450. Turnix pyrrhothorax.
Hemipodius pyrrhothorax, Gould . . . . . . . . . . Vol. V. PI. 86.
451. Turnix velox.
Hemipodius velox, Gould . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. V. PI. 87.
Family TETRAONIDyE, Leach.
Genus C o t u r n ix , Mcehr.
One true Quail is all that has yet been described as inhabiting Australia; as might be expected, it is a denizen
of the plains, as well as of all the open districts of any extent where grass-lands occur; it also resorts to the arable
districts in great abundance. A difference exists in specimens from the western and eastern coasts, the former
having a deep fawn or light rufous tint pervading the under surface; and it is possible that this difference of
colouring may be characteristic of a second and distinct species.
452. Coturnix pectoralis, Gould . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. V. Pi. 88.
Genus Synoicus, Gould.
Generic characters.
As in Perdue, but with no spur on the tarsi, and the tail almost obsolete.
The great paucity of the Gallmaceee in Australia is very remarkable, the members of the present genus being
almost the only representatives of that group of birds inhabiting the country. The similarity of the habits and
economy of these birds to those of the true Partridges, particularly to our own well-known species the Perdix
cinerea, allies them more nearly to those birds than to the Quails
Grassy meads, the sides of rushy creeks, and districts clothed with dense herbage, are the favourite resorts of
these birds, which move about in small coveys, and when flushed fly but a short distance before they again ali°ht.
As an article of food they are all that can be wished.
Every p art of the country, from Port Essington on the north to Van Diemen’s Land on the south, is inhabited
by one or other species of the genus, which are, I doubt not, more numerous than I have represented, for I feel confident
that the bird found at Port Essington is quite distinct from those of the south coast.
453. Synoicus Australis
454. Synoicus Diemenensis, Gould
455. Synoicus sordidus, Gould .
456. Synoicus? Chinensis
Order GRALLATORES, 111.
Family STRUTHIONIDA5, Fig.
Geuus Dromaius, Fieill.
Vol. V. PI. 89.
Vol. V. PI. 90.
Vol. V. PI. 91.
Vol. V. PI. 92.
I formerly entertained an opinion that there were two species of Emu inhabiting Australia, but I have not had
sufficient proofs that such is the case. The small specimens in the possession of the Linnean Society of London
and in the Jardin des Plantes at Paris, may only be stunted birds which had been kept in captivity, but as some
doubt still remains in my mind the subject should be kept in view.
457. Dromaius Novse-Hollandiae Vol. VI. PI. 1.
Geuus Apteryx, Shaw..
New Zealand is the only, country .wherein the members of this genus now exist; but they doubtless-formerly
ranged over that continent of which the greater p art is submerged beneath the surface of the ocean, and' of which a
few isolated spots—New Zealand, Norfolk and Phillip Islands among others—alone remain
458. Apteryx Australis, S h a w ...................................................................................................' y 0i y j pj 2
459. Apteryx Owenii, Gould . . . . . . . . Vol.. y j pi o
Genus O t is , Linn.
A country better adapted than Australia for the members of this genus can scarcely be imagined, yet singularly
enough only one species has yet been found; there. Africa may be considered the cradle o f the race, for it is on
that continent that they are most numerous ; Europe and India are also inhabited by various species. The Otis
nigriceps of the plains of Upper India, and the O. Australis are beautiful representatives of each other in the
respective countries they inhabit.
460. Otis Australis, Gray.
Otis Australis, Gray in Griff. An. King., vol. iii. p. 305.
Otis Australasianus, Gould................................................... ............................................. y 0j y j pj 4
The range of this bird over the country is probably universal; both Dr. Leichardfr and Mr. Gilbert observed it
within the tropical portion of Australia, and Captain Sturt found it in the desert interior.
Family CHARADRIADA2, Leach.
Genus ( E d ic n e m u s , Temm.
The (Edicnemi occur in Europe, Africa; Asia and Australia, in which latter country one if not two species '
exist that are not found elsewhere.
461. CEdicnemus grallarius | ............................................... ...............................................................................................Vol. V-rrI .. PtI,.t 5.™ _
The birds of this form inhabiting the northern coast have longer legs and shorter wings, and I have no doubt
are distinct; but I have not seen a sufficient number of specimens to enable me to affirm that such is actually tile
case.
Genus E s a c u s , Less.
The genera CEJicnemiis and Esacus are merely, modifications of Ike same form; the variation in that of the bill
being expressly adapted for procuring the kinds of food upon which the species respectively subsist; the CEdi-
ciicimts frequenting the stony deserts of the interior of the country feeds upon insects of various kinds, and the
tender shoots of herbage; while the Esams, resorting to the salt-marshes and the shores of the sea, lives upon
crabs, mollusks and other marine animal s.
462. Esacus magnirostris. . . . , r , Trr I
.......................................• ■ ■ ■ ■ • • Vol. VI. PI. 6.
So far as our knowledge extends, the present bird is confined to the shores of the northern and north-western
parts of Australia. I t is beautifully represented in India by the E. recurvirostris, and these two species are all that
are known to ornithologists.