species enumerated below that I have thought it unnecessary to figure
more than two, viz. _P. humeralis_ and _P. Cuvieri_; the other two may
be readily distinguished by the descriptions I have given of them,
particularly if the localities be attended to.
40. Podargus megacephalus.
_Caprimulgus megacephalus_, Lath. Ind. Orn. Supp., p. lviii.
_Great-headed Goatsucker_, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. p.
265.—Shaw, Gen. Zool., vol. x. p. 141.—Lath. Gen. Hist., vol.
vii. p. 364.
_Wedge-tailed Goatsucker_, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. vii. p. 368?
_Podargus Stanleyanus_, Lath. MSS., Vig. & Horsf. in Linn. Trans.,
vol. xv. p. 197?
In the general colouring, form and arrangement of its markings, this
species so closely resembles the _P. humeralis_, that one description
applies equally to both; but it may be distinguished by its being
somewhat larger in the body and much larger in the head, and by the very
great development of the mandibles.
It inhabits the brushes of the east coast, and in its habits and economy
resembles the other species of the group.
41. Podargus humeralis, _Vig. & Horsf._ Vol. II. Pl. 3.
42. Podargus Cuvieri, _Vig. & Horsf._ Vol. II. Pl. 4.
43. Podargus brachypterus, _Gould_.
_Podargus brachypterus_, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part VIII.
p. 163.
In its general appearance this bird closely resembles the _P.
humeralis_, but is even smaller in size than _P. Cuvieri_, while at the
same time the bill is larger than that of the former species, and
projects much farther from the face than in any other of its congeners;
it also differs in the shortness of its wings, which circumstance
suggested the specific appellation I have assigned to it.
It is a native of Western Australia.
44. Podargus Phalænoïdes, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 5.
45. Podargus plumiferus, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 6.
Genus EUROSTOPODUS, _Gould_.
Generic characters.
_Bill_ somewhat more produced and stouter than in _Caprimulgus_;
_nostrils_ lateral and linear; _rictus_ entirely devoid of bristles, but
furnished with short, weak, divided and branching hairs; _wings_ longer
and more powerful than in _Caprimulgus_; first and second quills equal
and longest; _tail_ moderately long and nearly square; _tarsi_ stout,
and clothed anteriorly for their whole length; _toes_ short, thick and
fleshy; outer ones equal, and united to the middle one by a membrane for
more than half their length; nail of the middle toe strongly pectinated
on the inner side.
This genus, so far as is yet known, comprises but two species, both of
which are natives of and confined to Australia. They differ considerably
in their habits from the true _Caprimulgi_. Their wing-powers being
enormous, they pass through the air with great rapidity, and while
hawking for insects during the twilight of the early dawn and evening,
they make the most abrupt and sudden turns in order to secure their
prey. Like the typical _Caprimulgi_, they rest on the ground during the
day. In every instance in which the site employed for incubation has
been discovered, a single egg only has been found; it is deposited on
the bare ground, and differs from those of the other _Caprimulgi_ in
being much more round in form, and of a dull olive-green spotted with
jet black.
The members of this genus are very nearly allied to the _Lyncorni_, a
group of birds inhabiting the Indian Islands.
46. Eurostopodus albogularis Vol. II. Pl. 7.
47. Eurostopodus guttatus Vol. II. Pl. 8.
_Fichtel’s Goatsucker_, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. vii. p. 345.
Genus CAPRIMULGUS, _Linn._
Europe, Asia and Africa are the great strongholds of the members of this
genus as at present restricted. A single species only has yet been
discovered in Australia, where it frequents the northern or
intertropical parts of the country.
48. Caprimulgus macrurus, _Horsf._ Vol. II. Pl. 9.
This bird is found in Java, and I believe in Southern India.
Family HIRUNDINIDÆ, _Vig._
Genus ACANTHYLIS, _Boie_.
A group of birds possessing enormous powers of flight, and the members
of which are distributed over the Indian Islands and Asia; the form is
also found in Africa and in America, but in those countries the species
are fewer in number: one species only has yet been discovered in
Australia.
49. Acanthylis caudacuta Vol. II. Pl. 10.
A migratory bird in most parts of Australia, but whence it comes or
whither it goes has not yet been ascertained; of its nidification also
nothing is known.
I have alluded to the great wing-powers of the birds of the genus
_Acanthylis_, and in confirmation of which I may mention that an
individual of this species was killed in England during the past year:
it would be interesting to know the route pursued by the bird in
travelling so great a distance as it must have done.
