terr., 
Birds, p. 20. 

Hypoleucus leucogaster, Reich. Syst. Av., tab. 63. fig. 875. 


Phalacrocorax leucogaster, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. 
pl. 69. 


This species is very abundant in all the bays and inlets of the 
sea surrounding Tasmania; it ascends the rivers almost to 
their source, and the large lakes of the interior are seldom 
without its presence. It breeds on most of the islands in 
Bass’s Straits, where it constructs a round nest of sea-weed 
on the ledges of the low rocks, and lays two bluish-white 
eggs. It becomes far less numerous as we proceed north- 
ward, but is to be found in all the localities suitable to it 
throughout the whole of the coast of South Australia. I have 
also seen it on the Hunter as well as in Spencer’s and St. 
Vincent’s Gulfs. 

In a state of nature it is a showy and attractive bird, the 
decided contrast in the colouring of its plumage rendering it 
a conspicuous object at a considerable distance, particularly 
when it is reposing in flocks on the craggy summits of the 
low black rocks forming the margins of the rivers, or when 
perched side by side on the bare branches of the trees over- 
hanging the water. 

Its food consists of fish and other marine animals. 

The sexes are so nearly alike in their plumage that it is im- 
possible to distinguish them without the aid of dissection ; the 
spring or nuptial dress is characterized by long white feathers 
springing from the sides of the neck, which are entirely 
absent at other seasons. The young of the year has the 


NATATORES. 493 


plumage of the upper surface tinged with brown, and the 
white of the neck clouded and mottled with the same colour. 
Forehead, crown of the head, back of the neck, and rump 
greenish black; back and wing-coverts deep green, each 
feather narrowly margined with black ; primaries and secon- 
daries black ; throat, front and sides of the neck, and all the 
under surface white; bill and feet black; naked skin at the 
base of the bill and round the eye purple; irides green. 
Total length 26 inches ; bill3 ; wing 114; tail 53; tarsi 22. 


Sp. 655. PHALACROCORAX MELANOLEUCUS. 
Lirrts CorMoRANT. 


Pelecanus melanoleucus, Vieill. 2nd Hdit. du Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., 

tom. vill. p. 88. 

dimidiatus, Cuv. 

Phalacrocorax flavirhynchus, Gould in Proce. of Zool. Soc., part v. p. 157. 

Gracalus melanoleucus, G. R. Gray, Zool. of Voy. of Ereb. and Terr., 
Birds, sp. 20. 

Carbo dimidiatus, Temm. 

Hypoleucus melanoleucus, Reich. Syst. Av., tab. 63. figs. 872, 873. 

Halieus melanoleucus, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de l’Acad. Sci., tom. xli. 
1856. 

G0-go-go, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Australia. 

Little Shag, Colonists of Swan River. 


Phalacrocorax melanoleucus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., 
vol, vii. pl. 70. 

This Cormorant is dispersed over every part of Australia, 
wherever a locality suitable for its existence occurs, but is no- 
where very abundant. It evinces a greater preference for deep 
armlets of the sea, inland rivers and lagoons, than for the rocky 
shores of the coast. Bothin Tasmania and New South Wales 
and also in South Australia, I observed it far inland, wher- 
ever there was sufficient water to afford it a supply of food, a 
solitary Individual, or at most a single pair, being all that was 
to be seen in any one district; here it may be seen perched 


494, BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


erect on its favourite snag of some fallen tree resting on the 
bed of the river, or on the leafless branch of a Eucalyptus 
bordering the stream. The shyness of its disposition renders 
it very difficult of approach, particularly if its natural timidity 
has been increased by the discharge of a gun in the immediate 
neighbourhood of its haunts. Its food generally consists of 
fish, but I once observed several individuals, on a lagoon 
formed by the abundance of rain that had fallen a few days 
before, busily employed in feeding upon the insects and 
their larvee, which the united agency of the warmth and 
moisture had brought into life; from the muddy state of the 
water, they had so soiled their silvery neck and breast as to be 
scarcely recognizable, , 

At Port Essington this species is said to construct its nest 
and rear its young in the tea-trees (Melaleuce) bordering the 
rivers near the coast, seven or eight pairs associating for the 
purpose in a single tree; at this time they are exceedingly 
pugnacious. The eggs are stated to be six in number, but 
this requires confirmation. 

The sexes are precisely alike in colouring, and I suspect 
that the young assume the white plumage of the under sur. 
face from the period of their leaving the nest, as I have never 
met with a specimen in which that part was of any other 
colour. 

Crown of the head, a broad line down the back of the neck, 
back, rump, and flanks deep shining steel-bluish black ; wing- 
coverts and scapularies greyish black, each feather margined 
-with deep black; primaries and tail black ; sides of the face, 
throat, and all the under surface pure white; irides greyish 
white ; bill yellow, except the culmen, which is dark horn- 


colour; orbits dull reddish brown; throat yellow ; legs and 
feet black. 


NATATORES. 495 


Sp. 656. PHALACROCORAX STICTOCEPHALUS, 
Bonaparte. 


LittLE BLack CoRMORANT. 


Phalacrocorax sulcirostris, G. R. Gray, List of Birds in Brit. Mus. 
Col., part iii. p. 185. 
Ricans stictocephalus, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., tom. i. p. 178. 


Phalacrocorax sulcirostris, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vil. 
pl. 67. 


The Microcarbo stictocephalus is found in most of the sou- 
thern parts of the Australian continent, and appears to affect 
the rivers and lagoons of the interior rather than the sea-coast ; 
at least such was the result of my own observations ; I found it 
nowhere more abundant than on the rivers Mokai, Peel, and 
Namoi. Its habits did not appear to differ from those of the 
other members of the family ; it was usually seen perched on 
the branches of the Hucalypti overhanging the water, and on 
the spars and snags of the fallen trees which protruded above 
its surface in small companies of from five to twenty in number. 

Its food consists of fish, frogs, newts, &c. 

There is no visible difference in the colour of the sexes. 

The general plumage dark glossy greemish black ; the fea- 
thers of the back and wings grey, margined with greenish 
black; over the eye and dispersed over the sides of the neck nu- 
merous minute narrow white feathers, which are probably only 
assumed during the breeding-season ; irides deep grass-green ; 
orbits and gular pouch brownish black, the pouch strongly 
tinged with blue; feet black. 


496 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Genus PLOTUS, Linneus. 


Asia, Africa, America, and Australia are each tenanted by 
a species of this genus, the members of which are but few in 
number, and the specific differences of these are not well un- 
derstood. 


Sp. 657. PLOTUS NOVAi-HOLLANDIAS, Gowid. 
New Horuanp Darter. 


Plotus nove-hollandie, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xv. p. 34. 


Plotus nove-hollandie, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. 
pl. 75. 


The habitat of this singular bird appears to be confined 
to the colonies of South Australia and New South Wales, 
where it is thinly but generally dispersed in all situations 
favourable to its habits; such as the upper parts of arm- 
lets of the sea, the rivers of the interior, extensive water- 
holes, and deep lagoons. Shy and seclusive in disposition, it 
usually takes up its abode in localities little frequented by 
man; seeks it prey in the water, dives with the greatest ease 
to the bottom of the deepest pools, and is as active in this 
element as can well be imagined. It ordinarily swims with 
a considerable portion of the body above the surface of the 
water, but upon being disturbed immediately sinks beneath 
it, leaving the head and neck only to be seen, and these, 
from their form and the motion communicated to them by the 
action of swimming, present a close resemblance to those of 
a snake. Its food consists of fish, aquatic insects, newts, 
frogs, &c. After feeding it perches on a snag of some fallen 
tree in the water, or on the naked branch of a tree in the forest 
nigh to its haunts, often on one of the greatest height, where 
it sits motionless for hours together : while thus perched it is 
much more easily approached and shot than on the water, 
where it is wary in the extreme. 


NATATORES. 497 


The late Mr. Elsey, speaking of the birds observed by 
him near the Victoria, says, “The Plotus is common here, 
and excellent eating. During February and March it was 
incubating. It chooses large trees that hang over the water 
above or through the mangroves, and in these a number of 
them build a colony of large, coarse, flattish nests of dead sticks 
and twigs, which seem, from the quantity of dirt about them 
and their stained appearance, to be used year after year. Each 
season they place in the centre a few fresh green leaves, and 
on these lay three or four white eggs with a very earthy 
opaque but brittle shell; the lining membrane is of a blue- 
grey colour; they are rather smaller than a hen’s egg. We 
have enjoyed many fine meals off these eggs, sometimes 
getting from forty to fifty ina single tree. Both birds sit.” 


Much variation exists in the colouring of the sexes; the | 
female being, I believe, at all times distinguished by her buffy | 


white breast and neck, which parts in the male are black. 
Young birds for the first and probably for the second year are 
the same colour as the female. 

The male has an arrow-head-shaped mark of white on the 
throat ; a broad stripe of the same colour commences at the 
base of the mandibles, extends for about four inches down 
the sides of the neck, and terminates in a point ; head, neck, 
and all the upper surface of the body greenish black, stained 
with brown, and with deep rusty red on the centre of the 
_ under side of the throat; under surface deep glossy greenish 
black; wings and tail shining black ; all the coverts with a 
broad stripe of dull white occupying nearly the whole of the 
outer and a part of the inner web, and terminating in a point ; 
scapularies lanceolate in form, with a similar-shaped mark of 
white down the centre, and with black shafts, the scapular 
nearest the body being nearly as large as the secondaries, and 
with the outer web crimped and the inner web with a broad 
stripe of dull white close to the stem; the secondaries nearest 
the body with a similar white stripe close to the stem on the 

VOL. II. 2K 


498 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


outer web ; centre tail-feathers strongly, and the lateral ones 
slightly crimped; orbits naked, fleshy, protuberant, and of a 
yellowish olive, mottled over with brown specks ; next to the 
pupil of the eye is a narrow ring of dull orange-buff ; to this 
succeeds another ring of marbled buff and brown, and to this 
an outer circle of orange-buff ; naked skin at the base of the 
lower mandible wrinkled and yellow; upper mandible olive, 
under mandible dull yellow, both becoming brighter towards 
the base ; feet yellowish flesh-colour, becoming brown on the 
upper part of the outer toes. 

Total length 36 inches ; bill4; wing 133; tail9; tarsi 2. 

The female has the crown of the head, back of the neck, 
and upper part of the black blackish brown, each feather 
margined with greyish white; throat and all the under sur- 
face buffy white ; the remainder of the plumage like the male, 
but with the white marks on the wing-coverts larger and 
more conspicuous; irides ornamented with a beautiful lace- 
work of brown, the interstices beg buff; orbits, naked skin 


at the base of the bill, and throat orange-yellow ; feet pale 
yellow. 


Genus TACHYPETES, Vieillot. 


Two species of this aérial form inhabit Australia, both of 
which are common in Torres’ Straits at one or other season of 
the year. 

No birds differ more than the members of this genus, for 
some examples have white and others brown heads, and 
moreover exhibit many other conflicting differences, both m 
colour and size. 

Until the question is settled as to whether there be more 
than two species of this genus, which at present I have no 
means of determining, I shall refer both the Australian birds 
to the old 7. aquila and T. minor. 


NATATORES. 499 


Sp. 658. TACHYPETES AQUILA. 
( GREAT FRIGATE-BIRD. 


Pelecanus aguilus, Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 216. 

leucocephalus, Gmel. Edit. lnpes Syst. Nat., tom.i. p. 572. 
palmerstoni, Gmel. Ib., p. 573. 

Attagen aquila, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. i. Introd. p. c. 
Tachypetes aquila, Vieill. Gal. des Ois., tom. ii. p. 187, pl. 274. 


I have received numerous skins of a Frigate-bird from 
Torres’ Straits which are much larger than the succeeding 
species, and which may be referable to the Pelecanus aquilus 
of Linneeus; but this requires confirmation. If it really be 
so, then the bird frequents all the seas of the warmer parts of 
the globe, and retires to rocky islands to breed, such as those 
in Torres’ Straits, Ascension in the South Atlantic, those in. 
_ the Gulf of Mexico and Florida. 


Sp. 659. TACHYPETES MINOR. 
. SMALL FricatH-Birp. 


Pelecanus minor, Gmel. Edit. Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 572. 

Fregata minor, Briss. Orn., tom. vi. p. 509. 

Tachypetes ariel, G. R. Gray. 

minor, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., tom. ii. p. 167, Tachypetes, sp. 2. 

Man-of-War Bird, Edw. Glean. of Nat. Hist., pl. 809. 

Lesser Frigate, Lath. Gen. Syn., vol. iii. p. 590. 

Atagen ariel, Gould, MS.—Gray, Genera of Birds, vol. iii. p. 669, 
_ Atagen, sp. 2. 


Attagen ariel, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 72. 


‘This species of Zachypetes, which is considered to be the 
old Pelecanus minor of Gmelin, is rather abundantly dispersed 
over the seas washing the shores of the tropical parts of the 
Australian continent, particularly those of Torres’ Straits. 

2K 2 


500 _ BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


The late Commander Ince, R.N., who, during the surveying 
voyage of H.M.S. Fly, was for some time stationed on Raine’s 
Islet, superintending the erection of a beacon, informed me 
that on his landing on this small island, which is situate in 
lat. 12° S., at about seventy miles from the north-eastern 
coast of the Australian continent, and surrounded by a part 
of the great barrier reef, he “found this bird breeding in 
colonies at its S.W. corner, the nest being composed of a few 
small sticks collected from the shrubs and herbaceous plants 
which alone clothe the island, and placed either on the 
ground or on the plants, a few inches above it. The eggs, 
which are generally one, but occasionally two in number, are 
of a pure white, not so chalky in appearance as those of the 
Gannet, and nearly of the same shape at both ends. Upon 
one occasion I killed the old birds from a nest that contained 
a young one; on visiting the spot I found the young bird 
removed to another nest, the proprietors of which were 
feeding it as if it had been their own: I am sure of this 
fact, because there was no other nest near it contaming two 
young birds. Some of the eggs were quite fresh, while others 
had been so far sat upon that we could not blow them; and 
many of the young birds must have been hatched some two 
or three weeks. We regarded these birds as the Falcons of 
the sea, for we repeatedly saw them compel the Terns, Boobies, 
and Gannets to disgorge their prey, and then adroitly catch it 
before it fell to the ground or water. We never saw them 
settle on the water, but constantly soaring round and round, 
apparently on the watch for what the smaller birds were 
bringing home. I have found in their pouch young turtles, 
fish, cuttle-fish, and small crabs.” 

The male has the entire plumage brownish black, the 
feathers of the head glossed with green, andthe lengthened 
plumes of the back with purple and green reflexions; orbits 
and gular pouch deep red; bill bluish horn-colour; irides 
black ; feet dark reddish brown. 


* a ART at Tn in a: 5c m ba tT carnal etd 


NATATORES. 501 


The female is similar to the male, but browner ; is destitute 
of the coloured plumes on the back; has some of the wing- 
coverts and tertiaries edged with light brown, forming a mark 
along the wing; a collar at the back of the neck; the breast 
and upper part of the flanks white, washed with rufous. 

A nestling bird in my collection is clothed in white down, 
except on the back and scapularies, where the dark brown 
coloured and perfect feathers have just been assumed. 


Genus PHAETON, Linnaeus. 


Of the little group known as Tropic-birds, Bonaparte 
enumerates three species, which he has placed in as many 
genera, namely, Phaéton, Lepturus, and Phenicurus. Of 
these, the last is the only one comprised in the avifauna of 
Australia. I shall not, however, adopt this name. 


Sp. 660. PHAETON PHGNICURUS, Gmelin. 


RED-TAILED T'ROPIC-BIRD. 


Phaéton phenicurus, Gmel. Edit. of Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 583. 
rubricauda, Bodd. 

erubescens, Banks’s Drawings, No. 81. 

Paiile-en-queue & brins rouges, Buff. Hist. des Ois., tom. viii. p. 357. 
de Isle de France, Buff. Pl. Enl., 979. 

Red-tailed Tropic-bird, Lath. Gen. Syn., vol. vi. p. 619, pl. 105. 
New Holland Tropic-bird, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. x. p. 448. 


Phaeton phenicurus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 73, 


This bird is very generally dispersed over the temperate 
and warmer latitudes of the Indian Ocean and the South 
Seas, where it often hovers round ships, and occasionally 
alights on their rigging. During the months of August and 
September it retires to various islands for the purpose of 
breeding ; among other places selected for the performance 
of this duty are Norfolk Island off the east coast of Australia, 


502 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


and Raine’s Islets in Torres’ Straits, from both of which 
localities I possess specimens of the bird and its eggs. As 
I had no opportunity of observing it, I avail myself of the 
following information communicated to me by Mr. Macgilli- 
vray :— 

“This ‘Tropic-bird was found by us on Raine’s Islet, where, 
durmg the month of June, about a dozen were procured. 
Upon one occasion three were observed performing sweeping 
flights over and about the island, and soon afterwards one of 
them alighted; keeping my eye upon the spot, I ran up and 
found a male bird in a hole under the low shelving margin of 
the island bordering the beach, and succeeded in capturing it 
after a short scuffle, during which it snapped at me with its 
beak, and uttered a loud, harsh, and oft-repeated croak. It 
makes no nest, but deposits its two eggs on the bare floor of 
the hole, and both sexes assist in the task of incubation. It 
usually returns from sea about noon, soaring high in the air, 
and wheeling round in circles before alighting. The eggs are 
blotched and speckled with brownish red on a pale reddish 
grey ground, and are two inches and three-eighths long by 
one inch four eighths and a half broad. 

“The contents of the stomach consisted of the beaks of 
cuttle-fish. 

“The only outward sexual difference that I could detect 
consists in the more decided roseate blush upon the plumage 
of the male, especially on the back; but this varies slightly 
in intensity in different individuals of the same sex, and fades 
considerably in a preserved skin.” 

Latham states that it is found m great numbers on the 
island of Mauritius, that it is very common at Palmerston, 
Turtle, and Harvey’s Islands in the South Seas, and that in 
all these places its eggs are deposited on the ground under 
the trees. 

The adults have a broad crescent of black before each eye, 
the upper part of which extends over and behind that organ ; 


He et es Ae ae a Te ae et I a i a A can a, met 


pata act i a Ht na 


NATATORES. 503 


centre of the tertiaries and flank-feathers deep black; the 
whole of the remainder of the plumage silky white, with a 
rich roseate tinge, especially on the back; shafts of the 
primaries black from the base to within an inch of their apex ; 
shafts of the lateral tail-feathers black to within half an inch 
of the tip; two centre tail-feathers white at the base and rich 
deep red for the remainder of their length, which extends to 
eighteen inches, their shafts black ; irides black ; bill vermilion, 
with a black streak running through the nostrils, and a narrow 
line of faint blue at the base of both mandibles; tarsi and the 
base of the toes and webs faint blue, remainder of the toes 
and webs black. 

The young birds for the first year are very different from 
the adults, being of a silky white without the roseate blush, 
with the whole of the upper surface broadly barred with black 
Hl and with the black of the shafts of the primaries expanded into 
| _ aspatulate form at the tips of the feathers. 


Genus SULA, Brisson. 


The birds hitherto included in this genus have recently 
been divided into no less than three genera, Sula, Dysporus, 
and Piscatriz. They inhabit nearly every part of the globe, 
and four fine species appertain to the Australian fauna, since 
they not only frequent the seas adjacent to the shores of that 
country, but all of them resort to its rocks and islands for the 
purpose of breeding. 
- Our own well-known Bass Rock is inhabited yearly by a 
bird of this genus bearing the trivial name of Solan Goose, 
which must be familiar to every reader of the present Hand- 
book, at least to all those who reside in the British Islands. 
These birds are also well known by the name of Boobies, an 
appellation they have obtained from their apparently stupid 
insensibility to danger. 


504. BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Sp. 661. SULA AUSTRALIS, Gould. 
AUSTRALIAN GANNRT. 


Sula australis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part viii. p. 177. 
Pelecanus serrator, Banks, Drawings, no. 30. 
Sula serrator, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de l’Acad. Sci., 1856. 


Sula australis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 76. 


It will be clear to every ornithologist that the present 
species and the Suda bassana of Hurope are representatives of 
each other, and that they are destined by nature to perform 
similar offices, and to inhabit corresponding zones of latitude 
in opposite hemispheres. Their habits, actions, and economy 
are, in fact, so precisely alike, that an account of one species 
is equally applicable to the other. 

I found the Swa australis generally dispersed over the seas 
washing the shores of Tasmania, but most numerous on the 
south side of the island. The Mewstone, the South Cape, the 
rock at the mouth of D’Entrecasteaux’s Channel, and the low 
Acteon Islands were tenanted by hundreds during the period 
of my visit in 1839, and it was also seen, but in less numbers, 
along the entire coastof South Australia. Much as has been said 
respecting the natural stupidity of other species of the genus 
Sula—Boobies as they are called,—the present appeared to 
be the Booby “ par excellence,’ as evidenced by the manner 
in which I captured the specimens in my collection. Observ- 
ing about fifty fine adult birds reposing on the flat top of a 
low rock on one of the Actzons, I directed my boatmen to 
row cautiously that I might endeavour to get a shot at them; 
I was soon not only within range, but too near to use my 
large duck gun, loaded as it was with large shot; I de- 
termined therefore to shoot them on the wing as they flew 
from their resting-place; judge of my surprise when I 
found that neither the near approach of the boat nor our 
speaking to each other startled them in the least. Taking one 


ta nae aril Eta EA a TS ea wes a 


NATATORES. 505 


of the men with me, I stepped on shore and approached the 


motley assembly, which was still sitting in close array on the 
rock, and which did at length exhibit some degree of surprise 
and uneasiness at the intrusion, but even then was so little 
disturbed that we succeeded in capturing five fine birds with 
the hand before the remainder had shuffled off to the ledge of 
the rock and taken wing. Had this occurred at a breeding- 
place it would not have excited my astonishment, for I was 
aware that the Suda bassana would allow itself to be so taken 
at that period ; but I did not expect that the present species 


would admit of being captured while merely at rest: this , 


apparent want of caution or stupidity may in all probability 
be attributed to the fact that their haunts on these islands 
had rarely been intruded upon: boats the natives of the 
southern parts of Tasmania never possessed, and the visits 
of civilized man must have been few and far between. 

The food of this species consists of fish of various kinds, 
which it procures by plunging vertically upon them as they 
swim near the surface of the water. 


The sexes when adult are precisely alike in plumage; the — 


young on the contrary, as is the case with the European bird, 
differ greatly from their parents; at first they are entirely 
dark grey, which gives place to a beautifully mottled ap- 
pearance, the head, neck, and under surface having put on a 
white colouring with blotches or traces of the dark grey still 
remaining, and the feathers of the upper surface having a 
triangular spot of white at the tip of each; this style of 
plumage is gradually exchanged for the following, which is 
characteristic of the adult. 

Crown of the head and back of the neck beautiful buff ; 
the reminder of the plumage white, with the exception of the 
primaries, secondaries, and four centre tail-feathers, which are 
fuliginous brown with white shafts ; irides olive-white; bill 
brownish horn-colour, slightly tinged with blue; space round 


the eye leaden blue ; bare skin at the base of the beak and 


506 BIRDS.OF AUSTRALIA. 


down the centre of the throat nearly black; front of the tarsi 
and toes sickly greenish yellow; webs brown. 
Total length 32 inches ; bill 5¢; wing 19; tail10; tarsi 2. 


Sp. 662. SULA CYANOPS, Sundevall. 
Masxep Gannert. 


Sula personata, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xiv. p. 21. 
cyanops, Sundevall, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de ’Acad. Sci., 1856. 


Sula personata, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 77. 


In the course of the present work I have had frequent oc- 
casion to mention in terms of praise the great assistance ren- 
dered to myself and to the cause of Ornithological science by 
the officers of H.M.S. Beagle, under the command of Rear- 
Admiral Stokes; and I have now the pleasure of placing on 
record the services also rendered to me by the officers of 
H.M.S. Fly, under the command of Captain Blackwood, to 
whose investigations, while engaged in surveying Torres’ 
Straits, we are indebted for our knowledge of the fine Gannet 
here represented, as well as for several other interesting 
species. 

The Masked Gannet was found breeding in considerable 
numbers on Raine’s Island; the egg, which is rather length- 
ened in form, is two inches and five-eighths long by one inch 
and three-quarters broad, and of a dirty white, stained or 
clouded all over with reddish brown. 

I did not succeed in procuring examples of this bird during 
my own researches in Australia, but it once came under 
my observation during my voyage from Hobart Town to 
Sydney, when on approaching Sydney Heads my attention 
was attracted by the darkly coloured face of a Gannet, show- 
ing very conspicuously as the bird flew round the ship, but 
unfortunately at too great a distance fora successful shot. 

The whole of the plumage of both sexes is pure white, with 


erations a iia ee a oe al a A ea la le cles anal en ace Ti en et 


NATATORES. 507 


the exception of the greater wing-coverts, primaries, seconda- 
vies, tertiaries, the tips of the two central and the whole of 


the lateral tail-feathers, which are of a rich chocolate-brown ; 
irides yellow; naked skin of the face and chin in specimen 
dull bluish black ; legs greenish blue. 

Total length 29 inches; bill5; wing 164; tail 83; tarsi 24. 


Sp. 663. SULA FIBER, Linneus. 
Brown GANNET. 


Pelecanus sula et fiber, Linn, Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 218. 
plotus, Forst. Drawings, 108. 


Sula fusca, Briss. Orn., tom. vi. p. 499, tab. 43. fig. 1. 


brasiliensis, Spix, Av. Sp. Nov., tom. ii. tab. 107. p. 84. 

fiber, G. R. Gray, List of Birds in Brit. Mus. Coll., part in, p. 183. 
Brown Booby, Lath. Gen. Syn., vol. vi. p. 618. 

Dysporus fiber, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de ’Acad. Sci., 1856. 

sula, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., tom. i. p. 164; Dysporus, sp. 1. 
Mar-ga, Aborigines of Port Essington. 

Booby of the Colonists. 


Sula fusca, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. ‘78. 


The Gannet, which may perhaps be identical with the 
Pelecanus fiber of Linneeus, is abundantly dispersed round 


the northern shores of the Australian contment ; I have speci- 


mens killed within the harbour at Port Essington, and from 


Raine’s Island in Torres’ Straits, where it breeds in consider- 


able numbers. 

“This species of Booby,” says Mr. Macgillivray, “‘ is gene- 
rally distributed on the north-east and north coasts of New 
Holland; but 1 found it breeding only upon Bramble Key, 
although I once, on Raine’s Islet, found a solitary egg, ‘The 
nest is slovenly made, of dried herbage, a foot in diameter, 
with scarcely any cavity, and contains two eggs, of which in 
every instance one was clean and the other very dirty. The 
eggs, which are white, vary considerably in size. The largest 


508 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


measured 2;°5 inches by 1445; the smallest 2,4} by 153, and 
one of average size, 24 by 12 inches. Both sexes incubate, 
and the birds while sitting on their eggs allowed of a very 
near approach, and before flying off disgorged the contents of 
their stomachs, chiefly a species of Clupea. I need scarcely 
add that their bite is very severe. During our visit to Darn- 
ley Island I observed several tame Boobies among the native 
villages, generally perched on the canoes hauled up on the 
beach. These birds were allowed their full liberty, and after 
fishing in the weirs upon the reefs until they had procured a 
sufficiency of food returned to the huts.” 

The plumage of the two sexes is so precisely similar that it 
is utterly impossible to distinguish them by external observa- 
tion ; it is true that the colouring of the feet, face, and other 
soft parts is not always alike, but this difference I believe to 
be the result of age, rather than of a difference in sex ; and if 
this opinion be correct, the bright yellow-coloured feet are in- 
dicative of the bird being fully adult, and the olive-brown of 
its being immature. 

In its habits, manners, mode of life, and in the nature of 
its food, this species resembles the other members of the 
genus. | 

Head, neck, breast, all the upper surface, wings, and tail 
dark chocolate-brown ; under surface pure white, separated 
from the brown of the breast by a sharply defined line ; irides 
very pale yellow; bill and orbits primrose-yellow, blotched 
before and beneath the eye with bluish; eyelash light ash- 
grey ; legs and feet pale yellow. 


a 


ees cd reentry aren a at ll NN ARR pet aR i Alt ies Sl ah cai oa SS, * 


NATATORES. 509 


Sp. 664. SULA PISCATOR, Zznz. 
~ Rep-tegeep GAannet. 


Sula piscator, Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 217. 

candida, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xii. p. 108. 

Lesser Gannet, Lath. Gen. Syn., vol. vi. p. 611. 

Sula erythrorhyncha, Less. Traité d’Orn., p. 601. 

rubripes, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part v. p. 156. 

rubripeda, Peale. . 

Piscatrix candida, Reich. Syst. Av., tab. 53. fig. 853, et tab. 55. 
figs. 2294, 2295. 


Sula piscator, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 79. 


The Red-legged Gannet is very abundant along the 
northern shores of the Australian continent: and breeds in 
great numbers on Raine’s Islet, whence several fine specimens 
were brought by the late Commander Ince, R.N., who, inde- 


pendently of his duties as superintendent of the erection of 


the beacon on that island, found occupation for his leisure 
moments in studying its interesting zoology. While acknow- 
ledging my obligations to Commander Ince, I am bound to 
add that I am no less indebted to Mr. Macgillivray for the 
following notes, as well as for a carefully executed diagram 
of the bill and face, by means of which | have been enabled 
to colour the soft parts correctly. 

«With the exception,” says Mr. Macgillivray, “ of one bird 
which perched on the rigging, and was caught while at sea in 
the neighbourhood of the Keeling Islands, we found this spe- 
cies only on Raine’s Islet, a vegetated sand-bank in the line of 
the Great Barrier Reef. When we landed there on the 29th 
of May, it appeared to me that the breeding-season was then 
over, but I was fortunate enough to find a solitary bird sitting 
upon its nest, which contained a single egg. The nest con- 
sisted of a few roots of a creeper common on the island, 
forming a platform eighteen mches in diameter laid upon a 
tuft of herbage. A few days after this, the Gannets, having 


510: BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


been much molested, entirely deserted the island during the 
day, returning at night in a body of several hundreds, to 
roost on the ground and low bushes near the centre of the 
island.” 

Mr. Macgillivray observed that the colouring of the Dill 
and soft parts also varies with the age of the individual ; 
in the first stage the bill is of a delicate bluish pink, 
the pink tint predominating at the base of the upper mandi- 
ble, the bare patch about the eye of a dull leaden hue, and 
the pouch flesh-coloured ; in the second the colouring of these 
parts is similar but somewhat brighter, and ultimately the 
irides become grey, and the legs and feet vermilion. 

In habits, manners, and general economy it doubtless closely 
resembles the other members of the group, and procures its 
fleshy food in a similar manner, by plunging down upon them 
as they swim near the surface of the water. 

The adults have the entire plumage buffy white, with the 
exception of the wings and tail; the former of which are 
blackish brown, washed with grey, and the latter pale greyish 
brown, passing into grey with white shafts ; irides grey ; legs 
and feet vermilion. 


Family PODICIPIDA. 


There is no country of any extent wherein Grebes are not 
to be found ; and, as their wing-powers are very limited, they 
are mostly stationary. | 

Had I followed my contemporaries, those inhabiting Aus- 
tralia would be described under as many subgenera as there 
are species, viz. Podiceps, Podiocephalus, and Tachybaptus ; 
but. I retain them under the prior appellation ; others of each 
form, it is true, are found elsewhere; still I think it expedient 
to keep them in the genus Podiceps. 


wo re cell Ni a re a le: 


NATATORES. 51l 


Genus PODICEPS, Latham. 


The Great Crested Grebe of Europe and the Great Tippet- 
Grebe of Australia are both typical members of the genus 
Podiceps, of which I believe other species are found in 
America, and this is the case with most of the other Austra- 
lian species. | 


Sp. 665. PODICEPS AUSTRALIS, Gould. 
AUSTRALIAN Trppet-GREBE. 


Podiceps australis, Gould in Proe. of Zool. Soc., part xii. p. 135. 
Ki-lee, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Australia. 
Diver of the Colonists. 


Podiceps australis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 80. 
This beautiful species of Grebe, which differs but little from 


the Podiceps cristatus of Rurope, inhabits the inland waters of 


Tasmania, and the whole of the southern portions of the con- 
tinent of Australia, wherever localities occur favourable to its 
existence. It gives a decided preference to those broad mere- 
like sheets of water, whose depth is not too great for the 
growth of rushes and other aquatic plants, among which it 
constructs its floating nest and rears its progeny. It not 
only dives extremely well, but stems the billows with amazing 
power; and I have frequently observed it on the upper part 
of the Derwent, swimming against wind and tide in a manner 
that truly surprised me. 


The beautiful frill which adorns the neck of the P. australis — 


is acquired in the spring, worn during the breeding-season, 
and then cast off, when the face becomes of a greyish white, 
or similar in colour to the other part of the neck. 

The sexes are at all times alike in plumage; both have the 
frill of the neck to an equal extent, but the female is gene- 
rally the smallest in size. 

Crown of the head and occipital tufts black ; frill black at 


ii nak il ant 


512 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


the outer edge and rich chestnut in the centre, gradually 
passing into buffy white on the face; upper surface and 
wings dark brown; scapularies and secondaries pure white ; 
all the under surface silvery white, stained with brown and 
chestnut on the flanks; irides red; bill dark horn-colour ; 
upper surface of the tarsi and toes dark olive-green, under 
surface pale yellow. 
Total length 24 inches; bill 22; wing 73; tarsi 24. 


Sp. 666. PODICEPS NESTOR, Gould. 
HOARY-HEADED GREBE. 


Podiceps poliocephalus, Jard. and Selb. Ill. Orn., vol. i. pl. 13. 
Podiceps nestor, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part iv. p. 145. 
Wy-o0-da, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Australia. 
Dab-chick, Colonists of Swan River. 

Poliocephalus nestor, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de l’Acad. Sci., tom. xli. 


Podiceps poliocephalus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. 
pl. 82. 


This species of Grebe is very abundantly dispersed over the 
inland waters of Tasmania, and is particularly common on the 
upper part of the river Derwent, where it may be seen during 
the winter season in flocks or “ mobs” of from ten to thirty 
together, which separate into pairs on the approach of sum- 
mer; I have also received it from Swan River, and observed it 
personally in the lagoons of New South Wales ; its distribu- 
tion therefore over all the southern portion of Australia may 
be said to be general. Its powers of diving, notwithstanding 
its bushy head, are quite equal to those of the other members 
of the genus, and its food and general economy are as a matter 
of course strictly similar. Like the Podiceps gularis, it con- 
structs a flat nest of aquatic plants, which may be seen float- 
ing on the central portions of the lagoons, not unfrequently 
within a few yards of the land. The eggs are of a dirty white 
colour, and four or five in number. 


NATATORES. 513 


The lengthened hair-like plumes which ornament the face 
are doubtless merely assumed during the breeding-season, for 
{ have frequently observed specimens in which this character 
was wholly absent, and not unfrequently others in which it 
was only partially developed. 

The sexes are both adorned with the plumes on the head, 
and are moreover so nearly alike both in size and in colour 
that dissection is necessary to distinguish them. 

_ In the breeding-season the head is black, with the forehead 
and sides of the face beset with long fine hair-like white 
plumes ; all the upper surface and wings brown ; base of the 
primaries and the whole of the secondaries white ; under sur- 
face silvery grey, tinged with brown on the flanks ; bill olive- 
black with the tip white; irides blackish olive with a very 
fine circle of yellow near the pupil, and the olive beautifully 
marked with a darker tint resembling lace-work; lores red- 
dish flesh-colour ; feet olive, tinged with yellow on the inner 
side. 

After the breeding-season is over the head becomes brown, 
the white plumes disappear, and the throat becomes buff. 


Sp. 667. PODICEPS GULARIS, Gould. 
BLACK-THROATED GREBE. 


Podiceps dominicus, var., Lath. 

gularis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soe., part iv. p. 145. 
Tachybaptus gularis, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de l’Acad. Sci., 1856. 
Ung-bu'-r-wa, Aborigines of Port Essington. 


Podiceps gularis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 81. 


This Grebe is very generally dispersed over the whole of 
the southern portion of Australia, where it inhabits the 
mouths of the larger rivers as well as the lagoons of the 
interior, its numbers being much augmented during those 
seasons of rain which too unfrequently occur in those por- 
tions of Australia in which our possessions have been chosen. 

VOL. II. 2.L 


514 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Immature birds, either of this or a nearly allied species, have 
been sent me from Port Essington; future research alone will 
enable us to say how far to the north the range of this species 
may extend. It closely resembles the Podiceps minor of 
Kurope, which however it exceeds in size, and from which it 
may always be distinguished by the colouring of the throat 
and sides of the face. 

The nest is a floating mass of weeds piled up in a rounded 
form, the top being just level with the surface of the water ; 
the eggs are four or five in number, of a dirty yellowish 
white. 

The food consists of small fish, mollusca, and insects of 
various kinds. 

The sexes differ but little either in size or colour. 

Crown of the head and. nape of the neck deep blackish 
brown, tinged with olive; throat and sides of the face black ; 
a mark of deep chestnut rises behind each eye and runs down 
the side of the neck; upper surface deep blackish brown ; 
secondary wing-coverts tipped with white, forming a bar 
across the wing; lower part of the neck, chest, and under 
surface silvery grey, merging into deep brown on the flanks ; 
bill greenish grey, with a light ash-coloured spot at the 
extreme tip of the upper mandible; sides of the upper 
mandible, from the tip to near the nostrils, and the tip 
of the lower mandible bluish grey; base of both man- 
dibles yellowish grey; gape primrose-yellow ; irides lemon- 
yellow; inner side of the tarsi yellowish grey, passing into 
ereenish grey on the outer side and feet. 

In winter the markings of the head and neck disappear, 
and are replaced by a uniform tint of brown, like the re- 
mainder of the upper surface. 

Total length 10 inches; bill 14; wing 44; tarsi 1}. 


| PEED IEC ae Ag ST i i Be ean ee ne ea Rll a en ll Ni A ie 9a bl leas ali 


NATATORES. 515 


Family SPHENISCIDA. 


This is one of the most isolated families in the whole range 
of ornithology, and if we turn our thoughts from them to the 
Alcade of the northern hemisphere, we may regard the two 
groups as analogues of each other; they are, however, only 
analogues, for they are in no way related in affinity; these 
Paddle-winged Sea Turtles among birds, in fact, constitute a 
southern group totally distinct from all others. They are con- 
siderably diversified in form, and have therefore been divided 
into no less than six genera, while the species known are 
perhaps not more than fifteen in number. During the breed- 
ing-season they are gregarious and assemble in countless mul- 
titudes on certain isolated rocky islands in the South Atlantic 
and South Pacific Oceans. 

The generality of them are adorned with many beautifully 


coloured markings, and in some instances with plumes which 


hang gracefully behind their heads. The sexes are alike in 
colour, showing that ornamentation is not solely given as an 
attraction to the sexes. Three, if not four, species pertain to 
the avi-fauna of Australia. 

Weddell, in his journal of ‘A Voyage towards the South 
Pole,’ thus speaks of the King Penguin as he observed 
it in the island of South Georgia. “In pride these birds 
are perhaps not surpassed even by the Peacock, to which, in 
beauty of plumage, they are indeed very little inferior. During 
the time of moulting they seem to repel each other with dis- 
gust on account of the ragged state of their coats; but as they 
arrive at the maximum of splendour they reassemble, and no 
one who has not completed his plumage is allowed to enter the 
community. ‘Their habit of frequently looking down their 
front and sides, in order to contemplate the perfection of their 
exterior brilliancy, and to remove any speck which might 
sully it, is truly amusing to an observer. . . . During 
the time of hatching the male is remarkably assiduous; so 

2L2 


Din See a i TS 


516 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


that, when the hen has occasion to go off to feed or wash, the 
egg is transported to him, which is done by placing their toes 
together and rolling it from one to the other, using their beaks 
to place it properly. The hen keeps charge of her young 
nearly a year, and, in teaching them to swim, the mother has 
frequently to use some artifice, for when the young one refuses 
to take to the water, she entices it to the side of a rock and 
pushes it in, and this is repeated until it takes to the sea of its 
own accord.” 

We are told by Sir James Clark Ross, in his ‘ Voyage of 
Discovery in the Southern and Antarctic Regions’: “ Posses- 
sion Island is situated in lat. 71° 56’, and long. 71° 7' E., 
composed entirely of igneous rocks, and only accessible on its 
western side. We saw not the smallest appearance of vege- 
tation, but inconceivable myriads of Penguins completely and 
densely covered the whole surface of the island, along the 
ledges of the precipices, and even to the summits of the hills, 
attacking us vigorously as we waded through their ranks, and 
pecking at us with their sharp beaks, disputing possession ; 
which, together with their loud coarse notes, and the insupport- 
able stench from the deep bed of guano which had been 
forming for ages, and which may at some period be valuable 
to the agriculturalists of our Australian colonies, made us glad 
to get away again, after having loaded our boats with geolo- 
gical specimens and Penguins.” Captain Carmichael, in his 
description of the island of Tristan d’Acunha, says “the 
Crested Penguin (Catarrhactes chrysocoma, Briss.) conceals 
itself among the long grass, and in the bottom of ravines 
where they open upon the shore. Here they assemble in 
countless multitudes, and keep up a moaning noise, which 
can be heard at a great distance from the mountain ; and the 
bold, inhospitable coast around you is calculated to excite a 
train of ideas by no means pleasant.” 


2 EE PEI EN a TN TES ES 


con Nai i el a Ei er i RMB ane a 


NATATORES. 517 


Genus CHRYSOCOMA, Stephens. ~ 


The members of this genus are among the most ornamental 
of this fine family, the graceful plumes trending backwards 
from the sides of their heads adding much to their beauty. 
They are neither the largest nor the smallest members of the 
family; some species exceeding them in size, while others are 
much less. 


Sp. 668. CHRYSOCOMA CATARRACTES. 
CRESTED PENGUIN. 


