Chapter VIII: Part I: p. 19. 2nd edit. p. 41 (3)

One species only of this form inhabits Australia; others are found in the Indian Islands and on the continent of India.

345. Eudynamys Flindersii Vol. IV. Pl. 91.

Genus CENTROPUS, _Ill._

On reference to my account of the _Centropus Phasianus_, it will be seen I have stated that some variation exists in the form of the bill in specimens from different localities, intimated a belief of there being more than one species, and remarked that should such prove to be the case, the term _macrourus_ might be applied to the Port Essington birds, and _melanurus_ to those from the north-west coast; and these names are provisionally given until future research has proved whether they be or be not distinct.

346. Centropus Phasianus Vol. IV. Pl. 92. 347. Centropus macrourus, _Gould_. 348. Centropus melanurus, _Gould_.

Family CERTHIADÆ, _Vig._

Genus CLIMACTERIS, _Temm._

Several species of this well-defined and singular group of Australian birds have lately been discovered; two out of the six now known are all that had been described prior to the publication of the present work. With the exception of Van Diemen’s Land and the Cobourg Peninsula, every colony is inhabited by one or other of the following species:—

349. Climacteris scandens, _Temm._ Vol. IV. Pl. 93. 350. Climacteris rufa, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 94. 351. Climacteris erythrops, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 95. 352. Climacteris melanotus, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 96. 353. Climacteris melanura, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 97. 354. Climacteris picumnus, _Temm._ Vol. IV. Pl. 98.

_Certhia leucophæa_, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. iv. p. 182.

Genus ORTHONYX, _Temm._

Much difference of opinion has arisen among ornithologists respecting the situation of this bird in the natural system, and as to what genus it is most nearly allied; I regret to say that not having seen much of it in its native wilds, I am unable to clear up these disputed points. The form is strictly Australian, and the single species known is confined to the south-eastern part of the country.

355. Orthonyx spinicaudus, _Temm._ Vol. IV. Pl. 99.

M. Jules Verreaux, who has written a highly interesting account of this bird, states that it is strictly terrestrial, and scratches among the detritus and fallen leaves for its food, throwing back the earth like the _Gallinaceæ_. It never climbs, as was formerly supposed, but runs over fallen trunks of trees;—is rather solitary in its habits, seldom more than two being seen together. Its often-repeated cry of _cri-cri-cri-crite_ betrays its presence, when its native haunts, the most retired parts of the forest, are visited. Its chief food consists of insects, their larvæ, and woodbugs. It builds a large domed nest, of slender mosses; the entrance being by a lateral hole near the bottom. The eggs are white and disproportionately large. The situation of the nest is the side of a slanting rock or large stone, the entrance-hole being level with the surface.—_Revue Zoologique_, July 1847.

Genus PTILORIS, _Swains._

In placing this beautiful bird near the _Climacteres_, I am influenced in the first place by the great similarity of its structure, and in the next by the account I have received of its actions in a state of nature; I allude more particularly to its mode of ascending the trees, which precisely resembles that of the _Certhiæ_. One species only of this form is found in Australia, but many allied genera, _Promerops_, &c., inhabit New Guinea and the neighbouring islands.

356. Ptiloris paradiseus, _Swains._ Vol. IV. Pl. 100.

That the range of this species extends from the eastern parts of Australia to within the tropics, is proved by Mr. Gilbert’s having once seen it near the Gulf of Carpentaria during his last Expedition.

Genus SITTELLA, _Swains._

The _Sittella chrysoptera_ was the only species of this Australian form known to previous writers; to this has been added one from Southern and Western Australia, another from Moreton Bay, and a third from the north coast.

The form does not exist in Van Diemen’s Land.

357. Sittella chrysoptera Vol. IV. Pl. 101. 358. Sittella leucocephala, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 102. 359. Sittella leucoptera, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 103. 360. Sittella pileata, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 104.

Family PSITTACIDÆ, _Leach_.

No one group of birds gives to Australia so tropical and foreign an air as the numerous species of this great family, by which it is tenanted, each and all of which are individually very abundant. Immense flocks of white Cockatoos may be seen perched among the green foliage of the _Eucalypti_; the brilliant scarlet breasts of the Rose-hills blaze forth from the yellow-flowering _Acaciæ_; the _Trichoglossi_ or Honey-eating Parrakeets enliven the flowering branches of the larger _Eucalypti_ with their beauty and their lively actions; the little Grass Parrakeets frequent the plains of the interior and render these solitary spots a world of animation; nay, the very towns, particularly Hobart Town and Adelaide, are constantly visited by flights of this beautiful tribe of birds, which traverse the streets with arrow-like swiftness, and chase each other precisely after the manner the Swifts are seen to do in our own islands. In the public roads of Van Diemen’s Land the beautiful _Platycerci_ may be constantly seen in small companies, performing precisely the same offices as the Sparrow in England. I have also seen flocks of from fifty to a hundred, like tame pigeons, at the barn-doors in the farm-yards of the settlers, to which they descend for the refuse grain thrown out with the straw by the threshers. As might naturally be expected, the agriculturist is often sadly annoyed by the destruction certain species effect among his newly-sown and ripening corn, particularly where the land has been recently cleared and is adjacent to the brushes. Fifty-five well-defined species of this great family are described and figured in the present work. They appear to constitute four great groups, each comprising several genera, nearly the whole of which are strictly and peculiarly Australian; for instance, neither _Calyptorhynchus_, _Platycercus_, _Euphema_, _Psephotus_, _Melopsittacus_, or _Nymphicus_ have been found in any other country; and whether we consider the elegance of their forms or the beauty of their plumage, they may vie with the members of this extensive family from any part of the world.

