incurved; _culmen_ acute and elevated; _nostrils_ basal, elongated, and
covered with an operculum; _wings_ moderate in size and semi-rotund;
first and fifth primaries equal; the third and fourth nearly equal in
length, and the longest; _tail_ moderate in size and slightly forked;
_tarsi_ lengthened and strong; middle toe long and robust, external toe
exceeding the inner one in length.
This genus, like many others of the family, may be regarded as strictly
Australian: it comprises two, if not three, well-marked species, each of
which is confined to a particular part of the country; the _A.
tenuirostris_ dwelling in the eastern, and the _A. superciliosus_ in the
western districts: both inhabit countries precisely in the same degree
of latitude, and form beautiful representatives of each other. Van
Diemen’s Land is the native habitat of the species I have named _A.
dubius_, which, as will be seen, I had made synonymous with _A.
tenuirostris_, but which I am now inclined to consider distinct, an
opinion in which Mr. Blyth coincides.
313. Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris Vol. IV. Pl. 61.
314. Acanthorhynchus dubius, _Gould_.
315. Acanthorhynchus superciliosus, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 62.
Genus MYZOMELA, _Vig. & Horsf._
Five well-marked species of this genus are distributed over Australia;
numerous others are found in New Guinea and the neighbouring islands;
the form also occurs in the Polynesian Islands, but is not found in Van
Diemen’s Land.
316. Myzomela sanguineolenta Vol. IV. Pl. 63.
317. Myzomela erythrocephala, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 64.
318. Myzomela pectoralis, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 65.
319. Myzomela nigra, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 66.
320. Myzomela obscura, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 67.
Genus ENTOMYZA, _Swains._
Two species of this well-defined genus are comprised in the Australian
fauna, one of which inhabits the south-eastern parts of the country, or
New South Wales; the other, which so far as we yet know is strictly
confined to the north-eastern coast, is very plentiful at Port Essington
and in the neighbouring districts.
The form appears to be confined to Australia, for I have never seen it
from any other country.
321. Entomyza cyanotis Vol. IV. Pl. 68.
This bird has the habit—a somewhat remarkable one among the
Honey-eaters—of selecting the nest of _Pomatorhinus temporalis_ for the
reception of its eggs.
322. Entomyza albipennis, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 69.
Genus MELITHREPTUS, _Vieill._
No one group of birds is more universally distributed over Australia
than the _Melithrepti_, for their range extends from Van Diemen’s Land
on the south to the most northern part of the continent; and they are
equally numerous from east to west, each part of country being inhabited
by a species peculiarly its own. The _Eucalypti_ are the trees upon
which they are almost exclusively found. I believe the form is unknown
out of Australia.
323. Melithreptus validirostris, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 70.
324. Melithreptus gularis, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 71.
325. Melithreptus lunulatus Vol. IV. Pl. 72.
326. Melithreptus chloropsis, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 73.
327. Melithreptus albogularis, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 74.
328. Melithreptus melanocephalus, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 75.
_Certhia agilis_, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. iv. p. 204.
Genus MYZANTHA, _Vig. & Horsf._
During the progress of this work three additional species of this genus
have been discovered, one in the interior of New South Wales, the second
at Swan River, and the third on the north-west coast; consequently it is
a genus the members of which are widely distributed over nearly every
part of Australia.
329. Myzantha garrula Vol. IV. Pl. 76.
330. Myzantha obscura, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 77.
331. Myzantha lutea, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 78.
332. Myzantha flavigula, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 79.
333. Myzantha melanophrys Vol. IV. Pl. 80.
Family ——?
Genus ZOSTEROPS, _Vig. & Horsf._
Three well-defined species of this genus inhabit the continent of
Australia and Van Diemen’s Land; two are found on Norfolk Island, and
numerous others inhabit the Indian Islands and the continent of India
even to the Himalaya Mountains.
In placing this group next to the Honey-eaters, I have been influenced
by their approximation to those birds in some of their habits: they also
exhibit a further degree of affinity in the form and structure of their
nest, but not in the colouring of their eggs, which are always blue in
colour.
334. Zosterops dorsalis, _Vig. & Horsf._ Vol. IV. Pl. 81.
335. Zosterops chloronotus, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 82.
336. Zosterops luteus, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 83.
Family CUCULIDÆ, _Leach_.
The family _Cuculidæ_ is very fairly represented in Australia, since we
there find species belonging to the greater number of the Old World
genera, and one, _Scythrops_, which has not hitherto, I believe, been
found elsewhere. With the exception of _Centropus_ and _Eudynamys_,
they, like their prototypes, are parasitic in their nidification, and
depend upon other birds for the hatching of their eggs and the feeding
of their offspring.