Aptenodytes catarractes, Gmel. Edit. Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 558. 

chrysocome, Lath, Ind. Orn., vol. 1. p. 878. 

saltator, Steph. 

Pinguinaria cristata, Shaw, Nat. Misc., pl. 437. 

Crested Penguin, Lath. Gen. Syn., vol. vi. p. 561. 

Chrysocoma catarractes, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de l’Acad. Sci., tom. xli. 
1856. . 


Eudyptes chrysocome, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pl. 83. 


For a fine example of this singular Penguin I am indebted 
to my friend Ronald C. Gunn, Esq., of Launceston, Tasmania, 
who informed me that it had been washed on shore on the 
northern coast of that island after a heavy gale. It is less 
plentiful in that part of the world than in many others, for 
although it is occasionally found on the shores of Tasmania 
and the south coast of Australia, it is most numerous on the 
islands of Amsterdam and St. Paul. It is found in vast 
abundance on the island of Amsterdam, where it may often be 
seen basking and standing erect on the rocks, in company 
with the seals. 

Head, neck, back, and sides black ; over each eye a stripe 


of pale yellow feathers, which are lengthened into a crest. 
_ behind ; wings black externally, their posterior edge and under 


ai abate. a 


518 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


surface white ; breast and under surface silvery white; bill 
reddish brown ; feet greyish white. 

The female is said to differ in having the yellow feathers 
over the eye shorter, or not prolonged into a crest. 


Genus EUDYPTULA, Bonaparte. 


The members of this genus are the most diminutive in size 
of the entire family. Two species inhabit the southern parts 
of Australia and ‘Tasmania. 


Sp. 669. HUDYPTULA MINOR. 


Litrite PEeneutn. 


Aptenodytes minor, Forst. Comm. Geett., tom. i. p. 147. 

Little Penguin, Lath. Gen. Syn., vol. vi. p. 572, pl. 103. 

Spheniscus minor, Temm. Man. d’Orn., tom. i. p. 113. 

Aptenodyta minor, Vieill. Ency. Méth. Orn., part i. p. 68, pl. 17. fig. 1. 
Eudyptula minor, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de Acad. Sci., tom. xli. 


1856. 
Koréra, Aborigines of New Zealand. 


Spheniscus minor, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol,, vol. vii. pl. 84. 


This species is very abundant all round Tasmania, in Bass’s 
Straits, and on the south coast of Australia generally, where 
it frequents those parts of the sea that are favourable to its 
habits and mode of life, and where the depth of the water is 
not too great to prevent its diving to the bottom. It is also 
often seen in the deep bays and harbours, and some distance 
up the great rivers, but never I believe in fresh water ; seas 
abounding im small islands, whose sides are not too precipitous 
for it to ascend for the purpose of breeding, being the local- 
ities most frequently resorted to. It is so numerous on nearly 
all the low islands in Bass’s Straits, from September to 
January, that any reasonable number of the birds and their 
egos may be procured without the slightest difficulty. 


NATATORES. 519 


_ From the weight of the body and the density of the 
plumage, this bird swims very deep in the water, the head, 
neck, and upper part of the back only being above the sur- 
face. Its powers of progression in the deep are truly astonish- 
ing; it bounds through this element like the porpoise, and 
uses its short fin-like wings as well as its feet to assist it in its 
progress; its swimming powers are in fact so great, that it 
stems the waves of the most turbulent seas with the utmost 
facility, and during the severest gale descends to the bottom, 
where, among beautiful beds of coral and forests of sea-weed, 
it paddles about in search of crustaceans, small fish, and 
marine vegetables, all of which kinds of food were found in 
the stomachs of those I dissected. | 

A considerable portion of the year is occupied in the process 
of breeding and rearing the young, in consequence of its bemg 
necessary that their progeny should acquire sufficient vigour 
to resist the raging of that element on which they are destined 
to dwell, and which I believe they never again leave until by 
the impulse of nature they in their turn seek the land for the 
purpose of reproduction. Notwithstanding this care for the 
preservation of the young, heavy gales of wind destroy them 
in great numbers, hundreds being occasionally found dead on 
the beach after a storm; and when the sudden transition 
from the quiet of their breeding-place to the turbulence of 
the ocean, and the great activity and muscular exertion then 
required, are taken into consideration, an occurrence of this 
kind will not appear at all surprising. 

Some of the islands in Bass’s Straits, where the Penguins are 
numerous, are completely intersected by paths and avenues, 
and so much care is expended by the birds in the formation 
of these little walks that every stick and stone is removed, 
and in some instances even the herbage, by which the surface 
is rendered so neat and smooth as to appear more like the 
work of the human hand than the labour of one of the lower 
animals. The islands generally chosen for this purpose are 


Se ee eS eee as Mee Ona ern ih acid a cacnacs 


i 


520 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


also resorted to by the “ Mutton Bird” (Wectris brevicaudus), 
both species appearing to breed in perfect harmony. 

From what I personally observed while residing on the 
breeding-islands of this bird, the task of incubation would 
seem to be mutually performed by both sexes, each regularly 
relieving the other during the night. 

The eggs are either deposited in a depression of the surface 
of the ground, or in a slanting hole of moderate depth; they 
are two in number, and of a small size compared with the 
dimensions and weight of the bird; they are white, two 
inches and a half long and two inches broad. 

From their incapacity for running and their total inability 
to fly, the parent birds are very easily captured, and when 
taken with the hand offer no other resistance than a smart peck 
with the bill. The young, until they are nearly as large as 
the adult, are covered with a thick coating of long down, which 
is suddenly thrown off and replaced by short stiff feathers, 
which become perfectly developed before the bird ventures 
upon the sea. 

The note is hoarse and discordant, almost as loud and 

somewhat resembling the barking of a dog. 
’ There is no external difference observable in the sexes, : 
which may be thus described :— 

The feathers of the upper surface light blue, with a fine 
black lme down the centre of each; the whole of the under 
surface silvery white; eyes flat ; irides pale buffy white, with 
a net-work of dark brown round the outer margin, and with 
a fine ring of the same colour near the pupil, giving the 
appearance of a double iris; bill horn-colour, deepening into 
slaty black on the culmen and tip; feet yellowish white; 
nails black. 


laa ee 


ei ne i la Rt Rl Ma Ni i i ci ic SS ott 


NATATORES. 521 


Sp. 670. EUDYPTULA UNDINA, Gould. 
Farry PENGUIN. 


Aptenodytes undina, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xii. p. 57. 
Eudyptula minor, Bonap. Compt. Rend. de P Acad. Sci., 1856. 


Spheniscus undina, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vu. pl. 85. 


This is undoubtedly the smallest Penguin yet discovered, 
for it is considerably less in size than the S. minor, from 
which it also differs in its comparatively smaller wing, and in 
the deeper blue colouring of the upper surface of the body : 
by many persons it might be regarded as the young of S. menor, : 
but I invariably found the young of that species, while still 
partially clothed in the downy dress of immaturity, to exceed 
considerably in size all the examples of this species, even when 
adorned in the adult livery, and possessing the hard bill of 
maturity; there can be no question, therefore, of the two 
birds being distinct. 

For the first example that came under my notice I am 
indebted to the kindness of Ronald C. Gunn, Esq., who in- 
formed me that it was one of some hundreds that had been 
thrown ashore dead at Circular Head, during one of those severe 
gales that occasionally occur in Bass’s Straits ; subsequent to 
this the bird came under my own observation, and I obtained 
another example on Waterhouse Island, where it was breeding. 

Its habits, manners, mode of life, and food are precisely 
similar to those of S. menor. 

The whole of the upper surface, flanks, and upper side of 
the wings glossy light blue, with a narrow stripe of black 
down the centre of each feather, the black mark being broadest 
and most conspicuous on the back ; all the under surface of 
the body, the under side and the inner margin of the upper 
side of the wings, and the inner webs of the tail-feathers 
silky white; bill reddish brown beneath, black above; feet 
yellowish white. 

Total length 133 inches; bill 14; tarsi 2. 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


A. PPE Noes, 


In the Introduction to the present Handbook (vol. 1. p. 6) 
I have stated that I should confine my remarks “ to the birds 
of the Australian Continent, Tasmania, and those Islands of 
the Great Barrier Reef which properly belong to Australia,” 
and this I have accordingly done in the preceding pages; but 
I now think it will be well to append an account of the 
species pertaining to other countries, about twenty-four in 
number, which have been figured in the folio edition and the 
three supplementary parts which have since been issued, as I 
believe that the interest of the present volumes will thereby 
be enhanced to those who possess the illustrated work. The 
species alluded to comprise the curious Didunculus strigurostris, 
Semioptera wallacei, Strigops habroptilus, and a few others 
from New Zealand, Norfolk and Lord Howe’s Islands, &c. 
These will be arranged in the same order as those which have 
preceded them. ‘The names connected with these additional 
species will be found in their proper place in the general 
Index. 


at Nei Se Pn RR a ii tn a i a : 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Family STRIGIDA. 
Genus SCELOGLAUX, Kaup. 


But one species of this highly curious form is at present 
known. 


Soe. SCELOGLAUX ALBIFACIES. 


WREKAU. 


Athene albifacies, G. R. Gray, Voy. of Ereb. and Terr. Birds, p- 2. 
Sceloglaux albifacies, Kaup—G. R. Gray, Cat. of Gen. and Subgen. 
of Birds in Brit. Mus., p. 8. 


Sceloglaux albifacies, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., Supplement, 
pl. 


This bird is one of the many strange inhabitants of our 
antipodal country New Zealand. An Owl it unquestionably 
is, but how widely does it differ from every other member of 
its family! Its prominent bill, swollen nostrils, and small 


head are characters as much accipitrine as strigine; its short 
and feeble wings indicate that its powers of flight are limited, 
while its lengthened legs and abbreviated toes would appear 
to have been given to afford it a compensating increase of pro- 
gression over the ground. On what does this bird live? 
There are no indigenous small quadrupeds in the country upon 
which we might infer, from its structure and what we know of 
the economy of other terrestrial Owls (such as the Burrow- 
ing Owl of North America, Surnia cunicularia), it would feed. 
Does it partially feed on the larve of such Lepidoptera as 
Hepialus virescens, so subject to the attack of that singular 
fungus the Spheria Robertsi? It would indeed be interest- 
ing to ascertain how it maintains existence. 

Of this very rare and singular bird only two examples are 
known to me: of these one is in the British Museum, the 
other in the collection of J. H. Gurney, Esq., a gentleman 


APPENDIX. 525 


much attached to Ornithology, as his liberal donations to the 
Norwich Museum abundantly testify. Both these specimens 
were collected on the middle and south islands of New 
Zealand; that in the British Museum is the origmal of Mr. | 
G. R. Gray’s Athene albifacies and the type of Dr. Kaup’s 
genus Sceloglaua. | 

The full-sized figure of this bird in the folio edition may 
be the means of making it more generally known; I trust 
that the attention of travellers will be directed to the species, 
and that ere long we may be furnished with some account 
of its habits and economy, of which, at present, nothing is 
known. 

Mr. Percy Earl, who obtained at Waikonaiti, in the south 
island of New Zealand, the specimen in the British Museum, 
states that it is known to the natives by the name of Wekau. 

Plumage of the upper surface chocolate-brown, each fea- 


ther margined with fulvous; some of the scapularies with a 


lengthened mark of dull white within the margin and others 
on the edge; primaries spotted along the outer margin with 
buffy white; secondaries and tertiaries crossed by indistinct 
or interrupted bars of buffy white, assuming on those near the 
body the form of spots; spurious wing very dark brown ; 
tail brown, crossed by five narrow irregular bars of buffy 
white and tipped with fulvous; fascial disk pale sandy- 
brown, except on the forehead, throat, and ear-coverts, which 
are whitish, each feather with a streak of brownish-black 
down the centre ; feathers of the under surface deep fulvous, 
with a broad mark of dark brown down the centre of each, 
the former tint increasing on the lower part of the abdomen 
and thighs, when it again gradually fades into dull white on 
the lower part of the tarsi; toes sickly-green, thinly beset 
with hair-like feathers; cere much developed and of a lead 
colour; bill bluish horn-colour at the base, passing into yel- 
lowish horn-colour at the tip, the under mandible yellow. 


rol ee I ti a a i Bi a i NM oil Sia ns ny ibaa 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Family SAXICOLIDA. 
Sp. 2. PETROICA ERYTHROGASTRA. 


NorFouk Isutanp Rosin. 


Muscicapa erythrogastra, Lath. Ind. Orn., vol. ii. p- 479. 
multicolor, Gmel. Edit. Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 944. 
Red-bellied Flycatcher, Lath. Gen. Syn., vol. iii. p. 343. pl. 50. 
Petroica pulchella, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part vii. p. 142, male. 
modesta, Gould Ib., part v. p. 147, female. 


Petroica erythrogastra, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. iii. pl. 4. 


Under the impression that this Robin, which I believe to 
be strictly confined to Norfolk Island, and the Petroica muti- 
color, with which it has been confounded, were identical, and 
that the terms erythrogastra and multicolor were synonymous, © 
I was induced to characterize the male under the name of 
pulchella, and the female under that of modesta, believing as I 
then did that they were distinct ; subsequent research has 


however enabled me to perceive the errors into which I had 
fallen, and I now proceed to point out the differences between 
the two species, and to restore to the Norfolk Island bird the 
term erythrogastra, originally applied to it by Latham. The 
P. erythrogastra may be distinguished then from its near ally 
by the greater size of the bill ; by the greater extent and more 
silvery hue of the white feathers on the forehead ; by the tail 
bemg wholly black, while in the P. multicolor the lateral 
feathers are white; by the white on the wing forming a large 
spot near the shoulder, instead of a line as long as the second- 
aries; and by the scarlet of the breast and abdomen being 
much more intense in colour: the females of the two birds 
also differ from each other, the tail of the P. erythrogastra 
being wholly brown, while that of the P. multicolor has the 
lateral tail-feathers marked with white. 

The male has the forehead silvery white; a small patch on 


Ab ee eal in aime 


tate ea ba a ARI a Rs i te cM i i aa 
a iil lt 


_ APPENDIX.. : 527 


the wings near the shoulder, under wing-coverts, the flanks, 
and under tail-coverts white; chest and abdomen very rich 
scarlet, the remainder of the plumage deep black ; bill black ; 
feet brown. 

The female has the crown of the head, all the upper surface, — 
wings, and tail reddish brown; throat white, tinged with © 
brown ; chest and centre of the abdomen washed with scarlet ; 
lower part of the abdomen and under tail-coverts white ; flanks 
brown; bill blackish brown ; feet yellowish brown. 


Family MERULID. 
Sp. 3. PITTA VIGORSI, Gould. 


Vicors’ Pirra. 


Pitta brachyura, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 218. 

Brachyurus vigorsi, Bonap. Consp. Gen, Av., tom. i. p. 255, Brachy- 
urus, sp. 12, 

Coloburis vigorsi, Cab. et Heine, Mus. Hein., Theil ii. p. 4. 


Pitta vigorsii, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. iv. pl. 2. 


The single specimen of this beautiful species of Pitta which 
formed part of the late collection of the Linnean Society of 
London, was considered by Vigors to be identical with the 
Pitta brachyura, but it differs from that species in many im- 
portant characters, among the most conspicuous of which may 
be noticed its larger size, and the narrow streak of light 
greenish grey which passes from the nostrils over each eye, 
and nearly surrounds the occiput. 

I have not been able to obtain any decided information 
respecting the portion of Australia from which it was said to 
have been obtained, and I think it very probable that it may 
have been procured in one of the neighbouring islands off the 
north coast of that country, especially as it is now stated to 
inhabit Lombock. | 


528 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Crown of the head, ear-coverts, and back of the neck jet- 
black ; a narrow stripe of greenish grey commences at the 
nostrils, passes over each eye, surrounds the crown, and 
nearly unites at the occiput; back, scapularies, outer edges 
of the secondaries, and the greater wing-coverts bronzy green ; 
shoulders, rump, and upper tail-coverts fine lazuline blue; 
throat white; chest, flanks, and thighs tawny buff; centre of 
the abdomen dark blood-red, passing into scarlet on the under 
tail-coverts; primaries black, with a white bar across the 
centre of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth; tail black, tipped 
with green; bill dark brown; legs flesh-colour. 


Sp. 4. MERULA POLIOCEPHALA. 
GREY-HEADED BLACKBIRD. 


Turdus poliocephalus, Lath. Ind. Orn. Supp., xliv. 25. 

fuliginosus, Lath. in Lamb. Icon. ined., vol. ii. pl. 42. 
Merula nestor, Gould.—Jard. and Selb. Ill. Orn., new series, pl. 37. 
Ash-headed Thrush, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. App. p. 878. 
Turdus fuliginosus, Lath. Ind. Orn. Supp., xlii.? 
Sooty Thrush, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. p. 185 ? 


paves poliocephala, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., Supplement, 
pl. 

The present species appears to have been known for a 
much longer period than I had supposed ; indeed I was not 
aware that Latham had given a good description of the bird 
under the name of 7urdus poliocephalus, otherwise I should 
not have proposed the additional name of JVestor. When 
Norfolk Island was first made a penal settlement, this bird 
was doubtless very common there; but I have reason to 
believe it has now become scarce, having been partially 
extirpated by the Government officers and convicts who 
lived on this beautiful island for many years. Some short 
time since, I described a second species of this form from 
Lord Howe’s Island, under the name of Merula vinitincta ; 


i ee a Ee ta a i ee ene tana A Sila eee ial eR RE, oF a SR tn I aa i ith TR cai Se DR aes eran we 


APPENDIX. 529 


and I have seen a third species in the British Muscum, 

hich I believe is from New Caledonia. All these have a 
general resemblance both as to form and style of colouring ; 
and it would be as well perhaps if they were formed into 
~a new genus; for I have always considered them somewhat 
removed from the true Merule, of which the Blackbird of 
our own island is a familiar example. I have long wished to 
know something of the habits and economy of these birds, 
but at present nothing has been ascertained: there appears 
to be less difference in the colouring of the sexes than occurs 
among the Merule of the North; for the birds I consider to 
be females are very similarly coloured, and are only a trifle 
less in size. 

Head, neck, and front of the throat light ashy brown, the 
remainder of the plumage dark sooty black; in some speci- 
mens the under tail-coverts have a stripe of dull white down 
the centre of each ; bill, eyelash, and feet yellow. 


Sp. 5. MERULA VINITINCTA, Gowld. 
VINOUS-TINTED BLACKBIRD. 


Merula vinitincta, Gould im Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xxiii, p. 15. 


Merula vinitincta, Gould, Birds of Australia, Supplement, fol., pl. 


Although birds of this form are common in Europe, India, 
Africa, and South America, none have yet been discovered in 
Australia and New Zealand; yet, strange to say, two very 
distinct species inhabit the small group of islands lying nearly 
midway between those two countries. This is rather sur- 
prising, and the ornithologist is at a loss to conceive why 
such a form should thus be dotted over the face of the globe ; 
that, however, such is the fact, is proved by Mr. Macgillivray 
having procured two fine examples of the present bird on 
Lord Howe’s Island. I regret that no account of their habits 
accompanied the specimens, for it would be most interesting 

VOL. II. 2M 


530 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


to know the character of the vegetation and other circum- 
stances favourable to their existence. In size and form the 
Merula vinitincta very closely approximates to the AZ. nestor 
of Norfolk Island, but differs very considerably in its colouring. 

The male has the head and nape blackish-brown ; upper 
surface and wing-coverts reddish-brown ; wings brown matr- 
gined with olivaceous ; tail brown; throat dark bluish-grey ; 
under surface vinaceous red; bill bright gamboge-yellow ; 
eyelash yellow ; tarsi and toes yellow. 


Total length 8 inches; billl; wing AL; tail33; tarsi 14. 


Family ——? 
Genus NEOMORPHA, Gould. 


New Zealand claims for her avi-fauna the only species of 
this highly curious form at present known, a form rendered 
the more singular from the great difference in the develop- 
ment of the mandibles in the two sexes. 


Sp. 6. NEOMORPHA GOULDII, G. 2. Gray. 
Hota. 


Neomorpha acutirostris, Gould in Proc, of Zool. Soc., part iv. p. 144. 
crassirostris, Gould, Ib., p. 145. 
gouldii, G. R. Gray, List of Gen. of Birds, p. 12. 

Huia, Aborigines of New Zealand. 


Neomorpha gouldii, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. iv. pl. 19, 


Two specimens of this highly curious and anomalous bird, 
male and female, wanting the legs and wings, were described 
by me in 1836, when, from the great difference in the form 
and length of their bills, I very naturally concluded that they 
constituted two distinct species, many genera, even, having 
been founded upon more trivial differences of character. Mr. 
George Robert Gray, however, entertained a different opinion 


ei nat PEE Ci fm ah aan enc se tn RR a a RC kl ci inal at ani 


APPENDIX. 531 


and, while engaged upon his valuable little work entitled ‘A 
List of the Genera of Birds,’. conceiving they were sexes of 
the same species, and that, therefore, both my names were 
inappropriate, inasmuch as, if either were retained, it might 
lead to some misconception, has been pleased to dedicate it 
to myself, a compliment which I duly appreciate ; and I have 
only to hope that this name may be adopted by ornitho- 
logists. 

“These birds,’ says Dr. Dieffenbach, “ which the natives call 
Huia, are confined to the hills in the neighbourhood of Port 
Nicholson, whence the feathers of the tail, which are in ereat 
request among the natives, are sent as presents to all parts of the 
island. ‘The Maories regard the bird with the straight and 
stout beak as the male, and the other as the female. In three | 
specimens I shot this was the case, and both birds are always 
together. These fine birds can only be obtained with the help 
of a native, who calls them with a shrill and long-continued 
whistle, resembling the sound of the native name of the 
species. After an extensive journey in the hilly forest in 
search of them, I had at last the pleasure of seeing four alight 
on the lower branches of the trees near which the native 
accompanying me stood. They came quick as lightning, 
descending from branch to branch, spreading out the tail, and 
throwing up the wings. Anxious to obtain them I fired, but 
they generally come so near that the natives kill them with 


sticks. Their food consists of seeds and insects: of their 


mode of nidification the natives could give me no information. 

Mr. E. L. Layard, in his ‘ Ornithological Notes from the 
Antipodes,’ says, “The ‘ Huia,’ ever a rare bird, is said to be 
almost extinct. The tail-feathers are still sought after to 
adorn the heads of the chiefs. It is smgular that birds not 
now used as food by the natives should be scarce and more 
wary than in olden times when they formed one of the staple 
articles of diet. Can this arise from their fear at the sound of 
firearms ? *—Zéis, 1863, p. 244. 


2m 2 


Bl i Sa mia ais StS 


532 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


The whole of the plumage black, glossed with green; the 
tail largely tipped with white; bill horn-colour, much darker 
at the base; wattles rich orange ; legs and toes blackish horn- 
colour ; claws light horn-colour. 


Family EPIMACHIDZ. 
Genus SEMIOPTERA, G. &. Gray. 


At present the single species known of this genus stands 
alone and is rendered very remarkable by the white plumes 
which spring from the centre part of each wing. 


Sp. 7. SEMIOPTERA WALLACEI, G. 2. Gray. 
STANDARD-WING. 


Paradisea wallacei, G. R. Gray in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xxvii. 
p- 180. 
Semioptera, G. R. Gray, Ib. 


Semioptera wallacei, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., Supplement, 
pl. 

The Standard-wing, the most remarkable Insessorial bird 
that has been discovered for many years, was obtained 
by A. R. Wallace, Hsq., in the island of Batchian, one of the 
Moluecas, which, according to Guthrie’s ‘Geography,’ “ pro- 
duces cloves, is very fruitful, and belongs to the Dutch; long. 
125° 5' BE.” How much gratified Mr. Wallace must have 
been when this remarkable form first met his gaze! and how 
enthusiastically does he write on this and the other objects 
with which he was surrounded :— 

In a letter to Mr. S. Stevens he says, “ Here I have been 
only five days, yet I believe I have already secured the finest 
and most wonderful bird in the island. I consider it the 
greatest discovery I have yet made; and it gives me hopes of 
getting other species in Gilolo and Ceram. There is also here 
a species of Monkey—much further eastwards than in any 


APPENDIX. 533 


other island; so you see this is a most curious locality, com- 


bining forms of the Hast and West of the Archipelago, yet — 


with species peculiar to itself. It also differs from all the other 
Moluccas in its geological formation, containing iron, coal, 
copper, and gold, with a glorious forest vegetation, and fine 
large mountain streams: it is a continent in miniature. The 
Dutch are working the coals ; and there is a good road to the 
mines, which gives one easy access to the interior forests.” 

At the meeting of the Zoological Society, held on the 22nd 
March, 1859, Mr. G. R. Gray remarked that “this bird 
proves to be a new form: it has, springing from the lesser 
coverts of each wing, two long shafts, both of which are 
webbed on each side at the apex. It is the possession of 
these peculiar winged standards that induces me to propose 
- for it the subgeneric appellation of Semioptera; and I further 
add the provisional specific name of wallacet, which appella- 
tion I think is justly due to Mr. Wallace for the indefatigable 
energy he has hitherto shown in the advancement of ornitho- 
logical and entomological knowledge, by visiting localities 
rarely if ever travelled by naturalists.” 

This beautiful bird is very closely allied to PéJorhis, and on 
comparing ‘it with the well-known Rifle-bird of Australia, 
Ptilorhis paradisea, it will be seen that they are very similar 
both in their structure and in the disposition of their mark- 
ings: the same great difference in the outward appearance of 
the sexes also occurs in both. 3 

Mr. Wallace informed me in a letter, which I subsequently 
read at a meeting of the Zoological Society, that “the Sem 
optera frequents the lower trees of the virgin forests, and is 
almost constantly in motion. It flies from branch to branch 
and clings to the twigs and even to the vertical smooth trunks 
almost as easily as a Woodpecker. It continually utters a harsh 
croaking cry, something between that of Paradisca apoda and 
the more musical cry of Cicinnurus regius. ‘The males, at 

short intervals, open and flutter their wings, erect the long 


534 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


shoulder feathers, and expand the elegant shields on each 
side of the breast. Like the Birds of Paradise, the females 
and young birds far outnumber the fully plumaged birds, 
which renders it probable that the extraordinary accessory 
plumes are not fully developed until the third or fourth year. 
The bird seems to feed principally upon fruit, but it probably 
takes insects occasionally. 

“T have obtained a few examples of apparently the same 
bird from Gélolo, but in these the crown is of a more decided 
violet hue, and the plumes of the breast are much larger.” 

On the basal half of the upper mandible a series of erected 
tuft-like feathers of a pale sandy buff, blending on the forehead 
into the delicate velvety dove-coloured feathers of the crown 
and occiput; sides of the head, back of the neck, and upper 
surface light brown, becoming darker and having a velvety 
appearance on the back and scapularies, each of these feathers 
has also a very narrow edging of a lighter hue; wings light 
brown, fading into buffy white, with a silver gloss at the tips 
of the primaries and secondaries; shafts of the primaries 
white ; the two lengthened plumes springing from each shoul- 
der snowy white ; tail brown with white shafts, and becoming 
of a silvery light brown at the tip; throat, neck, chest, and 
projecting side-feathers of the breast bordered with brilliant 
green, giving it a scaled appearance; flanks washed with the 
same colour, but less brilliant; thighs light brown; irides 
deep blue ; bill horny-olive ; feet orange ; claws horny. 

The female has the tuft on the upper mandible and the 
crown of the head the same as in the male, and is entirely de- 
void of the green colouring and lengthened plumes both of the 
breast and wings, her entire plumage being brown, without 
ornamentation of any kind. 


APPENDIX. 535 


Family ——? 
Sp. 8. ZOSTEROPS ALBIGULARIS, Gould. 


WHITE-BREASTED ZOSTEROPS. 


Zosterops albogularis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part iv. p. 75. 


Ach albogularis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., Supplement, 
pl. 

The members of the genus Zosterops have a most extensive 
range over the Old World. India proper has its own pecu- 
liar species, and so have Southern Africa, Japan, and China ; 
but the countries in which the species are most numerous are 
Australia, Lord Howe’s and Norfolk Islands, and the great 
Papuan group, including New Caledonia and the adjacent 
islands: im all these localities they occur in abundance. 


Every island appears to have its own particular species, and 


some of them two or three: Lord Howe’s Island has two, and 
in Norfolk and Philip Islands two others occur, and there are 
at least three or four very distinct species in Australia. The 
present bird was characterized by me as long since as August 
1836; its native country is Norfolk Island, whence specimens 
have been sent from time to time ever since it was formed 
into a penal settlement. As is the case with the other 
members of the genus, there appears to be but little difference 
in the outward characters of the sexes, all the specimens that 
have reached this country being very similar. 

All the upper: surface and wing-coverts greenish olive, 
strongly tinged with chestnut on the back; wings and tail 
brown, margined with olive-green; a broad zone of white 
feathers surrounds each eye, bounded in front and below with 
black; throat and centre of the abdomen white; flanks pale 
chestnut ; under tail-coverts pale yellow; bill and legs lead- 
colour. | 

Total length 5} inches; bill 3; wing 3; tail 24; tarsi 1. 


ch an ta ca en li eS at le RC eS nc ale cia Ns 2 yc a ae i a Fa 


5356 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Sp. 9. ZOSTEROPS TENUIROSTRIS, Gould. 
LoNG-BILLED ZOSTEROPS. 


Zosterops tenuirostris, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part iv. p. 76. 
lateralis, Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol.i. p. 198, Zosterops, 
sp. 5. 


5 are tenuirostris, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., Supplement, 
pl. 

The specific name of ¢enwirostris has been given to this bird 
from the circumstance of its bill being more prolonged than 
those of the other members of the genus; its body is also 
more slender and elegant in contour than that of any of its 
congeners. Its native country is Norfolk Island, whence all 
the specimens I have seen have been forwarded by way of 
New South Wales. It is a very distinct and well-defined 
species, and is of large size when compared with most of its 
near allies. Of its manners and mode of life nothing has yet 
been recorded, which is much to be regretted, as they might 
present some peculiarities consequent upon the particular 
character of the vegetation of the remote island it inbabits, 
the native productions of which differ very considerably from 
that of Australia. I fear the time is gone by when we might 
expect to glean any information respecting it, for it can 
scarcely be supposed that the Pitcairn Islanders, who now 
inhabit Norfolk Island, have acquired a taste for natural 
history. : 

All the specimens I have seen being similarly coloured, 1 
believe that the sexes, like those of Zosterops albogularis, do 
not differ in outward appearance. 

Head, all the upper surface, and wing-coverts olive-green, 
brightest on the head and upper tail-coverts; wings and tail 
brown, margined with olive-green; throat yellow, stained 
with red in the centre; centre of the abdomen and under 
tail-coverts pale yellow; flanks olive brown; bill and legs 
light brown, inclining to lead-colour; eye surrounded by a 


_ = <A DE SR ee a iBT EES Ti i cst 


ds aE nti Beta tt tn Se a a ei i lace hens i — aa a : »' 
ac 


APPENDIX. 537 


narrow zone of white feathers, bounded below by a line of 
blackish brown. 
Total length 53 inches; bill 3; wing 23; tail 25; tarsi $. 


Sp. 10. ZOSTEROPS STRENUUS, Gould. 
Rosust ZostERoPs. 


Zosterops strenuus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xxii. p. 166. 


Zosterops strenuus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., Supplement, pl. 


Lord Howe’s Island, although but scantily supplied with 
vegetation, is not devoid of bird-life even of the great order 
of Insessores, being inhabited by at least two species of the 
present genus. Her Majesty’s Ship ‘ Herald,’ commanded by 
Captain Denham, having paid a visit to this interesting spot 
in the wide ocean, Mr. Macgillivray had an opportunity of 
extending his fame as a successful naturalist by securing and 
sending, with many other interesting objects, an example 
of each of these species, which I find to be quite different 
from all others that have come under my notice. Its prominent 
characters consist in its comparatively great size, robust body 
and powerful bill; at the same time, in the general style of 
its colouring, in its snow-white eye-ring, and in all other 
essential points, it closely agrees with the other species of 
the genus of which it is a member. 

The only specimen of this new bird which has yet been 
transmitted to this country now forms part of the National 
Collection. | 

Head and upper surface bright olive-green, with a mark of 
dark grey across the shoulders ; wings and tail slaty-brown, 
margined with greenish-olive ; eyes surrounded by the usual 
ring of white feathers, beneath which is a narrow line of 
black ; chin and throat yellow ; flanks pale vmaceous-brown ; 
centre of the abdomen nearly white; under tail-coverts pale 
yellow ; bill and feet bluish-black. | 3 

Total length 52 inches; bill 1; wing 24; tail 22; tarsi $. 


538 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Sp. 11. ZOSTEROPS TEPHROPLEURUS, Gould.’ 
GREY-BREASTED ZOSTEROPS. 


Zosterops tephropleurus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xxi. p. 166. 


Zosterops tephropleurus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., Supple- 
ment, pl. : 

The Grey-breasted Zosterops, the second species sent from 
Lord Howe’s Island by Mr. Macgillivray, rather exceeds in 
size the well-known Australian Z. dorsalis, and moreover 
differs in having a much more robust bill and less highly 
coloured flanks; in other respects the two birds are very 
similar. ; 

Head and upper surface bright olive-green, with a wash of 
grey across the shoulders; wings and tail slaty-brown, mar- 
gined with olive-green ; throat dull yellow ; around the eyes 
a circle of white feathers, below which is a mark of black ; 
under surface pale vinaceous-brown, becoming gradually 
paler on the lower part of the abdomen, and passing into the 
pale yellow of the under tail-coverts. 

Total length 44 inches; bill?; wing 22; tail 23; tarsi 2. 

Among the many pleasing recollections connected with my 
explorations in Australia, none are more grateful than those 
pertaining to this little group of birds, whose pretty cup- 
shaped nests and spotless blue eggs remind one of those of 
our own Hedge Accentor. 


Family PSITTACIDA. 
Genus STRIGOPS, G. R. Gray. 


I question if any country is tenanted by so many extra- 
ordinary and anomalous ornithological forms as New Zealand. 
The singular forms there found may be regarded as a set-off 
to the almost entire absence of Mammals. Among the birds 
the Sérigops will ever be regarded with interest; and it is to 
be regretted that so curious a bird should be nearly extinct, 


2 il al aaa Set 5 i aR OEE ei 


APPENDIX. 539 


and equally so that no law for the preservation of such 
interesting objects has been instituted. 


Sp. 12. STRIGOPS HABROPTILUS, G. 2. Gray. 
KaAKAPo. 
Strigops habroptilus, Gray, Gen. of Birds, vol. ii. p. 427. pl. ev. 


Strigops habroptilus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol. Supplement, 


pl. 

Long before 1845, when a skin of this extraordinary Parrot 
was for the first time sent to Europe, we had conclusive evi- 
dence of the existence of the species, from the circumstance 
of plumes made of its feathers being worn by the Maories. It 
is somewhat strange, however, that such a lengthened period 
should have elapsed after the discovery and possession of New 
Zealand before so singular a bird should have found its way 
to Hurope. At no very distant date it doubtless inhabited 
alike all the islands of the New Zealand group ; but it pro- 
bably no longer exists in the northern island, its extirpa- 
tion thence being doubtless attributable to a variety of 
causes : it is that portion of the country in which the natives 
have chiefly resided, and the introduction since the visit of 
the celebrated navigator Cook, of the Pig, the Dog, the Cat, 
and that universal pest the brown or Norway Rat, has doubt- 
less tended greatly to produce such a result ; for these animals 
having now become wild, we may reasonably infer that they 
have played no inconsiderable part in the destruction, not 
only of this comparatively helpless bird, but of many others ; 
the time is probably not far distant when these marauders 
will obtain a footing in the middle and southern islands, 
the result of which may be anticipated by what has already 

occurred. 
‘The first published account of this singular bird is that 
given by Dr. Lyall, R.N., in the Proceedings of the Zoological 
Society of London for 1852, which I here transcribe :— 
« Although the Kakapo is said to be still found occasionally 


Pcie Sen alin Sis a eb 


540 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


on some parts of the high mountains in the interior of the 
north island of New Zealand, the only place where we met 
with it, during our circumnavigation and exploration of the 
coasts of the islands in H.M.S. ‘Acheron,’ was at the S.W. end 
of the middle island. There, in the deep sounds which in- 
tersect that part of the island, it is still found in considerable 
numbers, inhabiting the dry spurs of hills or flats near the 
banks of rivers, where the trees are high, and the forest com- 
paratively free from fern or underwood. 

“The first place where it was obtained was on a hill nearly 
4000 feet above the level of the sea. It was also found living 
in communities on flats near the mouths of rivers close to the 
sea. In these places its tracts resembled footpaths made by 
man, and led us at first to imagine that there must be natives 
in the neighbourhood. These tracks were about a foot wide, 
regularly pressed down to the edges, which are two or three 
inches deep amongst the moss, and cross each other usually at 
right angles. 

“The Kakapo lives in holes under the roots of trees, and is 
also occasionally found under shelving rocks. The roots of 
many New Zealand trees growing partly above ground, holes 
are common under them; but where the Kakapo is found 
many of the holes appeared to have been enlarged, although no 
earth was ever found thrown out near them. ‘There were 
frequently two openings to these holes, and occasionally, though 
rarely, the trees over them were hollow for some distance up. 

“The only occasion on which the Kakapo was seen to fly 
was when it got up one of these hollow trees and was driven 
to an exit higher up. The flight was very short, the wings 
being scarcely moved ; and the bird alighted on a tree at a 
lower level than the place from whence it had come, but soon 
got higher up by climbing, using its tail to assist it. 

“Except when driven from its holes, the Kakapo is never 
seen during the day, and it was only by the assistance of 
dogs that we were enabled to find it. 


07 = a nil SEE PEED Ea it i i ce ie 


APPENDIX. . 541 


“ Before dogs became common, and when the bird was 
plentiful in inhabited parts of the islands, the natives were in 
the habit of catching it at night, using torches to confuse it. 
It offers a formidable resistance to a dog, and’ sometimes 
inflicts severe wounds with its powerful claws and beak. At 
a very recent period it was common all over the west coast of 
the middle island, but there is now a race of wild dogs said 
to have overrun all the northern part of this shore, and to have 
almost extirpated the Kakapos wherever they have reached. 
Their range is said to be at present confined by a river or 
some such physical obstruction, and it is to be feared that if 
they once succeeded in gaining the stronghold of the Kakapo 
(the 8.W. end of the island) the bird may soon become extinct. 

“ During the latter half of February and the first half of 
March, whilst we were amongst the haunts of these birds, we 
found young ones in many of the holes, frequently only one, 
never more than two, in the same hole. In one case where 
there were two young ones I found also an addled egg. There 
was usually, but not always, an old bird in the same hole 
with the young ones. 

«They build no nest, but simply scrape a slight hollow 
amongst the dry dust formed of decayed wood. The young 
were of different ages, some being nearly fully fledged, and 
others covered only with down. The egg is white and about 
the size of a pigeon’s, two inches and an eighth long by one 
inch and nine-sixteenths broad. ; 

«The cry of the Kakapo is a hoarse croak, varied occasion- 
ally by a discordant shriek when irritated or hungry. The 
Maories say that during winter they assemble together in large 
numbers in caves, and at the times of meeting, and, again be- 
fore dispersing to their summer haunts, that the noise they 
make is perfectly deafening. 

«A good many young ones were brought on board the 
ship alive. Most of them died a few days afterwards, pro- 
bably from want of sufficient care; some died after being 


542 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. | 


kept a month or two, and the legs of others became deformed 
after they had been a few weeks in captivity. The cause of 
the deformity was supposed to be the want of proper food, 
and too close confinement. They were fed chiefly on soaked 
bread, oatmeal, and water and boiled potatoes. When let 
loose in a garden they would eat lettuces, cabbages, and grass, 
and would taste almost every green leaf that they came across. 
One, which I brought within six hundred miles of England 
(when it was accidentally killed), whilst at Sydney, ate eagerly 
of the leaves of a Banksia and several species of Aucalyptus, 
as well as grass, appearing to prefer them all to its usual diet 
of bread and water. It was also very fond of nuts and 
almonds, and during the latter part of the homeward voyage 
lived almost entirely on Brazilian ground-nuts. 

“On several occasions the bird took sullen fits, during 
which it would eat nothing for two or three days at a time, 
screaming and defending itself with its beak when any one 
attempted to touch it. It was at all times of an uncertain 
temper, sometimes biting severely when such a thing was 
least expected, It appeared to be always in the best humour 
when first taken out of its box in the morning, hooking on 
eagerly with its upper mandible to the finger held down to 
lift it out. As soon as it was placed on the deck it would 
attack the first object which attracted its attention—some- 
times the leg of my trowsers, sometimes a slipper or a boot. 
Of the latter it was particularly fond; it would nestle down 
upon it, flapping its wings and showing every symptom of 
pleasure. It would then get up, rub against it with its sides, 
and roll upon it on its back, striking out with its feet whilst 
in this position. 

“One of these birds, sent on shore by Capt. Stokes to the 
care of Major Murray of the 65th Regiment at Wellington, 
was allowed to run about his garden, where it was fond of 
the society of the children, following them like a dog wherever 
they went. 


01 Se aa et a a 


a aE Ca ai ae ee rs = niet re . Bishi core "7 a Suey 
pa NNR GES ene eS Tee Sas Meee Se Pena Mtns an ie 9 


APPENDIX. 543 


“Nearly all the adult Kakapos which I skinned were 
exceedingly fat, having a thick layer of oily fat or blubber on 
the breast which it was very difficult to separate from the 
skin. Their stomachs contaimed a pale green, sometimes 
almost white, homogeneous mass, without any trace of fibre 
in it. 

“There can be little doubt but that their food consists 
partly of roots (their beaks are usually more or less covered 
with indurated mud), and partly of the leaves and tender 
shoots of various plants. At one place where the birds were 
numerous we observed that the young shoots of a leguminous 
shrub growing by the banks of a river were all nipped off, 
and this was said by our pilot, who had frequented these 
places for many years in a whaling vessel, to be the work of 
the Kakapo. | 

“Their flesh is white, and is generally esteemed good 
eating.” 

