340 MR. E. P, RAMSAY ON THE BIRDS OF [Apr. 17, 
221. CARPHIBIS SPINICOLLIS. 
Carphibis spinicollis, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 282. 
Met with once only, during the wet season, on the Lower Herbert 
river, in small flocks. 
222. THRESKIORNIS STRICTIPENNIS. 
Threskiornis strictipennis, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 284. 
I found this species on an extensive mud-flat at the mouth of the 
Fitzroy river, and have also received specimens from Port Denison. 
Mr. Johnstone informed me that it occasionally visited the Herbert 
river. 
223. Isis (FALCINELLUS) IGNEUS. 
Ibis (Faicinellus) igneus, Gould, Handbk. B. Anstr. ii. p. 286. 
I give this species on the authority of Mr. Johnstone, whom I 
found well acquainted with the bird, and who had obtained a spe- 
cimen a short time prior to my visit. 
224. PLATALEA REGIA. 
Platalea regia, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 287. 
225. PLATALEA FLAVIPES. 
Platalea flavipes, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 288. 
These species are seldom met with in Northern Queensland. I 
have received P. regia from Port Denison, where it was considered 
a very rare bird ; and P. flavipes was observed near the mouth of the 
river Fitzroy, a single specimen only. 
Mr. Robert Johnstone informed me that Spoonbills were occa- 
sionally seen on the Upper Herbert river; but he did not identify 
the species with certainty. 
226. GRUS AUSTRALASIANA. 
Grus australasianus, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 290. 
‘*Native Companions”? were found very plentiful in all the 
swamps in the Herbert district. Early in the morning their hoarse 
croaking cry was most frequently heard. 
227. XENORHYNCHUS AUSTRALIS. 
Xenorhynchus australis, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 293. 
Found in tolerable numbers, in pairs, throughout the district, 
particularly on the sand-spits and shallows of the Herbert river ; 
they were very wary, and at all times difficult to approach. I was 
much amused watching a pair of these birds stalking round a large 
Crocodile sunning himself on one of the numerous sandbanks of the 
river—the birds carefully. eyeing the Saurian, and the Saurian 
patiently waiting until one of them should come within the swing of 
his tail (of which the birds were careful to keep out of range). What 
excited their curiosity I cannot imagine; they must have seen dozens 
of Crocodiles in their time. 
