B 3 33b 3MS KEY TO THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA AND TASMANIA WITH THEIR GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION IN AUSTRALIA BY ROBERT HALL MELVILLE, MULLEN AND SLADE, COLLINS STREET DULAU AND CO., 37 SOHO SQUARE- [COPYRIGHT] BIOLOGY LIBRARY G A KEY TO THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA AND TASMANIA INTERSCAPULAM R EC I OH GREATER WING COUfftrS (AURICULAR REGION \ I MMMOMMT TSSSi^m^nam (OCC '""J !M PUMP TAIL \ UPPt* TAjf. COVERTS V*, ^ HUMERAL FATHK -/' SPURIOUS WING TOS (PHALANGES \NA1LS Phoht- fnjnving Co. OF A BIRD, SHOWING ITS PRINCIPAL EXTERNAL CHARACTERS (QUAIL DIAGRAMMATIC). A KEY TO THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA AND TASMANIA WITH THEIR GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION IN AUSTRALIA BY ROBERT HALL \\ MELVILLE, MULLEN AND SLADE, COLLINS STREET DULAU AND CO., 37 SOHO SQUARE [COPYRIGHT] BIOLOCY - G MELBOURNE : WALKER, MAY AND CO., PRINTERS, MACKILLO* STREET. PREFACE. fHE opportunity to publish a {( Key to the Birds of Australia " is practically given in the catalogues of the British Museum dealing with the birds of the world, commenced in 1872 and concluded in the present year. The Key, comprising in each case a concise digest of the 770 species of birds found in Australia and Tasmania, is built principally upon these catalogues. Many descrip- tions are exactly reproduced, others are added to, and a portion is described from the author's collection. The classification is almost wholly that of the British Museum, while the nomenclature is entirely so. Gould's and Eamsay's names appear as synonyms in nearly all cases, and the most important vernaculars of late use are bracketed after each species. The systematic work done by Mr. North, of the Australian Museum, has aided me in the digest of the Accipitres. The geographical distribution of our birds is here placed very much upon the plan of sub-regions defined by Professor Spencer in the " Horn Expedition Report (Zool.)," and it appears to me an appro- priate one. I have consulted with advantage Dr. Eamsay's " Geographical Distribution of Australian Birds," in tabular form. The method of locating the birds adopted here differs from that in so far as sub- regions, and not colonies and towns, are used. The appendix map indicates the Eyrean, Torresian, and Bassian sub-regions, as proposed by Professor Spencer, and these again are divided into nine areas. The Torresian embraces Eamsay's Northern Territory towns and a portion of Carpentaria in 1 ; a portion of Carpentaria and North Queensland in 2 ; South Queensland, with the Eichmond and Clarence Eivers, in 3. The Bassian sub-region welds the eastern parts of New South Wales and Victoria and Tasmania together the first two as 4, and the last as 5. The Eyrean sub-region includes Central and Western Australia, and the northern and western parts of Victoria and the interior of New South Wales. Dr. Eamsay unites Victoria with South Australia, but I find that the parts of Victoria and South Australia included in the Eyrean region constitute, so far as the avifauna is concerned, one area, designated 6 ; Central Australia forms area 7 ; North- West Australia forms area 8 ; and Western Australia forms area 9. In the allocation of species to definite areas it is to be borne in mind that the boundaries are only those absolutely kept to by the species 486,; VI as a whole. In cases in which birds are not what one would call quite common to the areas, the numeral indicating the area is "bracketed. Briefly it may be stated that the stronghold of Australian Passeres lies in area 3, and I will remark upon the distribution of this strong order, because it practically covers the points of geographical interest in the orders of our land birds. AREA 1. It is most nearly allied to 2. Of 54 genera 120 species, thefe are 6 genera 44 species not repre- sented in 2, 16 genera 84 species not in 7, 19 genera 65 species not in 8. Genera absent from 2 are Struthidea and Tseniopygia ; absent in 7, Oriolus, Pcecilodryas, Piezorhynchus, Chibia, Pitta ; absent from 8, Grallina, Oriolus, Smicrornis, Serieornis, Megalurus. Pachycephala simplex, Cracticus argenteus, Climacteris melanonota, and six other species are peculiar to this area. In order Fulicarias there is one genus (Poliolimnas) not found elsewhere. AREA 2. Although not so strong in genera as 3 to the extent of 12 per cent., it has more species (12 per cent.) Of the 76 genera 174 species, there are 13 genera 82 species missing from 3, 27 genera 109 species not in 1, 30 genera 121 species not in 7. Area 7 recipro- cates with 50 per cent, less genera common to 2 than are common to 7 and 3. Genera absent in 3 Craspedophora, Prionodura, Heteromyias, Arses, Calornis [origin Papua, except in Prionodura (?)] ; absent in 1, Ptilorhis, Geocichla, Acanthiza, Meliphaga, Meliornis (all present in 3) ; absent in 7, Cinnyris, Phonygama, Craspedophora, Calornis (all absent in 3 also), Ptilorhis. It has 30 species and 6 genera peculiar to it, no other area having more than one genus peculiar to it. Although 9 has half as many species, it has no genus of its own (only one beyond the Passeres). It would appear area 2 has been first populated and area 9 the last, as further figures indicate. The peculiar genera are: Craspedophora, Phonygama, Hetero- myias, Scenopseus, Cinnyris, and Calornis. AREA 3, Apparently it expands into 4 and 7, and slightly so into 2, though from the latter it has probably acquired originally a con- siderable part of its avifauna. It is represented most strongly in 2 (76 genera 174 species), next in 4 (71 genera 121 species), and less so in 7 (65 genera 126 species). The distribution of genera and species from 3 to 2 is continued in a lesser degree from 2 to 1, and still more so from 1 to 8, there largely terminating as the westerly expansion along the northern route. Of the 83 genera and 153 species in 3, 16 genera and 53 species are wanting in 2, 15 genera and 47 species are absent from 4, while 28 genera and 71 species are not in 7. The number of genera (65) and species (126) in 7 show it with remarks under 2 and 4 to be less strongly related to 3 than are 2 and 4. The genera of 3 Cinclosoma, Gymnorhina, Acanthorhynchus, Staganopleura, and Zoneeginthus are absent in 2, though present in 4, while Pseudogerygone, Poacilodryas, Plectrorhynchus, Bathilda, and Peophila are in 2 and absent in 4. The genera Eopsaltria, Atrichia, Meliornis, Aeluroedus, and Piezorhynchus do not pass into 7. Vll ' The genus Sericulus is peculiar to 3, but only two species Menura alberti and Colly riocincla cerviniveiitris are limited to it. AREA 4. This is the southern extension of 3, and with it is closely associated 5 ; indeed, the latter may be expanded as a southern offshoot of 4. The two areas 4 and 5, on the other hand, differ in important respects from 6 and 7. Of the 71 genera 121 species there are 4 genera 28 species absent from 3 ; 21 genera 52 species absent from 6 ; 25 genera 66 species absent from 7. In 5 there are 39 genera 90 species absent. Genera absent in 3, Pycnoptilus, Monarcha, Calamanthus ; in 6, Oriolus, Myiagra, Sphenura, Psophodes, Atrichia ; in 7, Pycnoptilus, Menura ; in 5, JEgiiitha, Ptilonorhynchus, Piezorhyiichus, Menura. The genus peculiar to this area is Pycnoptilus, the species Manorhina melanophrys, Ptilotis cassidix, Menura superba, Menura victories, Sericornis osculans, Pycnoptilus floccosus. AREA 5. The insular area of 4. Of 34 genera 55 species, it does not appear to hold a genus not common with 4, unless Acanthornis (of Legge, Sericornis of other authors) stands alone. The relation- ship is not so strong with 6, for while 1 genus 14 species are not in 4, there are 4 genera 29 species not found in 6. The reciprocal of 6 to 5 in number of genera and species (36 genera 103 species) is practically the same as that of 4 to 5 (39 genera 90 species). Genera absent in 6, Myiagra, Cisticola, and iStipiturus (all present in 4). Peculiar to the island are 14 species. AREA 6. Apparently the relation is to 7, 9, and 4, in that order. The total number of genera is 65, species 117. Absent in 4 are 17 genera 53 species; in 9, 11 genera 61 species; in 7, 5 genera 24 species. Genera absent in 4, Dryinacedus, Xerophila, Oreoica, Entomophila, Aniytis ; in 9, Corcorax, Lalage, Smicrornis, Stictoptera, Entomyza ; in . 