laterally; the tip of the upper mandible overhanging the under; notch
considerably removed from the tip; _tomia_ or cutting edges sharp;
_nostrils_ basal, oval; _rictus_ beset with a few short hairs; _wings_
moderately long and rigid, first quill very short, the fourth and fifth
nearly equal, and the longest; _tail_ rather short and square, the
feathers rigid, and running to a point exteriorly; _tarsi_ moderate,
scales entire; _toes_ slender, particularly the hinder one; outer toes
nearly equal, but the inner one rather the shortest; _general plumage_
silky to the touch; the _rump-feathers_ spinous, as in _Ceblepyris_ and
_Graucalus_.
Species of this genus inhabit India, the Indian Islands and Australia,
in which latter country, although much difference in size is observable
in specimens from different localities, I believe only one exists. It is
decidedly a brush bird, and has many habits in common with the typical
Thrushes, but is more shy and retiring.
257. Oreocincla lunulata Vol. IV. Pl. 7.
Family PARADISEIDÆ, _G. R. Gray_.
I certainly consider the accounts I have given of the extraordinary
habits of the _Chlamyderæ_ and _Ptilonorhynchi_ as some of the most
valuable and interesting portions of my work, and however incredible
they may appear I am happy to say they have been fully confirmed by
other observers.
Genus CHLAMYDERA, _Gould_.
Generic characters.
_Bill_ moderate, _culmen_ elevated, and arched to the tip which is
emarginated, compressed on the sides; _gonys_ slightly advancing
upwards; _nostrils_ basal, lateral, exposed, rounded, and pierced in a
membrane; _wings_ long and pointed, first primary short, second primary
shorter than the third and fourth, which are equal, and the longest;
_tail_ long and slightly rounded; _tarsi_ robust, defended anteriorly
with broad scuta; _toes_ long and strong; outer toe longer than the
inner, hind-toe long and robust; _claws_ long, curved, and acute.
258. Chlamydera maculata, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 8.
Inhabits South Australia, New South Wales, and according to Mr.
Gilbert’s Journal of his overland journey to Port Essington, the
intertropical regions of the east coast.
In one of Mr. Gilbert’s many interesting letters received since the
account above referred to was printed, he says, “the questions as to the
nidification of _Chlamydera_ is now settled by Mr. C. Coxon having found
a nest in December with three young birds; in form it was very similar
to that of the common Thrush of Europe, being of a cup-shape,
constructed of dried sticks with a slight lining of feathers, and fine
grass, and was placed among the smaller branches of an Acacia
overhanging a pool of water.”
259. Chlamydera nuchalis Vol. IV. Pl. 9.
“I found matter for conjecture,” says Captain Stokes, “in noticing a
number of twigs with their ends stuck in the ground, which was strewed
over with shells, and their tops brought together so as to form a small
bower; this was 2½ feet long, 1½ feet wide at either end. it was not
until my next visit to Port Essington that I thought this anything but
some Australian mother’s toy to amuse her child; there I was asked, one
day, to go and see the ‘birds’ playhouse,’ when I immediately recognised
the same kind of construction I had seen at the Victoria River; the bird
(_Chlamydera nuchalis_ of Mr. Gould’s work) was amusing itself by flying
backwards and forwards, taking a shell alternately from each side, and
carrying it through the archway in its mouth.”—_Discoveries in
Australia_, vol. ii, p. 97.
Genus PTILONORHYNCHUS, _Kuhl_.
260. Ptilonorhynchus holosericeus, _Kuhl_. Vol. IV. Pl. 10.
That this bird continues its singular habits under the disadvantages of
captivity, I learn from the following passage in a letter lately
received from Mr. Strange of Sydney.
“My aviary is now tenanted by a pair of Satin Birds, which I hoped would
have bred, as for the last two months they have been constantly engaged
in constructing bowers, which I find are built for the express purpose
of courting the female in. Both sexes assist in their erection, but the
male is the principal workman. At times the male will chase the female
all over the aviary, then go to the bower, pick up a gay feather or a
large leaf, utter a curious kind of noise, set all his feather erect,
and run around the bower, into which at length the female proceeds, when
he becomes so excited that his eyes appear ready to start from his head,
and he continues opening first one wing and then the other, uttering a
low whistling note, and like the common Cock, seems to be picking up
something from the ground, until at last the female goes gently towards
him, when, after two turns around her, he suddenly makes a dash and the
scene ends.” This pair of birds was sent to England by Mr. Strange for
the Earl of Derby, and had they not unfortunately died from cold while
rounding Cape Horn, they would doubtless have continued their singular
habits in his lordship’s magnificent aviary at Knowsley.
