Collection uf Birds from Western Australia. 175 



B0TA.UR.US PCECILOPTILUS (Wagl.). 



Botaurus poeciloptilus Math. p. 33. 



a, b. <J 9. . Big Grove, lGth April. 



c-f. <$ 9 . Beechland, :23rd Jan. to 12th Feb. 



Iris clear brownish-buff with a narrow outer circle of 

 reddish-brown ; bill of a dark olivaceous-slate-colour above, 

 sides and under parts yellowish-olive ; legs pale sea-green ; 

 soles of feet yellowish. 



Total length, measured in the flesh, 275-30*5 inches ; 

 expanse 50 inches. 



[The Australian Bittern is not uncommon in suitable 

 localities u the south-west, and was plentiful in the swampy 

 country round Busselton. — G. C. S.~\ 



DUPETOR GOULDI (Boiiap.). 



Dupetor gouldi Math. p. 33. 



a, b. $ 9. . King River, 27th Jan. & 14th Feb. 



Iris pale yellow, with an outer ring of reddish-ochre ; 

 bill dark pinkish-brown, yellowish at the base of the lower 

 mandible ; legs dusky brown tinged with yellow, soles of 

 the feet yellowish. 



Total length, measured in the flesh, 25'5-26'0 inches. 



[The Yellow-necked Mangrove-Bittern was not uncommon 

 in the south-west, being met with singly or in pairs. It 

 roosted by day in the trees overhanging the water, and its 

 habits were very similar to those of Nijcticorax caledonicus. — 

 G. C. S.] 



Nycticorax caledonicus (Gmel.). 



Nycticorax caledonicus Math. p. 33. 



a-c. $ et ? iram. Beechland, 23rd-27th Jan. 



d. 9. . Wonnerup, Busselton, 11th May. 



e. 9. imm. Carnarvon, 20th July. 



Iris yellow; bill of a dark slate-colour, yellowish at the 

 base of the lower mandible; legs yellow; claws pinkish, 

 tipped with slate-colour. 



Total length, measured in the flesh, 23-25 inches. 



[This Night Heron was local, but plentiful where it 

 occurred : it was numerous round Busselton. — G. C. S.~\ 



