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Be 


PARROTS. 
Bourke Grass-Parrakeet: Neophema bourkei. 
The Smutty Parrakeet: Platycercus browni. 
Red-collared Lorikeet : Trichoglossus rubritorques. 
Golden-shouldered Parrakeet: Psephotus chrysopterygius. 
[See page 198 et saq.] 


Vv}! 


The Birds of Australia 


BY 
A. H. S. LUCAS, M.A. (Oxon. and Melb.), B.Se. (Lond.) 


Ea-President of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, 
of the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, 
and of the Naturalists’ Club of New South Wales, 


AND 


W. H. DUDLEY Le SOUEF, 6.M.Z8., M.B.O.U., &., 


Director Zoological Gardens, Melbourne ; 
Author of “ Wild Life in Australia.” 


JOINT AUTHORS OF “THE ANIMALS OF AUSTRALIA.” 


LITTLE COLLINS STREET, MELBOURNE ; 
CHRISTCHURCH, WELLINGTON AND DUNEDIN, N.Z.; 
ADDLE HILL, CARTER LANE, LONDON: 


WHITCOMBE AND TOMBS LIMITED. 


1911. 


PREFACE. 


This book is the complementary volume to ‘‘The Animals of 
Australia, Mammals, Reptiles, and Amphibians,’’ of the same 
authors and publishers. As it was impossible to give a 
reasonable account of all the Air-breathing Vertebrates of 
Australia in one volume, the account of the Birds was reserved 
for the present work. 

The object and plan of this, as of the former, book are to 
serve the needs of the naturalist and to provide matter of 
interest for the general reader, by giving accurate descriptions 
and illustrations, and adding as much popular information as is 
available concerning habits and habitats. 

In order to avoid rendering the volume too bulky and too 
heterogeneous in character, we have refrained from specula- 
tions and general disquisitions. It seemed wiser to present the 
facts in an ordered manner, and to leave for other publications 
the more general features of our Avi-fauna, relationships, and 
origins. 

As in the case of ‘‘The Animals,’’ while advantage has been 
taken of personal knowledge, we have drawn largely on other 
publications on Australian Birds. The classification is that of 
Dr. Bowdler Sharpe’s ‘‘Hand-list of Birds,’’ made more readily 
available by the publication of Mr. Gregory M. Mathew’s 
‘‘Hand-list of Australian Birds,’’ in ‘‘The Emu,’’ 1908. We 
gladly acknowledge our deep indebtedness to the various 
authors of the magnificent series of Descriptive Catalogues 
published by the authorities of the British Museum. We have 
included as nearly a complete account as possible of species 
described in Australia by Mr. A. J. North, of the Australian 
Museum, Sydney, and by Messrs. A. J. Campbell, Robert Hall, 
and others referred to in the text. We have drawn largely for 
accounts of habits on “‘The Emu,’’ and ‘‘The Victorian 
Naturalist,’’ and occasionally quote other periodical 
publications. 

The illustrations have been collected with a considerable 
amount of labour, and have been derived from a variety of 


b 


PREFACE iv. 


sources. By the generous permission of the Trustees and the 
Curator, a large series of photographs was made by one of the 
authors of birds in the Australian Museum, and our thanks are 
again due to them and to the officers and assistants for the 
ready facilities afforded for the purpose. A few others were 
obtained of birds in the collections of the Macleay Museum and 
the Sydney Technological Museum. Photographs from well- 
stuffed and set-up Museum specimens, obtained under controlled 
conditions of light, undoubtedly present the pattern of the 
plumage in a more perfect and recognisable form than do those, 
except the very happiest, taken from life. On the other hand 
those taken from life show the live bird in actual surroundings. 
Hence we have obtained as many photographs from life as 
possible. For some of these we are indebted to Messrs. A. E. 
H. Mattingley, A. J. Campbell, H. Nielson, A. T. Dennis, J. B. 
Lane, Mrs. Ward of Mapoon, T. G. Campbell, Tom Iredale, 
H. P. C. Ashworth, A. F. Basset Hull, C. G. Gibson, H. Burrell, 
C. L. Barrett, W. 8. Kent, F. George, C. P. Kinane, A, E. Kitson, 
and others. 

The Royal Australasian Ornithologists’ Union have 
generously allowed us to make use of several of the blocks of 
life pictures published in their very fine magazine, ‘‘The Emu.”’ 
The New South Wales Bird Protection Society also kindly 
loaned us their blocks of the Egrets, and the Canterbury 
Philosophical Institute the block of Megalestris. 

The highly artistic coloured illustrations are from paintings 
by Mrs. Ellis Rowan. 


TABLE OF CONTENTS. 


Preface i 
List of Illustrations 


Emu 


Australian Cassowary 


Serub Fowl .. 
Mallee Fowl 
Brush Turkey 
Serub Turkey 
Quail 

Plain Wanderer 
Pigeons and Doves 
Rails 

Crakes 
Native Hens 
Moor Hens 
Coots 

Grebes 
Penguins 
Storm Petrels 
Shearwater 
Petrels 

Cape Pigeon 
Dove Petrels 
Albatrosses 
Terns 
Ternlets 
Noddies 

Gulls 
Turnstone 
Oyster-catchers 
Dottrel 
Plover 

Stilts 

Avocet 
Curlew 
Whimbrel 
Godwits 
Greenshank 
Sandpipers 
Sanderling 
Stints 

Knot 

Snipe 


Jacana 

Pratincole 

Stone Plovers ap 
Bustard i “a 
Crane or Native Companion 
Ibises 

Spoonbills 

Storks (Jabiru) 
Herons 

Kgrets 

Bitterns 

Black Swan 

Geese 

Ducks 

Teal 

Shovellers 

Cormorants 

Darter 

Gannets 

Frigate-birds 
Tropic-birds 

Pelican 

Harriers 

Goshawks 

Sparrow Hawk 


Buzzard 


Eagles 

Kites 

Hawks 

Falcons 

Kestrel 

Osprey 5 
Owls ae ‘a 
Parrots and Cockatoos 
Lorikeets 

Lorilets 

Cockatoos 

Parrakeets 

Parrots 

Frogmouths 

Owlet Nightjar 


Vi. TABLE OF CONTENTS. 


PAGE 
Roller or Dollar-bird .. .. 233 
Kingfishers... $6 .. 234 
Bee-eater fs eh .. 242 
Nightjars oe os .. 248 
Swiftlets is ee .. 244 
Swifts es a .. 245 
Cuckoos ae is .. 247 
Koel 8 a .. 254 
Channel-bill .. iy ue BOS 
Coueal a 5 ia (25: 
Lyre-birds .. a .. 256 
Pittas <z es .. 264 
Scrub-birds 5% .. 265 
Swallows acs 12 .. 266 
Martins ae hee .. 268 
Fly-catchers isis 271, 284 
Robins os i 273, 278 
Tree-tits ais os va Bo 
Fly-eaters .. ded .. 276 
Fan-tails i sid .. 279 

“Cuckoo-Shrikes ae .. 290 
Caterpillar-eaters sa -. 291 
Log-runners ve .. 293 
Ground-thrushes es .. 294 
Pilot Bird... Sx .. 296 
Scrub-Robins me .. 296 
Ground- Wrens os .. 298 
Coach-whip Birds aa .. 299 
Babblers me ae .. 802 
Field Wrens .. ea aq wOd 
Song Larks me .. 804 
Ouzels : i .. 305 
Ground- Thewslies hus .. 805 
Chats : ae .. 307 
Reed Wathlers ae > B08 
Grass- Warblers 4% .. 310 
Grass-birds .. fs .. 310 
Desert-bird .. ae we DLL 
Rock- Warbler fits .. dll 
Field Lark .. — .. 313 
Tits a me .. 313 
Serub- Wrens ah .. 319 
Wrens 2 ae e» B22 


Introduced Birds 

Systematic Table of Australian mais 
Addenda 

Index to Vernacular esies 

Index to Scientific Names 


Emu Wren 
Bristle-birds .. 
Grass- Wrens 
Wood-Swallows 
Shrike-Thrushes 
Magpie Lark 
Magpies 
Butcher-birds 
Shrike-Tits 
Bell-bird 
Thickheads 
Shrike-Robins 
White-faces 
Wedgebill 
Tree-runners 
Tree-creepers 
White-eyes 
Mistletoe-bird 
Pardalotes 
Sun-bird 
Honey-eaters 
Spine-bills 
Minahs 
Wattle-birds 


Friar-birds Gieatierhesia) 


Wagtail 
Pipit 
Bush-Larks 


Finches (Weaver Birds) 


Orioles 
Fig-birds 
Drongo i¢ 
Shining Starling 
Bower-birds 
Cat-birds 
Regent-bird 
Rifle-birds 
Manucode 
Crows ‘ 
Crow-Shrikes 
Grey Jumper 
Chough 


PAGE 


.. 328 
.. 829 
cy me 
.» B82 
.. 838 
.. 839 
.. 841 
.. 848 
.. 350 
.. 852 
gs: 352 
.. 354 
.. 856 
25 B58 
.» $58 
.. 361 
.. 864 
va! B66 
wn BOT 

. 368 


. 369, 378, 


394 


.. 376 
.. 391 
. 393 


. 396 


.. 398 
.. 399 
.. 400 
- AOL 
.- 408 
-. 409 
.. 410 
» ALL, 


. 412, 417, 


422 


.. 417 
.. 421 
2. 404 | 
.. 428 
.. 429 
.. 432 
.. 484 
. 434 


.. 436 
.. 467 
«. 447 
.. 443 

. 453 


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Coloured. PAGE 
1. Parrots .. ie oe i ae .. Frontispiece 
2. Superb Warblers 321 
3. Honey-eaters 336 
4 Finches 401 
5. Tooth-billed Bower- bird 417 
6. -Golden Bower-bird 432 
Diagram of a bird, showing chief external characters Xi 
Emu: Dromeus nove-hollandie 2 
Young Emus 3 
Emu nine months old ; 4 
Australian Cassowary: Casuarius austranis : Ba £4 6 
Deserted Nesting Mound of Scrub Hen: Megapodius (tumulus) 
duperreyti ; 8 
Mallee Fowl and Seung: ‘pon avétidite. 24 10 
Nesting Mound of Mallee Fowl: Lipoa ocellata .. 11 
Yellow-wattled Brush Turkey: Tallegallus lathami (Catheturus) 12 
Scrub Turkey: Catheturus lathami 13 
Scrub Turkey’s Nest be 2s 2 14 
Purple-breasted Fruit Pigeon: Megaloprepia magnifica 24 
Little Dove: Geopelia cuneata 27 
Peaceful Dove: G. tranquwilla 27 
Bronzewing: Phaps chalcoptera 29 
Crested Bronzewing: Ocyphaps lishohes 29 
White-bellied Plumed Pigeon: Lophophaps iegtousies 33 
Wonga-Wonga Pigeon: Leucosarcia picata 34 
Lewin’s or Slate-breasted Rail: Hypotenidia brachypus 36 
‘Bald Coot: Porphyrio melanotus 41 
Coot: Fulica australis 42 
Hoary-headed Grebe: Podicipes aieabae 43 
‘Tippet Grebe: Podicipes cristata 45 
Crested Penguin: Catarrhactes sorysctatnn 46 
Little Penguin: Hudyptula minor 47 
Fairy Penguin and Young: Hudyptula ‘indi 48 
Little Blue Penguin: HLudyptula undina F 49 
Yellow-webbed Storm Petrel: Oceanites oceanicus 51 
Allied Shearwater: Puffinus assimilis 54 
Brown Petrel: Priofinus cinereus 55 
Great-winged Petrel: Oestrelata abaenier 57 


viii. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Schlegel’s Petrel: Oestrelata neglecta 

Cook Petrel: Oestrelata cooki 

Giant Petrel: Macronectes gigantea 

Cape Pigeon: Daption capensis 

Dove-like Prion and Young: Prion desctivus 
Wandering Albatross: Diomedea exulans .. 


Black-browed Albatross: Diomedea melanophrys .. 


White-capped Albatross: Thalassogeron cautus 
3 ” on egg 
“ and young 
Sooty Atbateoaes Phabetria fuliginosa 
Caspian Tern: Hydroprogne caspia 
Marsh Tern: Hydrochelidon hybrida 
Crested Tern: Sterna bergii 
Crested Terns Nesting 


” ” ” bes 
White-fronted Tern: Sterna frontalis 
Noddy Terns: Anous stolidus 
Group of Nesting Noddies 
Lesser Noddy: Micranous tenuirostris 

5 » nesting in Mangrove 


Gulls: Gabianus pacificus and Larus nove- digllandice 


Richardson Skua: Stercorarius crepidatus 
Skua Gulls: Megalestris antarctica 
Turnstone: Arenaria interpres ot 
Pied Oyster-catcher: Hematopus longirostris 
Black Oyster-catecher: Hematopus fuliginosus 
Red-kneed Dottrel: Erythrogonys cinctus 


Nest of Spur-winged Plover: Lobivanellus Laneies 


Golden Plover: Charadrius (fulvus) dominicus 
Lesser Golden Plover: Charadrius dominicus 
White-headed Stilt: Himantopus lewcocephalus 
Avocet: Recurvirostra nove-hollandie 
White-headed Stilt: Himantopus leucocephalus 
Avocet: Recurvirostra nove-hollandie 
Barred-rumped Godwit: Limosa nove-zealandie 
Sharp-tailed Stint: Heteropygia aurita 

Knot: Tringa canutus 


Comb-crested Jacana: Hy yaiscteator (Parra) livactis 


Stone Plover and Young: Burhinus grallarius 
Australian Bustard: Eupodotis australis 
Jabiru: Xenorhynchus asiaticus : 
Australian Crane: Antigone ae ee 
Straw-necked Ibis: Carphibis spinicollis 
Young Jabirus on Nest 


Nest and Young of Great-billed Heron: Apibe Siutanant 


Egrets on Nest 


PAGE 


63 


102 


. 103 


103 
104. 
106 
113 
114 
117 
Tig 
121 
122 
122: 
125 
127 
129: 
13] 


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Starved Egrets a7 
Reef Heron: Deniegretta sacra , 
White-fronted Heron: Notophoyx nove- hotlandian 
Nests of Night Heron: Nycticorax caledonicus 
Bittern: Botaurus paciloptilus 

% in attitude of defence 
Maned Goose: Chenonetta jubata 
Chestnut Sheldrake: Casarca tadornoides 
Black Duck: Anas superciliosa we 
Chestnut-breasted Teal: Nettion castaneum 
Australian Shoveller: Spatula rhynchotis 
White-eyed Duck: Aytha (Nyroca) australis 
Musk Duck: Biziura lobata 
Black Cormorant: Phalacrocorax carbo A 
White-breasted Cormorants: Phalacrocorax ee 

” ” ” ” 

Gannetry on Cat Island, Bass Strait 
Gannets 5 = er 5 
Gannets: Sula serrator 
Gannets Nesting 
Halt-fledged Masked Coanvtst’ Sula cyanops : 
Red-tailed Tropic-bird on Egg: Phaéthon erubescens 
Young Pelicans: Pelecanus conspicillatus 
Spotted Harrier: Circus assimilis 
White Goshawk: Astur nove-hollandic 
Goshawk 
Young White- bellied fies Bagios ‘Ualietus nsanashen 
Black-cheeked Faleon: Falco melanogenys 
Little Faleon: Fatco lunulatus 
Kestrel Hawk: Cerchneis cenchroides 
Osprey’s Nest = ce 
Boobook Owl: Ninox boobook 
Chestnut-faced Owl: Strix ‘sete Hegllviatiee 
Delicate Owl: Stria delicatula 
Masked Owl: Strix castanops 
Chestnut-faced Owl: Strix nove- etiwidin 
Black Cockatoo: Calyptorhynchus funereus 

” ” ” ” 
Sulphur-erested Cockatoo: Cacatua galerita 
Pink or Leadbeater’s Cockatoo: Cacatua leadbeateri 
Long-billed Cockatoo: Licmetis nasica 
Green Leek Parrakeet: Polytelis barrabandi 
Rosella: Platycercus eximius 
Yellow-banded Parrakeet: Barnardius zonarius 
Red-vented Parrakeet: Psephotus hematorrhous 
Nest of Rock Parrakeet: Neophema petrophila 
Ground Parrakeet: Pezoporus formosus 


x. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Nest of Ground Parrakeet 

Tawny Frogmouth: Podargus striveiiee 
Freckled Frogmouth: Podargus phalenoides 
Kookaburras: Dacelo gigas an 
The Wandering Kingfisher: Halcyon vagans - 
Pallid Cuckoo: Cuculus pallidus i 
Fan-tailed Cuckoo: Cacomantis flabelliformis 


Young Narrow-billed Bronze Cuckoo (Chalcococcyx fieantie) éttadines 


Young Blue Wren (Malurus cyaneus) 
Bronze Cuckoo: Chalcococcysz plagosus 
Bronze Cuckoo being fed by foster parent 
Bronze Cuckoo: Chalcococcyx plagosus .. 
Pheasant Coucal: Centropus phasianus 
Lyre-bird: Menura superba 
Nest of Lyre-bird 
Victoria Lyre-bird: Menura aiearts 
oy ” (female) 
Noisy Pitta: Pitta strepitans 
Nests of Colony of Fairy Martins (Peirocheltion areal) 
Flame-breasted Robin: Petroeca phenicea ‘ 
Hooded Robin: Petreca bicolor 


White-shafted Fantail feeding young: Biioidane eileen 


Nest of White-shafted Fantail 
Black and White Fantail: Rhipidura ican 
Nest of Kaup’s Frilled Fly-catcher: Arses Kaupi 
Pilot-bird: Pycnoptilus floccosus 

* and Nest 


Serat -Robin, Nest and Young: siaieietine ities pulang 


Bristle-birds: Sphenura brachyptera 
Coach-whip Bird: Psophodes crepitans 

ie 235 a5 and Nest 
Ground-Thrush: Oreocichla lunulata 
Nest of Rock-Warbler: Origma rubricata 
Nest of Brown Tit: Acanthiza pusilla 
Little Tit: Acanthiza nana 
Yellow-rumped Tit: Acanthiza cheyearitou 
Double Nest of Yellow-rumped Tit 


Nest of Yellow- throated Serub-Wren: Sericornis citedidutarté 


Collared Serub-Wren: Oreoscopus gutturalis 
Blue Wren (male): Malurus cyaneus 

” » (female) ” ” ae ot may 
Black-headed Superb Warbler: Malurus melanocephalus 
Superb Warbler: Malurus cyaneus ‘ 
Nest of Rufous Bristle-bird: Sphenura ieondibanei 
White-browed Wood-Swallow: Artamus superciliosus 
Masked Wood-Swallow: Artamus personatus 
Wood-Swallow (Artamus sordidus) Nesting Site 


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. xi. 


PAGE 
Grey Shrike-Thrush: Collyriocichla harmonica ee S43 .. 3837 
Magpie Larks (with albino): Grallina picata a .. 3840 
Nest of Yellow-breasted Shrike-Robin: Hopsaltria anctane .. 855 
Orange-winged Tree-runner: Neositta chrysoptera 6 .. 859 
Honey-eaters Feeding, Melbourne Zoo... oY a sa 370 
Crescent Honey-eater: Meliornis australasiana .. oe .. 389 
Noisy Minah (with albino): Myzantha garrula .. a .. 392 
Blue-faced Honey-eater: Entomyza cyanotis nC ih .. 395 
Friar-bird or Leatherhead: Philemon corniculatus $e .. 3897 
Scarlet-headed Finch: Pephila mirabilis ad a4 .. 407 
Masked Finch: P. personata .. a a a .. 407 
Drongo Shrike: Chibia bracteata oe ed .. 410 
Nest and Eggs of Tooth- billed Bower- find oP ae -. 414 
Cat-bird: Aeluredus viridis ie ap va .. 416 
Spotted Bower-bird: Chlamydodera jiweabacin — oa .. 418 
Bower of Queensland Bower-bird: C. orientalis .. or .. 420 
Nest and Eggs of Newton’s Bower-bird 22 +4 .. 423 
Rifle-bird: Ptilorhis paradisea aa is bd 2. 425 
Nest of Victoria Rifle-bird: Ptilorhis elas 2d oy .. 426 
Crow: Corvus coronoides a ie a4 = ie #20 
Pied Crow-Shrike: Strepera graculina .. bas i .. 431 
Nest of Grey Jumper: Struthidea cinerea on .. 433 


Nest of White-winged Chough: Corcorax msdleononticnshius .. 433 


Rectrices. 
(Tail Quills, 
Upper Tail Coverts. Crown. 


ape. 
Rump. UpperBack. _ \ORper nt. faveheai, 


LowerBack. Hind Neck. ‘Ear Coverts. “culmen. 
Nostril. 


Undertail 


Covers. 


Remiges Sivtale +) 
(Primaries.) 


nattdk. 


Diagram of a bird, showing its chief external characters. 


The Birds of Australia 


AVES 


Warm-blooded animals breathing air direct by means of 
lungs: skin usually covered with feathers: skull jointed to the 
backbone by a single condyle: the voung hatched out from eggs, 
usually fed by the parents. 


SUB-CLASS PALAEOGNATHAE. 


Sternum without keel. 


ORDER CASUARIIFORMES. 


Hallux absent. Feathers with a large after-shaft. Three 
front toes with claws. 


Family Dromeide. 
No casque on the head: bill broad. Dromeus. 


Family Casuariide. 
A casque on the head: bill narrow. Casuwarius. 


The Emu. 
Dromeus nove-hollandic. 

These interesting birds are typical of Australia, and fossil 
remains have been found, which show that they have been here 
for a great length of time, long before Tasmania was separated 
from Australia. 

In 1859, Mr. Bartlett described a form of these birds as the 
Spotted Emu, D. irroratus, but young specimens received from 
all parts of Australia at the Melbourne Zoological Gardens show 


A 


2 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


that the so-called Spotted Emu is only an immature phase of 
the ordinary bird. The spots or bars are found on some birds 
of a clutch and not on others, and on birds from Victoria and 
New South Wales quite as often as on those from West 
Australia. When the birds are fully adult, all the bars 
disappear, and they are practically all alike in markings, from 
whatever part of Australia they may come. Another form, 
D. parvulus (Gld), formerly lived on Kangaroo Island, but 


From life. A. T q 
Emu: Dromaeus novae-hollandiae. res eee, 


was ruthlessly destroyed by the early settlers. Of this bird 
fortunately both skin and skeleton are in existence. This does 
not seem, however, to have been the only Emu on the island 
for many bones of birds received from it by the South 
Australian Museum are apparently identical with those of the 
existing species. Professor Spencer has recognised another 
smaller species, D. minor, determined on bones obtained from 
King Island in Bass Strait. 

In the typical Emu the adults are grey, many of the 
feathers having a blackish tip, and there is little difference 


THE EMU 3 


between the plumage of the male and of the female. The 
upper part of the neck is almost bare of, the short hair-like 
feathers, and the purplish skin is plainly visible. The early 
observers were much struck by the presence of the after-shaft 
to each feather, though this occurs equally in the Cassowary. 
The chicks, when first hatched, have two black longitudinal 
bands on the back, and two more on each side, separated by a 
greyish-white stripe, but these mostly disappear by the end of 
the first year. They then have a dark-grey or brownish coat, 
occasionally with many of the feathers barred, but these 
markings usually only persist to the end of the second year, 


D. Le Souéf. 


Young Emus—fortnight old in Melbourne Zoo. 


sometimes to the third year, after which the birds attain to their 
adult plumage. Total length over 6 feet. Albino varieties 
are met with now and then. There is one at present in the 
Sydney Zoo. 

Nest usually near some cover, or under a tree with 
a little grass or other vegetation placed about the eggs, 
which the birds add to as they sit. They will also lightly cover 
the eggs, when they leave them before the full clutch is laid. 
The male bird usually sits during the day and the hen at night. 
On one occasion in the Melbourne Zoo a hen bird was accidentally 
killed after she had laid eight eggs. The male bird was equal to 
the occasion, sat on the eggs, and hatched and reared the 


4 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


chickens single-handed. The unoccupied bird usually oh 
close at hand, and will drive intruding kangaroos and stoc 
away from the nest. 


From life. Melbourne Zoo. 
Emu nine months old: Dromaeus novae-hollandiae. 


The eggs are dark-green, coarsely granulated, and number 
from six to twenty-one. They measure from 5.15 x 3.64 inches 
to 5.63 x 3.65 inches, and weigh from 16 to 24 ounces. The 
period of incubation is three months. 

The name Emu, of Portuguese origin, was formerly applied 
to the Cassowary of Ceram, and also to the South American 


THE AUSTRALIAN CASSOWARY 5 


Ostrich, and was adopted for the Australian bird by the officers 
who examined the first bird shot, within half a mile of the 
present Sydney Railway Station. The name caught the popular 
ear, and has held its own ever since. 

The Tasmanian bird D. diemenensis became extinct about 
1860. There are two skins in the British Museum, collected in 
1845, by Ronald Gunn. Its breast is much lighter in colour than 
the mainland species. 


The Australian Cassowary. 
Casuarius australis. 


A shy bird, living in the dense brush-covered coastal districts of 
North Queensland. Adult plumage black and lustrous, the feathers being 
unusually stiff. The sides of the head and the upper part of the back of 
the neck are bare, and of a light greenish blue; the lower part of the 
back of the neck, also bare, is bright scarlet; the chin and the front of 
the neck are deep blue; the sides of the neck below have intermingled 
blue and red. The two large wattles on the fore-neck are mottled with 
pinkish-red. The bare skin of the neck bears some short stiff hairs. The 
helmet or casque grows to a considerable size, and in old birds is very 
large. It serves to protect the head of the bird when, with body 
depressed and neck bent forwards, it dashes through the thick under- 
growth in the jungle which forms its home. The sexes are very similar 
in plumage when adult. 

The young are of a yellowish-buff colour, with three broad black 
stripes down the back, and three other irregular black stripes on each 
side. These markings do not survive beyond the first year. In the second 
and third years the plumage is yellowish brown; and it is only after the 
third year that the black colour gradually appears. 

The eggs, from three to six in the clutch, are of a delicate pale 
green colour, which easily fades. They measure on the average about 
5.55 x 3.70 inches. They are granulated like those of the Emu. 


The Cassowary is too expensive and too uncertain in temper 
to be frequently kept as a pet. Mr. C. H. Hodges, when 
headmaster of the Townsville Grammar School, however, kept 
one for two years. Black Prince, as he was called, had been 
caught young, and, though he grew to stand over five feet 
without his stockings, he did not show any malice in his 
disposition, even to strangers. He would stroll about the 
grounds with his master’s arm around his neck, and merely 
take the opportunity to poke his head into his master’s pocket 
where he expected, not without warrant, to find something to 
his advantage. For sleeping-place a cage was provided in a 


6 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


corner of the shrubbery, but he was allowed to ramble about at 
his own free will. The house was raised some three feet above 
the ground, and his delight was to creep under it, and to watch 


From life. J. B. Lane. 
Australian Cassowary: Casuarius australis. 


a hen which resorted to the same quarters, and, as soon as she 
had laid an egg, he would take and eat it. His appetite was a 
healthy one. At first he would only eat bananas, of which he 
consumed some ten shillings’ worth in a week. The feeding 
operation resembled nothing so much as the posting of letters 


THE SCRUB FOWL 7 


in a pillar-box, unlimited bananas disappearing one by one into 
the dark cavity without producing any apparent effect. Later 
on he learned to feed on potatoes and bread. Hunger was in fact 
a constant trait, and he was ever on the look-out for something 
tasty. One lady had skinned a bird; he approached, saw, seized 
and promptly swallowed the skin. Another lady’s bonnet 
attracted him; with a dart he pecked it off, but this, dainty as 
it was, proved too difficult an object for the pillar-box. This 
Cassowary drew the line at missionaries; he never attempted to 
swallow one. Black Prince made great friends with a cockatoo. 
In their game Cocky soon discovered the weakness of Achilles. 
A timely nip in the heel was always sufficient to make his large 
and otherwise invulnerable, friend leap high into the air as 
a first step in his retreat. The Cassowary was not so friendly 
with some tame kangaroos which shared the shrubbery with 
him. He would kick them from him, with the force of a horse, 
always kicking forwards. This power, alas, proved to be too 
dangerous as the bird increased in size and strength, and, in 
order to prevent accidents, it became necessary to remove him, 
greatly to the sorrow of his master. The lordly form of Black 
Prince still stands in the hall of the Townsville Grammar 
School. 


Sus-cuass NEOGNATHAE. 
Sternum with keel. 


ORDER GALLIFORMES. 

Game Birds. 

Bill short and stout, the culmen arched and overhanging 
the mandible. After-shafts to the feathers of the body. Legs 
strong, sometimes armed with a spur. Hind toe (hallux) more 
or less developed. Nestlings precocious. 


Family Megapodiide. 
Hallux on the same level as the other toes. Oil-gland naked. 


Genus Megapodius. 


Upper tail coverts do not extend to the end of the tail. 
Head with a crest of feathers. 


8 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Scrub Fowl. 
Megapodius duperreyt. 

The Scrub Fowl extends from North Australia through New Guinea 
and the chain of Malayan Islands as far as Wallace’s Line. The birds 
inhabit the densest scrub, near the coast or jin the low-lying country on 
each side of many of the tidal rivers. They are also found in some of 
the small secrub-covered islands off the coast, where the want of water 
does not seem to cause them any inconvenience. They are shy and 
solitary. If alarmed, they run off at a great rate, take refuge in thick 


Mrs. Ward, Mapoon, Northern Territory. 
Deserted Nesting Mound of Scrub Hen: Megapodius (tumulus) duperreyi. 


cover, or fly on to a low branch of a tree. If compelled, they fly heavily 
away. They roost at night near the tops of the trees, and then frequently 
utter their double call. They feed on a varied diet of snails, insects, and 
berries. , : 
Top of head crested with brown feathers; back of neck and 
mantle grey, shading into rufescent olive-brown on the middle 
of the back and the wings; lower back and upper tail-coverts 
dark chestnut; the tail with twelve feathers, blackish-chestnut. Throat 
and under-parts smoky-grey; sides and under tail-coverts dull chestnut 
Bill reddish-brown with yellow edges; iris, dark brown; legs and Hast 
bright orange, toes dark reddish brown. Total length 14 inches wing 8.8 
tail 3.6, tarsus 2.55. ; a 


THE MALLEE FOWL 9 


Nesting mound usually in thick scrub, and frequently just 
above high water-mark on the beach. It is then 
mostly composed of sand, mixed with stones, roots and sticks, 
while further inland earth takes the place of sand. There 
is just sufficient vegetation included to provide in the processes 
of decay the heat requisite for incubation. The birds add to the 
mound every year; consequently old mounds attain a very 
considerable size, being about 10 feet high and 25 feet in 
circumference at the base. After a time they become so filled 
with roots of the aggressive vegetation that the birds can no 
longer work the soil, and are in consequence deserted. The 
temperature of the part of the mound where the eggs are placed 
is usually 95° F. Each egg is placed by the hen in a separate 
hole, which she scratches out, at a depth of from 6 inches to 
5 feet. The various holes are not placed in any particular order, 
nor are they all of one depth. The white shell of the ege is 
covered with a pink substance which easily flakes off when the 
egg becomes dry. The young when hatched make their own way 
out of the mounds, which they are able to do, since the parent 
birds by frequent scratching prevent the soil from becoming 
caked. Only one egg is laid in each excavation. The young 
when first hatched are well feathered and can fly, roosting in 
trees the first night. They lead at once an independent existence 
and do not stay with their parents. The clutch of eggs is about 
nine; they are elongated, with the ends nearly alike, and measure 
about 3.61 x 1.97 inches. 


Genus Lipoa. 


Upper tail coverts extend to the end of the tail. Head with 
a short crest of feathers. 


The Mallee Fowl. 
Inpoa ocellata. 


Southern and Western Australia. 

Top of head covered with dark brown feathers, forming a 
short, thick crest; mantle grey, the lower feathers tipped with 
rufous-brown; back, scapulars and wing-coverts grey, with wide 
sub-terminal brown band; lower back and upper tail-coverts grey 
washed with brown, the latter barred with black, primaries pale brown, 
tipped with white, mottled with black; breast grey, with band of black 


10 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


and white feathers down the centre, lighter underneath. Bill, legs ie 
feet dark brown; iris light hazel. Total length 24 inches, wing 14.9, 
tail 9, tarsus 3.1. 


Nesting mound and eggs generally situated close to some 
tree or thick scrub, the same site being used year after year. 
In making the mound, they first scrape out a slight hollow in the 
ground, then collect into it leaves, bark, twigs and other matter, 


Mounted. D. Le Souéf. 
Mallee Fowl and Young: Lipoa ocellata. 


making a small heap. They then make a hollow in the centre, 
about a foot wide and six inches or more deep, this being the 
egg chamber. They then scrape a ridge of sand all round the 
mound, and leave it until rain falls. When all is wet, they 
spread the sand of the surrounding ridge over the central heap 
to a depth of from 6 inches to one foot, and leave it until the 
vegetable matter below becomes heated. The mound is then 
ready for the eggs. Both birds assist in the construction. The 


THE MALLEE FOWL 11 


mounds are usually from two to four feet high and about twelve 
feet in diameter. Before laying, the bird scrapes out most of 
the sand from the egg cavity; and, the egg being laid, leaning 
well back she holds it upright with the smaller end down with 
one foot, while with the other she scrapes sand around it until 
it can stand alone. She then covers the whole over with sand. 
Every time an egg is laid the same process has to be gone 
through. The first circle of eggs is covered with about two 
inches of sand, and then a second tier is commenced, each egg 


In situ. . D. Le Souéf. 
Nesting Mound Mallee Fowl: Lipoa ocellata. 


of which is laid opposite an interspace of the lower tier. There 
are often three tiers, each of from three to five eggs, the full 
clutch being about fourteen. The temperature of the egg 
chamber is from 95° to 96° F. The eggs are laid at daybreak 
on every third day. Incubation commences as soon as the egg 
is laid, and consequently the young hatch out at different 
times. The parent birds keep the mound well worked, usually 
opening it up at daybreak, so that the young which are ready 
to hatch out from the eggs of the lower tier are able to liberate 
themselves at that time. Those of the upper tier can make their 
way out through the supervening loose sand without assistance. 


12 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The fledglings can fly as soon as hatched, and they lead an 
independent existence until mated. The birds can run well, 
but fly heavily, and do not use their wings unless compelled. 
The eggs are usually of a delicate pink colour, but the colouring 
matter easily flakes off, showing the white shell underneath. 
Sometimes the pink colouring matter is altogether absent. The 
shell of the eggs is very fragile, and they measure about 3.71 
x 2.34 inches. 


D. Le Souéf. 
Yellow-wattled Brush Turkey: Talegallus lathami (Catheturus). 


Genus Catheturus. 


Head and neck almost bare, thinly covered with hair-like 
feathers; a large vascular wattle at the base of the neck, tail 
long, composed of 18 feathers. 


The Yellow-wattled Brush Turkey. 
Catheturus lathami. 


North-east and East Australia. 

Upper parts brownish-black, lighter on the lower back and 
upper tail-coverts; the under parts dark brownish-grey, edged 
with white; tail black. Skin of head and neck pink-red, with a 
few hair-like dark brown feathers. Wattle bright yellow, tinged with 
red where it unites with the red of the neck. Bill black, iris and feet 
brown. Total length 25.5 inches, wing 12, tail 9.8 to 10.2, tarsus about 4. 


THE YELLOW-WATTLED BRUSH TURKEY 13 


The female has no wattle, but only a small patch of yellow skin, and 
when the nesting season is over the wattle of the male, too, is reduced. 
When the male utters his single note, he bends his body well forward, 
arches his neck, and distends his wattle. The habits are very similar to 
those of the Megapode. 


The surface leaves and other materials are scraped 
together to form the nesting mound, with comparatively 
little soil. The male bird does practically all the work, 
and when the mound is finished he is always at hand, 


BEBE DD el DRI BAS. 


pn a ne EE 
rt ce ae 


From life. Melbourne Zoo. 
Scrub Turkey: Catheturus lathami. 


tending it or watching to drive off intruders. He apparently 
resents the presence even of his mate, for while the hen is 
scraping out a hole in which to lay her egg, he buffets her with 
his wings most of the time, so severely that frequently many of 
the feathers of her wings are knocked out by the blows. 
Naturally as soon as the egg is laid the hen bird decamps. The 
mounds average about 314 feet in height and ten feet in the 
diameter of the base. They are freshly made up each year, 
generally in September, and the bird commences to lay in 
October. The temperature is maintained at about 95° F. An 


14 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


egg is laid every third day, the full clutch being about fourteen 
eggs. These are pure white, much granulated and rather fragile, 
and measure about 3.56 x 2.34 inches. They are usually placed 
irregularly round. the top of the mound, at a depth of a foot 
or more below the surface. The young, when hatched, make 
their own way out, can fly at once, and lead an independent 


existence. 


In situ. D. Le Souéf. 
Scrub-Turkey’s Nest: Catheturus lathami. 


The Bush Turkeys are hardy birds, and easily kept in 
confinement. Young are reared every year in a nesting mound 
in the Melbourne Zoological Gardens. 


Barnard’s Scrub Turkey. 
Catheturus purpureicollis. 


North-east Queensland—Cape York. 

Head and upper portion of the neck red; lower neck, with 
wattle, purplish white. Iris very light brown, almost white; bill 
black; legs and feet dark brown. Upper surface blackish-brown, 
tail almost black: feathers of under-surface greyish-black tipped 
with light grey. The female is slightly smaller than the male. The 


THE STUBBLE QUAIL 15 


coloration of the head and neck is not so bright, and she has no wattle. 
During the breeding szason the wattle of the male is 1% inches long. 
Total length of adult male 29 inches, wing 16, leg 11 inches. 


Nesting mound and eggs similar to that of C. latham, and 
the habits of the birds are almost identical. The eggs are 
slightly smaller at one end, pure white, finely granulated and 
measure 3.61 x 2.36 inches 


Family Phasianide. 


Hallux above the level of the front toes. Nostril never 
hidden by feathers. 


Genus Coturnia. 
Tail with 10-12 feathers. Axillaries long and pure white. 


The Stubble Quail. 
Coturniz pectoralis. *, 


Australia and Tasmania. The birds are usually found in the open 
country, where the coarse grass gives them sufficient shelter. In a good 
season they even come into the gardens of the suburbs of Melbourne 
and Sydney. They generally nest each year in the hay-crop of the 
Melbourne Zoo. They breed two or three times a year when the seasons 
are favourable, and will commence to lay when six months old. 

The adult male has the top of the head and back of the neck dark 
brown, the sides of the head, throat and forepart of neck reddish-buff, a 
black mark in the middle of the chest, the feathers of the chest and belly 
white with a black stripe down the shaft. Over each eye two parallel 
lines of yellowish-white. Bill black. Length 7 inches, wing 4.1, tail 1.5, 
tarsus 9. The female very similar, but with no black mark on the chest. 


Nest and eggs usually in a crop, or amongst coarse 
herbage, the nest being lined with grass or straw. The clutch 
is from six to twelve, the eggs are strong, rather glassy in 
appearance of a dark yellowish colour, heavily blotched and 
flecked with dark greenish-brown. They measure from 1.17 
x .86 to 1.28 x .92 inch. 


16 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Synecus. 
Tail with 10-12 feathers. Axillaries short and grey. 


The Brown Quail. 
Synecus australis. 


Australia, Tasmania, South-eastern New Guinea. 

Feathers of male, upper portions reddish brown on sides, dull grey 
down middle, with a few fine mottlings of black; on underparts the buff 
feathers are grey down the centre. The V-shaped black bars nearly 
obsolete, sides of throat and head dull grey, tail feathers uniform grey. 
In younger specimens, upper parts are mottled with black and barred 
with rufous, and tail feathers black, barred with buff. Tail has 10 
(rarely 12) feathers, outer ones shorter than middle pair, tarsus without 
spurs. Adult female has the black markings and patches on the upper 
and underparts much coarser, and the shaft-stripes, which are much 
wider than in the male, are pale buff. 


Nest and eggs generally among rank vegetation and lined 
with grass or similar herbage and usually in a slight hollow. 
The eggs are from seven to twelve, strong and coarse, one end 
being much larger than the other. The colour varies; in a dry 
season in Northern Australia they are sometimes pure white, 
but generally finely freckled with light-brown; those laid in 
Tasmania and Southern Australia usually have the markings 
bolder and darker; they measure from 1.12 x .87 to 1.18 x .97 
inch. 

The Brown Quail, or Swamp-Quail, as Gould called them, 
though much smaller birds, strongly resemble the true 
Partridges in habits and economy. They move about in small 
coveys, and when flushed fly a short distance and alight again. 
They are genuine game birds, perhaps the most tempting to the 
sportsman of all Australian birds. Pointers will easily locate 
and stand to them. The flesh is excellent. Like the Partridge, 
the bird sits exceedingly close. You must nearly step upon it 
before it will rise from the nest. 

The plumage is exceedingly variable, and the question of 
division into sub-species or races is an open one. Gould 
described three other species, but most Australian ornithologists 
include all thé varieties under the same name. Gould’s species 
were S. diemenensis from Tasmania (also in the islands of Bass 
Strait), larger and more varied in the markings of the upper 


THE CHESTNUT-BELLIED QUAIL 17 


surface, and laying greener eggs; 8S. sordidus from W. 
Australia, in which all the feathers of the upper surface have 
a broad bluish stripe down the middle; and 8S. cervinus from 
Port Essington, one of the smallest forms, with a delicate sandy 
buff colouring. 

Mr. G. A. Keartland placed a pair of these birds in an aviary, 
covering half of the floor with tufts of grass in the sod. For 
the first fortnight they kept out of sight, but by the end of 
a month they began to show themselves. Six weeks later seven 
eggs were laid, on which the hen sat. ‘‘A glance at her while 
sitting showed how these birds manage to cover such large 
clutches of eggs in a state of nature. The long feathers on the 
sides of the breast spread out at right angles from the body 
uutil the bird could hide an ordinary tea saucer.’’ When the 
young were hatched, the male bird, who had taken no part in 
the incubation, was in constant attendance on them, and when 
finely chopped meat or green vegetables were thrown to them 
he would pick up pieces and hold them in his bill until the 
young ones took them from him. They all scratched like common 
fowls, and were fed principally on canary seed. When on one 
occasion Mr. Kearstland removed two of the eggs with a spoon 
tied to a stick, the hen bird charged at it with her wings all 
distended like a bantam fowl would at a strange dog. 


Genus Excalfactoria. 
Tail with eight feathers. 


The Chestnut-bellied Quail. 
Excalfactoria lineata. Sub-species of E. chinensis. 


Philippines, Palawan-Sulu Islands, Borneo, Java, Sumatra, Australia. 

Adult Male: Upper portions brown, forehead, sides of head and neck 
and upper tail coverts dark slate-blue; « white band from nostril to eye; 
chin and throat black, a white band edged with black on either side, and 
forepart of neck white, upper part of chest, sides of breast and flanks 
slate-blue, rest of underpart rich chestnut. 

Adult Female: Upper portions brown, with black markings and most 
of the feathers with a pale buff shaft-stripe; chin, throat and forepart 
of neck white, shading into rufous buff towards the sides, rest of 
underparts buff, paler in centre, chest, sides and flanks barred with 
black. Total length 5.3 inches, wing 2.9, tail 1.1., tarsus .9. 


18 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Nest in fairly thick herbage and usually in a slight 
hollow and lined with grass. The clutch is from four to 
six, and the eggs are of a light olive-green, thickly freckled 
with darker markings and measure about 1.05 x .79 inch. 


OrvDER TURNICIFORMES. 


Feet generally with three toes only, the hallux being absent, 
except in Podionomus. Oil-gland tufted. Eggs double-spotted, 
three to five in number; nest none. The female is always larger, 
and the plumage more handsome than in the male. The male 
mostly ineubates the eggs and tends the young. 


Family Turnicide. 


Genera. Hind toe absent. Turma. 
Hind toe present. Pedionomus. 


The Red-backed Quail. 
Turniz maculosa. 


North and East Australia, Southern New Guinea, South-east Celebes. 

Adult Female: Throat and breast pale rufous, belly whitish buff; 
feathers on top of head black margined with dark grey, a buff line down 
the middle of head, a rufous nuchal collar; scapulars edged with straw 
colour. Bill slender. Length 5.8 inches, wing 3.2, tail 1.8, tarsus .85. 

Adult Male: Resembles the female, but shows no trace of the uuchal 
collar. Length 5.1 inches, wing 2.8, tail 1.2, tarsus .8. 


The Black-breasted Quail. 
Turmax melanogaster. 


Eastern New South Wales and Queensland. 

Female: Chest black, many of the feathers having terminal bars of 
white; upper surface umber-brown, with irregular marks of black 
rufous and white; forehead, sides of face, chin, and throat black. Under: 
parts dark grey, marbled with buff and black; tail brown with wavy 
transverse bars of black and lateral buff spots. Total length 7.5 inches 
wing 4.4, tail 1.7, tarsus 1. , : 

Male: Top of head umber-brown, like back; lores and si 
white tipped with black; chin and throat white; chest hie es 
irregularly marked with black; underparts white. Total length 6.3 i he : 
wing 4.1, tail 1.6, tarsus 0.95. Ne 


OLIVE’S QUAIL 19 


The nest is a slight depression in the ground. Eggs three 
to four, whitish, finely freckled all over with light brown and 
also a few bold blotches of very dark brown, as well as some 
purplish-grey markings. The eggs measure 1.1 x .85 inch. 


The Painted Quail. 
Turnix varia. 

Australia and Tasmania. 

Female: Chest grey, each feather with a whitish shaft-streak, 
feathers surrounding the eye black spotted with white; a rufous nuchal 
collar; back black, barred with rufous; centre of top of head dark grey; 
sides black, edged with rufous; sides of face and throat white, tipped 
with black, chin and centre of throat white; underparts pale buff. Total 
length 7.6 inches, wing 4.2, tail 1.9, tarsus 0.9. 

Male bird has no defined nuchal collar; chest mostly pale buff. Total 
length 6.4 inches, wing 3.7, tail 1.7, tarsus 0.8. 


The nest is a slight depression, occasionally lined with a 
little grass; four eggs form a full clutch. They are whitish 
in colour, minutely freckled with light-brown, and interspersed 
with larger markings of dark bluish-grey; their measurements 
are about 1.17 x .88 inch. 


The Chestnut-backed Quail. 


Turmax castanonota. 

Northern Australia. 

Upper surface light red, one or two of the feathers of the 
middle of the back mixed with black, dark grey band down middle 
of head; nape spotted with white, sides of face white tipped 
with black; chin and throat white; middle of breast greyish-buff; sides 
light red; underparts whitish buff. Total length of female 6 inches, wing 
3.6, tail 1.5, tarsus 0.9. The male is slightly smaller than the female. 


The nest is a slight depression, rarely lined; clutch four; 
the eggs white, sparingly marked with blotches of umber and 
purplish-grey. The eggs measure .98 x .84 inch. 


Olive’s Quail. 


Turma olivet. 

Queensland. 

Adult Female: Most nearly allied to T. castanonota—resembling it 
in general coloration, but differing in its much larger size, in having 
the forehead grey without white tips to the frontal feathers, and with 
the superciliaries and sides of the face not conspicuously marked with 


20 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


white. The feathers of the lower neck and breast with a decided wash 
of greyish-green, and with slightly indicated bars of dull greyish, without 
white centres; iris and feet yellow; bill brown. Total length 7.3 inches, 
wing 4.2, tail 2, tarsus 1. 


This bird was named from a single female obtained at 
Cooktown, Queensland, in 1899, and at the time of writing 
nothing more is known about it or whether it will prove to be 
a good species or not. 


The Red-chested Quail. 
Turnia pyrrhothorac. 


Australia except West. ; 

Female: Chest rufous, feathers round the eye black spotted with 
white; upper surface grey, most of the feathers of the back with narrow 
transverse bars of rufous and black; feathers on top of head black with 
rufous margins, a whitish-buff stripe down centre of head; wing 
coverts marbled with black, buff and dull red, margined with pale buff; 
middle of chin and throat and underparts whitish. Total length 6 inches, 
wing 3.3, tail 1.4, tarsus 0.8. 

Male: Like female, only smaller and rust-coloured chest not so 
bright. Length 5.2 inches, wing 2.9, tail 1.3, tarsus 0.75. 


The nest is a slight depression, usually lined with a 
little grass. Four eggs are usually laid, much smaller at one 
end and are yellowish-white, thickly blotched with umber, 
reddish and purplish-brown markings, some having finer 
markings than others. They measure .95 x .73 inch. 


The Little Quail. 


Turnix velox. 


Australia generally. 

Chest dull light red, darker at the sides; feathers surrounding the eye 
light red; colour above reddish chestnut, shading into light red on nape and 
top of head; the chin, throat, breast and underparts white. Total length of 
female, 5.5 inches, wing 3.3, tail 1.2, tarsus 0.7; male 5.5 inches, wing 2.9, 
tail 1.2, tarsus 0.6. 


Nest usually lmed with a little grass; eggs four, 
yellowish-white and thickly marked with blotches of umber, 
reddish and purplish-brown; in some clutches the markings 
are finer than in others. Dimensions .96 x .71 inch. 


THE PIGEONS 21 


The Plain Wanderer. 


Pedionomus torquatus. 


Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia. 

Female: General colour above brown, finely barred with plack; a 
black and white collar surrounds the neck; upper parts of chest rust- 
colour; chin and centre of throat white, gides of face and throat whitish, 
spotted with black; underparts whitish buff. Total length 6.3 inches, 
wing 4, tail 1.6, tarsus 1. 

Male has no rust colour in nape; the collar is buff and brownish, and 
the upper chest tinted with bright buff. Total length 5.8 inches, wing 
3.4, tail 1.2, tarsus 0.9. 


Nest generally on open plains, and as a rule with 
little shelter, practically with no nest. The four eggs, much 
smaller at one end than at the other, greenish-white, thickly 
spotted with olive and purplish-grey markings. Slightly 
granulated, 1.3 x .96 inch. 


ORDER COLUMBIFORMES. Pigeons and Doves. 

Rostrum swollen at the hard and convex tip, the basal 
portion covered by a soft skin, in which are the openings of the 
nostrils, overhung by a valve. Feet with four toes on the same 
level. Tarsi covered on the sides and behind with hexagonal 
scales. Feathers without aftershaft. 

The Pigeons build a very simple nest mostly of twigs and 
placed in a tree or on the ground. The eggs are one or two, and 
always white. The young nestlings are naked and helpless. 


Family Treromde. 
Tarsus shorter than the middle toe, feathered for more than 
half its length. Soles very broad, each toe with the skin 
expanded on the sides. Tail with fourteen feathers. 


Tree-Pigeons. 

Genus Ptilopus—Bill thin and short. Size small, not larger 
than the domestic pigeon. Plumage mostly green, but much 
variegated with patches of bright colours. 

Genus Myristicivora.—Bill thin and long, distensible at the 
base. Size large, not less than the domestic pigeon. General 
plumage white or light. 

Genus Lopholeemus——Head crested. 


e 


22 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Black-banded Fruit Pigeon. 
Ptilopus (Leucotreron) alligator. 


Northern Territory of Australia. 

Head and upper neck white, lower neck and chest whitish-cinnamon; 
rump and tail eoverts grey, broad whitish tips to tail feathers, lower breast 
and underparts grey, separated from the chest by a broad black band on the 
lower breast; wings and tail slate-black. Female, a little duller in colour. 


The Red-crowned Fruit Pigeon. 
Ptilopus swatnsont. 


North-east Australia to New South Wales, Torres Strait Islands, 
South-east New Guinea. 

Male: Green; forehead and crown rose-lilac, margined at the back 
with a narrow ring of yellow; chin and upper throat pale yellow; breast 
green, each feather forked at the end, which is silvery grey; a lilac 
transverse band between the breast and abdomen; underparts green, 
under tail coverts yellow, tinged with orange; tail green above, under- 
neath grey, with a yellow band at tip; irides reddish orange. Total 
length 8.5 inches, wing 5.25, tail 3, bill 0.48, tarsus 0.84. 

Female: Smaller, brighter green and with the yellow under tail 
coverts less stained with orange. 


Nest a very frail platform of twigs, which can be easily 
seen through. One pure white egg is laid, which measures 1.15 
x .80 inch. 


The Rose-crowned Fruit Pigeon. 
Ptilopus ewingt. 

Northern Australia. 

Male: Green; forehead and crown rose-purple, margined behind with 
yellow; scapulars and tertials deep blue towards the tips and broadly 
edged with golden green; throat yellow, chest feathers tipped with grey, 
breast feathers tipped with yellow, abdomen orange, with a pale lilac 
band across the upper part; tail grey underneath, with broad terminal 
yellowish-white band; irides orange. Total length 8 inches, wing 4.6, 
tail 2.8, bill 0.55, tarsus 0.6. 

Female: Duller in plumage. 


Nest a very light platform of sticks, about 234 
inches across and easily seen through; in fact it is a puzzle to 
see how the bird can fly off and on the frail nest without 
displacing the egg. One we saw was composed of only seven 
twigs. One egg is laid, pure white and slightly pointed at one 
end, some more so than others. They measure 1.10 x .86 inch. 


THE LESSER PURPLE-BREASTED FRUIT PIGEON 23 


The Purple-crowned Fruit Pigeon. 


Ptilopus (Lamprotreron) superbus. 

Moluceas, Northern Australia, New Guinea, Batchian, Bismarck 
Archipelago, Ceram, Amboina. 

Male: Brown-purple-violet, sides of head olive-green; upper parts 
green; scapulars, inner greater wing coverts and inner secondaries with 
deep blue spots near tip; sides and back of neck bright rufous; chin grey, 
breast grey with base of feathers purple; below the breast a broad black 
band, tinged with blue or green; abdomen white; flanks green, with two 
white bands; tail above green, underneath dark grey, with whitish band 
at tip. Total length 10.22 to 8.45 inches, wing 5.38 to 4.91, tail 3.22 to 
2.63, bill 0.62 to 0.55, tarsus 0.74 to 0.66. 

Female: No blue patch on the smaller wing coverts near the bend of 
the wing; breast grey and green; no transverse black band below the 
breast. 


Nest a slight, flat platform, and like the foregoing, built 
in thick scrub near the end of a branch where the green 
back of the bird harmonises with the leaves. As there is 
practically no wind in the scrub, the birds are enabled to build 
on very thin boughs. They lay one egg, which is a very faint 
cream tint, almost white, and measures 1.20 x .87 inch. 


The Purple-breasted Fruit Pigeon. 
Ptilopus (Megaloprepia) magnificus. 

Queensland and North-eastern New South Wales. 

Male: Head and neck pale greenish grey; all the upper surface and 
wings golden green; irregular oblique band of ‘yellow across wings; 
under surface of wings brown; line down centre of throat; middle of 
breast and abdomen deep purple; sides green; tail green above, dark 
grey below. Total length about 16 inches, wing 9, tail 7.5; bill 0.8, 
tarsus 1.12. 

Female: Like the male, but smaller. 


Nest composed of twigs and tendrils and _ fairly 
substantial; built usually near the end of a bough; about seven 
inches across. One egg only is laid, which is pure white and 
usually pointed at one end, and measures 1.76 x 1.04 inch. 


The Lesser Purple-breasted Fruit Pigeon. 
Ptilopus (Megaloprepia) assimilis. 
North-east Queensland. 


Similar to M. magnifica, but smaller. Total length about 14 inches, 
wing 7.5. 


24 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Nest a frail structure of twigs, often built at the end of a 
branch over a watercourse in the scrub. The one ees is white, 
sometimes slightly elongated, and measures 1.43 x .95 inch. 


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Australian Museum. 
Purple-breasted Fruit Pigeon: Megaloprepia magnijica. 


The Nutmeg Pigeon. 
Myristicivora spilorrhoa. 

Northern Australia, New Guinea, Aru Islands. 

Creamy white; winglet, primary coverts, primaries and secondaries 
black; tertiaries white, terminal portion of tail black, longer in the centre; 
under tail coverts, vent and flanks white with regular sub-apical black 
spots; legs and feet blue. Length 16 inches, wing 9, tail 5, bill 0.8, 
tarsus 1.2. 


Nest occasionally frail, but usually substantially built, 
often composed of green twigs with the leaves on; built 
at varying heights from the ground. They lay one egg, which 
is white and measures 1.75 x 1.22 inch. 


THE TOP-KNOT PIGEON 25 


These birds come down the coast in countless thousands 
early in November, apparently from New Guinea and adjacent 
islands, and mostly nest on the scrub-covered islands of the 
Great Barrier Reef, but a few also on the mainland. On the 
Barnard Islands, for instance, we watched them returning from 
the mainland, where they had been feeding, to roost. There 
was a continuous flight of birds for about one hour and a half. 
When the steamer’s whistle was blown, the birds rose into the 
air off the island like a white cloud. When they settled again, 
the trees seemed covered with large white flowers. The island 
was full of pigeons. The cooing of so many birds was as one 
continuous sound. They built anywhere, high up in the trees, 
low down on the vines, and occasionally on the rocks or birds- 
nest ferns on the ground. 


The Top-knot Pigeon. 
Lopholemus antarcticus. 


Eastern Australia coastal districts, from Cape York to Victoria. 

General plumage grey, darker above than below; greyish-brown crest; 
from the eye to the occiput a black line meeting its fellow behind, and 
continued for a short distance down back of neck; feathers of neck and 
preast hackled; tail black, with grey base and crossed by band of grey 
near the end. Bill rose-red; feet purplish red; iris orange. Length 15 
inches, wing 10.4, tail 6, bill 0.6, tarsus 1.25. These birds live mostly in 
the thick scrub-covered country. 


Nest a platform of twigs usually built high up in 
a forest tree or at the top of a tall tree-fern, growing well up 
on the ridges of the hills. The single egg is white and measures 
1.70 x 1.18 inch. 


Family Columbide. 


Tarsus shorter than the middle toe. Soles not very broad, 
hind toe with the skin prominently expanded on the sides. Tail 
with twelve feathers. Tree Pigeons. 

Genus Columba.—tTail not longer than the wings. Tarsus 
only feathered in the upper part. 

Genus Macropygia.—Tail broad, longer than the wings. 


26 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The White-headed Fruit Pigeon. 
Columba leucometa. 


Eastern Queensland and New South Wales. : 

Male: Head, neck, breast and abdomen white, washed with buff; 
upper surface, wings and tail slate-black; all the feathers of the back 
and lower wing coverts edged with purple; flanks slate-coloured; irides 
large, yellowish-hazel; naked skin of orbits pink-red. Total length 16 
inches, wing 9.3, tail 6, bill 0.8, tarsus 0.95. 


Nest a frail structure, about four inches across, placed near 
the end of a bough; one egg is laid, white in colour, ‘and 
measures 1.41 x .97 inch. 


The Pheasant Pigeon. 
Macropygia phasianella. 


Eastern New South Wales, Queensland, and Northern Territory. 

General colour chestnut-brown, below cinnamon-rufous; occiput and 
hind neck metallic amethyst; narrow dark bars on breast; tail rufous- 
brown; iris blue with an outer edge of scarlet; feet red. Total length 
about 17 inches, wing 7.7, tail 8.7, bill 0.68, tarsus 1. 


Nest a fairly strong structure of twigs, built either on 
branches or on birds’-nest ferns. The two eggs are of a very 
faint cream colour, and measure 1.37 x .96 inch. 


Family Peristeride. 
Tarsus not shorter than the middle toe. Tail with 12-20 
feathers. Ground Pigeons. 


Sub-family Geopeliine. 
No metallic spots on the wings. Size small. Tail rather 
long, of 12 or 14 feathers. 


Genus Geopelia. 
Tail of 14 feathers. First primary attenuated at the tip. 


The Barred-shouldered Dove. 
Geopelia humeralis. 
Southern New Guinea and Australia, except south-west. 
Head, neck, and upper breast grey; occiput, back, wing-coverts, and 
upper tail-coverts pale brown; back of neck rufous; every feather of 


upper surface edged at the end with black; lower PERSE pale vinous 


THE PEACEFUL DOVE 27 


centre of abdomen white; central tail feathers greyish-brown, the 
remainder chestnut tipped with white; irides yellow; naked skin round 
the eye purple; feet pink. Total length 11 inches, wing 5.5, tail 5.5, 
pill 0.7, tarsus 1. 


Nest a frail structure of twigs, not usually high 
up, on which two white eggs are laid. They measure 1.12 x .89 
ineh. 


Australian Museum. 
Little Dove: Geopelia cuneata. Peaceful Dove: G. tranquilla. 


The Peaceful Dove. 


Geopelia tranquilla. 

Australia. 

Forehead, cheeks and throat grey; occiput, back and wings ashy- 
brown; each feather black at the end; neck with numerous narrow black 
and white bands; breast and sides pale vinous; abdomen and under tail- 
coverts white; four central tail feathers ashy-brown, the rest black, 
tipped with white; irides light grey. Total length 8.75 inches, wing 4, 
tail 4.75, bill 0.62, tarsus 0.62. 


When uttering their sustained coo, these birds use an 
elaborate ceremonial, bowing low with the head and elevating 
the tail. In their excess of politeness, some we have in 
captivity occasionally lose their balance and actually tumble 
off the perch. 

Nest a very small frail platform, composed of twigs, rootlets 
or grass. The two eggs are pure white, and measure .86 x .60 
inch. 


28 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Little Dove. 


Geopelia cuneata. 

Australia. : 

Head, neck and breast grey; abdomen and under tail coverts white; 
nape, back and scapulars pale brown; wing-coverts dark grey, each 
feather with two white spots encircled with black; four central tail 
feathers grey, the others greyish-black at the base and white for the 
remainder of their length, Total length 7.5 inches, wing 3.7, tail 4, 
‘pill 0.42, tarsus 0.5. 


Nest very small, frail, built of grass or fine twigs. 
‘The two eggs are white and measure .77 x .60 inch. 

An intermediate form between G. tranquilla and G. cuneata 
thas been described from Carnarvon, W. Australia, under the 
name of G. shortridgei. It has transverse blackish lines on 
the foreneck and chest, a pinkish wash on the breast, and 
‘measures 8 inches, tail 4.1, tarsus 0.6. 


Sub-family Phabine. 
Metallic blue or green patches on the wings. Size moderate. 


Key to the Genera. 


A.—RuMP wiItH Two Darxk Cross Banps. 
Upper wing coverts entirely metallic golden green. Chalcophaps. 
-B.—Rump WitTHouT Dark Cross BANDS. 
A. Head not crested. 


Secondaries an inch or more shorter than the 
primaries. 


General plumage not uniform. 
Tail of 16 feathers. Phaps. 
Tail of 14 feathers. Histriophaps. 
General plumage almost uniform dark brown. Petrophassa. 
Secondaries rather less than an inch shorter than 
primaries. Geophaps. 
B. Head crested. 
Tail short, nearly even. Lophophaps. 
Tail long and very much rounded. Ocyphaps. 


The Little Green Pigeon. 
Chalcophaps chrysochlora. 


New Caledonia, Lord Howe Island, New Hebrides, South-east New 
“Guinea, Moluccas, Lesser Sunda Island, Australia, and Timor Group. 

Male: Head, neck, upper back, breast, and abdomen vinous; back 
and wings green; lower back and upper tail-coverts blackish; on the 
lower back two greyish bars, and between them a band of bronze; throat, 


THE BRONZE-WING PIGEON 29 


sides of neck vinous purple; smaller wing coverts on the shoulders vinous 
grey, tipped with white, producing a white bar. Total length 9.5 inches, 
wing 6, tail 3.5, bill 0.62, tarsus 1. 

Female duller than male, head, neck, upper back, breast and abdomen 
rufous brown. 


Nest a very frail structure of twigs, usually situated in a 
low bush. Two eggs are laid, white with creamy tinge, and 
measure 1.11 x .86 inch. 


Macleay Museum. 
Bronzewing: Phaps chalcoptera. Crested Bronzewing: Ocyphaps lophotes. 


The Lilac-Mantled Pigeon. 
Chalcophaps occidentalis. 


Described by Mr. North from North-west Australia. It differs from 
the preceding in the lilac-mauve colour of the head, hind neck and upper 
back, the more pronounced bronze colour of the wings, and the larger 
white shoulder patch. Total length 10.5 inches, bill .7, wing 6.2, tail 3.8, 
tarsus 1, 


The Bronze-wing Pigeon. 
Phaps chalcoptera. 


Australia and Tasmania. 

Male: Front white, tinged with fulvous, a dull purple band across the 
crown; occiput, hind neck, wings, upper part and sides brownish-grey; 
feathers on back, rump and upper tail coverts with lighter edges; lores 
black; a white subocular line; sides of neck grey, throat white; wing 
coverts with broad spot on outer web of golden bronze-green; tail grey, 
crossed by band of black near tip. Total length 13.5 inches, wing 7, tail 
5.5, bill 0.66, tarsus 0.95. 


30 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Female and Young: Duller than male. Forehead grey, no purple 
band on the crown, no vinous colour on breast, which is greyish, with 
edge of feathers brownish. 


Nest the usual platform of twigs, generally built at a fork of 
a horizontal limb. The two eggs are pure white, and measure 
1.28 x .97 inch. 


The Brush Bronze-wing Pigeon. 
Phaps elegans. 


Australia and Tasmania. 

Forehead light yellow, crown grey, broad chestnut band behind eye; 
hind neck and upper back chestnut; lower back and upper wing-coverts 
olive grey; a black line on the lores; triangular chestnut spot on throat; 
greater wing-coverts metallic green on outer webs, with tips broadly 
grey; centre tail feathers olive grey; next two pairs brown towards the 
base; others grey; irides dark brown. Total length about 13 inches, wing 
6.5, tail 4.5, bill 0.62, tarsus 0.95. 


Nest built of twigs, about five inches across, generally in a 
bush. Two white eggs are laid, and they measure 1.30 x 
.97 inch. 


The Flock Pigeon. 
Histriophaps histrionica. 

Northern and Central Australia. 

Adult Male: Forehead white, a white stripe from behind the eye 
forming a circle round the ear coverts and gorget; remainder of head, 
throat and ear-coverts jet black; all the upper surface, wing-coverts, 
flanks and two centre tail-feathers cinnamon-brown; breast and abdomen 
bluish grey; edge of wing white, inner secondaries with a patch of 
metallic purple on the outer webs; lateral tail-feathers bluish grey at 
the base, passing into black towards the extremity, which is white. 
Total length about 11 inches, wing 8, tail 3.75, bill 0.75, tarsus 1. 


Female: No white on forehead, which is sandy rufous like the other 
parts, and duller than male. 


As this bird is terrestrial, it lays on the bare ground, 
although generally by some shelter. Two eggs are laid, 


frequently pointed at one end; they are white, with a faint 
creamy tone, and measure 1.30 x .98 inch. 


The White-quilled Rock Pigeon. 
Petrophassa albipennis. 
North-west Australia. 
Crown of head and neck greyish-brown, each feather margined with 
sandy-brown; all the upper surface and chest rufous-brown; the centre 
of each feather lighter; lores black; throat black, with the feathers 


THE NAKED-EYED PARTRIDGE PIGEON 31 


tipped with white; abdomen chocolate-brown; some of the inner upper 
wing coverts have on outer web a metallic coppery-violet spot, almost 
concealed; tail rufous-brown. Total length 10.5 inches, wing 5.2, tail 
4.5, bill 0.6, tarsus 0.8. 


The Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon. 
Petrophassa rufipenms. 


North-west Australia. 
Similar to P. albipennis, but primaries chestnut, black margins; the 
centre of the feathers of the head and neck grey, throat whitish. 


The Partridge Pigeon. 
Geophaps scripta. 


North-western and Eastern Australia to New South Wales. 

Head, all upper surface and chest light brown, the tips of the wing- 
coverts much paler; throat and cheeks white; lores black, a band from 
over the eyes to the sides of the occiput and another under the eyes, 
black; a third band from the middle of the cheeks and passing under the 
white ear-coverts joins another black band which surrounds the throat 
underneath; forehead tinged with grey, lower breast grey, sides of 
breast white; abdomen and flanks fawn-colour; outer webs of inner 
greater wing-coverts with a spot of metallic greenish-purple, barred with 
darker tint; tail reddish-brown, the lateral feathers with broad apical 
black band. Total length 12 inches, wing 6, tail 4.5, bill 0.57, tarsus 1.05. 


Nest a very slight hollow in the ground, usually 
lined with a little grass; the two eggs are white, with slight 
creamy tone, and measure 1.21 x .95 inch. 


The Naked-eyed Partridge Pigeon. 
Geophaps smithi. 


North-west Australia and Northern Territory. 

Head and all upper surface brown; throat white, surrounded with a 
narrow grey band; a white line from the nostrils over the eyes, and a 
similar one from the base of the lower mandible under the large naked 
space of a bright reddish-orange colour which surrounds the eyes; chest 
brown, in centre of breast a patch of grey feathers, edged at the tip 
with black, feathers of lower breast grey, sides of breast white; flanks 
dark grey, outer webs of the inner greater wing-coverts purple; tail 
wing 5.3, tail 3.75, bill 0.58, tarsus 1.12. 


Nest a slight hollow in the ground, lined with grass. Two 
eggs are laid, white, with faint creamy tinge, measuring 1.23 x 
.94 inch. 


32 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Plumed Pigeon. 
Lophophaps plumifera. 


Northern and Central Australia. 

General plumage pale cinnamon; forehead and a line on the sides 
of the crown, grey; bare lores and naked skin round the eyes bounded 
above and below with a narrow band of black; the lengthened crest- 
plumes cinnamon; throat and cheeks white, chin black, on chest a band 
of grey, margined below with a narrower one of black; back of neck 
and mantle with obsolete brown bars; upper wing-coverts and scapulars 
rayed with cinnamon at tip of feathers, with brown in the middle part 
and grey at base; an oblong bronze-purple spot on the outer webs of 
three of the inner secondaries; central tail feathers brown. Total 
length 8 inches, wing 4.2, tail 2.6, bill 2.65, tarsus 0.8. 


Nest a slight depression in the ground, usually near some. 
shelter. These are strictly terrestrial birds. The two eggs are 
of a very light cream colour, and measure .99 x .78 inch. 


The Red-plumed Pigeon. 
Lophophaps ferruginea. 


Interior of South, West, and North-west Australia. 
Similar to L. plumifera, but no grey band on the chest, and breast 
and abdomen uniformly cinnamon coloured. 


Nest a slight depression in the ground, usually near some 
shelter, such as a Spinifex tussock. The two eggs are of a 
creamy-white colour, and measure 1.01 x .74 inch. 


The White-bellied Plumed Pigeon. 
Lophophaps leucogaster. 


Northern Territory and interior of South Australia. 

Similar to L. plumifera and L. ferruginea, but of a much paler and 
duller cinnamon colour, and with a distinct whitish band in front of the 
pectoral grey one; the central part of the lower breast is whitish, and 
the abdomen buff. 


Nest similar to that of the other two species. The two eges 
are also creamy white, and measure 1.04 x .80 inch. 


THE CRESTED PIGEON 33 


The Crested Pigeon. 
Ocyphaps lophotes. 


Australia in general. 

Head, face, throat, breast and abdomen grey; lengthened crest plumes 
black, with the base grey; back and rump olive grey; upper tail-coverts 
greyish-brown tipped with white, sides of neck and breast salmon-colour; 


Melbourne Zoo. 


From life. 
White-bellied Plumed Pigeon: Lophophaps leucogaster. 


feathers of wing-coverts crossed with narrow black band, greater wing- 
coverts bronze-green, margined with white, secondaries margined with 
white, the inner ones metallic purple on outer webs; tail blavkish-brown. 
Iris orange, a ring of red naked skin around the eye. Easily tamed. 
Total length 12.5 inches, wing 6.8, tail 6, bill 0.55, tarsus 0.9. For figure 


see p. 29. 
Nest a flat structure of twigs, usually placed in a bush. 
The two eggs are pure white, and measure 1.31 x .92 inch. 


Cc 


34 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Sub-family Geotrygonine. 


No metallic spots on wings. Form robust, Partridge-like. 
Legs stout. Wings short. 


Australian Museum. 
Wonga-Wonga Pigeon: Leucosarcia picata. 


The Wonga-wonga Pigeon. 
Leucosarcia picata. 


Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. 

Upper parts, wings and tail lead-grey; forehead and chin white; 
lores black, a whitish line under the eyes and on the upper ear-coverts; 
cheeks light grey, gradually passing into the dark grey lead-eolour of 
the breast; the latter interrupted by a broad semi-circular white band. 
which encircles the middle part of the breast; middle of lower breast, 
white; feathers of sides and abdomen with black spots and edged with 
white. Total length 15 inches, wing 8.4, tail 5.75, bill 0.75, tarsus 1.6. 


Nest a frail structure of sticks, usually placed in a tree. 
Two white eggs are laid. They measure 1.50 x 1.1 inch. 


THE SLATE-BREASTED RAIL 35 


OrDER RALLIFORMES. 


Schizognathous birds (the maxillo-palatine process of the 
maxillary bones quite distinct from one another and from the 
vomer). Legs comparatively long. Wings very short and 
feeble. 

Fanily Ralliida. 

Toes long and slender, the hind toes at a higher level. 
After-shaft to the feathers. Eggs numerous, cream-coloured 
with dark spots. Young precocious. 


Key to the Genera. 


A.—CULMEN LONGER THAN MIDDLE TOE AND CLAW. 
Tarsus shorter than middle toe and claw. Hypoteenidia. 
Tarsus longer than middle toe and claw. Eulabeornis. 


B.—CULMEN SHORTER THAN MIDDLE TOE AND CLAW. 
A. With no evident frontal shield. 
1. Tarsus about equal to middle toe and claw. 
Under wing coverts and axillaries distinctly 
spotted or barred with white. Rallina. 
Under wing coverts and axillaries uniform. 
Plumage striped above. Tail pointed. Cres 
2. Tarsus shorter than middle toe and claw. 
Secondaries considerably shorter than primarics. Porzana. 
Secondaries about equal to primaries. 


Culmen not swollen at the base. Poliolimnas. 
Secondaries rather shorter than primaries. 
Culmen swollen at the base. Amaurornis. 
B. With frontal shield. 
1. Toes short. Size 18 inches. Tribonyx. 
Size 12 inches. Microtribonyx. 


2. Toes long. Not lobed laterally. 
Nostrils oval. Sombre plumage. Gallinula. 
Nostrils rounded. Blue plumage. Porphyrio. 
Lobed laterally. Fulica. 


The Slate-breasted Rail. 
Hypotenidia brachypus. 

Australia, Tasmania and Auckland Islands. 

Dark olive-brown above, streaked with black; tail black with brown 
edges; broad eyebrows of chestnut, extending to hind neck; throat white, 
breast slate colour. Total length 7.5 inches, eulmen 1.2, wing 3.85, tail 
1.7, tarsus 1. 

Nest built in large tussocks of grass or rush in a swamp, and 
composed of fine grass with usually a staging leading to the 
nest, which lies from six inches to three feet from the water. 
The number of eggs is generally five, in colour pinkish-white, 
and blotched with light red and purple markings; they measure 
about 1.40 x 1.02 inch. 


36 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Pectoral Rail. 
Hypotenidia philippinensis. 

Australia, Malayan Archipelago, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, and 
Moluceas. 

General colour above reddish-brown, all the feathers dark, with 
reddish edgings and spangled with white spots on the mantle, back, and 
wing coverts; lower back no white spots; tail feathers, reddish brown 
centred with black; crown of head brown, with black longitudinal spots, 
broad band through eye dusky brown, over the lores a white band 
extending above the eye; throat white, under surface white, with black 
bars; under tail coverts black, with white bars. Total length 11.5 inches, 
culmen 1.25, wing 5.7, tail 2.65, tarsus 1.55, middle toe and claw 1.85, 
White spots increase with age. 


Australian Museum. 
Lewin’s or Slate-breasted Rail: Hypotaenidia brachypus. 


Nest a little herbage trodden down in some short thick 
vegetation, usually near the water’s edge. Eggs from five to 
ten, pinkish-white, with a few roundish markings of reddish- 
brown, those beneath the surface being purplish-erey. They 
measure about 1.46 x 1.09 inch. 


The Chestnut-bellied Rail. 


Eulabeornts castaneiventris. 

North Australia and Aru Islands. 

General colour above dark reddish-brown, tail feathers the same, 
but more chestnut below; head slaty grey; chin whitish; under surface 
chestnut; bill yellow at the base, rest horn colour. Total length 17 
inches, culmen 2.2, wing 8.5, tail 4.7, tarsus 2.75, middle toe and claw 2.7. 


THE LITTLE CRAKE 37 


Nest a loose structure on the ground, composed of grass, 
generally in thick herbage. Clutch from four to six, in colour 
creamy-white, rather lightly, evenly distributed dark-brown 
spots, those beneath the surface being purplish-grey. They 
measure about 1.90 x 1.38 inch. 


The Red-necked Rail. 
Rallina tricolor, 

Aru Islands, Waigiou, Mysol, New Guinea, Duke of York Island, and 
North-east Australia. 

General colour above dark slaty brown, the quills with whitish bars 
on inner web; tail feathers blackish brown; head and breast vinous 
chestnut, throat lighter, under surface dark slaty grey, with few bars 
of sandy buff; under wing-coverts and axillaries black, with white bands. 
Total length 11.5 inches, culmen 1.35, wing 5.7, tail 2.5, tarsus 1.85, 
middle toe 1.9. 


Nest made of grass and leaves at the base of a tree in thick 
scrub. The eggs number from four to seven, of a creamy-white 
colour, spotted with irregular reddish-brown markings, but 
occasionally pure white. They measure about 1.50 x 1.10 inch. 


The Spotted Crake. 


Porzana fluminea. 

Australia. 

General colour above olive brown, dotted all over with white spots 
and small streaks, the feathers centred with black; white margins to 
bastard-wing feathers and first primary; throat and breast dark slaty 
grey, abdomen white; sides black, barred with white. Total length 7 
inches, culmen 0.8, wing 4.1, tail 2.2, tarsus 1.2, middle toe and claw 1.5. 


Nest made of green weeds and lined with grass, situated in a 
tussock or thick herbage in a swamp, with a track leading to 
the nest. The eggs are usually five, olive in colour, marked with 
purplish-brown blotches, and measure about 1.25 x .80 inch. 


The Little Crake. 


Porzana palustris. 

Australia and Tasmania. 

General colour above brown, with black centres to nearly all the 
feathers, which are marked with white spots freckled with black; upper 
tail coverts brown with black centres; throat and breast pale ashy grey, 
centre of abdomen white. Total length 6 inches, culmen 0.65, wing 3.2, 
tail 1.6, tarsus 0.95, middle toe and claw 1.4. 


38 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Nest generally in the thick herbage growing in a swamp, built 
of aquatic plants and well hidden in the rushes; the clutch of 
eges is from five to eight. They are brownish-olive, faintly 
mottled over with markings of a darker hue. The eggs measure 
about 1.11 x .77 inch. 


The Spotless Crake. 
Porzana plumbea (tabuensis). 

Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, Chatham Islands, New Caledonia, 
New Hebrides, Samoa, Fiji, and Philippine Islands. 

General colour above chocolate brown; first primary whitish on 
outer edge; sides of face and under surface slaty grey; under tail coverts 
black, with white bars; iris bright red. Total length 6.3 inches, culmen 
0.5, wing 3, tail 1.7, tarsus 1.05, middle toe and claw 1.27. Length of 
female 6.7 inches. 


Nest of fine grass on the ground among thick short vegeta- 
tion near water. From four to six eggs are laid, greyish-white, 
lightly mottled with reddish-brown, measuring 1.16 x .9 inch. 


The White-browed Crake. 
Poliolimnas cinereus. 


Malayan Peninsula, Oceania, Buru, Greater and Lesser Sunda, and 
Northern Australia. 

General colour above olive-brown, with darker centres to the 
feathers on the back; the first primary white along the outer web; head 
dark ashy grey, with band of white passing below the eye to above the 
ear coverts; throat and abdomen pure white; breast and sides of body 
ashy grey. Total length 7.5 inches, culmen 0.9, wing 3.9, tail 1.85, tarsus 
1.5, middle toe and claw 2.1. Female, length 6.8 inches. 


Nest on the ground in thick short vegetation about a swamp, 
and made of grass and rushes; five eggs are generally laid, 
ground colour cream, closely mottled and blotched all over with 
brownish markings, much lighter in some clutches than in others, 
and measure about 1.15 x .89 inch. 


The Rufous-tailed Crake. 
Amaurornis moluccana. 


Moluccas, New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, and Northern 
Australia. 

General colour above and sides dark olive-brown; sides of head and 
under surface of body slaty grey; lower abdomen buff. Total length 10.8 
inches, culmen 1.4, wing 5.75, tail 2.2, tarsus 2.2, the middle toe and 
claw 2.35, 


THE BLACK-TAILED NATIVE HEN 39 


Nest built of coarse grass on the ground in damp situations. 
The clutch of eggs is from three to five; they are very similar 
to those of the Pectoral Rail. Three eggs obtained at Port 
Darwin are cream with irregular markings of dark-brown, 
especially towards the larger end, and measure 1.38 x 1.6 inch. 


The Native Hen. 


Tribonyx mortiert, 

Tasmania. 

General colour above ruddy brown, lower back with a few brownish 
spots at the ends of the feathers; wing-coverts greyish olive, with 
longitudinal white spots near the end of the feathers in the median 
series; tail brown, black at the ends, under surface greenish grey; on 
sides of body a patch of white; the outer under tail-coverts varied with 
white. Total length 14 inches, culmen 1.55, wing 7.8, tail 3.4, tarsus 3.25, 
middle toe and claw 3.1. 


Nest of coarse herbage in thick vegetation by water, generally 
on the ground. The eggs number from six to eight, and are of 
a light stone colour, with a few blotches of brown, those 
beneath the surface being purplish-grey: the eggs are also 
minutely freckled all over with light-brown. They measure 
about 2.13 x 1.50 inch. 


The Black-tailed Native Hen. 


Microtribonyx ventralis. 

Australia. 

General colour above olive-brown, wings browner than the back; 
the first primary edged with white; sides of face and throat dusky slate 
colour, remainder of under surface dark slaty blue; abdomen blackish, 
sides of body brown; long feathers of lower breast with large ovate 
spots at the ends. Total length 10.5 inches, culmen 1.25, wing 8.7, tail 3.4, 
tarsus 2.4, middle toe and claw 2.5. These birds sometimes appear in 
immense flocks. 


Nest made of grass, generally situated on the ground, but 
sometimes in a low thick bush near water. Clutch of eges from 
five to eight, dark-green in colour, with reddish-brown markings 
and minutely freckled all over with the same colour; they 
measure about 1.80 x 1.26 inch. 


40 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Black Moor Hen. 
Gallinula tenebrosa. 


Australia and New Guinea. 

Colour above dusky olive-brown, tail black; head, neck and under 
surface of the body dark slaty grey; under tail coverts white, long centre 
ones black. Frontal plate of bill orange; above the knee a.band of 
yellow and scarlet. Total length 14.5 inches, culmen with frontal shield 
1.8, wing 8, tail 2.8, tarsus 2.3, middle toe and claw 3.6. 


Nest made of coarse herbage and lined with fine bark or 
grass, and situated among the thick rushes over water, or at 
base of tree in a swamp, or on a log. The eggs number from 
seven to eleven, ground colour stone, blotched with reddish- 
brown markings. They measure about 1.96 x 1.34 inch. 


The Dark-grey Moor Hen. 
Gallinula frontata. 

New Guinea, Moluccas, Celebes, South-east Borneo, and North 
Australia. 

Similar to G. tenebrosa, but darker grey above and below, and 
distinguished by the red colour of the toes resembling that of the tarsi; 
bill and frontal shield red, excepting the terminal third, which is yellow; 
feet red and joints greenish, bare part of tibia olive-green behind; iris 
black. Total length 14 inches, culmen and frontal shield 1.75, wing 7, 
tail 2.5, tarsus 2.15, middle toe and claw 3.4. 


Fhe Blue Bald Coot. 
Porphyrio bellus. 


Western Australia. 

Back black, shade of greenish-blue on throat and foreneck; thighs 
purplish like the flanks; bill red; knees, lower part of tarsi greenish grey, 
remainder of feet and legs dark green. Total length 17.5 inches, culmen 
with shield 3, wing 10.6, tail 3.6, tarsus 3.6, middle toe and claw 4.6. 


Nest made of rushes and water plants, leaves, &¢., and 
situated over or near water. The eggs are from four to six 
and are stone colour, blotched with brownish markings of 
varying shades; they measure 2.24 x 1.60 inch. 


The Bald Coot. 
Porphyrio melanonotus. 


Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island, 
and New Guinea. 


THE COOT 41 


Colour above black, lesser coverts purplish blue, first primary greyish 
blue; tail black; neck and under surface of body purplish blue; lower 
abdomen and thighs black; under tail coverts white, frontal plate, bill 
legs and feet red. Total length 16 inches, culmen and frontal shield 3, 
wing 10.5, tail 3.9, tarsus 3.7, middle toe and claw 4.5. 


Nest usually built of aquatic plants, leaves, &c., in swamps, 
generally close to the water, either on rushes or brushwood. 


Buller. 
Bald Coot: Porphyrio melanonotus. 


They lay from four to seven eggs, which are of a greenish stone 
colour with brown markings of different shades; these measure 
about 1.95 x 1.43 inch. 


The Coot. 
Fulica australis. 


Australia and Tasmania. 

Colour above grey with olive shade; under tail coverts black, with 
a line of white feathers round the bend of the wing; bill bluish grey; iris 
red. Total length 14 inches, culmen from base of shield 1.2, wing 7.2, 
tail 1.8, tarsus 2.1, middle toe and claw 3.4. 


42 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Nest built in swamps, in or close to water, usually of rushes, 
aquatic weeds, &c. Clutch of eggs from six to nine, of a stone 
colour and thickly freckled with small purplish-brown markings. 
The eggs measure about 1.96 x 1.29 inch. 


Australian Museum. 


Coot: Fulica australis. 


ORDER Pop1 CIPEDIDIFORMES. 


Palate schizognathous. Wing feathers developed into 
remiges as in aerial birds. Nestlings precocious. 


Family Podicipedide. 


Hallux above level of other toes. Toes with wide lateral 
lobes united at the base. Tail vestigial. No right carotid artery. 


Genus Podicipes. 


Bill pointed. Neck long. Plumage close and glossy. 
Feathers of the forehead normal. 


THE BLACK-THROATED GREBE 43 


The Black-throated Grebe. 
Podicipes nove-hollandie. 


Australia, Java, New Guinea, New Caledonia, Tasmania. 

Colour above black, washed with grey on the back and wing-coverts; 
dark chestnut band on each side of neck; sides of lower back and rump 
white, tinged with rufous; upper part of chest, sides, and flanks mixed 
with black; rest of underparts and portion of wing white. Total length 
9.5 inches, culmen from feathers on forehead 0.8-0.9, wing 4.2-4.5, tarsus 
1.4, outer toe and claw 1.85. In moulting season the chin, throat, cheeks, 
sides and forepart of neck white like rest of underparts. 


From life. D. Le Souéf. 
Hoary-headed Grebe: Podicipes nestor. 


Nest floating low in water and built of water-weeds, 
usually near some shelter, such as rushes. The eggs 
are from four to six and covered with a thin coating of 
white lime, which soon becomes stained and shiny. They 
measure about 1.45 x 1.02 inch. The bird does not as a rule sit 
on her eggs during the heat of the day, but leaves them covered 
over with weeds so as to prevent them from being scorched by 
the sun. She covers the eggs when leaving the nest. 


44 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Hoary-headed Grebe. 
Podicipes polio-cephalus. 
Australia and Tasmania. 
Colour above ash brown; sides of lower back white; crown blackish, 
shading into deep black on occiput and nape, which is elongated and 
forms a kind of hood; sides of head brownish white, the feathers with 


Australian Museum. 


Hoary-headed Grebe: Podicipes nestor. 


hair-like extremities; chest whitish, abdomen dusky, rest of underparts 
white. Total length about 9.5 inches, culmen from feathers on forehead 
0.6-0.8, wing 4.3-4.4, tarsus 1.5, outer toe and claw 1.9. When not 
breeding hair-like filaments almost absent. 


Flat floating nest of water weeds, the eggs always wet. Eggs 
four to six, with glossy surface, white when first laid, but soon 
stained brown, measuring about 1.58 x 1.13 inch. 


THE TIPPET GREBE 45 


The Tippet Grebe. 
Podicipes (Lophethyia) cristatus. 


Europe to North Asia, Japan, Indian Peninsula, Africa, New Guinea, 
Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. 

Colour above dark ash-brown, crown black; feathers on each side 
of crown elongate and forming a long double crest; throat white tinged 
with rufous, shading into chestnut at the back of the head; upper neck 
with long black plumes, forming a ruff, only worn during breeding 
season; underparts silvery white; sides rufous chestnut; lesser wing 
coverts white. Total length about 20 inches, culmen from feathers on 
forehead 1.6-2.1, wing 6.7-8.1, tarsus 2.5-2.6, outer toe and claw 2.9-3.1. 


Meyer. 
Tippet Grebe: Podicipes cristata. 


Floating flat nest, made of green water-weeds and well down 
in the water, usually placed among rushes. From four to six 
eggs are laid, white but soon stained from the wet water-weeds, 
of which the nest is composed. They measure about 2.04 x 1.44 
inch. 


ORDER SPHENISCIFORMES. 


Palate schizognathous. Beak never hooked. Wing feathers 
small and stiff, not produced into remiges. Wings short, used 
as swimming organs. Tail of narrow rigid feathers. Tarsi very 
short, the front toes united by a web; the hind toe very small, 
united to the tarsus. Penguins. 


46 


THE BIRDS OF.AUSTRALIA 


Genus Aptenodytes—Tail rather short of 20 feathers, 
almost hidden by the upper tail coverts. Lower 
mandible curved downward. 


“Challenger” Report. 
Crested Penguin (old and young): Catarrhactes chrysocome. 


Genus Catarrhactes.—Tail relatively long, of 12, 14 or 16 
feathers. Upper tail coverts short. A superciliary 
band of golden feathers. Deep grooves on the bill. 
Lower mandible straight. 

Genus Eudyptula.—Tail very short, of 16, 18 or 20 feathers, 
concealed by the longer upper tail ecoverts. Grooves 
on the bill inconspicuous. Lower mandible straight. 


THE CRESTED PENGUIN 47 


King Penguin. 
Aptenodytes forsteri. 

Eastern portions of Straits of Magellan, Kerguelen and other Islands 
in the Southern Ocean, and occasionally to Southern New Zealand and 
Tasmania, but not in the Antarctic circle. 

Head and throat black, with golden yellow band on each side, nar- 
rowing towards the neck; the gape of the bill is also of an orange colour; 
the breast white, and the back bluish grey. 


~s 
bee. em ad 


From life. ‘ D. Le Souéf. 
Little Penguin: Eudyptula minor. 


The King Penguins form large rookeries at Macquarie Island, 
but do not breed on any other of the New Zealand group. They 
make no nest, and lay only one egg, which the female holds in a 
fold of the skin between the legs until it is hatched. 


The Crested Penguin. 
Catarrhactes chrysocome. 


Falkland and Kerguelen Islands, Cape Seas, South Australia, 
Tasmania, and New Zealand. 

Colour above dark slate, each pointed feather black, edged with 
bluish slate, top of head black; feathers of crown lengthened and 
forming a long crest; yellow eyebrow stripe; sides of the head black; 


~ 


48 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


underparts pure white. Flipper above like the back, edged behind with 
white, white below. Tail with 16 feathers. Total length about 25 inches, 
nasal feathers to tip 1.30-1.55, gape to tip 2.1-2.3, flipper 6.8-7, tail 4.3-4.4., 
middle toe and claw 2.50-2.85. 


Nest generally on the bare ground. Two greenish-white eggs 
are laid, which measure about 2.50 x 1.90 inch. 

These birds often congregate together in immense numbers, 
especially on the Macquarie Islands. 


“Victorian Naturalist.” A. H. £. Mattingley. 
Fairy Penguin and Young: Fudyptula undina. 


The Blue Penguin. 
Eudyptula manor. 


New Zealand, Tasmania, Southern Australia. 

Above greyish-blue, below white. Both outer and inner margins of 
flippers widely bordered with white; upper tail coverts and tail sometimes 
white, sometimes blue. Tail with 16 feathers. Total length 18 inches, 


nasal opening to tip 1.3, gape to tip 2.15, flipper 5.6, tail 1.2, middle toe 
and claw 2.1. 


Nest generally with a little dry vegetation and usually in 
deserted Petrel burrows under rocks, or under matted vegetation. 
Two white eggs are laid, which measure 2.30 x 1.66 inch; as a 
rule one egg is larger than the other. 


49 


THE LITTLE BLUE PENGUIN 


“9Q@duny “DE “SUNOX YA YSoN Ul (DULpUN DINIdApNg”) UINSsUEeg eN[_ 2I}!T «MU IUD,, 


50 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Little Blue Penguin. 
Eudyptula undina. 


Tasmania, New Zealand, Chatham Islands and Southern Australia. 

Above slate-blue, each feather with a brownish grey base and black 
shaft; throat and underparts white; flippers greyish black, narrowly 
edged with white on the inner margin, below white. Total length 14-15 
inches, nasal opening to tip 1.2, gape to tip 1.75, flipper 4.7, tail 1.35, 
‘middle toe and claw 1.9. These birds are easily distinguished from the 
Blue Penguin, being considerably darker in colour and smaller, besides 
having the under surface of the flipper white. 

d 


Nest either in a hollow under matted vegetation or under 
rocks or in burrows. Two white eggs are laid, which measure 
1.98 x 1.54 inch. 


ORDER TUBINARES. 

Oceanic birds with schizognathous palate; the external 
nostrils produced into tubes; hind toe absent or reduced to one 
joint, fore toe strongly webbed; oil-gland tufted; bill covered 
by several horny pieces, separated by deep grooves. Young 
helpless. 

Family Procellariide. 

Nostrils united externally above the culmen; second primary 
the longest. 

Sub-family Oceanitine. 

Leg-bones longer than the wing-bones; tarsus twice as long 
as femur; secondaries 10. 


Key to the Genera. 


A. Basal phalanx of mid toe not much flattened. 
Claws sharp. 


Shield scales on front of tarsus obsolete. Oceanites. 
Shield scales on front of tarsus distinct. Garrodia. 
Claws flattened and wide. Pelagodroma. 
B. Basal phalanx of mid toe much flattened. Fregetta (Cymodroma). 


Yellow-webbed Storm Petrel. 
Oceanites oceanicus. 


Southern oceans and Atlantic ocean as far north as Labrador. 

Sooty-black, forehead and under surface paler, greater wing coverts 
greyish, upper tail coverts white, under wing coverts and tail black. 
Total length about 6.8 inches, wing 6.1, tail, central rectrices 2.45, bill 0.7, 
tarsus 1.37, middle toe 1.1. 


THE WHITE-FACED STORM PETREL 51 


Nest a slight hollow under rocks or other cover. One egg is 
laid; colour white, with some very small faint brownish spots 
on the larger end; it measures about 1.27 x .87 inch. 


Yellow-webbed Storm Petrel: Oceanites oceanicus. 


The Grey-backed Storm Petrel. 


Garrodia nerets. 

Southern Ocean. 

Greyish black, darkest on head, becoming greyer towards rump; 
wings black; median and tail coverts and tail have narrow edge of white; 
under surface white, sides streaked with grey; tail grey, tipped with 
black. Total length about 6.7 inches, wing 5.2, tail 2.7, bill 0.65, tarsus 
1.25, middle toe 1.2. 


Nest either in a burrow about 15 inches in depth, or under 
matted vegetation. One egg is laid, white, with finely freckled 
brownish markings on the larger end; it measures about 1.40 x 
1.06 inch. 


The White-faced Storm Petrel. 
Pelagodroma marina. 
Southern seas. 
Upper surface slaty-brown, back paler and greyer, the feathers 
narrowly edged with white; upper tail coverts crimson, edged with white, 
with a dark line on each feather; median wing coverts tipped with white. 


02 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Forehead, a stripe over the eye and entire under surface white; bill 
black. Total length about 8 inches, wing 5.8, tail central 2.75, lateral 
3.15, bill 0.9, tarsus 1.9, middle toe 1.35. 


Nest: If in hard ground, a short burrow about 18 inches 
long is made; but often under thick matted herbage. One white 
egg is laid, but many have fine reddish freckles in the apex; it 
measures about 1.41 x 1.06 inch. These little birds nest on Mud 
Island, in Port Phillip, as well as on many of the islands in Bass 
Strait. They leave their young during the day and return to 
them during the night to feed them. 


The Black-bellied Storm Petrel. 
Fregetia melanogaster. 


Southern Ocean, northward to Bay of Bengal, and in Atlantic to 
Tropic of Cancer. 

Sooty black, greater wing coverts paler; base of feathers of throat 
and under tail-coverts, flanks, upper tail-coverts and under wing-coverts 
white; rest of plumage black. Total length about 8 inches, wing 7, 
tail 3.2, bill 0.9, tarsus 1.6, middle toe 1.03. Amount of white on throat 
varies. 


Nest usually in crevices or under rocks. One white egg is 
laid, with minute purplish-brown freckles, which are very 
numerous on the larger end. It measures 1.30 x .98 inch. 


The White-bellied Storm Petrel. 
Fregetta grallaria. 
Seas of Southern Hemisphere, north to coast of Florida. 


Sooty-black; back and scapulars greyish, each feather edged with 
white; rump, upper and inner under wing-coverts white. 


Family Puffinide. 


Nostrils united externally, or nearly so, above the culmen ; 
second primary not longer than the first. 


Sub-family Puffinine. 
Sides of the palate without lamelle. 


y 


THE ALLIED SHEARWATER 53 


Key to the Genera. 
A. Tarsi distinctly compressed, with sharp front edge. 


Nostrils separate. Puffinus. 
Nostrils united into a single opening. 
‘ail Quills 12. Priofinus. 
Tail Quills 14. Priocella. 
B. Tarsi not compressed, with rounded front edge. 
Bills more or less yellow. Majaqueus. 
Bill black. Cistrelata. 


The White-fronted Shearwater. 


Puffinus leucomelas. 


Japan and southwards to North coast of Australia. 

Upper surface brown; anterior of crown, forehead, sides of head and 
neck white, each feather with a narrow dark disc; under surface and 
under wing-coverts white. Total length about 19 inches, wing 13, tail, 
outer feathers 4, central 5.6. 


The Wedge-tailed Shearwater. 
Puffinus sphenurus. 

Indian and Australian Seas to Central Pacific Islands. 

Sooty-brown, crown, hind neck and wings darker, forehead and 
throat greyer, entire under plumage paler sooty-brown. (See Addendum.) 
Total length about 17 inches, wing 11.6, tail, central feathers 5, lateral 3.35, 
tarsus 1.8. 


Nest generally in a burrow about three feet long. The single 
egg is white, and measures about 2.40 x 1.65 inch. 


The Forster Shearwater. 


Puffinus gavia. 

Australian and New Zealand seas. 

Upper surface slaty-brown; under surface, including under 
tail-coverts white; sides of head and neck mottled with grey, below the 
eye dark; under wing-coverts white to the edge of wing. Total length 
12 inches, wing 8, tail central 2.4, lateral 2.3, bill 1.9, tarsus 1.7. 


