it had a nest, hut 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 n e s t; 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 b u d ; 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 Grallina 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 Cor cor ax
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 CORVIDAE, Leach.
Genus C o r v u s , Linn.
I t 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 Coronoi'des, Vig. # H o r s / . .........................................................................................................Vol. IV. PI. 18.
This is the only species that has yet been discovered in Australia.
Family ------ ?
Genus N e o m o r p h a , Gould.
This form is strictly Polynesian, and the species confined to New Zealand.
270. Neomorpha Gouldii, G. R. Gray . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. IV. PI. 19.
Genus P o m a t o r h in u s , 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 Meliphagida, 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 t e m p o r a l i s ................................................ ......................................................... Vol.'IV. PI. 20.
Turdus frivolus, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. v. p. 127 ?
272. Pomatorhinus ruheculus, Gould . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. IV. PI. 21.
273. Pomatorhinus superciliosus, Vig. $ Horsf....................................................................................... Vol. IV. PI. 22.
Family MELIPHAGIDA, 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, Banksia, See.—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 M e l ip h a g a , Vig. fy 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 Banksia 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 Novse-Hollandias . . . ' . . . . . . _ y 0j j y pj 2g
275. Meliphaga longirostris, G o u l d .......................................................................................................... j y pj 24
?7G. Meliphaga sericea, G o u l d y 0i j y pj 2=
277. Meliphaga mystacalis, G o u l d ..........................................................................................................y 0j j y pj 26
278. Meliphaga Australasiana . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. IV PI 27
Certhiapyrrhoptera, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. iv. p. 197 ?
Genus G l y c ip h il a , 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.
Glyciphila fulvifrons . . . . Vol. IV. PI. 28.
Certhia melanops, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. iv. p. 173 ?
Glyciphila albifrons, Gould . . . . . . . . . Vol. IV. PI. 29.
Glyciphila fasciata, Gould . . . . . . . . Vol. IV. PI. 30.
Glyciphila ocularis, Gould . . . . . . . . Vol. IV. PL 31.