MYCTEMA AUSTE.ALIS. 



(Aitstralian Mycteria.) 



Adult — Head and neck, shining metallic green, with the exception of the occiput, which is of a brilliant metallic purple tint ; the lower 

 portion of the back, tail, secondaries, and greater coverts, glossy blackish green, with metallic reflections ; primaries, upper portion of the 

 back, and also of the wings, the chest and abdomen, pure white ; bill, black ; irides, hazel ; legs and feet, vermillion red. 



In the young bird, the legs and feet are black, with a tinge of red. 



Height, 52 inches ; length, 56; wing, 24 ; tail, 11 ; bill, 13 ; tarsus, 12-|- ; middle toe, 4|-. 



The genus Mycteria comprises only three known species — one being American, a second Asiatic, and the third Australian. 

 The Mycteria Austral is is found in various parts of the continent of Australia, for the most part frequenting the coast. It is shy and wary 

 in the extreme, choosing the most quiet and secluded bays and sandy beaches, where it roams about in search of food, and may be occasionally 

 seen in company with a variety of other birds having similar habits. It also visits some of the rivers of the interior, Leichhardt having met 

 with it on the Burdekin, in lat. 20° 47'. It has a most voracious appetite, and consumes great quantities of fish, eels being especially pre- 

 ferred. To obtain a specimen of this bird is a matter not easily accomplished : a native is generally employed, who, creeping on all-fours, 

 and artfully hiding behind rocks or bushes, is able sometimes to approach near enough to make a successful shot. The Australian Mycteria 

 flies well, and can sustain itself upon the wing for a considerable time. When on the wing the long legs are thrust behind in a horizontal 

 direction, and look like a long red tail. It appears to have no voice. A specimen kept for about seven months by Dr. Bennett, of Sydney, 

 became very tame and familiar, and, in his " G-atherings of a Naturalist in Australia," that gentleman treats very fully and interestingly of 

 its ways and doings while in a state of captivity. Plies and cicadas were choice morsels. When lying down, the legs were doubled up 

 underneath the body, and it somewhat resembled a largp goose with a disproportionate size of bill. 



