RASORES. 123 



colonists of every settlement have found the surrounding 

 country inhabited by this fine bird. Specimens from Port 

 Essington, Swan River, Tasmania, and New South Wales 

 differ so little from each other, either in their size or mark- 

 ings, that they nuist all be regarded as one and the same 

 species. At Swan River it is said to be migratory, and to 

 be met with in the interior of that part of the country in large 

 flocks. At Port Essington, on the contrary, it would seem 

 to be stationary. 



It is a plump, heavy bird, weighing when in good condition 

 fully a pound ; and is constantly eaten by every class of 

 persons resident in Australia. Its amazing powers of flight 

 enable it to pass in an incredibly short space of time over 

 a great expanse of country, and just before sunset it may 

 be observed swiftly winging its way over the plains or 

 down the gullies to its drinking-place. During the long 

 drought of 1839-40, when I was encamped at the northern 

 extremity of the Brezi range, I had daily opportunities 

 of observing the arrival of this bird to drink ; the only 

 water for miles, as I was assured by the natives, being that in 

 the immediate vicinity of my tent, and that merely the 

 scanty supply left in a few small natural basins in the rocks, 

 which had been filled by the rains of many months before. 

 This peculiar situation afforded me an excellent opportunity 

 for observing not only the Bronze-wing, but many other birds 

 inhabiting the neighbourhood : few if any of the true insecti- 

 vorous or fissirostral birds came to the water-holes ; but, on 

 the other hand, those species that live upon grain and seeds, 

 particularly the Parrakeets and Honey-eaters {2Vic/io^lossi and 

 MelipUagi), were continually rushing down to the edges of 

 the pools, utterly regardless of my presence, their thirst quite 

 overcoming their sense of danger ; seldom, if ever, however, 

 did the Bronze-wing make its appearance during the heat 

 of the day, but at sundown it arrived with arrow-like swift- 

 ness, either singly or in pairs. It did not descend at once 



