

MALURINiE. 



ClNCLORHAMPHUS Gould* 



Bill shorter than the head, rather slender, and straight, with the culmen slightly curved, and the sides 

 compressed to the tip, which is slightly emarginated ; the gonys moderate and ascending ; the gape 

 furnished with a few very short bristles ; the nostrils basal, and pierced in a membranous groove, with 

 the opening oval and exposed. Wings moderate, with the first quill nearly as long as the second and 

 third, which are equal and longest. Tail lengthened and more or less graduated, with the ends of the 

 feathers rather acute. Tarsi longer than the middle toe, strong, and broadly scaled in front. Toes 

 lengthened, with the lateral toe equal, and the outer slightly united at its base ; the hind toe long, and 

 armed with a strong curved claw. 



These species are inhabitants of Australia, over which continent they are spread at certain seasons of the year, fre- 

 cpaenting the open downs, grassy flats, and cultivated enclosures, and are usually observed on the ground, where they run 

 with great dexterity, with their tails generally erect over their backs ; if alarmed they will fly to the nearest dead branch 

 of a tree, and run along it with great quickness, uttering at the same time a low song. Their flight is short ; but at times 

 they rise with a tremulous motion of the wings perpendicularly into the air, and then progress horizontally without any 

 apparent movement of the wings for a short distance, uttering a loud but not unpleasant note. The female (which is 

 much smaller than the male) forms her nest on the ground, of dried grasses, carelessly woven together. The eggs are 

 four in number. 



1. C. cruralis (Vig. & Horsf.) Gould, Linn. Trans, xv. p. 228., 

 Gould, B. of Austr. pi. 



2. C. cantillans Gould. — Cincloramphus cantatoris Gould, Proc. 

 Z. S. 1842. p. 135., B. of Austr. pi. 



3. C. ? sylvanus (Hodgs.) Proc. Z. S. 1845. p. Type of He- 



terura Hodgs. (1845). 



Megalurus Horsf. f 



Bill moderate, rather slender, and straight, with the culmen curved, and the sides compressed to the 

 tip, which is emarginated ; the gonys moderate and slightly ascending ; the gape furnished with short 

 weak bristles ; the nostrils basal, and pierced in a broad groove, with the opening oval and exposed. 

 Wings moderate ; with the first quill rather short ; the second little shorter than the third, fourth, and 

 fifth, which are equal and longest. Tail much elongated, and graduated. Tarsi longer than the middle 

 toe, rather strong, and covered in front with broad scales. Toes lengthened, with the inner toe nearly 

 as long as the outer, which is slightly united at its base ; the claws compressed and acute. 



The species that compose this genus are found in the Indian archipelago and Australia. They frequent the open 

 grassy plains with scattered trees, and are usually noticed on the ground; but the male rises to a great height in the 

 air, and then descends to the tops of the tall trees, commencing flying from one tree to another, and uttering at the same 

 time his loud garrulous notes. The nest is formed on the ground, of dried grasses, lined with fine grass and hairs. The 

 eggs are usually four in number. 



* Established by Mr. Gould in 1837 {Proc. Zool. Soc. 1837, p. 150.). It probably embraces Heterura of Mr. Hodgson (1845). 

 | Established by Dr. Horsfield in 1820 (Linn. Trans, xiii. p. 158.). 



