to the south-eastern part of the country. I regret to say that I have
not been able to gain any further information respecting its
nidification, although I have urged many persons in Australia to pay
particular attention to the subject.
Genus PSOPHODES, _Vig. & Horsf._
Among the many novelties comprised in the present work is a second
species of this form, of which only one was previously known.
168. Psophodes crepitans Vol. II. Pl. 15.
_Corvus auritus_, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. iii. p. 42.
Inhabits the south-eastern parts of Australia.
169. Psophodes nigrogularis, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 16.
This new species is a native of the western coast.
Genus SPHENOSTOMA, _Gould_.
Generic characters.
_Bill_ very short, compressed laterally, wedge-shaped, upper mandible
without a notch at the tip, two or three fine hairs at the base; _tomia_
straight; _nostrils_ basal, round, open; _wings_ very short and round,
the fourth, fifth and sixth primaries nearly equal and the longest;
_tail_ long and graduated; _tarsi_ moderately long and strong, shielded
before with several plates, entire behind; _toes_ short, hind-toe
strong, lateral toes unequal, the inner one the shortest.
The only known species of this genus frequents the sterile parts of the
interior of Australia generally, particularly those portions of the
country clothed with low shrubs and bushes.
170. Sphenostoma cristata, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 17.
Genus MALURUS, _Vieill._
The members of this genus are among the most beautiful of the Australian
birds; in no group, in fact, with the exception of the _Trochilidæ_ or
Humming-birds, is the splendour of their plumage excelled. Their gay
attire is, however, only assumed during the pairing season, and is
retained for a very short period, after which the sexes are alike in
colouring.
The genus is strictly an Australian one, and with one or two exceptions,
all the species are confined to the southern parts of the continent and
Van Diemen’s Land.
171. Malurus cyaneus Vol. II. Pl. 18.
172. Malurus longicaudus, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 19.
173. Malurus melanotus, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 20.
174. Malurus splendens Vol. II. Pl. 21.
175. Malurus elegans, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 22.
176. Malurus pulcherrimus, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 23.
177. Malurus Lamberti, _Vig. & Horsf._ Vol. II. Pl. 24.
178. Malurus leucopterus, _Quoy & Gaim._ Vol. II. Pl. 25.
179. Malurus melanocephalus, _Vig. & Horsf._ Vol. II. Pl. 26.
180. Malurus Brownii, _Vig. & Horsf._ Vol. II. Pl. 27.
Genus AMYTIS, _Less._
A form nearly allied to _Malurus_, strictly Australian, and of which
three species are known, inhabiting the southern half of the country and
not occurring in Van Diemen’s Land.
181. Amytis textilis Vol. II. Pl. 28.
182. Amytis striatus Vol. II. Pl. 29.
183. Amytis macrourus, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 30.
Genus STIPITURUS, _Less._
A form confined to Australia. Although some slight variation occurs in
the specimens from Van Diemen’s Land, Southern and Western Australia, I
believe that they are all referable to one and the same species, viz.—
184. Stipiturus malachurus Vol. II. Pl. 31.
Genus DASYORNIS, _Vig. & Horsf._
A group of birds adapted for situations covered with an almost
impenetrable vegetation, reed-beds, &c. The two species figured are all
that are at present known; of these one is from the eastern and the
other from the western parts of Australia.
185. Dasyornis Australis, _Vig. & Horsf._ Vol. II. Pl. 32.
186. Dasyornis longirostris, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 33.
Prior to my visit to Australia, I described a bird in the ‘Proceedings
of the Zoological Society,’ Part V. p. 150, as _D.? brunneus_, but as I
have not since met with the bird in any collection from Australia I
presume it is not a native of that country.
Genus ATRICHIA, _Gould_.
_Rictus_ totally devoid of bristles; _bill_ as long as the head,
compressed laterally; the upper mandible distinctly notched at the tip;
_gonys_ ascending from the rictus and then following the line of the
bill; _culmen_ ascending high in front; _nostrils_ moderately large,
covered with an operculum, and placed in a groove near the base of the
bill; _wings_ short, round, concave, the first three primaries
graduated, the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh equal; _tail_
lengthened, rounded, the stems rigid, the webs loose and decomposed;
_tarsi_ and feet robust, the hind-toe armed with a strong nail; outer
and inner toes equal in length.
The only species of this genus yet discovered is as singular in its
structure as it is shy and retiring in its habits; the total absence of
vibrissæ in a bird apparently closely allied to _Dasyornis_, in which
they are so much developed, renders it one of the anomalies of the
Australian fauna.