7, .Eopsaltria, Meliornis, Acanthorhynchus, Pseudogerygone, Chibia (all in 4). The species peculiar to this area are Xerophila pectoralis and Mirafra secunda. AREA 7. It has 65 genera and 126 species, and although it appears to be more closely related to 6, it is closely related to 3. In this area there are 5 genera 29 species absent from 6 ; 10 genera 49 species absent in 3 ; 16 genera 46 species absent in 9 ; 19 genera 69 species absent in 2 ; 21 genera 68 species absent in 4 ; 26 genera 96 species absent in 1 ; 31 genera 92 species absent in 8. Area 5 is practically 4. In the separate areas it will be noticed that the relationship between area 7 and other areas is in the following order : 8, 1, 4, 2, 9, 3, 6, area 8 showing the most marked difference, and 6 the strongest affinity. The closest relationship appears to be to 6, then 3, 9, 2, 4, 1,8 in order. The boundary between 6 and 7 is not a strong one. In 7, absent from 6, are Bathilda, Emblema, Aideniosyne, Myiagra, Gerygone ; absent from 3, Struthidea, Amytis, Drymaoedus, Calamanthus, Entomophila; absent from 9, Lalage, Smicrornis, Myiagra, Sphenostoma, Entomyza ; absent from 2, Pteropodocys, Acanthochsera, Amytis, Calamanthus, Staganopleura ; absent from 4, Chlamydodera, Xerophila, Oreoica, Entomophila, Emblema; absent from 1, Corcorax, Cinclosoma, Acanthiza, Falcunculus, Strepera; absent from 8, Amytis, Sericornis, Hylacola, Zosterops, Megalurus. There are no known genera peculiar to 7. The follow- ing species are not beyond it : Ehipidura albicauda, Amytis goyderi, Calamanthus isabellinus, Xerophila nigricincta. Vlll AREA 8. It is most closely related to 1. Of the 45 genera 76 species there are 5 genera 20 species absent from 1 ; 6 genera 87 species absent from 7 ; 13 genera 50 species not in 9. Area 9 seems to repel 8 ; 8 is in strong sympathy with 1, and slightly so with 7. Genera absent in 1, Emblema, Amytis, Acrocephalus (the only gap) ; in 9, Cisticola, Philemon, Myiagra, Munia, Peophila ; in 7, Stipiturus, Poecilodryas, Neochmia, Munia. The following species are peculiar to this area : Malurus coronatus, Gerygone cinerascens, Stipiturus ruficeps, Cinclosoma marginatum, Pachy- cephala lanioides. AREA 9. It has 59 genera 93 species, and seems to be derived in. two ways from 6 and 7. Genera in 9 absent from 6 are Psophodes, Atrichia, Stipiturus, and Sphenura (all in area 4), while those absent in 7 are Stipiturus, Acanthorynchus, Meliornis, Pseudogerygone. From this, and remarks under 6, it would appear the avifauna of the south-west is largely derived from. 6, that of the west proper from 7. The genera here absent from 8 are those strong ones of the east and south-east Sericornis, Acanthiza, and Zosterops ; others being Amytis and Gymnorhina. Three-fourths of the species and half the genera of 9 are absent from 8. In 9 there are 4 genera (also in 4) and 37 species that are not in 6, while in 6 there are 11 genera and 61 species that are not in 9. Present in 9, but absent in 7, are 7 genera and 36 species, while there are 16 genera and 64 species in 7 absent in 9. To this area there is no Passerine genus peculiar, but there are 17 species. In the order Psittaci there is Porphyrocephalus confined to 9. In a more limited way the smaller orders help to support this scheme of distribution, the idea of which was in part suggested by Professor Baldwin Spencer, Hon. Director of the National Museum. E. H. Box HILL, VICTORIA, August, 1899. A SYNOPSIS OF THE ORDERS. PAGE I. ACCIPITRES. Birds of Prey. Bill short, strong, stout at the base, the culmen strongly curved. Feet strong, armed with powerful talons ; talons capable of being bent under the feet, the inner one being stronger than the others and more curved ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 II. PASSERES. Perching Birds proper. Palate segithognathous. Vomer is broadened and blunt or truncated at the anterior end. Maxillo-palatines widely separated ... ... 7 III. PICARI^E. This is an order opposed to the Passeres, pri- marily on account of the relatively smaller and weaker feet in the Australian forms (example, Podargus). It is pro- visional ... ... ... ... ... ... 54 IV. PSITTACI. Feet permanently zygodactyl by reversion of the fourth toe, covered with plates. Bill short and very stout, Btrongly hooked or epignathous, and furnished with a cere GO V. COLUMB^E. Pigeons. Rostrum swollen at the tip, convex ; its basal portion has a soft skin, in which lie the nostrils, with a valve over them. Tarsi covered fore and rear with hexagonal scales. Palate schizognathous. Nostrils schizo- rhinal ... ... ... ... ... ... 68 VI. GALLIN^E. Bill short and stout, the culmen arched and over- hanging the mandible. Maxillo-palatines not coalesced ... 73 VII. HEMIPODIL Button Quails, opposed to True Quails. Feet with three toes (except Pedionomus, which has the hallux). Maxillo-palatines not coalesced with one another ... ... 74 VIII. FULICARI^E. Rails. The characters are osteological (Cata- logue Fossil Birds, pp. 143 and 144, Lydekker) ... ... 76 IX. ALECTORIDES. True Crane (Native Companion) and Bus- tard, in Australia. The angle of the mandible is always truncated. The hind toe is raised above the level of the other toes. [Mesites (extra-Australian) excepted] ... ... 78 X. LIMICOL^E. Palate schizognathous. Primaries eleven, fifth secondary wanting. After shaft to the contour feathers present ... ... ... ... ... ... 79 XI. GAVI^E. Front toes entirely connected by webs. Primaries, ten large and visible, one minute and concealed. Rectrices twelve. Palate schizognathous. Nasals schizorhinal ... 87 PAGE XII. TUBINARES. External nostrils are produced into tubes. Anterior toes are fully webbed ; hallux small or absent. Palate schizognathous. Nasals holorhinal. ... ... 91 XIII. PL AT ALE JR. Ibis and Spoonbill. Posterior angle of man- dible recurved. Edge of cranium above the orbits truncate, indicating the position of the nasal glands ... ... 96 XIV. HERODIONES. Heron-like Birds. Hallux free, not united to the other toes by a web. Nasals holorhinal. Palate desmognathous ... ... ... ... ... 97 XV. STEGANOPODES. Hallux united to the other toes by a web. Nasals holorhinal. Palate desmognathous ... ... 101 XVL PYGOPODES. Grebes in Australia. Wing feathers de- veloped into remiges. Cnemial process of tibia produced forwards in a remarkable degree. Palate schizognathous ... 104 XVII. IMPENNES. Penguins. Bill never hooked. Nostrils pervious, holorhinal. Palate schizognathous ... ... 104 XVIII. CHENOMORPH^]. Swans, Geese, and Ducks. Palate desmognathous. Young covered with down, and able to run or swim in a few hours after hatching ... ... ... 105 XIX. CASUARII. Emu-like Birds. Hallux absent; middle phalanges shortened. Maxillo-palatines large, fused with vomer and premaxilla ... ... ... ... ... 