85.

ENERO Di Gilt ON, Ixxxi

Genus Aprreryx, 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 part 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, Shaw . : ‘ ‘ : : : . : i e 4 ; Wol, Wil. IAL, B-
459. Apteryx Owenii, Gould. ; 5 : : : Volo Vik Bis

Genus Oris, Zinn.

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 of the race, for it is on
that continent that they are most numerous; Europe and India are also inhabited by various species. The Otis
ngriceps 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. iil. p. 305.
Otis Australasianus, Gould : : : : : ; : ; Aor elbe loleete
The range of this bird over the country is probably universal; both Dr. Leichardt and Mr. Gilbert observed it

within the tropical portion of Australia, and Captain Sturt found it in the desert interior.

Family CHARADRIAD#, Leach.

Genus Cfpicnemus, Temm.

The Cidicnemi occur in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, in which latter country one if not two species

exist that are not found elsewhere.
461. Cidicnemus grallarius : : ; d ' é : ; : WOlR Vals tale a

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 the

case.

Genus Esacus, Less.

The genera Gidicnemus and Esacus are merely modifications of the 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 Cidi-
cenemus frequenting the stony deserts of the interior of the country feeds upon insects of various kinds, and the
tender shoots of herbage ; while the Hsacus, resorting to the salt-marshes and the shores of the sea. lives upon

crabs, mollusks and other marine animals.

462. Hsacus magnirostris . : : : : : : : : ; : : : : Wolk Wi. IPL 6.
So far as our knowledge extends, the present bird is confined to the shores of the northern and north-western
parts of Australia. It is beautifully represented in India by the &. recurvirostris, and these two species are all that

are known to ornithologists.