Chapter I: Part 1

THE
BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA.

BY

JOHN GOULD, F.R.S.,

F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.E.S., F.ETHN.S., F.R.GEOG.S., M. RAYS., HON. MEMB. OF
THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF TURIN, OF THE ROY. ZOOL. SOC. OF
IRELAND, OF THE PENZANCE NAT. HIST. SOC., OF THE WORCESTER NAT. HIST.
SOC., OF THE NORTHUMBERLAND, DURHAM AND NEWCASTLE NAT. HIST. SOC., OF
THE NAT. HIST. SOC. OF DARMSTADT AND OF THE TASMANIAN SOCIETY OF VAN
DIEMEN’S LAND, ETC.

IN SEVEN VOLUMES.

VOL. IV.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY RICHARD AND JOHN E. TAYLOR, RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET.

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR, 20, BROAD STREET, GOLDEN SQUARE.

1848.

LIST OF PLATES.
VOLUME IV.

Pitta strepitans, _Temm._ Noisy Pitta 1

—— Vigorsii, _Gould_ Vigors’ Pitta 2

—— Iris, _Gould_ Rainbow Pitta 3

Cinclosoma punctatum, _Vig. & Horsf._ Spotted Ground-Thrush 4

—— castanotus, _Gould_ Chestnut-backed Ground-Thrush 5

—— cinnamomeus, _Gould_ Cinnamon-coloured Cinclosoma 6

Oreocincla lunulata Mountain Thrush 7

Chlamydera maculata, _Gould_ Spotted Bower-Bird 8

—— nuchalis Great Bower-Bird 9

Ptilonorhynchus holosericeus, _Kuhl_ Satin Bower-Bird 10

—— Smithii, _Vig. & Horsf._ Cat Bird 11

Sericulus chrysocephalus Regent Bird 12

Oriolus viridis New South Wales Oriole 13

—— flavo-cinctus Crescent-marked Oriole 14

Sphecotheres Australis, _Swains_. Australian Sphecotheres 15

Corcorax leucopterus White-winged Chough 16

Struthidea cinerea, _Gould_ Grey Struthidea 17

Corvus Coronoïdes, _Vig. & Horsf._ White-eyed Crow 18

Neomorpha Gouldii, _G. R. Gray_ Gould’s Neomorpha 19

Pomatorhinus temporalis Temporal Pomatorhinus 20

—— rubeculus, _Gould_ Red-breasted Pomatorhinus 21

—— superciliosus, _Vig. & Horsf._ White-eyebrowed Pomatorhinus 22

Meliphaga Novæ-Hollandiæ New Holland Honey-eater 23

—— longirostris, _Gould_ Long-billed Honey-eater 24

—— sericea, _Gould_ White-cheeked Honey-eater 25

—— mystacalis, _Gould_ Moustached Honey-eater 26

—— Australasiana Tasmanian Honey-eater 27

Glyciphila fulvifrons Fulvous-fronted Honey-eater 28

—— albifrons, _Gould_ White-fronted Honey-eater 29

—— fasciata, _Gould_ Fasciated Honey-eater 30

—— ocularis, _Gould_ Brown Honey-eater 31

Ptilotis chrysotis Yellow-eared Honey-eater 32

—— sonorus, _Gould_ Singing Honey-eater 33

—— versicolor, _Gould_ Varied Honey-eater 34

—— flavigula, _Gould_ Yellow-throated Honey-eater 35

—— leucotis White-eared Honey-eater 36

—— auricomis Yellow-tufted Honey-eater 37

—— cratitius, _Gould_ Wattle-cheeked Honey-eater 38

—— ornatus, _Gould_ Graceful Honey-eater 39

—— plumulus, _Gould_ Plumed Honey-eater 40

—— flavescens, _Gould_ Yellow-tinted Honey-eater 41

—— flava, _Gould_ Yellow Honey-eater 42

—— penicillatus, _Gould_ White-plumed Honey-eater 43

—— fusca, _Gould_ Fuscous Honey-eater 44

—— chrysops Yellow-faced Honey-eater 45

—— unicolor, _Gould_ Uniform Honey-eater 46

Plectorhyncha lanceolata, _Gould_ Lanceolate Honey-eater 47

Zanthomyza Phrygia Warty-faced Honey-eater 48

Melicophila picata, _Gould_ Pied Honey-eater 49

Entomophila picta, _Gould_ Painted Honey-eater 50

—— albogularis, _Gould_ White-throated Honey-eater 51

—— rufogularis, _Gould_ Red-throated Honey-eater 52

Acanthogenys rufogularis, _Gould_ Spiny-cheeked Honey-eater 53

Anthochæra inauris, _Gould_ Great Wattled Honey-eater 54

—— carunculata Wattled Honey-eater 55

—— mellivora Brush Wattle-Bird 56

—— lunulata, _Gould_ Lunulated Wattle-Bird 57

Tropidorhynchus corniculatus Friar-Bird 58

—— argenticeps, _Gould_ Silvery-crowned Friar-Bird 59

—— citreogularis, _Gould_ Yellow-throated Friar-Bird 60

Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris Slender-billed Spine-bill 61

