446 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



Sp.277. AILURCEDUS SMITHII, %. and Ilorsf. 



Cat-Bird. 



Varied Roller, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. iii. p. 86. 



Ptilonorhynchus smithiif'Ldiih. MSS. Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., 

 vol. XV. p. 264. 



viridis, Wagl. Syst. Av., sp. 3. 



Kitta virescens, Temni. PI. Col., 396. 



Ailurcedus smithi, Cab. Mus. Hein., Thcil i. p. 213. 



Cat-Bird of the Colonists of New South Wales. 



Ptilonorh3mchus smithii, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. iv. 

 pi. 11. 



So far as our knowledge extends, this species is only found 

 in New South Wales, where it inhabits the luxuriant forests that 

 extend along the eastern coast between the mountain ranges 

 and the sea ; those of Illawarra, the Hunter, the MacLeay, 

 and the Clarence and the cedar brushes of the Liverpool range 

 being, among many others, localities in which it may be found : 

 situations suitable to the Regent- and Satin-Birds are equally 

 adapted to the habits of the Cat-Bird, and I have not unfre- 

 quently seen them all three feeding together on the same tree. 

 The wild fig, and the native cherry, when in season, afford 

 an abundant supply. So rarely does it take insects, that I do 

 not recollect ever finding any remains in the stomachs of those 

 specimens I dissected. In its disposition it is neither a shy 

 nor a wary bird, little caution being required to approach it, 

 cither when feeding or while quietly perched upon the lofty 

 branches of the trees. It is at such times that its loud, harsh 

 and extraordinary note is heard ; a note which differs so 

 much from that of all other birds, that having been once heard 

 it can never be mistaken. In comparing it to the nightly 

 concerts of the domestic cat, I conceive that I am conveying 

 to my readers a more perfect idea of the note of this species 

 than could be given by pages of description. This concert, 

 is performed either by a pair or several individuals, and 