I have also been kindly favoured with the following notes 
on this bird by His Excellency Sir George Grey. 

«The Strigops is called Kaka-po or Night Kaka by the 
aborigines of New Zealand, from the nocturnal habits of the 
bird. During the day it remains hid in holes under the 
roots of trees or rocks; or, very rarely, perched on the boughs | 
of trees with a very dense thick foliage: at these times it 
appears stupid from its profound sleep, and if disturbed or 
taken from its hole immediately runs and tries to hide itself 
again, delighting, if practicable, to cover itself in a heap of 
soft dry grass; about sunset it becomes lively, animated, and 
playful, issues forth from its retreat and feeds on grass, weeds, 
vegetables, fruits, seeds, and roots: when eating grass it 
rather grazes than feeds, nibbling the grass in the manner of 
a rabbit or wombat. It sometimes climbs trees, but generally 
remains upon the ground, and only uses its short wings for 
the purpose of aidmg its progress when running, balancing 
itself when on a tree or in making a short descent, half-jump, 


544 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


half-flight from a higher to a lower bough. When feeding, if 
pleased with its food, it makes a continued grunting noise: 
it is a greedy bird and choice in its food, showing an evident 
relish for anything of which it is fond. It cries repeatedly 
during the night with a noise not very unlike that of the 
Kaka, but not so loud. 

“ The Kakapo is avery clever and intelligent bird, in fact 
singularly so; contracts a strong affection for those who are 
kind to it, shows its attachment by climbing about and rub- 
bing itself against its friend, and is eminently a social and 
playful bird; indeed, were it not for its dirty habits, it makes 
a far better pet than any other bird with which I am ac- 
quainted ; for its manner of showing its attachment, by play- 
fulness and fondling, is more like that of a dog than a bird. 

“ It builds in holes under trees and rocks, and lays two or 
three white eggs, about the size of a Pullet’s, in the month of 
_ February ; and the young birds are found in March. 

“ At present, 1854, the bird is known to exist only in the 
middle island of New Zealand, on the west coast, between 
Chalky Harbour and Jackson’s Bay, and in the northern 
island about the sources of the Whangarie, and in part of the 
T'aufa countries. It was, within the recollection of the old 
people, abundant in every part of New Zealand, and they say 
that it has been exterminated by the cats mtroduced by 
Europeans, which are now found wild and in great numbers 
in every part of the country ; they say also that the large rat, 
introduced from Europe, has done its part in the work of 
destruction. 

« The natives assert, that when the breeding-season is over 
the Kakapo lives in societies of five or six in the same hole ; 
and they also state that it is a provident bird, and lays up in 
the fine season a store of fern-root for the bad weather. I 
have had five or six of these birds in captivity, but never suc- 
ceeded in keeping them alive for more than eighteen months 
or two years. The last I had I sent home as a present to 


APPENDIX. 545 


the Zoological Society, but I am informed it died off Cape 
Horn.” 

Since the above was published, Mr. Julius Haast, of Can- 
terbury, New Zealand, has published some notes on this 
species in the ‘ Verhandlungen’ of the Zoological and Bota- 
nical Association of Vienna, of October 10th, 1863, a trans- 
lation of which is given in the ‘ Ibis’ for 1864, p. 340, from 
which the following are extracts :— 

‘The principal resorts of the Kakapo are the grass-plots 
in the open and mossy beech-woods near mountain streams, 
and rocky declivities, beneath large moss-covered stones over- 
grown by beech-roots; also the mossy banks of the larger 
rivers which are occasionally flooded by a sudden thaw or 
heavy rains. It is remarkable that it is never found on the 
eastern side of the Alps, though extensive beech-forests 
occur there also: the only part excepted is the valley of the 
Makavora Kiver, which forms the Wanaka Lake. It appears, 
therefore, to be confined to the western slope of the principal 
mountain-chain, and only to pass over the low and wooded 
defile that leads from the sources of the Haast River to those 
of the Makavora. Even here, however, it is not found beyond 
the mouth of the river near the Wanaka Lake, as lower down 
there are no forests. The Kakapo is very frequently met 
with in the valley of the last-named river and in the Maka- 
vora forest. In the Wilkin Valley it is less numerous, and in 
the Hunter Valley it is not to be met with. Until now it has 
been supposed to be a night bird, but my observations con- 

vince me that this is not always the case. It is true that its 
call is mostly heard about an hour after sunset, at which time 
it commences to roam about where the thick foliage creates a 
kind of artificial darkness, but I have several times met with 
it in the daytime. On one occasion as soon as the bird saw 
me it threw itself off the tree as if it were shot and escaped 
under some large fragments of rock, without opening its 
wings or using them in any way to break its fall. It is 
VOL, II. 2N 


dint ai acetate 


546 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


strange that a bird with well-formed wings should prefer to 
use its feet as a means of locomotion, especially when the feet 
seem rather formed, from the position of the toes, for climbing 
than for walking or for running. To ascertain whether the 
Kakapo would not fly, or at least flutter when pursued, I had 
a large specimen which had been captured by my dog with- 
out being injured, brought to an open place where there was 
sufficient space to open its wings while running ; but instead 
of attempting so to do the bird ran towards the nearest thicket, 
moving much like a fowl with a celerity that, considering the 
position of its toes and its unwieldy form, greatly surprised 
me. Viewed sideways the wings appeared to be closely 
pressed to the body, but from behind they were observed to 
be slightly open, more apparently for the purpose of preserving 
a right balance than to aid it in running. Though the body 
does not seem formed for much locomotion it roams to con- 
siderable distances sometimes. On one occasion we found 
the impression of its feet in sand more than half a mile from 
the river’s bank. The crops of those we examined were gene- 
rally filled with enormous quantities of minutely divided 
moss; they were greatly distended, and sometimes so heavy 
that a single one weighed several ounces. ‘T'wo specimens 
had eaten the berries of a species of Coriaria, which had given 
a peculiar smell to their flesh. A peculiarity resulting from 
this vegetable diet is that the bird instead of having, like 
others, an oily soft kind of fat under the skin, possesses a 
ereat quantity of firm and white fat. Its flesh is better and 
more substantial than that of any other species of Parrot and 
of exquisite flavour . . . . I expected to find the Kakapo in 
well-excavated caves, with entrances which would only permit 
the inhabitant to enter; but I found, with a single exception, 
that the habitations consisted of clefts or fissures in rocks, 
holes between the roots of decayed trees, or natural openings 
between fragments of rock, where my large dog easily entered, 
and generally returned, head foremost, carrying his prey in his 


PR a SE re A et te ee ne eee ne ll am tN RUE a Rs il Sl RR ea St ei a 


APPENDIX. 547 


mouth. The Maories told me the Kakapo was a very valiant 
bird, and often fought successfully with their dogs; but my 
dog, though punished at times, never had a serious battle 
with one of them...... It has been said that the Kakapo 
lives in flocks, but I have never found more than one bird in 
a hole, though very frequently I have observed a second hole 
about thirty or forty yards distant, the bird in which was 
generally of a different sex from the first. It appears to me, 
therefore, that the birds live singly, but at night go together 
in pairs for the double purpose of feeding and reproduction. 
When the female roams about with her young she utters a 
peculiar call, more resembling the grunting of a pig than 
anything else. | 

“In former years the Marnia plains were a celebrated 
hunting-ground of the Maories for this bird. They generally 
went there on fine moonlight nights when the berries of the 
Tertu (Coriaria sarmentosa), a favourite food of the bird, 
were ripe, and ran them down partly with dogs, or even killed 
them with long sticks upon the Tertu bushes. Another mode 
was when they had found their holes to introduce a long 
stick to which they had fastened several strong flax snares ; 
feeling the bird with the end of it, they lassi the uk 
until some part of the bird was caught in the snares, and thus 
drew it out. The cry of the Sakiano| heard during the night, 
very much resembles the gobble of the Turkey.” 

The following is Mr. G. R. Gray’ s description of this 
remarkable species :— 

“Upper surface sap-green, with a verdigris tinge on the 
wings; each feather marked in the middle with yellow, which 
is margined on the sides with black, from which spring irre- 
gular transverse bands of the same colour; the outer webs of 
the greater wing-coverts, quills, secondaries, and entire tail 
brownish buff, irregularly banded transversely with black ; 
between every alternate set lemon-yellow ; the inner webs of 
quills and secondaries black, more or less transversely banded 

2N 2 


548 BIRDS Of AUSTRALIA. 


with lemon-yellow ; under surface pale greenish yellow, tinged 
with lemon-yellow, more or less marked along the shaft with 
pale yellow, which is narrowly margined with brownish black ; 
some of the feathers have transverse bands of the same colour ; 
the top of the head brownish black, margined outerly with 
sap-green, tinged in some places with verdigris, and marked 
in the middle with pale yellow; the front cheeks, ear-coverts, 
and the projecting feathers of the face pale umber, marked in 
the middle with yellowish white ; bill white ; feet plumbeous- 
black. | 

Total length 2 feet 4 inches ; bill 1 inch 8 lines ; wings 114; 
tail 94; tarsi 12. 


Genus NESTOR, Wagler. 


Proposed for the Psiftacus hypopolius, the only species of 
the form then known, but of which three others have since 


been discovered. 


Sp. 138. NESTOR HYPOPOLIUS. 
Ka-ka Parrot. 


Psittacus hypopolius, Forst. Draw., No. 50. 

meridionalis, Gmel. Edit. Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. 1. p. 333. 

nestor, Lath. Ind. Orn., vol. i. p. 110. 

australis, Shaw, Mus. Lever., pl. at p. 87. 

(Kakadoe) nestor, Kuhl, Consp. Psitt. in Nov. Act. pp. 12, 86. 
Nestor hypopolius, Wagl. Mon. Psitt. in Abhand. &c., pp. 505, 696. 
Southern Brown Parrot, Lath, Gen. Syn., vol. i. p. 264, 

Nestor nove-zelandia, Less. Traité d’Orn., p. 191. 
Centrourus australis, Swains. Class. of Birds, vol. 1. p. 8038. 
Ka-ka, Natives of New Zealand. 


Nestor hypopolius, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., Supplement, pl. 


Although New Zealand has been known to us since the 
days of our celebrated voyager Captain Cook, and been a 
British possession for so many years, but little has been 
recorded respecting the habits and economy of this species of 


ieee ata ac IY Ce tlt 2) te Cla nS anneal eli ts nt ac on ssa Dei a ae 


APPENDIX. 549 


Parrot. Had an opportunity offered for my visiting New 
Zealand; this void in the history of one of the most interesting 
of the great group of Parrots should certainly have been filled 
up; and I would call the attention of the residents of New 
Zealand to the subject, in the hope that some of them will 
study and record the habits and economy of the bird before 
it be extirpated, and its name and a few stuffed skins alone 
left as an evidence of its once having existed. . 

In his ‘ Notes on the Birds of New Zealand,’ a translation 
of which will be found in the ‘Ibis’ for 1862, Dr. Julius 
Haast says :—‘“ The noisy Kaka plays a conspicuous rd/e in 
the forest. It is a gregarious bird, perching generally on the 
highest trees ; but, as soon as the assembled flock hear a 
noise unknown to them, they approach and amuse the 
traveller by their various quarrelsome notes and shrieks. If 
in shooting at them one only be wounded so that it may be 
secured, it is an easy matter to shoot one after the other, as 
they always come back when they hear the cry of a wounded 
companion.” ..... If surprised by a dog the Kaka becomes 
“a respectable opponent, for with outstretched wings he 
throws himself on his back, and defends himself stoutly with 
bill and claws.” 

A very great dissimilarity both in size and colouring occurs 
in different examples of this species, so much so as to induce 
a belief, both in my own mind and in that of others, that they 
may constitute two species. Some of the specimens have the 
whole of the crown and back of the neck and the outer portion 
of the wings bluish grey; others appear to be real Nestors, 
having very hoary heads; some have very distinct collars of 
beautiful frimged feathers at the back of the neck, while in 
others this feature is more feebly developed. It will be a 
question for the colonists to determine if there be more than 
a single species, or if the differences seen in the skins sent to 
Europe are indications only of local varieties, and to what 


cause they may be due. 


550 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Crown of the head and nape hoary, slightly tinged with 
green, and with a narrow edging of brown to each feather ; 
ear-coverts striated with dull orange and brown; feathers at 
the cheeks and front of the throat hoary, bordered with 
brown, and washed with red at the base of the bill; all the 
upper surface olive-brown, each feather margined with dark 
brown, and the feathers of the neck tipped with three semi- 
circles of orange-brown and orange; wings and tail olive, 
becoming paler on the margins and tip; under wing-coverts 
scarlet, crossed by narrow bands of black; primaries and 
secondaries deeply toothed on their internal webs with light 
salmon-colour, those of the tail with deep reddish salmon- 
colour; feathers of the breast olive, with a narrow crescent of 
brown near the tip, beyond which is a second of dark reddish 
orange ; lower part of the back, upper tail-coverts, abdomen, 
and under tail-coverts olive, largely tipped with deep rich red, _ 
within which, near the end, is a narrow crescent of brown; 
bill horny ; fect mealy brown. 


Sp. 14. NESTOR PRODUCTUS, Gould. 
Partie IsuaAnp Parrot. 


Wilson’s Parrakeet, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. ii. p. 170? 
Long-billed Parrakeet. Ib., p. 171? 
Plyctolophus productus, Gould in Proce. of Zool. Soc., part iv. p. 19. 


Nestor productus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. pl. 6. 


I regret to state that the native haunts of this fine bird 
have been so intruded upon, and such a war of extermination 
been carried on against it, that it is now entirely extirpated, 
and a few stuffed specimens are the only mementos of its 
having existed. Until. lately it still lived on Philip Island 
(an islet lying off Norfolk Island), but im this small domain 
it is no longer to be found. 

During my stay at Sydney I had an opportunity of seeing 
a living example in the possession of Major Anderson, and 


A i Sa EES Se Se ce at ae 


caesarean mate le Rat ES 8 Ba: tl IO as ni i i a ica RES a. ce 0 i Houle 
et ET ent ei ae pate 


APPENDIX. ool 


was much interested with many of its actions, which were so 
different from those of every other member of its family, that I 
felt. convinced they were equally different and curious in a 
state of nature. This bird was not confined to a cage, but 
permitted to range over the house, along the floors of which 
it passed, not with the awkward waddling gait of a Parrot 
but in a succession of leaps, precisely after the manner of the 
Corvide. Mrs. Anderson, to whom I am indebted for the little 
I could learn respecting it, informed me that it was found 
among the rocks and upon the loftiest trees of Philip Island, that 
it was so tame as to be readily taken alive with a noose, and 
that it fed upon the blossoms of the white-wood tree, or white 
Hibiscus, sucking the honey of the flowers: the mention of 
this latter circumstance induced me to examine the tongue of 
the bird, which presented a very peculiar structure, not, like 
that of the true honey-feeding Parrakeets (the Zrichoglosst), 
furnished with a brush-like termination, but with a narrow 
horny scoop on the under side, which, together with the ex- 
tremity of the tongue, resembled the end of a finger with the 
nail beneath instead of above: this peculiarity in the struc- 
ture of the organ is doubtless indicative of a corresponding pe- 
culiarity in the nature of the food upon which the bird sub- 
sists. Mrs. Anderson told me that it lays four eggs im the 
hollow part of a tree, but beyond this I was unable to ascer- 
tain anything respecting its nidification. I may mention that 
I once saw a living example of the bird in England. It was 
in the possession of Sir. J. P. Millbank, Bart., who mformed 
me that it evinced.a strong partiality to the leaves of the com- 
mon lettuce and other soft vegetables, and that it was: also 
very fond of the juice of fruits, of cream and butter. 

It would appear from the numerous specimens I have ex- 
amined that the sexes scarcely differ from each other in colour; 
the young, on the contrary, have but little of the rich yellow 
and red markings of the breast, that part being olive-brown 
like the back. — 


552 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


The general colour of the upper surface brown ; head and 
back of the neck tinged with grey, the feathers of these parts 
as well as of the back margined with a deeper tint; rump, 
belly, and under tail-coverts deep red; cheeks, throat, and 
chest yellow, the former tinged with red; shoulders on their 
inner surface yellow tinged with rufous olive; tail-feathers 
banded at the base with orange-yellow and brown; the inner 
webs of the quill-feathers at the base and beneath, with dusky 
red and brown; irides very dark brown; bill brown; nos- 
trils, bare skin round the eye, and feet dark olive-brown. 


Sp. 15. NESTOR ESSLINGII, De Souancé. 
Prince or Esstine’s Parror. 


Nestor esslingui, De Souancé, Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1856, p. 223. 
nove-zelandia, Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1854, p. 155. 


Nestor esslingii, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol. Supplement pl. 


A single specimen only of this magnificent Parrot has come 
under my notice; and this example is perhaps the only one 
that has yet been sent to Europe. It formerly formed part of 
the collection of the Prince D’Essling of Paris, but now graces 
the National Museum of Great Britain. It is in a most per- 
fect state of preservation, and is, without exception, one of the 
finest species, not only of its genus, but of the great family of 
Parrots. The native country of this bird is supposed to be 
New Zealand; but J, as well as M. de Souancé, have failed 
to learn anything definite on this point. In size it even ex- 
ceeds the great Ka-ka (Vestor hypopolius), which it resembles 
in the form of its beak, while in its general colouring it closely 
assimilates to the JV. productus; in some features of its plu- 
mage, however, it differs from both. In both those species 
the tail-feathers are strongly toothed on the under surface with 
red ; in the JV. esslingit no such marks occur, the toothing on 
the inner webs of the primaries is not so clear and well de- 


ea 


Oe a wet ce a tale ea: sea ml 


APPENDIX. 553 


fined, and the light-coloured interspaces are more freckled 
with brown. 

I need scarcely remark how interesting additional examples 
of any of these rare Parrots would be to our collections, espe- 
cially of the present species ; second only to which would be 
a knowledge of the country it inhabits. 

The following is M. de Souancé’s account of this bird, 
which, as he is the original describer of this species, is given 
in his own words :— 

« Nestor Essuinen, nob. Le Nestor dont nous allons 
donner la description est, sans contredit, l’oiseau le plus re- 
marquable de la collection Masséna. Intermédiaire entre le 
NV. hypopolius et le V. productus, ce magnifique Perroquet 
réunit, dans son plumage, des détails caractéristiques de ces 
deux espéces. 

“Coloration générale semblable a celle du WV. hypopolius : 
tout le dessus de la téte gris blanchatre, les plumes auricu- 
laires jaune orangé trés-vif, les joues rouge orangé ; les plumes 
de la poitrine gris cendré, mais largement bordées de brun ; 
une large ceinture d’un blanc jaunatre régne sur le milieu du 
ventre; le bas-ventre, les cuisses et les couvertures de la 
queue rouge brun; bec et pieds de couleur sombre. L. T. 
50 cent.; aile 830 cent. Nouvelle-Zélande? Un autre in- 
dividu, jeune, ressemble tout-a-fait au jeune de l’espéce ordi- 
naire, mais il offre quelques plumes blanches sur |’abdomen, ce 
qui indique clairement qu'il appartient @ a cette espéce. 

“En comparant cette espéce avec ses deux congénéres plus 
anciennement connus, nous voyons qu'il differe du WV. hypopo- 
lius, dont, au reste, il est fort voisin, par la coloration plus 
vive de ses joues et par sa ceinture blanche. Nous signale- 
rons dans le V. productus, un fait analogue a celui que nous 
avons déja remarqué dans les Loriculus philippensis, L. Regu- 
lus, L. Bonaparts ; cest-a-dire, le prolongement excessif de la 
mandibule supérieure, qui rappelle ce que l’on voit parmi les 
especes américaines, chez |’ Hnicognathus leptorhynchus, et 


554 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


pour les Cacatoes, dans le genre Licmetis. Ici rien de pareil 
n’a lieu: le bec entiérement semblable a celui du JV. hypopo- 
ius. M.Gould, dans ses ‘ Oiseaux de ]’Australie,’ figure un 
jeune JV. productus, qui par sa poitrine grise semblerait avoir 
quelques rapports avec cette espéce et qui sen éloigne beau- 
coup cependant par sa téte brune et la forme de son bec. 
Nous caractérisons donc les trois espéces de Nestor de la 
maniere suivante :—1° WV. hypopolius. Bec grand et fort ; 
dessus de la téte blanc grisitre ; plumes auriculaires et joues 
faiblement nuancées de jaune et de rouge. 2° WV. Esshngiz. 
Bec grand et fort; sommet de la téte blanc grisatre ; plumes 
auriculaires et joues trés vivement colorées de jaune et de 
rouge orangé; poitrine gris brun, une large ceinture blanc 
jaunatre sur abdomen. 3° VV. productus. Bec trés-allongé et 
gréle; sommet de la téte brun; les joues d’un jaune nuancé 
de rouge; la gorge, la poitrine et les couvertures inférieures 
des ailes jaune pale. Le jeune a la poitrine brune.” 

To this list M. de Souancé would doubtless have added my 
Nestor notabilis had he been aware of its existence. 


Sp. 16. NESTOR NOTABILIS, Gould. 
Kea Parrot. 


Nestor notabilis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xxiv. p. 94. 


Nestor notabilis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., Supplement, pl. 
It must be remembered that we are indebted to Mr. Walter 
Mantell for the acquisition of a recent specimen of the Nofornis : 
and second only in importance to this extraordinary and almost 
extinct bird, is the present remarkable species of Parrot, a 
bird equally rare as the. Votornis, and apparently equally as 
near its extinction. When writing on any of the birds of the 
New Zealand and adjacent group of islands, it soon becomes . 
evident that we are dealing with the few remaining members 
of an extremely ancient fauna, the remnants, in fact, of genera 
and. species which in the lapse of a few years will be entirely 


a ee 


ae mln nl hem heii an ai i a a cts A ar 
2 aaa tate carga e 


APPENDIX. 555 


effaced from the surface of our globe. The Philip Island 
Parrot (Nestor productus) is already gone; and the Kaka 
(Nestor hypopolius) must soon follow, but not so soon, pro- 
bably, as the present bird. With what care, then, should 
such relics be preserved in our museums; to none but her- 
metically sealed cases should they be consigned. Let it be 
remembered how great are our regrets that the evidence of 
the former existence of the Dodo comprises only a single foot 
and head and a few dried bones. 

As I have nothing to add to the few remarks respecting 
the history of the present bird accompanying my original — 
description in the ‘ Proceedings of the Zoological Society,’ I 
cannot do better than transcribe them here :— ) 

«The Nestor notabilis, which is called “ Kea” by the na- 
tives, differs from its near allies IV. Aypopolius and NV. productus 
in the greater uniformity of its colouring, in the yellow- 
toothed markings of the inner webs of the primaries and 
secondaries, and in the orange toothed markings of the inner 
webs of the tail-feathers; and in the yellow colouring of the 
under mandible. 

“ Mr. Mantell informed me that he first heard of the 
existence of the Kedé about eight years ago, from some old 
natives whom he was questioning as to the birds of the Mid- 
die Island. They said the Ked somewhat resembled the Kaka 
(Nestor hypopolius), but that, unlike that bird, it was green ; 
and added that it used formerly to come to the coast in severe 
winters, but that they had not seen it lately. Mr. Mantell 
only obtained two specimens of this fine bird : they were shot 
sn the Murihiku country ; and for one of them he was indebted 
to Mr. John Lemon of Murihiku. 

« General hue olive-green; each feather tipped in a cres- 
centic form with brown, and having a fine line of the same 
colour down the shaft; feathers of the lower part of the back 
and the upper tail-coverts washed near the tip with fiery 
orange-red; primaries brown, margined at the base with 


556 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


greenish blue; tail dull green; inner webs of the lateral 
feathers brown, toothed on their basal two-thirds with orange- 
yellow ; all the tail-feathers crossed near the extremity with 
an indistinct band of brown, and tipped with olive-brown ; 
feathers of the axille fine scarlet ; under wing-coverts scarlet 
tipped with brown, the greater ones banded with brown 
and with yellow stained with scarlet; basal portion‘ of the 
primaries and secondaries largely toothed with fine yellow, 
which is not perceptible on the upper surface unless the wings 
are very widely spread ; upper mandible dark horn-colour ; 
_ under mandible yellow, becoming richer towards the point ; 
feet nearly yellowish olive. 

“ Total length 18 inches; bill 24; wing 123; tail 74; 
tarsi 12. 


© Habitat. The Middle Island, New Zealand.” 


Family COLUMBIDZ. 
Genus DIDUNCULUS, Peale. 


Of this extraordinary form only one species has yet been 
discovered ; and in all probability it will ever stand alone. 


Sp. 17. DIDUNCULUS STRIGIROSTRIS. 


DIDUNCULUS. 
Didunculus, Peale. 
Gauthodon strigirostris, Jard.in Ann. and Mag. of Nat. Hist., vol. xvi. 


p. 175. pl. 9. 


Gnathodon strigirostris, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v. 
pl. 76. 


The researches of modern zoologists have not perhaps 
brought to light a more curious object than the Didunculus, 
the first description of which was published by Sir William 
Jardine in the ‘Annals and Magazine of Natural History,’ 
above referred to, wherein he states that “‘ we are indebted to 


1 a it a A BS eS ote lteter i tii i ARES ti a ls i it 


APPENDIX. 557 


Lady Harvey, who purchased it at a sale in Edinburgh, and 
whose extensive collection of natural history in that city is 
always open when science can be promoted, for a specimen of 
this remarkable bird ;” and adds “ we are aware of no exist- 
ing description, though there is one allusion made to a bird 
which may eventually turn out to be this. In Mr. Strick- 
land’s Report on the Recent Progress and Present State of 
Ornithology, read before the British Association at York, it is 
stated, “ The recent American voyage of discovery will extend 
our knowledge of Polynesian zoology, and its researches will 
be made known by Mr. Titian Peale, who is said to have 
discovered among the rarities a new bird allied to the Dodo, 
which he proposes to name ‘Didunculus;’ and we believe 
‘ strigirostris’ has been applied specifically.” 

In this state the subject remained until the year 1862, 
when Dr. Bennett communicated some observations on this 
rare bird to the ‘Sydney Morning Herald’ of August the 19th 
and September the 3rd. This latter communication was 
subsequently read at a Meeting of the Zoological Society of 
London and published in their ‘ Proceedings.’ The following 
are its principal features. 

«The Rev. John B. Stair, of Broadmeadows, Victoria,’’ says 
Dr. Bennett, “who was formerly resident for some time at 
the Samoan or Navigator group of Islands, which are believed 
to be the exclusive habitat of this singular bird, informed the 
Secretary of the Acclimatization Romety of Victoria that it is 
named by the natives ‘Manu-mea’ or Red-bird, from the 
most predominant colour of its plumage being chocolate-red. 
It was formerly numerous, and we may therefore be surprised 
that it should not have been seen and procured by the early 
navigators ; Now it is nearly extinct. It feeds on plantains, 
and is partial to the fruit of the ‘Soi,’ a species of Dioscorea 
or yam, a twining plant abundant in the islands, and pro- 
ducing a fruit resembling a small potato. In disposition it 
is exceedingly shy and timid. Like the Ground-Pigeons it 


558 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


roosts on bushes or stumps of trees, and feeds on the ground. 
It also builds its nest in such situations. During the breeding- 
season both parents aid in the duty of incubation, relieve each 
other with great regularity, and are so intent on the perform- 
ance of their duty that, when sitting on their eggs, they may 
be easily captured by the hand. Two living birds were 
obtained in this way by Mr. Stair. They are also taken by 
the natives with birdlime or springes, and shot with arrows, 
the sportsman concealimg himself near an open space in which 
a quantity of the ‘soi,’ their favourite food, has been placed. 

“The first living bird obtained was accidentally killed; the 
second, when placed in confinement, at first was sullen and 
refused food, but soon became reconciled to captivity and 
throve well. The natives fed it upon boiled taro (the root of 
the Caladium esculentum), rolled into oblong pellets, in the 
same manner as they fed their pet Wood-Pigeons and Doves. 
The power of wing of most of the Pigeon tribe is very 
great, and it also obtains in this bird. It flies through the air 
with a loud noise like the Topknot Pigeon (Lopholaimus 
antarcticus) of the Illawarra district, and many others of the 
Australian Pigeons; and Mr. Stair describes it as making 
so great a noise with its wings on rising that, when heard at 
a distance, it resembles the rumbling of distant thunder, for 
which it might be mistaken. Mr. Stair considers that the 
bird may yet be found at Savaii, the largest and most moun- 
tainous island of the group, but thinks it does not at present 
exist on that of Upolu.” 

In a communication to the Zoological Society of London, 
read at their Meeting on November the 10th, 1863, Dr. Ben- 
nett stated that he had recently had an opportunity of exa- 
mining a living example which had been brought to Sidney by 
Mr. J. Williams. “ At first it was rather shy and wild, but 
afterwards became more tame, and manifested but little fear. 
This feeling was, however, occasionally exhibited by uttering 
some rapid ‘coos,’ and by fluttering its wings. It is a stupid 


oe i ra eR A 


APPENDIX. 559 


looking bird, and has no particular. attraction except in the 
anomalous and extraordinary form of the beak, which cannot 
fail to excite the attention of the most ordinary observers. 
The only sound it utters is a quick ‘Coo-coo-coo,’ the beak 
being always a little open when the notes are emitted. The 
bird was captured about five miles from Apia, in the Island of 
Upolu; it is evident, therefore, that a few still remain there, 
It is, however, agreed by every one with whom I have con- 
versed, that has resided at the Navigators’ Islands, that it is 
nearly extinct, both from being eaten by the natives as well 
as by cats, rats, and other vermin. Its food consisted at first 
of boiled yams, but it will eat bananas, apples, bread, and 
boiled potatoes.” 

Another paper, by Dr. Bennett, on this extraordinary bird, 
was read at the Meeting of the Society on the 22nd of March 
1864, in which he says:—“In the contour of the bill, the 
form and position of the nostrils, and several other characters, 
the Didunculus differs from any other living species yet known. 
Although a smaller bird in size, it approximates the nearest 
in all its characters to the extinct Dodo, and, like it, combines 
the characters of a rapacious bird with that of the harmless 
Pigeon. Although the mandibles are powerful in structure, 
yet the beak is never used as an offensive weapon; for, when 
the hand is placed in the cage, or the bird is seized for re- 
moval from one cage to another, it never attempts to bite; 
but, on the contrary, is so timid that, after fluttermg about 
or running into a dark corner, it soon becomes subdued and is 
easily taken.” Speaking of another living pair he had recently 
purchased, Dr. Bennett says :-—“ They would nibble into 
minute bits the seeds of loquats, almonds, and hemp-seed, 
with the same action as the Parrot tribe when feeding. When 
I first had them, boiled potatoes and bread formed their diet ; 
the former being soft were torn and swallowed in large pieces, 
but the latter they placed under their feet and tore with their 
hooked beak into small bits. It was supposed that the bird 


560 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


never drinks water, but this I soon found to be incorrect. 
They invariably feed in the light, but will not take food if 
anyone be present. They run with great rapidity, elongating 
the body and depressing the head, and in the action of running 
resemble Grouse.” 

Another living Diduwneulus having arrived in Sydney, Dr. 
Bennett, with his wonted liberality, purchased it at a very 
high price, and sent it to London, as a present to the Zoolo- 
logical Society, in charge of Mr. Broughton, the steward of the 
‘Lia Hogue,’ whose experience in the management of birds 
enabled him to bring it home in safety, and it lived for some 
months in the Society’s Gardens, in the Regent’s Park, an 
object of interest to all scientific ornithologists; its skin is 
now in the National collection at the British Museum, and its 
body will afford Mr. Parker the opportunity of preparing and 
publishing a valuable memoir on its osteology. Referring 
to this specimen, Dr. Bennett states that the whole of the 
time it was in his “possession it never became domesticated, 
nor evinced the slightest attachment to the lady who daily 
fed it; it was the same to her as to strangers, and I do not 
consider the Didunculus a bird which will be readily reconciled 
to captivity. For some time it would be comparatively tame, 
and then, without any apparent cause to account for the 
change, become very wild.” 

Lores and a small patch on each side of the throat bare and 
apparently red; head, neck, breast, and belly glossy greenish 
black; feathers of the upper part of the back black, with a 
crescent-shaped mark of glossy green ‘at the tip of each 
feather; back, wings, tail, and under tail-coverts rich deep 
chestnut-red ; primaries and secondaries greyish black ; irides 
dark reddish brown; orbits flesh-colour; bill orange, red at 
the base, the remainder yellowish; tarsi and feet bright 
orange-red. 2 


1 RAMPS a th a ETS Sk Oe ote a en lta ai leita iS lene al — ee eee ee ee ee 


APPENDIX. 561 


Family STRUTHIONIDZ. 


Sp. 18. CASUARIUS BENNETTI, Gould. 
Moorvk. 


Casuarius bennetti, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xxv. p. 269, 
pl. 129. 
Mooruk, Aborigines of New Britain. 


Casuarius bennetti, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., Supplement, pl. - 


Who would have supposed the former existence of an 
extensive group of Struthious birds of great magnitude and 
comprising many species? and what naturalist would have 
imagined that so much of the bony structures of these birds 
would have been brought to light—that not only their generic 
but their specific characters may be accurately described, and 
even their entire skeletons mounted in our museums? Yet 
these things have been realized within the last few years, the 
indefatigable zeal and careful study of Professor Owen having 
enabled him to determine and arrange the semi-fossilized re- 
mains of numerous species of a great family of birds which 
formerly existed on our globe, and of which some few remain 
to testify as to the character of their plumage and their eco- 
nomy of life. The Caswarius bennett is one of the few living 
representatives of this almost extinct group, and its discovery 
must be hailed with interest, tending as it does to throw a 
light on the history of those huge birds of remote antiquity— 
the Dinornis and its allies. Professor Owen considers this 
new bird and the Cassowary (Caswarius galeatus) to be the 
most nearly allied living types of his genus Palapteryx ; and 
if this opinion be correct, we may infer that the habits and 
economy, as well as the kind of plumage and the character 
of country inhabited by the extinct birds, were very similar. 
The Mooruk lives reclusely in the gullies and humid parts of 
dense forests, feeding upon the roots of ferns and plants pe- 

VOL. II. 20 


562 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


culiar to such situations. The hair-like character of its 
feathers bespeak these habits and mode of life, as much as 
the plumes of the Ostriches aud Rheas do their adaptation 
for open plains and savannahs. 

Compared with the Cassowary, the Mooruk is a smaller and 
shorter bird, and has much thicker legs; and the helmet, im- 
stead of being in the form of an elevated casque with a short 
rounded ridge, rises high at the base, and then branches out 
into two overhanging lobes, the horny part which unites them 
being lowest in the centre—the back part of this elevated 
double crest being flat and rising rather obliquely from the 
head near the occiput. The colouring of the Mooruk, when 
it first arrived in England, was rufous mixed with black on 
the back and under part of the body, and raven-black about 
he neck and breast; the loose wavy skin of the neck was 
beautifully coloured with iridescent tints of bluish purple, 
pink, and an occasional shade of green ; and the feet and legs 
were of a pale ash-colour. The body has now become gene- 
rally darker, the bare skin of the fore part of the neck of 
a more uniform smalt blue, and the legs of a some- 
what darker tint. 

Dr. Bennett, after whom I have named the bird as a just 
compliment to one who has ever manifested the greatest love 
for Natural History, besides presenting the living birds to 
the Zoological Society, has enriched the volumes of their 
‘ Proceedings’ with some interesting details as to the habits of 
the bird while living in his possession at Sydney—some in 
the form of letters to myself, others as direct communications; 
and these I have great pleasure in reproducing here :— 

The Mooruk was obtained at a native village under two 
hills, named by navigators the Mother and Daughter, on that 
part of the coast of New Britain lying between Cape Palliser 
and Cape Stephen. 

«The feet and legs, which are very large and strong, are 
of a pale ash-colour, and exhibit a remarkable peculiarity in 


APPENDIX. 563 


the extreme length of the claw of the inner toe on each foot, it 
being nearly three times the length which obtains in the 
claws of the other toes. This bird, which is immature, 
differs from the Casuarius galeatus in having a horny plate 
instead of a helmet-like protuberance on the top of the head, 
which callous plate has the character of, and resembles, mo- 
ther-of-pearl darkend with black lead: the form of the bill 
differs considerably from that of the Emu (Dromaius Nove- 
Hlollandia), being narrower, longer, and more curved, and 
having a black and leathery cere at the base; behind the 
plate of the head is a small tuft of black hair-like feathers, 
which are continued in greater or lesser abundance over most 
parts of the neck.” 

In Dr. Bennett's next communication, direct to the Society, 
he says :— 

“On the 26th of October, 1858, the ‘ Oberon’ cutter of 
forty-eight tons arrived in Sydney, having two fine young 
specimens of the ‘ Mooruk’ on board, stated to be male and 
female. Captain Devlin informed me he had had them eight 
-months, that he procured them soon after his arrival at New 
Britain, and since that time had been trading about the 
islands. They were about half the size of the specimens 
sent to England last year. He also told me that the 
natives capture them when very young, and rear them by 
hand. The old birds are very swift of foot, and possess great 
strength in the legs; on the least alarm they elevate the head, 
and, seeing danger, dart among the thick bush, thread about 
in localities where no human being could follow them, and 
disappear like magic. ‘Their powers of leaping are very ex- 
traordinary. It was from this circumstance the first bird 
brought from New Britain was lost: from its habit of leaping 
it one day made a spring on the deck and went overboard ; it 
was blowing a strong breeze at the time, and the bird per- 
ished. I succeeded in purchasing these birds; and Captain 
Slater, the present commander of the ‘Oberon,’ brought 

: 202 


564 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


them to my house in a cab; and when placed in the yard 
they walked about as tame as turkeys. They approached 
anyone that came into the yard, pecking the hand as if dest- 
rous of being fed, and were very docile. They began by 
pecking at a bone in the yard, probably not having tasted any 
meat for some time, and would not, while engaged upon it, 
touch some boiled potatoes which were thrown to them; in- 
deed we found afterwards they fed better out of a dish than 
from the ground—no doubt, having been accustomed early to 
be fed in that manner. They were as familiar as if born and 
bred among us for years, and did not require time to recon- 
cile them to their new situation, but became sociable and 
quite at home at once. We found them next day rather too 
tame, or, like spoilt pets, too often inthe way. One or both 
of them would walk into the kitchen ; while one was dodging 
under the tables and chairs, the other would leap upon the 
table, keeping the cook in a state of excitement; or they 
would be heard chirping in the hall, or walk into the library 
in search of food or information, or walk up stairs, and then 
be quickly seen descending again, making their peculiar chirp-- 
ing, whistling noise: not a door could be left open, but in 
they walked, familiar with all. They kept the servants con- 
stantly on the alert: if one of them went to open the door, 
on turning round she found a ‘ Mooruk ’ behind her ; for they 
seldom went together, generally wandering apart from each 
other. If any attempt was made to turn them out by force, 
they would dart rapidly round the room, dodging about under 
the tables, chairs, and sofas, and then end by squatting down 
under a sofa or in a corner; and it was impossible to remove 
the bird except by carrying it away: on attempting this, the 
long, powerful, muscular legs, would begin kicking and strug- 
gling, and soon get released, when it would politely walk out 
of its own accord. JI found the best method was to’ entice 
them out, as if you had something eatable in the hand, when 
they would follow the direction in which you wished to lead 


a a 


APPENDIX. 065 


them. The housemaid attempting to turn the bird out of-one 
of the rooms, it gave her a kick and tore her dress. ‘They 
walked into the stable among the horses, poking their bills 
into the manger. When writing in my study, a chirping 
whistling noise is heard; the door, which is ajar, is pushed 
open, and in walk the ‘ Mooruks,’ who quietly pace round 
the room, inspecting everything, and then as peaceably go 
out again. If any attempt is made to turn them out, they 
leap, dart about, and exhibit a wonderful rapidity of move- 
ment, which no one would suppose possible from their quiet 
gait and manner at other times. ven in the very tame state 
of these birds, I have seen sufficient of them to know that, if 
they were loose in a wood, it would be impossible to catch 
them, and almost as difficult to shoot them. One day, when 
apparently frightened at something that occurred, I saw one 
of them scour round the yard at a swift pace, and speedily 
disappear under the archway so rapidly that the eye could 
hardly follow it, upsetting all the poultry in its progress that 
could not get out of the way. The lower half of the stable- 
door, about four feet high, was kept shut, to prevent them 
going in; but this proved no obstacle, as it was easily leaped 
over by these birds. They never appeared to take any notice 
of, or be frightened at, the Jabiru or Gigantic Crane, which 
was in the same yard, although that sedate, stately bird was 
not pleased at their intrusion. One day I remarked the Jabiru 
spreading his long wings, and clattering his beak, opposite 
one of the ‘Mooruks,’ as if in ridicule of their wingless con- 
dition. ‘Mooruk,’ on the other hand, was preening its fea- 
thers, and spreading out its funny little apology for wings, as 
if proud of displaying the stiff horny shafts with which they 
were adorned. Captain Devlin says the natives consider them 
to a certain degree sacred, rear them as pets, and have great 
affection for them; heis not aware that they are used for food, 
but if so, not generally ; indeed, their shy disposition and 
power of rapid running, darting through the brake and bush, 
would almost preclude their capture. 


a alah il i ah iN ki hi aN i a a atest eg ee TS 


566 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


“The height of the largest or male of these young birds, to 
the top of the back, was two feet two inches, and of the 
female two feet. The height of the largest or male bird, 
when erect, to the top of the head, was three feet two inches, 
and of the female three feet.” 

An egg presented to me by Dr. Bennett is five and a half 
inches long by three and a half inches broad; the ground- 
colour very pale buff, with the entire surface covered with 
pale green corrugations. 

An egg laid in the Gardens of the Zoological Society 1s 
pale grass-green closely freckled with a paler colouring, and 
much smoother and more finely granulated than that of the 
Common Cassowary. It measures 6°0 by 3°45 inches, and 
weighed 223 oz. Its shape is more elongated and pyriform 
than that of the Cassowary or of the Emu. 