Nest in burrows or under a rock. The egg is pure white, and 
measures from 2.45 x 1.45 to 2.20 x 1.45 inches (Buller.) 


The Allied Shearwater. 


Puffinus assimilis. 

Australian seas, Atlantic north to Madeira. 
Upper surface slaty-black; all under surfaces white. Total length 
about 10.5 inches, wing 7.4, tail central 2.65, lateral 2.6, bill 1.4, tarsus 1.5. 


Nest in a burrow about three feet in length, or under 
a rock. One egg is laid, pure white in colour, and measures 
about 1.95 x 1.43 inch. 


54. THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Fleshy-footed Shearwater. 
Puffinus carneipes. 


Australian and New Zealand seas, north to Japan. 

Dark sooty-brown, slightly paler beneath, and greyer on throat. 
Total length 19.5 inches, wing 12.5, tail central feathers 4.3, lateral 3.65, 
tarsus 2.25. 


Nest usually in a burrow about four feet in length; the one 
white egg measures about 2.64 x 1.75 inch. 


Allied Shearwater: Pufinus assinmilis. 


The Sombre Shearwater. 


Puffinus griseus. 


Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, south to Australia and Straits of 
Magellan. 

Sooty-brown, darker on head, lower back, wings and tail; greater 
wing coverts and under surface a little greyer, throat and breast paler, 
under wing-coverts greyish white. Total length about 18 inches, wing 12, 
tail central 3.5, lateral 2.7, bill 2.1, tarsus 2.4. 


Nest usually in a burrow, sometimes under matted vegetation. 
One egg is laid, white in colour, and measures about 2.60 x 1.97 
inch. 


The Short-tailed Shearwater (Mutton Bird). 


Puffinus tenwirostris. 


Australian and New Zealand seas, east to Samoa, north to Japan. 
Sooty-brown; under surface paler and greyer, lighter on throat and 
breast, darker on flanks and under tail-coverts, under wing-coverts paler 


THE BROWN PETREL 55 


grey. Total length about 13 inches, wing 10.4, bill 1.8, tarsus 2.05, 
middle toe 2.3. 


Nest usually in a burrow extending to four feet. They lay 
one white egg, which measures about 2.90 x 1.93 inch. The 
young of these birds are taken in immense numbers from the 
islands in Bass Strait, about 600,000 being taken yearly at the 
Furneaux Group of Islands alone. They are killed just as they 
are leaving for the sea, and are preserved in casks of brine for 
food. 


After Gould. 
Brown Petrel: Priofinus cinereus, 


The Brown Petrel. 


Priofinus cinereus. 


Southern Ocean. . 

Upper surface brownish, grey, darker on crown, wings and tail; 
under surface white; under wing-coverts and tail-coverts grey; bill with 
yellow stripe. Total length about 19 inches, wing 13, tail, central 4.4, 
lateral 3.5, bill 2.4, tarsus 2.3. 


Nest in a burrow some distance from the. water. The one 
egg is white, and measures 2.77 x 1.97 inch. 


56 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Antarctic Petrel. 


Thalasseca antarctica. 

Antarctic seas. 

Upper surface dull brownish black, on sides of neck gradually merging 
into white, under parts white; broad slaty-brown band along edge of 
the wings; the primaries are white on their inner webs, except at the 
tips; the secondaries and their coverts are white; tail-feathers white, with 
broad terminal band of brownish black. Total length 19.5 inches, wing 
from flexure 12, tail 5, tarsus 1.75. 


This bird is only a rare visitor to the Southern New 
Zealand and Tasmanian Seas, its true home being the 
Antarctic. 


The Silvery-Grey Petrel. 
Priocella glacialoides. 


Southern oceans, in Pacific reaches California. 

Upper surface pale grey, lighter on head and back of neck; dark 
spot in front of the eye; forehead, cheeks and under surface white; 
flanks and tail pale grey; bill yellow. Total length about 18 inches, wing 
12.6, tail central 5.1, lateral 4.15, bill 2.1, tarsus 1.8. 


The Spectacled Petrel. 
Majaqueus equinoctialis. 


Southern Ocean, north to South Latitude 30°. 

Sooty-black; chin white, which varies, some have irregular white 
stripe under the eye almost to the nape and a transverse band across the 
forehead; shafts of primaries white. 


Nest in a long burrow, generally on a hillside. The nest near 
the end of a burrow is made of vegetation and mud mixed, about 
four inches high and slightly hollowed. Other petrels usually 
make no nest in their burrow. The single egg is white, and 
measures about 3.40 x 2.10 inch; it has a stronger musky 
perfume than most other Petrels’ eggs. 


The Black Petrel. 


Majaqueus parkinsoni. 
New Zealand seas, 
Very similar to the preceding species, but smaller and entire plumage 
sooty-black. Total length about 18 inches, wing 13.2, tarsus 2.2. 


Nest the usual Petrel burrow. The single white egg measures 
2.80 x 1.96 inch. 


THE WHITE-HEADED PETREL 57 


The Great-winged Petrel. 


Gstrelata macroptera. 
Southern oceans. 
Dark sooty-brown, under surface paler, forehead and throat greyer. 
Total length about 16.5 inches, wing 12 to 13, tail central 4.5, lateral 4, 
bill 1.7, tarsus 1.65. 


Nest a burrow about three feet in length, with larger chamber 
at end than usual; the single white egg measures 2.6 x 1.91 inch. 


After Smith. 
Great-winged Petrel: Oecestrelata macroptera. 


The White-headed Petrel. 
CGistrelata lessoni. 


South Indian Ocean, Australian and New Zealand seas. 

Upper surface grey, lighter towards the crown, which is nearly 
white; feathers of back edged with paler grey; sides of neck mottled 
with bars of grey and white; wings nearly black, tail grey; forehead and 
under surface white; just below and in front of the eye black. Total 
length about 18 inches, wing 12.2, tail, central 5, lateral 3.7, bill 1.9, 
tarsus 1.8. 


Nest rather a short tunnel with a large chamber at the end. 
The single egg is white, and measures about 2.78 x 1.88 inch. 


a8 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Soft-plumaged Petrel. 
Gstrelata mollis. 


Southern Ocean, north in Atlantic Ocean to Madeira. 

Upper surface slate grey, feathers of forehead edged with white; 
wings dark brown; black in front of and beneath the eye; sides of neck 
freckled with grey; tail grey; under surface white. Total length about 
14 inches, wing 10.3, tail 4.4, bill 1.4, tarsus 1.4. 


Nest at the end of a burrow. The egg is white, and measures 
about 2.40 x 1.69 inch, 


The White-throated Petrel. 
Cstrelata brevipes. 


Australian seas, Antarctica and Pacific Ocean. 

Above dark ashy-grey, the feathers with broad grey margins; on 
the wings a patch of black feathers; wing coverts black, the greater 
series ashy-grey, with white fringes; crown of head and nape darker 
than the back; forehead white, with a few small black spots; lores and 
cheeks white; feathers below and round the eye and ear-coverts, black; 
throat and under surface of body white; centre of fore-neck and breast 
minutely freckled with grey. Total length about 10.5 inches; culmen 0.9; 
wing 8.5; tail 3.8; tarsus 0.95. Sometimes these birds have a dark phase. 


The Brown-headed Petrel. 


Gstrelata solandert. 
Australian seas. 
Dark grey, head dark brown, face and under surface greyish brown, 
base of feathers white. Total length 18 inches, wing 12, tail, central 5, 
lateral 3.8, bill 1.8, tarsus 1.7. 


The Mottled Petrel. 
; Gstrelata gularis. 

New Zealand seas principally. 

All upper surface dark ashy grey, the feathers of the back being 
margined with greyish black; primary quills marked with white on 
their inner web; the secondaries are margined with white and wholly 
white towards their base; forehead slightly mottled with white; lores 
and throat white, and a spot of dark grey under each eye; upper part of 
breast washed with grey, middle part and abdomen dark cinereous; sides 
freckled with grey. Total length 13 inches, wing 10.5, tail 4, tarsus 1.2. 


These birds breed in Southern New Zealand, in very deep 
burrows on the hillside. : 


SCHLEGEL’S PETREL 59 


Schlegel’s Petrel. 
Gstrelata neglecta. 


New Zealand seas principally. 

Crown of the head and hind neck sooty brown, mixed on the latter 
with white, the rest of the upper surface brownish black; around the 
eyes is a faint mark of brown which fades away on the face; all the 
under surface white; quills with white shafts and white on the inner 
webs; tail feathers white at the base. Total length 15.5 inches, wing 12, 
tail 4, tarsus 1.5. 


“The Emu.” Tom Iredale. 
Schlegel’s Petrel: Oestrelata neglecta. 


It would be well to quote from Tom Iredale’s account of 
birds found on the Kermadeec Islands in the ‘‘Emu,’’ vol. x, 
July, 1910, p. 14:— 

‘“‘During winter, however, Meyer Island is covered with 
birds, while none are found on Sunday Island. The darkest 
birds have the whole of the plumage of a dark black-grey— 
these are the birds Hutton called philippi, gray; the lightest 
have the head and all the under parts pure white—Hutton 
separated this as leucophrys. Between these two extremes every 
phase of plumage exists; the dark birds bred with the light 


60 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


ones, as well as with the dark birds. They breed on the high 
parts of the Island as well as the low parts. Though tested in 
every manner that could be thought of, nothing that could be 
used as a separating test could be found.’’ These petrels build 
their nests on the surface, and do not lay in burrows. 
Mr. Iredale states in the same article that ‘‘The manner of 
making these nests is identical, the site is chosen apparently 
without reference to its nest-building suitability. The bird sits 
on its nest and picks up all the straws it fancies, and gravely 


Voy. “Erebus” and “Terror.” 
The Cook Petrel: Oestrelata cooki. 


throws them behind it, first on one side, then on the other. 
Having selected all suitable, it moves forward, repeating the 
process and straying as far as a yard from its nesting-place.’’ 


The White-winged Petrel. 


Gistrelata leucoptera. 

Australian seas. 

Upper surface dark slaty-black, centre of back and tail coverts dark 
grey; face and under surface white; forehead and sides of neck spotted 
with slaty-black. Total length about 12 inches, wing 8.5, tail, central 
3.8, lateral 3.1, bill 1.25, tarsus 1.2. 


THE GIANT PETREL 61 


The Cook Petrel. 
Gstrelata cook. 


New Zealand seas principally, also eastern coast of Australia. 
Upper surface dark grey, face and under surface white, sides of neck 
slightly mottled. A more slender bill than White-winged Petrel. 


Nest the usual burrow. The egg measures 1.94 x 1.48 inch. 


Sub-family Fulmarine. 


Sides of the palate with more or less distinctly developed 
lamellee. 


After Gould. 
Giant Petrel: Macronectes gigantea. 


Key to the Genera. 


Size very large, 34 inches. Tail quills 16. Macronectes (Ossifraga). 
Size smaller, 16 inches. Tail quills 14. Daption. 
Size smallest, 11 or 12 inches. Tail quills 12. 

First and second primaries sub-equal. Halobena. 

First primary longest. Prion. 


The Giant Petrel. 
Macronectes (Ossifraga) gigantea. 
Southern seas; north to about latitude 30° 8. 
Uniform dark brown, edges of feathers paler, bill yellow, legs black; 


total length about 34 inches, wing 20.5, tail, central 7, lateral 5.8, bill 4.2, 
tarsus 3.6. 


62 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Nest a slight hole scraped in the ground and lined with a 
little vegetation. The single white egg measures 4.01 x 2.58 
inch. 

Often called ‘‘Nelly’’ or ‘‘Stinkpot’’ by seamen: occasionally 
white phases of this bird are seen. 


The Cape Pigeon. 
Daption capensis. 


Southern oceans, north to Ceylon and Peru. 
Upper surface white, each feather broadly edged with black; head 
and back of neck black; median wing coverts with white margin on 


4 es After Gould. 
Capé Pigeon: Daption capensis. 


outer web; under surface white; tail white, tipped with dusky. Total 

length about 16 inches, wing 10.5, tail 3.9, bill 1.7, tarsus 1.9. 
Nest on the bare ground under rocks or in crevices or at 

lower edge of cliffs. The one white egg measures 2.12 x 1.75 


inch. (British Museum Collection). 


The Blue Petrel. 


Halobena cerulea. 
Southern oceans. 
Upper surface pale ashy-blue, darker on the crown, nape, lesser wing- 
coverts, outer webs of outer primaries and the scapulars, the latter 
tipped with white; feathers of forehead and back of crown also tipped 


BANKS DOVE PETREL 63 


with white; whole under surface white; sides of breast ashy-blue; bill 
black. Total length about 11 inches, wing 8.5, tail 3.6, bill 1.4, tarsus 1.3. 


Nest an unusually long burrow; the white egg measures 
about 1.98 x 1.44 inch. 


The Broad-billed Dove Petrel. 
Prion vittatus. 


Southern Ocean between lat. 40° and 60° S. 
Upper surface ashy-blue, darker on head and below eye; small wing- 
coverts, band across back, and outer primaries black, under surface white. 


“Victorian Naturalist.” A. H. E. Mattingley. 
Dove-like Prion and Young: Prion desolatus. 


Nest either a burrow or under rocks or in crevices; the single 
white egg measures about 1.88 x 1.41 inch. 


Banks Dove Petrel. 
Prion banksv. 


. Southern ocean, usually between lat. 35° and 60° S. 

Very similar to P. vittatus, but bill not so wide (0.5in.); the 
lamella of the maxilla just visible near the rictus when the bill is 
closed. 


Nest a burrow, usually on declivities; the white egg 
measures about 1.99 x 1.46 inch. 


64 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Dove Petrel. 
Prion desolatus. 


Southern oceans, usually between lat. 35° and 60° S., but even south 
to Ice Barrier. 

Similar to P. vittatus and P. banksi, but with a still smaller bill than 
the latter; the sides of the maxilla are nearly straight, not convex, and 
the lamella are not visible near the rictus when the bill is closed. 


Nest in a burrow, or under rocks or vegetation, or in crevices, 
usually lined with a little vegetation. The single white egg 
measures about 1.94 x 1.33 inch. 


The Fairy Dove Petrel. 
Prion ariel. 


Southern Ocean, usually between lat. 35° and 60° 8. 

Similar in colour to other Prions, but with paler crown, hardly 
differing from the tint on the back; spot below eye also lighter; terminal 
dark band of tail wider, bill much narrower, lamella invisible when bill 
is closed. 


Nest either in burrows, under rocks or vegetation or in 
crevices. The single white egg measures about 1.76 x 1.21 inch. 


Family Pelecanoidide. 


Nostrils separate; second primary slightly longest. 


The Diving Petrel. 
Pelecanoides urinatria. 


Australian and New Zealand seas, also Cape Horn end Falkland 
Islands. 

Upper surface shining black; inner scapulars grey in the inner 
webs and edged with white; under surface white, sides of neck greyish. 
Total length about 8 inches, wing 4.7, tail 1.4, bill 0.9, tarsus 1. 


Nest either in a crevice or under a rock or in a short burrow. 
The single white egg measures 1.60 x 1.21 inch. 


THE WANDERING ALBATROSS 65 


Family Diomedcide. 
Nostrils lateral separated by the wide culmen; first primary 
longest. 
Key to the Genera. 


a. Tail short, rounded. Mandible plain. 
Base of ridge shield of beak (culminicorn) broad 


and joined to side shield (latericorn). Diomedea 
Base of culminicorn narrow separated by mem- 
brane from the latericorn. Thalassogeron. 
b. Tail long, cuncate. Mandible grooved. Phoebetria. 


After Gould. 
Wandering Albatross, Young and Old: Diomedea exulans. 


The Wandering Albatross. 
Diomedea exulans. 


Southern ocean generally. 

White; back from the base of the neck banded with narrow trans- 
verse undulating dark lines; wings slaty-black; lesser wing-coverts more 
or less white in inner webs, middle and greater coverts edged with 
white, primaries black; tail white, with dark marks near the tip. Total 
length 42 inches, wing 25.5, tail 8.3, bill from gape 7, tarsus 4.8. 


Nest open cireular structures made of soil, grass &., varying 
in height from a few inches to about two feet, with a shallow 
egg cavity, about a foot in diameter. The single ege is dull 
white, with brownish markings on the larger end, and has a 
slightly granular shell; it measures about 4.90 x 3.05 inch. 


66 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The White-winged Albatross. 
Diomedea chionoptera. 


Southern Indian Ocean, Marion and Kerguelen Islands. 

Similar to D. exulans, but no transverse lines on the upper surface, 
the scapulars almost white, the upper surface of the wings are much 
whiter than in the allied forms. Total length about 50 inches, wing 25.5, 
tail 8.8, bill from gape 7.3, tarsus 5. : 


Nest similar to that of D. exulans; the single egg is 
dull white, with brownish clots on the larger end, and measures 
about 5 x 3 inch. This magnificent bird is the largest of the 
Albatrosses, its outstretched wings measure up to 1314 feet from 
tip to tip. 


After Gould. 
The Black-browed Albatross: Diomedea melanophrys. 


The Royal Albatross. 
Diomedea regia. 

Southern ocean generally, especially round the southern coasts of 
Australia and Tasmania, where it is plentiful. 

General plumage pure white; upper surface of the wings dark brown, 
varied with pale brown and white along the edges, and a large patch of 
white on the humeral flexure; tail feathers largely marked with black in 
their apical part, and the outer ones marbled with brown. Total length 
about 48 inches, tail 10; tarsus 5, extent of wings 124 inches. 


The single egg is dull white, and measures about 4.85 x 2.95 
inches. 


THE BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS 67 


Short-tailed Albatross. 
Diomedea albatrus. 

Northern Australian seas and North Pacific Ocean. 

Very similar to D. exulans, but with shorter tail and with truncated 
form of the base of the bill; general colour white, tinted with buff on 
the head and neck; the centre and edge of the wing white, the remainder 
and the tips of the tail dark brown. Total length 37 inches, wing 22. 


PON 


From life. H. P. C. Ashworth. 
White-capped Albatross: Thalassogeron cautus. 
The Black-browed Albatross. 


Diomedea melanophrys. 

Southern Ocean to North Atlantic. 

White, a short slaty-black band on either side of the eye; back and 
wings brownish black; white at the base of the neck; tail slate-grey; 
under wing-coverts white, with dark border on edges of wing. Total 
length about 30 inches, wing 20, tail 7.3, bill 5.2, tarsus 3.3. 


Nest inverted cone shape, and similar to those of other 
Albatrosses, and made of soil and vegetation well mixed. The 
single dull white egg has brownish markings on the larger end, 
and measures about 4. x 2.71 inches. 


68 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The White-capped Albatross. 
Thalassogeron cautus. 


Southern Australian and Tasmanian seas. 

Head, neck, lower back, upper tail coverts, under surface, white; a 
greyish black mark in front of the eye and extending over it and passing 
into pale grey, which spreads over the face; back, wings, and tail greyish 
brown. Total length 35 inches, wing 22, tail 9, bill from gape 6, tarsus 3.7. 


From life. D. Le Souéf. 
White-capped Albatross on Egg: Thalassogeron cautus. 


Nest a conical structure made of earth, grass, roots, &¢., 
about six inches high and fourteen inches in diameter at the 
top. The single egg is dull white, marked at the larger end with 
brownish freckles, which can be washed off; the eggs measure 


about 4.25 x 2.73 inches. They nest on Albatross Island, Bass 
Strait. 


THE YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS 69 


The Flat-billed Albatross. 
Thalassogeron culminatus. 


Southern Ocean to Pacific coasts of Central America. 

Upper surface dark sooty brown, paler on interscapular area; under 
surface white; head and neck whitish grey, dark patch in front of and 
above eye; tail dark greyish brown. Total length about 36 inches, wing 
20, tail 7.7, bill 5.2, tarsus 3.25. ; 


Nest similar to those of the other species; the single ege is 
dull white, with the usual brownish freckles on the apex, and 
it measures about 4.21 x 2.72 inches. 


From life. H. P. C. Ashworth. 
White-capped Albatross and Young: Thalassogeron cautus. 


The Yellow-nosed Albatross. 
Thalassogeron chlororhynchus. 


Southern Oceans. 

Upper surface dark sooty-brown, wings darker; middle of back 
tinged with grey; under surface white; head and neck white, slightly 
tinged with grey, an indistinct dark grey mark in front of eye; tail 
dark grey; bill black on sides; culmen of adult bright yellow. Total 
length about 33 inches, wing 18.8, tail 7.7, bill 5.2, tarsus 3.1. 


Nest same as in other Albatrosses. Egg dull white, with a 
few light markings on apex; it measures 4.02 x 2.29 inches. 


70 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Carter Albatross. 
Thalassogeron carteri. 


This albatross was described from a male bird which was captured 
alive at Port Cloaks, North-west Australia, by Mr. Tom Carter; the bird 
had an injured wing. It is very similar to 7. chlororhynchus, but differs 
in having the bill, including the culmen, black; the face and sides of the 
head white, without the grey tinge, and the feet yellowish-white 
in life, without any blackish colour on the digits and tarsi. The bill and 
irides are black. Nothing is practically known of this bird beyond the 
type skin at present, although it, or a closely allied form, breeds at 
Gough Island. 


After Gould. 
Sooty Albatross: Phoebetria fuliginosa. 


The Sooty Albatross. 


Phebetria fuliginosa. 
Southern oceans. 
Plumage generally sooty; a white ring, broken in front, round the 
eye. Total length about 36 inches, wing 19.5, tail, central 10.5, lateral 
7, bill 4.5, tarsus 3. 


Nest similar to those of other Albatrosses; the egg is dull 
white, with brownish markings on the larger end and sometimes 
minute markings over the egg. It measures 4.18 x 2.5 inch. 


THE WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN 71 


OrpvER LARIFORMES. 


Palate schizognathous. Front toes fully connected by webs. 
Bill simple. Primaries 10 large and visible, one minute, 
concealed. Aftershaft to contour feathers. Oil-gland tufted. 
Rectrices 12. Nestlings covered with down when hatched, soon 
able to run. Eggs not more than three; spotted or scrolled with 
dark on a lighter ground. Coastal or marine aquatic birds. 


Family Laride. 
Bill without a cere. Sternum with two notches on each side 
behind. Claws feeble or moderate. 


Sub-family Sternine. 


Bill straight, rather slender; both mandibles of about equal 
length. Tail, slightly or distinctly forked. 


Key to the Genera. 


A. Tail from nearly square to distinctly forked. 
uw. Tail feathers rounded. Tail short. 
Bill small: webs indented. Hydrochelidon. 
b. Outer tail feathers longest, pointed. 
Tarsus very long, longer than mid-toe and claw. 
Bill robust. Gelochelidon. 
Tarsus short. 
Tail very short, less than one-third wine. 


Bill exceptionally stout and deep. Hydroprogne. 
Tail at least half wing, usually longer. 
Bill compressed and slender. Sterna. 


B. Tail graduated, feathers pointed, outer pair of rectrices 
shorter than next pair. 
w. Middle toe and claw longer than exposed culmen. 


Colour grey. Procelsterna. 
b. Middle toe and claw shorter than exposed culmen. 
Bill strong, decurved. Anous. 
Bill slender and long. Micranous. 
Bill stout at the base, pointed. Gygis. 


The White-winged Black Tern. 
Hydrochelidon leucoptera. 


Central Europe to Central Asia and China in summer, and in winter 
to Australia, New Zealand, and Africa. 

Head, neck and upper parts glossy black; coverts on carpal joint 
white, wing-coverts and primaries dark grey; tail white; underparts 
black, under wing-coverts black. Total length 9.3 inches, culmen 1.1., 
wing 8.2, tail 3.1, tarsus 0.75. When moulting the bird is parti-coloured. 


Nest made of reeds and water-plants on floating vegetation 
in swamps. The clutch is three; the eggs vary in colour, but are 


72 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


usually of some shade of buff, boldly blotched and finely marked 
with dark-brown, the under markings being grey. The eggs 
measure about 1.38 x 1.03 inch. 


The Marsh or Whiskered Tern. 
Hydrochelidon hybrida. 


Europe to China in summer, northwards in winter to Malayan 
Archipelago, Africa aud Australia. 

Breeding plumage: Forehead, crown and nape black, from gape to 

nape a white streak; upper parts slate grey; greater part of inner webs 


r 


Meyer. 
Caspian Tern: Hydroprogne caspia. e 


of primaries, white; tail grey, throat grey, breast dark grey, abdomen 
black, under wing-coverts white. Total length 11 inches, culmen 1.4, 
wing 9.25, tail 3.8, tarsus 0.9. In moulting season underparts white. 


Nest generally built of water-weeds or rushes on floating 
vegetation in a swamp. The clutch is three, in colour greyish- 
green, blotched with brownish markings of varying density. 
The eggs measure about 1.44 x 1.12 inch. 


Gull-billed Tern. 


Gelochelidon anglica. 
Australia generally; Europe, Asia, North and East America. 
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 


MARSH 


TERN 


73 


Australian Museum. 


Uydrochelidon hybrida. 


Marsh Tern: 


74 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


plumage is white, the bill and feet black. Total length 17 inches, wing 
13%, tail 6, tarsi 15. Three or four eggs are laid, of a yellowish-stone 
eolour, blotched with dark brown and grey markings, dimensions 2.10 x 
1.47 inch. 


The Caspian Tern. 
Hydroprogne caspia. 

Cosmopolitan. 

In breeding plumage, forehead, crown, and nape greenish-black; 
mantle light grey, tail greyish white; underparts white; bill red. In 
moulting season crown and nape streaked with white and black. Total 
length about 20 inches, culmen 3.3, wing 16.5, tail 6, depth of fork 1.25: 
the dimensions of these birds vary considerably. 


“The Emu.” A. J. Campbell. 
Crested Tern: Sterna bergii. 


Nest a slight depression in the ground, either well above the 
sea on small islands or on the sand spits. Two eggs form the 
usual clutch, and are brownish stone colour, blotched all over 
with irregular dark brown markings, those under the surface 
being the usual grey. They measure about 2.43 x 1.63 inch. 


The Roseate Tern. 
Sterna gracilis. 


Coasts of Europe, Africa, Asia, and Northern Australia. 

Forehead, crown, and nape black, neck white, mantle light grey, 
primaries darker, the inner margins of their webs with white borders, 
tail light grey to white, outer webs of the long streamers quite white; 


THE LESSER CRESTED TERN 75 


underparts white with a pink tinge. During the moulting season the 
forehead is spotted with white. Total length 15.5 inches, culmen 1.9, 
wing 9.25, tail 7.5 to 8, depth of fork 5, tarsus 0.85. 


Nest a slight depression, usually on low islands or coral 
ridges. They nest in companies. The colour is stone, blotched 
with dark umber markings and under markings of grey; they 
measure about 1.50 x 1.16 inch; two form the clutch. 


“The Emu.” A. J. Campbell. 
Crested Terns Nesting: Sterna bergii. 


The Lesser Crested Tern. 


Sterna media. 

Mediterranean, African and Indian seas to Celebes and Northern 
Australia. 

Forehead, crown and nape black, the feathers of the last prolonged; 
neck white, mantle grey, tail grey, a little lighter on the streamers; 
tarsi and toes black; underparts white; a white line along carpal joint. 
Total length 17 inches, culmen 2.4, wing 12, tail. 6.75, depth of fork 3, 
tarsus 1. 


Nest a shallow depression on broken coral reefs or sand 
ridges. They nest in companies and close together. The one 
egg is pinkish-white, with a few bold brownish markings, often 
lighter at their edges, those under the surface pale-grey. The 
egg measures about 2.16 x 1.53 inch. 


76 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Crested Tern. 


Sterna bergu. 
Red Sea, African and Indian Oceans to China, Pacific Islands and 
Australia. 

. Broad white band at base of bill, mantle and tail dark grey; crown 
and nape black, forming a crest, neck white; underparts white; tarsi and 
toes black with reddish tinge, soles mottled with yellow. In the 
moulting season the crown is mottled with white. Total length 20 to 
21 inches, culmen 2.5, wing 14.25, tail 7.5, depth of fork 3.5, tarsus 1.3. 


A. F. Basset Hull. 


Crested Terns: Sterna bergii. 


Nests in companies; a slight depression is made, either on 
sandy ground or on broken coral ridges, &e. The one egg 
varies much in colour, far more so than probably in any other 
bird, and it is difficult to describe the various tints. Ground 
colour either cream, buff, reddish, light-green, yellow, light-blue 
or pink; the markings are usually dark-brown of varying shades 
and bold, and vary much in size and shape, sometimes having 
blotches, smudges or hieroglyphic-like lines over the surface; 


the under markings are purple. The eggs measure about 2.40 x 
1.61 inch. 


THE WHITE-FRONTED TERN 77 


The White-fronted Tern. 


Sterna frontalis. 

New Zealand and Australian coasts. 

White at base of bill, crown and nape black, the feathers filamentous; 
upper surface pale grey; outer web of first primary black, other 
primaries edged with white to the tips of the inner webs; underparts 
white, sometimes with pink tinge; bill black. Total length 16 to 17 
inches, according to development of tail-streamers, culmen 2.2, wing 
11,25, tail 7, depth of fork 4, tarsus 0.85. In moulting plumage the crown 
and forehead are mottled with white. 


: Voy. Erebus” and “Terror.” 
White-fronted Tern: Sterna frontalis. 


Breed in companies, the nest a slight depression in the 
ground among short vegetation near the water. Two eggs are 
usually laid, but sometimes three; they are greyish in colour 
and strongly blotched with brown markings, those beneath the 
surface being purplish-grey. They measure about 1.80 x 1.28 
inch. 


78 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Brown-winged Tern. 
Sterna anestheta. 


West Indies, African and Indian Seas to Japan and Northern 
Australia. 

Centre of forehead and superciliary line, thence to behind the eye 
white; loral stripe, crown and nape black; hind neck grey, mantle dark 
slate-grey; primaries smoke-grey with white wedges to the centre of 
inner web; tail dark grey, outer feathers white on outside web to within 
2 inches of the tip; underparts white; bill black. Total length 15 inches, 
culmen 1.9, wing 10.5, tail 6.75, tarsus 0.8, depth of fork 2.7. 


Lay in companies in the same neighbourhood; the single 
egg is deposited either under a bush, roots of Pandanus Palm or 
sheltering rock; it is of a pinkish-white colour, spotted with 
dark reddish-brown markings, usually nine, plentiful on the 
larger end; the spots are not nearly so plentiful as on 8. bergii. 
The eggs measure about 1.78 x 1.34 inch. 


The Sooty Tern. 
Sterna fuliginosa. 

Tropical and juxta-tropical seas of the world. 

Very similar to Brown-winged Tern, but larger, the white frontal 
band and superciliary stripe broader, the latter not reaching beyond the 
eye, upper surface sooty black, streamers dull white on outer webs and 
grey on end half of inner webs, other tail feathers black, abdomen 
greyish white, breast white. Total length about 17 inches, culmen 2.1, 
wing 11.75, tail 7.5, depth of fork 4, tarsus 0.9. 


The birds nest on the bare ground in companies. One egg 
is laid, which is pinkish white, blotched with reddish-brown 
markings, especially on the larger end; the eggs vary in colour. 
They measure about 2.01 x 1.40 inch. They nest in immense 
numbers on the Houtman’s Abrolhos Islands. 


The White-faced Ternlet. 


Sterna nerets. 


Australian and New Zealand seas, including New Caledonia. 

Forehead white, a black spot in front of eye, and narrow ring of 
black round eye, crown and nape black, mantle light grey; edge of 
primaries white; tail and underparts white; bill yellow. Total length 10 
inches, culmen 1.5, wing 7.25, tail 4, depth of fork 2, tarsus 0.6. This 
bird is the palest member of the group of Little Terns. 


THE GREY NODDY 79 


Nest a slight depression in the ground; they often nest in 
small companies. Two eggs are laid, and are of buff or cream 
colour, and marked with spots of various shades of brown, the 
under markings being -purplish-grey. Dimensions 1.4 x 1 inch. 


The White-shafted Ternlet. 


Sterna sinensis. 

China and Indian seas to Australia. 

Lores black from the base of the bill to the eye, forehead white, 
crown and nape black, mantle grey; outer web of outer primaries and 
broad line next the shaft on its inner web dark grey; upper portions and 
edges of inner webs, tail and underparts white. Total length 11 inches 
when streamers are fully developed, culmen 1.4, wing 7.4, tail 5.7, depth 
of fork 3.4, tarsus 0.65. 


Nest a slight depression on the ground. Two to three eggs 
are laid, greyish in colour, and marked with small blotches of 
reddish-brown, the underneath markings being grey. The 
measurements are about 1.29 x .98 inch. 


The Black-naped Tern. 


Sterna melanauchen. 

The seas of Northern Australia, Pacific Islands, Malay Peninsvla, 
and China. 

Forehead and crown white, black patch in front of eye; behind the 
eye on each side and enclosing the nape a black band; neck white, mantle 
light grey; the outer primary with the outer web blackish, the inner 
margins of the primaries, white; tail long and forked, the middle 
feathers being light grey, the rest white; underparts white with rosy 
tint; bill black. Total length, 13.5 inches, culmen 1.6, wing 8.5, tail 6, 
depth of fork 3, tarsus 0.7. 


Nest a slight depression on the sand, generally on coral 
islands. The two eggs are greyish or light stone, marked with 
bold blotches of reddish-brown, the underneath markings being 
purplish-grey. They measure about 1.59 x 1.11 inch. 


The Grey Noddy. 
Procelsterna cinerea. 

Australian and New Zealand seas, Norfolk and neighbouring islands, 
Kermadee Group, and western coast of South America. 

Similar to, but larger than, the preceding species, much paler on the 
upper surface, well defined greyish-white ‘‘wedges’’ to the inner webs 
of the three outer primaries, underparts greyish-white, under wing-coverts 
white, bill black. Total length 11 inches, culmen 1.25, wing 8.5, tail 4.5, 
depth of fork 2, tarsus 1. 


80 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


They lay on the ground with practically no nest, usually on 
ledges of cliffs. Only one egg is laid. It is cream colour, 
sparingly marked with spots and lines of yellowish and reddish- 
brown, the under markings of pale purple and faint. They 
measure about 1.65 x 1.28 inch. 


Noddy Terns: Anous stolidus. Houtman’s Abrolhos, W.A. : 


The Noddy Tern. 
Anous stolidus. 
Tropical and juxta-tropical seas. 
Forehead nearly white at base of bill, passing on crown into grey, 
which darkens on the neck to lead-colour, lores black, upper parts dark 
brown; primaries and tail-feathers black; underparts dark brown passing 


to lead colour on throat. Total length about 16 inches, culmen 2.1, wing 
10.25 to 11, tail 6 to 7, tarsus 1. 


They nest in large companies, either on low bushes or the 
ground, the nest being composed of seaweed or land vegetation. 


81 


THE NODDY TERN 


“uosgry) 


‘DO 


‘SOIPPON SuysoN jo dnoaty 


oe NUT 


82 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The single egg is usually pinkish-white and marked with reddish- 
brown blotches often blurred at their margins, and sometimes 
most numerous at the larger end. The eggs measure about 
- 2x 1.50 inch. 

' These birds nest in immense numbers on the Houtman’s 
Abrolhos. Gilbert, who was the first to describe the rookeries on 
these islands, says that there the nest is constructed of seaweed, 
about six inches in diameter and four to eight inches high. The 
top is nearly flat, there being but a very slight hollow to prevent 
the single egg from rolling off. The nests are so completely 


A. J. Campbell. 


Lesser Noddy: Micranous tenuirostris. 


plastered with the excrement of the bird, that at first sight they 
seem to be entirely formed of that material. They are placed 
either on the ground in a clear open space, or on the tops of the 
thick scrub, over those of the Sooty Tern, the two species 
incubating together in perfect harmony. The male Sooty Tern 
sits quite close to the nest of the Noddy, while its mate is sitting 
below on her own nest. The birds kept their posts with great 
tenacity. They would not stir off the egg or young, but allowed 
themselves to be trodden upon or taken off by the hand. The 
young of both Terns are largely destroyed by a lizard which is 
very abundant about the breeding places. In Torres Strait the 
nests are made of small twigs, over which are strewn fragments 


THE LESSER NODDY 83 


of coral and shells, and usually upon tufts of grass, about a foot 
from the ground. The American Noddy lays two eggs. 


The Lesser Noddy. 
Micranous tenwirostris. 
Mascarene Island to Torres Strait and Australia. 
Forehead and crown greyish-white, above and in front of the eye 
a black half cirelet, followed by a minute white eyelid streak and then 
a small black spot, below the eye white; cheeks grey; nape pale grey, 


Dobe ty oF 

P 5 Bae 
From life. A. J. Campbell. 
Lesser Noddy Nesting in Mangrove (Houtman's Abrolhos): Micranous tenuirostris. 


darkening on sides of neck; throat nearly black, mantle and tail brownish 
grey; primaries blackish; underparts sooty brown; bill black. Total 
length 12 inches, culmen 1.8, wing 8.3, tail 4.7, tarsus 0.9. 


They build in colonies. The nest is usually made of seaweed, 
sometimes of land vegetation, situated on mangrove and other 
bushes or on ledges of rocks; loose masses of weed often hang 
down from the nest. The single egg is pale-cream colour, with 
a few reddish-brown markings, mostly on the larger end, those 
beneath the surface being purplish-grey. They measure about 
1.80 x 1.22 inch. These birds nest in vast companies on the 
Houtman’s Abrolhos. 


84 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The White-capped Noddy. 
Micranous leucocapillus. 


Caribbean Sea, intertropical Atlantic, both sides of South Africa, 
Indian Ocean, Northern Australia, and most of the islands of the South 
Pacific as far as the Society Group. 

Similar to preceding species, but forehead and crown whiter, and 
the rest of the body much darker, lores jet black, upper and underparts 
nearly black. Total length 13 inches, culmen 2, wing 8.9 to 9.1, tail 
4.8 to 5, tarsus 0.9. 


Breed in colonies. The nest is built of seaweed and placed 
on shrubs or on projecting rocks. The single egg is cream 
colour to white, and the markings reddish-brown; these vary 
from large blotches to small spots and lines, and are usually 
much more plentiful on the larger end; the undersurface 
markings are purplish. The eggs measure about 1.75 x 1.25 
inch. 

The White Tern. 
Gygis alba. 


Indian Ocean to Australia, the Pacific Islands and Islands of South 
Atlantic. 

Above and below white, except a narrow black ring round the eye; 
bill black; irides blue. Total length from 12 to 13 inches, culmen 1.8, 
wing 9.5, tail 4.25 to 5, tarsus 0.6. 


The single egg is laid on the bare horizontal branch of a tree; 
it varies in colour from a dull white to pale buff; it is curiously 
and thickly marked and streaked with lines, large and small 
spots, blotches and scrolls, &c., their colour being brown of 
varying shades, those under the surface purple. The eggs 
measure from 1.51 to 1.81 in length and from 1.18 to 1.30 in 
breadth. 


Sub-family Larine. 
Bill with upper mandible longer and bent over tip of lower. 
Tail square (Australian). 
Genus Larus.—Nostrils linear. 
Genus Gabianus.—Nostrils ovate, very small. 


THE SILVER GULL 85 


The Silver Gull. 
Larus nove-hollandice. 


Tasmania, Australia to New Caledonia. 

Head, neck, tail and under surface white; mantle and secondaries 
light grey, first and second primaries black at the tip and over the 
larger portions, third quill with white tip, followed by black bar, fourth 
and fifth quills white to grey, with black bars, under wing-coverts grey; 
bill crimson-lake. Total length about 15 inches, culmen 1.8, wing 11.5 
to 12, tail 5 to 5.5, tarsus 1.9 to 2. 


Usually breed in small colonies, but occasionally a single pair 
by themselves. The nests are situated on some rocky headland 
and usually among the grass. The nest is composed of grass, 
seaweed, &. The eggs are two or three and are greyish-green 
to olive. The markings vary from black to yellowish-brown, the 
underlying markings being purple. The eggs measure about 
2.19 x 1.56 inch. 

The Silver Gull is a_ beautiful little bird, abundantly 
dispersed over our sea-shores, and giving the first welcome to 
Australia to the incoming vessels in our harbours. It also 
frequents the rivers and inland lakes of any extent. It frequently 
congregates in immense flocks. Its flight is light and buoyant, 
and it runs over the sands or adjacent grassy flats with great 
facility. In maritime townships, where not disturbed, the birds 
will come about the cottages and take their share with the 
domestic poultry; and, before protection, gulls were often 
allowed to run free over the gardens and lawns of our city 
houses, as they are useful in the destruction of slugs. The gulls 
are closely protected in the different states, for they are 
excellent scavengers. Like so many of the sea-birds, however, 
they are astonishingly vicious to one another, and any weakly or 
injured birds are quickly destroyed and eaten by the rest. 

At a meeting of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 
Mr. A. Basset Hull exhibited some extraordinary mutations in 
the eggs, which he had obtained at the rookery at Montague 
Island. Instead of the ordinary olive-green or olive-brown egos 
streaked and blotched with blackish-brown markings, some of 
the eggs were of a beautiful uniform pale-blue with no markings 
whatever, while others were glossy white, faintly blotched with 
pale-red and a few dull red spots. There was in one case a full 
clutch of three blue eggs. Were these reversions? 


86 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Pacific Gull. 
Gabianus pacificus. 


Australia and Tasmania. 

Head, neck and under surface white; mantle and surface of wings 
black; secondaries with broad white tips; tail coverts white; bill orange. 
They obtain their adult plumage in the third year, and in the young stage 
the head and hind neck are brown, mantle and tail coverts paler brown, 
primaries and under surface brown, bill nearly black. The total length 
is 25 inches, culmen 2.8, wing 17.5 to 18, tail 8, tarsus 2.9. 


Nest made of grass or other vegetation, and usually built on 
small islands or outlying reefs among the Mesembryanthemums 
or the tussock grass. Clutch from two to three eggs, olive-brown 
marked with dark-brown blotches, those underlying purplish- 
grey. They measure about 3.01 x 2.01 inch. 


Family Stercorarude. 
Bill with a cere; tip of mandible hooked. Sternum with only 
one notch on each side behind. Toes with strong, hooked sharp 
claws. 


Genus Megalestris—Form robust. Tail short, the central 
pair of quills projecting about half an inch. 

Genus Stercorarius——Form more slender. Tail with central 
pair of quills projecting 3 inches at least. 


The Southern Skua. 
Megalestris antarctica. 


Southern Ocean generally, north to Madagascar and Comoro Islands. 

Upper parts dark brown; under wing-coverts dark brown; bill and 
tarsi black. Total length 23 to 24 inches, culmen 2.5, and depth 1; wing 
15.5 to 16.5, tail 6.5 to 7, tarsus 3 to 3.25. 


Nest usually among and lined with grass. Two eggs are 
laid and are greyish buff to olive-brown; the markings are brown 
of various shades, sometimes more numerous at the larger end. 
The eggs measure about 2.94 x 2.10 inch. 

The Southern Skua is often called Sea Hawk by sailors 
because of its powerful beak and claws. The claws have a 
curious appearance, projecting beyond the web which unites the 


87 


GULLS 


‘mnasnyy Avan 


‘ADLPUDNYOY-avaow sniwT pue snoyrovd snumgny : snp 


88 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


toes. The bird is a great traveller, being a regular visitant to 
the Antarctic Continent. Gould noticed the Skuas at a great 
distance from land, resting themselves on masses of floating 
seaweed. They feed on young and sick birds, which they kill 
without remorse, but are easily daunted and driven off by adult 
Gulls. They do not skim over the water, like the Petrels, but 
fly low, with a heavy slow flapping of the roundish wings. The 
white mark on the wing is conspicuous when seen from below. 
In the breeding season the old birds are very fierce, flying round 


; Meyer. 
Richardson Skua: Stereorarius crepidatus. 


the head of an intruder, dashing every now and again at him, 
and making at the same time a curious croaking noise in their 
throats. 


The Pomarine Skua. 
Stercorarius pomatorhinus. 


Arctic regions north of 70°, when nesting; in winter southward as 
far as Northern Australia, South Africa, and Peru. 

Forehead, cheeks and crown sooty black; acuminate feathers of the 
neck white, edged with yellow, lower neck blackish; feathers of upper 
breast white barred with black, which forms a dark collar; mantle, upper 
tail-coverts and primaries dark brown; breast dull white; abdomen, 
flanks and under wing-coverts umber. Total length 21 inches, culmen 1.7. 
wing 14.25, tail about 5.25, tarsus 2.1. 


89 


SKUA GULLS 


AENANISUT TMILYTONOLLYT MANGE 


“VIYIDIUY SUysapMAaTL IS[[VH wayg 


90 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Breeds on the Tundras, making a depression in the mossy 
vegetation for its nest. Two eggs are laid, of a dark greyish- 
olive colour, marked with brownish spots of varying shades, 
mostly at the larger end; they measure 2.27 x 1.8 inch. 


The Richardson Skua. 
Stercorarius crepidatus. 


Cireumpolar and sub-Arctie regions. 

Dull white at base of bill; forehead ash-brown, crown darker brown; 
hind neck dull white, shading into ash-brown on the shoulders and 
thickly streaked with straw-colour; mantle, wing and tail-coverts darker 
brown; under wing and abdomen ash-brown; breast and chin dull white. 
Some forms are darker throughout, the underparts being nearly as dark 
as the mantle. Total length 20 inches; culmen 1.5, wing 13, tail 5 
without the central pair, tarsus 1.75. 


Builds a slight nest of moss, &c., on the Tundras in Siberia, 
although fairly plentiful in Port Phillip and round the 
Tasmanian and Australian coasts. It lays two eggs, which are 
dark olive, blotched with umber, especially on the larger end. 
They measure about 2.30 x 1.58 inch. 


ORDER CHARADRIIFORMES. 


Family Charadriide. 


Nostrils schizorhinal: tarsus usually reticulated, sometimes 
scutellated. 
Key to Sub-families. 


Nasal grooves not extending beyond half length of the bill. 
Bill not swollen at the tip. 
Bill moderate about as long as the toes. 


Toes without web. Arenariing. 
Outer toe connected by web. Hematopodine. 
Bill much longer than toes. Himantopodineg. 
Bill with marked swelling at the tip. 
Tarsus reticulated behind, scaly in front. Lobivanellina. 
Tarsus reticulated, or with hexagonal scales both 
in front and behind. Charadriine. 
Tarsus transversely scaled both in front and 
behind, Peltohyatine. 
Nasal grooves extending along the greater part of the Dill. 
Toes webbed. Totanineg. 
Toes not webbed. Scolopacinzg. 


Sub-family Arenariine. 
Genus Arenaria. 
Toes unwebbed, hind toe present. All parts of the world. 


THE PIED OYSTER-CATCHER 91 


The Turnstone. 
Arenaria interpres. 


Only seen with us in its winter plumage. Above, blackish-brown; 
throat and abdomen white; breast brownish-black; tail white, with a 
broad blackish band near the tip. In summer in Europe and Asia, the 
head and breast are white mottled with black. Bill black, legs red, eye 
dark brown; wing 6 inches, tarsus 1. 


The Turnstones breed in high northern latitudes, migrating 
southwards in the early autumn. One contingent travelling down 
through the Malay Archipelago and New Guinea comes to us in 
Australia and Tasmania for the summer. Some reach New 
Zealand in November, and a few appear in Fiji. 


Meyer. 
Turnstone (breeding plumage): Arenaria interpres. 


Sub-family Hematopodine. 


Genus Hematopus. 
Bill longer than the head, strong, compressed. Hind toe 
wanting. Almost cosmopolitan. 


The White-breasted or Pied Oyster-catcher. 
Hematopus longirostris. 


Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, Chatham Islands, New Guinea, 
and Moluccas. 

Back and head glossy black, edge of wing black, lower back and tail- 
coverts white, latter broadly tipped with black; inner secondaries edged 
with white; under surface white. Total length 17 inches, culmen 3.4. 
wing 10.1, tail 4, tarsus 1.95. 


THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Nest a depression in the sand; the two eggs are light 
greyish-stone in colour, with numerous markings of dark-brown 
fairly distributed ; the measurements are about 2.38 x 1.56 inch. 


bg se, ae 
Meyer. 


Pied Oyster-catcher: Haematopus longirostris. 


The Black Oyster-catcher. 
A. fulsginosus. 


Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. 
All black. Total length 18 inches, culmen 3.3, wing 11.5, tail 4.4, 


tarsus 2.1. 


Toy. “Erebus” and “Terror.” 


Black Oyster-catcher: Haematopus fuliginosus. 


THE RED-KNEED DOTTREL 93 


Nest usually a depression in seaweed or other dead vegeta- 
tion on the rocks. The two eggs are greyish-stone, marked with 
numerous dark-brown blotches, very similar to those of the 
preceding species, and measure about 2.70 x 1.71 inch. 


Sub-family Lobivanelline. 
Genus Erythrogonys. 
Tip of bill only slightly swollen. No spur on wing. 


Australian Museum. 
Red-kneed Dottrel: Erythrogonys cinctus. 


The Red-kneed Dottrel. 
Erythrogonys cinctus. 

Australia. 

Colour above bronzy brown; greater series of wing-coverts fringed 
with white at ends; inner primaries and secondaries broadly tipped with 
white; sides of back and rump white; centre tail feathers brown, rest 
white; small patch below eye, cheeks, throat and sides of neck white; 
head and sides of face black; broad band of black on chest; underparts 
white. Total length 7.5 inches, culmen 0.85, wing 4.3, tail 1.85, tarsus 
16. This bird is found in the interior and away from the sea coasts, 
usually on the banks of swamps or lagoons. 


94 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Nest on the bare ground, usually by the edge of a swamp; 
four eggs are laid, of a dark stone colour, thickly marked with 
blackish wavy lines and spots, the lines interlacing. The eggs, 
measure about 1.23 x .87 inch. 


Genus Lobivanellus. 
Facial Wattle. Spur on wing. 


“The Emu.” H. Burrell. 
Nest of Spur-winged Plover: Lobivanellus lobatus. 


The Spur-winged Plover. 


Lobiwanellus lobatus. 

Australia and Tasmania, accidental in New Zealand. 

Above light brown, with small fringe of white at the ends of the 
greater wing-coverts. Tail and upper tail-coverts white, the former 
having a black band at the end; crown of head black, extending back- 
wards and joining a black patch on the sides of the breast; base of 
forehead, sides of face and under surface white, including under wing- 
coverts. Total length 14 inches, culmen 1.4, wing 9.6, tail 4.2, tarsus 3. 


THE BLACK-BREASTED PLOVER 95 


Nest on damp bare ground, usually slightly hollowed, and 
situated near a swamp, the four eggs are the same tone as the 
soil, and, as is usual with eggs laid on the ground, are much 
larger at one end than the other, the smaller end always being 
inwards, which enables the bird to sit on the eggs without 
pushing them from her. They are of a dark-greenish colour, 
marked with bold olive blotches, and measure about 1.94 x 
1.40 inch. 


The Masked Plover. 
Lobivanellus miles. 


Australia, New Guinea, Aru and Moluccas Islands, 

Similar to L. lobatus, but distinguished by its larger and differently 
shaped lappet, and having the black on the head confined to the cap, 
being separated from the brown of the back by a white collar. Total 
length 12.5 inches, culmen 1.5, wing 8.9, tail 3.7, tarsus 3. 


Nest a slight hollow on the bare damp soil near some swamp. 
The four eggs are greenish-olive, occasionally lighter, and 
spotted with dark-brown of varying shades. They measure 
about 1.76 x 1.25 inch. 


Sub-family Charadriune. 
Genus Zonifer. 
Facial wattle. No spur on wing. 


The Black-breasted Plover. 
Zonifer tricolor. 

Australia and Tasmania. 

Brown above; median series of wing-coverts tipped with white; the 
greater coverts white; secondaries black; upper tail-coverts white; basal 
half of tail white; the terminal half black with a white tip; crown of 
head and nape black; a white streak behind the eye; throat white, 
encircled by a band of black, which forms a broad pectoral band; 
remainder of under surface white. Total length 10.5 inches, eulmen 1.05, 
wing 7.4, tail 3.2, tarsus 1.9. 


Nest a slight hollow in the ground, usually scantily lined with 
grass or other material. The four eggs are greyish-olive, well 
marked all over with small brown spots. These birds are often 
noticed on the plains well away from water, especially in 
Riverina. The eggs measure about 1.80 x 1.25 inch. 


96 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Squatarola. 
No facial wattle. No spur on wing. Hind toe present. 


The Grey Plover. 
Squatarola helvetica. 

Sub-Arctie regions south to Australia and Tasmania; South Africa 
and South America in winter. 

General colour above mottled with bars of black and ashy white; 
lower back dusky brown, with white spots and fringes to the feathers; 
upper tail coverts and tail feathers white, barred with blackish brown; 
crown of head more minutely mottled than the back; forehead and 
eyebrow white, extending down the sides of the neck and forming a 


Australian Museum. 
Golden Plover: Charadrius (fulvus) dominicus. 


patch on side of breast; under surface of body black; abdomen white. 
The winter plumage has not the black on the face or breast, and the 
upper surface is ashy brown with narrow whitish edgings to the 
feathers; base of forehead like the crown; throat and underparts white, 
and the ‘axillaries black. Total es 10. 5 inches, culmen 1.3, wing 8.1, 
tail 2.9, tarsus 1.8. 


Nest a shallow depression in the moss with a little lining. 
They nest in the Tundra country in Northern Siberia, and lay 
four eggs which are of varying shades of stone colour, marked 
with blackish-brown blotches, mostly on the larger end, those 
on the pointed end being smaller. The eggs measure about 
2.10 x 1.40 inch. 


THE LESSER GOLDEN PLOVER 97 


Genus Charadrius. 
No facial wattle. No spur on wing. No hind toe. 


The Lesser Golden Plover. 
Charadrius dominicus. 
Sub-Arctie regions south in winter to Australia, New Zealand, 


Africa and South America. 

General colour above mottled with black, golden-buff and ashy- 
whitish markings; tail feathers brown, barred with golden, outer feathers 
notched with white; a frontal band, extending down the sides of the 


] 


Meyer. 


Lesser Golden Plover: Charadrius dominicus. 


neck and joining the white along the sides of the body; sides of face 
and throat smoky-black; breast and abdomen black; axillaries smoky- 
brown. Total length 9 inches, culmen 0.95, wing 6.5, tail 2.4, tarsus 1.65. 


Nest a slight depression on the moss-covered ground of the 
Tundra, in Siberia, and Northern America. Four eggs are laid, 
which are of a pale buff colour, boldly marked with blotches of 
dark reddish-brown. The eggs measure about 1.90 x 1.30 inch. 


Genus Ochthodromus. 
Bill equal in length to middle toe. 


98 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Double-banded Dottrel. 
Ochthodromus bicinctus. 

Australia, Tasmania, Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands. 

General colour above greenish brown; the greater and primary- 
coverts with « narrow white tip; tail feathers brown tipped with white; 
forehead and throat white, separated from the brown face by a line of 
black, which runs along the throat and joins a broad band across the 
fore-neck; across the chest a broad white band followed by another of 
deep chestnut; rest of under surface white. Total length 7.5 inches, 
culmen 0.8, wing 4.95, tail 2.15, tarsus 1.25. In moulting plumage the 
bands of black and chestnut on the under surface are absent, and no 
black band on head. 


Nest a depression in the loose soil, usually near the coast. 
The three eggs are greenish-stone, streaked and spotted with 
blackish-brown. They measure about 1.39 x .99 inch. 


The Greater Sand Dottrel. 
Ochthodromus geoffroyi. 


Eastern Asia to Africa, India, and Australia in winter. 

General colour above light brown; the greater series of wing-coverts 
tipped with white; tail brown, with a broad white tip; on the forepart 
of the crown a band of cinnamon-rufous, which extends down the side 
of the neck round the hinder neck, where it forms a broad collar; base 
of forehead white, followed by a narrow black band; sides of face and 
under surface of body white, with a broad band of chestnut across the 
breast; in winter the rufous chest and facial markings are absent. 
Total length 8.5 inches, culmen 1, wing 5.5, tail 2, tarsus 1.45. 


They breed in Formosa and China, and probably in Japan, 
making a slight depression in the soil. The eggs are buff, 
thickly marked with almost black blotches, some being very 
large and confluent, others smaller and well over the egg. An 
example in the collection of the author from Formosa measures 
1.36 x .95 inch. 


The Mongolian Sand Dottrel. 
Ochthodromus mongolus. 


North-east Asia, Alaska, and China to Australia in winter. 

Similar to O. geoffroyi, but smaller, a broader black band along the 
side of the face and the ear-coverts being entirely black; the white 
throat separated from the rufous chest band by a narrow line of black. 
In winter plumage the facial markings and rufous chest are absent. 
Total length 7.5 inches, culmen 0.75, wing 5.2, tail 2.1, tarsus 1.2. 


Breeds in Eastern Siberia, The Commander Islands and 
Tibet. 


THE RED-CAPPED DOTTREL 99 


The Oriental Dottrel. 
Ochthodromus veredus. 
Mongolia and China to Moluccas and Australia in the winter. 
Similar to O. geoffroyi, but with longer and more slender bill, and 
with smoky-brown axillaries, under wing-coverts and quill linings; upper 
parts uniform brown, with white tip to tail; chest, chestnut followed by 
horseshoe mark of black; breast and abdomen white. In winter plumage 


has no rufous chest-band. Total length 8.5 inches, culmen 1, wing 6.5, 
tail 2.4, tarsus 1.75. 


Breeds in Mongolia. 


Genus Af gialitis. 
Bill shorter than the middle toe. 


Ringed Plover. 
Aigialitis hiaticola. 

Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia; accidentally 
Europe, North Asia, and Africa. The winter distribution. 

Whole of the underparts white, with the exception of the lores and 
a single broad breast-band, both of which are black in the adult male, 
brown in the female and young; nearly the central half of the outer 
webs of the innermost primaries is white, and the web between the 
outer and middle toes reaches only to the first joint. 


Breeds in Greenland, Iceland, Spitzbergen and Novaya 
Zemlya. 


The Red-capped Dottrel. 
Agialitis ruficapilla. 

Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, north to China. 

General colour above brown; the primary coverts fringed with white 
at the ends; the greater coverts also tipped with white; four central 
tail feathers brown, the next pair white, with some brown on the inner 
web, the remainder white; crown of head and hind-neck rufous; frontal 
band white, extending above the eye, and narrow band of black 
adjoining, sides of face and under surface white; a black mark on each 
side of neck. Total length 6 inches, culmen 0.6, wing 4.1, tail 1.55, 
tarsus 1.1. 


Nest a slight hollow in the sand just above high-water mark, 
usually with some shells or seaweed about it. Two  stone- 
coloured eges are laid, with dark-brown markings, some being 
large, others very small. The eggs measure about 1.26 x .87 
inch. 


100 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Black-fronted Dottrel. 


Aigialhitis melanops. 

Australia. 

Above dark sandy-brown, with darker bases to the feathers; the 
greater coverts with white tips; scapulars deep chestnut, forming a patch 
down each side of the back; primaries black; secondaries white on inner 
web, dark brown on outer; centre tail feathers blackish, the next tipped 
with white, the outermost being white; forehead black, and a black 
patch on the hind neck; a white band encircles the sides of the crown 
and meets on the nape; throat and underparts white, with broad black 
collar on fore-neck. Total length 6 inches, culmen 0.65, wing 4.4, tail 2.1, 
tarsus 0.9. 


Nest a very slight depression on the margins of inland 
lagoons, rivers, &c. The three eggs are light-buff, thickly 
marked with minute dots and lines of brown or umber, and 
being so like the ground on which they are laid, are very difficult 
to detect; they measure about 1.16 x .86 inch. These birds are 
not found on the seashore; only inland. 


The Hooded Dottrel. 
Aigialitis cucullata. 


Australia and Tasmania. 

Above pale ashy-grey; greater wing-coverts broadly tipped with 
white; primary coverts slightly fringed with white at the tips; centre 
tail feathers brown, the others white for the most part, and tipped with 
white; head, neck and throat black, enclosing white collar round the 
hind neck; a whitish spot below eye; remainder of under surface white, 
with black patch on sides of the chest. Total length 8.3 inches, culmen 
0.7, wing 5.4, tail 2.6, tarsus 1.05. 


Nest a slight hollow in the sand well above high-water 
mark; three eggs are generally laid, but occasionally only two, 
of a light stone colour, with blotches and irregular dark-brown 
markings, of various sizes. The eggs measure about 1.38 x .01 
inch. 


Sub-family Peltohyatine. 
Genus Peltohyas. 
Characters of the sub-family. Confined to Australia. 


THE BANDED STILT 101 


The Australian Dottrel. 


Peltohyas australis. 

Australia. 

Above sandy buff, streaked with dark brown centres to the feathers; 
lower back ashy-brown; tail dark brown, edged with buff; crown of 
head spotted with blackish and separated from forehead by band of 
black; a black patch below the eye; a black collar round the hind-neck, 
descending to the chest; under surface sandy buff; lower abdomen, 
thighs and under tail-coverts white. Total length 8 inches, culmen 0.75, 
wing 5.35, tail 2.3, tarsus 1.35. 


Nest a slight depression in the soil, usually on raised ground; 
from three to five eggs are laid, buff in colour, sparingly 
marked with dark-brown blotches, larger on some eges than on 
others. They measure about 1.44 x 1.02 inch. 

These birds inhabit the inland districts. 


Sub-family Himantopodine. 
Bill much longer than head, slender, straight. Legs very 
long and slender. Toes with scarcely any web. No hind toe. 


The White-headed Stilt. 
Himantopus leucocephalus. 


Australia, New Guinea, Moluccas, and Greater Sunda Island. 

Above black; lower back and tail white, the latter tinged with 
brown on centre feathers; head white; hind neck to the white collar 
black; under-surface white. Total length 14.5 inches, culmen 2.5, wing 
9.4, tail 2.3, tarsus 4.5. 


Nest sometimes a slight hollow in the damp ground, but 
if in a very wet situation, a nest is built of vegetation. Four 
eggs are laid, of a greenish stone-colour, with large dark-brown 
blotches or streaks; they measure about 1.80 x 1.25 inch. 


Genus Cladorhynchus. 
Like Himantopus, but the toes are webbed. 


The Banded Stilt. 


Cladorhynchus leucocephalus. 
Australia and Tasmania. 
Above white; wing-coverts and primaries black; outer secondaries 
white, innermost black; tail white; head and neck white; line of black 


102 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


on fore-neck; breast chestnut; black line down centre of abdomen and 
sides of body white. Total length 13.5 inches, culmen 2.8, wing 7.7, tail 
3.1, tarsus 3.05. 


Australian Museum. 
White-headed Stilt: Himantopus leucocephalus. 


Nest a very slight depression, sometimes none, with very little 
lining. The four eggs are greenish-stone, with dark-brown 
blotches or streaks, almost identical with those of the 
preceding species. They measure about 1.79 x 1.21 inch. 


THE RED-NECKED AVOCET 103 


Genus Recurvirostra. 


Bill long and slender, much curved upwards. Legs long and 
slender. Toes webbed. Short hind toe. 


Avocet: Recurvirostra White-headed Stilt: Himantopus 
novae-hollandiae. . leucocephalus. 


The Red-necked Avocet. 
Recurvirostra nove-hollandie. 


Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. 

Above white, with black line down sides of the back, formed by the 
scapulars; outer scapulars white; small wing-coverts white on the edge; 
the greater series white with black on outer webs; tail ashy grey; head 
and throat chestnut; under surface white. Total length 15.5 inches, 
culmen 3.6, wing 8.9, tail 3.1, tarsus 3.35. 


104 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Nest on the bare damp soil, usually lined with a little 
vegetation. The four eggs are olive-stone, with dark-brown 


Australian Museum. 
Avocet: Recurvirostra novae-hollandiae. 


markings, almost exactly as in the preceding species. They 
measure about 2.01 x 1.1 inch. 


THE LITTLE WHIMBREL 105 


Sub-family Totanine. 
Genus Numenwus. 


Bill strong and long, arched downwards. Legs stout. Tarsus 
transversely scaled in front, reticulate behind. 


The Curlew. 
Numenius cyanopus. 


East Siberia and Japan to Australia and Tasmania in winter. 

General colour fulvous brown, with longitudinal black centres tu 
the feathers; lower back darker and the axillaries and under wing- 
coverts and upper tail-coverts barred. Under surface tinged with buff. 
The bill is curved, and measures seven inches long. Total length 24 
inches, culmen 7.2, wing 12.5, tail 4.6, tarsus 3.46. 


Nest and eggs undescribed. They breed in Siberia, usually 
leaving here in the latter end of April. This bird is only found 
on the sea coasts, and must not be confused with the Stone 
Plover, also commonly called Curlew in Australia. 


The Whimbrel. 
Numenius variegatus. 


East Siberia to Australia and Tasmania in winter. 

Above nearly uniform dark brown; lower back thickly mottled with 
bars and spots of brown, and the axillaries with broad bands of brown; 
tail tipped with white and barred; centre of crown whitish and streaked; 
breast and sides of body pale buff, with longitudinal streaks; abdomen 
white. Total length 15 inches, culmen 3, wing 8.8, tail 3.8, tarsus 2.15. 


They nest in Siberia. 


Genus Mesoscolopax. 


Bill arched downwards. Tarsus with transverse scales before 
and behind. 
The Little Whimbrel. 
Mesoscolopax minutus. 


Eastern Siberia to Australia in winter. 

Above blackish, mottled with sandy-buff spots and margins of the 
feathers; upper tail-coverts barred; tail ashy grey and barred; fore-neck 
buff and streaked; centre of breast whitish. Total length 13 inches, 
eulmen 1.75, wing 7.1, tail 2.85, tarsus 1.8. 


Nest in Siberia, leaving Australia about April. 


106 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Inmosa. 


Bill very long, slightly inclined upwards. Hind toe rather 
long. ; 


Meyer. 
Barred-rumped Godwit: Limosa novae-zealandiae. 


The Barred-rumped Godwit. 
Limosa nove-zealandia. 

Eastern Siberia and Alaska to Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand 
in winter. 

Above blackish, mottled with chestnut; lower back dusky, the 
feathers having white edgings; under wing-coverts mcttled and axillaries 
barred; tail brown, tipped and barred with white; crown of head chestnut 
and streaked; under surface chestnut and streaked on upper breast. 
Total length 14.5 inches, culmen 3.4, wing 8.9, tail 2.9, tarsus 2.2. 


Nests in Siberia. 


GREEN SANDPIPER 107 


The Black-tailed Godwit. 
Timosa limosa. 


Eastern Siberia to Australia in winter. 

Above ashy brown, with slightly paler edges to feathers; lower back 
blackish and brown; upper tail-coverts white, long ones tipped with 
black; greater wing-coverts broadly tipped with white; tail white at the 
base, with broad black terminal band; upper throat and underparts 
white. Total length 16.5 inches, culmen 4.4, wing 8.8, tail 3, tarsus 3.2. 


Nest made of vegetation in marshy situations. The four 
eges are greenish-buff and marked with blotches of olive-brown. 
They measure from 2.05 to 2.27 inches in length to 1.42 to 1.55 
inches in breadth. 

Nests in the Northern Hemisphere. 


Genus Totanus. 
Bill straight, not longer than tail. Tarsus longer than middle 
toe. 
The Little Greenshank. 
Totanus stagnatihs, 


South-east Europe to North-east Asia and wintering in Africa, India, 
Malay Archipelago, Moluccas, and Australia. : 

Above nearly uniform ashy brown, some feathers margined with 
white; lower back white; upper tail-coverts white and barred with black; 
centre tail feathers ashy and barred with black, the remainder white, 
freckled and barred; forehead white and sides of face white and streaked 
with brown; under surface white. Total length 9.5 inches, culmen 1.6, 
wing 5.2, tail 2.1, tarsus 2.1, 


A slight depression in the ground and the clutch usually four. 
They are stone colour, boldly marked with dark-brown blotches, 
and measure about 1.50 x 1.05 inch. 

These birds nest in the Northern Hemisphere. 


The Green Sandpiper. 


Helodromas ochropus. 


North-west Australia and Queensland (winter), Europe, North Asia, 
Africa, India. 

Dark olive-brown, with a few very small white spots; the rump is 
like the back, but the upper tail-coverts are white, as are the tail feathers, 
the latter having blackish bars; the under surface is white, with brown 
streaks on the lower throat and fore-neck. 


+ 


108 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


It nests in Northern Europe and Siberia, building in trees, 
usually selecting old nests of other birds. The clutch is four, 
about 114 inch in length, and colour greenish-white with reddish- 
brown markings. 


Genus Heteractitis. 


Bill straight. Tarsus of same length as middle toe and claw. 
Secondaries shorter than primaries. 


The Grey-rumped Sandpiper. 
Heteractitis brevipes. 


Eastern Siberia to Australia in winter. 

Above uniform ashy grey, with very slight lighter margins to 
feathers; lower back more grey with whitish edges; tail ashy, with narrow 
whitish margins; sides of face and under surface white, with shade of 
grey on chest; sides of breast ashy grey. In the breeding plumage the 
cheeks are spotted and the breast and sides of body barred. Total length 
8.8 inches, wing 6.4, culmen 1.5, tail 2.6, tarsus 1.15. 


Breeds in Siberia. 


The American Grey-rumped Sandpiper. 


Heteractitis incanus. 


Northern Australia, (Oceania north to Alaska). 

The flanks, axillaries and breast are greyish brown, a little paler on 
the upper parts, the rest of the underparts are white, no white on the 
quills. Total length 9 inches, culmen 1.5, wing 6.1, tail 2.8, tarsus 1.2 
inch. 


They nest in Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, and passing 
along the coast of California and the Galapagos Islands winter 
in the Polynesian Islands. 


Genus Tringoides. 


As in preceding, but secondaries about equal in length to 
primaries. 
The Common Sandpiper. 
Tringoides hypoleucus. 


Europe and Northern Asia to Africa, India, Australia (winter). 

Above bronzy brown, the feathers with arrow-shared central markings 
of black; wing-coverts barred with blackish; greater coverts tipped with 
white; tail irregularly barred and tipped with white, outer feathers 


. 


THE GREENSHANK 109 


mostly white; under parts white. Total length 8 inches, culmen 1.1, wing 
4.1, tail 2, tarsus 0.96. 


Nest a depression in the ground, sometimes lined. Four 
eggs are laid and are stone colour, with blotches and _ finer 
marking of brown of varying shades. They measure about 1.40 
x 1.01 inch. 

These birds nest in the Northern Hemisphere. 


Genus Terekia, 
Bill with upward curve. Webs to both inner and outer toes. 


The Terek Sandpiper. 
Terekia cinerea. 

North-east Europe, North Siberia to Africa, India to Australia 
(winter). 

Above light ashy grey, with whitish edges to the scapulars and wing- 
coverts; in breeding plumage there are black centres to the upper surface. 
Secondaries tipped with white; upper tail-coverts freckled; forehead 
white; sides of face whitish streaked with ashy grey; underparts white. 
Total length 8.5 inches, culmen 2, wing 5.35, tail 2.2, tarsus 1.15. 


Nest a depression in the ground, usually lined. The eggs 
are olive-buff, marked with blotches and streaks of dark-brown, 
especially on the larger end. They measure about 1.5 x .96 
inch. 

These birds breed in Northern Europe and Siberia. 


Genus Glottis. 
Bill with upward curve. No web to outer toe. 


The Greenshank. 
Glottis nebularius. 


North Asia and North Europe to Africa, Indian Peninsula and 
Australia in winter. 

In winter plumage the colour above is ashy-brown, mottled with 
whitish edges to the feathers, which are freckled with darker brown; 
lower back and tail white, the centre feathers of the tail barred with 
brown, the others spotted on outer web; forehead and sides of face white; 


110 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


sides of neck streaked; under surface white. The breeding plumage is 
more ruddy brown with black centres to the feathers on the uppér 
surface. Total length 13 inches, culmen 2.2, wing 7.2, tail 2.85, tarsus 2.15. 


Nest a depression in grass, moss, &c. Four cream-coloured 
eggs are laid, marked with blotches and lines of brown, and 
generally most numerous at the larger end, where they are 
confiuent. They measure about 1.95 x 1.30 inch. 

Breeds in Northern Hemisphere. 


Genus Rhyacophilus. 


The Wood Sandpiper. 
Rhyacophilus glareola. 


Europe and North Asia to Africa, Indian Peninsula, and Australia in 
winter. 

In winter the colour above is bronzy-brown, with light margins to 
the feathers, which are slightly spotted with white on both edges; 
feathers on rump edged with white; upper tail coverts white, the lateral 
ones with blackish markings; centre tail feathers ashy brown barred with 
darker brown and notched with white; the lateral feathers white, barred 
with blackish; sides of face white lightly streaked; throat white; chest 
ashy; remainder of under surface white. Total length 8.5 inches, culmen 
1.15, wing 4.6, tail 1.85, tarsus 1.4. In summer the plumage is more 
variegated than in winter. 


Nest the usual depression in the grassy and heathy ground 
and lined with similar material. The four eggs are greenish- 
white or buff and marked with blotches and spots of reddish- 
brown, especially at the larger end. 

These birds nest in the Northern Hemisphere. 


Genus Bartramia. 


Bill thickened at tip, shorter than tail. Tail long, outer 
feathers shorter than middle ones. 


The Bartram Sandpiper. 
Bartramia longicauda. 
North America, ranging to South America in winter, accidental in 
Europe and Australia. 
Above mottled, the feathers being black, with whitish edges; lower 
back black; centre tail-feathers ashy brown, barred with black, remainder 


THE LITTLE STINT 111 


buff, tipped with whitish; throat white; chest buff, feathers centred with 
triangular black spots; rest of underparts creamy white. Total length 
11 inches, culmen 1.15, wing 6.5, tail 3.3, tarsus 1.75. 


Nest a depression in the ground among short vegetation; 
four eggs form the clutch, and are of a greyish-stone colour, 
covered with spots and blotches of brown, rather more numerous 
at the larger end. They measure about 1.80 x 1.30 inch. They 
nest in North America. 


Sub-family Scolopacine. 


Genus Calidris. 
No hind toe. Bill and tarsus equal in length. 


The Sanderling. 
Calidris arenaria. 

Aretie regions to South America, Africa, Indian Peninsula, and 
Australia in winter. 

In winter the general colour above is light ashy grey, with whitish 
edgings to feathers; in summer the feathers are more mottled; medium 
wing-coverts ashy, broadly tipped with white; centre tail-feathers ashy 
grey, blackish towards the tips, remainder dusky brown; a broad frontal 
band; sides of face and under surface white. Total length 7 inches, 
culmen 1.05, wing 4.75, tail 1.8, tarsus 0.9. 


Nest a depression on the ground lined with grass. The clutch 
is four, and they are olive-buff in colour, with numerous 
markings of olive-brown, generally most plentiful at the larger 


end. 
They nest in the Arctic regions. 


Genus Pisobia. 
Hind toe present. Bill as long as tarsus. Tarsus as long as 
mid toe with claw. 


The Little Stint. 
Pisobia (Limonites) ruficollis. 

Eastern Siberia to Australia in winter. 

In winter plumage the general colour above is ashy brown, slightly 
darker along the shafts; lower back blackish brown; foreneck and chest 
white or slightly ashy; sides of lower back and lateral upper tail-coverts 
white; tail light smoky brown, the long central feathers dark brown, 


112 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


with a narrow whitish fringe; a white wing-band on the greater-coverts; 
throat and under surface of body white. In summer much more mottled 
on the upper surface. Total length 5.3 inches, culmen 0.7, wing 3.85, tail 
1.7, tarsus 0.75. 


They nest in Eastern Siberia. Eggs so far undescribed. 


The Middendorff Stint. 
Pisobia damacensis. 


Eastern Siberia to Australia in winter. 

Similar in winter plumage to L. ruficollis, but darker, with the head 
and back much more thickly spotted with black, and the lower throat 
and foreneck very distinctly streaked or mottled with brown. The species 
can also be distinguished from the above by its long toes. Total length 
5.2 inches, culmen 0.7, wing 3.4, tail 1.4, tarsus 0.8, middle toe and 
claw 0.9. 


They breed in Northern Siberia, but eggs not described. 
Birds very plentiful on Rottnest Island, W.A., locally called 
Little Snipe. 


Genus Heteropygia. 


Hind toe is present. Bill as long as tarsus. Tarsus longer 
than hind toe. 


The Sharp-tailed Stint. 
Heteropygia aurita (acuminata). 


Eastern Siberia to Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania in winter. 

In winter are coloured brown above, streaked with black down the 
centre of the feathers; lower back dusky black; under surface of body 
white; lower throat and chest ashy fulvous with a few narrow streaks; 
tail feathers ashy brown fringed with white round the ends. Total 
length 7 inches, culmen 1.1, wing 5.4, tail 2.1, tarsus 1.2. 


They breed in Siberia. Eggs not described. 


Genus Ancylochilus. 


Ilind toe present. Bill longer than tarsus. Tarsus longer 
than mid toe. Tip of bill decurved. 


THE KNOT 113 


The Curlew Stint. 
Ancylochilus subarquatus. 


North Siberia to Africa, Indian Peninsula and Australia in winter. 
In winter the plumage is ashy brown above, slightly mottled with 
darker centres to the feathers; rump and upper tail-coverts white; tail 
feathers ashy brown, fringed with white, and a sub-terminal dusky bar; 
under surface white, with fine lines of dusky brown on the sides of the 
face, neck, lower throat, and fore-neck. Total length 7.4 inches, eulmen 
1.35, wing 5.3, tail 1.9, tarsus 1.15, middle toe and claw 1. 


Breeds in Siberia. 


Meyer. 


Sharp-tailed Stint: Heteropygia awrita. 


Genus Tringa. 


Hind toe present. Bill longer than tarsus. Tarsus longer 
than hind toe. Tip of bill straight. Tail square. 


The Knot. 
Tringa canutus. 

Arctic regions to Africa, Indian Peninsula, Australia, and New 
Zealand. 

In winter the plumage above is ashy grey, with a few dusky bars on 
the rump; upper tail-coverts white, barred with black; the inner primary- 
coverts black broadly tipped with white; tail ashy grey; sides of face 
white, with dusky streaks; under surface of body white; the throat 
streaked, and the chest mottled. Total length 9 inches, culmen 1.3, wing 
6.1, tail 2.3, tarsus 1.2. 


H 


114 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The single egg in the British Museum from the Seebohm 
collection is a greyish cream colour, boldly marked over the 
larger half with coarse blotches of chestnut-brown and pale 
underlying purple, with lines of black; the smaller end has a 
few rufous spots on. It measures 1.61 x 148 inch. 


Meyer. 
Knot: Tringa canutus. 


The Great Sandpiper. 
Tringa crassirostris. 


Eastern Siberia to Australia and Western India. 

The winter plumage is similar to 7. canutus, being ashy grey above 
and white below, but easily distinguished by the longer bill and pure 
white upper tail-coverts; the dusky spots on the chest and sides of the 
body smaller and much more distinct. Total length 10.5 inches, culmen 
1.6, wing 6.9, tail 2.5, tarsus 1.3. 


Nests in Siberia. Not described. 


Genus Gallinago. 


Hind toe present. Bill longer than tarsus. Tarsus shorter 
than mid toe. 
The Snipe. 
Gallinago australis. 


Nesting in Japan and passing in winter by Formosa to Australia and 
Tasmania. 

The general colour above black and the stripes and markings of the 
upper surface are a dark sandy isabelline, especially on hinder neck, and 
the paler colour on the scapulars causes the black to stand out conspicuously 


THE PAINTED SNIPE 115 


and imparts a strongly mottled appearance to the upper surface. The 
tail feathers number 18, and are tawny rufous, black at the base, and 
tipped with white; outer feathers regularly barred; crown of head with 
black band on each side; chin white; chest mottled sandy brown; breast 
and abdomen white. Total length 11.5 inches, culmen 2.7, wing 6.5 
tail 2.6, tarsus 1.85. ; 


Nest a very slight depression in marshy uplands. Four 
eggs are laid, light-stone in colour and boldly marked with 
brown blotches, especially on the larger end; some look as if they 
had been smudged. The eges measure about 1.74 x 1.20 inch. 

The clutch in the author’s collection was found on the 
upland marshes of Mount Fujiyama. Strictly speaking, this 
bird should be called the Japanese Snipe. They usually arrive 
in Victoria about the latter part of August, leaving again about 
the latter end of March. 


Genus Rostratula. 
Hind toe present. Bill longer than tarsus. Tarsus as long 


as mid toe. 


The Painted Snipe. 
Rostratula australis. 

Australia. 

The general colour above of the hen bird is ashy brown, glossed with 
olive-green, the upper surface freckled all over with transverse blackish 
lines and a few broader bars and a reddish streak down each side of 
back; primary-coverts grey, freckled with irregular wavy lines of black; 
lower back pearl grey, with black cross-lines; tail barred with ochre; the 
sides of the face and throat sooty black; under surface white; on each 
side of the upper breast is a black patch. The male is easily distinguished 
from the female by the absence of chestnut on the throat and neck, and 
by the wing-coverts being bronzy and olive, with numerous spots of 
yellow-ochre. Total length 9.5 inches, culmen 1.7, wing 5.9, tail 1.8, 
tarsus 1.7, 


Nest a slight depression in the ground lined with grass 
and usually near a swamp, the four eggs are light-stone, boldly 
marked with large blotches of very dark sepia and streaks. 
They measure about 1.39 x 1.01 inch. 

These birds are rare and usually found in pairs, and resort 
to dryer situations than the before-mentioned species. 


116 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Family Parride. 
Toes enormously long. 


Genus Hydralector. 

Rail-like in form. The great length of the toes and claws 
enables the bird to run with great facility over floating aquatic 
plants in lakes or swamps. Weak in powers of flight, they can 
dive well and remain submerged for a long time. 


The Comb-crested Jacana. 
Hydralector gallinaceus. 


Australia, Celebes, and South Borneo. 

Above bronzy brown; upper tail-coverts and tail black, the centre 
tail feathers white at base; forehead, sides of neck and face straw- 
colour; throat white; breast and under wing-coverts black; abdomen 
white. Total length 9 inches, culmen with frontal lappet 1.8, wing 5.6, 
tail 1.6, tarsus 2.4, middle toe and claw 3.6. 


Usually a floating nest of green vegetation or built on water- 
lilies and similar plants in a swamp. The four eggs are very 
striking, being exceedingly glossy and interlaced all round with 
almost black lines on an olive-stone background. They measure 
about 1.19 x .83 inch. 


Family Glareolide. 
Nostrils schizorhinal. Tarsus transversely scaled in front. 


Genus Stiltia. 
Tarsus very long, the outstretched feet far exceeding the tail. 


The Pratincole. 
Stiltia isabella. 

Australia to Celebes, and Greater Sunda Island. 

Above brown, all the feathers more or less washed with a sandy 
rufous; coverts and primaries black; upper tail-coverts white; tail black, 
white at base, increasing towards the outermost, which is almost white; 
chest sandy rufous; abdomen white. Total length 9 inches, culmen 0.65, 
wing 8.3, tail 2.4, tarsus 1.85. 


Eggs laid in a very slight depression on the bare ground. 
They are usually two, and are stone-colour, covered with light 


THE PRATINCOLE 117 


markings and blotches of umber. They measure about 1.24 x .96 
inch. 


Macleay Museum. 
Comb-crested Jacana: Hydralector (Parra) gallinaceus. 


This bird is very similar in appearance to a swallow, having 
long pointed wings, and can run fast on the ground. 


118 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Glareola. 
Tarsus rather short, the outstretched feet not reaching 
beyond the tail. Tail strongly forked. 


The Oriental Pratincole. 
Glareola orientalis. 


Eastern Siberia to Australia in winter. 

Above olive-brown with greenish gloss; upper tail-coverts white; 
tail forked and blackish, the base white, cheeks and throat buff, sur- 
rounded with a white line; chest rufous; underparts white. Total length 
10 inches, culmen 0.65, wing 7.3, tail 3.15, tarsus 1.2. 


Nest on the bare ground. Two eggs are usually laid, of a 
yellowish-stone colour, boldly marked with blotches of very dark 
brown. They measure about 1.19 x .94 inch. 

These birds apparently do not breed in Australia, but are 
often found in immense flocks in N.W. Australia. 


Family Oedicnemide. 


Nostrils holorhinal. Tarsus entirely reticulated. No hind 
toe. 


Genus Burhinus. 
Bill shorter than head. 


The Stone Plover. 


Burhinus grallarius. 

Australia. 

Above ashy-grey, the crown, neck and mantle streaked with blackish 
stripes; lower back with blackish shaft-stripes; tail barred; a band of 
white on the first four primaries; under surface white, tinged with tawny 
ou breast and sides and streaked. Total length 20.5 inches, culmen 1.9, 
wing 10.5, tail 6, tarsus 4.6. 


The two eggs are laid on the bare ground; usually the same 
tint as the eggs. Those laid on decomposed basalt, which is 
chocolate, have markings of that colour, and others in a similar 
manner, the ground colour being usually light-stone or buff. 
The eggs measure about 2.33 x 1.59 inch. 

Those in W. Australia are slightly smaller. 


‘ THE LONG-BILLED STUNE PLOVER 119 


Genus Orthorhamphus. 
Bill as long as head. 


Australian Museum. 
Stone Plover and Young: Burhinus grallarius. 


The Long-billed Stone Plover. 
Orthorhamphus magnirostris. 


Shores of Northern Australia and throughout the Malayan 
Archipelago to Borneo and the Andamans. 


120 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Above ashy brown, with dusky shaft-lines to the feathers; upper 
tail-coverts freckled; a broad dark band across the wing, followed by one 
of white; tail ashy brown, with a black band at the end, before which 
is a white band; face white; throat white; breast ashy; remainder of 
under surface white with tawny tinge. Total length 19 inches, culmen 3, 
wing 10.8, tail 4.3, tarsus 3.3. 


Nest a depression usually scraped out under a bush and close 
to the shore. Usually only one egg is laid, of a grey colour, 
blotched and marked with dark olive. It measures about 2.55 
x 1.76 inch. 


Family Otidide. 


Large land birds with turkey-like form, flattened, blunt bill, 
stout legs and claws. Tail quills 16 to 20. 


Genus Eupodotis. 


Feathers of neck elongated. Wing three times longer than 
tarsus. 


The Australian Bustard. 


i Eupodotis australis. 

Australia. 

Above dull sandy buff, everywhere finely lined with blackish and 
shaded with slaty grey; greater coverts black with white tips, inner ones 
mottled; primaries slaty grey; tail like back, but banded and mottled; 
crown of head and nuchal crest black; under surface white. Total 
length about 48 inches, wing 26, tarsus 7.2, culmen 3, tail 10.5; weight 
up to 18lbs. 


Lays either one or two eggs on the bare ground in open 
country. They are olive in colour, sometimes with a bluish tint 
obscurely smeared, generally in a longitudinal direction, with 
olive-brown. They measure about 3.23 x 2.28 inch. 

These splendid birds live almost entirely on the ground; 
consequently their young are often destroyed by foxes. They 
are now seare in Southern Australia, what with rabbit poison, 
foxes and the undiscriminating gun. ‘At times when crammed 
with grasshoppers, which they are doing their best to destroy, 
they fall victims to the stick of the ungrateful but hungry 
settler. 


THE AUSTRALIAN CRANE OR NATIVE COMPANION 121 


ORDER GRUIFORMES. 


Family Gruide. True Cranes. 
Palate schizognathous. Tall birds with long necks and legs. 
Tail quills 12. 
Genus Antigone. 
Skin bare round a clear patch of ear-coverts. 


From life. ° D. Le Souéf. 
Australian Bustard: Eupodotis australis, 


The Australian Crane or Native Companion. 


Antigone australasiana, 

Australia. 

Above grey, the margins of the feathers being paler; primaries 
black; tail feathers slaty grey, blackish towards the tips; crown bare 
and olive-green, the hinder crown with coarse papille; chin and upper 
throat bare; raised fleshy papilla at back of head red; the pendulous 
gular pouch olive-green. Total length about 42 inches, culmen 6, wing 
20.5, tail 7.5, tarsus 10.2. 


122 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Nest usually made of vegetation in swampy situations, 
sometimes raised above the shallow water and at other times on 
a small knoll, with very little nest. The two eggs are usually 
drab, but sometimes white, and are marked with brownish 
blotches, mostly on the larger end. They measure about 3.50 
x 2.33 inch. 

The light-coloured eggs are generally found in Northern 
Australia. When the nesting season is over, these birds often 


jae 


~: 
’ 
t * 


* 


Macleay Museum. 
Jabiru: Xenorhynchus asiaticus. Australian Crane: Antigone australasiana. 


congregate in considerable flocks. Like all the Cranes, the 
Native Companions are birds of stately form, and, under 
ordinary conditions, of dignified demeanour, recalling the 
elegant manners of the eighteenth century. Perhaps the bow 
is a little overdone, and certainly the steps of the dance which 
they much affect do not rival the grace of the minuet. In 
captivity they are fairly easily tamed, but are not very trust- 
worthy, and the dart of the long powerful bill is dangerous. 
They live on lizards and insects, and will tear up the ground 
with the beak in search of edible roots and bulbs. These birds 


THE WHITE IBIS 123 


soar at a great height in a series of easy circles, and then often 
give forth a hoarse croaking ery. They probably reach to a 
ereater elevation than any other of our birds, even soaring to 
greater heights than the Swifts. 


ORDER ARDEIFORMES. 


Sub-order Plataleew. Ibis and Spoonhills. 


Nostrils schizognathous. Sternum with four posterior 
notches. 


Family Tbidide. 
Bill much recurved; nasal groove linear, produced nearly 
to tip of bill. 


Genus Ibvs. 

Tarsus reticulated in front with many hexagonal scales. 
Plumes of inner secondaries with disconnected webs, highly 
ornamental. 

The White Ibis. 
Ibis molucca. 


Australia, New Guinea, Ceram, Waigiou, Salawati. 

White; inner secondaries mottled with black; primaries tipped with 
black; on the fore-neck drooping narrow plumes; head and upper half of 
neck bare and with the bill slaty black; in young birds the head and 
neck are covered with feathers until the third year, when they are shed; 
back of the head and neck crossed by ten narrow bands of pink; on 
crown of head some oval spots of the same colour. Total length 30 inches, 
culmen 7.5, wing 14.5, tail 5.1, tarsus 4.3. 


Nest an almost flat structure composed of green twigs, 
rushes or flags, made by treading down the vegetation in the 
swamps on which their nests are placed. They usually build in 
companies; sometimes many thousands together. The clutch, 
generally three, is white in colour, the inside lining being lght- 
green. They measure about 2.55 x 1.68 inch. 

The White Ibis is an invaluable protector of crops and 
wholesale destroyer of insects, and it is folly not to protect the 
bird to the uttermost. We gladly quote in this connection from 
an article in the ‘‘Victorian Naturalist,’? by a practical 
Victorian politician, Mr. Frank Madden. After pointing out 


124 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


that the ancient Egyptians, recognising the enormous value to 
agriculturists of the species which frequented the Nile Valley, 
proclaimed the bird as sacred, and made it a crime 
punishable by law to injure or destroy an Ibis, Mr. Madden 
goes on to describe the thoroughness with which the Australian 
Ibis clears a district of locust and cricket, the take-all and the 
harvest caterpillar, and other dire enemies of the farmer. 
“Watch a flock of Ibis on an autumn day on ground which is 
cracked by the heat of the previous summer, and where the 
crickets have effected a lodgment. Before the birds come the 
land is alive with these ravenous insects. When a flock of Ibis 
arrive they settle on one spot and pick, and pick, and pick by 
the hour. Then the crickets which have so far escaped become 
frightened, and disappear into the cracks in the ground, and 
the Ibis rise and seek a fresh place and commence operations 
there. When the crickets left in the first patch find that the 
birds are gone, they come out to graze, as they are as ravenous 
for grass as the Ibis are for crickets; and this the birds well 
know, and when they have reduced the second point of attack 
to the same condition as the first was in when they left it, they 
return to the first, and remain while a single cricket remains 
above ground, and so from place to place. Examine a place 
where locusts have deposited their eggs after it has been visited 
by a flock of Ibis, and you will find the ground as full of holes 
as a cullender. These holes are made by the powerful beak of 
the Ibis being driven into the ground to reach the eggs or newly- 
hatched insects, and the millions of the pest they thus destroy 
can only be imagined.’’ 

‘*T remember a most lovely crop of malting barley, which was 
erown close to the railway station at Camperdown. I saw it 
just as it was becoming fit to cut, and admired it greatly. Three 
days afterwards there was hardly a grain of corn to be seen of 
it. The caterpillars had cut off all the heads, and the farmer 
had to turn his stock in to eat the fallen grain. That autumn 
the Ibis came, not in battalions or regiments, but in whole army 
corps, and stayed during the winter, and for three years after- 
wards hardly a single harvest caterpillar was to be seen.’’ And 
many farmers haven’t the common sense to protect these useful 
and energetic friends! 


THE STRAW-NECKED IBIS 125 


Genus Carphibis. 
Head and throat bare. Hind neck feathered to nape. Long 
stiff yellow shafts on the foreneck. 


The Straw-necked Ibis. 


Carphibis spinicollis. 
Australia. 
Above glossy bluish black or steel-green; purplish on the wings, and 
the whole of the upper parts barred across with black; lower back black; 


D. Le Souéf. Melbourne Zoo. 
Straw-necked Ibis, Adult and Young: Carphibis spinicollis. 


long upper tail-coverts and tail feathers white; crown of head and fore 
part of throat bare, surrounded by white ruff; centre of fore neck 
white, with long straw-coloured plumes on each side; underparts white. 
Total length 29 inches, culmen 8, wing 14.7, tail 5.4, tarsus 3.3. 


Nest and egg similar to those of the White Ibis; also nest in 
companies, sometimes to the number of three hundred thousand 
on one swamp. Eggs measure about the same. 


126 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Plegadis. 


Chin only bare, rest of throat feathered. Lores bare. Cheeks 
partly bare. 


The Glossy Ibis. 
Plegadis falcinellus. 


South Europe to India, China, Australia, Africa, Eastern United 
States to Florida. 

Above black, with bronzy sheen of purple; upper mantle deep 
chestnut; head, neck and under surface deep maroon-chestuut, lighter 
on breast. Total length 22 inches, culmen 5.2, wing 11.2, tail 3.9, tarsus 
4.2. In winter plumage head and neck streaked with whitish. 


Nest constructed of sticks in forked branches, usually in 
trees near or over water, well lined with leaves, frequently in 
bunches. The four eggs are a beautiful dark bluish-green colour, 
and measure about 2.8 x 1.43 inch. 

These birds are not nearly as plentiful as the other two 
species, and do not associate in the same large flocks. 


Family Plataleide. 


Bill flattened, narrow in middle, widening out into a spoon- 
shaped end. 


Genus Platalea. 


Head partly bare, plumes around auricular orifice. Nostrils 
in a shallow depression. 


The Black-billed Spoonbill. 


Platalea regia. 
Australia to the Moluccas. 
Plumage white, with full crest on the head; forehead, fore part of 
cheeks, and upper throat black; bill, legs, face and feet black. Total 
length 34 inches, culmen 8, wing 15, tail 4.6, tarsus 5.5. 


Hither a flat stick nest in a tree near or over water, or of 
rushes or reeds trodden down in a swamp and some other 
material added. Four eggs are usually laid. They are white, 
usually sparingly marked with brown blotches, most numerous 
near the larger end. Some eggs have no markings on. They 
measure about 2.57 x 1.71 inch. 


THE YELLOW-LEGGED SPOONBILL 127 


Genus Platibis. 


Nostrils in a deep depression. Inner secondaries with Ibis- 
like plumes. 


The Yellow-legged Spoonbill. 
Platibis flavipes. 
Australia. : 
White, with a tuft of elongated feathers on the fore-neck of light 
straw-colour; forehead and upper throat yellow; bill, legs and feet yellow. 
Total length 38 inches, culmen 9, wing 16.5, tail 6.8, tarsus 5.5. 


H. Nielson. 


Young Jabirus (Xenorhynchus asiaticus) on Nest. 


Nest a flat structure of sticks, lined with leaves, usually 
on a horizontal branch, over or near water. The four eggs are 
white and measure about 2.80 x 1.88 inch. 


Sub-order Ciconie. 
Family Ciconiine. Storks. 
Genus Nenorhynchus. 
Hind toe above level of rest. Lower jaw accurved at tip. 
Bill very long, as long as tarsus. 


128 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Jabiru’ (Black-necked Stork). 


Xenorhynchus asiaticus. 

India, Burmah, Malay Peninsula, New Guinea to North Australia. 

Above white from the hind-neck to the upper tail-coverts; the lesser 
wing-coverts white, forming a large wing-patch; the rest of the wing 
mostly black, glossed with metallic green and purple, the tail being the 
same; head and neck metallic bluish green, with patch of purplish bronze 
on the nape; under surface white. Total length 48 inches, culmen 12, 
wing 22.5, tail 8.5, tarsus 12. 


Nest, a bulky structure made of sticks and lined with softer 
material; it usually builds on trees growing in swamps. Four 
eges form a full clutch; they are white, and the surface pitted; 
they measure about 2.90 x 2.10 inch. 

These birds are not plentiful in Australia. 


Sub-order Ardew. Herons and Bitterns. 
Nostrils holorhinal. 


Family Ardeide. 

Hind toe large, resting on the ground like the others, and 
furnished with a big nail. Middle claw with crust-like edge 
on its inner margin. Bill notched. Wings large, flight slow. 
Lores and eye bare. ‘Tail short. 


Genus Ardea. 
Edges of mandibles distinctly serrated. Head crested, nape 
feathers form long ornamental plumes. No dorsal train. 


The Great-billed Heron. 
Ardea sumatrana. 

Northern Australia, Celebes, Sunda, Malay Peninsula, Aracan, and 
Tenasserim. 

Above dull grey, the lower back paler; the seapulars have elongated 
plumes, white at the ends; tail dark slate, slightly glossed with green; 
crown of head crested; upper throat white; neck slaty brown, and 
feathers elongated; under surface grey, with white centres to the feathers. 
Total length 45 inches, culmen 6.8, wing 18.3, tail 6.1, tarsus 6.7. 


Nest made of sticks and lined with softer material, and 
usually built in trees growing in a swamp. The eggs are pale- 
bluish green and measure about 2.70 x 1.9 inch. 


These birds are not numerous, and appear to be solitary in 
their habits. 


129 


THE GREAT-BILLED HERON 


Wwos]aiN “HT 


“(DunLQoUNs DaPLP) UWOLOFT popiq-yvory JO SunoK pur yson 


NUT 24D, 


130 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Grey or Common Heron. 
Ardea cinerea. 


Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. 

Above light grey, the scapular feathers elongated to narrow drooping 
plumes of pale grey or white; primary wing-coverts purplish black; tail 
grey; a crest on the head, white in centre, with band of purplish black 
on each side, and having two long nuchal plumes; neck, sides of face and 
under surface white; drooping plumes on side of fore-neck and chest; 
lower throat has elongated black stripes on each side of the feathers. 
Total length 30 inches, culmen 5.1, wing 18, tail 7.2, tarsus 6.8. 


Nest the usual nearly flat structure of sticks built in trees 
by this class of birds. The ordinary clutch of eggs is four. 
They are light bluish green, and measure about 2.30 x 1.75 inch. 


