WESTERN AUSTRALIA 209 



The two most interesting birds found only in 

 areas 8 and 1 are the Rock Pigeons (Petrophassa) 

 and Rainbow Pitta (P. iris). The Pitta is derived 

 from area 1. 



The Carter Desert Bird is not found outside of 

 8, 7 8 , and is the only genus, among a number, that 

 has the nearest relative in India. 



In area 8 the desert approaches the sea, and the 

 family of Bush Larks (Mirafra) takes on the plu- 

 mage that agrees with the surroundings ; cinnamon, 

 grey, or pale brown. Bush Larks, with the loveliest 

 voices in the noon of night, are found all over 

 Australia. 



THE RELATIONSHIP WITH SOUTHERN 

 QUEENSLAND 



Nearly all the birds of South-west Australia are 

 more closely related to the birds of Southern 

 Queensland and New South Wales than to the 

 birds of any other portion of the Commonwealth. 

 They have travelled along the coastal lands, or by 

 means of the Murray River system, or in a lesser 

 degree by the Lake Eyre system. A general con- 

 vergence is noticeable about Port Augusta. Con- 

 tinuing the journey they travel through salt bush 

 and across the Nullabor Plain into the further 

 west. 



The Ground Wren (Hylacola) map 91, is a good 

 example of a species taking centuries to travel on 

 and on in coastal types of wooded land. 