—— superciliosus White-eyebrowed Spine-bill 62

Myzomela sanguineolenta Sanguineous Honey-eater 63

—— erythrocephala, _Gould_ Red-headed Honey-eater 64

—— pectoralis, _Gould_ Banded Honey-eater 65

—— nigra, _Gould_ Black Honey-eater 66

—— obscura, _Gould_ Obscure Honey-eater 67

Entomyza cyanotis Blue-faced Entomyza 68

—— albipennis, _Gould_ White-pinioned Honey-eater 69

Melithreptus validirostris, _Gould_ Strong-billed Honey-eater 70

—— gularis, _Gould_ Black-throated Honey-eater 71

—— lunulatus Lunulated Honey-eater 72

—— chloropsis, _Gould_ Swan River Honey-eater 73

—— albogularis, _Gould_ White-throated Honey-eater 74

—— melanocephalus, _Gould_ Black-headed Honey-eater 75

Myzantha garrula Garrulous Honey-eater 76

—— obscura, _Gould_ Sombre Honey-eater 77

—— lutea, _Gould_ Luteous Honey-eater 78

—— flavigula, _Gould_ Yellow-throated Miner 79

—— melanophrys Australian Bell-Bird 80

Zosterops dorsalis, _Vig. & Horsf._ Grey-backed Zosterops 81

—— chloronotus, _Gould_ Green-backed Zosterops 82

—— luteus, _Gould_ Yellow Zosterops 83

Cuculus optatus, _Gould_ Australian Cuckoo 84

—— inornatus, _Vig. & Horsf._ Unadorned Cuckoo 85

—— cineraceus, _Vig. & Horsf._ Ash-coloured Cuckoo 86

—— insperatus, _Gould_ Brush Cuckoo 87

Chalcites osculans, _Gould_ Black-eared Cuckoo 88

Chrysococcyx lucidus Shining Cuckoo 89

Scythrops Novæ-Hollandiæ, _Lath._ Channel-Bill 90

Eudynamys Flindersii Flinders’s Cuckoo 91

Centropus Phasianus Pheasant Cuckoo 92

Climacteris scandens, _Temm._ Brown Tree-Creeper 93

—— rufa, _Gould_ Rufous Tree-Creeper 94

—— erythrops, _Gould_ Red-eyebrowed Tree-Creeper 95

—— melanotus, _Gould_ Black-backed Tree-Creeper 96

—— melanura, _Gould_ Black-tailed Tree-Creeper 97

—— picumnus, _Temm._ White-throated Tree-Creeper 98

Orthonyx spinicaudus, _Temm._ Spine-tailed Orthonyx 99

Ptiloris paradiseus, _Swains_. Rifle Bird 100

Sittella chrysoptera Orange-winged Sittella 101

—— leucocephala, _Gould_ White-headed Sittella 102

—— leucoptera, _Gould_ White-winged Sittella 103

—— pileata, _Gould_ Black-capped Sittella 104

PITTA STREPITANS: _Temm._

_J. Gould and H. C. Richter del et lith._ _C. Hullmandel Imp._
]

PITTA STREPITANS, _Temm._
Noisy Pitta.

_Pitta strepitans_, Temm. Pl. Col. 333.—Jard. and Selb. Ill. Orn.,
vol. ii. pl. 77.

_Pitta versicolor_, Swains. in Zool. Journ., vol. i. p. 468.

The description of _Pitta versicolor_ given by Mr. Swainson in the “Zoological Journal” agrees so accurately with the description and figure of _Pitta strepitans_ in the “Planches Coloriées,” that not the slightest doubt exists in my mind as to their identity; but which of these names has the priority is a point I have been unable satisfactorily to determine, in consequence of the latter work having been published in parts at irregular periods. Mr. Swainson, it is true, refers to the “Planches Coloriées,” and institutes a comparison between his bird and the _Pitta cyanoptera_, beautifully figured in Pl. 218; the _Pitta strepitans_, on the other hand, forms the subject of Pl. 333, which we may reasonably suppose must have appeared at a much later period, although it may still have been prior to the publication of _P. versicolor_; the numbers of foreign works being frequently much in arrear in this country. In support of the priority of M. Temminck’s name, I may quote a passage from the “Illustrations of Ornithology” of Messrs. Jardine and Selby:—“This species seems to have been unnoticed until the figure of M. Temminck, who received his specimen from Mr. Leadbeater. It then appeared to be the only individual of this form known to belong to New Holland; and it is only lately that Mr. Swainson has added a second species, in his _P. versicolor_, to the interesting ornithology of that country.”

Never having seen this bird alive, I am unable to give any account of its habits and manners from my own observation. It is said to dwell in those almost impenetrable brushes of the eastern coast of Australia, and is tolerably abundant in all such localities between the river Macquarrie and Moreton Bay; it is also said to be very thrush-like in its disposition, and, as its long legs would lead us to suppose, resorts much to the ground, although it readily takes to the branches of trees when its haunts are intruded upon. Its food consists of insects, and probably berries and fruits.

The two young figured in the accompanying Plate with an adult were collected in the brushes bordering the river Clarence on the east coast, which must consequently be enumerated among its breeding-places. The circumstance of the young, like those of the Kingfishers, assuming the characteristic plumage of the adult from the time they leave the nest is very singular, and the knowledge of this fact is very important, inasmuch as it may lead to some valuable results in classification.

The sexes appear to present but little differences either in colour or size; some specimens, which I take to be males, however, differ in having the tail-feathers more largely tipped with green than others.

Crown deep ferruginous with a narrow stripe of black down the centre; on the chin a large spot of black terminating in a point on the front of the neck, and uniting to a broad band on each side of the head, encircles the crown and terminates in a point at the back of the neck; back and wings pure olive-green; shoulders and lesser wing-coverts bright metallic cærulean blue; across the rump a band of the same colour; upper tail-coverts and tail black, the latter tipped with olive-green; primaries black, becoming paler at the tips; at the base of the fourth, fifth and sixth a small white spot; sides of the neck, throat, breast and flanks buff; in the centre of the abdomen a patch of black; vent and under tail-coverts scarlet; irides dark brown; bill brown; feet flesh-colour.

The figures are of the natural size.

PITTA VIGORSII; (_Gould_).

_Drawn from Nature & on Stone by J. & E. Gould._ _Printed by C.
Hullmandel._
]

PITTA VIGORSII, _Gould_.
Vigors’ Pitta.

_Pitta brachyura_, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 218.

A single specimen of this beautiful species of _Pitta_ forms part of the collection of the Linnean Society of London, where it has always been considered as identical with the _Pitta brachyura_, but from which it differs in many important characters, among the most conspicuous of which may be noticed its larger size, and the narrow streak of light greenish grey which passes from the nostrils over each eye, and nearly surrounds the occiput.

I have not been able to obtain any decided information respecting the portion of Australia from which this bird was obtained, but the eastern and northern coasts may be regarded as its most likely habitat; and I am unable to render any account of its habits, or the situations it frequents: several of the members of the group, however, particularly the other Australian species (_Pitta strepitans_), are known to prefer the thick brushes near the coast, where it hops about and scratches up the leaves, etc., in search of food. The _Pitta brachyura_ is also said to perch on the topmost branches of decayed trees, and to resort to the sides of inland streams and waters, where it sports among the shallows, frequently wading up to its knees, which aquatic habits are indicated by the general character of its plumage; and as the present bird is very nearly allied to that species, it has doubtless similar habits.