109 ERRATA AND ADDENDA. Species 80. " White-billed " should read " White-bellied." Genus Prionodura, species 60 (Golden Bowerrbird) should follow species 172. Species 46 should read " Hab. 2, 3, 4." Species 82 should read " Hab. 2, 3, 4." Species 346 should read " Hab. 3, 4, 6, 7." Species 381 should read " Hab. 1, 2, 3, 7, 8." Species 360 should read " Hab. 3, 4, 5, 6." Species 370. " Hab. 11 " should read " Hab. 7." Species 389. " Hab. 11 and 14 " should read " Hab. 7 and 9." Page 5, line 16 from bottom, "or middle toe" should read "of middle toe." Page 6, line 19 from bottom, " claw or " should read " claw of." Page 112, Index to Genera, add " Stigmatops (Glycyphila), 39, 40." Map of Distribution. Area 1 : The words Northern Territory (Proper) apply here to birds. Area 6 includes adjacent area of New South Wales. CLASS-AVES. SUB-CLASS I. CARINATVE (STERNUM KEELED). ORDER ACCIPITRES (BIRDS OF PREY). Bill short, strong, stout at the base, the culmen strongly curved. Feet strong, armed with powerful talons ; talons capable of being bent under the feet, the inner one being stronger than the others and more curved. Sub-order Falcones. With no facial disc ; plumage compact ; nostrils generally not concealed by bristles ; outer toe not reversible ; toes devoid of feathers. FAMILY FALCONIDJE. Head covered with feathers, though the sides of the face are more or less bare. SUB-FAMILY AQUILINE. Hinder aspect of tarsus reticulate ; commissure of bill simply festooned. GENUS UROAETUS. Tail strongly graduated. 1. 1I aildax, Latham (Aquila audax, Gray), Wedge-tailed Eagle (Eaglehawk). General colour, black in adult, rufous in young. Total length, 38 in. ; culmen, 3 in. ; wing, 24 '2 in. ; tail, 17 '5 in. ; tarsus, 4'8 in. Hab. : 1 to 9. GENUS NISAETUS. Tail nearly square, the difference in length of middle and outer tail feathers inappreciable. 2. N. morphnoidCS, Gould (Aquila morphnoides), Little Eagle. Rufous beneath, each shaft streaked blackish. Total length, 21 '5 in. ; bill, 175 in. ; wing, 15 in. ; tail, 9'5in. ; tarsi, 2 75 in. Hab. : 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9. GENUS HALIAETUS. Tarsi bare on lower portion : nostrils more or less perpendicular ovals, with bony margin all round. 3. H. ICUCOgaster, Gmelin, White-bellied Sea Eagle. Head and under surface white ; bill leaden blue ; wing not exceed- ing 24 in. Young. Head buff ; upper surface and wings chocolate brown ; chest and abdomen butty brown. Hab. : 1 to 9. GENUS HALIASTUR. Tarsi bare on lower portion ; nostrils circular, with bony margin all round. 4. H. girrenera, Vieillot (H. leucosternus, Gld.), sub-sp. of H. indus, White-headed Sea Eagle. Back and abdomen rich chestnut ; head and neck white ; tail maroon, with broad whitish tip. Young. Head, breast, and abdomen brown, with long white streaks. Hab. : 1 to 4, 8. 2 5. H. SphemirilS, Vigors, Whistling Eagle. Under surface sandy, with dark shafts ; tail uniform ashy- brown ; head and neck sandy coloured, with fulvous streaks. Young. Less rufous ; white spots and streaks. Hab. : 1 to 4, 6 to 9. GENUS MILVUS. Nostrils oblique, almost linear ; distance from angle of mouth to anterior margin of nostril greater than distance from latter point to tip of beak ; tail forked, outer feather longest. 6. M. a (lin is. Gld., Kite. Blackish above, rufous below ; head and throat brownish, with central stripe ; wing under 16 in. Hab. : 1, 2, 3, 6 to 9. GENUS -LOPHOICTINIA. Nostrils oblique, almost linear; distances as measured in Milvus equal ; tail slightly forked, outer tail feather longest. 7. L, isiiru, Gld.. Long-winged Kite (Square-tailed Kite). Blackish-brown above, reddish- orange below ; head shafts con- spicuously marked. Hab. : 3, 6, 7, 9. GENUS GYPOICTINIA. Nostrils oblique, almost linear ; tail rounded, outer feather shorter than middle one ; ridge of bill (without cere) greater than half of middle toe (without claw) ; wings reaching to end of tail ; bare part of tarsus in front greater than half of middle toe (without claw). 8. G. melailO Sterna, Gld., Black-breasted Buzzard. Head and breast black. Adult male Total length, 24 in. ; culmen, 2 '45 in. ; wing, 19 in. ; tail, 8*5 in. ; tarsus, 2'65in. ; middle toe, 1 -95 in. Hab. : 6 to 9. GENUS EL ANUS. Bare part of tarsus in front less than middle toe. 9. E. axillaris, Lath., Black-shouldered Kite. General colour plumage greyish white, shoulder black, axillaries white. Hab. : 1 to 4, 6, 7, 9. 10. E. SCriptllS, Gld., Letter- winged Kite. Plumage greyish -white ; axillaries and broad bar across under wing coverts black. Hab. : 3, 4, 6, 7, 9. SUB-FAMILY FALCONING. Hinder aspect of tarsus reticulate ; commissure of bill distinctly notched. GENUS BAZA. Head crested. 11. B. Sllbcristata, Gld., Crested Hawk. Head and neck ashy-grey, with small occipital crest of black feathers ; rest of upper surface brown, the wing coverts and inter- scapular region greyish-black ; quills dark brown, broadly barred with black above and with greyish-white under ; tail ashy-brown, with four black bars ; forehead, lores, and sides of face clearer ashy than head, as also the throat and chest, the chest washed with rufous, the breast banded alternately with buffy-white and chestnut- brown. Total length, 17 in. ; bill, 1'2 in. ; wing, 13 '5 in. ; tail, 9 in. ; tarsus, 1 '4 in. Hab. : 1, 2, 3, 7. GENUS FALCO. Distance between tips of primaries and tips of second- aries more than half length of tail. 12. F. melanogenys, Old., Black-cheeked Falcon. Male. Head, entire sides of face, cheeks, ear coverts deep black, upper surface blackish-brown, quills blackish, the outer secondaries with white tips ; throat creamy ; upper breast creamy with black stripes, rest of under surface buffy-white with close narrow bars. Thighs transversely barred. Total length, 15 in. ; wing, 11*75 in. Female. -Similar but larger; underneath deep rusty, paler on chest. Hab. : 2 to 9. 13. F. hypoleilCUS, Old., Grey Falcon. Thighs perfectly uniform, whitish or bluish-white. Above ashy, all feathers with blackish centres ; under surface of body entirely white, with buff shade on flanks and under tail coverts ; throat un- spotted, but rest of feathers underneath narrowly striped, except thighs. Total length, male 12 in., wing 11 in., tail6'25in. ; female 15 in., wing 12 '5 in., tail 6'5 in. Hab. : 1, 2, 3, 6, 7. 14. F. Sllblliger, Gray, Black Falcon. General colour plumage sooty-brown ; thighs perfectly uniform sooty-brown, like breast. Total length, male 17 in., wing 14'25 in. ; female 19'5 in., wing 15 75 in. Hab.: 3, 4, 6, 7. 15. F. Ill 11 Hiatus, Lath., Libtle Falcon (White-fronted Falcon). Throat white ; breast and abdomen rufous ; thighs perfectly uniform rufous. Total length, male 11*5 in., wing 9*75 in.; female 13'5 in., wing 10-5 in. Hab. : 1 to 9". GENUS HIERACIDEA. Tarsus transversely plated near base of toes. 16. H. foerigora, Vig. and Hors., Striped Brown Hawk. Upper surface sandy-brown, feathers of lower back and rump tipped with rufous ; under surface of body creamy-white, with fine brownish shaft stripes ; cere pale yellow. Large amount of white on under surface. Hab. : 6 to 9. 17. H. Orientalis, Schlegel, Brown Hawk. Above brown ; under surface of body creamy-buff to blackish- brown ; cere blue-grey. Hab.: 1 to9. GENUS CERCHNEIS. Distance between tips of primaries and tips of secondaiies greater than half the length of tail. 18. C. CCnchroideS, Vig. and Hors. (Tinnunculus cenchroides), Kestrel. Tail rufous, barred with black and tipped with white ; head rufous, narrowly streaked with black. Total length, 11 '5 in. ; culmen, 0'7 in. ; wing, 9*3 in.; tarsus, 1'5 in. Hab. : 1 to 9. SUB-FAMILY ACCIPITRIN.E : LONG-LEGGED HAWKS. GENUS CIRCUS. Nostrils oval, with no bony excrescence. 19. C. assilllilis, Jardine and Selby (C. jardinii, Old.), Spotted Harrier. Above bluish slate colour, feathers of back and wing coverts with white margins, crown of head brick-red, facial ruff pale bluish-grey ; under surface of body rufous, with white rounded spots. Young. Ashy-brown above ; upper tail coverts white, washed with rufous, and having dark brown centres ; tail brown, with buff tips, and crossed with six black bars. Hab. : 1 to 9. 