Genus Mesophoyz. 


Edge of mandible distinctly serrated. Head crested. Fore- 
neck with plumes. An immense dorsal train of fine plumes. 


The Plumed Egret. 
Mesophoyx plumifera. 

Australia, New Guinea, Moluccas, Celebes. 

White above and below; the head crested; the long ornamental plumes 
of the back 17 inches long. These are sold for the purposes of fashion 
under the name of ‘‘Osprey’’ plumes, the parent birds being killed at 
nesting time. Feathers of fore-neck 8 inches long and webs broken up; 
bill yellow; feet black. Total length 25 inches, culmen 3.1, wing 11, tail 
5.4, tarsus 4.05. 


A nearly flat stick nest on a tree, usually over water. The 
full clutch is four eggs. They are bluish-green, and measure 
about 1.81 x 1.387 inch. 


Genus Herodias. 


Bill not serrated. No crest but a well-developed dorsal train. 
Tail quills 12. 
The Egret. 
Herodias timoriensis. 
North China and Japan to Australia. 


White with a bunch of elongated plumes on the back; the feathers 
of the fore-neck and sides of upper breast forming a shield on the sides 


EGRETS 131 


Protection of Birds Society. 


Egrets on Nest. 


132 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


of the latter; bill yellow; naked space before and behind the eye greenish 
yellow. Total length 30 inches, culmen 4.4, wing 15, tail 6.3, tarsus 5.2 
to 6.4. 


Nest a slightly hollow platform of sticks on a tree, usually 
over or very near water. They generally build in colonies, 
frequently accompanied by Cormorants, Nankeen Herons, &c. 
From three to four eggs are laid, of a pale bluish-green colour. 
They measure about 2.21 x 1.51 inch. 


Genus Notophoysz.. 


A full crest but no nape plumes. Dorsal train not extending 
beyond tail. Tail quills 12. 


The White-fronted Heron (Blue Crane). 
Notophoyx nove-hollandie. 

Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, New Caledonia, New Guinea, and 
the Moluceas. 

Above dark bluish grey, with long lanceolate plumes on the back and 
scapulars; lower back lighter; primary coverts blackish; crown very dark 
grey, the nape-feathers forming a crest; forehead, behind the eye, cheeks 
and throat white; the long feathers at the sides of the upper breast grey. 
Total length 26 inches, culmen 3.15, wing 12.5, tail 5.2, tarsus 3.75. The 
amount of white on the face varies. 


A stick nest usually built on a horizontal branch, frequently 
over water. Five eggs is the full clutch. They are a delicate 
bluish-green colour. They measure about 2. x 1.38 inch. These 
birds do not nest in rookeries. 


The White-necked Heron. 
Notophoyx pacifica. 

Australia and Tasmania. 

Above glossy olive-green, the long feathers slaty grey; the scapular 
plumes maroon; lower back slaty grey; wing coverts glossy green; the 
tip and edge of the wing white; tail dark slate-colour; head and neck 
vinous isabelline; throat white in centre, with a few black spots; feathers 
of fore-neck elongated with white at ends; under parts blackish, with 
longitudinal streaks of white. The neck is occasionally mostly white. 
Total length about 30 inches. 


A nearly flat stick nest, usually in trees over water. They 
generally build in small companies. Four pale bluish-green eggs 
are laid, and they measure about 2.12 x 1.60 inch. 


EGRETS 


133 


of Birds Socicty. 


Protect 


plumes, which are sold to adorn the hats 


of fashionable ladies! 


Starved Egrets, whose parents have been destroyed for the sake of the 


134 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Pied Egret. 
Notophoyx flavirostris. 

Northern Australia, New Guinea, Aru, Tenimber, Amboina, and 
Celebes Islands. 

Above slaty black, with long plumes on the back and scapulars; 
collar round the hind-neck, the throat and fore-neck, white; feathers of 
fore-neck elongated and are parti-coloured on the sides of the neck, being 
white in the centre; under surface blackish slate-colour. Total length 
19 inches, culmen 2.55, wing 8.7, tail 3, tarsus 2.8. 


“Nest the usual nearly flat stick structure on trees growing 
near or in water. Only one egg is so far described, that in the 
British Museum collection from the Gould collection from 
N. Australia; it is pale bluish-green, and measures 1.60 x 1.21 
inch. 


The White-headed Egret. 
Notophoyx aruensis. 


Northern Australia to the Aru Islands. 

Above dingy slate-colour; tail black; head, crest, neck, and under 
surface white; sides of body slate-colour; edge of wing white. Total 
length 18.5 inches, culmen 2.4, wing 8.8, tail 3.2, tarsus 2.85. 


This is a rare bird, and eggs so far not described. 


Genus Garzetta. 
No crest but drooping head plumes. Plumes on back and 
breast. 
The Lesser Egret. 
Garzetta mgripes. 


Java, Malay Archipelago, and Australia. 

White with two elongated plumes from the nape, and similar plumes 
on the back and breast; bill, feet, and toes black. Total length 22 inches, 
culmen 3.4, wing 10.7, tail 3.5, tarsus 3.7. 


Nest a platform of sticks in trees near or over water. The 
four eggs are pale bluish-green, and measure about 1.80 x 1.40 
inch. 


Genus Demiegretta. 


Bill not serrated, longer than tarsus. Tarsus longer than 
mid toe. Tail quills 12. 


THE REEF HERON 135 


The Reef Heron. 
Demiegretta sacra. 


From the islands of the Bay of Bengal to Australia and north to 
Japan and Corea. 


Reef Heron: Demiegretta sacra. White-fronted Heron: Notophoyx 
novae-hollandiae. 


Above and below blackish slate-colour; feathers of upper breast 
elongated like those of the middle of the back; elongated feathers paler, 
those on the back reaching to the end of the tail; head crested; a white 
streak down the centre of the throat. Total length 23 inches, culmen 
2.8, wing 10, tail 3.10, tarsus 3.9. 


136 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


There are three forms of this bird in Australia; on the 
Southern coasts both the white and the grey, which interbreed, 
and in the Northern portion a darker variety. is also found, as 
well as the other two forms. 

Nest built of twigs or other material on the ground, 
frequently under a shelving rock and generally on small 
islands or reefs. Four eggs are laid, of a delicate bluish colour, 
and they measure about 1.82 x 1.31 inch. 


Genus Nycticorax. 


Tarsus as long as mid toe. Bill higher than broad. Two 
or three long nuchal plumes. 


The Nankeen Night-heron. 
Nycticorax caledonmcus. 


Australia, Celebes, Admiralty, and Pelew Islands. 

Above cinnamon, including tail; crown of head black and crested 
on the nape, and with two long white plumes; eyebrows white; under 
surface white. The young are everywhere thickly streaked and spotted 
with buffy white; under surface white, streaked with blackish; they 
attain their adult plumage in the third year. Total length 19.5 inches, 
culmen 3, wing 11.6, tail 3.6, tarsus 3.25. 


When nesting inland they build substantial stick nests on 
tall trees, usually in companies, but when nesting on the islands 
off the coast, especially in Western Australia, they build slight 
structures in sheltered places among the rocks. The four eggs 
are light bluish-green, and measure about 2 x 1.40 inch. 


Genus Butorides. 
Bill longer than tarsus. Ornamental nape and dorsal plumes. 


The Thick-billed Green Bittern. 
Butorides stagnatilis. 


Northern Australia, New Guinea, Solomons, Moluccas, Lesser Sunda, 
Timor, Flores, New Caledonia, Fiji, Society and Friendly Islands. 

Above slaty grey; cheeks and throat brown; long scapular feathers 
green; lower back greyish green; tail dull green; crown of head dark 
glossy green; hind neck grey; under surface rusty-brown. Total length 
17 inches, culmen 2.8, wing 7.7, tail 2.6, tarsus 1.9. 


E. Mattingley. 


A. H. 


ggs and Young: Nycticorax caledonicus. 


Emu.” 


“The 


E 


Nests of Night Heron, 


138 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Nest a fragile structure of sticks, usually built on mangroves 
or similar trees near or over water. The three eggs are a pale 
bluish-green colour, and measure about 1.60 x 1.21 inch. 


Genus Ardetta. 


Bill serrated. Legs feathered down to tarsal joint. Tarsus 
as long as mid toe. Tail quills 10. 


The Little Yellow Bittern. 
Ardetta sinensis. 


Japan and China to Northern Australia. 

Above brown; edge of wing white; lower back ashy grey; tail and 
crown of head and nape black; throat white, streaked with yellowish buff, 
like the rest of the under surface; lower abdomen white; on each side of 
upper breast a patch of .dependent feathers, blackish with yellowish 
margins. Total length 15.5 inches, culmen 2, wing 4.9, tail 1.5, tarsus 
1.75. 


Nest formed by treading down thick growing rushes or reeds 
in swamps. Four eggs are usually laid, of a very pale bluish 
colour; they measure about 1.24 x .94 inch. 


The Minute Bittern. 
Ardetta pusilla. 


Australia and New Zealand. : 

Back, scapulars, and tail glossy greenish black; wing-coverts light 
brown, tinted with yellow; throat and under surface white, tinged with 
yellow; bill yellow. Total length 10 inches, culmen 1.8, wing 5.2, tail 2, 
tarsus 1.6. 


Nest of reeds or rushes trodden down into a slight platform. 
The four eggs are white, and measure about 1.20 x .99 inch. 

These little birds, unless they are disturbed, are rarely seen, 
remaining very close among the reeds. 


Genus Dupetor. 


Bill short and thick, longer than tarsus. Tarsus as long as 
mid toe. 


THE YELLOW-NECKED BITTERN 139 


The Yellow-necked Bittern. 
Dupetor gouldi. 


Australia (except Southern) and New Guinea. 
Above dark greyish brown; tail blackish; crest plumes on head; a 
band of golden straw-colour runs down the sides of the neck, the lower 


Meyer. 
Bittern: Botaurus poeciloptilus. 


feathers being elongated; brown on under surface; a central row of spots 
down the throat black. Total length 24 inches, culmen 3.35, wing 8.9, 
tail 3.4, tarsus 2.65. 


Nest a slight structure of sticks placed generally in a 
horizontal branch on a tree over or near water. Four white eggs 
are usually laid. They measure about 1.74 x 1.34 inch. 


140 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Botaurus. 


Bill serrated, about as long as inner toe and claw. Hind 
claw very long, nearly as long as its toe. 


The Bittern. 
Botaurus peciloptilus. 


Australia, Tasmania, New Caledonia, and New Zealand. 
Above mottled with tawny yellow and black; nearly uniform black 
mantle and scapulars; a ruff of smoky brown on the sides of the neck; 


From life. D. Le Souéf. 
Bittern in Attitude of Defence: Botaurus poeciloptilus. 


crown of head black, with a crest of mottled feathers on the nape; under 
surface reddish brown; reddish bands on fore-neck, and black-centred 
feathers on the sides of the chest. Total length 24 inches, culmen 2.8, 
wing 12.5, tail 4.5, tarsus 3.9. 


Nest usually a trodden-down platform in a thick growth of 
rushes in a swamp. Five eggs form the full clutch. They are 
of a light olive-green colour, and measure about 2.01 x 1.46 inch. 


THE PIED GOOSE 141 


OrDER ANSERIFORMES. 

Aquatic birds. Young covered with down, and able to run 
or swim a few hours after hatching. Palate desmognathous, 
the maxillo-palatine processes uniting to form a long roof to the 
palate. 

Family Anatide. 

Margins of bill laminated. 


Sub-family Cygnine. Swans. 


Hind toe lobed. Neck very long, as long as, or even longer 
than, the body. 


Genus Chenopsis. 
Predominant colour black. 


The Black Swan. 


Chenopsis atrata. 
Australia and Tasmania. 
Brownish black, under surface paler; primaries and secondaries 
white; tertiaries and scapulars crisp. Total length 40 inches, wing 19, 
tail 4.6, culmen 2.8, tarsus 3.7. 


Nest a large bulky structure, usually built in swamps, either 
of sticks and bark or of rushes, reeds, &c.; occasionally fieating. 
From four to six eggs are laid, five being perhaps the most 
usual. They are greenish-white or greyish-green, and measure 
about 4.18 x 2.62 inch. 


Sub-family Anseranatine. 
Hind toe not lobed. Feet half webbed. 


Genus Anseranas. 
Plumage black and white. 


The Pied Goose. 


Anseranas semrpalmata. 
Australia and Tasmania. 
Head, neck, mantle, wings, tail and thighs black; back, breast, 
abdomen, tail-coverts, seapulars and smaller upper wing-coverts white. 
Total length 35 inches, wing 18.5, tail 8, bill 3.25, tarsus 3.62. 


142 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


A bulky nest usually made of reeds, rushes, &¢., and 
generally placed on a thick growth of those plants in swamps. 
The number of eggs varies from eight to fourteen. They are 
yellowish-white and pitted, and measure about 3.02 x 2.31 inch. 

These birds are now scarce in Southern Australia. 


Sub-family Plectropterine. 


Hind toe not lobed, long. Feet fully webbed. Tail feathers 
rather long, broad, rounded at tip. Upper parts glossy. 


Genus Nettopus. 
Length of bill less than double its depth. 


The Green Dwarf Goose. 
Nettopus pulchellus. 


Australia, New Guinea, Moluccas, Celebes and Tenimber Islands. 

Sides of the head, throat, breast, and abdomen white; top of head 
brown, banded with dark green and pale brown; neck, back, scapulars 
and upper wing-coverts dark glossy green; lower part of neck and sides 
with crescent white and green bands; upper tail-coverts banded; white 
band across the wing; tail and under tail-coverts glossy black. Total 
length about 13.5 inches, wing 6.9, tail 3, culmen 0.98, tarsus 0.98. Female 
has top of head uniform brown-black, sides of head and neck speckled 
with black. 


Nest occasionally made of grass or similar vegetation among 
the thick growth of the swamps and lined with feathers, but 
usually in hollows in trees. Clutch about nine, of a light-cream 
colour. They measure about 1.70 x 1.28 inch. These beautiful 
little geese are not found in Southern Australia, but only in the 
northern districts. 


The White-quilled Dwarf Goose. 


Nettopus albipennis. 

Queensland and New South Wales. 

Crown brown; remainder of head, neck, and lower plumage white; 
a broad collar round the neck, black in front and green behind; the white 
of the breast going round the neck and forming another collar below the 
black one; back and wing-coverts glossy green; white band on wing; the 
female has the breast mottled with brown, and lower plumage barred 
with brown. Total length 13 inches, wing 6.5, tail 3, culmen 0.92, tarsus 1. 


Nest generally in a hollow in a tree. About nine form a 
clutch, and they are a light-cream, and measure about 1.90 x 
1.45 inch. 


THE CAPE BARREN GOOSE 143 


Sub-family Cercopsine. 
Cere of bill much developed. 


Genus Cereopsis. 
Face wax-like. 


The Cape Barren Goose. 


Cereopsis nove-hollandie. 
Southern Australia and Tasmania. 
Crown of head whitish, rest of plumage brownish grey; some of the 
wing-coverts and scapulars with a spot of brownish black near the tip; 


Australian Museum. 


Maned Goose: Chenonetta jubata. 


feathers of back margined with pale brownish grey; tail blackish brown; 


bill black and cere yellow; feet black. Total length 34 inches, wing 20, 
tail 8, tarsus 3.6. 


Nest made of grass and lined with down, generally on the 
ground among the tussocky grass on the islands in Bass Strait 
and off the coast of South and West Australia. They do not 
nest inland or go far from the coast. From four to six eggs are 


laid, of a creamy-white colour. They measure about 2.94 x 
2.10 inch. 


144 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Sub-family Chenonettine. 
Hind toe very narrowly lobed. Bill rather short and goose- 
like. 
Genus Chenonetta. 


Upper wing coverts grey. 


The Maned Goose (Wood Duck). 


Chenonetta jubata. 

Australia and Tasmania. 

Head and neck brown; lengthened plumes down the back of the 
neck brown-black; back and lesser wing-coverts grey; lower back black; 
breast grey, each feather tipped with greyish white and spotted with 
black on each side; sides and flanks pencilled; abdomen black; glossy 
green band on the secondaries, which are tipped with white, as well 
as the greater wing-coverts. Total length 20 inches, wing 11, tail 4, 
culmen 1.15, tarsus 1.42. 


Nest in a hollow spout of a tree and well lined with down, 


usually near water. From eight to twelve cream-coloured eggs 
are laid. They measure about 2.24 x 1.59 inch. 


Sub-family Anatine. 
Hind toe very narrowly lobed. Bill rather flat and lobed. 


Genus Dendrocycna. 
Front of lower tarsus reticulate. 


The Whistling Duck. 
Dendrocycna arcuata. 

Australia, Oceania, New Guinea, Celebes, Moluccas, and Indo- 
Malayan Islands. 

Upper part of the head and line down the back of the neck brown- 
black; sides of head and neck pale fulvous; throat almost white; back 
and scapulars black, with edges chestnut, and on the upper back the 
black part of the feathers with rufous spots; breast rufous, each feather 
with black spot in centre; lighter on abdomen; tail and rump black, the 
feathers of the flanks elongated with buffy white streaks, edged with 


black. Total length about 17 inches, wing 8.5, tail 2.8, culmen 1.7, 
tarsus 1.85. 


Nest generally on the ground in thick long grass, and well 
lined with down. From eight to twelve light cream-coloured 
eges are laid, and they measure 2.10 x 1.41 inch. 


THE CHESTNUT-COLOURED SHELDRAKE 145 


The Plumed Whistling Duck. 
Dendrocycna eytoni. 


Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand (accidental). 

Upper part of head, hind-neck, and breast pale brown; sides of head 
and neck grey, fading into white on throat; back of wings greyish brown, 
with paler edges; sides and lower breast reddish and barred with black; 
feathers of the flanks very long, of a buff colour and margined with 
black; abdomen buffy white; bill has a mottled patch in the centre. 
Total length 16 inches, wing 9.5, tail 3, culmen 1.6, tarsus 2. 


Nest a scraped out depression in long grass on the plains, 
and well lined with down. From eight to twelve cream-coloured 
eggs are laid, and they measure about 1.94 x 1.54 inch. 


Genus Tadorna. 

Front of lower tarsus with transverse scales. Sexes alike 
in plumage. 

The White-headed Sheldrake. 
Tadorna rufitergum (radjah). 

Northern Australia, Moluccas and New Guinea. 

Head, neck, breast and abdomen white; back, scapulars, rump and 
upper tail-coverts black; the mantle has narrow chestnut lines; a chestnut 
pectoral band, with narrow black lines; upper wing-coverts white; 
primaries and coverts black; a glossy green speculum on the secondaries; 


tail black; bill and feet white. Total length about 19 inches, wing 11, 
tail 5, culmen 1.75, tarsus 2.12. 


Nest generally in a hollow in a tree. From eight to ten eggs 
are laid, of a very pale whitish-cream colour. They measure 
about 2.36 x 1.72 inch. 


Genus Casarca. 


Lamelle on edge of lower mandible projecting outwards. 
Sexes differing in plumage. 


The Chestnut-Coloured Sheldrake (Mountain Duck). 


Casarca tadornoides. 
Australia (not north) and Tasmania. 
Head and upper part of the neck glossy dark green; a white ring 
round the middle of the neck; below the ring and the upper part of the 
back and breast are red; back, scapulars and lower parts black, finely 


Kk 


146 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


freckled with fulvous; tail and coverts black; wing-coverts white; 
primaries and coverts black; a glossy green speculum. Total length 24 
inches, wing 14, tail 6, culmen 1.8, tarsus 2.25. The female has a mottled 
white ring round the base of the bill. 


Australian Museum. 
Chestnut Sheldrake: Casarca tadornoides. 


Nest sometimes in hollows in trees and sometimes on the 
ground in long grass near a log or fallen branch, well lined 
with down and grass. From eight to thirteen cream-coloured 
eggs are laid, and they measure about 2.78 x 1.98 inch. 

These birds are often seen in pairs on the plains and 
frequent the salt lakes. Their call is a deep toned ‘‘honch.’’ 


THE BLACK DUCK 147 


Genus Anas. 
Bill broad, about as long as head. 


Black Duck: Anas superciliosa. 


The Black Duck. 
Anas superciliosa. 

Greater and Lesser Sunda, New Guinea, Polynesia and Pelew Islands, 
Australia and New Zealand. 

General plumage above and below brown, the feathers edged with 
buff; upper part of the head and a band on each side brown-black; a 
whitish stripe over the eye; a band of pale buff through the cheeks, chin 
and throat; a pale band on the nape; a glossy green speculum, bordered 
on both sides with black; upper wing-coverts white. Total length about 
24 inches, wing 10.75, tail 4.4, culmen 2.25, tarsus 1.65, 


148 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Nest either on the ground in long grass or under a thick 
bush or in a hollow in a tree or in the deserted nest of a crow 
or hawk; usually well lined with down and a little grass. The 
elutch is from eight to thirteen, usually of a greenish-cream 
colour, and they measure about 2.32 x 1.65 inch. 

This bird is by far the most common duck in Australia; it 
can be crossed with the domesticated varieties. 


Genus Nettion. 
Bill not very broad, compressed, shorter than head. 


Pro. Zool. Society. 
Chestnut-breasted Teal: Nettion castaneum. 


The Chestnut-breasted Teal. 
Nettion castaneuwm. 


Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. 

Head and neck dark glossy green; mantle and back black, each 
feather edged with chestnut; rump and tail-coverts glossy black; breast 
and abdomen chestnut, with round black spots; scapulars and wings olive- 
brown; wing-speculum velvety black, with 4 metallic green band on the 
upper half; bill bluish lead-colour. Total length about 18.5 inches, wing 
9, tail 4.5, culmen 1.5, tarsus 1.4. The female is brown, with greyish 
edgings to the feathers, lower back almost uniform brown; lighter on 
the underparts; speculum tipped with white band. 


THE GARGANEY TEAL 149 


Nest sometimes on the ground in lone grass and lined with 
down and a little grass, but they generally lay in a hollow in a 
tree. From eight to ten cream-coloured eggs are laid, and they 
measure about 2.06 x 1.46 inch. 

This bird is most plentiful near the southern coasts of 
Australia, as well as on the islands in Bass Strait and in 
Tasmania, where it is often locally called the King Teal. 


The Grey Teal. 
Nettion gibberifrons. 

Celebes, Greater and Lesser Sunda, New Guinea, New Caledonia, New 
Zealand and Australia. 

Upper part of the head dark brown, with the edges of the feathers 
greyish; sides of the head paler and streaked with dark brown; chin and 
throat white; upper parts brown, edges of feathers lighter; lower back 
almost uniform; underparts light fulvous, and with brown spots in the 
centre; each feather having a broad central mark of dark brown; white 
band on wing; wing-speculum metallic green, and velvety black, tipped 
with a white band. Total length 17 inches, wing 8, tail 4, bill 1.5, tarsus 
1.25. Female almost the same, but smaller. 


Nest occasionally on the ground, but generally in a hollow 
in a tree, lined with down. Clutch eight to thirteen, creamy- 
white in colour, and measure about 1.92 x 1.03 inch. 

This teal is not so large as the preceding species. 


Genus Querquedula. 
Bill a third longer than tarsus. 


The Garganey Teal. 
Querquedula querquedula. 

From Europe and Asia to Africa and Austro-Malayan regions in 
winter, accidental in Australia. 

Crown brown-black; whitish band above the eyes; sides of head and 
upper neck brown, streaked with white; back blackish, edges of feathers 
lighter; scapulars elongated, black with central white stripe; breast with 
brown and black crescent bands; lower breast white; narrow black lines 
on abdomen and sides; long feathers on flank with bluish grey ends; 
upper wing-coverts bluish grey; speculum green with a white band each 
side. Total length 16 inches, wing 7.75, tail 2.75, culmen 1.62, tarsus 1.2. 
Female has the chin and throat white, as well as the abdomen and breast. 


Nest on the ground in long grass, lined with down. The 
clutch from eight to twelve cream coloured eggs, which measure 
about 1.78 x 1.31 inch. 


150 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Spatula. 
Bill spoon-shaped, no soft membranes on the sides towards 
the tip. 
The Common Shoveller. 
Spatula clypeata. 


Nesting in Northern Hemisphere and in winter to Africa, India, 
China, and in America to Colombia and West Indies, accidental in 
Australia. 


Australian Museum. 
The Australian Shoveller: Spatula rhynchotis. 


Adult male: Head and upper part of neck glossy green; lower neck, 
breast, and anterior scapulars white; middle of back dark brown, feathers 
with pale edges; rump greenish black; lower breast chestnut; flanks 
freckled with brown; upper wing-coverts and portions of scapulars pale 
blue; rest of scapulars black, with a white stripe along the middle; white 
band on the wings, and joining the speculum; tail white and freckled. 
Total length 20 inches, wing 10.25, tail 3.75, culmen 2.75, tarsus 1.4. 


Nest a depression in the ground among short vegetation and 
lined with down. Clutch from eight to thirteen, greenish-buff 
in colour, and they measure about 2.15 x 1.50 inch. 

These birds are very rare in Australia. 


THE FRECKLED DUCK 151 


The Australian Shoveller (Blue-wing). 


Spatula rhynchotis. 

Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. 

Crown of head and chin brownish black; a white band between the 
bill and the eyes; rest of head and neck bluish grey; back brownish black, 
edges of feathers reddish; rump greenish black; lower neck and upper 
breast white, with dark crescent bands; lower breast rufous chestnut 
with black bands; shorter scapulars brown, with white crescent bars; 
upper wing-coverts light blue, tipped with white; speculum glossy green; 
tail black. Total length 22 inches, wing 9.75, tail 4, culmen 2.55, tarsus 
1.3. Female, brown-spotted on the underparts, and tail brown with 
reddish bars. 


Nest, usually a depression among thick vegetation, &., and 
lined with a little grass and down, occasionally in a hollow in a 
tree. The clutch is from seven to nine, of a pale-cream colour, 
and they measure about 2.10 x 1.52 inch. 


Genus Malacorhynchus. 
Bill spoon-shaped, with soft membranes on sides towards tip. 


The Pink-eared Duck (Widgeon). 


Malacorhynchus membranaceus. 

Australia and Tasmania. 

Crown greyish brown; sides of the head greyish white; a patch on 
the sides of the head and passing down to the back of the neck, dark 
brown; an oblong mark of pink just behind the dark patch surrounding 
the eye; neck, breast and underparts greyish white, crossed by numerous 
brown bars; upper parts greyish brown, minutely dusted with lighter 
points; a white band on wing; tail brown, tipped with white. Total 
length 17 inches, wing 7.15, tail 2.5, culmen 2.5 to 2.65, tarsus 1.25. 


Nest, generally in the deserted nest of another bird, such 
as a Coot, Heron, &e., and thickly lined with down, in which 
the eggs are embedded. From seven to nine creamy-white eggs 
are laid, which measure about 1.88 x 1.36 inch. 


Genus Stictonetta. 
Plumage uniform without bright speculum on the wing. 


The Freckled Duck. 


Stictonetta nevosa. 
Southern and Western Australia and Tasmania. 
All dark brown minutely freckled with irregular oblong bars of white; 
under surface lighter; wings without speculum; primaries plain brown. 


152 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Nest, a depression in the ground, among thick vegetation, 
and lined with down. From eight to ten greenish-white eggs 
are laid, and they measure about 2.32 x 1.68 inch. This bird is 
comparatively rare. 


Genus Aythya. 


Hind toe broadly lobed. Bill smooth not swollen at base. 
Tail feathers not particularly stiff. 


From u Drawing in the Christchurch Museum. 
White-eyed Duck: Aythya (Nyroca) australis. 


The White-eyed Duck (Hardhead). 
Aythya australis. 


Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, New Guinea, and Waigiou. 

Head, neck and breast dark brown chestnut; back and scapulars dark 
brown, each feather with olive-brown edges; abdomen white, but lower 
part brown; sides brown, paler edges to feathers; wing-speculum white, 
also white on the primaries; tail brown; skin round eyes white. Total 
length 20 inches, wing 8.75, tail 2.5, culmen 1.9, tarsus 1.6. 


Nest on the ground among herbage or in hollows in trees, 
and, as usual, lined with down. From eight to twelve creamy- 
white eggs are laid, and they measure about 2.26 x 1.63 inch. 


THE BLUE-BILLED DUCK 153 


Sub-family Erismaturinae. 
Hind toe broadly lobed. Tail feathers narrow and very stiff. 


Genus Evismatura. 


Tail quills 18. 


Technological Museum, Sydney. 
Musk Duck: Biziura lobata. 


The Blue-billed Duck. 
Erismatura australis. 
: Southern Australia and Tasmania. 

Head, throat and neck black; breast, back and flanks chestnut; rump 
blackish, freckled with reddish lines; underparts brown, feathers tipped 
with rufous-white; wings and tail dark brown; bill light blue. Total 
length 16 inches, wing 6.2, tail 2.6, culmen 1.6, tarsus 1.25. Female brown, 
upper parts freckled. 


154 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Nest on the ground in thick herbage and lined with grass 
and down. From four to five greenish-white eggs are laid, and 
they measure about 2.70 x 2.04 inch. This bird, like the musk 
duck, dives well and rarely flies. It is comparatively scarce. 


Genus Biziura. 


Bill shorter than head, very high at base. A pendent lobe 
on the chin. Tail quills 24. 


The Musk Duck. 
Biziura lobata. 


Australia and Tasmania. 

Upper part of the head and nape brownish black, finely freckled; 
upper surface, chest, and flanks blackish brown, thickly freckled with 
buffy white bars; under parts buffy white at tip of feathers; bill and 
large lobe beneath the chin greenish black. Total length about 26 inches, 
wing 9.25, tail 6, culmen 1.7, tarsus 1.55. 


Nest, either in a thick patch of rushes in a swamp, which they 
bend over, and make the nest just above the water, or in a 
hollow log or in thick herbage near water, lined with down. 
Clutch from two to three coarse greenish-white eggs, the surface 
often being scratched. They measure about 3.14 x 2.12 inches. 

These birds take refuge by diving, and rarely fly. They are 
often seen in small companies in the harbours and estuaries 
not far from shore. The scent of musk in the old males is strong. 


ORDER PELECANIFORMES. 


The most extensively webbed of all the aquatic birds, the 
hallux being united with the rest by a complete web. Nasal 
bone unsplit. 


Family Phalacrocoracide. 
Bill sub-cylindriecal, strongly hooked at the tip, cutting edges 
of mandibles entire. 
Genus Phalacrocorax. 


Throat furnished with a pouch. Neck long and sinuous. 
Tail rounded or wedge-shaped. Claw of mid toe pectinate. 


THE BLACK CORMORANT 155 


The Black Cormorant. 
Phalacrocorax carbo. 

Cosmopolitan, from New Zealand to Iceland. 

General colour glossy greenish black; top of head and part of neck 
covered with long narrow white feathers; a crest of bluish black feathers; 
a white border on the throat next to the bare gular pouch; a patch 
of white feathers on each flank. Total length about 36 inches, culmen 
2.3 to 3.2, wing 12.5 to 14, tail 6.8 to 7.2, tarsus 2.3 to 2.85. 


Nest built of various material, according to locality, but 
usually of sticks, either high up in a lofty eucalyptus or on 
lower shrubs growing in swamps, and sometimes on ledges of 


Wood’s Nat. His. 
Black Cormorant: Phalacrocorax carbo. 
rocks, reefs or islands. Four eggs is the full clutch, but some- 
times not more than two or three are laid. They are a delicate 
greenish-blue colour, covered with a white chalky substance, 
laid on unevenly and easily removed. They measure about 
2.86 x 1.48 inch. 

The birds nest in the inland districts, as well as near the 
sea, usually in company with other Cormorants. 

Cormorants, of course, feed on fish, and so unfortunately 
come into competition with the fishermen. In New South Wales 
a price is placed on their heads, and fairly large numbers are 
shot. Under ordinary circumstances the destruction of fish by 
the birds is perhaps not very serious. There are many fish in 
the sea, and the Cormorant is not so particular as man in his 


156 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


choice. Exceptionally, however, the birds may collect, where the 
fish are naturally or by the action of the fishermen confined in 
a small area, and then do very complete damage. Thus 
Mr. E. J. Paton, Inspector of Fisheries at Port Stephens, writes 
of a raid made by the Cormorants in Smith’s Lake, a small lake 
to the north of the Myall Lakes of the district:—‘‘I found 
great numbers of Cormorants on the lake, chiefly the big black 
shag, and, although I have studied the habits of this pest for 
many years, their method of working in Smith’s Lake was new 
to me. They work in flocks of from a hundred up to thousands. 


Storehouse Island, Bass Strait. A. J. Campbell. 

White-breasted Cormorant: Phalacrocorax gouldi. 
I observed one flock numbering approximately 2,000 working a 
school of small fish from the weedy bottom of the lake into 
shallow clear water by united and simultaneous action. The 
birds closely packed dived together until the water for many 
yards was in a boil with the diving birds. When the fish are 
drawn clear from the weeds, the birds surround them, working 
them inshore, and pen them in as securely as if in a net, until 
they gorge themselves.’’ In such a case the Cormorants may be 
really as wastefully destructive of the fish supply as 
unrestricted netting. 


THE WHITE-BREASTED CORMORANT 157 


The Little Black Cormorant. 
Phalacrocoras sulcirostris. 
Australia, New Zealand, Austro-Malayan Islands to South Borneo. 
General colour brownish black, with a greenish gloss; some white 
plumules on each side of the head and about the neck. Total length about 
25 inches, culmen 1.7, wing 9.5 to 10.4, tail 4.7, tarsus 1.7. 


Build generally in rookeries, the nests usually being made of 
sticks in trees or shrubs in swamps, over water; occasionally 


From life. A. J. Campbell. 
White-breasted Cormorant: Phalacrocorax gouldi. 


they build on rocks. Four eggs are laid, exactly like the other 
Cormorants. They measure about 2. x 1.40 inch. 

These birds are very plentiful on many of the inland waters, 
and frequently nest in company with the Little Black and White 
Cormorant. 

The White-breasted Cormorant. 
Phalacrocorax gouldi. 


Tasmania, South and East Australia and Louisiade Archipelago. 

Above black, glossed with steel-blue; sides of the head, throat and 
underparts white; in nesting season back of neck has numerous white 
plumules; the feathering is continued along the lower mandible for some 


158 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


distance beyond the gape of the bill. Total length about 24 inches, 
culmen 1.85, wing 9.5, tail 3.7, tarsus 2.15. 


Nest usually made of sticks and seaweed. They build in 
companies on the bare rocks of small islands. The three eggs 
measure about 2.35 x 1.40 inch. 


The Pied Cormorant. 


Phalacrocorax hypoleucus. 


West Australia. 

Very similar to P. gouldi, but has much longer bill and distinguished 
by the feathering on the throat, which is not continued along the lower 
mandible beyond the gape; naked skin beneath the eye blue. Total length 
about 27 inches, culmen 2.7, wing 10.8, tail 4.7, tarsus 2.35. 


Nest usually a structure of sticks, &c., and built on rocks or 
trees, either on small islands or on the sea coast. The four eggs 
measure about 2.35 x 1.4 inch. 


The Little Black and White Cormorant. 
Phalacrocorax melanoleucus. 


Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, Moluccas, and Lesser Sunda 
Islands. 

Above glossy greenish black; throat and underparts white; under 
tail coverts black; the white feathers on the sides of the head and neck 
lengthened; narrow white plumes on top of head and neck. Total length 
23 inches, culmen 1.2, wing 8.8, tail 5.8, tarsus 1.45. 


Nest a good sized structure built usually of sticks, either in 
trees or shrubs, and generally over or near water. They nest in 
companies, and the four eggs measure about 1.85 x 1.33 inch. 

These birds are found well inland up the rivers or on swamps, 
as well as on the sea-coast. 


Family Plotide. 


Bill long, pointed. Bill serrated. Body nearly uniformly 
clothed with small soft contour feathers. 


Genus Plotus. 
Bill compressed. Terminal half of mandible serrated. 


THE GANNET (BOOBY) 159 


The Darter. 
Plotus nova-hollandie. 


Australia, New Zealand, and South-east New Guinea. 

Above glossy black; a white stripe below the eye and extending four 
inches down the neck; a white band bordering the bare throat; patch of 
chestnut on front of neck; underparts white; these birds have a very 
long snake-like neck. Total length 31 inches, culmen 2.8, wing 13.2, tail 
8.4, tarsus 1.9. 


Nest, a structure of twigs, placed in trees near or over water. 
The four eggs are very similar to those of the Cormorant, but 
more elongated, being chalky-white on the surface with a 
greenish shell beneath. They measure about 2.28 x 1.46 inch. 

These birds usually nest in companies, and are found on the 
rivers and swamps; especially plentiful in Northern Australia, 
but not nearly as numerous as the Cormorants. 


Family Sulide. 
Tail wedge-shaped. Bill sub-cylindrical, pointed. No 
external nostrils. 
Genus Sula. 
Bill stout, straight, pointed. Wings long. Nostrils closed 
externally. Throat pouch. 


The Gannet (Booby). 
Sula serrator. 


Coasts of Australia and New Zealand. 

General colour pure white; back and sides of the head and neck 
tinted with buff; primaries black; bare band about two inches long down 
the centre of the throat; two middle pairs of tail-feathers brownish black. 
Total length 36 inches, culmen 3.4, wing 18, tail 8.1, tarsus 2.2. 


These birds nest in large companies, making their nest of 
seaweed, and feed their young on partially digested fish. They 
do not leave their nest on man’s approach. The single egg 
is chalky-white, and on being scraped off shows a bluish-white 
shell beneath. They measure about 3.08 x 1.89 inch. 

We take the following vivid description of the diving skill 
of the Gannet from a notice in the ‘‘Emu,’’ by Mr. H. Stuart 
Dove, of West Devonport, Tasmania:—‘‘I never remember 


160 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


seeing them in such numbers as here just now. When over a 
good shoal of fish they literally tumble by dozens and scores 
into the water, reminding the watcher of a shower of huge snow- 
flakes melting into the waves; it is marvellous how they avoid 
sinking each other when descending in such numbers, and with 
such velocity into a small patch of water, each apparently 
oblivious of everything except that one little object it has sighted 
beneath the surface. The dive into deep water is usually made 
from a height of 18 to 30 feet, and is a literal ‘‘header,’’ the 


“Vietorian Naturalist.” H. P. C. Ashworth. 
Gannetry on Cat Island, Bass Strait. 


bird usually entering the waves nearly vertically, and with a 
splash; a perceptible interval elapses before it reappears some 
little distance away, giving its yellowish beak a swish backwards 
and forwards after swallowing its prey. It usually sits a few 
seconds upon the water before going aloft again, thus differing 
from the Tern, which takes to its wings the moment it reaches 
the surface. When diving in shallow water close to the rocks, 
the Gannet begins the descent from a height of 4 or 5 feet only. 
The wings are not closed, as is usually supposed, at the 
beginning of the descent, but remain expanded until the bird 
is close to the surface, and apparently assist in guiding it to 


THE GANNET (BOOBY) 161 


the exact spot which it desires to reach; it then flaps them 
suddenly to the side of the body, and the admirable adaptability . 
of its shape to its aquatic life may be well seen just as it enters 
the water, the long beak, head, neck and body stretched out 
rigidly in one straight line, the legs and wings tucked closely 
in, everything arranged so as to offer as little resistance as 
possible to the water.’’ 

The nickname of ‘‘Booby’’ attaches to the Gannets, and 
alludes to the calm imperturbability with which the bird sits on 


From life. D. Le Souéf. 
Australian Gannets, Cat Island, Bass Strait. 


its nest, and seems to be absolutely indifferent to the approach 
or presence of danger. Thus Mr. O. Salvin writes of 8. piscator, 
“The word Booby is most appropriate; I never saw a bird with 
less idea of getting out of one’s way, or caring less for what one 
did. Walking about under the trees was nothing; they hardly 
condescended to look down; nor when we stirred them up while 
taking a ‘siesta,’ pulled their tails, poked them off their nests, 
and fought with them for their eggs, and bullied them in every 
way, did we succeed in getting up any sort of excitement in the 


L 


162 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


eolony.’’ Gould says of the Australian Gannet that it appears 
to be the ‘‘Booby’’ par excellence. ‘‘Observing about fifty fine 
adult birds reposing on the flat top of a low rock, 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 
determined 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 


From life. Gannets: Sula serrator, Dr. C. S. Ryan. 


each other startled them in the least. Taking one 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 were then 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 any astonishment, but I did not expect that the birds 
would admit of being captured while merely at rest.’’ 


THE GANNET (BOOBY) 163 


Mr. J. Gabriel thus describes the rookery in the Furneaux 
Group :—‘‘We found between 2,400 and 2,600 birds (roughly 
estimated by measurement) seated in the locality on their 
nests. The birds were in no wise put out by our presence, and 
we photographed to our hearts’ content. The nests were built 
on slightly raised mounds of clay and a good admixture of 
guano, of which the place smelt strongly, and were composed of 
twigs, alge and’ polyzoa. Each nest contained one egg only. 
Hovering over the rookery, and coming and going from seaward, 


“The Emu.” Gannets (Sula serrator) Nesting. D. Le Souéf. 


were the mates of the sitting birds. It was the prettiest of 
sights to see these birds alight alongside their mates, kissing and 
caressing them in a most loving and affectionate way. 
Occasionally one of the new comers would eject from its throat 
a fish which it had brought in from the sea. It is really 
wonderful the size of fish they carry—15 inches was the 
measurement of a pike which we found lying near one of the 
nests, and we saw the remains of others which must have 
measured still more. Frequently we could see a handsome 
Gannet rise on its feet off its egg and flap its wings to stretch 
its feathered limbs; should the bird be so unfortunate as to 


164 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


lose its balance it soon regained its position, hastened, however, 
by its neighbours, who viciously pecked at it, as much as to say, 
‘Keep your own ground.’ The nests, as far as the inequality of 
the ground would allow, were arranged, in symmetrical rows, 
and were about 30 inches apart. The diameter of the rookery 
was about 50 yards, and it was circular in shape. The old 
birds seemed to protect the eggs more fiercely than they did the 
young, and I had to approach them with considerable respect, 
requiring the aid of a bucket and fishing basket for them to 
peck at while I was securing their eggs. Promenading around 
the rookery and sometimes through the rows were to be seen 
those impudent scavengers, the Silver and Pacific Gulls, waiting 
their chance (a very poor one) of taking the eggs and pieces of 
fish lying about.’’ 


The Masked Gannet. 
Sula cyanops. 


Tropical seas throughout the world. 

White, except the primaries, secondaries and their coverts, as well 
as the tail-feathers, which are brownish black; chin and upper throat 
bare. Total length 36 inches, culmen from feathers on forehead 4.3, 
wing 17.6, tail 7.3, tarsus 2.3. 


Very little lining is used for the nest on the ground, often 
none; they usually breed on the coral reefs and small islands. 
The two eggs are similar to the preceding species, and measure 
about 2.70 x 1.75 inch. 

These birds nest in large numbers on Raine Island in Torres 
Strait. 


The Red-legged Gannet. 
Sula piscatria. 


Tropical and Sub-tropical Seas throughout the world, except the 
Pacific coast of America. 

White, but primaries and their coverts grey, chin and upper part of 
throat bare; bill greyish blue. Total length about 29.5 inches, culmen 3.5, 
wing 15.5, tail 8.6, tarsus 1.4. Young birds brown. 


A flat nest of sticks or seaweed, placed either on the ground 
or on thick herbage. The single egg is similar to that of the 
preceding species and measures about 2.35 x 1.57 inch. 

These birds also nest on Raine Island in great numbers. 


THE BROWN GANNET 165 


The Brown Gannet. 


Sula leucogaster. 
Tropical and Sub-tropical seas throughout the world, except the 
Pacific coast of America. 
Head, neck, chest, upper parts, wings, and tail dark sooty-brown; rest 
of underparts white. Total length 28 inches, culmen 3.90, wing 14.5, tail 
7.6, tarsus 1.6. Young, light brown. 


“The Emu.” Tom Iredale. 
Half-fledged Young Masked Gannet: Sula cyanops. 


Nest, a scanty structure, usually on the ground, on small 
islands or reefs. The usual clutch is two, but sometimes three 
are laid. White in colour, and measure from 2.3 to 2.6 in 
leneth and from 1.55 to 1.75 in breadth. 

This bird is commonly called the Booby by sailors. 


Family Fregatide. 
Tail deeply forked. Webs between toes deeply emarginated. 


Genus Fregata. 


Bill long, hooked at tip. Large throat pouch. Wings long 
and pointed. 


166 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Great Frigate-bird. 
.Fregata aquila. 

Tropical and Sub-tropical oceans of both Hemispheres. 

General colour black; feathers of the head, upper back, and scapulars 
elongate and pointed, with a greenish gloss; the female has the back of 
the neck dark brown and underparts white; bill purplish blue, white in 
the middle; gular pouch orange. Total length 40 inches, culmen 3.8, 
wing 20.5 to 25.8, tail 14, tarsus 0.7. 

Nest, a considerable structure of twigs, &c., built either on the 
ground or on shrubs, ledges of rock, &c., and usually on islands. 
One egg is laid, chalky-white in colour, and measures about 2.75 
x 1.82 inch. 

This bird is sometimes called the Man-of-war bird. It 
secures its prey from what other birds have secured, by making 
them drop their fish in mid air, when it catches it before 
reaching the water. They have long wings and long slender bills, 
as well as a kind of pouch hanging down in front. 


The Lesser Frigate-bird. 
Fregata ariel. 

Tropical parts of Indian and Pacific Oceans. 

Very similar to preceding species but smaller; has a large white 
patch on each flank; female has a wide white collar round the neck. 
Total length 30 inches, culmen 2.6, wing 19.2-21, tail 11-13.3, tarsus 0.75. 

Nest composed of twigs, seaweed, &c., and placed either on 
the ground or on vegetation, usually on islands. The single 
egg is white, and measures from 2.63 to 2.26 in length, and from 
1.75 to 1.50 in breadth. . 

This bird has the same plundering habit as the preceding 
species and the same great powers of flight. 


Family Phaethonide. 


Webs slightly emarginate. Mid tail feathers greatly 
produced. Bill compressed, pointed. 


Genus Phaethon. 


The Red-tailed Tropic-bird. 


Phaethon rubricauda. 
Tropical Indian and Pacifie Oceans. 
General colour white, with a pink tinge; a black band on the sides 
of the head; short black band on the wing; middle tail-feathers very 


THE WHITE-TAILED TROPIC BIRD 167 


long, the shafts and parts of the web next to them being black; the 
remainder of the webs scarlet. Total length about 36 inches, culmen 2.55- 
2.65, wing 12.6, tail 17-18.5, tarsus 1.2. 


Lays on the ground or rock-ledges without any nest, usually 
on an island. The egg is pinkish-cream, marked with various 
shades of reddish-brown, and thickly covered with minute 
reddish-brown dots; it measures about 2.88 x 1.95 inch. 

Often called by sailors the Boatswain bird. 


“The Emu.” Tom Iredale. 
Red-tailed Tropic-Bird (Phdethon erubescens) on Egg in Nesting-place, Sunday Island. 


The White-tailed Tropic-bird. 
Phaethon lepturus. 


Tropical Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. 

General colour white, very similar to P. rubricauda; bill yellow; four 
outermost primaries with the outer web black to within an inch and a 
half of the extremity. 


Nest on the bare ground, usually in hollows or under rocks 
on islands. The single egg is greyish-pink, thickly freckled with 
reddish-brown dots; it measures about 2.06 x 1.51 inch. 


168 THE, BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Family Pelecanide. 
Bill long and flattened, with external nostrils. 


Genus Pelecanus. 


Bill very long, broad and flat, a median bar all along. A 
‘very large distensible gular pouch. Wings large. Tail small. 


From life. 7 H. P. C. Ashworth. 
Young Pelicans: Pelecanus conspicillatus. 


The Pelican. 
Pelecanus conspicillatus. 


Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea. 

General colour white; scapulars, shorter upper tail-coverts, and tail 
black; gular pouch and mandibles yellowish white. Total length about 
60 inches, culmen 17, wing 24, tail 7.5, tarsus 5. In breeding plumage 
there is a crest on the back of the head and neck. 


An untidy nest on the ground with very little lining, what 
there is being composed of twigs and herbage. Usually on an 
island or narrow spit of land, either inland or on the coast. 


EAGLES AND HAWKS 169 


From two to three eggs are laid, chalky-white in colour, and 
they measure about 3.62 x 2.31 inch. 

The Pelican is a mighty fisherman; living only on fish. With 
his long boat-shaped furrowed bill he catches the fish in plenty, 
stowing them away in his basket, an enormous pouch in the 
lower jaw, which is drawn up when the bird is at rest, but is 
capable of enormous distension so as to carry a big catch. The 
feet are widely webbed, all the toes being connected, as in the 
Cormorants, to form a powerful paddle. The wings are large 
and strong, so that the birds are able to travel great distances 
and to reach the lakes of the interior. The ‘‘Pelican of the 
Wilderness’’ occurs in Australia as in Syria. In the early days 
they were so plentiful in the interior that Captain Sturt 
recorded that he found the channel of a river from 70 to 80 
yards broad literally covered with Pelicans, and that they were 
in such numbers on the Darling as to be quite dazzling to the 
eye. 


OrpER ACCIPITRIFORMES. Eagles and Hawks. 


Bill strong, stout at the base, the tip bent at right angles. 
Feet strong, armed with powerful talons. With no facial disc. 
Plumage compact. 

There are no Australian Vultures, and Eagles and Hawks are 
rather poorly represented. Kites, Harriers and Goshawks are 
more abundant. The females are larger birds than the males. 


Sub-order Accipitres. 
Outer toe not reversible. 


Family Falconide. 


The head is covered with feathers, true feathers being always 
present on the crown. 


Key to Sub-families. 


Tibia and tarsus equal. Accipitrina. 
Tibia longer than tarsus. 
a. Hinder aspect of- tarsus plated. Buteonine. 


b. Hinder aspect of tarsus with reticulate 
scales. Aquilinz. 


170 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Sub-family Accipitrine. Long-legged Hawks. 


Key to the Genera. 


Hinder aspect of tarsus reticulated; ruff of 


plumes around the face. Circus: Harriers. 
Hinder aspect of tarsus plated; no ruff or disc. 
Bill strong; legs and toes short. Astur: Goshawks. 
Bill small; legs and toes slender. Accipiter: Sparrow Hawks. 


Sub-family Buteonine. Buzzards. 
Genus Erythrotriorchis (Urospizias). See p. 175. 
Sub-family Aquiline. See p. 176. 


Key to the Genera. 


A. Bill not toothed. Eagles and Kites. 
1. Tarsus clothed with feathers all round to base of toes. 


Tail wedge-shaped when closed. Uroaétus. 
Tail nearly square. Eutolmaétus (Nisaétus).” 
2. Tarsus bare on lower portion. 
Nostrils oval vertical with bony margins. ‘Haliaétus. 
Nostrils circular with bony margins. Haliastur. 
Nostrils oblique: Kites. 
Tail forked. Milvus. 
Tail nearly square. Lophoictinia. 
Tail rounded. 
Tarsus mostly bare in front. Gypoictinia. 
Tarsus mostly feathered in front. Elanus. 
B. Bill toothed: Falcons. 
Nostrils obliqual ovals; head crested behind. Baza. 


Nostrils circular. 
Outer toe longer than ‘inner (measured 
without claws). Falco: Falcons proper. 
Outer and inner toes equal. 
Distance between tips of primaries and 
tips of secondaries not more than 


half length of tail. Hieracidea. 
Same distance greater than half length of 
tail. Cerchneis: Kestrels. 


The Spotted Harrier. 
Circus assimilis. 

Eastern Australia from New South Wales to Cape York; Celebes. 

Crown of head, cheeks and ear-coverts bright brick-red; facial ruff 
pale bluish grey; back grey; primaries with brown tips, secondaries 
barred with brown; tail ashy, tipped with white, and crossed with bars 
of black; under surface rufous, sprinkled all over with rounded white spots, 
the under wing-coverts and axillaries similarly coloured. Legs and iris 
yellow; bill blue at base, black on culmen and at tip. Total length of 
male 22 inches, of female 24.5. 


This beautiful Harrier is abundant over the plains, and on 
the flats between the hills in mountainous districts. Gould 
describes it as flying ‘‘lazily over the surface of the plains, 
intently seeking for lizards, snakes, small quadrupeds and birds; 


THE SPOTTED HARRIER 171 


and, when not pressed by hunger, reposing on some dried stick, 
elevated knoll or stone, from which it can survey all round.’’ 


Australian Museum. 


Spotted Harrier: Circus assimilis. 


Nest open, constructed of dried sticks and twigs, and placed 
on the ground on the scrubby crowns of low hills. Eggs pure 
white, 2 inches by 114. 


172 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Harrier. 
Circus gouldi., 


South and Eastern Australia to 20° N. lat., New Zealand, New 
Caledonia and Fiji. 

Head and all upper surface rich dark brown; facial ruff rufous buff 
streaked with dark brown; tail ashy grey tipped with white, not barred; 
under surface creamy white, with pale rufous streaks; legs greenish 
white, feet yellowish buff; iris yellow; bill dark brown, bluish at base. 
Not quite as large a bird as the preceding. 


Frequents lagoons, backwaters, swamps and marshes feeding 
on the smaller mammals, birds and reptiles. Flies with the 
typical Harvrier flight, slowly and heavily, and near the ground. 
Nest and eggs as in preceding. 


Genus Astur. Goshawks. 


Key to the Species. Adult Plumage. 


No red nape-band. Thighs uniform white. 
Upper surface and tail ashy grey. A. cinereus. 
Whole plumage pure white. A. nove hollandie. 
Sides of neck rufous, forming an indistinct and 
partial nape-band. Under surface and thighs 
barred with white and rufous. 
Back dull ashy brown. A. approximans. 
Back bluish ashy grey. A. cruentus. 


The Grey Goshawk. 
Astur clarus (cinereus). 


Australia and Tasmania. 

The breast is white, with numerous, but indistinct dull ashy bars, 
which disappear altogether on the abdomen. Length of male 16.5, of 
female 20 inches. 


The White Goshawk. 
Astur nove-hollandie. 
Australia, south and east, Tasmania. 
For years the White Goshawk was a puzzle to naturalists. 
It seems extraordinary that a diurnal bird of prey, whose allies 
are all of varied plumage, should be of so pure a white, the 
beak only black and the legs and cere yellow. Was it an albino 
variety of the Grey Goshawk, which has much the same 
dimensions? The irides are of a pale carmine. But the bird was 


THE GOSHAWK 173 


found to breed true. Cuvier hazarded the view that it is an 
albino race which has become permanent. To this we have at 
least a parallel in the White Fantail Pigeon. But what. were 
the causes of the permanence? See Addenda. 

The Lesser White Goshawk, A. leucosomus, is a northern bird 
with similar white plumage. It is much smaller, the male 
measuring only 12.3 inches. It is found in the Cape York area, 
and in New Guinea and adjacent islands. 


Australian Museum. 
White Goshawk: Astur novae-hollandiae. 


The Goshawk. 
Astur fasciatus (approximans). 
Australia and Tasmania, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island. 


One of the commonest and most widespread of our birds of prey. 
Male 15 inches, female 20. 


It is a bold, powerful and rapacious bird, feeding on small 
and young birds, small mammals and reptiles, and a terror to 
young poultry. Mr. Keartland found Goshawks several times in 
Central Australia, especially where there was any permanent 
water with vegetation around the margin. Such places not only 
afford shelter to the frogs on which the bird delights to feed, 
but also prevent the young waterfowl seeing its approach until 


174 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


it swoops amongst them, and seizes a victim from the surface 
of the water. Gould says that the nest is usually built on a large 
swamp-oak (Casuarina) growing on the side of the creek, but 


& 


From life. Goshawk. D. Le Souéf. 


occasionally in a Eucalypt and away from water. It is of large 
size in proportion to the birds. It is built of sticks and lined 
with gum leaves. The eggs, generally 3, bluish-white smeared 
over with occasional buff stains as though soiled with weak 


THE RED GOSHAWK OR BUZZARD 175 


coffee; 1.8 by 1.5 inches. The male Goshawk is very nearly of 
the same size and colouring as the female Sparrow Hawk, but, 
as Mr. R. B. Sharpe has pointed out, may be distinguished from 
it by the longer tail, 8 inches or over, while that of the Sparrow 
Hawk is a little over 7 inches. 


The Western Goshawk. 


Astur cruentus. 
Confined to Western Australia. 
Very near to the preceding, but with bluer back, and with the 
rufous cross-bars on the breast narrower, so that the white appears the 
ground colour. It is a somewhat larger bird. 


It builds a large nest of sticks placed on the horizontal limb 
of a gum-tree. 


The Sparrow Hawk. 
Accipiter cirrhocephalus. 
Australia and Tasmania. 


Male, 12.3, female 14.5 inches. In the young the plumage is striated, 
the longitudinal spots widening out into bars in the adult. 


Handsome, bold and aggressive birds, extremely rapid and 
graceful in flight, skimming over the surface of the ground, 
circling in the air or dashing between the branches of the forest 
trees, wonderfully sure in aim, whether the quarry be the quail 
or lizard on the ground or the birds in the trees. The female is 
much the more powerful, but is not more active or swift than 
her mate. Even larger birds than itself fall before it. 
Mr. Keartland heard of.one which decapitated a wild duck at a 
blow, and of another which actually killed a Bustard. 

The nest is large, of dried stick lined with fibres and leaves 
and placed on the fork of a tree, usually near a river or creek. 
The eggs, 3 in number, are bluish or greenish-white with some- 
times spots or smears of buff. They measure 1.5 by 1.2 inches. 


The Red Goshawk or Buzzard. 


Erythrotriorchis (Urospizias) radiatus. 

Eastern and Central Australia. : 

Both male and female 20 inches, the latter a little the larger. Above 
bright rufous, each feather with black centre and rufous margins; below 
deep rufous; under surface of base of wing ashy white; tail ashy brown 
above, ashy white below, crossed above and below with blackish-brown 
bars; iris wood-brown; feet white tinged with lilac; beak purple, flesh- 
eoloured at base, black at tip. 


176 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


A dweller in the interior, this sole Australian representative 
of the Buzzards, generally flies high in the air, soaring in large 
circles after the manner of the Eagle, the dark breast and large 
white mark at the base of the wing conspicuous from below. 
Its sight is keen, and it will be drawn from great distances by 
a freshly-killed wallaby or kangaroo-rat. The eggs white with 
irregular blotches of brown or lilac, 2.5 by 1.8 inches. 


The Wedge-tailed Eagle. 
Uroaetus (Aquila) audaz. 


Australia and Tasmania. 

General colour of adult black, of the young rufous; bill yellowish 
with black tip; feet light yellow; iris hazel. Length 38 inches, wing 
24 inches. 


Mr. Gould killed an Eagle which weighed nine pounds, and 
had a spread of wings of six feet eight inches, and saw far 
larger individuals. This is by far the largest and most powerful 
of our Raptores, and though, perhaps with a democratic 
contempt for noble freebooters, it is known in most parts of 
Australia as merely the Eagle Hawk, it is in sober truth one of 
the very largest and finest of the Eagles of the world. It is 
equal in size to the North American White Headed Eagle, and 
larger than the famous Golden Eagle of Europe. Gould, who 
was familiar with both birds, writes: ‘‘ All that has been said 
concerning the courage, power and rapacity of the Golden Eagle 
applies with equal force to Aquila audax; but the lengthened and 
wedge-shaped form of its tail gives to the Australian bird a far 
more pleasing and elegant contour.’’ The spread of the wings 
has been known to reach ten feet. The Eagle is a wide ranger, 
easily covering long distances. His centre of observation is 
aloft, and here his movements are free and elegant. He sails 
easily from mountain ridge to mountain ridge high over the 
deep intervening valley, or circles and soars over the wide plains, 
with keen eye eager to discern any live quarry or dead carcass 
which may be in the neighbourhood. The large Bustard or the 
Wallaby, lambs or young goats, are the game he prefers. 
Mr. Keartland on one occasion witnessed a pair of Eagles 
hunting a young wallaby from rock to rock on: the side of a 
range, until at last it was secured and carried off. But the 


THE LITTLE EAGLE 177 


Eagle condescends to the habits of a Vulture when a dead 
carcass presents itself, even if in a state of putridity, numbers 
collecting from afar as do the Vultures. Mr. Gould saw no less 
than thirty or forty assembled together around the carcass of a 
dead bullock, some gorged to the full, perched upon the 
neighbouring trees, the rest still in the enjoyment of the feast. 
Advantage of this habit is taken by sheep owners who wish to 
destroy the marauders. <A dead beast is treated with strychnine, 
and left to attract the dingoes and eagles, many falling victims 
to the poison. In Riverina the advent of the lambing season is 
marked by the regular appearance of Eagles, which are rarely 
seen at any other time. The pastoralists resort to wholesale 
poisoning in order to keep them in check, and thousands are 
said to be destroyed annually, yet they appear the next season 
as numerous as ever. These must have gathered from great 
distances, it is supposed from the fastnesses of the remote parts 
of the Australian Alps, but this is uncertain. These birds 
destroy many rabbits, and some pastoralists in consequence look 
on them with favour, and prohibit their destruction. The nests 
are very large, nearly flat, built of sticks and boughs, and 
situated on the most inaccessible trees. It usually requires 
much skill in climbing, and much courage, in the collector 
who would win the eggs, for the Eagles will valiantly defend 
their home from the intruder, fiercely attacking him with their 
powerful beak and claws. The eggs are two in number, clouded 
with large blotches of pale-purple, and small specks and dashes 
of yellowish umber-brown on a stone-coloured ground, and 
measure 3 inches by 2.4 inches. 


The Little Eagle. 
Eutolmaétus (Nisaétus) morphnoides. 


Probably all over Australia in the interior. 

Length 21.5 inches, wing 15. A much smaller and rarer bird than the 
preceding. Face and crown of head blackish-brown, tinged with rufons, 
giving it a striated appearance; back brown; under surface rufous, with 
a stripe of black down the centre of each feather. 


Mr. Keartland saw several in the Centre. Mr. Cowle obtained 
the egg from a large stick nest in a desert oak tree (Casuarina), 
from which he flushed the bird. Gould found a nest in a high 


M 


178 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


gum tree near the Hunter River, also containing only one egg, 
upon which the bird had been sitting for some time. The egg 
is bluish-white with very faint traces of brown blotchings; 2.2 x 
1.8 inches. 
The White-bellied Sea-Eagle. 
Haliaétus leucogaster. 


Australia and Tasmania, on the borders of small bays and inlets of 
the sea, or around lakes and inland streams. 

Length of male 28 inches, wing 22.3; the female slightly lanzex, The 
head and neck and all the underparts white; the upper ashy grey, the 
tail black, the terminal third white; bill leaden blue; feet yellowish 
white; iris olive-brown. The young, of a general brown colour. The bird 
has a wide range, from India and Ceylon to Western Polynesia. 


The Sea-Eagle is almost invariably seen in pairs, and would. 
appear to be permanently mated; each pair inhabiting a 
particular bay or inlet, to the exclusion of. others of the same 
species. They may still be seen occasionally about the heads of 
some of the arms of the Sydney harbour. They do not plunge 
into the water, diving after fish as does the Osprey, but- while 
able to seize fish swimming near the surface or leaping from the 
water (in Middle Harbour mostly mullet), they depend mainly, 
says Gould, on dead fish or other animals cast up on the shore, 
perhaps also living molluscs and other marine invertebrates, 
Gould found that most of the small islands in Bass Strait were 
inhabited, each by a pair of these birds, which subsisted largely 
on the Petrels and Penguins which resort to these islands to 
breed. 

On the mainland the huge nest is constructed on a fork of 
a lofty tree; on the islands, where no trees can be found, flat on 
the ground. The materials of a single nest would fill a cart. 
The eggs are two in number, of a dull white, faintly stained with 
reddish-brown, and measure 2.75 x 2.25 inches. 


The White-headed Sea-Eagle. 
Haliastur (indus) girrenera. 


Northern and Eastern Australia, extending through New Guinea to 
the Moluccas and Celebes. ; 

Length of male 20 inches, of wing 14.2 inches; of female, a little 
greater. Head, neck, and breast snowy white; the rest of the body bright 
maroon, the tail broadly whitish at the tip. The young of a general 
maroon-brown colour. Our bird is distinguished from its Indian and 
Javan allies by the absence of black shaft-stripes from the feathers of 
the head and neck. 


THE WHITE-HEADED SEA EAGLE 179 


Very common on the North and North-east, taking up its 
abode in the most secluded parts of bays and inlets, catching the 
fish which may come near to the surface, but rarely plunging into 
the water. 


, H. Nielson, Mackay. 
Young White-bellied Sea Eagle: Haliaétus leucogaster. 


Gilbert says that it breeds in the Coburg Peninsula in July 
and August. He found two nests each of which contained two 
eggs. The nests were formed of sticks, with fine twigs or grass 
as a lining; about two feet in diameter, and built in a strong 


180 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


fork of a dead part of a tree. Both were about thirty feet from 
the ground and about 200 yards from the beach. The eggs are 
of a dirty white colour, the surface spread over with. hair-like 
streaks forming hieroglyphics and with minute reddish-brown 
dots, and measure 2.2 x 1.7 inches. 


The Whistling Eagle. 


Haliastur sphenurus. 


The whole of Australia and New Caledonia. 
Length 22 inches, wing 16.6 inches. Head and neck sandy coloured, 
with fulvous streaks; tail uniform ashy brown. Young paler. 


The Whistling Eagle is generally seen in pairs, and may be 
met with in almost any kind of country, and in any part of the 
Continent. It is incessantly hovering over the harbours and 
sides of rivers and lagoons, and, even in the Centre, 
Mr. Keartland saw a pair or more at every water-hole. Its flight 
is easy and buoyant, and it frequently soars to a high altitude, 
and, whether on the wing or at rest, it utters its peculiar shrill 
whistling ery, from which the common name is derived. It 
devours birds, small mammals, lizards, fish and has a special 
weakness for caterpillars. Hence, if there be a plague of these 
vermiti the advent of the birds may be expected with some 
confidence. 

The nest is composed of sticks and fibrous roots, and built 
on the topmost branches of the swamp-oak or other tree growing 
by the sides of the creeks or rivers. The eggs, usually two, are 
of a bluish- or greenish-white, with few obscure brown markings, 
appearing as if beneath the surface of the shell. 


The Kite. 
Milvus affinis. 


Australia and Malaysia. 

Length 20 inches, wing 16.5 inches. Blackish-brown above, under 
surface dull rufous brown; head paler brown, streaked with blackish; 
bill blackish; feet yellow; iris brown. 


The Kites are more venturesome in the presence of man than 
any of the other birds of prey. They will dart down and seize 
the bird shot by the sportsman, or scraps of meat or flesh which 
he may throw away, although the gun is still in his -hand. 


THE BLACK-BREASTED BUZZARD 181 


Mr. Keartland states that as a little girl was picking a bone, 
while she sat on the doorstep of the house, a Kite swooped down 
and seized the bone, in the struggle inflicting several wounds on 
the child’s face. It was a constant attendant of the camps of 
the aborigines, and haunts stockyards and stations, looking to 
feast on scraps of meat after cattle are killed, and will fearlessly 
enter the farm-yard of the selector, and play frank havoe 
amongst the young poultry. Its flight, says Gould, is much less 
protracted and soaring than that of its European congener; the 
bird is much more arboreal, skulking about the forest after the 
manner of the true Buzzards. The usual stick nest is placed 
high in a tree. The eggs are less round than in most Falconidx, 
of a warm fleshy-white, moderately blotched with reddish-brown, 
and with a few bluish-grey blotches appearing as if under the 
surface of the shell, and measure 2.25 x 1.6 inches. 


The Square-tailed Kite. 
Lophoictinia wwura. 


The only representative of the genus, which is confined to Australia, 
and is not found in the extreme north or extreme south of the continent. 

Length 19 inches, wing 18.1 inches. Above blackish-brown, below 
rufous; head distinctly crested, dark rufous, streaked with black down 
the axis of the feathers; bill greyish at base, blackish at tip; feet 
greyish white; claws black; iris pale yellow. 


A much rarer bird than the preceding, and, notwithstanding 
the absence of the fork in the tail, a true Kite in all its manners, 
soaring aloft with great speed and freedom of movement. 
Gould states that it feeds on caterpillars, reptiles and young 
birds; Gilbert, in Western Australia, says the food is chiefly 
birds. Makes the usual stick nest in a high tree; this is lined 
with leaves and the inner bark of the gum-trees; the eggs, two 
in number, bufty-white, freckled or blotched with reddish-brown, 
and measure 2 x 1.6 inches. 


The Black-breasted Buzzard. 


Gypoictinia melanosternum. 
Interior of Australia generally is the home of this bird, but they are 
not plentiful anywhere. 
The head and breast are black, the upper parts brown; tail rounded, 
outer feathers shorter than middle ones; the wings reach ‘to the end of 
the tail. Total length 24 inches, culmen 2, 45, wing 19, tail 8.5, tarsus 2.68. 


182 THE BIRDS OF. AUSTRALIA 


They make a bulky nest, and their two eggs are thickly 
marked with reddish markings, sometimes fine and sometimes 
coarse and on a white ground. They measure about 2.55 x 1.84 
inches. 

The Black-shouldered Kite. 
Elanus axillaris. 


The Letter-winged Kite. 
Elanus scriptus. 


Neither of these birds is found in Tasmania. Both are confined to 
Australia, the-latter not occurring in the hotter regions to the north. 

The Black-shouldered Kite has a length of 13 inches, wing 11.5; .is 
light silvery grey above, pure white below, with a large black patch on 
the under wing-coverts. The Letter-winged Kite has a length of 12 
inches, wing 11.5; ashy white above, whiter below, with a black V-shaped 
mark on the under surface of the wing, following the line of the bones 
from the body to the pinion, so that, seen from below, the mark takes 
the form of the letter W, the two halves separated by the body. Both 
are exceedingly graceful when flying and circling aloft, but have a 
heavier flight near the ground.. The bill and legs are slighter, and the 
birds are thus more adapted for the capture of small prey such as insects 
or small reptiles. 


Mr. Keartland observed E. scriptus in the Centre searching 
for lizards and small rats amongst the saltbush and porcupine 
grass. He noticed the birds hunting mostly in pairs. Mr. White 
observed them in great numbers on Cooper’s Creek, always in 
companies of from ten to thirty in number. The black marks 
under the wings are always conspicuous when the birds are seen 
from below. The stick nest may be lined with ejected pellets of 
fur, and contains a clutch of four or five eggs, white with dark- 
chocolate, blotches and smears, those of E. scriptus easily 
removed by wetting. In both they measure 1.75 x 1.3 inches. 


The Crested Hawk.. 


Baza subcristata. 

North, North-east and Central Australia. 

Length 17 inches, wing 13.5 inches. The bill with two distinct teeth. 
Head and neck ashy-grey, with a small occipital crest of black feathers; 
rest of upper surface brown; under surface greyish white, the breast 
banded alternately with buffy white and chestnut-brown. 


Soars high over the plains. The egg is pure white, and 
measures 1.75 x 1.4 inches. 


THE BLACK-CHEEKED FALCON 183 


Genus Falco. 

Of true Falcons Australia possesses four, two larger, Ff. 
subniger and F. melanogenys, and two smaller, ’. hypoleucus 
and F. lunulatus. Of these Gould compares the Black-cheeked 
(melanogenys) to the European Peregrine Falcon, the Grey 
(hypoleucus) to the Ger-falcon,and the Little Falcon (lunulatus) 
to the Hobby or Merlin. All are adapted to the ‘‘gentle sport’’ 
of falconry, being endowed with great and rapid powers of 
flight, and with courage and strength to attack and carry off 
birds much larger than themselves. The females are the larger 
and more powerful birds. 


From life. Melbourne Zoo. 
Black-cheeked Falcon: Falco melanogenys. 


The Black-cheeked Falcon. 
Falco melanogenys. 

Tasmania and Australia, through the Moluccas to Java. 

Length of male 15 inches, wing 12 inches; of female 16.5 inches, wing 
13.3 inches. Head, face, cheeks and ear-coverts deep black; upper surface 
mostly bluish-ashy, barred all over with blackish; throat and upper breast 
creamy buff, rest of under surface buffy white, closely but narrowly 
barred with black; thighs transversely barred; bill greenish at base, 
black at tip, under mandible deep orange; feet yellow; iris dark. The 
young have the breast longitudinally striped, instead of barred, as in 
the Peregrine Falcon. 


This fine Falcon hunts over steep rocky cliffs and gullies, 
especially in the neighbourhood of water, the prey being chiefly 
wild Duck of various species. A pair will hunt the same district 
the year through. The eggs are two in number, of a buff 
ground-colour, but marbled all over with deep reddish-chestnut 


184 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


blotches. They measure 2.2 x 1.6 inches. They are placed in a 
erevice of a precipitous cliff, no nest being constructed. 
Instances, says Mr. Campbell, have been known of their 
‘depositing the eggs under cover of a tussock of grass, on a 
plain. In fact many of our Raptores adapt their nesting habits 
to circumstances, if the natural surroundings are not favourable. 


The Grey Falcon. 
Falco hypoleucus. 


Australia except the South-east. 

Length of male 12 inches, wing 10.6; of female 15 inches, wing 12.5 
inches. Above ashy, the feathers with blackish shaft-stripes; head 
darker and more bluish; under surface white; thighs uniform whitish, not 
barred; bill yellow at base, black at tip; feet orange yellow; iris dark 
brown. 


A very rare bird. Mr. Keartland observed them, always 
near the ranges of the Centre, flying slowly along in search of 
prey, probably the small marsupials. They are strongly built 
for their size, and show the fierceness of the race. Shell of egg 
smooth, the whole of the ground-colour obscured by minute dots 
and freckles of rusty-red, 2 inches x 1.5. (Ramsay). 


The Black Falcon. 


Falco submger. 
South-eastern Australia. 
Length of male 17 inches, wing 14.3; of female 19.5 inches, wing 15.8. 
Everywhere dark brown merging into black; thighs uniform sooty-brown, 
like the breast; bill lead colour; feet leaden yellow; iris dark brown. 


A very rare bird, known only from a few examples. 


The Little Falcon. 
Falco lunulatus. 


Australia and Tasmania, Flores. 

Length of male 11.5 inches, wing 9.7; of female 13.5 inches, wing 10.5. 
Forehead and lores white; upper surface slaty blue; throat white; under 
surface dingy rufous; thighs uniform rufous. 


Mr. Keartland writes: ‘‘This is one of our smallest and also 
boldest and fiercest hawks. Strongly built, and furnished with 
true Falcon bill, legs and talons, I have several times seen them 
kill and carry off birds heavier than themselves. When hungry 


THE BROWN HAWK 185 


they are not at all particular whether it is a finch or a pigeon. 
Owing to their rapid flight they seem to be able to overtake any 
other bird on the wing. They were found in many places (in 
the Centre), but especially at rock-pools and waterholes, where 
no doubt food was most plen- 
tiful. At one pool a pair 
dashed into a flock of finches, 
seized a bird each, flew away, 
and in five minutes returned, 
appearing as if by magic, and 
repeated the operation.” Un- 
like our other Falcons this 
species builds a large nest, as 
large as that of a crow, in a 
lofty tree. It is composed of 
sticks, and lined with bark and 
soft materials; the eggs two 
or three, light-buff, blotched 
Australian Museum. O00 marked all over with 
Little Faleon: Falco lunulatus. dark-buff, 1.8 inches x 1.3. 


The Striped Brown Hawk. 
Hieracidea berigora. 


The Brown Hawk. 
Hieracidea orientalis. 


The Brown Hawk all over Australia and Tasmania; the Striped or 
Western Brown Hawk in South Australia, Central and West. 

There is but little difference in size or plumage. Length of male 
15.5 inches, wing 13; of female 17, wing 14. Both are brown above, the 
Striped Hawk more sandy; the under surface of berigora is creamy white, 
with fine brownish shaft stripes, and the cere is pale yellow; the under 
surface of orientalis is creamy buff, the sides brown, and the cere is blue- 
grey. The plumage varies much with age. 


These Hawks are less fierce and daring than the Falcons, 
but by no means leave the poultry-yards immune, and small 
birds and quadrupeds are eagerly pursued. Gould found the 
Brown Hawk congregating in hundreds, in a district where a 
caterpillar plague was raging. The birds battened on the 
pest. In the Centre, when some of his party fired the spinifex 


186 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


grass, Mr. Keartland says that, as the small marsupials,. lizards 
and mice were disturbed by the fiames, in a few minutes the 


From life. Melbourne Zoo. D. Le Souéf. 
Kestrel Hawk: Cerchneis cenchroides. 


Brown Hawks appeared in numbers, and dashed through the 
dense smoke, seizing their prey as they darted from one tussock 
to another. Gould says that the Kite similarly hovers over the 


THE OSPREY 187 


smoke of bush fires, watching for the tenants of the forest 
cruelly ejected by the flames. The nests are as large as that of 
a Crow, and placed usually aloft in the trees, composed of sticks 
and lined with bark and leaves, and containing from two to four 
eggs. These are more oval than with the generality of Falcons, 
buff-white with blotches and freckles of reddish-brown, very 
irregularly disposed, so that the eggs of the same clutch may 
be quite different in their markings. They measure 2.1 x 1.5 
inches. 

Mr. C. French, junr., describes finding a nest of the 
Chestnut-eared Finch underneath and attached to a Brown 
Hawk’s nest. It contained six fresh eggs. The Hawk’s nest 
was occupied by two or three young ones nearly ready to fly. 


The Kestrel. 


Cerchneis cenchroides. 

Australia generally. 

Length of male 11.5 inches, wing 9.3; of female a little greater. 
Above pale rufous, almost unspotted; tail blue-grey, barred with black 
and tipped with white; head rufous grey, with black shaft-stripes; under 
surface pale tawny, breast and sides with black streaks; abdomen and 
under tail and wing coverts whiter; feet orange; iris dark. 


Found among forest or scrub, the Kestrel is an active and 
graceful little Hawk, rising in the air and poising and circling 
with easy buoyancy; the prey lizards or insects. The eggs are 
placed in a spout or hole of a tree, or hole in a cliff, are four in 
number, freckled all over with blotches and minute dots of rich 
reddish-chestnut on a paler ground; length 1.5, breadth 1.25 
inches. 


Sub-order Pandiones. 
Outer toe reversible. 


The Osprey. 
Pandion leucocephalus. 


Tasmania, Australia, except Centre, New Guinea, Moluccas. 

Length 20 inches, wing 16 to 17 inches. Crown of head, nape, throat, 
abdomen, thighs and under tail coverts white; sides of neck dark brown; 
back, wings and tail clove-brown, each feather of the back with a narrow 
circle of white at its tip; bill black; feet bluish white; iris primrose 
yellow to bright orange. 


188° THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


_ Found on most unfrequented headlands and islands, and on 
the borders of rivers and lakes. It feeds on living fish, which 
it procures by swooping down from its aerial outlook and 
plunging into the water with so true an aim that it rarely 
misses its object. It carries the fish off and devours it in its 
usual resting spot. Disturbed on a promontory it puts out to 
sea with the confidence of an ocean liner. When near the water, 
however, its flight is heavy and flapping. The nest is an 
enormous structure, which may be 15 feet in circumference. 
It is usually placed on the summit of a rock, but occasionally 
in a high tree, always near the water. It is composed of sticks 


A. H. E. Mattingley. 
Osprey’s Nest, showing Eggs, and Coast of Kangaroo Island. 


and branches, and often lined with seaweed. The eggs, two 
in number, yellowish-white, boldly spotted and blotched with 
deep, rich reddish-brown, which colour in some specimens is so 
dark as to appear nearly black. They measure 2.4 inches x 1.75. 


ORDER STRIGIFORMES. Owls. 


In the Owls there is an evident facial disc; the plumage is 
soft and fluffy, and the outer toe is reversible. 


THE BOOBOOK OWL 189 


_ Families and Genera. 

Bubonide—Hinder margin of sternum with clefts; furcula 
free from sternum; inner margin of claw on middle toe 
not serrated; greater part of facial disc below the eye. 
Genus Ninox. 

Strigide—Hinder margin of sternum without clefts; 
fureula attached to the keel; inner margin of claw on 
middle toe serrated; eye near the middle of the facial 
disc, parting of feathers between the eyes. Genus 
Striz. 


Family Bubonide. Owls. 


The Owls of this family, though they hunt chiefly by night, 
are partially diurnal, the large yellow or brown eyes being 
capable of facing the daylight. The Australian species are all 
assigned to the single genus Ninox. The head is smoothly 
rounded with no tufts about the ears. The general colour is 
brown of some shade, variegated with all manner of flecks, spots 
and bars of lighter and darker, the distinctive mottling and 
marbling of the species being difficult to convey in words. The 
frontal patch of stiff feathers which helps to separate so 
completely the two halves of the facial disc in the Barn Owls is 
quite wanting. The plumage of the nestlings and young birds 
is different from that of the adults. All lay their eggs in holes 
in trees, and the eggs are white. 


A.—Breast streaked, each feather broadly centred with darker 
colour. 
The Boobook Owl. 
N. boobook. 

Australia generally. 

Length 16 inches, wing 10.3 inches. Above light brown, the head 
spotted all over with fulvous, the hind neck very thickly mottled with 
buffy white spots, back and tail reddish-brown, the latter with six or 
seven lighter bars, which become buffy white beneath the tail; under 
wing coverts with lighter brown bars; under surface fulvous streaked. 


The bird is mostly abroad during the night, when it gives out 
the melancholy More Pork—More Pork cry which can be heard 
from far in the stillness. The ery of the Boobook is, indeed, as 
characteristic of the Australian forest by night as the laugh 


190 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


of the great Kingfisher is by day. The bird may, however, be 
seen on the wing in the daytime, in pursuit of small birds and 
cicadas. It breeds in the holes of the large gum-trees, laying 


Melbourne Zoo. 


From life. 


Boobook Owl: Ninox boobook. 


its three white eggs on the decayed wood without forming any 
kind of nest. The eggs are unusually round, and measure 1.4 x 


.9 inches. 


THE POWERFUL OWL 191 


The Marbled Owl. 
; N. ocellata. 
Takes the place of the preceding in North and West Australia. 
Smaller, length 13.5 inches, wing 8.6 inches. More rufous, and the 
under wing-coverts uniform fawn-coloured. 


The Spotted Owl. 
N. maculata. 


South-east Australia and Tasmania. 

Length 13.5 inches, wing 8.9 inches. Upper surface chocolate-brown 
all mottled with white spots disposed in pairs on the feathers; tail 
brown, with six or seven paler bars; forehead white; under surface 
rufous everywhere mottled with white, the belly and flanks with large 
rounded white spots. 


Lurid Owl. 
N. lurida. 
Northern Queensland. 
Much smaller than N. boobook, and has throat, upper portion of breast, 


axillaries, and under wing coverts with intense rufous colouring. Closely 
allied to N. ocellata. Wing 8.5 inches. 


The Winking Owl. 
N. connivens. 


Australia. 

Length 21 inches, wing 12.5 inches. Above nearly uniform dark 
brown; tail brown, tipped with whitish, and with six other narrow bars 
of whitey brown; under surface dull white broadly streaked with brown. 


The Western Winking Owl. 


N. occidentalis. 


North-west Australia. 
Like the preceding, but the upper surface lighter. 


The Cape York Owl. 


N. peninsularis. 
Cape York Peninsula. 
Smaller than the Winking Owl, with rufous streaks on the under 
surface. 


B.—Breast barred with brown. 


The Powerful Owl. 


N. strenua. 
Australia generally. 
Length 24.5 inches, wing 15.9 inches. Above dark brown banded 
with pale; tail dark brown with seven lighter cross-bands; under surface 
white barred with brown; ear-coverts brown. 


192 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The largest of our Owls, and amongst the largest of our 
birds of prey, powerful, and fierce if molested. Gould compares 
the night ery to the bleating of an ox. 


Australian Museum. 
Chestnut-faced Owl: Strix novae-hollandiae. 


The Rufous Owl. 
N. rufa. 


North Queensland and New Guinea. 

Smaller, length 18 inches, wing 13.4. inches. The bars on the tail 
about eight; breast orange-buff barred with light brown. Ear-coverts 
black. 


According to E. Hartert, the Ninox humeralis does not 
extend to Australia. 


THE CHESTNUT-FACED OWL 193 


Family Strigide. Barn Owls. 

The Barn Owls are all strictly nocturnal and mostly silent 
birds, which prefer rats and mice, marsupial or otherwise, for 
their regular diet. The plumage is variable, and differs with 
age and probably also season and environment. The facial disc 
is more conspicuously developed than in the Bubonide. They, 
except S. candida, breed in holes in gum-trees, and lay from two 
to four white eggs. The females are larger than the males. 


Technological Museum, Sydney. 
Delicate Owl: Strix delicatula. Masked Owl: Strix castanops. 


The Chestnut-faced Owl. 
Striz nove-hollandie. 

Australia, New Caledonia, Loyalty. 

Above golden. buff, mottled with black and white, or greyish black, 
spotted with white; tail crossed with six darker bands; under surface 
white or orange-buff, spotted with brown; facial dise purplish but 
margined with deep brown spots. Length of male 15 inches, of female 
18 inches. 


194 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA ~ , 


The Lesser Masked or Delicate Owl. 
Strix delicatula. 

Australia, New Caledonia, Loyalty, New Hebrides. 

A sub-species of S. flammea, the Old World Barn Owl. Above pearl 
grey, with faint zigzag grey mottlings; tail whitish, with brown vermicu- 
lations, crossed with four brown bands; under surface pure silky white, 
with a few spots on the sides of the body and the abdomen; facial disc 
pure white, margined with buff. Length 13 inches, wing 11 inches. 


From life. Melbourne Zoo. D. Le Souéf. 7 
Chestnut-faced Owl: Strix novae-hollandiae. 


PARROTS AND COCKATOOS 195 


The Masked Owl. 
Strix castanops. 


Tasmania. 

A sub-species of the Chestnut-faced Owl. Above chocolate brown 
varied with golden buff; tail dark brown, crossed with six bars of golden 
buff; under surface golden buff with blackish spots; facial dise deep 
chestnut becoming deeper at the margin, and encircled with black. 
Length 15 to 20 inches, wing 14.8 inches. 


The Sooty Owl. 
Strix tenebricosa. 


Eastern Australia. 

Above sooty brown with white spots; tail same colour but paler; under 
surface sooty-brown with white bars and diamonds; facial disc sooty grey, 
with dark brown plumes around the eyes. Length 13 to 16 inches, wing 
10 to 12 inches. The rarest species. 


The Grass Owl. 
Strix candida. 


India and Burmah, Celebes, Philippines, North Australia, Fiji. 

Above dark brown with minute white spote; tail buffy whitish, with 
four brown crossbars; under surface pure white, the breast spotted with 
brown; facial dise entirely white. Length 14.5, wing 13.3 inches. 


This Owl nests on the ground, choosing a high tussock of 
grass, forming a bower in it, and laying its eggs on the few grass 
blades that have been trampled down. Eggs four, thick ovals, 
white, lustreless, 1.7 x 1.26 inch. The nest and eggs were 
discovered by Mr. J. A. Boyd of the Herbert River, Queensland. 
(North). 


ORDER PSITTACIFORMES. 
Parrots and Cockatoos. 

Feet adapted for climbing, two toes in front two behind 
(zygodactyl), covered with plates. Bull short and very stout, 
strongly hooked, and furnished with a fleshy cere. 

The Parrots and Cockatoos are renowned for their brilliant 
and variegated plumage, always conspicuous in the bush by their 
striking colours and calling attention by their shrill screams. 
Australia has a long list of varieties, varying in size from the 
large Black Cockatoo down to the little affectionate Love-birds. 
All colours are in evidence, black, white, red, yellow, blue and 


196 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


green. The staple food is grain and fruits, and in consequence 
the birds are easily maintained in health in captivity, and are 
the great feature of our bird shops. From ancient times these 
birds have been made household pets, and have endeared them- 
selves by their clever gymnastic performances, and the- 
wonderful faculty of acquiring human speech. Thus the Roman 
satirist, Persius, asks— 
Quis expedivit psittaco suum yaupe, 
Picasque docuit nostra verba conari ? 

(Who first extracted from the Parrot his Halloo, and taught 
Magpies to attempt our speech?) Which seems to show that 
Greek and Latin were as handy to the birds as is back-blocks 
English. Few Parrots indeed are such experts as was a bird 
of a friend of ours, which had been brought from Mexico, and 
was so particular in his conversation that he sounded his h’s 
before visitors who sounded theirs, and politely dropped them 
if he noticed that that was the custom of those who came to see 
him. Probably he was accustomed to the niceties of Spanish 
pronunciation. It is, however, astonishing to hear the 
vocabulary of some of our better talkers, as the White Cockatoo, 
the Corella, and the Galah. A bird kept for many years at 
Tom Ugly’s Point, near Sydney, which had lost most of his 
feathers amused passers-by by calling out in the winter, with what 
seemed to be appropriate vehemence, ‘‘D it, it’s eold.’’ As 
one would not expect from the harshness of the wild cries, the 
parrot has apparently a good musical ear, and can be taught to 
whistle tunes which have some go in them. The White 
Cockatoo will become particularly tame and affectionate, and is 
exceedingly knowing in his ways and diplomacy. A Sulphur- 
crested Cockatoo has been known to live in captivity for 82 vears. 

Most species nest in hollow trees, on the dust and rotten wood 
at the bottom of the hole. Hence a certain expertness in 
climbing is needed in those who hunt the young birds for sale. 
Some of the Cockatoos build in crevices of cliffs or rocks. 
Pezoporus and Geopsittacus breed on the ground, and 
Psephotus pulcherrimus in deserted ant-hills. The eggs are 
always white. 

The Black Cockatoos are generally found in the scrubs and 
high forest, and rarely thrive in captivity. They occur: in pairs 


BRUSH-TONGUED PARROTS 197 


or small flocks. Large limbs stripped of bark evidence the 
strength of their beaks in search of white grubs. The White 
Cockatoo and many of the smaller parrots usually feed in flocks. 
When they learn by experience the danger of the proximity of 
man, the Cockatoos are extremely wary, and difficult to approach. 
They learn to post sentries, when, say, the flock are engaged in 
raiding a newly-sown grain paddock. The vigilance of the 
sentries is truly surprising, for if danger is lurking about, on 
the slightest intimation of it, the watchers give the alarm ery, 
and the whole flock take flight. The sentries are relieved at 
intervals from the main body, who take up the watch while the 
others go to feed. Mr. Isaac Batey, who has had a long 
experience of bush life, and has closely observed these birds, says 
that they will, further, send out scouts for the purpose of 
investigating the food supply of a district. ‘‘Thus, when I see 
half a dozen cockatoos, or more often a single one, pattering to 
and fro, as if on a general ramble, I can safely predict that, 
provided the spies report favourably, before a week expires 
the grand horde will appear.’’ It is strange indeed that the 
birds should submit themselves to labour alone for the good of 
the community, and that, with their limited number of natural 
notes, they should be able to communicate good or bad informa- 
tion to the main body. There can be no question of the very 
high degree of intelligence shown by these birds. 


Parrots and Cockatoos. 


Family Loriide. Brush-tongued Parrots. 


Key to the Genera. 


Tail feathers gradually tapering to a point, more or less 

acute; predominant colour underneath and above 

green; tail feathers green with no yellow or red at the 

tip; tail moderate; the two middle tail feathers not very 

long. Shaft-streaks more or less blue on the head; breast 

generally tinged with red. Trichoglossus. 
Like Trichoglossus, only differing in colour; no blue shaft- 

streaks on the forehead, and no red colour on the 


breast; head yellowish or bluish green; bill orange-red. Psitteuteles. 
Predominant colour green, with yellow-green  shaft-streaks 
on the neck and body; bill orange-red. Ptilosclera. 


First primary equal or little longer than the second and 
third; predominant colour green; bill black; dimensions 
small. Glossopsittacus. 


198 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Loriude live almost exclusively on honey. Cockatoos 
and Parrots usually go in flocks, except when nesting, and feed 
mainly on grain, seeds and fruits. They all lay white eggs in 
hollows in trees, except the Psephotus pulcherrimus, which lays 
in certain mounds of the Termites or White ants. Those of the 
Loriide have no gloss, all the others have. 


Genus Trichoglossus. 


Brey to the Species. 


Middle of abdomen blue; head entirely blue. T. nove-hollandia. 
Head and abdomen bright blue. T. septentrionalis. 
Band on the neck orange. T. rubritorques. 


The Blue-bellied Lorikeet. 
Trichoglossus nove-hollandie. 


Back, tail and wings green, yellowish-green band on neck. Total 
length 12 inches, wing 6.7, tail 5.5, bill 0.7, tarsus 0.5. Two eggs are 
usually laid, and measure about 1.10 x .93 inch. 


This bird, as well as the two following, usually lives in flocks, 
They fly very fast, and are noisy birds. 


The Northern Blue-bellied Lorikeet. 
Trichoglossus septentrionalis. 


North-east Australia. 

Very similar to ZT. nove-hollandie, but of smaller dimensions, and the 
blue is brighter and purer. Iris red, feet black, bill red. Eggs measure 
1.02 x .80. 


These birds are very plentiful in the dense coastal scrubs. 


The Red-collared Lorikeet. 
Trichoglossus rubritorques. 


Northern Australia. 

Head and throat blue, breast orange-red, with blue cross band on 
hind neck, abdomen green, bill red. Total length 12 inches, wing 6.3, 
tail 6, bill 0.85, tarsus 0.65. Eggs measure about 1.09 x .85 inch. 


These birds are plentiful in the serub on the Daly River. 


THE MUSK LORRIKEET 199 


Genus Psitteuteles. 


The Scaly-breasted Lorikeet. 


Psitteuteles chlorolepidotus. 
New South Wales and Queensland. 
Band on the underside of the quills red, body green, with yellow-green 
streaks, crown and lores red. Total length 8 inches, wing 4.80, tail 3, 
bill 0.60, tarsus 0.45. The two eggs measure about 1.98 x .80 inch. 


These birds are usually found in open forest country. 


The Northern Scaly-breasted Lorikeet. 
Psitteuteles neglectus. 


« 


North Queensland. 

This bird is only a sub-species of P. chlorolepidotus, there being no 
tangible difference, except being slightly smaller. The yellowish markings 
on the breast are easily distinguished, as well as the red under the wing 
when the bird is flying. 


Genus Ptilosclera, 


The Red-crowned Lorikeet. 
Ptilosclera versicolor. 
Northern Australia. 
Crown and lores red, cheeks and a collar on the nape bluish, breast 
vinous red. Total length 8 inches, wing 4.80, tail 3, bill 0.60, tarsus 0.45. 
The eggs measure about .97 x .79 inch. 


The birds generally obtain the honey from the flowers near 
the tops of the trees. 


Genus Glossopsittacus. 


Key to the Species. 


Hind neck olive; cheeks with no red; larger; ear-coverts 

red like the forehead. G. concinnus. 
Smaller; ear-coverts yellow mixed with red like the forehead. G. porphyrocephalus. 
Cheeks, forehead and chin, all round the base of the bill, red. G. pusillus. 


The Musk Lorikeet. 
Glossopsittacus concinnus. 
Tasmania, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South 
Australia. 
Green, forehead bright red, cheeks with narrow lines of bright green, 
sides of breast yellow. Total length 8.60 inches, wing 4.9, tail 3.50, bill 
0.70, tarsus 0.51. The eggs measure about .98 x .82 inch. 


These birds travel over wide areas of country in their search 
for food. They have a distinct musky perfume. 


200 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Purple-crowned Lorikeet. 
Glossopsittacus porphyrocephalus. 
West and South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales. 
Crown of head deep purple-blue; lores red; bend of wing light blue, 
body green, breast bluish. Total length 6.75 inches, wing 4.20, tail 2.50, 
tarsus 0.39. The eggs (4) measure .82 x .66 inch. 


The Little Lorikeet. 


Glossopsittacus pusillus. 
Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and 
Tasmania. 
Green, face red, hind neck olive-brown. Total length 6.60 inches, 
wing 4, tail 2.40, bill 0.45, tarsus 0.35. The eggs (4) measure .74 x .63 
inch. 


_ This is the smallest of the Lorikeets. They often hang on 
the branches head downwards in obtaining their food from the 
flowers. 


Family Cyclopsittacide. 


Genus Cyclopsittacus. 


Key to the Species. 


Wing 3.9 inches, frontal feathers red tipped with green, a 

few of the median ones bluish. C. coxeni. 
Smaller, wing 3.5 inches, broad patch of red on the middle 

of forehead, a broad red band across the cheeks in the 

male, female no red on cheeks, which are grey tinged 

with blue. C. maccoyi. 


The Red-faced Lorilet. 
Cyclopsittacus coxent. 

New South Wales and South Queensland. 

Green, blue patch on lower part of cheeks, upper part of the cheeks 
red, outer webs of the primaries and their coverts blue. Upper mandible 
bluish-black, under one whitish. Total length 7 inches, wing 3.9, tail 1.9, 
bill 0.65, tarsus 0.48. 


The Blue-faced Lorilet. 


Cyclopsittacus maccoyi. 

North Queersland. 

Green, light below, red band on forehead bordered with blue above 
and below; lores, feathers round the eyes and upper part of cheeks blue; 
a purple blue band below the scarlet band on the cheeks, primary coverts 
blue. Total length 6 inches, wing 3.5, tail 1.7, bill 0.55, tarsus 0.4. The 
eggs measure about .85 x .68 inch. 


The holes these birds nest in are generally very small. 


THE PALM COCKATOO 201 


Family Cacatuide. 


Key to Sub-families. 


Tail-feathers broad, not pointed. Cacatuine. 
Tail-feathers narrow, and pointed. Calopsittacine. 


Sub-family Cacatuine. 


Key to the Genera. 


I. Cheek entirely naked; upper mandible much com- 

pressed, and much narrower than the lower 

mandible; feathers of the crest very long and 

narrow. Microglossus. 
II. Cheeks feathered, outer tail feathers shorter than 

the others; feathers of the crest broad; bill short, 

much curved and very high; general colour brown 

or black. Calyptorhynchus. 
III. Tail nearly even; general colour above and below 

grey; head and crest red in the male; cere 

feathered. Callocephalum. 
IV. General colour white or rosy-white, except in Cacatua 

roseicapilla, which is grey above, rose-colour on the 

head and below. Bill with the hook of the upper 

mandible of the ordinary size and _ nearly 


perpendicular. Cacatua. 
V. Bill with the hook of the upper mandible very long, 
slender and projecting forward. Licmetis. 


Genus Microglossus. 


The Palm Cockatoo. 
Microglossus aterrimus. 


North Queensland, New Guinea, and Aru Islands. 

Slaty black, bare cheeks bordered with pale yellow. Total length 29 
to 31 inches, wing 15, tail 10, bill 4.2, tarsus 1.1. Egg (generally one) 
measures 2.12 x 1.53 inch. 


This is a very large bird, feeding on fruit and tender parts 
of the Palm Cabbage and lives in scrub covered country. 


Genus Calyptorhynchus. 


Key to the Species. 


