Chapter IX: Part I: p. 19. 2nd edit. p. 41 (4)

“This morning I had the good fortune to penetrate into the dense
thicket I had been so long anxious to visit in search of the Leipoa’s
eggs, and had not proceeded far before the native who was with me told
me to keep a good look-out, as we were among the _Ngou-oo’s_ hillocks,
and in half an hour after we found one, around which the brush was so
thick that we were almost running over before seeing it; so anxious
was I to see the hidden treasures within that in my haste I threw
aside the black fellow and began scraping off the upper part of the
mound; this did not at all please him, and he became very indignant,
at the same time making me understand, ‘that as I had never seen this
nest before I had better trust to him to get out the eggs, or I
should, in my haste and impatience, certainly break them.’ I therefore
let him have his own way, and he began scraping off the earth very
carefully from the centre, throwing it over the side, so that the
mound very soon presented the appearance of a huge basin; about two
feet in depth of earth was in this way thrown off, when the large ends
of two eggs met my anxious gaze; both these eggs were resting on their
smaller apex, and the earth around them had to be very carefully
removed to avoid breaking the shell, which is extremely fragile when
first exposed to the atmosphere; this mound was about three feet in
height and seven to nine feet in circumference; the form, as left by
the bird, was in outline the segment of a circle. About a hundred
yards from this first nest we came upon a second, rather larger, of
the same external form and appearance; it contained three eggs.
Although we saw seven or eight more mounds, only these two contained
eggs; we were too early; a week later and we should doubtless have
found many more. To give you an idea of the place this bird chooses
for its remarkable mode of rearing its young, I will describe it as
nearly as I can:—The Wongan Hills are about thirteen hundred feet
above the level of the sea, in a north-north-east direction from
Drummond’s house in the Toodyay; their sides are thickly clothed with
a dense forest of _Eucalypti_; and at their base is a thicket,
extending for several miles, of upright-growing and thick, bushy
plants, so high in most parts that we could not see over their tops,
and so dense, that if we separated only for a few yards, we were
obliged to cooey, to prevent our straying from each other; this
thicket is again shadowed by a very curious species of dwarf
_Eucalyptus_ bearing yellow blossoms and growing from fifteen to
thirty feet in height, known to the natives as the spear-wood, and of
which they make their spears, digging sticks, dowaks, &c.; the whole
formation is a fine reddish ironstone gravel, and this the Leipoa
scratches up from several yards around, and thus forms its mound, to
be afterwards converted into a hot-bed for the reproduction of its
offspring. The interior of the mounds is composed of the finer
particles of the gravel mixed with vegetable matter, the fermentation
of which produces a warmth sufficient for the purpose of hatching. Mr.
Drummond, who had been for years accustomed to hot-beds in England,
gave it as his opinion that the heat around the eggs was about 80°. In
both the nests with eggs the White Ant was very numerous, making its
little covered galleries of earth around and attached to the shell,
thus showing a beautiful provision of Nature in preparing the
necessary tender food for the young bird when emerging from the shell;
one of the eggs I have preserved shows the White Ant’s tracks most
beautifully; the largest mound I saw, and which appeared as if in a
state of preparation for eggs, measured forty-five feet in
circumference, and if rounded in proportion on the top would have been
full five feet in height. I remarked in all the nests not ready for
the reception of eggs the inside or vegetable portion was always wet
and cold, and I imagine, from the state of others, that the bird turns
out the whole of the materials to dry before depositing its eggs and
covering them up with the soil; in both cases where I found eggs the
upper part of the mound was perfectly and smoothly rounded over, so
that any one passing it without knowing the singular habit of the bird
might very readily suppose it to be an ant-hill: mounds in this state
always contain eggs within, while those without eggs are not only
_not_ rounded over, but have the centres so scooped out that they form
a hollow. The eggs are deposited in a very different manner from those
of the Megapodius; instead of each being placed in a separate
excavation in different parts of the mound, they are laid directly in
the centre, all at the same depth, separated only by about three
inches of earth, and so placed as to form a circle. I regret we were
so early; had we been a week later, the probability is I should have
found the circle of eggs complete. Is it not singular that all the
eggs were equally fresh, as if their development was arrested until
the full number was deposited, so that the young might all appear
about the same time? No one considering the immense size of the egg
can for a moment suppose the bird capable of laying more than one
without at least the intermission of a day, and perhaps even more. The
average weight of the egg is eight ounces, and four of them on being
blown yielded nearly a pint and a half. Like those of the Megapodius,
they are covered with an epidermis-like coating, and are certainly as
large, being three inches and three quarters in length, by two and a
half in breadth; they vary in colour from a very light brown to a
light salmon. During the whole day we did not succeed in obtaining
sight of the bird, although we saw numerous tracks of its feet, and
many places where it had been scratching; we also saw its tracks on
the sand when crossing the dried beds of the swamps at least two miles
from the breeding thicket, which proves that the bird, in procuring
its food, does not confine itself to the brushes around its nest, but
merely resorts to them for the purpose of incubating. The native
informed us that the only chance of procuring the bird was by
stationing ourselves in sight of the mound at a little distance, and
remaining quiet and immoveable till it made its appearance at
sun-down; this I attempted, and, with the native, encamped within
twenty yards of the mound about an hour before sunset, taking the
precaution to conceal ourselves well with bushes from the quick eye of
the bird, but leaving just a sufficient opening to get a fair sight
with my gun; in a half-sitting, half-crouching position I thus
remained in breathless anxiety for the approach of the bird I had so
long wished to see, not daring to move a muscle, for fear of moving a
branch or making a noise by crushing a dead leaf, till I was so
cramped I could scarcely bear the pain in my limbs; the bird did not
however make its appearance, and the native, with the fear of wading
through the thicket in darkness (for there was no moon), became so
impatient, that he started up and began to talk so loud and make so
much noise, that I was compelled to give up all hopes of seeing the
bird that night; however, just as we were passing the mound we started
the bird from the opposite side, but from the denseness of the thicket
and the darkness closing around us, I had no chance of getting a shot
at it. Mr. Roe, the Surveyor-general, who examined several mounds
during his expedition to the interior in the year 1836, found the eggs
nearly ready to hatch in the month of November, and invariably seven
or eight in number; while another authority has informed me of an
instance of fourteen being taken from one mound.”

