TNE OD Us CE OEN: XXXL

P. quadragintus and P. affinis inhabit Van Diemen’s Land; on the whole of the southern coast of the continent from
east to west P. punctatus and P. striatus are associated; the north coast is the cradle of the species I have called
P. uropygialis, and the east coast that of P. melanocephalus, from both of which countries the others are excluded: the
true habitat of the beautiful species I have figured and described as P. rubricatus is not yet known.

The seven species of this little group are each individually very numerous, which, together with their general
distribution, may enable them to effect some important operation in the economy of nature; their chief food

consisting of the larvee of insects.

 

76. Pardalotus punctatus c : a : : : F : : : : Wolk JUL, IAL, Sa.
77. Pardalotus rubricatus, Gould . : : 4 : ‘ : ; : ; F ‘ Vole tlle Ge
78. Pardalotus quadragintus, Gould ‘ : : : : : : : : : : Wo, WW, Tl, B77.
79. Pardalotus striatus. : : : : . : : : : : : Vole tik Riess
80. Pardalotus affinis, Gould  . : ; : : : : : : i ; ; : NOR ler On
81. Pardalotus melanocephalus, Gould : : : : : : ‘ ; : 3 Wolk, JUL IPL 40,
82. Pardalotus uropygialis, Gould. : : : : : : Woll, 10, Tel, Zi,

Family LANIADA, ie.
Genus Srrerera, Less.

Prior to the commencement of the present work only two species of this form (S. graculina and
S. Anaphonensis) had been described, and these had been referred to a different genus by almost every author who
had occasion to mention them; the older writers assigning them to Corvus, Coracias and Gracula, and the more
modern ones to Cracticus and Barita: finding that their structure did not agree with the character of either of those
genera, I (in 1837) proposed to make the first-mentioned species the type of a new genus (Coronica), not being
aware at the time that this had been done some years before by M. Lesson, whose name, having the priority, is
necessarily the one adopted.

My researches in Australia have enabled me to add four other species to the group, three possessing well-
defined specific characters, and one, the distinctive markings of which are not so apparent, but which, in my opinion,
is equally distinct ; the specific characters of some groups of birds are, in fact, so difficult to be determined, both
from the similarity of the species and the want of a knowledge of their natural habits, as to cause the naturalist no
little trouble and research in properly distinguishing them ; and to no group does this remark more strongly apply
than to the one under consideration ; the ample materials, however, at my command, and the possession of a large
number of specimens, the sexes of which have all been ascertained by dissection, and the habits of which have
been observed in their native localities, enables me to give as perfect an account of this curious group as any
I have yet attempted.

On a careful examination of the members of this genus, it will be perceived that their relationship to the
Corvide, to which they have been usually assigned, is very remote, their size and colour being, in fact, the only
features of resemblance ; their whole structure and economy is indeed very different from those of every other bird
known, except those of Gymnorhina and Cracticus, with which genera they form a very natural group among the
great family of Laniade or Shrikes.

All the species yet discovered are not only peculiar to Australia, but are strictly confined to the southern
portion of that continent; their range being limited to the country comprised within the 25th and 40th degrees of
south latitude ; future research may, however, add both to the number of species and to the extent of their range ;
still their great stronghold is undoubtedly the most southern portion of the Australian continent, the islands of
Bass’s Straits and Van Diemen’s Land.

Most of these birds seek their food on or near the ground, sometimes in swampy situations, and even on the
sea-shore, at others on the most sterile plains far distant from water ; grasshoppers and insects of every order are
eaten by them with avidity, and to these grain, seeds and fruits are frequently added; they hop with remarkable
agility over the broken surface of the ground, and leap from branch to branch with great alacrity: their flight is

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