I. A light patch on the ear-coverts. 
(a) Tail-band white. C. baudini. 
(b) Tail-band yellow. C. funereus. 
IT. No light patch on the ear-coverts; tail-band red in adult 
males, more or less tinged with yellow, and 
crossed by narrow black bands in young birds 
and females. 
(a) Head and neck like body, greenish black; 
larger, total length 24 inches; crest longer, bill 


smaller. C. banksi. 
(b) Bill larger, much more powerful. C. macrorhynchus. 
(c) Smaller, total length 22 inches; crest shorter. C. stellatus. 


(d) Head and neck brown; upper parts glossy 
greenish-black. C. viridis. 


202 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The White-tailed Cockatoo. 
Calyptorhynchus baudint. 


South-west Australia. 
Feathers narrowly tipped with dull white. Total length 23 inches, 
wing 15.2, tail 14, bill 2.3, tarsus 1.2. Eggs (2) measure 1.78 x 1.27 inch. 


Generally in forest country; their white lores and barred 
tails are conspicuous. 


“The Emu.” A. H. E. Mattingley. 
Black Cockatoo: Calyptorhynchus funereus. 


The Yellow-eared Black Cockatoo. 


Calyptorhynchus funereus. 

South Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, 
Tasmania, and King Island. 

Feathers of the body narrowly margined with brown, ear-coverts dull 
yellow. Total length 24 inches, wing 18, tail 14, bill 2.1, tarsus 1.1. Eggs 
(2) measure 1.90 x 1.41 inch. 

One egg is frequently larger than the other. Generally lays 
in a hole high up in a dead tree. They are fond of the grubs 


found in Wattle trees. 


THE BANKSIAN COCKATOO > 203 


The Banksian Cockatoo. 
Calyptorhynchus banks. 


Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. 

The red band across all but the two central tail feathers. Total 
length 24 inches, wing 17, tail 13.5, bill 1.7, tarsus 0.8. Egg (1) 
mensures 2.12 x 1.43 inch. 


They commence nesting in July. 


Australian Museum. 
Black Cockatoo: Calyptorhynchus funereus. 


204 ° THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Great-billed Cockatoo. 
Calyptorhynchus macrorhynchus. 


Northern Australia. 
. Very similar to C. banksi, the female has the coloured part of the 
tail mingled with yellow and scarlet. Egg measures 1.86 x 1.33 inch. 
Often only one is laid; some eggs are longer than others. 


The Red-tailed Cockatoo. 
Calyptorhynchus stellatus. 


Central, West, and North-west Australia. ; 

Very similar to C. macrorhynchus, but has smaller bill and more 
rounded crest. Bill in height 2.75, wing 14, tail 10.5, tarsus 0.7. Egg 
(one generally) measures 2.10 x 1.46 inch. 


These birds are fairly plentiful in parts of Central Australia. 


Glossy Cockatoo. 
C. viridis. 
Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. 
The red band on the tail not across the two centre feathers. Total 


length 19.5 inches, wing 14, tail 10, bill 1.9, tarsus 7.5. Egg (usually 
one) measures 1.60 x 1.26 inch. 


This is the smallest of the Black Cockatoos. 


Genus Callocephalum. 


The Gang-gang Cockatoo. 
Callocephalum galeatwm. 


South Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and King 
Island. 

All the feathers, except the primaries, secondaries and tail, narrowly 
margined with greyish-white. Total length 13.6 inches, wing 4.6, tail 5, 
bill 1.25, tarsus 0.7. The female has the crest grey. The eggs (4 or 5) 
measure 1.30 x 1.03 inch. 


They usually feed on Eucalyptus and other seeds and usually 
go in pairs, and are not noisy birds; inhabit forest country 
and nest in holes very high up. 


THE BARE-EYED COCKATOO 205 


Genus Cacatua. 


Key to the Species. 


1. Feathers of the crest narrow, with the slender point 
recurved at the end. 
(a) Crest sulphur-yellow; feathers white; wing from 


13 to 15 inches; bare skin round eyes white. C. galerita. 
(b) Crest vermilion at base; yellow band in middle 
and white at the tip; cere feathered.” C. leadbeateri. 


II. Feathers of crest broadened and not recurved at the end. 
(c) Total length 16 to 12% inches; feathers of 

erest moderate; cere feathered; under surface 

white; lores stained with red; bare skin round 

eyes largely extended into the bare blue open 


space below. C. gymnopsis. 
(d) Bare skin round the eyes nearly circular. C. sanguinea. 
(e) Under surface rose-colour, upper surface grey. C. roseicapilla. 


The White Cockatoo. 
Cacatua galerita. 


Australia, Tasmania, King Island. 

Bare skin round the eyes white. Total length 18-20 inches, wing 
13-15, 744-814, bill 114-2, tarsus 1-1.15. The eggs (2 or 3) measure 2 x 
1.30 inch. 


The birds in Northern Australia are usually smaller than 
those in the South. They are noisy birds, and sometimes 
destructive to newly-sown crops. They always have a sentinel 
when feeding on the ground. 


The Pink Cockatoo. 


Cacatua leadbeatert. 


Interior of Australia. 

Forehead, sides of neck, head, breast and abdomen tinged with rose 
colour, very bright under the wings. Total length 16 inches, wing 11, 
tail 6.3, bill 1.3, tarsus 0.95. Eggs (2 to 4) measure 1.50 x 1.07 inch. 


This beautiful bird is sometimes called the Major Mitchell 
Cockatoo or ‘‘ Weejugegler,’’ and generally goes in pairs. 


The Bare-eyed Cockatoo. 
Cacatua gymnopis. 
Interior of Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia. 
Forehead stained with red, the feathers of the head, hind neck and 
abdomen stained with red at the base, quills of tail feathers pale yellow. 
Total length 16 inches, wing 11, tail 5, bill 1.26, tarsus 0.9. Eggs (4) 
measure 1.48 x 1.14 inch. 


206 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Blood-stained Cockatoo. 
Cacatua sanguinea. 


North-west and Northern Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, 
and South Australia. : 


Australian Museum. 
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo: Cacatua galerita. 


Base of the lores and sides of face stained with red; bare skin round 
eyes white. Total length 14 inches, wing 10, tail 5, bill 1.2, tarsus 0.95. 
The eggs (2—4) measure 1.45 x 1.08 inch. 


These birds are closely allied to the foregoing species, and 
are generally found in the interior. During dry seasons when 


THE ROSE-BREASTED COCKATOO (GALAH) 207 


surface-water is scarce, they assemble in flocks numbering many 
thousands at available water-holes. The noise at such places is 
deafening when they come to drink in the evening. 


Australian Museum. 
Pink or Leadbeater’s Cockatoo: Cacatua leadbeateri. 


The Rose-breasted Cockatoo (Galah). 
Cacatua roseicapilla. 
Australia generally. 


Crown rosy white, upper surface grey, under deep rose colour. Total 
length 14 inches, wing 10.4-9.7, tail 5.2, bill 1.05 tarsus 0.85. Eggs (5 to 
7) measure 1.37 x 1.08 inch. 


208 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


These birds usually feed in flocks on the ground, eating 
succulent plants, roots and seeds. They generally peel the bark 
off the branch just round their nesting-hole, which makes the 
site conspicuous. 


oe 
ie 


Australian Museum. 
Long-billed Cockatoo: Liemetis nasica. 


Genus Licmetis. 


Key to the Species. 


Smaller; bare skin round the eyes smaller, light blue. I. nasica. 
Larger; bare skin round the eyes broader and darker; 
of a blue-lead colour. LL. pastinator. 


THE COCKATOO PARRAKEET 209 


The Long-billed Cockatoo (Corella). 
Licmetis nasica. 


Northern Territory, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. 

White, lores and a narrow frontal band red, the feathers of the head, 
neck and breast red at the base, under surface of wing pale yellow, bare 
skin round the eye ight blue. Total Jength 15 inches, wing 11, tail 5, 
bill 1.95, tarsus 0.95. Egg 1.4 x 1 inch. 


Like the other white Cockatoos they feed on the ground, 
generally on the thickened roots of plants, such as the native 
yam, and also dig up with their long bill and devour many 
thousands of the eggs of the grasshopper. 


The Dampier Cockatoo. 
Licmetis pastinatar. 


West and North-west Australia. 

Very similar to the foregoing species, but the bare spaces round the 
eyes are larger and darker, being blue-lead colour. Their eggs (4) 
measure 1.60 x 1.15 inch. 


Sub-family Calopsittacine. 
Genus Calopsittacus. 


The Cockatoo Parrakeet. 
Calopsittacus nove-hollandie. 


Australia generally. 

Dark grey, forehead and cheeks yellow, crest grey with base of the 
feathers yellow, ear-coverts orange, a white patch on the wing coverts. 
Total length 12.5 inches, wing 6.5, tail 6.6, bill 0.65, tarsus 0.6. The 
female is paler than the male. The eggs (5 to 7) measure 1.06 x .76 inch. 


These birds are more plentiful in the inland districts than 
near the coast, and are to a limited extent migratory. 


Sub-family Palworuithine. 


Key to the Genera. 


Bill weaker, with upper mandible not notched. Polytelis. 
Tail feathers very broad, and almost equally long. Ptistes. 
Tail much graduated, bill upper mandible notched and 

red, especially at base. Aprosmictus. 


210 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Polytelis. 


Key to the Species. 


General colour green, male with forehead, cheeks and 

throat yellow, female with forehead and _ cheeks 

tinged with bluish and the inner webs of the 

lateral tail-feathers margined with red. P. barrabandi. 
General colour green, forehead and rump bluish, lower 

part of cheeks and throat pale rose-colour, inner 

web of lateral tail-feathers margined with red. P. alexandre. 
A red patch towards the tips of the innermost great 

wing-coverts and innermost secondaries; general 

colour of male jonquil-yellow, female duller and 

with inner webs of the lateral tail-feathers edged 

with red. P. melanura. 


The Green-leek Parrakeet. 
Polytelis barrabandi. 


South Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. 

Just beneath the yellow of the throat is a crescent of scarlet, quills 
underneath black, tail black underneath, bill red. Total length 16 inches, 
wing 7.2, tail 9, bill 0.7, tarsus 0.57. The eggs (4 or 5) measure 1.16 x 
.89 inch. : 


These beautiful birds are nowhere plentiful, but are easily 
distinguished, and are usually in open forest country. 


The Black-tailed Parrakeet (Rock Pebbler). 
Polytelis melanura. 


New South Wales, Victoria, South and Western Australia. 

Head, nape and upper tail-coverts tinged with olive, quills black, tail 
feathers deep purple-blue, black underneath. The female has the tail 
feathers bluish-green. The eggs (4 to 6) measure 1.21 x .96 inch. 


Like the preceding species, this bird is not plentiful, and is 
generally found near water, nesting in holes in large Eucalyptus 
trees. 


The Alexandra Parrakeet. 
Spathopterus (Polytelts) alexandre. 


Central Australia. 

Forehead delicate light blue, lower parts of cheeks, chin and throat 
rose-pink; head, mantle, back olive-green; lower part of back blue; 
shoulders and wing-coverts yellowish-green, external webs of the primaries 
dull blue; breast grey, upper tail-coverts bluish-olive, bill red. Total 
length 14 inches, bill %4, wing 7, tail 9, tarsus %. The eggs (4 or 5) 
measure 1.06 x .92 inch. 


THE ALEXANDRA PARRAKEET 211 


This is one of the most graceful and delicately coloured of 
Australian Parrots, although found in the dry, dreary districts 


Australian Museum. 
Green Leek Parrakeet: Polytelis barrabandi. 


of the interior, and is comparatively rare. When resting on the 
thick branch of a tree, they often crouch lengthways on the 
bough, making them very difficult to detect. 


212 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Ptistes. 


The Red-winged Parrakeet. 


Ptistes erythropterus. 

Queensland, New South Wales, and Northern Territory. 

Green, underneath yellowish-green, interscapular region and scapulars 
black; lower back and rump deep blue; upper wing-coverts rich crimson- 
red, with base of feathers yellow, and a few black feathers below the 
bend of the wing, tail above dark green, beneath dark brown. Total 
length 13.5 inches, wing 8, tail 5.6, bill 0.75, tarsus 0.68. The eggs (3 
or 4) measure 1.31 x 1.04 inch. 


This handsome bird is found principally in Queensland, and 
its beautiful plumage is easily recognised; their eggs are laid 
usually well down in a hollow tree. 


The Crimson-winged Parrakeet. 


Ptistes coccineopterus. 

North and North-west Australia. 

These birds are very similar to the preceding species, but are 
considerably smaller, except the bill, which is slightly larger, but the 
birds are also more richly coloured and the red on the wing more 
extensive in proportion, and of a more crimson hue. Although not 
generally found in the same country, they occasionally overlap. Total 
length 12.3 inches, wing 7.4, tail 5.2, bill 0.76, tarsus 0.67. Their eggs 
(4) measure 1.24 x 1.03 inch. 


Genus Aprosmictus. 


The King Parrot. 


Aprosmictus cyanopygius. 

Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. 

Adult male: Head, neck and under surface scarlet, back and wings 
green, a line bounding the scarlet at the back of the neck, also the 
rump deep blue; under tail-coverts scarlet, but the base of the feathers 
dark blue; tail black above, underneath black. Total length 17 inches, 
wing 8.7, tail 8.5, bill 0.95, tarsus 0.7. The female has the head, nape, 
back and wings green, chest dull green tinged with red, and abdomen 
scarlet, tail green. The eggs (4 to 6) measure 1.28 x 1.11 inch. The 
surface of the egg is slightly roughened. 


These splendid and showy birds range from Victoria to 
Queensland. Their eggs are difficult to procure, being in holes 
high up in large trees and in thick forest country. The Northern 
birds, as in most other cases, are smaller than those found in the 
South. 


THE CRIMSON PARROT 


Sub-family Platycercine. 


Key to the Genera. 


Tail not banded across from the base to the tip. 

Tail feathers rather broad, never acuminate at the ends. 

Back not uniform, but with the feathers black, broadly 
bordered, and having a_ scale-like appearance, pill 
notched. 

Back uniform, bill longer than deep, upper mandible 
notched, with the hook much lengthened. 

Bill deeper than long, upper mandible not notched, a yellow 
collar round the hind neck. 

No yellow collar round the hind neck, bill uniform with 
base of upper mandible not lighter, two central tail- 
feathers longer than the following pair. 

Four central tail-feathers about the same length. 

Tuil-feathers narrow and _ acuminate, upper mandible 
notched, orbital ring complete. 

Upper mandible not notched. 

Tail with band across from the base to the tip, tail long, 
longer than the wing, nails long and straight. 

Tail short, shorter than the wing, nails short and curved. 


Genus Platycercus. 


Key to the Species. 


Cheeks blue, underparts crimson. 

Underparts pale red, each feather slightly fringed with 
yellow. 

Underparts yellow, red band on forehead, middle tail- 
feathers dull blue. 

Underparts jonquil-yellow, middle tail-feathers dark  olive- 
green. 

Cheeks white and blue, under tail-coverts red, head pale 
yellow, underparts blue, edges of feathers on the back 
bright yellow. 

Edges of the feathers of the back straw-yellow, cheeks almost 
blue, only white on the upper part. 

Head black, cheeks white, bordered with blue below. 

Head red. 

Cheeks white, head red, upper tail-coverts green, edges of 
the feathers on the back yellowish-green. 

Edges of the feathers of the back gamboge-yellow. 

Cheeks yellow, head and underparts red, smaller, rump and 
tail-coverts green, central tail-feathers green. 

Larger, rump and upper tail-coverts olive-grey, central 
tail-feathers dull blue. 


The Crimson Parrot. 
Platycercus elegaus. 


213 


Platycercus. 
Porphyrocephalus. 
Barnardius. 
Psephotus. 
Neophema. 


Euphema. 
Melopsittacus. 


Pezoporus. 
Geopsittacus. 


P. elegans. 
P. adelaide. 
P. flaveolus. 


P. flaviventris. 


. pallidiceps. 


. amathusia. 
. browni. 
. erythropeplus. 


. eximius. 
. splendidus. 


HW yh W 


. icterotis. 


P. xanthogenys. 


South Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. 
The adult male has the feathers of the back and scapulars black, 
broadly edged with crimson, a broad black patch on the wing coverts, 
the bend of the wing violet-blue, four middle tail feathers deep blue, the 
others deep blue at the base and lighter towards the end. The eggs 


(4 to 8) measure 1.16 x .92 inch. 


. 


214 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


This beautiful bird is very plentiful in Victoria, parts of 
South Australia and Kangaroo Island. In a flock of these birds 
is usually a good proportion of females and young males, both 
of which are mostly green, with blue cheeks and anterior wing- 
coverts. 

The Campbell Parrakeet. 


Platycercus nigrescens. 

North Queensland. 

The hind-neck and back are mostly black and the head dark red, 
uniform in colour with the lower surface, otherwise very similar to the 
P. elegans, but smaller. The feet are black and iris brown. The eggs 
(4 to 8) measure 1.09 x .88 inch. Total length 12 inches, tail 7, wing 6.3. 


These birds have a different note to P. elegans. 


The Adelaide Rosella. 


Platycercus adelaide. 

South Australia. 

Very similar to P. elegans, the only difference is in the red colour, 
which is much paler and mixed with yellowish, feathers of underparts 
have narrow yellowish edges, the black feathers of the back have broad 
yellowish-red edges. Total length 14 inches, wing 7, tail 7.2, bill 0.75. 
The eggs measure 1.12 x .92 inch. 


These birds are sometimes called the Pheasant Parrakeet. 


The Yellow Parrakeet. 


Platycercus flaveolus. 

New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. 

Head, rump and upper tail-coverts pale yellowish; cheeks blue, back 
and scapulars black, margined with pale yellowish, wings blue with black 
patch on the cubital wing-coverts; the inner wing-coverts and inner 
secondaries black and edged with yellowish. Total length 14 inches, wing 
6.4, tail 7, bill 0.75, tarsus 0.75. Young more greenish. The eggs (3 to 5) 
measure 1.13 x .91 inch. 


This bird is sometimes called the Swamp Lory, and is chiefly 
found inland, and rarely near the coast. 


The Green Parrakeet. 
Platycercus flaviventris. 

Tasmania and Islands of Bass Strait. 

Head yellow, forehead and lores crimson, region round the eye 
stained with red, cheeks blue, back and scapulars and wing-coverts olive- 
black, edged with green, primary-coverts blue. Total length 14.5 inches, 
wing 7 to 7.4, tail 7, bill 0.75. The eggs measure 1.17 x .89 inch. 


These birds are rarely found on the mainland of Australia. 


THE SMUTTY PARRAKEET 215 


The Pale-headed Parrakeet. 
Platycercus pallidiceps. 


Queensland and New South Wales. 

Feathers on the nape, back and scapulars black, margined with 
yellow; upper tail-coverts pale greenish; wings blue, with black patch on 
cubital wing-coverts; quills underneath black, central tail-feathers deep 
blue. Total length 13 inches, wing 6.2 to 6.5, tail 6.4, bill 0.68, tarsus 
0.7. The eggs (3 to 5) measure 1.02 x .86 inch. 


There is a good deal of variation in individual specimens, 
some having no blue on the cheeks, others have scattered red 
feathers on the head and the upper breast fringed with yellow. 
This bird is often called Moreton Bay Rosella. It is a bright- 
coloured bird and very conspicuous and usually found in open 
forest country. 


The Blue-cheeked Parrakeet. 
Platycercus amathusia. 

Northern Territory, North Queensland. 

Very similar to P. pallidiceps, but differs in the cheeks, being almost 
entirely blue, in the more yellowish tinge of the bluish feathers of the 
rump and upper tail-coverts, in the yellow tinge of the upper breast, in 
the greenish tinge of the blue colour of the lower breast and abdomen. 
Total length 12.5 inches, wing 6, tail 5.8, bill 7, tarsus 0.65. The eggs (4) 
measure 1 x .79 inch. 


This bird is seldom seen in captivity, being a comparatively 
rare bird. Two or three are usually seen on the ground together 
feeding. 


The Smutty Parrakeet. F 
Platycercus brown. 

Northern Territory and North-west Australia. 

Feathers of the back and scapulars black, bordered with broad band 
of yellow; rump, upper tail-coverts, breast and abdomen pale yellow, 
fringed with black; under tail-coverts scarlet, a black patch on the wing- 
coverts, from the bend of the wing downwards the anterior wing-coverts 
and outer webs of the secondaries and base of the primaries blue; under 
wing-coverts blue, central tail feathers blue, the remaining feathers tipped 
with white. Total length 11 inches, wing 6, tail 6, bill 0.65, tarsus 0.62. 
The eggs (4) measure .99 x .82 inch. 


This beautiful bird is fairly plentiful in some parts of 
Northern Australia, going in small flocks, although it is not a 
common bird in captivity. 


216 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Red-backed Rosella. 


Platycercus erythropeplus. 

Australia. 

Head, neck, and lower parts red, cheeks blue, feathers of upper part 
of the back black, with dark red edges, as in P. elegans; scapulars black, 
edged with pale yellow and tipped with red; lower back greenish yellow, 
each feather edged with red; the red feathers of the breast have yellow 
bases, wings as in P. eximius. 


It is not known from what part of Australia the type skin 
of this bird came, and many consider it as a hybrid between 
P. elegans and P. eximius. The original label from the type 
skin was lost. 

The Rosella. 
Platycercus eximius. 


Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and South 
Queensland. 

Head, sides of neck, breast, and under tail-coverts scarlet, feathers 
of the back black, edged with greenish-yellow, lower breast yellow, with 
a scarlet band down the middle, a black patch on the wing-coverts. Total 
length 13.5 inches, wing 6.1-6.5, tail 6.5, bill 0.7. The female is not so 
bright in colour. The eggs (5 to 9) measure 1.03 x .81 inch. 


This is probably one of the most plentiful of Australian 
Parrots, and its bright plumage makes it a favourite cage bird. 
It can also be taught to whistle simple tunes. One in the 
Zoological Gardens at Melbourne at the time of writing has 
been 24 years in captivity. 


The Yellow-mantled Parrakeet. 
Platycercus splendidus. 
South Queensland, New South Wales, and interior of South Australia. 
Very similar to P. eximius, but has no yellow spot on the nape, the 
edges of the black feathers of the back are gamboge-yellow, with no 
greenish tinge; the rump, upper tail-coverts, and lower abdomen pale 
greenish. Total length 12.5 inches, wing 6.1, tail 6.2, bill 0.7, tarsus 0.7. 


This bird was first procured by Gilbert near Brisbane in 
1844; it is a comparatively rare bird. 


The Masters Parrakeet. 


Platycercus mastersianus. 

New South Wales. 

This bird is very similar to P. splendidus. The front, top of the head, 
nape and ear-coverts crimson, mottled with yellow on the sides of the 
head, ear-coverts and nape; feathers of the neck washed with red; rump 
and upper tail-coverts crimson; scapulars black, broadly margined with 


THE MASTERS PARRAKEET 217 


yellowish, mingled with red and blue; shoulders deep blue; under side of 
the wings black with irregular white band; cheeks blue; under tail- 
coverts crimson; tail black below. Total length 11 inches, wing 5.8, tail 
6.3, tarsus 0.8, bill 0.7 inch. 


Australian Museum. 


Rosella: Platycercus eximius. 


Dr. Ramsay, who originally described this bird, thought it 
might prove to be a hybrid, and it is quite possible it is, as little, 
if anything is known of it, beyond the type skins. 


218 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Red-mantled Parrakeet. 
Platycercus xanthogenys. 

North-east Australia. 

Head, sides of the neck and all under surface scarlet; the feathers 
of the breast and abdomen with narrow pale yellow edges; cheeks yellow; 
feathers of nape and back black bordered with red; black patch on upper 
wing-coverts, the anterior ones from the bend of the wing down to the 
primary-coverts, and also the base of the outer webs of the primaries, 
blue; under wing-coverts blue; quills underneath black. Total length 


12.5 inches, wing 5.45, tail 6, bill 0.56, tarsus 0.63. 


Nothing is known of this bird except the type skin, and even 
its precise habitat is unknown. It was in Gould’s original 
collection. 

The Yellow-cheeked Parrakeet. 
Platycercus icterotis. 


Western Australia. 

Feathers of the back black, bordered with green, stained with red; 
a black patch on the upper wing-coverts; blue on the bend of the wing 
and down. Total length 10.5 inches, wing 5.3, tail 5, bill 0.61, tarsus 0.6. 
Female duller in colour, and young mostly green. The eggs (4 to 6) 
measure 1.04 x .84 inch. 


This bird is very similar to the foregoing, except that it has 
a mottled-green mantle instead of a red one. It is frequently 
called the ‘‘Rosella’’ in Western Australia, and lives well in 
captivity. : 


Genus Porphyrocephalus. 


The Red-capped Parrakeet. 
Porphyrocephalus spurius. 

West and North-west Australia. 

The cap is deep red; lores dusky red; cheeks yellowish-green; back 
and scapulars green; rump and upper tail-coverts greenish yellow; breast 
and abdomen blue; under tail-coverts red; wing-coverts green; primary 
coverts and under wing-coverts blue; central tail-feathers green, blue 
towards tips. Total length 15 inches, wing 6.3, tail 7.5, bill 0.98, tarsus 
0.76. The female is duller and smaller. The eggs (6 to 8) measure 1.14 x 
.89 inch. 


This bird is often called the King Parrot in Western Aus- 
tralia, and it certainly is a splendid bird and very conspicuous. 
when feeding on the seeds of various trees. 


THE YELLOW-BANDED PARRAKEET 219 


Genus Barnardius. 


Key to the Species. 
A yellow collar on the nape. 
a. Head verditer-green, with a broad  brown-green 
crescent from the occiput to the eyes; forehead 


red. B. barnardi. 
b. Head brown-black. 
a’. Frontal band red; abdomen green, larger. B. semitorquatus. 
b’. No frontal red band, sometimes slight indication; 
abdomen pale yellow-green; smaller. B. zonarius. 
c. Light-blue cheeks, greater extent of lemon-yellow on 
the lower portion of the breast and abdomen. B. occidentalis. 


The Mallee Parrakeet. 
Barnardius barnardt. 
South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and South Queensland. 
Chest, abdomen, central portion of the wing, and rump verditer-green; 
lower part of the cheeks bluish; back dark bluish-grey; centre of abdomen 
crossed by broad yellow band; primaries black, with outer webs deep 
blue; under wing-coverts blue; two central tail-feathers deep green, 
passing into deep blue at the base. Total length 14 inches, wing 6.5, tail 
7.2, bill 0.8, tarsus 0.8. Female smaller and duller, and back more green 
The eggs (4 or 5) measure 1.21 x .94 inch. 


This beautiful bird is usually found in pairs or small flocks 
and, in Victoria, mostly in the Wimmera district. 


The Yellow-collared Parrakeet. 


Barnardius semitorquatus. 

Western Australia. 

Green; cheek feathers and ear-coverts tipped with blue, broad yellow 
collar on the lower nape; upper breast dark green with a bluish tinge; 
primary-coverts and base of outer webs of the primaries deep blue, quills 
black underneath; two central tail-feathers deep green. Total length 
17 inches, wing 8, tail 8.5, bill 1.06, tarsus 0.92. The female is duller 
and smaller than the male. The eggs (6 to 9) measure 1.23 x 1.0 inch. 


This bird is commonly called the ‘‘Twenty-eight’’ parrot, 
as its call during its flight is something like those words. It is 
mostly found in the Southern districts. 


The Yellow-banded Parrakeet. 
Barnardius zonarius. 

Interior of South Australia, South-west and Western Australia. 

Very like P. semitorquatus, but smaller. Total length 15 inches, wing 
6.9, tail 8, bill 0.83, tarsus 0.77. The eggs (4 to 8) measure 1.21 x .92 
inch. 

This bird is locally called the Port Lincoln Parrot, and is 
generally found inland. 


2 


0 


THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Australian Museum. 
Yellow-banded Parrakeet: Barnardius zonarius. 


MACGILLIVRAY’S COLLARED PARRAKEET 221 


The Western Collared Parrakeet. 
Barnardius occidentalis. 


West and North-west Australia. 

Very similar to B. zonarius, but with light blue cheeks instead of 
dark, the greater extent of the lemon-yellow of the lower portion of 
the breast, and the whole of the abdomen as far as the vent, the chest, 
back, wings and scapulars verditer-green instead of dark green, and no 
narrow black band below the collar. 


Macgillivray’s Collared Parrakeet. 
Barnardius macgillivrayt. 


Northern Australia, south of Gulf of Carpentaria. 

Very similar to B. occidentalis, but has the head almost uniform in 
colour with the upper parts, instead of blackish-brown as in that species. 
Verditer-green above, the feathers of the occiput, hind neck, and back 
broadly edged with green, and the centre of those on the lower back 
shaded with yellow; primaries and their coverts black; outer webs blue; 
two central tail feathers green; cheeks and a ring of feathers round the 
eye blue; the collar on the nape and a broad band on the lower breast 
yellow. Total length of skin 13.5 inches, wing 6.4, tail 7.2, bill from 
forehead 0.8, tarsus 0.8. 


These birds are fairly plentiful in the district named, and 
are often seen near Cloncurry. 


Genus Psephotus. 


Key to the Species. 
a. Abdomen red. 
a’. Forehead and cheeks blue. 
a”, Median wing-coverts red; smaller wing-coverts 


verditer-green; under tail-coverts red. P. hematorrhous. 
b”. Median wing-coverts brown-olive; smaller wing- 

coverts blue; under tail-coverts yellow, 

sometimes tinged with red. P. xanthorrhous. 


b’. Forehead and cheeks not blue. 
ce”, Rump blue. 
a”’. Median wing-coverts with a red _ patch, 


frontal band red. P. pulcherrimus. 
b””. Median wing-coverts with a yellow 
patch, frontal band pale yellow. P. chrysopterygius. 


dad”. Rump green, with a pale green  cross-band, 
frontal band bright yellow, a spot in the occiput 
and another on the middle of the upper tail- 
coverts brown-red. P. multicolor. 
b Abdomen yellow, rump red. P. hematonotus. 


O99, THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Red-vented Parrakeet. 
Psephotus hematorrhous. 


New South Wales and South Queensland. 
Anterior part of head, neck, breast, back, and scapulars pale brown- 
grey; lower part of breast and flank yellow, patch of chestnut on the 


be ae Seem 


Australian Museum. 
Red-vented Parrakeet: Psephotus haematorrhous. 


median and inner greater wing-coverts; primaries and under wing-coverts 
blue; two centre tail feathers olive-green at base, passing into deep blue 
towards the tip, the remainder tipped with white. Total length 12 inches, 
wing 5.4, tail 6.3, bill 0.65, tarsus 0.7. The eggs (4 to 8) measure .95 x 
«84 inch. 


THE CHESTNUT-CROWNED PARRAKEET atts) 


Gould obtained his first specimens of this bird in 1839 on the 
Lower Namoi River. 


The Yellow-vented Parrakeet. 
Psephotus canthorrhous. 

Western and South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales. 

Very similar to P. hematorrhous, but the patch on the wing-coverts 
instead of being chestnut is olive-yellow, the lesser wing-coverts are 
not verditer-green, but uniform deep blue, the under tail-coverts are 
yellow instead of red, the breast is more or less distinctly mottled. Total 
length 12 to 13 inches, wing 4.3 to 5.5, tail 6.5 to 7, bill 0.65, tarsus 0.73. 
The eggs (5 to 8) measure .94 x .81 inch. 


There is much individual variation in this species, both in 
size and coloration. It is often called ‘‘Blue Bonnet,’’ and is 
plentiful in the Riverina district of New South Wales. 


The Pale Parrakeet. 
Psephotus pallescens. 
South Australia. 
This bird is a variety of P. xanthorrhous, but has the upper surface 
and breast much paler, and the olive patch on the median wing-coverts 
yellower. 


The Beautiful Parrakeet. 
Psephotus pulcherrimus. 

New South Wales and Queensland. 

Crown and nape brown-black, sides of the head and neck bluish- 
green; hind neck, back, scapulars, and inner secondaries greyish brown; 
upper tail-coverts blue; above the rump a black cross band; breast green 
passing into blue below; sides blue; abdomen red; under wing-coverts 
blue; two central tail-feathers olive-brown at the base, passing into blue 
towards the tip, which is black. Total length 12 inches, wing 5, tail 6.7, 
bill 0.58, tarsus 0.59. The eggs (3 to 5) measure .86 x .69 inch. 


This beautiful bird makes a hole in a Termites’ mound and 
lays its eggs there, making a considerable cavity, and it seems 
to cause the Termites to desert the mound. 


The Chestnut-crowned Parrakeet. 
Psephotus dissimilis, 

Northern Territory. 

This bird is very similar to P. chrysopterygius, but has not the yellow 
band across the forehead; the lower parts are verditer-blue in the male; 
rump bluish-green, under tail-coverts orange. The female has the crown 
and forehead greyish olive-green, 


Lo 
bo 
nw 


THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Golden-shouldered Parrakeet. 
Psephotus chrysopterygius. 


Northern Australia. 

Centre of the crown black; sides of the head, neck, throat, breast, 
upper part of abdomen, rump, and upper tail-coverts turquoise-blue; back 
of the neck, back, scapulars, inner wing-coverts, and inner secondaries 
light greyish-brown; under wing-coverts blue; two central tail feathers 
olive-green at the base, passing into deep blue, and tipped with black. 
Total length 9.5 inches, wing 4.3, tail 5.6, bill 0.6, tarsus 0.55. 


The Many-coloured Parrakeet. 
Psephotus multicolor. 


New South Wales, Victoria, South, West, and North-west Australia. 

Bluish green, back and scapulars darker; lower back and rump with 
three cross bars, two blackish with the feathers edged with blue and one 
light blue between the two black; abdomen orange-red; blue by the bend 
of the wing and under wing-coverts; middle tail feathers blue, black at 
the tip, greenish-brown at the base, the remaining feathers have white 
tips; all the tail feathers, except the four middle ones, crossed by a band 
of black near the base. Total length 12 inches, wing 5.4, tail 6.7, bill 0.58, 
tarsus 0.59. The eggs (4 to 6) measure .89 x .76 inch. 


These birds are found in Central Australia, and have a wide 
range across from East to West. 


The Red-backed Parrakeet. 
Psephotus hematonotus. 


South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and South Queensland. 

Head emerald green; forehead and cheeks bluish-green; back and 
scapulars greyish-green; upper tail-coverts and breast yellowish-green; 
bastard-wing, primary coverts, base of outer webs of primaries, bend of 
wing, and under wing-coverts deep blue; central tail-feathers green, 
passing into blue towards the tip, which is blackish, the remainder of the 
feathers have white tips. Total length 11 inches, wing 5.1, tail 5.7, bill 
0.55, tarsus 0.51. The eggs (6 to 8) measure .96 x .76 inch. 


This bird is often called the ‘‘Grass Parrakeet,’’ as they 
usually feed on the ground and their prevailing colour is green. 
When the nesting season is over they often congregate in large 
flocks. It is common in the inland districts and often seen in 
captivity. 


N 


ROCK-PARRAKEET 


*0LU0g *T °O ‘(paresoounh) ‘(opydoujad vwmaydoany) yooxBiivg-yooy JO 4saN a NUM AYT,, 


226 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
Genus Neophema. 
Grass Parrakeets. 


Key to the Species. 


A. Upper surface brown; abdomen rosy; under  tail- : 
coverts light blue. The Bourke 
Grass-Parrakeet. N. bourkei. 
B. Upper surface green; abdomen and under tail-coverts 
yellow. 
a. Frontal band blue. : 
x. Lores greenish yellow, abdomen yellow. 
1. No orange spot on abdomen. 
Frontal blue band not reaching beyond 
the eyes. All the upper wing-coverts 
deep blue. Female like male. The Blue-winged 
Grass-Parrakeet, N. venusta. 
Frontal blue band continued over and 
behind the eyes. Outer upper wing- 
coverts blue, inner olive-green like 
the back; between the blue outer 
and olive inner is a row of blue-green 
(verditer) coverts. Female duller and 
smaller. The Grass-Parrakeet, 
N. elegans. 
2. An orange spot on the abdomen, brighter 
in the male. 
Upper wing-coverts, inner green, outer 
blue. The Orange-bellied Grass-Parrakeet 
N. chrysogaster. 
y. Lores and circle round the eyes verditer-blue. 
The Rock Parrakeet, N. petrophila. 
b. Face blue. 
Chest yellow, # chestnut-red spot on the inner 
upper wing-coverts. Female duller, with the 
lores yellowish, and without the chestnut 
spot. The Red-shouldered 
Grass-Parrakeet, N. pulchella. 
Chest scarlet, no chestnut spot on the wing-coverts. 
Wing coverts blue. Female paler and duller, 
chest olive-green, and lores bluish. The Scarlet-throated 
Grass-Parrakeet, N. splendida. 


Genus Euphema. 


The Swift Lorikeet. 


Euphema discolor. 


South Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, and 
Tasmania. 

General colour green; forehead and chin red, with yellow spot at 
gape; crown of head deep greenish blue; tips of shoulders and under tail- 
coverts deep red. Egg, .96 x .83 inch. 


THE GROUND PARRAKEET 227 


Genus Melopsittacus. 


The Warbling Grass-Parrakeet. 
Melopsittacus undulatus. 
Australia generally. 
General colour straw-yellow to grass-green, with wavy black cross 
bands; on the cheeks an oblique band of rich blue, and below it two or 
three circular black spots. Egg .7 x .56 inch. 


Ground Parrakeet: Pezoporus formosus. Australian Museum. 


Genus Pezoporus. 


The Ground Parrakeet. 


Pezoporus terrestris (formosus). 

Tasmania and all the southern half of Australia. 

Above dark grass-green, the feathers crossed with bands of black 
and yellow; feathers of crown and nape with a streak of black down the 
centre; feathers of breast, abdomen, and tail lighter with more yellow, 
barred alternately with black and yellow; an orange spot on the 
forehead. Total length 12.5 inches, wing 5.25, tail 7.75. 


228 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


It usually frequents heaths or swampy flats with tussocks 
of rushes. It is emphatically a ground bird, keeping among the 
grasses and bushes unless flushed, when it rises with a whirr like 


Les 


LEE 


Australian Museum. 
Nest of Ground-Parrakeet: Pezoporus formosus. 
a partridge. It takes then a short but rapid flight with many 
zigzags. It is a game bird which dogs soon detect by the strong 
scent, and its flesh is excellent in flavour. Eggs five or six, 
deposited on the bare ground. : 


THE FROGMOUTHS 229 


Genus Geopsittacus. 


The Night Parrakeet. 
Geopsittacus occidentalis. 


Victoria, South and Central Australia, West and North-west 
Australia. 

Above olive-green; head and nape with black streak down the centre 
of the feathers; feathers of upper back black with a yellow spot; throat 
and breast yellowish-green, passing into sulphur yellow in the abdomen 
and under tail-coverts. Total length 10 inches, wing 5.5, tail 5. 


ORDER CORACIIFORMES. 
Sub-order Podargt. 


Family Podargide. 
Gape very wide; palate desmognathous (as in Duck). 


Sub-family Podargine. 


Nostrils a narrow slit near the base of bill, hidden by plumes 
of feathers. 


Genus Podargus. 
Tail quills pointed, the central pair much longest. 


Key to the Species. 


Tail more than 10 inches long. 
Mottled grey and brown above; lower parts lighter, with 
white spots. Female rustier. Total length 22 inches, 
wing 12.1, tail 11, bill 1.4. New South Wales, 
Queensland, New Guinea. The Plumed Frogmouth, P. papuensis. 


Tail redder, three semi-circular bars of conspicuous 
large round white spots on the wing. Female 
rustier. Queensland. The Marbled 
Frogmouth, P. marmoratus. 
Tail less than 10 inches long. 

General plumage tawny. Total length 18% _ inches, 
tail 9.1, wing 11. Southern Australia and Tasmania. 

Tawny Frogmouth, P. strigoides. 


General plumage freckled. Wing less than 9 inches 
long. Australia except Victoria and New South Wales. 
The Freckled Frogmouth, P. phalenoides. 


General plumage freckled, smaller than P. strigoides, 
but has a larger and longer Dill, and also has 
shorter wings. Total length 14.3 inches, wing 9.2, 
tail 7.6, bill 1. P. brachypterus. 


230 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Frogmouths are beautifully soft-plumaged birds, with a 
motley of grey, brown, black and white markings. In the 


RARE 


tgs 
Ze 
Z 
Zz 


Mounted. D. Le Souéf. 
Tawny Frogmouth: Podargus strigoides. 


coloration then they resemble the dead bark of the bough on 


which they sit. To render it still more difficult of detection, 
the bird does not sit across the bough, but along it, assuming the 


THE FROGMOUTHS 231 


stiff attitude of a rugged branch broken off short. The eves are 
large and adapted to the diminished light of night, the brighter 
light of day seemingly making them dazed and inert. In both 
these characters they resemble the Owls. Their disposition is, 


Freckled Frogmouth: Podargus phalaenoides. Ww. S. Kent. 


however, much milder, and they can be handled by day without 
attempting to offer any resistance. They are invaluable insect- 
feeders, and capture their food, Cicadas, Phasmids and Beetles, 
&e., on the branches of the trees. After swallowing an insect 
they bring their mandibles together with a loud snap, as if in 


232 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


satisfaction over the tit-bit. The nests are placed on horizontal 
boughs, and consist of small sticks carelessly interwoven into a 
loose fiat structure. Eggs 2, white; dimensions about 1.75 x 
1.25. 


Sub-family Avgotheline. 
Nostrils near tip of bill; third and fourth quills longest. 
Pale nuchal collar. 


Genus Egotheles. 


Owlet Nightjar. 
Aigotheles nove-hollandie. 

These delicate little birds are found all over Australia and 
Tasmania. Their head is black; a lunar-shaped mark at the 
back of the head and a collar surrounding the back of the neck 
freckled with grey; back freckled black and white; wings brown, 
-erossed by numerous bands of lighter brown freckled with dark- 
brown; tail dark-brown, crossed by numerous broad irregular 
bands of reddish freckled with dark-brown; chin, abdomen and 
under tail-coverts white; breast usually lighter than back, some- 
times almost white and crossed by numerous freckled bars, the 
whole bird having a dark-grey freckled appearance, like that 
of the Podargus. These birds sometimes are of a reddish 
hue. Total length 9 inches, wing 5, tail 5, tarsus 1. The sexes 
are alike in plumage. Four white rounded eggs are laid on 
the decomposed wood in a hollow branch. They are very 
rough in texture, and have a strong shell, and measure about 
1.14 x .86 inches. The birds live in hollow branches during 
the day, issuing only at night, and utter a hissing sound when 
disturbed. 


Sub-order Coraciee. 


Family Coracide. 
Bill corvine in shape, culmen rounded. Nostrils basal, 
hidden by bristly feathers. No powder down patches. Oil gland 
nude. Tail feathers twelve. Old world. Rollers. 


THE ROLLER OR DOLLAR-BIRD 233 


Genus Eurystomus. 


Tarsus less than half length of middle toe. Bill short, 
depressed, slightly hooked, as broad at base as it is long. Habits 
arboreal. Tropical Africa, South-east Asia to Australia. 


The Roller or Dollar-bird. 
Eurystomus pacificus (australis). 


Australia, except South and West, Lord Howe Island, New Zealand, 
Moluccas to Celebes. 

Head and neck sooty brown; mantle and back brownish washed with 
green; bastard wing and parts of true wing light blue; tail green at base 
black at tip, under parts green; bill and feet red; inside of mouth yellow; 
iris dark brown. Total length 10.5 inches, culmen 1.1, wing 7.85, tail 3.6, 
tarsus .6. 


The Dollar-bird gets this name from the silvery-white spot in 
the centre of each wing. This is seen very distinctly during 
flight. Like so many birds it feeds chiefly in the early morning 
and again near sunset. In sultry weather it perches motionless 
on some dead branch. It is a very bold bird at all times, but 
particularly so in the breeding season, when it attacks with the 
utmost fury any intruder that may venture to approach the 
hole in the tree in which its eggs are deposited. It plays the 
game with anyone seeking to find the nest. It will dart into any 
hole around, except the true one, leading you to believe that you 
have located the nest for a certainty. When you have laboriously 
gained the spot, out flies the Dollar-bird, and you find nothing, 
but can watch the bird fly fifty yards off to another hole, to 
which you make your way, only to be again bamboozled. The 
flight is unlike that of any other bird. It does not fly straight, 
but dives down and rises again with many turns, as if delighting 
in the easy control of difficult wing movements. It is a very 
noisy bird, uttering a peculiar chattering note. The eggs, three 
or four, are laid without a nest in a hole in a tree, and are pearly 
white, pointed at the smaller end; dimensions 1.4 x 1.17 inch. 


Sub-order Halcyones. 
Spinal feather tract well defined on neck and not forked on 
the back; vertical feather tract split in the centre, and also on 
each side of the breast by bare tracts. Oil-gland tufted. No 


234 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


after-shaft to contour feathers of body. Tail feathers generally 
12. Egg white, young hatched naked and helpless. Cosmo- 
politan. Kingfishers. 


Family Alcedinide. 
Soles of toes much flattened. Sternum with two notches. 


Sub-family Alcedinine. 


Bill long and slender, compressed and perceptibly keeled. 
Mostly feeding on fish. East and West Hemisphere. 


Genus Alcyone. 


Bill longer than tail, which is conspicuously shortened. Toes 
three. Australia, the Papuan Islands and the Moluccas. 


Key to the Species. 


Abdomen rufous. Over 6 inches in total length. 


Sides of body rufous, or slightly washed with lilac. A. azurea. 
Sides of body bright ultramarine. A. pulchra. 
Abdomen white. Length 4.8 inches. A. pusilla. 


The Blue Kingfisher. 
A, azurea. 

Queensland to Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. 

Above bright ultramarine, wing coverts blackish edged with ultra- 
marine; tail deep ultramarine above, black beneath; a loral spot pale 
rufous; throat and a patch along the sides of the neck white tinged with 
orange; cheeks, ear-coverts and sides of upper breast ultramarine; rest of 
under surface cinnamon, with a lilac lustre on the flanks and under tail- 
coverts. Total length 6.5 inches, culmen 1.8, wing 2.9, tail 1.35, tarsus .3. 
Sexes alike. 


The Purple Kingfisher. 
A. pulchra. 

Similar to preceding but richer in colour, more purplish blue above, 
brighter cinnamon rufous or deep bay below; brilliant purplish blue from 
the cheeks to the sides of the breast and down the flanks. Replaces the 
preceding in all the northern parts of Australia. 


The Little Kingfisher. 
A. pusilla. 
Northern Territory, North Queensland, New Guinea to Moluccas. 
Upper surface rich ultramarine; tail blue above, black beneath; a 


loral spot and a patch along the sides of the neck white; under surfaces 
white. Total length 4.8 inches, culmen 1.15, wing 2, tail .85, tarsus .25. 


THE YELLOW-BILLED KINGFISHER 935 


The Kingfishers are met with along the rivers and creeks. 
They will sit on a bare branch overhanging the stream, and 
suddenly dart down into the water, plunging beneath the sur- 
face to seize a fish or some smaller aquatic creature, and return 
to their point of vantage to kill and devour the prey. A single 
bird, or a pair, seem to confine themselves to a particular 
stretch of the stream which they make their beat, and at some 
spot in which you may generally be able to observe them, as 
they speed up and down the water-course with arrow-like quick- 
ness. As the sun catches the plumage the glittering blue makes 
the bird a most beautiful object. The eggs are laid at the 
extremity of a hole drilled in the vertical or shelving bank of the 
stream, without any nest. They are rounder than those of most 
birds, pearly white, five to seven in the clutch. Dimensions of 
those of A. azwrea, .86 x .75 inch. 


Sub-family Dacelonine. 


Bill usually more or less depressed, compressed and laterally 
grooved in Halcyon. lostly feeding on insects or reptiles. 
In our genera the tail longer than the bill, in Tanysiptera 
exceeding the length of the wing. Southern Asia with Malaysia 
and Polynesia. 

Key to the Genera. 
Tail feathers 12. Tail rounded or graduated. 


Bill depressed. Smaller, total length 7 inches. Syma. 
Larger, total length 15-17 inches. Dacelo. 
Bill compressed and laterally grooved. Halcyon. 


Tail feathers 10, the central ones extraordinarily elongated. Tanysiptera. 


Genus Syma. 
Confined to Papuan Islands and Northern Australia. 


The Yellow-billed Kingfisher. 
Syma flavirostris. 

Northern Territory and North Queensland. 

Head and hind neck bright cinnamon rufous; mantle and upper back 
dull green; lower back, rump and upper tail-coverts greenish-blue, tail 
feathers dark blue; under surfaces bright cinnamon rufous; throat and 
abdomen paler, a black half collar on the hind neck; bill yellow; culmen 
black; feet orange; iris blackish. Total length 7 inches, culmen 1.5, wing 
3.05, tail 2.3, tarsus .55. The female has a large black patch on the 
centre of the crown. 


236 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Dacelo. 
Confined to Australia and Southern New Guinea. 


Key to the Species. 


Tail alike in both sexes, rufous barred with black. D. gigas. 
Tail of male blue, of female cinnamon rufous barred with blue 
Total length 17 inches D. leachii. 
Total length 15 inches. D. cervina. 


The Laughing Kingfisher (Kookaburra). 


Dacelo gigas. 
Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. 
Crown of head brown, freckled with rufous on the forehead, the 
feathers forming a crest, the long crest feathers edged with white margins; 


Sydney Zoo. F. George, Photographer. 
Kookaburras: Dacelo gigas. 


a very broad whitish band over the eye and encircling the neck, followed 
by a band of dark brown, and this by a broad white collar round the 
sides of the neck and hind neck; above generally brown, the upper back 
white with dusky brown cross bars, the lower back and rump greenish- 
blue; tail rufous barred with black, the under surfaces dingy white 
freckled with brown. Total length 17 inches, culmen 2.5, wing 8.55, tail 
6.3, tarsus 1. 


Leach’s Kingfisher. 


Dacelo leachi. 

Queensland and Northern Territory. 

Head white, streaked with brown; a silvery blue patch on the wing, 
scarcely evident in D. gigas. The male has a blue tail, the female a red 
one, barred with blue and with white tips to the feathers. Otherwise, and 
in dimensions, very like D. gigas. 


THE FAWN-BREASTED KINGFISHER 237 


The Fawn-breasted Kingfisher. 
Dacelo cervina. 


Western and North-west Australia, Northern Territory and North 
Queensland. 

Very like the preceding but smaller. Total length 15 inches, culmen 
2.95, wing 7.5, tail 4.75, tarsus 1. 


The genus Dacelo comprises the Kookaburras or ‘‘Laughing 


Jackasses,’’ the best known of our birds. The habits and voice 
of all the three species are very much the same. They are met 
with in most situations, but are commonest in the open forests. 
They seem to be inquisitive birds, and frequently come and perch 
on a branch of a tree near your camp in the bush, watching your 
operations with much curiosity. They feed on lizards, snakes, 
larger insects (On dit that the Jackass has been heard to laugh 
while a Cicada has been skirring inside him) and small mammals 
and birds. The snake is seized as the bird makes a sudden dash 
down, taken up quickly to a height and dropped on the ground, 
the operation being repeated until the snake is killed or so 
stunned that the bird can swallow it, head first, with safety. 
Gould shot a Jackass in South Australia in order to secure a 
fine rat he saw hanging from its mouth, and the rat proved to 
be a new species. The laugh is like nothing else in nature, the 
wildest human ecachinnation falling short of its glory. At the 
dawn when he wakes up to the exhilaration of renewed activity, 
and at even when a number of birds sit together on a branch 
to bid farewell to the sun, or to chuckle over the happy hunting 
of the past day, the Jackass is heard at his best. Then the bush 
resounds with the Ha Ha Huh Huh Ho Ho Ha Huh in deafening 
chorus, ‘‘a chorus of wild spirits’? as Sturt called it. The sun 
goes down and the strange serenade ceases. 

The eggs, four or five, are laid in a hole in a gum-tree or in 
one of the great masses built by the white ants (termites) on the 
trees. There is no addition made by way of nest. The eggs are 
smooth, glossy and pearly white, measuring 1.8 by 1.4 inch. 
Those of D. leachwi are a little larger. 

The Kookaburra does well in captivity, becomes very friendly 
and submits to handling. It is an unfailing source of amuse- 
ment and pleasure in its infinite variety of attitudes, of the 
humour of which it appears to be by no means unconscious. 


238 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Halcyon. 


All Africa; from Palestine to Manchuria and South Japan, 
Indian and Australian Regions. A very large genus. 


Key to the Species. 


Head black, crown deep ultramarine blue. H. macleayi. 
Head green, streaked with white. H. pyrrhopygius. 
Head greenish blue. 

Length 8 inches. Australia. H. sanctus. 


Length 8.5 inches. Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands. H. vagans. 
Head dusky olive-green. 

Length 8.5, bill 1.6, wing 3.7, tail 2.4. H. sordidus. 
Nuchal band and all under surface white. H. westralasianus. 


The Forest Kingfisher. 
Halcyon macleayi. 


North-west Australia, Northern Territory, South-east New Guinea, 
through Queensland to New South Wales. 

The upper surface of different shades of blue; sides of face and ear- 
coverts black; a large white supra-loral spot, and a broad white collar 
in the male only round the hind neck; cheeks and under surfaces white. 
Total length 7 inches, culmen 1.7, wing 3.7, tail 2.3, tarsus .45. 


The Red-backed Kingfisher. 
Halcyon pyrrhopygws. 


Australia generally. 

The upper surfaces of shades of green; head and scapulars streaked 
with white; back from mantle downwards orange-rufous; a streak of 
white over the eye, widening out to encircle the back of the occiput; 
ear-coverts black, and a black collar round the hind neck followed by a 
broad white one; under surfaces white. Total length 8.5 inches, culmen 
1.7, wing 3.85, tail 2.7, tarsus .6. 


The Sacred Kingfisher. 
Halcyon sanctus. 


Australia and Tasmania, New Hebrides, through New Guinea to 
Sumatra. 

Head greenish blue; mantle green; back and tail blue; lores, sides of 
face and ear-coverts black, with a black band round the nape; a broad 
buff collar round the hind neck; under surfaces ochreous buff. Total 
length 7.5 inches, culmen 1.6, wing 3.75, tail 2.4, tarsus .45. 


H. vagans, Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands and New Zealand, 
is like H. sanctus but larger, 8.5 inches, duller above and 
brighter below. : 


THE SACRED KINGFISHER 239 


The Sacred Kingfisher appears all over Australia, coming 
to the South and to Tasmania in the summer, when it breeds. 


BW oes 


Australian Museum. 
The Wandering Kingfisher: Halcyon vagans. 


It is by no means confined to the neighbourhood of water. From 
its plumage it is a very attractive-looking bird, and its note is 
very striking, a shrill ‘‘pee-pee.’’ It sits very upright, choosing 


240 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


a point of vantage on a small dead branch, from which it flies 
down to capture its prey. It readily devours grasshoppers and 
caterpillars, and other insects and their larve, and small lizards 
and little snakes, which it kills by beating the head against a 
stone. ‘‘Specimens killed in the neighbourhood of salt marshes 
had their stomachs literally crammed with crabs and other 
crustaceous animals, while intent on the capture of which it may 
be observed silently sitting on the low mangrove bushes skirting 
the pools which every receding tide leaves either dry or with a 
surface of wet mud, upon which crabs are to be found in 
abundance. I have never seen it plunge into the water after fish 
like the true kingfisher, and I believe it never resorts to that 
mode of obtaining its prey. On the banks of the Hunter its 
most favourite food is the larve of a species of ant (termites) 
which it procures by excavating holes in the nests of this insect 
which are constructed around the holes and dead branches of 
the Eucalypti, and which resemble excrescences of the tree 
itself.’’ (Gould). The nesting takes place from October till 
December, the eggs being laid in hollows of the gum-trees. The 
eggs are four or five in number, pinky-white, and measure 1.1 x 
.83 inch. 


The Mangrove Kingfisher, 
Halcyon sordidus. 

North Queensland, Northern Territory, and Aru Islands. 

Head, mantle, and back dusky olive green; lower back, rump and 
tail blue; ear-coverts black, a small white loral spot and one below the 
eye; « broad white collar round the hind neck, separated by a line of 
black from the crown; under surfaces white, buffish in parts. Total 
length 10 inches, culmen 2.4, wing 4.4., tail 3, tarsus .6. 


West Australian Sacred Kingfisher. 


A. westralasianus. 


Very similar to H. sanctus, nuchal band and under parts white and 
not buff coloured as in H. sanctus. 


Genus Tanysiptera. 


Moluccas, Papuan Islands and one species in North Queens- 
land. 


THE WHITE-TAILED KINGFISHER 241 


The White-tailed Kingfisher. 


Tanysiptera sylvia. 

North Queensland. 

A strikingly handsome bird with long central tail feathers like those 
of a Bird of Paradise; crown of head ultramarine blue, encircled by a 
band of brighter blue, which forms an eyebrow and band over the nape; 
lores, sides of face and neck, mantle and upper back black, the latter 
with a patch of white; lower back, rump and upper tail-coverts white; 
the two central tail feathers white, the others blue; wing-coverts ultra- 
marine blue; under surfaces rich cinnamon; bill and feet sealing-wax red. 
Total length 13 inches, culmen 1.3, wing 3.8, tail 2.9, the central feathers 
9, tarsus .5. 


“This pretty bird is rather plentiful in the neighbourhood 
of Cape York, where it frequents the dense brushes, and is 
especially fond of resorting to the small sunny openings in the 
woods, attracted probably by the greater abundance of insect 
life. I never saw it on the ground, and usually was first made 
aware of its presence by the glancing of its bright colours as it 
darted past with a rapid, arrow-like flight, and disappeared in 
an instant among the dense foliage. Its cry, which may be 
represented by ‘Whee-whee-whee’ and ‘Wheet-wheet-wheet,’ is 
usually uttered while the bird is perched on a bare transverse 
branch or woody rope-like climber, which it uses as a look-out 
station, and whence it makes short dashes at any passing insect 
or small lizard, generally returning to the same spot. It lays 
three white eggs in a hole dug by itself in one of the large ant- 
hills of red clay which form so remarkable a feature in the 
neighbourhood, some of them being as much as 10 feet in height, 
with numerous buttresses and pinnacles.’’ (Macegillivray). 
Also in the smaller cireular Termites’ mounds about two feet in 
height found in the dense scrub-covered hills near the coast of 
Northern Queensland. The Termites usually fill up the holes 
when the young birds have left. 


Family Meropide. 

Bill long and gently curved, culmen with a sharply-defined 
ridge. Oil-gland nude. Feet partially syndactyle. Tail feathers 
ten. Temperate and tropical parts of the Old World. One 
genus with one species only in Australia. Bee-eaters. 


242 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Merops. 


The breast plumes ordinary, not elongated and pendent. 
The centre tail feathers elongated. Nearly the whole of the Old 
World. 


The Bee-eater. 


Merops ornatus. 


Australia generally to Moluccas and Celebes. 

Head yellowish-green; nape orange-rufous; mantle yellowish-green; 
lower back and rump light cobalt blue; upper tail coverts dark blue, tail 
black; throat yellow with a broad band of black behind; rest of under 
surface of body yellowish-green; under wing-coverts fawn colour; under 
tail-ecoverts blue; bill black; feet greenish-grey; iris light red. Total 
length 9.5 inches, culmen 1.5, wing 4.55, tail 3.15, centre feathers 4.85, 
tarsus .4. 


This bird is remarkable for its many coloured plumage, and 
for the extreme length of the two central tail feathers. In the 
day it frequents the open forest, in the evening the banks and 
sides of rivers. Like the Halcyon, it selects a dead butt of a 
branch which serves as a look-out, and from thence it darts 
forth to capture the passing insects. It is unfortunately not 
welcome on the bee farms, but, apart from these, it is a most 
useful destroyer of insect vermin. They arrive from New Guinea 
about August, flying against the south-east trades, usually in 
small parties of from ten to fifty birds, and fly with an undu- 
lating flight. The eggs are deposited in a hole made in a sandy 
slope. The entrance is very small, ‘‘secarcely larger than a mouse- 
hole,’’ and the hole runs in for perhaps a yard. In a sort of 
chamber at the extremity are laid the eggs, four or five in 
number, pinky-white in colour. Dimensions .85 x .76 inch. 
As the bird commences sitting when the first egg is laid, the 
young hatch out in the order the eggs are laid.. 


Sub-order Caprimulgt. 


Family Caprimulgide. 
Gape carried very far back. Night-flying insectivorous birds, 
catching their prey on the wing. Soft mottled plumage, the 
colours varying with the soil. 


THE LARGE-TAILED NIGHTJAR 243 


Sub-family Caprimulgine. 
Ten primaries and ten tail quills. 


Genus Eurostopus. 
Gape with short inconspicuous bristles. 


The White-throated Nightjar. 
Eurostopus albigularis. 

‘From New Guinea to Victoria and South Australia. 

Freckled brown and grey; a large white spot on each side of the 
throat; a patch of black on the back of the head; breast dark brown 
spotted with dull buff and grey, abdomen and under tail-coverts redder 
with bands of dark brown; the eyes large, dark, and lustrous, adapted to 
restricted light. The bird possesses powers of rapid flight, and captures 
its insect prey in the dusk while on the wing. During the day they rest 
on the ground. Wing about 10 inches, tail 6.2. 


It lays a single egg on the ground, usually near a stone or 
log or mound of gravel. The egg is of a cream colour, sparingly 
spotted with blackish-brown, 1.5 inch x 1.1. 


The Spotted Nightjar. 
Eurostopus argus. 
Australia generally, New Ireland, Aru Islands. 


Resembles preceding in form and habits. The abdomen and under 
tail-coverts of a uniform rusty-brown. Wing under 9 inches, tail 6.4. 


Egg greenish-white or olive stone colour with a few purplish- 
black spots, 1.38 x 1 inch. 


Genus Caprimulgus. 
The gape armed with long stiff bristles. 


The Large-tailed Nightjar. 
Caprimulgus MACTULUS. 

Philippines, Malay Archipelago, Papuan Islands, North-west and 
North Australia, Queensland to New South Wales. 

Plumage generally brown, mottled and freckled with grey, buff, 
black and white; across the throat a band of white bounded below by 
black; spots of white on the outer primaries; under parts deep buff; 
breast freckled; abdomen and under tail-coverts banded. Total length 
11.5 inches, wing 7.5, tail to 6.3, tarsus .7, feathered in front for nearly 
whole length. 


244 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


This Nightjar usually frequents scrub-covered country, and 
is strictly nocturnal in its activities. It is frequently called the 
“‘chop-chop’’ bird, from the peculiar call the bird makes; like 
the other Nightjars, it is most difficult to detect when on the 
ground. By day it rests on the ground in some shady recess, 
and hawks for its insect prey in the dusk of evening or early 
dawn. Two eggs are laid on the bare ground, pinkish-cream 
in colour, and faintly blotched with purplish markings. They 
measure about 1.23 x .86 inch. 


Sub-order Cypseli. 


Family Cypselide. Swifts. 

Swallow-like birds with short legs, forked tails and extremely 
long wings and extraordinary powers of sustained flight. Very 
wide gape in association with the capture of insects while on the 
wing. Tail quills 10. The arrangement of the feather-tracts on 
the body connects them with the Humming-birds, and separates 
them widely from the Swallows and Martins. 


Sub-family Chaeturine. 
Wing always reaching far beyond the end of the tail. 


Genus Salangana. 
Shafts of tail quills without spinous points. 


The Edible-nest Swiftlet. 
Salangana esculenta. 


China and Japan to North Queensland. 
Black above, especially the crown of the head; grey below. 


These birds nest in caves or recesses of cliffs. ‘‘The nest, 
when pure and of the first make, is composed entirely of 
inspissated mucus from the salivary glands of the bird. It is 
very small, bluntly triangular in form, and slightly concave 
within; of a semitransparent, fibrous sort of texture, bluish- 
white in colour, and with the fibres, as it were, crossed and 
interlaced. When the nests of the first make are taken away, 


THE SPINE-TAILED SWIFT 245 


the second nests are mixed with feathers, and occasionally other 
foreign substances. The eggs are two in number and pure 
white.’’ (Jerdon). The birds breed in China and Japan, and 
the nests are highly prized as an article of food. 


The Grey-rumped Swiftlet. 
Salangana francica. 


Mauritius, Ternate, North Queensland, Oceania. 

Crown, nape, and back dark smoky-brown; rump brownish-grey, with 
dark shaft lines; lower surface dusky brownish-grey, feathers with dark 
shaft-lines; chin and throat a little darker. Total length over 4 inches, 
wing 4.4, tail 2. 


This interesting Swiftlet has been found nesting in a cave on 
Dunk Island, off the coast of Queensland, by Mr. E. J. Banfield. 
The nest is like a basket and composed of fine grass and fibre, 
all cemented together and adhering to the walls of the cave. 
One pure white egg is laid, measuring about .80 x .51 inch. 


Genus Chetura. 
Shafts of tail quills with spinous points. 


The Spine-tailed Swift. 
Chetura caudacuta. 


North Siberia, China, and Japan, migrating for the (southern) 
summer to Australia and Tasmania. 

Crown of head, back of neck and ear-coverts deep shining green, 
slightly tinged with brown; a small space before the eye deep velvety 
black; a band across the forehead, chin and throat, and a patch on the 
upper tail-coverts white; wings and tail deep shining green with purple 
reflections; centre of back brown; chest and abdomen clove brown; bill 


black; feet brown. 


One of the largest of the Swifts, seen flying in flocks in the 
hottest months of the year, and always attracting attention by 
its magnificent powers of flight. Gould says, ‘‘So exclusively is 
this bird a tenant of the air, that I never, in any instance, saw 
it perch. With the exception of the Crane, it is certainly the 
most lofty as well as the most vigorous flier of the Australian 
birds. I have frequently observed in the middle of the hottest 
days, while lying prostrate on the ground with my eyes directed 


246 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


upwards, the cloudless blue sky peopled at an immense elevation 
by hundreds of these birds performing extensive curves and 
sweeping flights, doubtless attracted thither by the insects that 
soar aloft during serene weather.’’ It is fortunately frequently 
out of reach of the most skilful ‘‘sportsman.’’ These birds being 
migrants from the Northern Hemisphere, arrive about 
September and leave again in February. They breed 
in China and Japan. Their nest is built of mud on 
the side of some cleft on the face of a rocky cliff and 
under cover, for instance near the Kegon Waterfalls in Japan, 
where we saw many nesting in company with Cypselus pactficus. 
These birds having such short legs and long wings cannot rise off 
the ground; they therefore roost on the face of a cliff or rough 
bark of a tree, but their home is the air, and they may some- 
times be seen flying about on moonlight nights. Two elongated 
white eggs are laid. 


Genus Cypselus. 
Hind toe directed more or less forwards. 


The White-rumped Swift. 
Cypselus pacificus. 


Nesting in Siberia, China, and Japan, migrates to Australia and 
Tasmania in our summer. 

Brown above and below; back with bronzy lustre. Throat and rump 
white. Feathers of under surface edged with white. Wings and tail dark 
brown. Iris, bill and feet black. Wing to 7.3 inches. : 


These birds usually both migrate and nest in company with 
the Spine-tailed Swift. 


ORDER COCCYGES. 
Feet zygodactyle or semi-zygodactyle. 


Family Cuculide. 
Feet zygodactyle, two toes in front and two behind, as in the 
Parrots. Oil gland nude. Tail feathers ten. Dorsal feather 
tract fureate between the shoulders. Cosmopolitan. 


THE CUCKOOS 247 


Sub-family Cuculine. 
Wing long and flat, not fitting to the body. 


Key to the Genera. 


I. Bill moderate, never longer than the head or the tarsus. 
1. Bill slenderer. Plumage variegated. 
a. No metallic colours in the plumage. Sexes 
similar in plumage. 
Tail fan-shaped. 
Wings longer, reaching beyond tail-coverts. 
Under surface of quills barred. Cuculus. 
Wings shorter, not reaching to ends of tail- 
coverts. Under surface of wing with 


a single oblique bar. Cacomantis. 
Tail square. Mesocalius. 
b. The plumage brilliantly metallic. Sexes often 
different in plumage. Chaleococcyx. 
2. Bill stouter. Plumage nearly uniformly black with 
greenish-blue gloss. Eudynamis. 


II. Bill very large and robust, more than twice the length of 
the tarsus, and with a lateral groove on 
each side. Scythrops. 

Cuckoos are infamous the wide world over, on account of 
their habit of depositing the egg in the nests of other birds, 
the young when about one day old and sufficiently strong, 
proceeding to turn its foster brothers and sisters out of the nest 
to perish miserably. Australia possesses a remarkable number, 
no less than thirteen, of these unprincipled parasites, all alike, 
from the great Channel-Bill to the little Bronze Cuckoo, 
pursuing the same vicious tactics. The Pheasant Coueal, 
belonging to another sub-family, alone preserves the dignity of a 
self-denying conscientious parent, and tends her own young. 
None utter quite so dominant a note as the European male 
Cuckoo, but both the Pallid and the Fan-tailed give forth loud 
ringing notes. The ringing whistle of the Pallid Cuckoo con- 
sists of a succession of running notes, the last and highest of 
which are several times rapidly repeated. The aborigines 
represented the note of the Fan-tail by the syllables Du-laar. 
The egg is transposed by the female, probably in all cases by the 
mouth, to the nest of almost always an insectivorous bird. If, 
as occasionally happens. that of a grain eating bird, as a Finch, 
is selected, the young Cuckoo of course, and we feel deservedly, 
perishes, for all the Cuckoos are distinctively insect-eating birds. 
Long lists of foster parents have been recorded by different 
observers for the various species, and in all cases the remarkable 


248 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


instinct which enables the Cuckoos almost invariably to choose 
the nests of insect-feeding birds is manifested. No particular 
care is apparently taken to match the eggs of Cuckoo and foster 
bird, either in size or colour. The young Cuckoo, even while 
still blind, as soon as it is strong enough, works the fledglings of 
the foster bird over the edge of the nest, and remains to be the 


Australian Museum. 
Pallid Cuckoo: Cuculus pallidus. Fan-tailed Cuckoo: Cacomantis 
flabelliformis. 


sole care and charge of the defrauded parents, who never appear 
to discover or to resent the supplanting of their own offspring 
by an alien. It is indeed pathetic to watch tiny birds like the 
Acanthizas in a state of wild agitation endeavour to render 
succour to a young Cuckoo, many sizes larger than themselves, 
if mischance has ejected it from the nest. 


THE FAN-TAILED CUCKOO 249 


Genus Cuculus. 


The whole of the Old World, except Polynesia. The British 
Cuckoo belongs to this genus. 


The Oriental Cuckoo. 
Cuculus saturatus (intermedius). 


Queensland, and accidentally in New South Wales. From Siberia 
and India to New Guinea. 

Head, throat and back blue grey; tail slaty black with white spots; 
under parts whitish with black bars. Total length 12.8 inches, culmen 
.9, wing 7.4, tail 6.3, tarsus .7. 


The Pallid Cuckoo. 
Cuculus inornatus (pallidus). 


Australia generally and Tasmania. 

Generally grey, the tail barred with white; under surfaces nearly 
uniform, only the under tail-coverts with dusky bars. Total length 12 
inches. 


Egg uniform pale fiesh colour, with a darker wash of the 
same tint at the larger end; sometimes a few chestnut spots 
appear here and there over the shell. About .9 x .7 inch. 


Genus Cacomantis. 


Indian Peninsula and Ceylon, China, the Philippines, to 
Australia, New Caledonia and Fiji. Fan-tailed Cuckoos. 


The Fan-tailed Cuckoo. 


Cacomantis rufulus (flabelliformis). 


Australia, Tasmania, the Aru Islands. 

Above blue-grey; tail blue-black with white notches sometimes almost 
forming bars; under surfaces isabelline, not barred. Total length 10.2 
inches. 


Egg fleshy-white, sprinkled all over with fine pinkish-red 
spots, which are blended about the upper quarter so as to form 
a narrow belt. .86 x .6 inch. 


250 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Brush Cuckoo. 
Cacomantis flabelliformis (variolosus). 


Australia generally, New Guinea, Timor, the Moluccas. 
Above brown, the tail with an olive gloss and no white notches; 
under surfaces buff, not barred. Total length 8.5 inches. 


Egg dull white, with a band round the larger end of purplish- 
grey markings. They measure .73 x 67 inch. 


The Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo. 
Cacomantis castaneiventris. 


North Queensland, New Guinea, Aru Islands. 

Above deep’ slaty-blue; tail feathers all tipped and notched with 
white; under surfaces bright chestnut, with the chin grey, without bars. 
Total length 9 inches. 


Eggs very similar to those of C. flabelliformis. This bird 


has the habit of frequently uttering its monotonous running note 
throughout the night. 


Genus Misocalius. 
Australia generally, Aru Islands, Moluccas. The one species. 


The Black-eared Cuckoo. 
Mesocalius palliolatus. 


Ashy brown above, quills dark brown; all the tail feathers with 
broad whitish ends and five other distinct bars on the inner webs of the 
outer pair; on the side of the head a broad white eyebrow, and a black 
band through the eye over the ear-coverts; under parts buff, white behind. 
Total length 7.6 inches. 


The eggs are of a uniform reddish-chocolate, darker than 
the egg of the Bronze Cuckoo. They measure about .85 x .59 
inch. 


Genus Chalcococcyx. 


Indian Peninsula, Ceylon, Burmah through Malaysia to 
Australia and New Zealand. Bronze Cuckoos. 

The Bronze Cuckoos have a very general resemblance in the 
pattern of the plumage; the upper surfaces dark with brilliant 


THE BRONZE CUCKOO 951 


metallic green or purple or bronze, the tail feathers with rows 
of white spots or bars, and the under surfaces white with metallic 
cross bands. 


\ 


“The Emu.” C. P. Kinane. 
Young Narrow-billed Bronze Cuckoo (Chalcococcyx basalis) ousting young 
Blue Wren (Malurus cyaneus). 


252 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Key to the Species. 


I Basal two-thirds of tail rufous, except inner and outer 
feathers. 
IT. Basal half of tail never uniform rufous. 
1. With no rufous edges to the quills. 
a. Larger, wing not less than 4 inches. 

Breast bands bright green, crown green like 
back, forehead freckled with white. 

Breast bands coppery bronze, crown and back of 
neck purplish bronze contrasting with green 
back, forehead less freckled with white. 

b. Smaller. Wing not more than 3.8 inches. 

Breast bands coppery bronze, back green, fore- 
head strongly freckled with white. 

2. With narrow rufous edges to the quills. 
Like C. malayanus, but with no white on the forehead. 


C. basalis. 


C. lucidus. 


C. plagosus. 


C. malayanus. 


C. pocilurus. 


Bronze Cuckoo: Chalcococcyx plagosus. 


Australian Museum. 


THE BRONZE CUCKOO 253 


The Narrow-billed Bronze Cuckoo, C. basalis—Australia, Tasmania, Aru 
Islands to South Celebes, Java and Malay Peninsula. Total length 
6.3 inches. Egg, fleshy white, speckled all over with fine pinkish red 
spots, which become darker by age; .7 x .5 inch. 


The Broad-billed Bronze Cuckoo, C. lucidus.—East Australia, Tasmania, 
New Zealand. Total length 6.5 inches. Eggs very pale olive, often 
stained with brownish-grey, and measures .81 x .52 inch. 


“Victorian Naturalist.” Cc. P. Kinane. 
Bronze Cuckoo (16 days old) to the right, being fed by foster parent (the Brown Tit). 


The Bronze Cuckoo, C. plagosus—Australia generally, Tasmania, New 
Caledonia, South New Guinea. Total length 6.2 inches. Egg, clear 
olive-brown, slightly paler at the smaller end; the olive brown can 
easily be removed by wetting, leaving a uniform light bluish shell, 
.7 x .5 inch. 


The Little Bronze Cuckoo, C. malayanus—Al]l the Northern parts of 
Australia, New Guinea, and Malay Peninsula. Total length 5.8 inches. 
Egg slightly darker than C. plagosus, and measures .74 x .54 inch. 


The Rufous-throated Bronze Cuckoo, C. peciluwrus.—All the northern parts 
of Australia, New Guinea to Timor and Moluccas. Total length 5.8 inch. 


254 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Eudynamis. 
India to Australia. 
The Koel. 
Eudynamis cyanocephalus. 


North-west Australia, Northern Territory, Timor, New South Wales, 
Queensland, New Guinea. 


“The Emu.” : z 2 C. P. Kinane. 


Bronze Cuckoo (Chaleococcyx plagosus) about three weeks old. 


Male: Black, with a bright greenish-blue gloss. Total length 16 
inches. Female: Upper half of head and back of the neck glossy greenish- 
black; rest of upper surface dark olive-brown; back and wing-coverts 
thickly spotted with white; quills of wing and tail with white bars; chin 
and upper throat black, with white spots; rest of under parts white 
washed with buff and barred with black. 


Usually deposits its eggs in the nests of Orioles, Friar birds 
and Miners. The egg is pinkish-buff with slight markings of 
chestnut, especially on the larger end, and measures about 1.37 
x 1.03 inch. 


THE COUCAL 255 


Genus Scythrops. 
_ Celebes, Flores, Moluccas, Papua, Australia. The one species. 


The Channel-bill, 


Scythrops nove-hollandie. 

Distribution above. 

Head and neck pearl grey; rest of upper parts olive-grey with broad 
blackish ends to all the feathers of the back and wings; tail with broad 
subterminal blackish bar and a white end; under surfaces greyish-white 
with pale wavy markings; bill yellowish; feet olive-brown; iris red; 
orbits and lores scarlet. Total length 25 inches, culmen 4, wing 14, tail 
11, tarsus 1.7. Female similar. 


Egg light stone-colour, marked all over, but particularly at 
larger end, with irregular blotches of reddish-brown, many 
darker and as below surface of shell. 1.7 x 1.25 inch. Usually 
laid in the nests of Crows or Magpies, and occasionally small 
Hawks. Seen at the feeding times, morning and evening, in 
pairs or less often in small companies. The food is the capsule 
of the gum-trees. The note is a loud scream. It is often called 
the Rain bird, as it is supposed to be unusually noisy just before 
rain and so foretell its coming. The same name was given to it 
for similar reasons among the natives of the Celebes. 


Sub-family Centropodine. 
Wing shorter than in Cuculine and curved to fit the body. 


Genus Centropus. 


All Tropical Africa, Madagascar, Indian Peninsula and 
Ceylon, South China, Malay Archipelago to Papua and 
Australia. A large genus with but one Australian species. 


The Coucal. 
Centropus phasianus. 

North-west Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland, and New 
South Wales. 

The male assumes a special plumage in the breeding season. In both 
seasons the rump, upper tail-coverts and tail are glossy greenish-black 
with numerous rufous, buff or white bars. When not in the breeding 
season, the upper half of the head and back of the neck chestnut with 
buff shaft stripes, mottled near the mantle with wavy black bars; the 


256 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


wings when closed buff crossed by rufous bars with black margins; the 
back dusky brown; the under parts buff. In the breeding season the 
head, neck, and entire under parts are black glossed with green and with 
glossy shaft stripes; the wings chestnut barred with black and buff; the 
back brownish-black glossed with green; bill horny black; feet slate 
colour; iris golden yellow. Total length 23.3 inches, culmen 1.6, wing 10.4, 
tail 14.5, tarsus 2. 


Inhabits swampy places abounding in tall grasses and reeds, 
amongst which the bird runs with great facility. The nest is 
usually placed in the midst of a tuft of grass, sometimes on a 
Pandanus; is large and composed of dried grasses, of a dome- 
shaped form with two openings, through one of which the head 
of the sitting bird protrudes and the long tail through the other. 
Eggs three to five, nearly round, of a dirty white, stained some- 
times with brown, and rather rough on the surface. They 
measure 1.3 x 1.2 inch. These birds have a curious note, like 
coop-coop-coop, &c., in a descending scale, and quickly repeated. 


Order Menuriformes. 


Furcula complete, sternum with rounded posterior margin. 
Tail feathers produced to.an extraordinary length, and many of 
them devoid of hooklets. Comprises only the single family 
Menuride, Lyre-birds, which is developed only in South-east 
Australia. 


Key to the Species. 


1. Outer tail feather white or ashy white on the inner web, 
with rufous notches and tipped with black; under 
tail-coverts ashy; back ashy-brown. 
a. Outer tail-feather ashy white below, the bars being 
reddish-brown. New South Wales. 38 inches. 
The Lyre-bird, M. superba. 
b. Outer tail-feather white below, the bars being chestnut. 
Victoria. 36 inches. The Victoria Lyre-bird, M. victoriz. 
2. Outer tail feather not barred; under tail-coverts chestnut; 
upper surface also rufous brown or dull chestnut. 
Southern Queensland and Northern Rivers of New 
South Wales. 31 inches. The Albert Lyre-bird, M. alberti. 


The Lyre-bird. 
Menura superba. 


Male: Head and neck dark slaty-brown, as also the sides of the face, 
ear-coverts and cheeks; mantle slaty-brown; rump washed with grey, 
upper tail-coverts reddish-brown; wings dark slaty-brown. ‘‘The two 


207 


PIEASANT COUCAL 


Sydney Zoo. 
Pheasant Coucal: Centropus phasianus. 


From life. 


258 THE. BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


centre tail feathers with brown webs along the outer edge, but with only 
a few radii on the inner edge; remainder of tail feathers having only 
long lateral filaments, only the bare portion being webbed; the outer 


Australian Museum. 


Lyre-bird: Menura superba. 


feathers curving gracefully outwards at the ends, the outer web being 
smoky-brown and the tip black, the inner web ashy-grey with triangular 
notches of tawny buff, these notches heing transparent by the absence 
of the radioli of the feather, the inner edge of the outer tail feather 


209 


THE LYRE-BIRD 


‘fanog at ‘a 


‘pqwadns vinuayy :palq-atsry Jo 4seN 


260 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


recurved on itself and edged with black.’’ (R. Bowdler Sharpe.) The 
under surface ashy-brown; bill and nostrils black; bare space round eye 
lead-colour; legs and feet black, the scales mealy; iris blackish-brown. 
Total length 38 inches, culmen 1.65, wing 11, tail 24, tarsus 4.4. The 
female lacks the beautiful lyre-shaped tail, and is smaller, 33 inches. 
The other species are similarly plumaged, the slight differences being 
indicated in the key to the species. 


Lyre-birds are confined to the Eastern strip of Australia. It 
has been suggested that they would flourish in Tasmania, and it 
is to be hoped that the suggestion will be acted on, and that 
birds will be introduced into that island in which the Fox is not 
likely to get a footing. Where properly protected, as in the 
National Park of New South Wales, they do well, and it is to 
be hoped that, as their natural haunts are invaded by the Fox 
and the illicit sportsman and collector, fresh harbours will be 
found for these beautiful and musical denizens of the forest. 
They frequent retired and shady gullies from sea level to the 
tops of the ranges. Gould met with the bird in abundance at 
Western Port and Illawarra, and it is not unknown even now- 
adays at the head of Sydnev Middle Harbour and in the Port 
Hacking district. But it is chiefly in the gullies of the ranges 
that the birds are now met with, and where their habits may be 
studied. The best spots are where the bird still survives in 
scrubs adjacent to clearings. The birds and eggs are closely 
protected by law. 

Naturally shy birds, they require careful approach. When 
you have discovered their haunts by waiting patiently in con- 
cealment and quiet, you may secure good views, and be able to 
watch them building or playing on their mounds, or be favoured 
by one of their marvellous musical recitals. The birds rarely 
fly, and to no great height, and then mostly when disturbed, or 
betaking themselves to a lower branch of a tree. They run rapidly 
along the roughnesses of the rocky gullies, tangled with brush 
and creepers, and beset with rotten logs and boughs, the legs 
being long and strong and the thigh muscles powerful, and they 
have extraordinary powers of springing up the sides of the 
precipitous ravines, so that pursuit is hopeless. 

Morning and evening are the times of activity, when the 
birds are most seen and heard. They move about rapidly, 
scratching up the dead leaves and bark to obtain the centipedes, 


THE LYRE-BIRD 261 


crustaceans, beetles, and snails on which they feed. The Lyre- 
bird is our most wonderful songster. Its own notes are peculiarly 
liquid and melodious, but not content with these it delights to 
reproduce the notes and calls of its neighbours and to mimic 
any sounds it may hear in the bush. When singing the bird can 
be approached with more ease, as it becomes less on the alert as 
it pours forth its soul in song. Then you may listen to a pro- 
gramme of many items, and did you not know that the solitary 
performer was before you, you would marvel at the number of 


, 


From. life. D. Le Souéf. 
Victoria Lyre-bird: Menura victoriae. 


different birds taking part in the concert. The laugh of the 
Great Brown Kingfisher, the Kookaburra, is imitated to perfec- 
tion; then may follow the feeding call or the scream of a Parrot; 
then the full rich notes of the Thrush; and so on one after 
another you will hear all the local birds. Thrown in, perhaps as 
comic items, the bird will give vou the rap of the hammer as the 
settler is driving in his nails, or the hum and buzz of a circular 
saw, or the steam whistle for knocking off work; or even the bark 
of a dog, the howl of the Dingo and the crow of a cock. 


262 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Among its many curious habits is the building of small 
banks or mound hillocks. These are formed of light sand and 
built on ledges, and are a few inches in height. The birds visit 


“The Emu.” Lyre-bird (Female): M. Victoriae. A. E. Kitson. 


these during the day in the times of courtship, and the male 
bird struts about on them, erecting and spreading his handsome 
tail for the admiration of the female. 

The Lyre-birds breed in the late winter or early spring, from 
the latter part of June in early seasons, usually in July or . 


THE LYRE-BIRD 263 


August, according to the latitude. The nest is a large one, and 
is placed on the ground at the base of a stump or the buttress 
of a tree, on the ledge of a projecting rock or in the head of 
a tree-fern or against the trunk, but usually near the ground, and 
among the recesses of the deep gullies. On one occasion we found 
one about 80 feet from the ground in the fork of a tall 
Eucalyptus tree. The bird hopped from branch to branch in 
the thick adjacent smaller trees to get to it. The nest 
proper is dome-shaped with a _ side entrance, and is 
constructed of fine strong roots, narrow strips of bark, leaves 
and ferns, and is lined with the softer feathers of the bird. 
There is a foundation of coarse sticks, and the nest is protected 
from the rain-drip by a rough covering composed of sticks and 
bits of wood, grass, moss and leaves, which projects over the nest 
proper. Care is always taken to build the nest in a situation 
in which it avoids the natural drainage, and is protected from 
the wind, and the home is made as snug as can be, notwith- 
standing the dark and damp surroundings. The bird enters by 
the side opening, going in backwards with tail reversed over the 
back, and there is sufficient room for it to turn round in the 
nest. Once inside, the bird is entirely hidden from view, and the 
outside of the nest closely resembles its environment, so that 
it is not easily detected. One egg is usually laid, (occasionally 
two) which is about 2.5 inches long and 1.62 inches broad. It 
is somewhat rough, depressed all over with pin-point like indents, 
and with, sometimes, little ridges like the veins of a leaf. The 
colour is dark purplish-grey, with numerous spots of umber or 
chocolate, others of dark violet, both sets of markings thicker 
about the top of the egg where they tend to form a belt. The 
period of incubation is a long one, apparently extending in some 
cases to seven weeks. 
The habits of the three species are very similar. 


ORDER PASSERIFORMES. 


Sub-order Mesomyodi. 


Intrinsic muscles of the voice organ affixed at or near the 
middle of the bronchial semi-rings. 


264 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Family Pittidw. Ant-thrushes. 
Manubrium of sternum forked. Tail quills 12. 


Genus Pitta. 


Tail short, more or less squared. Birds of varied and 
brilliant plumage. The young assuming the adult plumage on 
leaving the nest. 


Australian Museum. 


Noisy Pitta: Pitta strepitans. 


The Noisy Pitta. 
Pitta strepitans. 

South New Guinea, Queensland and New South Wales. 

General colour of back and wings deep green; crown of head 
ferruginous with a narrow black vertical stripe; sides of head, nape and 
back of neck black; lesser wing-coverts metallic blue, primaries black with 
white speculum; chin with black spot, breast buff or fawn colour, abdomen 
with a black patch, vent and under tail-coverts scarlet; upper tail-coverts 
and tail black, the latter tipped with green. Total length 8.5 inch, wing 
5, tail 2. 


The Noisy Pitta keeps much to the ground, but takes to the 
branches of the trees if alarmed. Its food consists of insects, 


THE NOISY SCRUB-BIRD 265 


fruits and snails. The call is something like ‘‘Want-a-watch.”’ 
The nests are placed on or near the ground, often on the spurs 
of fig-tree roots. They are made of sticks and lined with moss, 
leaves and soft bark. The eggs, four, pale creamy-white, marked 
all over with blotches of brown and deep grey, and measure 
1.25 x .87 inch. 

The Lesser Pitta. 


Pitta stmillima. 


The northern form of P. strepitans, being smaller in size, but not 
otherwise distinguishable. 


The Blue-breasted Pitta. 


Pitta macklotr. 
Malay Peninsula, Java, Aru, Australia and Tasmania. 
Differs from P. strepitans in having the rump, upper tail-coverts as 
well as the wing-coverts blue; breast with a broad greyish-blue band, 
bordered behind a wide black margin. Total length 7 inch, wing 4, tail 1.6. 


The Rainbow Pitta. 
Pitta iris. 

North-west Australia and Northern Territory. 

Upper surface and wings golden green; head, neck, breast, abdomen, 
flanks and thighs deep velvety-black; on the eye a chestnut band joining 
its fellow on the nape; shoulders bright metallic-blue; primaries black 
with white speculum; tail black at base, green at tip; vent and under 
tail coverts bright scarlet. Total length 6 inches, wing 4, tail 1.4. 


PASSERES ABNORMALES. 


Family Atrichornthide. 


Furcula rudimentary. Sternum with a single deep indenta- 
tion on its hinder margin. Wing tiny, powers of flight 
rudimentary. Back of the tarsus more scutellated than in any 
Lark. The one genus, confined to Australia. 


The Noisy Scrub-bird. 


Atrichoriis clamosa. 

West and South-western Australia. 

Above dark chocolate-brown, waved with circular black markings, the 
brown and black alternating; tail feathers black, varied with alternate 
wavy markings of black and brown on the margins; throat and breast 
white, with a blackish patch on the lower throat, Total length 8.5 inches, 
culmen .75, wing 3.1, tail 4.1, tarsus 1.05. 


266 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Nest usually placed on the ground near a stump or log, and 
is dome-shaped and made of grass and rootlets. The two eggs 
are reddish-white, with purplish-brown markings, which are 
confluent on the larger end. They measure .91 x .69 inch. 


The Rufous Scrub-bird. 


A. rufescens. 
The Richmond and Clarence River Districts of New South Wales. 
More rufous than preceding, and having upper tail-coverts and tail- 
feathers regularly barred across with black; the throat is whitish, the 
centre of the breast black, the abdomen orange rufous. Total length 
6.8 inches, culmen .65, wing 2.45, tail 2.85, tarsus .85. 


Nest and egg very similar to A. clamosa. The eggs measure 
.89 x .68 inch. 


Family Hirundinde. 
Broad-billed, Passeres with nine primaries. Cosmopolitan. 
Swallows and Martins. 
All our Australian birds belong to the sub-family 
Hirundinine, True Swallows, and all possess bare toes. Feed 
on insects, which they capture on the wing. 


Key to the Genera. 


Tail strongly forked, the outer feather indented on the inner 
web and elongated. Nostrils, the nasal apertures 
longitudinal or oval. 


A distinct superior membrane. Hirundo. 
Scarcely any superior membrane. Cherameca. 
Tail square. Nostrils rounded and exposed, without any 
superior membrane. Petrochelidon. 


Genus Hirundo. 


Cosmopolitan. H. gutturalis extends over a wide area from 
Northern Asia through the Malay Archipelago to New Guinea 
and Northern Australia; H. javanica from Southern India 
through the Malay Archipelago to the islands of Torres Strait; 
H. neoxena replaces H. javanica in Australia and Tasmania. 


The Chimney Swallow. 


Hirundo gutturalis. 
Above glossy purplish-blue, streaked with the white bases to the 
feathers of the mantle, tail feathers, except central, with a large oval 
white spot on the inner web; forehead, cheeks and throat dark-chestnut. 


THE AUSTRALIAN SWALLOW 267 


with an incomplete purplish-blue collar on the foreneck, rest of under- 
surface white; bill black, feet brown, iris black. Total length 6.7 inches, 
culmen .35, wing 4.6, tail 3.4, tarsus .5. 


The Eastern Swallow. 
Hirundo javanica. 


Above dull steel blue, mottled with white bases to the plumes of the 
hind neck; wing-coverts, quills of wing and tail black; tail-feathers, 
except central, with an oval white spot on the inner web; a broad frontal 
band, cheeks, throat, foreneck and most of the ear-coverts brick red, 
rest of under-surface ashy brown. Total length 5.1 inches, culmen .4, wing 
4.15, tail 2.15, tarsus .35. 


The Australian Swallow. 
Hirundo neoxena. 


Resembles preceding generally, but the ear-coverts are glossy blue 
like the back, and the breast and especially the abdomen are lighter in 
colour, the latter being inclined to ashy white. Total length 5.8 inches. 


The Swallow performs a general migration avoiding the 
extremes of heat and cold. Thus it appears in Tasmania in 
September and leaves in March. A few will pass the whole 
winter about Sydney, but the majority go north for a couple 
of the coldest months. In the summer they appear in great 
numbers, and are active for the greater part of the day, 
hawking insects in graceful curves, skimming close to the ground 
in duller days, and more aloft on bright. They are indifferent 
to the proximity of man, circling round a cricket ground for 
instance, while a match is being played, so that often on a late 
afternoon when the light is weak a bird has been mistaken for 
the ball by the field, and has confused the batsmen. The nests 
are placed in deep clefts of rocks or in dark caverns in country 
unoccupied by the white man, but since his advent the bird has 
chosen sites similar to those selected by the European Swallow, 
building under verandahs or eaves, in barns and outhouses, 
less frequently in the chimney. The well-known nest is made of 
mud or clay, intermingled with straw or grass to bind it; is 
open at the top, and lined first with a layer of fine grass and 
then with feathers. The shape varies according as the nest is 
built in a corner, or against a wall, but is always rounded on 
the free rim. The eggs, usually four, are rather long, pinky- 
white with many fine spots of purplish-brown, .75 x .5 inch, 
The note is a pleasant twittering. 


268 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Cherameca. 


Comprises but one species, which is confined to the Australian 
Continent. 


The Black and White Swallow. 
Cheramaca leucosternum. 


Upper surface parti-coloured; crown of head white with brown 
centres to the feathers, nape and hind neck and sides of neck brown; 
mantle and upper back white, lower back, rump and tail-coverts and most 
of the wing blue-black; ear-coverts brown; cheeks, throat, foreneck, and 
breast, white; abdomen and under tail-coverts blue-black; bill blackish- 
brown; feet greenish-grey; iris dark reddish-brown. Total length 5.5 inches, 
culmen .25, wing 4.95, tail 3, tarsus .5. 


The Black and White Swallow is a very wandering species, 
seen in small flocks of ten to twenty in number. It usually 
flies very high, more like the Swifts. It more closely resembles 
the European Sand Martin in its nidification than do any of our 
other Swallows. It builds sometimes in a deserted burrow of 
some Bandicoot or Rat Kangaroo, but more generally drills for 
itself a hole in the side of a bank. The hole is perfectly round, 
and the passage runs in horizontally for about a yard, and then 
expands into the nesting chamber. The nest is composed of 
dry grasses and leaves. Eggs about .67 x .48, pure white, 
elongated. 


Genus Petrochelidon. 
Both hemispheres. Martins. 
Head steel-blue with a frontal band of sandy-buff or rufous. 
P. nigricans. Head all rufous. P. ariel. 


The Tree Martin. 
Petrochelidon nigricans. 


Australia generally and Tasmania, visiting New Zealand, the Papuan 
Islands and even the Moluccas, migrating north for the winter. 

Above deep steel-blue, lower back and rump whity-brown, upper 
tail-coverts and tail-feathers dusky-brown: a frontal band of pale brick- 
red extending backwards to the corner of the eye; lores, feathers round 
eye, and ear-cuverts sooty-blackish; cheeks and throat dull whitish, with 
blackish streaks, rest of under-surface whitish with a sandy tinge, a 
patch of blue-black on the sides of the upper breast. Bill and toes 
light-brown, iris black. Total length 5.2 inches, culmen .3, wing 4.2, tail 
2.1, tarsus .5. 


269 


THE FAIRY MARTIN 


‘pupusvg “PV “0 


“(jad uopysyootjag) Suyaeyy <aBg™ JO AuLo[OD Jo sJsonN 


Nh OUL., 


270 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Lays its eggs in the holes of trees, making no special nest. 
The eggs, three to five, are pinky-white faintly freckled at the 
larger end with fine spots of light reddish-brown. .67 x .5 inch. 


The Fairy Martin. 
Petrochelidon ariel. 

All Australia and Tasmania. 

Head bright rufous, upper surfaces generally deep-blue, lower back 
and rump mottled creamy white, upper tail-coverts smoky-brown; lores 
black, sides of face and ear-coverts smoky-brown, cheeks and throat white 
with minute dusky streaks; breast and abdomen pure white, under tail- 
coverts white with a smoky tinge; bill blackish-grey, feet olive-grey, iris 
blackish-brown. Total length 4.6 inches, culmen .3, wing 3.7, tail 1.9, 
tarsus .4.° 

The Fairy Martin is migratory, like the other Swallows, 
breeding in the south in the spring and early summer. The 
nests are usually placed in clusters against the vertical sides of 
a river bank, the sides of a rock or a building, or sometimes to 
overhanging formations. The nest is long and bottle-shaped 
with the opening at the end of the neck. It is composed of mud 
or clay, each portion plastered on to the foundation or to the 
growing structure by the bill of the bird. It is nearly round, 
from four to seven inches in diameter, and the spout reaches to 
even eight or nine inches in length. It is lined with fine grasses 
and feathers. The nests are usually congregated in some 
situation near to water, but not actually on the sea coast. Thus 
we have seen them on the Saltwater River, near Melbourne, at 
Hunter’s Hill, on the Parramatta River, and at Norman Park, 
a suburb of Brisbane below the city. The parish church at 
Richmond, situated near the edge of the higher ground which 
overlooks the alluvial flats, and close to one of the billabongs of 
the Nepean, has two sides below the roof covered with hundreds 
of the nests. The birds have but a short distance to fly in order 
to obtain the mud for the nests, and there is abundance of insect 
food over the water. As in England, the common Sparrow in 
some cases challenges successfully the ownership of the nest, 
and turns out the milder Martins. ‘‘In constructing the nests the 
birds appear to work in small companies, six or seven assisting 
in the formation of each nest, one remaining within and 
receiving the mud brought by the others in their mouths.’’ 
(Gould). The eggs, 4 to 5, white, plain or spotted and blotched 
with red, and measure .7 x .5 inches. 


THE BROWN FLY-CATCHER 


Family Muscicapide. 


271 


Bill broadened and rather flat, generally furnished with 


numerous rictal bristles; culmen keeled. 
ivorous. 
Key to the Genera. 


A. Wings long, longer than the tail, and distance between 
the wings and the tip of the tail not greater than 
the length of the tarsus. 

a. Bill broader, when measured across the nostrils the 


width equals the length of the hind toe, without 
the claw. 
b. Bill narrower, when measured across the nostrils 


the width much less than length of hind toe. 
1. Distance of wings from tip of tail greater than 
length of culmen. 