20. C. gOllldi, Bonaparte (C. assimilis, Gould's Handbook), Gould's Harrier, or Swamp-hawk. Earthy-brown above, most feathers of back with darker brown centres ; upper tail coverts white, with rufous spot on some ; tail ashy-grey, tipped with white, the central feathers entirely grey ; thighs white, with rufous streaks ; breast white, with brown stripes. Young. Uniform sooty-brown above ; upper tail coverts rufous ; wings brown, like back ; under surface of body brown, chestnut on abdomen, thighs, and under tail coverts ; tail nearly uniform brown tipped with buff. Hab. : 1 to 9. GEN PS ASTUR. Hinder aspect of tarsus scaled ; ridge of bill measured from anterior margin of cere is greater than half length of middle toe (without claw). 21. A, cinereilS, Vieill., Grey Goshawk. Upper surface ashy-grey, breast white, tail ashy-grey. Hab. : 1 to 9. 22. A. novse-liollandiae, Gmelin, White Goshawk. Under surface white, with bars ; slate above ; tail uniform white ; wing in male 10'5 in., in female 12*5 in. Hab. : 2 to 6. 23. A, leUCOSOinilS, Sharpe (sub sp.), Lesser White Goshawk. Tail uniform white. Wing in male 7 '75 in., variable (Aust. Mus. Cat., No. 4, part i., p. 12), Hab. : 2. 24. A. approxiinans, Vig. and Hors. , Goshawk. Underneath brown, with white cross-bars. Female. Total length, 20 in. ; wing, 12.25 in. ; tail, 10 in. Male. Total length, 15 in. ; wing, 10'25 in. ; tail, 8'5 in. Hab. : 1 to 9. 25. A. CriientllS. Gld., Chestnut- coloured Goshawk. Underneath white, with pale rufous cross-bars (Sharpe). Adult Male. Distinct rufous collar on hind-neck ; throat ashy- white, slightly mottled with bluish-grey ; remainder of under surface, under wing, and tail coverts barred alternately with narrow lines of rufous and white, the rufous bars the broader ; tail ashy -white below, with from 12 to 15 narrow black bars on feathers, the centre two having spots on shaft lines (Ramsay, 1890). Hab. : 8. GENUS ACCIPITER. Ridge of bill measured from margin of cere is less than half middle toe (without claw). 26. A. CirrhocephalllS, Vieill., Sparrow-hawk. Total length, female 14 in., wing 9'25 in., tail 7 to 7'5 in., tarsus 2 '5 in. ; male 12 in., wing 8 '25 in., tail 6 '5 in., tarsus 2 -25 in. Female may be distinguished from male of Astur approximans by its short tail, never more than 7 '5 in. , and slender middle toe. Hab. : 2, 4 to 8. SUB-FAMILY BUTEONINJE. Hinder aspect of tarsus scaled. GENUS UROSPIZIAS. Ridge of bill (without cere) less than half the length of middle toe. 27. U. radiatlis, Lath. (Astur radiatus), Red Goshawk. Upper surface of body and wings (excepting quills) bright rufous, feathers of head and neck having a black stripe down centre, all the others centred with black and broadly margined with bright rufous ; throat buff tinged with rufous and each feather striped with black ; whole of under surface of body bright deep rufous, each feather (except the axillaries, thighs, and under tail coverts) centred with black streak ; tail below ashy- white crossed with bars of blackish- brown ; upper surface of tail dark ashy-brown, crossed with (12 or more) wavy bars of blackish-brown. Total length, male 20 in., wing 14 in., tail 9 in., tarsus 3 in. ; female 22 in., wing 16 in. Hab. : 2, 3, 7. Sub-order P andiones. Outer toe is reversible. GENUS PANDION. Distance between tips of primaries and tips of secondaries greater than length of tarsus. 28. P. leilCOCephalllS, Gld. (sub-sp. of P. haliaetus), Osprey or Fish- hawk. Crown of head, back of neck, throat, abdomen, thighs, and under tail coverts white. Hab. : 1 to 6, 8, 9. Sub-order Striges. Outer toe reversible ; eyes directed forward and encircled by a facial disc ; nostrils generally hidden by stiff bristles ; plumage soft and flutfy ; tibia more than double the length of tarsus. FAMILY BUJBONID^E. Hinder margin of sternum with two or more distinct fissures or clefts ; furcula free, not attached to keel or sternum ; inner margin of claw or middle toe not serrated ; middle toe always longer than the inner one. SUB-FAMILY BUBONIN^E. Ear conch not larger than the eye, without an operculum ; facial disc unequal, the portion below the eye being always much greater than the area above the latter. GENUS NINOX. Tarsus not twice the length of middle toe. 29. X. boobook, Lath, (includes N. marmoratus), Boobook Owl. General colour rufous ; interscapulium not spotted ; darker coloured and larger than sub sp. N. ocellata. Wing, 10.3 in. Hab. : 2 to 4, 6, 7, 9. 30. N. ocellata, Hombr. and Jacq. (sub-sp. of N. Boobook), Marbled Owl. Interscapulium not spotted ; more rufous and smaller than N. boobook. Wing, 9 '3 in. Hab. : 1, 17), 8, 9. 6 31. JT. macillata, Vig. and Hors., Spotted O\\l. General colour rufous-brown and spotted ; interscapulium spotted Hab. : 3, 4, 5. 32. If. COIllli VC11S, Lath., Winking Owl. Breast dull white, streaked, each feather broadly centred with dark colour. Total length, 16 in. ; wing, 11 -9 in. ; tail, 7 '3 in. ; tarsus, 1'9 in. ; culmen, 1*6 in. Hab. : 2, 3, 6, 7, 9. 33. N. OCCidentalis, Eamsay, Western Winking Owl. Western form of N. connivens ; upper surface lighter. Hab. : 8. 34. N. peninsillaris, Salvad., Cape York Owl. Smaller than N. connivens ; rufous streaks on lower parts. Hab. : 2. 35. N. Strenua, Old. (British Museum Catalogue includes Athene rufa of Ramsay's List), Powerful Owl. Breast spotted or transversely barred. Total length, 24 in. Hab. : 1 to 4 36. If. rufa, Old. (Athene rufa), Rufescent Powerful Owl. Ear coverts brown, indistinctly streaked with white ; thirteen pale bars across tail feathers. Hab. : 1. 37. If* hlimeralis, Hombr. and Jacq , Rufous Owl. Ear coverts black ; tail feathers crossed with eight pale-brown bars (A. J. North). Total length, 18 in. ; wing, 13'4 in. ; tail, 9 in. ; tarsus, 1'8 in. Hab : 2. 38. N. llirida, De Vis, Lurid Owl. Much smaller than N. boobook ; throat, upper portion of breast, axillaries, and under wing coverts with intense rufous colouring. Wing, 8 -5 in. Hab. : 2. FAMILY STRIGID^E. Hinder margin of sternum entire, with an emargination but no distinct cleft ; furcula joined to keel of sternum ; inner margin of claw or middle toe serrated ; inner and middle toes about equal in length. GENUS STRIX. Tarsus about equal to twice length of middle toe. 39. S. flainmea, Linn, (sub sp. delicatula, Gld.), Delicate Owl. Under surface white, with brown spots j upper surface always vermiculated. Hab. : 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9. 40. S. 110 YH'-hollaildias Stephens, Masked Owl. Brown and buff, with white spots. Facial disc purplish, but margined with deep brown spots. Total length, male 13'5 in., wing 12 in.; female 17 in., wing 14 in. Hab. : 1, 2, 3, 7, 9. 41. S. castanops, Gld. (sub-sp. of nov^-hollandise), Chestnut-faced Owl. Rufous brown, barred and spotted above ; spotted below. Facial disc deep chestnut, becoming deeper at margin and encircled with black. Total length, male 14'5 in., wing 12 in. ; female 17 in., wing 15 in. Hab. : 4, 5. 42. S. teneforicosa, Old., Sooty Owl. Sooty, with white spots. Facial disc sooty-grey, becoming much deeper round eyes. Total length, male 13'5 in. to 15 in., wing 10 '5 in.; female 13 in. to 16 in., wing 10 in. to 12'5 in. Hab. : 1 to 4. 43. S. Candida, Ticknell, Long-legged Owl (Grass Owl). Upper surface uniform brown, with spots of white ; under surface similar. Tarsus. 