PART V. 



THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



The birds of Australia are so many and various that to 

 describe them all would be to make a book about four 

 times the s?ze assigned to the present volume, and then but 

 a scanty notice only of each would be practicable, so that a 

 rigid selection only can be made of one or two of the most 

 prominent members of each family or group. 



THE ORIOLES. 



Family — OriolidcE. 



Genus — Sericuhis. S. vielimis. Regent Bird. 



The Regent Bird is a magnificent creature, whose 

 gorgeous plumage of rich velvety black, shot with a variety 

 of brilliant tints, make it a sight not soon to be forgotten. 

 It is rare, and of local occurrence, about the size of a mag- 

 pie, but rather approaching the woodpeckers in habits and 

 configuration. 



The natural food is insects, centipedes, and creatures of 

 that kind, with which its native " bush " abounds, and it 

 can only be preserved for a short time in ccnfinement. 



THE WOOD SWALLOWS. 



Family — A rfamidce. 



Genus — Artauius. A. superciliosus. White-eyebrowed 



Tree Swallow. 

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