Genus CACATUA, _Briss._

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

361. Cacatua galerita Vol. V. Pl. 1.

There are evidently several varieties or races of this species in Australia, each possessing a modification in the form of the bill doubtless given for some specific purpose; the Van Diemen’s Land bird is the largest, and has the upper mandible attenuated, while the Port Essington bird is altogether smaller, and has a much more arched bill.

362. Cacatua Leadbeaterii Vol. V. Pl. 2.

This species ranges over all the southern portions of Australia between the 20th and 30th degrees of S. latitude. I have never seen a specimen from the north, and I believe it does not inhabit that part of the country; its true habitat appears to be the interior, for it is never found near the coast.

363. Cacatua sanguinea, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 3.

This species has been found on the north coast, and was observed by Captain Sturt at the Depôt in Central Australia; we may hence infer that its range extends over all the intermediate country.

364. Cacatua Eos Vol. V. Pl. 4.

This fine bird, which is strictly Australian, is distributed over all parts of the interior of the country, and is as abundant in the north as it is in the south; it was also observed by Captain Sturt at the Depôt.

The specimens from the north are of a larger size and have the orbits more denuded than those from the south.

Genus LICMETIS, _Wagl._

The two species forming the genus _Licmetis_ are not only confined to Australia, but, so far as we yet know, to the southern portions of that continent; one inhabits the western and the other the eastern part of the country. Their singularly formed bill being admirably adapted for procuring their food on the ground, they are more terrestrial in their habits than the other members of the family.

365. Licmetis nasicus Vol. V. Pl. 5. 366. Licmetis pastinator, _Gould_.

_Licmetis pastinator_, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part VIII. p.
175.

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

Inhabits Western Australia.

Differs from _L. nasicus_ in being of a much larger size; but the colouring being similar, I have not thought it necessary to figure it.

Genus NESTOR, _Wagl._

Of this genus two species are known, one of which was exclusively confined to Phillip Island, and the other inhabits New Zealand; they are evidently the remains of a race, all the other members of which are probably extinct.

367. Nestor productus, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 6.

The few examples of this species that may exist in captivity are all that survive, none remaining on Phillip Island, their native habitat.

Genus CALYPTORHYNCHUS, _Vig. & Horsf._

The _Calyptorhynchi_ are strictly arboreal, and are evidently formed to live upon the seeds of the _Banksiæ_, _Eucalypti_, and other trees peculiar to the country they inhabit; they diversify their food by occasionally devouring large caterpillars; as they mostly move about in small companies of from four to six in number they can scarcely be considered gregarious. Their flight is rather powerful, but at the same time laboured and heavy; and their voice is a low crying call, totally different from the harsh screaming notes of the _Cacatuæ_. Each division of the country, from the north coast of the continent to Van Diemen’s Land, is inhabited by its own peculiar species.

I have never seen a member of this genus from any other country than Australia, but I have heard that an extraordinary Parrot, said to be larger than any at present in our collections, inhabits New Guinea, and which, from the description given of it, will probably be of this form. The _Calyptorhynchi_ lay from two to four eggs in the holes of trees.

368. Calyptorhynchus Banksii Vol. V. Pl. 7. 369. Calyptorhynchus macrorhynchus, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 8.

Inhabits the north coast, where it represents the _C. Banksii_ of the eastern and the _C. naso_ of the western coasts.

370. Calyptorhynchus naso, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 9.

This species, which is confined to Western Australia, is rendered conspicuous by the small size of its crest, and by its bill being nearly as large as that of _C. macrorhynchus_, while its wings are much shorter than those of that species.

371. Calyptorhynchus Leachii Vol. V. Pl. 10.

_Banksianus Australis_, Less. Traité d’Orn. p. 180, Atlas, pl. 18,
fig. 2, fem.

Inhabits the south-eastern parts of the continent, and differs from all the others in its smaller size, the gibbose form of its bill, and in the paucity of its crest.

372. Calyptorhynchus funereus Vol. V. Pl. 11.

Confined, I believe, to New South Wales, and South Australia?

373. Calyptorhynchus xanthonotus, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 12.

The true habitat of this species is Van Diemen’s Land, but I have lately received a specimen from Port Lincoln, which proves that its range extends to South Australia. It is distinguished from _C. funereus_ by its much smaller size, and by the uniformity of the yellow colouring of the tail.

374. Calyptorhynchus Baudinii, _Vig._ Vol. V. Pl. 13.

Inhabits Western Australia, and is distinguished by its small size and by the white marks on the tail.

Genus CALLOCEPHALON, _Less._

Of this form only a single species is known.

375. Callocephalon galeatum Vol. V. Pl. 14.

Inhabits the southern coast of Australia and Van Diemen’s Land.