3 '5 in. Hab. : 1, 2, 3, 6. ORDER P ASSURES, Palate segithognathous. (Vomer is broadened and blunt or truncated at the anterior end ; maxillo-palatines widely separated. ) DIVISION L AOROMYODI. Subdivision I. Passeres Normales. SECTION A. TURDIFORMES. Typical or Thrush-like passeres. Wing with ten primaries, the first more or less markedly reduced in size. Group Coliomorphae. Angle of chin produced very far forwards, so as to extend beyond the line of the anterior margin of the nasal suture. FAMILY CORVID^:. Bill without a distinct subterminal notch in the upper mandible ; toes normal, the hallux very strong, but with its claw not as long as the middle toe and claw. SUB-FAMILY COKVIN^. Nostrils placed high in the maxilla, as near to or nearer the culmen than the edge of the maxilla. GENUS CORVUS. First primary is long, equal to or exceeding the innermost secondaries. 44. C. COronoideS, Vig. and Hors. , Crow. Plumage uniform blue-black. The neck and body feathers are Snow-white at the bases. Hab. : 1 to 8. GENUS CORONE. First primary is longer than ordinary secondaries but shorter than the inmost secondaries. 45. C. austral is, Gld., Raven. Plumage uniform blue-black. The bases of feathers are dusky- brown or black, not snow-white. Hab. : 1 to 9. GENUS STREPERA. Nostrils bare. General appearance black or grey, marked in one to three regions with white. 46. S. graculina, White, Pied Crow-Shrike. Quills with white tip (if present) not exceeding |-in. in breadth ; base of tail white ; white wing speculum ; under tail coverts white. Hab. : 1 to 4. 8 47. S. argil ta. Old., Hill Crow-Shrike. Quills with white tip (if present) not exceeding -in. in breadth ; base of tail blackish ; no white wing speculum ; base of inner web of primaries white ; tail more than 10 in. long. Hab. : 5. 48. S. intermedia, Sharpe, Lesser Crow-Shrike. Quills with white tip (if present) not exceeding ^-in. in breadth ; base of tail blackish ; no white speculum at exterior base of primaries ; base of inner web of primaries white ; tail does not exceed 8 in. in length. Hab. : 4, 6. 49. S. Cimeicaildata, Vieill., Grey Crow-Shrike. Wings black, secondaries margined with grey and tipped white ; basal half of inner webs of primaries white ; tail black, margined with grey and tipped white ; tail does not exceed 8 in. ; under tail coverts white. Hab. : 3, 6, 7. 50. S. pllimbea, Gld. (sub-sp. of S. cuneicaudata), Leaden Crow-Shrike . Deep leaden grey, very little paler below ; quills as in cunei- caudata but much blacker, as also primary coverts ; tail does not exceed 8 in. Hab. : 9. 51. S. melanoptera, Gld., Black-winged Crow-Shrike. Quills not broadly tipped with white ; base of tail blackish ; primaries entirely black below ; no white at all at base of inner web ; under tail coverts white. Hab. : 4, 6. 52. S. fllligiliosa, Gld., Sooty Crow-Shrike. Quills with white tips nearly 1^ in. broad ; under tail coverts blackish ; general plumage sooty-black. Hab. : 4, 5, 6. GENUS STRUTHIDE A Bill conical. 53. S. Cinerea, Gld., Grey Jumper. General colour grey, both above and below ; wings pale brown, darker on inner webs of quills and centres of wing coverts ; tail glossy black ; lining of wing pale ashy-brown ; iris white. Total length, 12'5 in. ; bill, 1 in. ; wing, 6 in. ; tail, 6 in. ; tarsus, 1 "5 in. Hab. : 1, 6, 7. SUB-FAMILY FKEGILIN^E. Nostrils placed low in the maxilla, nearer to its lower edge than to the culmen. GENUS CORCORAX. Wings rounded. 54. C. melailorhampllUS, Vieill., White-winged Chough. General colour black ; inner webs of primaries, except bases and tips, white ; iris scarlet. Total length, 16 in. Hab. : 2, 3, 4, 6, 7. FAMILY PARADISEIDJE. Toes abnormal, outer toe a little shorter than the middle one, longer than the inner one ; hallux very large, with its claw equal to or longer than the middle toe with its claw. 9 SUB-FAMILY EPIMACHIN.E. Bill elongated and slender ; culmen longer than tarsus. GENUS PTILORHIS. Flank feathers rounded, with metallic or glossy tips. 55. P. paradisea, Linn., Rifle-bird. (a) Larger ; chest purple ; gular shield metallic green ; breast and abdomen olive rifle green ; chin and sides of throat black with scarcely any purple gloss. Female buff beneath, with distinct sub- terminal bands of black. Hab. : 2, 3. 56. P. victoriae, Gld., Victoria Rifle-bird. (b) Smaller ; chin and sides of throat with a reflection of burnished copper ; gular shield somewhat smaller, the purple colour extending over the fore-neck, chest, and upper breast ; remainder ofj under surface more of an olivaceous green. Female fawn colour below, with dusky spots. Hab. : 2. GENUS CRASPEDOPHORA. Flank feathers elongated into silky plumes with hair-like ends. 57. C. magnifica, Vieill., New Guinea Rifle-bird. Base of culmen not covered by the frontal plumes ; breast reddish- purple below the double pectoral band. Female with the head rufous like the back. Hab. : 2. 58. C. alberti, Masters (Ptilorhis alberti), Albert Rifle-bird. Base of culmen bare, not covered by the frontal plumes ; breast only green below the pectoral collar. Female with the head ashy- brown, the back olivaceous brown. Hab. : 2. SUB-FAMILY PARADISEIN^:. Bill short and more or less stout ; culmen not so long as tarsus. GENUS PHONYGAMA. Pointed tuft of feathers on side of crown. 59. P. gOllldi, Gray (Manucodia gouldi), Manucode. Centre of crown lengthened ; ear plumes, lanceolate feathers on side of neck, back, rump, and breast green ; shoulders, primaries, and tail purplish -black, as are also the lower abdomen and under tail coverts ; bill and legs black. Total length, 11 *5 in. ; bill, 1 '25 in. ; wing, 6 in. ; tail, 5 in. ; tarsus, 1-5 in. Hab.: 2. GENUS PRIONODUR A. Outstretched feet reach to about middle of tail. 60. P. newtoniana, De Vis (P. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., vol. vii.) Above uniform olive-brown ; beneath impure grey ; under surface of wing with base of inner webs of primaries and entire inner webs of secondaries broadly edged with pale sulphur-yellow ; under surface of shafts of wing and tail feathers yellow. Female olive and grey. Length, 8 '25 in. ; wing, 1 1 '5 in. Hab. : 2. FAMILY ORIOLID^E. Bill with a notch in the upper mandible ; nostrils placed well in front of the base of the bill and quite bare. GENUS ORIOLUS. Lores are feathered. 61. O, flavicinctllS, King (Mimeta flavicincta), Yellow Oriole. Upper surface yellow and black ; breast streaked ; belly uniform olive-yellow. Hab. : 1, 2. 10 62. O. viridis, Lath. (Mimeta viridis), Oriole. Upper surface olive ; breast streaked ; belly white, broadly streaked with black. Hab : 3, 4. 63. O. affinis, Old. (Mimeta affinis), Northern Oriole. Differs from O. viridis in having a smaller body, a shorter wing, a much larger bill, and in the white spots at tip of tail being smaller. Considered by Dr. Sharpe to be a very doubtful species. Hab. : 1, 2, 3. ' GENUS SPHECOTHERES. Lores and region around and behind eye bare. 64. S. maxillariS, Lath. (S. australis, Swainson), Fig-bird., Adult Male. Above yellowish-green ; tail black, the three outer feathers white at tip ; crown of head, nape, and ear coverts black, as also fore part of cheeks ; hind-neck, sides of neck, throat, and fore-neck leaden-grey ; rest of under surface dull yellowish-green ; iris varies from dark brown to red. Total length, 9'5 in. ; bill, 1 in. ; wing, 6 in. ; tail, 4*5 in. ; tarsus, lin. Hab. : 1 to 4. 65. S. flaviventriS, Gld., Yellow-bellied Fig-bird. Adult Male. Above yellowish-green ; tail feathers black, the centre ones entirely black, the outer web of outermost almost entirely white ; nape and cheeks black ; entire under surface of body bright yellow. Total length, 10*2 in. ; bill, 1 in. ; wing, 5*6 in. ; tail, 4 '4 in. ; tarsus, 1 in. Adult Female. General colour above brown ; head light brown ; crown and cheeks streaked darker brown ; under surface of body white, with brown streaks. Hab. : 1, 2. FAMILY DICRURIDJE. Tail forked, consisting of ten feathers ; bill with a notch in the upper mandible. GENUS CHIBIA. Tip of outer tail feather recurved. 