26 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



resemblance in length of the hind claw, but unlike in that the 

 Galeritre have slender bills and the first primary generally well 

 developed. 



In particular, and comparing it with the Mira/ra horsfieldi, it 

 is much more robust, and handsomer, possessing as it does a rich 

 rufous brown, which predominates (although lighter on the under 

 surface) instead of the indistinct ashen grey of Mirafra hors- 

 fieldi. 



The spur, also, on the hallux is somewhat longer and the crest 

 more perceptible and pronounced than in the latter. 



I have appended a specific description, as also a table of the 

 respective measurements of M. javanica, M. secmida, M. hors- 

 fieldi, and the member of the genus now being described. 



Reference to that table will show that the last-mentioned is 

 materially longer and bigger than the African form or the 

 Australian forms, both as regards total length, wings, tail, and 

 tarsi. 



Mirafra woodwardi, sp. nov. 



Chin, throat, and fore-neck pale bufif, deepening into an 

 irregular band of ferruginous blotches on the chest, and again 

 fading into a uniform pale buff on the breast, abdomen, and 

 under tail-coverts; flanks and thighs a deeper buff; and the 

 under surface of the wings a uniform fawn, showing dark 

 marking on web towards the extremities; tail feathers (12 in 

 number) terminating evenly, the outer feather at either side 

 passing almost to white ; under-web darkish, with many of 

 the remaining tail feathers alternating buff and blackish on 

 either side of shaft. The whole of the surface (excepting 

 the nape), and extending from the head to and including 

 the tail, a rich, rufous brown, relieved with saggitate blackish 

 centres and shafts marked with an indistinct band of 

 greyish feathers. The secondaries do not cover the tips of 

 the primaries; crest distinctly perceptible; mandibles stout and 

 vaulted, and slightly compressed at sides ; upper mandible 

 horn-colour, deepest at culmen ; lower mandible paler at point, 

 fading into white ; legs brown ; irides dark brown. 



Locality, Onslow, Western Australia, 



Comparative Table of Australian Mirakk/K and Mirafra javanica. 

 Total 

 Member of Genus. 



Mirafra javanica 



,, secunda 

 ,, horsefieldi 

 ,, woodwardi 



I regret that at present I am unable to give any particulars 

 regarding its song or nidification, but I hope to do so later on. 



