18S BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



for inhabiting those extensive and arid plains which charac- 

 terize the central portions of Australia ; and we may reason- 

 ably suppose, that whenever the vast interior of that country 

 shall be explored, other species of this form will be discovered. 



The lengthened and courser-like legs of the Collared Plain- 

 Wanderer are admirably suited for running, while its short, 

 round and concave wings are as little adapted for extensive 

 flight. Its general contour suggests the idea of a diminutive 

 Bustard. As is the case wdth the Tumices, the sexes differ 

 considerably both in size and markings, the female being by 

 far the largest and richest in colour. On its native plains 

 this bird has many singular habits, particularly that of secret- 

 ing itself among the scanty herbage or of remaining quiet on 

 the bare ground until it is nearly trodden upon before it will 

 rise, and when it does take wing its flight is more contracted 

 than that of any bird with which I am acquainted. In a state of 

 captivity it becomes less shy and assumes, as the following notes 

 by Sir George Grey will testify, many sprightly actions : — 



"We have had several of these birds in confinement at diffe- 

 rent times ; they eat pounded wheat, raw and boiled rice, bread 

 and flies ; the latter appear to be their favourite food. They 

 soon become perfectly tame ; the three now in our possession 

 we have had for upwards of four months. 



" These birds are migratory ; they appear at Adelaide in 

 June, and disappear about January ; where they go has not 

 yet been ascertained. They never fly if they can avoid so 

 doing, and are often caught by dogs ; when disturbed, they 

 crouch down and endeavour to hide themselves in a tuft of 

 grass. While running about they are in the habit of raising 

 themselves in a nearly perpendicular position on the extremi- 

 ties of their toes, so that the hinder part of the foot does not 

 touch the ground, and of taking a wide survey around them. 

 The Emu sometimes stands in a similar position. I have not 

 yet ascertained anything respecting their nests, eggs, or tinae 

 of breeding. The call of those we have in confinement pre- 