66. C. bract cata, Gld., Drongo. Metallic shade on neck hackles and on the spangles of the breast steel-green ; loral plumes only moderately dense. Hab. : 1 to 4, (5), 6. FAMILY Bill with a notch in the upper mandible ; tail moderate, rounded or square, consisting of twelve feathers. SUB-FAMILY PRIONOPIN^E. Bill broader than it is high. GENUS GRALLINA. Second primary longer than the secondaries. 67. G. pica t a, Lath., Magpie Lark. Throat white in female, black in male ; breast black, under parts pure white. Hab. : 1 to 4, 6, 7, 9. GENUS COLL YRIOCINCLA. Conspicuous colours, grey to buff. Second primary longer than secondaries. 68. C. harmonica, Lath., Grey Shrike-Thrush. Bill blackish ; back umber-brown, contrasting with grey head and rump ; bill stout, 0'9 in. long ; white loral spot very distinct ; no eyebrow in adult. Hab.: 2,3,4,6, 7. 11 69. C. rectirostris, Jardine and Selby, Whistling Shrike-Thrush. Bill blackish ; back brown, contrasting with grey head and rump ; bill very long, 1 '2 in. ; white loral spot faint ; distinct eyebrow. Hab. : 5. 70. brimnea, Gid. (includes C. superciliosa, Masters), Brown Shrike- Thrush. Bill blackish ; back ashy-brown, like rest of upper surface ; under tail coverts white. Hab. : 1, 2, 8. 71. C. mfiventris, Gid., Buff-bellied Shrike-Thrush. Bill blackish ; back ashy-brown, like rest of upper surface ; under tail coverts bright fawn buff. [Female has a distinct rufous eyebrow. North.] Hab. : 7, 8, 9. 72. C. pallidirOStriS, Sharpe, Pale-headed Shrike-Thrush. Bill light yellowish horn colour ; eyebrow indistinct. British Museum Catalogue, iii., p. 293. Hab.: 1, 2. 73. C. Cerviniventris, North, Fawn-breasted Shrike-Thrush. Inland representative of P. rufigaster ; differs in having slenderer bill and much paler upper and lower surfaces. Hab. : 3, 74. C. foowerl, Ramsay, Bower Shrike-Thrush (includes C. sibila, DeVis). P.L.S. of N.S.W., vol. i., p. 50 ; vol. x., p. 244. Nearest to P. rufigaster, Gid. Wing, 4 in. ; tail, 3 5 in. Hab. : Cairns, Q. GENUS PINAROLESTES. Second primaries equal secondaries in length- 75. P. parvilllis, Gid. (Collyriocincla parvula), Little Shrike-Thrush. Over eye a distinct white eyebrow ; under surface very pale buff ; under tail coverts whitish ; general colour above ashy-brown, the head rather darker. Total length, 7 '6 in. ; bill, 8 in. ; wing, 3 '7 in. ; tail, 3 '2 in. ; tarsus, 1 in. Hab. : 1, 3. 76. P* rufigaster, Gid. (Collyriocincla rufigaster and C. parvissima* Gid,), Rusty-breasted Shrike-Thrush. Adult male, above dull olive-brown ; no distinct eyebrow ; under tail coverts deep fawn colour, like rest of breast. Total length, 7 '2 in. ; culmen, 0'8 in. ; wing, 3 '5 in. ; tail, 3 in. ; tarsus, 1 in. Hab. : 3, 4. Group Cichlomorphae. Wing with ten primaries, first more or less markedly reduced in size ; angle of chin shortened and not reaching beyond the line of the anterior margin of the nasal suture ; claw of middle toe oblique ; bill notched, with culmen nearly straight, bent at end in arched curve, acuminate ; nostrils placed nearer to cutting edge of mandible than to the culmen. FAMILY CAMPOPHAGID^. Birds of soft plumage ; feathers of lower back and rump with stiffened shafts ; bill moderately hooked and notched ; nostrils hidden ; wings in most species lengthened. GENUS PTEROPODOCYS.-Tail forked. 77. P. phasianella, Gid., Ground Cuckoo- Shrike. Head grey ; breast barred. Total length, 13 in. ; bill, 0'75 in. ; wing, 7 '5 in. ; tail, 7 in. j tarsus, 1 '5 in. Hab. : 3, 6, 7, 9. 12 GENUS GRAUCALUS. Bill broad, measured at gape equals outer toe without claw. 78. G. llielaiiops, Lath., Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike. Throat black or dark slate colour ; forehead feathers round eye, sides of face, and throat black ; fore- neck and breast grey, shading into white on abdomen and under tail coverts. .Culmen, 1 '05 in. Young. Throat and forehead grey. hab. : 1 to 4, 6 to 9. 79. G, parvirOStris, Gld. (sub-sp. of G. melanops), Small-billed Cuckoo-bhrike. Throat black or dark slate colour ; forehead feathers round eye, sides of face, and throat black ; fore-neck and breast grey, shading into white on abdomen and under tail coverts. Culmen, 0'85 in. Hab. : o. 80. G. hypoleilCllS, Gld., White-billed Cuckoo-Shrike. Entire abdomen and flanks pure white ; thighs white, with obscure grey bars ; hinder eyelid grey ; throat grey. Hab. : 1, 2, 3. 81. G IlientaliS, Vig. and Hors., Little Cuckoo-Shrike. Throat grey in adult. Only lower part of abdomen and under tail coverts pure white ; breast entirely grey, like throat ; thighs dark slaty-grey, contrasting with under surface ; hinder rim of eyelid white. During first few months the throat, chest, and back of neck are jet-black, while breast and abdomen are rayed with obscure arrow- shaped black markings on white ground. Hab. : 1 to 4, b'. 82. G. lineatllS, Swainson, Barred Cuckoo-Shrike. Lower breast and abdomen barred with black and white. Hab. : 5, 6, 7, 10. GENUS EDOLIISOMA. Bill narrower, measured at gape less than outer toe (without claw). 83. E. tenilirOStre, Jardine (Campephaga jardinii, Riipp. ), Jardine's Caterpillar-eater. Adult Male. Lores black ; all upper and under surfaces deep blue-grey ; edges of primaries and secondaries, basal three-fourths and tips of outer tail feathers deep blue-grey ; primaries, secondaries, and rest of tail black. Female has whole of upper surface, wings, and tail brown ; the feathers of sides of neck, the breast, and flanks with arrow-head brown marks in centre. Total length, 9 '5 in. ; bill, 1 in. ; wing, 5 in. ; tail, 4*25 in. Young Male. Bluish-brown above ; wings and tail as in female ; under surface buff, crossed with numerous black bars. Hab. : 1 to 4. GENUS LALAGE. Wing exceeds tail by length of tarsus. 84. L. tricolor, Swainson, White-shouldered Caterpillar-eater. Under tail coverts white both in male and female. General colour of male, above black, the wing coverts pure white; tail feathers black, outermost two with white tips ; ear coverts, under surface, and under wing coverts white. Adult Female. Brown above, the rump feathers and upper tail coverts with narrow white edges ; wing coverts and secondaries buff edges ; tail brown with white tips ; ear coverts with white streaks ; cheeks and throat whitish ; rest of under body yellowish with obscure cross markings ; under wing coverts buffy-white. 13 Total length, 6 '75 in. ; bill, 0'6 in. ; wing, 5 in. ; tail, 4 in. ; tarsus, 0-8 in. Hab. : 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8. 85. L. leilCOllielsena, Vig. and Hors. (L. karu, Lesson), Pied Cater- pillar-eater. Under tail coverts buff or fawn in both male and female. In male the under surface is uniform. In female under surface of body is fawn (lighter on throat) and crossed with wavy lines of dusky blackish, vanishing on throat, and absent on lower abdomen and under tail coverts, which are more richly coloured. Hab. : 1,2, 3, 4. FAMILY MUSOIOAPIDJB. Bill broadened or rather flat, generally furnished with numerous rictal bristles ; culm en keeled. GENUS MICRCECA. Wings extremely long; distance between wings and tip of tail not exceeding length of tarsus. 86. M. faSCilianS, Lath., Brown Fly-catcher. Belly and under tail coverts white ; outer tail feathers entirely pure white ; axillaries light brown. Wing, 3'45 in. Hab. : (2), 3, 4, 6, 7. 87. M. assilllilis. Old., Lesser Brown Fly-catcher. Belly and under tail coverts white ; outer tail feathers blackish- brown, white at tip of inner web and along outer one. Wing, 3'35 in. Smaller than M. fascinans. Hab. : 1, 8, 9. 88. M. flavigaster, Old., Lemon-breasted Fly-catcher. Belly and under tail coverts yellow ; above olive-brown ; throat white or paler yellow ; lores dull white. Wing, 275 in. Hab. : 1, 2. 