Second primary longer than the secondaries. 
Culmen very small, about a quarter of an inch. 
Culmen about half an inch. 

Under tail-coverts short. Robins. 
Under tail-coverts long. Yellow-breasted 
in Australian species, 

Second primary equal to secondaries. 
seanty. 

2. Distance of wings from tip of tail not greater than 
length of culmen. 
Bill higher than broad at the nostrils. 
Bill broader than high at the nostrils. 
B. Wings shorter, the distance between the wings and the 
tip of the tail greater than the length of the tarsus. 
a. Wings shorter than tail. 
Sexes coloured alike. 
b. Wings longer than tail. 
1. Bill moderately broad, at base 
equal hind toe without claw. 
2. Bill extremely broad and 
elevated into a distinct ridge. 
8, Bill narrower. 

Culmen very long and thin, 

toe with claw. 

Culmen not as long as middle 

With a fleshy eye-wattle. 
Without a fleshy eye-wattie. 
Head velvety, with soft scale-like plumes. 
Head with ordinary plumage. 


Bristles 


of forehead width 


flattened; culmen 


longer than middle 


toe with claw. 


Genus Micreca. 


The Brown Fly-catcher. 


Micreca fascinans. 
Australia except North and West. 


Eminently insect- 


Micreca. 


Smicrornis. 
Petreca. 
Gerygone, 
Pseudogerygone. 


Heteromyias. 
Pecilodryas. 


Rhipidura. 


Myiagra. 


Macherirhynchus. 


Sisura. 
Arses. 


Piezorhynchus. 
Monarcha. 


Upper surface and sides ashy-brown; throat, belly and under tail- 


eoverts white; outermost tail feathers pure white. 
wing 3.45. 


Length 4.9 inches, 


272 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Mr. North says well of this charming, if homely, little bird, 
‘*A resident and well-known species as freely distributed inland 
as it is near the coast, where it may be found frequenting alike 
the tall Eucalypti and the low undergrowth, and is equally 
common in the parks and gardens of Sydney. This sombre little 
bird with its conspicuous white lateral tail feathers, which show 
to advantage when flying, is an indefatigable destroyer of insects, 
and being of a fearless and sociable disposition, is a general 
favourite with orchardists and agriculturalists.’’ Jacky Winter, 
as they call him, is indeed seldom molested by even the thought- 
less schoolboys. It is endowed with a most cheerful and 
pleasing song, the notes of which resemble, according to Gould, 
the spring notes of the English Chaffinch, but are more clear 
and powerful. They are rendered in trochaic measure—v—v—v 
—something like Peter, Peter, Peter, Peter. It will come 
around as you work in your garden, and perch on a 
gate or fence or a fruit tree stake. though it never 
remains long in the same place, but flits across with a 
peculiar turn of its tail from one side to the other, showing the 
white feathers. . It nests in the latter part of the year. The nest 
is a very small, slight, nearly flat structure, some 214 inches 
across, formed of fibres or grasses, with bits of bark and lichen 
outside, and most artfully placed flush in the fork of a horizontal 
branch at a good height from the ground, so that it is most 
difficult to see from below. The eggs two or three, are of a bluish- 
green ground colour, spotted and blotched with purplish-brown 
and underlying blotches of grey, and measure .72 x .55 inch. 

In the West and the Northern Territory, this bird is repre- 
sented by the Lesser Brown Fly-catcher M. assimilis, which is 
rather smaller. Total length 4.5, wing 3.35 inches, and has the 
outermost tail feathers blackish-brown with a white margin. 

In North Queensland and the Northern Territory the variety 
M. pallida, is found. It is lighter in colour and smaller in size 
than A. fascinans, and has more white on the tail feathers. 
Total length 4.3 inches, wing 3, tail 2, bill 0.3. The two eggs 
measure .68 x .53 inch. 


ROBINS 273 


The Lemon-breasted Fly-catcher. 
Micreca flaviventris. 
North Australia and New Guinea. 
Olive-brown above, more or less tinged with yellow; below pale- 
yellow, the sides scarcely darker; throat white or paler. Length 4.6, 
wing 2.75 inches. 


According to Gilbert, a very familiar species, inhabiting the 
trees and bushes around the houses, and little alarmed or dis- 
turbed at the approach of man. Gilbert describes the song as 
varying with Robin-like notes in the early morning, and notes 
like those of the Gerygone (known about Sydney as the Bush 
Canary) in the evening. ‘‘In the middle of the day, when the 
sun is nearly vertical, it leaves the trees and soars upwards in 
circles, like the Skylark, until it arrives at so great a height as 
to be scarcely perceptible; it then descends perpendicularly 
until it nearly reaches the trees, when it closes its wings and 
apparently falls upon the branch on which it alights. During 
the whole of this movement, it pours forth a song some parts of 
which are very soft and melodious, but quite different from that 
of the morning or evening.’’ He adds that the bird is ‘‘at times 
extremely pugnacious. I have seen a pair attack a Crow and 
beat it until it was obliged to seek safety in flight, all the while 
calling out most lustily.”’? The nest is composed of fibrous 
material, covered externally with cobweb, to which are attached 
flakes of bark. It is situated in the fork of a tree, about 20 feet 
from the ground and is almost invisible from below. As the nest 
measures only 11%4 inches x 114 in depth, it is one of the smallest 
of Australian birds’ nests. The single ege is greyish in colour, 
blotched with chestnut and purple, and measures .76 x .53 inch. 


Genus Petreca. Robins. 


Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, and with species in the 
New Hebrides, Fiji and Samoa. These sprightly little birds are 
met with all over Australia, different species occupying different 
stations, so that everyone has the opportunity of now and again 
seeing one or other of the Redbreasts. The sexes are very dis- 
similar, the males marked in black, white, and most of them with 


iS) 


274 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


some shade of red, while the females are of a sombre brown. The 
brightly coloured birds seem to delight to show off their brilliant 
breasts, raising them as they perch. The song is pleasing and 
melodious; Tee-tiree-tiree-tiree it has been rendered; but it is 
not so full and free as that of the English Robin. They build 
round, cup-shaped nests, constructed of strips of soft bark, grass 
and fibres, with a thick rim trimmed with lichens, and lined with 
hair, and placed on the ground against a rock or trunk, or in 
erevices of rocks, or in spouts or hollows of trees at no great 
height. The eggs are three in number, greenish-white in colour, 
speckled and freckled with purplish and brown, and are about 
three-fourths of an inch long by about half an inch wide. For 
the diagrams of the various species we are indebted, as in general, 
to the admirably worked out keys of the British Museum 
Catalogues. The male plumage alone is indicated. 


A With red on the under surface of the body. Red-breasts. 


a. Forehead red. . 
Throat black, South Australia, Centre and West. 
The Red-capped Robin, P. goodenovii. 
Throat red in the centre. North and North-west. 
: The Red-throated Robin, P. ramsayi. 
b. With a white mark on the forehead. 
x. Wing coverts with « white patch. Broad white bar 
along the wing. 
Upper surface black, frontal white mark large, 
throat black; breast scarlet. East and South 
Australia and Tasmania. 
The Scarlet-breasted Robin, P. leggei. 
Similar, but with smaller white markings. 
The Western Scarlet-breasted Robin, P. campbelli. 
Upper surface slaty-grey, frontal mark small, chin 
black, throat and breast orange-scarlet. East 
and South Australia and Tasmania. 
7 The Flame-breasted Robin, P. phoenicea. 
y. Wing-coverts without any white; frontal mark very 
small; breast pink. 
With no white on the tail. South-east Australia 
and Tasmania. 
The Pink-breasted Robin, P. rhodinogastra. 
Outer tail feathers mostly white. Eastern Australia. ~ 
The Rose-breasted Robin, P. rosea. 
B. With no red on the under surface of the body. 
1. Glossy black above; throat black, breast white. 
Tail with broad sub-terminal black band; length 
4 5.2 inches. Southern Australia. The Hooded Robin, P. bicolor. 
® Similar, but with less black on tail; length 5.8 
inches. North, Central and West Australia. 
The Pied Robin, P. picata. 
2. Dusky brown above; throat and breast brown. 
Southern Australia and Tasmania. The Dusky Robin, P. vittata. 


TREE-TITS 275 


Genus Smicoruis, Tree-tits. 

The smallest of the Australian birds, the length under 314 
inches, the wing 2 inches or under. The habits are those of the 
European Titmice, though their leafy world is loftier. They 
twine about the finest twigs of the outermost branches, and pry 
into the leafy recesses in their busy search for insects, uttering 


Flame-breasted Robin: Petrocea phoenieca. Australian Museum. 


the while their pretty little notes. The nest is built aloft 
among the highest twigs of the tree; it is dome-shaped in form. 
with a side entrance, and is composed of green moss and grass 
all matted together very closely with spiders’ webs, and lined 
with a few feathers. The eggs are two or three in number, dull 
buff marked with fine freckles at the larger end. They measure 
.62 x .43 inch. 


276 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


There are two species of the Tree-tits. 


The Short-billed Tree-tit, S. brevivostris—New South Wales, South 
Australia, and the Centre. Dull olive-yellow above, pale yellowish- 
buff below; the eyebrow reddish-brown. It is more of an inland than 
a coast bird. 


The Yellow-tinted Tree-tit, S. florescens——North and West Australia. Is 
pale olive-yellow above, and sulphur-yellow below; the eyebrow is 
whitish. Its habits are those of its congener. 


From life. A. H. E. Mattingley. 
Hooded Robin: Petroeca bicolor. 


Genus Gerygone. Fly-eaters. 


Small woodland birds, the Australian species with white 
throats and yellow breasts, which busy themselves in hunting for 
tiny insects which they discover amid the denser foliage of the 
upper boughs. At the pairing and breeding time the song is 
liquid and varied. The more widely distributed species, living 
in New South Wales during the summer months, is often, and 
not undeservedly, called the ‘‘Native Canary.’’ The nest is 
a beautiful structure. It is suspended from the leafy twigs of 
a bushy tree; is oblong-oval in shape, with a narrow entrance in 
the side, which is almost concealed by a small protecting hood, 
and the bottom of the nest terminates in a small beard or tail 


FLY-EATERS 277 


several inches in length. It is outwardly constructed of strips 
of bark, grasses and cobwebs matted up and interwoven 
together; the inside being warmly lined with hair, opossum fur, 
or the silky-white down of the Cotton Plant. The eggs are three 
in number for a sitting, elongate in form, and a pure white. 
thickly freckled, and spotted with dull red markings; .75 x .5 
inch. The White-throated Gerygone is frequently the foster- 
parent of the Narrow-billed Bronze Cuckoo and the Barred- 
breasted Bronze Cuckoo. 
There are two Australian species. 
The White-throated Fly-eater, G. albigularis—Eastern Australia from 
Cape York to New South Wales, migrating southward for the summer. 


Nest described above. The upper surface is olive-brown. Length 
4 inches. 


The Grey Fly-eater, G. cinerascens.—North-west Australia and South-east 
New Guinea. Ashy-brown above, and the length is but 3.4 inches. 


Other species are found in Timor, Borneo, Celebes, and the 
Philippines. 


Genus Pseudogerygone. Fly-eaters. 


This genus includes a large number of birds, closely allied to 
the preceding, and of similar habits, and ranges over the whole 
of Australia, New Caledonia, New Guinea and adjacent islands. 
There are six Australian species. They are all small birds, 
approaching four inches in length, the bill, except in 
P. magnirostris, being under half an inch. The song is inferior 
to that of the Gerygones. 

Like the Gerygone, they build suspended dome-shaped nests. 
That of the P. magmrostris is a long ragged structure about 
18 inches long built on a hanging creeper usually over water and 
exactly resembles some flood debris, hence its local name, the 
Flood Bird. The nest proper is at the bottom, and is com- 
paratively small. Three eggs are laid, colour warm-white, 
marked with reddish-brown blotches, especially on the larger 
end. They measure about .67 x .47 inch. 

Back brown, abdomen white in the first four species. 


The Western Fly-eater, P. culicivora—Western Australia. Ashy-brown 
above, throat and chest ashy-whitish. Culmen .4 inches. 


278 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Large-billed Fly-eater, P. magnirostris—North and North-east Aus- 
tralia. All the under surface tinged with brown. Bill over half an 
inch. 


The Brown Fly-eater, P. fusca—East and South Australia. Rufescent 
brown above; throat ashy-grey; breast greyish-white. Culmen .4 
inches. 


The Buff-breasted Fly-eater, P. levigastra—North Australia. Throat and 
breast pure white; sides of breast and flanks ashy-brown. Culmen 
.£ inches. 


The Green-backed Fly-eater, P. chloronota.—North Australia. Head and 
nape brownish grey; rest of upper surface bright olive-green; under 
surface white; sides of the body yellow. 


The Black-throated Fly-eater, P. personata.—North-east Australia and 
Southern New Guinea. Forehead brown; general colour above olive- 
greenish; throat dark; rest of under surface sulphur-yellow. The 
female has a white chin. Builds its pendent nest by the nest of a 
species of hornet. 


The Brown-breasted Fly-eater, P. brunneipectus—Has reddish-brown 
breast, flanks, and ear-coverts. 


The Dusky Fly-eater, P. tenebrosa.—Tail uniform ashy-brown; lores and 
eyebrows creamy-white; throat whitish, like rest of under surface, 
and all lightly washed with pale yellowish-brown; flanks a shade 
darker; bill black. 


The Singing Fly-eater, P. cantator—South-east Queensland. Differs from 
P. fusea in having its flanks ashy-grey; under tail-coverts white; 
feet and legs strong and size large; length 1l4mm., wing 56, and 
tail 45. 


The Ashy-fronted Robin. 
Heteromyias cinereifrons. 

Cape York district. Rusty-brown above, head and nape 
dark with ashy shade; throat and abdomen white, chest lhght- 
erey. Total length 6.3 inches, culmen .7 inch. Builds open nest 
of tendrils and moss; one or two eggs, dull greenish-white 
colour, with brownish markings, especially on larger end. They 
measure about 1.05 x .72 inch. 


Genus Pecilodryas. 


Larger Robins, five to six inches in length, occurring in New 
Guinea and adjacent islands and, except P. capito, Australia 
only in the Northern regions. There are five Australian species.. 

Abdomen greyish-white; throat white. 


FANTAILS 279 


The Buffi-sided Robin, P. cerviniventris—North-west Australia. Brown 
above, darker on the head; neck and breast grey; flanks and under 
tail-coverts tawny buff. 


The White-browed Robin, P, superciliosa.—North and North-east Australia. 
Brown above; chest and breast ashy white; flanks and under tail- 
coverts white, or flanks brownish-white. 


The Ashy Robin, P. pulverulenta (cinerea).—North-east Australia, New 
Guinea, Aru.—Bluish-grey above; under surfaces white; sides of 
breast and flanks washed with grey. 


The Grey-headed Robin, P. cinerciceps.—North-west Australia. Crown of 
head and upper surface pale ashy-grey, underside as in P. pulverulenta; 
tail black, with a white band on the basal half (except the two central 
rectrices) ; upper tail-coverts black; under tail-coverts white. 


A form from Cape York has been named P. albigularis. It has not only 
the chin, but nearly the whole throat for about 1 em. white, and the 
pileum is slightly more blackish. 


Abdomen yellow; above yellowish or olive-green; region of 
eye and lores white. 
The White-faced Robin, P albifacies——North-east Australia. Forehead 
blackish; throat bright yellow. 


The Large-headed Robin, P. capito—Richmond and Clarence Rivers, New 
South Wales. No black forehead; chin and upper throat greyish- 
white; rest of under surfaces bright yellow. 


The nest is a deep cup-shaped structure, composed of the dead 
leaves of the lawyer-vine (Calamus australis), held together with 
a few wiry grass stems, the exterior being covered with mosses 
and a few pieces of lichen. Eggs, two in number for a sitting, 
of a dull greenish-white colour, indistinctly marked with 
yellowish and reddish-brown, particularly towards the larger 
end; .8 x .6 inch. It is interesting to find this member of a 
Northern type established among the palms and other vegetation 
which has migrated from the North. Both ‘‘brushes’’ and bird 
are now isolated from their kin. 


Genus Rhipidura, Fan-tails. 


A well-established genus, comprising some 50 species, and 
extending from India and Ceylon through Malaysia and 
Australia to New Zealand and Oceania. Owing to its long 


280 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


dominance there has been considerable differentiation into sub- 
species and varieties. The Australian forms naturally group 
themselves about four types. 


A. The White-shafted Fantails—Ashy-brown above; wings 
brown, the inner secondaries edged with white; most of the 
tail feathers with conspicuous white shafts, the ends of the 
feathers white; cheeks and throat white; lower throat 
black; rest of under surface buff. Total length 6 inches, 
tail about 3.5 inch. 


The White-shafted Fantail, R. albiscapa.—Australia except North and 
West. 


The White-tailed Fantail, &. albicauda—Of the Centre, has a greater 
extension of the white of the tail, one or two of the outermost 
feathers being pure white, and the others, except the two centrals, 
white narrowly edged with brown. 


The Dusky Fantail, R. diemenensis, is the Tasmanian form. It is slightly 
larger and more deeply coloured, the upper surface darker; the throat 
collar deeper black; the tail blackish; and the entire under surface 
richer orange fulvous. 


The Western Fantail, R. preissi, is the West Australian form. Lacks 
the black throat collar, and has the white of the tail more extensive. 


The. White-fronted Fantail, R. phasiana.—Northern Australia. Breast 
white; wings spotted. 


B. The Rufous Fantails—About the size of the Dusky Fantail. 
Head earthy-brown; back and tail bright bay-red, the tail 
tipped with white; wings rufous; cheeks and upper throat 
white, lower part of throat black, forming a large patch; 
fore-neck mottled with black and white; centre of breast 
and abdomen white. 


The Rufous Fantail, R. rujfifrons, is the type—EHastern Australia from 
Victoria to Cape York, Southern New Guinea. R. intermedia.—North- 
east Queensland, is less brightly coloured. - 


The Wood Fantail, R. dryas——North Australia. Is rather smaller, has 
more white in the tips of the tail feathers, and has the white breast 
crossed by a distinct band of black. 


FANTAILS 281 


C. The Grey Fan-tails—Length 7 inches; head blackish; rest 
of upper surfaces and sides ashy-grey; tail blackish with 
broad white tip to the outermost feather; throat white, 
a broad band of ashy-grey across the fore-neck and chest; 
centre of body hght buff; white under the tail. 


The Northern Fantail, R. setosa (isura, gularis).—North Australia, New 
Guinea and Bismarck Archipelago, Waigiou. 


From life. C. P. Kinane. 
White-shafted Fantail feeding young: Rhipidura albiscapa. 


D. The Black and White Fantails—Length nearly 8 inches. 
Above black with brown on the wings; tail black; throat, 
neck, thighs, and sides of face and breast black ; remainder 
of under surface white. 


The Black and White Fantail, R. tricolor—aAl]]l Australia, New Guinea, 
Bismarck Archipelago, Solomons, Moluccas. 


The White-shafted Fantail is one of the small birds most 
frequently noticed when one is travelling in the bush, since from 
its inquisitiveness and social disposition it will come near and 
fly round you in the camp or on the track. ‘‘ While in the air it 


982 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


often assumes a number of lively and beautiful positions, at one 
moment mounting almost perpendicularly, constantly spreading 
out its tail to the full extent, and frequently tumbling completely 
over in the descent.’’ (Gould). It literally hunts high and low 
for the insects, the flies and gnats which form its food, in the 


In situ. , { D. Le Souéf. 
Nest of White-shafted Fantail: Rhipidura albiscapa. 


tops of forest trees, or flitting over your shoulder, or even 
entering the bushman’s hut in the pursuit. The song is a sweet 
twittering. The nest is always a source of admiration; it is 
placed a few feet from the ground, fastened to a usually dead 
branch, and shaped like a wine-glass with the stem broken 
across, and composed of small strips of bark outwardly matted 


FANTAILS 283 


together with spiders’ webs, which are beautifully interwoven 
with the bark and help to attach the nest to the branch. It is 
lined inside with the fibre or grasses which the neighbourhood 
supplies. The eggs, two or three in number, are white, blotched 
with olive-brown, and measure .64 x .5 inch. 

The Rufous Fantail, while it may be seen in open forest 
country in winter, has its home, and brines up its young, in the 


From life. H. Burrell. 
Black and White Fantail: Rhipidura tricolor. 


most secluded gullies and brushes. It is more terrestrial than the 
white-shafted, has longer lees and runs freely over the ground 
and the fallen logs of trees. In the Blue Mountains it seems 
to prefer the crown of a tree-fern as the situation of its nest, 
which is wine-glass shaped. 

The Black and White Fantail, or Willy Wagtail, resembles 
the Pied Wagtail of Europe in its contrasted colouring, and in 
its movements; it runs along the ground, and manipulates its 
long black tail from side to side, not up and down like the 


284 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Wagtail. The notes during the breeding season are strong and 
clear and of much sweetness. Bushmen generally translate the 
call note into ‘‘Sweet Pretty Creature.’’ It is a very tame bird, 
is constantly about the farms, gardens and orchards, sits on the 
gates or palings, and will even run along the backs of the cows 
in its busy search for insects. The nest is deeply cup-shaped, 
resembling in texture that of the other Fantails, and is usually 
placed on the branch of a tree at a good height from the ground. 
The eggs of all the Fantails have a general resemblance. 


Genus Myiagra. Fly-catchers. 


Another genus widely distributed over Australia, Austro- 
Malaysia and the Western Pacific. The sexes differ usually 
considerably in the colouring of the plumage. There are four 
Australian species, two of which are confined to the North. 
while the other two migrate to the southern states and Tasmania, 
arriving in September and remaining until March to nest and 
rear their young. The note is a loud and shrill whistle. 


A.—Head, back and wing-coverts, throat and fore-neck leaden- 
grey; remainder of under surface white; in the females the 
throat and fore-neck light reddish-buff. 


The Leaden Fly-catcher, M. rubecula (plumbea).—Tasmania and Eastern 
Australia to New Guinea. Lores and feathers in front of the, eye 
lead-colour. Length of male 5.7 inches, of female 5.2. 


The nest is composed of small pieces of bark and wiry root- 
lets held together with cobwebs, and ornamented on the outside 
with green lichens; usually it is placed on the top of a horizontal 
bough, and frequently at a considerable height from the ground. 
The eggs are 3 in number, dull bluish-white in ground colour, 
with a zone of dark slaty-blue spots around the centre or towards 
the larger end of the egg. They measure .74 x .55 inch. A most 
active bird, and most useful to man as a destroyer of insect pests. 
It displays a constant tremulous motion of the tail, which often 
betrays it even when resting on a bough. 


THE YELLOW-RREASTED FLY-CATCHER 285 


The Blue Fly-catcher, M. concinna—North and North-west Australia. 
Differs from the preceding in that a narrow frontal line, the lores, 
and the feathers in front of the eye, are black. 

Egg with very rounded apex, of whitish ground colour 
encircled about the centre with a belt of umber and grey spots 
and small blotches, .65 by .5 inch. 


B.—Head, back, wing-coverts, throat and fore-neck greenish- 
black; remainder of under surface white; in the females greyish- 
brown above, throat and fore-neck orange-rufous, abdomen 
buffy-white. 


The Satin Fly-catcher, M. nitida. Tasmania and Eastern Australia. 
Length of male 6.6, of female 6.4 inches. 


Egg somewhat round, greenish white, spotted and blotched 
all over with umber-brown, yellowish brown and obscure 
purplish grey, .75 by .6 inch. 


C.—All upper surfaces leaden grey, darker and more 
greenish and glossy on the head; lores and feathers in front of 
the eyes ashy grey, throat and chest pale rufous, breast and 
abdomen white, tinged with orange on the sides of the breast. 
The female much paler in plumage. The bill is much broader 
than in the other species. 


The Broad-billed Fly-catcher, UM. latirostris. North and West Australia, 
New Guinea, Aru. Length of male 6.5, of female 6.4 inches. 


Genus Macherorhynchus. 


A small highly specialised genus, limited to Northern Aus- 
tralia, New Guinea and the adjacent islands. The beak is 
extremely broad and flattened, ‘‘laterally developed to a greater 
extent than in any other bird of its size.’’ (Gould). The 
culmen of the beak is elevated into a distinct ridge. 


The Yellow-breasted Fly-catcher. 
Macherorhynchus flaviventer. 

North-east Australia. 

Above olive-green, yellow on the rump; upper tail-coverts black, and 
tail and wings black with white tips; forehead and eye-brow bright 
yellow; chin and upper throat white, breast and abdomen bright yellow. 
Length 4.6 inches. Visits the tropical flowers for insects. 


286 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Sisura. 
Confined to Australia. There are two species. 


The Restless Fly-catcher. 
S. inquieta. 
Australia except north. 


A resident bird. Head and upper surface shining bluish-black; wings 
dark brown; under surface silky white. Length 8 inches. 


Thus it closely resembles the Black and White Fantail in 
size and colouring. except that it lacks the black throat. It well 
deserves the common names of Restless Fly-catcher and Razor- 
erinder. It is never still, not only displays the graceful move- 
ments of the other Fly-catchers, but has a habit of hovering like a 
small Hawk and then darting straight down to seize the insect 
which its keen eves have detected. While hovering it makes a 
loud noise exactly resembling a razor-grinder at work. When 
perched on a bow it utters a shrill whistle. The nest is placed 
as much out of reach as possible at the end of a dead horizontal 
branch, with bark, grasses and cobwebs outside and lined with 
feathers, fine grasses or hair. The eggs of the usual type, three 
in number, white, blotched and spotted with brown, and measure 
.75 x .6 inch. : 


The Little Fly-catcher. 


S. nana. 


North, Central, and North-west Australia. 
Head, back, and tail glossy greenish-black; wings brownish-black; 
under surface white, tinged with buff on the chest. Length 6 inches. 


Genus Arses. 


A small genus occurring in New Guinea, the Papuan 
islands and North-east Australia. 


The Pied Fly-catcher. 
Arses kaupi. 
North-east Australia. 
Head, back, wings and tail glossy blue-black; a broad collar round 
the neck; scapulars and rump white; under-surface white with a broad 
band of glossy black across the breast. Length 6 inches. 


THE FRILL-NECKED FLY-CATCHER 287 


The Frill-necked Fly-catcher. 
A. lorealis. 


North Queensland. 
Has white lores and the whole of the under surface white. 


D. Le Souéf. 


Nest of Kaup’s Frilled Fly-catcher: Arses Kaupi. 


Nest usually suspended from two parts of a creeper and 
composed of dark coloured tendrils with pieces of lichen fastened 
on the exterior with cobweb. The eggs are two in number, and 
are pinkish-white, spotted with reddish and purple markings. 
mostly on the upper end. They measure .75 x .54 inch. 


288 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Piezorhynchus. Fly-catchers. 


A large genus extending from Australia through the Papuan 
island to Timor and Moluccas. 


The Shining Fly-catcher. 
P. nitidus. 


North and North-east Australia, Aru Islands. 

Length of male 7.3, of female 6.8 inches. Male: Whole of plumage 
rich, deep, glossy greenish-black; ‘iris red. Female: Top and sides of 
head and nape of the colour of the male plumage, back, wings and tail 
rusty-brown; under-surface white. 


‘‘Inhabits the densest mangroves and thickets, and is 
usually seen creeping about close to the ground among the 
fallen trees in the swamps, at which time it utters a note so 
closely resembling the croak of a frog, that it might easily be 
mistaken for the voice of that animal; this peculiar note would 
seem to be only emitted while the bird is feeding on the ground; 
for when it occasionally mounts to the higher branches of the 
trees it utters rather a pleasing succession of sounds resembling 
tuit-te-twite. The nest is built among the mangroves, or on the 
verge of a thicket near an open spot.’’ (Gilbert). It is cup- 
shaped, made of bark, bound with fibres and cobwebs, and all 
over the outside small pieces of bark like bits of lichen are 
attached, some hanging by a single thread -and moving about 
with every breath of air. ‘The eggs two, bluish-white, spotted 
and blotched with olive aad greyish- brown, .8 x .6 inch. 

: ‘The Spectacled Fly- eee 


2 OP. gouldi. 
East Australias ~~ ~~~ 

Length of male 5.8, of female 6 inches. The male and female coloured 
alike, ‘ashy-grey- above; wings-brown, tail ‘black; sides of throat, neck 
and “chest bright. ‘orange rufous, centre of breast, abdomen and under 
tail-coverts white; forehead and a ring of feathers round each eye black. 


The nest is usually built between the stems of the lawyer 
palm, Calamus australis, and is outwardly composed of shreds 
of bark fibre, grasses and dried skeletons of leaves, ornamented 
and held together with spiders’ webs and egg bags, the inside 
being neatly lined with fine black hair-like roots. (North). Eggs 


THE PEARLY FLY-CATCHER 289 


of the usual type. It is interesting to note the constant use 
which the Fly-catchers and Fantails make of the webs of their 
allies or rivals, the spiders. 


The White-eared Fly-catcher. 
P. leucotis. 


North-east Australia, Louisiade Archipelago. 

Glossy black above, the scapulars and upper tail-coverts white; tail 
black, most of the feathers with white tips; lores, spot in front of the eye, 
and a large one above the ear-coverts white; throat and abdomen white, 
breast ashy. Length 5.7 inches. 


The White-bellied Fly-catcher. 
P. albiventer. 


Similar to P. gouldi, but having the lower part of the breast and 
sides of the body pure white and the upper tail-coverts blackish. Total 
length 5.49 inches, wing 2.9, tail 2.7. Nest and eggs very similar to those 
of P. gouldi, the latter measure about .79 x .57 inch, and are dull white in 
colour and well marked all over with small reddish dots. Two eggs are 
laid. 


Genus Monarcha. Fly-catchers. 
Australia to Timor and the Moluccas, a small genus. 


The Black-faced Fly-catcher. 
M. melanopsis. 


North-east Australia and New Guinea. 

Migrates south to the coastal brushes and mountain gullies of New 
South Wales in the spring, and leaves in the autumn. Length 6.8 inches. 
Above uniform ashy-grey; a ring of black feathers round the eye, forehead, 
lores and throat black; breast and abdomen light orange-buff; female 
without the black forehead and throat, these parts grey. 


Nest in a low tree in thick scrub, built of green mosses lined 
with black rootlets. Eggs two, white with dots and spots of red. 
.93 x .64 inch. 


The Pearly Fly-catcher. 
M. canescens. 


Cape York Peninsula. 

Pearly-grey above, the wings and tail black in marked contrast to 
the pearly back; a ring of black feathers around the eye, forehead and 
throat black; breast and abdomen orange-chestnut. Length 6.4 inches. 


AC 


290 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Group Cichlomorphe. 


Wing with ten primaries, the first more or less markedly 
reduced in size; claw of middle toe oblique; bill notched, the 
culmen nearly straight, bent at the end in an arch, generally 
incised at the sides, rictal bristles generally present round the 
base; nostrils placed low nearer to the cutting edge of the 
mandible than to the culmen. Thrush-like Passeres. 


Family Campophagide. Cuckoo-Shrikes. 


Shrike-like birds of soft plumage; the shafts of the feathers 
of the lower back and rump stiffened. Bill short, moderately 
hooked and notched, thick at the base, rather widened, the 
nostrils hidden by nasal plumes. Wings in most species 
lengthened. 

Key to the Genera. 


Tail forked. Pteropodocys. 
Tail rounded. 
Bill broad. Coracina (Graucalus). 
Bill long and thin, the culmen equal to the tarsus. Edoliisoma. 
Bill moderate, the culmen shorter than the 
tarsus. Wing much longer than tail. Lalage. 


The Ground Cuckoo-Shrike. 


Pteropodocys phastanella. 

Australia in the interior of the States. 

Above French-grey; abdomen, back, rump, and upper tail-coverts 
pure white, with narrow bars of black; wings and tail black; bill and 
feet black, tinged with olive; iris buffy-white. Length 13 inches, culmen 
.85, wing 7.65, tail 7, tarsus 1.45. 


A rare bird which, unlike the rest of the family, hunts for 
insects along the ground, over which it travels rapidly. When 
disturbed it will fly across the plain to the timber. Egg long and 
tapering, of a polished dark-green or olive, without blotches, but 
with the slightest washings of a darker shade, especially on the 
top of the egg, and measures 1.25 x .9 inch. 


Genus Coracina (Graucalus). 
Large arboreal Cuckoo-Shrikes, 9.5 to 12.5 inches in total 
length with broad bills, which measured at the gape equal the 
outer toe without its claw, of a general French-grey colour, 


THE CATERPILLAR-EATER 291 


marked with black and white in various ways. They all form 
shallow nests of fine short dead twigs curiously joined together 
with cobwebs and lichen, and place them in forks of horizontal 
branches. The clutch of two or three eggs of a green ground 
colour with spots of umber, about 1.2 x .9 inches. They feed 
mainly on insects. Five species are known from Australia. 


The Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike, G. robusta (melanops).—Australia, New 
Guinea, through the Moluccas to Celebes. Has the forehead, ear- 
coverts, sides of face and neck, and throat black; and the tip of the 
tail, the lower abdomen, and under tail and wing-coverts white. 
Length 12.5 inches. Culmen 1.05. 


The Small-billed Cuckoo-Shrike, G. parvirostris, resembles the preceding 
and is probably a sub-species. The bill is shorter, culmen .85 inch. 
It represents G. robusta in Tasmania. 


The White-bellied Cuckoo-Shrike, G. hypoleuca—North Australia and 
Queensland, New Guinea, Aru, Solomons. Has a narrow black band 
from the gape to the eye, and the cheeks, throat, lower breast, 
abdomen, flanks, under tail and wing-coverts white. Length 9.5 
inches, culmen .95. 


The Little Cuckoo-Shrike, G. mentalis——Australia, except West and Centre. 
Has a broader black band from the gape reaching to beyond the eye; 
and the lower abdomen, and under tail and wing-coverts white. 
Length 10.2 inches, culmen .85. 


The Barred Cuckoo-Shrike, G. lineata.—Eastern Australia. Has a narrow 
black line in front of the eye, and the lower breast and abdomen, and 
the under wing-coverts barred with black and white. Length 9.5 
inches, culmen .75. 


The Caterpillar-eater. 
Edoluisoma tenuirostre. 


Eastern Australia, New Guinea, Aru. 

The sexes are distinct in colouring, and the male is rather the larger. 
Male: Sides of face black; general colour of upper and lower surface 
dark slaty-grey. Female: Sides of face grey; general colour of upper 
surface ashy-brown; of the under-surface creamy-buff, with narrow 
waved arrow heads of blackish. Length of male 10 inches, culmen .95; 
of female 9.5 inches, culmen .9. 


A shy and retiring bird, dwelling among the tree-tops near 
swamps. Has a harsh grating note. Feeds on insects, especially 
coleoptera. The nest is a small and shallow structure composed 


of wiry grasses securely fastened together with cobwebs. The 
egg (only one has so far been found in a nest) pale bluish-grey, 


292 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


uniformly spotted and dotted with markings of umber and 
slaty-brown. It measures 1.2 x .82 inches. (North). Eggs have 
been taken in Victoria. (Shepherd). 


The White-shouldered Caterpillar-eater. 
Lalage tricolor. 


Australia and South-east New Guinea. 

The sexes differ in colour. The male is of a glossy greenish-black 
above, the shoulders and upper wing-coverts pure white; throat, chest 
and all the under surface white; no white eyebrow; the lower back grey. 
The female is brown above, buffy-white below, the sides and upper breast 
speckled with brown. Length 6.7 inches, culmen .6. 


This bird migrates to the South in September, and, after 
breeding, departs to the North again in January or February. 
Gilbert says of it, ‘‘Its powers of flight are considerable, and, 
when excited during the breeding season, the males become very 
pugnacious, and not only attack each other in the most desperate 
manner, but also assault much larger birds that may approach 
the nest. The usual flight is even, steady and graceful, and while 
flying from tree to tree it gives utterance to its sweet and agree- 
able song, which at times is so like the full, swelling, shaking 
note of the Canary, that it might easily be mistaken for the 
song of that bird. Their favourite haunts are thickly-wooded 
places and the most secluded spots. The nest is so diminutive 
that it is very difficult to detect it.’’ The nest is round and 
shallow, built of small pieces of bark, twigs and grasses, woven 
with fibres, cobwebs and moss, and placed in the fork of a tree. 
The eggs, two or three in the clutch, are variable in colouring, 
usually light-green with brown blotches, .8 x .6 inch. 


The Pied Caterpillar-eater. 
Lalage leucomelena. 

Hastern Australia, New Guinea, New Ireland, Aru. 

Somewhat like the preceding, but a rather larger bird. Male: Above 
glossy greenish-black, with a white eyebrow; under-surfaces in general 
white. Female: Above ashy-brown; under-surface fawn-buff deepening 
into orange-buff on the vent and under tail-coverts, and crossed on the 
breast with wavy blackish lines. Length of male 7.8 inches, culmen .6;, 
of female 7.5 inches. 


Eggs greyish-green, mottled all over with chestnut or umber, 
.8x .6 inch. In flying from tree to tree it utters a delightfully 
liquid note. 


LOG-RUNNERS 293 


Famly Timelude. 


Group Crateropodes. Babbling Thrushes. 


True Babbling Thrushes, remarkable for their strong clumsy 
feet and powerful rounded wings. As a rule they are gregarious 
in their habits, and are poor songsters, but there is much in their 
form which is suggestive of the true Thrushes. (Sharpe). 


Key to the Genera. 


A. Shafts of tail feathers produced and stiffened. Orthonyx. 
B. Shafts of tail feathers ordinary. 
1. Tail longer than wing. 
Tail less graduated, the distance between 
the outer and the middle tail quills less 
than the tarsus. No crest. 
Tarsus short, one-fourth of length of tail. Cinclosoma. 
Tarsus very long, one-third of length of tail. 
Legs less stout, hind toe and claw less 
than half length of tarsus. 
Quills of tail much graduated, third 


much shorter than fourth. Pyenoptilus. 
Quills of tail less graduated, third 
nearly equal to fourth. Drymacedus. 
Legs stouter, hind toe and claw more 
than half tarsus. Hylacola. 


Tail strongly graduated, the distance between 
the outer and the middle tail quills longer 


than the tarsus. A large crest. Psophodes. 
2. Tail not longer than wing. 
Bill long, culmen longer than tarsus. Pomatorhinus. 


Culmen much shorter than tarsus. 
Wing Pipit-like, pointed, the inner secondaries 


nearly equal to the primaries. Cinclorhamphus. 
Wing not so pointed, the inner secondaries not 
much longer than the rest. Calamanthus. 


Genus Orthonyx. Log-runners. 


The genus comprises two species, limited to the Hastern 
coastal brushes of Australia. 


The Spine-tailed Log-runner, O. temmincki (spinicauda).—Brushes of New 
South Wales and South Queensland. Head and back reddish-brown; 
wings black; tail dark brown; wing-coverts tipped with grey; 
eyebrow and ear-coverts grey; throat, breast and abdomen white. 
In the female the throat is orange-rufous. Length 7.3 inches. Lays 
two eggs, size 1.14 x .85 inch. 


The Black-headed Log-runner, O. spaldingt.—North-east Australia. Head, 
face and nape black; back dark chocolate-brown; wings and tail dark 
brown; wing-coverts, blackish-brown not tipped with grey; ear- 
coverts black; throat and breast white; abdomen brown. In the 
female the throat is orange-rufous. Length 9.5 inches. Lays one 
egg, which measures 1.39 x .94 inch. 


294 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


These birds are only to be seen in the most retired situations, 
running over the prostrate logs and trees and the stones covered 
with moss and film ferns. They scratch amongst the detritus 
and fallen leaves, throwing back the earth like the common fowl, 
hunting for beetles and other cryptozoa. They utter an often- 
repeated ery of cree-cree-cree-creet. The nest is large and dome- 
shaped, constructed of mosses, the entrance being lateral near the 
bottom, and is usually placed on the ground, but occasionally 
on the top of a broken stump or similar site a few feet above the 
ground in the scrub. The eggs are white and disproportionately 
large. 


Genus Cinclosoma. Ground Thrushes. 


Australian with one species in New Guinea. Mostly inland 
ground birds, found among rocks and underwood, of medium 
size, mostly 9 or 10 inches in length; of a general brown or 
cinnamon colour above and lighter below. They feed on insects 
and seeds. When flushed they rise with the whirr of the Part- 
ridge or Quail, and fly heavily in a succession of undulations. 
The note is a low piping whistle. The nest is placed on the 
ground under lee of a stone, stump or tussock, open and made 
of leaves and bark. The eggs, two or three, are white blotched 
with olive brown, and measure in C. punctatum 1.35 x .93 inch. 


1. Back brown spotted with black. 


The Spotted Ground-Thrush, C. punctatum—South and South-east 
Australia, Tasmania. Head uniform brown; a broad grey band across 
the chest. In the male the throat is black, and there is a black patch 
on the cheek. In the female the throat is ashy-whitish, and the cheek 
patch is orange-buff. Length 10 inches. . 


2. Back uniform, without black streaks. Wing-coverts black 
spotted with white. 


The Chestnut-backed Ground Thrush, C. castanonotum—South and West 
Australia. Head and upper back brown; scapulars and lower back 
maroon; throat black. Length 9.75 inches. 


The Cinnamon Ground Thrush, C. cinnamomewm.—Interior of South 
Australia. Above cinnamon-rufous uniform, except head duller; 
throat and chest black; separated by white fore neck. Length 7.75 
inches. 


THE PILOT-BIRD 295 


A. H. E. Mattingley. 
Pilot-bird: Pycnoptilus floccosus. 


296 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Chestnut-breasted Ground Thrush, C. castanothorax.—Hastern 
Australia. Head and neck umber; back uniform chestnut-brown; 
throat glossy blue-black; fore neck and chest chestnut-red, a black 
band across the lower chest; breast and abdomen white. Length 8.5 
inches. 


The Black-vented Ground Thrush, C. murginatum.—North-west Australia. 
Like the preceding, but the fore neck and chest cinnamon. Length 
9.5 inches. 


The Pilot Bird. 


Pycnoptilus floccosus. 


South-east Australia. 

The only representative of the genus. Above dark chocolate-brown, 
more sooty-brown on the head, neck and mantle; throat and breast 
rufescent-ochre, mottled with dusky margins to the feathers; breast more 
ashy, abdomen white, under tail-coverts bright,chestnut. Length 6 inches. 


Lives in secluded gullies, where it passes most of its time upon 
the ground hopping about the tangled masses of luxuriant 
vegetation or among the fallen and decaying timber and ferns, 
in search of insects and seeds of various kinds, which constitute 
its food, stopping now and again to utter its clear, distinct note 
which can be heard for a considerable distance. The note 
strongly resembles the words Guinea-a-week, and the bird is 
often called by this name locally. Nest dome-shaped with side 
entrance, built in the thick undergrowth near the ground. Eggs 
two, slaty or purplish-brown ground colour with a zone of 
indistinct blackish markings on the thicker end; 1 x .75 inch. 


Genus Drymaewdus. Scrub-Robins. 


There are three Australian species, and a fourth in New 
Guinea and the Aru Islands. Birds of recluse habits, seven or 
eight inches in length, found among open scrub country in stony 
ground, resorting much to the ground, moving by fits and starts 
like the European Robin, and with a sharp whistling note. The 
females are smaller than the males. 


The Scrub-Robin, D. brunneopygius—S. Australia and Victoria. Brown 
above, the wings darker, and the tail more rufous; a white bar on 
the wing; all the tail feathers, except the two central, tipped with 
white; a small black spot above and below the eye; below ashy- 
brown. Length 8 inches. 


vo7 


THE PILOT-BIRD 


“RaGUNID]T 


“a 


‘AO 


‘SIN pus (snsov00zyf snypydoushg) palq-i0[!g 


«MU OUD, 


298 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Pale Scrub-Robin, D. pallidus—Western Australia. Like the pre- 
ceding, but lighter brown above and creamy white below. 


The Eastern Scrub-Robin, D. superciliaris—North and Hast Australia. 
Chestnut brown above, brightest on the tail; two white bars across 
the black wing; half the tail feathers tipped with white; a white 
eyebrow, and a black spot above the eye, and a vertical black streak 
below; below fawn-white. Length 7 inches. Forms an open nest of 
small sticks among the dead leaves at the foot of a tree. Eggs 2, 
stone-grey, thickly covered with umber blotches, 1 by .7 inch. 


“The Emu.” : A. H. E. Mattingley. 
Scrub-Robin (Drymaoedus brunneopygius) Nest and Young. 


Genus Hylacola. Ground-Wrens. 

Strictly Australian. The two species are small birds, found 
in open scrub country, creeping among the thickets or perched 
on a bush. Generally in small companies, like the Blue Wrens, 
and like them carrying the tail erect. Birds of agreeable song. 
The nest is dome-shaped with a narrow protruding entrance; 


THE COACH-WHIP BIRD 299 


usually built in a thick bush near the ground. Eggs two or three, 
pinky-white to clove-brown, with browner markings especially 
near the thicker end, .77 x .58 inch. 


The Chestnut-rumped Ground Wren, H. pyrrhopygia.—Australia, except 
North and West. Russet-brown above; upper tail-coverts chestnut; 
a sub-terminal bar of black across all but the two centre tail 
feathers; below dull white, the throat and breast thickly spotted 
with brown. Length under 6 inches. 


The Red-rumped Ground Wren, H. cauta—South Australia. In size 
rather less than the preceding, the markings on the under surface 
much bolder, and the chestnut-coloured mark on the rump much 
deeper. 


Genus Psophodes. Coach-whip Birds. 


The Coach-whip Bird. 


P. crepitans. 

South-east Australia. 

The male bird has the head and erest, ear-coverts, chin and breast, 
and the hinder portion of the tail black; a large patch on the sides of 
the neck, the tips of the outer tail feathers, and a patch on the centre 
of the breast and abdomen white; the rest of the upper surface of that 
dark olive-green, so frequently found in the birds living in the deep 
shade of the brushes, and the rest of the under-surface olive-brown. 
Length 10.75 inches. The female is more sombre and smaller. 


A very shy bird found in the bush forests and deeply shaded 
gullies, where it keeps itself concealed amongst the dense vegeta- 
tion, occasionally only to be seen, as it runs along a fallen log 
about which the ferns and bushes have not yet grown. Its 
actions are full of vigour, as it raises its crest and spreads its 
tail, and turns with elegance on the rounded surface. In the 
spring the males chase one another, and then pour forth their 
full vigorous and beautiful notes, the last loud and clear as the 
erack of a coachman’s whip. The female answers with a twite- 
twite immediately after the male. The bird feeds on the ground, 
scratching up the leaves and turning over the small stones like 
its frequent companion, the Lyre-bird. The nest is open and 


300 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


cup-shaped, of fine twigs and fibres and lined with finer rootlets, 
and is usually placed in a low bush in the thick undergrowth. 


A. J. North. 


Ooach-whip: Psophodes crepitans. 


Bristle Bird: Sphenura brachyptera. 


“N.S.W. Agricultural Gazette.” 


Wee 


The eges two, rarely three, of a beautiful bluish or greenish- 
white ground colour, sparingly spotted with black, and sub- 
surface lighter markings, very irregular in shape, sometimes like 
commas and crooked Hebrew-like characters, 1.07 x .82 inch. 


THE BLACK-THROATED COACH-WHIP BIRD 301 


“The Emu.” A. H. H. Mattingley. 
Coachwhip-Bird (Psophodes crepitans) and Nest. 


The Black-throated Coach-whip Bird. 
P. nigrogularis. 
West Australia. 
Olive above, below ashy; throat deep blaek, with a white stripe on 
éach side.- Length 6.5 inches. 


302 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Inhabits the thickets of a tea-tree growing among the sand- 
hills. Utters a peculiar harsh and grating song. (Gilbert). 
Presents a marked contrast to its congener in habits and in song. 
The genus is strictly Australian. 


Genus Pomatorhinus. Babblers. 


A large genus, extending from the Himalayas to China. 
Burmah, Malay Peninsula, Java, Sumatra and Borneo, with 
outliers in New Guinea and Australia. There are four Aus-: 
tralian species. Our birds are eight to ten inches long, brown 
above, of medium size, and mostly white below. Gould’s vivid 
description of the ways of P. temporalis applies in general to - 
the Babblers. It inhabits forest country, mostly inland, is 
gregarious in its habits, and is exceedingly noisy and garrulous. 
It is frequently to be seen on the ground, but on the slightest 
alarm it resorts to the trees. Commencing with the branches 
nearest the ground, it gradually ascends, in a succession of leaps, 
to the very top of the trees, whence, with its tail elevated, it 
peers down, and continually utters its peculiar chattering cry. 
The troop often ascend the same tree in line, and, if still unsatis- 
fied with the security, will fly off one after another from tree 
to tree. The nest is a large structure of twigs, covered in at the 
top, and the entrance is at the side in the form of a long spout. 
The nest is lined with fine grasses, and several are often built 
on one tree. The eggs, four, are very characteristic, buffy-brown 
or olive-grey, clouded with purple and brown, and streaked with 
conspicuous hair-like lines of black, and measure about an inch 
by three-quarters. The birds are mainly insectivorous. 

All the Australian birds have a distinct white eyebrow, and 
the tail tipped with white. 


A.—Throat and breast white. 


The Babbler, P. frivolus (temporalis).—Australia except West. No white 
bar across the wing; lower breast rufescent; forehead paler brown 
than nape. Length 10 inches. 


The White-browed Babbler, P. superciliosus—All over Australia. No 
white bar on the wing; lower breast whitish; forehead like rest 
of crown. Length 7.5 inches. 


FIELD WRENS 303 


The Chestnut-crowned Babbler, P. ruficeps.—South and South-east Aus- 
tralia. Two white bars on wing; head chestnut. Length 9.3 inches. 


B. Throat white, breast bright rufous. 


The Red-breasted Babbler, P. rubeculus.—North and North-west Australia. 
Length 9.5 inches. 


Genus Calamanthus. Field Wrens. 


Confined to Australia. Small Wren-like birds frequenting 
open scrub covered country. They are most often on the ground 
itself, along which they move with great quickness in a succes- 
sion of hops, or, if disturbed, they will take to cover running 
from bush to bush. They are surely the smallest of game birds, 
emitting so strong an odour that game-dogs stand to them as to 
quail. The tail is held erect, and when the bird is resting, is 
turned from side to side, as in the Fly Catchers. They will 
perch on a low bush, and utter a clear and pretty song. The 
nest is dome-shaped, placed on the ground, and hidden by the 
surrounding grass, the bird frequently entering by a tunnel, 
which may be a yard long, under the herbage. The eggs three 
or four, wood-brown, clouded with reddish markings, .9 x .7 inch 
about. The sexes are nearly alike in colour and size. 


A.—Head olive-greenish, streaked with black like the back. 


The Striated Field Wren, C. fuliginosus—Tasmania. Wings sooty-black 
narrowly margined with olive; tail with broad black sub-termina 
band; a white eyebrow; throat, breast, flanks, and under tail-covert: 
streaked with black. Length 5.8 inches, wing 2.43, tail 2.3. 


B.—Head rufous, nearly uniform or with narrow black 
streaks. 


The Field Wren, C. campestris—Southern Australia from east to west. 
Wings sandy-brown; tail with dark cross band and white tip; a 
white eyebrow; throat white; rest of under surface pale yellowish, 
streaked with dusky brown; under tail-coverts light rufous shaded 
with brown before the tips, which are white. Length 4.5 inches. 


The Desert Wren, vu. isabellinus—Centre. Streaks on the upper surface 
almost entirely lost. 


304 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The White-lored Field Wren, C. albiloris—Victoria. Very similar to 
C. fuliginosus, but has a large triangular white patch in front of the 
eye, and extending in a broad line of white feathers below the eye. 
Total length 5.2 inches, wing 2.2, tail 2.1. 


Rock Field Wren, C. montanellus—West Australia. Upper surface lustre- 
less dingy brown; abdomen pale olive-yellow, tending to white; 
throat and breast with bolder striations than in C. fuliginosus, and 
more ashy-white. , 


Genus Cincloramphus. Song Larks. 

Australia only. The indigenous skylarks of Australia, 
having much the same habits as the European birds. They are 
plain brown birds, which migrate to the grassy paddocks and 
plains of the cooler south to breed during the spring months, 
being especially plentiful if the season has been well favoured 
with rains. There is an extraordinary disparity in size between 
the sexes, the female being less than half the size of the male. 
Like the true Larks, they run along the ground, and the male 
rises into the air, singing, as he soars, his animated song. The 
nest is made of dried grasses, and lodged in a slight hollow of 
the ground, under the shelter of a tussock. The eggs, four, dull 
white, the ground colour almost obscured by pinkish-red and 
purplish freckles, .95 x .7 inch. Both species are met with all 
over the Continent. 


The Brown Song Lark, C. cruralis—Upper tail-coverts ashy-brown; 
throat and belly blackish. Length 9.2 inches. 


The Rufous Song Lark, C. rufescens—Upper tail-coverts rufous; throat 
and belly whitish. Length 7 inches. 


This lark seems to be possessed of powers of ventriloquism 
in addition to its own loud and pleasing song. 


Family Turdide. 


Bill moderately stout, rather wide and depressed. Wings 
moderate, with a small bastard primary. 


Sub-family Turdine. 


The young in first plumage have the upper and under parts 
spotted, whether this is the case or not in the adult. One moult 


GROUND THRUSHES 305 


in the year. (These characters remain to be verified in the case 
of our species of Meruila.) 


Genus Merula. Ouzels. 

This genus, of which the British Blackbird and Ring Ouzel 
are types, is absent from North America and Africa, but widely 
spread over tropical America, Europe and Asia. Peculiar 
species occupy singly certain of the islands of the Pacific, as 
Formosa, Mare and Lifu of the Loyalty group, Samoa, 
Eromanga, Viti Levu, Kandavu and Taviuni of Fiji, New Cale- 
donia, with one each in Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island 
off the Australian Coast. 


The Norfolk Island Ouzel, M. fuliginosa.—Head and adjoining parts pale 
brownish-grey; rest of upper surface uniform dull black; under 
surface dark brown. Wing 4 to 4.5 inches. Sexes nearly alike. 


The Lord Howe Ouzel, M. vinotincta—Head and adjacent parts uniform 
russet; under surface dark vinous brown. Wing 3.85 to 4.2 inches. 
Females slightly paler. 


Both species are without bars or streaks in the plumage, and have 
yellow bills, legs and feet; wings uniform underneath. 


Genus Oreocichla. Ground Thrushes. 


Feet and legs strong, pale yellowish. Upper surfaces some 
shade of brown, the feathers with conspicuous lunar terminal 
black bands, sometimes also with subterminal ochreous spots. 
The underparts of our species white, buff on the breast, the 
feathers with crescent-shaped black tips except on the centre 
of the breast. The wing has a white pattern on the under 
surface. 

These, the ‘‘Ground-Thrushes par excellence,’’ and incapable 
of long continued flight, must have had a long duration in time, 
for there are several species spread over Africa, and over India, 
Burmah and Indo-Malaysia, while pioneers have reached Eastern 
Siberia, one has crossed the Straits to Western North America, 
and one has even penetrated to Mexico. The Australian immi- 
grants are so much alike that Gould considered them all as 
belonging to but one species. Isolation has, however, resulted in 


U 


306 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


a certain amount of differentiation, and four species are now 
generally recognised, three Australian and the fourth confined 
to Tasmania. 

They are generally found in damp forest country. They spend 
the summer in the highlands, and descend in the winter to the 
plains or lowlands. They feed on snails and insects, and are 
without song. They build in low branches of trees, large nests 


Australian Museum. 
Ground Thrush: Oreocichla lunulata. 
of moss lined with fibres, some seven inches in internal diameter. 
The eggs, usually two in number, are light delicate green or 
buffy white in ground colour, are freckled all over with reddish- 
brown, and measure about 1.4 x .9 inch. 


Broadbent Ground-Thrush, 0. cuneata.—Herberton, Queensland (5000ft.). 
Outside tail feathers with wedge of white on the inner web; olive- 
brown above. Wing 5.45 inches. 


THE CHATS 307 


The Ground-Thrush, O. lunulata.—Victoria to South Queensland. Outside 
tail feathers with obscurely-defined narrow white tips; olive-brown 
above; sub-terminal spots on feathers of head and neck obsolete. 
Wing 5.1 to 5.5 inches. 


The Large-billed Ground-Thrush, O. macrorhyncha.—Tasmania. Russet- 
brown above; sub-terminal spots on feathers of head brown, of back 
obsolete. Wing 5.1 to 5.3 inches, 


The Russet-tailed Ground-Thrush, O. heiniii—East Queensland, North-east 
New South Wales. Outside tail feather on each side tipped with 
white on the inner edge for an inch or more. Wing 4.7 to 4.9 inches. 


Sub-family Ephthianurine. 


Genus Ephthianura. Chats. 


Bill slender, about equal in height and breadth at the nostrils. 
Confined to Australia. 


A.—Throat white. 


The White-fronted Chat, EF. albifrons—Across Southern Australia. Fore- 
head white; crown and nape black; back grey; wings and tail brown; 
tail feathers with white tips, external widest; below white, with a 
broad black band across the chest, joining the black of the nape. 
Length 4.6 inches. 


The Tri-coloured Chat, LH. tricolor—Australia, migrating to the south for 
the summer. Forehead, crown and upper tail-coverts crimson; back 
and tail dusky brown; under surface behind the throat crimson. 
Length 4.2 inches. 


B.—Throat black. 


The Orange-fronted Chat, H. aurifrons—tInterior of New South Wales, 
Victoria, and South Australia. Crown of head orange yellow; back 
light yellowish-brown; wings and tail brown; tail with white tip; 
below orange-yellow, paler on the abdomen. Length 4.3 inches. 


C. Throat and under surface bright yellow, with a- black 
band across the chest. 


The Yellow-breasted Chat, H. crocea.—Centre and North. Crown olive- 
yellow; back yellowish-brown; tail brown with white base and tip. 
Length 4.3 inches. 


The females are a shade smaller, and paler in colouring. 


308 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


These attractive little birds, of ornate plumage, found in 
pairs, or in small family companies at the end of the season, 
which frequent open lands studded with low bushes, and feed on 
caterpillars and other soft-bodied insects. The first two migrate 
southwards to breed, and rear two broods at least in the season. 
The White-fronted Chat is the one most frequently seen, and 
around Sydney may often be met with in marshy localities in 
the spring and summer. The nest is cup-shaped and usually 
built in a low bush, or in a tuft of rushes, of coarse grasses or 
fine twigs lined within with finer grass and hair. The birds 
often betray the situation by their over anxiety to avoid detec- 
tion. They feign broken wings, uttering a plaintive note, or 
will lie struggling on the ground as in a fit. The eggs are three 
or four, white, spotted and dotted with red, and measure about 
.65 x .5 inch. 


Family Sylviide. Warblers. 


Reed Warblers. 


Genus Acrocephalus. 


Bill typically large, depressed and broad at base, with 
moderate rictal bristles. Wing rounded, with very minute 
bastard primary. Tail moderately rounded. Plumage more or 
less uniform in colour, of some shade of brown. 

Migratory birds which winter in the tropical regions of Africa 
and Asia, and are especially common in the islands of the Malay 
Archipelago. The two species met with in Australia come south 
to breed in the reed-beds, and spend the summer with us. One 
directs its course to Western Australia probably vid Timor, and 
the other entering by Cape York spreads over all the Continent 
except the West and Coburg peninsula, and reaches Tasmania. 

The Reed Warblers, though homely in their plumage, have 
the sweetest of songs. All who listen are enchanted with the 
melody. Gilbert even goes so far in his enthusiasm as to say 
that the strain is in many parts very like that of the far-famed 
Nightingale. The beauty of the song is enhanced by the 
picturesque surroundings of the bird’s home. These may 


THE REED-WARBLER 309 


perhaps be illustrated by the following simple verses, written on 
a spring evening on the Saltwater River near Melbourne. 


Now this will I write for my ladye, 
Thought I, as we pulled down the stream, 

I will tell how that reed-warbler whistled 
Sweet trills as we passed him abeam. 


Though the rain-drops came down in a patter, 
And made many a bubble and ring, 

They moved not the face of the river, 
And the reed-bird he ceased not to sing. 


And the plash of the rain on the water 
Seemed to soften my thought as we rowed 

Past the bluff where the martin was nesting, 
Past the reeds where the warbler abode. 


The birds themselves are rather shy, keeping near their nests, 
which are generally charmingly sustained a few feet above 
the water by three or four of the stiff upright reed stems. 
Though the wind blows down the river the eggs and nestlings 
are safe, for the nest is a deep cup. It is woven of dried reeds 
and lined with grass, and the eggs are four in the clutch. The 
birds feed entirely on insects. 


The Long-billed Reed-Warblers. 


Acrocephalus gouldi. 

Western Australia. 

Sexes alike in colour, russet-brown above, darkest on the head; chin 
whitish; under surfaces deep fawn-colour. Total length 6.5 inches, wing 
2.9 or 3 inches. The eggs dull greenish-white, blotched all over, especially 
at larger end, with irregular patches of olive, measuring .75 by .6 inch. 


The Reed-Warbler. 
Acrocephalus australis. 


Tasmania, Australia, except West and Coburg Peninsula. 

Sexes alike in colour; olive-brown above, under surfaces deep buff, 
fading into white on the throat; rather larger than the preceding. The 
eggs greyish-white, thickly marked all over with irregular blotches of 
yellowish-brown, umber brown and bluish-grey, measuring .85 by .6 inch. 


310 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Cisticola. Grass-Warblers. 


Tail strongly graduated or rounded. Two well-developed 
rictal bristles. 

The Grass-Warbler. 
Cisticola exils. 

The genus Cisticola is a large one, comprising nearly thirty 
species, which range from the borders of the Mediterranean to 
Japan, Malaysia and Australia. Australia possesses but the 
single species, which is found all over the Continent, and extends 
to Eastern Bengal, the Philippines and Formosa. Brownish- 
black above, each feather margined with buff; under surface 
sandy-buff, fading into white on the throat and centre of the 
abdomen. Length about four inches. It frequents the long 
grass of the flats, or the standing grain crops, and will almost 
admit of being trodden on before it will rise and take wing. 
and creeps about more like a mouse than a bird. Its note is a 
short and feeble but very pleasing song. Eggs, three or four. 
blue, spotted with red, .6 x 45 inch. Feeds on minute insects. 
Considerable variation occurs according to season and locality. 

The nest is a beautiful structure, and may be built in a 
small bush near the ground among long grass, in which case it. 
weaves the grass round the nest; or again in a growing crop. it 
then fastens the hanging lower dead leaves to its nest, which 
may be composed of fine grass mixed with dandelion or thistle- 
down; or if the nest is built, as it usually is in Queensland, close 
to the ground in a large-leaved shrub, its nest would then be 
composed entirely of down and cobweb and two or three large 
leaves of the shrub sewn round the nest, the thread being made 
from cobweb, a delicate structure. 


Genus Megalurus. Grass-birds. 

With twelve tail feathers. Tail longer than wing. 

Small plain coloured birds, brown above, all the feathers 
with darker centres, and paler below. They frequent the long 
grasses and rushes in low damp flats, or along water-courses, 
and are birds of secluded habits and short flight. The note is 
simple and unattractive. The nest is deep cup-shaped, com- 
posed of the soft tops of the reeds or of fine grasses lined with. 


THE ROCK-WARBLER 311 


feathers, and placed on the ground at the bottom of a clump of 
rushes or tussock grass. These birds have a strong perfume, and 
in consequence can be set by dogs. The eggs are four, fleshy- 
white, freckled and streaked with red. 


The Grass-bird, M. gramineus.—Tasmania and Australia except the north. 
A white eyebrow; throat streaked with dark brown. Length 5.75 
inches. 


The Tawny Grass-bird, M. galactotes—Australia except the West. A 
buffy eyebrow; throat not streaked. Length 6.5 inches. 


The Striated Grass-bird, M. striatus—West Australia (Lake Yanchep). 
Much smaller than M. gramineus, and lacks the fulvous colour of the 
upper surface, sides flanks and tail-ecoverts of M. gramineus, and in 
lieu is smoky-brown, and is also boldly striated from the chin to the 
abdomen. Total length 5.25 inches, tail 2.25, tarsus 0.75. 


Genus Eremiornis. 


Carter’s Desert-Bird. 


Eremoornis carteri. 

North-west Australia. 

The slender bill, short tarsi, small feet and abnormally long upper 
and under tail-coverts, which conceal the greater portion of its long and 
broad tail-feathers, will serve to distinguish it from any other Australian 
genus. The long tail, short and rounded wings, and habits would indicate 
its position as being nearest that group of birds frequenting sterile 
situations with a sparse and stunted vegetation, among which are 
included Amytis, Hylacola and Stipiturus (North). Above rufous brown, 
wings and tail dark-brown; lores and eyebrow whitish; throat dull white, 
chest buff, breast and abdomen buffy-white. Length 5.65, wing 2.07, 
central tail feathers 2.6 inches. The birds live on barren rocky ranges in 
the dense spinifex tufts. 


Genus Origma. 
With twelve tail feathers. Tail much shorter than the wing. 


The Rock-Warbler. 


Origma rubricata. 
New South Wales and South Queensland. 
Dull dark brown above; tail blackish; throat ashy-whitish; rest of under- 
surface ferruginous. Length 5.8; wing 2.6; tail 2.35 inches. 


This active and lively bird frequents the rocky beds of creeks 
and gullies, whether on the coast or in the mountains, restlesslv 


312 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


flitting from one side to the other, and not at all shy of strangers. 
It utters a cheerful note, but seems to be a solitary bird. The 
nest is a large globular structure of moss or root-fibres, lined 
inside with feathers, with a side entrance, and attached marvel- 
lously to the roof of a cavern or overhanging rock. The rule 


Australian Museum. 
Nest of Rock Warbler: Origima rubricata. 


seems to be that each pair of birds has its own beat and nesting 
ground. The eggs are pure glossy white, three in number, and 
measure .8 x .6 inch. The only species of this strictly Australian 
genus. 


THE TITS 313 


Genus Chthonicola. 


Tail quite even. Tarsus scutellated. First primary long, 
half the length of the whole wing. 


The Little Field Lark. 
Chthonicola sagittata. 


The genus, this being the only species, is confined to Australia, 
except North and West. General plumage above olive-brown, the feathers 
with darker centres; the under-surface pale-yellow, each feather with a 
dark stripe down the centre, except the middle of the abdomen, which is 
white, without stripes. Length 4.75 inches. 


Found in little companies of five or six on the ground in the 
grassy glades of the open forest, and very tame, only flying a 
short distance away if disturbed. The nest is domed, with an 
exceedingly small entrance near the ground, in a depression of 
which, overhung with withered grass, it is usually placed. 
Being constructed of dried grasses just like those of the sur- 
roundings, it is hard to find. The eggs, three or four, are 
remarkable in colour, being bright chocolate red, uniform, or 
with a zone of blackish-brown spots on the larger end, .76 x .6 
inch. 


Genus Acanthiza. Tits. 


Tail quite even. Tarsus scutellated. First primary short, 
half the length of the second primary. Confined to Australia 
and Tasmania. Little olive-brown or olive-green birds, four 
inches or under in total length, with a broad dark-brown band 
across the hind tail, reaching nearly to the tip. They are found 
in small flocks, busily hunting for insects in the leafage of the 
trees, saplings and larger shrubs, clinging and prying among 
the smaller branches after the fashion of the true Titmice, 
and, if disturbed, flying off in a body to a neighbouring tree-top. 
As several of the species will visit the fruit trees of the orchards, 
these birds are most useful in attacking and destroying the 
insect pests. The notes vary with the species, but mainly 
amount to a constant twittering. The nests are oval, dome- 
shaped structures, with a side entrance, and the little eggs, 
three in number, are white spotted with red. Too frequently 
foster parents of Cuckoos. 


314 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


A.—The base of the tail of the prevailing colour of the upper 
surface, the dark-brown or blackish band strictly subterminal. 


1. The Little Tit, A. nana—New South Wales. Throat rufescent, 
streaked with whitish shaft lines; above uniform olive-green; breast 
and abdomen yellowish. Length 3.8 inches. 


Australian Museum. 
Nest of Brown Tit: Acanthiza pusilla. 


2. The Plain-coloured Tit, A. inornata.—South and West Australia. Throat 
uniform ashy or yellowish-white; breast and abdomen yellowish; 
above olive-brown. Length 3.6 inches. 


3. Throat ashy white with black streaks; upper tail-coverts reddish, con- 
trasting with the upper parts of the body. 


THE TITS 315 


“N.S.W. Agricultural Gazette.” A. J. North. 


Little Tit: Acanthiza nana. 
Yellow-rumped Tit: Acanthiza chrysorrhoa. 


316 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Brown Tit, A. pusilla—Eastern Australia. Above olive-green; fore- 
head pale rufous; breast and abdomen yellowish-white; tail without 
white tip. Length 3.9 inches. 


The Brown-rumped Tit, 4. diemenensis—-Tasmania. Above olive-brown, 
forehead pale rufous; breast and abdomen yellowish-white; tail 
without white tip. Length 4 inches. 


The Broad-tailed Tit, A. apicalis—Central and West Australia. Above 
dark olive-brown; forehead blackish; breast white, streaked with 
black; abdomen white; tail feathers with white tips to the inner 
webs. Length 4 inches. 


The Red-rumped Tit, 4. pyrrhopygia.mWestern Australia. Like the pre- 
ceding, but has shorter and more robust bill, and greater depth of 
red colouring on the rump and upper tail-coverts. Length 4 inches, 
wing 2, tail 1%. 


Whitlock’s Tit, 4. whitlocki—Western Australia. Distinguished from 
preceding ‘‘by its greyish-brown instead of olive-brown upper parts, 
rendering the rufous-brown upper tail-coverts more conspicuous, by 
its purer white under parts, and the broader black sub-terminal band 
on the tail feathers.’’? (North.) 


Scaly-breasted Tit, 4. squamata.—North Queensland (Herberton Range). 
Similar to A. reguloides, but is larger and has a shorter tarsus. 


Dusky Tit, A. Zietzi—Kangaroo Island. The mantle is blackish, not 
olive-brown; the legs are black with brownish hue; the forehead 
feathers are fawn-coloured at their base, not rufous; nearest to 
A. apicalis. Length 3.9 inches, wing 1.8, tail 1.6. 


Large-billed Tit, A magnirostris—This bird has more of the black and 
white mottled under surface than A. diemenensis, and thus more 
resembles A. pusilla in this respect, but may be easily separated from 
both these birds by the great size of its bill. Length 4.25 inches, 
wing 2.0, tail 1.6. (Campbell.) 


Thick-billed Tit, A. robustirostris—West Australia (Murchison). Head 
and upper surface bluish-grey, the feathers having longitudinal black 
centres, bold on the crown, but faint on upper mantle; white 
feathers on the rump and its sides; centre of abdomen and under tail- 
coverts white. Length 3.5 inches; wing 2.1, tail 1.6, tarsus 0.8. 
(Milligan). 


Mathew’s Tit, A. mathewsi—Victoria. Underparts less green than in 
A. nana, rather less bright and of a more brownish tint, and the 
under surface paler and of a more buffy-yellow, contrasting with the 
pale rufous-buff throat. 


The Striated Tit, A. lineata.—South and East Australia. Above dull olive- 
green, but the head brown, streaked conspicuously with white; breast 
like the throat; abdomen yellowish-white; tip of the tail ashy 
inclined to white. Length 3.9 inches.’ Nest pendent. 


THE TITS 317 


&. J 
<a 
y A 


D. Le Souéf. 
Double Nest of Yellow-rumped Tit: Acanthiza chrysorrhoa. 


318 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


B.—The base of the tail brightly coloured; the dark band 
occupying nearly the terminal half of the feathers. 


The Chestnut-rumped Tit, 4. uropygialis—An inland species of South 
and Hast Australia. Above light brown; below white; the base of 
the tail and the upper tail-coverts rufous. Length 3.7 inches. 


The Yellow-rumped Tit, A. chrysorrhoa.—Tasmania, Australia except 
North. Above olive-yellowish; throat white; breast and abdomen 
buffy yellow; the base of the tail and upper tail-coverts bright 
yellow. Length 3.8 inches. This bird has the remarkable peculiarity 
of constructing a double nest, the dome-shaped ordinary nest below, 
and resting on this a shallow unlined nest, which is used by the 
male bird while the female is sitting on the eggs below. 


The Buff-rumped Tit, A. reguloides—South and East Australia. Above 
dull olive-brown, throat and breast ashy yellow; abdomen buffy- 
yellow; the base of the tail pale buff; upper tail-coverts dull yellow. 
Length 3.9 inches. 


The Plain-fronted Tit, A. flaviventris—(Lake Frome), South Australia. 
Differs from A. chrysorrhoa in the typical white spots on the forehead, 
face, and ear-coverts being entirely absent; in the general buff 
coloration, yellow abdomen and under tail-coverts. 


The South Australian Tit, 4. australis.—South Australia (Adelaide). May 
be distinguished from A. reguloides by the richer and deeper 
ochraceous-buff rump, upper tail-coverts, basal portion, and tips of 
tail feathers; and in the more distinct rufous forehead and deeper 
under surface. 


Leigh’s Tit, 4. leighiNew South Wales (Lithgow). Closely allied to 
A. chrysorrhoa, but differs in having the underparts white, washed 
with pale yellow, especially on the sides and flanks; under tail- 
coverts pale bright yellow; wing 2.28 to 2.35 inches, tail 1.6, tarsus 
0.65 to 0.7. 


Masters’s Tit, 4. mastersi—Western Australia (King George’s Sound). 
The darker upper and under surface will always serve to distinguish 
A. mastersi from its near ally A. inornata. Length 3.5 inches, wing 
1.85, tail 1.5, bill 0.38, tarsus 0.7. 


The Pallid Tit, 4. pallida——Western Australia (Murchison Range). Closely 
allied to A. chrysorrhoa, and is a pallid and miniature form of that 
bird, having its under surface almost uniform white, and the fore- 
head band conspicuously white, as well as the sides of the head and 
cheeks. Length 3.6 inches, wing 2.3, tail 1.8, culmen .45. 


Ewing’s Tit, 4. ewingi—Tasmania. Differs from A. diemenensis in having 
a rufescent forehead, longer tarsus, and the dark winglet (at point 
of wing), greater length of tail, and darker upper surface, throat 
and abdomen. (Legge.) Length 4.5 inches, wing 2.05, tail 1.7, 
tarsus 0.95. 


THE SCRUB-WRENS 319 


Small-billed Tit, A. tenuirostris—South and West Australia. Closely 
allied to A. reguloides, but is smaller in size, has no buff colouring on 
the rump, and lacks the pale buff bases to all the tail feathers. 
Length 3.5 inches, wing 1.9, tail 1.5, tarsus 0.65. 


Mr. De Vis has described two other forms of these little birds, one from 
Charleville, in the interior of Queensland, A. modesta, and one from 
the Bellenden-Ker ranges in Eastern Queensland, A. katherina. 


Genus Sericornis. Serub-Wrens. 


Tail quite even. Tarsus plain. 

Mainly Australian with one species in the Aru Islands and 
another in New Guinea. Rather larger birds than the Tits, from 
4.5 to 5.5 inches in total length, living in the well-shaded and 
watered gullies of the brushes or fern gullies, where they feed 
on the insects which they find about the fallen and decaying logs 
and the moss-covered stones. They are plain plumaged birds, 
and utter pleasing but simple notes, an ‘‘inward warbling.’’ 
The nests are dome-shaped, composed of mosses, rootlets, fern, 
and are cosily lined with feathers or hair; in some species 
suspended from a drooping bough, in others hidden under the 
shelter of a grass tuft or a bush. The eggs, three, chocolate- 
brown in 8S. barbara (atreogularis), reddish-white in most, 
bluish-white in S. magnirostris, with a zone of darker spots 
around the large end of the egg. 


A.—Tail feathers without subterminal black band. 


1. The Red-Throat, S. brunnea.—Australia, except North. Throat bright 
rufous; tail feathers broadly tipped with white. Length 4.6 inches. 


2. The Yellow-throated Scrub-Wren, S. barbara (citreogularis).—Eastern 
Australia. Throat bright yellow; no white tips to tail feathers; lores 
and ear-coverts black. Length 5 inches. 


3. The Large-billed Scrub-Wren, S. magnirostris—Eastern Australia. 
Throat whitey-brown; no white tip to tail feathers; above uniform 
olive-brown. Length 4.8 inches. 


B.—Tail feathers with a dark subterminal band. 
1. White edging or tip to the tail feathers. 
The Buff-breasted Scrub-Wren, 8S. levigastra—Northern Australia. 


Throat, breast, and abdomen pale yellow; base of forehead black. 
Length 4 inches. 


320 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Spotted Scrub-Wren, S. maculata—East and South-west Australia. 
Throat white spotted with blackish; breast and abdomen pale yellow; 
base of forehead brown. Length 4.7 inches. 


Australian Museum. 
Nest of Yellow-throated Scrub Wren: Sericornis citreogularis. 


The Scrub-Tit, S. magna.—Tasmania. Throat, breast and abdomen pale 
yellow; base of forehead brown. Length 4.7. (Now separated as 
the genus dcanthornis.) 


Bernier Island Scrub-Wren, S. balstoni.—Bernier Island, Western Aus- 
tralia. General colour above pale greyish-hrown; a white superciliary 
stripe extending from lores to behind the eyes; underparts white, the 


BE 


Ne Ree 


SUPERB WARLLERS. 


. Blue Wren: Malurue cyaneus. 
. Banded Wren: Ml. splendens.—Lower view. 


White-winged Wren: JM. leuveopterus. 


. Banded Wren: df. splendens.—Upper view. 
. Black-backed Wren: J. melanotus. 

. Blue-breasted Wren: MM. puleherrimus, 

. Red-backed Wren: UM. dorsalis. 


{See page 322 et sqa.] 


THE SCRUB-WRENS 321 


feathers of the throat and breast with dark shaft streaks, sides of 
the flanks slightly washed with buff; tail feathers dark grey, with 
a black sub-terminal band and tipped with white. Length 4.4 inches, 
wing 2, tail 1.75. 


2. No white edging or tip to the tail feathers. 


White-browed Scrub-Wren, 8. frontalis—New South Wales, Victoria, and 
South Australia. Throat yellowish-white with broad dark streaks; 
wing-coverts indistinctly tipped with white; tail olive and crossed 
with blackish band, except the central pair; a streak over the eyes 
and a spot just above the lores white; chin and cheeks also white. 
Length 4.7 inches, wing 2.3, tail 1.87, tarsus 0.8. 


Australian Museum. 


Scrub Wren: Oreoscopus gutturalis. 


The Brown Scrub-Wren, 8. humilis—Tasmania, Islands of Bass Strait. 
Throat and under surfaces pale yellow; throat streaked with blackish; 
the rest with dusky. Length 5.5 inches. : 


The genus Oreoscopus has been created to receive the alhed 
bird, the Collared Scrub-Wren of North Queensland, 
O. gutturalis, which presents on the lower throat a broad black 
erescentic band with its marginal feathers posteriorly edged 
with ashy-white. It is found in the dense scrubs, and builds a 
nest entirely of moss in some excrescence of a bank, 


322 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Little Scrub-Wren, S. minimus.—Northern Queensland. Lores, 
feathers below the eye and ear-coverts light rufous; throat white; 
under surface pale yellowish-white. Length 3.9 inches, wing 2.16, 
tail 1.8, tarsus 0.7. 


Genus Malurus. Wrens. 


Confined to Australia and New Guinea. Small birds, about 
the size of the Robin, usually under 5 inches in length, with 
much of the habit of the English Wren, and a not dissimilar 
song, which are found flitting among the bushes whether in the 
wild scrub or in the garden of the city. Their diet consists 
exclusively of insects such as grasshoppers, caterpillars and the 
larvee of cockchafer beetles, and because of their usefulness, and, 
still more, because of their prettv movements and pert confidence, 
they are general favourites. Since the wings are short and 
rounded there is no great power of long flight. but the bird 
passes over the ground in a succession of bounding hops, or 
flits amongst the bushes hiding. itself for a moment and then 
emerging always with the long tail held erect or 
thrown forward over’ the body. Mr. Robert Hall 
says of their melodious notes, ‘‘There is the first grand 
oratorio of the male in spring, when he is leading a charming 
competitive life; then the notes of rollicking fun of the summer 
bird; and, thirdly, the series of thrilling squeaks when the 
young have ventured into a gambol among the boughs, which 
would be quite out of place in birds of maturer years, while 
during nesting the female will sometimes utter a call as if a 
tragedy were taking place. Blue Wrens are occasionally known 
to sing at night.’’ The nest is dome-shaped, with a narrow 
entrance in the side, and is made of dried grasses, lined inside 
with feathers or hair. ‘‘Ideal riesting places are small detached 
portions of cover situated at a short distance from the main 
cover, and all the better if it contains plenty of tussocky grass. 
A large overhanging tussock comes first in favour for the nest; 
next, low prickly bushes. When the young are old enough to 
make an outcry if disturbed is the time to see a display of 
pugnacity and courage on the part of the male. It does not 
flutter or utter alarm notes like the female, but goes silently and 


THE WRENS 323 


swiftly to the attack, with its little body crouched, its wings 
and tail depressed, and its blue mantle standing out like a ruff. 
It moves quickly over the turfs or over the ground after the 
manner of a mouse, making angry darts at the intruder until it 
retires.’ So writes Mr. G. Graham, of Heyterbury in Victoria, 
and we regret that we have not space to quote in full his most 
interesting notes, founded on close observation of the Gould’s 


iy. pe 


“The Emu.” _— H. Burrell. 
Blue Wren: JMalurus cyaneus, Male, near entrance of Nest. 


or Long-tailed Blue Wren. The eggs are generally three or four 
in number, of a delicate flesh-white sprinkled with spots and 
blotches of reddish-brown forming a zone at the large end of the 
egg, and measure .6 or .7 x .4 or .5 inch. Frequently the nest 
is invaded by one or other of the Cuckoos. If the full brood is 
hatched there is generally but one male amongst them. For 
four months the sexes are alike in brown colouring. In the 
fifth month the males acquire some of their bright colours. In 


the tenth or eleventh month a second moult takes place, when 


324 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


the males assume their full nuptial plumage. The birds pair 
strictly in the spring, and rear two or three broods during the 
season. All the members of the families keep together in a 
company during the year, and from the excess of hen-birds the 
association suggests polygamy, but the blue male who ‘‘proudly 
struts his dames before’’ is but the mate of one and the father 
of the others. In the summer moulting the males lose their 


“The Emu.” H. Burrell. 
Blue Wren: Halurus cyaneus, Female near entrance of Nest. 


brilliant colours and are scarcely distinguishable from the hen 
birds. As the next spring draws on the colours are .resumed, 
and the young birds are dismissed to take upon them domestic 
duties of their own. Curiously enough it seems that sometimes 
unmated males will assist a mated pair in feeding and tending 
the nestlings. There are some nineteen Australian species of 
these charming little Wrens or Superb Warblers. 

The females of all save M. amabilis, are of a homely brown; 
the males are brilliantly coloured during the breeding season. 


THE WRENS 325 


A.—Head blue. 
1. Seapularies blue. 


Upper tail-coverts black. throat blue-black. 


Three species are recognised which are alike in their markings, but 
differ in the shade of the blue, which varies, as in the Humming birds, 
according to the light in which they are viewed. These are— 


The Blue Wren, I. cyanochlamys, of which the mantle is described as of 
a turquoise blue. It is the common species in South Australia, 
Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Kangaroo Island. The 
tail measures 2.2 inches. 


The Long-tailed (or Gould’s) Blue Wren, JZ. cyaneus (gouldi), with a 
rich cobalt blue mantle. The tail measures 2.65 inches. This is the 
only Blue Wren found in Tasmania. 


Dark Blue Wren, WM. clizabethe—King Island (Bass Strait).—The largest 
of the Blue Wrens, and a darker shade of blue; tail dark blue; blue 
tint on the buffy-white under parts and on the outer edge of some of 
the primaries. Length 5.75 inches, wing 2.1, tail 2.35, 


Upper tail-coverts black, throat blue, the lower back black. 


The Black-backed Wren, M. melanonotus.—Inhabits the Centre and the 
serubby dry interior of South Australia, Victoria and New South 
Wales. 


Upper tail-coverts blue, throat blue with a black collar below. 


The Turquoise Wren, M. callainus, has a black bar across the rump. It 
is met with in the interior of South Australia, and the adjacent parts 
of New South Wales. 


The Banded Wren, M. splendens, has all the back and tail blue. A West 
Australian species. 


2. Seapularies white. 


The White-winged Wren, M. leucopterus——General colour of the upper 
and under surfaces of the body deep cobalt-blue; the scapulars, all 
the inner coverts and inner secondaries pure white. A species 
dwelling in the scrubs of the interior from West Australia across the 
Centre to the back country of Victoria and New South Wales. 


The White-backed Wren, M. leuconotus.—Like the preceding, but with 
the centre of the back white, as well as the wings. A very rare bird, 
found in the interior of South Australia, and once found breeding 
near Bourke, in New South Wales. (North.) 


326 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


3. Seapularies chestnut-red. 


The Red-winged Wren or Graceful Blue Wren, M. elegans.—West 
Australia. Mantle and upper back silvery blue; tail greyish blue; 
throat and breast blue black; abdomen buffy white. 


The Variegated Wren, M. lambertiSouth, South-east, and Eastern 
Australia. Mantle and back cobalt blue, usually separated by the 
overshadowing red of the scapulars; lower back and rump velvety 
black; tail dull blue; throat and breast deep black; centre of body 
whitish. 


The Purple-backed Blue Wren, M. assimilis—Australia. Crown and sides 
of the head purplish-blue; the feathers round the eye and the ear- 
coverts rich cobalt, and the mantle and upper portion of the back 
purplish-blue, the colour of these parts very similar to 
M. pulcherrimus; sides of neck, collar, and lower part of the back 
black; shoulders chestnut; tail dull blue, all but the two central 
feathers tipped with white. 


Bernier Island Blue Wren, M. bernieri.—Bernier Island, W.A. Nearly 
allied to M. assimilis, but the feathers round the eye and the ear- 
eoverts are bright purplish-blue (not bright cobalt-blue), and contrast 
but little with the darker purple-blue of the crown. Wing 1.8 inch. 


Lavender-flanked Wren, M. dulcis—Arnhem Land, N.A. Closely 
allied to M. pulcherrimus, but has a black throat and the flanks 
lavender-blue, not white as in WM. assimilis or sandy-buff as in 
M. lamberti. Length 5.2 inches, wing 1.9, tail 2.3. The female is 
bluish-grey above, and under surface pale buff, throat white, tail 
dark blue. 


The Lovely Wren, M. amabilis—North-east and North Australia. Hind 
neck velvety black, succeeded by a band of deep cobalt blue across 
the upper part of the mantle; centre of back and scapulars conspicu- 
ously red; lower back bright blue; rump velvety black; tail blue; 
throat and breast velvety blue-black; rest of under surface white. 
The female of the species is blue, an exception to the general rule. 


The Blue-breasted Wren, M. pulcherrimus.—West Australia and interior of 
South Australia. Hind neck velvety black; mantle and back 
purplish-blue with a lilae tinge, separated by red; lower back and 
rump deep blue-black; tail dull blue; throat and breast deep black; 
abdomen creamy white. 


B.—Head lilac with large spot of black in the centre. 


The Purple-crowned Wren, M. coronatus—North-west Australia. Back 
sandy brown; tail blue; under surface buffy-white. Gould remarks 
on the rare occurrence of this beautiful lilac tint in the plumage of 
birds, finding a parallel in the nape of the Bower-birds (Chlamy- 
dodera.) The Pink-eared Duck has ear feathers of much the same 
tint. 


THE WRENS 327 


“N.S.W. Agricultural Gazette.” A. J. North. 
Blue Wrens. 
Black-headed Superb Warbler: Malurus melanocephalus. 
Superb Warbler: Malurus cyaneus. 


328 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


C.—Head black. 


The Orange-backed Wren, M. melanocephalus—Central and Eastern 
Australia. Head and neck all round as well as the entire under 
surface of the body velvety-black; the back scarlet-vermilion. 


The Red-backed Wren, M. cruentatus (dorsalis) —North and North-east 
Australia—The black predominating as in the preceding, and even 
more extended; the back dark crimson. 


The Elack and White Wren, i/. edowardi.Barrow Island off North-west 
Australia; found amongst spinifex grass. (A.J. Campbell). General 
colour glossy blue-black; scapulars, inner secondaries, and upper 
wing-coverts pure white. 


Genus Strpiturus. 
Ten tail feathers. Tail feathers stiff, with spiny shafts and 
loose webs, the latter lax and separate. 


The Emu Wren. 
Stipiturus malachurus. 


Southern Australia, from East to West, Tasmania. 

Head light rufous, broadly striped with black towards the nape; 
upper surfaces brown; tail feathers blackish; throat and fore neck light 
blue; breast brown; abdomen whitish. In the female, head ashy grey; 
throat fulvous. Length 6.2, wing 1.55, tail 4.1 inches. 


This curious little bird, with its long erect tail of isolated 
plumes, like those of the Emu in their loose structure, occurs in 
little flocks on swampy ground, covered with rank high grasses 
and rushes, especially near the coast. Its short round wings are 
ill adapted for flight, and it runs along the ground, or creeps 
amongst the coarse herbage in mouse-like fashion, uttering a 
little twitter as it goes. The nest is oval or round, with a large 
side entrance, and is placed under the shelter of a tuft of over- 
hanging grass or rushes. It is composed of grasses and lined 
with soft material. The eggs are three, white sprinkled with 
spots and dots of reddish-brown, and measure .64 x .5 inch. 

Mr. A. J. Campbell has described’ a much smaller bird from 
North-west Australia. The specimen, a female, had the crown 
of the head rufous-brown, and the tail feathers were not so 
lengthened or so filamentary or loose in structure. Length 3.9, 
wing 1.4, tail 1.95 inches. He has named it the Rufous-crowned 


BRISTLE-BIRDS 329 


Emu-Wren, 8. ruficeps. He has also described the Mallee Emu 
Wren, 8. mallee, from the Mallee scrub districts in Victoria. It 
differs from 8. malachurus in being lighter in colour, and smaller 
in dimensions, except the bill, which is larger, and in having the 
six loose feathers of the tail less filamented. Upper surface olive- 
brown, each feather having a dark stripe, chest purplish-blue ; 
length 5 inches, wing 1.54, tail 3.04, bill 0.39. 


A. J. Campbell. 
Nest of Rufous Bristle-bird: Sphenura broadbenti. 


Genus Sphenura. Bristle-birds. 


With ten tail feathers. Tail feathers soft, ordinary, shafts 
elastic but not spiny. Rictal bristles 3, very strong and recurved. 


A.—Head brown. 


‘The Bristle-bird, 8. brachyptera.—New South Wales and Victoria. Larger, 
length 8.3 inches. Above uniform reddish-brown. 


‘The Long-billed Bristle-bird, S. longirostris—West Australia. Smaller, 
length 6.8 inches; head and back mottled with ashy-grey spots. 


330 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


B.—Head rufous. 
The Rufous Bristle-bird, S. broadbenti.—Interior of South Australia. 


The Lesser Rufous Bristle-bird, S. litoralis——West Australia (Ellensbrook). 
Closely allied to S. broadbenti, but much smaller, also has a brighter 
chestnut head, and lighter under surface; and has no yellow gape 
or triangular loral spot as in S. broadbenti; upper surface dark slaty- 
brown, dappled with grey margins to feathers; wings and tail 
chestnut-brown; shaft of tail feathers black. Length 9 inches, wing 
3.4, tail 4.5, tarsus 1.2, culmen .6. (A. W. Milligan). 


The Bristle-birds have a shy disposition, and live in reed- 
beds and thickets, and in consequence are seldom seen. They 
resemble the Blue Wrens in the habit of carrying the tail erect, 
and are birds of short flight, running along the ground and 
threading their way skilfully through the thickets. Mr. North 
says of the Sydney bird that ‘‘it may be observed during spring, 
perched on the top of a low bush, pouring forth its rich and 
varied notes, resembling those of the acclimatized Skylark, and 
which it probably mimics, as they are plentiful in the locality.’” 
The nest is globular, with a side opening, and is formed of dry 
wiry grasses, without any lining. It is placed in a stunted bush 
or clump of coarse grass, and contains two or three eggs, of a 
dull white ground-colour thickly freckled and dotted with brown 
markings, measuring 1 inch x .75 in S. brachyptera. Confined 
to Australia. 


Genus Amytornis (Amytis). Grass-Wrens. 


With ten tail feathers, which are soft, with elastic but not 
spiny shafts. Rictal bristles five, weak and not recurved. 

Plain-coloured birds of similar habits to the Blue Wrens, 
but larger, and of some shade of brown or russet above and pale 
below. They are birds of the interior, and are found in the 
chaparrals or amongst the spinifex, in small troops of four to 
seven. They dart from bush to bush, or from tussock to tussock, 
running rapidly on the ground with the tail erect. The nests are 
partially dome-shaped, built near or on the ground, and the eggs 
are white, spotted with red. Confined to Australia, and to its 
interior. Mr. Keartland has given an excellent account of these 
birds in the ‘‘ Victorian Naturalist.’’ 


THE LARGE-TAILED GRASS WREN 331 


The Grass-Wren. 
A. texrtilis. 
West and Central Australia. 
Brown above, with a dirty white stripe down the centre of each 


feather; chest lighter with similar streaks; a patch of chestnut-brown 
on the side and flank. Length 6 inches. 


Stunted tea-tree scrub, cane grass, samphire and spinifex 
flats are the favourite haunts. Mr Keartland observed the birds 
at breeding time for five weeks in a samphire flat. The male 
birds showed themselves with great freedom, hopping about on 
the open ground amongst the samphire. Females would soon 
appear in answer to the call of the male, and then all the antics 
of the Maluri were gone through. Each pair of birds kept to 
themselves, and should a third appear it was at once chased 
away. The nests were close to the ground, in dense undergrowth, 
dome-shaped with a large side opening. The young as soon as 
feathered, are exactly like the parents, except that the tail is a 
trifle shorter. 


The Large-tailed Grass-Wren. 


A. macrurus. 
Western Australia. 
Paler. Length 6.5 inches. 


The nest and eggs of the Large-tailed Grass-Wren were not 
obtained until 1909, when Mr. C. G. Gibson collected examples 
near Kalgoorlie. The nest is the usual bulky grass structure, 
with very little ‘‘roof.’’ The entrance is near the top, and is 
large, the eggs being plainly visible from outside; no lining 
beyond fine grasses is used in the nest, which is placed in the 
centre of a low thick bush, a foot or two from the ground. 
Eggs three in clutch, white with purplish-red dots and spots, 
and underlying lilac grey markings, .78 in. x .65. Mr. Keartland 
considered that this bird is identical with A. tezttlis. 

A. modestus from the Centre and adjoining regions of New 
South Wales and South Australia is also very similar, but much 
inferior in depth of colour to A. textilis. Length 6.5 inches. 
In the rocky sides of the gorges of the Macdonnell Ranges they 
are chiefly found, in flocks of from six to ten birds, apparently 
living in the most perfect harmony. Mr. Keartland saw several 


332 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


flocks hopping amongst the rocks or on the ground, sometimes as 
many as four or five on one stone at a time, but at the least 
alarm they all vanished behind stones or into crevices in the 
rocks, but apparently avoiding the shelter of the grass. His 
opinion is that they are not polygamous but simply gregarious 
when not breeding. Nests were found in cane grass tussocks. 


The Striated Grass-Wren. 
A. striatus. 


Same range as the Grass-Wren. 

Chestnut-red above, conspicuously striated with white: a black check 
stripe; throat white; breast dirty white to pale buff; the tail long, 
generally carried erect. Total length 6.8 inch. 


Truly a grass bird, being invariably found in spinifex or 
poreupine-grass flats, where it runs rapidly from tussock to 
tussock when disturbed. Seldom more than two were seen 
together by the members of the Horn Expedition, though 
hundreds were observed. They live in country destitute of 
water, and their food consists principally of ants and spiders, of 
which a plentiful supply is always available. Crossing the Great 
Deserts of North-west Australia they were frequently the only 
birds visible. The nest is placed on the top of a tussock, dome- 
shaped, with a large side-opening, invariably facing east, and 
constructed of the dead strippings of the spinifex. Clutch two, 
white, with a few light-brown spots; some freckled with finer 
spots, in some cases forming a zone. 


The Goyder Grass-Wren. 
A. goydert. 
Central Australia. 


Brownish, much streaked; throat and chest uniform white. Length 5.5 
inches. A doubtful species. 


Western Grass-Wren. 


A, megalurus. 

West Australia. 

No black cheek stripe; feather striations very distinctly and 
regularly marked; all upper surface dull-brown, with feathers striated 
with white, especially on head and nape; tail feathers not striated; 
striations also on the under surface, but fainter. Length 7.25, wing 2.75, 
tail 3.75, tarsus 0.95 (A. W. Milligan). : 


THE WOOD-SWALLOWS 333 


Myr. Milligan also described a very dark form of this bird 
from the Kimberley District of Western Australia, under the 
name of A. housei, or the Black Grass-Wren. The throat is 
striated with black and white, each feather being white with 
black margins, the breast and abdomen lght-chestnut, under 
tail-coverts blackish with rufous shafts and the upper wing- 
coverts chestnut with whitish shaft-lines. 

Dr. E. Hartert describes another form, A. woodwardii, from 
North Australia (Arnhem Land), which differs from A. houser 
in having the throat and fore-neck white, instead of striped with 
black and white; the tail much longer; and a uniform black 
malar stripe. The sides of the head, neck, top of head, hind 
neck and upper back black, as in A. housei, each feather with a 
white shaft-line, with fine branches. Wing 74+ to 77 mm. tail 
106 to 114, bill 13.5 to 15.5. 

Mr. T. Carter also describes one from Broome Hill, South- 
western Australia, A. varia, or the Marloch Grass-Wren, very 
similar to A. megalurus, but has no chestnut patehes on body 
or shoulders. The upper surface has three distinct 
shades, the dark head and neck beiny very pronounced; all 
six rictal bristles well developed and visible, bars on tail feathers 
very distinct; length 7.50, wing 3.0, tail 4.20. 


Family Artamide. 
Nostrils placed low in the bill, nearer to the gape than to the 
crest. One genus in the Indian and Australian Regions, the 
others in West Africa. 


Genus Artamus. 
Bill long and pointed, the culmen exceeding in length the 
hind toe and claw. Central tail feathers not produced into a 
spine. Indian and Australian Regions. Wood-Swallows. 


Key to the Species. 


I. Lower rump and upper tail-coverts pure white, breast 


white. A. leucogaster. 
II. Rump brown like back, upper tail-coverts ashy-white. 
1. Breast pale vinaceous brown; a broad white eyebrow. A. superciliosus. 