“The pair of Mooruks,” says Dr. Sclater in his ‘ Notes on 
the Incubation of Struthious Birds,’ “ which we received from 
Australia in 1858 have last year, and again this year, bred in 
the Zoological Gardens. The male performs the duties of in- 
- cubation, the female not interfering in the matter. Last year 
after an incubation which lasted seven weeks, a single young 
one was hatched on the 4th of September, but was unfortu- 
nately destroyed by rats the same day. This year the male 
commenced to sit on the 25th of April, on six eggs, and we 
hope to be more fortunate.”—Proe. Zool. Soc., 1863, p. 234. 

At a subsequent meeting Dr. Sclater reported that “ on the 
17th of June, after an incubation of fifty-two days, a single 
young bird was produced, which, however, was in a very 
weak state, and only lived about twelve hours. I may re- 
mark that this is the fourth year in which the female Mooruk 
has attempted to breed. In April 1860 three eggs were laid 
without intercourse with the male bird, and of course unfruit- 
ful. In 1861 four unproductive eggs were likewise deposited. 
In 1862, out of six eggs deposited, a fine and healthy bird 
was hatched on September the 4th, after seven weeks incuba- 


~ 


msn RSE 2 Si te i a let ihe ii iM ce i i i AN a 


APPENDIX. 567 


tion, by the male bird. Unfortunately, however, as before 
mentioned, it was destroyed by rats the night after its birth.” 
—Proc. Zool. Soc., 1863, p. 518. 


Family APTERYGIDZ. 


Of this strictly New Zealand family two or three species are 
now in existence, and others may yet be discovered. 


Genus APTERYX, Shaw. 


For our first knowledge of the existence of an Apteryx we 
are indebted to the late Dr. Shaw, to whom the specimen 
figured by him in the‘ Naturalists’ Miscellany ° was presented 
by Captain Barclay, of the ship ‘ Providence,’ who brought it 
from New Zealand about 1812. Dr. Shaw’s figure was accom- 
panied by a detailed drawing of the bill, foot, and rudimentary 
wing, of the natural size. After Dr. Shaw’s death, his at that 
time unique specimen passed into the possession of the late 
Earl of Derby, then Lord Stanley. His Lordship’s being a pri- 
vate collection, and no other specimen having been seen either 
on the continent or in England, the existence of the species was 
doubted by naturalists generally for upwards of twenty years. 
M. Temminck, it is true, placed it with hesitation in an order to 
which he gave the title of Jnertes, comprehending the present 
bird and the Dodo; but other naturalists were inclined to 
deny its existence altogether. The history of the bird re- 
mained in this state until June 1833, when the late Mr. 
Yarrell published in the ‘Transactions of the Zoological 
Society’ an interesting paper, detailing all that had been 
previously made known respecting it, and fully established it 
among accredited species : this paper was accompanied by a 
figure from the original specimen then in the possession of the 


‘late Earl of Derby, but now forming part of his Lordship’s 
magnificent bequest to the Town of Liverpool. 


568 © BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Sp. 19. APTERYX AUSTRALIS, Shaw? - 


Kiwi Kiwt. 


Apteryx australis, Shaw, Nat. Misc., vol. xxiv. pls. 1057. 1058? 
Apteryz, Temm. Man. d’Orn., 2nd edit. Anal. p. exiv. ? 
Apterous Penguin, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. x. p. 394 ? 

Dromiceius nove-zelandie, Less. Man. d’Orn., tom. ii. p. 210 ? 


Kiwi-Kiwi, Aborigines of New Zealand. 


Apteryx australis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 2. 


In the ‘ Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London ’ 
for the year 1850, Mr. Bartlett has recorded his opimion that 
two species of Apferyx have been confounded under the above 
specific name, and if this view be correct it is probable that 
the bird figured by me is the one he has named 4. mantellr. 

« In calling the attention of the Meeting,” said Mr. Bart- 
lett, “ to the large collection of specimens of the genus dpie- 
rye on the table, I beg to state that I have been led to make 
a careful examination of all the individuals I could find in the 
various collections in London and elsewhere in consequence of 
an Apteryx belonging to Dr. Mantell having been placed in my 
hands by that gentleman a few days since, which appeared 
to me to differ from all that I had before seen. As a care- 
ful comparison of this bird with the specimens above men- 
tioned fully justified me in considering it as a distinct species, 
I was about to describe it as a new one; but most for- 
tunately I heard that the original specimen, figured and de- 
scribed by Dr. Shaw, and to which he applied the name of 
Apteryx australis, was in the collection of the Earl of Derby 
at Knowsley. It is with much pleasure I acknowledge his 
Lordship’s kindness in honouring me with the loan of the 
bird, which has enabled me to identify the large Apteryx 
belonging to Dr. Mantell as pertaining to this species, and also 
to determine most satisfactorily the distinctive characters of 
the common species, which is considerably smaller, and to 


Stn a ee 


APPENDIX. 569 


which the name of Apteryx australis has long been erro- 
neously applied. This bird differs from the original Apteryx 
australis of Dr. Shaw in its smaller size, its darker and more 
rufous colour, its Jonger tarsus which is scutulated in front, its 
shorter toes and claws, which are dark horn-coloured, its 
smaller wings, which have much stronger and thicker quills, 
and also in having long straggling hairs on the face. I may, 
however, remark, that although individuals of this species 
differ much in size, depending probably on age, sex, &., I 
have found no exception to the distinctive characters above 
given, I therefore propose the name of Apteryx mantelli for 
the smaller and more common species—a humble effort to 
commemorate the exertions of Walter Mantell, Esq., to whom 
we are indebted for so many valuable discoveries in the natu- 
ral history of New Zealand. 

“ T subjoin a short description of the two species, in order 
that they may be more readily recognized. 


Apteryx australis. Apteryx mantelli. 
Colour, pale greyish-brown, Colour, dark rufous brown, 
darkest on the back. darkest on the back. 
inches. inches 
Entire length .....+. 30 Hnbire engin 6m bin tnd 23 
Bill from forehead .... 6 Billfrom forehead .... 4 
Tarsus (reticulated) ... 23 Tarsus (scutulated) .... 23 
Middle toe and claw ... 383 Middle toe and claw ... 23 
Wings with soft slender quills ; Middle claw longest, all the 
face with short hairs. claws dark horn-colour. Wings 
with strong thick quills; face 
with long straggling hairs. 


«The entire length being taken from skins, I consider of 
little value; the entire length of a bird ought always to be 
taken before a bird is skinned. 

“Tn conclusion I would remark that the Apteryx australis 
belonging to Dr. Mantell was collected by his son in Dusky 
Bay, and I have been informed by Dr. Gray that the original 
bird described by Dr. Shaw was brought from the same 


570 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


locality. As far as I am able to ascertain, all the specimens 
of Apteryx mantelli are from the North Islands. 

“The favourite localities of this bird are those covered with 
extensive and dense beds of fern, among which it conceals 
itself, and, when hard pressed by dogs, the usual mode of 
chasing it, takes refuge in crevices of the rocks, hollow trees, 
and in the deep holes which it excavates in the ground, in 
the form of a chamber; in these latter situations it is said to 
construct its nest of dried fern and grasses, and to deposit its 
eggs, the number and colour of which have not been clearly 
ascertained.”’ | 

“While undisturbed,” says Mr. Short, in a letter to Mr. 
Yarrell, “the head is carried far back in the shoulders, with 
the bill pointing to the ground; but, when pursued, it runs 
with great swiftness, carrying the head elevated like the 
Ostrich. It is asserted to be almost exclusively nocturnal in 
its habits, and it is by torchlight that it is usually hunted by 
the natives, by whom it is sought after with the utmost 
avidity, the skins being highly prized for the dresses of the 
chiefs; indeed, so much are they valued, that the natives can 
rarely be induced to part with them. The feathers are also 
employed to construct artificial flies for the capture of fish, 
precisely after the Huropean manner. When attacked it 
defends itself very vigorously, striking rapid and dangerous 
blows with its powerful feet and sharp spur; with which it 
is also said to beat the ground in order to disturb the worms 
upon which it feeds, seizing them with its bill the instant 
they make their appearance; it also probably feeds upon 
snails, insects, etc.” 

“The Apteryx is so scarce a bird, even in New Zealand,’ says 
Dr. Sclater, “that it can hardly be expected that we should be 
well acquainted with its mode of reproduction. His Excel- 
lency Sir George Grey has lately sent me an extract from a 
letter addressed to him by T. E. Manning, Esq., dated Hoki- 
anga, on the north-western coast of the Northern Island, 


APPENDIX. 571 


February the 2nd, 1863 :—‘ Several years ago, an old native, 
who had been a great Kiwi-hunter in the times when the 
Kiwi were plentiful, told me a strange tale about the manner 
in which the Kiwi hatches its eggs. 1, of course, cannot 
vouch for the correctness of the story, but think it worth 
relating ; he said that the Kiwi did not sit, like other birds, 
upon the egg, but under it, first burying the egg in the ground 
to a considerable depth, and then digging a cave or nest 
under it by which about one third of the lower end was 
exposed, and so lying under the egg and in contact with the 
lower end, which came, as it were, through the roof of the 
nest or burrow. The appearance of the egg, which I propose 
to send, corroborated this statement, for two-thirds of its 
length (the small end) was perfectly clean and white, and 
about one-third (the large end) was very much discoloured 
and very greasy, evidently from contact with the body of the 
bird.. The difference in the colour and condition of the ends 
of the egg was quite remarkable and well defined by a 
circular line passing round the egg.’ 

«Mr. H. L. Layard has favoured me with the following 
information on the same subject, forwarded to him by Mr. 
Webster, also resident at Hokianga, which contains much 
more positive information. 7 

«Mr. Webster writes as follows:—‘A fortnight ago a 
native, out shooting Pigeons, discovered a Kiwi’s egg pro- 
truding out of a small hole at the root of a Kauri-tree; 
removing the egg, he put his arm, to the elbow, up the hole, 
and got hold of the parent-bird. Does it not appear to be a 
strange position for an egg to be inP 

«¢ An old native, who professes to know something about 
them, states that they lay but one egg at atime. The nest 
is merely a hole scraped out by the bird, and generally about 
the roots of a tree where the ground is dry; the egg is covered 
with leaves and moss, the decomposition of which evolves 
heat sufficient to bring forth the young. The process takes 


572 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


six weeks. When hatched, the mother, by instinct, is -at 
hand to attend to her offspring.’ 

“Fortunately we are able to test these statements to a 
certain extent by the observations of the habits of the female 
Apterye mantelli in our Gardens, which, although unmated, 
has for several years produced eggs. She laid her first egg 
on the 9th of June 1859; since which date she has laid nine 
others, generally producing one early in the year, and a 
second about three months after, making two in each year. 
She has more than once manifested a disposition to sit upon 
her egg, having been discovered, after its deposition, placed 
above it, just in such an attitude as would be assumed if this 
were the case, and resisting all attempts to move her from 
her position. It would appear probable, therefore,— 

“1. That the Apteryx lays one egg only at a time. 

“2. That this is deposited within a hollow tree, as recorded 
by Mr. Webster, and that the female incubates thereon. 

“3. That the Apteryx breeds twice a year.” 

Should the bird I have figured in the folio edition prove to 
be 4. mantelli and not A. australis, the following notes, by 
Dr. Hochstetter, will have reference to it. 

“In the northern districts of the Northern Island this species 
appears to have become quite extinct. But in Houtourou, or 
Little Barrier Island, a small island situated in the Gulf of Hau- 
raki, near Auckland, completely wooded, rising about 1000 
feet above the sea-level, and only accessible when the sea is 
quite calm, it is said to be still tolerably common. In the 
inhabited portions of the southern districts of the Northern 
Island, also, it has become nearly extirpated by men, dogs, 
and wild cats, and is only to be found in the more inaccessible 
and less populous mountain-chains, that is, in the wooded 
mountains between Cape Palliser and Kast Cape.—JVai. Hist. 
Rev., 1861, p. 506. 

A most careful and elaborate paper “On the Anatomy of 
the Apteryx,” by Professor Owen, will be found in the second 


APPENDIX. 573 


volume of the ‘Transactions of the Zoological Society of 
London.’ 

It is said to be an inhabitant of all the islands of New 
Zealand, particularly the southern end of the middle island. 

Face and throat greenish brown, all the remainder of the 
plumage consisting of long lanceolate hair-like feathers, of a 
chestnut-brown colour, margined on each side with blackish 
brown ; on the lower part of the breast and belly the feathers 
are lighter than those of the upper surface, and become of a 
grey tint; bill yellowish horn-colour, its base beset with 
numerous long hairs; feet yellowish brown. 


Sp. 20. APTERYX OWENII, Gould. 
Owen’s APTERYX. 


- Apteryx owenii, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xv. p. 94. 


Apteryx owenii, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pl. 3. 


The acquisition of a new species of Apteryx is an evidence 
that our knowledge of the natural productions of New Zealand 
is far from complete. 

The specimen from which my description was taken was 
sent to me by Mr. F. Strange, of Sydney, in 1850; since 
that time several others have come under my notice, all of 
which were from the South Island of New Zealand. 

It is rendered conspicuously different from the 4. australis, 
with which it accords im size, by the irregular transverse 
barring of the entire plumage, which, together with its 
extreme density and hair-like appearance, gives it more the 
resemblance of a mammal than of a bird; it has also a shorter, 
more slender, and more curved bill; and the feathers also 
differ in structure, bemg broader throughout, especially at 
the tip, and of a loose decomposed and hair-like texture. 

“Tn the spurs of the Southern Alps, on Cook’s Strait, in the 
province of Nelson,” says Dr. Hochstetter, “that is, in the 
higher wooded mountain-valleys of the Wairau chain, and 


D74 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


westward of Blind Bay, in the wooded mountains between the 
Motucha and Aorere valleys, this species is still found in 
great numbers. During my stay in the province of Nelson I 
had two living examples, a male anda female. They were 
procured, by some natives I sent out for the purpose, in the 
upper wooded valleys of the river State, a confluent of the 
Aorere, in a country elevated from 2000 to 3000 feet above 
the sea-level.” —WNat. Hist. Rev., 1861, p. 505. 

I have characterized this new species under the name of 
Apteryx owenii, feeling assured that it can only be considered 
a just compliment to Professor Owen, who has so ably in- 
vestigated the remains of the extinct birds of New Zealand. 

Face, head, and neck dull yellowish brown ; throat somewhat 
paler; all the upper surface transversely rayed with blackish 
brown and fulvous, each individual feather being silvery 
brown at the base, darker brown in the middle, then crossed 
by a lunate mark of fulvous, to which succeeds an irregular 
mark of black, and terminated with fulvous; under surface 
paler than the upper, caused by each feather being crossed 
by three rays of fulvous instead of two, and more largely 
tipped with that colour; the feathers of the thighs resemble 
those of the back; bill dull yellowish horn-colour; feet and 
claws fleshy brown. 

Total length 18 inches; bill—gape to lip 33, breadth at 
base 24; middle toe and nail 24; tarsi 24. 


Family HIMANTOPODIDE. 
Sp. 21. HIMANTOPUS NOVAI-ZELANDIA, Gould. 


New ZEALAND STILT. 


Himantopus nove-zelandia, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part ix. p. 8. 


Himantopus Nove-Zelandiz, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. 
pl. 25. 


As might be expected, the colonization of New Zealand has 


APPENDIX.» 575 


| brought to light many ornithological novelties peculiar to those 
| islands, the natural productions of which are even at this time 
so imperfectly known.. The species here described is interesting, 
not so much for its beauty, as for its forming another member 
of the very limited genus Himantopus, of which until lately 
only one species was known. I regret to say that no infor- 
mation as to its habits, changes of plumage, or the localities 
in which it is found, has been acquired; the two specimens 
I have seen were merely labelled —‘‘ Waders killed at Port 
Nicholson.” They are not only different from all other 
known species, but are also very dissimilar in plumage 
and in size, one being very much larger than the other; 
though the dissimilarity in size is not greater than I have 
observed to exist betwen the sexes of the White-headed 
Stilt. The least of the two, which I presume to be the fe- 
male, has the whole of the plumage black or blackish brown; 
while the other has the forehead, the front of the neck, and 
the breast white; the tail and all the remainder of the plu- 
mage being black, like the other. I am inclined to believe 
that the difference in colouring is either attributable to youth, 
or that it is a seasonal character; in all probability, the en- 
tirely black plumage is that of summer. 

The following is a description of the darkest-coloured bird 
figured in the folio edition of the ‘ Birds of Australia.’ 

The whole of the plumage sooty black, with the exception 
of the back, wings, and tail, which are glossed with green ; 
bill black; feet pink red; the other specimen has the fore- 
head, lores, chin, front, and sides of the neck, chest, and under 
tail-coverts white. 

Total length 16 inches; bill 3 ; wing 97; tail 35; tarsi 33. 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Family RALLIDA. 


Genus NOTORNIS, Owen. . 


In all probability the only known species of this form is the 
solitary remnant of a group of birds which was formerly nu- 
merous in New Zealand and the neighbouring islands. 


Sp. 22. NOTORNIS MANTELLI, Owen. 


Mono. 


Notornis mantelli, Owen in Trans. of Zool. Soc., vol. ii. p. 877. 


Notornis mantelli, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., Supplement, pl. 


The acquisition of a new species is always a matter of great 
interest ; but when, as in the present instance, it is of one so 
nearly extinct as to be only known to us previously by its 
fossil or semi-fossilized remains, the interest becomes enhanced 
in the highest degree ; it is well known that the existence of 
the celebrated Dodo is all but traditionary, a fate which, but 
for Mr. Walter Mantell’s fortunate acquisition of a living ex- 
ample, would probably have been shared by the present bird, 
the characters of which were first made known to us by 
Professor Owen from the semi-fossilized remains previously 
obtained and sent home by the same talented explorer after 
whom it is named. 

That few living examples remain, is evident from the fact 
that the mounted specimen in Dr. Mantell’s possession is the 
only one that has yet heen seen ; all the information respect- 
ing it that has been obtained is comprised in the following in- 
teresting account communicated by him to the Zoological 
Society of London, and published in their ‘ Proceedings’ for 
1850 :— 

“This bird was taken by some sealers who were pursuing 
their avocations in Dusky Bay. Perceiving the trail of a large 
and unknown bird on the snow with which the ground was 


+ iA ei Sah CT aN BES OT Pe ina Ale nase nse a iszen niet 


APPENDIX. 577 


then covered, they followed the foot-prints till they obtained a 
sight of the Wotornis, which their dogs instantly pursued, and 
after a long chase caught alive in the gully of a sound behind 
Resolution Island. It ran with great speed, and upon being | 
captured uttered loud screams, and fought and struggled vio- 
lently; it was kept alive three or four days on board. the 
schooner and then killed, and the body roasted and ate by 
the crew, each partaking of the dainty, which was declared to 
be delicious. My son fortunately secured the skin. 

“Mr. Walter Mantell states, that, according to the native 
traditions, a large Rail was contemporary with the Moa, and 
formed a principal article of food among their ancestors. It 
was known to the North Islanders by the name of ‘ Moho,’ 
and to the South Islanders by that of ‘Zakahé’; but the bird 
was considered by both natives and Europeans to have been 
long since exterminated by the wild cats and dogs, not an 
individual having been seen or heard of since the arrival of the 
English colonists. That intelligent observer, the Rev. Richard 
Taylor, who has so long resided in the islands, had never 
heard of a bird of this kind having been seen. In his ‘ Leaf 
from the Natural History of New Zealand,’ under the head of 
‘ Moho,’ is the following note: ‘ Rain, colour black, said to 
be a wingless bird as large as a fowl, with red beak and legs ; 
it is nearly exterminated by the cat: its cry was keo, keo.’’ 
The inaccuracy and vagueness of this description proves it to 
be from native report and not from actual observation. To 
the natives of the pahs or villages on the homeward route, 
and at Wellington, the bird was a perfect novelty and excited 
much interest. I may add, that upon comparing the head 
of the bird with the fossil cranium and mandibles, and. the 
figures and descriptions in the ‘ Zoological Transactions,’ my 
son was at once convinced of their identity ; and so delighted 
was he by the discovery of a living example of one of the sup- 
posed extinct contemporaries of the Moa, that he immediately 
wrote to me, and mentioned that the skull and beaks were 

von. 1. | 2? 


578 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


alike in the recent and fossil specimens, and that the abbrevi- 
ated and feeble development of the wings, both in their bones 
and plumage, were in perfect accordance with the indications 
afforded by the fossil humerus and sternum found by him at 
Waingongoro, and now in the British Museum, as pointed out 
by Professor Owen in the memoir above referred to. 

“In concluding this brief narrative of the discovery of a 
living example of a genus of birds once contemporary with 
the colossal Moa, and hitherto only known by its fossil remains, 
I beg to remark that this highly interesting fact tends to con- 
firm the conclusions expressed in my communications to the 
Geological Society—namely, that the Dinornis, Palapteryz, 
and related forms, were coeval with some of the existing 
species of birds peculiar to New Zealand, and that their final 
extinction took place at no very distant period, and long after 
the advent of the aboriginal Maories.”’ 

Upon a cursory view of this bird it might be mistaken for 
a gigantic kind of Porphyrio, but on an examination of its 
structure it will be found to be generically distinct. It is 
allied to Porphyrio in the form of its bill and in its general 
colouring, and to Zribonye in the structure of its feet, while 
in the feebleness of its wings and the structure of its tail it 
differs from both. 

From personal observation of the habits of Tribonyx and 
Porphyrio, 1 may venture to affirm that the habits and economy 
of the present bird more closely resemble those of the former 
than those of the latter; that it is doubtless of a recluse 
and extremely shy disposition; that being deprived, by the 
feeble structure of its wing, of the power of flight, it is com- 
pelled to depend upon its swiftness of foot for the means 
of evading its natural enemies; and that as is the case with 
Tribonyx, a person may be in its vicinity for weeks without 
even catching a glimpse of it. 

From the thickness of its plumage and the great length of 
its back-feathers, we may infer that it affects low and humid 


APPENDIX. 579 


situations, marshes, the banks of rivers, and the coverts of i 
dripping ferns, so abundant in its native country; like Por- i 
phyrio, it doubtless enjoys the power of swimming, but would i 
seem, from the structure of its legs, to be more terrestrial in 
its habits than the members of that genus. 

I have carefully compared the bill of this example with that 
figured by Professor Owen under the name of Wotornis man- 
tell, and have little doubt that they are referable to one and 
the same species. 

I cannot conclude these remarks without bearing testimony 
to the very great importance of the results which have attended 
the researches of Mr. Walter Mantell in the various depart- 
ments of science to which he has turned the attention of his 
inquiring mind, nor without expressing a hope that he may 
yet be enabled to obtain some particulars as to the history of. 

| this and the other remarkable birds of the country in which 
he is resident. 

Head, neck, breast, upper part of the abdomen, and flanks 
| purplish blue; back, rump, upper tail-coverts, lesser wing- | 
coverts and tertiaries dark olive-green, tipped with verditer- 
green; at the nape of the neck a band of rich blue separating 
the purplish blue of the neck from the green of the body ; 
wings rich deep blue, the greater coverts tipped with verditer- 
green, forming crescentic bands when the wing is expanded ; 
tail dark green ; lower part of the abdomen, vent, and thighs 
dull bluish black; under tail-coverts white; bill and feet 
bright red. 

Total length of the body, 26 inches ; bill, from the gape to 
the tip, 24; from the tip to the posterior edge of the plate on | 
the forehead, 3; wing, 82; tail, 3}; tarsi, 34; middle toe, 3; | 
nail, Z; hind toe, #; nail, 2. 


2P2 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Family ANATIDA. 
Genus SPATULA, Bove. 
Sp. 23. SPATULA VARIEGATA, Gould 


VARIEGATED SHOVELLER. 


Spatula variegata, Gould in Proe. of Zool. Soc., part xxiv. p. 95. 
rhynchotis, G. R. Gray, in Dieft. Trav. in New Zeal., vol. un. 
Adee 


Spatula variegata, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., Supplement, 
pl. 


Among the novelties brought by Mr. Walter Mantell from 
New Zealand was a species of Shoveller Duck, which is cer- 
tainly new to science, for with no one of the members of this 
well-defined and widely spread genus can it be confounded. 
Its nearest ally is the Australian species, Spatula rhynchotis ; 
but it differs from it in its more variegated plumage, and in 
other particulars. Supposing it to have been collected at the 


same time as the fine Parrot Nestor notadilis, the Middle 
Island of New Zealand will be the part where at least it is 
occasionally found. It is somewhat strange that so large a 
bird as this duck should not have fallen to the gun of the 
collector before ; yet, on the other hand, how seldom does the 
common Shoveller of Europe (Spatula clypeata) come under 
the notice of the sportsman; even in the parts of England 
where it is most common, he may pass years without an 
opportunity occurring for shooting one. 

The Spatula variegata, which forms the fifth and is by far 
the handsomest species of the genus Spatula, is distinguished 
from the other members by the dark crescentic markings 
which decorate the feathers of the breast, sides of the neck, 
and scapularies. The species of this well-defined form pre- 
viously described are Spatula clypeata, which inhabits Europe, 
North America, India, and China; S&S. rhynchotis, which is 
found throughout Australia ; S. maculata, the habitat of which 


APPENDIX. 581 


is Chili and probably the neighbouring countries of Peru and 
Bolivia; and S. capensis of South Africa. 

Crown of the head and space surrounding the base of the 
bill brownish black; on either side of the face between the 
bill and the eye a lunar-shaped streak of white, bounded 
posteriorly with speckles of black ; cheeks, sides, and back of 
the neck dark grey with greenish reflexions ; front of the neck 
dark brown, each feather narrowly fringed with white ; back 
brownish black, the feathers of the upper part margined with 
greyish brown ; feathers of the breast, sides of the lower part 
of the neck, the mantle and scapularies white, with a crescent 
of blackish brown near the tip; under surface dark chestnut 
blotched with black; flanks lighter chestnut barred with 
black ; lesser wing-coverts dull greenish blue; greater wing- 
coverts dark brown, fringed at the tip with white ; first elon- 
gated scapularies blue-grey, with a conspicuous line of white 
on the outer web next to the shaft, bounded posteriorly with 
black ; the next blue-grey, margined on the inner web with 
white ; the remainder greenish black, with a lengthened lan- 
ceolate mark-of dull or brownish white down the centre of 
the apical half; speculum deep green; primaries dark brown 
with lighter shafts; under surface of the shoulder white; on 
each side of the vent a patch of white freckled with black ; 
under tail-coverts black, tinged with shiming green ; tail dark 
brown; irides bright yellow; bill dark purplish black, the 
under mandible clouded with yellow; legs and feet yellow. 

Up to the present time (Nov. 1865) no second specimen 
has reached Europe, and the colouring of the female is un- 


known to us. 
Total length 16} inches ; bill 3 ; wing 94; tail 423; tarsi 12. 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Family PELECANIDZ. 
Genus PHALACROCORAX, Brisson. 


Sp. 24. PHALACROCORAX PUNCTATUS. 


SpottED CoRMORANT. 


Pelecanus punctatus, Sparm. Mus. Carls., vol. 1. t. 10. 
nevius, Gmel. Linn., vol. i. p. 575. 
Phalacrocorax dilophus, Vieill. 
punctatus, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xiii. p. 88. 
nevius, Cuv. Régn. Anim., p. 565. 
Graculus punctatus, G. R. Gray, App. Dieff. Trav. in New Zeal., vol. ui. 
p- 201. 
Crested Shag, Cook’s last Voy., vol. 1. p. 151. 
Spotted Shag, Lath. Gen. Syn., vol. vi. p. 602, pl. civ. 
Pa-degga-degga, Aborigines of New Zealand. 


Phalacrocorax punctatus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii 
pl. 71. 


This beautiful species of Cormorant is a native of New 
Zealand; but although numbers of Europeans have now for 
many years visited those islands, it is extremely rare in our 
collections, and the following brief note by Latham is all that 
has been recorded respecting it. 

« Frequent in Queen Charlotte’s Sound; builds among the 
rocks, and not unfrequently on trees when growing near the 
water. The name it is there known by is Pa-degga-degga.”’ 

It builds among rocks, and not unfrequently on trees when 
erowing near the water. 

Vertical and occipital crest, crown of the head, and throat 
sooty black; back of the neck, lower part of the back, and 
rump glossy green ; a white stripe commencing above the eye 
passes down each side of the neck to the flanks ; lower part 
of the neck, chest, and abdomen beautiful leaden grey ; under 
tail-coverts and tail black; mantle, scapularies, and wings 


+ 9 EA aati a ai a RED eae 


APPENDIX. 583 


brownish ash, all the feathers except the secondaries and pri- 
maries having a small spot of black at their tip; from the 
throat, sides, and back of the neck, and thighs, arise numerous 
plume-like white feathers of a soft loose texture ; those on the 
sides and back of the neck are very numerous, but on the 
other parts they are few and thinly scattered. 


BIRDS. OF AUSTRALIA. 


Tue following Table of the Range or Distribution of the Australian 
Birds so far as at present known is intended to indicate the species 
that have been found in each of the seven colonies into which Au- 
stralia is divided. Zoologically speaking, these colonies are not so 
many natural provinces; at the same time we cannot fail to notice 
that the avifauns of New South Wales and Victoria are in the 
main very different from those of Western and Northern Australia; 
in which latter I include the Victoria River and Port Essington, 
or that portion ofthe country, parallel to the Cape York district, 
on the north-east coast, now forming part of Queensland. Those 
persons in either of the colonies who possess this Handbook may, 
by consulting the Table, at once see what species are found in the 
part of the country in which they may be residing, and, with very 
little trouble to themselves, improve the list by adding an asterisk 
in cases of omission. 

Those species the names of which are printed in italics are not 
Australian, but are added for the reasons given at the commence- 
ment of the Appendix. With regard to the authorities for the 
names employed, I have pursued the same plan as that adopted in 
my other publications: that is, where the original generic and 
specific names remain unchanged, the name of the author is given ; 
but where these names have been altered, it is omitted. In my 
own case, however, I have retained my name to such of the species 


originally described by me as are now adopted by ornithologists, 


notwithstanding that in many instances they have been placed in 
genera different from those to which I had assigned them. 


a a 


TABLE OF DISTRIBUTION. 585 
* 213 © 
& jee ql 
3 A) EIS da 
Ei | |elele s 
Name of Species. gis Blais) | « g, 
3) 8/./38 A /-3 cee 
a\SE(a/Elsl2| 8 
eIS(SiSlelel/e| Ef 
ZIVIE|2\Flala| 2 
“| Aquila audax ...... bethapsteetib Hine Bagoersessony Hs) Ripe | ee) He EE PTS BB 
Hieraétus morphhoides, Gould ............ Hef. | ae ob Me obw ta | ae | AE Se ELL 
Polioadine leacopastion seis <deess Hiss Hsingeveninss * 1H] we] ele] ep we |e 13 
Haliastur leucosternus, Gowld —......0c0000s bieicon A | hale ga ai ae aees| SSeS See eee ibe 
? sphenuis 2. cat Rites omste Redes a eee ae a ae a ea ee ee 20 
Pandion leucocephalus, Gowld  ..........0.0.008+ * |e) epee] ef oe | 99 
Falco hypoleucus, (Goild ....i... 0c... .deceeneoveoaes sevbeadd seal ee peed beta 24. 
—melanogenys, Gould .........006 ore ce ed 26 
= BUbMIget, GLAY.. wens eve sates tmoerasbuueevies Soa |iews * Sats 28 
Digna GTS) 3 OG /pes Havent ¢eavt eos b aoneaimcanevs *¥) el el el et xe] we | 29 
Eioracides. beri garth, %... 02...) <d.+59 Ser sTreprvereneves *[* |e] *]... oe a aaa 
occinleribaliny iG D201, ~ Besse toa. 3 sooner ered eas desay eh SOE RE we 83 
Tinnunculus cenchroides .........0..scecssrverseesies *) ei) x] eT e | x se 85 
TGC CON PIA DHE Meese win res os dian y <tWshe Se vreeeeectoees * | x |x | x saa Eta Euaee: 387 
OY Ae GUAR AIS. <cbvcys.nteanesse feesenteee *|*¥ |x| x * | — 38 
BST VG (CUE 15. SSS) Anne ee a ee * | % Rt = 40 
ION torre sBess es 0 v Ts anvbanwowrvveeve's sie aoe me decane ood Pd ee ee Meee 
ot aL. |) <a res eee eaep asst cael 1? a gg 
SOSA ROR GMOWIE. sciet eur cnnenesash veneooveeonies HH eb eT ee) Pes 4B 
Gypoictinia melanosternon, Gould ............06 #1 Xe) we] ee] ed. — 47 
Mays atinis, “Goi Os hes Miser stb sk tesaeeeun smote * |e} xe te | we] x = 49 
SUNT G2 rch cee ee Biv ev oeicaierceoreras *] eb wet wet we de. = 51 
Elanus axillaris ........ SESE SED STH ies en ee * | elm | we] KL ee 538 
REND UG MOU tina se occsr Tite one gene brevis end degass al e Pee lees aes 55D 
Baza suberistata,.G0Uld: 2 toc cctnrecneoenscrminvays ae oe, eee ene ee asi 56 
Circus assimilis, Jard. & Selb. ......cscceseeseeeees * 1% [we |e | x yee 58 
Jandel, Geol. ti syste Bh ads Br serorerwte Kadode lage oh Seo Se iss aaa 60 
Dinix. castanops, GOWd: .i10. decade vedas eeveresiesiet sesdeaseteeeh Bolo Ie eae 62 
nove-hollandia,, Steph. ...cscceceeevceveeeee a oe a a oe Ok aes a 
—— tenebricosus, Gowld .......cs10.0 ee eee ee ie, ae eae ee ne Lee res 65 
Cole US AGOWLG 10, aes femme aeosenstsd reese He} we foe | HL He |e ss 66 
Soeloglaata AOUfacies. 1, 0%.0..issesivssedsvevveveeveee sh IT. p. 524 
Hieracoglaux strenuus, Gould ............ceceeeeee OC bagel dames ictes I. p. 68 
TELUS "CHOI a 0) ee ay ee preceeded teen ae = 69 
IAGO OUIS EMEA ARs Mh nfl te teak orsa edad bvonteven cy *1* 1 we toe] ed. BSS wt 
Spiloglaux marmoratus, Gould ..........ceeece es ee eee ere veelee| — 73 
boobook ......... sii hs ver Michie cash opiates ie ae ea ae a ae ee: 
Coe) a a re ee oer H | eee] %e | we] Hf 76 
Aigotheles novee-hollandix ..........6.cceeeeeeeees ae a a a 79 
leucogaster, Go2ld  ...i...ctecssdeecwoweoweves rel set eontp sev ase Pe ye 81 
Podargus strigoides ....: Sie Sern Se eee steers [ea steal eae | na aes ee ee 84 
CUVACLIFS 10. ALOT) & xinnigetserondvtertoies $a aees|chaa sues [ore [ae |e eee RT: 
—— megacephalus ........ har Se ae tiaereermanet all Pe He |e, el Peace a rd a eo ee 89 
brachypterus, Gould.......ccscssceesevcevenses pee Prat NG 5s hae elo _— 89 
—— phaleenoides, Gowld .......c:ssceersecreeeseees tives tass fia Dee PR So “Ga 
ae aay papuensis, Quoy et GCOLE nog oe in Oy oa re ears ees eee rags 91 
—— plumiferus, Gowld ..iccsectecssecreenecnecnes x 1% Lt iad see 
———— MALMOLALUS 2... eseereesee reese eee seeeeeeenes 2EPHO -feags ; eae 94 
Eurostopodus albogularis .........:sssesseeeeeennes * | * |x iF — 96 
PUbEATUS 2.0... cceeeceesertecnoesen cer even en's sels * |e] we] eT efx = 98 
Caprimulgus macrurus, Horsf..........+-e eee ie vesch sae | Be SPee=TOO 
hestina-Caudlacite, coc. s cies. vas.ote sav aeds WV ereveevs Sele Feat We Se RES) Ree | ae eet. 1. OB 
Cypsolus paciflous co..cresdecsccseteescserveveertvey’s *) ee] ee. =e 105 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Name of Species. 


Now South Wales. 


Queensland. 


Victoria. 


Western Australia. 


Northern Australia. 


Tasmania. 


Number of volume 


and page. 


Hirundo frontalis, Quoy e¢ Gaim. 
fretensis, Gould 
Hydrochelidon nigricans 
Lagenoplastes ariel, Gould 
Cherameeca leucosterna, Gould 
RCH OUNS OPNALTES, SLATE. | gs sdantyn siete ehnth Uhr ennnnenss 
Eurystomus pacificus 
Dacelo gigas 


leachii, Vig. & Horsf. Res Eee aes ‘ 


cervina, Gould 
Todiramphus sanctus 
pyrrhopygius, Gould 
sordidus, Gould 
Cyanalcyon macleayi 
Syma flavirostris, Gould 
Tanysiptera sylvia, Gould 
Aleyone azurea 
diemenensis, Gould 
—— pulchra, Gould 
pusilla 
Artamus sordidus 
eee OUT ELC Craw et ate area Oost Wks segs nea nee 


MACS OCS ICU Ce ee et ea Eee : 


albiventris, Gould 
melanops 
personatus, Gould 
superciliosus, Gould 
leucopygialis, Gould 
Pardalotus punctatus 
—— rubricatus, Gould 


—— quadragintus, Go2ld .......cscceeeeeeeeneeeeees % 


striatus 
eee INTIS CONT Ue ee baci Soca « aags cv ngs San ede et opt 
melanocephalus, Gould 
uropygialis, Gould 
Strepera graculina 
fuliginosa, Gould 
—— arguta, Gould 
—— anaphonensis 
Gymuorhina tibicen 
leuconota, Gould 
organicum, Gould 
Cracticus nigrogularis, Gould 
—— picatus, Gould 
argenteus, Gould 
—— quoyii 
torquatus 
cinereus, Gould 
leucopterus, Gould 


Getrrril L158) PICHON oo rin v oom > Prigg ate agande sage’ vis aie * 


Graucalus melanops 
—— parvirostris, Gould 


—— mentalis, Vig. § Horsf. 


OK OK OK KK KD OK 


Dok KK KK KOKI 


* 


: * OK OK KK KS 


oe South Australia. 


OK OK KE 


tox! 


* 


* OK K KF 


% OK Kk 


x* 


: 


TABLE OF DISTRIBUTION. 


587 


. s os] oO 
8 Jia le 5 
d Ge: a 
a @/a|3 sa 
Name of Species. se 5 a a ai 
slaldi~je|8)e| ge 
Ala elalsig]/S| 20 
EIS|S/e/2(818| 88 
ZICIPIAIEF |Ala| & 
Graucalus hypoleucus, Gould ........cccsceseeeees| © ca tee Dee Peo eaeidedinn| dees 
Pee R WATSON ECO ULC 7s cdeede ihe pened ene: 3 1 Hs el eR eels cali retitn, OT 
Pteropodocys phasianella, Gould ..........1.0000+ x*{xi[xeilefxe]..d..] — 199 
Campephaga jardinii, Riipp. ..........sssceeeeereees we] xfel..d..| *1..., — 200 
Wee t § ag ss eg 2 a sed slot | cater aeiiestt 20feeee 202 
lemenmicl, V19.F LOTS. vias segs esis scssaa0» lore Pave ead a.s | Seee. [eer 203 
pas SATE PES, © OUGL Gap sis aia yes als vo Rabe Ass.o 8 * | * | #1 | ede lb Ke 204 
Pachycephala gutturalis ..,.....sescssecssenerneees |e |e] el *e |e le} — 207 
eat AGO, COUG.  oxs op ope te vie chats eeeanssatnas in dol Sax dee ees see eweniiese OD 
as nella, COUWlG— san cecgn cease vee saved eotiren ets Hees Paxybves (e® ection ed 
PUY OTIS 5 segs an sh age ek eer BRT NS ccd bee Holt lowe de kellie, ealest are te 
eae EN SPUR OCU TA! ieou a Partie Pe Ee eo iy eesti le lea ele aa eee 
es ST CR eg OFC) to tgy gohan ae caus tnan soneiys eaeieas|aeac|aes des eRe gypStean cg BUA. 
rufogularis, Gould ......:ssceseees BCuweyaEaee wie] Fae Selese irae ele RD 
Sse ONL, OMG 5 on 5 yaa vy ov ede voc ancesvsvens ses o van (lee rection, = 216 
FONG ALO Sep ta np sovneveanthovans evens oe peak mipeeed edie! eee RY 
UOC, HG: LAOS. ye tees vaneless coonves orale se Eom x¥|— 218 
oumucinela harmonica egelcsge hogs. cseunsanes ee ee | — 220 
eo AT VONIIAS, (HOULA: «1. vey doe cach accrtesasvonve wis (aks haan Rae (paella ee, 
Bee TIPE AA CLOUGia day ates ak wee ean sh see aeses saat nis dings Ae Sei sR 
sie eV ae. 1) Re ee AE Nee oe ean See Re Pe re ee etre ere oe ee eee 
Pie OU cea par Baek se oa ck cape eave nade wan bate haus bais | ao Rebeca oo ee 
SH UUNES7 FS eh a GRO LIA0 Ree op Aas Ln ate OPS ce HES eles ee ees 226 
Pa CUMCLUS LCOMEEMUIN Oo, ag op deen, toaatcoecetadenass ¥) ei} ele]. d.e di. | — 228 
leucogaster, Gould iv.ge severe odenreensessas> wader d cas dieeusd Se SS eeeateeO 
OOOICHLENISINEA .. Hans Pesaeteng sh yeas ¥ | eo) Robe | elie 231 
Ohibia bracteata, Gowld os. bg. hsgedecmeesesaces sso Soe ak? steel tO neta 85 
Manucodia gouldii, G. BR. Gray ....seeeseeeeeeees ww iH] nichess4, 2c aaa 200 
Rhipidura albiscapa, Gould .......:-ssssseeeeeeeeee ele le] xelel..|*e|— 288 
Preiss, CAD. ....seeecceccreeeenecseeeeneswneees Po eee erie Ree st oe — 240 
Fanligiill OV: aay ye Se EOS Te ES EE ee Cree x} x] x*]. eae — 240 
Cy GO ths fivasecess mes yenecds teen soneans one ett loa ls, aaa eae 
SUNT, J GRicct Eh MS eee, Se See Oe eee Solel cole ei Ae — 242 
Sauloprocta motacilloides .............sseccssceeeees 21k) eae eek — 244 
ip as Ul PE Oe Oe oe ee ee dl cotccce| saga eats — 246 
CUE) C2 a Oe Oe a a re ¥{*) ele] et. — 246 
Piezorhynchus nitidus, Gould 1.0.0... ceceeeee Meee se — 249 
Races Team, Goods, «1b sy «dos s 040227 ry reeicad Pere oa Mere errs bee — 251 
Myiagra plumbea, Vig. f Horsf. ....cccceccceeeees WAT & dap tt awtade — 252 
TEC ICKCLIEnit: Mam Cae UGLCL wee pte: eet Ure: ee eee lead ee Pe ae pe — 254 
SST OA Aa a's FAs vagina ooge Te os vs cnce ee sl BB ae se ee ee ee 255 
TeLOSUI ISG OLLI, -ots-nugse, sa deg oss a es Dre as el eerel eae syn =~. 956 
Macherirhynchus flaviventer, Gowld ............ se eee oe er ~~ 257 
MG CHCECATASGINIATIS) . x2 vs san'ecompessonteaneqe eve econ esens 38) De 5) eae =e S 
easietlisy Gots i. « vasteiges Wage sho qeeresys tose Ol ooh cake a estes 1S ee GD 
—— flavigaster, Gold .......sserreeseteeeeeeeeenes hel eee * = Ont 
Wonartcha GAINALA. wih. ac cee overs ey eenet byes oases a ee a OED 
—— trivirgata ......seeccsernerenseetteseeeeneeenees | KE cas pes fre me OO 
leucotis, Gould ...ccccccseeeteeesereeeeeeeeeeens ols out Selig — 264 
Gerygone albogularis, Gold ...seseeceeeeeeeeees ¥ |e]... ash wew — 266 
fusca, Gowld — .s.cseeceeerneceerereneteeeeeens * | * | * Chaka. Seti Oy 
culicivora, GOUld .....ccceceeeeee eee eee eee enes Scie eealtees % 1... 968 
—— magnirostris, Gould ......ccsseceeeeerertteeees 7 ; * ES ee 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Name of Species. 