89. M. pallida, De Vis, Pale Fly-catcher. Roy. Soc. Queensland, vol. i., p. 159 Nearest to M. fascinans. Hab. : 2, 8. GENUS PETRCECA. Bill about equal in height and breadth at the nostrils. 90. P. leggii. Sharpe (P. multicolor, Swain.), Scarlet-breasted Robin. Male, upper surface black ; frontal white mark large ; throat black ; breast scarlet. Female, throat and back grey. Hab. : 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. 91. P. Campbell!, Sharpe. Male, small white frontal band, and less white on wing than in P. leggii, to which it is closely related. Hab. : 9. 92. P. phoenicea, Gld., Flame breasted Robin. Male, upper surface slaty-grey ; frontal mark small ; only the chin black, remainder of throat and breast orange-scarlet. Female, uniform brown above ; breast faint red ; no red in young. Hab. : 4, 5. 93. P, gOOdeilOYii, Vig and Hors. , Red-capped Robin. Male, forehead red ; throat black. Female, body grey ; forehead " faint scarlet." Hab. : 6, 7, 9. 94. P. rosea, Old. (Erythrodryas rosea), Rose-breasted Robin. Male, wing coverts without any white; breast rose-pink; with white outer tail feathers. Female, spot of buff on forehead ; secondaries whitish-buff marked ; under surface brown. Hab. : 2, 3, 4. 14 95. P. railisayi* Sharpe, Red-throated Robin. Male, forehead red ; throat red in centre. Female, body grey ; forehead dull brick -red. Hab. : 1, 8. 96. P. rliodiliogastra, Drapier (Erythrodryas rhodinogaster), Pink- breasted Robin. Male, breast pink ; no white in wing coverts or tail. Female, under surface brownish ; faint white spot on forehead ; markings on primaries and secondaries buff. Hab. : 4, 5. 97. P. Wcolor, Vig. and Hors. (Melanodryasbicolor), Hooded Robin. Under surface white ; insertion of wing white. Male, throat black. Female, throat ashy ; base of tail white. Hab. : 3, 4, 6, 9. 98. P. picata, Old. (sub-sp. of P. bicolor), Pied Robin. Has less black on tail and more white on inner secondaries than P. bicolor. Hab. : 1, 7, 8. 99. P. vittat a, Quoy and Gaim. (P. f usca, Old. , Amaurodryas vittata), Dusky Robin. Brownish-olive above ; throat dusky-brown ; only outer tail feather white at base and for whole extent of outer web ; under surface brown. Young. Brown, streaked above, mottled below. Hab. : 4, 5, 6. GENUS SMICRORNIS. Culmen 0'2o in. in length. 100. S. brevirostris, Old., Shorb-billed Tree-Tit. Colour above dull olive-yellow ; lores, eyebrows, and ear coverts light reddish-brown ; under surface pale yellowish-buff. Hab. : 3, 6, 7. 101. S. flavescens. Old., Yellow-tinted Tree-Tit. Colour above pale olive-yellow ; lores and eyebrows whitish ; under surface sulphur-yellow. Hab. : 1, 8, 9. GENUS GERYGONE. Second primary longer than secondaries. 102. G. albiglllaris, Gld., White-throated Fly-eater. Upper surface ashy-olive ; throat white ; breast yellow. Wing. 2'25 in. Hab. : 2, 3, 7, 8. 103. G. Cinerascens, Sharpe, Grey Fly-eater. Upper surface ashy, no olive ; throat white ; breast yellow. Wing. 2-15 in. Hab. : 8. GENUS PSEUDOGERYGONE. Second primary about equal to secondaries. 104. P. Clllicivora, Gld., Western Fly-eater (Gerygone). Abdomen whitish ; ear coverts and throat of same colour (grey) ; subterminal black bar on tail feathers, which are white at base. Hab. : 9. 105. P. la3Vigastra, Gld., Buff-breasted Fly-eater. Has a subterminal black bar on tail ; throat white, like rest of under surface ; ear coverts brown ; eyebrows pure white. Hab. : 1. 15 106. P. fllSCa, Old. (Gerygone fusca), Brown Fly-eater. Has a subterminal black bar on tail ; greyish eyebrow, from lores over fore part of eye ; throat greyish ; ear coverts grey. Hab. : 3, 6. 107. P. brilimeipectUS, Sharpe, Black-billed Fly -eater. Ear coverts reddish-brown (differing from throat) ; breast and sides of body reddish-brown ; bill entirely black ; round eye a ring of white ; sub-terminal black bar on tail. Hab. : 2. 108. P. chloronota, Old., Green-backed Fly-eater. Under surface white, the sides of body yellow ; no subterminal black bar on tail ; bill with lower mandible yellowish. Hab. : 1, 2. 109. P. personata, Gld. (includes G. flavida), Black-throated Fly-eater. Bill entirely black ; throat dark ; tail uniform brown, without black bar ; in male sides of face and throat are brown, contrasting with breast. Hab. : 2. 110. P. magnirostris, Gld., Large-billed Fly-eater. Breast and sides of body reddish-brown ; ear coverts differ from throat ; no light eyebrow ; a white ring round eye ; bill black, but pearly white at base of lower mandible ; throat pale ; subterminal black bar on tail feathers. Hab. : 1, 2. GENUS HETEROMYIAS. Wings very long, falling short of tail by not more than length of culmen ; bill higher than it is broad at nostrils. 111. H. Cinereifrons, Ramsay, Ashy-fronted Fly-Robin. Rusty-brown above ; chest ashy ; breast and abdomen white. Total length, 6'3 in. ; culmen, 0'7 in. ; wings, 3*75 in. ; tarsus, 2-75 in. Hab. : 2. GENUS PCECILODRY AS. Wings very long, falling short of tail by not more than length of culmen ; bill broader than it is high at nostrils. 112. P. cerviniventris, Gld., Buff- sided Robin. Throat white ; flanks and under tail coverts tawny-buff ; abdomen greyish-white. Hab. : 1, 8. 113. P. SllpercillOSa, Gld., White-browed Robin. Throat white ; flanks and under tail coverts white ; abdomen greyish-white. Hab. : 1, 2. 114. P. albifacies, Sharpe, White-faced Robin. Whole of region round eye and lores white ; forehead blackish, extending over eye ; ears slaty -grey ; upper surface olive-green ; throat and under surface bright yellow. Hab. : 2. 115. P. naiia, Sharpe, Little Robin. Abdomen yellow, like breast ; lores and feathers round the eye rufescent. (Doubtful sp., juv.) Hab. : 2. 116. P. caplto, Sharpe, Large-headed Robin. Abdomen yellow, like breast ; lores and feathers round the eye white. Hab. : 2, 3. 16 GENUS MALURUS. Females have sombre plumage ; males brilliant. Tail longer than wing ; bill about equal in height and breadth. 117. M. CyaneuS, Ellis, Blue Wren. Head blue ; throat blue-black ; upper tail coverts black ; head, ear coverts, and mantle turquoise-blue. Hab. : 3, 4. 118. M. gOllldi, Sharpe (longicaudus, Gld.), Gould's Blue Wren. Very like M. cyaneus. Head blue ; throat blue- black ; upper tail coverts black ; head, ear coverts, and mantle rich cobalt blue. Hab. : 4, 5. 119. M. lliclnnotlis. Gld., Black-backed Wren. [Throat deep cobalt-blue ; band across upper part of breast velvety black ; rest of under surface, flank feathers, and under tail coverts cobalt-blue. North.] Head blue ; throat blue ; upper tail coverts blue : wing coverts brown, with bluish edges ; no white shoulder spot ; black bar across rump, this and lower back being black ; crown of head and mantle deep cobalt-blue ; ear coverts turquoise-blue. Hab. : 6, 7. 120. M. callaimiS, Gld., Turquoise Wren. Head, throat, and upper tail coverts blue : wing coverts brown, with bluish edges, no white shoulder ; black bar across rump, lower back black : crown of head and mantle greenish turquoise-blue ; forehead and ear coverts silvery-white. Hab. : 6, 7. 121. M. SplendeilS. Quoy and Gaim., Banded Wren. Head, throat, and upper tail coverts blue ; wing coverts brown, with bluish edges ; no white shoulder spot ; no black bar across rump ; upper surface entirely rich cobalt. Hab.: 9. 122. M. leilCOpterilS, Quoy and Gaim., White-winged Wren. Head, throat, and upper tail coverts blue ; scapularies, wing coverts, and inner secondaries pure white ; centre of back blue. Hab. : 6, 7, 8. 123. HI. leuconotllS, Gld., White-backed Wren. Head, throat, and upper tail coverts blue ; scapularies, wing coverts, and inner secondaries pure white ; centre of back white. Hab. : 4, 6, 7. 124. M. elegans. Gld., Red-winged Wren (Graceful Blue Wren). Head blue ; scapularies chestnut-red ; back beautiful silvery-blue, a little lighter than eyebrow or ear coverts. Hab : 9. 