In a subsequent letter Mr. Gilbert states that the flavour of the egg is very similar to that of the Tortoise or Turtle, and that when mixed with tea its similarity to the peculiar roughness and earthy flavour of that of the Hawk’s-bill Turtle is very remarkable.

Genus MEGAPODIUS, _Quoy & Gaim._

The members of this genus inhabit all the Indian and Philippine Islands and Australia. Mr. G. R. Gray informs me that “the females of some species associate together in bands during the night and deposit their eggs in a cavity which they dig to the depth of two or three feet; that the successive deposits of eggs amount to a hundred or more and are left to be hatched by the solar rays; that some cover them with sand and others with the remains of plants; and that the eggs are extremely large for the size of the birds, and are generally of a cinnamon colour.”

442. Megapodius tumulus, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 79.

The following interesting account of the breeding-places of this remarkable bird has been transmitted to me by Mr. John M’Gillivray as the result of his observations on Nogo or Megapodius Island in Endeavour Straits. It will be seen that its range is more extensive than I had assigned to it:—

“The most southern locality known to me for this singular bird is Haggerston Island (in lat. 12° 3′ south), where I observed several of its mounds of very large size, but did not see any of the birds. During the survey of Endeavour Straits in H.M.S. Bramble, I was more fortunate, having succeeded in procuring both male and female on the island marked ‘Nogo’ upon the chart, where I resided for several days for that sole purpose. On this small island, not more than half a mile in length, rising at one extremity into a low rounded hill densely covered with jungle (or what in New South Wales would be called ‘brush’), three mounds, one of them apparently deserted before completion, were found. The two others were examined by Mr. Jukes and myself. The most recent, judging from the smoothness of its sides and the want of vegetable matter, was situated upon the crest of the hill, and measured 8 feet in height (or 13½ from the base of the slope to the summit) and 77 feet in circumference. In this mound, after several hours’ hard digging into a well-packed mass of earth, stones, decaying branches and leaves and other vegetable matter, and the living roots of trees, we found numerous fragments of eggs, besides one broken egg containing a dead and putrid chick, and another whole one, which proved to be addled. All were imbedded at a depth of _six feet_ from the nearest part of the surface, at which place the heat produced by the fermentation of the mass was considerable. The egg, 3¼ by 2⅛ inches, was dirty brown, covered with a kind of epidermis, which easily chipped off, exposing a pure white surface beneath. Another mound, situated at the foot of the hill close to the beach, measured no less than 150 feet in circumference, and to form this immense accumulation of materials the ground in the vicinity had been scraped quite bare by the birds, and numerous shallow excavations pointed out whence the materials had been derived. Its form was an irregular oval, the flattened summit not being central as in the first instance, but situated nearer the larger end, which was elevated 14 feet from the ground, the slope measuring in various directions 18, 21½, and 24 feet. At Port Lihou, in a small bay a few miles to the westward, at Cape York and at Port Essington, I found other mounds which were comparatively low, and appeared to have been dug into by the natives. The great size the tumuli (which are probably the work of several generations) have attained on Haggerston and Nogo Islands arises doubtless from those places being seldom visited by the Aborigines. I found several eggs of large size in the ovarium of a female shot in August, while the condition of the oviduct showed that an egg had very recently passed; hence it is probable that, in spite of their great comparative size, one bird lays several; but whether each mound is resorted to by more than one pair, I had not the means of ascertaining.

“Few birds are more wary and less easily procured than the _Megapodius_; it inhabits the belts of brush along the coast, and I never found the tumulus at a greater distance from the sea than a few hundred yards. When disturbed it seldom rises at once, unless on the margin of a thicket, but runs off to some distance and then takes to wing, flying heavily, but without any of the whirring noise of the true _Gallinaceæ_. It seldom takes a long flight, and usually perches on a tree, remaining there in a crouching attitude with outstretched neck, but flying off again upon observing any motion made by its pursuer; and it is only by cautiously creeping up under cover of the largest trees that it can be approached within gunshot. As an example of its shyness, I may mention that a party of three persons, scattered about in a small jungle on Nogo Island, for the purpose of shooting the _Megapodius_, did not see a single bird, although they put up several, one of which came towards me and perched, unconscious of my presence, within 20 yards. At Port Essington I have shot this bird among mangroves, the roots of which were washed by the sea at high water; and Capt. F. P. Blackwood killed one while running on the mud in a similar locality, in both instances close to a mound. I never witnessed the escape of the young from the mound; but one, as large as a quail, and covered with feathers, was brought to Lieut. Ince by a native, who affirmed that he had dug it out along with several eggs.

“Iris yellowish brown; stomach a complete gizzard, being thick and muscular, containing small quartz pebbles, small shells (_Helix_ and _Bulimus_), and black seeds; intestine 34 inches in length, of the size of a goosequill, and nearly uniform in thickness, much twisted and contracted at intervals; cæcum slender, dilated at the extremity, and 4‑6/8 inches in length.”

Family TINAMIDÆ?, _G. R. Gray_.

Subfamily TURNICINÆ, _G. R. Gray_.

Genus PEDIONOMUS, _Gould_.

Generic characters.

_Bill_ nearly as long as the head, straight, compressed towards the tip; _nostrils_ basal, placed in a groove, and protected by an operculum; _wings_ short and concave, first, second and third primaries equal in length; tertiaries longer than the primaries; _tail_ nearly obsolete; _tarsi_ elongated and defended in front with transverse scales; _toes_ four in number, the hinder one feeble and placed high on the tarsus.