Messrs. Vigors and Horsfield having omitted to notice the distinctive characters of this species, while engaged upon their elaborate Catalogue of the Australian Birds in the Linnean Society’s collection, I have much pleasure in dedicating it to the memory of the late Mr. Vigors, whose high scientific attainments, especially in Ornithology, are so well known that my testimony is unnecessary.

Crown of the head, ear-coverts, and back of the neck jet-black; a narrow stripe of greenish grey commences at the nostrils, passes over each eye, surrounds the crown, and nearly unites at the occiput; back, scapularies, outer edges of the secondaries, and the greater wing-coverts bronzy green; shoulders, rump, and upper tail-coverts fine lazuline blue; throat white; chest, flanks, and thighs tawny buff; centre of the abdomen dark blood-red, passing into scarlet on the under tail-coverts; primaries black, with a white bar across the centre of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth; tail black, tipped with green; bill dark brown; legs flesh-colour.

The figure is of the natural size.

PITTA IRIS: _Gould_.

_J. Gould and H. C. Richter del et lith._ _C. Hullmandel Imp._
]

PITTA IRIS, _Gould_.
Rainbow Pitta.

_Pitta Iris_, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., February 8, 1842.

Two specimens of this new and beautiful _Pitta_, both killed on the north coast of Australia, have already come under my notice. One of these is in the collection of Dr. Bankier, Acting Surgeon of H.M.S. Pelorus, and the other, apparently a female, is in the British Museum, having been lately presented to the national collection with many other fine birds, by Captain Chambers, R.N., of the same vessel.

The Rainbow Pitta differs so much from all other known species of this lovely tribe of birds, as to render a comparison quite unnecessary. By its discovery we can now enumerate three species from Australia. How rapidly is this fine country unfolding her rich treasures, of which, indeed, sufficient have been seen to rank her second to none in the interest of her productions!

Both the specimens above-mentioned are from the Cobourg Peninsula, where the species is not uncommon, and it will doubtless, hereafter, be found to range over a great portion of the north coast. No further account of the habits of this fine bird have been received than that it inhabits the thick “cane-beds” near the coast, through which it runs with great facility; the boldness and richness of its markings render it a most attractive object in the bush.

Head, neck, breast, abdomen, flanks and thighs deep velvety black; over the eye, extending to the occiput, a band of ferruginous brown; upper surface and wings golden green; shoulders bright metallic cærulean blue, bordered below with lazuline blue; primaries black, passing into olive-brown at their tips, the third, fourth, fifth and sixth having a spot about the centre of the feather; tail black at the base, green at the tip, the former colour running on the inner web nearly to the tip; rump-feathers tinged with cærulean blue; lower part of the abdomen and under tail-coverts bright scarlet, separated from the black of the abdomen by yellowish brown; irides dark brown; bill black; feet flesh-colour.

The figures are of the natural size.

CINCLOSOMA PUNCTATUM: _Vig. & Horsf._

_J. & E. Gould del et lith._ _C. Hullmandel Imp._
]

CINCLOSOMA PUNCTATUM, _Vig. & Horsf._
Spotted Ground-Thrush.

_Turdus Punctatus_, Lath. Ind. Orn. Supp., p. xliv.

_Punctated Thrush_, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. p. 187.—Ib. Gen.
Hist., vol. v. p. 130.—Shaw, Zool. New Holl., p. 25.—Ib.
Gen. Zool., vol. x. p. 202.

_Cinclosoma Punctatum_, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p.
220.—Griff. An. King., vol. vi. p. 529. pl. 29.

This species has been long known to ornithologists, being one of the birds earliest described from Australia; still little or no information has hitherto been acquired respecting its habits and economy, which, however, are extremely interesting.

It is everywhere a stationary species, and enjoys an extensive range of habitat, being distributed over the whole of Van Diemen’s Land and the eastern portion of Australia, from Moreton Bay to Spencer’s Gulf, to the westward of which I have never been able to trace it, and I have therefore reason to believe that this is the limit of its range in that direction; its place appearing to be supplied in Western Australia by the species represented in the succeeding Plate. During my researches in South Australia, I found both species sparingly dispersed over the country, in such localities as are suitable to their habits, between the great bend of the Murray and Lake Alexandrina; this, therefore, would seem to be the border-line of their range on either hand; how far these species are spread to the northward, is yet to be determined.

The Spotted Ground-Thrush gives a decided preference to the summits of low stony hills and rocky gullies, particularly those covered with scrubs and grasses. Its flight is very limited, and this power is rarely employed, except for the purpose of crossing a gully or passing to a neighbouring scrub; it readily eludes pursuit by the facility with which it runs over the stony surface and conceals itself among the underwood. When suddenly flushed it rises with a loud burring noise, like the Quail or Partridge. Its short flight is performed by a succession of undulations, and is terminated by the bird pitching abruptly to the ground almost at right angles.

It seldom perches on the smaller branches of trees, but may be frequently seen to run along the fallen trunks so common in the Australian forests.

Unlike many others of the Thrush family which are celebrated for their song, the note of this species merely consists of a low piping whistle, frequently repeated while among the underwood, and by which its presence is often indicated.

In Hobart Town it is frequently exposed for sale in the markets with Bronzewing Pigeons and Wattle-birds, where it is known by the name of Ground-Dove, an appellation which has doubtless been given both from its habit of running and feeding upon the ground like the Pigeons, and the circumstance of its flesh being very delicate eating; to its excellence in this respect I can bear testimony. The pectoral muscles are very largely developed, and the body, when plucked, has much the contour of a Quail.

The duty of incubation is performed in October and the three following months, during which period two and often three broods are produced. The nest is a slight and rather careless structure, composed of leaves and the inner bark of trees, and is of a round open form; it is always placed on the ground, under the shelter of a large stone, stump of a tree, or a tuft of grass. The eggs are two, and sometimes three, in number, one inch and three lines long, and are white, blotched with large marks of olive-brown, particularly at the larger end, some of the spots appearing as if on the inner surface of the shell. The young, which at two days old are thickly clothed with long black down, like the young of the genus _Rallus_, soon acquire the power of running, and at an early age assume the plumage of the adult, after which they are subject to no periodical change in their appearance. The stomach is very muscular, and in those dissected were found the remains of seeds and caterpillars mingled with sand.