125. M. lamberti, Vig. and Hors., Variegated Wren. Head blue ; scapularies chestnut-red ; back fine cobalt-blue, of a different tint to crown ; ear coverts and eyebrow richer turquoise- blue than blue of nape. Hab. : 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8. 126. M. a 111 a bills. Gld., Lovely Wren. Head blue ; scapularies chestnut-red ; back fine cobalt-blue, of a different tint to crown ; ear coverts and eyebrows rich enamelled blue. In young, throat is creamy-white. Hab : 1, 2. 127. M. pulclierriimiS, Gld., Blue-breasted Wren. Head blue ; scapularies chestnut-red ; centre of back purplish- blue, like crown ; ear coverts more cobalt. Hab : 9. 17 128. !tt. COronatllS, Old., Purple-crowned Wren. Head lilac, with black spot in centre of crown. Hab. : 8. 129. M. melanocephalllS, Vig. and Hors., Orange-backed Wren. Head black, as also the entire under surface ; back scarlet- vermilion. Hab. : 3, 7. 130. M. (loi'Sillis, Lewin (M. cruentatus), Red-backed Wren. Head black, as also the entire under surface ; back deep crimson. Hab. : 1, 2, 8. 131. Itt. fooweri, Ramsay (M. cruentatus boweri), Bower Red-backed Wren. P.L.S. of N.S.W., vol. i., p. 1,100 (juvenile skin). Throat and abdomen white ; a few crimson feathers on shoulders, back, and rump, the others being light fawn. Hab. : 8. 132. M. cyanoclllamys, Sharpe, Silvery-blue Wren. Adult male similar to M. cyaneus, and having head, ear coverts, and mantle of same tint, but the blue much lighter, paler, and of a silvery cobalt instead of the deep cobalt-blue of M. cyaneus (Proc. Zool. Soc. 1881, pp. 788-9). Hab. : 2, 3. GENUS RHIPIDUR A. Tail longer than wing. 133. R. albiscapa, Gld., White-shafted Fan-tail. Two centre tail feathers with brown shafts, the rest with white ones ; under surface ochreous-buff, the breast uniform ; thro? t white, with a black or grey patch on lower portion ; throat mark black. Hab : 2, 3, 4, 6, 7. 134. R. albicauda, North, White-tailed Fan-tail. Similar to R. albiscapa. One or two of outermost tail feathers on each side pure white ; two central feathers of tail blackish-brown ; other tail feathers white, narrowly edged with brown. Hab. : 7. 135. R. preissi, Cabani, Western Fan-tail. Allied to R. albiscapa, but wants the black breast-band. Hab. : 2, 8. 136. R. ruf if roils, Lath., Rufous Fan-tail. Frontal plumes and eyebrows rufous ; bases of central tail feathers rufous for nearly two-thirds their length ; fore-neck scaled in appear- ance, the feathers black, broadly edged with white ; head and neck brown. Hab. : 2, 3, 4, 6. 137. R. dryas, Gld., Wood Fly-catcher. Smaller than R. rufifrons, has more white in tips of tail, which is fringed with rufous at base only ; breast white, crossed by distinct band of black, and devoid of the dark spots on chest of R. rufifrons. Total length, 5'75 in. ; wing, 2'6 in. ; tail, 3 '5 in. Hab. : 1, 2. 138. R. setosa, Quoy and Gaim., Northern Fan-tail. Adult Male. General colour dark ashy-grey ; head and sides of face blackish ; tail blackish, penultimate feathers slightly tipped with white ; malar line and throat white ; broad band of ashy-grey across fore-neck and chest, some feathers with whitish shaft lines ; centre of body light buff, fading into white on under tail coverts. Female similar. Total length, 7 in. ; culmen, 0*6 in. ; wing, 3 '5 in. ; tail, 3*6 in. ^ tarsus, 0-6 in. Hab. : 1,2, 8. 18 139. R. tricolor, Vieill. (Sauloprocta motacilloides, Vig. and Hors. ; R. picata, Gld.), Black and White Fan-tail. Tail feathers entirely black ; no spots on fore-neck or sides of neck ; upper surface and throat jet black ; abdomen white. Hab. : 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9. 140. R. dieinenensis, Dusky Fan-tail. Resembles R. albiscapa ; insular form. Ramsay's Tab. List, p. 6. Hab. : 5. 141. R. phasiana, Be Vis, Pheasant Fan-tail. Wings distinctly spotted. Hab. : 2. ' 142. R. dahli (doubtful sp.) New Pomerania Ornith. , No. 5, p. 7. Hab. : 1. GENUS MYIAGRA. Wing longer than tail ; bill arched, moderately broad ; when measured at base of forehead equal to hind toe (with- out claw). 143. Itt. rube Cilia, Lath. (M. plumbea), Leaden Fly -catcher. Male. Throat leaden-grey, like head; abdomen white; back leaden-grey ; lores lead colour, not darker than sides of face. Wing, 3-1 in. ; tail, 2 '8 in. Female. Throat light orange-rufous. Wing, 2 '8 in. ; tail, 2'6 in. Above bluish-grey ; wing coverts and quills brown, edged with bluish-grey ; forehead and lores hoary ; feathers below eye slate colour ; cheeks and fore-neck orange-rufous, paler on breast ; rest of under surface white. Hab. : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8. 144. M. iiitida, Gld., Satin Fly-catcher. Male. Throat greenish-black ; abdomen white ; back glossy green ; lores and ear coverts blacker. Wing, 3 '5 in. ; tail, 3'25 in. Female. Wing, 3'3 in. ; tail, 3'1 in. Adult Female. General colour above brown, shaded with slaty- grey ; wing coverts black ; tail brown, with pale shafts ; head darker slate than back, and glossed with steel ; back, cheeks, throat, and fore-neck orange-rufous ; rest of under surface white, washed with orange- buff. Hab. : 2, 3, 4, 5, (7). 145. M. COnciima* Gld., Blue Fly-catcher. Male. Throat leaden-grey ; abdomen white ; back leaden-grey ; lores and feathers in front of eye black. Female. Throat light orange -rufous. Wing, 3 in. ; tail, 2 "75 in. Hab. : 1, 2, 3, 8. 146. M. latirostris, Gld., Broad-billed Fly-catcher. Upper surface metallic dark green. Male. Throat light orange-rufous up to base of bill. Female. Much paler everywhere. Hab. : 1, 7, 8. GENUS MACH^ERORHYNCHUS. Wing longer than tail; bill ex- tremely broad and flattened on both mandibles, measured at base of forehead exceeds length of hind toe (without claw) ; culmen elevated into a distinct ridge. 147. M. flavlventer, Gld., Yellow-breasted Fly-catcher. General colour above olive -green, yellow on rump ; forehead and eyebrow bright yellow ; feathers in front of and below eye black ; 19 ear coverts black ; chin and upper part of throat white ; breast, abdomen, and under tail coverts bright yellow. Total length, 4'6 in. ; culrnen, 0'6 in. ; wing, 2 '2 in. ; tail, 2 in. ; tarsus, 0'5 in. Hab. : 2. GENUS SISUR A. Wing longer than tail ; bill narrower, measured across nostrils less than hind toe and claw ; bill long and thin ; culmen, 0.8 in. 148. S. inqilieta. Lath., Restless Fly-catcher. Under surface white, sometimes a rufous tint on breast ; upper surface shining blackish-blue. Total length, 8 in. ; culmen, 0'8 in. ; wing, 3 '9; tail, 3 '75 in. Hab. : 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9. 149. S. naiia. Old., Little Fly -catcher. Total length, 6 in. ; culmen, 0*75 in. ; wing, 3 '75 in. ; tail, 3 in. Head glossy greenish-black ; back and tail same but lighter ; wings brownish- black ; under surface white, tinged with buff on chest. Gould. Hab. : 1, 7, 8. GENUS ARSES. Wing longer than tail ; bill, when measured across nostrils, less than hind toe ; bill stouter than Sisura ; culmen, 0'6 in. Has a fleshy eye- wattle. 150. A. lorealis, De Vis, Frill-necked Fly-catcher. Similar to A. kaupi ; lores white. Male. Whole under surface white. Female. Ochreous band across lower throat. Hab. : 2. 151. A. kaupi, Gld., Pied Fly-catcher. Total length, 6 in. ; culmen, O'Sin. ; wing, 3'1 in ; tail, 3 in. Crown of head, ear coverts, broad crescent across back, and broad band across chest deep shining bluish-black ; wings and tail brownish-black ; throat and band across back of neck white ; lower part of back and abdomen white. Gould. Hab. : 1, 2. GENUS PIEZORHYNCHUS. Wing longer than tail ; plumage of head velvety, with soft scale-like plumes on crown of head and throat. 152. P. lli