Few of the discoveries I made in Australia interested me more than that of the species forming the subject of the present genus, and of which during my sojourn in the country I only obtained a male. Subsequently Mr. Strange sent me another example, which from its much larger size and the circumstance of its neck being adorned with a beautiful collar of mingled black and white feathers, I considered a distinct species and characterized it as such, under the name _P. torquatus_, and assigned that of _microurus_ to the males or birds destitute of the collar, an error which the observations of Sir George Grey and Mr. Strange have enabled me to rectify, and which shows that this bird is another of the anomalies so often met with in Australia, since, contrary to the general rule, the female is a far finer and more conspicuously-coloured bird than her mate.

“You ask me,” says Sir George Grey, “to tell you something about _Pedionomus_. There is but one species; you have described two, _P. torquatus_ and _P. microurus_; the former is the female and the latter is the male. We have now three of these birds in confinement, all similar to your _P. torquatus_. We had four; the fourth, which died, was like your _P. microurus_; and was certainly a male; they were all caught in the same net, hence I infer that several females associate with one male.

“We have had several of these birds in confinement at different times; they eat pounded wheat, raw and boiled rice, bread and flies; the latter appear to be their favourite food. They soon become perfectly tame; the three now in our possession we have had for upwards of four months.

“These birds are migratory; they appear at Adelaide in June and disappear about January; where they go has not yet been ascertained. They never fly if they can avoid so doing, and are often caught by dogs; when disturbed, they crouch down and endeavour to hide themselves in a tuft of grass. When running about they are in the habit of raising themselves in a nearly perpendicular position on the extremities of their toes, so that the hinder part of the foot does not touch the ground, and of taking a wide survey around them. The Emu sometimes stands in a similar position. I have not yet ascertained anything respecting their nests, eggs or time of breeding. The call of those we have in confinement precisely resembles that of the Emu, not the whistle, but the hollow-sounding noise like that produced by tapping on a cask, which the Emu utters, but is of course much fainter.”

The Plate therefore represents two females, and the appellation of _microurus_ given to the male bird should be the one adopted. As the male has not been figured, the following description of that sex is given:—

Crown of the head, back and upper surface mottled with black, brown and fawn-colour, the latter occupying the external edge of the feathers, and the black and brown forming alternate circular markings on each feather; throat, neck, chest and flanks dull fawn-colour, the feathers of the neck and chest blotched with brown; flanks marked with the same colour, assuming the form of bars; tail-feathers almost invisible; centre of the abdomen and under tail-coverts buffy-white, without spots or markings; irides straw-yellow passing into black at the point; feet greenish yellow.

Total length, 4½ inches; _bill_, 11/16; _wing_, 3¼; _tarsi_, ⅞.

Independently of the plains of South Australia formerly given as the restricted habitat of this species, I have lately received a letter from Mr. Strange of Sydney, in which he states a female had been procured in the neighbourhood of Botany Bay. I am also in possession of an egg of this bird, which in general character resembles that of _Turnix_; it is somewhat suddenly contracted at the smaller end, the ground-colour is stone-white, sprinkled with small blotches of umber-brown and vinous-grey, the latter colour appearing as if beneath the surface of the shell, the sprinkled markings predominating at the larger end; the length of the egg is 1 inch and one-eighth by seven-eighths in breadth.

443. Pedionomus torquatus, _Gould_, female Vol. V. Pl. 80.
—— microurus, _Gould_, male.

Genus TURNIX, _Bonn_.

However widely the members of this genus are dispersed, inhabiting as one or other of them do all quarters of the Old World, Australia is the great nursery of the race, since it is in that country that we find the species more numerous than elsewhere; they not only inhabit every part of the continent that has yet been explored, but they extend their range to the islands adjacent to the coast and even to Van Diemen’s Land; some species enjoy a wide range across the continent from east to west, while others are very local; grassy plains and stony ridges thickly interspersed with scrubs and grasses are the situations they frequent; their eggs are invariably four in number, pointed in form, and very like those of the Sandpipers; their only nest is a few grasses placed in a hollow on the ground; in their habits and actions they differ considerably from the Quails and Partridges, and, strange as it may appear, approach more closely to the _Tringæ_, particularly to those species with the more attenuated form of bill; when rising from almost beneath your feet, they fly, especially the smaller species, straight and with arrow-like swiftness to the distance of one or two hundred yards, and then suddenly pitch to the ground. Their flesh, although eatable, is dry and deficient in flavour when compared with that of the Quails and Partridges.

444. Turnix melanogaster. Hemipodius melanogaster, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 81. 445. Turnix varius. Hemipodius varius Vol. V. Pl. 82. 446. Turnix scintillans. 447. Hemipodius scintillans, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 83. 448. Turnix melanotus. Hemipodius melanotus, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 84. 449. Turnix castanotus. Hemipodius castanotus, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 85. 450. Turnix pyrrhothorax. Hemipodius pyrrhothorax, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 86. 451. Turnix velox. Hemipodius velox, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 87.

Family TETRAONIDÆ, _Leach_.

Genus COTURNIX, _Mœhr_.

One true Quail is all that has yet been described as inhabiting Australia; as might be expected, it is a denizen of the plains, as well as of all the open districts of any extent where grass-lands occur; it also resorts to the arable districts in great abundance. A difference exists in specimens from the western and eastern coasts, the former having a deep fawn or light rufous tint pervading the under surface; and it is possible that this difference of colouring may be characteristic of a second and distinct species.

452. Coturnix pectoralis, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 88.

Genus SYNOÏCUS, _Gould_.

Generic characters.

As in _Perdix_, but with no spur on the tarsi, and the tail almost obsolete.

The great paucity of the _Gallinaceæ_ in Australia is very remarkable, the members of the present genus being almost the only representatives of that group of birds inhabiting the country. The similarity of the habits and economy of these birds to those of the true Partridges, particularly to our own well-known species the _Perdix cinerea_, allies them more nearly to those birds than to the Quails.

Grassy meads, the sides of rushy creeks, and districts clothed with dense herbage, are the favourite resorts of these birds, which move about in small coveys, and when flushed fly but a short distance before they again alight. As an article of food they are all that can be wished.