Adult males have the forehead and chest ash-grey; crown of the head, back, rump, and the middle tail-feathers rufous brown, each feather of the back having a broad longitudinal stripe of black down the centre; shoulders and wing-coverts steel-black, each feather having a spot of white at the extreme tip; primaries blackish brown, margined on their outer edges with lighter brown; throat and a narrow band across the chest steel-black; stripe over the eye, a nearly circular spot on the side of the neck, and the centre of the abdomen white; flanks and under tail-coverts reddish buff, with a large oblong stripe of black down the centre of each feather; lateral tail-feathers black, broadly margined with grey on their inner webs, and largely tipped with white; bill black; legs fleshy-white; feet darker; eyes very dark lead-colour, with a naked blackish brown eyelash. The female differs from the male in having all the upper surface of a lighter hue; the throat greyish white instead of black; the spot on the neck rufous instead of white, and in being destitute of the black pectoral band.

The figures are of the natural size.

CINCLOSOMA CASTANOTUS: _Gould_.

_J. & E. Gould del et lith._ _C. Hullmandel Imp._
]

CINCLOSOMA CASTANOTUS, _Gould_.
Chestnut-backed Ground-Thrush.

_Cinclosoma castanotus_, Gould, Proc. of Zool. Soc., September 8,
1840.

_Boȍne-Yung_, Aborigines of the mountain districts of Western
Australia.

This new species of _Cinclosoma_ appears to be as much confined to the southern and western portions of Australia as the preceding species is to the eastern. It inhabits various parts of the great scrub bordering the Murray above Lake Alexandrina, and I have ascertained that it is also found in the neighbourhood of Swan River.

The economy of the present bird closely resembles that of the Spotted Ground-Thrush, as the similarity of their form would naturally lead us to expect; but the more level plains, particularly those that are studded with clumps of dwarf trees and scrubs, would appear to be the situations for which it is more peculiarly adapted, at least such was the character of the country in the Belts of the Murray where I discovered it. On the other hand, it is stated in the notes accompanying specimens received from Swan River, that “it is rarely seen in any but the most barren and rocky places. The white-gum forests, here and there studded with small patches of scrub, are its favourite haunts. It is only found in the interior; the part nearest to the coast, where it has been observed, being Bank’s Hutts on the York Road about fifty-three miles from Fremantle.”

Its disposition is naturally shy and wary, a circumstance which cannot be attributed to any dread of man as an enemy, since it inhabits parts scarcely ever visited either by the natives or Europeans. Few persons, I may safely say, had ever discharged a gun in that rich arboretum, the Belts of the Murray, before the period of my being there; still the bird was so difficult of approach, that it required the utmost exertion to procure any number of specimens. They were generally observed in small troops of four or six in number, running through the scrub one after another in a line, and resorting to a short low flight, when crossing the small intervening plains. The facility with which it runs over the surface of the ground is even greater than in its near ally, and on examination the toes will be found shorter than in that species, and admirably suited to its terrestrial habits: although it doubtless possesses the power of perching, I do not recollect having ever seen it on a tree.

In its mode of flight and nidification it assimilates so closely to the Spotted Ground-Thrush, as to render a separate description superfluous.

The stomach is extremely muscular, and the food consists of seeds and the smaller kind of _Coleoptera_.

The male has the crown of the head, ear-coverts, back of the neck, upper part of the back, upper tail-coverts and two central tail-feathers brown; stripe over the eye, and another from the base of the lower mandible down the side of the neck white; scapularies and lower part of the back rich chestnut; shoulders and wing-coverts black, each feather having a spot of white at the tip; primaries and secondaries dark brown, margined with lighter brown; lateral tail-feathers black, largely tipped with white; chin, throat and centre of the breast steel-black; sides of the chest and flanks brownish grey, the latter blotched with black; centre of the abdomen and under tail-coverts white; bill black; base of the under mandible lead-colour; irides reddish hazel; legs blackish brown. The female differs in having the whole of the plumage much lighter, and with only a slight tinge of chestnut on the rump; the stripes of white over the eye and down the sides of the neck less distinctly marked; the chin, throat and breast grey instead of black; the irides hazel, and the feet leaden brown.

The figures are of the natural size.

CINCLOSOMA CINNAMOMEUS: _Gould_.

_J. Gould and H. C. Richter del et lith._ _Hullmandel & Walton Imp._
]

CINCLOSOMA CINNAMOMEUS, _Gould_.
Cinnamon-coloured Cinclosoma.

_Cinclosoma cinnamomeus_, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part XIV. p.
68.

We are indebted to the researches of that enterprising traveller Captain Sturt for our knowledge of this new _Cinclosoma_, which is the more interesting as forming an additional species of a singular group of Ground-Thrushes peculiar to Australia, of which only two were previously known. The specimen from which my figure is taken now forms part of the collection at the British Museum, and we learn from Captain Sturt that it was the only one procured during his lengthened sojourn at the Depôt in that sterile and inhospitable country, the interior of Australia.

It is considerably smaller than either of its congeners, the _C. castanotus_ and _C. punctatum_, and, moreover, differs from them in the cinnamon colouring of the greater portion of its plumage.

The whole of the upper surface, scapularies, two central tail-feathers, sides of the breast and flanks cinnamon-brown; wing-coverts jet-black, each feather largely tipped with white; above the eye a faint stripe of white; lores and throat glossy black, with a large oval patch of white seated within the black, beneath the eye; under surface white, with a large arrow-shaped patch of glossy black on the breast; feathers on the sides of the abdomen with a broad stripe of black down the centre; lateral tail-feathers jet-black, largely tipped with pure white; under tail-coverts black for four-fifths of their length on the outer web, their inner webs and tips white; eyes brown; tarsi olive; toes black.

The accompanying Plate represents the bird in two positions of the natural size.

OREOCINCLA LUNULATA.