Genus CUCULUS, _Linn._
337. Cuculus optatus, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 84.
Since my description of this species was printed I have seen specimens
from India, with the name of _Cuculus micropterus_ attached to them:
should this name have been published prior to the one I have assigned to
it, my name must sink into a synonym.
338. Cuculus inornatus, _Vig. & Horsf._ Vol. IV. Pl. 85.
_Columba pallida_, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol.
viii. p. 30.
339. Cuculus cineraceus, _Vig. & Horsf._ Vol. IV. Pl. 86.
340. Cuculus insperatus, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 87.
341. Cuculus dumetorum, _Gould_
This species, which inhabits the north-western coast, differs from _C.
insperatus_ in being of a much smaller size and in the whole of the
plumage being of a browner hue.
Genus CHRYSOCOCCYX, _Boie_.
The members of this genus are distributed over most parts of the Old
World; two species occur in Australia.
342. Chrysococcyx osculans.
Chalcites osculans, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 88.
343. Chrysococcyx lucidus Vol. IV. Pl. 89.
_Sylvia versicolor_, Lath. in Lambert’s Drawings.
Genus SCYTHROPS, _Lath._
The only known species of this remarkable form inhabits the eastern
parts of Australia, and according to information derived from the notes
made by Mr. Gilbert during Dr. Leichardt’s Expedition, extends its range
northward from thence to within the tropics.
I have recently had a young specimen presented to me by Lady Dowling,
one of two taken from a branch of a tree while being fed by birds not of
its own species, an important fact as showing the parasitic habits of
the bird.
344. Scythrops Novæ-Hollandiæ, _Lath._ Vol. IV. Pl. 90.
Genus EUDYNAMYS, _Vig. & Horsf._
One species only of this form inhabits Australia; others are found in
the Indian Islands and on the continent of India.
345. Eudynamys Flindersii Vol. IV. Pl. 91.
Genus CENTROPUS, _Ill._
On reference to my account of the _Centropus Phasianus_, it will be seen
I have stated that some variation exists in the form of the bill in
specimens from different localities, intimated a belief of there being
more than one species, and remarked that should such prove to be the
case, the term _macrourus_ might be applied to the Port Essington birds,
and _melanurus_ to those from the north-west coast; and these names are
provisionally given until future research has proved whether they be or
be not distinct.
346. Centropus Phasianus Vol. IV. Pl. 92.
347. Centropus macrourus, _Gould_.
348. Centropus melanurus, _Gould_.
Family CERTHIADÆ, _Vig._
Genus CLIMACTERIS, _Temm._
Several species of this well-defined and singular group of Australian
birds have lately been discovered; two out of the six now known are all
that had been described prior to the publication of the present work.
With the exception of Van Diemen’s Land and the Cobourg Peninsula, every
colony is inhabited by one or other of the following species:—
349. Climacteris scandens, _Temm._ Vol. IV. Pl. 93.
350. Climacteris rufa, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 94.
351. Climacteris erythrops, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 95.
352. Climacteris melanotus, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 96.
353. Climacteris melanura, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 97.
354. Climacteris picumnus, _Temm._ Vol. IV. Pl. 98.
_Certhia leucophæa_, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. iv. p. 182.
Genus ORTHONYX, _Temm._
Much difference of opinion has arisen among ornithologists respecting
the situation of this bird in the natural system, and as to what genus
it is most nearly allied; I regret to say that not having seen much of
it in its native wilds, I am unable to clear up these disputed points.
The form is strictly Australian, and the single species known is
confined to the south-eastern part of the country.
355. Orthonyx spinicaudus, _Temm._ Vol. IV. Pl. 99.
M. Jules Verreaux, who has written a highly interesting account of this
bird, states that it is strictly terrestrial, and scratches among the
detritus and fallen leaves for its food, throwing back the earth like
the _Gallinaceæ_. It never climbs, as was formerly supposed, but runs
over fallen trunks of trees;—is rather solitary in its habits, seldom
more than two being seen together. Its often-repeated cry of
_cri-cri-cri-crite_ betrays its presence, when its native haunts, the
most retired parts of the forest, are visited. Its chief food consists
of insects, their larvæ, and woodbugs. It builds a large domed nest, of
slender mosses; the entrance being by a lateral hole near the bottom.
The eggs are white and disproportionately large. The situation of the
nest is the side of a slanting rock or large stone, the entrance-hole
being level with the surface.—_Revue Zoologique_, July 1847.