Every part of the country, from Port Essington on the north to Van Diemen’s Land on the south, is inhabited by one or other species of the genus, which are, I doubt not, more numerous than I have represented, for I feel confident that the bird found at Port Essington is quite distinct from those of the south coast.

453. Synoïcus Australis Vol. V. Pl. 89. 454. Synoïcus Diemenensis, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 90. 455. Synoïcus sordidus, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 91. 456. Synoïcus? Chinensis Vol. V. Pl. 92.

Order GRALLATORES, _Ill._

Family STRUTHIONIDÆ, _Vig._

Genus DROMAIUS, _Vieill._

I formerly entertained an opinion that there were two species of Emu inhabiting Australia, but I have not had sufficient proofs that such is the case. The small specimens in the possession of the Linnean Society of London and in the Jardin des Plantes at Paris, may only be stunted birds which had been kept in captivity, but as some doubt still remains in my mind the subject should be kept in view.

457. Dromaius Novæ-Hollandiæ Vol. VI. Pl. 1.

Genus APTERYX, _Shaw_.

New Zealand is the only country wherein the members of this genus now exist; but they doubtless formerly ranged over that continent of which the greater part is submerged beneath the surface of the ocean, and of which a few isolated spots—New Zealand, Norfolk and Phillip Islands among others—alone remain.

458. Apteryx Australis, _Shaw_ Vol. VI. Pl. 2. 459. Apteryx Owenii, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 3.

Genus OTIS, _Linn._

A country better adapted than Australia for the members of this genus can scarcely be imagined, yet singularly enough only one species has yet been found there. Africa may be considered the cradle of the race, for it is on that continent that they are most numerous; Europe and India are also inhabited by various species. The _Otis nigriceps_ of the plains of Upper India, and the _O. Australis_ are beautiful representatives of each other in the respective countries they inhabit.

460. Otis Australis, _Gray_.

_Otis Australis_, Gray in Griff. An. King., vol. iii. p. 305.

Otis Australasianus, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 4.

The range of this bird over the country is probably universal; both Dr. Leichardt and Mr. Gilbert observed it within the tropical portion of Australia, and Captain Sturt found it in the desert interior.

Family CHARADRIADÆ, _Leach_.

Genus ŒDICNEMUS, _Temm._

The Œdicnemi occur in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, in which latter country one if not two species exist that are not found elsewhere.

461. Œdicnemus grallarius Vol. VI. Pl. 5.

The birds of this form inhabiting the northern coast have longer legs and shorter wings, and I have no doubt are distinct; but I have not seen a sufficient number of specimens to enable me to affirm that such is actually the case.

Genus ESACUS, _Less._

The genera _Œdicnemus_ and _Esacus_ are merely modifications of the same form; the variation in that of the bill being expressly adapted for procuring the kinds of food upon which the species respectively subsist; the _Œdicnemus_ frequenting the stony deserts of the interior of the country feeds upon insects of various kinds, and the tender shoots of herbage; while the _Esacus_, resorting to the salt-marshes and the shores of the sea, lives upon crabs, mollusks and other marine animals.

462. Esacus magnirostris Vol. VI. Pl. 6.

So far as our knowledge extends, the present bird is confined to the shores of the northern and north-western parts of Australia. It is beautifully represented in India by the _E. recurvirostris_, and these two species are all that are known to ornithologists.

Genus HÆMATOPUS, _Linn._

I believe that there is no country in the world of any extent the shores of which are not inhabited by one or other of the numerous species of this genus; but it would seem that all those which exist in the southern hemisphere are totally different from those of the northern.

Two species inhabit Australia, viz.

463. Hæmatopus longirostris, _Vieill._ Vol. VI. Pl. 7. 464. Hæmatopus fuliginosus, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 8.

Genus LOBIVANELLUS, _Strikl._

Two species of this beautiful form inhabit Australia, one the northern and the other the southern parts of the country; I believe they are both confined to this portion of the globe. Other species are found in India and Africa.

465. Lobivanellus lobatus Vol. VI. Pl. 9. 466. Lobivanellus personatus, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 10.

Genus SARCIOPHORUS, _Strickl._

A genus nearly allied to the last, and of which a single species inhabits Australia; like _Lobivanellus_, it is an Old World form.

467. Sarciophorus pectoralis Vol. VI. Pl. 11.

Genus SQUATAROLA, _Cuv._

The single species of this genus inhabits Europe, Asia, North America and Australia.

468. Squatarola Helvetica Vol. VI. Pl. 12.

Genus CHARADRIUS, _Linn._

The Australian fauna comprises two species of this form, of which one, the _Charadrius veredus_, might, perhaps, with propriety be separated into a distinct genus, or placed in that of _Eudromias_.

469. Charadrius xanthocheilus, _Wagl._ Vol. VI. Pl. 13. 470. Charadrius veredus, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 14.

Genus EUDROMIAS, _Boie_.

Of this genus of upland Plovers two species at least are known, viz. the _E. morinellus_ of Europe and the _E. Australis_ of Australia.

471. Eudromias Australis, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 15.

This bird inhabits the low hills and plains of the interior, a kind of habitat precisely similar to that of its European prototype.

Since my account of this species was written some additional information has been acquired respecting it.

“This singular bird,” says Captain Sturt, in the Appendix to his Account of his recent expedition into the interior of South Australia, “made its appearance in 1841 suddenly on the plains of Adelaide, seeming to have come from the north. It occupied the sand-hills at the edge of the Mangrove swamps and fed round the puddles of water on the plains. This bird afforded my friend, Mr. Torrens, an abundant harvest, as it was numerous round his house; but although some few have visited South Australia every subsequent year, they have never appeared in such numbers as on the first occasion. It runs very fast along the ground. Mr. Browne and I met or rather crossed several flights of these birds in August of 1845, going south. They were on the large open plains and were very wild.”