_J. Gould and H. C. Richter del et lith._ _Hullmandel & Walton Imp._
]

OREOCINCLA LUNULATA.
Mountain Thrush.

_Turdus lunulatus_, Lath. Ind. Orn. Supp., p. xlii.

_Philedon_, Temm. Man. d’Orn., 2nd Edit. tom. i. p. lxxxvii.

_Lunulated Thrush_, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. p. 184.

—— _Honey-eater_, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. iv. p. 180.

_Turdus varius_, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 218.

_Oreocincla Novæ-Hollandiæ_ et _O. macrorhyncha_, Gould in Proc. of
Zool. Soc., Part V. p. 145; and in Syn. Birds of Australia,
Part IV.

_Mountain Thrush_, Colonists of Van Diemen’s Land.

In all localities suitable to its habits and mode of life this species is tolerably abundant, both in Van Diemen’s Land and in New South Wales; it has also been observed in South Australia, where however it is rare. From what I saw of it personally, I am led to infer that it gives a decided preference to thick mountain forests, where large boulder stones frequently occur covered with green moss and lichens, particularly if there be much humidity; rocky gulleys and the sides of water-courses are also among its favourite places of resort. In Van Diemen’s Land, the slopes of Mount Wellington and other similar bold elevations are situations in which it may always be seen if closely looked for. During the summer it ascends high up the mountain sides, but in winter it descends to the lower districts, the outskirts of the forests, and occasionally visits the gardens of the settlers. In New South Wales, the Cedar Brushes of the Liverpool range and all similar situations are frequented by it; I also observed it on the islands at the mouth of the Hunter; and I possess specimens from the north shore near Sydney and the banks of the Clarence. Its chief food is Helices and other mollusks, to which insects of many kinds are added; most likely fruits and berries occasionally form a part of its diet. It is a solitary species, more than two being rarely observed together, and frequently a single individual only is to be seen, noiselessly hopping over the rugged ground in search of food. Its powers of flight are seldom exercised, and so far as I am aware it has no song. Considerable variation exists in the size and in the colouring of individuals from different districts. The Van Diemen’s Land specimens are larger, and have the bill more robust, than those from New South Wales; considerable difference also exists in the lunations at the tip of the feathers, some being much darker and more distinctly defined than others. The young assume the plumage of the adults from the nest, but have the lunations paler and the centre of the feathers of the back bright tawny instead of olive-brown.

The Mountain Thrush breeds in all the localities above-mentioned during the months of August, September and October, the nest being placed on the low branches of the trees, often within reach of the hand; those I saw were outwardly formed of green moss and lined with fine crooked black fibrous roots, and were about seven inches in diameter by three inches in depth; the eggs, which are two in number, are of a buffy white or stone-colour, minutely freckled all over with reddish brown, about one inch and three-eighths long by seven-eighths broad.

The sexes are alike in plumage, and may be thus described:—

The whole of the upper surface olive-brown, each feather with a lunar-shaped mark of black at the tip; wings and tail olive-brown, the former fringed with yellowish olive and the outer feather of the latter tipped with white; under surface white, stained with buff on the breast and flanks, each feather, with the exception of those of the centre of the abdomen and the under tail-coverts, with a lunar-shaped mark of black at the tip, narrow on the breast and abdomen and broad on the sides and flanks; irides very dark brown; bill horn-colour, becoming yellow on the base of the lower mandible; feet horn-colour.

The figures are of the natural size.

CHLAMYDERA MACULATA: _Gould_.

_J. & E. Gould del et lith._ _C. Hullmandel Imp._
]

CHLAMYDERA MACULATA, _Gould_.
Spotted Bower-bird.

_Calodera maculata_, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part IV. p. 106,
and Syn. Birds of Australia, Part I.

_Chlamydera maculata_, Gould, Birds of Australia, 1837, Part I.
cancelled.

This species, which is nearly allied to the Satin Bower-bird, is especially interesting, as being the constructor of a bower even more extraordinary than that of the latter, and in which the decorative propensity is carried to a far greater extent. It is as exclusively an inhabitant of the interior of the country as the Satin Bower-bird is of the brushes between the mountain ranges and the coast; and though in all probability it has a wide range over the central portions of the Australian continent, the only parts in which I have observed it, or from which I have ever seen specimens, are the districts immediately to the north of the colony of New South Wales. During my journey into the interior I observed it to be tolerably abundant at Brezi on the river Mokai to the northward of the Liverpool Plains: it is also equally numerous in all the low scrubby ranges in the neighbourhood of the Namoi, as well as in the open brushes which intersect the plains on its borders; still, from the extreme shyness of its disposition, the bird is seldom seen by ordinary travellers, and it must be under very peculiar circumstances that it can be approached sufficiently close to observe its colours. It has a harsh, grating, scolding note, which is generally uttered when its haunts are intruded on, and by which means its presence is detected when it would otherwise escape observation: when disturbed it takes to the topmost branches of the loftiest trees, and frequently flies off to another neighbourhood. I found the readiest way of obtaining specimens was by watching at the water-holes where they come to drink; and on one occasion, near the termination of a long drought, I was guided by a native to a deep basin in a rock, which still held water from the rains of many months before, and where numbers of these birds, as well as Honey-suckers and Parrots, were constantly assembling throughout the day. This natural reservoir had probably been but seldom, if ever, visited by the white man, being situated in a remote mountain, and presenting no attraction to any person but a naturalist. My presence was evidently regarded with suspicion by the visitants to the spot; but while I remained lying on the ground perfectly motionless, though close to the water, their thirst overpowering their fear, they would dash down past me and eagerly take their fill, although an enormous black snake was lying coiled upon a piece of wood near the edge of the pool. Of the numerous assemblage here congregated the Spotted Bower-birds were by far the shyest of the whole, yet six or eight of these, displaying their beautiful necks, were often perched within a few feet of me. The scanty supply of water remaining in the cavity must soon have been exhausted by the thousands of birds that daily resorted to it, had not the rains, so long withheld, soon afterwards descended in torrents, filling every water-course and overflowing the banks of the largest rivers: I remained at this, to me, interesting spot for three days.