Genus CYPSELUS, _Ill._
Of this genus, as of _Acanthylis_, there is but one species peculiar to
Australia: other members of the group inhabit the continents of Europe,
Asia and Africa, but not America.
50. Cypselus Australis, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 11.
_Hirundo pacifica_, Lath.?
Genus ATTICORA, _Boie_.
The members of this genus are principally American.
I am not fully satisfied of the propriety of placing the bird I
described in the ‘Proceedings of the Zoological Society’ as _Hirundo
leucosternon_ in the present genus: if on a further knowledge of the
Australian birds it should prove that I have been correct in so doing,
the species will be found to inhabit Australia, Africa and America.
51. Atticora leucosternon, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 12.
Since I described and figured this species I have received numerous
examples from Swan River, where Mr. Gilbert observed it on the 19th of
August flying about the holes of the Boodee (_Bettongia Grayii_) in
pairs; but it was not until the latter end of September that he
succeeded in finding their nests placed at the extremities of holes
bored in the side of a bank. All the holes that he saw were perfectly
round, not more than two inches in diameter, running horizontally, and
of the same dimensions, for three feet from the entrance, and then
expanding to the extent of four inches and forming the receptacle of the
nest, which is constructed of the broad portions of dried grasses and
the dry dead leaves of the Acacia. Mr. Johnson Drummond informed him
that he had frequently found seven and even nine eggs in a single nest,
from which he inferred that more than one female lays in the same nest:
the eggs are white, somewhat lengthened, and pointed in form. It would
seem that the holes are not constructed exclusively for the purpose of
nidification, for upon Mr. Gilbert’s inserting a long grass stalk into
one of them five birds made their way out, all of which he succeeded in
catching; upon his digging to the extremity in the hope of procuring
their eggs, no nest was found, and hence he concludes that their holes
are also used as places of resort for the night.
Genus HIRUNDO, _Linn._
The members of the genus _Hirundo_, or true Swallows, inhabit Europe,
Asia, Africa, North America, the Indian Islands and Australia, where the
European and American chimney Swallows, _Hirundo rustica_ and _H. rufa_,
are beautifully represented by the _H. neoxena_.
52. Hirundo neoxena, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 13.
_Hirundo neoxena_, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part X. p. 113.
Genus CHELIDON, _Boie_.
I find that by some unaccountable mistake I have placed the Australian
members of this genus in that of _Collocalia_,—an error which I take
this opportunity of correcting.
The two species inhabiting Australia are both represented by others in
Europe, Asia, Africa and America. They differ somewhat from each other
in habits, one always resorting to the holes of trees for the purpose of
nidification, and the other building a clay nest similar to those
constructed by the martins of Europe and America.
53. Chelidon arborea.
Collocalia arborea, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 14.
54. Chelidon Ariel.
Collocalia Ariel, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 15.
Family MEROPIDÆ, _Vig._
Genus MEROPS, _Linn._
India and Africa may be said to be the great nursery of this lovely
group of birds; one species of which, common in the southern parts of
Europe, is beautifully represented in Australia by the _Merops ornatus_,
the only species inhabiting that country.
55. Merops ornatus, _Lath._ Vol. II. Pl. 16.
Family ——?
Genus EURYSTOMUS, _Vieill._
One species of this genus is found in Australia, and others inhabit
India and Africa. They are closely allied to the Rollers, and not very
distantly related to the Halcyons.
56. Eurystomus Australis, _Swains._ Vol. II. Pl. 17.
Family HALCYONIDÆ, _Vig._
Genus DACELO, _Leach_.
The members of the genus _Dacelo_ comprise the largest species of the
great family of the _Halcyonidæ_, and form a conspicuous portion of the
ornithology of Australia; but remarkably enough are confined to the
south-eastern and northern portions of the country, the south-western
parts being uninhabited by any species of this group. I believe that
water is not essential to their existence, and that they seldom if ever
drink. They feed almost exclusively upon animal substances, small
quadrupeds, birds, snakes, lizards, and insects of every kind being
equally acceptable.
Three species inhabit Australia.
57. Dacelo gigantea Vol. II. Pl. 18.
Inhabits the south-eastern portion of Australia, from South Australia to
Moreton Bay.
58. Dacelo Leachii, _Vig. & Horsf._ Vol. II. Pl. 19.
Inhabits the north-eastern portion of Australia, and is common at Cape
York.