Genus POLYTELIS, _Wagl._

This genus comprises two species, both of which are peculiar to the southern portions of Australia. They have many characters common to, and resemble in appearance, the _Palæorni_ of India.

376. Polytelis Barrabandi Vol. V. Pl. 15. 377. Polytelis melanura Vol. V. Pl. 16.

Genus APROSMICTUS, _Gould_.

Generic characters.

As in _Platycercus_, but the _bill_ more feeble; _cere_ and _nostrils_ covered with fine hair-like feathers; _wings_ longer and less concave; _tail_ more square; _tarsi_ shorter and _toes_ longer than in that genus.

Two, if not three species of this form inhabit Australia, and others are found in New Guinea and the neighbouring islands. They are distinguished from the _Platycerci_ by the possession of a well-developed _os furcatorium_, a bone which is entirely wanting in the members of that genus; in their habits they are mainly arboreal, and in their disposition are morose and sullen.

378. Aprosmictus scapulatus Vol. V. Pl. 17.

This species appears to be confined to New South Wales.

379. Aprosmictus erythropterus Vol. V. Pl. 18.

The red-winged Parrakeets from the north coast are nearly a fourth smaller than those inhabiting the Liverpool plains and similar districts of the south coast; are they varieties of each other or distinct species?

Genus PLATYCERCUS, _Vig._

In my opinion the New Zealand birds that have been placed in this genus are not true _Platycerci_, all the known species of which are confined to Australia; they comprise fourteen species which appear to be naturally divisible into minor groups, to which generic appellations may hereafter be given; for instance the _P. semitorquatus_, _P. Baueri_, _P. Barnardi_, &c. form one; the _P. Adelaidiæ_, _P. Pennantii_, _P. flaveolus_, _P. flaviventris_, &c. form another; _P. eximius_, _P. splendidus_, _P. icterotis_, &c. form a third; and _P. pileatus_ a fourth.

The members of this and the two next genera lay from seven to ten eggs in the holes of trees.

380. Platycercus semitorquatus Vol. V. Pl. 19. 381. Platycercus Baueri Vol. V. Pl. 20. 382. Platycercus Barnardii, _Vig. & Horsf._ Vol. V. Pl. 21. 383. Platycercus Adelaidiæ, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 22. 384. Platycercus Pennantii Vol. V. Pl. 23. 385. Platycercus flaviventris Vol. V. Pl. 24. 386. Platycercus flaveolus, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 25 387. Platycercus palliceps, _Vig._ Vol. V. Pl. 26. 388. Platycercus eximius Vol. V. Pl. 27. 389. Platycercus splendidus, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 28. 390. Platycercus icterotis Vol. V. Pl. 29. 391. Platycercus ignitus, _Leadb._ Vol. V. Pl. 30. 392. Platycercus Brownii Vol. V. Pl. 31. 393. Platycercus pileatus, _Vig._ Vol. V. Pl. 32.

Genus PSEPHOTUS, _Gould_.

Generic characters.

As in _Euphema_, but the _cere_, in which the nostrils are placed, more swollen or developed; _wings_ rather short and the _tail_ much lengthened; the lateral feathers short and not so regularly graduated; _feet_ more adapted for terrestrial progression.

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

I have figured four species, and I have seen a drawing in the possession of Mr. Brown, made by Ferdinand Bauer from a bird said to have been found near the Gulf of Carpentaria, which will probably form a fifth.

394. Psephotus hæmatogaster, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 33.

This species differs from all the other members of the genus, as well as from those of the allied genera, in the pointed form of the tips of its primaries.

If they be not local varieties of each other, there are two birds confounded under this name, one having yellow and the other scarlet under tail-coverts; it will be necessary, however, to see other examples before we can decide whether they are or are not distinct. Captain Sturt brought specimens with yellow under tail-coverts from the Depôt in the interior of South Australia.

395. Psephotus pulcherrimus, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 34. 396. Psephotus multicolor Vol. V. Pl. 35. 397. Psephotus hæmatonotus, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 36.

Genus EUPHEMA, _Wagl._

The members of this genus are exclusively Australian and appear to be confined to the extra-tropical parts of the country, no species having yet been seen from the north coast. Our knowledge of this group has been extended from three to seven species, all of which are abundantly distributed over the southern portions of the continent, and two of them over Van Diemen’s Land.

398. Euphema chrysostoma Vol. V. Pl. 37. 399. Euphema elegans, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 38. 400. Euphema aurantia, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 39. 401. Euphema petrophila, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 40. 402. Euphema pulchella Vol. V. Pl. 41. 403. Euphema splendida, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 42.

Captain Sturt procured a single male example of this beautiful bird during his journey into the interior of South Australia.

404. Euphema Bourkii Vol. V. Pl. 43.

Captain Sturt found this species in abundance at the Depôt in Central Australia.

Genus MELOPSITTACUS, _Gould_.

Generic characters.

_Bill_ moderate; _culmen_ arched; _tomia_ descending at the base, then ascending and curving downwards to the tip; _nostrils_ basal, lateral, open, and seated in a broad swollen cere; _wings_ rather long, pointed, first primary very long, the second the longest; _tail_ long and much graduated; _tarsi_ moderate and covered with minute scales; _toes_ slender, the outer toe much longer than the inner one.

