382 MR. E. p. RAMSAY ON BIRDS FROM QUEENSLAND. [Juue 11, 



from cere along culmen to tip 1, height at base O'i), width 1-2 (on 

 lower edge of upper mandible) ; lower mandible from angle of 

 mouth 1-25, width at base 0-5 ; height of upper mandible from tooth 

 to cere 0-6, its width at tooth 0-4 ; length of the head and bill 2-8, 

 width 1-6, tarsi 3-2; first toe 1*2, its claw 1-3; middle toe 2 in., 

 its claw 1 lin. ; third toe 1*3, its claw 0'8 ; hind toe 1 inch, its 

 claw 1*4; ditto from base to tip in a straight Hne 1-1, along the 

 curve 1-4, its circumference at base 0'6, height 0'2o, width 0-2 ; all 

 the claws are much arched, thick and strong ; tarsi thick and very 

 powerful. 



Although this bird is in many respects like what one would ex- 

 pect to find the young of Astur novce-hoUandice (alias A. rayii), I 

 beheve it to be of a distinct species. It is true, and, I suppose, well 

 known, that the individuals of this latter species differ greatly in 

 size, and, as many will not admit, in the colouring of the females. As 

 regards this last fact I have instances of grey-backed females pairing 

 with wholly white males ; and if the New-South- Wales birds are 

 really distinct from the Tasmanian, it will be in the fact that the 

 females of the New-South-Wales birds are frequently grey-backed, 

 while the Tasmanian birds are never so. A very intelhgent col- 

 lector, from whom I have had some valuable specimens of eggs, 

 Braisher by name, told me, a few days ago, that a pair of this species 

 had taken up their abode near his farm, in the Illawarra district, 

 and that he felt sure of getting a reward I had offered for their eggs. 

 Upon my asking how he knew that they were a pair, he replied, 

 that one of them had a "blue" (grey) back. Nothing that I could 

 say would persuade him to the contrary ; and he afiirmed that he had 

 shot scores of them. During the breeding-season, Rainbird, a col- 

 lector at Port Denison, sent me down a pair, of which that 

 marked the female has the back grey. On questioning Rainbird, 

 he informed me these had mated, and, he felt sure, had a nest 

 hard by. 



Nevertheless I shall wait until I have obtained the young from 

 the nest before I consider the points fully settled, both with respect 

 to the Astur rayii and A. novce-hollandicE being one species, and 

 whether the bird I have described above be their young or that of 

 a new species. At present I consider it to be new on account of its 

 strong markings, greater size, and much stronger build, besides 

 having the upper surface brown instead of a shade of grey. It is, 

 moreover, a heavier-built bird, inclining to Astur rather than to 

 Leucospiza. 



5. Elanus axillaris. 



The young of this species have the upper surface dull brown, 

 wings and tail blue grey, shoulders black, and the feathers of the 

 breast centred with a black line, which ends in a yellowish spot at 

 the tip. 



G. Podargus, n. sp. 

 From Cleveland Bay. 