2. Breast beautiful grey; no white eyebrow. A. personatus. 


334 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


III. Rump and upper tail-coverts black (dark brown in 
A. tenebrosus). 
1. Under surface ashy grey, chin black. 
a. Narrow blackish frontal line, throat blackish. 
Under tail-coverts black, broadly margined 


with white. A. cinereus. 
Under tail-coverts white. A. hypoleucus. 
Under tail-coverts black, narrowly edged with 
white. A. melanops. 
b. No black frontal line, throat not black. A. venustus. 
2. Under surface duil brown, chin scarcely darker. 
Under wing-coverts white. Larger, 7 inches. A. tenebrosus. F 
Under wing-coverts fawn-coloured. Smaller, 5.9 
inches. A. minor. 


Australian Museum. 
White-browed Wood-Swallow: Masked Wood-Swallow: 
Artamus superciliosus. A. personatus. 


The White-rumped Wood-Swallow, 4. leucogaster.—The Andamans, Malay 
Archipelago, to New Guinea and Australia generally. Head and 
neck ashy; back brown; wing dark slate colour; tail black; under 
surfaces white. Total length 7.5 inches, culmen .8, wing 5.35, tail 
2.55, tarsus .75. 


The White-browed Wood-Swallow, A. superciliosus—Southern and Eastern 
Australia, not in North or West. Head and back slaty-grey; lores, 
sides of face and throat slaty-black; a broad white eyebrow; wing 
quills tipped with black; tail feathers with white; under surfaces 
behind throat vinous chestnut. Total length 7.5 inches, culmen .75, 
wing 5.05, tail 2.85, tarsus .8. 


THE WOOD-SWALLOWS 335 


The Masked Wood-Swallow, .1. persunatus.—All Australia except Northern 
Territory and Western Queensland. Much like A. superciliosus, but 
without the white eyebrow; the whole of the face jet black; under 
surfaces grey with an indistinct collar on the throat. Total length 
7.2 inches, culmen .75, wing 4.9, tail 3.15, tarsus .8. 


“The Emu.” A. H. E. Mattingley. 


Wood-Swallow (Artamus sordidus), Nesting Site. 


The Grey-breasted Wood-Swallow, <A. cinereus——Western Australia. 
Brown above, the head rather pale; eyebrow and ear-coverts paler 
brown; lores, cheeks and throat blackish. Total length 7.5 inches, 
culmen .75, wing 4.95, tail 3, tarsus .85. 


The White-bellied Wood-Swallow, A. hypoleucus—Northern Territory and 


Queensland. Like preceding, but with white under tail-coverts. 
Total length 6.3 inches. 


336 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Black-faced Wood-Swallow, A. melanops.—Central Australia. Like 
A. cinereus, but smaller, the face with a greater amount of black on 
the sides, and the black under tail-coverts narrowly edged with 
white. Total length 7 inches. 


The White-vented Wood-Swallow, A. venustus.—North-west Australia. No 
black frontal line; chin black; throat ashy-grey like rest of under 
surface; the two central tail feathers all black, the rest tipped with 
white. Total length 7 inches. 


The Wood-Swallow, A. tenebrosus (sordidus).—All Australia and 
Tasmania. Chocolate brown above and below; under wing-coverts 
white; the two central tail feathers all black; the rest tipped with 
white. Total length 7 inches. These birds occasionally cling one on 
to the other in the form of a bunch, in a similar way to a swarm of 
bees. 


The Little Wood-Swallow, A. minor.—Australia generally, except Victoria. 
Chocolate-brown above; below inclining to chestnut; the rump, 
upper and under tail-coverts black; the under wing-coverts pale fawn 


- 


brown. Total length 5.7 inches, culmen .5, wing 3.85, tail 2.25. 
tarsus .5. 


The Wood Swallows form a charming group of birds. Most 
are migratory, coming south in the spring and leaving in the 
autumn, though a few species do not come south at all, and 
A. leucogaster and A. melanops are resident in New South 
Wales. The flight recalls that of the Swallow, the birds flying 
over the tops. of the trees. They also recall the Swallow by the 
dark colours of the plumage. They are all insectivorous, but 
occasionally take honey, and are most useful birds to the 
agriculturalist. The nests are built in the forks of 
the branches of trees or in bushes, and are constructed of 
fine twigs and grass, lined with fibrous roots. Clutch 
two or three eggs. These are often variable in the 
disposition of the markings, have a light neutral ground 
colour, and are dashed, speckled and blotched with various 
shades of brown. Those of the larger species up to .9 inches 
long and .7 broad, those of the Little Wood Swallows .7 x .5 inch. 


Family Prionopide. 


Bill with a notch in the upper mandible. Tail moderate. 
rounded or square, consisting of twelve feathers. 


oh 


HONEY-EATERS. 

. Sanguineous WHoney-eater: Myzomela sanguinolenta. 

. New Holland (or White-bearded) Honey-eater: Meliornis novae-hollandiae. 
. Golden-backed Honey-eater: MJelithreptus laetior. 

. Painted Honey-eater: Lntomophila pictu. 

. Yellow Honey-eater: Ptilotis flava. 

[See page 369 et sqq.] 


SE F 
ein 


THE GREY SHRIKE-THRUSH 337 


| 


teat 


Museum, Melbourne Zoo. 
Grey Shrike-Thrush: Collyriocichla harmonica. 


Y 


338 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Collyriocichla. Shrike-Thrushes. 


Grey and brown birds. Second primary longer than the 
secondaries. 


Bill blackish or deep brown. 


J. Back umber brown contrasting with grey head and rump. 


The Grey Shrike-Thrush, C. harmonica.—Australia, except North and 
West. Bill stout, .9 inches long; white loral spot very distinct; no 
white eyebrow; beneath ashy grey, the throat, centre of abdomen and 
under tail-coverts white. Length 9.8 inches. 


The Whistling Shrike-Thrush, C. rectirostris—Tasmania. Bill very long, 
1.2 inch; white loral spot very faint; a distinct whitish evebrow; 
beneath all grey. Length 9.5 inches. 


2. Back ashy-brown, like the rest of the upper surface. 


The Brown Shrike-Thrush, C. brunnea.—New Guinea and North Australia. 
White loral spot and eyebrow; beneath brownish white; throat and 
under tail-coverts white. Length 8.5 inches. 


The Buff-bellied Shrike-Thrush, C. rufiventris—Central and West 
Australia. White loral spot; no white eyebrow; beneath brownish 
white; under tail-coverts bright fawn-buff. Length 8.5 inches. 


Woodward’s Shrike-Thrush, C. woodwardiiNorthern Australia (Arnhem 
Land). Greyish-brown above; more greyish on the crown and sides 
of the head; quills and tail dark brown; throat and chest pale grey 
with a faint buff tinge; under parts ochraceous. Wing 129mm., 
tail 125mm. 


The Shrike-Thrushes are remarkable for the rich swelling 
melody of their loud and clear notes, which ring through the 
forest, and enrapture the listener. The notes, as I am now 
listening to the birds in my garden and an adjoining tree 
paddock, seem to resemble Wokh-wokh-wokh-Wee-ee. They feed 
on insects, which they pursue making short hops from 
limb to limb of the trees, and discover by tearing off the bark 
cleverly with their bills. The nest is not usually elaborate, 
made of strips of bark and lined with fibrous roots or grasses, 
and placed in a hollow open stump, that of C. harmonica 
sometimes on a ledge of a rock. The clutch usually consists of 
three or four eggs, which are pearly white with chestnut-brown 
blotches and _ bluish-grey under markings. Those of 
C. harmonica measure 1.2 x .9 inch. 


THE MAGPIE LARK 339 


Genus Pinarolestes. 


Birds very similar to the preceding, but smaller. Second 
primary equal to the secondaries in length; bill narrower. Our 
species have a ring of whitish or buffy-white feathers around the 
eye. 

The Little Shrike-Thrush, P. parvulus——Northern Australia. Distinct 


white eyebrow; under surface very pale buff; under tail-coverts 
whitish. Length 7.6 inches. 


The Rusty-breasted Shrike-Thrush, P. rufiventris—North and North-east 
Australia. No distinct eyebrow; under surface, including under tail- 
coverts, deep fawn colour. Length 6.5 inches. 


P. boweri is closely allied to P. rufigaster, but has the underneath parts 
brownish, and is a generally darker tint,and is found in Queensland. 
(Cairns.) Wing 4 inches, tail 3.5. 


In the clear melodious Thrush-like tones, and in the character 
of the nest and eggs these birds closely resemble the other Shrike- 


Thrushes. 


Genus Grallina. 


Black and white birds. Second primary longer than the 


secondaries. 
The Magpie Lark. 


Grallina picata. 

Australia and Tasmania. 

It is universally distributed over Australia, wherever water is found, 
and being a general favourite is but little molested. The birds are black 
in colour with large white areas, the extent of the white varying very 
greatly in individuals. There is a white patch on each side of the neck, 
a long white stripe on the wing, the upper tail-coverts and the basal two- 
thirds, and often the tip of the tail, and the whole of the under-surface 
behind the breast white also. The female has a white frontal band, and 
the throat white, but lacks the white line over the eye, and the shade of 
black is greener than in the male, which is bluer. Length 10 inches, 
culmen .95, wing 6.95, tail 4.95, tarsus 1.6. 


Of a tame and familiar disposition, haunting gardens, 
orchards and cultivated paddocks, especially when the ground 
is being turned over. It feeds on insects, and does not at all 
interfere with the fruit crops. The flight is peculiar, rather 
heavy, accompanied by a flapping of the wings. The familiar 


340 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


shrill and rather whining cry gives it the common name 
of the Pee-wee or Pee-wit, the former rendering the 
sound more accurately. The nest is an open structure, 
composed of mud with a little grass worked in to 
hold it, and lined with grass. It is a substantial building, 


Australian Museum. 
Magpie Larks (Grallina picata) with albino. 


one example weighing 1lb. 7 oz., and measuring 514 inches in 
diameter and 414 inches deep. It is placed on a horizontal 
branch high up in a large tree, and involves the architects in 
assiduous labour for a few days in carrying up the mud pellets 
to so great a height. They will build in trees quite near to 
houses. This season a pair nested in my back garden. The nest 


MAGPIES * 341 


swayed in the wind, the bird perching on the rim to feed the 
young. Both birds took part in this office. While the 
one was on duty, the other was away hunting for 
insects. Sometimes the nest bird would ery as if 
impatient. An answering call would come from _ the 
mate, and presently he would fly up, the other bird starting off 
as soon as he reached the bough. The birds changed their offices 
at intervals of seven minutes to a quarter of an hour. When the 
young could fly, they were attended by their parents, the family 
keeping together for several weeks. In the Royal Park, 
Melbourne, a flock of about fifty of these birds is to be found 
nearly all the year round, but only two pairs nest regularly, 
and nearly always in the same tree, and that they have done for 
many years; but the young they rear always seek fresh scenes. 
The eggs, two to four or five, vary considerably, white or reddish- 
white with purplish-brown markings, usually forming a zone 
at the larger end. They measure about 1.1 by about .8 inch. 
Wood Swallows (Artamus) frequently build their own nests in 
the old nests of Magpie Larks. 


Family Laniide. ‘‘Crow Shrikes.’’ 


Bill either strong, with curved culmen, with hook and notch, 
black or dark-brown, or with straight culmen, almost without 
hook and notch, bluish-white. Wing with ten primaries. Tail 
with twelve feathers. Non-migratory, insectivorous. Nest 
containing a few coloured eggs, built in a tree. 


Sub-family Gymnorhinine 


Nostrils midway between base and tip of bill. 
Bill very straight and pointed, scarcely hooked. Tail 


not half the length of the wing. Gymnorhina. 
Bill rather curved, strongly hooked. Tail little shorter 
than wing. Cracticus. 
Magpies. 


Genus Gymnorhina. 


Bill longer than rest of head, slightly notched. Nostrils 
longitudinal slits, quite bare of feathers. Wings very long and 


342 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


pointed. Tail square. Black and white the only colours. Con- 
fined to Australia and Tasmania. 

Of the five species, G. hyperleuca, the smallest, is confined 
to Tasmania, not occurring on the islands in Bass Strait; 
G. longirostris North-west Australia; G. dorsalis West Australia ; 
G. tibicen ranges from the Gulf of Carpentaria district down 
through the interior parts of Queensland, New South Wales, 
Victoria and South Australia; G. leuconota inhabits more 
especially the coastal and heavily forested parts of New South 
Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. 


The Black-backed Magpie. 
Gymnorhina trbicen. 


Adult male glossy blue-black, except nape and hind neck, upper and 
under wing-coverts, upper and under tail-coverts, tail (except a broad 
terminal band) and vent, which are white; bill bluish-white to bluish- 
black at the tip; iris light-hazel; legs black. Total length 15 to 16 
inches, culmen 2, wing 10, tail 6, tarsus 2. 

Adult female differs in that the black has a more brownish tinge, and 
the upper parts white in the male are grey in the female. 


Magpies in their natural state mostly procure their food on 
the ground, devouring mainly grubs and caterpillars and small 
lizards, but occasionally grain, berries and fruit. They are very 
properly protected, as any creature which will lessen the number 
of our million insect pests in Australia is especially valuable. 

All the species are famous vocalists. The wild carol is 
wonderfully rich and clear, falling away in sweet flute-like notes. 
In captivity the birds soon pick up fetching airs. I heard of 
one bird which rose to a correct rendering of the first bars of 
the anthem, ‘‘How beautiful upon the mountains,’’ but the 
majority are brought up on ‘‘There is no luck about the house’’ 
and ‘‘Merrily sang the baker’s wife.’’ Some birds have been 
taught to imitate the human voice in speech, and indeed the 
mimetic talent is considerable. 

Mr. W. H. Bowman, of the Currajong, possessed a bird 
which had been taught to call Mrs. Bowman ‘‘Mother’’ and 
Mr. Bowman ‘‘Father.’’ One day, while at the table they heard 
loud calls of ‘‘Mother! Mother! Mo-o-ther!’’ becoming more and 
more pathetic in the inflexions of the voice and also fainter. 


THE BLACK-BACKED MAGPIE 343 


Mrs. Bowman said, ‘‘I am sure there is something wrong with 
Maggie. We had better see what it is.’’ Accordingly they rose 
and went out, and guided by the voice found indeed that poor 
Maggie had fallen into the well. Mr. Bowman went down him- 
self in the bucket, and fetched up the bird from the water. 
Certainly the power to call ‘‘Mother,’’ and so appeal for 
help, saved the bird’s life. 

Mr. A. J. Campbell relates the history of a Black-backed 
Magpie which he saw in Riverina. ‘‘An exceedingly handsome 
male bird was taken when young from the bush, reared and 
allowed his freedom about the place. When he was two years 
old, hen birds from the bush came and coquetted with ‘‘Charlie’’ 
as he is called, who appeared to pay little heed to his admirers. 
At last the seductions of one of the hen-birds proved too great, 
and the pair commenced to build a nest in the nearest tree, not 
one hundred yards from the house. Charlie proved an exceed- 
ingly devoted husband, feeding his mate upon the nest regularly 
by conveying food from the kitchen table, the meat block, and 
in fact from anywhere he could steal it. This recurred for 
seven seasons, the seventh season’s brood I was witness to, and 
saw Charlie procuring meat in the kitchen to feed the young. 
Once Charlie’s wing was clipped, when he was forced to climb 
the tree instead of using flight. On another occasion he 
unfortunately lost a leg in a trap. It was almost ludicrous to 
watch how the poor bird used the stump in climbing to assist 
to feed his offspring. When a brood (usually four in number) 
was reared, honours seemed to be divided; he brought two about 
the house, while the wild bird enticed her pair into the bush.”’ 

The nest is usually placed in the forked branches of a tree, 
and is a large open structure built outwardly of dead sticks, 
twigs and strips of bark, and lined securely inside with a ply of 
fine bark, grass, hair, feathers, &c. External diameter 13 inches, 
internal five and depth 31%. The eggs, three to five, usually four, 
have a bluish-grev ground colour, smudged or clouded all over 
with a drab or brown; length 1.5 inch. breadth 1.1. There is a 
great amount of variation even in eggs of the same clutch. 
Breeding season from July to October. 


344 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Long-billed Magpie. 
Gymnorhina longirostris. 


North-west Australia. 

Differs from G. tibicen in being a little larger. Total length 16.5 
inches, the bill narrow, straighter and longer, 2.5 inches, and the tail 
and tarsus shorter. The coloration is much the same, the white a little 
more extensive, as over the upper half of the thighs. 


The Varied-backed Magpie. 
Gymnorhina dorsalis. 


Adult male: Resembles most the male of G. leuconota, but is smaller 
in size; bill narrower, more curved and longer; edge of wings slightly 
mottled instead of white, and the black terminal band of the tail narrower 
and more concentric in form; bill bluish-white graduating through bluish- 
brown colour into bluish-black at the tip; irides hazel; legs black. Adult 
female: Differs conspicuously in having the back black instead of white; 
back of neck and lower back being of a mottled appearance where the 
dark feathers are tipped with white, the mottle at back of neck blending 
into a white nape; the otherwise black plumage is browner in tone than 
on the male, especially on the under parts and primaries. (Campbell). 
Male: Total length 15.5 inches, culmen 2.3, wing 10.25, tail 6.1, tarsus 2.1. 
Female: Total length 16 inches, culmen 2.2, wing 10.5, tail 6.25, tarsus 
2.2. 


Gould had noticed that the birds of Swan River presented 
some differences from the Black-backed Magpie, but did not 
erect a new species on his observations. Ramsay listed the West 
Australian bird as the White-backed Magpie. It was reserved 
for Mr. A. J. Campbell to solve the mystery. By dissection of 
birds in the bush and observation of others in captivity, he 
found to his surprise that the male birds possessed white backs 
and the female birds black backs, the sexes thus dividing the 
characters of the plumage of the two Eastern species. He found 
also that the western bird differed from both in the longer and 
narrower bill. 

The Western Magpie like its congeners lives well in captivity, 
and forms as amusing and mischievous a pet. Mr. Campbell 
thought that it rather lacked, however, the joyous hilarity of 
song so noticeable in both the eastern species. 

The nest is constructed outwardly of sticks and twigs and 
lined inside with fine bark. Outside diameter 11.75, inside 6, 
depth 2.5 inches. Clutch usually 4. Breeds chiefly in September, 
October, November. 


THE WHITE-BACKED MAGPIE 345 


The White-backed Magpie. 
G. leuconota. 


Adult male: Generally glossy black, except that the whole of the 
upper surface except the outer parts of the wings and a terminal band 
of the tail are white, as also the under wing and tail-coverts and the 
vent; bill bluish-white through bluish-slate to bluish-black at the tip; 
iris light hazel; legs black. Adult female: Black colour less intense, hind 
neck and back grey. Male: Total length 17 inches, culmen 2.2, wing 11.5, 
tail 7.25, tarsus 2.5. Female: Total length 16.25 inches, culmen 2, wing 
10.75, tail 6, tarsus 2.25. 


Magpies are the most valiant of our native birds. At 
breeding time they will attack any bird or beast which 
approaches the neighbourhood of the nest. Mr. Campbell once 
saw a pair drive off a Wedge-tailed Eagle. The birds attacked 
from above—‘‘every thrust making tufts of feathers fly from 
between the shoulders of the great bird of prey.’’ Hawks are 
dealt with summarily. It is not at all an exceptional experience 
in the country, as you approach the tree in which the nest is 
placed, for the old bird to come whizzing past close to your head. 
This by way of warning. If you come too near the next sweep 
may send your hat flying away. Nearer still and the attack will 
be still more personal. Small boys climbing for the nest are 
assaulted without mercy, and the bird is much the more likely 
to get the best of the encounter. 

Magpies are eminently social birds. Out of the breeding 
season, they scatter to hunt for grubs, insects and lizards in the 
morning, and collect together at sundown in smaller or larger 
companies to roost in the trees. Mr. I. Batey of Sunbury, 
Victoria, relates that as many as 2,000 used to resort to a 
secluded clump of box-trees (Eucalypts) near his homestead. 
When thus in company they give forth their beautiful piping 
notes rendering matins and evensong. ‘‘One bird starts the 
carol, others chime in, and all conclude in a most joyful chorus 
as of thankfulness to the departing day.’’ 

The wooing is after the style of some aboriginal tribes. 
Mr. Batey, who had extraordinary opportunities for studying 
the ways of these birds, says ‘‘This generally commences in 
pursuit, and culminates in a pitched battle between the amorous 
parties on the ground. They tumble over and over, and go at it 
with beak and claw, screaming all the while, a lot of old birds of 


346 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


both sexes pretending to assist. When the fracas is ended, the 
usual solo and chorus is given. After which the married couple 
fly off together. The union, I think, is lifelong with some of 
the birds, because one frequently sees an old pair together in 
one locality sticking to each other in and out of season, and for 
years using the same tree to nest in.’’ 

The male bird is a most attentive and faithful mate during 
the period of incubation, purveying food supplies for the hen 
bird with great assiduity and tenderness. Both parents keep 
an eye on their offspring practically up to the next breeding 
season, and may occasionally be seen giving grubs or other 
delicacies to the full-grown birds. If robbed of their young 
they show unmistakable signs of sorrow, wearing an air of 
utter dejection. How deep the nesting instinct is implanted 
was seen in the case of a female bird, kept for many years in 
captivity by Mr. H. J. Carter, which each year made up an 
elaborate nest in, alas vain, anticipation of domestic joys. While 
thus engaged she would call the family with loud squawks to 
assist her, would take eagerly the proffered twigs and arrange 
them to her liking, not always with a due appreciation of 
mechanical principles, for sometimes the bottom fell out. 

Magpies have an excess of vitality, which, apart from their 
exuberant song, they manifest in the wild state in sundry 
gambols and mirthful frolics, such as running round trees or 
stumps as if playing at hide and seek; darting at one another 
as if pretending to want to fight, or trying to catch one another 
by the tail when on the wing. Hence of all our native birds 
they make the best pets. No doubt the owner has to put up with 
a good deal of misdirected energy in the way of amateur 
gardening as well as the well known habit of hiding away any 
small bright object which they see lying about, but the birds 
show a remarkable degree of intelligence and also of affection. 

Of intelligence Mr. Batey gives a striking instance: ‘‘Our 
magpie was possessed of extraordinary memory. Her favourite 
perch was a quince tree down the garden. One night a native 
cat attacked her, and my brother and myself rushed to the rescue. 
She never forgot the episode, and ever after would turn up 
punctually at dusk to be placed on the kitchen cross-beam. It 
was intensely amusing to watch the pretty coaxing methods she 


THE LESSER WHITE-BACKED MAGPIE 347 


would resort to, in order to compel you to attend to her wants in 
this respect. One summer evening when attending to the 
garden, I pretended to take no notice of her, though she had 
recourse to all her blandishments in order to induce me to offer 
her my forefinger. Maggie was not to be put off, so she looked 
about and caught a beetle, and then jumped on to my knee, 
uttering a low chirpy noise. Evidently this beetle was meant for 
me, so stooping down, I opened my mouth, when she coolly 
dropped it in. Of course I could not resist this last appeal. 
When we scolded this bird, she would assume an air of humble 
contrition so irresistibly comic that we could not help laughing. 
She was very fond of being praised, and showed her apprecia- 
tion of flattery by joyfully skipping about.’’ 

The White-backed Magpie is a more wary and a shier bird than 
the Black-backed. Mr. Campbell considers that the delightful 
clear ringing call is fuller and louder than in the other species. 
He distinguishes the carol or song, a whistle-like call and a long 
squeak-like note of alarm. 

The nesting habits and nest of G. leuconota are like those of 
G. tibicen. A nest measured 18 inches across outside, 8 inches 
inside, and was 3 inches deep. Normally it is constructed of 
dead twigs and lined with fibres, grass, casuarina needles, wool. 
&e. The breeding season lasts from August to October. 


The Lesser White-backed Magpie. 
Gymnorhina hyperleuca. 

Adult female: Glossy bluish-black or black, except nape, hind neck, 
upper and under wing and tail-coverts; tail (except terminal band) and 
vent, white; bill bluish graduating into black at the tip; iris bright hazel; 
legs black. Total length 13.5 inches, culmen 1.75, wing 9.4, tail 5.5, tarsus 
2. Adult female: Differs in having hind neck and back grey, and 
terminal band of tail brownish-black. 

Confined to Tasmania, where from longer protection it is 
perhaps the tamest of our Magpies, sometimes building its nest 
by the wayside of thoroughfares and streets. The nests are 
similar to those of the continental birds, and the Magpies are 
always ready to make use of any suitable if unusual material 
provided by the vicinity of man. Mr. A. E. Brent noticed nests 
made of wire, and of reaper and binder twine. The breeding 
season is from August to the end of the year. 


348 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Cracticus. Butcher-birds. 
Bill like that of Gymnorhina, but stouter and strongly 
hooked. Colour of plumage black, white and grey. Australian 
region extending into Austro-Malaysia. 


Ivey to the Species. 


Adult birds all black: young males rufous. North Australia. C. rufescens. 
Belly white. 
wa. Throat black; a white collar round the hind neck. 
Total length 13 inches. All the States C. nigrigularis. 
Total length 11 inches. Northern Territory 
and North-west. C. picatus. 


b. Throat white. ; 
Back black, chin black. New Guinea, North 
Australia. C. spaldingi. 
Back grey, chin white. 
Flanks pale brownish-grey. 


Eastern Australia. C. destructor. 

Tasmania. C. cinereus. 

West Australia. C. leucopterus. 
Flanks and sides of breast pure white. 

North Australia. C. argenteus. 


The Butcher-birds have a sad reputation. They are birds 
which prey on small game. 


‘Mice and rats, and such small deer 
Have been Tom’s food for seven long year.’’ 


Small quadrupeds, lizards, birds and insects fall victims. The 
birds of prey at least kill their quarry quickly. The Butcher- 
bird has another method, when he is not hungry. He impales 
his victims on sharp thorns, so that they may still be fresh meat 
when he is ready to feed. He is an inveterate destroyer of small 
birds, and will come about the houses if canaries are hung in 
cages to the verandah. In some way he terrifies the birds so 
that they come near to the meshes of the cage, and the head is 
off in an instant. He is capable of emptying an aviary in this 
way, and the only security is to have two layers of netting. 
The notes of the Butcher-birds are loud and distinctly musical. 
but one feels that such a character should not possess so pleasing 
a voice, and in consequence a suspicion of hypocrisy as a further 
vice. The nest is large, of the style of the Magpie’s,. cup- 
shaped and formed of sticks and lined with fibres of grasses and 
roots, and placed in trees. Eggs, three in number, of some 
neutral ground tint with brown spots. Dimensions about 1.25 
x .9 inch. 


THE BUTCHER-BIRDS 349 


The Black Butcher-bird. 


Cracticus rufescens. 

Northern Australia. 

Evidently a local race of C. quoyi, which is found in the Papuan 
Islands. The Australian forms seem rather greener in tint, and a little 
smaller. The young males are rufous in colour, and change into the 
black plumage about the second year. Dimensions of C. rufescens, total 
length 13.10 inches, culmen 2.3, wing 6.75, tail 5.8, tarsus 1.65. 


The Black-throated Butcher-bird. 
Cracticus mgrigularis. 

Generally distributed except Northern Territory and North-west 
Australia. 

Head and neck all round, throat and chest glossy-black, remainder of 
under surface pure white; a distinct white collar around the hind neck; 
back black, lower back greyish; rump and upper tail-coverts pure white; 
central pair of tail feathers entirely black, the others broadly tipped with 
white; wing-coverts pure white, mostly black at base; sexes alike in 
coloration. Total length 13 inches, culmen 1.9, wing 7.1, tail 5.9, tarsus 
1.45. 


The Pied Butcher-bird. 
Cracticus picatus. 


Northern Territory and North-west. 

Like preceding in colouring, but smaller and has a clear whistle for 
its note; nests in open forest country. Total length 11 inches, culmen 1.5, 
wing 6.5, tail 5, tarsus 1.3. 


The White-winged Butcher-bird. 


Cracticus leucopterus. 

West Australia. 

Above silvery grey, with faint blackish shaft streaks; greater wing- 
coverts tinged with brown strongly mottled with white, especially on the 
outer web, which shows a conspicuous white wing patch; upper tail 
coverts pure white; all tail feathers black tipped with white; head and 
middle of hind neck jet black, the colour extending on to the sides of 
the neck; a large loral spot; cheeks, part of sides of neck, chin, throat, 
and rest of under surface pure white, slightly tinged with silvery grey 
on the sides of the breast; flanks silvery grey. Total length 10 inches, 
culmen 1.3 to 1.5, wing 5.7 to 6, tail 4.5, tarsus 1.2 to 1.5. 


The following species have the same dimensions, but are local 
races differing somewhat in coloration. 


The Silver-backed Butcher-bird, C. argentews.—Northern Australia. Has 
back of a light silvery grey; the white of the upper surface more 
extensive, and the whole of the under surface, including the flanks 
and the sides of the breast pure white. 


350 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Butcher-bird, C. destructor. Eastern Australia. Has the upper 
surface of a dull brownish ashy-grey, with darker brown shaft streaks, 
and is without the conspicuous white patch on the wing. The female 
browner and more dingy. 


The Grey Butcher-bird, C. cinereus. Tasmania. Generally like preceding, 
but with even less white on the wing, and rather browner above and 


on flanks. 


Sub-family Pachycephaline. 
Bill rather strong, culmen slightly curved, notched. Nostrils 
in a groove, with an imperfect operculum and beset with small 
feathers. Austro-Malaysian and Polynesian subregions. 


Key to the Genera. 
With a crest of feathers. 


Upper breast yellow. Falcunculus. 

Upper breast brown. Oreoica. 
Without a crest of feathers. 

Bill at nostrils broader than high Eopsaltria. 

Bill at nostrils equal in breadth and height. Pachycephala. 


Genus Falcunculus. 

Bill strongly curved and toothed, laterally much compressed. 
Nostrils basal. Crown with a well-developed crest. Sexes 
nearly alike in plumage, which contains much yellow; female 
less brilliant. Australia only. Shrike-Tits. 


The Yellow-bellied Shrike-Tit. 
Falcunculus frontatus. 


All Fastern Australia and South Australia. 

General colour above greenish-yellow, with a tinge of grey; upper 
tail-coverts yellow, tinged with greenish; tail feathers grev, with large 
white tips; forehead, sides of head above the eyes, and occiput white; 
the feathers of the crown of the head deep black, forming an erectile 
crest; a broad black stripe from the outer edge of the eye over the ear; 
the deep black throat and foreneck separatéd from this stripe by a broad 
white one;.the whole under-surface of the body bright yellow, the breast 
shining yellow; bill black, feet bluish-black. Total length 7 inches, culmen 
.75, wing 3.7, tail 3.4, tarsus .85. Female a little smaller, the colouring 
more subdued. 


The White-bellied Shrike-Tit. 


Falcunculus lewcogaster. 


Western Australia. 
Very like preceding but rather smaller, and differing in having the 
lower part of the breast, the whole abdomen and the flanks entirely 


THE WHITE-BELLIED SHRIKE-TIT 351 


white instead of yellow. Total length 6.8 inches, culmen .75, wing 3.65, 
tail 3.4, tarsus .85. Female somewhat smaller. 

The Shrike-tits are not found in the hotter northern parts of 
Australia. Around Sydney F. fronlatus is not infrequently 
met with amongst the gum-trees. It is a striking looking bird, 
the yellow breast being very conspicuous from below. It is very 
lively and active, and resembles the much smaller European 
Titmice in its habits of clinging to and climbing round the 
branches. It feeds on insects, which it procures by hunting 
over the bark and among the foliage of the trees. Gould says 
of it: ‘‘No bird of its size with which I am acquainted possesses 
greater strength in its mandibles, or is capable of inflicting 
severer wounds, as I experienced on handling one I had pre- 
viously winged, and which fastened on my hand in the most 
ferocious manner.’’ It utters a low plaintive note while engaged 
in hunting, and now and again erects its crest. The nest is a 
beautiful inverted cone-shaped structure outwardly composed 
of shreds of fibrous bark bound round, and held together with 
spiders’ webs like that of a Fantail, the inside being lined with 
very fine grasses and thin strips of bark, and is usually placed 
in the thin topmost leafy twigs of a tall Eucalyptus tree, though 
sometimes in a sapling. It usually nips the end of the twigs off 
immediately above its nest. The eggs are white, minutely dotted 
and spotted with slaty-black markings; .89 x .63 inch. I was 
present with a friend who wished to secure the nest and eggs of 
a Shrike-Tit which had built near the extremity of a long, rather 
high, horizontal branch, stretching over a floor of hard and 
uneven rocks near Cook’s River. With great dexterity and 
daring he succeeded in obtaining the prize, but alas in the 
descent the eggs were broken. The nest was exceedingly well 
placed for safety, and I imagine the bird proceeded to build 
another in a yet more inaccessible situation, and I trust suc- 
ceeded in bringing up its family undisturbed. 


Genus Oreoica. 
Bill very convex but without tooth. Nostrils oval. Tail 
shorter than wing, square. Crown with a crest of feathers. 
Plumage dull-coloured. Australia only. 


352 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Bell-bird. 
Oreoica cristata. 

Australia generally. 

Reddish-brown above; head light-grey with white forehead and lores; 
the feathers of the crown of the head forming a deep brownish-black 
erectile crest; chin and upper throat white enclosed by black stripes; lower 
throat, neck and upper breast brownish-black; lower breast and abdomen 
white. Female everywhere lighter coloured. Total length 8.4 inches, 
culmen .8, wing 4.1, tail 3.5, tarsus 1.1. Feeds on insects. 

The Bell Bird is commonly distributed over Australia, 
especially the drier and inland portions. It is a good ventrilo- 
quist, and utters its clear bell-like note from the top 
of the Eucalyptus trees, where it usually seeks its insect prey. 
The nest is a deep open structure, composed of strips of bark 
and leaves, and lined with fine grass. It is usually placed not 
far from the ground on the top of a stump surrounded by 
suckers, or in the fork of a grass tree or other shrub. The eggs 
are from three to four, bluish-white in colour, sparingly but 
boldly marked with dark sepia blotches. They measure 1.06 x 
.81 inch. 

Not to be confused with the Bell Minah Manorhina 
melanophrys, which is found in gullies near the coast, occurring 
in large numbers, which make the welkin ring with their single 
bell notes, bird answering bird, filling the gully with music. 


Genus Pachycephala. Thickheads. 


Sexes generally differing in colouring, the principal colours. 
in the male plumage earthern-brown, yellow, olive-green and 
black. Indian and Australian regions. Not in New Zealand. 
Insectivorous. 

These birds are often known locally as the ‘‘Little Thrush.’” 
“The notes are very beautiful, not so bold as those of Collyrio- 
cichla but numerous and well sustained. The nests are open 
and cup-shaped, formed by thin twigs, fibrous roots or casuarina 
shoots, and are usually placed in a fork of a tree six to twelve 
feet from the ground. The eggs are of some shade of olive- 
brown or yellowish with brown spots, often forming a zone on 
the larger end, a little under an inch long and two-thirds of an 
inch wide. 


THICKHEADS 353 


Key to the Species. 


I. Jet black pectoral collar. Above olive yellow or olive 
green. Yellow in the plumage. Under surfaces 
yellow. Throat white. 

Head black. Under surfaces bright yellow. 
Tail all deep black. Length 6.23 inches, wing 


3.55, tail 2.7. P. melanura. 
Tail basal part olive grey, tip black. Length 6.95 
inches, wing 3.74, tail 3.28. P. pectoralis 


(gutturalis). 
Tail basal part simply grey, tip black. Length 6.73 


inches, wing 3.76, tail 3.15. P. occidentalis. 
Tail all grey. Length 6.95 inches, wing 3.93, 
tail 3.32. P. glaucura. 


II. Black pectoral collar. Above ashy grey. No yellow in 
plumage. Head ashy grey or brown. 
Throat white. 


Under surfaces creamy pale brownish. CoMar 
broad. Length 5.76 inches, wing 3.42, tail 2.56. P. falcata. 
Under surfaces creamy white. Collar narrow. P. pallida. 
Under surfaces orange brown. Collar broad. P. rufiventris. 
Throat rusty red. 
Lores black, cheeks rusty red. P. gilberti. 


III. No black pectoral collar. Mostly plain colours. 
Throat whitish, freckled with brown. 
Total length 7.5 inches. Under surface dull fawn. P. olivacea. 
Throat white. Under surface white. P. simplex. 
IV. Head and breast black, hind neck with chestnut band, 
rest of upper parts ashy. Throat, abdomen and 


flanks white. 
A black pectoral collar in front of the chestnut band 

on the neck. P. lanioides. 
The chestnut band covers the whole of the neck. 

Black and chestnut bands across the chest. P. fretorum. 


The distribution is as follows :— 


The Black-tailed Thickhead, P. melanura. North-west Australia, Northern 
Territory, North Queensland, to South New Guinea. 


White-throated Thickhead, P. pectoralis——Eastern Australia. 

Western Thickhead, P. occidentalis—Western Australia. 

Grey-tailed Thickhead, P. glaucura.—Tasmania, Islands of Bass Strait. 
Northern Thickhead, P. falcata.—All northern coasts. 

Pale-breasted Thickhead, P. pallida—Gulf of Carpentaria. 
Rufous-breasted Thickhead, P. rufiventris——Generally distributed. 


Red-throated Thickhead, P. gilbertiExcept in North-west, Centre, and 
Queensland. 


Olive Thickhead, P. olivacea—New South Wales, Victoria to Tasmania. 
Brown Thickhead, P. simplex.—Port Essington. 

White-bellied Thickhead, P. lanioides.—North-west coast. 

Torres Strait Thickhead, P. fretorwm.—North and North-west Australia. 


Z 


354 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Eopsaltrva. Shrike-Robins. 
The genus is intermediate between the Pachycephaline and 
the Muscicapinw. (Gadow). Australia, New Caledonia, New 
Guinea, Aru Islands. 


Key to the Species. 


1. Abdomen and lower breast bright yellow. 
Chin and upper throat greyish white, chest and breast 
yellow. Eastern Australia. 
Upper tail-coverts yellowish-green. E. australis. 
Upper tail-coverts bright yellow. E. chrysorrhoa. 
E. jacksoni. 
Chin, throat and upper breast white. Western 


Australia. E. georgiana. 
2. Under parts white, rest of plumage black. Tips of tail 
feathers white. E. gularis. 


Of the Yellow-breasted Robins H. australis is common in 
Victoria and New South Wales, E. chrysorrhoa extends from the 
Northern Rivers of New South Wales up to Rockingham Bay in 
Queensland, while £. georgiana is confined to Western Australia. 
The form in which the plumage shows no yellow, FE. gularis, 
occurs in West and South Australia. E. jacksoni has more 
white on the throat than E. chrysorrhoa and more yellow on the 
rump, the white on the shoulder not so distinct and the primaries 
not tipped with ashy-white. It mhabits the open forest and 
scrub country at an elevation of between 3,000 and 5,000 feet. 
Type from Herberton Range. Length 5.6 inches, wing 3.45, 
tail 2.5. Eopsaltria means the Harpist of the Dawn, and these 
beautiful sprightly little birds are well named. 


The Yellow-breasted Shrike-Robin. 
Eopsaltria australis. 

Above olive-grey, except the hind neck, which is simply grey; wing- 
coverts blackish-grey, edge of the wing whitish; upper tail-coverts 
yellowish- green; tail feathers dark-greyish-brown, except the two central 
pairs, with narrow white tips; under surface, except chin and uppermost 
part of throat which is greyish-white, all bright yellow; under-surface 
of wings whitish and grey; bill black, feet brown, iris brown. Total 
length 6 inches, culmen .7, wing 3.7, tail 2.9, tarsus .75. Female duller. 


Abundant in Southern Victoria and the eastern parts of 
New South Wales. A beautiful and impassively friendly bird, 
which readily perches near you, remaining quite quiet unless you 
take steps to frighten it away, and one of the most useful in the 
orchard or vineyard, for it finds all its food among the insects 


THE YELLOW-BREASTED SHRIKE-ROBIN 355 


and their larve. It has a very pleasant and friendly note when 
it elects to sing, but while you are watching each other the bird 
generally preserves silence. It breeds throughout the latter half 
of the year, rearing two or more broods, and is a close sitter. 
The nest is usually placed on the fork of a low tree, and is a 
round cup-shaped structure, composed of strips of soft bark and 


From life. D. Le Souéf. 
Nest of Yellow-breasted Shrike-Robin: Eopsaltria australis. 


fibrous matter, the outside and rim beautifully trimmed with 
lichens, and strips of bark attached by means of cobweb and 
hung vertically around the nest. It is lined with soft material, 
wiry grasses or hair. The eges, 2 or 3 in number, of a bright 
apple or bluish-green ground colour, speckled and spotted all 
over with different shades of reddish and chestnut-brown. 
Dimensions .83 x .62 inch. 


356 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Family Paride. 
Sub-family Parine. 

Bill without notch. Tarsus less than twice the length of the 
hallux without the nail. Wings rounded. Toes short. Plumage 
soft, woolly, lax. Sexes alike in plumage. 

Small, non-migratory birds, feeding on insects and seeds. 
The Australian members of the sub-family are the nearest allies 
we possess to the European Titmice, but differ from them in 
their very plain plumage. Both genera are confined to 
Australia. 


Genus Aphelocephala (Xerophila). Whitefaces. 
Bill higher than broad, robust. Nostrils partly covered. 
No crest. Tail square. Small birds, brown above and dull-white 
below; face in front of the eyes white. 


The Whiteface, 4. leucopsis—Australia except North. Without pectoral 
band; bill and feet brown. Length 4 inches. 


The Chestnut-breasted Whiteface, A. pectoralis—South Australia. With 
a prominent cinnamon-brown band across the chest; bill and feet 
black. Length 3.9 inches. 


The Black-banded Whiteface, A. nigricincta.—Central Australia. With a 
narrow black pectoral band; bill black, and feet purplish-black. 
Length 3.9 inches, wing 2.2, tail 1.55. 


The Chestnut-bellied Whiteface, A. castaneiventris—Western Australia 
(Murechison).—Flank and sides uniform chestnut; general cover 
above dark brown, a patch of light brown feathers encroaching on 
each side of the chest. Length 4.1 inches, wing 2.4, tail 2, tarsus .75. 


The Whitefaces are met with in small flocks, and are sociable 
in their disposition. They are more frequently seen on the 
ground than in the trees. They are very busy, and hop about 
in a lively manner. They are not alarmed by the presence of 
.man, and on his near approach just flit aside into the nearest 
bush. The nest is rather large, domed, with an entrance-hole 
near the top, and is composed of dried grasses, moss, wool, webs 
and dead leaves, lined with grasses or feathers. The eges are 
pinkish-white, thickly spotted and smudged with pinkish or 
reddish chocolate, and measure .71 x .52 inch. 


THE WEDGEBILL 307 


Mr. Robert Hall records a curious instance of their friendli- 
ness to, or lack of fear of, man. For years several pairs of 
Whitefaces, in company with the imported Sparrows, occupied 
the verandah and outbuildings of a wayside inn at Lake Boga, 
in the Swan Hill district. They were accustomed to feed on the 
erumbs and other relics of the inn table, and built their nests 
and reared their young about the place. The nests were loosely 
constructed, much like those of the Sparrows, but rather smaller, 
and like the Sparrows the Whitefacves made use of any suitable 
odds and ends of materials which presented themselves. There 
were four or five eggs in each clutch, and several broods were 
reared in the season. One nest was built within a few feet of 
the main door of the inn. Another, strangely enough, was built 
in the end of a loosely-rolled curtain of a waggonette. The 
vehicle was used on two occasions without the birds being 
noticed or disturbed. Later on the waggonette was used for a 
long drive of twenty-two miles, and on the return the curtain 
was lowered, when, to the surprise of the owner, down came a 
nest with five eggs, which contained living chicks, and must 
have been nearly fullv incubated in this strange situation. 


Genus Sphenostoma. 


Bill not higher than broad, wedge-shaped. curved. Nostrils 
quite exposed. A crest of long feathers on the crown. 
Insectivorous. 


The Wedgebill. 
Sphenostoma cristatum. 


The inland areas of all the States. : 
Above uniform earthy-brown; tail feathers with large white tips; 
beneath dingy white washed with grey or brown. Length 6.5 inches. 


It builds an open cup-shaped nest of thin twigs and lined 
with grasses, generally placed in a low bush, and lays two 
(sometimes 3) eggs of a light bluish-green ground colour, boldly 
dotted with small black or dark sepia markings. 1.0 x .68 inch. 


358 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Family Sittide. 

Bill subulate, straight or curved upwards, slightly longer 
than rest of head, never toothed. Wings long and pointed, 
double the length of the tail. Tail rounded or square, short. 
Sexes alike or slightly differing in plumage. Insectivorous. All 
over the world except the Neotropical and Ethiopian regions. 


Genus Neositta. (Sittella). 


Bill curved upwards. Nostrils with a cutaneous valve. Tree- 
runners. Australia, with one species in New Guinea. 


Key to the Species. 


I. A large patch of rusty red on the wing, formed of the 
middle thirds of the quills. 
a. Breast and abdomen dingy white, streaked with 
brown. 


Crown of head dark brown. N. chrysoptera. 
Head and neck white all round. N. leucocephala. 
b. Breast and abdomen pure white, not streaked with 
brown. 
Crown of head black. N. pileata. 
Crown of head blackish-brown, wing patch half 
white, half rusty. N. tenuirostris. 


II. A large patch of pure white on the wing, formed of 
the middle thirds of the quills. 
a. Head above black. 


Breast and abdomen much streaked. N. striata. 
Breast and abdomen white without streaks. N. leucoptera. 
b. Head white all round. N. albata 


Small birds about four inches in total length, generally 
brown above and white below, without bright colours except for 
the rich rufous or white patch on the wing. They occur in small 
companies, and run over the branches of the trees with great 
ease and skill, assuming every possible variety of position, but 
differ from the Tree-Creepers in hunting down and not up the 
tree. The flight is quick and darting as it flits from one tree 
to another. 

Nest situated on the bark of an upright dead limb. cup- 
shaped, composed of downy substances. On the outside are 
worked on by cobwebs small pieces of bark, which so liken the 
nest to the rest of the limb that it is extremely difficult to 
detect. Clutch of eggs three, smooth, whitish, mottled all over 
with slate-coloured or greenish spots. Dimensions .67 x .54 
inch. 


THE ORANGE-WINGED TREE-RUNNER 359 


The Orange-winged Tree-runner. 


Neositta chrysoptera. 
South Australia and the Eastern States. 
Crown of head, nape and wing-coverts dark-brown; mantle, back and 
seapulars pale brownish-grey, each feather with a dark-brown central 


Australian Museum. 
Orange-winged Tree-Runner: Neositta chrysoptera. 


streak; rump and upper tail-coverts white, the latter with small subterminal 
brown cross-bars; wing quills dark-brown with paler tips, the middle 
third of the webs forming a conspicuously large rich rufous patch on the 


360 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


opened wing; tail feathers blackish-brown, the outer pairs with white tips; 
all the under-parts dingy white, most of the feathers with narrow brown 
shaft streaks; flanks slightly washed with brownish; throat almost white; 
under wing-coverts dull dark-brown with white edges; under tail-coverts 
white. with subterminal brown arrow-shaped marks. Iris cream-colour; 
feet yellow. The female has a darker brown head. Total length 4 inches, 
eulmen .6, wing 3.1, tail 1.5, tarsus .7. 


The White-headed Tree-runner. 
Neositta leucocephala. 
Queensland and New South Wales. 


Head and neck all round pure white; under tail-coverts brown tipped 
with white; otherwise like preceding. 


The Pied Tree-runner. 


Neositta albata. 
North-east Queensland. 


Like E. leucocephala but with white'wing patch instead of rusty one. 
Wing 3 inches, tail 1.5. 


The Black-capped Tree-runner. 
Neositta pileata. 

All the States except Queensland and Northern Territory. 

Crown of head deep black; a narrow white band on the forehead, 
pre@ocular and superciliary regions and lores; ear-coverts, part of occiput, 
nape, hind neck, mantle, scapulars and back uniform greyish-brown; rump 
and lower back pure white; upper tail-coverts white with several blackish- 
brown cross-bars; tail feathers black with white tips; wings above 
blackish-brown with rusty red patch; under wing-coverts black; edge 
of wing white; cheeks, sides of neck, throat, breast and abdomen pure 
white; under tail-coverts white with large subterminal blackish-brown 
cross-bars; sides, flanks, thighs greyish-brown; bill yellow at base, black 
at tip; feet bright vellow, iris buffy-hazel. In the female the whole of 
the upper parts and sides of the head black. Culmen .6 to .7, wing 3.4 to 
3.52; tail 1.65 to 1.7, tarsus .7 to .73. 


The Slender-billed Tree-runner. 
N. tenuirostris. 
Interior of South and West Australia. 
The wing patch is paler and the bill is slenderer than in the preceding. 


It ‘‘seems to be a smaller race of N. pileata representing the latter in the 
interior of South Australia.’’ (B.M.C.). 


The White-winged Tree-runner. 
N. leucoptera. 
North Australia. 


Resembles N. pileata in the head and under parts, but has the wing 
patch pure white instead of rusty colour. 


THE TREE-CREEPERS 361 


The Striated Tree-runner. 
N. striata. 

North and North-east Australia. 

Head all round, sides of neck, throat and upper breast all black; hind 
neck, mantle, scapulars and back greyish-brown, each feather with a 
broad blackish-brown shaft streak; wings brown above with large white 
patch; breast, flanks and abdomen white, each feather with broad dark- 
brown longitudinal streak. Otherwise like N. leucoptera. 


Another form, \. magnirostris, has been described from 
Mt. Elliot, inland from Townsville. It is closely allied to 
N. striata, but differs from that bird in its generally larger size 
and especially the longer and more massive bill, the culmen 
being 0.63 inch, as compared with 0.53 inch, wing 3.3, tail 1.5. 
tarsus 0.7. 


Family Certhude. 

Bill slender, generally longer than the rest of the head, 
eurved downwards; culmen keeled, without tooth or notch at 
tip. Nostrils basal, longitudinal, operculated, exposed, without 
bristles. Hallux, with its claw longer than the longest toe; 
claws, especially the hind claw, long, much curved and very 
sharp. Plain coloured. Insectivorous. All over the world, 
except South America, New Zealand and Madagascar. 


Genus Climacteris. 

Tail square, soft, shorter than wing. Tarsus covered in front 
with one long scutum. Brown and frequently spotted. Tree- 
creepers. Australia, New Guinea, with one species in the 
Philippines. In all the Australian forms there is a fawn- 
coloured band across the wing. 


Key to the Species. 


1. All the upper parts uniform brownish black. 


Throat black, with white lanceolate stripes. C. melanura. 
Throat dull white, without stripes. C. melanonota. 
Underparts chestnut. C. wellsi. 
2. Mantle olive-brown or red-brown. 
a. Central pair of tail-feathers, lower back and upper 
tail-coverts olive-brown. 
Under surface rusty-red, flanks without stripes. C. rufa. 
Under surface pale buff or fawn, much striated. C. picumna. 
b. Central pair of tail-feathers dark grey. 
Orbital region brown; whole fore neck white. C. scandens. 
Orbital region rich rusty red; dull buff crescent 
across upper chest. C. erythrops. 
Orbital region white. C. superciliosa. 


362 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Black-tailed Tree-creeper. 
Climacteris melanura. 


All the Northern Uoasts of Australia. 

Forehead, all the upper surface, the whole tail and all the wing- 
coverts brownish-black; wings dark-brown with a conspicuous pale-buff 
band across the extended wing; chin and throat white, each feather 
broadly edged with black, giving the throat a striped appearance; under 
wing-coverts brown edged with whitish and fawn; breast abdomen and 
thighs ferruginous brown, some of the breast feathers with darker brown 
central streaks; under tail-coverts brownish-black with buffish cross 
markings; bill and feet blackish-brown, iris dark red-brown. Total length 
6 to 7 inches, culmen .7 to .8, wing 3.75 to 4, tail 2.8 to 3, tarsus 1. 


Chestnut-bellied Tree-creeper. 
Climacteris wellsi. 


North-west Australia (Upper Gascoyne River district). 

Closely allied to C. melanura, but differs in having the underparts. 
chestnut instead of brown, and the middle of the breast rufous-buff 
(instead of smoky-buff) with white black-edged, shaft-streaks; the 
under tail-coverts are black, strongly barred with white. Length 7.0 to- 
7.25 inches, wing 3.7 to 3.85, tail 2.7. (Ogilvie Grant). 


The Black-backed Tree-creeper. 
Climacteris melanonota. 


Northern Territory and North Queensland. 

Like preceding, but throat unstriped; under-surface pale vinous- 
brown; the feathers of the abdomen with a central white shaft stripe 
with a black stripe on either side of it. 


The Rufous Tree-creeper. 
Climacterts rufa. 

South and West Australia. 

All the upper parts coloured as in C. scandens, but the feathers of 
the rump and upper tail-coverts rufous-brown; sides, head and ear-coverts, 
cheeks, chin, under wing-coverts and axillaries uniform rusty-red; centre 
of breast and abdomen, sides and flanks rusty-red. 


The White-throated Tree-creeper. 
Climacteris picumna (leucophea). 


South Australia and the Eastern States. 

Distinguished from preceding by the paler under-surface and absence- 
of rusty-red; chin, cheeks and upper throat pale-buff; sides of neck and 
upper breast greyish-buff; all the feathers of the breast, sides, flanks and’ 
abdomen having a longitudinal central stripe of dull white, this stripe- 
bordered on each side by a line of black-brown, the whole feather broadly 
edged with pale-buff. 


THE WHITE-BROWED TREE-CREEPER 363 


The Brown Tree-creeper. 
Climacteris scandens. 


South Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and South 
Australia. 

Crown of head dark or blackish-brown, most of the feathers with 
greyish edgings; hind neck, mantle and most of upper wing-coverts dark 
olive-brown; rump, upper tail-coverts and tail feathers dark blue-grey; 
wings brown with pale-fawn coloured cross band; chin, cheeks, foreneck 
and centre of breast white, with a creamy-buff tinge on lower breast and 
eentre of abdomen; each feather of sides, flanks and under tail-coverts 
white, with a subterminal or marginal line of dark-brown; under wing- 
coverts and axillaries almost white; bill black; feet blackish-brown; iris 
brown. Total length about 6 inches, culmen .8, wing 3.5, tail 2.5, tarsus .9. 
The temale has a small orange-red spot just below the ear-coverts. 


A form with rich rusty-red colour on the rump and upper 
tail-coverts was formerly separated as C. pyrrhonota. 

A smaller variety, which is closely allied to C. scandens, but 
has the upper throat and chin only white, with a pale greyish- 
brown band across the chest, has been described from Queens- 
land under the name of C. minor. 


The Red-browed Tree-creeper. 
Clumacterts erythrops. 


Victoria, New South Wales and South Queensland. 
Orbital region rich rusty-red. Like C. picumna on the upper parts 
and like C. scandens on the lower. 


The White-browed Tree-creeper. 
Climacteris superciliosa. 
All Australia except the North-west and North. 
Orbital region white; otherwise much like C. erythrops. 


The Tree-Creepers are charming little birds, and may often 
be seen corkscrewing up the trunks of the trees, or working 
round the branches, on the under'’as on the upper side, in search 
of insects lodged in the unevennesses of the bark. They always 
hunt upwards in contrast to the Tree-Runners (Neositta) 
which hunt down the limbs. They spend much of their time on 
the ground, looking over the surface and the fallen boughs for 
their insect prev. They pass over the ground in a succession 
of quick shuffling hops. From the habit of- pecking at the bark 
for insects they are often known locally as Woodpeckers, but 


364 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


are not related to that family. The note is single, sharp and 
rather piercing. The nests are composed of soft grass, fur and 
feathers, and are placed far down hollow branches or stumps. 
The eggs, 3 in the clutch, are flesh or salmon coloured, blotched 
all over with reddish-brown; dimensions about .9 x .7 inch. 


Family Zosteropide. 

Bill shorter than or as long as the rest of the head. Above 
olive-green and yellow are the principal colours, below whitish 
washed with fawn colour and grey. A conspicuous ring of 
small white feathers surrounds the eye in most species. Sexes 
nearly alike in plumage. Small birds, from four to six inches 
in total length. Africa south of the Sahara, India, Burmah, 
China and Japan, Indo-Malaysia, Papua, Pacific Islands, 
Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand and the Chatham Islands. 
The genus Zosterops has the characters of the family. 


Key to the Species. 


A. Upper and under surfaces parti-coloured. 
1. Throat white or with a tinge of olive, not yellow. 
Smaller, 4.6 inches, wing 2.5. Mantle bluish-grey, 
flanks chestnut. Tasmania, South Australia, 
_and all the Eastern States, New Zealand, and 
Chatham Islands. The White-eye, Z. cerulescens. 


Yellow-vented White-eye, Z. vegeta.—North-east Queensland. Very 

' similar to Z. cerulescens, but has lighter flanks, and the under tail- 

coverts and vent bright yellow like the throat. Length 4.2 inches, 
wing 2.2, tail 1.7. 


2. Throat yellow, mantle grey. Kangaroo Island White-erye. 


Z. halmaturina (Kangaroo Island, 8.A.) has greyish back and flanks 
and yellow throat. Wing 2.25 inches, tarsus .7. 


B. Upper surface nearly uniform; under-surface parti-coloured. 
a. Bright olive-green above; sides of body pale chestnut; 
a small loral streak of yellow. Cheeks pale olive- 
yellow; throat bright yellow; fore neck and chest 
grey; breast ashy; abdomen whitish. 4.3 inches. 
Western Australia. The Green-backed White-eye, Z. gouldi. 
b. Very pale olive-yellow above; sides of body ashy; 
a bright loral mark. Cheeks, throat and fore neck 
bright yellow; rest of under surface pale ashy; 
white in centre of breast and abdomen. 4.6 
inches. Central ‘Australia, North Queensland, and 
Islands of Torres Strait. The Pale-bellied White-eye, Z. albiventris. 


THE WHITE-EYES 365 


Rabbit Island White-eye, Z. shortridgii. Rabbit Island, W.A. Most 
nearly allied to Z. gouldi, but differs in having the centre of the 
breast, the belly, thighs, and under tail-coverts, pale yellow; the 
sides and flanks greyer and slightly washed with cinnamon. In 
Z. gouldi the thighs are always white. Length 5 inches, wing 2.3, 
tail 1.9. (Ogilvie Grant). 


C. Upper and under surfaces severally uniform. 
a. Olive-green above; bright yellow below. 4 inches. 
North and North-west Australia. The Yellow White-eye, Z. lutea. 


Balston’s White-eye, Z. balstoni—Carnarvon, N.W.A. Very similar to 
z. lutea, but has upper parts more greyish-olive, and the under parts, 
especially the centre of the breast and belly, less brilliant yellow. 
Length 4.25 to 4.5 inches, wing 2.2, tail 1.6. 


b. Light ashy-brown above, washed with pale olive- 
yellow; very pale citron below. 4.2 inches. 
Northern Territory and North Queensland. 
Gulliver's White-eye, Z. gulliveri. 
The White-eyes are attractive looking little birds, the 
‘‘Silver Eye’’ and green coat easily catching the sight. They 
consume a great many insects, and do an immense amount of 
good by clearing the trees of aphides in winter and early in 
spring, but, alas, are so fond of fruit that they are generally the 
first to find the ripe apricot or the reddened gooseberry, and 
may visit the orchards and gardens in such numbers that very 
little of the fruit reaches the rightful owners. The nests are 
round, deep, cup-shaped and extremely light, composed of dry 
grasses, moss and wool and neatly lined with fibres of roots and 
grasses. They are placed among the small branches of trees 
(often fruit trees) and bushes. The light nests are pensile. 
‘‘sewed by the rim to supports, otherwise swinging perfectly 
clear, like a hammock.’’ (Dove). The eggs are of a beautiful 
uniform pale blue, 3 in the clutch, about .7 x .5 inch. 


Family Dicwide. 

Wing with nine primaries, the first of which is fully 
developed and usually very long. Like the Sun-birds in habits, 
but with shorter and stronger bills. The nest is in all cases. 
whether open or concealed, an elaborate structure. Widely 
distributed in the tropics of the Eastern Hemisphere. 


366 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Bill longer and Creeper-like, the culmen exceeding in length 


the hind toe and claw. Diczeum. 
Bill shorter and more Finch-like, the culmen not exceeding 
the tarsus in length. Pardalotus. 


Genus Diceum. 
Widely distributed over India, Burmah, South China, Malay 
Peninsula and Archipelago, Papua and Islands to the East, with 
one species in Australia. Flower-peckers. 


The Mistletoe-bird. 
Dicewm hirundinaceum. 


Australia generally, but wanting in Tasmania. 

Male: Head and upper surfaces glossy purplish-blue; throat and 
fore-neck and under tail-coverts scarlet; axillaries and under wing-coverts 
white; remainder of under-surface yellowish-white with a purplish-blue 
streak down the middle of the chest and breast; bill blackish-brown; 
feet dark-brown; iris dark-brown. Total length 3.7 inches, culmen .35, 
wing 2.5, tail 1.2, tarsus .5. Female: Brownish-black above; throat white; 
under tail-coverts pale scarlet; rest of under-surface creamy-white, without 
the purplish-streak. Rather smaller. 


The Mistletoe-bird, or Swallow Dicwum, is widely diffused 
throughout the Continent, but is often unobserved, as it keeps 
much to the tops of the trees and is screened by the foliage. 
The male is conspicuous enough, if visible, by its rich scarlet 
breast, and the song is ‘‘a very animated and long-continued 
strain’’ forming a pretty warbling song. It has a quick darting 
flight, and does not pry and creep about branches like a Honey- 
Eater. It takes special delight in visiting the Mistletoes 
(Loranths) which are parasitic on the trees. Its chief food is 
insects, but it has a particular weakness for the rather sweet but 
sickly and sticky berries of the Loranths. The nest is a 
beautiful purse-like structure composed of the white cottony 
hairs found in the seed cases of Asclepiads and other plants, 
and is suspended to branches of the foliage. The eggs are of 
a chalky white, and measure .75 x .45 inch. 


Genus Pardalotus. 
Confined to Australia and Tasmania. 


THE PARDALOTES 367 


Key to the Species. 
I Head streaked with white on the hinder crown and 
occiput. 
All the primaries edged with white, forming a large 
wing-patch; tips of primary coverts scarlet. 
Red-tipped Pardalote, P. ornatus 
Third and fourth primaries edged with white; tips of 
primary coverts scarlet, orange or yellow. 


Orange-tipped Pardalote, P. assimilis 
Third primary only edged with white; tips of primary 
coverts always yellow. Yellow-tipped Pardalote, P. affinis 


All three range from Queensland through New South Wales to Victoria. 
P. ornatus extends to South and West Australia. P. assimilis has been 
found in Central Australia. P. affinis extends to South Australia and across 
Bass Strait to Tasmania. 


II. Head black with round spots of white. 
Back mottled, upper tail-coverts crimson, loral spot 
white; throat and fore neck bright yellow, under 
tail-coverts yellow. 
Rump chestnut. Spotted Pardalote, P. punctatus. 
Rump yellow. Yellow-rumped Pardalote, P. xanthopygius. 
Back ashy-brown, with faint dusky streaks, upper tail- 
coverts washed with yellow; loral spot scarlet; 
throat creamy-white with large pale yellow spot 
on foreneck; under tail-coverts white. Red-browed Pardalote, P. rubricatus. 


P. punctatus all over Australia except the north-west and Northern 
Queensland. P. xanthopygius in New South Wales, Victoria, South and 
West Australia. P. rubricatus in western New South Wales, Queensland, 
Central Australia, Northern Territory, and North-west Australia. 


Pale Red-browed Pardalote-——North-west Australia. Very similar to 
P. rubricatus, but much paler in colour and lighter than any other 
species of the genus. Length 4.0 inch, wing 2.5, tail 1.2. 


III. Head all black. 
Rump pale brown. Black-headed Pardalote, P. melanocephalus. 
Rump yellow. Chestnut-rumped Pardalote, P. uropygialis. 


P. melanocephalus is found in Queensland and Northern New South 
Wales; P. uropygialis on all the Northern coasts of Australia. 


IV. Head and back olive, with blackish margins to the 
feathers; ear-coverts yellow; no white wing patch. 
Forty-spotted Pardalote, P. quadragintus. 


This species is confined to Tasmania and King Island. 


All the Pardalotes are small, ranging from 3.4 to 4.3 inches 
in total length. They are fearless and active little birds, and 
feed entirely on insects. The Spotted Diamond-bird is the com- 
monest, and most widespread, and is often seen in suburban 
gardens, hunting among the shrubs and low trees. This species 
and the Red-tipped, the Black-headed, the Red-browed and the 


368 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Yellow-rumped Diamond birds build in a tunnel in a bank, the 
others in the hollow limbs of trees. The eggs are four in number, 
white, without spots, .6 or .7 inches long x .5. 

The entrance to the tunnel of the Spotted Diamond-bird is 
just large enough for the bird to creep through, and the tunnel 
itself runs to two or three feet in length, in general horizontal 
but inclined sufficiently to turn off the rain, and at the extremity 
a chamber is formed at a rather higher level than the entrance, 
and in this is constructed and contained a beautiful dome- 
shaped nest, built of grass or fine bark and lined with finer 
materials of the same sort. It is remarkable that the bird builds 
up this structure in the almost complete absence of light. ; 


Family Nectarintide. 

Bill always much pointed, often elongated and curved. 
Tongue long, protractile, ending in a tube anteriorly bifid. 
Nostrils rounded, protected by a coriaceous membrane, without 
bristles or feathers. Bright coloured birds, ornamented with 
yellow and green and other colours, often metallic in lustre. 
Males often with pectoral tufts. Female birds plainer. Non- 
migratory tropical birds. Ethiopian, Indian and Australian 
regions. Sun-birds, taking in the East the place of the 
American Humming-birds. 


Genus Cyrtostomus. 


Bill much longer than rest of head, much curved and pointed. 
Indo-Malayan with one species reaching to Cape York and Port 
Denison. 


The Sun-bird. 
Cyrtostomus frenatus. 


From Celebes over the Moluccas and Papuan Islands to North-east 
Australia. 

Male: Olive-yellow above; cheeks and faint superciliary streak yellow; 
breast deep yellow; fore-neck and chest dark metallic purplish-blue; the 
large tips to the tail yellowish-white. Total length 4.7 inches, eulmen 
85, wing 2.3, tail 1.5, tarsus 6. Female: Without the metallic blue 
throat and fore-neck; these parts béing Tike the breast of a rich yellow, 
wing 2.2 inches. 


THE HONEY-EATERS 369 


These birds hover before the open flowers, and extract with 
their long tongue the honey and small insects, the brilliant 
plumage shining in the sun. The nests are pensile, attached to 
and hidden by branches of foliage, and have a side entrance. 
THey are composed of the epidermal hairs that grow on the 
palm stems, rather loosely woven together and lined with cotton 
and bark fibre. The eggs pearshaped, greenish-grey with obscure 
dirty brown mottlings over the whole surface. Dimensions .75 
x .5 inch. 


Family Meliphagide. Honey-eaters. 

Bill always with a prominent culmen, and broadened out at 
the base, curved, almost always with a slight notch, maxilla 
serrated. Nostrils basal, situated in a large unossified groove. 
Tongue protractile, bifid, each half broken up into numerous 
stiff horny fibres, so as to form a brush. The plumage generally 
inclines to green and yellow; a shade of blue is found on the 
head of HEntomyza, and red and black are the dominant colours 
in Myzomela. Parts of the head are bare as in Tropidorhynchus 
and Philemon. Wattles are frequently met with on the ears, 
cheeks and throat, as in Acanthochera. 

Most of the genera are endemic in Australia, others are 
spread over Austro-Malaysia and Polynesia. One, Promerops, 
occurs in isolation in South Africa. 

Dr. Gadow divides the family into three sub-families. 


Myzomelinae.—Small birds of the size of a Sparrow. Bill 

longer than the rest of the head; very slender and 

much curved. Sexes mostly very different in 

coloration, Myzomela, Acanthorhynchus. 
Zosteropinae.—Bill not longer than rest of head. A 

ring of short white feathers around the eye. Sexes 

nearly alike in coloration. (Zosterops), Meliphaga, Plectrorrhamphus. 
Meliphaginae.—All the other genera. 


The Honey-eaters are among the most characteristic birds. 
of our bush, and are to be met with in all parts of the Continent. 
Their shapely rather slender bodies are well adapted to. the 
restless life which they lead amongst the branches of the shrubs 
and trees. In the search for the most attractive flower clusters, 
the flight is often broken into little zig-zags and many a curve, 
and on alighting they creep and twine amongst the branches, 


2-A 


370 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


and adopt the quaintest but never ungraceful modes of sus- 
pension in order to enable them to probe into the tubular or 
cup-shaped blossoms. The protractile and brush-like tongue 
enables them to extract the honey from the many Eucalypts, 
Tea-trees, Bottle-brushes, Banksias and. Heaths, and the poise 
of the birds during the operation is graceful and easy. With 


D. Le Souéf. 
Honey-eaters Feeding in Flight. Aviary, Melbourne Zoo. 


the honey they take the pollen, and sometimes the buds of the 
flowers. A large proportion of the food of nearly all the species 
consists of insects, which they pick out of the flowers, or off the 
twigs, more rarely on the wing. Hence, though a few are fruit 
lovers, and in consequence may be orchard robbers, on the whole 
the family is of considerable service to the agriculturalist. The 
notes of most of the Honey-eaters are pleasing, and those of the 


THE HONEY-EATERS 371 


Bell-bird, of Ptilotts sonora and P. chrysops, and the Brown 
Honey-eater are rich, clear and melodious. A few, as the 
Wattle-birds, utter distinctly harsh and discordant cries. The 
nests are open and cup-shaped, variously composed of grasses, 
bark, old spiders’ webs, lined with finer grasses, thin strips of 
bark, hair and wool, and are placed at various heights in forked 
branches of the trees and saplings, sometimes suspended by the 
rim, while a few build in bushes. The eggs are two or three in 
number, and have a strong family likeness, with a uniform 
ground colour of white or more often flesh-coloured, creamy or 
buff, ornamented with spots and dots of chestnut-red and 
purplish-grey. They vary in length from a little over half an 
inch in the smaller birds to an inch and a quarter in the largest. 


Sub-family Zosteropine. 
Tail slightly emarginated. Bright olive, vellow. white and 
black. Melithreptus. 
Tail square. Brown above, white below. Plectrorhamphus. 


Genus Melithreptus. 

Bill shorter than rest of head, operculum partly covered with 
feathers. First primary about one-third of the length of the 
very long second primary. Tail slightly emarginated. Sexes 
alike in plumage. Tasmania, Australia, South-east New Guinea. 


Key to the Species. 
1. Crown of head black. 
a. White band across the occiput. 
Chin pure white. 
Wing 3 inches. Bare space above eye 
scarlet. M. atricapillus (lunulatus). 
Wing 3 inches. Bare space above eye 
greenish-white. M. chloropsis. 
Bare space round eye 
both in summer and winter. M. whitlocki 
Wing 2.7 inches. M. albigularis. 
Chin blackish. 
Length of culmen .55. Hind neck 


olive-yellow. M. gularis 
Hind neck bright yellow. M. laetior. 
Length of culmen .50. Hind neck 
greenish-blue. M. carpentarianus. 
Length of culmen .75. M. validirostris. 
b. Occiput without white band. M. affinis (melanocephalus). 
M. alisteri. 
2. Crown of head grey. A cream-coloured band across 
the occiput. M. brevirostris. 
Crown of head blackish grey, a whitish band across 
the occiput. M. leucogenys. 


Crown of head vinous grey. A white band across 
the occiput. M. vinotinctus. 


372 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The White-naped Honey-eater. 


Melithreptus atricapillus (lunulatus). 

South Australia, Victoria, Kent Island, Bass Strait, New South 
Wales, and South Queensland. 

Crown and sides of head jet black, a narrow white band across the 
occiput; wing and tail brown; rest of upper surface uniform with rich 
olive-yellow; all the underparts white; small bare space above the eye 
scarlet; bill blackish-brown; feet olive; iris very dark-brown. 


The Western White-naped Honey-eater, M. chloropsis is 
rather larger, and has the bare space above the eye greenish-. 
white. West Australia. 

Another western form from Wilson’s Inlet is described as 
differing from MJ. chloropsis in having the bare skin round the 
eye both in summer and winter, and has been named 
M. whitlocki. 


The White-throated Honey-eater. 


Melithreptus albigularis. 


North-west Australia, Northern Territory and from New South 
Wales through Queensland to South-east New Guinea. 

Rather smaller than M. atricapillus; upper parts more yellow and 
less olive, and the chin pure white. 


The Black-chinned Honey-eater. 
Melithreptus gularis. 

All Australia except North. 

Crown and sides of head black, a narrow white band across the 
occiput; wings and tail ashy-brown; rest of upper surface olive-yellow; 
chin blackish; cheeks and sides of throat pure white; throat grey; chest 
creamy-brown; rest of under parts creamy; bill black; feet brownish- 
orange; iris hazel; bare skin above eye bluish-green. 


The Strong-billed Honey-eater. 
M, validirostris. 


Tasmania, King Island, Bass Strait. 
Much like M. gularis in colouring; the bill is longer and stronger, 
and the bare skin behind the eye is white tinged with bright green. 


The Golden-backed Honey-eater. 
M. letior. 
Queensland, South and North-west Australia. 
Has the hind neck and upper tail-eoverts bright yellow, the mantle 


and rest of the back rich olive-yellow; the under parts except the black 
chin, pure white; naked skin around eye yellow. 


THE KING ISLAND HONEY-EATER 373 


M. carpentarianus very similar to M. letior, but differs from 
it in its generally darker hue and the bare space round the eye 
being greenish-blue, instead of vellow. Total length 5.75 inches. 
Northern Australia. 


The Brown-headed Honey-eater. 
Melithreptus brevirostris. 


All Australia except North. 

Crown and sides of head pale ashy-brown, a band of dull cream 
colour from eye to eye across the occiput; mantle, back and upper tail- 
coverts greyish-olive; wings and tail brown; all the under parts brownish- 
creamy; chin and chest faint grey; bill .5 inch. 


M. magnirostris from Kangaroo Island. A traceable black 
band below the light collar, and crown and back are darker. A 
bluish spot in the centre of the bare lower eyelid. 

M. leucogenys, West Australia—Less robust generally, bill 
shorter and more slender, the bare spaces round the eyes are 
orange and bluish-emerald, the blackish chin is distinctly 
marked, as also the greyish breast, the cheeks are white, and 
head blackish-brown. 


The Black-headed Honey-eater. 


Melithreptus affinis (melanocephalus). 

Tasmania, Islands of Bass Strait. 

Head all round jet black, without any occipital band; wing-coverts, 
wings and tail greyish-brown, rest of upper surface olive-yellow; a few 
feathers along the sides of the neck and upper chest black; rest of under 
parts white; bill black; feet brown; iris reddish-brown; bare skin over 
eye pearly-white, slightly tinged with green. 


The Grey Honey-eater. 


M. vinotinctus. 


North Queensland. 
Has the crown of the head vinous grey, and a white band across the 
occiput. 


The King Island Honey-eater. 
M. alisteri. 


Differs from MM. affinis in having a larger bill and being altogether 
larger. 


374 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Plectrorhamphus. 


Bill slightly shorter than rest of head, quite straight and 
much pointed, culmen rounded. Tail square, nine-tenths the 
length of the wing. Pattern plain, under parts white, upper 
brown, mottled with whitish on the head. Australia. 


The Striped Honey-eater. 


Plectrorhamphus lanceolatus. 


South Australia and the Eastern States. 

Crown of head, ear-coverts, sides of neck and hind-neck mottled with 
blackish brown and white; centre of back greyish-brown, with darker 
centres to the feathers; wings and tail light-brown; rest of upper surface 
greyish-brown; cheeks and all the under parts pure white; bill dark bluish 
horn-colour; feet light-blue; iris brown. Total length 9 inches, culmen 
.8, wing 4.7, tail 4.4, tarsus 1.1. Female a little smaller. 


Sub-family Myzomeline. 

Tail about two-thirds the length of the wing. Myzomela. 

Tail about equal to the length of the wing. Acanthor- 
hynchus. 

Genus Myzomela. 

Bill longer than rest of head, slender and curved. Tail 
two-thirds the length of the wing. Principal colours of male 
red and black. Female generally plain, olive above. Austro- 
Malayan and Polynesian regions. 


Key to the Species. 


I. Upper and under surfaces contrasted in colouring. 
a. Head bright scarlet. 


Breast scarlet. M. sanguinolenta. 
Breast dull brown. M. erythrocephala. 
b. Head black. 
Breast white. M. nigra. 
Breast white, chest with a black crescent. M. pectoralis. 
II. Upper and under surfaces similar in colouring. 
Greyish-brown above, reddish-brown below. *M. obscura. 
Greyish upper and under surface. M. grisescens. 


The Sanguineous Honey-eater. 


Myzomela sanguineolenta. 
Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. 
Male: Head and neck all round, middle line of back, rump and upper 
tail-coverts brilliant scarlet; rest of upper surface, including wings and 
tail, black; breast scarlet; sides of breast, flanks, abdomen yellowish-grey; 


THE DUSKY HONEY-EATER 375 


under wing and tail-coverts white; bill and feet black; iris brown. Total 
length about 4 inches. Female: Above generally greyish-brown, wings 
and tail dark brown. All other parts dull whitish, tinged with buff; feet 
brown. 


The Red-headed Honey-eater. 
Myzomela erythrocephala. 


All the Northern coasts, extends to South New Guinea. 

Male: Head all round, lower neck, rump and upper tail-coverts 
brilliant scarlet; rest of upper surface blackish-brown; below blackish- 
brown on chest to brownish-grey behind; under wing-coverts white. 
Total length 4 inches. Female: Uniform greyish-brown above, paler 
below; forehead and throat washed with red. 


The Black Honey-eater. 
Myzomela nigra. 


The greater part of Australia, except perhaps Centre and Northern 
Territory. : 

Male: Head and neck all round and mantle, black; rest of upper 
surface blackish-brown; breast and abdomen pure white; under wing- 
eoverts black. Female: Dull blackish-brown above; below dingy white, 
mottled in parts with dull-blackish. Length 4.2 inches, wing 2.7, tail 1.6. 


The Banded Honey-eater. 


Myzomela pectoralis. 


North-west Australia to Cape York and Port Denison. 

Male: All upper parts black, except the rump and upper tail-coverts, 
which are white; under surfaces pure white; a narrow black crescent 
across the chest; under wing-coverts black. Female: Coloured like the 
male, but the mantle mottled with black and buff. 


The Dusky Honey-eater. 


Myzomela obscura. 


Northern Territory and North Queensland. 

The sexes are alike in plumage; all the upper parts uniformly greyish- 
brown, and the lower inclining to reddish-brown. Length 5 inches, wing 
2.7, tail 2.1. 


Myzomela grisescens. 
West Australia. 
Differs from M. obscura by its greyish upper and under surface, 
most evident on the throat and breast. 


376 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Acanthorhynchus. 
Bill very long, slender and curved. Tail square, equal to 
wings in length. 
Key to the Species. 


No white streak behind the eye. A. tenuirostris. 
A white streak behind the eye. A superciliosus. 
” ” ” A. dubius. 


The Spine-bill. 
Acanthorhynchus tenutrostris. 


The Eastern half of the Continent. 

Crown of head black with a greenish gloss; preocular region, ear- 
ecverts and a crescent on the sides of the neck and chest bronzy-black; 
mantle reddish-brown from chestnut on hind-neck through olive-grey to 
bluish-grey on the rump and upper wing- and tail-coverts; rest of wing 
and six central tail feathers black; the two outer pairs of the latter with 
large white terminal tips; cheeks, throat, centre of upper chest white, 
with a dark reddish-brown patch on the centre of the throat; breast, 
flanks, abdomen and under tail-coverts reddish fawn-coloured; under 
wing-coverts white;. bill black; feet reddish-brown; iris red. Culmen 
1.2 inch, wing 2.7, tail 2.35, tarsus .7. Female similar with the crown 
dark-grey, more or less tinged with olive. 


Tasmanian specimens (A. dubius) ‘‘are generally somewhat 
brighter-coloured on the under parts,’’ darker on the upper. 
Wing 2.5. 

A. halmaturinus from Kangaroo Island. Crown and collar 
and throat and abdomen are all lighter in colour. Abdomen 
ochreous buff. Wing 2.6. 


The White-browed Spine-bill. 


Acanthorhynchus superciliosus. 

South and West Australia. 

Entire crown of head, mantle, back and upper tail- and wing-coverts 
greyish olive-brown; wings and six centre tail feathers blackish-brown, 
the three outer pairs of tail feathers with large white subterminal patches; 
a white streak behind the eye and above the car-coverts; cheeks and chin 
white; throat and neck all round chestnut-red; breast, abdomen, flanks 
and under tail-coverts pale buff; the chest crossed by a conspicuous white 


erescent followed by another of brownish-black; under wing-coverts 
whitish. 


The Tasmanian Spine-bill. 
Acanthorhynchus dubius. 


This species has a patch in the centre of the throat, and the lunated 
marks on the sides of the neck much deeper, and the whole of the under 
surface richer chestnut than on the mainland spcies. 


It is also smaller 
in size. Total length 5 inches. 


THE WHITE-BREASTED HONEY-EATER 377 


Sub-family Meliphagine. 
Genus Glycyphila. 

Bill a little longer than, or as long as, rest of head, broad at 
base. Nostrils opereulated, not covered by the feathers. Tail 
square or nearly so, a little longer than the wings. Front toes 
short. Australia, New Caledonia. New Guinea and adjacent 
islands. 


Key to the Species. 


Breast and abdomen white in all the four species. The 
females are rather smaller. 
a. Throat white. Forehead fulvous or brown. 
Forehead  fulvous. Chest dull blackish-brown, 


mottled with white. G. melanops. 
All upper parts brown. Chest white with faint 
brown cross bars. G. modesta. 
b. Throat black. Forehead white. 
Chest without cross bars. G. albifrons. 
Chest white with dark brown cross bars. G. fasciata. 


The Tawny-crowned Honey-eater. 
Glycyphila melanops (fulvifrons). 

Southern half of Continent and Tasmania. 

Forehead rich reddish fulvous; a whitish streak from the nostrils 
over the eye; hind-neck and mantle dark-brown; each feather with a 
paler streak down the centre; lower back and upper tail-coverts greyish- 
brown; wings and tail blackish-brown; throat and cheeks white; feathers 
of chest and sides of neck dull blackish-brown edged with whitish, giving 
these parts a mottled appearance; centre of breast, abdomen and under 
tail-coverts dull white; under wing-coverts reddish fulvous; bill blackish- 
brown; feet greenish-grey; iris brown. 


The White-fronted Honey-eater. 
Glycyphila albifrons. 

Australia, except Queensland and Northern Territory. 

Forehead, lores, a narrow ring round the eye, and a narrow line from 
the angle of the lower mandible, white; crown of the head black, rest 
of upper surface brown; the rump and upper tail-coverts redder; chin, 
throat and fore-neck brownish-black; breast and abdomen white, striped 
with blackish-brown on the flanks; bill black; feet blackish-brown; iris 
dark-brown. 


The White-breasted Honey-eater. 
Glycyphila fasciata. 
North-west Australia, Northern Territory to Queensland. 


Crown of head and nape blackish-brown; rest of upper surface 
generally brown; under surfaces mostly white; the feathers of the chest 


378 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


and sides of the breast white, with a broad subterminal band to each 
feather; lower abdomen and under wing- and tail-coverts creamy-buff; 
bill greenish-grey; feet red; iris reddish-brown. 


This bird builds a hanging dome-shaped nest, usually near 
or over water, with a side entrance. All other Honey-eaters, 
except G. modesta, build open nests. 


The Brown-backed Honey-eater. 
Glycyphila modesta. 


North Queensland, New Guinea and adjacent Islands. 

All upper parts uniform brown; part of lores, a spot under the eye, 
cheeks and all the rest of the under parts white; feathers of fore-neck 
and chest and the under wing-coverts faintly barred with pale-brownish; 
bill and feet reddish-brown. 


Builds suspended dome-shaped nest. 


Genus Entomophila. 


Bill not longer than rest of head, broad at base. Nostrils not 
beset with feathers, operculated. First primary extremely short, 
secondaries about two-thirds of whole wing in length. 


The Painted Honey-eater. 


Entomophila picta. 


South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales. 

The upper parts generally uniform brownish black; most of the 
primaries and secondaries, and the tail feathers broadly edged with 
bright yellow; the terminal half or third of the inner webs of most of 
the tail feathers white. A small spot on the chin blackish, the rest of 
the under parts pure white. Bill deep pink; feet purplish lead colour; iris 
hazel. Culmen .63 inch, wing 3.5, tarsus .7. Female less brilliant, but 
having same pattern of colouring. The single species. 


Genus Lacustroica. 

Exposed portion of bill slightly less than half the length of 
head, equal in height to breadth at nostril, culmen arched. First 
primary short, the second equal in length to the seventh. This 
bird is practically a link between the Zosterops and Honevy- 
eaters. Its note is also like that of a Zosterops. 


THE RUFOUS-BREASTED HONEY-EATER 379 


White’s Honey-eater. 


Lacustroica whites. 


Lake Murchison District, Western Australia. 

Single species. General colour above dull greyish-brown, the outer 
secondaries margined around the apical portion with whity-brown; tail 
dark-brown; central feathers lightly tipped with brownish-white, the 
remainder with a white spot at the tip of the inner web; chin dull 
white; under surface white. Total length 4 inches, wing 2.4, tail 1.75. 


Genus Conopophila. 
Bill and nostrils as in Entomophila. First primary about 
one-third the length of the second; secondaries five-sixths of 
whole wing. Only the two species. 


Throat reddish. C. rufigularis. 
Throat white. C. albigularis. 


The Red-throated Honey-eater. 
Conopophila rufigularis. 


North-west Australia to North Queensland. 

Head and back brown; throat rusty red; sides of head and rest 
of under parts pale-brownish; bill and feet purplish-brown. In other 
respects like C. albigularis. Culmen .5 inch, wing 2.6, tail 2.5, tarsus .6. 


The Rufous-breasted Honey-eater. 
Conopophila albigularis. 


Northern Territory, North Queenland, New Guinea, Aru Islands. 

Crown and sides of head ashy grey; wings edged with wavy yellow 
as also the tail feathers; rest of upper part brown; chin and throat, 
abdomen and under tail-coverts white; chest rufous-brown, forming a 
conspicuous collar; flanks and under wing-coverts whitish washed with 
pale brown; bill blackish-grey; feet bluish-grey, iris bright reddish-brown. 


Culmen .5 inch, wing 2.5, tail 1.7, tarsus .7.. Female similar rather smaller. 
Eggs (occasionally 3) measure 0.75 x 0.50 inch, and are white 


in colour, thickly dotted over with reddish markings. The nest 
is very deep, being about two inches internally. 


Genus Certhionyx. 
Bill equal to rest of head in length. First primary more than 
one-third length of second. Only colours black and white. One 
species only. 


380 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Pied Honey-eater. 
Certhionyx variegatus (leucomelas). 


North-west and Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and 
New South Wales. 

Male: Only colours black and white, the white parts being the 
medium and lesser wing-coverts, and a great part of the outer and inner 
webs of the secondaries, the whole producing a very conspicuous white 
band on the folded wing, the rump, upper tail-coverts, the whole of the 
central pair and the terminal quarter of the other pairs of the tail 
feathers, and finally the under parts of the body. Bill bluish-grey; feet 
greenish-grey; iris reddish-brown. A small fleshy appendage beneath the 
eye ashy-grey. Culmen .75, wing 3.4, tail 2.5, tarsus .8. 

Female: Light-brown above; few of the secondaries and of the 
greater wing-coverts broadly edged with white; under surface of wings, 
fore-neck and throat buffy; feathers of chest, breast and flanks with a 
brown subterminal spot, rest of under parts white. A little smaller than 
the Male. 


The Western Pied Honey-eater. 


C. occidentalis. 


North-west Australia (Carnarvon). 

Differs from the male of C. variegatus in having the white on the 
inner secondaries confined to the outer web; in the latter species the 
white extends over the basal part of the inner web, also on two of the 
secondary feathers. Length 7 inches, wing 3.4, tail 2.75. 


Genus Meliphaga. 


Bill equal to rest of head, broad at base, curved, culmen with 
a prominent ridge. Tail much rounded, five-sixths length of 
wing. Pattern of colour very bright yellow and black, much 
spotted and barred; inner web of remiges grey, without paler or 
fulvous edges. Near to Ptilotis. The one species is confined to 
Australia. 


The Warty-faced Honey-eater. 
Meliphaga phrygia. 

South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland. 

Head and neck black, except the ocular region and the cheeks, 
which are bare of feathers and covered with wart-like excrescences; 
mantle, back and upper wing-coverts black, each feather broadly edged 
with whitish-yellow; wings and tail black, with large edges or tips of 
pale yellow; the three or four outer tail feathers with the terminal half 
yellow. A few feathers on sides of upper chest longer than the others, 
fluffy and yellow; feathers of breast and flanks black with subterminal 


THE BROADBENT HONEY-EATER 381 


yellowish-white arrow-shaped bar; abdomen and under tail-coverts more 
uniform whitish-yellow; under wing-coverts black edged with yellowish- 
white; bill black; feet blackish-brown; iris reddish-brown; warty 
excrescences dirty yellowish-white. Culmen .84 inch, wing 4.35, tail 4, 
tarsus .85. Female similarly coloured, rather smaller, wing 4.15. 


Genus Stigmatops. 

Like Glycyphila but with the feathers behind the eye 
generally peculiar, being short, blackish at base, silky white or 
yellow at terminal half, giving to the postocular region a spotted 
appearance. Moluccas to New Caledonia. Small birds of about 
the size of a sparrow. 


Ear coverts brown. S. ocularis. 
Ear coverts and subocular region with silvery white spots. 8S. albiauricularis. 


The Brown Honey-eater. 
Stigmatops ocularis. 


Australia, except South Australia and Victoria, New Guinea, Aru 
Islands. 

Upper parts all dark olive-brown, changing into yellowish-brown on 
rump and upper tail-coverts; all under parts dull yellowish-white, washed 
with brownish-grey on the fore-neck and breast. Behind the eye a small 
patch of peculiar short glossy yellow feathers; feathers below the eye 
very short blackish at base with glossy silvery tips; bill dark-brown; 
feet grey; iris light red. 


An active bird with a cheery musical note, which is 
frequently heard. It is usually found in gullies or near water- 
courses. Its eggs are almost quite white, the fime reddish 
markings on the larger end being very faint. 


The Broadbent Honey-eater. 
Stigmatops albiauricularis. 


Cape York, South-east New Guinea. 

Upper parts dingy fuscous; sides of head, neck, breast and abdomen 
mottled with white and brownish, the feathers being brown edged with 
white; under tail-coverts and flanks white; subocular region and ear- 
coverts with silvery-white spots; bill black; feet lead colour. 


382 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Ptilotis. 


Bill as long as, or slightly longer than, the rest of the head, 
culmen ridged, slightly curved. Secondaries from four-fifth to 
five-sixths the length of the wing. Tail square or slightly 
rounded, generally a little shorter than the wing. Pattern of 
colour very plain, mostly olive above, dingy yellowish below; 
inner web of remiges invariably broadly margined with fulvous 
or yellowish. Skin on sides of- head frequently bare of feathers 
and transformed into wattles. Parotic feathers often stiff, 
and most frequently white or yellow. LEar-coverts always 
differently coloured from the rest of the head, frequently silky 
grey. Length of wing 2.45 to 4.5 inches. Austro-Malayan, 
Australian and Polynesian Regions. By far the largest genus 
of true Honey-eaters. 


The Yellow-spotted Honey-eater. 
Ptilotis analoga. 


Northern Territory to North Queensland, New Guinea, Papuan 
Islands. 

Upper parts uniform olive; ear-coverts, small spot below ear, and 
feathers behind the ear, pale yellow; feathers of lower back and rump 
very fluffy, some with terminal whitish spots. Under parts pale olive- 
grey; centre of abdomen, edge of wing, under wing-coverts and inner 
margin of quills yellowish. Bill black, feet lead colour, iris black; skin 
of gape swollen, forming a small yellow wattle. Wing 3.3 inches. 


Eggs white, with a very few dark markings, and very 
similar to those of P. chrusotis (lewint). 


The Little Yellow-spotted Honey-eater. 
Ptilotis gracilis. 


Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York. 

Much smaller than P. analoga, with bill longer in proportion. Nest, 
eggs and note different; eggs pink, like most of the honey-eaters, not 
white, like those of P. analoga. Length 5.45 inches, wing 2.85, tail, 2.33, 
bill 0.67. 


The Fuscous Honey-eater. 


Ptilotis fusca. 


Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. 

Upper parts olive; ear-coverts dusky olive-grey tipped with brown, a 
very small patch of pale yellow behind the ear; under parts dull yellowish- 
grey. Bill yellowish at base, black at tip; feet fleshy brown; iris light 
yellow; gape yellow. Wing 3.3 inches. Eggs pink. 


THE VARIED HONEY-EATER 383 


The Yellow-eared Honey-eater. 
Ptilotis chrusotis (lewint). 


Victoria New South Wales and Queensland. 

Upper part dull olive-green; ear-coverts blackish silky-grey, a spot 
below the eye and a larger oval spot behind the ear pale yellow; under 
parts dull olive-grey; edge of wing, under wing-coverts fulvous yellow; 
bill yellow at base, black at tip; feet purplish; iris dark lead colour. 
Length 9 inches, tail 3.85, wing 3.9. Eggs white with very few dark 
spots, and measure 1.05 x 0.71 inches. 


The Macleay Honey-eater. 


Ptilotis macleayana. 


North-east Queensland. 

Upper parts brownish olive, with a lighter mark towards the tip 
of each of the feathers; around the eye a bare space, below and extending 
behind it a bright tuft of yellow feathers; throat greyish-white tinged 
with olive, the upper breast dull olive-yellow, each feather being streaked 
with yellow, rest of under surface olive, the feathers being marked in 
the centre with a lighter shade; no white spot behind the ear, and no 
black and yellow lines on the side of the head. Length 7 inches, wing 
3.46, tail 3.1. 


The Singing Honey-eater. 
Ptilotis sonora. 


Australia except extreme North. 

Upper part earthy-brown with olive tinge; ear-coverts and sub- 
ocular region bright yellow; a spot of greyish-white behind the ear; a 
black streak from the lores through the eye, down the sides of the neck; 
under parts dingy yellowish-grey, with pale-brown streaks; bill black; 
feet greenish-grey; iris dark-brown. Wing 3.8 inches. The eggs are 
reddish-buff in colour and rarely have any markings; very similar to those 
of the Pallid Cuckoo. 


Forrest’s Honey-eater. 


Ptilotis forresti. 

Northern Territory. 

Similar to P. sonora, but paler on the back and under surface, 
especially on the rump, which is light-brown. The abdomen and under 
tail-coverts are unmarked, being of a dirty white colour, washed with 
isabelline. Total length 7 inches. 


The Varied Honey-eater. 
Ptilotis versicolor. 


North Queensland, Islands of Torres Strait, South-east New Guinea. 
Upper parts brownish-olive; ear-coverts black above, light-yellow 
below, a whitish spot behind the ear; a blackish stripe from the lores 
‘through the eye, over the upper half of the ear-coverts and down the 


384 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


sides of the neck, a bright yellow stripe under the eye; all the under parts 
of the body yellow streaked with brown. Is closely alliel to P. sonora, 
put larger. Length 7.73 inches, wing 4.1, tail 3.58. 


The eggs are buff in colour, slightly darker on the larger end, 
and have no markings. They measure 0.95 x 0.67 inch. 


The Yellow-faced Honey-eater. 


Ptilotis chrysops. 


South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. 

Upper parts ashy-brown; wing-coverts bright-yellow with black 
upper and lower corners; lores and region below eye and a spot behind the 
eye bright-yellow; cheeks black, a small spot behind ear white; under 
parts whitish with brownish streaks; bill blackish-brown; feet leaden- 
brown; iris dark-brown. Length 6.85 inches, wing 3.1. 


The Yellow-throated Honey-eater. 
Ptilotis flavicollis (flavigularis). 


Tasmania, Islands of Bass Strait. 

Crown and sides of head blackish silky-grey, upper parts rich olive- 
yellow; a few feathers behind ear-opening yellow; chin, throat, edge of 
wing and part of under wing-coverts bright gamboge-yellow; chest dull 
smoky-grey changing into dull greyish-yellow on abdomen and flanks; 
bill black; feet brownish lead-colour, iris wood-brown. Length 8.4.5 
inches, wing 4.2, tail 4.1. 


The Fasciated Honey-eater. 


Ptilotis fascicularis. 

East Queensland. 

Upper parts brown, with olive shade; ear-coverts bright yellow, sub- 
ocular region and part of sides of neck of same colour; a dark-brown line 
from the lores through the eye and down the sides of the neck; a few 
white feathers behind the ear; chin and throat freckled with brown anil 
yellowish; chest uniform dusky brown, rest of under parts dingy 
yellowish-white; bill bluish-black, feet black, iris lead colour, gape yellow. 
Wing 3.75 inches. 


The White-eared Honey-eater. 


Ptwlotis leucotis. 


The southern half of the Continent. 

Head grey; mantle and back rich yellowish olive; wings and tail 
brown; ear-coverts pure white; sides of head, cheeks, throat and fore- 
neck dull black, chest olive-yellow; breast, abdomen and under tail- 
coverts yellow; bill black; feet greenish-grey; iris greenish-grey with a 
narrow ring of wood-brown. Wing 3.7 to +.2 inches. 


THE WATTLE-CHEEKED HONEY-EATER 385 


New Norcia Honey-eater. 
Ptilotis nove-norcie. 


Southern districts of West Australia (Wongan Hills). 

Similar to P. leucotis, except that the hind neck, mantle, and back 
are greyish-olive, not rich yellowish-olive, and the remainder of plumage 
duller. The throat, sides of the head and cheeks are black; very narrow 
white cheek stripes; the secondaries are brown, without olive wash of the 
tail; bill black. Total length 6.5 inches, wing 3.5. 


The Cockerell Honey-eater. 
Ptilotis cockerelli. 

Cape York district. 

Upper parts brown, grey on forehead; ocular region and ear-coverts 
silky silvery-grey; a few feathers of the cheeks, the long tufty feathers 
on the hinder and upper margins of the ear-opening, and the tips of a 
few feathers on the sides of the upper chest golden-yellow; under parts 
dull white; bill black; feet horn-colour. Wing 3 inches. 


The Yellow-tufted Honey-eater. 
Ptilotis melanops (auricomis). 


Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. 

Upper parts pale brown, feathers of crown flat not forming a crest; 
coloration of head and under parts as in P. cassidiz. Wing 3.2 to 3.5 
inches. 


The Helmeted Honey-eater. 
Ptilotis cassidir. 

Victoria. 

Crown of head and nape dull yellow, feathers of the crown forming 
a crest or helmet-like elevation; upper parts of body dark olive-brown, 
wings and tail blackish-brown; ear-coverts, lores and sides of head black, 
the feathers on the hinder margin of the ear-opening prolonged, forming 
a long tuft on each side of the neck, rich gamboge yellow; sides of 
throat rich yellow, fore-neck and rest of under parts also rich yellow. 
Wing 3.8 to 4.1 inches. 


The Wattle-cheeked Honey-eater. 
Ptilotis cratitaa. 