187. Atrichia clamosa, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 34.
Subfamily ——?
Genus SPHENŒACUS, _Strickl._
A group of reed- and grass-frequenting birds, which are found not only
in every part of Australia, but also in the Indian Islands and India.
188. Sphenœacus galactotes Vol. II. Pl. 35.
189. Sphenœacus gramineus, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 36.
Genus ACROCEPHALUS, _Naum._
Of this European and Indian form two species inhabit Australia, where
they frequent the reed-beds and the dense herbage of marshy situations.
190. Acrocephalus Australis, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 37.
191. Acrocephalus longirostris, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 38.
Subfamily ——?
Genus HYLACOLA, _Gould_.
_Bill_ shorter than the head, compressed; equally broad and high at the
base; _culmen_ gradually declining from the base to the tip; slightly
notched at the apex; _rictus_ beset with a few fine hairs; _nostrils_
basal, oblong, rather large and defended by an operculum; _wings_ short,
round and concave; first, second and third primaries graduated; the
fourth, fifth and sixth equal, and the longest; _tail_ rather long and
round; _tarsi_ moderate in size; _toes_ rather lengthened, the lateral
toes equal.
A genus comprising two species peculiar to the southern parts of the
country, one of which enjoys an extensive range from South Australia to
Moreton Bay; the other has, as yet, only been found in the Great Murray
Scrub.
192. Hylacola pyrrhopygia Vol. II. Pl. 39.
193. Hylacola cauta, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 40.
When I characterized this species in the ‘Proceedings of the Zoological
Society of London,’ I had only seen a single example; I have since
received a second, proving the correctness of my view of its being quite
distinct from the _H. pyrrhopygia_, a fact disputed by Mr. Strickland,
who had stated it to be his opinion that my figures were referable to
one and the same species, but who upon an examination of the specimens
themselves acknowledged he was in error.
Subfamily ——?
Genus CYSTICOLA, _Less._
However numerous birds of this form may be in Europe, Africa, Asia and
the Indian Islands, Australia outvies them all in the number of species
that frequent its grassy plains. With the exception of Van Diemen’s
Land, every colony is inhabited by one or more species performing there
precisely similar offices to those executed by the remaining species in
the other parts of the world.
194. Cysticola magna, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 41.
195. Cysticola exilis Vol. II. Pl. 42.
196. Cysticola lineocapilla, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 43.
197. Cysticola isura, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 44.
198. Cysticola ruficeps, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 45.
Subfamily ——?
Genus SERICORNIS, _Gould_.
Generic characters.
_Bill_ strong, straight, nearly as long as the head, compressed
laterally towards and notched at the tip; _nostrils_ basal, lateral,
oval, and covered by an operculum; _wings_ moderate, rounded, the first
quill very short, the fourth, fifth and sixth nearly equal and the
longest; _tail_ moderate and square; _tarsi_ long; hind-toe and claw
strong, and nearly equal to the middle toe and claw in length; outer and
inner toes equal; _plumage_ soft and silky to the touch.
A group of small birds peculiar to Australia, and confined almost
exclusively to the southern portion of the country. Their habits lead
them to frequent the most retired parts of the forests, damp and
secluded places and scrubby gullies where the herbage is thick and
dense; but some species are found on the flat islands near the coast,
covered with _Salsolæ_ and other shrub-like trees; they usually frequent
the ground, over which they pass with celerity, and when their haunts
are intruded upon conceal themselves under the fallen or elided herbage.
Their flight is peculiar and never protracted, and they all build domed
nests like that of the common Wren (_Troglodytes Europæus_).
199. Sericornis citreogularis, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 46.
_Muscicapa barbata_, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. vi. p. 215?
200. Sericornis humilis, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 47.
201. Sericornis osculans, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 48.
202. Sericornis frontalis Vol. II. Pl. 49.
203. Sericornis lævigaster, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 50.
204. Sericornis maculatus, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 51.
205. Sericornis magnirostris, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 52.
Subfamily ——?
Genus ACANTHIZA, _Vig. & Horsf._
With the exception of the north coast, the _Acanthizæ_ are dispersed
over all the wooded districts of Australia and Van Diemen’s Land; some
species frequenting the brushes, while others tenant the shrubs and
belts of trees on the plains; others again are only found in such
districts as the belts of the Murray.
Like some other large groups at present included under one generic
title, the _Acanthizæ_ might be divided with propriety; thus the _A.
pusilla_, _A. Diemenensis_, &c., which are feeble in structure and
strictly arboreal, might form one section; while the _A. chrysorrhœa_,
_A. Reguloïdes_, &c., which resort to the ground, might form another.