The habitat of this species appears to be confined to the south-eastern
part of New South Wales, for it has not as yet been found in any other
portion of the country.
261. Ptilonorhynchus Smithii, _Vig. & Horsf._ Vol. IV. Pl. 11.
Genus SERICULUS, _Swains._
A single species only of this form has yet been discovered.
262. Sericulus chrysocephalus Vol. IV. Pl. 12.
_Sericulus magnirostris_, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part V. p.
145; and in Syn. Birds of Australia, Part IV. Young.
The brushes of the south-eastern part of Australia is the only locality
in which this bird has yet been found.
Family ——?
Subfamily ORIOLINÆ, _G. R. Gray_.
Genus ORIOLUS, _Linn._
Typical Orioles are widely distributed over Europe, Africa, Asia, the
Indian Islands and Australia, but none have yet been discovered in
Polynesia or America.
Three species inhabit Australia, two of which are figured; the third
from the northern part of the country is so nearly allied to the _O.
viridis_, that a description alone will be sufficient.
263. Oriolus viridis, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 13.
264. Oriolus affinis, _Gould_.
Inhabits the neighbourhood of Port Essington, and only differs from the
preceding species in having a shorter wing, a much larger bill, and the
white spots at the tip of the lateral tail-feathers much smaller.
265. Oriolus flavovinctus Vol. IV. Pl. 14.
Genus SPHECOTHERES, _Vieill._
Australia presents us with a single species of this genus; others
inhabit New Guinea and the neighbouring islands; but as yet we have no
evidence of the form occurring on the continent of India.
266. Sphecotheres Australis, _Swains._ Vol. IV. Pl. 15.
_Turdus maxillaris_, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. v. p. 129?
Nothing whatever is known of the nidification of this bird; in all
probability it will prove to be very similar to that of the Orioles.
Family ——?
Genus CORCORAX, _Less._
A genus containing only one species which possesses many singular
habits; its actions among the branches, its mode of progression over the
ground, and its nidification, being equally remarkable.
267. Corcorax leucopterus Vol. IV. Pl. 16.
Family ——?
Genus STRUTHIDEA, _Gould_.
Generic characters.
_Bill_ shorter than the head, robust, swollen, arched above, deeper than
broad; _gonys_ angular; _nostrils_ basal, lateral, round and open;
_wings_ moderate, round, first primary short, the fourth and fifth the
longest; secondaries long and broad; _tarsi_ scutellated in front, plain
behind; _toes_ long and strong, the outer one longer than the inner one;
_claws_ strong, compressed and much curved.
The only known species of this form is confined to the interior of the
southern and eastern parts of Australia, where it inhabits stony ridges,
and is mostly observed on the _Callitris_.
268. Struthidea cinerea, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl 17.
In my account of this species, I have stated that its actions are very
similar to those of the _Corcorax leucopterus_, and the following
extract from Mr. Gilbert’s Journal of his overland journey to Port
Essington shows that the two birds assimilate still more closely in
their nidification:—
“Oct. 19.—Strolled about in search of novelties, and was amply repaid by
finding the eggs of _Struthidea cinerea_. I disturbed the bird several
times from a rosewood-tree growing in a small patch of scrub, and felt
assured it had a nest, but could only find one, which I considered to be
that of a _Grallina_; determined, if possible, to solve the difficulty,
I lay down at a short distance within full view of the tree, and was not
a little surprised at seeing the bird take possession of, as I believed,
the _Grallina’s_ nest; I immediately climbed the tree and found four
eggs, the medium length of which was one inch and a quarter by
seven-eighths of an inch in breadth; their colour was white, with
blotches, principally at the larger end, of reddish brown, purplish grey
and greenish grey; some of the blotches appearing as if they had been
laid on with a soft brush. From the appearance of the nest I should say
it was an old one of a _Grallina_, but it contained a much greater
quantity of grass for a lining than I ever observed in the nest of that
bird; if this be not the case, then the nests of the two birds are
precisely similar, being like a great basin made of mud, and placed on a
horizontal branch.
“Oct. 21.—In the evening I again met with the _Struthidea_, which I
disturbed from a nest like the one above described, and from the new
appearance of the structure I am inclined to believe it to be
constructed by the bird itself, although it does so closely resemble
that of _Grallina_, especially as in this case the nest was placed in a
situation far from water, and there were no _Grallinæ_ in the
neighbourhood. This nest, like the last, had a very thick lining of fine
grass, and appeared as if just finished for the reception of the eggs.”