59. Dacelo cervina, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 20.
Inhabits the north-western parts of Australia, particularly the Cobourg
Peninsula.
In his ‘Journal of an Overland Expedition from Moreton Bay to Port
Essington,’ Dr. Leichardt states that when near the Gulf of Carpentaria,
“The laughing jackass (Dacelo Cervina, _Gould_) of this part of the
country is of a different species from that of the eastern coast, is of
a smaller size and speaks a different language; but the noise is by no
means so ridiculous as that of _Dacelo gigantea_; he is heard before
sunrise, and immediately after sunset, like his representative of the
eastern coast; the latter was observed as far as the upper Lynd, where
the new one made its appearance.”—P. 326.
Genus HALCYON, _Swains._
The members of this genus, as now restricted, are found in all the
islands of the Indian Archipelago, Australia, and New Zealand. The
Australian species, which are four in number, have many habits in common
with the _Dacelos_, and like them dwell among other places on the open
plains, far away from water, and consequently must live for considerable
periods without a supply of that element.
60. Halcyon sanctus, _Vig. & Horsf._ Vol. II. Pl. 21.
61. Halcyon pyrrhopygia, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 22.
Captain Sturt found this species at the Depôt, and I have received
specimens from the Swan River Settlement; consequently it has a very
wide range, but is more an inhabitant of the interior than of the
districts near the coast.
62. Halcyon sordidus, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 23.
63. Halcyon MacLeayii, _Jard. & Selb._ Vol. II. Pl. 24.
Independently of the Cobourg Peninsula, I have received specimens of
this bird from Moreton Bay and other parts of the east coast.
Genus ALCYONE, _Swains._
The Australian members of this genus are so intimately allied that I
have only deemed it necessary to figure two species, viz. _Alcyone
azurea_ and _A. pusilla_; the two species not figured are both nearly
allied to _A. azurea_, and may be considered its northern and southern
prototypes, since the one to which I have given the name of _pulchra_
inhabits the north coast, and the other, which I have called
_Diemenensis_, inhabits Van Diemen’s Land. The _A. azurea_ inhabits the
intermediate or rather the south-eastern portions of the country, but no
species of the genus has yet been found in Western Australia. They all
frequent the margins of rivers, and live on small fish and insects, and
have many habits in common with the members of the genus _Alcedo_, of
which the Kingfisher of Europe, _A. Ispida_, is the type. Although some
species are found in New Guinea and the Indian Islands, Australia is the
country in which birds of this form are most abundant.
64. Alcyone azurea Vol. II. Pl. 25.
65. Alcyone Diemenensis, _Gould_.
_Alcyone Diemenensis_, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part XIV. p.
19.
All the upper surface deep blue, becoming more vivid on the rump and
upper tail-coverts; wings black washed with blue; throat buff; under
surface of the body and wings ferruginous orange; on each side of the
chest a patch of bluish black; lores and a small patch behind the ears
buff; crown of the head indistinctly barred with black; irides and bill
black; feet orange. Total length 6½ inches; bill, 2; wing, 3⅛; tail, 1¾;
tarsi, ½.
Inhabits Van Diemen’s Land.
More robust than _Alcyone azurea_, or _A. pulchra_, and differing from
both in the blue of the upper surface being tinged with green.
66. Alcyone pulchra, _Gould_.
_Alcyone pulchra_, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part XIV. p. 19.
All the upper surface shining purplish blue; wings brownish black;
lores, tuft behind the ear, and throat buff; under surface deep
ferruginous orange; sides of the chest fine purplish blue, passing into
a rich vinous tint on the flanks; irides and bill black; feet orange.
Total length 6 inches; bill, 2; wing, 2⅞; tail, 1½; tarsi ½.
Inhabits the north coast of Australia.
This is the finest coloured species of the Australian _Alcyones_, and is
distinguished by the beautiful vinous colouring of the flanks.
67. Alcyone pusilla Vol. II. Pl. 26.
Family ——?
Genus ARTAMUS, _Vieill._
The members of this singular genus are distributed over New Guinea,
Ceram, the Indian Islands and the continent of India, but are more
numerous in Australia than elsewhere, its fauna comprising no less than
seven well-defined species.
68. Artamus sordidus Vol. II. Pl. 27.
69. Artamus minor, _Vieill._ Vol. II. Pl. 28.
Mr. Gilbert found this species breeding in the interior of the country
during Dr. Leichardt’s overland journey to Port Essington.