New South Wales. 


Queensland. 


Victoria. 


South Australia. 


Western Australia, 


Northern Australia. 


Tasmania. 


Number of volume 


and page. 


Gerygone levigaster, Gould 
chloronota, Gould 
Smicrornis brevirostris, Gould 

flavescens, Gould 


Erythrodryas rhodinogaster .4.......:.:seeeeeeeeee © 


rosea, Gould 
Petroica multicolor 
erythrogastra 
goodenovii 
pheenicea, Gould 
Melanodryas cucullata 
picata, Gould 


AMMaurodryas Vittata ........ccececcscsersseeveersenes nae 


Pecilodryas cerviniventris, Gould 
superciliosa, Gould 

Drymodes brunneopygia, Gould 
superciliaris, Gould 

Eopsaltria australis 
griseogularis, Gould 
leucogaster, Gould 


CAPILO, GOUld vi sscersecorescorsterssecensnevens * 


Menura superbay Dav. ....sevesveresseenssssneevenss 
victoriz, Gould 
~ alberti, Gould 
Psophodes crepitans 
—— nigrogularis, Gould 
Sphenostoma cristatum, Gould 
Malurus cyaneus 
longicaudus, Gould 
—— melanotus, Gould 
splendens 
elegans, Gould 
—— pulcherrimus, Gould 


Vamabertisn WAGs eOrS ive Soticeese eres sewssy. * 


amabilis, Gould 

coronatus, Gould 
—— leucopterus, Quoy et Gatm.? ciiiccceeee 
—— leuconotus, Gould 


—— melanocephalus, Vig. §& Horsf. .........04- J, 


eruentatus, Gould 
Amytis textilis 

striatus, Gould 

macrourus, Gould 
Stipiturus malachurus 
Sphenura brachyptera 

longirostris, Gould 
Atrichia clamosa, Gould 
Hylacola pyrrhopygia 

cauta, Gould 
Pycnoptilus floccosus, Gould 
Cisticola magna, Gould 

exilis 


—— lineocapilla, Gould 


* 2K 


‘eas 
Ss 


[PRL | 


PE RRREERR EVE EI 


PEREECERERPEEEE t PEPPER ERE ERE | 


38 a 
e ~ 
> OD 


Cron ork 
GO CO bos 
Go bo for E<e) 


b 


i 


bo 
v2) 
or 


OwWhNWhhbhyhylyhyhty 
ODOM OOOOO OOM 
NTIS ON OH Cor OO MO 


TABLE OF DISTRIBUTION. 589 
. s 3 o 
8 eels 5 
3 ee fees = 
S| . ‘ala| 2 SB 
Name of Species. a Ss = el. 4 
= peice 5 q| = . 3S 
oi a los <q HH a =I o ma 
TM gq i | 2 aa) tas] Qro 
FISiISiSIlBlE/E| 88 
o Bl S35 5 Ole 5 8 
ZI@iPlalelala| 2 
Re ASO, OE. «oo tee cestbnteveoceeseninnrs x1 * | x I. p. 352 
pe ec, Se a ae ae ae eae x1 * | * — 3853 
Sericornis citreogularis, Gould ......scseeeeeeeee Maal aay Heil oo eae SHE ~ BOE 
LanvinuUd htopee Cael] spore ete ene Carew Tape fa tiem re fad, eees| aoe ee ee eee 
OSG wlarIs 2G 7/7 nena nedeety teialinien snes veilaaschacart 36a) Beat el = ODS 
{tito LITA ees FOR I as aso Rie Minnceemeate Roloeore eee : — 359 
=—— lavigaster, Gould ........c.sscsseeee helen Er ide |e ir arre mre ce — 360 
HMC EDGTIS, CT OU iinsaeinansedeeer a ex tienda * | * |e] x | * — 861 
mingaitosinis, Gold... .cvesvedsrvournmnecars * | *]. — 362 
Apanthiza pusilla: iiss. .sacevscadeesensssnrsneresenes *)* |e], re ee eS 2 
CIGINENETIBIS, GOI Mss 4 werden son wer senns rifil dohwass} ea ae -beseoh OE 
—— uropygialis, Gould ........cesesereerseeeeees % 4 Hol * Deeg — > -B67 
ryesieciuic), 16) Ce eran ine SC eer ate ere eee tygick- aay kao RSE OE — 3868 
—— pyrrhopygia, Gold ........cccceseseneeeeeeees ree re ea — 369 
SoS ocean AUST GO G  ng aat es OF ons vB clncavey esac se Ee ioe We eee ia — 370 
PIMC LOI Sf ease ducts as Ds execanaveins ¥) Re] eT |. — 371 
Be OU 0 cnvtikee sens esW cies A veveecsotess KEE] REEL Fe AT wee) Sonal ern 
Ty OT nL an ysa sin cseesrentdveczerrees geal antch som] e+ HOR oaRe DRE oer et ema 
Geobasileus chrysorrhous ..............sseceeeseeees e |x| x | ¥ | x *|— 374 
tees MORAINE as spiky etnies emnannewdveaninns jet ieee ¥) xe] xe] |... | — 876 
Ephthianura albifrons ...........csscsesseeessereoes we | * | * | | x se, OFF 
Hain O ys) GIGI tamed Ge oss Wik eun oes * 1% | o* To. — 3880 
AICO GUO otarie attodc Acs Go Mcaccucctew Skea esis ee sloas — 380 
Xerophila leucopsis, Gould ..........cecescsseeeees ae SMe ree eo es O82 . 
Pyrrholemus brunneus, Gould .......60.0cseeee alae’ weds — 3884 
Cages PUTO Finn dcwndesceds Abe be Ae decrevcn wen x] etx |e]... — 3885 
Calamanthus fuliginosus ..... Life aon ciation’ pore eee ren ee ete gi ee 
campestris, Gould — ...ccerecsecssineceee pancmpeies ten preeds ve PRET SEAS BSD 
Chthonicola sagittata. ...........cccersstercroereenes Ah A ROR LS — 390 
Anthus australis, Vig. §& Horsf. .....scccseeeeeoee x} effet ete te | — 892 
Cinclorsiiplys Crordlas a dinnvere Mess se crenrwiaa Flaws | ack take — 394 
(ar) Gn Een Acie 6 Cov 2, (A A gree Mies ae at re cic peo eerat Het eres 2 UGB — 9395 
PiebshUs MW GesCOWS Saas tows ye dhe cs thee Boivesewevsre * | w* fw | we |e fe — 397 
Sphenzeacus galactotes .............cscccseseeeeeeees x 1% | % vey scar, BOG 
PUA GOES, APOIO) <I sv Bs e0 ds oe dv env wee vevy * |e | we Lowe |e *1— 400 
Calamoherpe australis, Gowld .0..........cceeeeues * {ele ] edo. — 402 
Loumitoutris, GONC. i... daa vdinis covuenonuneees ves sev ves | die BOE temas ements aoa 
Mirafra Horsfieldii, Gould .........cc.ccececeeenee w]e fwd... fda? lo. | — 404 
Zoneginthus bellus ............... ia palate |x ]xt..t..d..] *]— 406 
WCU ONS sis Jair beilen dniaia caged aiprcla tenets FRANC ancl oa alae pees IEE a ag eee -AOy 
BikctopteraeDiGhOnOvit. 9.6. ¢eiw rs. Bese ts jnancewrens ES en eee ns — 409 
HTMOLOSA OULD seatiaes aba d pinta ts oley sioemaasticanes a see's SS era [nara 9 NE — 410 
Higintha tem porg es 0120. seceeeedescwevs cons cessens a +o — 411 
Bathilda ruficauda, Gold ........cscsceecececeees Nail eavrnt * er 41 
Aidemosyne modesta, OU sas tee eats * 1 xe] * do. ; eetcrath 
Neochmia phaéton ....cceeeseeeeeeeeeeeeereeeneeees oS eS oe oe * dee ALG 
Stagonopleura guttata .......:..ssPeeeeeseeeee eens * 1 * | x |x i, pina renin 
Teeniopygia castanotis, Gold ......eceeeeeeees H/o 1 9 4 ede To ae ase ALG 
Poéphila gouldia, Gold .....-:.cereeeereeeeereeees caeitenk a * — »-420 
mirabilis, Hovb. et JAC]. ...tecrnereceessoeees set * — 421 
—— acuticauda, Gould ..ccrrsscreseereeseeenenens ae *% pe 499 
personata, Gould .ir.cicecsesseseeeeees ieoveees cae * eas 495 
—— leucotis, Gould .irscccrrccrcrirernsererennerres ee Ge * — 424 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Name of Species. 


New South Wales. 


Queensland. 


Victoria. 


South Australia. 
| Western Australia. 


Northern Australia. 


Tasmania. 


Number of volume 


Poéphila cincta, Gould 
Donacola castaneothorax, Gould 
pectoralis, Gould 
Munia flaviprymna, Gould 
Emblema picta, Gould 
Pitta strepitans, Zemm 
vigorsit, Gould 


eee BIS y OU Cars. « Mote tate gy ty dy Rh slewnenennnes ; 


Merula poliocephala 
vinitincta 
Cinclosoma punctatum 
castaneonotum, Gould 
cinnamomeum, Gould 
castaneothorax 
Oreocincla lunulata 
Ptilonorhynchus holosericeus, Kuhl. ..........- 
Ailurcedus smithii 
Chlamydodera nuchalis 
maculata, Gould 
guttata, Gould 
cerviniventris, Gould 
SSKiCULUS MCHNUS dacccsodhs di die cact we abs : Panne 
Mimeta viridis 
affinis, Gould 


flavocincta —.......08 ey ore rer digas pre ete 


Sphecotheres TEE AS se eA bodes cadts deansecracs 


Aawiventris, Gould. iiss, cessed ey Mr et ; 


Corcorax melanorhamphus 
Struthidea cinerea, Gowld.......0+ nee eee 
Corvus australis, Gael. ......ec006 vidihcsionscharenctecs 


Neomorpha Gouldii, G. R. Gray....... dates desl erea|poes 


Calornis metallica.......... Maa cts ene 
Pomatostomus temporalis 


PUR CCTELU MT OO Lihans, dewthe dueRicects vue aren ae 


PUP CLCIMOBUS sats tedeccedecdy Madey duancanaens 


VECO <sepaet Ss. 8M. t5 OF SU ae deen ecacas ee 


Meliornis novez:-hollandiz 
longirostris, Gould 
PR BOLICEA ie GOULE, os bvaa id Whe docile Rs sae wtes 


mystacalis, Gould......+. oe ann ewe eeerne ee P 


Lichmera-australasiana.........cccsccsesees tie a witta 
Glyciphila fulvifrons 
albifrons, Gould 


fascia, GOW ..cs00dass00 Se ee een rie 


Stigmatops ocularis, Gould 
subocularis, Gould 

PtH otrselevein ty QS 0071S. se vee s'o «Be cles Me s wibinw moines ne 
ROMOMHGLOIOUNY Guccle ellves <Boseate ed +4 Sy 


VELStCONOG Aa OULO ais danse wate) once aecibe oven Sa. 


fasciogularis 
flavigula, Gould 
—— leucotis.... 
———— AULICOMIS ....seeeere. 


* 


toe 


_ 1+ Racal a a aE NE PS is el BE ae ec el 


TABLE OF DISTRIBUTION. 


591 


of 3 |: g 
a alzlB| | & 
Ae ‘3/2/38 S . 
Name of Species. aly HO lee a % & 
Biel cte | acto FS a) S 
Seer iecalGee atop e BS 
ee PE eet | ae ae] el. ere 
FISiS(S/B/H/8| 8s 
o| |e | Se ee BS 
Zi@\Plalelalal 2 
Ptilotis cratitia, Gould .........ccccccceseveceeeeees ae lea I. p. 513 
PRC, SFOS, 0 ts canis ens etch ntruinia venionhndnsint wiles (ES, — 515 
cee i Cee ae Si. aa “eee IEEE oles — 4516 
Hlawescors..GOUidae tt kee ionn, 1x coe wen wate a2|5 ae — 517 
fasten, AqOUGA dors reese rasa Mc Carona bovande sa ox Tne Jon dnveg [ree APR — 6518 
penicnlatas. GOUT Fe o..8.3 BoB iove sense ey %-| 1 9¢-| selon a] Oe — 519 
Meets teen 200) 25 Ay oh vincltts ansac’s diac bumtrs LAAN SOOENS A 1] x | Ke dees — 620 
CORE Alan wins Ene siuenchateae« Mate ehEEL AS» ki xe] x | x — 6521 
Be CORA: phi tiowva ss sky uss Pecud ave barn sseurisees vign| aK mover aia ti — 622 
Stomiopera unicolor, Go2ld....ccccccccscceecseseee| eee Pneateees ee * isnt 598 
Plectorhyncha lanceolata, Gold .........00seseees 2 — 525 
Méliphaga phry gia. 2.02. rna0ssdergedi vce eassasesases 6.) ke] SRR Lea — 527 
Lichnotentha picata, Gould 0... ....cccccesceeeees wssrar | saree | Mutter» Ew sacks ee oe) 
Entomophila picta, Gould .....c..ccccesesceeeees | H%-] coe | AOTLY. Hee — 6530 
Conopophila albigularis, Gould ...........cceccee| oe ite Leo ctst | Se EES — 5382 
PBR, GOW % 51. Sn sain civssivcescasees oot vew [rove bree [oon] Pe Pe? “BBB 
Acanthogenys rufigularis, Gould.............0.06. * |x| x |e] x we | — 534 
Anthochera inauris, Gould ...........cccessssceeee we lwee fees pacebeos tated Se | ae CRBS 
GUPUUCULR, 1 hr ecBeos th 4s Buide exosnapcrae ei) eR] Re] Re] we]. | | 588 
Mioellobia mela voip. -:diescdinsy Kale desaerscesees [expe] edict i.d ae | — 541 
e RESON I Eo) drtem O40) 1/7 Ae Oewtes ie ee ee eee A Pe re eae a sete ee 2 
Tropidorhynchus corniculatus.................665- * | x | x Lena ee es EBSD 
DNGOKOICS aod. .d5 |) RA esd Hb Be dastesatacch ser | ed -eve seed bene eh SEs Peete 
OTTOTMACC PR, GOULD... cnnsvorssvnreanderssssss vewfoee{vee tere tere | # fa. | — 648 
cureotularis, Gould ., 4). Bs s0M.s1s canvass Her] Head ME decaednasd leatsaice Me AO 
BORGICUIS; GROUlG. ey dees Mati desseakeeds wires ae 3 oA ROGET OS) Seo Ura 
Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris .............0:06006 so A Oa Oe 3) 
superciliosus, GOUd.........tscecdecsesaeereees woe | ave fove [eee | Fe et iy Po B58 
Myzomela sanguinolenta .........scsecseereeeeeeees ce 9) 
erythrocephala, Gould ......0.cscceecseseeeens ere [tees eee fecesP a ens) OPIS es SRB 
RCHOLALIS, MOWIG tes». 26-3: Bots Mac crass couse vee |oice|tade dtscscl ote] kel Seep —— SODy 
nigra, Gould .......s..0ese- a a secs] BL RT HT RL HLH LLL | A | 558 
ase e710. Gy Peat mccax facets Even des ssteus ss ver aaed ace see Pape ek ee Heese. Hh 5O 
OP Penn wath OnI(C) ais eee a ee Se ee re ae ee eet vee EU t BO 
RAMONIIS, CHOU iis 0d os Benes Bs prenvaavens seedcea of ad Re A = BB 
Melithreptus validirostris, Gowld...........000006- cee leredeeetess RET. EMIS HOD 
—— gularis, Gould ...cieccccecceecsesceeeeeeenees a | — 566 
coe aes EUTEAD EL EDT 0 a es RE Reta Seeetany eae *} xX 1 # | we fee teedin. | — 568 
Chlonp ysis G07 0. — tans Race boar nee wee ee wad wee | ede dese tadses yee | == TO 
pol evere bt bsnritc Rea C70 11/7 Amon Weer sretias Recciee See Sere datl aiete frecetrees ered | Pee =H 
melanocephalus, God. ...04.seesserervvens welwes plese eestresetesed Op HBT 
PREV CON ATID bases erin iaeay ware raps Bspensedseysy Hel Hef 1: HARE LD, BE eg ehh. 
Bea HMACUN ATO, dais eta tions neusttnan saw ee ee wits] oot ee] SoS EN IRELeS He 
ree ete GUL ose’ dn wnat anattactew tare) So ier | teres [rove oes [css] — 577 
flavigula, Gould .i....teseteesedeegeeeserseys Sratledee | sevac| tse weolae| — 578 
Manorhina melanophrys .......:01ssseseeeeeeeeeeee RepMets Kotvweslaae sae |e Ae lO 
Diceeum hirundinaceum .......eccerseseeceeeeeeees Ate Aes] Fed SEP SRD | SEI ead RO oars Sa 
Nectarinia australis, Gowld ......csccccseeeeeeeeees won| | -vesclveae-test Peek Leelee DOS 
Zosterops caerulescens ........eseeerreeeeee mule beats 5 %- ||. Me SER ES aaa I 
BOUL, Bondp. ...ccceseeereeserseerereeeeseeees woe [ives baandes «da. eee eee eet BRS 
Se LGC, GOUG o rcarns0s oer ste +s 0¥onreomwnveva> as tod evee} vet 9 Pe? =" B90 
albigularis, Gould........scsvesreeteereeerens ie ool TI. p. 585 
Cenuiostris, GOULD .cicicrcscsersesseeeeseseeeees : ioe ati —5G8 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Name of Species. 


New South Wales. 


Queensland. 
Victoria. 


South Australia. 


Western Australia. 


Northern Australia. 


Tasmania. 


Number of volume 


and page. 


Zosterops strenuus, Gould 
tephropleurus, Gould. 
Ptilorhis paradisea, Swains.........ccsssceseenerees 
victorie, Gould 
Craspedophora magnifica 
Climacteris scandens, Zen. ......sccecerseeseers 
rufa, Gould 
erythrops, Gould 
melanonota, Gould 
melanura, Gould 
leucophxa 
Orthonyx spinicaudus, Temi. ......c.cceesreeeeees 
Sittella chrysoptera 
leucocephala, Gould 
leucoptera, Gould 
pileata, Gould 


items CanOnord es LIL, 2 cv rip ke HR vdingvezeees ae 


Cacomantis pallidus 
flabelliformis 

—— insperatus, Gould 
dumetorum, Gould 

‘Mesocalius osculans, Gould 

Lamprococcyx plagosus 

—— minutillus, Gould 
basalis 

Scythrops nove-hollandiz, Lath. 

Eudynamis flindersi 

Centropus phasianus 
macrourus 
melanurus 

Cacatua galerita 
leadbeateri 
sanguinea, Gould 
roseicapilla 

Licmetis tenuirostris 
pastinator, Gould 

Strigops habroptilus 

Nestor hypopotius . 
productus 

—— esslingit 
notabilis 

Calyptorhynchus banksii 
macrorhynchus, Gould 
naso, Gould 

— leachii 

— funereus . 
xanthonotus, Gould 


‘DARECEMMI a ecGetrcmeacsuvrssd «ay op 25 hehexsareren’ ‘ee 


Microglossum aterrimum 
Callocephalon galeatum 
Polytelis barrabandi 
alexandree 
—— melanura vieerreres, Etre See re 


FRED LEPRBEL EEO PES CED LL Pee Pe EET Da Ee) | bee Se 


? 


> 


Se A atten it ren tint sein lia kiN eal sili i ei i Se: 


TABLE OF DISTRIBUTION. 593 
a g |. | H 
o ran a =! 
Fr s|'8 | & RE 
so a\a(3 Sa 
Names of Species. Eaige B/Si41./ a & 
elie [ee q |.9 = es 
Sial.Si(/4/8) 8 |S Seo 
“1 Sislaisis/s| sa 
El/2isis/ Blea] «8 * 
| oS las 5 Oles S 
ZA\CIPlA\Flaia| 2 
Aprosmictus scapulatus...............c.ccccceeseeees 8 * IT. p. 35 
Poistes enytiwepherus ds. .).2i4.A.|.fi.3.Nalerservene * % : — 37 
coccineopterus, Gould 4.4.86... 8etesseseees Seer [icoure {news tee — 39 
Platycercus barnardi, Vig. & Horsf. ............ *) ef xe |e]. — 40 
SemaTbOn GATS Spe Pee jeer d nee jones dee ct es Ss cunt reper |cemad = OF — 42 
POMARTMS eee Genoa ts EG pueden dsswa yoeeetsers pe er — 45 
OE MMANUBLL Sand . ag ove fein debe demas $eetsasaet * |e | | x — poe 
| adelaidensis, Gould ............000006 jeacdeeats Saal ae evar af 4G 
| Ai SavaINaNS © Hig cs sas, ny eta donne baecaaat wank sox bE? LUE ise: seem 48 
flaveolins,-Geudld. «(R41 Bsa Blase * | * ou 50 
—— palliceps, Vig. 0.0... cee Se aesteietas Semana cas 51 
SO CVO SOME ade tais Pothe ds kaderes canna dates ee sae wee | pase 52, 
ates -vermnatias (tis tier 18 ana aea es ie lere donee deer doaged SOO LD ER 53 
» Sr ORM Sere Panes pare foes Say ote a. ee ieee vases Hele fe | we pepe pe pa 55 
—— splendidus, Gowld 0.0.0... cece eens HLH free foes Pose — 57 
Pt CUCM UID ecitisines. ponies Ceesee Hovde Diese dee lovseeieyd sae {-ewe| need nate eae dEk — 58 
Purpureicephalus pileatus  ...........0...cecc0ee coe jwve bee -ere | MO — 60 
Psephotus hematorrhous, Gould .................. * |e] * | x —- 62 
KATUNOMENOUS: GOWIA af ing. de adeaaevoee wast loviedu le; aD, gc ee el seers 63 
chrysopterygius, Gould ...........cccec0eee. abe dnenedretoleanndearesduiterh an sa hkiee 65 
=sSe. pubchoninktis ems «coc sreenj woturieveses HLH reve fewer [ese Pee. fove | 67 
semen colo im. fe. op2cs neces tds coosewnaeeane * | x | x | * — 68. 
—— hematonotus, Gould  ....... 6... c6c cece eee x |e | x | — 69 
Hiiphemarchrysostoma: ..4....0...5 1. Beccvenees He [Bed Hee. *)— 71 
Clem aI NOUS rate ste a. his AG ay Tee perm teeoer * | ¥ |e] * dx wef 34 
QUAN A OLED ee Be Aono bene teen Se | 3b~ | SEES | A * | 5 
potwophila, Gould. 2.0.9.5 .2.1.Ravenienvens pee edneleres.| SPOR = 76 
Set puehell: ia...2 8k Geeks doc bosewntons Be fe Hdl Heli eaenh vas — 77 
splendid, Gowld 52.2150. .cseerscaseeseerees oes * | * oe 79 
DOI e eek saab ct ce neoebup ascot wrdrcces Hedge | Hedy Hed oa Pees oa 80 
Melopsittacus undulatus .........0.....6..0eeeeee wl | et we |e | we = 81 
Calopsitta novee-hollandiv ................62.0608 ele pe] ef xe] — 84 
BSS) Set acadl.0)- 100). 0 ns ane ee ee x | * |x| efx *i— 86 
Geopsittacus occidentalis, Gould ..........0.0.0.6. os geelsac. PRC) eadeses 88 
HUBRIS CIRGMOT is cceccec cee Secs tecaceesordecs Hf Hf He | ane ves [dae fe oer de es 90 
Prichoglossus multicolor ........sc:..ccceeeeeveeees w]e |e] ee Pere Pee | ge pm 93 
rubritorquis, Vig. & Horsfo.....c0.ccecceeeee ores ecleps barinel eae aera ae — 95 
cboripepigebtios. ...t.0: Bigsdiapiecionemmenas Boalt ofS [eves eben ney See ease 96 
Ptioselewsvensidoban ty. tis.2 stasis Bap Besercerewwe aie |raced-sqecleves<| SbtHmOe tee. As ress 98 
Glossopsttia anstraliis. 00.0... c<2.. ceces pecs vee v eevee w]e} el efiu.d.. fe? — 100 
POMpHy BOGEN | A. BM occcyys saplnsas bye | % tw .}— 102 
PURE Th te AC RE, orcorncs H [ef ep ett. lef — ©1608 
Ptilinopus swainsonii, Gould ............c.ccceee. # | # fisefese va faef — 106 
ewingll, Gould .........cs6.-06+ PEP rrr rer alEppederre| heres +. ML — 107 
Lamprotreron superbus................scseeceeseenes oe | ¥ rae as 408 
Megaloprepia magnifica ..........-..-4..06. sieeeet * | % shsy: «alee 
std ae es Fh tia Be os Sperone ieee siglo h AT 
Leucomelena norfolciensis ........-.60ceeeeeeeenes * | % a) — li2 
Myristicivora spilorrhoa ........+::+.eeseeeeeeeeees vee | * wBicco hh 
Lopholaimus antarcticus ..........s.sseeeeeereeses oeealechen eer om E16 
Chalcophaps chrysochlora...........-.06s0sseeseeees % 1 ¥ |e fe. we 118 
lompitiostrisy (OUI ©0000. ..<been Tesversevrees yen Sere eee Sos eer de DID 
BABGCORATCIA WIGAN 20. 6. de dbs sdecp ede seorseeones x | |x | = 120 
VOL. II. . 2Q 
|. 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Name of Species. 


= 


New South Wales. 


Queensland. 


Phaps chalcoptera 

elegans 

histrionica, Gould 
Gcophaps scripta 

smithii 
Lophophaps plumifera, Gould 

ferruginea, Gould 
Ocyphaps lophotes 
Petrophassa albipennis, Gould 
Erythrauchena humeralis 
Geopelia tranquilla, Gould 

placida, Gould 
Stictopelia cuneata 
Macropygia phasianella 
Didunculus strigirostris 
Talegallus lathami 
Leipoa ocellata, Gould 
Megapodius tumulus, Gould 
Turnix melanogaster, Gould 


—— scintillans, Gould 
melanotus, Gould 
castanotus, Gould 
velox, Gould 
pyrrhothorax, Gould 

Pedionomus torquatus, Gould 

Coturnix pectoralis, Gould 

Synoicus australis 
diemenensis, Gould 
sordidus, Gould 
cervinus, Gould 

Excalfatoria australis, Gould 

Dromaius novee-hollandiz 

—— irroratus, Bartlett 


Casuarius australis, Wall. .......cccceec sc ereneenen ee ae 


Apteryx australis, Shaw 
owentt, Gould 

Choriotis australis 

Cidicnemus grallarius 

Esacus magnirostris 

Heematopus longirostris, Vieill. ..-...1eeeerree 
fuliginosus, Gould 

Lobivanellus lobatus 
personatus, Gould 

Sarciophorus pectoralis 


Squatarola helvetica ...... S Se ee See asics c 


Charadrius orientalis 
Eudromias australis, Gould 


Cirrepidesmus asiaticus? .......--..-seeeeeeereeeees : 


AMgialites monacha 
Ochthodromus nigrifrons 
Aigialophilus ruficapillus 
inornatus, GOUld. .....ccecceceeeeeeereeereeeees 


* OK OK OK 


* Ok OK OK | Victoria. 


South Australia. 


Western Australia. 


Northern Australia. 


Tasmania. 


Number of volume 


* OK OK 


* OK 


II. p. 


122 
125 
127 
130 
133 


i i a a al lil MOR can ii mi a ats I 


TABLE OF DISTRIBUTION. 595 
e : s 
3s oieis és 
; eae 3si/2i|3 a 
Name of Species. alt Hiei] | sy & 
e/8/5/3 H|.s re 
Sle EiS/E) 8) 8 ons 
SoS te ee pe ee 
RigiS\S/8/8 1a] wh F 
oO = “= Oo ° 3 =) 
ZIGIFi/giFlalal & 
Aigialophilus? bicinctus ............cccccteseeesens x1 * |e] xe | x | IL. p. 238 
Erythrogonys cinctus, Gould........cccceccceeceeee * | * | * | x — 240 
wetiteris buticaetitie,; Jassie ee % aah ee 
Giavcola otal larvaiod Ci seawte cee weer eeere a: af ee [cel se eee | ae eS 
oriental, Leden 2; ivcdesswcees baerreaitee beatles ee Ca Pee Oe ee OAD 
Himantopus leucocephalus, Gould ............... se ep ee se ae eT | 2G 
TION OTLUE, AFOUL hee. clea gee Nseries. 
Oladorhynchus pectoralis :........<<..+000S0cseasees Bet Merce lie |e are Re booted e  eee 
Recurvirestra rubricollis, Temam............-+.005+ % | 7 ef 9] ee oe PS 249 
Limosa melanuroides, Gould ..........0c0ssseeees oe Gea (eee tte — 251 
“—— uropypialis, Gould .......csscececeecee eee eees x [|e] x te] e |e] — 252 
s Sib deranscietchhe tsprz,cleuNeveorsieUlsy pl apes nem has ee |e] ete Le | xe | — = 254 
Ancylochilus subarquatus..............csceeeseeeeee xelel ele | ele] xe |] — 256 
PACCLOUL MTN eUimeUlS gett ease ck reese eles sere *eie] ee] et] ete] xe | — 257 
EB auteariy ot ET URNS 5 ein cien ia ee eR eso asad zara Ries cel baa prea open, 
ONES gs e607 4001 oessncabeceievieeves ts hee leescteae |e: oe een eae ee 
MUSE eeaec MICU CH ns eral eer eae Sees Pee Ses ante [pect | Laas lee rene |e th 
Actitis hypoleucos ...... ee ee he pa aa a a — 268 
RIROUEES WUIOORADE 537 eo) Wiss Wy envi veer aOR ele] * tele] edi.| — 265 
AN AGT RIA TIG 25 sis, Sebo aca ee kA TENORS else |-race pastel Saeed ees eet OGY. 
Gambetta pulverulentus ..................000 seer ae eee ee oe ease oe eee Oe! 
Hire psilus aber yes wakes scss odes sete een NOTES ele] exe} e |e} ex] x | — 269 
iG peillbaisro Oy 21513) Gucl Ce: ears epee a cree Pepa carrer e w]e | ete | el ep we | Ko 271 
Rhyncheea australis, Gould ............... Raerriers w]e] we] we] | — 274 
Numenius cyanopus, V7e701. .........:ecsecseseeees w]e |e] wep ee |e] xe | — 277 
POP ETAIS, GOW © saeeye st oes eee x |e] * |e |e] ete] — 279 
NITRITE eee ak ae eres ance Poe Oo x | * | % * | * — 280 
Carphibis spinicollis .............s.ceeceeeeseece neers x | * | % x + “989 
Threskiornis strictipennis..............cseeeeseerees xe] *#] * fo. x sae aol 
Falcinellus igneus ...........:sesecseeevenee seer eees re ea ee a * — 286 
Platalea regia, Gould ......cscceceeedeceeeveseeeees a ie ae rah i RSTO RT 
IMEN Gish iene: 61) 620/01. ee ton nenen aren aoneneres oe ae eae % ==" 988 
Grus australasianus, Gould ...........cceseeeeeeees * 1 * | * 1% * — 290 
D.C rales yet UCL ox) | ¥/ eRe eT ee ].] 208 
oud Fepiyg cavaityey / Lii7i) paw aap Aaa ERO ee PARR Sra Rec ear Sea eee aaa | ee es 
Sas= piimatrana, Ll... 0... .ccsssc use sdecedeees Sss\es ehancs to ee aa eee ee ar 
emer WITNAEIN DIU 5's os bas cs sae «cies vom PiRRRRERM a ee — 297 
novee-hollandise, Lath. .....0:.cccseceseceeeees x | xetw«] ei] we]... || — 299 
Herodias alba.......... hes Pv ee boa Sa ard Y ARID wx [xe] xe |e | we] — 801 
SOMELIC ION teste Medes ends Se Ae * |e |e | # % — 3803 
TC AO US ee eta hoe Ue ye Ie Coa x | xe] % * | % — 3804 
PAP DCLY 2 Sots reece ke Speen SST ie ae — 305 
Sid at: Magee a Sees aes Ee bond oh ane ome ran * 1] |e] * — 3805 
ploata, "Gould ©. 0.00... ne isvsontseeesctue einer me * — 806 
Demiegretta jugularis ........-:..seeeeseeeeeeeee ees 1 *e} we] ewe] = B07 
CYL ee eeeeeeececeeeeeae ne eneseeeeeeesseeneeeees os sa meee BE) FESO 
Nycticorax caledonicus ..........+-:ssesseereeee eens * | * |e |e |e | x 2 
Botaurus poiciloptilus .....-...:essseeeeeeseeeeeeees ee Rapes ata sib) 
PratOrOIeS Havicollis’. :..0.6.<. eee seccsenevseescv sce. ra ee ee ea eats 35 
macrorhyncha, COMI * | % 2a a Tit 
JAVAMICA ........c cece eee e ener recente eee eee eeeees car ee meet Sy. 
Ardetta pusilla .........cccceeeeeeee ese een ete eenenees * |e | * pier TG 
Porphyrio melanotus, SEO ae ee eee Ee a * |e |e 1 * 1% | — B21 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Name of Species. 


Western Australia. 
Northern Australia. 


Queensland. 

South Australia. 

Number of volume 
and page 


| New South Wales. 
Tasmania. 


| 


Porphyrio bellus, Gould 
Tribonyx mortierii, Dubus . 
—— ventralis, Gould 
Gallinula tenebrosa, Gould 
Fulica australis, Gould 
Parra gallinacea, Temm. 
Hypotenidia philippensis 
SUNS = PVACIEMUS 19 OIE mse easel ve odes eons kewee d 
Hulabeornis castaneiventris, Gould 
Porzana fluminea, Gould 
—— palustris, Gould 
——— ? tabuensis 
Erythra quadristrigata 
Chenopis atrata 
Cereopsis novee-hollandix, Lath. ...........000006- 
Anseranas melanoleuca 
Chlamydochen jubata 
Nettapus pulchellus, Gould 
—— albipennis, Gould 
Tadorna radjah 
Casarca tadornoides 
Anas superciliosa, Gmel. 
punctata, Cur. 
Stictonetta nzevosa, Gould 
Spatula rhynchotis 
—— clypeata 
Malacorhynchus membranaceus 
Dendrocygna gouldi ............ Toth Pel eae aS 
OVLOM GOL deine tate vetoes aie widen ce ody Ge 
Nyroca australis, Gould...... OR ata aetna 
Erismatura australis ..». 
Biziura lobata ......... ARES, (ae baer ance Sere eer 
AUAWUS PACIICUS ..4.+-+5-c0+4-- 
Bruchigavia jamesonii 
—— gouldi 
Stercorarius catarrhactes 
Sylochelidon caspia 
Thalasseus cristatus 
poliocercus, Gowld...... 
bengalensis 
Sterna melanorhyncha, Gould 
gracilis, Gould 
——  melanauchen, Temm. ..... CB, EOE EERIE: 
Sternula nereis, Gould 
Gelochelidon macrotarsa ..., 
Gygis candida 
Hydrochelidon leucopareia 
Onychoprion fuliginosa 
—— PANAYENSIS ....... eee eee ee ee ees cn ob Ssindaruracie's 
Anous stolidus,............... Be eaten Me A Nee 
—— melanops, Gould 
—— leucocapillus, Gould.,.... 
Procelsterna albivitta............... 


sea 


sie 
6. 6 ck 
* KY 


os 
se 
ee ee 


x 
* 


oe. oe 


ate Bie (aes 
* KOK 


x: 


oe oie 


7K 


TABLE OF DISTRIBUTION. 


597 


PA oie o 
< g\e|2 E 
s/2/@ eo. 
Name of Species. : Z = & a : cs &p 
Slalai~|e/8/8] se 
Peel hare | pega ie 2s 
Bi sisisleigie#| 8* 
Z\@C|Pla|Elzia| 2 
PATO CHOA CXULANS, LNT, 5. on oy sup eos age deseds oct ed« *| x] | * | * |. «| IL p. 427 
WERE, LEI, «0 i vcah. 4 vrkie coup eeewnenies oor nee | voy Lone | och dee) -eutibrer Mate 
SGN OI ae a ae eee ae Pe finde x{|— 484 
Oe etihanvhsrsirap Crh, su ee x | x |e |e | x x |— 486 
—— chlororhynchos; LOth. iii, ipsce ie greenrne 5s eae ead ee *|— 4387 
++ mislanaplas, Lamm. O2..A sdsccoce es xl ele] | x *|— 4388 
P feet ONE oo oho saree B= 140 Ader nce nag * 1% |e 1 |e *|— 441 
(OR SME TARO NN AMLUCH Toc ro sss cnet ene Ante ey eens rome EV ETH TR tx Sone Amy 
Majaqueus conspicillatus, CPs. Gives: ELS aS a ge dies a rye, 
PASE SIVAN CUIGI SEs enrpe oie mac clang eek 7 =v og os gaa a ele = og 
Pterodronia: machoptera~ Ai...7...s.0 Reson ee ee got ag 
Bee LeU nin a (Creda nah ares, <i nap ye mene an are 3 aaa al eheal ee: x |— 449 
UM AVON te Or Ode) oy socal gee ORS Re Ana LE x |x} xe | ed... ee et) 
Aistrelata leucocephala ............:.cecseeceeee enone * |e |e |e | x pa SAD] 
Se 6) Ni Gai Re eee ee ee SLE 2m Bape ie eel *?2}— 453 
Pes Le ee at a ane % | | | Ho} * | — 454 
PPE CHO PETS 801372 {Spud ias, J40 it Eo. Wiis dELL ¥IEKTO CS ee | — 456 
Aeden SACU CD vgs s vipices vo sacs got oEe've soa cpoveas eile l eile lx *|— 457 
PEs Ried IMB EASR, cis cs ees. donee Tt <a ee Dts. on He) eT Re] eT. Py ees 
Nectie romigaidase a sfriisscehpece becomes * | xt we] el x x |— 459 
GAUTOLOCS OG QUIG aa aM Sa PO Rousse ssa eas eels aD «| — 465 
Thiellus sphenurus, Gould .............cccec eee Pa ee ee ..|— 466 
Thalassoica glacialoides, Smzth,..............00004- * i} x1...) * 1 ¥ x |— 467 
i hc) ee cana ee sane x | * | * |e | x 2 Sa, 
Prienwarawe SAA es. BE, OTS et we |e |e | xe | x *|— 472 
Be arse GUIs Siccice ecg oc ania a te eee Shea dbase ae *1|— 473 
RAI TASH EIU a ee eal ea rhe we | x |e |e |e x |— A474 
VINA HINE M Ado acti Sy oa tenes eosin etree hae Hol se fe | ae pte et ae 474 
Procellammacnercisn GOW <. j..20. i558 v seen vos ase w |e |e | * | x x |— 476 
GO Gosivel Fesgrc relat nv Co): Wiper nm eaeapee ene aR Rien ears xe |x] * 1 * | ® x |— 478 
Fregetta melanogaster, Gould ..........:scceseeees x) x |e] * | x *|— 479 
Sg ee eee * | *¥ 1 | #1 % % | — 480 
DiRT TRIE Sec ctercecesieeeseeeseceecseeees peraltateel Rael ee Se | — 482 
 S[eibayc SlevPnaie welt DAC Fae ane an en rn Oe ene ae || alge jee Pee edie 
Pelecanus conspicillatus, Temm. .............0008. x {xe} x] xix] xe] x ]|— 486 
Phalacrocorax nove-hollandiz, Steph. ......... w]e] xe] * | x x|— 488 
pee maNNITITIN WOM Aes U8 ohne Ao ia vdis.< dors died so eatenes * | * | * |e] % | — 490 
douen easbernG O01 be one as.nvdienuea Orn penaas we [x |e | we]... x{|— 492 
meee Sharleen: eM fe en x |*« | * |] * | x x|— 493 
PUTTLEI CTE NaN NV sh en eS pares * | * | ee | % — 495 
Se pd Re ne see ee Eee eee ER EaeaP. <2! Sr Ss — 6582 
Plotus novee-hollandix, Gowld .............c.cc000- x | * | #* | xe * — 496 
Tachypetes aquila ................+ Sips e eee See = hl es * — 499 
ted SPINOP TS ech 1a ee oS Masel aoe * — | 496 
Phaéton phoenicurus, Gel. ........:..cceceeeeeeeee ala pewe ee hee HOO 
elAPARISRUE LS, GOLA. 60 2, cp pone terra te teste as glee lak alesis ak se | EE 
cyanops, Sunder. ..iccccrrerrerereeceeeees * |x| * |x * 22 e50n 
t——— fiber, Linn. © ..cccececnecvecrereeseesessecesesees “oak *% 2S Se 507 
piscator, Lam. ...ccccecceserereteeteeeteeeeeeas pol scoaci| eel hook tap Sele ee eee OED 
Podiceps australis, GOv1d ......1.:seseereeeeeee sense a ee; *|— oli 
nestor, GOUld......ccecrrsncnereeceecereeeereoens ae ee x|— 512 
—— gularis, Gould ...s.creeeceecteseeeeeeee eens el ele] ele pap wenic 48 
Chrysocoma catarractes.......-:s1:teseeeeernereeeees i ei Sky 


BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 


Name of Species. 