Genus HIATICULA, _G. R. Gray_.

Five species of this genus inhabit Australia, and others occur in New Zealand, the Indian Islands, India, Europe, Africa and America, consequently few genera have their members more widely dispersed. Almost all the species found in Australia are peculiar to the country, and are more numerous on the southern than they are on the northern parts of that continent; shingly beaches and low flat shores are their principal places of resort.

472. Hiaticula bicincta Vol. VI. Pl. 16. 473. Hiaticula ruficapilla Vol. VI. Pl. 17. 474. Hiaticula monacha Vol. VI. Pl. 18. 475. Hiaticula inornata, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 19. 476. Hiaticula nigrifrons Vol. VI. Pl. 20.

Genus ERYTHROGONYS, _Gould_.

Generic characters.

_Bill_ longer than the head, straight, rather depressed; _nostrils_ basal, linear; _wings_ long and powerful, the first feather the longest; tertiaries nearly as long as the primaries; _tail_ short and nearly square; _legs_ long; _toes_ four in number, slender, the hind-toe extremely diminutive and free, the outer toe united to the middle one nearly to the first joint; thighs naked above the knee.

The single species of this genus appears to be strictly Australian, for I have never seen examples from any other country.

477. Erythrogonys cinctus, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 21.

In structure, actions and economy this elegantly formed bird is very nearly allied to the _Hiaticulæ_ on the one hand, and the _Schœnicli_ on the other.

Genus GLAREOLA, _Briss._

I have for many years questioned the propriety of placing the Pratincoles in the same group with the Plovers, or even in the same order, believing them as I do to be a terrestrial form of the Fissirostral birds. Linnæus placed them near the Swallows, and I think he was right in so doing; and Mr. Blyth, one of the most philosophical of ornithologists, entertains, I believe, the same opinion; but as nearly all other writers have placed them with the _Charadriadæ_, I have adopted their view of the subject, and have accordingly retained them in that group.

Species of this genus inhabit India, the Indian Islands, Europe and Africa.

478. Glareola grallaria, _Temm._ Vol. VI. Pl. 22. 479. Glareola Orientalis, _Leach_ Vol. VI. Pl. 23.

Family SCOLOPACIDÆ, _Vig._

Genus HIMANTOPUS., _Briss._

Europe, India and Africa are inhabited by one, North America by a second, South America by a third and perhaps a fourth, New Zealand by a fifth, and Australia by a sixth species of this elegant but singular genus; the Australian bird, which is more abundant in the southern than in the northern parts of the country, is perhaps the finest and most ornamental of the whole.

480. Himantopus leucocephalus, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 24. 481. Himantopus Novæ-Zealandiæ Vol. VI. Pl. 25.

Genus CHLADORHYNCHUS, _G. R. Gray_.

The only known species of this form is peculiar to Australia.

482. Chladorhynchus pectoralis Vol. VI. Pl. 26.

Observed in great numbers by Captain Sturt, during his journey into the interior, in the Appendix to which he says,—“This singular bird, with legs so admirably adapted by their length for wading into the shallow lakes and sheets of water, near which it is found, was seen in large flocks. It was very abundant on Lepson’s Lake to the northward of Cooper’s Creek; and on Strzelecki’s Creek it was sitting on the water with other wild fowl making a singular plaintive whistle.”

Genus RECURVIROSTRA, _Linn._

This form, like that of _Himantopus_, is widely distributed over the globe, since species inhabit America, Africa, Europe, India and Australia, in which latter country, as in Europe, only one species is found, viz.

483. Recurvirostra rubricollis, _Temm._ Vol. VI. Pl. 27.

Genus LIMOSA, _Briss._

Two very distinct species of this genus inhabit Australia, one the southern and the other the northern divisions of the country; others occur in Java, Sumatra, India, Africa, Europe and North America.

484. Limosa Melanuroïdes, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 28. 485. Limosa uropygialis, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 29.

Genus SCHŒNICLUS, _Mœhr._

I have figured four species of this genus as inhabiting Australia, not more than one, or at most two, of which, however, is or are peculiar to that country. The species of this genus range over many degrees of latitude, and occur in America as well as in most parts of the Old World.

486. Schœniclus Australis Vol. VI. Pl. 30. 487. Schœniclus albescens Vol. VI. Pl. 31. 488. Schœniclus subarquatus Vol. VI. Pl. 32. 489. Schœniclus magnus, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 33.

This species, I believe, also inhabits India and Japan.

Genus TEREKIA, _Bonap._

The only known species of this form inhabits Java, Sumatra, India and Europe, and as I killed a specimen in Australia that country must also be included within its range.

490. Terekia cinerea Vol. VI. Pl. 34.

Genus ACTITIS, _Ill._

One species of this genus inhabits Australia, where it represents the _Actitis hypoleucus_ of Europe and _Actitis macularius_ of America.

491. Actitis empusa, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 35.

Genus GLOTTIS, _Nils._

The only species of this genus found in Australia appears to me to be identical with the _Glottis Glottoïdes_ of India.

492. Glottis Glottoïdes Vol. VI. Pl. 36.

Genus TOTANUS, _Bechst._

Of this genus two species are all that have yet been discovered in Australia; one of these I have regarded as identical with the _Totanus stagnatilis_ of Europe, and if this view be correct, then the range of the species will extend from Asia to Australia; certain it is that I have seen specimens from all the intermediate countries which are strictly identical with the European bird. The second species is an inhabitant of the north coast, and is allied to the _T. calidris_.

493. Totanus stagnatilis Vol. VI. Pl. 37. 494. Totanus griseopygius, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 38.

Genus STREPSILAS, _Ill._

If any bird may be regarded as a Cosmopolite it is the Turnstone, for it inhabits the sea-shores of every part of the globe.

495. Strepsilas Interpres Vol. VI. Pl. 39.

Genus SCOLOPAX, _Linn._

If the slight difference which occurs in the Snipes from Port Essington on the north and from Van Diemen’s Land on the south be regarded as mere local variations, then only one species of this form exists in Australia.

