INTRODUCTION. 
Ixxxi 
Genus Apteryx, Shaw. 
New Zealand is the only country wherein the members of this genus now exist ; but they doubtless formerly 
ranged over that continent of which the greater part is submerged beneath the surface of the ocean, and of which a 
few isolated spots — New Zealand, Norfolk and Phillip Islands among others — alone remain. 
458. Apteryx Australis, Shaw . . . Vol. VI. PI. 2. 
459. Apteryx Owenii, G^oM^t? . . . Vol. VI. PI. 3. 
Genus Otis, Linn. 
A country better adapted than Australia for the members of this genus can scarcely be imagined, yet singularly 
enough only one species has yet been found there. Africa may be considered the cradle of the race, for it is on 
that continent that they are most numerous; Europe and India are also inhabited by various species. The Otis 
nigriceps of the plains of Upper India, and the O. Australis are beautiful representatives of each other in the 
respective countries they inhabit. 
460. Otis Australis, Gray. 
Otis Australis, Gray in Griff. An. King., vol. iii. p. 305. 
Otis Australasianus, Gould . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. VI. PI. 4. 
The range of this bird over the country is probably universal ; both Dr. Leichardt and Mr. Gilbert observed it 
within the tropical portion of Australia, and Captain Sturt found it in the desert interior. 
Family CHARADRIADvE, Leac/i. 
Genus CEdicnemus, Temm. 
The (Edicnemi occur in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, in which latter country one if not two species 
exist that are not found elsewhere. 
461. ffidicnemus grallarius ............. Vol. VI. PI. 5. 
The birds of this form inhabiting the northern coast have longer legs and shorter wings, and I have no doubt 
are distinct ; but I have not seen a sufficient number of specimens to enable me to affirm that such is actually the 
case. 
Genus Esacus, Less. 
The genera CEdicnemus and Esacus are merely modifications of the same form ; the variation in that of the bill 
being expressly adapted for procuring the kinds of food upon which the species respectively subsist ; the Q^Jdi- 
cnemus frequenting the stony deserts of the interior of the country feeds upon insects of various kinds, and the 
tender shoots of herbage ; while the Esacus, resorting to the salt-marshes and the shores of the sea, lives upon 
crabs, moUusks and other marine animals. 
462. Esacus magnirostris .............. Vol. VI. PI. 6. 
So far as our knowledge extends, the present bird is confined to the shores of the northern and north-western 
parts of Australia. It is beautifully represented in India by the E. recurvirostris, and these two species are all that 
are known to ornithologists. 