The nests of all the species that I have seen are of a domed form like
that of the European Wren.
The members of this genus and the _Maluri_ are frequently the
foster-parents of the shining Cuckoo (_Chrysococcyx lucidus_).
206. Acanthiza pusilla Vol. II. Pl. 53.
207. Acanthiza Diemenensis, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 54.
208. Acanthiza Ewingii, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 55.
209. Acanthiza uropygialis, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 56.
210. Acanthiza apicalis, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 57.
211. Acanthiza pyrrhopygia, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 58.
212. Acanthiza inornata, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 59.
213. Acanthiza nana, _Vig. & Horsf._ Vol. II. Pl. 60.
214. Acanthiza lineata, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 61.
215. Acanthiza Reguloïdes, _Vig. & Horsf._ Vol. II. Pl. 62.
216. Acanthiza chrysorrhœa Vol. II. Pl. 63.
Genus EPHTHIANURA, _Gould_.
_Bill_ shorter than the head, nearly straight, compressed laterally,
notched at the tip, gonys incurved; _nostrils_ basal, linear, and
covered by a membrane; _wings_ long, first quill spurious, second very
long, third and fourth equal and longest; _tertials_ very long; _tail_
short and truncate; _tarsi_ entire, moderately long, slight; _toes_
slender, the hinder toe and claw shorter than the middle one, the inner
toe rather shorter than the outer.
Three species of this form are all that are at present known, and of
these two are figured for the first time in the present work. They all
inhabit the southern part of Australia, where they frequent the open
districts studded with bushes and low trees; the _E. albifrons_ is
occasionally found on the open plains.
217. Ephthianura albifrons Vol. II. Pl. 64.
218. Ephthianura aurifrons, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 65.
219. Ephthianura tricolor, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 66.
Genus XEROPHILA, _Gould_.
Generic characters.
_Bill_ short, semiconical, robust at the base, without any notch at the
tip; and provided with a few hairs at the base of the upper mandible;
_nostrils_ round and covered by minute feathers; _wings_ moderate in
size; first primary short, the third and fourth the longest; tertiaries
broad and somewhat elongated; _tail_ moderate, square and slightly
concave; _tarsi_ robust; hind-toe strong, anterior toes feeble, the
exterior longer than the inner one.
A curious form, of which only one species is known, and the situation of
which in the natural system is quite undetermined. It has many of the
actions and manners of the _Acanthizæ_, but its robust and gibbose bill
precludes its being placed with that group. It is mainly terrestrial in
its habits and builds a domed nest.
220. Xerophila leucopsis, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 67.
Genus PYRRHOLÆMUS, _Gould_.
Generic characters.
_Bill_ shorter than the head, slightly compressed at the sides, with a
very minute notch at the tip, and beset with a few hairs at the base;
_nostrils_ linear and covered with an operculum; _wings_ short, round,
first primary rather short, the third the longest; _tail_ short, round
and concave, _tarsi_ moderate; external toe longer than the inner one.
Another anomalous form, the structure of which does not approximate very
nearly to that of any other genus, but is perhaps most nearly allied to
_Acanthiza_. The only species known frequents scrubby places and thick
underwood; is much on the ground, but occasionally mounts on a twig to
sing.
221. Pyrrholæmus brunneus, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 68.
Genus ORIGMA, _Gould_.
_Bill_ nearly as long as the head, incurved, carinated, indented near
the tip; _nostrils_ oval, lateral, basal, and covered by an operculum;
_wings_ moderate, rounded, first quill short, fourth, fifth, sixth and
seventh nearly equal and longest; _tail_ moderate and slightly rounded;
_tarsi_ moderate; _toes_ rather short, the outer toe much longer than
the inner; _plumage_ dense.
We are here again presented with another form, the structure, habits,
and manners of which are all equally singular. The only species yet
discovered inhabits New South Wales, where it frequents stony gullies
and rocky situations in the neighbourhood of caverns, to the roofs of
which it attaches its pendent nest, as shown in the Plate.
222. Origma rubricata Vol. II. Pl. 69.
Genus CALAMANTHUS, _Gould_.
Generic characters.
_Bill_ shorter than the head, dilated at the base, compressed laterally
towards the tip; _culmen_ sharp and advancing upon the forehead;
_nostrils_ lateral, large, oval, and covered by an operculum; rictus
destitute of bristles; _wings_ short, round, the fourth quill the
longest, the third, fifth, sixth and seventh equal; _tail_ rather short
and round; _tarsi_ moderately long, defended anteriorly with indistinct
scales; hind-toe rather long, with a long claw; lateral toes uneven, the
outer one the shortest.
