BUSTARD. 187 
the eyes and most of the throat ; a linear dark line runs from the gape probably 
meeting the loral line ; the interramal space is dark coloured as is the centre of the 
throat, indistinct linear edges to the throat patch darker ; the down on the rump is 
fawn profusely mottled with black, the flank and thigh down fawn with brownish 
markings on the thighs. The feathers on the back of the head are black with fawn 
markings and narrow fawn tips; those of the back are reddish-fawn with black 
vermiculations, the scapulars showing brown tips of fawn with a black edging 
posteriorly, of a triangular shape; the lesser wing-coverts are similarly reddish- 
fawn but the black vermiculations scantier and no broad fawn tipping; the second- 
aries, however, approach the scapulars in style of marking, but not in so pronounced 
a manner ; the apparent primary-coverts are pale fawn with irregular black markings 
in bar formation and broad fawn bars to tips ; primaries just sprouting with black 
tips ; tail scarcely showing as such ; the tail-coverts as the back feathers ; under- 
surface pale sandy. 
Nesiling (in similar plumage procured at same time but larger, probably male).— 
The down has been lost from fore-head, which shows feathering as back of head in 
preceding but darker; the dark patch on throat more pronounced and showing 
distinctly a central light patch followed by a darker line, and a darker line surrounding 
the whole, and also less distinctly darker lines on the lower throat ; also the feathering 
on the breast is seen to consist of vermiculated feathers similar to those of the back, 
while the feathers of the under-surface are paler than in the above. The feathers 
of the back are longer and show much darker vermiculation and much smaller buff 
tips, less triangular in shape, the black edging straighter ; the edges of the wings are 
as above described, but the lesser wing-coverts generally agree with the description 
of the primary-coverts above and the broad tips are much more pronounced, making 
a pale fawnish bar and proving them to be the secondary coverts ; the primary- 
coverts are just seen in connection with the primaries as much darker vermiculated 
feathers with black bars and narrow tips of darker fawn and the primaries are longer 
with minute fawnish tips to their black colour ; tail not yet discernible. 
Nest.—None made. 
Eggs.—Clutch, one to two; ground-colour reddish-brown with blotches of 
darker brown all over; axis 75 mm, by 55; eggs from West Australia are smaller, 
darker, and more heavily blotched than those from the eastern side of the continent. 
Breeding-season.—May to November. 
Distribution and forms.—Confined to Australia. Three subspecies may be 
admitted : A. a. australis (Gray) from the East coast; A. a. derbyi (Mathews) from 
the North-west coast, a much browner and smaller form; and A. a. melvillensis 
(Mathews) from Melville Island, a blue-grey form also larger than the preceding. 
There are probably more subspecies, but long series of these variable birds have 
never been collected owing to their edible qualities. 
OrpER PSOPHII or GRUES. 
This order includes large birds of varied superficial appearance and doubtful 
close relationship. Three suborders, Cariamiformes, Psophiiformes and Eurypygi- 
formes, are recognised, the last named a heterogeneous assemblage of peculiar forms, 
Eurypygide, Rhinochetidz and Mesitide. As one authority has written : ‘If we 
don’t put these here, where have we to put them?” This was written from the 
study of the anatomy and osteology of the forms, and is good evidence of the 
futility of attempting to classify birds by the “ deeper-seated ” features without 
complete study of the external items. All the items yet depended upon are variable, 
the palate is generally schizognathous, the nasals schizorhinal, but sometimes 
holorhinal ; basipterygoid processes are absent and supraorbital grooves and occipital 
fontanelles absent or present. The sternum has the posterior margin entire or 
