6812 Birds. 



The mooruks often throw up all their feathers, ruffling thera, and then 

 suddenly fall flat as before. They appear to have great power in raising 

 all the feathers, and the wings are used to aid thera in running, but 

 never seem used for defence. Captain Deolin says the natives consider 

 them, to a certain degree, sacred, and rear them as pets. He is not 

 aware that they are used as food, but if so not generally ; indeed, 

 their shy disposition and power of rapid running, darting through the 

 brake and bush, would almost preclude their capture. It reminds me 

 (from the description) of the habits of the menura, or lyre bird of Aus- 

 tralia, only it is much larger, and move powerful in its actions. The 

 natives carry them in their arms, and are very kind to, and have a 

 great affection for them ; this will account for their domesticated state 

 with us. 



The noise of these birds, when in the yard, resembled that of the 

 female turkey ; at other times the peculiar chirping noise was accom- 

 panied by a whistling sound also. The contrast of these birds with 

 the jabiru was very great. The mooruks were sometimes moving 

 about, like the female turkey, in rapid motion or excitement, or, w'hen 

 walking quietly, always inquisitive, and poking their beaks into every- 

 thing, and familiar with every person. The jabiru, on the other hand, 

 was a perfect picture of sedate quietness, looking upon all play as 

 injurious to his constitution or derogatory to his dignity, remaining 

 stiff in his gait and serious in his demeanour. 



Only one egg was brought, and that was partly broken ; I have it 

 in my possession. The captain informs me that they can be procured 

 from the natives, and have generally a hole in them, about the size 

 of a shilling, through which the contents have been extracted. 



The height of the largest or male bird to the top of the back was 

 2 feet 2 inches ; and of the female 2 feet. The height of the largest 

 or male bird, when erect, to the top of the head, was 3 feet 2 inches ; 

 and of the female 3 feet. 



Occurrence of the Gray Phalnrope in Orkney. — On the 28tli of November I shot a 

 fine female specimen of the gray phalarope {Phalaropus plalyrhynchus), in winter 

 l)luraage, which I have mounted for my own collection. It is now nearly four 

 years since I shot one heie before, and only the third specimen I have seen got here, 

 and, although constantly collecting, having seen so few, I consider them rare in 

 Orkney. — Joseph Dunyi ; Stromness, Orkney, December 12, 1859. 



Occurrence of the Little Auk in Orkwy. — Ow the 2nd instant I was fortunate 

 enough to shoot a few fine specimens of the little auk {Uria alle), in winter plumage: 



