354. Climacteris picumnus, Temm. . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. IV. PI. 98.
Certhia leucophaa, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. iv. p. 182.
Genus O r t h o n y x , 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 p art of the country.
355. Orthonyx spinicaudus, Temm. . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. IV. PI. 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 Gallinacea. I t
never climbs, as was formerly supposed, but runs over fallen trunks of trees 4s 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 larvae, and wood-
hugs. I t 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 P t il o r i s , 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 mòre
particularly to its mode of ascending the trees, which precisely resembles that of the Certhia. 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. PI. 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 S it t e l l a , 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 . .
358. Sittella leucocephala, Gould . . . . . . . .
359. Sittella leucoptera, Gould . . .
360. Sittella pileata, Gould
Family PSITTACID^E, Leach.
Vol. IV. PI. 101.
Vol. IV. PI. 102.
Vol. IV. PI. 103.
Vol. IV. PI. 104.
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 Acacia ; the Trichoglossi or Honey-eating Parrakeets enliven the
flowering branches of the larger Eucalypti with their beauty and their lively1 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, a t 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 naturaUy be expected, the
agriculturist is often sadly annoyed by the destruction certain species effect among his newly-sown and ripening
com, 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 p art 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. Gacatua galerita .............................................................................. ......... Vol. V. PI. 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 L e a d b e a t e r i i ................................................................................................. y 0j y pj n
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 p art of the country ; its true
habitat appears to be the interior, for it is never found near the coast.
363. Cacatua sanguinea, G o u l d ............................................................................................................y 0 i y p j 3
This species has been found on the north coast, and was observed by Captain Sturt at the Dépôt in Central
Australia ; we may hence infer that its range extends over all the intermediate country.
364. Cacatua E o s ......................................................... . . . Vol. V. PI. 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 Dépôt.
The specimens from the north are of a larger size and have the orbits more denuded than those from
the south.
Genus Licmetis, IVagl.
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 . . . . . . .
366. Licmetis pastinator, Gould.
Licmetis pastinator, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part VIII. p. 175.
Vol. V. PI. 5.