South Australia. 

Western Australia. 
Northern Australia. 
Number of volume 


Tasmania. 


* | New South Wales. 


* | Queensland. 


IT. p. 518 


Eudyptula minor 
— 621 


Ss — wndima, Gould. occ. iii cketecy tivvedecd eves 


i. | Victoria. 


> x 
2k 


*K x 


On a review of the above Table it will be seen that of the 670 
species of birds found in Australia 400 have been observed in New 
South Wales, 427 in Queensland, 348 in Victoria, 312 in South 
Australia, 239 in Western Australia, 235 in Northern Australia, 
and 162 in Tasmania. 

As might be expected, some species overstep the boundaries 
assigned to them, particularly where the physical features of the 
neighbouring division of the country do not materially differ from 
those in which they are mostly found: thus the luxuriant brushes 
of New South Wales and Queensland are alike frequented by the 
Menura, the Rifle, Regent, and many other birds which are absent 
from the Colonies where that kind of vegetation does not occur. 
There are, again, other species, such as the Actiturus bartramius, 

Terekia cinerea, and Spatula clypeata, which can only be con- 
sidered as accidental visitors. 


<7, 5 iE AE 2 aA i NN DEO Tan as i 


Acanthiza, 1. 364. 
albifrons, i. 377. 
apicalis, 1. 368. 
brunnead, i. 884. 
Chesnut-rumped, i. 367. 
chrysorrhed, 1. 374. 
diemenensis, i. 365. 
ewingti, i. 365. 
frontalis, i. 359. 
Great, i. 373. 
inornata, i. 370. 
lineata, 1. 372. 
Little, i. 371. 

Little Brown, i. 364. 
magna, i. 373. 
magnirostra, i. 362. 
nana, i. 371. 
Plain-coloured, i. 370. 
pusilla, i. 364. 
pyrrhopygia, i. 846. 
Red-rumped, i. 369. 
reguloides, i. 376. 
Striated, 1. 372. 
Tasmanian, i. 365. 
uropygialis, i. 3867. 
Western, i. 368. 

Acanthogenys, i. 534. 
rufigularis, i. 534, 

Acanthorhynchus, i. 550. 
dubius ?, i. 551. 
superciliosus, i. 553. 
tenuirostris, i. 551. 

Acanthylis caudacuta, i. 108. 
nuiipes, i. 103. 

Accipiter, 1.45. 
approcimans, i. 41. 
cirrhocephalus, i. 45. 
radiatus, i. 40. 
torquatus, i. 45. 

Acrocephalus australis, 1. 402, 
longirostris, i. 403. 

Actitis, ii. 268. 
empusa, ii. 263. 


INDEX. 


Actitis Aypoleucos, ii. 263, 
Actiturus, ii. 242. 
bartramius, ii. 242. 
Actodromas, ii. 257. 
australis, ti. 257. 
Adamastor, ii. 446. 
cinered, li. 446. 
typus, 11. 446. 
Aigialites, ii, 230. 
hiaticula, ii. 231. 
monacha, ii. 231. 
nigrifrons, ti. 232. 
Aigialitis bicinctus, ii. 238. 
me oTEEO, li. 232. 
AKgialophilus, ii. 234. 
ruficapillus, Hi. 235. 
/Egintha, i. 411. 
ALigintha temporalis, i. 411. 
Zégotheles, i. 78. 
australis, i. 79. 
ertstatus, 1. 79. 
leucogaster, i, 81. 
lunulatus, 1. 79. 
nove-hollandia, i. 79. 
AMstrelata, i. 451. 
cooks, ii. 456. 
mollis, ii. 453. 
leucocephala, ii. 451. 
leucoptera, ii. 454. 
Aidemosyne, i. 413. 
modesta, i. 414. 
Ailurcedus, 1. 445. 
smithit, i. 446. 
Alarm-bird, ii. 218. 
Albatros, Black, ii. 441. 


Black-eyebrowed, ii. 438, 


Culminated, i. 436. 

Short-tailed, ii. 483. 

Shy, ii. 434, 

Sooty, ii. 441. 

Wandering, ii. 427. 

Yellow-nosed, ii. 437. 
Alcedinide, i. 121. 


ia Sa a ses ete iP 


= 


600 


Alcedo azurea, i. 139. 
fusca, i. 122. 
gigantea, 1. 122. 
gugas, 1. 122. 
tribrachys, i. 189, 

Alcyone, i. 138. 
australis, 1. 139. 
azurea, 1. 139. 
diemenensis, 1. 14.1. 
pulchra, i. 1A1. 
pusilla, 1. 142. 

Alectura lathama, ii. 150. 

Alsocomus leucomela, ii. 112. 

Amadina acuticauda, i. 422. 
annulosa, 1. 410. 
castaneothorax, i. 426. 
castanotis, i. 419. 
cincta, i, 425. 
gouldie, i. 420. 
guttata, i. 417. 
lathami, i. 417. 
modesta, i. 414. 
nitida, 1. 406. 
pectoralis, i. 427. 
ruficauda, i. 412. 
temporalis, i. 11. 

Amaurodryas, i. 286. 
vittata, 1. 286. 

Ampelide P, i. 156. 

Amrytis, i. 335. 
leucopterus, 1, 380. 
macrourus, 1. 338. 
striatus, 1, 337. 
texths, 1. 335, 337, 

Anas, 11. 263. 
arcuata, i. 374. 
atrata, li. 846. 
carunculata, 11. 381, 
clypeata, 11, 370. 
Ffasciata, Vi. 372. 
Jjubata, i. 354. 
leucomelas, ii. 360. 
leucophrys, ii. 363. 
lobata, ii. 381. 
melanoleuca, ii. 352. 
membranacea, ii. 372. 
nNevOSA, Ii. 367. 
plitoma, ii, 346. 
punctata, li, 365. 
radjah, ii. 360. 
rhynchotis, ii. 368. 
rubens, li. 370. 
semipalmata, ii. 352. 
superciliosa, ii. 363. 
tadornordes, ii. 361. 

Anatide, ii. 345, 580. 

Ancylochilus, ii. 256. 
subarquatus, ii. 256. 


Anellobia, i. 540. 


INDEX. 


Anellobia lunulata, i. 543. 
melhivora, i. 541.. 
Anous, ii. 412. 
cinereus, ii. 420. 
leucocapillus, ii. 419. 
leucoceps, li. 413. 
Chermumert, ii. 408. 
melanops, ti. 417. 
niger, ii. 413. 
stolidus, ti. 413. 
Anser griseus, ii. 350. 
Anseranas, ii. 352. 
melanoleuca, 11. 352. 
Anthocheera, i. 536. 
carunculata, 1. 536, 538. 
mauris, 1. 536. 
lewinit, 1. 538. 
lunulata, i. 543. 
mellivora, i. 541. 
phrygta, 1. 527. 
Anthus, i. 392. 
australis, 1. 392. 
Suliginosus, i. 388. 
minimus, 1. 390. 
pallescens, 1. 392. 
rufescens, i. 397. 
Aprosmictus, ii. 35. 
erythropterus, ti. 37. 
scapulatus, ii. 35. 
Aptenodyta minor, ii. 518. 
Aptenodytes catarractes, ii. 517 
chrysocome, li. 517. 
minor, ii. 518. 
saltator, i. 517. 
undina, ii. 521. 
Apterygidee, ii. 567. 
Apteryx, ii. 567. 
australis, 11. 568. 
owentt, ii. 573. 
Owen's, li. 573. 
Aquila, i. 8. 
albirostris, i. 8. 
audax, i. 8. 
cunetcaudata, i. 8. 
Jucosa, i. 8. 
morphnordes, i. 11, 
(Uroaétus) audaz, i. 8. 
Ardea, ii. 295. 
alba, ii. 301. 
asha, i. 305. 
bullaragang, ii. 297. 
cerulea, 11. 307. 
caledonica, ii. 311. 
candida, 11. 301. 
cinerea, ii, 295. 
flavicollis, ii. 315. 
Jlavirostris, ti. 308, 
JSusca, ii. 296. 
garzetta, ii. 305, 


INDEX. 


Ardea insignis, ii, 296. 
intermedia, ii. 303. 
javamea, ii. 317. 
jugularis, ii. 307. 
leucophea, ii. 295. 
leucops, li. 299. 
maculata, ii. 319. 
matook, ii. 307. 
melanops, ii. 3804. 
modesta, ii. 301. 
migra, ii. 315. 
nigrirostris, ii. 803. 
nove-hollandia, ii. 299. 
orventals, — ere 

acifica, ii. 297. 
ihe: ii, 313. 
pusilla, ii. 319. 
rectirostris, ii. 296. 
sparmannt, ii. 311, 
sumatrana, li. 296. 
typhon, ii. 296. = 
(Herodias) picata, ii. 3806. 

Ardeidee, ii. 294. - 

‘Ardeola pusilla, ii, 319. 

Ardetta, ii. 319. 

Jravicollis, ii. 315. 
gouldi, ii. 315. 
macrorhyncha, ii, 316, 
pusila, 11. 319. 
stagnatilis, li. 317. 

Arses, 1. 251. 
kaupi, i. 251. 

Artamide, i. 143. 

Artamus, i. 143. 
albiventris, i. 149. 
albovittatus, i. 143. 
cinereus, i. 147. 
leucopygialis, i. 154. 
lineatus, 1.143. 
melanops, i. 149. 
minor, 1. 146. 
personatus, i. 150. 
sordidus, 1. 1438. 
superciliosus, i. 152. 

Astur, i. 40. 
albus, 1. 38. 
approximans, i. 41. 
cruentus, 1. 43. 
fasciatus, i. 41. 
nove-hollandia, i. 37, 38. 
radiatus, i, 40, 41. 
rat, i. 37. 
testaceus, i. 40. ips 
(Leucospiza) nove-hollande,i. 38. 
(Micronisus) torgwatus, 1. 45. 

Athene albofacies, ii. 524, 
boobook, 1.74. 
connivens, i. 71. 

? fortis, i. 71. 

VOL, IL. 


= * = A SRR iti EE DO i i hs Re i a i SEL ui aii i a at 


601 


Athene frontaia, i. 71, 
maculata, i. 76. 
marmorata, i. 78. 
rufa, i. 69. 

P strenua, i. 68. 

Atrichia, i. 844. 
clamosa, i. 344. 

Attagen aquila, ii. 499." 
arvel, 11. 499. 

Atticora leucosternon, i. 115. 

Australasia nove-holiandia, ii. 93. 

Avicida subscristata, i. 56. 

Avocet, Rednecked, ii. 249. 
Terek, ii. 261, 


Banksianus australis, ii, 18. 
galeatus, ii. 29, 
Barita anaphonenses, i. 173. 
destructor, i. 184. 
quoyt, i. 183. 
strepera, 1. 168. 
tibicen, 1, 175, 176. 
Barrabandius melanurus, ii. 38. 
rosaceus, li. 31. 
Bartramia laticauda, ii. 242. 
Bathilda, i. 412. 
ruficauda, i, 412. 
Baza, 1. 56. . ; 
subcristata, 1. 56. 
Bee-eater, Australian, i. 117. 
Bell-bird, i. 231, 579. 
Bernicla jubata, ii. 354. 
Bittern, Australian, ii. 313. 
Little Brown, ii. 315. 
Little Grey, ii. 317. 
Little Mangrove, ii, 317. 
Minute, ii. 819. 
Thick-billed Mangrove, ii. 316. 
Yellow-necked Mangrove, ii. 315. 
Biziura, ii. 381. 
lobata, ii. 381. 
nove-hollandie, ii. 381. 
Black Duck, ii. 363. 
Magpie, i. 170. 
Red-bill, ii. 217. 
Swan, ii, 346, 
Blackbird, Greyheaded, ii. 528, 
Vinous-tinted, ii, 529. 
Blood-bird, i. 555. 
Blue-bonnet, ii. 62, 
Eye, i. 560, 
Parrot, ii. 60. 
Pigeon, i. 192, 
Wren, i. 317. 
Booby, ii. 507. 
Brown, ii. 507. 
Botaurus, ii. 318. 
australis, ii. 313, 
melanotus, ii, 318. 
2R 


602 


Botaurus peciloptila, ii. 813. 
potciloptilus, ii. 313. 


Bower-bird, Fawn-breasted, i. 454. 


Great, i. 448. 

Guttated, i. 452. 

Satin, i. 442. 

Spotted, i. 450. 
Brachyprorus cmereus, i. 472. 


Brachyptrallus ralloides, ii. 824, 


Brachystoma cinerea, i. 472. 
Brachyurus strepitans, i, 480. 
Bristle-bird, i. 342. 
Long-billed, 1. 343. 
Bronze-wing, Brush, ii. 125. 
Common, ii. 122. 
Crested, 11, 159. 
Harlequin, ii. 127. 
Partridge, ii. 130. 
Plumed, ii. 135. 
Rust-coloured, ti. 137, 
Smith’s Partridge, ii, 153. 
Brown-tail, i. 365. 
Bruchigavia, ii, 387. 
gouldt, 11. 388. 
jamesoni, ii. 387. 
Brush-Turkey, ii. 150. 
Buceros cormeulatus, i. 545. 
Bulastes cinereus, i. 186. 
leucopterus, 1. 187. 
torquatus, 1. 184. 
Burhinus grallarius, 11. 210. 
magmrostris, 1. 218. 
Bush-Lark, Horsfield’s, i. 404. 
Bustard, Australian, ii. 208. 
Butaétus morphnoides, i. 11. 
Butcher-bird, i. 184. 
Buteo connivens, i. 71. 
melanosternon, 1. 47. 
Butoroides, ii. 514. 
fiavicollis, ii, 515. 
javanica, ii. 317. 
macrorhyncha, ii. 816. . 
Buzzard, Black-breasted, i, 47. 


Cacatua, li. 2, 
aterrima, ii. 27. 
banksti, ti. 18, 20. 
chrysolophus, 11. 2. 
e0s, il. 8. 
galeata, ii. 29. 
galerita, ii. 2. 
leadbeatert, ii. 5. 
nasica, ii. 11, 
rosea, ii. 8. 
rosewcapilla, ii. 8. 
sanguinea, ii. 6, 
viridis, ii. 18. 

Cacomantis, 1. 615. 
cinereus, i. 616. 


INDEX. 


Cacomantis dumetorum, i. 620, 
flabelliformis, i, 618, 
incertus, 1.618. ~ 
inornatus, 1. 615. 
insperatus, i. 617, 
pallidus, i, 615. 
Calamanthus, i. 387. 
campestris, i. 389. 
Field, i. 889, 
fuliginosus, 1. 388. 
Striated, i. 388. 
Calamoherpe, i. 401. 
australis, 1. 402. 
longirostris, i. 408. 
Calidris australis, i. 257, 
canutus, 11. 259. 
Callocephalon, 11. 28. 
australe, ii. 29. 
galeatum, ii. 29, 
Calodera maculata, i. 450. 
nuchalis, i. 448. 
Calopsitta, ii. 84. 
Grey, ii. 84. 
nove-hollandia, ii. 84. 
Calornis, i. 477. 
metallica, i. 477. 
Shining, i. 477. 
Calyptorhynchus, ii. 12. 
banksu, i. 18, 18. 
baudinaat, ii. 25. 
cooki, ui. 18. 
funereus, ii. 20. 
galeatus, 11. 29. 
leachit, ii. 18. 
macrorhynchus, i. 15. 
naso, ii. 17, 
solandri, ii. 18. 
stellatus, ii. 15, 18. 
xanthonotus, ii. 22. 
Campephaga, i. 200. 
Black and White, i. 203. 
humeralis, i, 204, 
hypoleuca, i. 196. 
Jardine’s, i. 200. 
jardinit, i. 200. 
karu, i. 202. 
leucomela, i. 205. 
melanops, i. 192. 
Northern, i. 202. 
White-shouldered, i. 204. 
(Lalage) karu, i. 202. 
Campephagine, i. 191. 
Canary Parrot, ii. 81. 
Caprimulgide, i. 78. 
Caprimulgus, i. 100. 
albogularis, i. 96. 
cristatus, 1. 79. 
gracilis ?, i. 84. 
guttatus, 1, 98. ° 


Caprimulgus macrurus, i. 100. 
megacephalus, i. 89. , 
mystacalis, i. 96. 
nove-hollandia, i. 79, 
podargus ?, i. 84. 
strigordes, i. 84. 
vittatus, i. 79. 

Carbo albiventer, ii. 490. 
dinudiatus, ii, 493. 
hypoleucus, ii. 492. 

Carphibis, ii. 282. 
spinicollis, ii, 282. 

Carpophaga assimilis, ii. 111. 
luctuosa, ii. 114, 
magnifica, ii. 110. 
norfolciensis, ii. 112. 
sptlorrhoa, ii. 114. 

Casarca, ii. 361. 
tadornoides, ii. 361. 

Cassowary, Australian, ii. 206. 
New Holland, ii. 200. 
Southern, ii. 200. 

Van Diemen’s Land, ii. 200. 

Casuarius, ii. 206, 561. 
australis, ii. 206. 
bennetti, ii. 561. 
nove-hollandia, ii. 200. 

Cat-Bird, i. 446. 

Catarractes noster, ii. 889. 
skua, ii. 389. 
vulgaris, ii. 889. 

Catharacta skua, ii. 889. 

Catheturus australis, ii. 150. 

Ceblepyris hemeralis, i. 204. 
jardinit, i. 200. 

Uineatus, i. 197. 
maxima, i, 199. 
melanops, i. 192. 

Cecropis frontalis, i. 107. 
nigricans, i, 111. 
pyrrhonota, i. 111. 

Centropus, i. 633. 
gigas, 1. 634, 
leucogaster, i. 634. 
macrourus, i. 636, 
melanurus, i. 636. 
phasianinus, i. 634. 
phastanus, i, 634. 
variegatus, i, 634, 

Centrourus australis, ii. 548. 

Cerchneis émmaculatus, i. 35.” 

Cercoronus melanorhamphus, 1. 470, 
melanorhynchus, i. 479, 

Cereopsis, ii. 350. 
australis, ii, 850. 
cinereus, ti. 350. 

New Holland, ii. 350. 
nove-hollandia, ii. 850. 
Certhia auriculata, i, 511. 


2 a em DDR BE a Rt ARE ST ili aii iii ei 
Ti = NN i ed Rn. :> 


INDEX. 603 


Certhia australasie, i. 555. 
australasiana, 1. 495. 
cerulescens, 1. 587. 
canescens, i, 220. 
chrysotis, i. 520. 
dibapha, i. 355. 
diluta, i. 587. 
erythropygia, i. 555, 
Sulwifrons, i. 495. 
leucophea, i. 605. 
leucoptera, i. 605. 
lunulata, i. 568, 495. 
mellivora, 1. 495, 541. 
nove-hollandie, i. 486. 
prcumnus, i. 605. 
pyrrhoptera, 1. 493. 
sanguinolenta, 1. 555, 
tenuirostris, i. 551, 

Certhiade ?, i, 598. 

Ceyx azurea, i. 189. 
cyanea, i. 139. 
pusilla, i. 142. 

Cheetura, i. 103. 
australis, i. 103. 
caudacuta, i. 103. 
macroptera, i. 1038. 
nudipes, 1. 103. 

Chalcites basalis, i. 626. 
osculans, i. 621. 

Chalcophaps, ii. 118. 
chrysochlora, ii. 118. 
longirostris, ti. 119, 

Channel-Bill, i. 628. 

Charadriadee, ii. 210. 

Charadrius, ii. 225. 
astaticus, ti, 229. 
bicinctus, i. 238, 
caspius, li. 229. 
cucullatus, i1..231. 
Frenatus, 11. 210. 
grallarius, i. 210. 
homeyeri, ti. 231, 
hvaticula, ii, 231. 
hypomelas, ii. 224. 
lobatus, 11. 218. 
longtpes, ii. 210. 
marginatus, ii. 235, 
melanops, ii. 232. 
monachus, ii. 231. 
migrifrons; li. 232, 
ortentalis, ii. 225. 
pectoralis, ii. 222. 
plurralis orientalis, ii. 225. 
ruficapillus, ti. 235, 
torquatus, ii. 231. 
tricolor, ii, 222. 
vanelloides, ii. 222, 
veredus, ii. 229, 
vanthocheilus, ii, 225, 

2R2 


604 


Chelidon arborea, i. 111. 
ariel, ii. 118. 
Chenopis, li. 346. 
atrata, 1. 346, 
Cheramceca leucosterna, 1. 115. 
Cherry-picker, i. 565. 
Chibia, 1. 235. 
bracteata, 1. 235. 
Chlamydera cerviniventris, i, 454. 
guttata, 1, 452. 
maculata, i. 450. 
nuchalis, i. 448. 
Chlamydochen, ii. 354. 
jubata, ii, 354. 
Chlamydodera, i. 447. 
cerviniventris, i. 454. 
guttata, 1. 452. 
maculata, i. 450. 
nuchalis, i. 448. 
Chloébia gouldia, i. 420. 
Choriotis, ii. 207. 
australis, ii. 208. 


Choristopus semipalmatus, ii. 352. 


Choucaleyon australe, i. 122. 
Chrysococeyx basalis, 1. 626. 
chalcites, i. 626. 
lucidus, i. 623, 626. 
malayanus, i. 626, 
muinutillus, 1. 625. 
osculans, i. 621. 
peecilurus, 1. 626. 
Chrysocoma, ii. 517. 
catarractes, ii. 517, 
Chthonicola, i. 390. 
Little, i. 390. 
minima, i, 390. 
sagittata, 1, 890. _ 
Ciconia australis, ii. 293. 
leucoptera, ii. 293. 
Ciconidee, ii. 292. 
Cincloramphus, i. 893. 
Black-breasted, i. 395. 
Brown, i. 394. 
cantatoris, i. 895. 
cantillans, i. 395. 
cruralis, i. 394. 
rufescens, i. 897. 
Rufous-tinted, i. 397. 
Cinclosoma, i. 433. 
castaneithorax, i. 438. 
castaneonotum, i. 435, 
castaneothorax, i. 438. 
castanotum, i. 435, 
castanotus, i. 435. 
cinnamomeum, i. 437. 
cinnamomeus, i. 437. 
punctatum, i, 438. 
Cinnyris rubrater, i, 555. 


INDEX. 


Circus, i. 58. 
assimilis, i, 58. 
axillaris, 1. 53. 
gouldi, i. 58. 

Jardini, i. 60. 
(Spilocireus) jardinii, i. 60. 

Cirrepidesmus, i. 229. 
asiaticus ?, ii, 229. 

Cisticola, i. 349. 
evilis, i, 350. 
isura, 1, 352. 
lineicapilla, i. 851. 
lineocapilla, i. 851. 
magna, 1. 849. 
ruficeps, 1. 858. 

Cladorhynchus, ii. 248. 
pectoralis, ii. 248. 

Climacteris, 1. 598. 
erythrops, i. 602. 
leucophea, i. 605. 
melanonota, i. 605. 
melanotus, i, 603. 
melanura, 1. 604. 
picumnus, i. 605. 
rufa, i. 600. 
scandens, i, 598. 

Clypeata brachyrhynchos, ii. 370, 
macrorhynchos, ii. 370. 
platyrhynchos, ii. 370. 
pomarina, ii. 370. 

Coach-whip-bird, i. 312. 

Cobbler’s Awl, i. 551. 

Cockatoo, Banksian, ii. 18. 
Baudin’s, 11. 25. 
Blood-stained, ii. 6. 
Crested, ii. 2. 

Funereal, ii. 20. 
Gang-gang, il. 29. 
Great-billed Black, ii. 15. 
Great Black, ii. 27. 

Great Palm, ii. 27, 

Great Sulphur-crested, ii. 2. 
Leach’s, i. 18. 
Leadbeater’s, ii. 5. 
Long-billed, ii. 11. 
Long-nosed, ii. 11. 

Pink, ii. 5. 

Red-tailed Black, ii. 17. 
Rose, ii. 8. 

Rose-breasted, ii. 8. 
Rose-coloured, ii. 8. 
Western Black, ii. 17. 
Western Long-billed, ii. 12. 
White-tailed Black, ii. 25. 
Yellow-eared Black, ii. 22. 

Cockatoo-Parrakeet, ii. 84. 

Colaris pacificus, i. 119. 

Collocalia arborea, i, 111, 
ariel, 1, 113, 


Colluricincla, i. 219. 
brunnea, i. 223. 
cinerea, i. 220. 
harmonica, i. 220. 
parvula, i. 225. 
rectirostris, 1. 224. 
rufigaster, 1. 226. 
rufiventris, i. 222. 
selbit, 1. 224. 
strigata, i, 224. 
Coloburis strepitans, i, 430. 
~ vigorst, il. 527. 
Columba antarctica, 11. 116. 
chalcoptera, ii. 122. 
chrysochlora, ii. 118, 
cuneata, ii. 146. 
dilopha, ii. 116. 
elegans, ii. 125. 
erythrauchen, ii. 142. 
humeralis, ii. 142. 
inscripta, ii. 180. 
jamiesonit, ii. 120. 
javanica, ii. 118. 
lawsoni, ii. 125. 
leucomela, ii. 112. 
leucomelana, iis 112. 
lophotes, 11. 139. 
macquarie, ii. 146. 
magnifica, ii. 110. 
melanoleuca, ii. 120. 
norfolciensis, 11, 112. 
pallida, i. 615. 
phasianella, ii. 148. 
picata, ii. 120. 
purpurata, ii, 106, 
seripta, li, 189. 
smuthia, ii, 138. 
spiloptera, li. 146. 
superba, ii. 108. 
(Peristera) histrionica, ii, 127. 
Columbide, ii. 105, 556, 
Common Lark, i. 392. 
Conopophila, i. 532. 
albigularis, i. 582. 
rufigularis, 1, 583. 
Conurus c@ruleo-barbatus, ii. 45. 
chrysostomus, ii. 71. 
lori scintillatus, ii. 98. 
purpureo-cephalus, ii. 60, 
Cookilaria Jewcoptera, ti, 454. 
mollis, ii. 453. 
solandri, ii. 450. 
Coot, Australian, ii. 829. _ 
Coracia melanoramphos, i. 470. 
Coracias pacifica, i. 119. 
sagittata, i, 462. 
strepera, i. 168. 
tibicen, 1. 175. | q 
(Galgulus) pacific, i, 119, 


__ 5 RR ae aR ATT St Dini NM RN ic rt ————————— 


INDEX. 605 


Coracide, i. 119. 
Corcorax, i. 470. 
australis, i. 470. 
leucopterus, i. 470. 
melanorhamphus, i. 470. 
melaunorhynchus, i. 470. 
White-winged, i. 470. 
Coriphilus versicolor, ii. 98. 
Cormorant, Australian, ii, 488, 
Little, ii. 492. 
Little Black, ii. 495. 
Pied, ii. 490. 
Spotted, ii. 582. 
White-breasted, 11. 492. 
Coronica fuliginosa, i. 170. 
strepera, 1. 168, 
Corvidee, i. 475, 
Corvus, 1. 475. 
auritus, i, 312. 
australis, i. 475. 
carunculatus, 1. 538. 
coroneordes, 1. 475. 
coronoides, i. 475. 
cyanoleucos, i. 188. 
graculinus, i. 168. 
leucopterus, i. 470. 
melanops, 1. 192. 
olwvaceus, 1. 812. 
paradoxus, i. 538. 
squamulosus, 1. 442. 
.streperus, i. 168. 
versicolor, i. 178. 
Corydon galeatus, ii. 29. 
Corydonix giganteus, 1. 634. 
leucogaster, i. 634. 
phasianus, i. 634. 
variegatus, i. 634. 
Cosmaérops ornatus, i, 117. 
Coturnix, ii. 190. 
australis, ii, 193. 
pectoralis, 11. 190. 
Coucal, Black-tailed, i. 636. 
Great-tailed, i. 636. 
Pheasant, i. 634. 
Cracticus, i. 179. 
argenteus, i. 182. 
cinereus, 1. 186. 
cuneicaudatus, i. 175. 
cyanoleuca, i. 188. 
destructor, 1. 184. 
Suliginosus, 1. 170. 
hypoleucus, i. 178. 
leucopterus, i. 187. 
nigrogularis, i. 180. 
preatus, i. 181. 
quoyw, 1. 183. 
robustus, i. 180. 
streperus, 1. 168, 
tibicen, i, 175, 


606 INDEX, 


Cracticus torquatus, i. 184. 
varius, i. 180. 

Crake, Little Water, ii. 340. 
Spotted Water, ii. 339. 
Tabuan Water, ii. 341. 


White-eyebrowed Water, ii. 345, 


Crane, Australian, ii. 290. 
Blue, ii. 299, 307. 
White, ii. 304. 

Craspedophora, i. 595. 
magnifica, 1. 595. 

Crateropodides ?, 1. 479. 

Creadion carunculatus, i. 586. 

Crow, i. 475. 

White-eyed, i. 475, 

Crow-Shrike, Black-throated, i. 180. 
Collard, i. 184. 
Cinereous, i. 186. 
Grey, i. 173. 
peu lbs © 
Pied, i. 168, 181. 
Piping, i. 175, 
Quoy’s, i. 185. 
Silvery-backed, i. 182. 
Sooty, i. 170. 
Tasmanian, i. 178. 
White-backed, i. 176. 
White-breasted, 1. 176. 
White-winged, i. 187. 

Cuckoo, Australian, i. 614. 
Black-eared, i. 621. 
Black-tailed, i. 621. 
Bronze, i. 625. 
Brush, i. 619. 
Fan-tailed, i. 618. 
Golden, i. 623. 
Greater, i. 615, 
Lesser, i. 618. 

Little Bronze, i. 625. 
Narrow-billed Bronze, i. 626. 
Pallid, i. 615. 

Square-tailed, i. 620. 

Cuculidee, i. 618. 

Cuculus, i. 614. 
albostrigatus, i. 615. 
auratus, 1. 626, 
basalis, 1. 626. 
canoroides, 1. 614. 
chalcites, 1. 626. 
cineraceus, 1. 618. 
cinerascens, 1. 618. 
cinereus, i. 615. 
cyanocephalus, 1. 632. 
dumetorwm, i. 620. 
flabelliformis, 1.618. 
flavus, i. 618. 
Juindersii, 1. 652. 
gigas, i. 684. 
horsfieldi, i, 614. 


Cuculus zncertus, i. 618. 
inornatus, i. 615. 
insperatus, i. 619. 
malayanus, i. 626, 
metallicus, i. 625. 
optatus, i. 614. 
osculans, i. 621. 
phasianus, i. 634. 
plagosus, i. 625. 
prionurus, i. 618. 
pyrrhophenus, i. 618. 
pyrrhophanes, i. 618. 
rufulus, i. 618. 
variegatus, i. 615. 
variolosus, i. 618. 
versicolor, i. 623. 

Cuncuma Jeucogaster, i. 13. 

Curlew, Australian, ii. 277. 

Cursorius isabellinus, ii. 229. 

Cyanalcyon, i. 152. 
macleayt, i. 133. 
pyrrhopygia, i. 130. 

Cygnus atratus, 11. 346. 

Cynura torquata, i. 377. 

Cypselidee, i. 102. 

Cypselus, 1. 105. 
australis, i. 105. 
leuconotus, i, 103. 
pacificus, 1. 105. 
vittatus, i. 105. 

Cysticola campestris, i. 349. 
exilis, i. 850. 
isura, i. 852. 
lineocapilla, i. 351. 
magna, i. 349. 
ruficeps, i, 3538. 


Dab-chick, ii. 512. 
Dacelo, i. 121. 
cervicalis, i. 125. 
cervina, i, 125. 
chlorocephala, i. 128. 
gigantea, i. 122. 
gigas, i. 122. 
leachu, 1, 124. 
salussit, 1. 125. 
Dactylostrix castanops, i. 62. 
Deedalion candidum, i, 38. 
Daption, ii. 469. 
capensis, ii. 469, 
Darter, New Holland, ii. 496. 
Dasyornis abeillei, i. 312. 
australis, i. 342. 
longirostris, 1. 843. 
striatus, i. 337. 
Demiegretta, ii. 307. 
asha, ii. 305. 
greyt, ii. 309. 
jugularis, ii. 307. 


Dendrocygna, ii, 374, 
arcuata, ii. 874, 
eytont, ti. 375, 
gould, ii. 374. 

Dermophrys flaviprymnus, i. 428. 

Diamond-bird, i. 157. 5 
Allied, i. 163. 
Black-headed, i. 165, 
Forty-spotted, i. 160. 
Red-lored, i. 158. 
Spotted, 1. 157. 

Striated, i. 161. 
Yellow-rumped, i. 166. 

Diczeum, i. 581. 
atrogaster, i. 581. 
hirundinaceum, i. 581. 
pardalotus, i. 581. 
Swallow, 1. 581. 

Dicruride, i. 234. 

Dicrurus balicassius, 1. 285. 
bracteatus, i. 235. 

Didunculus, ii. 556. 
strigtrostris, ii. 566. 

Diomedea, ii. 427, 
antarctica, ii. 441. 
brachyura, 1. 433. 
cauta, ti. 434, 
chinensis, ii. 435. 
chlororhynchos, ii. 437. 
chrysostoma, i. 437. 
culminata, U1. 456. 
exulans, li. 427. 
fuliginosa, ii. 441. 
fusca, ti. 441, 
melanophrys, ii. 458. 
palpebrata, ii. 441. 


(Pheebetria) fuliginosa, ii. 441. 


Thalassarche) cauta, ii. 434. 
t chlororhynchos, ii. 487. 
culminata, ii. 436. 
f melanophrys, il. 438. 
Diver, ii, 511. rig 
Dollar-bird, 1. 119. 


Donacola, i. 426, 
castaneothorax, 1, 426. 
aviprymna, i. 428. 

Pash Hh i, 427. 

Dottrel, Allied, 11, 237, 
Asiatic, li. 229. 
Australian, ii. 227. 
Black-fronted, ii. 282. 
Double-banded, ti. 238. - 
Hooded, ii. 231. 
Red-capped, ii. 235. 
Red-eyed, ii. 240. 

Ring, ii. 231. “ 

Dove, Barred-shouldered, ii, 142, 
Little Turtle-, ii. 146. 
Peaceful, ii, 144. 


ee te a lt ten a lea a a tla ii aM a a a tte ee 


INDEX. 607 


Dove, Placid, i. 145, 
Turtle-, ii. 146, 

Dromeus ¢rroratus, ti. 204. 

Dromaius, ii. 200, 
ater, ii, 200. 
wrroratus, ii. 204, 
nove-hollandia, ii. 200. 

Dromiceus australis, ii. 200, 
emu, ii. 200, 
nove-xelandia, ii. 568. 

Drongo-Shrike, i. 235. 

Drymodes, i. 289, 
brunneopygia, i. 290, 
superciaris, 1. 291. 

Drymophila carinata, i, 262. 
trivirgata, i. 263. 

Duck, Australian Wild, i. 363. 
Black, 11. 363. 
Blue-billed, 11, 379. 
Grey, ii. 363. 

Eyton’s Tree-, ii. 367. 
Freckled, ii. 367. 
Hawkesbury, ii. 354. 
Lobated, ii, 381. 
Membranaceous, ii. 372. 
Mountain, ii. 361. 
Musk, ii. 281. 

New Holland, u. 372. 
Pink-eyed, ii. 872. 
Shovel-nosed, ii. 368. 
Supercilious, ii. 368. 
Whistling, i. 374. 
Whistling Tree-, ii, 374. 
White, i1..360, 
White-eyed, ii. 377, 
White-winged, i. 377. 
Wood, ii. 354. 

Dysporus jiber, ii, 507. 
sula, li. 507. 


Eagle, Hawk, i. 8. 
Little, i. 11. 
Little Swamp, i. 20. 
Mountain, i. 8. 
Wedge-tailed, i. 8. 
Whistling, i. 20. 
White-breasted Sea-, i. 17. 
Egret, Australian, ii. 3801. 
Little, ii. 305. 
Pied, ii. 806. 
Plumed, ii. 308. 
Sombre, ii. 305, 
Spotless, ii. 304. 
Egretta alba, ii. 301. 
egrettordes, ii. 303. 
Eidopsaris dicinctus, i, 565. 
Elanus, i. 53. 
axillaris, i. 53. 
melanopterus, 1, 53. 


608 


Elanus notatus, 1. 53. 
scriptus, 1. 58. 
Emblema, i. 429. 
picta, i. 429. 
Emu, ii. 200. 
Spotted, ii. 204. 
Entomophila, i. 530. 
albogularis, 1. 532. 
rufogularis, 1. 533. 
preata, 1. 529, 
picta, i, 530. 
Entomyza, i. 560. 
albipenms, 1. 563. 
cyanotis, 1. 560. 
Kolophus roseicapillus, i. 8. 
roseus, il. 8. 
sanguineus, 1. 6. 
Hopsaltria, i. 292. 
australis, i, 293. 
capito, 1. 297. 
fiavicollis, i. 293. 
flavigastra, i. 293. 
griseogularis, 1. 294. 
leucogaster, 1. 296. 
parvula, i. 293. 
Ephthianura, i. 377. 
albifrons, i. 377. 
aurifrons, 1. 880. 
Orange-fronted, 1. 580, 
tricolor, i. 380. 
Tri-coloured, i. 380. 
White-fronted, i. 377. 
Epimachide, i. 590, ii. 532. 


Epimachus brisbanit, i. 591. 


magnificus, 1, 595. 
paradiseus, 1. 591, 595. 
regius, i. 591. 
splendidus, i. 595. 
Erismatura, ii. 379. 
australis, ti. 379. 
Erythra, ii. 343. 
leucophrys, ii. 2438. 
quadristrigata, ii. 245. 
Erythrauchena, ii. 142. 
humeralis, li. 142. 
Erythrodryas, i. 275. 
rhodinogaster, i. 276. 
rosea, 1. 277. 
Erythrogonys, ii. 240. 
cinctus, li, 240. 
Esacus, ii. 213. 
magnirostris, li. 213. 
Estrelda annulosa, i. 410. 
bella, i. 406. 
bichenovit, i. 409. 
modesta, i. 414. 
oculea, i. 407. 
phaéton, 1. 415, 


INDEX. 


Estrelda rujicauda, i. 412. 
temporalis, i. 411. 
Eudromias, ii. 227. 
australis, ii. 227, 
Eudynamis, i. 631. 
australis, 1. 632. 
Jiindersi, i. 632. 
Eudynamys australis, 1, 632. 
Jlindersii, i. 632. 
orientalis, 1. 632. 
Eudyptes chrysocome, ii, 517. 
Eudyptula, ii. 518. 
minor, i. 518. 
undina, 2, 521. 
Eulabeornis, ii. 338. 
castanewentris, li. 338. 
uphema, ii. 71. 
aurantia, ii. 75, 
bourkit, ii. 80. 
chrysogaster, ii. 75. 
chrysostoma, ii. 71. 
discolor, ii. 90. 
elegans, ii. 73. 
petrophila, ii. 76. 
pulchella, ti. 75, 77. 
splendida, ii. 79. 
undulata, ii, 81. 
Eurostopodus, i. 95. 
albogularis, 1. 96. 
guttatus, i. 98. 
Eurystomus, i. 119. 
australis, i. 119. 
orientalis, i, 119. 
pacificus, i. 119. 
Excalfatoria, ii. 197. 
australis, li. 197. 


Falcinellus, ii. 286. 
agneus, li, 286. 
magnificus, i, 595. 

Falco, i. 24. 
albus, 1. 38. 
axillaris, i. 53. 
berigora, i, 31. 
cenchroides, 1. 35. 
clarus, i. 37. 
connivens, i. 71. 
Frontatus, 1. 29. 
Sucosus, i. 8. 
hypoleucus, 1. 24. 
leucogaster, i. 15. 
longrpennis, i. 29. 
lunulatus, i. 29. 
macropus, i. 26. 
melanogenys, 1. 26. 
melanops, i. 45. 
nove-hollandia, i. 38. 
ponticerianus, 1. 17. 
radiatus, i. 40, 41. 


Falco subniger, i. 28. 
torquatus, i. 45. 
(Hierofalco) subniger, i. 28. 
(Hypotriorcius) frontatus, i. 29. 

Falcon, Black, i. 28. 