Genus PTILORIS, _Swains._
In placing this beautiful bird near the _Climacteres_, I am influenced
in the first place by the great similarity of its structure, and in the
next by the account I have received of its actions in a state of nature;
I allude more particularly to its mode of ascending the trees, which
precisely resembles that of the _Certhiæ_. One species only of this form
is found in Australia, but many allied genera, _Promerops_, &c., inhabit
New Guinea and the neighbouring islands.
356. Ptiloris paradiseus, _Swains._ Vol. IV. Pl. 100.
That the range of this species extends from the eastern parts of
Australia to within the tropics, is proved by Mr. Gilbert’s having once
seen it near the Gulf of Carpentaria during his last Expedition.
Genus SITTELLA, _Swains._
The _Sittella chrysoptera_ was the only species of this Australian form
known to previous writers; to this has been added one from Southern and
Western Australia, another from Moreton Bay, and a third from the north
coast.
The form does not exist in Van Diemen’s Land.
357. Sittella chrysoptera Vol. IV. Pl. 101.
358. Sittella leucocephala, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 102.
359. Sittella leucoptera, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 103.
360. Sittella pileata, _Gould_ Vol. IV. Pl. 104.
Family PSITTACIDÆ, _Leach_.
No one group of birds gives to Australia so tropical and foreign an air
as the numerous species of this great family, by which it is tenanted,
each and all of which are individually very abundant. Immense flocks of
white Cockatoos may be seen perched among the green foliage of the
_Eucalypti_; the brilliant scarlet breasts of the Rose-hills blaze forth
from the yellow-flowering _Acaciæ_; the _Trichoglossi_ or Honey-eating
Parrakeets enliven the flowering branches of the larger _Eucalypti_ with
their beauty and their lively actions; the little Grass Parrakeets
frequent the plains of the interior and render these solitary spots a
world of animation; nay, the very towns, particularly Hobart Town and
Adelaide, are constantly visited by flights of this beautiful tribe of
birds, which traverse the streets with arrow-like swiftness, and chase
each other precisely after the manner the Swifts are seen to do in our
own islands. In the public roads of Van Diemen’s Land the beautiful
_Platycerci_ may be constantly seen in small companies, performing
precisely the same offices as the Sparrow in England. I have also seen
flocks of from fifty to a hundred, like tame pigeons, at the barn-doors
in the farm-yards of the settlers, to which they descend for the refuse
grain thrown out with the straw by the threshers. As might naturally be
expected, the agriculturist is often sadly annoyed by the destruction
certain species effect among his newly-sown and ripening corn,
particularly where the land has been recently cleared and is adjacent to
the brushes. Fifty-five well-defined species of this great family are
described and figured in the present work. They appear to constitute
four great groups, each comprising several genera, nearly the whole of
which are strictly and peculiarly Australian; for instance, neither
_Calyptorhynchus_, _Platycercus_, _Euphema_, _Psephotus_,
_Melopsittacus_, or _Nymphicus_ have been found in any other country;
and whether we consider the elegance of their forms or the beauty of
their plumage, they may vie with the members of this extensive family
from any part of the world.
Genus CACATUA, _Briss._
Australia, the Molucca and Philippine Islands and New Guinea are the
great nurseries of the members of this genus. They incubate in holes of
trees or in rocks, and lay two eggs.
361. Cacatua galerita Vol. V. Pl. 1.
There are evidently several varieties or races of this species in
Australia, each possessing a modification in the form of the bill
doubtless given for some specific purpose; the Van Diemen’s Land bird is
the largest, and has the upper mandible attenuated, while the Port
Essington bird is altogether smaller, and has a much more arched bill.
362. Cacatua Leadbeaterii Vol. V. Pl. 2.
This species ranges over all the southern portions of Australia between
the 20th and 30th degrees of S. latitude. I have never seen a specimen
from the north, and I believe it does not inhabit that part of the
country; its true habitat appears to be the interior, for it is never
found near the coast.
363. Cacatua sanguinea, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 3.
This species has been found on the north coast, and was observed by
Captain Sturt at the Depôt in Central Australia; we may hence infer that
its range extends over all the intermediate country.
364. Cacatua Eos Vol. V. Pl. 4.
This fine bird, which is strictly Australian, is distributed over all
parts of the interior of the country, and is as abundant in the north as
it is in the south; it was also observed by Captain Sturt at the Depôt.
The specimens from the north are of a larger size and have the orbits
more denuded than those from the south.