There is no doubt that the nests above described by Mr. Gilbert were
those of _Struthidea_; those of _Corcorax_ and _Grallina_ are precisely
similar; and it is somewhat singular that three birds differing so much
in structure should build the same kind of mud nests.
Family CORVIDÆ, _Leach_.
Genus CORVUS, _Linn._
It is exceedingly interesting to trace the range of the members of this
genus or the true Crows; not so much on account of their wide
distribution, as from the circumstance of the form being non-existent in
some countries which appear admirably adapted for their well-being; thus
while the species are widely distributed over the whole of Europe, Asia,
Africa, North America, the Indian Islands and Australia, none are to be
found in South America, Polynesia or New Zealand.
269. Corvus Coronoides, _Vig. & Horsf._ Vol. IV. Pl. 18.
This is the only species that has yet been discovered in Australia.
Family ——?
Genus NEOMORPHA, _Gould_.
This form is strictly Polynesian, and the species confined to New
Zealand.
270. Neomorpha Gouldii, _G. R. Gray_ Vol. IV. Pl. 19
Genus POMATORHINUS, _Horsf._
The members of this genus range from India throughout all the islands to
Australia, but are not found in Africa or Polynesia; three species are
comprised in the fauna of Australia.
Much diversity of opinion exists among ornithologists as to the place
this group should occupy in the general system; by most writers they
have been placed with the _Meliphagidæ_, but having had ample
opportunities of observing the Australian species in a state of nature,
I am enabled to affirm that they do not assimilate in any degree with
those birds either in their habits, actions, economy or nidification, in
all which particulars they differ from every group of birds that has
come under my notice.
271. Pomatorhinus temporalis Vol. IV. Pl. 20.
_Turdus frivolus_, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. v. p. 127?
272. Pomatorhinus rubeculus, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 21.
273. Pomatorhinus superciliosus, _Vig. & Vol. IV. Pl. 22.
Horsf._
Family MELIPHAGIDÆ, _Vig._
By far the greater and most prominent portion of the botany of Australia
consisting of only two or three genera of trees—the _Eucalypti_,
_Banksiæ_, &c.—we should naturally expect its ornithology to comprise
some great groups of birds destined to dwell thereon, and such we find
to be the case, the true Honey-eaters and the Honey-feeding Parrakeets
being remarkably numerous; the former tribe of birds comprise no less
than fifty-eight species, which appear to be naturally divided into
several groups, each characterized by some modification of structure:
although the whole are truly insectivorous, the pollen and the honey in
the flower-cups of the _Eucalypti_ are largely partaken of, and for
procuring which their lengthened tongue terminating in filaments
assuming the form of a brush is most admirably adapted, combined with
which is a remarkably narrow gape and an incapacious stomach.
Australia is the great nursery of this tribe of birds, but a few species
are found in New Guinea and some of the Polynesian islands.
Genus MELIPHAGA, _Vig. & Horsf._
No example of this genus has yet been discovered in the northern or
intertropical regions of Australia, all the species known being confined
to the southern parts of the continent, the islands in Bass’s Straits
and Van Diemen’s Land. The members of this group feed principally upon
the pollen and honey of the flower-cups, but occasionally upon insects;
in disposition they are tame and familiar; and they frequent the
_Banksiæ_ in preference to other trees.
The sexes are alike in plumage, and the young assume the adult plumage
at an early period of their existence.
274. Meliphaga Novæ-Hollandiæ Vol. IV. Pl. 23.
275. Meliphaga longirostris, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 24.
276. Meliphaga sericea, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 25.
277. Meliphaga mystacalis, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 26.
278. Meliphaga Australasiana Vol. IV. Pl. 27.
_Certhia pyrrhoptera_, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. iv. p. 197?
Genus GLYCIPHILA, _Swains._
The members of this genus resort to higher trees than the _Meliphaga_,
are more shy in disposition, possess considerable powers of flight, and
partake more exclusively of insect food. Of the four Australian species,
two, _G. fulvifrons_ and _G. albifrons_, inhabit the southern parts of
the country, the _G. fasciata_ the northern portion, and the little _G.
ocularis_ is universally distributed over the country, and if I mistake
not, is also found in New Guinea and Timor.
The young of _G. fulvifrons_ and _G. albifrons_ differ considerably from
the adult in their markings.
279. Glyciphila fulvifrons Vol. IV. Pl. 28.
_Certhia melanops_, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. iv. p. 173?
