47 



2. Notes on the Habits of the Mycteria australis or 

 New Holland Jabirtj (Gigantic Crane of the Colo- 

 nists). By George Bennett. 



A short time since, I purchased this rare bird, which was brought 

 alive to Sydney from Port Macquarie, and so little being known 

 respecting its habits, I considered the following notes might be in- 

 teresting to the Society. It appears to be a young male, and walks 

 about the yard of the house quite domesticated, making no attempt 

 to fly, nor showing any inclination to leave its domicile. These 

 birds have a wide range over the colony, more particularly about 

 the northern coasts of Australia, and are seen occasionally within 

 the heads and about the sand-banks of the Clarence and Macleay 

 Rivers ; they are very difficult of approach, and consequently but 

 few have been obtained, this being the first specimen ever brought 

 alive to Sydney. Among the principal residents in the interior, some 

 inform me that they have only seen four, others only one, during a 

 residence of from twenty-five to thirty years in different parts of the 

 colony. In Leichbardt's Expedition (according to the account of 

 Mr. Murphy, now residing in Sydney) only two were seen ; and these 

 could not be approached sufficiently near to be shot. In 1839 a 

 specimen was shot on Hunter's River, and another on the north 

 shore near Sydney about three years since, both of which were pre- 

 sented to the Australian Museum. The person who shot the last 

 bird had the greatest difficulty in procuring it, from its being so very 

 shy and watchful : he was obliged to follow it for several days in 

 its haunts about the salt-water creeks, until he could get sufficiently 

 near to shoot it, which, being a good marksman, he achieved as soon 

 as he could approach within range. Both these specimens were full- 

 grown males, and in fine and brilliant adult plumage. These birds 

 being so rarely seen, and difficult to procure when seen, are valuable 

 as specimens when dead, and much more so when alive. Many of the 

 residents of the northern districts had seen the bird, but rarely, and 

 at a distance, and were aware how difficult it was to procure them ; 

 but none had ever seen it in captivity before, and it was therefore 

 regarded with great interest. The number of skins of this bird I 

 have seen during my residence of twenty-two years in the colony 

 only amounts to four. The bird is very graceful : its attitudes, and 

 bearing, whether in a state of repose, stalking rapidly, or walking 

 gently over a lawn or yard with its measured, noiseless steps, have a 

 combination of grace and elegance, and it displays an independence 

 of manner that might be expected in a bird so wild and roaming in 

 its habits. It is gentle and good-tempered, soon gets reconciled to 

 captivity, and seems to take pleasure in being noticed and admired, 

 remaining very quiet to be looked at — keeping a bright eye upon the 

 spectator, however, during the time. Although, when first seen, it 

 has an uncouth appearance, from the large size of the mandibles in 

 proportion to the body, yet on a closer acquaintance its maimer 

 wins upon you, and a feeling of attachment arises towards it from 

 its placid, tame, domesticated manner, elegance of form, graceful 