Black- cheeked, i, 15-26; 

Grey, i. 24. 

Little, i. 29. 

White-fronted, i i. 29. 
Falconida, i. 8. 
Falcunculus, i. 227. 

Jlavigulus, i. 228. 

Srontatus, i. 228. 

gouldi, i. 228. 

gutturalis, i. 231. 

leucogaster, 1. 229. . 

Fantail, Black, i. 244. 
Northern, i, 242, 

Pied, i. 246, 
Preiss’ 8, 1. 240. 
Rufous-fronted, i. 240. 
White-shafted, i. 238. 
Wood, i. 242. 

Fedoa terchensis, i. 261. 

Fig-eater, i. 588. 

Finch, Bicheno’s, i. 409. 
Black- -rumped, i. 410. 
Chestnut-breasted, i. 426. 
Chestnut-eared, i. "419, 
Crimson, i. 415. 
Fire-tailed, i. 406. 
Painted, i. 429, 
Plain-coloured, i. 414. 
Red, 1. 415. 
Red-eared, i. 407. 
Red-eyebrowed, i. 411. 
Red-tailed, i. 412. 
Spotted-sided, i, 417. 
White-breasted, i. 427. 
Yellow-rumped, i. 428. 

Fire-tail, i. 406. 

Flycatcher, Allied, i. 260. 
Black-fronted, i. 263. 
Broad-billed, i. 256. 
Brown, i. 258. 
Carinated, i. 262. 

. Kaup’s, i. 251. 
Leaden-coloured, 1. 252. 
Pretty, 1. 254. 
Restless, i. 246. 
Shining, i. 249, 255. 
White- “eared, i. 264, 
Yellow-bellied, i. 261. 
Yellow-breasted, i, 257. 

Forty-spot, i. 160. 

Fregata minor, ii. 499. 

Fregetta, ii. 479. 
grallaria, ii. 480. 
melanogaster, 11. 479. 

VOL, II. 


INDEX. 


Fregetta meianogastra, i. 479. 
Fregilus leucopterus, i. 470. 
Frigate-bird, Great, ii. 499. 
Small, ii. 499. 
Frigate, Lesser, i. 499. 
Friar, i. 545, 
Friar-bird, i. 545, 
Helmeted, i. 547. 
Silvery-crowned, 1, 548. 
Sordid, i. 550. 
Yellow- throated, i. 549. 
Fringilla bella, i. 406. 
bichenovit, i. 409. 
lathami, i. 417. 
lewcocephala, var., i. 417. 
oculea, 1, 407. 
phaeton, 1. 415. 
quinticolor, i. 411. 
temporalis, i. 411. 
Fringillidee, i. 405. 
Fruit-Pigeon, Allied, ii. 111. 
Ewing’s, ii. 107. 
Magnificent, ii. 110. 
Superb, ii. 108. 
Swainson’s, ii. 106. 
White-headed, ii. 112. 
Fulica, ii. 329. 
australis, ii. 329. 


Gabianus georg?, ii. 385. 
Gaira fusca, ii. 413. 
gouldr, ii. 388. 
Jjamesoni, ii. 388. 
Galgulus pacificus, i. 119. 
Gallinago, ii. 271. 
australis, ti. 271. 
Gallinula, ii. 398, 
mystacinus, ii. 243. 
tenebrosa, ii, 328. 
ventralis, ii. 325. 
Gallinule, Black-backed, ii, 321. 
Sombre, li. 328. 
Gambetta, ii, 268. 
pulverulentus, i ii. 268. 
Gannet, Australian, ii. 504. 
Brown, i ii. 507. 
Lesser, 11. 509. 
Masked, ii. 506. 
Red-legged, ii. 509. 
Garzetta immaculata, ii. 804. 
Gelastes gouldt, ii. 588. 
Jameson, ii. 387, 
Gelochelidon, 11. 403. 
macrotarsa, ii. 403. 
Geobasileus, i. 374, 
Buff-rumped, i. 376. 
chrysorrhous, 1. 574. 
regulordes, 1. 376. 
Yellow-rumped, i. 374. 
258 


609 


610 


Geopelia, ii. 144. 

cuneata, ii. 146. 
placida, ii. 145. 
tranquila, ii. 144. 

Geophaps, ii. 130. 
scrupta, 11. 180. 
smuthit, ii. 133. 

plumifera, ii. 135. 

Geopsittacus, 11. 88. 
occidentalis, i. 88. 

Geronticus spinicollis, 11. 282. 

Gerygone, i. 265. 
albogularis, i. 266. 
Brown, i. 267. 
Buff-breasted, i. 271. 
ehloronotus, 1. 271. 
eulicivora, 1. 268. 
fusca, i. 267. 
Great-billed, i. 270. 
levigaster, i. 270. 
magnirostris, i. 270. 
Western, i. 268. 
White-fronted, i. 266. 

Glareola, ii. 243. 
australis, ii. 245. 
grallaria, ii. 243. 
isabella, ii. 245. 
orientalis, 11. 246. 

Glareolidee, ii. 248. 

Glossopsitta, 11. 100. 
australis, 1i. 100. 
porphyrocephalus, i. 102. 
pusilla, ii. 103. 

Glottis, ii. 265. 
canescens, ii. 265. 
glottoides, ii. 265. 

Glyciphila, i. 495. 
albifrons, i. 497. 
fasciata, i. 499. 
fulvifrons, i. 495. 
melanops, 1. 495. 
ocularis, 1. 500. 
subocularis, i. 501. 

Gnathodon strigirostris, i. 556. 

Goatsucker, 1. 98. 

Godwit, Barred-rumped, ii. 252. 
Black-tailed, ii. 251. 
Terek, u. 261. 

Goose, Black and White, ii. 352. 
Cape Barren, ii. 850. 
Cereopsis, ii. 350, 
Green Pygmy, ii. 357. 
Little, ii. 357. 

Maned, ii. 354. 
Mother Carey’s, ii. 445. 
Semipalmated, ii. 352. 


White-quilled Pygmy, ii. 359. 


Goshawk, Australian, i. 41. 
New Holland, i. 37 


INDEX. 


Goshawk, Radiated, i. 40. 
West Australian, i: 45. 
White, i. 38. 

Gracalus carboides, 11. 488. 
leucogaster, ii. 492. 
melanoleucus, ti. 493. 
varius, ii. 490. 

Gracula cyanotis, i. 560. 
melanocephala, i. 574. 
preata, i. 188. 
strepera, i. 168. 
viridis, 1. 462. 

Graculus punctatus, 11. 582. 

Grallatores, 11. 199. 

Grallina, i. 187. 
australis, i. 188. 
bicolor, i. 283. 
eyanoleuca, i. 188. 
melanoleuca, 1. 188. 
ptcata, i. 188. 

Pied, i. 188. 
Grape-eater, i. 588. 
Grass-bird, Little, 1. 400. 

Tawny, i. 399. 
Grass-Finch, Banded, 1. 425. 

Beautiful, i. 421. 

Gouldian, i. 420. 

Long-tailed, i. 422. 

Masked, i. 425. 

White-eared, i. 424. 


Grass-Parrakeet, Blue-banded, i. 71. 


Bourke’s, ii. 80. 
Chestnut-shouldered, ii. 77. 
Elegant, ii. 75. 
Orange-bellied, ii. 75. 
Splendid, ii. 79. 
Warbling, ii. 81. 

Grass- Warbler, Exile, 1.550. 
Great, i. 349. 
Lineated, 1. 351. 
Rufous-headed, 1. 355 
Square-tailed, i. 352. 

Graucalus, i. 191. 
Black-faced, i. 192. 
Ground, i. 199. 
hypoleucus, i. 196. 
melanops, 1. 192. 
melanotis, 1. 192. 
mentalis, i. 195. 
parvirostris, 1. 194. 
phasvanellus, i. 199. 
Short-billed, i. 194. 
swainsonit, 1. 197. 
Swainson’s, i. 197. 
tenutrostris, 1. 200. 
Varied, i. 195. 
White-bellied, i. 196. 

Grebe, Australian Tippet, ii. 511. 

* Black-throated, ii. 513. 


ra 


Da RR na init Dini. ini 


INDEX. 


Grebe, Hoary-headed, ii. 512. 
Green-leek, 11. 31. 
Green Parrot, ii. 48. 
Greenshank, ii. 265. 
Grey Duck, ii. 263. 
Grinder, i. 246. 
Ground Parrakeet, i. 86. 
Parrakeet, Western, ii. 88. 
Ground Thrush,Chestnut-backed,1.435, 
Chestnut-breasted, 1. 438. 
Cinnamon-coloured, i. 437. 
Spotted, i. 483. 
Grus, 11. 290. 
australasianus, 11. 290. 
Gull, Crimson-billed, ii. 387. 
Gould’s Silver, ii. 388. 
Larger, ii. 385. 
Little, ii. 387. 
Pacific, ii. 385. 
Silver, ii. 387. 
Gygis, ii. 404. 
candida, ii. 405. 
Gymnophrys torquaius, i. 568. 
Gymunorhina, i. 174. 
anaphonensis, 1. 178. 
hypoleuca, i. 178. 
leuconota, i, 176. 
organicum, i. 178, 
tabicen, i. 175. 
Gypoictinia melanosternon, i. 47. 


Heematops gularis, 1. 566. 

lunulatus, 1. 568. 

validirostris, 1. 565. 
Heematopus, ii. 215. 

australasianus, ii. 215. 

Suliginosus, ii. 217. 

longirostris, 11, 216. 

prcatus, li, 215. 
Haladroma, ii. 483. 

urinatrix, ii. 483. 
Halcyon flavirostris, i, 185. 

ancinctus, 1. 133. 

macleayt, i. 138. 

pyrrhopygia, i. 130. 

sacra, 1. 128. 

sancta, i. 128. 

sanctus, i. 128. 

sordidus, i. 182. : 

(Syma?) flavirostris, i, 135, 
Halizeetus caleti, i. 40. 

canorus, i. 20, 

leucogaster, i. 18. 

leucosternus, i. 17. 

sphenurus, i. 18. : 
Haliaétus (Ictinoaétus) canorus, i. 20, 

———— ) leucosternon, i. 17. 

(Pontoaétus) leucogaster, i, 13. 

Halizus melanoleucus, 11, 493. 


i Sa ase a aeRO IE 


611 


Haliastur, i. 17. 
leucosternus, i. 17. 
P sphenurus, i. 20. 
Haliplana fudiginosa, ii. 408. 
goulda, ii. 408. 
panayensis, ii. 411. 
serrata, ii. 408. 
Halobzena, ii. 457. 
cerulea, ii. 457. 
Halodroma, ii. 483. 
urinatriz, ii. 483. 
Harrier, Allied, i. 58. 
Jardine’s, i. 60. 
Hawk, Blue, i. 26. 
Brown, i. 31. 
Collared Sparrow-, i. 45. 
Crested, i. 56. 
Fish, i. 22. 
— Little, i. 45. 
Little Fish, i. 22. 
Nankeen, i. 35. 
Orange-speckled, i. 31. 
Swamp, 1. 58. 
Western Brown, i. 33. 
Whistling, i. 20. 
White, i. 38. 


| Hawksbury Duck, ii. 354. 


Helopus caspius, ii. 892. 
Hemipodius castanotus, ii. 183. 
melanogaster, ii. 178. 
melanotus, ii, 182. 
pyrrhothorax, ii. 186. 
scintillans, 11. 181. 
varius, li. 179. 
velox, i. 184. 
Hen, Port Egmont, ii, 389. 
Herodias, ii. 301. 
alba, ii. 801. 
asha, ii. 305. 
egrettordes, ii. 803. 
garzetta, 11. 805. 
grey?, ii. 309. 
immaculata, ii. 304, 
Jugularis, ii. 307. 
melanops, ii. 304. 
nove-hollandia, ii. 299. 
pannosus, ii, 805, 

_ prcata, ii. 806. 
plumiferus, ii. 803. 
syrmatophorus, ii. 301, 

Heron, Blue Reef, ii. 807. 
Common, ii. 295, 
Great-billed, ii. 296. 
Nankeen Night, ii. 311, 
Pacific, ii. 297. 
White-fronted, ii. 299, 
White-necked, ii. 297. 
White Reef, ii. 308. 
Yellow-necked, ii, 315. 


612 


Heteroscenes occidentalis, i. 615. 
pallidus, i. 615. 
Hiaticula bicincta, i. 238. 
tornate, 1. 237. 
monacha, ti. 231. 
mgrifrons, 14. 232. 
ruficapilla, ii. 235. 
Hieraetus, i. 11. 
morphnoides, t. EI. 
Hieracidea, i. 31. 
berigora, 1. 3k. 
ocerdentalis, 1. 33. 
Hieracoglaux, i. 68. 
connwens, 1. 71. 
rufus, i. 69. 
strennuus, i. 68. 
Himantopodidee, 11. 246, 574. 
Himantopus, ii. 246, 574. 
leucoeephalus, ii. 246. 
nove-zelandia, ii. 574. 
palmatus, ii. 248. 
Hirundinidee, i. 106. 
Hirundo, i. 107. 
apus, 1. 105. 
artel, i. 115. 
eaudacuta, 1. 103. 
frontalis, 1. 107. 
Susea, i. 103. 
leucosternus, 1. 115. 
neoxend, i. 107. 
nigricans, 1. E11. 
pacifica, i. 103, 105. 
pyrrhonota, i. 111. 
(Herse) frontalis, i. 107. 
( nigricans, i. 111. 
( } pyrrhonota, i. 111. 
Hirundapus nudipes, i. 103. 
Honey-eater, Banded, i. 557. 
Black, i. 558. 
Black-headed, i. 573. 
Black-throated, i, 566. 
Blue-faced, 1. 560. 
Brown, i. } 
Fasciated, i. 499, 507. 
Fulvous-fronted, i. 495. 
Fuscous, 1. 520. 
Garrulous, i. 574. 
Graceful, i. 515. 
Lanceolate, 1. 525. 
Least, i. 501. 
Lewin’s, i. 503. 
Long-billed, i. 488. 
Lunulated, 1. 568. 
Luteous, i. 577. 
Moustached, i. 491. 
New Holland, i. 486. 
Obscure, i. 559. 
Painted, 1. 580. 
Pied, i. 529. 


INDEX. 


Honey-eater, Plumed, 1. 516. 
Red-headed, 1. 556. . 
Red-throated, 1. 533. 
Saneuineous, 1. 555. 
Singing, i. 504. 
Sombre, i. 576. 
Spiny-cheeked, i. 534. 
Streaked, i. 522. 
Strong-billed, i. 565. 
Swan River, i. 570. 
Tasmanian, i. 493. 
Varied, i. 506. 
Uniform-coloured, i. 523. 
Warty-faced, 1. 527. 
Wattle-cheeked, i. 515. 
Wattled, i. 536, 538. 
White-cheeked, i. 490. 
White-eared, 1. 510. 
White-fronted, 1. 497. 
White-quilled, 1. 563. 
White-plumed, 1. 519. 


Yellow, i. 518. 
Yellow-faced, i. 521. 
Yellow-throated, i. 508, 578. 
Yellow-tinted, i. 517. 
Yellow-tufted, i. 511. 
Honey-sucker, Brown, i. 500. 
Larger, 1. 504. 
White-throated, i. 495. 
Huia, ii. 530. 
Hydrocheliden, ii. 406. 
fluviatilis, 1. 406. 
hybrida, ii. 406. 
leucopareia, ii. 406. 
Hydrobates lobatus, ii. 381. 
Hpdroprogne caspia, 11. 892. 
Hylacola, i. 345. 
cauta,i. 347. 
Cautious, i. 347. 
pyrrhopygia, i. 346. 
Red-rumped, i. 346. 
Hylochelidon, i. 110. 
nigricans, i. 111. 
Hypoleucus leucogaster, 11. 492. 
melanoleucus, ii. 495. 
varius, ii. 490. 
Hypoteenidia, ii. 334. 
philippensis, ii. 334. 


Ibis, Black-necked, ii. 284. 
falcinellus, ii. 286. 
Glossy, 11. 286. 
lamellicolhs, 11. 282. 
lathama, li. 282. 

New Holland, ii. 282. 
spinicollis, ii. 282. 
Straw-necked, ii. 282. 
strictipennis, ii. 284. 


White-throated, i. 497, 5582, 571. 


INDEX. 


Ibis, White, ii. 284. 
Ichthyiaetus leucogaster, i. 13. 
Teracidea berigora, i. 31. 
occidentalis, 1. 33. 
Teraglaux connivens, i. 71. 
rufa, i. 69. 
strenua, 1. 68. 
Insessores, i. 78. 


Jabiru, Australian, ii. 292. 
New Holland, ii. 293. 
Jungle-fowl, ii. 167. 


Ka-Ka Parrot, ii. 548. 
Kakadoe erista tricolorata, ti. 5. 
rosea, 11. 8. 
rubro-galeatus, ii. 29. 


sulfureus major vel australensis, ii. 2. 


temurostris, ii. 11. 

Kakapo, ii. 539. 

Kea Parrot, ii. 554. 

Kestrel, 1. 35. 

Kingfisher, 1. 128. 
Azure, i. 139. 
Beautiful, i. 141. 
Bush, i. 183. 
Fawn-breasted, 125. 
Giant, i. 122. 
Great Brown, i. 122. 
Leach’s, i. 124. 
Little, 2. 142. 
MacLeay’s, i. 153. 
Red-backed, i. 130. 
Sacred, i. 128. 
Sordid, i. 132. 
Tasmanian, i. 141. 
White-tailed, i. 137. 
Yellow-bellied, i. 135. 

Kite, i. 51. 

Allied, i. 49. 
Black-shouldered, i. 55. 
Letter-winged, i. 55. 
Square-tailed, i. 51. 

Kitta holosericea, 1. 442. 
vurescens, i. 446. 

Kiwi-Kiwi, 1i. 568. 

Knot, ii. 259. 

Koel, Australian, i. 632. 


Lagenoplastes, i. 112. 
ariel, i. 113. | 
Lalage humeralis, i. 204. 
karu, i. 202. 

leucomela, i. 203. 
Lamprococcyx, i. 623. 
basalis, 1. 626. 
minutillus, i. 625. 
plagosus, i. 623. 
metallicus, i. 477. 


Lamprotreron, ii: 108. 
superba, ii. 108. 
superbus, ii. 108. 
Land-Rail. i. 334. 
Laniadae, i. 167. 
Lanius frontatus, i. 228, 
karu, 1. 202. 
macularius, i. 212. 
robustus, i. 195. 
saturninus, i. 220, 
torquatus, i. 184. 
Laridee, ii. 384. 
Lark, Sand-, 11. 235. 
Larus, ii. 384. 
catarrhactes, 11. 389. 
Frontalis, 11. 885. 
Fuscus, ii. 389. 
georgr, li. 385. 
Jamesonii, 11. 387, 
leucomelas, ii. 3865. 
nove-hollandia, ii. 387. 
nove-hollandie, var., ii. 388. 
pacificus, li. 885. 
scopulinus, ii. 387. 
Lathamus, i. 89. 
azureus, 1. 77. 
concimnus, 11. 100. 
discolor, ii. 90. 
pusillus, 11. 1038. 
rubifrons, ii. 90. 
Laughing Jackass, i. 122. 
Leather-neck, i. 550. 
Leipoa, ii. 155. 
ocellata, 14. 155. 
Ocellated, ii. 155. 
Lepidogenys subcristatus, i. 56. 
Leptoglossus cucullatus, 1. 551. 
Leptolophus auricomis, ii. 84. 
Leptopteryx albovittata, i. 148. 
manor, i. 146, 
Leptorhynchus pectoralis, ii. 248. 
Leptotarsis eytoni, ii. 375. 
Lestris antarctica, ii. 389. 
catarractes, i. 389. 
catharactes, 11. 389. 
Leucomeleena, 1i. 112. 
norfolciensis, ii. 112. 
Leucosarcia, ii. 120. 
picata, ii. 120. 
Leucospiza, i. 37. 
nove-hollandia, i. 88. 
ra, i. 37. 
Lewinia brachipus, ii. 336. 
Lichenostomus cratitius, i. 513. 
occidentalis, i. 513. 
Lichmera, i. 493. 
australasiana, i. 498. 
ocularis, 1. 500. 
Licmetis, ii. 10. 


613 


614 


Licmetis naszcus, ii. 11. 
pastinator, ii. 12. 
tenuirostres, ii. 11. 

Lichnotentha, i. 529. 
picata, 1. 529. 

Limicula mdiana, ii. 261. 

Limnocinclus, ii. 254. 
acuminatus, 11. 254. 

Limoside, ii. 251. 

Limosa, ii. 251. 
melanurotdes, ii. 251. 
recurvirostra, ii. 261. 
terek, ii. 261. 
uropygialis, ii. 252. 

Lobivanellus, ii. 218. 
lobatus, 11. 218. 
personatus, 11. 220. 

Lophochroa leadbeateri, ii. 5. 

Lopholaimus, ii. 116. 
antarcticus, li. 116. 

Lophophaps, ii. 135. 
ferruginea, ii. 137. 
plumafera, ii. 135. 

Lophorhynchus antarcticus, ii. 116. 
dilophus, 11. 116. 

Lory, Crimson-winged, ii. 59. 
King, ii. 35. 
Red-winged, ii. 37. 

Lorikeet, Blue-bellied, ii. 95. 
Little, 11. 103. 

Musk, i. 100. 
Porphyry-crowned, ii. 102. 
Red-collared, ii. 95. 
Scaly-breasted, ii. 96. 
Swift, ii. 90. 

Varied, ii. 98. 

Loxia bella, i. 406. 
fascinans, i. 258. 
guttata, i. 417. 
nitida, i. 406. 

Lyre-bird, i. 298. 

Prince Albert’s, i. 307. 
Queen Victoria’s, i. 302. 


Macherirhynchusg, i. 257. 
Jlaviventer, i. 257. 
Macropygia, ii. 148. 
phasvanella, ii. 148. 
Magpie, i. 181. 
ittle, i. 188. 
White, i. 178. 
Magpie-Lark, i. 188. 
Majaqueus, ii. 445. 
carnetpes, ii. 465. 
conspicillatus, ii. 445. 
Malacorhynchus, ii. 372. 
fasciatus, ii. 872. 
membranaceus, ti, 372. 
Malurus, i. 317. 


INDEX. 


Malurus amabilis, i. 328. 
brownit, 1. 335, 334. 
coronatus, i. 329. 
cruentatus, i. 334. 
cyaneus, i. 317. 
elegans, 1. 324. 
exrlis, 1. 350. 
galactotes, i. 399. 
lamberti, 1. 327. 
leuconotus, i. 582. 
leucopterus, 1. 330. 
longicaudus, 1. 320. 
malachurus, 1. 859. 
melanocephalus, 1. 353. 
melanotus, 1. 322. 
palustris, i. 339. 
pectoralis, i. 823, 342. 
pulcherrimus, i. 326. 
splendens, i. 323. 
textilis, i. 335. 


Mangrove-Bittern, Little, ii. 317. 


Thick-billed, ii. 316. 

Yellow-necked, ii. 315. 
Man-of- War Bird, ii. 499. 
Manorhina, i. 579. 

flavigula, i. 578. 

garrula, i. 574. 

lutea, 1. 577. 

melanocephalus, i. 574. 

melanophrys, 1. 579. 

obscura, i. 576, 

viridis, i. 579. 
Manorina wiridis, i. 579. 
Manucode, Gould’s, i. 236. 
Manucodia gouldit, 1. 236. 

keraudrent, 1. 236. 
Mareca castanea, ii. 365. 

punctata, ii. 365. 
Martin, i. 111. 

Fairy, i. 118. 
Megalestris catarractes, ii. 889. 
Megaloprepia, ii. 110. 

assimilis, 11. 111. 

magnifica, ii. 110. 
Megalopterus stolidus, ii. 418. 
Megalurus cruralis, i. 394. 

galactotes, 1. 399. 

gramineus, i. 400. 

rufescens, i. 397. 
Megapode, Australian, ii. 167. 
Megapodide, ii. 149. 
Megapodius, ii. 167. 

menura, 1. 298. 

tumulus, ii. 167. 
Megastrix tenebricosa, i. 65. 
Melanodryas, i. 283. 

cucullata, i. 283. 

picata, i. 285. 
Meleagris lindesayn, ii. 150. 


Melichera lunulata, i. 548. 
mellivora, 1. 541, 
Melicophila picata, i. 529. 

Meliornis, i.486. 
longirostris, i. 488. 
mystacalis, 1. 491. 
nove-hollandia, i. 486. 
sericea, i. 490. 

Meliphaga, i. 526. 
affinis, 1. 573. 
albiventris, i. 495, 
atricapilla, 1. 568, 573. 
auricomus, i. 511. 
australasvana, 1. 493. 
balgonera, 1. 486. 
barbata, i. 486. 
brevirostris, 1. 568. 
eardinalis, 1. 555. 
chrysocephala, i. 456. 
chrysops, i. 521. 
chrysotis, 1. 503. 
cerulea, i. 587, 
cratitia, i. 518. 
cyanops, i. 560. 

flava, i. 518. 
Jiavescens, i. 517, 
Jlavigula, i. 508. 
Susca, i. 520. 
Julvifrons, i. 495. 
tnornata, 1. 493. 
leucotis, 1. 510. 
longirostris, i. 488. 
howlata, i. 568. 
mystacalis, 1. 491. 
nove-hollandie, i. 486. 
ornata, i. 515. 
penicillata, i. 519. 
phrygia, 1. 527, 
plumula, i. 516, 
rufigularis, i. 554, 
sericea, 1. 490. 
sericeola, i. 490. 
sonora, 1. 504. 
tenutrostris, 1. 551. 
torquata, 1. 568. 
unicolor, 1. 523. 
versicolor, 1. 506. 

Meliphagidee, i. 485. 

Melithreptus, i. 564. 
albigularis, i. 571. 
chloropsis, i. 570, 

fravicollis ?, i. 508. 
gularis, i. 565. 
lanceolatus, i. 525. 
lunulatus, 1. 568. 
melanocephalus, i. 573. 
melanoleucus, i. 498. 
nove-hollandia, i. 486. 
validirostris, i. 565. 


INDEX. 615 


Melithreptus virescens, i. 565. 
Melittophagus ornatus, i. 117. 
Melopsittacus, ii. 81. 
undulatus, ti. 81. 
Menura, i. 298. 
albertt, i. 307. 
lyra, i. 298. 
nove-hollandia, i. 298. 
paradisea, i. 298, 
superba, i. 298. 
victoria, i. 302. 
vulgaris, i. 298. 
Menuridee, i. 298. 
Meropide, i. 116. 
Merops, i. 116. 
carunculatus, i. 538. 
chrysopterus, i. 541. 
corniculatus, 1. 545. 
cyanops, i. 560. 
garrulus, i. 574. 
melanurus, i. 117. 
‘ monachus, i. 545. 
ornatus, i. 117. 
phrygius, 1. 527. 
tenuipennis, 1. 117. 
thowm, 1. 117. 
Merula, ii. 528. 
nestor, ii. 528. 
poltocephala, ii. 528. 
vuutincta, li. 529. 
Merulidee, i. 480, ii, 529. 
Mesocalius, i. 621. 
osculans, i, 621. 
palholatus, 1. 621. 
Microcarbo stictocephalus, ii. 495, 
Microchelidon hirundinacea, i. 581. 
Micreeea, i. 258. 
asstmilis, 1, 260. 
fascinans, 1. 258. 
flavigaster, i. 261. 
macroptera, i. 258. 
Microglossum, ii. 26. 
ater, ii, 27. 
aterrimum, ii. 27. 
Microglossus aterrimus, li. 27. 
griseus, i. 27, 
Micropus australis, i. 105. 
vittata, 1. 105. 
Milvus, i. 49. 
affims, 1. 49. 
asurus, 1. 51, 
sphenurus, i. 20. 
(Hydroictinia) affinis, i. 49, 
Wee 461. ) ae 
affinis, i. 465. 
Jtavo-cincta, i. 466, 
meruloides, i. 462. 
viridis, i. 462. 
Mimetes, flavo-cinctus, i. 466, 


se ren One OE. Sn tae 


616 


Mimetes viridis, 1. 462. 

Miner, i. 574. 

Mirafra, i. 404. 
horsfieldi, i. 404. 

Mock Regent Bird, i. 527. 

Moho, ii. 576. 

Monarcha, i. 262. 
carinata, i. 262. 
leucotis, i. 264. 
trivirgata, 1. 263. 

Moorhen, ii. 325. 

Mooruk, i. 561. 

More-pork, i. 87. 

Little, i. 79. 

Moreton Bay Rose-hill, 1. 51. 

Morinellus australis, ii. 227. 
caspwus, i. 229. 

Motacilla australis, i. 295. 

~ cyanea, 1. 317. 
dubia, i. 207. 
pusilla, 1. 364. 
solitaria, 1. 385. 
superba, i. 317. 

Motacillidee, i. 392. 

Mountain Duck, ii. 361. 
Thrush, i. 439. 

Munia, i. 428. 
flaviprymna, i. 428. 
Muscicapa auriconus, i. 511. 

australis, i. 293. 
barbata, 1. 354. 
crepitans, i. 312. 
cucullata, i. 285. 
erythrogaster, var., i. 282. 
erythroguastra, i. 526. ° 
georgiana, 1. 294. 
goodenovit, i. 280. 
gularis, 1. 296. 
lathamt, 1. 276. 
malachura, i. 839. 
multicolor, i. 279, i. 526. 
mystacea, i. 511. 
nove-hollandie@, i. 511. 
pectoralis, i. 207. 
rufifrons, i. 240. 
vittata, 1. 286. 
Muscicapidee, 1. 257. 
Muscipeta carinata, i. 262. 


(Muscicapa) australis, i, 293. 


Musk Parakeet, ii. 100. 
Mutton- bird, ii. 459. 
Mycteria australis, ti. 293. 
Myiagra, 1. 252. 
concinna, i. 254. 
latirostris, 1. 256. 
macroptera, i. 268. 
nitida, i. 255. 
plumbea, 1. 252. 
rubeculoides, i. 255. 


INDEX. 


Myristicivora, ii. 114. 
nor folciensis, ii. 112, 
spilorrhoa, ii. 114. 

Myzantha, i. 574. 
flavigula, i. 578. 
flavrrostris, 1. 579. 
garrula, i. 574. 
lutea, i. 577. 
melanophrys, 1. 579. 
obscura, i. 576. 

Myzomela, 1. 555. 
erythrocephala, i. 556. 
mgra, i. 558. 
obscura, i. 559. 
pectoralis, i. 557. 
sanguinolenta, 1. 555. 


Nankeen-bird, ii. 311. 

Nanodes discolor, ii. 90. 
elegans, ii. 73. 
pulchellus, ii. 77. 
undulatus, ii. 81. 
venustus, ii. 71. 

? zonarius, li. 45. 

Natatores, i. 345. 

Native Companion, ii. 290. 
Hen, il. 324. 
Pheasant, ii. 155. 
Sparrow, 1. 407. 
Thrush, 1. 218. 
Turkey, ii. 208. 

Nectarinia, i. 583. 
australis, 1. 584. 
Frenata, i. 584. 

Nectiis, i. 459. 
brevicaudus, i. 459. 
carneipes, ii. 465. 

Neochmia, i. 415. 
phaeton, 1. 415. 

Neomorpha, ii. 530. 
acutirostris, li. 530. 
crassirostris, li. 530. 
gouldi, 11. 530. 

Neops chrysoptera, 1. 609. 

Nestor, ii. 548. 
esshingu, ii. 552. 
hypopolus, ii. 548. 
notabilis, 11. 554. 
nove-zelandia@, ii. 548, 552. 
productus, 11. 550. 

Nettapus, li. 357. 
albipennis, ii. 359. 
coromandelianus, i. 359. 
pulchellus, ii. 357. 

Nicoclarius optatus, i. 614. 

Night-Heron, Caledonian, ii. 311. 
Nankeen, ii. 311. 
New Holland, ii. 311. 

Nightjar, Owlet, i. 79. 


Nightjar, Large-tailed, i. 100. 
otted, i. 98. 
hite-bellied Owlet, i. 81. 

White-throated, i. 96. 

Nisus australis, i. 45. 


el approximans, i. 41. 


radiatus, i. 41. 
) torquatus, i. 45. 
Noctua boobook, i. 74. 
Srontata, i. 71. 
maculata, 1. 76. 
N “~_ Grey, ii. 420. 
esser, il. 417. 
White-capped, ii. 419. 
Notodela karu, 1. 202. 
Notornis, ii. 576. 
mantelli, ii. 576, 
Numenius, i. 277. 
australis, ii. 277. 
cinereus, ii. 261, 
cyanopus, li. 277, 
minor, ii. 280. 
minutus, ii. 280. 
rostratus, 11. 277. 
uropygialis, ii. 279. 
Nutmeg-Pigeon, White, ii. 114. 
Nycticorax, 11. 310. 
cdledonicus, ii. 311. — 
Nymphicus nove-hollandia, ii, 84. 
Nyroca, ii. 377. 
australis, ii. 377. 


Oceanites, ii. 478. 
oceanica, ii. 478. 
wilsont, li. 478. 

Ochthodromus, ii. 287. 

P bicinctus, ii. 238. 
tmornatus, li. 237. 
Ocyphaps, ii. 139. 
pee, ui. 139. 

Ocypterus albovittatus, 1. 143. 
cinereus, i. 147. 
fuscatus, i. 146. 
manor, 1. 146. 
personatus, i. 150. 
superciliosus, i. 152, 

CEdicnemus, ii. 210. 
grallarius, ii. 210. 
longipes, 11. 210. 
magnirostris, ii. 213. 

Onychoprion, ii. 408. 
uliginosa, ii. 408. 
‘fulaginosus ?, ti. 408, 
panaya, ii. 411. 
panayensis, ii. 411. 
serrata, ii. 408. 

Oreocincla, i. 439. 
lunulata, i. 439. 
macrorhyncha, i. 489. 

VOL, I. 


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INDEX. 617 


Oreocincla nove-hollandia, i. 489. 
Oreoica, i. 231. 

Crested, i. 231, 

cristata, i. 231. 

gutturals, i. 231. 

Organ-bird, i. 178, 

Origma, i. 385. 
rubricata, i. 385, ° 
solitaria, 1. 385. 

Oriole, Allied, i. 465. 
Chestnut-backed, i. 466. 
New South Wales, i. 462. 

Oriolus affinis, i. 465. 

Jlavocinctus, i. 466. 
regens, i. 456. 
regius, i. 456. 
variegatus, i. 462. 
viridis, i. 462. 

Orthonyx, i. 607. 
maculatus, i. 607. 
Spine-tailed, i. 607. 
spumeaudus, i. 607. 
temmincha, 1. 607. 

Osprey, White-headed, i. 22. 

Ossifraga, ii. 443. 
gigantea, ii. 448. 
macroptera, ii. 449. 

Otididee, 1. 207. 

Otis australasianus, ii. 208. 
australis, ii. 208. 

Owl, Boobook, i. 74. 

Brown or Cuckoo, i. 74. 
Chestnut-faced, 1. 62. 
Cuckoo or Brown, i. 74, 
Delicate, i. 66. . 
Great, of the Brushes, i. 68, 
Marbled, i. 73. 

Masked, i. 64. 

Rufous, i. 69. 

Sooty, i. 65. 

Spotted, i. 76. 

Winking, i. 71. 

Oxyura australis, ii. 379. 

Oyster-catcher, Black, ii, 217. 
Sooty, ii. 217. 
White-breasted, ii. 215. 


Pachycephala, i. 206, 
australis, 1. 293. 
falcata, i. 218. 
Suliginosa, i. 207. 
Susca, i. 207. 
gilberti, i. 216. 
glaucura, i. 209. 
gutturalis, i. 207. 
imornata, i. 216. 
lanoides, i. 214. 
melanura, i. 211. 
olivacea, 1, 218. 

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618 INDEX. 


Pachycephala pectoralis, i. 212. 
rufiventris, i. 212: 
rufogularis, 1. 215. 
simplex, i. 217. 
striata, i. 212. 

Pachyptila bankst, ii, 274. 
Forstert, i. 474. 
vittata, li. 474. 

Paleornis anthopeplus, ii. 33. 
barrabandi, ii. 31. 
melanura, li. 33. 
nove-hollandi@, ii. 84. 
? rosaceus, i. 31. 

Pallene caudacuta, i. 103. 
leuconota, 1. 103. 
macroptera, i. 103. 

Pandion, i. 23. 
gouldi, i. 22. 
leucocephalus, i. 22. 

Paradiseide ?, i. 441. 

Paraleyon cervina, i. 125. 
gigas, i. 122. 

Pardalotus, i. 156. 
affine, i. 163. 
melanocephalus, i. 165. 
ornatus, i. 161. 
punctatus, i. 157. 
quadragintus, i. 160. 
rubricatus, i. 158. 
striatus, i. 161. 
uropygialis, i. 166. 

Parkinsonius mirabilis, 1. 298. 

Parra, ii. 330. 
Comb-crested, ii. 330. 
gallinacea, ii. 330. 

Parrakeet, Adelaide, ii. 46. 
Banded, ii. 43. 
Barnard’s, ii. 40. 
Barraband’s, ii. 31. 
Beautiful, ii. 63, 67. 
Black-tailed, ii. 33. 
Blue-banded Grass-, ii. 71. 
Blue-cheeked, ii. 52. 
Bourke’s Grass-, ii. 80. 


Chestnut-shouldered Grass-, ii. 77. 


Cockatoo, ii. 81. 

Elegant Grass-, ii. 73. 
Golden-shouldered, ii, 65. 
Ground-, ii. 73, 86. 
Long-billed, ii. 550. 
Musk, ii. 100. 
Orange-bellied, ii. 75, 77. 
Pacific, u. 100. 
Pale-headed, ii. 51. 
Pennant’s, ii. 44. 
Red-capped, ii. 60. 
Red-rumped, ii. 69. 
Red-shouldered, ii. 90. 
Red-vented, ii. 62. 


Parrakeet, Rock-, ii. 76. 
Rose-hill, ii. 55. 
Small, ii. 105. 
Splendid, ii. 57. 
Splendid Grass-, ii. 79. 
Swamp, ii. 86. 
Swift, ii. 90. 
The Princess of Wales’s, ii. 32. 
Twenty-eight, i. 41. é 
Varied, i. 68. 
Warbling Grass-, ii. 81. 
Western Ground-, ii. 81. 
Wilson’s, i. 550. 
Yellow-bellied, ii. 48. 
Yellow-cheeked, ii. 58. 
Yellow -collared, ii. 41. 
Yellow-rumped, ii. 50. 
Yellow-vented, ii. 63. 
Parrot, Barnard’s, ii. 40. 
Bauer’s, i. 45. 
Blue, ii. 60. 
Blue-bellied, ii. 93. 
Brown’s, li. 53. 
Canary, ii. 81. 
Crimson-winged, ii. 37. 
Green, ii. 48. 
Ka-ka, ii. 548. 
Mountain-, ii. 33. 
Nonpareil, ii. 55. 
Orange-bellied, ii. 77. 
Pennantian, ii. 44. 
Pheasant, ii. 46. 
Philip Island, ii. 550. 
Prince of Essling’s, li. 552. 
Red-crowned, ii. 29. 
Scarlet and Green, ii. 35. 
Scarlet-breasted, ii. 31. 
Small, ii. 103. 
Smutty, ii. 53. 
Southern Brown, ii. 548. 
Tabuan, ii. 35. 
Undulated, ii. 81. 
Van Diemen’s, ii. 48. 
Varied, ii. 68. 
Partridge, New Holland, ii. 178. 
Passer stultus, ii. 415. 
Pedionomus, i. 187. 
macrourus, ti. 187. 
torquatus, ii. 187. 
Pelagodroma, ii. 482. 
Sregata, ii, 482. 
marina, ii. 482. 
Pelecanide, ii. 485, 582. 
Pelecanoides wrinatrix, ii. 485. 
Pelecanopus pelecanoides, ii. 394, 420. 
poliocercus, li. 396. 
torrest, ii. 397. 
Pelecanus, ii. 486. 
aquilus, ii. 499. 


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INDEX. 


Pelecanus australis, ii. 486. 
conspicillatus, ii. 486. 
dimudiatus, ii. 493. 

JSiber, ii. 507. 
Juscescens, ii. 490. 

leucocephalus, ii. 499. 

melanoleucus, ii. 493. 

minor, ii. 499. 

nevus, ii. 382. 

palmerstoni, ii, 499, 

prca, ii. 490. 

punctatus, li. 382. 

serrator, 11. 509. 

sula, ii. 507. 

varius, 11. 490. 

Pelican, Australian, ii. 486, 

New Holland, ii. 486, 
Pelidna subarquata, ii. 256. 
Penguin, Apterous, ii, 568. 

Crested, ii. 517, 

Fairy, ii. 521. 

Little, ii. 518. 

Perdicide, ii. 190. 

Perdix australis, ii. 193. 
varia, ii. 179. 

Peristera chalcoptera, ii. 122. 
elegans, ii. 125. 
histrionica, ii. 127, ° 
serypta, ii. 130. 

Pernis (Hyptiopus) subcristatus, i. 56. 

Petrel, Allied, 11. 458. 

Atlantic, 11. 449. 

Black-bellied Storm-, ii. 479. 

Blue, ii. 457. 

Cape, ii. 469. 

Cook’s, ii. 456. 

Diving, ii. 483. 

Fleshy-footed, ii. 465. 

Frigate, ii. 482. 

Giant, ii. 443. 

Great Grey, ii. 446, 

Great-winged, ii. 449, 

Pintado, 11. 469. 

Short-tailed, 11, 459. 

Silvery-grey, ii. 467. 

Soft-plumaged, ii. 453. 

Solander’s, ii. 450, 

Spectacled, ii. 445. 

Weiss intea ii, 466. : 

White- and Black-spotted, ii. 469, 

White-bellied Storm-, ii. 480. 

White-faced Storm-, ii, 482. 

White-headed, ii. 451. 