496. Scolopax Australis, _Lath._ Vol. VI. Pl. 40.

Captain Sturt informs us that this Snipe is common in South Australia, but scarce in the interior of the country; that it breeds in great numbers in the valley of Mypunga, but is only to be found in those localities where the ground is constantly soft.

Genus RHYNCHÆA, _Cuv._

The few species comprised in this genus are widely dispersed over the face of the globe; one inhabits the southernmost parts of America, another South Africa, a third India, and a fourth Australia. They affect different situations from those resorted to by the true Snipes, usually selecting drier ground and knolls under low bushes contiguous to marshy lands, where they can readily procure food and water.

497. Rhynchæa Australis, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 41.

“This beautiful bird,” says Captain Sturt, “was very scarce in the interior, and indeed is not common anywhere. Some three or four couples visit my residence at Grange yearly, and remain in the high reeds at the bottom of the creek, among which they doubtless breed, but I never found one of their nests. They lie basking in the shade of a tree on the sand-hills during the day, and separate when alarmed.”

Genus NUMENIUS, _Linn._

Three species of this form are found in Australia, to which part of the globe they are confined, and wherein they represent the species inhabiting the northern hemisphere, with which their habits, actions and economy are strictly in accordance.

498. Numenius Australis, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 42. 499. Numenius uropygialis, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 43. 500. Numenius minutus, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 44.

Family ARDEIDÆ, _Leach_.

Subfamily TANTALINÆ, _G. R. Gray_.

Genus GERONTICUS, _Wagl._

The three species of _Ibises_ inhabiting Australia have been separated by ornithologists into as many genera, and the difference which exists in their habits and economy tends to prove the propriety of their subdivision; for while the _Geronticus_ congregates in flocks of thousands and mainly subsists upon caterpillars, grasshoppers and locusts, a kind of food which it readily obtains on the heated plains, the _Threskiornis_ assembles in small companies of from four to six in number and resorts to the rushy banks of the lagoons and other humid situations, and feeds upon newts, frogs, lizards, snakes and fish, and the _Falcinellus_ resorts to similar situations, but I have had no opportunity of observing its habits.

501. Geronticus spinicollis Vol. VI. Pl. 45.

I have never seen examples of this species from any other country than Australia, which would therefore appear to be its restricted habitat.

Genus THRESKIORNIS, _G. R. Gray_.

502. Threskiornis strictipennis Vol. VI. Pl. 46.

Found in most parts of Eastern Australia during wet seasons.

503. Falcinellus igneus Vol. VI. Pl. 47.

This species is numerous in the northern and eastern districts of Australia, whence its range extends throughout the whole of the islands to India and Europe.

Subfamily GRUINÆ, _G. R. Gray_.

Genus GRUS, _Linn._

Species of this genus inhabit Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and Australia.

504. Grus Australasianus, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 48.

The Australian Crane is a noble bird, and is deservedly admired both by the Aborigines and Europeans. The eastern and northern parts of the country are the only localities yet known to be inhabited by this fine bird; future research may however find that it possesses a wider range.

Subfamily PLATALEINÆ, _Bonap._

Genus PLATALEA, _Linn._

Two species of this genus inhabit Australia, both of which are, I believe, peculiar to that country, where they perform precisely the same offices as their prototypes in Europe, Asia, Africa and America.

505. Platalea flavipes, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 49. 506. Platalea regia, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 50.

Subfamily CICONINÆ, _G. R. Gray_.

Genus MYCTERIA, _Linn._

The noble species of this genus inhabiting Australia is, I believe, identical with the bird of the same form inhabiting India, and if such be the case, then it enjoys a wide range of habitat. Africa and America are inhabited by species belonging to this or to a very nearly allied genus.

507. Mycteria Australis, _Lath._ Vol. VI. Pl. 51.

Subfamily ARDEINÆ, _G. R. Gray_.

Genus ARDEA, _Linn._

The Herons range over every part of the globe. The sixteen species inhabiting Australia include examples of the genera _Ardea_, _Herodias_, _Nycticorax_, _Botaurus_ and _Ardetta_, and I think they should be still further divided, the Reef Herons, _Herodias jugularis_, _H. Greyii_, &c. differing considerably both in structure and habits from the other members of the genus; the _Ardea pacifica_ and _A. Novæ-Hollandiæ_ also, are not typical _Ardeæ_, but fill a station intermediate between the true Herons and the Egrets.

508. Ardea pacifica, _Lath._ Vol. VI. Pl. 52.

Numerous in the southern but rare within the tropical parts of Australia.

509. Ardea Novæ-Hollandiæ, _Lath._ Vol. VI. Pl. 53.

Frequents the whole of the southern coasts of Australia and Van Diemen’s Land.

510. Ardea rectirostris, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 54.

Found on the north coast of Australia, and I believe also in the Indian Islands.

511. Ardea leucophæa, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 55.

The range of this species, which is very rare in Australia, appears to extend to the southern parts of India.

Genus HERODIAS, _Boie_.

Nearly every part of the globe is tenanted by members of this genus. Those inhabiting Australia are very nearly allied to, but I believe are quite distinct from, the species found in India, Europe and America, and of which they are the Australian representatives.

512. Herodias syrmatophorus, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 56. 513. Herodias plumiferus, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 57. 514. Herodias immaculata, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 58. 515. Herodias pannosus, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 59. 516. Herodias jugularis Vol. VI. Pl. 60. 517. Herodias Greyii Vol. VI. Pl. 61. 518. Herodias picata, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 62.

Genus NYCTICORAX, _Steph._

Europe, Africa and America are all inhabited by Night Herons; consequently it is one of the most widely-distributed sections of the family.

The single Australian species of this well-defined genus is rendered conspicuously different from all other known species by the cinnamon colour of its back.

