Natural History on the Lower Murray. 135 



Drawings of nine different kinds of frogs are before you. 

 Five of them at least are new. 



Of snakes I have observed, and gathered twenty-four distinct 

 species, and of which sixteen will be found to be entirely new. 

 Amongst them I have to mention to you, that I have discovered 

 the Boa Constrictor of Australia,* being in its character exactly 

 alike to that of South America. It is much smaller, but climbs 

 trees, and is harmless to human beings, waiting for its prey in 

 the topmost branches of high gum trees, from which it pounces 

 upon and crushes its prey, devouring the whole. I was in- 

 clined to make before you an experiment with a live snake, but as 

 I have had to deliver up the specimen to the National Museum 

 I am unable to do so. 



At Lake Boga I was exposed to some danger in presence of 

 my men, by a, very poisonous snake, on which I had inadver- 

 tently placed my feet. 



Of Lizards I have seventeen species, some are of a very re- 

 markable form, and as I have never seen more than six kinds, 

 I believe my assertion that eleven new species are added to the 

 natural history of this country, will be found correct. The 

 drawings are now before you. 



Three different kinds of Turtle are known to exist in the 

 Murray and Darling. I have found two of them, and forwarded 

 eggs, young and old specimens, alive and dead to the Museum. 



Of Birds I have only been able to discover three new forms; 

 of which I beg to lay before you drawings and specimens of the 

 brown-capped Pomatorihnus,^* the rufus-tailed Cuckoo, and the 

 brown-throated Acanthiza.]: Beyond the Dividing Range the 

 Bee Eater and Red-rumped Parrot line begins and extends far 

 to the north. 



The Eos, or rose-bellied Cockatoo appears not to overstep 143° 

 longitude westwards, and begins to make its appearance with 35° 

 latitude northwards. 



The crested Pigeon begins to appear in the latitude of the 

 Murrumbidgee and extends northwards. 



The peaceful ground Dove appears at the junction of the 

 Darling and Murray, also the porphyric-crowned parrakeet, and 

 Bourke's grass parrakeet. 



* Its scales round the head, and the thorns on the vent very nearly identical " 

 with the Boaviridis, or Bojobi of the Brazilians. — Bl. 



t Just published by Mr. Gould in his last supplementary number on the Birds 

 of Australia. 



X This bird is not new. It should have been named brown red throat, or 

 Pyrrholcemus brunneus. — Bl. 