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

405. Melopsittacus undulatus Vol. V. Pl. 44.

In all probability this bird is universally dispersed over the whole of the interior of Australia, since independently of its previously known range from Swan River on the west to New South Wales on the east, Mr. Gilbert observed it in every part of the country between Moreton Bay and the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Genus NYMPHICUS, _Wagl._

As of _Melopsittacus_, there is only one species known of this genus. It is strictly Australian, and will doubtless hereafter be found to be universally distributed over that vast country; it is equally adapted for the plains, and the two birds are frequently found associated.

406. Nymphicus Novæ-Hollandiæ Vol. V. Pl. 45.

There are two distinct varieties of this species, one having a much darker colouring than the other.

Genus PEZOPORUS, _Ill._

Of this terrestrial form but one species is known, which is very generally distributed over the temperate portions of Australia, the islands in Bass’s Straits and Van Diemen’s Land. The eggs are laid on the bare ground.

407. Pezoporus formosus Vol. V. Pl. 46.

Genus LATHAMUS, _Less._

Of this form only a single species is known to exist in Australia, and that species had been assigned to a different genus by almost every recent writer on ornithology, Messrs. Vigors and Horsfield placing it in their genus _Nanodes_, Wagler in his genus _Euphema_, &c.; subsequently M. Lesson made it the type of his genus _Lathamus_, giving it at the same time the specific appellation of _rubrifrons_, which must of course give place to that of _discolor_, long before applied to it by Latham.

Having had ample opportunities of observing this bird in a state of nature, I concur in the propriety of M. Lesson’s views in separating it into a distinct genus; at the same time I must remark that in its habits, nidification, food and whole economy, it is most closely allied to the _Trichoglossi_ or honey-eating Parrakeets, and in no degree related to the _Euphemæ_.

408. Lathamus discolor Vol. V. Pl. 47.

Genus TRICHOGLOSSUS, _Vig. & Horsf._

The arboreal group of _Trichoglossi_ or honey-eating Lorikeets, if not so numerous in species as the grass-feeding Parrakeets, are individually much more abundant and are more universally dispersed, being found in every part of the country yet visited; several species inhabit New South Wales: only one has yet been found in Western Australia. Other members of the genus are found in New Guinea and the Moluccas, but Australia is the great nursery for the birds of this form.

In their structure, habits and mode of nidification, and in their economy, no two groups of the same family can be more widely different than the _Trichoglossi_ and the _Platycerci_; the pencilled tongue, diminutive stomach, thick skin, tough flesh, and fœtid odour of the former presenting a decided contrast to the simple tongue, capacious crop and stomach, thin skin, delicate flesh and freedom from odour of the latter; besides which the _Trichoglossi_ possess a strong _os furcatorium_, which organ is wanting in the _Platycerci_; hence while the _Trichoglossi_ are powerful, swift and arrow-like in their flight, the _Platycerci_ are feeble, pass through the air in a succession of undulations near the ground, and never fly to any great distance. The mode in which the two groups approach and alight upon and quit the trees is also remarkably different; the _Trichoglossi_ dashing among and alighting upon the branches simultaneously, and with the utmost rapidity, and quitting them in like manner, leaving the deafening sound of their thousand voices echoing through the woods; while the _Platycerci_ rise to the branches after their undulating flight and leave them again in the like quiet manner, no sound being heard but their inward piping note.

The eggs of the _Trichoglossi_ are from two to four in number.

409. Trichoglossus Swainsonii, _Jard. & Selb._ Vol. V. Pl. 48.

410. Trichoglossus rubritorquis, _Vig. & Vol. V. Pl. 49.
Horsf._

“Procured at Port Molle on the north-east coast, previously only
found at Port Essington.”—J. M’Gillivray.

411. Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus. Vol. V. Pl. 50. 412. Trichoglossus versicolor, _Vig._ Vol. V. Pl. 51. 413. Trichoglossus concinnus. Vol. V. Pl. 52. 414. Trichoglossus porphyrocephalus, _Diet._ Vol. V. Pl. 53. 415. Trichoglossus pusillus. Vol. V. Pl. 54.

Order RASORES, _Ill._

Family COLUMBIDÆ, _Leach_.

The members of this important family are distributed over every portion of the globe, in no part of which are they more numerous than in Australia, since that country is inhabited by no less than twenty-one species, which, like its _Psittacidæ_, comprise several well-marked and distinct genera, and appear to be naturally divided into two great groups, the one arboreal, the other terrestrial; the _Ptilinopi_, _Carpophagæ_ and _Lopholaimus_, with their expansive gullets and broad hand-like feet forming part of the former, and the _Phaps_, _Geophaps_ and _Geopeliæ_ the latter. The _Ptilinopi_ and other allied forms are, in consequence of the peculiar character of the vegetation, confined, without a single exception, to the eastern and northern parts of the country.

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

Genus PTILINOPUS, _Swains._

The species of this genus, the most brilliant and highly-coloured of the _Columbidæ_, range over Australia, New Guinea, Malacca, Celebes, and Polynesia; two of the three Australian species are I believe confined to that country.