519. Nycticorax Caledonicus Vol. VI. Pl. 63.

“Shot at Cape York and Port Essington, in which latter place it is rather abundant. _Yangko_ of the Cape York aborigines, _Alăwool_ of the Port Essington natives.”—_J. M’Gillivray._

Genus BOTAURUS, _Steph._

520. Botaurus Australis, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 64.

The Australian Bittern is very similar to the European, _B. stellaris_.

Genus ARDETTA, _G. R. Gray_.

The members of this genus of Mangrove Bitterns usually frequent the extensive belts of mangroves and low dells covered with reed-beds and dense herbage.

Africa and America are each inhabited by birds of this form, one species of which is also found in Europe, several in India and the adjacent islands, and three in Australia, viz.—

521. Ardetta flavicollis Vol. VI. Pl. 65.

This species is said to inhabit Java and India, and although I have figured it under the name assigned to the Indian and Javanese bird, I am still inclined to believe that it is distinct.

522. Ardetta macrorhyncha, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 66. 523. Ardetta stagnatilis, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 67. 524. Ardetta pusilla Vol. VI. Pl. 68.

This species, with the little Bittern of the British Islands and several others inhabiting Africa and America, would admit of being separated into a distinct genus.

Family RALLIDÆ, _Leach_.

Of this family no less than sixteen species inhabit Australia, and are comprised in the following genera, viz. _Porphyrio_, _Fulica_, _Gallinula_, _Rallus_ and _Porzana_, all of which are European forms; and _Parra_, _Eulabeornis_ and _Tribonyx_: of the latter, the first is common to India and the Indian Islands, and the other two are confined, so far as we know, to Australia.

Genus PORPHYRIO, _Briss._

525. Porphyrio melanotus, _Temm._ Vol. VI. Pl. 69. 526. Porphyrio bellus, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 70.

Genus TRIBONYX, _DuBus_.

527. Tribonyx Mortieri, _DuBus_ Vol. VI. Pl. 71.

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

528. Tribonyx ventralis, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 72.

Inhabits the interior of Australia.

“This bird,” says Captain Sturt, “appeared suddenly in South Australia in 1840. It came from the north, fresh flights coming up and pushing on those which had preceded them. It was moreover evident that they had been unaccustomed to the sight of man, for they dropped in great numbers in the streets and gardens of Adelaide and ran about like fowls. At last they increased so much in number as to swarm on all the waters and creeks, doing great damage to the crops in their neighbourhood. They took the entire possession of the creek near my house, and broke down and wholly destroyed about an acre and a quarter of wheat as if cattle had bedded on it. They made their first appearance in November, and left in the beginning of March, gradually retiring northwards as they had advanced.”

Genus GALLINULA, _Briss._

The true _Gallinulæ_ are very numerous, and are found in nearly every part of the world. Australia is inhabited by a species peculiarly its own, distributed over all the southern parts of the continent.

529. Gallinula tenebrosa, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 73.

Nearly allied to, and a representative of, the Water-Hen of Europe, _Gallinula chloropus_.

Genus FULICA, _Linn._

_Fulicæ_ are found in nearly every part of the great continents of Europe, Asia, Africa and America, and one species in Australia.

530. Fulica Australis, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 74.

This bird, which is strictly confined to Australia, is rather smaller than its European ally.

Genus PARRA, _Linn._

A tropical form, the structure of which is admirably adapted for progression over the aquatic plants and floating leaves of the lagoons and inland waters it frequents and over which it passes with facility; its expansive feet, spreading over a large surface of fallen grasses and leaves, readily sustaining it, which they would not do were they of the ordinary form.

Species of this form are found in India, Africa and America.

531. Parra gallinacea, _Temm._ Vol. VI. Pl. 75.

Inhabits the northern parts of Australia and New Guinea.

Genus RALLUS, _Linn._

We have here again a genus of birds the range of the species of which is most extensive, for there is no country in which one or other of them is not to be found.

532. Rallus pectoralis, _Cuv._ Vol. VI. Pl. 76. 533. Rallus Lewinii, _Swains._ Vol. VI. Pl. 77.

Genus EULABEORNIS, _Gould_.

Generic characters.

_Bill_ longer than the head, nearly straight, but slightly curved downwards; compressed laterally; _nostril_ long and open, situated in a large groove which runs along the upper mandible for nearly two-thirds of its length from the base; _wings_ rather short and feeble, very much rounded; _tertiaries_ long, nearly reaching to the end of the wing; _legs_ rather long, more powerful than in the genus _Rallus_; _toes_ not so much lengthened as in that genus; _tail_ long cuneiform; the _webs_ loose and of a decomposed character.

A genus established for the reception of a singular species of Rail inhabiting the north coast of Australia, and in which Mr. G. R. Gray has since placed four other species from different localities.

534. Eulabeornis castaneoventris, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 78.

Genus PORZANA, _Vieill._

The _Porzanæ_ inhabit Europe, Africa, India and Australia; the four species inhabiting the latter country are generally distributed, even within the tropics.

535. Porzana fluminea, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 79. 536. Porzana palustris, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 80. 537. Porzana leucophrys, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 81. 538. Porzana immaculata Vol. VI. Pl. 82.

Order NATATORES, _Ill._

Upon taking a general view of the birds of this Order inhabiting Europe and Australia, our attention cannot fail to be arrested by some remarkable contrasts which present themselves to our notice. I allude to the great excess in the number of species of some of the principal groups, and the paucity of others; for instance, of the true _Anatidæ_ or Ducks, exclusive of the Mergansers, the European fauna comprises at least forty species, while eighteen are all that are known in Australia; of the _Laridæ_ or Gulls, exclusive of the Terns, twenty species inhabit Europe, while three are all that are known in Australia; on the other hand, sixteen species of Terns frequent the shores of Australia, while only twelve resort to those of Europe; of the family _Procellaridæ_ or Petrels, nearly forty species enliven the Australian seas, while seven are all that are known to inhabit the seas of Europe; no Puffins or Guillemots are found in the seas south of the Equator; while the Penguins are unknown north of the line; and the Grebes and Cormorants are equally numerous in both hemispheres.