280. Glyciphila albifrons, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 29.
281. Glyciphila fasciata, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 30.
282. Glyciphila ocularis, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 31.
Genus PTILOTIS, _Swains._
The species of this group are not only more numerous than those of any
other division of the _Meliphagidæ_, but they also comprise some of the
most beautiful and gaily-coloured members of the family. Nearly all the
species are either prettily marked about the face, or have the
ear-coverts largely developed and characterized by a colouring different
from that of the other parts of the plumage. The _Eucalypti_ and
_Acaciæ_ are the trees upon which they are usually found; the species
with olive-green backs, such as _P. flavigula_ and _P. leucotis_,
frequent the dwarf or thickly-leaved kinds, the foliage of which
assimilates in colour to that of their plumage; the more gaily-attired
species with bright yellow cheeks and ear-coverts, such as _P. ornatus_
and _P. plumulus_, are most frequently found among the flowering
_Acaciæ_; some species, particularly _P. penicillata_, descend from the
trees and seek Coleoptera and other insects on the ground; the
_Casuarinæ_ are the favourite trees of _P. sonorus_ and _P. versicolor_;
while the _P. chrysotis_, _P. chrysops_ and _P. fusca_ are almost
entirely confined to the brushes and seek their food among the
_Eucalypti_, the hanging festoons of _Tecoma_ and other beautiful brush
creepers. The members of this group are principally Australian, but I
believe that some species inhabit New Guinea; they mainly subsist upon
insects, to which berries are sometimes added.
The sexes are alike in plumage, but the females are smaller than the
males, and the young assume the adult livery from the nest.
283. Ptilotis chrysotis Vol. IV. Pl 32.
_Ptilotis Lewinii_, Swains. Class. of Birds, vol. ii. p. 326?
284. Ptilotis sonorus, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 33.
285. Ptilotis versicolor, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 34.
286. Ptilotis flavigula, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 35.
287. Ptilotis leucotis Vol. IV. Pl. 36.
288. Ptilotis auricomis Vol. IV. Pl 37.
289. Ptilotis cratitius, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 38.
290. Ptilotis ornatus, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 39.
291. Ptilotis plumulus, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 40.
292. Ptilotis flavescens, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 41.
293. Ptilotis flava, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 42.
294. Ptilotis penicillatus, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 43.
295. Ptilotis fusca, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 44.
296. Ptilotis chrysops Vol. IV. Pl. 45.
297. Ptilotis unicolor, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 46.
Genus PLECTORHYNCHA, _Gould_.
Generic characters.
_Bill_ shorter than the head, slightly arched, very pointed, almost
conical and acute; _nostrils_ basal and partly covered by an operculum;
an obsolete notch near the tip of the upper mandible; _wings_ moderate,
the first feather short, the third and fourth the longest; _tail_
moderate and square; _tarsi_ strong; hind-toe and claw long, powerful
and longer than the middle toe and claw; lateral toes unequal; the outer
one the longest, and united to the middle one nearly to the first joint.
Of this singular form only one species has yet been discovered. It
inhabits the plains of the eastern portion of Australia, where it dwells
among the _Eucalypti_ and _Acaciæ_; and is a very noisy garrulous bird.
The sexes are alike in plumage, and the young assume the adult plumage
at a very early age.
298. Plectorhyncha lanceolata, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 47.
Genus XANTHOMYZA, _Swains._
Of this genus only one species is known.
299. Xanthomyza Phrygia Vol. IV. Pl. 48.
The habitat of this bird appears to be confined to the south-eastern
portion of Australia. It generally frequents the highest branches of the
lofty _Eucalypti_, both of the brushes and of the plains, but is most
abundant in the districts near the coast. In its disposition it is bold
and extremely pugnacious.
The sexes are alike in plumage, and but little difference is observable
between nestling and adult birds.
The nests I saw were round and cup-shaped, and were mostly placed in the
fork of a tree.
Genus MELICOPHILA, _Gould_.
Generic characters.
_Bill_ as long as the head, gradually curving downwards from the base,
nearly cylindrical and very pointed; _nostrils_ basal and covered with
an operculum; _wings_ rather lengthened, the first primary short, the
third the longest; _tail_ moderately long, and nearly square; _tarsi_
long and stout.
A genus containing only a single species, which so far as we yet know is
confined to Southern and Western Australia.
