Mr. M. Elsey on the Birds of Northern Australia. 6i") 



One Megapodins was shot at Point Pearce, where in the hurry 

 and confusion I conhl not preserve it ; it was of" compact form, of a 

 uniform oUve-hrown phmiage, with a stout beak, red iris^ and strong 

 tarsi and toes, the hinder especially. No mounds were seen during 

 our short stay there. 



A small Quail is common among the grass, but I have not yet 

 obtained it. 



Both Dromaius and Ofis are of the same size, and in every way 

 similar to those of the south ; we have nowhere confirmed the ob- 

 servations of Leichardt and his black fellow as to their smaller size. 

 Indeed Mr. Gregory believes, and 1 think most justlv, that the Emu 

 may cross the entire continent from cast to west, or north to south, 

 its habits being strictly wandering. It has no regular feeding 

 ground or drinking place ; its tracks are everywhere, and it is for 

 ever on the move. 



Of Waders I have a considerable number, but am unable to deter- 

 mine many of the species, as I am entirely without books of refer- 

 ence. I ha^e found the beautiful Lobivanellus lohatvs common 

 during March and A})ril on the sand-banks of the fresh water ; it 

 was usually associated with a small white Himantopiis, with black 

 wings and head. A long and pointed winged bird resembling Glci' 

 rcola is also frequent ; it feeds on the wing, on grasshoppers, &c. 

 about the Polygonum and other bushes fringing the banks. 



I have seen Falcinellus, but could not get it. I have also one 

 white Platuleu, the Jabiru or Mijcteria, and two or three Herons, 

 The Night Heron, Xycticorax, is common, frequenting the dense 

 mangroves, where it remains during the day, but flies at the most 

 distant noise. I have also single specimens of Tribonyx and Fulicu, 

 I have not had much opportunity of procuring Natatores. The 

 Whistling Duck is very common, and w as frequently shot on lagoons 

 in the interior, but is very wary on the river. Large V-shaped 

 flights of them passed over our camp during March from S.E. to 

 N.W., in which direction they appear to have a favourite resort. I 

 have also another Duck, similar to it, but smaller, with a soft dull- 

 brown plumage. 



I have seen Nettapus pulchellus, but could not get it. Indeed 

 my opportunities of examining the river have been so much more 

 limited than those Captain Stokes enjoyed, that many of his birds I 

 have not even seen. And owing to our small number I have gene- 

 rally on these excursions been obliged to take an oar myself, and 

 could not therefore keep a very bright look-out. 



The Flatus is common here, and excellent eating. During Fe- 

 bruary and March it was incubating. It chooses large trees that 

 hang over the water above or through the mangroves, and in these 

 a number of them build a colony of large coarse flattish nests of 

 dead sticks and twigs, which appear, from the quantity of dirt about 

 them and their stained appearance, to be used year after year. Each 

 season they place in the centre a few fresh green leaves, and on these 

 lay three or four white eggs, with a very earthy opaque, but brittle 

 shell ; the lining membrane is of a blue-grey colour ; they are rather 

 An7i.&^'Mag,N.Hist,^ei\2. Vol.w.' 5 