416. Ptilinopus Swainsonii, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 55. 417. Ptilinopus Ewingii, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 56. 418. Ptilinopus superbus Vol. V. Pl. 57.

_Ptilinopus superbus_, Steph. cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol.
xiv. p. 279.

Genus CARPOPHAGA, _Selby_.

The species of this genus are widely dispersed over Australia, New Guinea, Malacca, Celebes and Polynesia. Strictly arboreal in their habits and feeding entirely upon fruits, berries and seeds, they frequent the towering fig-trees when their fruit is ripe, and the lofty palms for the sake of their large round seeds. I have frequently observed large flocks moving about from one part of the forest to another, consequently they may be considered a gregarious race; their short tarsi and dilated feet are ill-adapted for the ground, and I have never seen them descend from the trees, not even for water.

419. Carpophaga magnifica Vol. V. Pl. 58. 420. Carpophaga leucomela Vol. V. Pl. 59. 421. Carpophaga luctuosa Vol. V. Pl. 60.

Genus LOPHOLAIMUS, _G. R. Gray_.

The single species of this genus is strictly a fruit-eating Pigeon, and is confined, so far as we yet know, to the brushes of New South Wales, where it moves about in large flocks and feeds upon the wild figs and other fruits and berries which the trees of the brushes afford.

422. Lopholaimus Antarcticus Vol. V. Pl. 61.

A noble bird ornamented with a large occipital crest.

Genus CHALCOPHAPS, _Gould_.

Generic characters.

“_Bill_ slender, moderate and straight, the tip vaulted and rather arched; _nostrils_ lateral, membranous and swollen, with the opening in the middle of the bill; _wings_ long, second and third primaries nearly equal and the longest; _tail_ moderate and much rounded; _tarsi_ rather shorter than the middle toe, robust and covered with transverse scales; _toes_ long, the lateral and the hind-toes nearly as long as the outer; _claws_ moderate and curved.”—Gray and Mitchell’s Genera of Birds, Art. GOURINÆ.

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

423. Chalcophaps chrysochlora Vol. V. Pl. 62.

The bird of this form inhabiting the country in the neighbourhood of Port Essington differs from those inhabiting New South Wales in the much greater length of the mandibles, and is altogether a much finer bird: consequently I am induced to believe that it is distinct from its southern prototype; I would therefore provisionally name it—

424. Chalcophaps longirostris.

I have not figured it, inasmuch as the colouring is similar, but more brilliant, and has the bands across the rump more distinct than in _C. chrysochlora_.

Genus LEUCOSARCIA, _Gould_.

Generic characters.

_Bill_ lengthened, almost cylindrical, fleshy for two-thirds of its length from the base; _nostrils_ lateral and covered by an oval swollen operculum; _wings_ very short and concave; _tail_ short; _tarsi_ lengthened and defended in front by large distinct scuta; _toes_ rather short, hind-toe situated high upon the tarsus.

A genus proposed by me for the reception of the Wonga-Wonga Pigeon of the Australian Brushes, a bird having many peculiar habits, but which, being mainly terrestrial, lead it to frequent the ground in the midst of the dense forests, where it moves about in pairs, feeding upon seeds and berries. Its flesh being remarkably white and extremely delicate, it is one of the best birds for the table inhabiting Australia, or indeed any other country.

The colour of the flesh suggested the generic term I have assigned to it.

425. Leucosarcia picata Vol. V. Pl. 63.

Genus PHAPS, _Selby_.

The members of this genus, generally known by the name of Bronze-wings, form an excellent viand for the settlers, and one of the greatest boons bestowed upon the explorer, since they not only furnish him with a supply of nutritious food, but direct him by their straight and arrow-like evening flight to the situations where he may find water, that element without which man cannot exist.

426. Phaps chalcoptera.
Peristera chalcoptera Vol. V. Pl. 64.
427. Phaps elegans.
Peristera elegans Vol. V. Pl. 65.
428. Phaps histrionica.
Peristera histrionica, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 66.

“This beautiful pigeon,” says Captain Sturt, “is an inhabitant of the interior. It lays its eggs in February, depositing them under any low bush in the middle of the open plains. In the end of March and the beginning of April they collect in large flocks and live on the seed of the rice-grass, which the natives also collect for food. During the short period this harvest lasts the flavour of this pigeon is most delicious, but at other times it is indifferent. It flies to water at sunset, but like the Bronze-wing only wets the bill. It is astonishing indeed that so small a quantity as a bare mouthful should be sufficient to quench its thirst in the burning deserts it inhabits. It left us in the beginning of May, and I think migrated to the N.E., for the further we went to the westward the fewer did we see of it.”

Mr. Gilbert observed this species in vast flocks on the plains in latitude 19° S.

Genus GEOPHAPS, _Gould_.

Generic characters.

_Bill_ very short and robust; _eyes_ surrounded with a bare skin; _wings_ very short and rounded; _tertiaries_ long, and broad at their ends; _tarsi_ moderately long; _toes_ shorter than the tarsus, the inner toe rather the longest.