Victoria, South Australia, Kangaroo Island, West Australia. 

Upper parts olive-green; wings and tail light olive-brown; ear- 
eoverts dark silky-grey, a line from the lores through the eye and above 
the ear-coverts black, feathers behind the ear, cheeks and part of upper 
throat bright yellow; all the under parts of the body greyish-yellow; 
bill black; feet dark olive-brown; iris black; a naked lilac-coloured fleshy 
appendage, five-eighths of an inch long from the gape down each side of 
the throat. Wing 3.4 inches. 


2-B 


386 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


A North-west and West Australian form has been separated 
as P. occidentalis. 


The Keartland Honey-eater. 
Ptilotis keartlandt. 


Central Australia, North-west Australia and North Queensland. 

Upper surface olive-brown; ear-coverts silky-grey slightly tipped with 
blackish-brown, a line in front and the feathers above and below the 
eye blackish, a conspicuous patch of light-yellow feathers behind the 
eye; cheeks, chin throat and all the under surface pale lemon-yellow. 


The Yellow-plumed Honey-eater. 
Ptilotis ornata. 

The southern half of the Continent. 

Light greyish olive-brown above, crown and sides of head strongly 
washed with bright olive-yellow; tail and wings brown; ear-coverts pale- 
brownish, feathers behind them elongated and forming a large patch of 
bright yellow; under parts dingy yellowish-white, with brown streaks; 
bill black, feet purplish-brown. Wing 3.1 to 3.6 inches. 


The Yellow-fronted Honey-eater. 


Ptilotis plumula. 


West and South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland. 

Upper parts brownish-grey; ear-coverts grey, blackish-brown towards 
tips, a large bright yellow patch behind the ear-coverts and on the sides 
of the neck; cheeks and underparts greyish or creamy-yellow without 
brown streaks; bill black; feet apple-green; iris dark reddish-brown. 
Wing 3 to 3.2 inches. 


The Yellow-tinted Honey-eater. 
Ptilotis flavescens. 

North-west Australia to North Queensland, New Guinea. 

Upper parts yellowish-brown; ear-coverts yellowish-brown, with 
narrow black transverse marginal stripe; under parts pale yellow. Wing 
2.7 inches. 

P. germana differs in having yellow stripe behind the eve and 
the black stripe beneath the ear-coverts more developed. Cape 
York, Islands of Torres Strait, South-east New Guinea. 


The Yellow Honey-eater. 
Ptilotis flava. 
Northern Territory and North Queensland. 
All upper parts uniform olive-yellow; ear-coverts of same colour; all 


the under parts, including under surface of wings, rich lemon-yellow; bill 
blackish-brown; feet reddish-brown. Wing 3.6 inches. 


THE WHITE-GAPED HONEY-EATER 387 


The White-plumed Honey-eater (Greenie). 
Ptilotis penicillata. 


Central and South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and South 
Queensland. 

Upper parts greyish olive-brown; sides of head, ear-coverts and 
region round the eye dull yellow, behind the ear-coverts a patch of long 
pure silky-white tufted feathers; all the underparts whitish buff; bill 
black; feet purplish; iris dark-brown. Wing 3.4 inches. Common about 
the suburbs of Melbourne. 


The Carter Honey-eater. 
Ptilotis cartert. 
Differs from P. penicillata in its smaller size and yellow-tinted 


plumage, about as yellow as P. flavescens. Total length 6.0 inches, tail 
2.75, bill .4, tarsus.8, wing 2.8. 


The Pallid Honey-eater. 


Ptilotis leilavalensis. 

Northern Australia. 

Differs from P. penicillata by its paler upper and under parts and more 
brightly coloured head, and from P. flavescens in being leas yellow on the 
chin, throat and under surface and in the absence of the distinct blackish 
line of plumes beneath the ear-coverts. Total length 6.6 inches, wing 
3.25, tail 2.9, bill .5, tarsus .8. 


The Bridled Honey-eater. 
Ptilotis frenata. 
North Queensland. 
Upper parts olive-brown; ear-coverts and cheeks blackish-brown, a 
few feathers above the ear-coverts bright yellow forming a small tuft; 
chin dull-brown, rest of under parts brownish-grey; a bare sub-ocular 


space; bill dark-brown, pale at base, small yellow fleshy appendages on 
the gape. Wing 3.9 inches. 


The White-gaped Honey-eater. 
Ptilotis unicolor. 


All the northern coasts, South-east New Guinea. 

Upper parts greyish olive-brown; auricular region without any white 
or yellow patches; under parts pale brownish-grey; bill dark olive-brown, 
feet light ashy-grey; iris obscure red; naked gape fleshy white, passing 
into yellow at the corner of the mouth. Wing 3.6 to 4 inches. 


388 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Xanthotis. 


Like Ptilotis. The feathers behind the ear-coverts golden- 
yellow, forming a narrow streak. The one species. 


The Streak-naped Honey-eater. 


NXanthotis filigera. 


Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York. 

Upper parts brown; ear-coverts silky-grey, subocular region and 
feathers above the ear-coverts white, those behind the ear-coverts golden- 
yellow, forming the characteristic streak; throat greyish; rest of under 
parts fulvous; bill olive-black; feet slate colour; naked space below the 
eye yellow. Wing 3.5 to 4.1 inches. 


Genus Meliornis. 


Bill as long as rest of head. Nostrils operculated, not 
covered with feathers. Tail rounded a little longer than the 
wing. Australia and Tasmania. 


Key to the Species. 
Mantle uniform ashy grey. M. pyrrhoptera. 


(australasiana). 

Feathers of mantle blackish-brown edged with whitish 
and brownish-grey. 

Feathers of fore neck hairy, black, edged and tipped 


_with white. M. nove-hollandia. 
Feathers of fore neck short, entirely black. 
Eastern. M. sericea. 
Western. M. mystacalis. 


The Crescent Honey-eater. 


Mehornis pyrrhoptera (australasiana). 


New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Islands of Bass Strait, 
Tasmania. 


Upper parts ashy-grey; wing-coverts and tail black; quills partly 
golden yellow; preocular region and a short stripe through the eye 
black; chin, throat, cheeks and fore-neck white, rest of underparts 
whitish with a black semilunar bar on each side of the chest; bill and 
feet black; iris red. Wing 3 inches. 


Mr. A. G. Campbell deseribes as a sub-species, VW. halma- 
turina, from Kangarooo Island. The bill is a little longer, and 


the plumage duller. The wing patch and the tail greenish-yellow 


and not bright-yvellow; no white centre to the chest. Wing 2.8 
inch. 


389 


CRESCENT HONEY-EATER 


THE 


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‘SON pur (VUvISDDLSND sLULOYeTe) 


dopVO-KOUOTT |Udasatyy 


MMT OUD 


390 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The White-bearded Honey-eater (Fuchsia-bird). 
Meliornis nove-hollandic. 


South Queensland to Tasmania and South Australia. 

Crown and sides of the head including the ear-coverts and the chin, 
black; occiput, hind neck and mantle blackish-brown, edged with whitish 
and brownish-grey, lower back and upper tail-coverts greyish-brown; outer 
webs of wings and basal half of some of the tail feathers golden- 
yellow, most of the tail feathers tipped with white; a stripe along the 
ridge of the head and a large oval spot on the cheeks and another on the 
sides of the neck, white; feathers of throat and fore-neck rather hair-like 
and long, blackish at base and white toward tip; rest of underparts pure 
white with streaks of blackish-brown especially on the breast; bill and 
feet black; iris white. Wing 3 inches. 


Mr. G. M. Mathews describes as a sub-species M. diemenensis 
from Tasmania, differing from M. nove-hollandie in having a 
small bill and shorter wing. M. nove-hollandiw culmen 0.95, 
wing 3.1 inches, M. diemenensis, culmen 0.6; wing 2.9 inches. 


The Long-billed Honey-eater. 
M. longirostris. 
Is the West Australian representative. The bill is a little stronger and 


longer, and the white cheek patch is less defined. 
West Australia. 


The White-cheeked Honey-eater. 
Mehiornis sericea. 


Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. 

Differs from preceding in great development of the feathers of the 
cheek; they form a broad fan-like shield of pure white on each side of 
the throat. The chin and throat are dull black. 


The Moustached Honey-eater. 
M. mystacalis. 


Is the Western representative. The white elongated feathers of the 


cheeks include some of the ear-coverts and terminate in a point towards 
the shoulder. Wing 2.7 inches. 
West Australia. 


Genus Manorhina. 
Bill a little shorter than rest of head, laterally compressed 


and high. Nostrils operculated and partly beset with feathers. 
Secondaries four-fifths length of wing. Tail rounded, slightly 


THE NOISY MINAH 391 


shorter than wing. Postocular region bare of feathers. The 
one species. 


The Bell Minah. 
Manorhina melanophrys. 


Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. 

Upper parts uniform olive-green; wings and tail brown; cheeks, 
eyelids, a few feathers about eye and nostrils blackish; lores and 
preocular region rather bright-yellow; underparts of body greenish- 
yellow; bill and feet yellow; iris brownish; an orange-red bare spot 
below and behind the eye. Wing 3.5 to 3.8 inches. 


These birds usually go in flocks, living chiefly among the 
tops of the Eucalyptus trees, and their tinkling note is easily 
recognised. They are generally found near water. Their nests 
are generally suspended from a twig in a low bush or even 
bracken fern. 


Genus Myzantha. 


Bill as long as rest of head, slightly curved and serrated. 
Nostrils operculated and partly beset with feathers. Secondaries 
two-thirds length of wing. Tail rounded, slightly longer than 
wing. Tasmania and Australia. 


Key to the Species. 


Rump and upper tail coverts like rest of back. 


Forehead whitish, crown black. M. garrula. 

Forehead and crown grey. M. obscura. 
Rump and upper tail coverts white. 

Smaller: Wing 4.8 to 5.5 inches. M. flavigula. 

Larger: Wing 5.8 inches. M. lutea. 


The Noisy Minah. 
WW. garrula. 


South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales and Southern 
Queensland. 

Forehead greyish-white; crown of head dull black; rest of upper 
parts greyish-brown; angle of chin lemon-yellow; an indistinct grey 
streak along centre of throat; rest of under parts of body greyish-white; 
feathers of fore neck and breast with narrow dusky brown erescent; bill 
and feet yellow; iris dark hazel; a yellow naked space beneath the eye. 
Wing 5.5 to 6 inches. 


392 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Dusky Minah. 


Myzantha obscura. 
Western Australia. 


Forehead and crown grey. Otherwise very similar to M. garrula. Bill 
bright yellow; feet reddish-yellow; a patch of bare skin round the eye and 
bill yellow. Wing 5.3 inches. 


Australian Museum. 
Noisy Minah (Myzantha garrula), Normal Plumage and Albino. 


The Yellow-throated Minah. 


Myzantha flavigula. 


All Australia except West and North-west. 

Cheeks, throat, lower rump and upper tail-coverts white; tail largely 
tipped with white; the yellow on the sides of the neck more developed; 
fore neck and chest white, the brownish crescent faint. Otherwise like 
M. obscura. Wing 4.8 to 5.5 inches. 


THE YELLOW WATTLE-BIRD 393 


The Yellow Minah. 


Myzantha lutea. 
West Australia. 
Closely allied to preceding, and representing it in the west. Larger’ 
and rather more brightly coloured. Wing 5.8 inches. 


Genus Acanthochera. 


Bill about length of rest of head, curved. culmen ridged. 
Nostrils longitudinal, operculated. First primary long. Tail 
strongly graduated, longer thai wing. Wattles on the sides of 
the gape. Tasmania and Australia. 


Key to the Species. 


Wattles less than half an inch long. A. carunculata. 
Wattles above an inch long. A. paradoxa. 


The Red Wattle-bird. 
Acanthochera carunculata. 


The southern half of the continent extending to South Queensland. 

Forehead and crown blackish-brown; hind neck, mantle and back 
greyish-brown, each feather with a white central streak; upper tail-coverts 
brown with white margins; centre of breast and abdomen bright yellow; 
feathers of rest of under parts white with brown margins; loral and sub- 
ocular regions silky white; bill dull brown; feet brownish; iris bright 
hazel red; wattles not half an inch long, blood red; inside of mouth 
yellow. Wing 6 to 6.4 inches. 


The Gill-birds appear in great numbers in mid New South 
Wales in the winter, and frequent the Banksias, often driving 
off the smaller birds. Thev are very noisy, giving out a harsh 
discordant ‘‘Quash.’’ The Honev-suckles are in flower here at 
this time, and as usual the birds follow the food supply. 


The Yellow Wattle-bird. 
Acanthochera paradora (inawris). 


Tasmania and King Island in Bass Strait. 

Closely resembling preceding in coloration, but the brown and white 
feathers have the pattern reversed, the centres being brown and the 
margins white; bill black; feet flesh-coloured; iris black-brown; wattles 


= 


over an inch long. yellow. Wing 6.2 to 7 inches. 


394 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Anellobia. 
Like Acanthocera but without wattles. Tail graduated, not 
longer than wing. Tasmania and Australia. 


Key to the Species. 


Feathers of mantle with white central streaks. A. chrysoptera. 
Feathers of mantle with no central streaks. A. lunulata. 


The Brush Wattle-bird, A. chrysoptera (mellivora).—The southern half of 
the continent, reaching Southern Queensland. Plumage, upper and 
lower, generally brown, much lined and spotted with white; bill 
black; feet vinous brown; iris grey. Wing 5.1 to 5.6 inches. 


The Little Wattle-bird, A. lunulata—Western Australia. No white 
streaks to the brown feathers of the upper surface, otherwise like 
preceding; bill blackish-brown; feet yellowish-grey; iris light hazel. 
Wing 5.3 inches. The female considerably smaller. 


Genus Acanthogenys. 


Like Acanthochera but without wattles. Tail square, equal 
in length to wing. Bristle-like feathers on cheeks and beneath 
ear-coverts. One species. 


The Spiny-cheeked Honey-eater. 


Acanthogenys rufigularis. 

All over Australia. 

Upper parts dark brown; bristle-like feathers on cheeks white; chin 
to upper chest rufous; breast, abdomen and under tail-coverts dirty 
white streaked with brown; bill pink and soft at base; feet olive; 
iris lead colour; skin between eye and cheeks bare and pinky flesh colour. 
Wing 4.4 to 4.7 inches. 


Genus Entomyza. 


Bill as long as rest of head, curved. Nostrils quite bare. 
First primary more than half as long as second. Tail rounded. 
Sides of head quite bare and dark coloured. Australia. 


The Blue-faced Honey-eater. 


Entomyza cyanotis. 


South Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. 

Crown of head, hind neck, ear coverts, lores and subocular region 
black; a white crescent on sides of occiput; greater part of sides of head,. 
including ocular region, bare of feathers and rich greenish-blue; mantle 


THE WHITE-QUILLED HONEY-EATER 395 


and rest of upper parts rich golden-olive; chin to centre of chest blackish; 
test of under parts white; feet bluish-grey; iris yellowish-white; eyelash 
jet black. Wing 5.5 to 6.2 inches. 


E. harterti from North Queensland differs from E. cyanotis 
in the buff edgings to the inner webs of the primaries being 
paler, and more extensive (reaching to the shaft). The primaries, 


Australian Museum. 
Blue-faced Honey-eater: Entomyza cyanotis. 


except the two outer ones, have their outer webs narrowly edged 
with greenish sulphur-yellow, the median band of black feathers 
on the crown is also much narrower. The bird is of a very 
much smaller size. Wing 135-139 m.m., tail 108-112 mm. 


The White-quilled Honey-eater. 
Entomyza albipennis. 


Northern Territory and Gulf of Carpentaria. 
Like E. cyanotis, but having basal half or more of the inner web of 
the primaries pure white instead of fulvous. Wing 5.8 inches. 


396 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Tropidorhynchus. 

Bill longer than rest of head, curved, culmen with prominent 
ridge and a large hump on the base. No bristles. Nostrils oval 
or round, open. Parts of head bare. First primary very long. 
Tail square. Colour dull-brown. Australia to New Guinea and 
adjacent. islands. 

Key to the Species. 


Whole crown, sides of head and neck all round, bare. T. corniculatus. 
Centre of crown covered with feathers. 
Sides of neck covered with feathers. T. argenticeps. 
Sides of neck bare. T. buceroides. 


All of a general brown colour, lighter below. The feathers 
of the fore-neck and chest are all very lanceolate. 


The Friar-bird, 7. corniculatus——South Australia, Victoria, New South 
Wales, and Queensland. Wing 5.7 to 6.2 inches. 


The Silvery-crowned Friar-bird, 7. argenticeps——North-west Australia to 
Northern Queensland. Wing 5 to 5.4 inches. 


The Helmeted Friar-bird, T. buceroides—Gulf of Carpentaria and North- 
east Queensland. Wing 6 inches. 


These birds have a loud harsh note and frequently go in 
companies, frequenting the forest trees that may be in blossom. 
Their suspended open nests are usually built of grass; the Koel 
Cuckoos frequently deposit their eggs in their nests. Their eggs 
are pink in colour with darker markings, those of 7. argenticeps 
being the palest in colour. 


Genus Philemon. 
Like preceding but without any hump on the culmen. 
Moluceas, Timor, New Guinea, New Britain, New Caledonia and 
Australia. 


The Yellow-throated Friar-bird. 
Philemon citreogularis, 


Eastern States with Victoria, South Australia. and North-west 
Australia. 

Upper surface light brown; under parts brownish- white; the upper 
throat, abdomen, and under tail-coverts almost white; the cheeks only 


THE FRIAR-BIRD , 397 


Australian Museum. 


Friar-bird or Leatherhead: Philemon corniculatus. 


398 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


and the ocular region bare, of a bluish-lead colour; the feathers of the 
chest remarkable for their peculiar shape, the shafts ending in a small 
white brush; bill and feet leaden olive; iris and eyelash nearly black. 
Length 10 inches, wing 5.1. 


The Little Friar-bird. 


Philemon sordidus. 
Northern Australia. : 
Very similar to preceding, but smaller except in the bill, which is 
more developed. Wing 4.54 to 4.68 inches. 


Family Motacillide. 

Wing with nine primaries, the first fully developed and 
usually very long. The inner secondaries nearly as long as the 
primaries. No bastard primary. Nearly cosmopolitan. Wag- 
tails and Pipits. 


Key to the Genera. 


Plumage uniform above, feet black, culmen straight. Motacilla. 

Plumage mottled, lark-like, feet pale, culmen swollen. Anthus. 

Australia possesses but one Pipit (Anthus), while only a 
single individual Wagtail (Motacilla) has been observed. 


Barnard’s Wagtail. 
Motacilla barnardi. 

The single specimen was observed by Mr. H. G. Barnard at 
Bindi, on the Dawson River, Queensland. In a letter to 
Mr. North he says: ‘‘I send you a small bird I shot at Bindi on 
the 10th June, 1905, which is new to me. When first seen it was 
on the ground, and ran along like the Australian Pipit. During 
flight the white feathers on each side of the tail were very con- 
spicuous. It is the only one I have ever seen, and my attention 
was attracted to it by its sharp whistling note.’’ Mr. North 
says that the bird was an adult male in perfect plumage. It 
had a blackish narrow band across the forehead; a well pro- 
nounced white superciliary stripe, the lores and feathers below 
the eye black, the chin white, the throat yellow. Total length6.15 
inches, bill .5, wing 3.08, tarsus .9. The bird is closely allied 
to the European M. borealis and M. cinereicapilla, and not to 


THE AUSTRALIAN PIPIT 399 


geographically nearer representatives of the genus. It is very 
remarkable, either as a chance visitor of unusual plumage, or as 
an isolated race. 


The Australian Pipit. 
Anthus australis. 

Australia generally and Tasmania. 

Upper surface tawny buff, lighter on the head; the outer tail feathers 
on each side all white; lores and eyebrow white, and a ring of buffy-white 
feathers round the eye; fore neck and breast spotted with triangular 
brown marks, rest of under surfaces dull white; bill and legs fleshy 
brown; iris very dark brown. Total length 6.2 inches, culmen .56, wing 
3.45, tail 2.75, tarsus .95. Tasmanian birds more rufous, and with more 
distinet spots on the breast. 

The Pipit, or Common Ground Lark, is one of the few birds 
which are likely rather to increase than diminish in Australia, 
for the clearing of lands and opening up of the country to 
cultivation adds ever more and more to its favourite hunting 
grounds. It is found in undisturbed country on grassy plains, 
but soon appears even in forest land when a considerable 
clearing has been made. About the suburbs of the large towns 
it is quite familiar, and will allow you to approach quite close 
before it takes a short flight to settle down a little ahead of you. 
It is known to the settlers and is rarely molested. Its food 
consists of insects, and small grass and other seeds, but chiefly 
the former. The nest is placed in a hollow seraped in the ground 
usually under a tuft of grass or some other light protection. 
The eggs, three in number, are of a greyish-white, blotched and 
freckled with light chestnut-brown and purplish-grey ; .86 x .65 
inch. The breeding season commences in New South Wales in 
September, and continues till January, two or three broods 
being reared in the season. 


Family Alaudide. 
Back of the tarsus scutellated, with a series of scales. 
Cosmopolitan. Australia possesses but one genus. Larks. 


Genus Mirafra. 
First primary well developed. Nostrils exposed, with a 
superior membrane. Africa, Madagascar, India, through Malay 
Archipelago to Australia. 


400 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Bush-Lark. 
Mirafra horsfield. 


South Queensland to Victoria and South Australia. 

Above grey-brown with blackish centres to the feathers, hence spotted 
or barred; wings and tail dark brown; cheeks and throat buffy-white; 
rest of under surfaces buff, with triangular spots of dark brown on the 
fore-neck and chest. Total length 5 inches, culmen .5, wing 2.8, tail 1.8, 
tarsus .7. 


It frequents open grassy flats, low heath grounds and cultiva- 
tion paddocks. When disturbed it flies a few yards only with 
a peculiar jerky flight, and then suddenly drops into conceal- 
ment again. It is one of our most pleasing songsters, and may 
often be heard singing at night while on the wing high in the 
air, especially on bright moonlight nights during the summer. 
It constructs a partially domed nest of dry grasses in a slight 
hollow in the ground, sheltered by a tuft of grass. Eggs three 
in number, in colour greyish-white, blotched and freckled with 
light chestnut-brown and purplish-grey, very like those of 
Anthus australis, .8 x .5 inch. 


The Lesser Bush-Lark. 


Mirafra secunda., 
South Australia. 


Very like M. horsfieldi but rather smaller, and the upper surfaces 
more rufescent, the shoulder of the wing distinctly rufous. Total length 
5 inches, culmen .5, wing 2.8, tail 1.8, tarsus .7. 


JE. mailigani from North-west Australia, has no rufous 
colouring, the terminal parts of each feather, which are rufous 
in the other species. are in these birds nearly white, while the 
greater portion of each feather is brownish-black. Therefore 
they appear black and white dorsally and pale cream ventrally 
(Hall). 

A pale rufous form of this bird has been described from the 
Northern Territory as VW. rufescens. It is closely allied to 
M. secunda, but the brown feathers of the back are less con- 
spicuous, while the striations on the chest are almost obsolete. 


a 


WINCHES. 


1. Bicheno (or Banded) Finch: Stictoptera bichenovii. 
2. Gouldian Pinch: Poepuila gouldiae.—Back view. 
3. Painted Finch: Lmblema picta. 

4. Gouldian Finch: P. gouldiae.—Front view. 

5. Crimson Finch: Neochniia phaeton. 

6 


. Fire-tailed Finch: Zoneginthus bellus 


AUSTRALIAN FINCHES 401 


Family Ploceide. 

Back of tarsus entire, not broken into a series of scales. 
Nostrils placed high in the bill nearer to the ridge than to the 
gape. Africa, Southern Asia, Malay Archipelago to Australia 
and Islands of West Pacific. 


Weaver Birds. Australian Finches. 
Key to the Genera. 


I. Tail shorter than wing, only slightly rounded, the two 
central feathers not produced beyond the rest. 
Nasal orifice nearly or quite hidden by nasal plumes. 
1. Wing pointed; the distance between the tips of the 
primaries and secondaries at least as great as 
the length of the tarsus. 
Tail not projecting beyond the wings to a distance 


as great as the length of the tarsus. Staganopleura. 
Tail projecting beyond the wings by a distance 
much greater than the length of the tarsus. Zoneginthus. 


2. Wing more rounded; the distance between the 
tips of the primaries and secondaries less than 
the length of the tarsus. 

a. Bill pointed, slender, culmen nearly as long as 


tarsus. Emblema. 
b. Bill stouter, culmen at most four-fifths length 
of tarsus. 
Upper and under tail-coverts reaching nearly 
to end of tail. Teniopygia. 


Upper and under tail-coverts falling short of 
end of tail by more than the length of the 
tarsus. Stictoptera. 

Il. Tail shorter than wing, the two central feathers 
produced and rather pointed. Nostrils as in I. 

1. The tail still wedge-shaped, the difference between 
the outer and centre feathers not so great 
as the length of the tarsus. 

a. Bill swollen and rounded, culmen strongly arched. 

Tail not reaching beyond wing by distance as 
great as the length of the tarsus with the 


middle toe and claw. Munia. 
Tail exceeding the wing by at least above length. Bathilda. 
b. Bill more slender and straighter. /Sgintha. 


2. The tail graduated, the difference between the outer 
and central feathers greater than the length of 


the tarsus. Aidemosyne. 
III. Tail longer than wing, the two central feathers produced to 
a fine thread-like point. Nostrils as in I. Poephila. 
IV. Tail longer than wing, the central feathers not produced 
to points. 
Nostrils exposed, not entirely hidden by the feathers 
at the base of the forehead. Neochmia. 
Nostrils hidden by plumelets at base of forehead. Estrilda. 


The nests of all the Finches are dome-shaped and remark- 
ably bulky, composed of grasses with long spout-like entrances, 
and placed in saplings or bushes. Clutch five or six white eggs. 
Period of ineubation eleven to fifteen days. 


402 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


It is the misfortune of the Finches that they are grain 
feeders and so easily kept alive in captivity, and that they are 
charmingly coloured, so that they are an ornament to the aviary. 
Easily trapped, thousands of these pretty birds lose their 
freedom every year, and it is a sad sight to behold them cooped 
up in dozens in small cages in the shops. In a large aviary with 
plenty of opportunity of nest-making and bringing up a family, 
the conditions are not so bad, but it is to be feared that the 
habit of keeping the little creatures as ‘‘pets’’ in small cages 
is resulting merely in the depletion of the countryside of many 
of its prettiest denizens. In the wild state the Finches usually 
move about in small companies, but the beautiful Gouldian and 
Scarlet-headed Finches of the North occur in hundreds. The 
common note is a succession of Twit Twits, but a mournful long 
drawn out note is produced as well by some species. 


Genus Staganopleura. 
Sexes alike in plumage. Confined to Australia. 


The Spotted-sided Finch. 


Staganopleura guttata. 

South Queensland to Victoria and South Australia. 

Crown of head and hind neck ashy-grey; rump and upper tail-coverts 
crimson; tail black; rest of upper surfaces brown; lores black; sides of 
body and flanks black, each feather with a large white sub-terminal spot; 
under surfaces white, with a black band across the fore-neck; bill blood- 
red; teet purplish-brown; iris red; eyelash lilac-red. Total length 4.3 
inches, culmen .4, wing 2.55, tail 1.55, tarsus .55. Egg white, .75 x 
-5 inch. 


Genus Zoneginthus. 
Sexes alike in plumage. Confined to Australia and Tasmania. 


The Fire-tailed Finch. 
Zoneginthus bellus. 


‘South Queensland to Victoria and South Australia, Tasmania. 

Above generally brown, with narrow blackish wavy cross lines 
especially marked on the back and wing-coverts; lores and a narrow 
frontal band and a ring round the eye black; lower rump and tail coverts 
bright crimson; under surfaces silvery-grey more coarsely vermiculated 
with black cross bars, wider on the breast; abdomen and under tail- 
coverts black; bill crimson; feet flesh colour; iris very dark brown; 
eyelash light blue. Total length 4.4 inches, culmen .45, wing 2.2, tail 1.7, 
tarsus .65. Egg fleshy-white, .7 x .55 inch. 


THE CHESTNUT-EARED FINCH 403 


The Red-eared Finch. 
Zoneginthus oculatus. 


West and South-west Australia. 

Generally with plumage similar to preceding, but with a crimson 
ear spot, the throat and neck brown, transversely barred with black; the 
throat and chest pale brown with black cross bars; rest of under surface 
largely barred and spotted with white. Total length 4.5 inches, culmen 
.5, wing 2.2, tail 1.8, tarsus 1.05. 


Genus Emblema. 
Confined to Australia. 


The Painted Finch. 


Emblema spicta. 


North-west and West Australia, Central and South Australia, 
occasionally coming over the border into New South Wales. 

Male: Upper surface pale brown; rump and tail-coverts rich scarlet; 
tail feathers blackish with a little scarlet on the edges; lores, a narrow 
eyebrow, feathers below the eye, and fore part of cheek scarlet; throat 
and under surface of body black; chin and upper throat with scarlet 
tipped feathers; centre of fore-neck and breast scarlet; sides of black 
chest and abdomen spotted with white; upper mandible black tipped 
with scarlet; lower scarlet .with blue at base. Total length 4.2 inches, 
culmen .45, wing 2.2, tail 1.45, tarsus .55. 

Female: Similar to male, but with only the lores and feathers above 
the eye scarlet; no red on the cheeks or throat, and only a tinge of 
scarlet on the breast; the throat and fore-neck black, spotted with white; 
the under surfaces generally browner and more spotted with white. 


Genus Teniopygia. 
Australia and the Timor group of islands. 


The Chestnut-eared Finch. 


Tenopygia castanotis. 

All Australia. 

Above ashy-brown; rump white with a black patch on each side; 
upper tail-coverts black with a broad white terminal band; tail feathers 
dark brown; lores and cheeks white, skirted by black lines; ear-coverts 
and adjacent parts light orange-rufous; throat and neck pearly grey, with 
narrow blackish cross lines; a black bar across the fore-neck; rest of 
under surfaces white; sides chestnut spotted with white; bill and feet 
reddish-orange, iris red. Total length 3.8 inches, culmen .4, wing 2.15, 
tail 1.4, tarsus .5. Female with sides of face all grey; throat and chest 
without black cross lines; breast and abdomen buff. Egg bluish white, 
6 x .45 inch. 


404 THB BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Stictoptera. 
Confined to Australia. 


The Banded Finch. 


Stictoptera bichenovit. 

Australia generally. 

Upper surfaces light brown, pencilled with indistinct dusky brown 
cross bars; a black bar across the rump; upper tail-coverts white; tail 
feathers black; wings chequered with white; lores, narrow eyebrow and 
sides of face white; under surface of body yellowish-white, with a 
narrow black collar across the lower throat and a black band across the 
breast; under tail-ecoverts black; under wing-coverts fulvescent; bill pale 
blue; iris black; eyelash black. Total length 3.8 inches, culmen 44, 
wing 2.15, tail 1.6, tarsus .6. Female less brilliant, and the black bands 
on the throat and breast narrower. Egg soft-white, .6 x .4 inch. 


The Black-ringed Finch. 
Stictoptera annulosa. 
North-west Australia and Northern Territory. 


Like preceding, but with rump black instead of white. Total length 
4 inches. 


Genus Munia. 
A large genus extending over the Indian and Jndo-Malayan 
Peninsula, Ceylon, Indo-Chinese Region, through Malaysia to 
Papua and Australia. 


The Chestnut-breasted Finch. 
Munia castaneithoraz. 


Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales. 

Head and most of the upper surfaces cinnamon-brown, the feathers 
obscured by their ashy tips; lower rump, upper tail-coverts and central 
tail feathers glossy straw colour; lores, sides of face, and throat blackish 
with tiny brown shaft lines; sides of neck, fore-neck and chest pale 
cinnamon; breast and abdomen white with a black band across the 
breast; under tail-coverts black. Total length 4.5 inches, culmen .5, wing 
2.15, tail 1.45, tarsus .6. Female a little smaller and paler. 


The Yellow-rumped Finch. 


Muna ranthoprymna. 


North-west Australia and Northern Territory. 

Head all round hoary grey; upper surfaces generally chestnut-brown; 
the upper tail-coverts golden ochre; throat whiter; rest of under surfaces 
of body creamy-buff, tinged with fawn on the breast; under tail-coverts 
black. Total length 4.3 inches, culmen .5, wing 2.2, tail 1.35, tarsus .6. 


THE RED-BROWED FINCH 405 


The White-breasted Finch. 


Munia pectoralis. 


All the Northern tracts. 

Head and back lavender grey; wing-coverts light brown; wing, tail- 
coverts, and tail blackish-brown; lores, sides of face, ear-coverts, and 
throat purplish-black; fore-neck black with a patch of broad white- 
tipped black feathers; sides of body pale vinaceous brown, ornamented 
with white bars edged on each side with a black line. Total length 4.7 
inches, culmen .5, wing 2.3, tail 1.4, tarsus .6. 


Genus Aidemosyne. 

Contains three isolated species, one occupying the country 
from Senegambia to Southern Arabia; a second Ceylon, the 
Indian Peninsula, Baluchistan and Afghanistan; and the third 
the Centre and South-east of Australia. 


The Plum-headed Finch. 


Aidemosyne modesta. 


Central Australia, South Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. 

Crown of head dark brown, the fore part deep crimson; upper surface 
generally dark brown; rump and upper tail-coverts with broad white 
bars or spots at the ends of the feathers; chin and upper throat black; 
breast, abdomen, and under tail-coverts white, part barred with pale 
brown; bill black; feet fleshy white; iris reddish-brown; a narrow blackish 
eyebrow. Total length 4.3 inches, culmen .4, wing 2.2, tail 1.8, tarsus .6. 
Egg white, .5 x .4 inch. 


Genus A’gintha. 
Confined to Australia. 


The Red-browed Finch. 
Agintha temporalis. 


Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. 

Head and nape slaty-grey; rump and upper tail-coverts crimson; rest 
of upper surfaces dark olive-brown; lores, eyebrow, and a streak above 
the ear-coverts crimson; under surfaces ashy grey; the abdomen 
isabelline; bill blood-red; feet yellowish-white; iris brownish-red; eyelash 
narrow nut-red and black. Total length 4.5 inches, culmen .4, wing 2.05, 
tail 1.8, tarsus .55. Egg beautiful flesh white .6 x .45 inch. 


406 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Lesser Red-browed Finch. 
Aigintha minor. 


Northern Australia. 

Smaller than A. temporalis; wings and mantle more golden-green, and 
the under surface lighter coloured; the throat and abdomen being almost 
white, while the scarlet brow is more intense in colour. Length 3.8 inches, 
wing 1.86, tail 1.2. 


Genus Bathilda. 
Confined to Australia. 


The Red-faced Finch. 
Bathilda ruficauda. 


North-west Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland and New 
South Wales. 

Head and back olive-brown; the forehead, lores, sides of face and 
chin crimson; the upper tail-coverts crimson with a large rosy spot at 
end of each feather; tail dull crimson; throat, fore-neck, sides of body 
and upper breast ashy-olive with large white spots; lower breast and 
abdomen olive-yellow; bill red; iris orange. Total length 4.3 inches, 
culmen .4, wing .2, tail 1.75, tarsus .55. Female smaller and duller, with 
little crimson. 


B. clarescens from North Queensland, is smaller than B. rufi- 
cauda, the red extends nearly over the whole crown, encircles the 
eye, and extends further down on the throat, and the abdomen 
is rather bright yellow. Wing .50, tail .45 mm. (Hartert). 


Genus Poephila. 
Confined to Australia. Remarkable for the long fine point of 
the tail, formed by the elongation of the two centre tail feathers. 


Key to the Species. 


I. Back pinkish or cinnamon brown, upper tail-coverts white; 
tail black. 
Head grey, a black band across the rump. 
Bill red or yellow, breast pinkish-fawn. 
Bill black, breast cinnamon-tawny. 
Head like back. 
Ear coverts pinkish-brown. 
Ear coverts white. 
II. Back green, with blue on hinder crown, sides of neck, 
rump and upper tail-coverts. 
Head black followed by broad cobalt blue band on 
occiput. 


P. acuticauda. 
P. cincta. 


P. personata. 
P. leucotis. 


P. gouldie. 


THE GOULDIAN FINCH 407 


The Long-tailed Finch, P. acuticauda. North-west Australia and Northern 
Territory. The long central feathers of tail nearly four inches, pro- 
jecting a couple of inches beyond rest of tail; loral spot, eyelid and 
throat black; abdomen pinkish-fawn; under tail-coverts white; 
a line of black separating white vent from fawn abdomen, feet coral 
red; iris black. Total length 4.6 inches, culmen .45, wing 2.4, tail 
1.9, tarsus .55. Eggs white, and measuring .69 x .45 inch. 


The Black-throated Finch, P. cincta. Queensland and New South Wales. 
Feet pink red; iris reddish-brown. Total length 4.4 inches, culmen 
4, wing 2.35, tail 1.65, tarsus .6. Egg pinky-white. 


Australian Museum. 
Scarlet-headed Finch: Poephila mirabilis. Masked Finch: P. personata. 


The Masked Finch, P. personata. North-west Australia, Northern 
Territory, North Queensland. Black velvety ring on face, surrounding 
the orange bill; feet fleshy red; iris red. Total length 5.2 inches, 
culmen .45, wing 2.2, tail 2.05, tarsus .55. 


The White-eared Finch, P. leucotis. North Australia and North Queens- 
land. Bill yellowish-horn, feet red; iris dark-brown. ‘Total length 
4 inches, culmen .45, wing 2.15, tail 1.75, tarsus .55. 


The Gouldian Finch, P. gouldie. North-west Australia, Northern 
Territory and North Queensland. Throat black, followed by a line 
of bright cobalt blue, and then by a broad band of beautiful lilac 
across the fore-neck and chest; rest of under surface of body golden- 
yellow, under tail-ecoverts white; bill pink and white; feet yellow; 
iris deep brown. Total length 4.1 inches, culmen .45, wing 2.6, tail 
1.9, tarsus .55. 


408 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Orange-billed Finch, Poephila hecki. Northern Australia. Very similar to 
P. acuticauda, but having an orange-scarlet bill, instead of pale wax- 
yellow, as in that species. Length 5.5 inches, wing 2.36, tail 2.52. 


Black-rumped Finch, Poephilu nigrotecta. Cape York, Queensland. Very 
similar to P. cinctu, but is smaller, and has the upper tail-coverts 
black like the rump. In P. cincta the upper tail-coverts are white. 


Genus Neochmia. 
Confined to North Australia. 


The Crimson Finch. 
Neochmia phacton. 


North-west Australia, Northern Territory and North Queensland. 

Head and hind-neck ashy-brown, blacker on the crown, rump brown, 
rest of upper surface crimson; lores, eyebrow, sides of face, throat, chest 
and breast fiery crimson; centre of breast, abdomen and under tail-coverts 
black; a few white spots on sides of breast; bill rich carmine. Total 
length 5 inches, culmen .4, wing 2, tail 2.35, tarsus .55. Female dingier. 


Family Oriolide. Orioles. 
Bill with a notch in the upper mandible, nostrils bare. 


Genus Oriolus. 


Lores feathered, generally a little bare space behind the eye. 
Sexes with similar plumage. 


The Yellow Oriole. 


Oriolus flavicinctus. 


North and North-east Australia. 

Above olivaceous yellow, mottled with black; wings black tipped 
broadly with yellow, and with a yellow patch; tail black, tipped with 
yellow; under surface olive-yellow, brighter behind; bill dull red; feet 
lead-coloured; iris reddish-orange. The larger species, length 11.5, culmen 
1.3, wing 5.8, tail 4.4, tarsus 1.05 inches. 


The Oriole. 
Oriolus sagittarius (viridis). 
Eastern Australia. 
Above olive; wings and tail brown, many of the feathers tipped with 
white; under surface white, broadly streaked with black, bill dull red; 


feet lead-coloured; iris scarlet. Length 10, culmen 1.2, wing 6, tail 4.5, 
tarsus 1 inch. 


FIG-BIRDS 409 


The Northern Oriole, O. affinis, is smaller, and has a shorter 
wing and much larger bill. (Gould). It overlaps O. viridis in 
New South Wales, and extends to Cape York. 

Joins with the Regent, Satin Bower-birds, Cat-birds, 
Zosterops, and Magpies in feasting on the fruits of the orchards 
and of the native fig-trees. On the other hand it also destroys 
insects. The note is very melodious and varied, and the power 
of imitating all the other birds which keep it company is most 
striking. The Oriole and the Lyre-bird are the great Australian 
mimics, genuine rivals of the Mocking Bird of America. The 
nest is cup-shaped, lined with grass and hair or wool, and 
suspended to pendent branches. The egys. two to four, white or 
cream, minutely dotted and blotched with umber and blackish- 
brown; 1.3 x .9 inch. 


Genus Sphecotheres. 


Lores bare, as also the region around and behind the eye. 
Sexes differ in plumage. 

The males of both the Australian species are yellowish-green 
above, the head and nape, the primaries and the tail black, the 
latter with white tips to the feathers; the bill black and the 
feet flesh-coloured. The females are brown above, and whitish 
below. 


The Fig-bird, 8S. mavillaris. Eastern Australia. Throat and fore-neck of 
male leaden-grey, rest of under surface dull yellowish-green. Length 
9.5 inches. 


The Yellow-bellied Fig-bird, S. flaviventris. North and North-east Aus- 
tralia. Throat and fore-neck of male bright yellow, as well as the 
rest of the under surface, Length 10.2 inches. 


Stalker’s Fig-bird, S. stalkeri. Queensland (Mt. Elliot). This bird is most 
nearly allied to S. salvadorii, of New Guinea. The grey on the throat 
is flecked or faintly streaked with white, especially on the sides of 
the neck below the auriculars, these parts being of a uniform grey, 
the back is greyish-green, and pale yellow underneath. Three of the 
outer tail-feathers are marked with white. 


These birds feed chiefly on fruit, especially on the species of 
figs. They are scarce birds, and travel in flocks while feeding, 
and are noisy when so doing. Three or four pairs of birds will 


410 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


frequently build their fragile twig nests in the same forest tree. 
They are usually built on a fork near the end of a branch. The 
eggs vary considerably from very light green to brown, and the 
reddish-brown markings vary in size and tint. They measure 
1.2 or 1.8 x .8 inch. 


Family Dicruride. 
Bill with a notch in the upper mandible. Nostrils more or 
less covered with bristles. Tail forked, consisting of the unusual 
number of ten feathers. 


In situ, . D. Le Souéf. 
Drongo Shrike: Chibia bracteata. 


The Drongo. 
Chibia bracteata. 


Australia, especially the North. 

The tail in this indigenous genus of Drongos is less forked than 
usual, in fact nearly square, but the outer feather recurved on itself 
towards the tip. The head and the body both above and below deep 
black, the feathers of the crown of the head tipped with green; wings 
and tail deep glossy green, the latter darker; feathers of the throat and 
fore-neck tipped with green; under wing-coverts tipped with white; bill 
and feet blackish-brown; iris brownish-red. Length 10.8 inches. 


THE SHINING STARLING 411 


‘“This species is one of the commonest birds in the Coburg 
Peninsula, where it is generally seen in pairs, and may be met 
with in every variety of situation, but more frequently among 
the thickets and mangroves than elsewhere. It is at all times 
exceedingly active, and its food consists entirely of insects. 
especially Coleoptera and Neuroptera. Its usual note is a loud, 
disagreeably harsh cackling or creaking whistle, so totally 
different from that of any other bird, that having been once 
heard it is readily recognised.’’ The nests were formed of the 
dry wiry climbing stalk of a common parasitic plant, without 
any kind of lining; they were placed on the weakest part of the 
extremities of the horizontal branches at not less than thirty 
feet from the ground. (Gilbert). 


Family Eulabetide. 
Genus Caloris. 


Tail strongly graduated. Andamans through Malaysia to 
North Australia. 


The Shining Starling. 
Calornis metallica. 


Northern Territory and North Queensland, from the Solomons to the 
Moluccas. 

Crown of head purplish violet; hind-neck brilliant glossy green; 
mantle purplish-violet; lower back, rump and upper tail-coverts glossy 
oil green with shade of purple here and there; wing and tail black with 
metallic colours; fore-neck purplish-violet; cheeks, chin, throat and rest 
of under surface of body glossy steel-green; under wing and tail-coverts 
black with metallic green edging; bill and feet black; iris cinnabar. 
Total length 9.2 inches, culmen .75, wing 4.35, tail 4.1, tarsus .88. The 
amount of purplish gloss varies in individuals. 


“During the early part of our sojourn at Cape York, this 
bird was often seen passing rapidly over the tops of the trees in 
small flocks of a dozen or more. In their flight they reminded 
me of the Starlings, and, like them, made a chattering noise 
while on the wing. One day a native took me to a breeding- 
place in the centre of a dense scrub, where I found a gigantic 
cotton-tree standing alone, with its branches literally hung with 
the pensile nests of the bird; the nests, averaging two feet in 


412 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


length and one in breadth, are of a somewhat oval form, slightly 
compressed, rounded below and above, tapering to a neck, by 
the end of which they were suspended; the opening is situated 
in the centre of the widest part; they are almost entirely com- 
posed of portions of the stem and the long tendrils of a climbing 
plant (Cissus) matted and woven together, and lined with finer 
pieces of the same, a few leaves (generally strips of Pandanus 
leaf) the hair-like fibres of a palm (Caryota cereus), and similar 
materials; the eggs, usually two but often three in number, are 
an inch long by eight-tenths of an inch broad, and of a bluish- 
grey, speckled with reddish-pink, chiefly at the larger end; some 
have searcely any markings, others a few minute dots only. The 
note of the bird is short, sharp and shrill, and resembles ‘twee- 
twee’ repeated, as if angrily, several times in quick succession. 
On the tree above-mentioned the nests were about fifty in 
number, often solitary, but usually three or four together in a 
cluster—sometimes so closely placed as to touch each other.’’ 
(Macgillivray). The birds feed on fruits, and underneath the 
nesting tree the ground is literally covered with the seed stones 
of the fruit they have eaten. The ground is also infested with 
minute red ticks, which quickly find their way on to any 
unwary intruder. They crawl up to about the waist, and burrow 
under one’s skin to their host’s great discomfort. 


Family Ptilonorhynchida. Bower-birds. 
Genus Ptilonorhynchus. 


Bill higher than broad at nostrils, with a lateral sub- 
terminal notch in the upper mandible. Nostrils entirely covered 
with silky, dense and recurved feathers. 


The Satin Bower-bird. 
Ptilonorhynchus violaceus. 


East Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. 

An old male has the whole of the plumage of a deep shining blue- 
black, resembling satin, the wing and tail quills of a truer black; the 
iris light blue with a circle of red around the pupil. He is probably 
between six and seven years old when he has assumed this blue colour, 
till then like the female. Only one blue bird is usually seen with a 


THE SATIN BOWER-BIRD 413 


flock of these birds. The female has the head and all the upper surface 
greyish-green; the under surface of a lighter shade, each feather with 
a crescent shaped dark-brown mark near the tip; the iris of a deeper 
blue than in the male. Total length 12.5 inches, culmen 1.4, wing 6.6, 
tail 4.5, tarsus 2.15. 


These handsome birds frequent the brushes of the coastal 
ranges, where the soil is rich and magnificent trees and shrubs 
with abundant foliage secure moisture and shade, and furnish a 
sufficient number of fruits of various sorts. They are partial to 
the native figs, and, unfortunately, when clearings are made in 
the rich timber land and orchards are planted, they will collect 
from all around and raid upon the fruit. The settlers then 
destroy them in numbers, and thus rapidly deplete large areas of 
the birds. 

At the beginning of the breeding season the sexes meet in 
curious bowers, in which the males display their finery and 
perform amatory antics. The birds themselves prepare and 
decorate the bowers. They are made in retired parts of the forest, 
and under the shelter of the overhanging branches. ‘‘The base 
consists of an extensive and rather complex platform of sticks 
firmly interwoven, on the centre of which the bower itself is 
built; this, like the platform on which it is placed, and with 
which it is interwoven, is formed of sticks and twigs, but of a 
more slender and flexible description, the tips of the twigs being 
so arranged as to curve inwards and nearly meet at the top; in 
the interior the materials are so placed that the forks of the twigs 
are always presented outwards, by which arrangement not the 
slightest obstruction is offered to the passage of the birds.’’ 
(Gould). The bower is decorated with any brilliant or curious 
odds and ends which the birds can find in their haunts, feathers 
of Parrots, shells, bleached bones, bits of china, broken glass and 
the like. The male is the principal workman, though the female 
lends assistance. The bower is only the scene of courtship. The 
nests are open structures of twigs, lined with grass and leaves, 
and are placed in bushes or low trees. Clutch two, the eggs with 
a ground colour of rich cream to yellowish, irregularly blotched 
and spotted with umber and brown, with a few purplish-grey 
markings appearing below the surface of the shell. Dimensions 
1.7 inch x 1.2. 


414 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


They are often kept in captivity, feeding almost entirely on 
vegetation, such as carrots, and various vegetables, &. If 
supplied with a bundle of suitable twigs, the male bird soon has 
a bower made, usually in an hour or-so; the longer twigs are 
placed in first and then the shorter ones, and the covering of the 
floor in the run afterwards. If too much disturbed, they will 
pull their bower to pieces and re-erect it elsewhere. A bower is 
usually to be seen with these birds in the Melbourne Zoological 
Gardens. 


“Victorian Naturalist.” A. J. North. 
Nest and Eggs of Tooth-billed Bower-bird. 


Genus Scenopetes. 


Bill higher than broad at the nostrils, with a distinct festoon 
in the upper mandible, formed by two notches on the edge. 


The Tooth-billed Bower-bird. 
Scenopetes dentirostris. 


North-east Queensland. 

Above dark olive-brown; ear-coverts and sides of neck dusky-brown 
streaked with reddish; under surfaces fulvous, with streaks. Total 
length 10.5 inches, culmen 1.1, wing 5.6, tail 3.7, tarsus 1.3. 


THE CAT-BIRD 415 


The bower is quite rudimentary. The bird merely scratches 
the dead leaves and rubbish off a piece of ground measuring 
about three feet by two feet, on which it places a few green 
leaves, with their lighter-green undersurfaces upwards. These 
are spaced at about equal distances apart on the ground. There 
are no berries, shells, feathers or ornaments other than the green 
leaves, which, however, are always fresh and seem to be picked 
daily. The place chosen is generally under a bush or overhanging 
vegetation and the birds seem to be fond of frequenting their 
ground, uttering their clear liquid notes. Where a bird is heard 
warbling in the thicket you will most likely find a playing 
ground. These birds are wonderful mimics. Their shallow stick 
nest is placed near the top of some scrub tree, in a thick bunch 
of vegetation, and usually invisible from the ground. The two 
eges are a greenish cream-colour, and measure 1.57 x 1.8 inch. 
They are very similar to those of a cat-bird. 


Genus Ailuredus. 
Bill higher than broad at the nostrils, with a lateral sub- 
terminal notch, very stout. Nostrils not completely hidden, but 
overhung by scanty plumes. 


The Cat-bird. 
Aluredus viridis. 


North-east Queensland and Eastern New South Wales. 

Head and back of neck olive-green, with a narrow line of white 
down each side of the feathers of the latter; back, wings and tail grass- 
green with a tinge of blue on the margins of the back feathers; all but 
the two centre feathers of the tail tipped with white; under surfaces 
yellowish-green, with a yellowish mark down the centre of each feather. 


The habits of the Cat-birds are very similar to those of the 
Satin Birds, with the important exception that, as far as 
is known, they do not construct even a rudimentary bower; 
and they have the same haunts. The name is derived 
from the cry. Gould says: ‘‘In comparing it to the 
nightly concerts of the domestic cat, I conceive that I am con- 
veying to my readers a more perfect idea of the note of this 


416 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


species than could be given by pages of description. This 
concert is performed either by a pair or several individuals, and 


dustralian Museum. 


Cat-bird: Aeluroedus viridis. 


nothing more is required than for the hearer to shut his eyes to 
the neighbouring foliage to fancy himself surrounded by 
London grimalkins of house-top celebrity.’’ 


Tooth-billed Bower-bird Scenope@etes dentirostris Ramsay. 
(After GouLD-SHARPE. ) 
{See page 414.] 


THE SPOTTED BOWER-BIRD 417 


The Spotted Cat-bird. 


Mluredus maculosus. 


North-east Queensland. 
Differs from preceding in having the crown of the head dull brown 
mottled, and the ear-coverts black, not green. 


Cat-birds build bulky open nests, usually not far from the 
ground, and lay two (rarely three) cream-coloured eggs, 
which measure about 1.73 x 1.22 inch. 


Genus Chlamydodera. 
Bill longer and thinner than in the Cat-birds, with a lateral 
subterminal notch. Nostrils not completely hidden. 


The Spotted Bower-bird. 
Chlamydodera maculata. 


Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. 

Crown of head, ear-coverts and throat rich brown, each feather with 
a narrow rim of black; a beautiful lilac band of elongated feathers 
crosses the back of the neck forming a broad occipital crest; rest of 
upper surfaces, wings and tail of a rich. brown, the feathers mostly 
tipped with a round spot of rich buff; under surfaces greyish white. A 
patch of pink fleshy bare skin at the corner of the mouth. The female 
does not possess the lilac nape band. Total length 11.25 inches, bill 
1.25, wing 6, tail 4.75, tarsus 1.62. 


‘ 


The bowers ‘‘are considerably longer and more avenue-like 
than those of the Satin Bower-bird, being in many cases three 
feet in length. They are outwardly built of twigs, and beauti- 
fully lined with tall grasses so disposed that their heads nearly 
meet; the decorations are very profuse, and consist of bivalve 
shells, crania of small mammals and other bones bleached by 
exposure to the rays of the sun or from the camp fires of the 
natives. Evident indications of high instinct are manifest 
throughout the whole of the bower and decorations, particularly 
in the manner in which the stones are placed within the bower, 
apparently to keep the grasses with which it is lined fixed firmly 
in their places; these stones diverge from the mouth of the run 
on each side so as to form little paths, while the immense collec- 
tion of decorative materials is placed in a heap before the 


2-D 


418 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


entrance of the avenue, the arrangement being the same at both 
ends. In some of the larger bowers, which had evidently been 
resorted to for many years, I have seen half a bushel of bones, 
shells, &c., at each of the entrances. I frequently found these 


Australian Museum. 
Spotted Bower-bird: Chlamydodera maculata. 


structures at a considerable distance from the rivers, from the 
borders of which they could alone have procured the shells and 
small round pebbly stones; their collection and transportation 
must therefore be a task of great labour. I fully ascertained that 
these runs, like those of the Satin Bower-birds, formed the 
rendezvous of many individuals.’’ This is Gould’s classical 


THE GREAT BOWER-BIRD 419 


description of the bower in the early days, when natives were 
still camping in the woods, and the birds were in undisturbed 
natural conditions. 


Mr. A. J. Campbell was among the first who discovered the 
nest and egg of the Spotted Bower-bird. He says that the nest 
was about 20 feet from the ground, near the top of a sapling 
in a thick belt of timber along a billabong of the river Darling, 
near Wentworth. ‘‘The hen was sitting, and did not fly off 
until I had climbed within a few feet of her. I did not notice 
the male bird in the neighbourhood. The nest was formed some- 
thing like the common Butcher-bird’s (Cracticus torquatus), 
composed of small sticks, and lined with smaller twigs and grass. 
The egg is very beautiful in appearance, like a fine species of 
porcelain with hand-painted markings. The ground colour is 
very light sea-green. There are three distinct characters of 
markings, firstly light grey blotches that appear on the inner 
surface of the shell; secondly small stripes of light sienna and 
umber, painted, as if with a camel-hair brush, in every shape and 
size round and round the shell; and lastly over these markings a 
few darker and heavier stripes and smudges of umber. Both 
ends of the egg are comparatively free from markings. Dimen- 
sions 1.65 ineh x 1.1. 


The Yellow-spotted Bower-bird. 
Chlamydodera guttata. 


West and Central Australia. 

Upper surface deep brownish-black, with a spot of rich buff at the 
tip of each feather. Head silvery-brown. No lilac band across the nape. 
Total length 11.5 inches, bill 1.25, wing 6, tail 4.25, tarsus 1.75. 


The Great Bower-bird. 
Chlamydodera nuchalis. 


Nerth-west Australia and Northern Territory. 

Head uniform greyish-browu; upper surfaces greyish-brown, feathers 
tipped with greyish-white. A band of bright lilac across the nape, the 
tips of the plumes distinct, rounded and turning inwards; under surfaces 
yellowish-grey. Sometimes lays only one egg instead of the usual clutch 
of two. 


420 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Queensland Bower-bird. 


Chlamydodera orientalis. 


North and north-east Australia. 


Head mottled with silvery tips to the feathers; upper surfaces 
similar. The band of bright lilae on the nape. 


Australian Museum. 
Bower of Queensland Bower-bird (Chlamydodera orientalis). 


The Fawn-breasted Bower-bird. 


Chlamydodera cerviniventris. 


South New Guinea, Louisiade Archipelago, Cape York. 

Upper surface brown, each feather of the back and wings margined 
and tipped with buffy white; no lilac band on the nape; throat striated 
with greyish-brown and buff; under surface of shoulder, abdomen, thighs 


and under tail-coverts pure light-fawn colour. Total length 11.5 inches, 
bill 1.25, wing 5.75, tail 5, tarsus 1.62. 


All the last four above-mentioned Bower-birds make large 
bowers,. very similar to that of the Spotted Bower-bird. The 
nest and eggs are also very similar in colour and markings. 


THE REGENT-BIRD 421 


Genus Sericulus. 
Bill at nostrils as high as broad. Brilliant black and gold 
male birds. 
The Regent-bird. 


Sericulus chrysocephalus. 


South-east Queensland and North-east New South Wales. 

Adult male: Head, neck and upper mantle rich bright velvety 
orange-yellow; secondaries bright gamboge-yellow; the rest of plumage 
deep velvety black. Adult female: Head and throat dull brownish- 
white. the rest of the upper surface olive brown, the feathers of the back 
with whitish marks near the tips; a large patch of deep black on the 
crown; chin and sides of throat reddish, centre and lower throat black; 
rest of under surfaces brownish white. 


This regal bird is restricted now to the brushes of the northern 
rivers of ‘New South Wales and South Queensland, and is 
becoming scarcer and scarcer with the advance of settlement. 
It usually resorts to the topmost branches of the trees, but 
descends to feed on berries and wild fruits and insects. The 
introduction of the pokeweed or inkweed (Phytolacca), though 
a nuisance to the settlers, is a godsend to the birds, which feast 
on the plentiful black berries. The males are extremely 
pugnacious, and when in full dress frequently attack one another. 
In flight the perfect male can be at once distinguished by the 
golden yellow patches on the wings. The only ealls of the 
Regent-bird are a single whistle, and a squeaky ‘‘whit whit’’ 
when alarmed. 

The bower is less dome-shaped, and straighter in the sides, 
than that of the Satin Bower-bird, and has a much smaller plat- 
form, and the inside of the bower is smaller. Mr. A. Campbell, 
junr., gives the following description of one which he examined 
in the Richmond River district. It ‘‘was a very neat structure, 
situated within a circle of Lawyer Palms, in a clear space about 
four feet in diameter. The walls of the bower, which were above 
eight inches long and six inches high, were fixed into a layer 
or bed consisting of small pieces of stick so tightly trampled 
down that they were quite compact. This bed was in the form of 
an oval, measuring 22 inches across one way and 19 inches the 
other. I may mention that this is quite an unusual addition, for 
the walls as a rule are fixed into the ground, and a bed of sticks 
of the dimensions just given is very rarely seen. The first time 


422 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


this bower was noticed three birds, all drab-coloured, were 
playing in it: each carried an empty Snail’s shell, and in turn 
went into the bower, and after bobbing up and down a few times 
with half-opened wings would toss the shell out over the wall to 
be picked up by one of the others, which would drop its own for 
the- purpose. The two birds remaining outside performed 
various antics, brushing the ground with their wings, as a 
consequence of which the soil within the enclosure of cane roots 
was quite bare. I visited the bower several times subsequently, 
but the birds were not at home, and all I noticed was that three 
or four young purplish-tinted leaves were placed in the centre, 
and the three shells were laid near. I could see that each day 
the withering leaves were replaced by freshly plucked ones.”’ 
The ornaments are chiefly land-shells and berries. The nest is 
merely a frail platform of sticks situated in a bunch of creepers, 
and the eggs resemble very much those of the Spotted Bower- 
bird, but the ground colour instead of being greenish is a yellow 
tint. 


Genus Prionodura. 

Bill short, shallow, with a feeble tooth in the upper mandible, 
and a regularly arched culmen compressed over the nostrils. 
Nostrils sunken, subbasal, partly hidden by plumes and 
surrounded by a few weak bristles. 


The Golden Bower-bird. 


Prionodura newtoniana. 
North-east Queensland. 


Male, golden-yellow with a broad crest on the crown of the head; 
female, olive-green. The colours rapidly fade in strong light. 


Mr. G. Sharp, with the help of the Aborigines, was the first 
to discover the nests and eggs of the Golden or Newton’s Bower- 
bird. He says: ‘‘Some of the bowers on the one side were over 
eight feet in height, and several of these stick-formed walls were 
beautifully arched over the lower side. It was amusing to watch 
a bird perched on the bough or stick, that runs crosswise near the 
bottom of these structures, stretch out as far as it could to 
ornament the inside of the higher wall with a flower, usually an 


‘ 


THE GOLDEN BOWER-BIRD 423 


orchid. Several times I removed pieces of moss, which is of one 
kind only, and hung them on shrubs close by, and then drew into 
concealment and watched, and each time the birds showed every 
kind of resentment at my actions, and they were quickly 
replaced by one of them on the stick across the bower and close 
to the lower wall. At the larger bowers only the males assembled, 
and rarely a female, doubtless being engaged in the duties of 
incubation or tending their young. My blackboys informed me 
that these birds bathed every day before assembling in the bower, 


“Vietorian Naturalist.” A. J. North. 
Nest and Eggs of Newton's Bower-bird. 


which was always about mid-day. The female builds a bower 
for herself, generally about twenty yards away from the one at 
which the males assemble. It is in every respect similar to that 
constructed by the male, but is much smaller, not being half the 
size.’’ 

The nest, as described by Mr. Sharp, is an open cup-shaped 
structure, formed externally of dead leaves and portions of 
leaves, including fragments of stag-horn ferns and a small 
quantity of dry mosses, and is lined inside at the bottom with 
thin dead twigs. It is built in clefts or holes in the trunks, or in 


424 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


a buttress, of a fig tree, a few feet from the ground. Clutch 2, 
the eggs are of a uniform lustrous white, 1.4 x 1 inch. 


Family Paradiseide. 

Bill without a distinct subterminal notch in the upper 
mandible. Toes abnormal; outer toe a little shorter than the 
middle one, longer than the inner toe, hallux very large, as long 
as or longer than the middle toe. 


Sub-family Epamachine. 
Bill elongated and slender, the culmen longer than the 
tarsus. 


Genus Ptilorhis, Rifle-birds. 

Tail not equal in length to the body of the bird. A shield 
of metallic plumes occupying the throat and fore-neck in the 
males. The general plumage of the males is velvety-black 
appearing rich purple in certain lights, with areas of steel-blue 
and coppery-green; that of the females brown with black bars 
and white streaks. They frequent the brushes of Northern New 
South Wales and Queensland. There are three Australian 
species, and a larger one in New Guinea, and they constitute the 
most southerly extension of the family of the Birds of Paradise. 
Words cannot fairly describe the wonderful plumage of the 
magnificent male birds; to appreciate the beauty one must watch 
them amid the luxuriant foliage of the great brush jungle, as 
they preen their feathers and open and close the wings, the tints 
and lustre varying with the varying incidence of the light. It 
will be a disgrace indeed to Australia if these exquisite birds 
are lost to the continent from lack of efficient protection. 


The Rifle-bird. 
Ptilorhis paradisea. 


Eastern Australia from the Hunter to Moreton Bay, but now sadly 
reduced in range and numbers. 

The adult male above velvety black, changing to deep fiery-purple 
when viewed away from the light; crown of head burnished coppery-green; 
wings black; tail velvety black; the two centre feathers rich shining 
metallic-green; sides of face, throat and sides of neck black; a burnished 


THE RIFLE-BIRD 


Rifle-bird: Ptilorhis paradisea. 


4 


Australian Museum. 


5) 


426 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


green patch on the lower throat and fore-neck; breast velvety-purple; 
abdomen olive-green; under wing and tail-coverts black; long silky 
plumes are attached to the flanks, but do not reach beyond the under 
tail-coverts; bill and legs black. Length 11.5, culmen 2, wing 6.2, tail 4.4, 
tarsus 1.45 inches. 


In situ. D. Le Souéf. 
Nest of Victoria Ruifle-bird: Ptilorhis victoriae. 


The adult female ashy-brown above; a white eyebrow; the under 
surface buff, mottled with black; the lower abdomen, flanks, and under 
tail-coverts barred with blackish. 


Mr. A. J. Campbell thus describes the nest, the first example 
of which was only obtained 71 years after the bird itself was 


THE ALBERT RIFLE-BIRD 497 


described. It was found in the Richmond River scrub in a 
sapling at a height of about forty feet from the ground, in an 
entanglement of vines, which covered the top of the tree. A 
peculiar feature of the nest was its adornment with shed snake 
skins, the largest pieces being on the top, while a few small bits 
were in the nest. The nest was somewhat bulky, constructed 
chiefly of the green stems and fronds of a climbing fern, with a 
few other broad leaves at the base, and lined inside with wire- 
like rootlets, and measured between eight and nine inches across 
and four in depth. The egg flesh-coloured, boldly streaked 
longitudinally with reddish and purplish brown, and measured 
1.29 x .98 inch. 


The Victoria Rifle-bird. 


Ptilorhis victoria. 

Queensland. 

The male similar to that of preceding, the outer tail feathers 
velvety-purple; a strong gloss of fiery copper on the chin and sides of the 
throat; green throat shield smaller, the purple of the breast extending 
further forward over the fore-neck. The female also similar to that of 
P. paradisea, but the under surface is fawn-coloured, spotted on the 
breast and barred on the flanks with brownish. The smallest of the 
Rifle-birds. Length 10, culmen 1.5, wing 5.3, tail 3.3, tarsus 1.4 inches. 


The Albert Rifie-bird. 
Craspedophora (Ptilorhis) albert. 


Cape York Peninsula. 


The male is distinguished from the males of the other two species 
by the longer silky plumes borne on the flanks, which reach beyond the 
tail. The female ashy-brown on head and nape, shading into olivaceous- 
brown on the back; under surface dull-white mottled with blackish cross 
bars. The largest of our three Rifle-birds. Length 12.2, culmen 2.2, 
wing 6.6, tail 4.25, tarsus 1.65. 


Nest and eggs very similar to those of the other two species. 
These birds have a harsh note and are found only in the dense 
serub. 


Sub-family Paradiseine. 


Bill more or less stout, the culmen not so long as the tarsus. 


428 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Manucode. 


Phonygama gouldi. 


North-east Australia. 

Tail slightly rounded, the central feathers not exceeding the others; 
above steel-green; wings and tail purplish-black; head green with twe 
long plumes projecting from each side of the occiput; under parts green; 
bill and legs black. Length 11.5, culmen 1.25, wing 6.15, tail 5.15, tarsus 
1.55 inches. 


Its nest is composed of curly vine tendrils, and is fixed in a 
fork near the end of the branch of a forest tree but usually near 
scrub. The two eggs are a purplish-pink, with longitudinal 
reddish and purple streaks, especially in the apex; they measure 
1.42 x .95 inch. These birds are nowhere plentiful and are very 
shy, and have a loud note. 


Group Coliomorphe. 


‘Wing with ten primaries, the first reduced in size; claw of 
middle toe oblique; bill stout, large and straight, chin angle 
produced beyond the line of the nostrils; tongue thick and fleshy, 
horny at tip and sometimes split up into threads; feet strong. 


Family Corvide. 


Bill without a distinct subterminal notch in the upper 
mandible; toes normal, the hallux very strong, but not as long as 
mid toe. 


Key to the Genera. 


A. Nostrils placed high in the maxilla, never nearer to the 
lower edge of the maxilla than to the culmen. 
1. Wings long, distance between tip of wing and tip of 
tail not greater than length of tarsus. 
Nostrils concealed with bristles. 
First primary not shorter than innermost 


secondaries. Corvus. 
First primary shorter than innermost secondaries. Corone. 
Nostrils bare. Strepera. 


2. Wings shorter, distance between tip of wing and tip 
of tail greater than length of tarsus. 
Bill conical. Struthidea. 
B. Nostrils placed low in the maxilla, nearer to its lower 
edge than to the culmen. Corcorax. 


THE SMALL-BILLED CROW 429 


The Crow or Hazel-eyed Crow. 
Corvus coronoides. 


Australia (especially north and west). 

Plumage uniform purple blue-black; all the body feathers snow- 
white at the base; iris brown; bill and legs black. Length 17.5, culmen 
2.25, wing 12.9, tail 7.2, tarsus 2.45. 


Australian Museum. 


Crow: Corvus coronoides. 


The Small-billed Crow. 


Corvus bennettt. 


South Australia, Victoria, and Western New South Wales. 


Similar to C. coronoides, but smaller in all its measurements; iris 
white. Length 16 inches, wing 12.3, tail 7.3, bill 1.85, tarsus 2.2. 


430 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


The Raven or White-eyed Crow. 
Corone australis. 


Australia and Tasmania. 

Plumage uniform purple blue-black; all the body feathers dusky- 
brown or black at the base; iris white or dark-brown; bill and legs black. 
Length 18.5, culmen 2.45, wing 13.7, tail 8, tarsus 2.6. 


These three birds are as similar in their habits as in their 
plumage, and the name Crow is used in Australia indifferently 
for each. They all fly high and utter a rather prolonged and 
melancholy harsh caw, and will, like the Vultures, assemble in 
numbers from great distances, whenever a carcass or a 
plentiful supply of newly-sown corn is espied from their look- 
out. The settlers feel the strongest resentment against these 
birds, on account of the habit of pecking out the eyes of a dying 
or wounded animal, and on account of the depredations on their 
crops. They will often assemble around a camp in the bush, 
sitting on the trees with sinister aspect, as if anticipating some 
mishap to the party, but probably with the humbler object of 
picking up scraps. A curious example of the power of con- 
gregating, and one more to the credit of the birds, was seen this 
summer on one of the Victoria Railways. A block having 
occurred on the telegraph line, an officer was sent along the line 
to inquire into the fault, and it was found to be due to the 
presence of ‘‘some thousands’’ of crows perched on the wires, 
the weight of the birds causing the top wires to join the lower 
ones—the presence of the crows was due to the myriads of grass- 
hoppers in the locality. As soon as the birds were driven off, 
communication was restored. The large nest is formed of sticks 
and placed near the top of a high tree. The eggs are three or 
four in number, long, dull pale-green, blotched and freckled all 
over with umber-brown, and measure 1.75 x 1.1 inch. 

Gould considered that the Raven and the Crow were the same 
bird, and that the eye is always white in the adult. It is rather 
curious to note in regard to this point that the Victorian Field 
Naturalists on capturing a Crow on an excursion to Melton, near 
Melbourne, found that one of the eyes of the bird was white and 
the other hazel. The constant differences in colour of the bases 
of the body feathers, however, settles the matter. We need not 
make two species of Crow because of the colour of the eyes; but 
the Raven is certainly distinct from the Crow; and has never 
been found with a white eye. 


THE PIED CROW-SHRIKE 431 


Australian Museum. 


Pied Crow-Shrike: Strepera graculina. 


432 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Genus Strepera. Crow-Shrikes. 

Confined to Australia and Tasmania. Large black, blackish- 
brown or grey birds, with limited white markings. The iris is 
yellow and the bill and feet black. The stronghold and apparent 
centre of distribution is in the South. They feed on grasshoppers 
and other large insects, and on such fruits as are available, and 
seek their food on or near the ground. They hop along the 
ground with remarkable agility, and make leaps from branch 
to branch; only if disturbed, or if changing the feeding ground, 
flying over the tops of the trees. They are mostly seen in com- 
panies of four to six in number, probably the parents with the 
family of the year. They utter a peculiar shrill cry, calling to 
and fro to one another. They build open cup-shaped nests, as 
large as that of the Crow, made of sticks and lined with grasses 
or bark, and placed on the branches of a low tree. The eggs three 
or four, of some shade of brown and mottled with blotches of 
darker, and measure over 1.5 x under 1.25 inch. 


A.—Pied, black and white. 


The Pied Crow-Shrike, §. graculina. Eastern Australia. Glossy bluish- 
black, with three marked white areas, a large patch formed by 
the white bases of the primaries of the wings, a broad white band 
across the basal third of the tail, and the under tail-coverts; the tail 
feathers are also narrowly tipped with white. Length 18.5 inches, 
tail 8.9. 


B.—General colour black, the white of the base of the wing 
not forming a large patch, and no white band across the base 
of the tail. 

1. Dull blackish-brown; under tail-coverts white. 


The Hill Crow-Shrike, S. arguta. Tasmania. Inner web of the base of 
the primaries and the tips of the secondaries white; the tail feathers 
except the two centre ones, broadly tipped with white. Female much 
greyer. Length 21 inches, tail over 10 inches. 


The Black-winged Crow-Shrike, 8S. melanoptera (intermedia). South 
Australia (Kangaroo Island). Wings all black above and below ; all 
the tail feathers with white tips. Length 19 inches, tail 9.5. 


2. Glossy black; under tail-coverts blackish. 


The Black Crow-Shrike, S. fuliginosa. South-east Australia and Tas- 
mania. All black except the tips of the primaries, and the tips of 
the tail feathers, the white tips, however, nearly 1.5 inch in breadth, 
exceeding .25 inch in the other species. Length 19 inches, tail 
8.5. 


Golden Bower-bird: Prionoduraznewtoniana, De Vis. 
(After GOULD-SHARPL. ) 
{See page 422.] 


NESTS OF GREY JUMPER AND WHITE-WINGED CHOUGH 433 


Nest of White-winged Chough: Corcorax melanorhamphus. Australian Museum, 


2-E 


434 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


C.—General colour grey; wings and tail blackish. 


The Grey Crow-Shrike, S. versicolor (cuneicaudata). New South Wales, 
Central and South Australia. Brownish-grey. Length 19 inches, 
tail 8.7. 


The Leaden Crow-Shrike, 8. plumbea. West Australia. Deep leaden-grey. 
Length 19 inches, tail 9.5. 


In both species the inner web of the basal half and the tips of the 
primaries, the tips of the tail feathers, and the under tail-coverts are 
white, very much as in S. arguta. 


The Brown Crow-Shrike, S. fusca. South Australia (Eyre Peninsula). 
Plumage uniform dusky-brown, four outer feathers on each side of 
tail broadly tipped with white, the two centre tail feathers very 
slightly tipped with white; under tail-coverts white. Length 20 
inches, tarsi 3 inches, bill 3%4 inches. 


The Grey Jumper. 


Struthidea cinerea. 


The sole representative of this genus, which is restricted to Australia. 

Grey above and below; wings pale brown; tail glossy black; middle 
feathers glossed with green; iris pearly-white; bill and feet black.- 
Length 12.7 inches, wing 5.9, tail 6.4. 


An inland bird, always seen in small companies of three or 
four among trees. The common name is derived from the habit 
of leaping from branch to branch; as they leap, they throw up 
and spread the wings and the tail, and give forth a harsh note. 
They feed on large insects, particularly beetles. The nest is a 
deep basin of mud, resembling those of the Magpie Lark and 
White-winged Chough. It is lined with fine grass and placed 
on a horizontal limb of a tree. The eggs, five to seven, white, 
sparingly blotched, principally at the large end, with reddish- 
brown and purplish and greenish-grey, and measure 1.2 x .85 
inch. 


The White-winged Chough. 
Corcorax melanorhamphus. 


Australia, except North and West. 

The solitary representative of the genus, which is exclusively Aus- 
tralian, and remarkable as being so widely isolated from its congeners of 
the Chough subfamily, which are confined to the continents of the Old 
World. Black above and below, with purplish and greenish gloss, with 


WHITE-WINGED CHOUGH 435 


the exception of the inner webs of the primary wing feathers, which are 
white, except at the bases and the tips; bill and feet black, iris scarlet. 
Length 16 inches, wing 9.9, tail 9.2. Young much browner. 


It usually occurs in groups of six to ten, feeding upon the 
ground, over which it can run quickly. The habits are very like 
those of the Grey Jumper, but at times when perched it ‘‘makes 
the woods ring with its peculiar soft, low, very pleasing but 
mournful pipe.’? When paying his addresses to the female, the 
male bird spreads out his wings and tail to the utmost, lowers 
his head, and puffs out his feathers, his whole frame animated 
with excitement and zeal. The nest is like that of Struthidea, 
and contains a clutch of the same number of eggs, which are 
yellowish-white, boldly blotched all over with olive and purplish- 
brown, and measure 1.5 x 1.1 inch. 


436 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


INTRODUCED BIRDS. 


A number of kinds of birds has been introduced into Aus- 
tralia, and set free in the hope that they would establish 
themselves and prove of service in the new country. The most 
extended experiments in this direction were made by the 
Acclimatisation Society of Victoria from 1863 onwards. 
Amongst the birds liberated were Canaries, Blackbirds, Thrushes, 
Californian and Chinese Quail, English Wild Ducks and Robins, 
Java and Chinese Sparrows, the Common House Sparrow, 
Starlings, Skylarks, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Chaffinches, 
Ortolans, Yellow-Hammers, Siskins, Indian Minahs and Turtle 
Doves, Indian Jungle Fowl, Pea Fowl, Guinea Fowls, Lesser 
Pintailed Sand-Grouse, Ceylon and French Partridges, Egyptian 
‘Geese and White Swan. A few of these birds were also liberated 
around Sydney. In some cases the numbers of the birds were 
insufficient, in others the localities selected for liberation were 
unsuitable, and in others the birds failed to make good their 
footing in face of the natural and imported foes or fell victims to 
the poison laid about for pests. The list of survivors then is 
much shorter, and comprises both House and Tree Sparrows, 
Starlings, Thrushes and Blackbirds, Greenfinches and Gold- 
finches, Skylarks and the Indian Minahs and Doves. All these 
have now become thoroughly acclimatised, and are multiplving 
with greater or less rapidity. Around Sydney the Sparrow, 
Starling, Doves, and to a less extent the Skylark are the only 
foreign birds which have obtained a real hold. All the birds 
in the list are to be met with around Melbourne. 

The Common Sparrow, whatever be his virtues or his failings, 
has come to stay. He is present not merely in the large capitals, 
but follows the railways, and where the white man can settle 
the Sparrow can follow him. Many judges and juries have sat 
upon his case, but it matters little to the bird, which defies all 
attempts to exterminate him. He can feed on most things, fruit, 
seeds, insects, worms, scraps, and can thus always pick up a 
living in the townships, though fortunately he does not seem 


INTRODUCED BIRDS 437 


to fancy wild life in the bush. There is always plenty of dry 
grass for his bulky and roughly-constructed nest, and trees or 
hedges or hollows under the eaves enough in which to build it. 
Two or three broods are produced in the season, with five eggs 
to the sitting, so that the rate of increase is very high. It is no 
wonder then that the birds appear in large flocks, and that the 
gardens are full of them. There is no doubt that they consume a 
multitude of noxious insects, and so do something to retrieve 
their character, but it is hard to persuade a farmer whose sowing 
and whose reaping have been spoilt by mobs of the birds in quest 
of the grain that the Sparrow is anything but an unmitigated 
nuisance. 

Starlings have been only less successful than the Sparrow in 
establishing themselves in the great centres of population, and 
are spreading, though more slowly, over the whole of 
the Southern States. They live in flocks, and _ for 
eleven months in the year do most useful work in 
destroying the wireworms and_ other ground insect 
larve. They make themselves quite at home among the 
grazing cattle, and birds may occasionally be seen on the backs 
of the beasts. It is in the time when the fruit is ripening that 
they make their enemies, for they raid the orchards, especially in 
a very dry season, in the early morning, and from their size and 
numbers are capable of doing much destruction. The nest is 
almost as uncouth and rough as that of the Sparrow, and made 
in any natural or artificial cavity which is available. The clutch 
also consists of from four to six pale-blue eggs, so that the 
reproductive powers are considerable. They are pugnacious 
birds, well able to take their own part, even against the birds of 
prey. ‘‘If a bird of prey is seen, a large flock will rise as one 
bird, and circle round and over the object of their fear as it 
flies along. I have seen a flock of considerably over a thousand 
Starlings doing this.’’ (Surgeon-Colonel C. Ryan). The Hawk 
is so much harassed that all its wits are needed to extricate itself 
from its pursuers. 

The Thrushes and Blackbirds have not spread to any great 
extent, but are occasionally seen and heard in the environs of 
Melbourne and Sydney as they seem to thrive only in the gardens. 
Both birds are prolific, and they can find abundance of the 


438 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


familiar snail of the old world gardens. They both also show a 
partiality for fruit, especially that which has fallen from the 
tree, and this is rather damaging to their prospects. As they 
build in the shrubs of the gardens too, the young are liable to 
fall victims to the ubiquitous town cat. Still the birds have 
persisted now for many years, and as the suburbs are continually 
growing, the chances of survival seem to be fairly hopeful. 

The Greenfinches which were liberated in the Sixties have 
done fairly well, and are now established near Melbourne and in 
the tea-tree scrubs about Port Phillip. Being of an incon- 
spicuous colour, and living in fairly thick cover, they do not 
suffer from birds of prey as much as birds which come more into 
the open. The Goldfinches are much more in evidence. About 
Geelong they are especially numerous, nesting in the trees 
planted in the streets. About Hobart, too, they are seen in great 
numbers amongst the hawthorn hedges. They are everywhere 
welcomed, as they confine their attention to the haws and to 
seeds and do not molest the orchards. 

The Skylarks are increasing, but slowly. The birds do not 
scatter readily, and grassland areas are not extensive near the 
capitals. Numbers find a home in the great Centennial Park of 
Sydney, on the Emu Plains, and on the flats to the north and 
west of Melbourne, and their blithe aspiring songs bring back 
to many the meadows of Old England. 

The Indian Minah (Acridotheres tristis) is almost confined 
to the neighbourhood of Melbourne, where it was introduced. 
In the city and suburbs it is quite common, and attracts attention 
by its not unmusical but disjointed notes. It feeds on insects 
and seeds, and also has a keener taste for fruit than the Black- 
bird, and on the other hand is not so handsome or so musical. 

The Indian Doves (Turtur suratensis) are plentiful about 
both capitals, Melbourne and Sydney, and are seen in numbers 
in the Parks and larger gardens. In these situations they are 
secure, but where they have been sent to smaller towns, it is 
found that they generally fall victims to the birds of prey. 

Ostriches have never been set at liberty to find their own 
living in the bush, but several farms have been stocked with 
these birds, and there seems to be no reason why a profitable 
industry should not be established in the plumes. At the 


INTRODUCED BIRDS 439 


Hawkesbury College these birds breed freely, and no difficulty 
has been experienced in rearing the young. Sir Samuel Wilson 
undertook the charge of the Ostriches procured by the Victorian 
Acclimatisation Society, and he found that the birds bred freely, 
but that if turned out of the paddock and allowed to go free 
over the run they became so wild that it was practically 
impossible to yard them at the proper season for stripping. 
Hence it is necessary to keep the birds in limited enclosures and 
accustomed to their keepers. Ostriches actually in the open 
would have even less chance than the Emu of escaping the 
universal gun. 

The advantage of the general policy of introducing foreign 
birds into Australia seems to be open to much doubt. The classes 
of birds which would presumably be welcomed are insectivorous 
birds, birds of attractive plumage or song, and game birds. Of 
purely insectivorous birds, the Skylark is the only success 
amongst those which have been tried, and that as we have seen 
only so far in very limited areas. Such birds are difficult to 
transport and transplant. We have large numbers of indigenous 
birds which perform the same good offices, and the wisest policy 
seems to be to give adequate State or Federal protection to these, 
and to foster amongst all classes, and especially amongst the 
agricultural class, who are most directly interested, knowledge 
of the invaluable work performed by the birds and an ardent 
desire to preserve them. Birds of beautiful and striking 
plumage or pleasing song, if grain or fruit feeders, are only 
likely to be shot down in the same ruthless fashion as are the 
Parrots and Satin Birds. About the gardens of the towns, where 
sentiment is stronger and interests are less seriously affected, 
such birds as the Blackbird, Thrush and Goldfinch may be able 
to hold their own. In the country, where the natural cover is. 
destroyed over large holdings and the timber rung, and where 
more intense cultivation is very limited, it is plain that the 
chances of the birds for survival are small, especially as in 
fruiting time they naturally collect from all around to raid the 
orchards, and so raise the country side against them. The grain 
feeders in the same way attack the newly-sown seed, and their 
presence is similarly resented. These inconveniences, super- 
added to the natural difficulties of adaptation to new climate, 


440 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


new foods, and new enemies, seem to render it highly improbable 
that much success would attend the introduction of such birds. 
There remain the Game Birds. The Pheasant and Partridge 
preserves of Europe are practically more extensive poultry 
farms, and the birds are as carefully looked after as the domestic 
turkey is with us. Where then we can rear turkeys successfully 
we might rear Pheasants and Partridges. But if liberated in the 
open, where the Fox and the poison bait are rampant, and the 
bush fires rage, such simple-minded birds would only be exposed 
to certain destruction. On the other hand there does seem to 
be more hope for such birds as Grouse and Quail in our heath 
lands, which from their poorness of soil are generally left 
severely alone, and which ought to provide the birds with 
sufficient subsistence; though, in order to enable them to persist, 
an honestly enforced and recognised close season would have to 
be instituted. And if the birds were once established, we should 
most likely need a ‘‘Lacey Act’’ such as is in force in the 
United States, to prevent wholesale slaughter for the 
supply of the city markets. In any case, introduction of 
foreign birds should only be effected with great caution, under 
the auspices and support of the Government, and under expert 
scientific advice. Casual acclimatisations, as in the past, may 
easily be productive of as much evil as good. 


ADDENDA. 


Puffinus sphenurus replaces P. chlororhynchus in Mathews’ 
Hand-list. That Gould was right in his determination is proved 
by observations made by Mr. D. Le Souéf last spring (1910), 
on the bird in the flesh. ‘‘Bill greyish-black. Feet, and legs 
blackish on outside, pinkish white on inside and on web, whitish 
underneath, toes white, small amount of dark shading on the 
skin just above the toes. White spot under each eye.”’ 


Grey v. White Goshawks. Mr. H. G. Barnard, writing from 
Cape York, says that he observed a pure white male bird, 
answering to Astur nove-hollandie, mating with a grey female 
bird, answering to A. cinereus. Both birds were shot at the nest, 
so that there could be no doubt of the observation. It seems 
almost certain that the two species are really identical. 


Trichoglossus colet, Cole’s Lorikeet. Mr. D. Le Souéf has 
described a new Lorikeet from Queensland. The four outer tail 
feathers spatulate; upper parts green shaded with dark 
markings; the scarlet feathers of the breast mostly tipped with 
blue. Total length 11 inches, wing 5.75, tail 4.5, culmen .75, 
tarsus .5. 


Cypselus pacificus. The White-rumped Swift is a visitor to 
Australia and Tasmania, but breeds in the North. 


Pseudogerygone cantator, the Queensland Canary. Described 
by Mr. W. E. Weatherill, of the Queensland Museum. It differs 
from P. fusca as follows :— 

P. fusca —Flanks and under tail coverts washed with buff; feet and 
legs weak. Total length 3.85 inches, wing 1.9, tail 1.7, culmen .34, tarsus .66. 

P. cantator—Flanks ashy grey; under tail coverts white; feet and 
legs strong. Total length 4.56 inches, wing 2.24, tail 1.8, culmen .4, 
tarsus .8. 

Suspended nest of the usual type. Clutch of eggs three, pale 
pink with reddish-brown spots all over, or forming a dark zone 
at the larger end. Dimensions about .75 by .5 inch. 

This bird is a denizen of the coast, and lives among the 
mangrove bushes on the islands of Moreton Bay, and along the 
banks of the rivers and creeks in South-east Queensland. The 


441 


449 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


song is so sweet and well-sustained that the residents of the 
Brisbane District call it the ‘‘Queensland Canary.’’ 


Mr. A. J. Campbell has recently described two new birds in 
“‘The Emu,’’ as follows :— 


Falcunculus whitei (Yellow Shrike-Tit). 


Napier Broome Bay, North-west Australia. 

Male: Next the bill small white patch; sides of the head and neck 
white, divided by a black band passing through the eye to the nape; crown 
of head black; throat mottled greenish, black and grey; back, wing coverts, 
and upper tail coverts light olive-green; primaries and secondaries dark 
brown, margined with greenish-yellow and lighter colour; tail also dark 
brown, margined with greenish-yellow, except the two outer feathers 
margined with dull white; all under surface, including tail coverts, lemon 
chrome-yellow, brightest on the chest. Iris umber, bill black, tarsus French 
grey (Hill). Length, 6; wing, 344; tail, 21%4; bill 9/16; tarsus, 15/16 
inches. 

Female: Similar to above, but smaller in dimensions. 


This very distinct new bird approaches nearest to 
E. leucogaster (Gld.), but differs in having the whole of the 
under surface yellow, while in general colouring it is more 
yellowish than either of the other two known species. 

It is classically named in honour of Mr. H. L. White, who so 
liberally subsidized Mr. G F. Hill in the far North-West field 
for a season, and may be known on the vernacular list as the 
Yellow Shrike-Tit. 


Eopsaliria hilli (Hill Shrike-Robin). 


Heela Island, Parry Harbour, North-west Australia. 

Female: Crown of head, sides of neck, and back grey; lower back 
tinged with olive-green blending into light olive-green; upper tail coverts, 
primaries, and secondaries dark brown, margined with grey; tail feathers 
brownish beneath, with light olive-green wash above; throat whitish, 
slightly mottled with grey, chest light brownish-grey, blending into abdomen 
and under tail-coverts, which are light lemon chrome-yellow. Iris dark 
brown, bill black, tarsus slate-grey (Hill). Length, 6; wing, 3144; tail 2%4; 
bill, 9/16; tarsus, % inches. : 


This new Shrike-Robin most resembles £. griseogularis 
(Gld.), but has not the conspicuous bright yellow rump and 
upper tail coverts. 


It is named after its discoverer, Mr. Gerald Freer Hill. 


INDEX OF VERNACULAR NAMES. 