Genus LICMETIS, _Wagl._
The two species forming the genus _Licmetis_ are not only confined to
Australia, but, so far as we yet know, to the southern portions of that
continent; one inhabits the western and the other the eastern part of
the country. Their singularly formed bill being admirably adapted for
procuring their food on the ground, they are more terrestrial in their
habits than the other members of the family.
365. Licmetis nasicus Vol. V. Pl. 5.
366. Licmetis pastinator, _Gould_.
_Licmetis pastinator_, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part VIII. p.
175.
Lores scarlet; general plumage white; the base of the feathers of the
head and front of the neck scarlet, showing through and giving those
parts a stained appearance; the basal half of the inner webs of the
primaries, the inner webs of all the other feathers of the wing, and the
inner webs of the tail-feathers beautiful brimstone-yellow; naked space
round the eye greenish blue; irides light brown; bill white; feet dull
olive-grey.
Inhabits Western Australia.
Differs from _L. nasicus_ in being of a much larger size; but the
colouring being similar, I have not thought it necessary to figure it.
Genus NESTOR, _Wagl._
Of this genus two species are known, one of which was exclusively
confined to Phillip Island, and the other inhabits New Zealand; they are
evidently the remains of a race, all the other members of which are
probably extinct.
367. Nestor productus, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 6.
The few examples of this species that may exist in captivity are all
that survive, none remaining on Phillip Island, their native habitat.
Genus CALYPTORHYNCHUS, _Vig. & Horsf._
The _Calyptorhynchi_ are strictly arboreal, and are evidently formed to
live upon the seeds of the _Banksiæ_, _Eucalypti_, and other trees
peculiar to the country they inhabit; they diversify their food by
occasionally devouring large caterpillars; as they mostly move about in
small companies of from four to six in number they can scarcely be
considered gregarious. Their flight is rather powerful, but at the same
time laboured and heavy; and their voice is a low crying call, totally
different from the harsh screaming notes of the _Cacatuæ_. Each division
of the country, from the north coast of the continent to Van Diemen’s
Land, is inhabited by its own peculiar species.
I have never seen a member of this genus from any other country than
Australia, but I have heard that an extraordinary Parrot, said to be
larger than any at present in our collections, inhabits New Guinea, and
which, from the description given of it, will probably be of this form.
The _Calyptorhynchi_ lay from two to four eggs in the holes of trees.
368. Calyptorhynchus Banksii Vol. V. Pl. 7.
369. Calyptorhynchus macrorhynchus, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 8.
Inhabits the north coast, where it represents the _C. Banksii_ of the
eastern and the _C. naso_ of the western coasts.
370. Calyptorhynchus naso, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 9.
This species, which is confined to Western Australia, is rendered
conspicuous by the small size of its crest, and by its bill being nearly
as large as that of _C. macrorhynchus_, while its wings are much shorter
than those of that species.
371. Calyptorhynchus Leachii Vol. V. Pl. 10.
_Banksianus Australis_, Less. Traité d’Orn. p. 180, Atlas, pl. 18,
fig. 2, fem.
Inhabits the south-eastern parts of the continent, and differs from all
the others in its smaller size, the gibbose form of its bill, and in the
paucity of its crest.
372. Calyptorhynchus funereus Vol. V. Pl. 11.
Confined, I believe, to New South Wales, and South Australia?
373. Calyptorhynchus xanthonotus, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 12.
The true habitat of this species is Van Diemen’s Land, but I have lately
received a specimen from Port Lincoln, which proves that its range
extends to South Australia. It is distinguished from _C. funereus_ by
its much smaller size, and by the uniformity of the yellow colouring of
the tail.
374. Calyptorhynchus Baudinii, _Vig._ Vol. V. Pl. 13.
Inhabits Western Australia, and is distinguished by its small size and
by the white marks on the tail.
Genus CALLOCEPHALON, _Less._
Of this form only a single species is known.
375. Callocephalon galeatum Vol. V. Pl. 14.
Inhabits the southern coast of Australia and Van Diemen’s Land.
Genus POLYTELIS, _Wagl._
This genus comprises two species, both of which are peculiar to the
southern portions of Australia. They have many characters common to, and
resemble in appearance, the _Palæorni_ of India.
376. Polytelis Barrabandi Vol. V. Pl. 15.
377. Polytelis melanura Vol. V. Pl. 16.
Genus APROSMICTUS, _Gould_.
Generic characters.
As in _Platycercus_, but the _bill_ more feeble; _cere_ and _nostrils_
covered with fine hair-like feathers; _wings_ longer and less concave;
_tail_ more square; _tarsi_ shorter and _toes_ longer than in that
genus.