The members of this genus are peculiar to Australia; are more terrestrial in their habits than any other form of pigeons inhabiting that country; incubate on the ground; squat like the partridges when their haunts are intruded upon; inhabit the plains and open downs; have white pectoral muscles; are excellent food for man; run with great rapidity; fly swiftly for short distances; and when disturbed either perch on the larger branches, on which they squat lengthwise, or descend to the ground and run off after the manner of the true _Gallinaceæ_.

429. Geophaps scripta Vol. V. Pl. 67. 430. Geophaps Smithii Vol. V. Pl. 68. 431. Geophaps plumifera, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 69.

“Lat. 17° 30′, March 6. I was fortunate enough to kill for the first time _Geophaps plumifera_, a species hitherto only known from a single specimen sent home by Mr. Bynoe of H.M.S. Beagle. The irides are bright orange, the naked skin before and surrounding the eyes bright crimson; the bill dark greenish grey; the scales of the legs and toes greenish grey; skin between the scales light ashy grey. Its flight and actions on the ground are precisely similar to those of the other species of the genus. I only saw the specimen I killed, but afterwards learned that one of my companions had seen a flock rise precisely like _Geophaps scripta_.”—_Gilbert’s Journal._

“It was on the return of my party from the eastern extremity of Cooper’s Creek,” says Captain Sturt, “that we first saw and procured specimens of this beautiful little bird. Its locality was entirely confined to about thirty miles along the banks of the creek in question; it was generally perched on some rock fully exposed to the sun’s rays, and evidently taking a pleasure in basking in the tremendous heat. It was very wild and took wing on hearing the least noise, but its flight was short and rapid. In the afternoon this little pigeon was seen running in the grass on the creek side, and could hardly be distinguished from a quail. It never perched on the trees; when it dropped after rising from the ground, it could seldom be flushed again, but ran with such speed through the grass as to elude our search.”

Genus OCYPHAPS, _Gould_.

Generic characters.

_Head_ furnished with a lengthened occipital crest; _wings_ rather short, the third primary gradually narrowed to a point; _tail_ rather long and much rounded; _tarsi_ as long as the middle toe; the inner _toe_ shorter than the outer.

A genus consisting of a single species whose natural habitat is the basin of the interior of Australia, over the vast expanse of which its long pointed wings enable it to pass at pleasure from one district to another whenever a scarcity of food prompts it so to do: although mainly terrestrial in its habits, it is more frequently seen on the trees than the members of the genus _Phaps_; its food consists of small seeds and berries.

432. Ocyphaps Lophotes Vol. V. Pl. 70.

Genus PETROPHASSA, _Gould_.

Generic characters.

As in _Ocyphaps_, but with the wings shorter, more rounded and destitute of the bronzy lustre; and with a more rounded tail.

So little is known respecting the single species of this Australian genus that I am unable to say more than that it inhabits rocky situations near the sea-coast.

433. Petrophassa albipennis, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 71.

Genus GEOPELIA, _Swains._

A form of Ground Doves very generally distributed over the Indian Islands and Australia, and of which three or four species are peculiar to the latter country; grassy hills, flats and extensive plains are the situations these birds affect, consequently in Australia they are almost exclusively confined to the interior; they pass over the ground in a quiet and peaceful manner; and when disturbed fly to some neighbouring tree, descend again almost immediately and search about for the minute seeds of annuals and other plants, upon which they principally subsist.

434. Geopelia humeralis Vol. V. Pl. 72. 435. Geopelia tranquilla, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 73. 436. Geopelia placida, _Gould_.

Inhabits the neighbourhood of Port Essington, is much smaller than _G. tranquilla_, but in colour and marking is precisely similar to that species.

437. Geopelia cuneata Vol. V. Pl. 74.

“All that we read or imagine of the softness and innocence of the dove,” says Captain Sturt, “is realized in this beautiful and delicate bird; it is common on the Murray and the Darling, and was met with in various parts of the interior. Two remained with us at the Depôt in latitude 39° 40′, longitude 142°, during a great part of the winter, and on one occasion roosted on the tent-ropes near the fire. Its note is exceedingly plaintive, similar to, but softer than, that of the turtle-dove of Europe.”

Genus MACROPYGIA, _Swains._

A genus the members of which are distributed over India, Java, New Guinea, Ceram, the Moluccas, Australia, &c. Only one species, _M. Phasianella_, has yet been found in the last-mentioned country, but others may be discovered when its eastern and northern parts have been more fully explored.

438. Macropygia Phasianella Vol. V. Pl. 75.

The interior of the dense brushes are the favourite haunts of this bird, but it occasionally resorts to the crowns of the low hills and the open glades of the forest, where it searches for its food on the ground; on being disturbed it flies to the branches of the nearest tree, spreading out its broad tail at the moment of alighting.

Genus DIDUNCULUS, _Peale_.

Since I drew and described this most anomalous form, under the name assigned to it by Sir William Jardine, two important facts have been ascertained respecting it, viz. that it is identical with the bird described by Mr. Titian Peale of America under the name of _Didunculus_, and that the Samoan Islands and not Australia is its true habitat.

Didunculus strigirostris.

439. Gnathodon strigirostris, _Jard._ Vol. V. Pl. 76.

Family MEGAPODIDÆ, _G. R. Gray_.

