'666 Miscellaneous. 



figured the bird in question under the old specific name of P. magnljicus, 



and therefore it became (juite unnecessary to repeat the description. 



2. That on showing the examples to my brother ornithologists, 

 they did not agree with my \aews of the specific distinctions between 

 the specimens from the two localities, but, like Mr. Gould, con- 

 sidered that it was the same as the New- Guinea bird, and therefore 

 should not be formed into a separate species ; and it was entirely 

 out of deference to their opinions that I refrained from committing 

 the MS. to press, for which omission I off'er no apology. 



The sole object I have in view is to put a statement right which 

 had been, no doubt, inadvertently given by Mr. Elliot incorrectly, 

 and also to express that there have existed, and probably do stiU 

 exist, doubts as to whether ^the Northern- Australian PtUornis should 

 be regarded as a distinct species, as is shown in the ' Hand-list of 

 Birds.' 



Notes on Australian Freshivater Tortoises. 

 By Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S. &c. 



Chelymys Krefftii. 



Thorax oblong, scarcely broader behind, very convex. The 

 second, third, and fourth vertebral shields as long as, or rather 

 longer than broad ; the second and third nearly square, wdth only a 

 slight angle near the middle of each side ; the fourth contracted 

 behind ; the first nearly square, rather broader than long, and 

 rather broader in front. Thorax convex, elevated from the margin, 

 the lateral processes convex. Head large, above olive, with a broad 

 white streak from the back of the orbit to the upper front margin of 

 the tympanum ; a broad white streak from the angle of the mouth to 

 the lower part of the tympanum. Beaks very strong and convex. 

 Ul)per part of neck slightly granular. 



Ilah. Burnett's Iliver. No. 9, Kreff't's MS. 



This specimen is coloured very much like the others received 

 from Mr. Krefi't, but difters in being oblong and very convex, in- 

 stead of being broadly ovate and much more depressed, and in the 

 form of the vertebral plates. It also diff'ers in having a much 

 larger head, compared with the size of the body. 



It has been suggested that the difference may only be one of sex : 

 but it is very curious that, out of a large series of specimens, this 

 should be the only one of the sex that has come to us. 



Chelymys anstraJis. 

 HydraspK oitxtralis, Gray, in Grey's 'Australia,' t. vi. 



The specimen of this genus received from ^fr. Ciould in 1S40 a.s 

 procured in Australasia, and described and figured by me in ('apt. 

 (Jrey's ' Australia,' t. vi., under the name of Ilydra.tjv's anstralis, 

 diff'ers so much, both in its small size, though evidently quite adult, 

 in the form of its dorsal shields, and in the form of its head, from 

 all the species of Chelymys that we have since received, that I am 

 inclined to regard it as a distinct species. 



JIab. Australiisia {dotdd, 1840). 