This group comprises two species, one inhabiting Van Diemen’s Land, the
other Southern and Western Australia; they are terrestrial in their
habits, but occasionally perch on the smaller branches of the trees.
223. Calamanthus fuliginosus Vol. II. Pl. 70.
224. Calamanthus campestris, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 71.
Genus CHTHONICOLA, _Gould_.
Generic characters.
_Bill_ short, gradually descending from the base; the upper mandible
slightly notched at the tip, compressed laterally; _tomia_ curving
inwards; _wings_ concave; the first primary very short, the third,
fourth, fifth and sixth nearly equal and the longest; _tail_ slightly
concave, and all the feathers of an equal length; _tarsi_ moderately
long; _toes_ short, the hinder toe somewhat longer than the middle one;
front claws more curved than in the genus _Anthus_.
The single species known of this genus combines in a remarkable manner
the outward appearance, habits and manners of the _Acanthizæ_ and
_Anthi_, but is, I believe, more nearly allied to the former than to the
latter.
225. Chthonicola minima Vol. II. Pl. 72.
_Sylvia sagittata_, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. vii. p. 136?
Rather widely dispersed over the grassy flats of New South Wales, and
constructs a domed nest in a depression of the ground like the true
_Sylviæ_.
Subfamily MOTACILLINÆ, _Bonap._
Genus ANTHUS, _Bechst._
Whether this Old World form is represented in Australia by more than a
single species, is a point I have not satisfactorily determined; every
part of its extra-tropical regions, including Van Diemen’s Land, is
inhabited by Pipits which differ somewhat in size in almost every
colony; still their difference is so slight that I have hitherto
regarded them as mere varieties or local races.
226. Anthus Australis, _Vig. & Horsf._ Vol. II. Pl. 73.
Subfamily ——?
Genus CINCLORAMPHUS, _Gould_.
_Bill_ rather shorter than the head; _culmen_ slightly arched; the tip
distinctly notched; the commissure slightly angulated at the base, and
somewhat incurved for the remainder of its length; _nostrils_ lateral,
oval; _wings_ moderate, rigid, first quill very long and nearly equal to
the second and third, which are the longest; tertials nearly as long as
the primaries; _tail_ rather small and cuneiform; _tarsi_ very strong
and scutellated anteriorly; _toes_ long and powerful, particularly the
hinder one and claw, which is articulated on the same plane with the
inner toe; lateral toes nearly equal.
The members of this genus, which are three in number, are closely allied
to the Indian genus _Megalurus_, and present even a greater disparity in
the size of the sexes; they are all confined to Australia, where they
frequent the grassy plains and open districts. The song of the males is
more animated than that of any other bird inhabiting the country.
227. Cincloramphus cruralis Vol. II. Pl. 74.
228. Cincloramphus cantillans, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 75.
229. Cincloramphus rufescens, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 76.
Subfamily ALAUDINÆ, _Bonap._
Genus MIRAFRA, _Horsf._
One, if not two, species of this well-defined genus inhabit Australia.
At present one only has been characterized; but the bird of this form,
frequenting the intertropical portions of the country, may prove to be a
distinct species.
230. Mirafra Horsfieldii, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 77.
Family FRINGILLIDÆ, _Vig._
The Finches of Australia comprise twenty well-marked species, referable
to several genera or subgenera, each of which exhibit a slight
difference in structure, accompanied, as is always the case, by a
difference in habit, and in the districts inhabited; thus the true
_Estreldæ_ frequent grassy patches in the glades of the forests, the
open parts of gullies, &c.; the _Amadinæ_, the stony hills and flats;
the _Poëphilæ_, the grass beds of the open plains; and the _Donacolæ_,
the grasses of the marshy districts and reed-beds: of the habits of
_Emblema_ nothing is known; its pointed bill indicates some peculiarity
in its economy differing from those of the other genera.
All the species build, I believe, large grassy nests with a spout-like
opening.
The whole of those figured are peculiar to Australia.
Genus ESTRELDA, _Swains._
231. Estrelda bella Vol. II. Pl. 78.
_Loxia nitida_, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. v. p. 268?
232. Estrelda oculea Vol. II. Pl. 79.
233. Estrelda Bichenovii Vol. II. Pl. 80.
234. Estrelda annulosa, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 81.
235. Estrelda temporalis Vol. II. Pl. 82.
236. Estrelda Phaëton, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 83.
237. Estrelda ruficauda, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 84.
238. Estrelda modesta.
Amadina modesta, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 85.
