PEEFAOE TO YOLIJME II. 



AS tlie letter-press occupying the usual place generally filled by a preface, in Volume I., is devoted to 

 explanatory matter, and details the causes why this work as proposed in the original prospectus (a 

 copy of which is there given) wa§ not completed, it will not be unfitting for me to make a few remarks 

 on certain peculiar characteristics which are attached to the avirfauna of our great Southern continent. 

 I shall not go very fully into thig subject, as still so much remains to be learned about the feathered tribes of 

 Australia, to supply which will occupy many years to come of diligent observation and research. New comers 

 remark the paucity of song birds, and are prone to contrast our country with Britain in this respect. But ifc is 

 an error to suppose that we are altogether without ; and, though it might be considered presumptuous to 

 compare our songsters to the nightingale, blackbird, or thrush (and we are ready to admit that they cannot 

 vie with them), those we have are sufficiently characteristic and beautiful to demand notice for their remarkable 

 novelty ; and the wild calls of many can only obscurely be described in human language, and are generally 

 referred to as "once heard, never to be forgotten," so highly discriminative is their character. Witness those 

 of the Lyre Birds (perfect mocking-birds), and the extraordinary ones of the Coach Whip and Cat Birds. 

 Though most of our birds are confessedly plain in their plumage, yet we have many examples even of whole 

 families which are of the most gorgeous kind— notably the three members of the Pittas,* of which the one 

 most recently discovered is to be found with several other interesting novelties in the present volumes. The 

 generality of the Australian Eobins (unfortunately not figured here) are much more brilliantly colored than 

 the British species, and have a sweet and plaintive song. The Wrens, or Superb Warblers, are more than a 

 dozen in number, and the brilliant plumage is confined to the male during the breeding season. Upwards of 

 twenty species of Pinches are found, but none can approach in brilliancy of song to the Canary or Bullfinch, 

 yet can easily be distinguished from one another by their notes, which consist of little more than a mere chirp. 

 A short allusion to the bower builders will not be out of place. The one built by the Regent Bird is figured 

 from the original structure, and may easily be mistaken for a nest, but is merely used as a playground. 

 Elaborate descriptions of some are to be found in the hand-book. The Honey Eaters are a numerous family, 

 and are pretty well represented in this work. The singular forms of the Wattle and Fryar Birds belong to the 

 laro-er members, while others partake somewhat of the character of the Sun Birds or Nectarineas. It is a 

 singular fact, and one which has never been properly accounted for, that not a single species of Woodpecker is 

 to be found in this country. But we have two families of birds which are numerous and, I think, peculiarly 

 Australian fClimacteris and Sittella), which are commonly seen in all attitudes fearlessly travelling spirally up 

 and down the bark of various trees in search of their insect food. There are three species of Bifle Birds of 

 magnificent plumage, which are placed by Mr. Gould close to the latter mentioned, and whose mode of existence 

 is very similar. The reckless manner in which they appear to treat their plumage (using themselves as a wedge 

 to prize off large flakes of bark while searching for insects) is wonderful to behold. The Cuckoos demand a 

 passino" notice. Erom the gigantic Scrjthrops to the minute Bronze Cuckoos, all have the parasitical habits of 

 the British species ; and it is very amusing to witness the process of feeding — the foster parents, in some 

 instances, attending to the wants of a young bird double their own size. The smaller species deposit their eggs 

 in the nests of Maluri, Acanthizce, and other small birds who lay eggs of similar appearance to their own. 



* The location of this family is yet undecided. 



