6882 Birds. 



bird, familiar with all around it, liking to court admiration, yet on the 

 watch for any act of aggression. It appears pleased to see any 

 stranger, and evinces but little fear. The horses coming into the yard, 

 even close to it, or any noise, does not seem to annoy it; it only moves 

 gently out of the way. When suddenly started it will flap its long 

 and powerful wings, as if preparing for flight ; and it may be regarded 

 as a bird of flight, the whole bulk of the body being so light in 

 comparison with its powerful wings. This bird is partial to salt- 

 water creeks and lagoons. It is usually seen in such localities on 

 the Hunter, Macleay and Clarence Rivers, which consist, near the 

 entrance and for some miles distant, of salt water with numerous sand- 

 banks, where these birds may be occasionally observed busily engaged 

 in fishing. The beak of this bird is large, broad, conical and pointed; 

 the lower mandible is slightly curved upwards ; the colour is black. 

 The head is large, and neck thick ; both the head and neck are of a 

 rich, deep, glossy green, changing, when it reaches the occiput, into 

 beautiful iridescent colours of violet and purple, which, when viewed 

 under a brilliant sunshine or in a changing light, display the iridescent 

 tints in a most brilliant manner, shining with a metallic efi'ulgence 

 equal to that seen in the peacock. The greater wing-coverts, scapu- 

 laries, lower part of the back and tail, dark brown mixed with rich 

 bluish green, which changes in the adult to a rich glossy green, tinged 

 with a golden lustre. The smaller wing-coverts, lower part of the 

 neck and back and upper part of the breast white, speckled with ashy 

 brown, which becomes white in the adult. Lower part of the breast, 

 thighs and inner part of the wings white. Eyes brilliant, and dark 

 hazel in colour. The legs are blackish, with a dark tinge of red, 

 becoming in the adult a bright red colour, which, as I have been 

 informed, when the bird flies with legs stretched out, looks like a long 

 red tail. The legs are usually dirty with excremental matter, imparting 

 to them a white appearance, so that the natural colour is seldom seen, 

 except when they just emerge from the water. It is a large feeder, 

 and these birds must consume, in their native haunts, a great quantity 

 of fishes and reptiles. 



It measures three feet ten inches to the top of the head, and is not 

 yet full grown ; they are said to attain four to five feet in height. It 

 is shy of disposition and diflicult of approach in its wild state : this 

 can readily be supposed when it is observed in captivity ; for although 

 very docile and readily tamed, still the keen, watchful eye appears 

 always upon you, with a brilliant and piercing look, which causes a 

 feeling of the impossibility of escaping its penetrating glance. Its 