70. Artamus cinereus, _Vieill._ Vol. II. Pl. 29.
71. Artamus albiventris, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 30.
72. Artamus personatus, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 31.
73. Artamus superciliosus, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 32.
74. Artamus leucopygialis, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 33.
Family ——?
Genus DICÆUM, _Cuv._
The continent of India, the Indian Islands and New Guinea are the
countries in which the members of this genus abound; as yet only a
single species has been found in Australia.
75. Dicæum hirundinaceum Vol. II. Pl. 34.
Family PIPRIDÆ, _Vig._
Genus PARDALOTUS, _Vieill._
This form is peculiar to Australia, in every portion of which great
country, including Van Diemen’s Land, one or other of the species I have
figured are to be found; some of them associated in the same district,
and even inhabiting the same trees, while in other parts only a single
species exists; for instance, the _P. punctatus_, _P. quadragintus_ and
_P. affinis_ inhabit Van Diemen’s Land; on the whole of the southern
coast of the continent from east to west _P. punctatus_ and _P.
striatus_ are associated; the north coast is the cradle of the species I
have called _P. uropygialis_, and the east coast that of _P.
melanocephalus_, from both of which countries the others are excluded;
the true habitat of the beautiful species I have figured and described
as _P. rubricatus_ is not yet known.
The seven species of this little group are each individually very
numerous, which, together with their general distribution, may enable
them to effect some important operation in the economy of nature; their
chief food consisting of the larvæ of insects.
76. Pardalotus punctatus Vol. II. Pl. 35.
77. Pardalotus rubricatus, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 36.
78. Pardalotus quadragintus, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 37.
79. Pardalotus striatus Vol. II. Pl. 38.
80. Pardalotus affinis, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 39.
81. Pardalotus melanocephalus, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 40.
82. Pardalotus uropygialis, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 41.
Family LANIADÆ, _Vig._
Genus STREPERA, _Less._
Prior to the commencement of the present work only two species of this
form (_S. graculina_ and _S. Anaphonensis_) had been described, and
these had been referred to a different genus by almost every author who
had occasion to mention them; the older writers assigning them to
_Corvus_, _Coracias_ and _Gracula_, and the more modern ones to
_Cracticus_ and _Barita_: finding that their structure did not agree
with the character of either of those genera, I (in 1837) proposed to
make the first-mentioned species the type of a new genus (_Coronica_),
not being aware at the time that this had been done some years before by
M. Lesson, whose name, having the priority, is necessarily the one
adopted.
My researches in Australia have enabled me to add four other species to
the group, three possessing well-defined specific characters, and one,
the distinctive markings of which are not so apparent, but which, in my
opinion, is equally distinct; the specific characters of some groups of
birds are, in fact, so difficult to be determined, both from the
similarity of the species and the want of a knowledge of their natural
habits, as to cause the naturalist no little trouble and research in
properly distinguishing them; and to no group does this remark more
strongly apply than to the one under consideration; the ample materials,
however, at my command, and the possession of a large number of
specimens, the sexes of which have all been ascertained by dissection,
and the habits of which have been observed in their native localities,
enables me to give as perfect an account of this curious group as any I
have yet attempted.
On a careful examination of the members of this genus, it will be
perceived that their relationship to the _Corvidæ_, to which they have
been usually assigned, is very remote, their size and colour being, in
fact, the only features of resemblance; their whole structure and
economy is indeed very different from those of every other bird known,
except those of _Gymnorhina_ and _Cracticus_, with which genera they
form a very natural group among the great family of _Laniadæ_ or
Shrikes.
All the species yet discovered are not only peculiar to Australia, but
are strictly confined to the southern portion of that continent; their
range being limited to the country comprised within the 25th and 40th
degrees of south latitude; future research may, however, add both to the
number of species and to the extent of their range; still their great
stronghold is undoubtedly the most southern portion of the Australian
continent, the islands of Bass’s Straits and Van Diemen’s Land.