The genera _Talegalla_, _Leipoa_ and _Megapodius_ form part of a great family of birds inhabiting Australia, New Guinea, Celebes, and the Philippine Islands, whose habits and economy are most singular and differ from those of every other group of birds which now exists upon the surface of our globe. In their structure they are most nearly allied to the _Gallinaceæ_, while in some of their actions and in their mode of flight they much resemble the _Rallidæ_; the small size of their brain, coupled with the extraordinary means employed for the incubation of their eggs, indicates an extremely low degree of organization.

The three species of the family inhabiting Australia, although referable to three distinct genera, have many habits in common, particularly in their mode of nidification—each and all depositing their eggs in mounds of earth and leaves, which, becoming heated either by the fermentation of the vegetable matter, or by the sun’s rays, form a kind of natural hatching-apparatus, from which the young at length emerge fully feathered, and capable of sustaining life by their own unaided efforts.

Genus TALEGALLA, _Less._

440. Talegalla Lathami Vol. V. Pl. 77.

Inhabits all the brushes and scrubby forests of the eastern parts of Australia. Mr. M’Gillivray informs me, in a letter lately received from him, dated on board H.M.S. “Rattlesnake,” February 6th, 1848, “At Port Molle I shot in the brushes both _Megapodius_ and _Talegalla_,” which proves that the range of the latter bird is much greater than I have stated.

Genus LEIPOA, _Gould_.

Generic characters.

_Bill_ nearly as long as the head, slender, swollen at the base; _tomia_ undulating, and curving downwards; _nostrils_ large, oblong, defended by an operculum and placed in the centre of a groove; _head_ sub-crested; _wings_ large, round and concave; the first five primaries equal and longest; tertiaries nearly as long as the primaries; _tail_ round and composed of fourteen feathers; _tarsi_ moderately robust, scutellated in front, posteriorly defended with round scales; _toes_ somewhat short; the lateral toes nearly equal in length.

441. Leipoa ocellata, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 78.

Since I wrote my account of this bird, it has been found to be abundantly dispersed over all parts of the Murray Scrub in South Australia.

The following highly interesting account has been forwarded to me by His Excellency Captain Sir George Grey, being the result of his observations of the bird made while Governor of South Australia:—

“Government House, Adelaide, December 12th, 1842.

“MY DEAR MR. GOULD,

“I have lately returned from the Murray, where I have been studying
the habits and manners of the _Leipoa ocellata_, which is very
plentiful in the sandy districts of the Scrub. The eyes of the living
bird are of a bright, light hazel; its legs and feet dark brown, but
not so dark as shown in your Plate; whilst the bare parts on the head
and face are of a very delicate and clear blue. The gizzard is very
large and muscular; the inner coats peculiarly horny and hard. Its
food consists chiefly of insects, such as _Phasmidæ_ and a species of
_Cimex_; it also feeds on the seeds of various shrubs. The entire
lungs and intestines of the one which I dissected were full of
_Tænioïdes_. I have never seen any other animal infested with them to
anything like the same extent, and yet the bird was perfectly healthy.
It possesses the power of running with extraordinary rapidity; it
roosts at night on trees, and never flies if it can avoid so
doing;—the male bird weighs about four pounds and a half.

“The mounds they construct are from 12 to 13 yards in circumference at
the base, and from 2 to 3 feet in height; the general form being that
of a dome. The sand and grass are sometimes scraped up for a distance
of from 15 to 16 feet from its outer edge.

“The mound appears to be constructed as follows: a nearly circular
hole of about 18 inches in diameter, is scratched in the ground to the
depth of 7 or 8 inches, and filled with dead leaves, dead grass and
similar materials; and a large mass of the same substances is placed
all round it upon the ground. Over this first layer a large mound of
sand, mixed with dried grass, &c., is thrown, and finally the whole
assumes the form of a dome, as I have before stated.

“When an egg is to be deposited, the top is laid open, and a hole
scraped in its centre to within 2 or 3 inches of the bottom of the
layer of dead leaves. The egg is placed in the sand just at the edge
of the hole, in a vertical position, with the smaller end downwards.
The sand is then thrown in again, and the mound left in its original
form. The egg which has been thus deposited is therefore completely
surrounded and enveloped in soft sand, having from 4 to 6 inches of
sand between the lower end of the egg and the layer of dead leaves.
When a second egg is laid it is deposited in precisely the same plane
as the first, but at the opposite side of the hole before alluded to.
When a third egg is laid it is placed in the same plane as the others,
but, as it were, at the third corner of a square. When the fourth egg
is laid, it is still placed in the same plane; but in the fourth
corner of the square, or rather of the lozenge, the figure being of
this form, ⁘; the next four eggs in succession are placed in the
interstices, but always in the same plane, so that at last there is a
circle of eight eggs all standing upright in the sand with several
inches of sand intervening between each. The male bird assists the
female in opening and covering up the mound; and provided the birds
are not themselves disturbed, the female continues to lay in the same
mound, even after it has been several times robbed. The natives say
that the females lay an egg every day.

“Eight is the greatest number I have heard of from good authority as
having been found in one nest; but I opened a mound which had been
previously robbed of several eggs, and found that two had been laid
opposite to each other in the same plane in the usual manner; and a
third deposited in a plane parallel to that in which the other two
were placed, but 4½ inches below them. This circumstance led me to
imagine it was possible that there might be sometimes successive
circles of eggs in different planes.