Family ANATIDÆ, _Leach_.

Genus CEREOPSIS, _Lath._

But one species of this singular and strictly Australian form has yet been discovered.

539. Cereopsis Novæ-Hollandiæ, _Lath._ Vol. VII. Pl. 1.

Genus ANSERANAS, _Less._

Like _Cereopsis_, this genus contains but a single species, which is equally confined to Australia.

540. Anseranas melanoleuca Vol. VII. Pl. 2.

Genus BERNICLA, _Steph._

The Australian bird hitherto referred to this genus should certainly receive a new generic appellation, since it does not agree either in form or habits with the true _Berniclæ_.

541. Bernicla jubata Vol. VII. Pl. 3.

Genus NETTAPUS, _Brandt._

Of this beautiful genus of Pygmy Geese there are at least four species known; one inhabiting Africa, one India, and two Australia.

542. Nettapus pulchellus, _Gould_ Vol. VII. Pl. 4. 543. Nettapus albipennis, _Gould_. Nettapus Coromandelianus Vol. VII. Pl. 5.

I feel confident that the Australian bird which I have figured under the name of _N. Coromandelianus_, is quite distinct from the Indian, and I have therefore assigned it a new name.

My figures are stated to be of the natural size, but this is an error: they are considerably smaller.

Genus CYGNUS, _Linn._

Only one species, the _C. atratus_, is, I believe, found south of the line; for the Black-necked Swan of Chili will doubtless prove to be generically distinct.

544. Cygnus atratus Vol. VII. Pl. 6.

This “rara avis in terris” is not only strictly confined to Australia, but is so exclusively an inhabitant of the southern districts, that no notice has been recorded of its having been seen in Torres’ Straits, or on any part of the north coast.

Genus CASARCA, _Bonap._

This ornamental section of the _Anatidæ_ is not very numerous in species.

545. Casarca Tadornoïdes Vol. VII. Pl. 7.

A beautiful representative of the _C. rutila_ of Europe.

Genus TADORNA, _Leach_.

546. Tadorna Radjah Vol. VII. Pl. 8.

An equally beautiful representative of the _T. Vulpanser_.

Genus ANAS, _Linn._

Of true Ducks three species are found in Australia.

547. Anas superciliosa, _Gmel._ Vol. VII. Pl. 9.

This bird assimilates very closely in its structure and in its economy to the _Anas Boschas_ of Europe, but in its plumage it is very different.

548. Anas nævosa, _Gould_ Vol. VII. Pl. 10.

A very singular Duck, perhaps more nearly allied to _Chaulelasmus_ than to _Anas_. It is a very rare bird, and has only yet been seen on the western and southern coasts of Australia; its true habitat is probably the distant interior.

549. Anas punctata, _Cuv._ Vol. VII. Pl. 11.

This species has much the appearance of the Teal (genus _Querquedula_), but in its structure is nearly allied to the true ducks (genus _Anas_), with which I have provisionally placed it.

Genus SPATULA, _Boie_.

The great continents of America, Africa, Asia and Australia, are each inhabited by one or more species of this restricted genus.

550. Spatula Rhynchotis Vol. VII. Pl. 12.

This bird is, I believe, restricted to Australia.

Genus MALACORHYNCHUS, _Swains._

A very delicate form, of which the single species, confined to Australia, is the only one known.

551. Malacorhynchus membranaceus Vol. VII. Pl. 13.

Genus DENDROCYGNA, _Swains._

This form is found in India, Africa, America and Australia: the bird I have separated into a distinct genus, under the appellation of _Leptotarsis_, should be included in this genus, the difference which it presents being too slight to warrant their separation.

552. Dendrocygna arcuata Vol. VII. Pl. 14. 553. Dendrocygna Eytoni. Leptotarsis Eytoni, _Gould_ Vol. VII. Pl. 15.

“Many of the reaches,” says Captain Stokes, when speaking of the river Adelaide of the north-western part of Australia, “swarmed with wild fowl, consisting almost wholly of ducks, which, from a habit of perching on the trees, have received the name of Wood Ducks. Their singularly long legs, with the web very much arched near the toes, gives great pliability to the foot and a power of grasping, which enables them to perch on trees. When on the wing they make a peculiar pleasing, whistling sound, that can be heard at a great distance, and which changes as they alight into a sort of chatter. Their perching on trees is performed in a very clumsy manner, swinging and pitching to and fro. We subsequently often found them on the rivers of the north coast, but not within some miles of their mouths or near their upper waters, from which it would appear that they inhabit certain reaches of the rivers only; we never found them in swamps. The farthest south they were met with was on the Albert River, in the Gulf of Carpentaria, in lat. 18° S., which gives them a range of six and a half degrees of latitude over the northern part of the continent. These ducks are the _Leptotarsis Eytoni_ of Mr. Gould.”

Genus NYROCA, _Flem._

Two species at least of this genus are known, one inhabiting Europe and India and the other Australia: both have the irides white.

554. Nyroca Australis, _Gould_ Vol. VII. Pl. 16.

Genus ERISMATURA, _Bonap._

The members of this genus, although but few in number, are found in Europe, Asia, Africa, America and Australia.

555. Erismatura Australis Vol. VII. Pl. 17.

This species, the only one of the genus inhabiting Australia, is, I believe, strictly confined to the western parts of the country, as hitherto it has not been seen elsewhere.

Genus BIZIURA, _Leach_.

A genus of which only a single species is known to exist, and which is singularly different from every other member of the family. It is strictly Australian, and may be regarded as one of the anomalies of its fauna.

556. Biziura lobata Vol. VII. Pl. 18.

Family LARIDÆ, _Leach_.

Genus LARUS, _Linn._

The members of this genus are distributed over the sea-shores of every part of the globe. Only one species inhabits Australia, to which country it is confined, and where it represents the _Larus marinus_ of Europe and America.

557. Larus Pacificus Vol. VII. Pl. 19.

Genus XEMA, _Leach_.