INSESSORES. 190 



structural differences between Fteropodocys and Graucalus, and 

 are so apparent as to be perceptible at a single glance. Only 

 a single species of this form lias yet been discovered. 



Sp. 108. PTEROPODOCYS PHASIANELLA, Gould. 

 Ground Graucalus. 



Graucalus Phasianellus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc, part vii. p. 142. 

 Ceblepyj-is maxima, Riipp. Men, in Mus. Senckeubergianum, 1839, 



p. 28. taf. iii. 

 Goo-ra-ling, Aborigines of York, Western Australia. 



Pteropodocys phasianella, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. ii. 

 pi. 59. 



The rarity of this species in our collections is sufficient evi- 

 dence that it is a bird inhabiting the interior of the country, 

 and that its native localities have been seldom visited by the 

 explorer; hence it was a source of no ordinary gratification 

 to me when I first encountered it on the plains bordering the 

 River Namoi in New South Wales, and perceived that no 

 very lengthened study of its habits and mode of life was 

 requisite to ascertain that its structure is as beautifully 

 adapted for terrestrial progression and for a residence on the 

 ground, as the structure of the Graucali fits them to inhabit 

 the branches of the trees ; more beautiful modifications of 

 form, in fact, can scarcely be seen than occur among the 

 members of this group, which now comprehends a considera- 

 ble number of species ; the present bird, however, is the only 

 terrestrial one that has yet come under my notice, either from 

 Australia or the great niu'sery of these birds — India and the 

 Indian islands. Plains and open glades skirted by belts of 

 high trees are the localities in which I generally met with 

 this bird, either in pairs or small parties of from three to six 

 or eight in number. Its actions are very animated ; at the 

 same time it is cautious and shy. 



Its powers of progression on the ground are considerable ; 