Most of these birds seek their food on or near the ground, sometimes in
swampy situations, and even on the sea-shore, at others on the most
sterile plains far distant from water; grasshoppers and insects of every
order are eaten by them with avidity, and to these grain, seeds and
fruits are frequently added; they hop with remarkable agility over the
broken surface of the ground, and leap from branch to branch with great
alacrity: their flight is feeble and protracted, and they seldom mount
high in the air, except for the purpose of crossing a gully, or for
passing from one part of the forest to another, and then merely over the
tops of the trees; during flight they usually utter a peculiar shrill
cry, which is frequently repeated and answered by other birds of the
same troop, for they mostly flit about in small companies of from four
to six in number, apparently the parents and their offspring of the
year. All the species occasionally descend to the cultivated grounds,
orchards and gardens of the settlers, and commit considerable havoc
among their fruits and grain; in many parts of Australia, particularly
in Van Diemen’s Land, they form an article of food, and are considered
good and even delicate eating. They usually build open cup-shaped nests
as large as that of the Crow, composed of sticks and other coarse
materials, lined with grasses or any other suitable substance that may
be at hand; the eggs are generally three, but are sometimes four, in
number. The sexes are similar in plumage, and the young assume the
livery of the adult from the time they leave the nest.
83. Strepera graculina Vol. II. Pl. 42.
84. Strepera fuliginosa, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 43.
85. Strepera Arguta, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 44.
86. Strepera Anaphonensis Vol. II. Pl. 45.
_Corvus versicolor_, Lath.?
87. Strepera melanoptera, _Gould_.
_Strepera melanoptera_, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part XIV. p.
20.
All the upper surface, wings, and tail black; under surface brownish
black, tinged with grey on the abdomen; under tail-coverts and tips of
all but the two centre tail-feathers white; irides yellow; bill and feet
black.
Total length, 19 inches; _bill_, 2; _wings_, 11; _tail_, 9; _tarsi_, 2⅝.
This species inhabits South Australia, and is distinguished from all its
congeners by the total absence of any white mark on the wings; in other
respects it is so similar to _S. Arguta_, that I have not considered it
necessary to give a figure of it.
Genus GYMNORHINA, _G. R. Gray_.
Like _Strepera_ this is strictly an Australian form, all the species of
which frequent exclusively the southern parts of the country. Their
structure is a mere modification of that of the members of the last
genus adapted to a somewhat different mode of life and habits. They are
more pastoral than the _Streperæ_, frequenting as they do the open
plains and grassy downs, over which they run or rather hop with great
facility. Their chief food consists of grasshoppers and other insects,
to which berries and fruits are added, when such kinds of food are
procurable. If unmolested in their natural haunts they may be considered
a more familiar race than the _Streperæ_, but if persecuted they become
extremely shy and distrustful. Few birds are more ornamental, or give a
more animated appearance to the country than the members of this genus,
either when running over the surface of the lawn-like ground, or when
pouring forth their singular choral-like notes while perched together on
the bare branches of a fallen _Eucalyptus_. The form and situation of
the nest is the same as those of the _Streperæ_, larger, but not unlike
that of the European Crow.
Specimens of this form from Western Australia exhibit some trifling
differences, but I have not as yet been able to satisfy myself whether
they are or are not distinct.
88. Gymnorhina Tibicen Vol. II. Pl. 46.
89. Gymnorhina leuconota, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 47.
90. Gymnorhina organicum, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 48.
Genus CRACTICUS, _Vieill._
The members of this genus, which are universally dispersed over
Australia, prey upon small quadrupeds, birds, lizards and insects, which
they frequently impale after the manner of the ordinary Shrikes. Their
nidification resembles that of the species belonging to the genera
_Strepera_ and _Gymnorhina_, the nest being a large round structure
placed among the branches of the trees, and the eggs four in number. So
great a similarity exists between the birds inhabiting New South Wales,
Van Diemen’s Land, and Swan River, that I have thought it unnecessary to
figure the whole, but the annexed descriptions, with a due attention to
the localities, will obviate all difficulty in determining the species.
91. Cracticus nigrogularis, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 49.
_Lanius robustus_, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. ii. p. 67?
92. Cracticus picatus, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 50.
93. Cracticus argenteus, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl 51.
94. Cracticus destructor Vol. II. Pl. 52.
_Lanius curvirostris_, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. ii. p. 52.
_Lanius torquatus_, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. ii. p. 70.
95. Cracticus cinereus, _Gould_.
_Vanga cinerea_, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part IV. p. 143.
Inhabits Van Diemen’s Land, and may be distinguished from _C.
destructor_ by its much longer bill, and, when fully adult, by its grey
back.
96. Cracticus leucopterus, _Gould_.
Inhabits Western Australia; is of the same size as _C. destructor_, but
has the white mark on the wings much larger and more clearly defined.
97. Cracticus Quoyii Vol. II. Pl. 53.
Genus GRALLINA, _Vieill._