978 OCEANICA, OR OCEANIA. 



equifius) is common to the Malaysian archipelago and the conlinent of Asia, and there are 



several other deer peculiar to the 

 islands. 



The Duck-billed Platypus (Pla- 

 typus anatinus) is one of those ano- 

 malous productions for which New 

 Holland is so remarkable. With the 

 bill and webbed feel of the duck, it 

 combines the usual characteristics of 

 a quadruped, and thus forms the con- 

 necting link between the two great 

 classes of birds and quadrupeds. It 

 is covered with fur, and is about 16 

 or 18 inches long, inhabiting wet, 

 muddy spots. 



The birds of Malaysia exhibit 

 some of the most superb specimens 

 of this beautiful class ; while New 

 Holland here, as in other depart- 

 ments, furnishes several novel forms. 

 The Wedge-tailed Eagle (Falco fus- 

 cosus) is peculiar to New Holland, 

 and preys on emeus, kangaroos, and 

 other large animals. The Lyre Bird 

 [JWenura superba) is also found in 

 New Holland, and is not more dis- 

 tinguished for its fine voice, than for 

 its graceful plumage. The manners of 

 thfe rare and beautiful bird are little known ; it occasionally perches on trees, but is for the most 

 part found on the ground ; it begins to sing early in the morning, elevating its tail, scratching up 



Wedge-tailed Eagle. Lyre Bird, 



the ground, like some of the pheasants, and occasionally imitating other birds, although it has a fine 

 natural note of its own. The birds of paradise, "birds of gold and every colored gem," are 

 natives of New Guinea and the adjacent islands, where several species of exquisite beauty are 

 found. Among them is the Greater Bird of Paradise ( Paradiaea major)., vvliich is about the 



Duck-billed Platypus. 