White-winged, ii. 454, 

Yellow-webbed Storm-, ii. 478. 
Petrochelidon nigricans, i. 111. 
Petreeca cucullata, i. 283. 

goodenovii, i. 280. 

multicolor, i. 279. 


Petroeca pheenicea, i. 282. 

Petroica, i. 278, 526. 
bicolor, i. 283. 

? ecerviniventris, i. 288. 
erythrogastra, ii. 526, 

_ fusca, 1. 286. 
goodenevit, i, 280. 
modesta, i1. 526, 
multicolor, i, 279. 
pheenicea, i. 282. 
pulchella, ii. 526. 
rhodinogaster, i. 276. 
rosea, i. 277, 
superciliosa, i. 289. 

Petrophassa, i. 241, 
albipennis, ii. 141. 

Pezoporus, ii. 86. 
Sormosus, ii. 86. 
rufifrons, ii. 60, 86. 

Phases 501. | 
erubescens, ii. 501. 
phoenicurus, ii. 501. 
rubricauda, ii. 501. 

Phalacrocorax, ii. 488, 582. 
carboides, ii. 488. 
dilophus, ii. 582. 
Jlavirhynchus, ii. 493. 
hypoleucus, ii. 490. 
leucogaster, ii. 492. 
melanoleucus, ii. 493. 
nevus, li. 582. 

- nove-hollandia, ui. 488. 
punctatus, 1. 582. 
stictocephalus, ii. 495. 
sulcirostris, ii. 495. 
varius, ii. 490. 

Phaps, ii. 122. 
chaleopterapii. 122. 
elegans, ii. 125. 
histrionica, ii. 127, 
prcata, ii. 120. 

Pheasant, 1. 298. 

Native, ii. 155, 
Parrot, ii. 46. 

Philedon buceroides, i. 547. 
cceruleus, i. 587. 
rubrifrons, i. 495. 

Philemon erythrotis, i. 511. 
garrulus, 1. 574. 
ornatus, i. 117. 
phrygius, i, 527. 

Phlegadius falcinellus, ii, 286. 

Pheebetria, ii. 441. 
fuliginosa, ii. 441. 

Pica gularis, i. 812. 
olivacea, 1. 312. 

Piezorhynchus, i. 249, 
nitidus, 1. 249, 

Pigeon, Allied Fruit-, ii. 111. 


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620 INDEX. 


a 


Pigeon, Bronze, ii. 122. 
Bronze-winged, ii. 122. 
Brush Bronze-wing, 11. 125. 
Cape, ii. 469. 
Common Bronze-wing, ii. 122. 
Crested Bronze-wing, ii. 139. 
Crested, of the Marshes, ii. 139. 
Ewing’s Fruit-, ii. 107. 
Harlequin Bronze-wing, 11. 127. 
Large-tailed, ii. 148. 
Little Bronze, ii. 125. 
Little Green, ii. 118. 
Long-billed Green, 11. 119, 
Magnificent Fruit-, 11. 110. 
Partridge Bronze-wing, ii. 130. 
Plumed Bronze-wing, ii. 155, 
Rust-coloured Bronze-wing, 11. 
137. 
Smith’s Partridge Bronze-wing, 
ii. 133. 
Superb Fruit-, 11. 108. 
Swainson’s Fruit-, 1. 106. 
Top-Knot, ii. 116. 
White-fleshed, ii. 120. 
White-headed Fruit-, 17. 112. 
White Nutmeg-, ii. 114. 
White- -quilled Rock, ii. 141. 
Wonga-wonga, ii. 120, 
Pineuinaria cristata, ii. 517. 
Pipit, Australian, i. 392. 
Pipra desmaretit, i. 581. 
punctata, i. 157. 
striata, i. 161, 163. 
Piscatrix candida, ii. 509. 
Pitta, i. 480, ii. 527. 
brachyura, ii. 527. 
wis, 1. 432. 
Noisy, i. 480. * 
Rainbow, i. 432. 
strepitans, i. 430. 
versicolor, i. 430. 
Vigors’s, ii. 527. 
vegorst, ii. 527. 
Plain- Wanderer, ‘Collared, Be key. 
Platalea, ii. 287. 
flavipes, ti. 288. 
regia, il. 287, 
Platibis, ii. 288. 
flavipes, ii. 288. 
Platycercus, ii, 40. 
adeladensis, ii. 46, 
adelaide, ii. 46. 
amathusia, ii. 52. 
barnardit, 11. 40. 
barrabandi, ii. 31. 
baueri, ii. 43. 
brownti, 11. 53. 
caledonicus, i. 48. 
cyanogenys, ii. 52. 


Platycercus erythr yore ii. 37. 
eximius, 11. 59. 
flaveolus, i ii. 50. 
flaviventris, ii. 48. 
hematogaster, 11. 62, 63. 
hematonotus, 11. 69. 
icterodes, ii. 58. 
icterotis, ii, 58. 
agnitus, i. 55. 
melanurus, ii. 33. 
multicolor, ii. 68. 
palliceps, ii. 51. 
pennantit, ii. 44. 
ptleatus, 1. 60. 
pulcherrimus, ii. 67. 
rosaceus, 11. 51. 
rufifrons, ii. 60. 
scapularis, ii. 35. 
scapulatus, ii. 35. 
semitorquatus, ii. 42. 
splendidus, ii. 57. 
stanleyvi, 11. 58. 
venustus, li. 53. 
santhogaster, ii. 48. 
xanthorrhous, ii. 63. 
sonarus, li. 45. 
Platyrhynchus rubecula, i. 255. 
Plautus albatrus, ii. 427. 
Plectorhyncha, i. 525. 
lanceolata, i. 525. 
Plotus, ii. 496. 
nove-hollandia, i. 496. 
Plover, Australian Golden, ii. 225, 
Black-breasted, i, 222. 
Bridled, ii. 210. 
Chestnut-breasted, ii. 238. 
Grey, ii. 224. 
High-legeed, ii. 210. 
Large-billed Shore-, ii. 213. 
Masked, ii. 220. 
Red- necked, ii. 235. 
Southern Stone-, i. 210. 
Wattled, ii. 218, 220. 
Pluvialis xanthochetlus, ii. 229. 
Plyctolophus banksti, ii, 13. 
P baudintt, ii. 25. 
cooki, ii. 18. 
eos, ii. 8, 
erythropterus, ii, 5. 
Sunereus, ii. 20. 
galeatus, ti. 29. 
galeritus, ii. 2. 
leadbeater?, 11. 5. 
productus, ii. 550. 
solandri, ti. 18. 
tenuirostris, ii. 11. 
Pnigocichla harmonica, i, 220. 
Podargus, i. 82. 
australis ?, i. 84. 


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Podargus brachypterus, 1. 89. 
cinereus ?, 1, 84. 
cuvtert, i. 87. 

Cuvier’s, i. 87. 

? gracilis ?, i. 84. 
Great-headed, i. 89. 
humeralis, 1. 84. 
Marbled, i. 94.- 
marmoratus, i. 94. 
megacephalus, 1. 89. 
Moth-plumaged, i, 90. 
Papuan, i. 91. 
papuensis, i. 91. 
phalenoides, i. 90. 
Plumed, i. 93. 
plumiferus, 1. 95. 
Short-winged, i. 89. 
stanleyanus, i. 89. 
strigotdes, i. 84. 
Tawny-shouldered, i. 84. 

Podiceps, 11. 511. 
australis, ii. 511. 
dominicus, var., 11. 513. 
gularis, 1. 513. 
nestor, 11. 512. 
poliocephalus, ii. 512. 

Podicipide, ii, 510. 

Peecilodryas, i. 287. 
cerviniventris, 1, 288. 
superciliosa, 1. 289. 

Poéphila, i. 420. 
acuticauda, 1. 422. 
cincta, i. 425. 
gould, i. 420. 
leucotis, 1. 424. 
mirabilis, i. 421. 
personata, i. 428. 

Polioaétus, i. 13. 
leucogaster,i. 13. - 

Poliocephalus nestor, ii. 512. 

Polophilus gigas, i. 684, 
leucogaster, 1. 634. 
phasvanus, i. 634. 
vartegatus, 1, 634. 

Polytelis, ii. 30. 
alexandra, ii. 32. 
barrabandi, ii. 31. 
melanura, li. 33. 

Pomatorhinus frivolus, i. 479. 
rubeculus, i. 481. 
ruficeps, 1. 484. 
superciliosus, i. 482. 
temporalis, i. 479. 
trivirgatus, i. 479. 

Pomatostomus, 1. 479. 


Chestnut-crowned, 1. 484. 


Red-breasted, i. 481. 
rubeculus, i. 481. 
ruficeps, 1. 484. 


INDEX. | 621 


Pomatostomus superciliosus, 1. 482. 
Temporal, i. 479. 
temporalis, i. 479. 
White-eyebrowed, i. 482. 

Poodytes gramineus, i. 400. 

Poor Soldier, i. 545. 

Porphyrio, ii. 320. 
Azure-breasted, 11. 822. 
bellus, 11. 322. 
Black-backed, ii. 321. 
melanotus, ii. 321. 

Port-Egmont Hen, ii. 389. 

Porzana, li. 339. 

Jluminea, ii. 859. 
leucophrys, 11. 245. 
palustris, 11. 340. 
? tabuensis, 11. 341. 

Praticola campestris, 1. 389. 
Suliginosa, i. 388. 

Pratincole, Australian, ii. 248. 
Oriental, ii. 245. 

Priofinus brevicaudus, 11. 459. 
carnetpes, ii. 465. 

Prion, ii. 471. 

ariel, ii. 473. 
bankstt, ii. 474. 
Banks’s, ii. 474. 
Broad-billed, ii. 474. 
Dove-like, ii. 472. 
Fairy, ii. 473. 
Grey-backed Storm-, ii. 476. 
turtur, ii. 472. 
vittatus, ii. 474. 

Procellaria, ii. 476. 

-adamastor, ii. 446. 
e@quored, ii. 482. 
atlantica, ii. 449. 
brevirostris, 11. 449. 
capensis, ii. 469. 
cinerea, ii. 446. 
cerulea, ii. 457. 
conspicillata, ii, 445. 
cooka, ui. 456. 
cookit, ii. 454. 
forstert, ii. 457, 474. 
Fregata, ii. 479, 480, 482. 
fuliginosa, ii. 449. 
gigantea, ii. 443. 
glacialoides, ii. 467. 
grallaria, ii. 479, 480. 
hesitata, ii, 446. 
hasitata, ii. 446. 
hypoleuca, ii. 482. 
larvata, ii. 4465. 
lessont, 11. 451. 
leucocephala, ii. 451. 
macroptera, ii. 449. 
marina, ii. 482. 
mollis, ii, 453. 


622 


Procellaria nevia, ii, 469. 
nereis, ii. 476. 
nugax, ii. 458. 
oceantea, ii. 478, 479. 
ossifraga, ii. 448, 
similis, 11. 457. 
solandri, ii. 450. 
tridactyla, li. 483. 
turtur, 1. 472. 
urinatrix, i. 483. 
vagabunda, ii, 451. 
velox, ii. 454, 456. 
vittata, ii. 474. 
Procellaride, ii. 421. 
Procelsterna, 11. 420. 
albivitta, 11. 420. 
Psephotus, ii. 61. 


chrysopterygius, ii. 65. 


hematogaster, ii. 62. 
hematonotus, ii. 69. 
hematorrhous, ii. 62. 
multicolor, ii. 68. 
pulcherrimus, ii. 67. 
zanthorrhous, ii. 68. 


Psilopus albogularis, i, 266. 


brevirostris, i. 278. 
culicivorus, i. 268. 
fuscus, i. 267. 
olivaceus, i. 266. 
Psittacide, ii. 1, 588. 


Psittacula florentis, ii. 102. 


Psittacus aterrimus, ii. 27. 


australis, ii. 90, 100, 548. 


banks?, 11. 18. 
banksianus, 11. 90. 
barrabandit, ii. 31. 
bauert, ii. 43. 
brownii, ii. 48, 58. 
capitatus, ii. 55. 
chlorolepidotus, ii. 96. 
chrysogaster, 11. 77. 
chrysostomus, ii. 71. 
concinnus, ii. 100. 
cyanogaster, ti. 93. 
cyanomelas, ii. 43. 
cyanopygius, 1. 85s 
discolor, ii. 90. 
edwardsii, ii. 77. 
elegans, ii. 44, 
eos, li. 8. 
erythropterus, ii. 37. 
exumius, ii. 55, 
Jimbriatus, 11, 29. 
flaviventris, ii. 48. 
formosus, ii. 86. 
Funereus, ii. 20. 
galeatus, ii, 29. 
galeritus, ii. 2. 
gigas, ii. 27. 


INDEX. 


Psittacus gloriosus, ii. 44. 


goliath, ii. 27. 
griseus, ii. 27. 
hematodus, ii. 93. 
hematopus, ii. 93. 
humeralis, ii. 90. 
hypopolius, ii. 548. 
icterotis, 11. 58. 
lathamu, 11. 90. 
leachii, ii. 18. 
magnificus, ii, 13. 
melanotus, 11. 37. 
meridionalis, 11. 548. 
multicolor, 11. 68, 93. 
nasicus, ii. 11. 
nestor, 11. 548, 
nove-hollandia, ii. 84, 93. 
nuchalis, ii. 103. 
pacificus, ii. 100. 
pennantu, ii, 44. 
pheenicocephalus, 1. 29. 
pulchellus, ii. 77. 
purpurea, ii. 102. 
purpureocephalus, ii. 60. 
purpureus, ii. 102. 
pusillus, ii. 103. 
rubrifrons, ii. 100. 
scapulatus, 11. 35. 
semicollaris, ii. 93. 
semitorquatus, il. 41, 
solandri, li. 18. 
splendidus, ii. 44. 
swainsont, li. 31. 
tabuensis, var. B, i. 35. 
temminchit, ii. 18. 
tenuirostris, ii. 11. 
terrestris, 11. 86. 
undulatus, ii. 81. 
velatus, ii. 100. 
venustus, ii. 58, 71. 
viridis, li. 43. 
zonarius, i. 43. 


(Banksianus) australis, ii. 13, 20. 


) galeatus, ii. 29. 
(Cacatua) goliath, ii. 27. 
(Conurus) formosus, ii. 86. 
(——) hematopus, ii. 93. 
(——) pulchellus, ii. 77, 
(——) pusillus, ii. 103, 

undulatus, ii. 81. 
(Kakadoe) bankszz, ii. 18. 
¢ ) funereus, ii. 20. 
(——) galeritus, ii. 2. 


( ) nestor, 1. 648. 


(Probosciger) aterrimus, ii. 27. 


) gohath, ii. 27. 


(Sagittifer) anthopeplus, ii, 33. 


(——) barraband, 11. 31. 
(——) melanura, ii. 33, 


Psittacus rosaceus, ii. 31. 
Psitteuteles versicolor, ii. 98. 
Psophodes, i. 312. 
Black-throated, i. 314, 
erepitans, i. 812. 
nigrogularis, i. 314. 
Ptenoedus, 1. 397. 
rufescens, i. 397, 
Pterodroma, ii. 449. 
atlantica, ii. 449. 
macroptera, ii. 449. 
solandri, ii. 450. 
Pteropodocys, i. 198. 
phasianella, 1. 199. 
Ptilinopus, ii. 106. 
ewingit, 11. 107. 
purpuratus, var. regina, ii. 106. 
superbus, ii. 108. 
swainsonn, ii. 106. 
Ptilonorhynchus, i. 441. 
holosericeus, i. 442. 
macleaytt, i. 442. 
nuchales, 1. 448. 
smithi, i. 446. 
squamutosus, i. 442. 
viridis, i. 446. 
Ptilopus ewingz, ii. 107. 
swainsont, li. 106. ° 
Ptilorhis, i. 591. 
paradisea, i. 591. 
paradiseus, i. 591. . 
victoria, 1. 593. 
Ptilorhynchus holosericeus, i, 442. 
Ptiloris, magnifica, i. 595. 
paradisea, i. 591. 
paradiseus, 1. 591. 
victoria, 1. 593. 
Ptilosclera, ii. 98. 
versicolor, 11. 98. 
Ptilotis, i. 502. 
auricomis, i. 511. 
chrysops, i. 521. 
chrysotis, 1. 503. 
eratitia, 1. 513. 
eratitius, 1. 515. 
JSasciogularis, 1. 507. 
ligera, 1. 522. 
pi i. 518, 
Jlavescens, i. 517. 
flavigula, i. 508. 
Susca, i. 520. 
leucotis, i. 510. 
lewintt, i, 503. 
ornata, i. 515. 
ornatus, i. 515. 
penicillata, i. 519. 
penicillatus, 1. 519. 
plumula, i. 516. 
plumulus, i. 516, 


INDEX. 


Ptilotis sonora, i. 504. 
sonorus, i. 504, 
unicolor, i. 523. 
versicolor, i. 506. 

Ptistes, 11. 37. 
coccineopterus, ii. 39. 
erythropterus, ii. 37. 

Puffinuria garnoti, ii. 483. 
urinatriz, ii. 483. 

Puffinus, ii. 458. 
assiemilis, 11. 458. 
brevicaudus, ii. 459. 
carneipes, ii. 465. 
cinereus, li. 446. 
nugax, i. 458. 
sphenurus, ii. 466. 

Purpureicephalus, ii. 60. 
puleatus, ii. 60. 

Pycnoptilus, i. 348. 
Downy, i. 348. 
Jloccosus, 1..348. 

Pyrrhocorax leucopterus, i. 470, 
violaceus, 1. 442. 

Pyrrholeemus, i. 383. 

brunneus, 1. 384. 


Quail, Brown, ii. 198. 
Least Swamp-, ii. 197. 
Little, ii. 184. 
New Holland, ii. 193. 
Northern Swamp-, ii. 195. 
Painted, ii. 179. 
Pectoral, ii. 190. 
Sombre Swamp-, ii. 195. 
Stubble-, ii. 190. 
Swamp-, ii. 193, 
Tasmanian Swamp-, ii. 194. 
Thick-billed, ii. 183. 
Varied, ii. 178. 

Quaker, ii. 311. 


Radja eytoni, ii. 360. 

Rail, Chestnut-bellied, ii. 388. 
Pectoral, ii. 334. 
Tabuan, ii. 341. 

Rallidze, ii. 320, 576. 

Rallus, ii. 336. 
brachipus, ii. 336. 
lewinit, ii. 336. 
philippensis, ii. 334. 
quadristriatus, ii. 243. 
quadristrigatus, ii. 248. 

Raptores, i. 7. 

Rasores, ii. 105. 

Recurvirostra, ii. 249. 
nove-hollandie, ii. 249. 
rubricollis, ii. 249. 

Recurvirostride, ii. 249. 


Red-bill, i. 411. 


623 


624 INDEX. 


Red-throat, i. 384. 
Reed- Warbler, 1. 402. 
Reed-Warbler, Long-billed, i. 403. 
Reef-Heron, Blue, ii. 807. 
White, ii. 308. 
Regent-bird, 1. 456. 
Mock, i. 527. 
Rhantistes lesson?, ii. 451. 
leucoptera, ii. 454. 
mollis, ii, 453. 
Rhipidura, i. 237. 
albiscapa, 1. 238. 
dryas, i. 242. 
flabellifera, i, 238. 
isura, 1. 242. 
motacilloides, i. 244. 
picata, i. 246. 
preisst, i. 240. 
rufifrons, i. 240. 
Rhynchea, ii. 274. 
Australian, ii. 274. 
australis, ii. 274. 
Rhynchaspis clypeata, ii. 370. 
fasciata, ii. 372. 
membranacea, ii. 372. 
rhynheotis, ii. 368. 
Rifle-bird, i. 591. 
Magnificent, i. 599. 
Queen Victoria’s, i. 593. 
Robin, i. 279. 
Black, i. 288. 
Buff-sided, i. 288. 
Dusky, i. 286. 
Eastern-Scrub, i. 291. 
Flame-breasted, i. 282. 
Grey-breasted, 1. 294. 
Hooded, i. 283. 
Large-headed, i. 297. 
Norfolk-Island, ii. 526. 
Pied, i. 285. 
Pink-breasted, i. 276. 
Red-capped, 1. 280. 
Scarlet-breasted, i. 279. 
Serub-, i. 290. 
White-bellied, i. 296. 
White-eyebrowed, i. 289. 
Yellow, 1. 298. 
Yellow-breasted, i. 293. 


Rock-Pigeon, White-quilled, ii. 141. 


Rock-Warbler, i. 385. 
Roller, Australian, i. 119. 
Pacific, i. 119. 
Rose-hill, ii. 58. 
Moreton Bay, ii. 51. 


Sagittifer minor undulatus, ii. 81. 
Salicaria solitaria, 1. 3865. 
Sand-Lark, ii. 235. 

Sandpiper, Bartram’s, ii. 242. 


Sond a Common, li. 263. 
urlew, ii. 256. 
Great, i. 260. 
Green, ii. 263. 
Grey, ii. 224. 
Grey-rumped, ii. 268. 
Least, ii. 257. 
Little, ii. 257. 
Marsh, ii. 267. 
Swiss, ii. 224. 
Terek, ii. 261. 
Wattled, 11. 218. 
Sarciophorus, ii. 222. 
pectoralis, ii. 222. 
Satin Bird, i. 442. 
Sparrow, i. 255. 
Sauloprocta, 1. 243. 
motacillotdes, i. 244. 
picata, i. 246. 
Sauropatis pyrrhopygia, i. 130. 
sancta, 1. 1 
sordida, i. 182. 
Saxicola chrysorrhea, i. 374. 
rhodinogaster, i. 276. 
splendens, 1. 323. 
Saxicolide, i. 275, ii. 526. 
Sceloglaux, ii. 524. 
albifacies, ii. 524. 
Schceniclus albescens, ii. 257. 
australis, li. 254. 
magnus, ii. 260. 
subarquatus, 11. 256. 
Scolopacidee, ii. 271. 
Scolopax australis, ii, 271. 
canescens, ii. 265. 
chloropus, ii. 265. 
cinerea, ii. 261. 
Jistulans, ii. 265. 
glottis, ii. 265. 
grisea, ii. 265. 
hardwichit, ii. 271. 
natans, ii. 265. 
subarquata, ii. 256. 
terek, li. 261. 
totanus, li. 265. 
Serub-bird, i. 344. 
Scythrops, i. 628. 
australasi@, i. 628. 
australis, i. 628. 
goerang, i. 628. 
nove-hollandia, i. 628. 
Seisura, i. 246. 
ingquieta, i. 246. 
volitans, i. 246. 
Semioptera, ii. 532. 
wallacet, ti. 582. 
Sericornis, i. 353. 
Allied, i. 358. 
Buff-breasted, i. 360, 


i 


INDEX. 62 


Sericornis eitreogularis, i. 854, 
Srontalis, i. 358. 
humilis, 1, 356. 
levigaster, i. 360. 
Large-billed, i. 862. 
maculatus, i. 361. 
magnirostris, i. 362. 
osculans, 1. 357. 
parvulus, i. 858, 
Sombre-coloured, i. 356. 
Spotted, i. 361. 
White-fronted, i. 359. 
Yellow-throated, i. 354. 

Sericulus, i. 456. 
chrysocephalus, i. 456. 
magnirostris, i. 456. 
melinus, i, 456, 
regens, 1. 456. 

Shag, Black, ii. 488. 
Black and White, ii. 490. 
Crested, ii. 582. 
Little, ii, 492. 
New Holland, ii. 488. 
Pied, ii. 490. 
Spotted, 11. 582. 


Shieldrake, Chestnut-coloured, ii. 361. 


New-Holland, ii. 361. 
Radjah, ii. 360. 
Shoveller, Australian, ii. 368. 
European, ii. 370. 
New-Holland, ii. 368. 
Variegated, ii. 580. 
Shrike-Thrush, Brown, i. 223. 
Buff-bellied, i. 222. 
Harmonious, i. 220. 
Little, i. 225, 
Rusty-breasted, i. 226. 
Selby’s, i. 224. 
Shrike-Tit, Frontal, i. 228. 
White-bellied, i. 229. 
Singing Lark, i. 397. 
Sitta chrysoptera, i. 609. 
Sittella, i. 608. 
Black-capped, i. 612. 
chrysoptera, i. 609. 
leucocephala, i. 610. 
leucoptera, i. 611. 
melanocephala, i. 612. 
Orange-winged, i. 609. 
pileata, i. 612. 
tenuirostris, 1. 610. 
White-headed, i. 610. 
White-winged, i. 611. 
Smicrornis, 1. 272. 
brevirostris, i. 273, 
flavescens, i. 274. 
Short-billed, i. 273. 
Yellow-tinted, 1. 274. 
Skua, Great, ii. 589, 
vol. Ile 


Or. 


Skua Gull, ii. 389. 

Skylark, i. 395. 

Snipe, Land-, ii, 257. 
New-Holland, ii, 271. 
Terek, ii. 261. 

Solenoglossus zeylanicus, ii. 27. 

Sparvius cirrhocephalus, i. 45. 
lunulatus, i. 29, 
melanops, i. 45. 
niveus, 1. 88. 
radiatus, i. 40, 
tricolor, i. 45. 

Spatula, ii. 368, 580. 
elypeata, ii. 370. 
rhynchotis, ii. 868, 580. 
variegata, ii. 580. 

Sphecotheres, i. 467. 
australis, i. 467. 
canicollis, i. 467. 

flaviventris, i. 468. 
grisea, i. 467. 
maxillaris, i. 467. 
Northern, i. 468. 
Southern, i. 467. 
virescens, i. 467. 
viridis, i, 467, 

Spheniscidee, ii. 515. 

Spheniscus mznor, ii. 518, 
undina, ii. 521. 

Sphenceacus, i, 399, 
galactotes, i. 399. 
gramineus, i. 400, 

Sphenostoma, i. 315. 
cristata, 1. 316. 
eristatum, 1. 316. 

Sphenura, i. 342. 
brachyptera, 1. 342. 
longirostris, 1. 843. 

Spiloglaux, i. 73. 
boobook, i. 74. 
bubuk, 1. 74. 
maculatus, i. 76. 
marmoratus, i, 73. 

Spine-bill, i. 551. 
White-eyebrowed, i. 553. 

Spoonbill, Royal, ii. 287. 
Yellow-legged, ii. 288. 

Squatarola, ii, 224. 
helvetica, ii. 224, 

Squeaker, i. 173. 

Stagonopleura, i. 416, 

castanotis, i. 419, 
guttata, i. 417. 

Standard-wing, ii. 582, 

Stercorarius, ii. 889. 
catarrhacetes, ii, 389, 

Sterna, ii. 398. 
affinis, ii. 397, 
alba, ii. 408. 

2 U 


inithnatincnintntia Asami 


ae Se Sa 


a Se 


Ea Re 
Se 


SSS 


$e a nN SEE 


a eras 


= =3 


626 INDEX. 


Sterna bengalensis, ii. 397, 
eandida, 11. 405. 
easpia, ii. 892. 
eristata, i. 394. 
delamotta, ii. 406. 
Suliginosa, ti. 408. 
gracilis, ii. 899. 
guttata, ii. 408. 
hybrida, ii. 406. 
leucogenys, i. 406. 
leucopareta, ii. 406. 
macrotarsa, 11. 403. 
media, ii. 897. 
megarhynchos, ii. 392. 
melanauchen, ii. 400. 
melanorhyncha, ii. 898. 
oahuensis, ii. 408. 
panaya, ii. 411. 
panayensis, ii. 411. 
pelecanoides, ii. 894, 
poliocerca, 11. 396. 
sancti-pault, ii. 399. 
serrata, ii, 408. 
stolida, ii. 418. 
sumatrana, ii. 400. 
tschegrava, li. 392. 
velox, ii. 894, 398. 
(Onychoprion) serrate, ii. 408. 
(Sylochelidon) strenuus, ii. 392. 


(Thalassea) melanorhyncha,ii. 398. 


Sternidee, ii. 392. 
Sternula, ii. 402. 
melanauchen, ii. 400. 
nereis, li, 402. 
Stictonetta, 11, 367. 
nevosa, ii. 867. 
Stictopelia, 11. 146. 
euneata, ii. 146. 
Stictoptera, i. 409. 
annulosa, i. 410. 
bichenovit, i. 409. 
Stigmatops, i. 500. 
oeularis, i. 500. 
subocularis, i. 501. 
Stilt, Banded, 11. 248. 
New Zealand, ii. 574. 
White-headed, ii. 246. 
Stiltia grallaria, ii. 248. 
Stipiturus, i. 338. 
malachurus, 1. 339. 
Stomiopera, i. 523. 
umeolor, i. 525. 
Stone-Plover, Southern, ii. 210. 


Storm-Petrel, Black-bellied, ii. 479. 


Grey-backed, ii. 476, 

White-bellied, ii, 480. 

White-faced, ii. 482. 

Yellow—webbed, ii. 478. 
Strepera, i. 167. 


Strepera anaphonensis, i. 178. 
arguta, i. 171. 
fuliginosa, i. 170. 
graculina, i. 168. 
melanoptera, i. 171. 
plumbea, i. 173. 
versicolor, i. 173. 

Strepsilas, ii. 269. 
collaris, ii. 269. 
interpres, ii. 269. 

Strigide, i. 62, ii, 524. 

Strigops, ii. 538. 
habroptilus, ii. 589. 

Strix, i. 62. 
boobook, i. 74. 
castanops, i. 62. 
cyclops, 1. 64. 
delicatulus, i. 66. 
nove-hollandia, 1. 64. 
personata, i. 64. 
tenebricosus, i. 65. 

Struthidea, i. 472. 
cinerea, i. 472. 

Grey, i. 472. 
Struthionidee, ii. 199, 561. 
Sturnidee, 1. 477. 

Sturnus virescens, 1. 565. 

Sula, ii. 503. 
australis, ii. 504. 
brasiliensis, 11. 507. 
candida, ii. 509. 
eyanops, ii. 506. 
erythrorhyneha, ii. 509. 
Jiber, ii. 507. 
fusca, ii. 507. 
personata, ii. 506. 
prscator, ii. 509. 

rubripeda, ii. 509. 

rubrypes, ti. 509. 

serrator, ii. 504. 
Sun-bird, Australian, i. 584. 
Superb Warbler, i. 317. 

Banded, i. 322. 

Black-backed, i. 322. 

Black-headed, i. 388. 

Blue-breasted, i. 326. 

Brown’s, i. 334. 

Crowned, 1. 829, 

Graceful, 1. 324. 

Lambert’s, i. 327. 

Long-tailed, i. 320. 

Lovely, i. 828. 

White-backed, i. 382. 

White-winged, i. 330. 
Swallow, Black and White, i. 116. 

Needle-tailed, i. 103. 

Pin-tailed, i. 103. 

Torres Straits’, i. 110. 

Tree, i. 111. 


Swallow, Welcome, i. 107. 
White-breasted, i. 115. 
Swamp-hen, ii. 322. 
Little, ii. 841. 
Swamp-Quail, ii. 193. 
Least, ii. 197. 
Northern, ii. 195. 
Sombre, ii. 195. 
Tasmanian, ii. 194. 
Swan, Black, ii. 346. 
Black, of Van Diemen, ii. 346. 
Shawian, or Black, ii. 346. 
Swift, Australian, i. 105. 
Spine-tailed, i. 103. 
Sylochelidon, ii. 392. 
caspta, ii, 392, 
potiocerca, ii, 396. 
strenuus, li. 392. 
Sylvia annulosa, i. 587. 
chrysops, i. 521. 
cyanea, 1. 317. 
Slarngastra, i, 293. 
hwrundinacea, i. 581. 
lateralis, i. 587. 
leucophea, i. 258. 
pusilla, iF 364. 
rubricata, i. 385, 
rufiventris, i. 212. 
sagittata, i. 390. 
Sylviadee, i. 401. 
Syma, i. 135, 
flavirostris, i. 135. 
Synoicus, ii. 192. 
australis, ii. 198. 
cervinus, li. 195. 
P chanensis, ii. 197. 
dvemenensis, ii. 194. 
sordidus, ii. 195. 


Tachybaptus gularis, ii, 513. 
Tachypetes, ii, 498. 

aquila, ii. 499, 

ariel, 11. 499, 

minor, ii. 499, 
Tadorna, ii. 860. 

radjah, ii. 360. 
Teeniopygia, i. 418. 

castonotis, i. 419. 
Talegalla lathamié, ii. 150. 
Talegallus, ii. 150. 

lathanu, ii. 150. 

Wattled, ii. 150. 
Tantalide, ii. 281. 
Tantalus falcinellus, ii. 286. . 

agneus, ii, 286. 
Tanysiptera, i. 137. 

sylvia, i. 137. 
Teal, ii. 365. 

Australian, ii, 365. 


INDEX. | 6: 


@w 
an 


| Terekia, ii, 261. 


cmerea, ii. 261. 
javanica, ii, 261. 

Tern, Bass’s Straits, ii. 396. 
Black-naped, ii. 400. . 
Caspian, li. 392. 
Caspian, variety, 11. 394. 
Crested, ii. 394. 
Graceful, ii. 399. 
Indian, ii. 397. 

Little, ii. 402. 
Long-legged, ii. 403. 
Marsh, ii. 406. 
Noddy, ii. 418. 
Panayan, i. 411. 
Sooty, ii. 408. 
Southern, ii, 398. 
Torres Straits’, ii, 394. 
White, ii. 405. 
Yellow-billed, ii. 394. 

Thalasseus, ii, 394. 
bengalensis, ii, 397. 
caspius, li. 392. 
eristatus, ii, 394, 
pelecanordes, ii, 394. 
poliocercus, ii. 896. 
torrestt, ii, 397. 

Thalassidroma leucogaster, ii. 480. 
marina, li. 482. 
melanogaster, ii, 479. _ 
nereis, 11, 476. 
oceamica, li: 478. 
wilsoni, ii, 478. 

Thalassoica, ii. 467, 
glacialoides, ii. 467. 


| Thickhead, Black-tailed, i, 211. 


Gilbert’s, i. 216. 
Grey-tailed, i. 209. 
Lunated, i, 213. 
Olivaceous, i, 218. 
Plain-coloured, i. 217. 
Red-throated, 1. 215. 
Rufous-breasted, i. 212. 
Shrike-like, i. 214, 
White-throated, i. 207. 
Thiellus, ii. 466. 
_ Sphenurus, ii. 466. 
Threskiornis, ii. 284. 
strictipennis, ii, 284. 
Thrush, i, 222. 
Ash-headed, ii. 528. 
Sooty, ii. 528, 
Thunder-bird, i. 207. 
Tinnunculus, i. 35. 
cenchrordes, i. 35. 


| Todirhamphus, i. 127. 


australasi@, i. 128. 
macleayt, i. 133, 
pyrrhopygius, i. 130, 


628 


Todirhamphus sanctus, i. 128. 
sordidus, i. 182. 

Todus flavigaster, i. 293. 
rubecula, 1. 255. 

Totanus, ii. 266. 
acuminatus, ii. 254. 
bartramius, ii. 242. 
campestris, ii. 242. 
glottoides, ii. 265. 
griseopygius, ii. 268. 
hypoleucos, ii. 263. 
Javanicus, ii. 261. 
melanopygius, i. 242. 
pulverulentus, ii. 268, 
stagnatilis, ii. 267. 
sumatranus, li. 261. 
tenurrostris, ii. 260. 
variegatus, li. 242, 
vigorst, ii. 265. 


Tree-creeper, Black-backed, i. 603. 


Black-tailed, i. 604. 
Brown, i. 599, 
Red-eyebrowed, i. 602. 
Rufous, i. 600. 

White throated, i. 605. 
Tree-Duck, Eyton’s, ii. 875. 
Whistling, ii. 374. 

Tribonyx, ii. 323. 
Black-tailed, 11. 325. 
mortiertt, li, 324. 
Mortier’s, ii. 324. 
ventralis, 1. 825. 

Trichoglossus, ii. 92. 
australis, ii, 100. 
chlorolepidotus, ii. 96. 
concinnus, ii. 100. 
discolor, ii. 90. 
hematopus, ii. 93. 
matont, ii. 96. 
multicolor, ii. 93. 
porphyrocephalus, ii. 102. 
pusillus, ii. 105. 
rubritorquis, ii. 95. 
swainsoni, il. 93. 
versicolor, li. 98. 

Tringa, i. 259. 
albescens, ii. 257, 
australis, li. 254. 
bartramia, ii. 242. 
calidris, ii. 259. 
canutus, ti, 259. 
cinerea, li. 259. 
crassirostris, ii. 260. 
ferrugined, ii. 259. 
glareola, ii. 268. 
grisea, ii. 259. 
helvetica, ii. 224. 
hypoleucos, ii. 263. 
interpres, li. 269. 


INDEX. 


Tringa tslandica, ii. 259. 
leucoptera, ii. 268. 
lobata, ii. 218. 
longicauda, ii. 242. 
Marsh, ii. 254. 
minor, li. 265, 
nevi, ii. 259. 
squatarolag ii. 224. 
subarquata, li. 256. 
tenutrostris, li. 260. 

Tringidee, ii, 254. 

Tringoides bartramius, ii. 242. 
hypoleucos, ii. 263, 

Tropic-bird, New Holland, ii. 501. 
Red-tailed, ii. 501. 

Tropidorhynchus, i. 545. 
argenticeps, 1. 548. 
buceroides, i. 547. 
citreogularis, i, 549. 
corniculatus, 1. 545. 
cyanotis, i. 560. 
monachus, i. 548. 
sordidus, i. 550. 

Turdus badius, i. 220. 
brachypterus, i. 342. 
cristatus, i. 231. 
eyaneus, 1. 560. 
dilutus, i, 220. 
dubius, i. 246. 
frivolus, 1. 479. 
fuliginosus, ii. 528. 
gutturalis, i. 207. 
harmonicus, i. 220. 
inquietus, i. 246. 
leucotis, 1. 510. 
lunularis, i, 207. 
lunulatus, i. 489. 
macillaris, i. 467. 
melanophrys, i. 579. 
melinus, i. 456. 
muscicola, i. 246. 
poliocephalus, ii. 528. 
punctatus, i, 435. 
sordidus, 1. 148. 
varius, i. 439. 
volitans, i. 246. 

Turkey, ii. 208. 

Brush, ii. 160. 
Native, ii. 208. 

Turnicide, ii. 177. 

Turnix, ii. 177. 
Black-backed, i. 182. 
Black-breasted, ii. 178. 
castanotus, ii. 188. 
Chestnut-backed, ii. 183. 
gouldiana, ii. 187. 
melanogaster, ii. 178. 
melanotus, ii. 182. 
pyrrothorax, ii. 186. 


————— 


Turnix, Red-chested, 11. 1&6. 
seintillans, ii. 181. 
Speckled, ii. 181. 
Swift-flying, 11. 184. 
Varied, ii. 179. 
varius, ii. 179. 
velox, li. 184. 

Turnstone, i. 269. 

Turtledove, Little, ii. 146. 

Turtur ? lophotes, 11. 139. 

Twenty-eight Parrakeet, ii. 41. 

Typhon rectirostris, ii. 296. 


Vanellus gallinaceus, ii. 218. 
griseus, ii. 224. 
helveticus, ii. 224. 
lobatus, ii. 218. 
melanogaster, 11. 224. 
nove-hollandia, ii. 218, 

Vanga cinerea, i. 186. 
destructor, i. 184. 
nigrogularis, i. 180. 

Viralva leucopareia, ii. 406. 

Vultur audazx, i. 8. 


Vulture, New Holland, ii. 150. 


Wagtail Flycatcher, i. 244. 
Water-Crake, Little, ii, 340. 

Spotted, ii. 839. 

Tabuan, ii. 341. 

White-eyebrowed, ii. 343._ 
Water-Rail, Lewin’s, ii. 336. 
Wattle-bird, i. 536, 538, 

Brush, 1. 541. 

Little, i. 643. 

Lunulated, i. 548. 
Wedge-bill, Crested, i. 316. 
Wekau, ii. 524. 

Whale-bird, ii. 472. 

Whimbrel, Australian, ii, 279. 
Little, ii, 280. 

Whistling Dick, i. 224. 

White Duck, ii. 360. 

White-eye, i. 587. 

Wonga-wonga, ii. 120. 

Wood-Duck, ii. 354. 

Wood-Robin, Pink-breasted, i. 276. 


THE 


ee ee 


INDEX. - 


Wood-robin, Rose-breasted, i. 277. 


_ Wood-Swallow, i. 148, 147. 


Black-faced, i. 149. 
Grey-breasted, i. 147. 
Little, i, 146. 
Masked, i, 150. 
White-eyebrowed, i. 152. 
White-rumped, i. 154. 
White-vented, 1. 149. 
Wren, i. 368. 
Emu, i. 339, 
Large-tailed, i. 338. 
Striated, i. 337. 
Textile, i. 335. 


Xanthomyza phrygia, i. 527. 
Xema jamesontt, 11. 387. 
Xenorhynchus, 11. 293. 
australis, 11, 2938. 
Xenus cinereus, i. 261. 
Xerophila, i. 382. 
leucopsis, 1. 382. 
White-faced, i. 882. . 


Zanthomyza phrygia, i. 527. 
Zoneeginthus, i. 406. 
bellus, i. 406. 
nitidus, i. 406. 
oculeus, i. 407. 
Zosterops, i. 587, i. 535. 
albogularis, li. 535. 
chloronotus, i. 588. * 
ceerulescens, 1. 587. 
dorsalis, i. 587. 
gouldi, 1. 588. 
Green-backed, i. 588. 
’ Grey-backed, i. 587. 
Grey-breasted, ii. 538. 
lateralis, ii. 584, 
Long-billed, ii. 536. 
luteus, i. 590. 
Robust, ii. 537. 
strenuus, ii. 537. 
tenuirostris, ii, 534. 
tephropleurus, ii. 538. 
White-breasted, ii. 535, 


Yellow, i. 590. 


END. 


Printed by TAYLOR and FRANCIS, Red Lion Court, Fleet Street. 


Cambridge University Library, 
On permanent deposit from 
the Botany School 


Ho 
; 4