“I enclose three sketches which will convey to you a complete idea of
the form of the mound, and of the manner in which the eggs are placed
in it. These sketches were drawn by Mr. Knight, from a rude one of
mine, and are very accurate.

No. 1.

This sketch represents a section through the mound after the sand has
been cleared out in
such a manner that the eggs could all be removed, and the bottom of
the nest of leaves be laid
bare. It shows the form of the opening the natives make in the mound
when they rob it of its
eggs; this opening has however been continued below where the eggs are
placed, in order to
show the form of the interior nest.

The pale tint represents that portion which is made of sand; the
darker tint the part which is
made of leaves, &c.
]

No. 2.

This sketch represents a section through the mound in its undisturbed
state; the pale tint
indicates the portion of sand, the darker tint the leaves, &c.
]

No. 3.

This sketch shows a bird’s eye view of the mound as seen from
above; the sand is supposed to have been so far thrown out as to
leave the tops of the eggs exposed, and to show them standing
upright in their relative positions.
]

“One of the mounds of these birds which had been robbed of its eggs on
the 11th November, some of which were quite fresh, had two fresh eggs
laid in it on the 27th of the same month, and the birds were seen at
the nest on the morning of the 28th, apparently for the purpose of
laying, when the male bird was shot.

“Sometimes several of these mounds are constructed close to one
another. I found two within 200 or 300 yards, and have seen five
within the distance of four or five miles. They were built in
precisely the same situations that I have seen them in other parts of
the continent, that is, in a sandy, scrubby country, the site of the
mound being in some little open glade, in the very thickest part of
the scrub.

“The eggs are of a light pink, the colour being brightest and most
uniform when freshly laid. As the time of hatching approaches, they
become discoloured and marked in places with dark spots.

The greatest length of these eggs is about 3‑6/10 inches.
The greatest breadth of these eggs is about 2‑2/10 inches.
Circumference in direction of length 10 inches.
Circumference in direction of breadth 7‑2/10 inches.

“The temperature of the nests I have examined has always been warm;
not so much so, however, as I should have thought necessary for the
purpose of hatching eggs.

“There are two great peculiarities about these eggs; the first is,
that both ends are of nearly the same size; which form is peculiarly
adapted to the position in which they are always placed; the egg being
compressed in every part as nearly as possible towards the axis, in
which the centre of gravity lies, there is the least possible tendency
to its equilibrium being destroyed when it is placed in a vertical
position. A second peculiarity is the extreme thinness of the shell,
and its consequent fragility. This is so great, that unless the egg is
handled with the greatest care, it is sure to be broken, and every
effort which has been made to hatch these eggs under domestic fowls
has failed, the egg having in every instance been broken by the bird
under which it was placed.

“The native name for the bird on the Murray River is _Marrak-ko_ or
_Marra-ko_; in Western Australia the name of the bird is _Ngow-o_ or
_Ngow_. The name in Western Australia is given from the tuft on its
head, _Ngoweer_ meaning a tuft of feathers.

“I have found this bird in different parts of that portion of
Australia included between the 26th and 36th parallels of south
latitude, and the 113th and 141st parallels of east longitude, and I
think that there is every probability that it inhabits a much wider
range. It is found in all the scrubby districts of South Australia.

“Yours truly, G. GREY.”

“December 14th.

“P.S.—I have, by cross examination of several natives, elicited the
following account of this bird, and I am quite satisfied of its truth.

“There is only one male and one female to each nest: they repair an
old nest, and do not build a new one; both assist in scratching the
sand to the nest. The female commences laying about the beginning of
September, or when the spear-grass begins to shoot. Both sexes
approach the nest together when the female is about to lay, and they
take an equal share in the labour of covering and uncovering the
mound. After every sunrise the female lays an egg, and lays altogether
from eight to ten. If the natives rob the nest, the female will lay
again in the same nest, but she will only lay the full number of eggs
twice in one summer. From the commencement of building, until the last
eggs are hatched, four moons elapse (this would give a very long
period of time before the eggs were hatched). The young one scratches
its way out alone; the mother does not assist it. They usually come
out one at a time; occasionally a pair appear together. The mother,
who is feeding in the scrub in the vicinity, hears its call and runs
to it. She then takes care of the young one as a European hen does of
its chick. When the young are all hatched the mother is accompanied by
eight or ten young ones, who remain with her until they are more than
half-grown. The male bird does not accompany them. The two sexes have
different calls: that of the female is constantly uttered while she
walks about in the scrub with her young ones.

“The natives frequently find the eggs and nests, but they seldom see
the old birds, which are very timid and quick-sighted. They run very
fast, like the Emu, roost on trees, and live for a long time without
water, but drink when it rains. The natives state that the _Entozoæ_
which I found in the bird mentioned above were unusual, and that it
must have been in ill health.

“It is a remarkably stout, compact bird, and appears, when alive, to
have as large a body as the female turkey, but it is shorter on the
legs.”

To this valuable account I may add the following, furnished by Mr. Gilbert:—

“Wongan Hills, Western Australia, September 28, 1842.