GRALLATORES. 219 



aud on some of the islands in Bass's Straits, particularly on 

 Green Island, where it was breeding at the period of my visit 

 in January 1839. I did not observe it in Tasmania, but 

 it is not improbable that it will hereafter be found to be an 

 inhabitant of that country as well as of those above mentioned. 

 It has not yet been seen in Western Australia, neither 

 have I heard of its occurrence on the northern coast of the 

 continent. It is an attractive and showy bird, and when 

 unmolested approaches sufficiently close to the dwellings of 

 the settlers to permit its actions and manners to be minutely 

 observed. Among other places where I noticed this species, I 

 may mention that I saw it in flocks on the edge of the small 

 ponds immediately adjoining the house of C. Throsby, Esq., 

 at Bong Bong, on the fine estate of James Macarthm-, Esq., 

 at Camden, and at Yarrundi on the Upper Hunter. Open flats 

 and high dry grounds appeared to be equally suitable to its 

 existence; for nothing could be more sterile and parched than 

 the islands in Bass's Straits, when compared with the humid 

 flats of the Upper Hunter, covered as they are with grasses and 

 rank vegetation; yet in both these situations I observed it 

 at nearly the same season of the year. Its food consists of 

 insects and worms. While on the ground it has much of the 

 carriage of the common European Pewit (T^anellus cristatus), 

 but a decided diff'erence is observable in its mode of run- 

 ning, and in its bold and attractive manners. The more 

 lengthened form of its wings also induces a considerable dif- 

 ference in its flight, which has less of the flapping laboured 

 action so conspicuous in that of the Pewit. 



In some parts of New South Wales this ornamental bird 

 has obtained the name of the Alarm-bird from its rising 

 in the air, flying round and screaming at the approach of 

 an intruder, causing not only all of its own species to follow 

 its example, but every other animal in the district to be 

 on the alert. This fact I had ample opportunities of veri- 

 fying on the islands in Bass's Straits, where I had scarcely 