Albatross, Black-browed, 67 
Carter, 70 
55 Flat-billed, 69 
a Royal, 66 
Short-tailed, 67 
Sooty, 70 
Wandering, 65 
5s White-capped, 68 
$5 White-winged, 66 
Yellow-nosed, 69 
Apoaek: Red-necked, 103 
Babbler, 302 
- Chestnut-crowned, 303 
‘5 Red-breasted, 303 
5 White-browed, 302 
Bald Coot, 40 
8 Blue, 40 
Bee-eater, 242 
Bell-bird, 352 
Bell Minah, 391 
Bittern, 140 
ss Little Yellow, 138 
55 Minute, 138 
35 Thick-billed Green, 136 
Yellow-necked, 139 
Hower! bird, Fawn-breasted, 420 


is Golden, 422 

5) Great, 419 

7 Queensland, 420 
5 Satin, 412 


” Spotted, 417 
3 Tooth-billed, 414 
Yellow-spotted, 419 
Bristle: bird, 329 
5 Long-billed, 329 
% Lesser Rufous, 330 
: Rufous, 330 
Brush Turkey, 12 
Bustard, Australian, 120 


443 


Butcher-bird, 350 


7 Black, 349 
i Black-throated, 349 
4 Grey, 350 
- Pied, 349 
as White-winged, 349 


Buzzard, 175 
a Black-breasted, 181 
Cape Pigeon, 62 
Cassowary, Australian, 5. 
Cat-bird, 415 
8 Spotted, 417 
Caterpillar-eater, 291 
3 Pied, 292 
as White-shouldered, 292 
Channel-bill, 255 
Chat, Orange-fronted, 307 
»  Tri-coloured, 307 
»  White-fronted, 307 
»  Yellow-breasted, 307 
Chough, White-winged, 434 
Coach-whip, 299 
A Black-throated, 301 
ee Northern, Add. 
Cockatoo, Banksian, 203 
33 Bare-eyed, 205 
5 Blood-stained, 206 
i Dampier, 209, 
3 Gang-gang, 204 
% Glossy, 204 
55 Great-billed, 204 
4 Palm, 201 
55 Pink, 205 
i Red-tailed, 204 
% White, 205 
i White-tailed, 202 
Yellow-eared Black, 202 
Gattipattion. Native, 121 
Coot, 41 


444 


Corella, 209 
Cormorant, Black, 155 
Little Black, 157 


Pied, 158 


Coueal, 255 
Crake, Little, 37 

»  Rufous-tailed, 38 

» Spotless, 38 
Spotted, 37 

»  White-browed, 38 
Crane, 121 
Crow, 429 

»  Small-billed, 429 
G@row-Shrike, Black, 432 
Black-winged, 432 


zd 


i Brown, 434 

% Grey, 434 

3 Hill, 432 

7 Leaden, 434 
Pied, 432 


ngked Black- cared, 250 


Bronze, 253 

Brush, 250 
Chestnut-breasted, 250 
»  Fan-tailed, 249 

» Little Bronze, 253 


» Oriental, 249 
»  Pallid, 249 


Rufous-throated Bronze, 253 


“Grains: Shrike, Barred, 291 
Black-faced, 291 


” Ground, 290 
% Little, 291 
rf Small-billed, 291 


. White-bellied, 291 


Curlew, 105 
Darter, 159 
Desert-bird, Carter’s, 311 
Desert Wren, 303 
Dollar-bird, 233 
Dottrel, Australian, 101 
a Black-fronted, 100 
5 Double-banded, 98 


Little Black & White, 158 


White-breasted, 157 


Broad-billed Bronze, 253 


Narrow-billed Bronze, 253 


THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Dottrel, Greater Sand, 98 


Tove, 
” 


” 


Hooded, 100 
Mongolian Sand, 98 
Oriental, 99 
Red-capped, 99 
Red-kneed, 93 
Barred-shouldered, 26 
Little, 28 
Peaceful, 27 


Drongo, 410 


Duck, 


” 
Eagle, 
” 
” 
” 

” 
Egret, 
a 

” 
” 


” 


Black, 147 

Blue-billed, 153 
Freckled, 151 

Musk, 154 

Pink-eared, 151 
Plumed Whistling, 145 
Whistling, 144 
White-eyed, 152 
Little, 177 
Wedge-tailed, 176 
Whistling, 180 
White-bellied Sea, 178 
White-headed Sea, 178 
130 

Lesser, 134 


Pied, 134 


Plumed, 130 
White-headed, 134 


Emu, 1 
Emu Wren, 328 


” 


” 


Mallee, 329 
Rufous-crowned, 329 


Falcon, Black, 184 


bed 


” 


” 


Black-cheeked, 183 
Grey, 184 
Little, 184 


Fantail, Black and White, 281 


” 


” 


” 


Dusky, 280 
Northern, 281 
Rufous, 280 
Western, 280 
White-fronted, 280 
White-shafted, 280 
White-tailed, 280 
Wood, 280 


Field Lark, Little, 313 


Field Wren, 303 


INDEX OF 


Field Wren, Rock 304 

. Striated, 303 

* White-lored, 304 
Fig-bird, 409 
Stalker ’s, 409 

5 Yellow-bellied, 409 
Finch, Banded, 404 
Black-ringed, 404 
Black-rumped, 408 
Black-throated, 407 
Chestnut-breasted, 404 
Chestnut-eared, 403 
Crimson, 408 
Fire-tailed, 402 
Gouldian, 407 
Lesser Red-browed, 406 
Long-tailed, +407 
Masked, 407 
Orange-billed, 408 
Painted, 403 
Plum-headed, 405 
Red-browed, 405 
Red-eared, 403 
Red-faced, 406 
3 Spotted-sided, 402 
White-breasted, 405 
White-eared, 407 
Yellow-rumped, 404 
icviitehien: Black-faced, 289 
Blue, 285 
Broad-billed, 285 
Brown, 271 
Frill-necked, 287 
” Leaden, 284 
Lemon-breasted, 273 
Little, 286 
Pearly, 289 
Pied, 286 
Restless, 286 
Satin, 285 
Shining, 288 
Spectacled, 288 
White-bellied, 289 
White-eared, 289 
Yellow-breasted, 285 
Fly- sen ties Black-throated, 278 
Brown, 278 


” 


” 


VERNACULAR 


NAMES 445 


Fly-eater, Brown-breasted, 278 
a Buff-breasted, 278 
Re Dusky, 278 
Green-backed, 278 
Grey, 277 
Large-billed, 278 
Singing, 278 
r Western, 277 
5 White-throated, 277 
Friar-bird, 396 
Helmeted, 396 
Little, 398 
es Silvery-crowned, 396 
4s Yellow-throated, 396 
Frigate-bird, Great, 166 
ey Lesser, 166 
Frogmouth, Freckled, 229 
5 Marbled, 229 
55 Plumed, 229 
a9 Short-winged, 229 
be Tawny, 229 
Galah, 207 
Gannet, 159 
55 Brown, 165 
5 Masked, 164 
5 Red-legged, 164 
Garganey, 149 
Godwit, Barred-rumped, 106 
” Black-tailed, 107 
Goose, Cape Barren, 143 
e Green Dwarf, 142 
Maned, 144 
» Pied, 141 
»  White-quilled Dwarf, 142 
Goshawk, 173 
Grey, 172 
ea Lesser White, 173 
Western, 175 
White, 172 
Guass: bird, 311 
3 Striated, 311 
5 Tawny, 311 
Grass-Parrakeet, 226 


” 


” 


3 Blue-winged, 226 
4 Bourke, 226 
5 Orange-bellied, 226 


48 Red-shouldered, 226 


446 
Grass-Parrakeet, Scarlet-throated, 226 
5 Warbling, 227 
Grass-Warbler, 310 
Grass- Wren, 331 
Black, 333 
49 Goyder, 332 
Large-tailed, 331 
Marloch, 330 
Modest, 331 
5 Striated, 332 
43 Western, 332 
45 Woodward’s, 333 
Grebe, Black-throated, 43 
Hoary-headed, 44 
»  Tippet, 45 
Greenshank, Little, 107 
Ground-Thrush, 307 
Black-vented, 296 
Broadbent, 306 
Chestnut-backed, 294 
Chestunut-breasted, 296 
Cinnamon, 294 
Large-billed, 307 
Russet-tailed, 307 


” 


iF Spotted, 294 
Ground-Wren, Chestnut-rumped, 299 
33 Red-rumped, 299 


Gull, Pacific, 86 
5, Silver, 85 
Harrier, 172 
a Spotted, 170 
Hawk, Brown, 185 
» Crested, 182 
» Sparrow, 175 
» Striped Brown, 185 
Heron, Great-billed, 128 
» Grey, 130 
»  Nankeen-Night, 136 
» Reef, 135 
y»  White-fronted, 132 
»  White-necked, 132 
Honey-eater, Banded, 375 


” Black, 375 

5 Black-chinned, 372 
i Black-headed, 373 
3 Blue-faced, 394 

ro Bridled, 387 


THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Honey-eater, Broadbent, 381 
Brown, 381 
Brown-backed, 378 
Brown-headed, 373 
Carter, 387 
Cockerell, 385 
Crescent, 388 
Dusky, 375 
Fasciated, 384 
Forrest’s, 383 
Fuscous, 382 
Golden-backed, 372 
i Grey, 373 

Fr Helmeted, 385 
Keartland, 386 
King Island, 373 
Little Yellow-spotted, 382 
Long-billed, 390 


3 Macleay, 383 

fs Moustached, 390 

- New Norcia, 385 

a Painted, 378 

4 Pallid, 387 

38 Pied, 380 

45 Red-headed, 375 

9 Red-throated, 379 

u Rufous-breasted, 379 
ss Sanguineous, 374 

- Singing, 383 

$5 Spiny-cheeked, 394 
oy Streak-naped, 388 

35 Strtped, 374 

fF Strong-billed, 372 

a Tawny-crowned, 377 
Ss Varied, 383 

“ss Warty-faced, 380 

3 Wattle-cheeked, 385 
¥5 Western Pied, 380 

* Western White-naped, 372 
ie White-bearded, 390 
4) White-breasted, 377 
33 White-cheeked, 390 
35 White-eared, 384 

5 White-fronted, 377 
i White-gaped, 387 

+ White-naped, 372 


a White-plumed, 387 


INDEX OF VERNACULAR 


Honey-eater, White-quilled, 395 
White-throated, 372 
White’s, 379 
i Whitlock’s, 372 
Yellow, 386 
Yellow-eared, 383 
Yellow-faced, 384 
Yellow-fronted, 386 
Yellow-plumed, 386 
Yellow-spotted, 382 
Yellow-throated, 384 
Yellow-tinted, 386 
Yellow-tufted, 385 
Ibis, Glades 126 
» Straw-necked, 125 
+ White, 123 
Jabiru, 128 
Jacana, Comb-crested, 116 
Jackass, Laughing, 236 
Jumper, Grey, 434 
Kestrel, 187 
Kingfisher, Blue, 234 
Fawn-breasted, 237 
33 Forest, 238 
44 Leach’s, 236 
5 Little, 234 
Mangrove, 240 
3 Purple, 234 
ml Red-backed, 238 
99 Sacred, 238 
3 W. Australian Sacred, 240 
35 White-tailed, 241 
45 Yellow-billed, 235 
Kite, 180 
»  Black-shouldered, 182 
»  Letter-winged, 182 
»  Square-tailed, 181 
Knot, 113 
Koel, 254 
Kookaburra, 236 
Lark, Brown Song, 304 
» Bush, 400 
Ground, 399 
Lesser Bush, 400 
Little Field, 313 
Magpie, 339 
Milligan’s Bush, 400 


447 


NAMES 


Lark, Rufescent Bush, 400 
» Rufous Song, 304 
Log-runner, Black-headed, 293 
5 Spine-tailed, 293 
Lorikeet, Blue-bellied, 198 
8 Blue-faced, 200 
Little, 200 
i Musk, 199 
ii Northern Blue-bellied, 198 
6 Northern Scaly-breasted, 199 
Gs Purple-crowned, 200 
i Red-collared, 198 
+i Red-crowned, 199 
< Red-faced, 200 
és Sealy- es 199 
Swift, 
Lee. ‘bird, 256 
a3 Albert, 256 
i Victoria, 256 
Magpie, Black-backed, 342 
%y Lesser White-backed, 347 
” Long-billed, 344 
i Varied-backed, 344 
White-backed, 345 
Magpie Lark, 339 
Mallee Fowl, 9 
Manucode, 428 
Martin, Fairy, 270 
5 Tree, 268 
Minah, Bell, 391 
» Dusky, 392 
» Noisy, 391 
» Yellow, 393 
Yellow-throated, 392 
Mistletoe- bird, 366 
Moor Hen, Black, 40 
i Dark Grey, 40 
Native Companion, 121 
Native Hen, 39 
o Black-tailed, 39 
Night-jar, Large-tailed, 243 
i Owlet, 232 
y” Spotted, 243 
i White-throated, 243 
Noddy, 80 
5 Grey, 79 
» Lesser, 83 


448 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Noddy, White-capped, 84 
Oriole, 408 
» Northern, 409 
» Yellow, 408 
Osprey, 187 
Ouzel, Lord Howe Island, 305 
» Norfolk Island, 305 
Owl, Boobook, 189 
» Cape York, 191 
» Chestnut-faced, 193 
, Delicate, 194 
» Grass, 195 
» Lurid, 191 
» Marbled, 191 
» Masked, 195 
» Powerful, 191 
.» Rufous, 192 
5 Sooty, 195 
» Spotted, 191 
» Western Winking, 191 
» Winking, 191 
Oyster-catcher, Black, 92 
3 Pied, 91. 
Pardalote, Black-headed, 367 
3 Chestnut-rumped, 367 
; Forty-spotted, 367 
rr Orange-tipped, 367 
es Red-browed, 367 
: Red-tipped, 367 
‘ Spotted, 367 
‘ Yellow-rumped, 367 
8 Yellow-tipped, 367 
Parrakeet, Alexandra, 210 
_ Beautiful, 223 
i Black-tailed, 210 
ae Blue-cheeked, 215 
is Campbell, 214 
55 Chestnut-crowned, 223 
93 Cockatoo, 209 
i Crimson-winged, 212 
4 Golden-shouldered, 224 
5 Grass (see Grass-Parrakeet) 
: Green, 214 
= Green-leek, 210 
i Ground, 227 
% Maegillivray’s Collared, 
221 


Parrakeet, Mallee, 219 


fe Many-coloured, 224 
4 Masters, 216 

i. Night, 229 

on Pale, 223 


Pale-headed, 215 
Red-backed, 224 
Red-capped, 218 
Red-mantled, 218 
35 Red-vented, 222 
5 Red-winged, 212 
3 Rock, 226 
i Smutty, 215 
% Western Collared, 221 
- Yellow, 214 
5 Yellow-banded, 219 
55 Yellow-cheeked, 218 
5 Yellow-collared, 219 
rr Yellow-mantled, 216 
‘ Yellow-vented, 223 
Parrot, Crimson, 213 
» King, 212 
Peddler, Rock, 210 
Pelican, 168 
Penguin, Blue, 48 
, Crested, 47 
5 King, 47 
fe Little Blue, 50 
Petrel, Antarctic, 56 
» Black, 56 
» Blue, 62 
» Brown, 55 
»  Brown-headed, 58 
» Cook, 61 
» Diving, 64 
» Dove, 64 
xe , Banks, 63 
5 , Broad-billed, 63 
i » Fairy, 64 
» Giant, 61 
Great-winged, 57 
as Mottled, 58 
»  Sehlegel's, 59 
»  Silvery-grey, 56 
»  Soft-plumaged, 58 
»  Spectacled, 56 
» Storm, Black-bellied, 52 


INDEX OF VERNACULAR 


Petrel, Storm, Grey-backed, 51 
White-bellied, 52 
White-faced, 51 

5 »  Yellow-webbed, 50 

»  White-headed, 57 

»  White-throated, 58 

»  White-winged, 60 
Pigeon, Bronzewing, 29 
Bush Bronzewing, 30 
Crested, 33 
Flock, 30 
Fruit, Black-banded, 22 
Lesser Purple- 

breasted, 23 

Purple-breasted, 23 
Purple-crowned, 23 
Red-crowned, 22 
Rose-crowned, 22 
White-headed, 26 
Tac mantled, 29 
Little Green, 28 
» Nutmeg, 24 
Partridge, 31 
5 es Naked-eyed, 31 
» Pheasant, 26 
Plumed, 32 
Red, 32 
% i White-bellied, 32 
Rock, Chestnut-quilled, 31 
8 »  White-quilled, 30 
Top-knot, 25 
Wonga-Wonga, 34 
Pilot: bird, 296 
Pipit, Australian, 399 
Pitta, Blue-breasted, 265 

» Lesser, 265 

» Noisy, 264 

» Rainbow, 265 
Plain Wanderer, 21 
Plover, Black-breasted, 95 

» Grey, 96 

» Lesser Golden, 97 

» Masked, 95 

» Ringed, 99 

»  Spur-winged, 94 

» Stone, 118 

» Long-billed, 119 


” ” 


” ” 


”» ” 


NAMES 449 
Pratincole, 116 
- Oriental, 118 
Quail, Black-breasted, 18 
» Brown, 16 
»  Chestnut-backed, 19 
5,  Chestnut-bellied, 17 
» Little, 20 
»  Olive’s, 19 
» Painted, 19 
»  Red-backed, 18 
»  Red-chested, 20 
» Stubble, 15 
Rail, Chestnut-bellied, 36 
» Pectoral, 36 
»  Red-necked, 37 
» Slate-breasted, 35 
Raven, 430 
Red-throat, 319 
Reed-Warbler, 309 
at Long-billed, 309 
Regent-bird, 421 
Rifle-bird, 424 
i Albert, 427 
5 Victoria, 427 
Robin, Ashy-fronted, 278 
»  Ashy, 279 
»  Buff-sided, 279 
» Dusky, 274 
»  Flame-breasted, 274 
»  Grey-headed, 279 
» Hooded, 274 
»  Large-headed, 279 
» Pied, 274 
»  Pink-breasted, 274 
»  Red-capped, 274 
»  Red-throated, 274 
»  Rose-breasted, 274 
»  Searlet-breasted, 274 
»  Serub, 296 
53 »  Hastern, 298 
5 » Pale, 298 
» Shrike (see Shrike-Robin) 
» Western Searlet-breasted, 274 
,  White-browed, 279 
White-faced, 279 
Rode: Warbler, 311 
Roller, 233 


2-F 


450 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Rosella, 216 
Adelaide, 214 
»  Red-backed, 216 
Sanderling, 111 
Sandpiper, American Grey-rumped, 108 
Bartram, 110 
Common, 108 
Great, 114 
Green, 107 
Grey-rumped, 108 
Terek, 109 
Wood, 110 
Serub- bird, Noisy, 265 
ii Rufous, 266 
Serub Fowl, 8 
Scrub-Robin (see Robin) 
Serub Tit, 320 
Scrub-Wren, Bernier Island, 320 
Brown, 321 
Buff-breasted, 319 
Collared, 321 
Large-billed, 319 
Little, 322 
Spotted, 320 
White-browed, 321 
4) Yellow-throated. 319 
Shag (see Cormorant) 
Shearwater, Allied, 53 
Fleshy-footed, 54 
Forster, 53 
Short-tailed, 54 
Sombre, 54 
rf Wedge-tailed, 53 
White-fronted, 53 
Shisldzakce, Chestnut-coloured, 145 
oF White-headed, 145 
Shoveller, Australian, 151 


” 


3 Common, 150 
Shrike-Robin, Grey-breasted, 354 
3 Hill, Add. 


3 Jackson’s, 354 
5 White-breasted, 354 
is Yellow-breasted, 354 
Yellow-rumped, 354 
Shrike. Thrush, Bower’s, 339 
5 Brown, 338 
3 Buff-bellied, 338 


Shrike-Thrush, Grey, 338 


7 Little, 339 

53 Rusty-breasted, 339 

ta Whistling, 338 
Woodward’s, 338 


Shrike- Tit, White-bellied, 350 


5 Yellow-bellied, 350 


Skua, Pomarine, 88 


” 


” 


Richardson, 90 
Southern, 86 


Snipe, 114 


” 


Painted, 115 


Song Lark (see Lark) 
Spine-bill (Honey-eater), 376 


” 


” 


” 


Kangaroo Island, 376 
Tasmanian, 376 
White-browed, 376 


Spoonbill, Black-billed, 126 


” 


Yellow-legged, 127 


Starling, Shining, 411 
Stilt, Banded, 101 


bf 


Stint, 


” 
oy 


” 


Stone 


White-headed, 101 
Curlew, 113 

Little, 111 
Middendorff, 112 
Sharp-tailed, 112 
Plover (see Plover) 


Storm Petrel (see Petrel) 
Sun-bird, 368 
Swallow, Australian, 267 


Swan, 
Swift, 


Black and White, 268 
Chimney, 266 
Eastern, 267 
Black, 141 
White-rumped, 246 


Swiftlet, Edible-nest, 244 


” 


” 


Grey-rumped, 245 
Spine-tailed, 245 


Teal, Chestnut-breasted, 148 


” 


Grey, 149 


Tern, Black-naped, 79 


” 


” 


” 


” 


”’ 


” 


Brown-winged, 78 
Caspian, 74 
Crested, 76 

Grey Noddy, 79 
Gull-billed, 72 
Lesser Crested, 75 


INDEX OF VERNACULAR NAMES 451 


Tern, Lesser Noddy, 83 
Marsh, 72 
» Noddy, 80 
»  Roseate, 74 
» Sooty, 78 
Whiskered, 72 
» White, 84 
White-capped oe 84 
White-fronted, 
White-winged Black 
Pernlst, White-faced, 
5 White- ane 79 

Thickhead, Black-tailed, 353 

Brown, 353 

re Grey-tailed, 353 

on Northern, 353 
Olive, 353 
Pale-breasted, 353 
% Red-throated, 353 
5 Rufous-breasted, 353 
5 Torres Strait, 353 
cf Western, 353 
White-bellied, 353 
White-throated, 353 
Tit, Breed: tailed, 316 
» Brown, 316 
» Brown-rumped, 316 
» Buff-rumped, 318 
» Chestnut-rumped, 318 
» Dusky, 316 
»  Ewing’s, 318 
» Katherine, 319 
» lLarge-billed, 316 
» Leigh’s, 318 
» Little, 314 
» Masters’, 318 
» Mathews’, 316 
» Modest, 319 
» Pallid, 318 
» Plain-coloured, 314 
» Plain-fronted, 318 
» Red-rumped, 316 
» Scaly-breasted, 316 
» Serub, 320 
» Small-billed, 319 
» South Australian, 318 
» Striated, 316 


Tit, Thick-billed, 316 
»  Whitlock’s, 316 
»  Yellow-rumped, 318 
Tree-creeper, Black-backed, 362 
9 Black-tailed, 362 
33 Brown, 363 
43 Chestnut-bellied, 362 
és Lesser Brown, 363 
65 Red-browed, 363 
‘5 Rufous, 362 
es White-browed, 363 
White-throated, 362 
Tree-runner, Black-capped, 360 
“4 Orange-winged, 359 
s Pied, 360 
5 Slender-billed, 360 
“i Striated, 361 
FS White-headed, 360 
White-winged, 360 
Tree- tit, Short-billed, 276 
9 Yellow-tinted, 276 
Tropic-bird, Red-tailed, 166 
- White-tailed, 167 
Turkey, Barnard’s Serub, 14 
5 Yellow-wattled Brush, 12 
Turnstone, 91 
Wagtail, Barnard’s, 398 
Wanderer, Plain, 21 
Warbler ‘a Grass Warbler 
| Reed Warbler 
{ Rock Warbler 
Wattle-bird, Brush, 394 
3 Little, 394 
4 Red, 393 
Yellow, 393 
Weilne. -bill, 357 
Whimbrel, 105 
- Little, 105 
White-eye (Zosterops), 364 
= Balston’s, 365 
is Green-backed, 364 
is Gulliver’s, 365 
55 Kangaroo Island, 364 
Pale-bellied, 364 
. Rabbit Island, 365 
ii Yellow, 365 
sy Yellow-vented, 364 


452 


THE BIRDS OF 


é 


White-face (Xerophila), 356 


” 


” 


” 


Black-banded, 356 
Chestnut-bellied, -356 
Chestnut-breasted, 356 


Wood-Swallow, 336 


Black-faced, 336 
Grey-breasted, 335 
Little, 336 
Masked, 335 
White-bellied, 335 
White-browed, 334 
White-rumped, 334 
White-vented, 336 


Wren, Banded, 325 


Bernier Island Blue, 326 
Black and White, 328 
Black-backed, 325 
Blue, 325 
Blue-breasted, 326 
Dark Blue, 325 


AUSTRALIA 


Wren, Desert, 303 


Emu (see Emu Wren) 
Field (see Field Wren). 
Gould’s Blue, 325 
Graceful, 326 

Grass (see Grass Wren) 
Ground (see Ground Wren) ~ 
Lavender-flanked Blue, 326 
Lovely, 326 
Orange-backed, 328 
Purple-backed, 326 
Purple-crowned, 326 
Red-backed, 328 

Serub (see Secrub-Wren) 
Turquoise, 325 
Variegated, 326 
White-backed, 325 
White-winged, 325 


Gioserans (see White-eye) 


INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES. 


Acanthiza, 313 


. apicalis, 316 

. australis, 318 

. chrysorrhoa, 318 
. dimenensis, 316 


ewingi, 318 
flaviventris, 318 


Acrocephalus, australis, 309 


A. gouldi, 309 
Aegialitis, 99 
Ae. cucullata, 100 
Ae. hiaticola, 99 
Ae. melanops, 100 
Ae. ruficapilla, 99 


Aegintha, 401 

Ae. minor, 406 

Ae. temporalis, 405 
Aegotheles, 232 
Ae. nove-hollandiz, 232 
Aelureedus, 415 

Ae. maculosus, 417 
Ae. viridis, 415 
Aidemosyne, 401 

A. modesta, 405 
Alaudide, 399 
Aleedinide, 234 
Aleyone, 234 

A. azurea, 234 

A. pulchra, 234 

A. pusilla, 234 
Amaurornis, 35 

A. mollucana, 38 
Amytornis, 330 


. inornata, 314 
katherina, 319 
leighi, 318 
lineata, 316 
magnirostris, 316 
mastersi, 318 
mathewsi, 316 
modesta, 319 
nana, 314 
pallida, 318 
pusilla, 316 
pyrrhopygia, 316 
reguloides, 318 
robustirostris, 316 
squamata, 316 
. tenuirostris, 319 
. uropygialis, 318 
. whitlocki, 316 
. Zietzi, 316 


PPP PP PEPE E PP DP PP bb bb 


Acanthochera, 393 A. govderi, 332 
A. carunculata, 393 A. housei, 333 

A. paradoxa, 393 A. macrurus, 331 
Acanthogenys, 394 A. megalurus, 332 
A. rufigularis, 394 A. modestus, 331 
Acanthorhynchus, 376 -| A. striatus, 332 
A. dubius, 376 A. textilis, 331 

A. halmaturinus, 376 A. varia, 333 

A. superciliosus, 376 A. woodwardi, 333 
A. tenuirostris, 376 Anas, 147 


Acanthornis, 320 
Aceipiter, 170 

A. cirrhocephalus, 175 
Acrocephalus, 308 


A. superciliosa, 147 
Anatide, 141 
Ancyclochilus, 112 
A. subarquatus, 112 


453 


454 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Anellobia, 394 

A. chrysoptera, 394 
A. lunulata, 394 
Anous, 71 

A. stolidus, 80 
Anseranas, 141 

A. semipalmata, 141 
Anthus, 398 

A. australis, 399 
Antigone, 121 

A. australasiana, 121 
Aphelocephala, 356 
A. castaneiventris, 356 
A. leucopsis, 356 

A. nigricincta, 356 
A. pectoralis, 356 
Aprosmictus, 209 

A. cyanopygius, 212 
Aptenodytes, 46 

A. forsteri, 47 
Ardea, 128 

A. cinerea, 130 

A. sumatrana, 128 
Ardeida, 128 
Ardetta, 138 

A. pusilla, 138 

A. sinensis, 138 
Arenaria, 90 

A. interpres, 91 
Arses, 271 

A. kaupi, 286 

A. lorealis, 287 
Artamida, 333 
Artamus, 333 

. cinereus, 335 

. hypoleucus, 335 
leucogaster, 334 
melanops, 336 
minor, 336 
personatus, 335 

. superciliosus, 334 
. tenebrosus, 336 

. venustus, 336 
Astur, 170 

A. elarus (cinereus), 172 
A. cruentus, 175 

A. fasciatus, 173 


ee ee 


Astur leucosomus, 173 
A. nove-hollandia, 172 
Atrichornis, 265 

A. clamosa, 265 

A. rufescens, 266 
Atrichornithide, 265 
Aythya, 152 

A. australis, 152 
Barnardius, 213, 219 
B. barnardi, 219 

B. maegillivrayi, 221 
B. occidentalis, 221 
B. semitorquatus, 219 
B. zonarius, 219 
Bartramia, 110 

B. longicauda, 110 
Bathilda, 401 

B. clarescens, 406 

B. ruficauda, 406 
Baza, 170 

B. suberistata, 182 
Biziura, 154 

B. lobata, 154 
Botaurus, 140 

B. peciloptilus, 140 
Bubonide, 189 
Burhinus, 118 

B. grallarius, 118 
Butorides, 136 

B. stagnatilis, 136 
Cacatua, 201, 205 

. galerita, 205 

- gymnopis, 205 

. leadbeateri, 205 
roseicapilla, 207 
sanguinea, 206 
Cacatuida, 201 
Cacomantis, 247 

C. eastaneiventris, 250 
C. flabelliformis, 250 
C. rufulus, 249 
Calamanthus, 293, 303 
. albiloris, 304 

. campestris, 303 

. fuliginosus, 303 

. isabellinus, 303 

- montanellus, 304 


aaanea 


OG Oe 


INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES 


Calidris, 111 

C. arenaria, 111 
Callocephalum, 201 
C. galeatum, 204 
Calopsittacus, 209 

C. nove-hollandia, 209 
Calornis, 411 

C. metallica, 411 
Calyptorhynchus, 201 
‘, banksi, 203 
baudini, 202 
funereus, 202 

. macrorhynchus, 204 
. stellatus, 204 

. viridis, 204 
Campophagida, 290 
Caprimulgida, 242 
Caprimulgus, 243 

C. macrurus, 243 
Carphibis, 125 

©. spinicollis, 125 
Casarea, 145 

C. tadornoides, 145 
Casuariide, 1 
Casuarius, 1 

C. australis, 5 
Catarrhactes, 46 

C. chrysocome, 47 
Catheturus, 12 

C. lathami, 12 

C. purpureicollis, 14 
Centropus, 247 

C. phasianus, 255 
Cerchneis, 170 

C. cenchroides, 187 
Cereopsis, 143 

C. nove-hollandie, 143 
Certhiide, 361 
Certhionyx, 379 

C. occidentalis, 380 
C, variegatus, 380 
Chetura, 245 

C. eaudacuta, 245 
Chalcococeyx, 247, 252 
C. basalis, 253 

C. lucidus, 253 

Cc. malayanus, 253 


aaaeanaa 


Chaleococeyx plagosus, 253 
C. pecilurus, 253 
Chaleophaps, 28 

C. chysochlora, 28 

C. occidentalis, 29 
Charadriida, 90 
Charadrius, 97 

C. dominicus, 97 
Chenonetta, 144 

C. jubata, 144 
Chenopsis, 141 

C. atrata, 141 
Cherameca, 266 

C. leucosternum, 268 
Chibia, 410 

C. bracteata, 410 
Chlamydodera, 417 

. Gerviniventris, 420 

. guttata, 419 

- maculata, 417 

. nuchalis, 419 

. orientalis, 420 
Chthonicola, 313 

C. sagittata, 313 
Ciconiines, 127 
Cinclorhamphus, 293, 304 
C. eruralis, 304 

C. rufescens, 304 
Cinclosoma, 293 

C. castanonotum, 294 

C. castanothorax, 296 

C. cinnamomeum, 294 

C. marginatum, 296 

C. punctatum, 294 
Circus, 170 

C. assimilis, 170 

C. gouldi, 172 

Cisticola, 310 

C. exilis, 310 
Cladorhynehus, 101 

C. leucocephalus, 101. 
Climacteris, 361 

C. erythrops, 363 

C. melanota, 362 

C. melanura, 362 
C 
C 


QAQaaa 


- minor, 363 
picumna, 362 


455 


456 


Climacteris rufa, 362 
C. scandens, 363 
C. superciliosa, 363 
C. wellsi, 362 
Collyriocichla, 338 
. brunnea, 338 

. harmonica, 338 
. rectirostris, 338 
. rufiventris, 338 
. woodwardi, 338 
Columba, 25 

C. leucomela, 26 
Columbida, 25 
Conopophila, 379 
C. albigularis, 379 
C. rufigularis, 379 
Coraciida, 232 
Coracina, 290 

C. hypoleuca, 291 
C. lineata, 291 

C. mentalis, 291 
C. parvirostris, 291 
C. robusta, 291 
Coreorax, 428 


QO 200 


C. melanorhamphus, 434 


Corone, 428 

C. australis, 430 
Corvide, 428 
Corvus, 428 

C. bennetti, 429 
C. coronoides, 429 
Coturnix, 15 

C. pectoralis, 15 
Cracticus, 341, 348 
. argenteus, 349 
. cinereus, 350 

. destructor, 350 
. leucopterus, 349 
. nigrigularis, 349 
. picatus, 349 

. Tufescens, 349 

. Spaldingi, 348 
Craspedophora, 427 
C. albata, 427 
Crex, 35 

Cuculida, 246 
Cuculus, 247 


Q©Aaagaaaa 


THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Cuculus inornatus, 249 
C. saturatus, 249 
Cyclopsittacide, 200 
Cyclopsittacus, 200 
C. coxeni, 200 

C. maecoyi, 200 
Cypselida, 244 
Cypselus, 246 

C. pacificus, 246 
Cyrtostomus, 368 

C. frenatus, 368 
Dacelo, 235 

D. eervina, 237 

D. gigas, 236 

D. leachi, 236 
Daption, 61 

D. capensis, 62 
Demiegretta, 134 
D. sacra, 135 
Dendrocyena, 144 
D. areuata, 144 

D. eytoni, 145 
Diceum, 366 

D. hirundinaceum, 366 
Dicruridw, 410 
Diomedea, 65 

D. albatrus, 67 

D. chionoptera, 66 
D. exulans, 65 

D. melanophrys, 67 
D. regia, 66 
Diomedeidex, 65 
Dromeide, 1 
Dromeus, 1 

D. nove-hollandiz, 1 
Drymacedus, 293 

D. brunneipygius, 296 
D. pallidus, 298 

D. superciliaris, 298 
Dupetor, 138 

D. gouldi, 139 
Edoliisoma, 290 

E. tenuirostris, 291 
Elanus, 170 

E. axillaris, 182 

E. scriptus, 182 
Emblema, 401 


INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES 


Emblema picta, 403 
Entomophila, 378 
E. pieta, 378 
Entomyza, 394 

KE. albipennis, 395 
E. eyanotis, 394 

BE. harterti, 395 
Eopsaltria, 350 
australis, 354 

. ehrysorrhoa, 354 
. georgiana, 354 

. gularis, 35+ 

. hilli, Add. 

. jacksoni, 354 

. maguirostris, 354 
Ephthianura, 307 

E. albifrons, 307 

E. aurifrons, 307 

E. crocea, 307 

E. tricolor, 307 
Eremiornis, 311 

E. carteri, 311 
Erismatura, 153 

E. australis, 153 
Erythrogonys, 93 

E. cinctus, 93 
Erythrotriorchis, 170 
E. radiatus, 175 
Eudynamis, 247 

E. cyanocephalus, 254 
Eudyptula, 46 

E. minor, 48 

E. undina, 50 
Eulabeornis, 35 

E. castaneiventris, 36 
Eulabetide, 411 
Euphema, 213 

E. discolor, 226 
Eupodotis, 120 

E. australis, 120 
Eurostopus, 243 

E. albigularis, 243 
E. argus, 243 
Eurystomus, 233 

E. pacificus, 233 
Eutolmaetus, 170 
E. morphnoides, 177 


Sod ot ed ee 


Excalfactoria, 17 
E. lineata, 17 
Faleo, 170, 183° 

F. hypoleucus, 184 
F. lunulatus, 184 
F. melanogenys, 183 
F. subniger, 184 
Falconide, 169 
Faleunculus, 350 
F. frontatus, 350 
F. leucogaster, 350 
F. whitei, ddd. 
Fregata, 165 

F. aquila, 166 

F. ariel, 166 
Fregatidew, 165 
Fregetta, 50 

F. grallaria, 52 

F. melanogaster, 52 
Fulica, 35 

F. australis, 41 
Gabianus, 84 

G. pacificus, 86 
Gallinago, 114 

G. australis, 114 
Gallinula, 35 

G. frontata, 40 

G. tenebrosa, 40 
Garrodia, 50 

G. nereis, 51 
Garzetta, 134 

G. nigripes, 134 
Gelochelidon, 71 
G. anglica, 72 
Geopelia, 26 

G. cuneata, 28 

G. humeralis, 26 
G. tranquilla, 27 
Geophaps, 28 

G. scripta, 31 

G. smithi, 31 
Geopsittacus, 213 
G. occidentalis, 229 
Gerygone, 271 

G. albigularis, 277 
G. cinerascens, 277 
Glareola, 118 


457 


458 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Glareola orientalis, 118 
Glareolidw, 116 
Glossopsittacus, 197 
G. concinnus, 199 

G. porphyrocephalus, 200 
G. pusillus, 200 
Glottis, 109 

G. nebularius, 109 
Glyciphila, 377 

G. albifrons, 377 

G. fasciata, 377 

G. melanops, 377 

G. modesta, 378 
Grallina, 339 

G. picata, 339 
Grauealus, 290 
Gruidew, 121 

Gygis, 71 

G. alba, 84 
Gymnorhina, 341 

G. dorsalis, 344 

G. hyperleuca, 347 
G. leuconota, 345 

G. longirostris, 344 
G. tibicen, 342 
Gypoictinia, 170 

G. melanosternum, 181 
Haematopus, 91 

H. fuliginosus, 92 
H. longirostris, 91 
Haleyon, 235, 238 
H. macleayi, 238 

H. pyrrhopygius, 238 
H. sanctus, 238 

H. sordidus, 240 

H. westralasianus, 240 
Haliaetus, 170 

H. leucogaster, 178 
Haliastur, 170 

H. girrenera, 178 

H. sphenurus, 180 
Halobena, 61 

H. cwrulea, 62 
Helodromas, 107 

H. ochropus, 107 
Herodias, 130 

H. timoriensis, 130 


Heteractitis, 108 

H. brevipes, 108 

H. ineanus, 108 
Heteromyias, 271 
H. cinereifrons, 278 
Heteropygia, 112 
H. aurita, 112 
Hieracidea, 170 

H. berigora, 185 

H. orientalis, 185 
Himantopus, 101 

H. leucocephalus, 101 
Hirundinide, 266 
Hirundo, 266 

H. gutturalis, 266 
H. javanica, 267 
H. neoxena, 267 
Histriophaps, 28 

H. histrionica, 30 
Hydralector, 116 

H. gallinaceus, 116 
Hydrochelidon, 71 
H. hybrida, 72 

H. leucoptera, 71 
Hydroprogne, 71 
H. caspia, 74 
Hylacola, 293, 298 
H. cauta, 299 

H. pyrrhopygia, 299 
Hypotenidia, 35 

H. brachypus, 35 
H. philippinensis, 36 
Tbidide, 123 

Ibis, 123 

I. molluecea, 123 
IxtTRopUcED Birps, 436 
Lacustroica, 378 

L. whitei, 379 
Lalage, 290 

L. leucomelena, 292 
L. tricolor, 292 
Laniida, 341 
Laride, 71 

Larus, 84 

L. nova-hollandia, 85 
Leucosarcia, 34 

L. picata, 34 


INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES 


Liemetis, 201, 208 
L. nasica, 209 

L. pastinator, 209 
Limosa, 106 

L. limosa, 107 

L. nove-zealandiw, 106 
Lipoa, 9 

L. ocellata, 9 
Lobivanellus, 94 

L. lobatus, 94 

L. miles, 95 
Lophoictinia, 170 

L. isura, 181 
Lopholemus, 21 

L. antareticus, 25 
Lophophaps, 28 

L. ferruginea, 32 

L. leucogaster, 32 
L. plumifera, 32 
Loriide, 197 
Macherorhynehus, 271, 285 
M. flaviventer, 285 
Macronectes, 61 

M. gigantea, 61 
Macropygia, 25 

M. phasianella, 26 
Majaqueus, 53 

M. equinoctialis, 56 
M. parkinsoni, 56 
Malacorhynchus, 151 
M. membranaceus, 151 
Malurus, 322 

. amabilis, 326 

. assimilis, 326 

. bernieri, 326 

. callainus, 325 
coronatus, 326 

. cruentatus, 328 
cyaneus, 325 
cyanochlamys, 325 
. dulcis, 326 

. edouardi, 328 

. elegans, 326 

. elizabethe, 325 

. gouldi, 325 

. lamberti, 326 

. leuconotus, 325 


SAB 


2eeeeee 


SES 


a 


Malurus leucopterus, 325 
M. melanocephalus, 328 
M. melanonotus, 325 
M. pulcherrimus, 326 
M. splendens, 325 
Manorhina, 390 

M. melanophrys, 391 
Megalestris, 86 

M. antarctica, 86 
Megalurus, 310 


| M. galactotes, 311 


M. gramineus, 311 
M. striatus, 311 
Megapodide, 7 
Megapodius, 7 

M. duperreyi, 8 
Meliornis, 388 

M. diemenensis, 390 
M. halmaturina, 388 
M. longirostris, 390 
M. mystacalis, 390 
M. nove-hollandiw, 390 
M. pyrrhoptera, 388 
M. sericea, 390 
Meliphaga, 380 

M. phrygia, 380 
Meliphagide, 369 
Melithreptus, 371 

. affinis, 373 

. albigularis, 372 
. alisteri, 373 

. atricapillus, 372 
. brevirostris, 373 
carpenterianus, 373 
chloropsis, 372 

. gularis, 372 

. letior, 372 

. leucogenys, 373 
. magnirostris, 373 
M. validirostris, 372 
M. vinotinctus, 373 
M. whitlocki, 372 
Melopsittacus, 213 
M. undulatus, 227 
Menura, 256 

M. alberti, 256 

M. superba, 256 


2eeeeeeeeee 


459 


460 


Menura victorie, 256 
Menuride, 256 
Meropide, 241 
Merops, 242 

M. ornatus, 242 
Merula, 305 

M. fuliginosa, 305 
M. vinotineta, 305 
Mesoealius, 247 

M. palliolatus, 250 
Mesophoyx, 130 

M. plumifera, 130 
Mesoscopolax, 105 
M. minutus, 105 
Micranous, 71 

M. leucocapillus, 84 
M. tenuirostris, 83 
Miereca, 271 

M. fascinans, 271 
M. flaviventris, 273 
Microglossus, 201 
M. aterrimus, 201 
Microtribonyx, 35 
M. ventralis, 39 
Milvus, 170 

M. affinis, 180 
Mirafra, 399 

M. horsfieldi, 400 
M. milligani, 400 
M. rufescens, 400 
M. secunda, 400 
Monarcha, 271 

M. canescens, 289 
M. melanopsis, 289 
Motaeilla, 398 

M. barnardi, 398 
Motacillide, 398 
Munia, 401 

M. castaneithorax, 404 
M. pectoralis, 405 
M. xanthoprymna, 404 
Muscicapide, 271 
Myiagra, 271, 284 

. concinna, 285 

. latirostris, 285 

. nitida, 285 

. rubecula, 284 


SSS8S8 


THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Myristicivora, 21 
M. spilorrhoa, 24 
Myzantha, 391 
M. flavigula, 392 
M. garrula, 391 
M. lutea, 393 
M. obseura, 392 
Myzomela, 374 
M. erythrocephala, 375 
M. grisescens, 375 

M. nigra, 375 

M. obscura, 375 

M. pectoralis, 375 

M. sanguinolenta, 374 
Nectariniide, 368 
Neochmia, 401 

N. phaeton, 408 
Neognathe, 7 
Neophema, 213, 226 

N. bourkei, 226 

N. chrysogaster, 226 
N. elegans, 226 

N. petrophila, 226 
N. pulchella, 226 

N. splendida, 226 
N. venusta, 226 
Neositta, 358 

N. albata, 360 

N. chrysoptera, 359 
N. leucocephala, 360 
N. leucoptera, 360 
N. magnirostris, 361 
N. pileata, 360 

N. striata, 361 

N. tenuirostris, 360 
Nettion, 148 

N. castaneum, 148 
N. gibberifrons, 149 
Nettopus, 142 

N. albipennis, 142 
N. pulchellus, 142 
Ninox, 189 

. boobook, 189 

. connivens, 191 

. lurida, 191 

- maculata, 191 

. occidentalis, 191 


Z2ZAAAZz 


INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES 


Ninox ocellata, 191 
N. peninsularis, 191 
N. rufa, 192 

N. strenua, 191 
Notophoyx, 132 
aruensis, 134 

. flavirostris, 134 
nove-hollandiz, 132 
. pacifica, 132 
Numenius, 105 

N. cyanopus, 105 
N. variegatus, 105 
Nycticorax, 136 
N. caledonicus, 136 
Oceanites, 50 

O. oceanicus, 50 
Ochthodromus, 97 
O. bicinctus, 98 

O. geoffroyi, 98 

O. mongolus, 98 
O. veredus, 99 
Ocyphaps, 28 

O. lophotes, 33 
Cidienemide, 118 
Estrelata, 53 

Oe. brevipes, 58 
Oe. cooki, 61 

Oe. gularis, 58 

Oe. lessoni, 57 

Oe. leucoptera, 60 
Oe. macroptera, 57 
Oe. mollis, 58 

Oe. neglecta, 59 
Oe. solandri, 58 
Oreocichla, 305 

O. cuneata, 306 

O. heinii, 307 

O. lunulata, 307 

O. macrorhyncha, 307 
Oreoica, 350, 351 
O. cristata, 352 
Oreoscopus, 321 

O. gutturalis, 321 
Crigma, 311 

O. rubricata, 311 
Oriolide, 408 
Oriolus, 408 


A2ZA4A44 


Oriolus affinis, 409 

O. flavicinetus, 408 
O. sagittarius, 408 
Orthonyx, 293 

O. spaldingi, 293 

O. temmincki, 293 
Orthorhamphus, 119 
O. magnirostris, 119 
Otidid, 120 
Pachycephala, 350, 352 
. faleata, 352 
fretorum, 352 

. gilberti, 352 
glaucura, 352 
lanioides, 352 
melanura, 352 
meridionalis, 352 
mestoni, 352 
occidentalis, 352 
olivacea, 352 
pallida, 352 
pectoralis, 352 
peninsule, 352 
queenslandica, 352 
. Tobusta, 352 

. rufiventris, 352 

. simplex, 352 

. Spinicauda, 352 
Paleognathaw, 1 
Pandion, 187 

P. leucocephalus, 187 
Paradiseide, 424 
Pardalotus, 366 

. affinis, 367 

. assimilis, 367 

. melanocephalus, 367 
. ornatus, 367 

. punctatus, 367 
quadragintus, 367 
. Tubriecatus, 367 

. uropygialis, 367 

. xanthopygius, 367 
Paridx, 356 

Parride, 116 
Pedionomus, 18 

P. torquatus, 21 
Pelagodroma, 50 


HWM WNW NN 


eRe is Mc BeBe Ba- ie 


461 


462 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Pelagodroma marina, 51 
Pelecanide, 168 
Pelecanoides, 64 

P. urinatrix, 64 
Pelecanoidide, 64 
Pelecanus, 168 

P. conspicillatus, 168 
Peltohyas, 100 

P. australis, 101 
Peristeride, 26 
Petrochelidon, 266 
P. ariel, 270 

P. nigricans, 268 
Petreca, 271, 273 

. bicolor, 273 

. campbelli, 273 

. goodenovii, 273 

. leggei, 273 
phenicea, 273 
picata, 273 
ramsayi, 273 

. rhodinogaster, 273 
. rosea, 273 

. vittata, 273 
Petrophassa, 28 

P. albipennis, 30 

P. rufipennis, 31 
Pezoporus, 213 

P. terrestris, 257 
Phaethon, 166 

P. lepturus, 167 

P. rubricauda, 166 
Phaethonide, 166 
Phalacrocoracide, 154 
Phalacrocorax, 154 

. carbo, 155 

- gouldi, 157 

. hypoleucus, 158 

. melanoleucus, 158 
. sulcirostris, 157 
Phaps, 28 

P. chaleuptera, 29 
P. elegans, 30 
Phasianide, 15 
Philemon, 396 

P. citreogularis, 396 
P. sordidus, 398 


WHHHH Py 


FO Ag hg be bg 


Phebetria, 65 

P. fuliginosa, 70 
Phonygama, 428 

P. gouldi, 428 
Piezorrhynchus, 271 
P. albiventer, 289 
P. gouldi, 288 

P. leucotis, 289 

P. nitidus, 288 
Pinarolestes, 339 

P. boweri, 339 

P. parvulus, 339 

P. rufiventris, 339 
Pisobia, 111 

P. damacensis, 112 
P. rufficollis, 111 
Pitta, 264 

P. iris, 265 

P. mackloti, 265 

P. simillima, 265 
P. strepitans, 264 
Pittide, 264 
Platalea, 126 

P. regia, 126 
Plataleidw, 126 
Platibis, 127 

P. flavipes, 127 
Platycereus, 213 

. adelaide, 214 

. amathusia, 215 
. browni, 215 

. elegans, 213 
erythropeplus, 216 
eximius, 216 
flaveolus, 214 
flaviventris, 214 
icterotis, 218 
mastersianus, 216 
nigrescens, 214 

. pallidiceps, 215 
. splendidus, 216 
. xanthogenys, 218 
Plectrorhamphus, 374 
P. lanceolatus, 374 
Plegadis, 126 

P. falcinellus, 126 
Ploceide, 401 


WON DNDN 


INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES 463 


Plotide, 158 

Plotus, 158 

P. nove-hollandiw, 159 
Podargide, 229 
Podargus, 229 

. brachypterus, 229 
. marmoratus, 229 

. papuensis, 229 

. phalenoides, 229 

. strigoides, 229 
Podicipedidw, 42 
Podicipes, 42 

P. eristatus, 45 

P. nove-hollandiz, 43 
P. poliocephalus, 44 
Pecilodryas, 271, 278 
P. albifacies, 279 

P. capito, 279 

P. cerviniventris, 279 
P. cinereiceps, 279 

P. superciliosa, 279 
Poephila, 401, 406 

P. acuticauda, 407 

P. cineta, 407 

P. gouldix, 407 

P. hecki, 408 

P. leucotis, 407 

P 

P. 


gums 


. nigrotecta, 408 

. personata, 407 
Poliolimnas, 35 
P. cinereus, 38 
Polytelis, 209, 210 
P. barrabandi, 210 
P. melanura, 210 
Pomatorhinus, 293, 302 
P. frivolus, 302 
P. rubeculus, 303 
P. ruficeps, 303 
P. superciliosus, 302 
Porphyrio, 35 
P. bellus, 40 
P. melanonotus, 40 
Porphyrocephalus, 213 
P. spurius, 218 
Porzana, 35 
P. fluminea, 37 
P. palustris, 37 


Porzana plumbea, 38 
Priocella, 53 

P. glacialoides, 56 
Priofinus, 53 

P. cinereus, 55 
Prion, 61 

P. ariel, 64 

P. banksi, 63 

P. desolatus, 64 

P. vittatus, 63 
Prionodura, 422 

P. newtoniana, 422 
Prionopide, 336 
Procellarida, 50 
Procelsterna, 71 

P. cinerea, 79 
Psephotus, 213, 221 

. chrysopterygius, 224 
. dissimilis, 223 

. hematonotus, 224 
. hematorrhous, 22 

. multicolor, 224 

. pallescens, 223 

. pulcherrimus, 223 
. xanthorrhous, 223 
Pseudogerygone, 271, 277 
. brunneipectus, 278 
cantator, 278 

. chloronota, 278 

. culi¢ivora, 277 
fusca, 278 

. levigastra, 278 

. magnirostris, 278 

. personata, 278 

. tenebrosa, 278 
Psitteuteles, 197 

P. chlorolepidotus, 199 
P. neglectus, 199 
Psophodes, 293 

P. crepitans, 299 

P. nigrogularis, 301 
Pteropodocys, 290 

P. phasianella, 290 
Ptilonorhynchide, 412 
Ptilonorhynchus, 412 
P. violaceus, 412 
Ptilopus, 21 


OR A A 


HHH I4 


464 


Ptilopus alligator, 22 
. assimilis, 23 

. ewingi, 22 

. magnificus, 23 

. superbus, 23 

. swainsoni, 22 
Ptilorhis, 424 

P. paradisea, 424 

P. victoria, 427 
Ptilosclera, 197 

P. versicolor, 199 
Ptilotis, 382 

P. analoga, 382 
P. carteri, 387 
P. eassidix, 385 
P. chrusotis, 383 
P. chrysops, 384 
P. cockerelli, 385 
P. eratitia, 385 
P. fascicularis, 384 
P. flava, 386 

P. flavescens, 386 
P. flavicollis, 384 
P. forresti, 383 
P. frenata, 387 
P. fusea, 382 
P. germana, 386 
P. 

P. 

P. 

P. 

P. 

P. 

P. 

P 

P. 

P 

P. 

P. 

P 

P. 


Roan hg org 


. gracilis, 382 

. keartlandi, 386 

. leilavalensis, 387 

. leucotis, 384 

. macleayana, 383 

. melanops, 385 

. nove-norcie, 385 

. occidentalis, 386 

. ornata, 386 

. penicillata, 387 

. plumula, 386 

. sonora, 383 

. unicolor, 387 

. versicolor, 383 
Ptistes, 209 
P. coccineopterus, 212 
P. erythropterus, 212 
Puffinide, 52 
Puffinus, 53 
P. assimilis, 53 


nth th hh tH th th th 


THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Puffinus carneipes, 54 
. gavia, 53 

. griseus, 54 

. leucomelas, 53 

. sphenurus, 53 

. tenuirostris, 54 
Pyecnoptilus, 293 

P. floccosus, 296 
Querquedela, 149 
Q. querquedela, 149 
Rallide, 35 
Rallina, 35 

R. tricolor, 37 
Recurvirostra, 103 
R. nove-hollandia, 103 
Rhipidura, 271, 279 
albicauda, 280 

. albiscapa, 280 

. diemenensis, 280 
dryas, 280 
phasiana, 280 

. preissi, 280 

. rufifrons, 280 

. setosa, 281 

. tricolor, 281 
Rhyacophilus, 110 
R. glareola, 110 
Rostratula, 115 

R. australis, 115 
Salangana, 244 

S. esculenta, 244 

8. francica, 245 
Scenopetes, 414 

S. dentirostris, 414 


gsutunyt 


Bd Bd ad oo Bd Dd oo By 


Seythrops, 247 


S. nove-hollandia, 255 
Sericornis, 319 

S. balstoni, 320 

. barbara, 319 

. brunnea, 319 
frontalis, 321 
humilis, 321 
levigastra, 319 
maculata, 320 
magna, 320 

. Magnirostris, 319 
- minimus, 322 


Sericulus, 421 


8. chrysocephalus, 421 


Sisura, 271 

S. inquieta, 286 

S. nana, 286 
Sittida, 358 
Smicrornis, 271, 275 
8. brevirostris, 276 
8. flavescens, 276 
Spathopterus, 210 
S. alexandre, 210 
Spatula, 150 

S. clypeata, 150 

S. rhyncotis, 151 
Sphecotheres, 409 
S. flaviventer, 409 
S. maxillaris, 409 
S. stalkeri, 409 
Spheniscida, 45 
Sphenostoma, 357 
8. eristatum, 357 
Sphenura, 329 

8. brachyptera, 329 
S. broadbenti, 330 
8. littoralis, 330 
8. longirostris, 329 
Squatarola, 96 

8. helvetica, 96 
Stagonopleura, 401 
S. guttata, 402 
Stercorarius, 86 

S. crepidatus, 90 
S. pomatorhinus, 88 
Sterna, 71 

. anestheta, 78 

. bergii, 76 

. frontalis, 77 

. fuliginosa, 78 

. gracilis, 74 
media, 75 

. melanauchen, 79 
. nereis, 78 

. sinensis, 79 
Sintonetta, 151 
S. nevosa, 151 
Stictoptera, 401 

S. annulosa, 404 


DIR AB SB EEE 


INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES 465 


Stictoptera bichenovii, 404 
Stigmatops, 381 
S. albiauricularis, 381 
S. ocularis, 381 
Stiltia, 116 

S. isabella, 116 
Stipiturus, 328 

S. malachurus, 328 
S. mallee, 329 

8. ruficeps, 329 
Strepera, 428, 432 
arguta, 432 

. fuliginosa, 432 
. fusca, 434 

. graculina, 432 

. melanoptera, 432 
. plumbea, 434 

. versicolor, 434 
Strigias, 189, 193 
Strix, 189 

8. candida, 195 

S. castanops, 195 
S. delicatula, 194 
S. nove-hollandize, 193 
S. tenebricosa, 195 
Struthidea, 428 

S. cinerea, 434 
Sula, 159 

§. cyanops, 164 

S. leucogaster, 165 
S. piscatrix, 164 
S. serrator, 159 
Sulide, 159 
Sylviide, 308 
Syma, 235 

8. flavirostris, 235 
Synecus, 16 

8. australis, 16 

8. cervinus, 17 

S. diemenensis, 16 
S. sordidus, 17 
Tadorna, 145 

T. rufitergum, 145 
Taniopygia, 401 
T. castanotis, 403 
Tanysiptera, 235 
T. sylvia, 241 


Bee ee 


466 


Terekia, 109 

T. cinerea, 109 
Thalasseca, 56 

T. antarctica, 56 
Thalassogeron, 65 

T. carteri, 70 

T. cautus, 68 

T. chlororhynchus, 69 
T. culminatus, 69 
Timeliide, 293 
Totanus, 107 

T. stagnatilis, 107 
Treronide, 21 
Tribonyx, 35 

T. mortieri, 39 
Trichoglossus, 197 

T. nove-hollandie, 198 
T. rubritorques, 198 
T. septentrionalis, 198 
Tringa, 113 

T. canutus, 113 

T. crassirostris, 114 
Tringoides, 108 

T. hypoleucus, 108 
Tropidorhynchus, 396 
T. argenticeps, 396 
T. buceroides, 396 

T. corniculatus, 396 
Turdide, 304 
Turnicide, 18 


THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Turnix, 18 

. castanota, 19 

. maculosa, 18 

. melanogaster, 18 
. olivei, 19 

. pyrrhothorax, 20 
. varia, 19 

. velox, 20 
Uroaetus, 170 

U. audax, 176 
Xanthotis, 388 

X. filigera, 388 
Xenorhynchus, 127 
X. asiaticus, 128 
Zonaginthus, 401 

Z. bellus, 402 

Z. oculatus, 403 
Zonifer, 95 

Z. tricolor, 95 
Zosteropide, 364 
Zosterops, 364 

. albiventris, 364 

. balstoni, 365 

. eerulescens, 364 
- gouldi, 364 

. gulliveri, 365 
halmaturina, 364 
. lutea, 365 

. shortridgei, 365 

. vegeta, 364 


SeAH AAS 


NNNNNNNNN 


SYSTEMATIC TABLE OF AUSTRALIAN 
BIRDS. 


(The numbers refer to the pages.) 


CLASS AVES: 1. 
SuB-CLasS PALAEOGNATHAE. 
ORDER CASUARIFORMES: 1 
Family Dromeide: 1. 


Dromeus nove-hollandie (Emu). 
Casuarius australis (Australian Cassowary). 


Sus-CLass NEOGNATHAE. 
ORDER GALLIFORMES: 7. 
Family Megapodiide: 7. 
Megapodius tumulus (Serub Fowl). 
Lipoa ocellata (Mallee Fowl). 
Catheturus lathami (Yellow-wattled Brush Turkey). 
4s purpureicollis (Barnard’s Serub Turkey). 


Family Phasianide: 15. 


Coturnix pectoralis (Stubble Quail). 
Synecus australis (Brown Quail). 


e diemenensis (Brown Quail). 
i sordidus ( “s ) 
5 cervinus ( 5 ) 


Excalfactoria lineata (Chestnut-bellied Quail). 


ORDER TURNICIFORMES: 18. 
Family Turnicide: 18. 


Turnix maculosa (Red-backed Quail). 
+ melanogaster (Black-breasted Quail). 


s varia (Painted Quail). 
r castanota (Chestnut-backed Quail). 
Ps olivei (Olive’s Quail). 


5 pyrrhothorax (Red-chested Quail). 
4 velox (Little Quail). 
Pedionomus torquatus (Plain Wanderer). 


467 


468 


THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


ORDER COLUMBIFORMES: 21. 
Family Treronide: 21. 
Ptilopus alligator (Black-banded Fruit Pigeon). 
~ swainsoni (Red-crowned Fruit Pigeon). 
3 ewingii (Rose-crowned Fruit Pigeon). 
r superba (Purple-crowned Fruit Pigeon). 
33 magnifica (Purple-breasted Fruit Pigeon). 


#5 assimilis (Lesser Purple-breasted Fruit Pigeon). 


Myristicivora spilorrhoa (Nutmeg Pigeon). 
Lopholemus antarcticus (Top-knot Pigeon). 


Family Columbide: 25. 


Columba leucomela (White-headed Fruit Pigeon). 
Macropygia phasianella (Pheasant Pigeon). 


Family Peristeride: 26. 


Geopelia humeralis (Barred-shouldered Dove). 
35 tranquilla (Peaceful Dove). 
5 euneata (Little Dove). 
Chaleophaps chrysochlora (Little Green Pigeon). 
. occidentalis (Lilac-mantled Pigeon). 
Phaps chaleoptera (Bronzewing Pigeon). 
» elegans (Bush Bronzewing Pigeon). 
Histriophaps histrionica (Flock Pigeon). 
Petrophassa albipennis (White-quilled Rock Pigeon). 
% rufipennis (Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon). 
Geophaps scripta (Partridge Pigeon). 
+s smithi (Naked-eyed Partridge Pigeon). 
Lophophaps plumifera (Plumed Pigeon). 
ij ferruginea (Red-plumed Pigeon). 
5 leucogaster (White-bellied Plumed Pigeon). 
Ocyphaps lophotes (Crested Pigeon). 
Leucosarcia picata (Wonga-Wonga Pigeon). 


ORDER RALLIFORMES: 35. 
Family Rallide: 35. 


Hypotenidia brachypus (Slate-breasted Rail). 
philippinensis (Pectoral Rail). 

Eulabeornis castaneiventris (Chestnut-bellied Rail). 
Rallina tricolor (Red-necked Rail). 
Porzana fluminea (Spotted Crake). 

bs palustris (Little Crake). 

45 plumbea (Spotless Crake). 
Poliolimnas cinereus (White-browed Crake). 
Amaurornis moluceana (Rufous-tailed Crake). 
Tribonyx mortieri (Native Hen). 


SYSTEMATIC TABLE OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS 469 


Family Rallide—continued 
Microtribonyx ventralis (Black-tailed Native Hen). 
Gallinula tenebrosa (Black Moor Hen). 
55 frontata (Dark-grey Moor Hen). 
Porphyrio bellus (Blue Bald Coot). 
%s melanonotus (Bald Coot). 
Fulica australis (Coot). 


ORDER PODICIPEDIDIFORMES: 42. 
Family Podicipedide: 42. 
Podicipes nove-hollandia (Black-throated Grebe). 
5 poliocephalus (Hoary-headed Grebe). 
55 eristatus (Tippet Grebe). 


ORDER SPHENISCIFORMES: 45. 
Family Spheniscide: 45. 
Aptenodytes forsteri (King Penguin). 
Catarrhactes chrysocome (Crested Penguin). 
Eudyptula minor (Blue Penguin). 
= undina (Little Blue Penguin). 


ORDER PROCELLARIIFORMES (TUBINARES): 50. 
Family Procellariide: 50. 
Oceanites oceanicus (Yellow-webbed Storm Petrel). 
Garrodia nereis (Grey-backed Storm Petrel). 
Pelagodroma marina (White-faced Storm Petrel). 
Fregetta melanogaster (Black-bellied Storm Petrel). 
+5 grallaria (White-bellied Storm Petrel). 


Family Puffinide: 52. 

Puffinus leucomelas (White-fronted Shearwater). 
sphenurus (Wedge-tailed Shearwater). 
5 gavia (Forster Shearwater). 
assimilis (Allied Shearwater). 

3 carneipes (Fleshy-footed Shearwater). 

FA griseus (Sombre Shearwater). 

54 tenuirostris (Short-tailed Shearwater). 
Priofinus cinereus (Brown Petrel). 
Thalasseca antarctica (Antarctic Petrel). 
Priocella glacialoides (Silvery-grey Petrel). 
Majaqueus exquinoctialis (Spectacled Petrel). 

i parkinsoni (Black Petrel). 
Céstrelata macroptera (Great-winged Petrel). 
lessoni (White-headed Petrel). 
mollis (Soft-plumaged Petrel). 
brevipes (White-throated Petrel). 
solanderi (Brown-headed Petrel). 


470 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Family Puffinide—coutinued 
Cstrelata gularis (Mottled Petrel). 
45 neglecta (Schlegel’s Petrel). 
i leucoptera (White-winged Petrel). 
ss cooki (Cook Petrel). 
Macronectes gigantea (Giant Petrel). 
Daption capensis (Cape Pigeon). 
Halobena cerulea (Blue Petrel). 
Prion vittatus (Broad-billed Dove Petrel). 
»  banksi (Banks Dove Petrel). 
»  desolatus (Dove Petrel). 
» ariel (Fairy Dove Petrel). 


Family Pelecanoidide: 64. 
Pelecanoides urinatrix (Diving Petrel). 


Family Diomedeide: 65. 
Diomedea exulaus (Wandering Albatross). 
33 chionoptera (White-winged Albatross). 
a regia (Royal Albatross). 
3 albatrus (Short-tailed Albatross). 
% melanophrys (Black-browed Albatross). 
Thalassogeron cautus (White-capped Albatross). 


5 culminatus (Flat-billed Albatross). 
3 ehlororhynchus (Yellow-nosed Albatross). 
on carteri (Carter Albatross). 


Phebetria fuliginosa (Sooty Albatross). 


ORDER LARIFORMES: 71. 
Family Laride: 71. 
Hydrochelidon leucoptera (White-winged Black Tern). 
. hybrida (Marsh or Whiskered Tern). 
Gelochelidon anglica (Gull-billed Tern). 
Hydroprogne caspia (Caspian Tern). 
Sterna gracilis (Roseate Tern). 
» media (Lesser Crested Tern). 
»  bergii (Crested Tern). 
»  frontalis (White-fronted Tern). 
»  anestheta (Brown-winged Tern). 
»  fuliginosa (Sooty Tern). 
» nereis (White-faced Ternlet). 
»  Sinensis (White-shafted Ternlet). 
»  melanauchen (Black-naped Tern). 
Procelsterna cinerea (Grey Noddy). 
Anous stolidus (Noddy Tern). 
Micranous tenuirostris (Lesser Noddy). 
5 leucocapillus (White-capped Noddy). 


SYSTEMATIC TABLE OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS 


Family Luride—continued 
Gygis alba (White Tern). 
Larus nove-hollandi# (Silver Gull). 
Gabianus pacificus (Pacifie Gull). 


Family Stercorariida: 86. 
Megalestris antarctica (Southern Skua). 
Stercorarius pomatorhinus (Pomarine Skua). 
e erepidatus (Richardson Skua). 
ORDER CHARADRIFORMES: 90. 
Family Charadriide: 90. 
Arenaria interpres (Turnstone). 
Hematopus longirostris (Pied Oyster-catcher). 

% fuliginosus (Black Oyster-catcher). 
Erythrogonys cinctus (Red-kneed Dottrel). 
Lobivanellus lobatus (Spur-winged Plover). 

5 miles (Masked Plover). 
Zonifer tricolor (Black-breasted Plover). 
Squatarola helvetica (Grey Plover). 
Charadrius dominicus (Lesser Golden Plover). 
Ochthodromus bicinctus (Double-banded Dottrel). 
geoffroyi (Greater Sand Dottrel). 


’ 


on 


veredus (Oriental Dottrel). 
Rigtaliein hiaticola (Ringed Plover). 
ruficapilla (Red-capped Dottrel). 
melanops (Black-fronted Dottrel). 
9 eucullata (Hooded Dottrel). 
Peltohyas australis (Australian Dottrel). 
Himantopus leucocephalus (White-headed Stilt). 
Cladorhynchus leucocephalus (Banded Stilt). 
Recurvirostra nove-hollandie (Red-necked Avocet) 
Numenius cyanopus (Curlew). 
e variegatus (Whimbrel). 
Mesoscolopax minutus (Little Whimbrel). 
Limosa nove-zealandie (Barred-rumped Godwit). 
- limosa (Black-tailed Godwit). 
Totanus stagnatilis (Little Greenshank). 
Helodromas ochropus (Green Sandpiper). 
Heteractitis brevipes (Grey-rumped Sandpiper). 


” 


oe) 


” 


Tringoides hypoleucus (Common Sandpiper). 
Terekia cinerea (Terek Sandpiper). 

Glottis nebularius (Greenshank). 
Rhyacophilus glareola (Wood Sandpiper). 
Bartramia longicauda (Bartram Sandpiper). 


mongolus (Mongolian Sand Dottrel). 


471 


ineanus (American Grey-rumped Sandpiper). 


472 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Family Charadriide—continued 
Calidrys arenaria (Sanderling). 
Pisobia ruficollis (Little Stint). 

5 damacensis (Middendorff Stint). 
Heteropygia aurita (Sharp-tailed Stint). 
Ancyclochilus subarquatus (Curlew Stint). 
Tringa canutus (Knot). 

»  crassirostris (Great Sandpiper). 
Gallinago australis (Snipe). 

Rostratula australis (Painted Snipe). 


Family Parride: 116. 
Hy@aralector gallinaceus (Comb-crested Jacana or Parra). 


Family Glareolide: 116. 
Stiltia isabella (Pratincole). 
Glareola orientalis (Oriental Pratincole). 


Family Oedicnemide: 118. 
Burhinus grallarius (Stone Plover). 
Orthorhamphus magnirostris (Long-billed Stone Plover). 


Family Otidide: 120, 
Eupodotis australis (Australian Bustard). 


ORDER GRUIFORMES: 121. 
Family Gruide: 121. 
Antigone australasiana (Crane or Native Companion). 


ORDER ARDEIFORMES: 123. 
Family Ibidide: 123. 
Ibis moluceca (White Ibis). 
Carphibis spinicollis (Straw-necked Ibis). 
Plegadis falcinellus (Glossy Ibis). 


Family Plataleide: 126. 
Platalea regia (Black-billed Spoonbill). 
Platibis flavipes (Yellow-legged Spoonbill). 


Family Ciconiine: 127. 
Xenorhynchus asiaticus (Jabiru). 


Family Ardeide: 128. 
Ardea sumatrana (Great-billed Heron). 
3 cinerea (Grey Heron). 
Mesophoyx plumifera (Plumed Egret). 
Herodias timoriensis (Egret). 


SYSTEMATIC TABLE OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS 473 


Family Ardeide—continued 

Notophoyx nove-hollandie (White-fronted Heron). 

i pacifica (White-necked Heron). 

re flavirostris (Pied Egret). 

i aruensis (White-headed Egret). 
Garzetta nigripes (Lesser Egret). 
Demiegretta sacra (Reef Heron). 
Nycticorax caledonicus (Nankeen Night-Heron). 
Butorides stagnatilis (Thick-billed Green Bittern). 
Ardetta sinensis (Little Yellow Bittern). 

7 pusilla (Minute Bittern). 

Dupetor gouldi (Yellow-necked Bittern). 
Botaurus peciloptilus (Bittern). 


ORDER ANSERIFORMES: 141. 
Family Anatide: 141. 


Chenopis atrata (Black Swan). 
Anseranas semipalmata (Pied Goose). 
Nettopus pulchellus (Green Dwarf Goose). 

o albipennis (White-quilled Dwarf Goose). 
Cereopsis nove-hollandiw (Cape Barren Goose). 
Chenonetta jubata (Maned Goose). 

Dendrocycna arcuata (Whistling Duck). 
D. eytoni (Plumed Whistling Duck). 
Tadorna rufitergum (White-headed Sheldrake). 
Casarca tadornoides (Chestnut-coloured Sheldrake). 
Anas superciliosa (Black Duck). 
Nettion castaneum (Chestnut-breasted Teal). 

5 gibberifrons (Grey Teal). 
Querquedela querquedela (Garganey). 
Spatula clypeata (Common Shoveller). 

ij rhynchotis (Australian Shoveller). 
Malacorhynchus membranaceus (Pink-eared Duck). 
Stictonetta nevosa (Freckled Duck). 
Aythya australis (White-eyed Duck). 
Erismatura australis (Blue-billed Duck). 
Biziura lobata (Musk Duck). 


ORDER PELECANIFORMES: 154. 
Family Phalacrocoracide: 154. 
Phalacrocorax carbo (Black Cormorant). 
sulcirostris (Little Black Cormorant). 
gouldi (White-breasted Cormorant). 
hypoleucus (Pied Cormorant). 
“ melanoleucus (Little Black and White 
Cormorant). 


AT4 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Family Plotide: 158. 
Plotus nove-hollandie (Darter). 


Family Sulide: 159. 

Sula serrator (Gannet). 
cyanops (Masked Gannet). 
piscatrix (Red-legged Gannet). 
leucogaster (Brown Gannet). 


” 
” 


” 


Family Fregatide: 165. 
Fregata aquila (Great Frigate-bird). 
9 ariel (Lesser Frigate-bird). 
Family Phaethonide: 166. 
Phaethon rubricauda (Red-tailed Tropic-bird). 
* lepturus (White-tailed Tropic-bird). 
Family Pelecanide: 168. 
Pelecanus conspicillatus (Pelican). 


ORDER ACCIPITRIFORMES: 169. 
Family Falconide: 169. 
Cireus assimilis (Spotted Harrier). 
»  gouldi (Harrier). 

Astur clarus (Grey Goshawk). 
nove-hollandie (White Goshawk). 
leucosomus (Lesser White Goshawk). 

» fasciatus (Goshawk). 

eruentus (Western Goshawk). 
Avotptter eirrhocephalus (Sparrow Hawk). 
Erythrotriorehis radiatus (Buzzard). 
Uroaetus audax (Wedge-tailed Eagle). 
Eutolmaetus morphnoides (Little Eagle). 
Haliaetus leucogaster (White-bellied Sea-Eagle). 
Haliastur girrenera (White-headed Sea-Eagle). 

5 sphenurus (Whistling Eagle). 
Milvus affinis (Kite). 
Lophoictinia isura (Square-tailed Kite). 
Gypoictinia melanosternum (Black-breasted Buzzard). 
Elanus axillaris (Black-shouldered Kite). 
* scriptus (Letter-winged Kite). 

Baza subcristata (Crested Hawk). 
Falco melanogenys (Black-cheeked Falcon). 
hypoleucus (Grey Falcon). 
subniger (Black Falcon). 
lunulatus (Little Falcon). 


SYSTEMATIC TABLE OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS 475 


Family Faleonide—continued 
Hieracidea berigora (Striped Brown Hawk). 
- orientalis (Brown Hawk). 
Cerchneis cenchroides (Kestrel). 
Pandion leucocephalus (Osprey). 


ORDER STRIGIFORMES: 188. 
Family Bubonide: 189. 

Ninox boobook (Boobook Owl). 
= ocellata (Marbled Owl). 
» maculata (Spotted Owl). 
»  lurida (Lurid Owl). 
»  connivens (Winking Owl). 
» occidentalis (Western Winking Owl). 
»  peninsularis (Cape York Owl). 
»  strenua (Powerful Owl). 
»  Yrufa (Rufous Owl). 


Family Strigida: 193. 
Strix nove-hollandie (Chestnut-faced Owl). 
»  elicatula (Delicate Owl). 
»  ¢astanops (Masked Owl). 
» tenebricosa (Sooty Owl). 
4 candida (Grass Owl). 


ORDER PSITTACIFORMES: 195. 
Family Loriide: 197. 
Trichoglossus nove-hollandiz (Blue-bellied Lorikeet). 


sy septentrionalis (Northern Blue-bellied Lorikeet). 

3 rubritorques (Red-collared Lorikeet). 
Psitteuteles chlorolepidotus (Scaly-breasted Lorikeet). 

*s neglectus (Northern Scaly-breasted Lorikeet). 


Ptilosclera versicolor (Red-crowned Lorikeet). 
Glossopsittacus concinnus (Musk Lorikeet). 
ia porphyrocephalus (Purple-crowned Lorikeet). 
5 pusillus (Little Lorikeet). 


Family Cyclopsittacide: 200. 
Cyclopsittacus coxeni (Red-faced Lorikeet). 
4s maccoyi (Blue-faced Lorikeet). 
Family Cacatuide: 201. 
Microglossus aterrimus (Palm Cockatoo). 
Calyptorhynehus baudini (White-tailed Cockatoo). 
funereus (Yellow-eared Black Cockatoo). 
banksi (Banksian Cockatoo). 
macrorhynchus (Great-billed Cockatoo). 


476 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Family Cacatuide—continued 
Calyptorhynchus stellatus (Red-tailed Cockatoo). 
viridis (Glossy Cockatoo). 
Gailecephelom galeatum (Gang-Gang Cockatoo). 
Cacatua galerita (White Cockatoo). 
3 leadbeateri (Pink Cockatoo). 
- gymnopis (Bare-eyed Cockatoo). 
3 sanguinea (Blood-stained Cockatoo). 
Pp roseicapilla (Galah). 
Licmetis nasica (Corella). 

+ pastinator (Dampier Cockatoo). 
Calopsittacus nove-hollandie (Cockatoo Parrakeet). 
Polytelis barrabandi (Green-leek Parrakeet). 

Be melanura (Rock Peddler). 
Spathopterus alexandre (Alexandra Parrakeet). 
Ptistes erythropterus (Red-winged Parrakeet). 
coccineopterus (Crimson-winged Parrakeet). 
Aprosmictus cyanopygius (King Parrot). 
Platycercus elegans (Crimson Parrot). 
5 nigrescens (Campbell Parrakeet). 


5 adelaide (Adelaide Rosella). 

ss flaveolus (Yellow Parrakeet) 

$5 flaviventris (Green Parrakeet). 

. pallidiceps (Pale-headed Parrakeet). 
5 amathusia (Blue-cheeked Parrakeet). 
53 browni (Smutty Parrakeet). 

55 erythropeplus (Red-backed Rosella). 
i eximius (Rosella). 

rf splendidus (Yellow-mantled Parrakeet). 
3 mastersianus (Masters Parrakeet). 

+ xanthogenys (Red-mantled Parrakeet). 


is icterotis (Yellow-cheeked Parrakeet). 
Porphyrocephalus spurius (Red-capped Parrakeet). 
Barnardius barnardi (Mallee Parrakeet). 


is semitorquatus (Yellow-collared Parrakeet). 
‘i zonarius (Yellow-banded Parrakeet). 
3 occidentalis (Western Collared Parrakeet). 


33 macgillivrayi (MacGillivray’s Collared Parrakeet). 
Psephotus hematorrhous (Red-vented Parrakeet). 


a xanthorrhous (Yellow-vented Parrakeet). 
Z pallescens (Pale Parrakeet). 

9 pulcherrimus (Beautiful Parrakeet). 

5 dissimilis (Chestnut-crowned Parrakeet). 


3 chrysopterygius (Golden-shouldered Parrakeet). 

si multicolor (Many-coloured Parrakeet). 

5 hematonotus (Red-backed Parrakeet). 
Neophema bourkei (Bourke Grass-Parrakeet). 

si venusta (Blue-winged Grass-Parrakeet). 


SYSTEMATIC TABLE OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS 477 


Family Cacatuide—continued 
Neophema elegans (Grass-Parrakeet). 
a chrysogaster (Orange-bellied Grass-Parrakeet). 
‘ petrophila (Rock Parrakeet). 
n pulchella (Red-shouldered Grass-Parrakeet). 
splendida (Scarlet-throated Grass-Parrakeet). 
Hanes discolor (Swift Lorikeet). 
Melopsittacus undulatus (Warbling Grass-Parrakeet). 
Pezoporus terrestris (Ground Parrakeet). 
Geopsittacus occidentalis (Night Parrakeet). 


ORDER CORACIIFORMES: 229. 
Family Podargide: 229. 
Podargus papuensis (Plumed Frogmouth). 
‘ strigoides (Tawny Frogmouth). 
3 phalenoides (Freckled Frogmouth). 
3 marmoratus (Marbled Frogmouth). 
45 brachypterus (Short-winged Frogmouth). 
Aigotheles nove-hollandie (Owlet Nightjar). 
5 rufa (Rufous Nightjar). 


Family Coractide: 232. 
Eurystomus pacificus (Dollar-bird). 


Family Alcedinide: 234. 
Aleyone azurea (Blue Kingfisher). 
3 pulehra (Purple Kingfisher). 
5 pusilla (Little Kingfisher). 
Syma flavirostris (Yellow-billed Kingfisher). 
Dacelo gigas (Kookaburra). 
4 leachi (Leach’s Kingfisher). 
es cervina (Fawn-breasted Kingfisher). 
Halcyon macleayi (Forest Kingfisher). 
55 pyrrhopygius (Red-backed Kingfisher). 
sanctus (Sacred Kingfisher). 
rr westralasianus (West Australian Sacred Kingfisher). 
sordidus (Mangrove Kingfisher). 
Panysipteny. sylvia (White-tailed Kingfisher). 


Family Meropida: 241. 
Merops ornatus (Bee-eater). 


Family Caprimulgide: 242. 
Eurostopus albigularis (White-throated Nightjar). 
5 argus (Spotted Nightjar). 
Caprimulgus macrurus (Large-tailed Nightjar). 


478 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Family Cypselide: 244. 
Salangana esculenta (Edible-nest Swiftlet). 
” francica (Grey-rumped Swiftlet). 
Chetura caudacuta (Spine-tailed Swiftlet). 
Cypselus pacificus (White-rumped Swift). 


ORDER COCCYGES: 246. 
Family Cuculida@: 246. 
Cuculus saturatus (Oriental Cuckoo). 
8 inornatus (Pallid Cuckoo). 
Cacomantis rufulus (Fan-tailed Cuckoo). 

5 flabelliformis (Brush Cuckoo). 

‘3 castaneiventris (Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo). 
Mesoealius palliolatus (Black-eared Cuckoo). 
Chaleococeyx basalis (Narrow-billed Bronze Cuckoo). 

4 lucidus (Broad-billed Bronze Cuckoo). 

4 plagosus (Bronze Cuckoo). 

‘ malayanus (Little Bronze Cuckoo). _ 

oi pecilurus (Rufous-throated Bronze Cuckoo). 
Eudynamis cyanocephala (Koel). 

Scythrops nove-hollandiw (Channel-bill). 
Centropus phasianus (Coucal). 


ORDER MENURIFORMES: 256, 


Family Menuride: 256. 
Menura superba (Lyre-bird). 
5 victorie (Victoria Lyre-bird). 
+ alberti (Albert Lyre-bird). 


ORDER PASSERIFORMES: 263. 


Family Pittide: 264. 
Pitta strepitans (Noisy Pitta). 
»  Ssimillima (Lesser Pitta). 
»  mackloti (Blue-breasted Pitta). 
» iris (Rainbow Pitta). 


Family Atrichornithide: 265. 
Atrichornis clamosa (Noisy Serub-bird). 
# rufescens (Rufous Scrub-bird). 


Family Hirundinide: 266. 
Hirundo gutturalis (Chimney Swallow). 
5 javanica (Eastern Swallow). 
45 neoxena (Australian Swallow). 
Cherameca leucosternum (Black and White Swallow). 
Petrochelidon nigricans (Tree Martin). 
59 ariel (Fairy Martin). 


SYSTEMATIC TABLE OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS 479 


Family Muscicapide: 271. 
Micreea fascinans (Brown Fly-catcher). 
of flaviventris (Lemon-breasted Fly-catcher). 
Petreea leggei (Scarlet-breasted Robin). 
9 campbelli (Western Scarlet-breasted Robin). 
45 phenicea (Flame-breasted Robin). 
5 rhodinogaster (Pink-breasted Robin). 
$i rosea (Rose-breasted Robin). 
s3 goodenovii (Red-capped Robin). 
5 ramsayi (Red-throated Robin). 
55 bicolor (Hooded Robin). 
35 picata (Pied Robin). 
9 vittata (Dusky Robin). 
Smicrornis brevirostris (Short-billed Tree-tit). 
5 flavescens (Yellow-tinted Tree-tit). 
Gerygone albigularis (White-throated Fly-eater). 
fs cinerascens (Grey Fly-eater). 
Pseudogerygone culicivora (Western Fly-eater). 


aa magnirostris (Large-billed Fly-eate:). 

3 fusca (Brown Fly-eater). 

55 pallida (Pale Fly-eater). 

rr brunneipectus (Brown-breasted Fly-eater). 
5 levigaster (Buff-breasted Fly-eater). 

* tenebrosa (Dusky Fly-eater). 

3 chloronota (Green-backed Fly-eater). 

5 personata (Black-throated Fly-eater). 

3 cantator (Singing Fly-eater). 


Heteromyias cinereifrons (Ashy-fronted Robin). 
Pecilodryas cerviniventris (Buff-sided Robin). 
‘5 superciliosa (White-browed Robin). 
ii cinereiceps (Grey-headed Robin). 
99 albifacies (White-faced Robin). 
5 capito (Large-headed Robin). 
Rhipidura albiscapa (White-shafted Fantail). 


A diemenensis (Dusky Fantail). 
es albicauda (White-tailed Fantail). 
55 preissi (Western Fantail). 


phasiana (White-fronted Fantail). 
rufifrons (Rufous Fantail). 

5 intermedia (Rufescent Fantail). 
dryas (Wood Fantail). 

setosa (Northern Fantail). 

tricolor (Black and White Fantail). 
Nisdapts rubecula (Leaden Fly-catcher). 
concinna (Blue Fly-catcher). 

nitida (Satin Fly-catcher). 
latirostris (Broad-billed Fly-catcher), 


” 


” 


” 


480 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Family Muscicapide—continued 
Macherirhynchus flaviventer (Yellow-breasted Fly-catcher). 
Sisura inquieta (Restless Fly-catcher). 
a nana (Little Fly-catcher). 
Arses kaupi (Pied Fly-catcher). 
- lorealis (Frill-necked Fly-catcher). 
Piezorhynchus nitidus (Shining Fly-catcher). 
5 albiventer (White-bellied Fly-catcher). 
53 gouldi (Spectacled Fly-catcher). 
mr leucotis (White-eared Fly-catcher). 
Monarcha melanopsis (Black-faced Fly-catcher). 
59 eanescens (Pearly Fly-catcher). 


Family Campophagide: 290. 
Pteropodoeys phasianella (Ground Cuckoo-Shrike). 
Coracina (Graucalus) robusta (Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike). 
is parvirostris (Small-billed Cuckoo-Shrike). 
A hypoleuca (White-bellied Cuckoo-Shrike). 
3 meatalis (Little Cuckoo-Shrike). 
5 lineata (Barred Cuckoo-Shrike). 
Edoliisoma tenuirostre (Caterpillar-eater). 
Lalage tricolor (White-shouldered Caterpillar-eater). 
3 leucomelena (White-eyebrowed Caterpillar-eater). 


Family Timeliide: 293. 
Orthonyx temmincki (Spine-tailed Log-runner). 
As spaldingi (Black-headed Log-runner). 
Cinclosoma punctatum (Spotted Ground-Thrush). 


7 eastanonotum (Chestnut-backed Ground-Thrush). 
# cinnamomeum (Cinnamon Ground-Thrush). 

i castanothorax (Chestnut-breasted Ground-Thrush). 
“5 marginatum (Black-vented Ground-Thrush). 


Pyenoptilus floccosus (Pilot Bird). 
Drymaedus brunneipygius (Serub-Robin). 
3 pallidus (Pale Scrub-Robin). 
5 superciliaris (Eastern Scrub-Robin). 
Hylacola pyrrhopygia (Chestnut-rumped Ground Wren). 
¥p cauta (Red-rumped Ground Wren). 
Psophodes crepitans (Coach-whip Bird). 
5 lateralis (Northern Coach-whip Bird). 
35 nigrogularis (Black-throated Coach-whip Bird). 
Pomatorhinus frivolus (Babbler). 
superciliosus (White-browed Babbler). 
3 ruficeps (Chestnut-crowned Babbler). 
rubeculus (Red-breasted Babbler). 
Calamanthus fuliginosus (Striated Field Wren), 
albiloris (White-lored Field Wren). 
montanellus (Rock Field Wren). 


SYSTEMATIC TABLE OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS 481 


Family Timeliide—continued 
Calamanthus campestris (Field Wren). 


ks isabellinus (Desert Wren). 
Cineclorhamphus cruralis (Brown Song Lark). 
sy rufescens (Rufous Song Lark). 


Family Turdide: 304. 
Merula fuliginosa (Norfolk Island Ouzel). 
»  vVinotineta (Lord Howe Ouzel). 
Oreocichla cuneata (Broadbent Ground-Thrush). 
9 heinii (Russet-tailed Ground-Thrush). 
sy Junulata (Ground-Thrush). 
is macrorhyncha (Large-billed Ground Thrush). 
Ephthianura albifrons (White-fronted Chat). 
PA tricolor (Tri-coloured Chat). 
‘i aurifrons (Orange-fronted Chat). 
45 crocea (Yellow-breasted Chat). 


Family Sylviide: 308. 
Acroeephalus gouldi (Long-billed Reed-Warbler). 
5 australis (Reed-Warbler). 
Cisticola exilis (Grass-Warbler). 
Megalurus gramineus (Grass-bird). 
5 galactotes (Tawny Grass-bird). 
9 striatus (Striated Grass-bird). 
Eremiornis carteri (Carter’s Desert-bird). 
Origma rubricata (Rock-Warbler). 
Chthonicola sagittata (Little Field Lark). 
Aecanthiza nana (Little Tit). 
6 inornata (Plain-coloured Tit). 
rr pusilla (Brown Tit). 
5s squamata (Scaly-breasted Tit). 


if zietzi (Dusky Tit). 
i magnirostris (Large-billed Tit). 
y diemenensis (Brown-rumped Tit). 


9 apicalis (Broad-tailed Tit). 

$7 robustirostris (Thick-billed Tit). 
s pyrrhopygia (Red-rumped Tit). 
5 lineata (Sriated Tit). 


a mastersi (Masters’ Tit). 

:; whitlocki (Whitlock’s Tit). 

a mathewsi (Mathews’ Tit). 

5 uropygialis (Chestnut-rumped Tit). 
5 chrysorrhoa (Yellow-rumped Tit). 
5 reguloides (Buff-rumped Tit). 

3 flaviventris (Plain-fronted Tit). 

- australis (South Australian Tit). 


2-H 


482 


THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Family Sylviide—continued 
Acanthiza leighi (Leigh’s Tit). 


” 


pallida (Pallid Tit). 

ewingi (Ewing’s Tit). 
tenuirostris (Small-billed Tit). 
modesta (Modest Tit). 
katherina (Katherine Tit). 


Sericornis brunnea (Red-Throat). 


barbara (Yellow-throated Scrub-Wren). 
magnirostris (Large-billed Scrub-Wren). 
levigastra (Buff-breasted Serub-Wren). 
maculata (Spotted Serub-Wren). 
magna (Scrub Tit). 

balstoni (Bernier Island Serub-Wren). 
frontalis (White-browed Scrub-Wren). 
humilis (Brown Serub-Wren). 

minimus (Little Scrub-Wren). 


Oreoscopus gutturalis (Collared Serub-Wren). 
Malurus evanochlamys (Blue Wren). 


dulcis (Lavender-flanked Blue Wren). 
gouldi (Gould’s Blue Wren). 
elizabethe (Dark Blue Wren). 
melanonotus (Black-backed Wren). 
callainus (Turquoise Wren). 
splendens (Banded Wren). 
leucopterus (White-winged Wren). 
leuconotus (White-backed Wren). - 
eleguns (Graceful Blue Wren). 
lamberti (Variegated Blue Wren). 
assimilis (Purple-backed Blue Wren). 
bernieri (Bernier Island Blue Wren). 
amabilis (Lovely Wren). 
pulcherrimus (Blue-breasted Wren). 
coronatus (Purple-crowned Wren). 
melanocephalus (Orange-backed Wren). 
cruentatus (Red-backed Wren). 
edouardi (Black and White Wren). 


Stipiturus malachurus (Emu Wren). 


” 


” 


ruficeps (Rufous-crowned Emu Wren). 
mallee (Mallee Emu Wren). 


Sphenura brachyptera (Bristle-bird). 


” 


Fd 


Ls 


longirostris (Long-billed Bristle-bird). 
broadbenti (Rufous Bristle-bird). 
littoralis (Lesser Rufous Bristle-bird). 


Amytornis textilis (Grass-Wren). 


macrurus (Large-tailed Grass-Wren). 
modestus (Modest Grass-Wren). 


SYSTEMATIC TABLE OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS 


Family Sylviide—continued 
Amytornis striatus (Striated Grass-Wren). 


goyderi (Goyder Grass-Wren). 
megalurus (Western Grass-Wren). 
housei (Black Grass-Wren). 
woodwardi (Woodward’s Grass-Wren). 
varia (Marloch Grass-Wren). 


Family Artamide: 333. 


Artamus leucogaster (White-rumped Wood-Swallow). 


superciliosus (White-browed Wood-Swallow). 
personatus (Masked Wood-Swallow). 
cinereus (Grey-breasted Wood-Swallow). 
hypoleucus (White-bellied Wood-Swallow). 
melanops (Black-faced Wood-Swallow). 
venustus (White-vented Wood-Swallow). 
tenebrosus (Wood-Swallow). 

minor (Little Wood-Swallow). 


Family Prionopide: 336. 


Collyriocichla harmonica (Grey Shrike-Thrush). 


” 


rectirostris (Whistling Shrike-Thrush). 
brunnea (Brown Shrike-Thrush). 
rufiventris (Buff-bellied Shrike-Thrush). 
woodwardi (Woodward’s Shrike-Thrush). 
superciliosa (White-browed Shrike-Thrush). 


cerviniventris (Fawn-breasted Shrike-Thrush). 


Pinarolestes parvulus (Little Shrike-Thrush). 


” 


Ag 


rufiventris (Rusty-breasted Shrike-Thrush). 
boweri (Bower’s Shrike-Thrush). 


Grallina picata (Magpie Lark). 


Family Laniide: 341. 
Gymnorhina tibicen (Black-backed Magpie). 


longirostris (Long-billed Magpie). 
dorsalis (Varied-backed Magpie). 
leuconota (White-backed Magpie). 
hyperleuca (Lesser White-backed Magpie). 


Cracticus spaldingi (Spalding’s Butcher-bird). 


rufescens (Black Butcher-bird). 
nigrigularis (Black-throated Butcher-bird). 
picatus (Pied Butcher-bird). 

leucopterus (White-winged Butcher-bird). 
argenteus (Silver-backed Butcher-bird). 
destructor (Butcher-bird). 

cinereus (Grey Butcher-bird). 


2-H 2 


483 


484 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Family Lantide—continued 

Faleunculus frontatus (Yellow-bellied Shrike-Tit). . 
leucogaster (White-bellied Shrike-Tit). 

3 whitei (Yellow Shrike-Tit). 

Oreoica cristata (Bell-bird). 
Pachycephala melanura (Black-tailed Thickhead). 
pectoralis (White-throated Thickhead). 
occidentalis (Western Thickhead). 
glaucura (Grey-tailed Thickhead). 
falcata (Northern Thickhead). 
pallida (Pale-breasted Thickhead). 
rufiventris (Rufous-breasted Thickhead). 
gilberti (Red-throated Thickhead). 
‘3 olivacea (Olive Thickhead). 
simplex (Brown Thickhead). 
lanioides (White-bellied Thickhead). 
fretorum (Torres Strait Thickhead). 

Less Known—P. robusta, P. queenslandica, P. peninsula, 

P. meridionalis, P. spinicauda, P. mestoni. 

Eopsaltria australis (Yellow-breasted Shrike-Robin). 


” 


wi chrysorrhoa (Yellow-rumped Shrike-Robin). 
lossy gularis (White-breasted Shrike-Robin). 

a georgiana (Grey-breasted Shrike-Robin). 

‘3 maguirostris (Large-billed Shrike-Robin). 

53 inornata (Plain-coloured Shrike-Robin). 

35 jacksoni (Jackson’s Shrike-Robin). 


35 hilli (Hill Shrike-Robin). 


Family Paride: 356. 
Aphelocephala leucopsis (White-face). 


9 pectoralis (Chestnut-breasted White-face). 
Pe nigricincta (Black-banded White-face). 
3 eastaneiventris (Chestnut-bellied White-face). 


Sphenostoma cristatum (Wedge-bill). 


Family Sittide: 358. 
Neositta chrysoptera (Orange-winged Tree-runner). 


- leucocephala (White-headed Tree-runner). 
sy albata (Pied Tree-runner). 

es pileata (Black-capped Tree-runner). 

i tenuirostris (Slender-billed Tree-runner). 
5 leucoptera (White-winged Tree-runner). 

s striata (Striated, Tree-runner). 


Family Certhiide: 361. 
Climacteris melanura (Black-tailed Tree-creeper). 


SYSTEMATIC TABLE OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS 485 


Family Certhiide—continued 
Climacteris wellsi (Chestnut-bellied Tree-creeper). 


melanonota (Black-backed Tree-creeper). 
rufa (Rufous Tree-creeper). 

picumna (White-throated Tree-creeper). 
scandens (Brown Tree-creeper). 
erythrops (Red-browed Tree-creeper). 
superciliaris (White-browed Tree-creeper). 
minor (Lesser Brown Tree-creeper). 


Family Zosteropide: 364. 


Zosterops exrulescens (White-eye). 


vegeta (Yellow-vented White-eye). 
halmaturina (Kangaroo Island White-eye). 
gouldi (Green-backed White-eye). 
albiventris (Pale-bellied White-eye). 
shortridgei (Rabbit Island White-eye). 
lutea (Yellow White-eye). 

balstoni (Balston’s White-eye). 

gulliveri (Gulliver’s White-eye). 


Family Diceide: 365. 
Diceum hirundinaceum (Mistletoe-bird). 
Pardalotus ornatus (Red-tipped Pardalote). 


assimilis (Orange-tipped Pardalote). 
affinis (Yellow-tipped Pardalote). 
punctatus (Spotted Pardalote). 
xanthopygius (Yellow-rumped Pardalote). 
rubricatus (Red-browed Pardalote). 
melanocephalus (Black-headed Pardalote). 
uropygialis (Chestnut-rumped Pardalote). 
quadragintus (Forty-spotted Pardalote). 


Family Nectariniide: 368. 
Cyrtostomus frenatus (Sun-bird). 


Family Meliphagide: 369. 
Melithreptus atricapillus (White-naped Honey-eater). 


chloropsis (Western White-naped Honey-eater). 
whitlocki (Whitlock’s Honey-eater). 
albigularis (White-throated Honey-eater). 
gularis (Black-chinned Honey-eater). 
validirostris (Strong-billed Honey-eater). 
letior (Golden-backed Honey-eater). 
carpenterianus 

brevirostris (Brown-headed Honey-eater). 
magnirostris. 


486 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Family Meliphagide—continued 
Melithreptus leucogenys. 

5 affinis (Black-headed Honey-eater). 

8 vinotinctus (Grey Honey-eater). 

‘3 alisteri (King Island Honey-eater). 
Plectrohamphus lanceolatus (Striped Honey-eater). 
Myzomela sanguinolenta (Sanguineous Honey-eater). 

a erythrocephala (Red-headed Honey-eater). 
nigra (Black Honey-eater). 
- pectoralis (Banded Honey-eater). 


- obscura (Dusky Honey-eater). 
a grisescens. 
Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris (Spine-bill). 
5 dubius (Tasmanian Spine-bill). 
% halmaturinus (Kangaroo Island Spine-bill). 
# superciliosus (White-browed Spine-bill). 


Glyeyphila melanops (Tawny-crowned Honey-eater). 

5 albifrons (White-fronted Honey-eater). 

x fasciata (White-breasted Honey-eater). 

modesta (Brown-backed Honey-eater). 
Batomophita picta (Painted Honey-eater). 
Lacustroica whitei (White’s Honey-eater). 
Conopophila rufigularis (Red-throated Honey-eater). 
ss albigularis (Rufous-breasted Honey-eater). 
Certhionyx variegatus (Pied Honey-eater). 

i occidentalis (Western Pied Honey-eater). 
Meliphaga phrygia (Warty-faced Honey-eater). 
Stigmatops ocularis (Brown Honey-eater). 

ss albiauricularis (Broadbent Honey-eater). 
Ptilotis analoga (Yellow-spotted Honey-eater). 

» gracilis (Little Yellow-spotted Honey-eater). 


3 fusca (Fuscous Honey-eater). 

% chrusotis (Yellow-eared Honey-eater). 
55 macleayana (Macleay Honey-eater). 
55 sonora (Singing Honey-eater). 


rf forresti (Forrest’s Honey-eater). 

5 versicolor (Varied Honey-eater). 

#3 chrysops (YeHow-faced Honey-eater). 

i flavicollis (Yellow-throated Honey-eater). 


p fascicularis (Fasciated Honey-eater). 

9 leucotis (White-eared Honey-eater). 

‘5 nove-norcia (New Norcia Honey-eater). 

5 cockerelli (Cockerell Honey-eater). 

4 melanops (auricomis) (Yellow-tufted Honey-eater). 
5 cassidix (Helmeted Honey-eater). 


ss eratitia (Wattle-cheeked Honey-eater). 
5 occidentalis (Western Wattle-cheeked Honey-eater). 


SYSTEMATIC TABLE OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS 487 


Family Meliphagide—continued 
Ptilotis keartlandi (Keartland Honcy-eater). 


53 ornata (Ornate Honey-eater). 

5 plumula (Yellow-plumed Honey-eater). 
i flavescens (Yellow-tinted Honey-eater). 
FA germana (York Honey-eater). 

‘4 flava (Yellow Honey-eater). 

rs penicillata (White-plumed Honey-eater). 
3 earteri (Carter Honey-eater). 


is leilavalensis (Pallid Honey-eater). 
i frenata (Bridled Honey-eater). 
unicolor (White-gaped Honey-eater). 
Recathotia filigera (Streak-naped Honey-eater). 
Meliornis pyrrhoptera (Crescent Honey-eater). 


Ae halmaturina (Kangaroo Island Crescent Honey- 
eater). 

3 nove-hollandiz (White-bearded Honey-eater). 

‘y diemenensis (Tasmanian White-bearded Honey- 
eater). 


a longirostris (Long-billed Honey- eater). 

i sericea (White-cheeked Honey-eater). 

es mystacalis (Moustached Honey-eater). 
Manorhina melanophrys (Bell Minah). 
Myzantha garrula (Noisy Minah). 


4 obscura (Dusky Minah). 
rr flavigula (Yellow-throated Minah). 
ef lutea (Yellow Minah). 
Acanthochera carunculata (Red Wattle-bird). 
4 paradoxa (Yellow Wattle-bird). 


Anellobia chrysoptera (Brush Wattle-bird). 
r Tunulata (Little Wattle-bird). 
Acanthogenys rufigularis (Spiny-cheeked Honey-eater). 
Entomyza cyanotis (Blue-faced Honey-eater). 
harterti (Hartert’s Honey-eater). 


” 


5 albipennis (White-quilled Honey-eater). 
Tropidorhynchus corniculatus (Friar-bird). 
" argenticeps (Silvery-crowned Friar-bird). 
a buceroides (Helmeted Friar-bird). 


Philemon citreogularis (Yellow-throated Friar-bird). 
i sordidus (Little Friar-bird). 


Family Motacillide: 398. 
Motacilla barnardi (Barnard’s Wagtail). 
Anthus australis (Australian Pipit). 


Family Alaudide: 399. 
Mirafra horsfieldi (Bush Lark). 


488 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 


Family Alaudide—continued 
Mirafra secunda (Lesser Bush Lark). 
9 milligani (Milligan’s Bush Lark). 
‘3 rufescens (Rufescent Bush Lark). 


Family Ploceide: 401. 


Stagonopleura guttata (Spotted-sided Finch). 
Zoneginthus bellus (Fire-tailed Finch). 
5 ' oculatus (Red-eared Finch). 
Emblema picta (Painted Fish). 
Teniopygia castanotis (Chestnut-eared Finch). 
Stictoptera bichenovii (Banded Finch). 
a5 annulosa (Black-ringed Finch). 
Munia castaneithorax (Chestnut-breasted Finch). 
5 xanthoprymna (Yellow-rumped Finch). 
" pectoralis (White-breasted Finch). 
Aidemosyne modesta (Plum-headed Finch). 
ABgintha temporalis (Red-browed Finch). 


is minor (Lesser Red-browed Finch). 
Bathilda ruficauda (Red-faced Finch). 
3 clarescens. 


Poephila aeuticauda (Long-tailed Finch). 
3 cineta (Black-throated Finch). 
+5 personata (Masked Finch). 
% leucotis (White-eared Finch). 
ee gouldiz (Gouldian Finch). 
ts hecki (Orange-billed Finch). 
5 nigrotecta (Black-rumped Finch). 
3 neglecta. 
Neochmia phaeton (Crimson Finch). 


Family Oriolide: 408. 
Oriolus flavicinctus (Yellow Oriole). 
3 sagittarius (Oriole). 
5 affinis (Northern Oriole). 
Sphecotheres maxillaris (Fig-bird). 
55 flaviventris (Yellow-bellied Fig-bird). 
3 stalkeri (Stalker’s Fig-bird). 


Family Dicruride: 410. 
Chibia bracteata (Drongo). 


Family Eulabetide: 411. 
Calornis metallica (Shining Starling). 


Family Ptilonorhynchide: 412. 
Ptilonorhynchus violaceus (Satin Bower-bird). 


SYSTEMATIC TABLE OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS 489 


Family Ptilonorhyncidea—continued— 

Scenopetes dentirostris (Tooth-billed Bower-bird). 

AHluredus viridis (Cat-bird). 

= maculosus (Spotted Cat-bird). 

Chlamydodera maculata (Spotted Bower-bird). 
guttata (Yellow-spotted Bower-bird). 
nuchalis (Great Bower-bird). 
orientalis (Queensland Bower-bird). 

= cerviniventris (Fawn-breasted Bower-bird). 

Sericulus chrysocephalus (Regent-bird). 
Prionodura newtoniana (Golden Bower-bird). 


Family Paradiseide: 424. 
Ptilorhis paradisea (Rifle-bird). 
i victoria (Victoria Rifle-bird). 
Craspedophora alberti (Albert Rifle-bird). 
Phonygama gouldi (Manucode). 


Family Corvide: 428. 

Corvus coronoides (Crow). 

,  bennetti (Small-billed Crow). 

Corone australis (Raven). 

Strepera graculina (Pied Crow-Shrike). 
arguta (Hill Crow-Shrike). 
melanoptera (Black-winged Crow-Shrike). 
fuliginosa (Black Crow-Shrike). 
versicolor (Grey Crow-Shrike). 
plumbea (Leaden Crow-Shrike). 
fusca (Brown Crow-Shrike). 
Sionthiden cinerea (Grey Jumper). 
Coreorax melanorhamphus (White-winged Chough). 


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