Two, if not three species of this form inhabit Australia, and others are
found in New Guinea and the neighbouring islands. They are distinguished
from the _Platycerci_ by the possession of a well-developed _os
furcatorium_, a bone which is entirely wanting in the members of that
genus; in their habits they are mainly arboreal, and in their
disposition are morose and sullen.
378. Aprosmictus scapulatus Vol. V. Pl. 17.
This species appears to be confined to New South Wales.
379. Aprosmictus erythropterus Vol. V. Pl. 18.
The red-winged Parrakeets from the north coast are nearly a fourth
smaller than those inhabiting the Liverpool plains and similar districts
of the south coast; are they varieties of each other or distinct
species?
Genus PLATYCERCUS, _Vig._
In my opinion the New Zealand birds that have been placed in this genus
are not true _Platycerci_, all the known species of which are confined
to Australia; they comprise fourteen species which appear to be
naturally divisible into minor groups, to which generic appellations may
hereafter be given; for instance the _P. semitorquatus_, _P. Baueri_,
_P. Barnardi_, &c. form one; the _P. Adelaidiæ_, _P. Pennantii_, _P.
flaveolus_, _P. flaviventris_, &c. form another; _P. eximius_, _P.
splendidus_, _P. icterotis_, &c. form a third; and _P. pileatus_ a
fourth.
The members of this and the two next genera lay from seven to ten eggs
in the holes of trees.
380. Platycercus semitorquatus Vol. V. Pl. 19.
381. Platycercus Baueri Vol. V. Pl. 20.
382. Platycercus Barnardii, _Vig. & Horsf._ Vol. V. Pl. 21.
383. Platycercus Adelaidiæ, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 22.
384. Platycercus Pennantii Vol. V. Pl. 23.
385. Platycercus flaviventris Vol. V. Pl. 24.
386. Platycercus flaveolus, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 25
387. Platycercus palliceps, _Vig._ Vol. V. Pl. 26.
388. Platycercus eximius Vol. V. Pl. 27.
389. Platycercus splendidus, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 28.
390. Platycercus icterotis Vol. V. Pl. 29.
391. Platycercus ignitus, _Leadb._ Vol. V. Pl. 30.
392. Platycercus Brownii Vol. V. Pl. 31.
393. Platycercus pileatus, _Vig._ Vol. V. Pl. 32.
Genus PSEPHOTUS, _Gould_.
Generic characters.
As in _Euphema_, but the _cere_, in which the nostrils are placed, more
swollen or developed; _wings_ rather short and the _tail_ much
lengthened; the lateral feathers short and not so regularly graduated;
_feet_ more adapted for terrestrial progression.
All the members of this genus are confined to Australia, and hold an
intermediate station between the _Platycerci_ on the one hand and the
_Euphemæ_ on the other. They pass much of their time on the ground,
where the principal part of their food is procured; inhabit the interior
rather than the country near the coast, and are adapted for the open
plains, where they often assemble in vast flocks.
I have figured four species, and I have seen a drawing in the possession
of Mr. Brown, made by Ferdinand Bauer from a bird said to have been
found near the Gulf of Carpentaria, which will probably form a fifth.
394. Psephotus hæmatogaster, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 33.
This species differs from all the other members of the genus, as well as
from those of the allied genera, in the pointed form of the tips of its
primaries.
If they be not local varieties of each other, there are two birds
confounded under this name, one having yellow and the other scarlet
under tail-coverts; it will be necessary, however, to see other examples
before we can decide whether they are or are not distinct. Captain Sturt
brought specimens with yellow under tail-coverts from the Depôt in the
interior of South Australia.
395. Psephotus pulcherrimus, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 34.
396. Psephotus multicolor Vol. V. Pl. 35.
397. Psephotus hæmatonotus, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 36.
Genus EUPHEMA, _Wagl._
The members of this genus are exclusively Australian and appear to be
confined to the extra-tropical parts of the country, no species having
yet been seen from the north coast. Our knowledge of this group has been
extended from three to seven species, all of which are abundantly
distributed over the southern portions of the continent, and two of them
over Van Diemen’s Land.
398. Euphema chrysostoma Vol. V. Pl. 37.
399. Euphema elegans, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 38.
400. Euphema aurantia, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 39.
401. Euphema petrophila, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 40.
402. Euphema pulchella Vol. V. Pl. 41.
403. Euphema splendida, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 42.
Captain Sturt procured a single male example of this beautiful bird
during his journey into the interior of South Australia.
404. Euphema Bourkii Vol. V. Pl. 43.
Captain Sturt found this species in abundance at the Depôt in Central
Australia.
Genus MELOPSITTACUS, _Gould_.
Generic characters.