Genus AMADINA, _Swains._
239. Amadina Lathami Vol. II. Pl. 86.
240. Amadina castanotis, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 87.
Genus POËPHILA, _Gould_.
Generic characters.
_Bill_ considerably swollen at the base, rendering it nearly as deep and
broad as it is long; _wings_ moderately long, the first quill
rudimentary, the four next equal in length; _feet_ plantigrade, _toes_
slender; the middle toe much longer than the lateral ones, which are
equal in length; hind-toe much shorter than the middle one; _tail_
strictly cuneiform, the two middle feathers much produced.
241. Poëphila Gouldiæ.
Amadina Gouldiæ, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 88.
242. Poëphila mirabilis, _Homb. et Jacq._ Vol. II. Pl. 89.
243. Poëphila acuticauda, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 90.
244. Poëphila personata, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 91.
245. Poëphila leucotis, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 92.
246. Poëphila cincta, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 93.
Genus DONACOLA, _Gould_.
Generic characters.
As in the genus _Amadina_, but with the _bill_ much more developed and
gibbose at the base, with the _culmen_ elevated and the lower mandible
retiring backward on the face; _wings_ shorter and rounder; feet more
adapted for clinging, and remarkable for the greater development of the
hind-toe and nail; _tail_-feathers rigid.
247. Donacola castaneothorax, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 94.
248. Donacola pectoralis, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 95.
249. Donacola flaviprymna, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 96.
Genus EMBLEMA, _Gould_.
Generic characters.
_Bill_ nearly as long as the head, conical, and much resembling that of
the genus _Ploceus_; _wings_ moderately long as compared with the body;
first quill rudimentary, the four next equal in length; _tertiaries_
much lengthened; _tail_ moderately long and nearly square, or slightly
rounded; _feet_ plantigrade; _toes_ extremely slender, the middle toe
much longer than the lateral ones, which are equal in length.
250. Emblema picta, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 97.
The single example of this beautiful bird, which was procured and
presented to me by B. Bynoe, Esq., is I believe all that has ever been
seen; I regret to say it no longer graces my collection, having been
stolen therefrom, together with some other valuable birds, in the year
1846.
Family MERULIDÆ, _Vig._
Genus PITTA, _Vieill._
The members of this genus extend from tropical India throughout the
islands of the Indian Archipelago to Australia; one or two species also
occur in Africa. Of the three inhabiting Australia the _Pitta Iris_ is
figured for the first time in the present work, and is one of the very
finest species of this lovely group of birds.
251. Pitta strepitans, _Temm._ Vol. IV. Pl. 1.
Since my account of this species was printed I have received its eggs,
accompanied by the following notes from Mr. Strange of Sydney:—
“I never saw any bird whose actions are more graceful than those of the
_Pitta strepitans_, when seen in its native brushes, where its presence
is indicated by its singular call, resembling the words ‘_want a
watch_,’ by imitating which you can call it close to the muzzle of your
gun; no sooner, however, does it commence breeding than it becomes shy
and retiring, keeping out of sight in the most artful manner, moving
about from place to place, and occasionally uttering its cry until it
has drawn you away from the nest. The nests I have seen were placed in
the spur of a fig-tree near the ground, outwardly constructed of sticks
and lined with moss, leaves and fine pieces of bark; the eggs are four
in number,” of a pale creamy-white marked all over with
irregularly-shaped blotches of brown and deep vinous grey, the latter
appearing as if beneath the surface of the shell; they are one inch and
a quarter in length by seven-eighths of an inch in breadth.
252. Pitta Vigorsii, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 2.
I regret to say that up to the present time I have not been able to
obtain any information respecting this species, the specimen of which,
in the Linnean Society’s Collection, is the only evidence we have of its
occurring in Australia; I believe New Guinea to be its true habitat.
253. Pitta Iris, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 3.
Genus CINCLOSOMA, _Vig. & Horsf._
Among the novelties comprised in the present work, there are none more
important than the additional members of this genus; three well-defined
species being described and figured, of which only one was previously
known. The form is peculiar to Australia, and is, I believe, closely
allied to my genus _Ianthocincla_, a group of birds confined to India.
254. Cinclosoma punctatum, _Vig. & Horsf._ Vol. IV. Pl. 4.
255. Cinclosoma castanotus, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 5.
256. Cinclosoma cinnamomeus, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl 6.
When my drawing of this species was made, I had only seen the male;
since then Captain Sturt has presented me with a female, which differs
from the opposite sex in the absence of the black markings of the
throat, breast and wings, which parts are brownish grey.
Genus OREOCINCLA, _Gould_.