PLATE IXXIX "V. 



GENUS CLADORHYNCHUS (G. R. Gray). 



THIS is a form peculiar to Australia, and though closely assimilating to Recurvirostris in many ways, differs 

 in several minor details, particularly in the structure of the bill. 



CLADORHYNCHUS PECTORALIS (Gould). 



BANDED STILT. Genus : Cladorhynchus. 



THIS is one of the most lovely and graceful of aquatic birds, and we regret that so little is yet 

 known of its habits. Captain Sturt has supplied all that we know of it in the following short 

 monograph : — -" This singular bird, with legs so admirably adapted by their length for wading into the 

 shallow lakes and sheets of water, was seen in large flocks. It was very abundant on Jepson's Lake, 

 to the northward of Cooper's Creek ; and on Strezeiecki's Creek it was sitting on the water making a singular 

 plaintive whistle." 



The Banded Stilt is found to inhabit Eastern, Southern, and Western Australia, living much 

 after the manner of the Red-necked Avocet. 



It would seem that the distinguishing mark of Ix, or of the breeding season, is a pectoral band 

 of rich chestnut, shading off to black in the triangular mark on the chest with which the band ends on 

 the abdomen. This is thoroughly developed in the females, but is absent in the males. 



The whole of the body, white ; wings and centre of abdomen, very dark chestnut or black ; 

 bill, black ; legs, reddish-yellow. 



Habitats : New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, West and South-west Australia. 



FAMILY RECURVI ROSTRIDyE. 



IX consideration of the singular habits, actions and economy of the Avocets, Gould decided to raise 

 them to the rank of a family. 



GENUS RECURVI ROSTRA (Linnceus). 



HIS is a widely distributed genus, having representatives in every part of the globe. Australia, 

 however, like Europe, can only boast of one species. 