300. Melicophila picata, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 49.
Possesses many singular habits, and differs from most other species of
the _Meliphagidæ_ in the totally different colouring of the sexes; as
well as in assembling in vast flocks, which continue soaring about
during the greater portion of the day. I was not aware until after my
drawing was made that this bird has a small fleshy appendage beneath the
eye of an ashy-grey colour, which is invisible in a dried skin. The nest
and eggs are said to be very similar to those of _Petroïca multicolor_,
and to be placed in similar situations.
Genus ENTOMOPHILA, _Gould_.
Generic characters.
_Bill_ nearly as long as the head, somewhat broad at the base, becoming
compressed and pointed at the apex; _tomia_ of the upper mandible arched
and slightly notched at the tip; _nostrils_ basal, oval, pierced in a
membrane and protected by an operculum; _wings_ rather long, first quill
spurious, the second nearly as long as the third, which is the longest;
_tail_ short and nearly square; _tarsi_ short and rather feeble;
hind-toe short and stout; lateral toes unequal, the inner one being
rather the shortest.
301. Entomophila picta, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 50.
The pointed wings of the examples of this bird I had seen prior to my
visit to Australia, led me to infer that its habits were more aërial
than those of the other members of the family, and such proved to be the
case; for while the greater number of the latter cling to and creep
about the branches, the present bird flies about the trees, captures
insects on the wing, and during flight displays the beautiful yellow of
its wings and the white markings of its tail to the greatest advantage.
Its frail cup-shaped nest is sometimes suspended among the drooping
leaves of the _Acacia pendula_.
302. Entomophila albogularis, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 51.
303. Entomophila rufogularis, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 52.
I fear I have committed an error in referring the birds from the north
coast (_E. albogularis_ and _E. rufogularis_) to the present genus, for
upon further consideration I believe they will prove to be sufficiently
different from every other form yet characterized to justify their being
separated into a distinct genus.
Genus ACANTHOGENYS, _Gould_.
Generic characters.
_Bill_ as long as the head, compressed, slightly arched, acute at the
tip; the edges of the upper mandible notched near the tip, and
delicately serrated; _nostrils_ sub-basal; from the base of the
mandibles a naked stripe runs below the eyes, and below this the cheeks
are covered with stiff spines; _wings_ moderate, the first quill-feather
very short, third, fourth and fifth equal and the longest; _tail_
moderate, nearly equal; _feet_ robust, hind-toe strong and longer than
the middle one, outer toe united at its base to the middle toe; _claws_
hooked.
The genus _Acanthogenys_, of which only one species is known, is a form
intermediate in size and in structure between the smaller Honey-eaters
(_Meliphagæ_, _Ptiloti_, &c.) on the one hand, and the larger kinds
(_Anthochæræ_) on the other.
304. Acanthogenys rufogularis, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 53.
This species is widely distributed over the interior of the southern
portion of Australia, from east to west; the sexes are alike in plumage,
and the young are very similar, but are destitute of the spines on the
cheek, which are scarcely assumed during the first year. The _Banksiæ_
are the trees mostly frequented by this bird, the presence of which is
indicative of sterile sandy districts.
Genus ANTHOCHÆRA, _Vig. & Horsf._
A genus peculiarly Australian, three species of which are exclusively
confined to the southern or extra-tropical parts of the country, and one
to Van Diemen’s Land.
305. Anthochæra inauris, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 54.
306. Anthochæra carunculata Vol. IV. Pl. 55.
307. Anthochæra mellivora Vol. IV. Pl. 56.
308. Anthochæra lunulata, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 57.
These four birds might with propriety be separated into two genera,
those with auricular appendages, _A. inauris_ and _A. carunculata_,
having many characters differing from those of _A. mellivora_ and _A.
lunulata_.
Genus TROPIDORHYNCHUS, _Vig. & Horsf._
The law of representation in Australia is chiefly confined to the
species inhabiting the eastern and western coasts, but with the members
of this genus it takes the opposite direction, or north and south, for
more singular and perfect representatives of each other cannot be found
than are the _T. corniculatus_ and _T. citreogularis_ of the
south-eastern parts of the country, the _T. argenticeps_ and _T.
sordidus_ of the north-western. Extra Australian species inhabit New
Guinea and the neighbouring countries.
309. Tropidorhynchus corniculatus Vol. IV. Pl. 58.
310. Tropidorhynchus argenticeps, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 59.
311. Tropidorhynchus citreogularis, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 60.
312. Tropidorhynchus sordidus.
Inhabits the Cobourg Peninsula, and is precisely similar to _T.
citreogularis_, but is smaller in all its admeasurements except in the
bill, which is more developed.
Genus ACANTHORHYNCHUS, _Gould_.