| INTRODUCTION.

Ix

Vola iaelnest

354. Climacteris picumnus, Temm.
; ; ; oe
Certhia leucophea, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. iv. p. 182.

 

Genus Orruonyx, 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
sys ?
wilds, I am unable to clear up these disputed pomts. The form is strictly Australian, and the single species known

is confined to the south-eastern part of the country.

355. Orthonyx spinicaudus, Temm. ; : : E : : é : ; : 4 Vol. IV. Pl. 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 Gallinacee. Yt
never climbs, as was formerly supposed, but runs over fallen trunks of trees ;—is rather solitary in its habits, seldom
more than twe being seen together. Its often-repeated cry of cri-cri-cri-crite bet ‘ays its presence, when its native
haunts, the most retired parts of the forest, are visited. Its chief food consists of insects, their larvee, and wood-
bugs. It 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 Prinoris, Szazns.

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 more
particularly to its mode of ascending the trees, which precisely resembles that of the Certhie. 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. Pl. 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 Srrrevua, Swains.

 

The Stttella 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 : : : : f . : : : : ; : ; Wal, IDV, BL On
358. Sittella leucocephala, Gould . ; : : ; ; ; ; : ; ‘ : Wo, WAY. JBL NOY,
359. Sittella leucoptera, Gould Vol. IV. Pl. 103.
360. Sittella pileata, Gould Vol. IV. Pl. 104.

Family PSITTACID, Leach.

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
’ x r CA Are a os ° =a
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 Acacie; the Trichoglossi or Honey-eating Parrakeets enliven the