INTRODUCTION,

XXV1i

favourably situated for so doing; for my own part I see no reason why a bird should not pass a portion of its exist-
ence in a ree of hybernation as well as some species of quadrupeds, animals much higher in the scale of creation.

So ereat a similarity in plumage reigns throughout the first four of the species enumerated below that I have
thought it unnecessary to figure more than two, viz. P. humeralis and P. Cuvieri; the other two may be readily ,

distinguished by the descriptions I have given of them, particularly if the localities be attended to.
‘ oS : d < .
40. Podargus megacephalus.

Caprimulgus megacephalus, Lath. Ind. Orn. Supp., p. lvi.
Great-headed Goatsucker, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. i. p. 965.—Shaw, Gen. Zool., vol. x. p- 140.—=Wath

 

Gen. Hist., vol. vii. p. 364.
Wedge-tailed Goatsucker, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. vu. p. 368°
Podargus Stanleyanus, Lath. MSS., Vig. & Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 197 ?
In the general colouring, form and arrangement of its markings, this species so closely resembles the P.
humeralis, that one description applies equally to both; but it may be distinguished by its being somewhat larger
in the body and much larger in the head, and by the very great development of the mandibles.
It inhabits the brushes of the east coast, and in its habits and economy resembles the other species of the

Voll Bes)
Voll eles

41. Podargus humeralis, Vig. & Horsf.
42. Podargus Cuvieri, Vig. & Horsf.
43. Podargus brachypterus, Gould.

Podargus brachypterus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part VIII. p. 163.

In its general appearance this bird closely resembles the P. humeralis, but is even smaller in size than P.
Cuviert, while at the same time the bill is larger than that of the former species, and projects much farther from
1

the face than in any other of its congeners ; it also differs in the shortness of its wines, which circumstance suc-

gested the specific appellation I have assigned to it.

It is a native of Western Australia. r
44. Podargus Phalenoides, Gould. : : : : ; Wolk, WI, IDL &.
45. Podargus plumiferus, Gould : : ; : Woll, 101, JBL @.

Genus Evurosropopus, Gould.

Generic characters.

Bill somewhat more produced and stouter than in Caprimulgus ; nostrils lateral and linear ; rictus entirely
devoid of bristles, but furnished with short, weak, divided and branching hairs ; wings longer and more powerful
than in Caprimulgus ; first and second quills equal and longest ; tail moderately long and nearly square ; tarsi
stout, and clothed anteriorly for their whole leneth : toes short, thick and fleshy: outer ones canal and united to
the middle one by a membrane for more than half their length ; nail of the middle toe strongly pectinated on the
inner side. 7

This genus, so far as is yet known, comprises but two species, both of which are natives of and confined to
Australia. They differ considerably in their habits from the true Caprimulgi. Their Wing-powers being enormous,
they pass through the air with great rapidity, and while hawking for insects during the twilight of ihe early dawn
and evening, they make the most abrupt and sudden turns in order to secure their prey. While athe ad

1 ao . ; J ’
Caprimulgi, they rest on the eround during the aves lin every mstance in which the site employed for incubation
se been discovered, a single egg only has been found ; it is deposited on the bare ground, and differs from those
of the other Caprimulgi in being much more round in form, and of a dull olive-green spotted with jet black.

The members of this
s of this genus are very nearly allied to the Lyncorni, a group of birds inhabiting the Indian Islands.

 

46. Eurostopodus albogularis . ; Vol, H. Pl 7
. 9 . . ° . . . Ol. : ere
47 Eurostopodus euttatus | |
SU » o atus
Seat g i : : : : : Viole ie ales
Fichtel’ s Goatsucker, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. vii. [D, Bik),
C Nw |
< y 4 5 “(es

OR car OP) SO) RT NORE ae OT EC)