In many of its actions and in the greater part of its economy much similarity exists between this species and the Satin Bower-bird, particularly in the curious habit of constructing an artificial bower or playing-ground. I was so far fortunate as to discover several of these bowers during my journey to the interior, the finest of which I succeeded in bringing to England, and it is now in the British Museum. The situations of these runs or bowers are much varied: I found them both on the plains studded with Myalls (_Acacia pendula_) and other small trees, and in the brushes clothing the lower hills. They are considerably longer and more avenue-like than those of the Satin Bower-bird, being in many instances three feet in length, They are outwardly built of twigs, and beautifully lined with tall grasses, so disposed that their heads nearly meet; the decorations are very profuse, and consist of bivalve shells, crania of small mammalia and other bones. Evident and beautiful indications of design are manifest throughout the whole of the bower and decorations formed by this species, particularly in the manner in which the stones are placed within the bower, apparently to keep the grasses with which it is lined fixed firmly in their places: these stones diverge from the mouth of the run on each side so as to form little paths, while the immense collection of decorative materials, bones, shells, &c., are placed in a heap before the entrance of the avenue, this arrangement being the same at both ends. In some of the larger bowers, which had evidently been resorted to for many years, I have seen nearly half a bushel of bones, shells, &c., at each of the entrances. In some instances small bowers, composed almost entirely of grasses, apparently the commencement of a new place of rendezvous, were observable. I frequently found these structures at a considerable distance from the rivers, from the borders of which they could alone have procured the shells and small round pebbly stones; their collection and transportation must therefore be a task of great labour and difficulty. As these birds feed almost entirely upon seeds and fruits, the shells and bones cannot have been collected for any other purpose than ornament; besides, it is only those that have been bleached perfectly white in the sun, or such as have been roasted by the natives, and by this means whitened, that attract their attention. I fully ascertained that these runs, like those of the Satin Bower-bird, formed the rendezvous of many individuals; for, after secreting myself for a short space of time near one of them, I killed two males which I had previously seen running through the avenue.

Crown of the head, ear-coverts and throat rich brown, each feather surrounded with a narrow line of black; feathers on the crown small, and tipped with silvery grey; a beautiful band of elongated feathers of light rose-pink crosses the back of the neck, forming a broad, fan-like, occipital crest; all the upper surface, wings and tail of a deep brown; every feather of the back, rump, scapularies and secondaries tipped with a large round spot of rich buff; primaries slightly tipped with white; all the tail-feathers terminated with buffy white; under surface greyish white; feathers of the flanks marked with faint, transverse, zigzag lines of light brown; bill and feet dusky brown; irides dark brown; bare skin at the corner of the mouth thick, fleshy, prominent, and of a pinky flesh-colour.

Both sexes, when fully adult, are adorned with the rose-coloured frill; but the young birds of the year, both male and female, are without it.

The Plate represents the bower, with two birds, a male and a female, all of the natural size.

CHLAMYDERA NUCHALIS.

_J. & E. Gould del et lith._ _C. Hullmandel Imp._
]

CHLAMYDERA NUCHALIS.
Great Bower-bird.

_Ptilonorhynchus nuchalis_, Jard. and Selb. Ill. Orn., vol. ii. pl.
103.

_Calodera nuchalis_, Gould, Syn. Birds of Australia, Part I.

_Chlamydera nuchalis_, Gould, Birds of Australia, 1837, Part I.
cancelled.—G. R. Gray, List of Gen. of Birds, p. 40.

This fine species was first described and figured in the “Illustrations of Ornithology,” by Sir William Jardine and Mr. Selby, from the then unique specimens in the collection of the Linnean Society; but neither the part of Australia of which it is a native or any particulars relative to its habits were known to those gentlemen, nor have I myself had an opportunity of observing it in a state of nature, the bird being an inhabitant of the north-west coast, a portion of the Australian continent that has, as yet, been but little visited. I am indebted for individuals of both sexes of this bird to two of the officers of the “Beagle,” Messrs. Bynoe and Dring; but neither of these gentlemen furnished me with any account of its economy. Captain Grey, however, on his return from his expedition to those regions, informed me that he frequently found during his rambles a most singular bower, made in every way like that of the _Chlamydera maculata_, and which was always an object of great interest to him, being unable to satisfy himself as to what animal had constructed it, or even whether it was the work of a bird or of a quadruped: he was inclined to suppose the latter, but I think there need not be the slightest hesitation in ascribing its formation to the _Chlamydera nuchalis_; for we may reasonably expect that a species so very closely allied to that of the southern and eastern portions of the continent would partake of its peculiar habits and economy. The following notes were written on the spot, and were kindly given to me by Captain Grey:—

“These bowers were formed of dead grass and parts of bushes, sunk a slight depth into two parallel furrows, in sandy soil, and were nicely arched above; but the most remarkable fact connected with them was, that they were always full of broken sea-shells, large heaps of which also protruded from each extremity of the bower. In one of these bowers, the most remote from the sea that we discovered, were found a heap of the stones of some fruit which had evidently been rolled in the sea. I never saw any animal in or near to these bowers, but the dung of a small species of Kangaroo was always abundant close to them, which induced me to suppose them to be the work of some kind of quadruped.”

The circumstance of Captain Grey, never having perceived the birds near the runs, serves to show that it exhibits the same shyness of disposition as the other species.

Head and all the upper surface greyish brown, the feathers of the former with a shining or satiny lustre; the feathers of the back, wing-coverts, scapulars, quills and tail tipped with greyish white; on the nape of the neck a beautiful rose-pink fascia, consisting of narrow feathers, partly encircled by a ruff of satin-like plumes, the tips distinct, rounded, and turning inwards; under surface yellowish grey, the flanks tinged with brown; irides, bill and legs brownish black.

In one of the specimens I possess, and which formed the subject of the upper figure in the Plate, no trace of the nuchal ornament is observable, a circumstance I conceive to be indicative of youth rather than a distinguishing characteristic of the sexes, since in the other species I find the mark common to both, but the young bird of the year without any trace of it.

The Plate represents a male and a young bird, of the natural size.

PTILONORHYNCHUS HOLOSERICEUS: _Kuhl_

_J. & E. Gould del et lith._ _C. Hullmandel Imp._
]

PTILONORHYNCHUS HOLOSERICEUS, _Kuhl_.
Satin Bower-bird.

