This bird assimilates very closely in its structure and in its economy to the Anas Boschas of Europe, but in its
plumage it is very different.
548. Anas nsevosa, Gould . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. VII. PI. 10.
A very singular Duck, perhaps more nearly allied to Chaulelasmus than to Anas. I t is a very rare bird, and has
only yet been seen on the western and southern coasts of Australia; its true habitat is probably the distant interior.
549. Anas punctata, Cm». . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. VII. PI. 11.
This species has much the appearance of the Teal (genus Querquedula), but in its structure is nearly allied to
the true ducks (genus Anas'), with which I have provisionally placed it.
Genus Spatula, Boie.
The o-reat continents of America, Africa, Asia and Australia, are each inhabited by one or more species of this
restricted genus.
550. Spatula R h y n c h o t i s ............................................................................................................................Vol. VII. PI. 12.
This bird is, I believe, restricted to Australia.
Genus Malacorhynchus, Swains.
A very delicate form, of which the single species, confined to Australia, is the only one known.
551. Malacorhynchus m em b r a n a c e u s ....................................................................................................... Vol. VII. PI. 13.
Genus Dendrocygna, Swains.
This form is found in India, Africa, America and Australia: the bird I have separated into a distinct genus,
under the appellation of Leptotarsis, should be included in this genus, the difference which it presents being too
slight to warrant their separation.
552. Dendrocygna arcuata Vol. VII. PI. 14.
553. Dendrocygna Eytoni.
Leptotarsis Eytoni, Gould Vol. VII. PI. 15.
“ Many of the reaches,” says Captain Stokes, when speaking of the river Adelaide of the north-western part
of Australia, “ swarmed with wild fowl, consisting almost wholly of ducks, which, from a habit of perching on the
trees, have received the name of Wood Ducks. Their singularly long legs, with the web very much arched near
the toes, gives great pliability to the foot and a power of grasping, which enables them to perch on trees. When
on the wing they make a peculiar pleasing, whistling sound, that can be heard at a great distance, and which
changes as they alight into a sort of chatter. Their perching on trees is performed in a very clumsy manner,
swinging and pitching to and fro. We subsequently often found them on the rivers of the north coast, but not
within some miles of their mouths or near their upper waters, from which it would appear that they inhabit certain
reaches of the rivers only; we never found them in swamps. The farthest south they were met with was on the
Albert River, in the Gulf of Carpentaria, in lat. 18° S., which gives them a range of six and a half degrees of
latitude over the northern p art of the continent. These ducks are the Leptotarsis Eytoni of Mr. Gould.”
Genus Nyroca, Flem.
Two species at least of this genus are known, one inhabiting Europe and India and the other Australia: both
.have the irides white.
554. Nyroca Australis, GomW . • ■ • • • ’ • • '• Vol. VII. PI. 16.
Genus E r i sm a t u r a , Bonav.
The members of this genus, although but few in number, are found in Europe, Asia, Africa, America and
Australia.
555. Erismatura Australis . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. VII. PI. 17.
This species, the only one of the genus inhabiting Australia, is, I believe, strictly confined to the western parts
of the country, as hitherto it has not been seen elsewhere.
Genus B iz iu r a , Leach.
A genus of which only a single species is known to exist, and which is singularly different from every other
member of the family. I t is strictly Australian, and may be regarded as one of the anomalies of its fauna.
556. Biziura lobata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. VII. PI. 18.
Family LARIDjE, Leach.
Genus L a r u s , Linn.
The members of this genus are distributed over the sea-shores of every p art of the globe. Only one species
inhabits Australia, to which country it is confined, and where it represents the Larus marinus of Europe and
America.
557. Larus Pacificus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. VII. PI. 19.
Genus X em a , Leach.
A genus of Gulls, the members of which are delicate in their structure, elegant in their appearance, and
graceful in all their actions. Many species are found in. Europe and America, and others inhabit A frica; one
species only has been characterized as Australian, but I believe that another will be found in Torres’ Straits very
similar to, but much larger than, the X. Jamesonii of the southern parts of that continent.
558. Xema Jamesonii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. VII. PI. 20.
Subfamily irr^rr ?
Genus L e s t r i s , III.
The high latitudes of both the northern and southern hemispheres are frequented by parasitic Gulls.
One species of this form has been found in the Australian seas, and another has been discovered within the
Antarctic circle.
559. Lestris C a t a r r a c t e s .............................................................................................................................Vol. VII. PI. 21.
Although I have figured and described this Australian bird as identical with the Skua Gull of Europe, it is
likely that hereafter reasons may be found for separating them.
In a letter just arrived from Mr. J. M'Gillivray, dated on board H.M.S. Rattlesnake, Feb. 6, 1848, that
gentleman says, “ The Lestris Catarractes was noticed on various occasions in different parts of the South Indian
Ocean; while off the Cape of Good Hope a solitary individual and subsequently two in company were seen. I have
observed it following and hovering over a bait towing astern, and once saw it chase a Cape Petrel and force it to
alight on the water. This bird seldom remained with us for more than half an hour at a time, during which it
made a few circular flights about the ship.”