_Ptilonorhynchus holosericeus_, Kuhl, Beytr. zur Zool. S. 150.—Wagl.
Syst. Av. sp. 1.—G. R. Gray, Gen. of Birds, p. 40.—Swains.
Class. of Birds, vol. ii. p. 271.

_Pyrrhocorax violaceus_, Vieill. Nouv. Diet. d’Hist. Nat., tom. vi. p.
569.—Ib. Ency. Méth. 1823, p. 896.

_Kitta holosericea_, Temm. Pl. Col. 395 and 422.—Less. Traité d’Orn.,
p. 350, pl. 46. fig. 1.

_Satin Grakle_, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. iii. p. 171.

_Ptilonorhynchus MacLeayii_, Lath. MSS., Vig. and Horsf. in Linn.
Trans., vol. xv. p. 263.

_Corvus squamulosus_, Ill., female or young?

Ptilonorhynchus squamulosus, Wagl. Syst. Av. sp. 2, female or young?

_Satin Bird_, of the Colonists of New South Wales.

_Cowry_, of the Aborigines of the coast of New South Wales.

Although this species has been long known to ornithologists, and is familiar to the colonists of New South Wales, its habits, which in many respects are most extraordinary, have hitherto escaped attention; or if not entirely so, have never been brought before the scientific world. It is, therefore, a source of high gratification to myself to be the first to place them on record.

One point to which I more particularly allude,—a point of no ordinary interest, both to the naturalist and the general admirer of nature,—is the formation of a bower-like structure by this bird for the purpose of a playing-ground or hall of assembly, a circumstance in its economy which adds another to the many anomalies connected with the Fauna of Australia.

The localities favourable to the habits of the Satin Bower-bird are the luxuriant and thickly-foliaged brushes stretching along the coast from Port Philip to Moreton Bay, the cedar brushes of the Liverpool range, and most of the gullies of the great mountain-chain separating the colony from the interior. So far as is at present known, it is restricted to New South Wales; certainly it is not found so far to the westward as South Australia, and I am not aware of its having been seen on the north coast; but its range in that direction can only be determined by future research.

It is a stationary species, but appears to range from one part of a district to another, either for the purpose of varying the nature, or of obtaining a more abundant supply of food. Judging from the contents of the stomachs of the many specimens I dissected, it would seem that it is altogether granivorous and frugivorous, or if not exclusively so, that insects form but a small portion of its diet. Independently of numerous berry-bearing plants and shrubs, the brushes it inhabits are studded with enormous fig-trees, some of them towering to the height of two hundred feet; among the lofty branches of these giants of the forest, the Satin Bower-bird and several species of Pigeons find in the small wild fig, with which the branches are loaded, an abundant supply of a favourite food: this species also commits considerable depredation on any ripening corn near the localities it frequents. It appears to have particular times in the day for feeding, and when thus engaged among the low shrub-like trees, I have approached within a few feet without creating alarm; but at other times I have found this bird extremely shy and watchful, especially the old males, which not unfrequently perch on the topmost branch or dead limb of the loftiest tree in the forest, whence they can survey all round, and watch the movements of the females and young in the brush below.

In the autumn they associate in small flocks, and may often be seen on the ground near the sides of rivers, particularly where the brush descends in a steep bank to the water’s edge.

Besides the loud liquid call peculiar to the male, both sexes frequently utter a harsh, unpleasant, guttural note indicative of surprise or displeasure. The old black males are exceedingly few in number, as compared with the females and young male birds in the green dress, from which and other circumstances I am led to believe that at least two, if not three years, elapse before they attain the rich satin-like plumage, which, when once perfectly assumed, is, I believe, never again thrown off.

I regret to state, that although I used my utmost endeavours, I could never discover the nest and eggs of this species, neither could I obtain any authentic information respecting them, either from the natives or the colonists, of whom I made frequent inquiries.

The extraordinary bower-like structure, alluded to above, first came under my notice at Sydney, to the Museum of which place an example had been presented by Mr. Charles Coxen, as the work of the Satin Bower-bird. I at once determined to leave no means untried for ascertaining every particular relating to this peculiar feature in the bird’s economy, and on visiting the cedar brushes of the Liverpool range I discovered several of these bowers or playing-places; and a glance at the accompanying illustration will, I presume, give a more correct idea of the nature of these erections than the most minute description. They are usually placed under the shelter of the branches of some overhanging tree in the most retired part of the forest: they differ considerably in size, some being a third larger than the one here represented, while others are much smaller. The base consists of an extensive and rather convex platform of sticks firmly interwoven, on the centre of which the bower itself is built: this, like the platform on which it is placed and with which it is interwoven, is formed of sticks and twigs, but of a more slender and flexible description, the tips of the twigs being so arranged as to curve inwards and nearly meet at the top: in the interior of the bower the materials are so placed that the forks of the twigs are always presented outwards, by which arrangement not the slightest obstruction is offered to the passage of the birds. The interest of this curious bower is much enhanced by the manner in which it is decorated at and near the entrance with the most gaily-coloured articles that can be collected, such as the blue tail-feathers of the Rose-hill and Pennantian Parrots, bleached bones, the shells of snails, &c.; some of the feathers are stuck in among the twigs, while others with the bones and shells are strewed about near the entrances. The propensity of these birds to pick up and fly off with any attractive object, is so well known to the natives, that they always search the runs for any small missing article, as the bowl of a pipe, &c., that may have been accidentally dropped in the brush. I myself found at the entrance of one of them a small neatly-worked stone tomahawk, of an inch and a half in length, together with some slips of blue cotton rags, which the birds had doubtless picked up at a deserted encampment of the natives.

For what purpose these curious bowers are made, is not yet, perhaps, fully understood; they are certainly not used as a nest, but as a place of resort for many individuals of both sexes, which, when there assembled, run through and around the bower in a sportive and playful manner, and that so frequently that it is seldom entirely deserted.

The proceedings of these birds have not been sufficiently watched, to render it certain whether the runs are frequented throughout the whole year or not; but it is highly probable that they are merely resorted to as a rendezvous, or playing-ground, at the pairing time and during the period of incubation. It was at this season, as I judged from the state of the plumage and from the internal indications of those I dissected, that I visited these localities; the bowers I found had been recently renewed; it was however evident, from the appearance of a portion of the accumulated mass of sticks, &c., that the same spot had been used as a place of resort for many years. Mr. Charles Coxen informed me, that, after having destroyed one of these bowers and secreted himself, he had the satisfaction of seeing it partially reconstructed; the birds engaged in this task, be added, were females. With much care and trouble I succeeded in bringing to England two fine specimens of these bowers, one of which I presented to the British Museum, and the other to the collection at Leyden, where they may be seen by all those who take an interest in the subject.

It will be observed, that the two following nearly allied species, _Chlamydera maculata_ and _Chlam. nuchalis_, also build similar erections, and that in them the decorative propensity is carried to a much greater extent than in the Satin Bower-bird.

The adult male has the whole of the plumage of a deep shining blue-black, closely resembling satin, with the exception of the primary wing-feathers, which are of a deep velvety black, and the wing-coverts, secondaries and tail-feathers, which are also of a velvety black, tipped with the shining blue-black lustre; irides beautiful light blue with a circle of red round the pupil; bill bluish horn, passing into yellow at the tip; legs and feet yellowish white.

The female has the head and all the upper surface greyish green; wings and tail dark sulphur-brown, the inner webs of the primaries being the darkest; under surface containing the same tints as the upper, but very much lighter, and with a wash of yellow; each feather of the under surface also has a crescent-shaped mark of dark brown near the extremity, giving the whole a scaly appearance; irides of a deeper blue than in the male, and with only an indication of the red ring; bill dark horn-colour; feet yellowish white tinged with olive.

Young males closely resemble the females, but differ in having the under surface of a more greenish yellow hue, and the crescent-shaped markings more numerous; irides dark blue; feet olive-brown; bill blackish olive.

The Plate represents the bower, an old male, female, and two young males; one in the green dress and the other in a state of change, all about a fifth less than the natural size.

PTILONORHYNCHUS SMITHII: _Vig. & Horsf._

_J. Gould and H. C. Richter del et lith._ _Hullmandel & Walton Imp._
]

PTILONORHYNCHUS SMITHII, _Vig. & Horsf._
Cat Bird.

_Varied Roller_, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. iii. p. 86.

_Ptilonorhynchus Smithii_, Lath. MSS. Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans.,
vol. xv. p. 264.

—— _viridis_, Wagl. Syst. Av., sp. 3.

_Kitta virescens_, Temm. Pl. Col., 396.

_Cat Bird_ of the Colonists of New South Wales.

So far as our knowledge extends, this fine species is only found in New South Wales, where it inhabits all those luxuriant forests that extend along the eastern coast between the mountain ranges and the sea; those of Illawarra, the Hunter, the MacLeay, and the Clarence and the cedar brushes of the Liverpool range being, among many others, localities in which it may always be found: situations suitable to the Regent and Satin Birds are equally adapted to the habits of the Cat Bird, and I have not unfrequently seen them all three feeding together on the same tree, when the branches bore a thick crop of berries and fruits. The wild fig, and the native cherry, when in season, afford it an abundant supply. So rarely do they take insects, that I do not recollect ever finding any remains in the stomachs of those specimens I dissected. In its disposition it is neither a shy nor a wary bird, little caution being required to approach it, either when feeding or while quietly perched upon the lofty branches of the trees. It is at such times that its loud, harsh and extraordinary note is heard; a note which differs so much from that of all other birds, that having been once heard it can never be mistaken. In comparing it to the nightly concerts of the domestic cat, I conceive that I am conveying to my readers a more perfect idea of the note of this species than could be given by pages of description. This concert, like that of the animal whose name it bears, is performed either by a pair or several individuals, and nothing more is required than for the hearer to shut his eyes from the neighbouring foliage to fancy himself surrounded by London grimalkins of house-top celebrity.

While in the district in which this bird is found, my almost undivided attention was directed to the acquisition of all the information I could obtain respecting its habits, as I considered it very probable that it might construct a bower similar to that of the Satin Bird; but I could not satisfy myself that it does, nor could I discover its nest, or the situation in which it breeds; it is doubtless, however, among the branches of the trees of the forest in which it lives. It certainly is not a migratory bird, although it may range from one portion of the brushes to another, according as the supply of food may be more or less abundant.

The sexes do not offer the slightest difference in plumage, or any external character by which the male may be distinguished from the female; she is, however, rather less brilliant in her markings, and somewhat smaller in size.

Head and back of the neck olive-green, with a narrow line of white down each of the feathers of the latter; back, wings and tail grass-green, with a tinge of blue on the margins of the back-feathers; the wing-coverts and secondaries with a spot of white at the extremity of their outer web; primaries black, their external webs grass-green at the base and bluish green for the remainder of their length; all but the two central tail-feathers tipped with white; all the under surface yellowish green, with a spatulate mark of yellowish white down the centre of each feather; bill light horn-colour; irides brownish red; feet whitish.

The Plate represents the two sexes of the natural size.

SERICULUS CHRYSOCEPHALUS.

_J. Gould and H. C. Richter del et lith._ _Hallmandel & Walton Imp._
]

SERICULUS CHRYSOCEPHALUS.
Regent Bird.

_Meliphaga chrysocephala_, Lewin, Birds of New Holl., pl. 1.

_Golden-crowned Honey-eater_, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. iv. p. 184.

_Oriolus regens_, Temm. Pl. Col., 320.—Quoy et Gaim. Zool. de
l’Uranie, pl. 22.—Less. Zool. de Coquille, pl. 20 (female).

_Sericulus chrysocephalus_, Swains. in Zool. Journ., vol. i. p.
478.—Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 326.—Jard.
and Selb. Ill. Orn., vol. i. pls. 18, 19, 20.—G. R. Gray,
List of Gen. of Birds, 2nd edit., p. 38.—Swains. Class. of
Birds, vol. ii. p. 237.—Less. Traité d’Orn., p. 340.—Steph.
Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xiv. p. 266.

_Sericulus regens_, Less. Man. d’Orn., tom. i. p. 256.