MALURINiE. 
ClNCLORHAMPHUS Gould.* 
Bill shorter than the head, rather slender, and straight, with the culmen slightly curved, and the side 8 
compressed to the tip, which is slightly emarginated ; the gonys moderate and ascending ; the g a P 
furnished with a few very short bristles ; the nostrils basal, and pierced in a membranous groove, 
the opening oval and exposed. Wings moderate, with the first quill nearly as long as the second aJ1 
third, which are equal and longest. Tail lengthened and more or less graduated, with the ends ot 
feathers rather acute. Tarsi longer than the middle toe, strong, and broadly scaled in front. ^ oC 
lengthened, with the lateral toe equal, and the outer slightly united at its base ; the hind toe long; 
armed with a strong curved claw. 
and 
^ 0 # 
These species are inhabitants of Australia, over which continent they are spread at certain seasons of the y ear ’ 
quenting the open downs, grassy flats, and cultivated enclosures, and are usually observed on the ground, where they 
with great dexterity, with their tails generally erect over their backs ; if alarmed they will fly to the nearest dead 
of a tree, and run along it with great quickness, uttering at the same time a low song. Their flight is short ; but at 1 ^ 
they rise with a tremulous motion of the wings perpendicularly into the air, and then progress horizontally without < ^ 
apparent movement of the wings for a short distance, uttering a loud hut not unpleasant note. The female ( ffil 
much smaller than the male) forms her nest on the ground, of dried grasses, carelessly woven together. The e So s 
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. 
terura Hodgs. (1845). 
-TyP e 
of# 6 ' 
Megalurus Horsf.\ 
the 
j to 
Bill moderate, rather slender, and straight, with the culmen curved, and the sides compi‘ esse ^pt 
tip, which is emarginated ; the gonys moderate and slightly ascending ; the gape furnished i 
weak bristles ; the nostrils basal, and pierced in a broad groove, with the opening oval and eX P i 
Wings moderate ; with the first quill rather short ; the second little shorter than the third, l° u ' \^ Q 
fifth, which are equal and longest. Tail much elongated, and graduated. Tarsi longer than the 1 
toe, rather strong, and covered in front with broad scales. Toes lengthened, with the inner 
as long as the outer, which is slightly united at its base ; the claws compressed and acute. 
t be of ® 11 
The species that compose this genus are found in the Indian archipelago and Australia. They [ n th 6 
grassy plains with scattered trees, and are usually noticed on the ground; but the male rises to a g reat ^ th0 
air, and then descends to the tops of the tall trees, commencing flying from one tree to another, and utterl “® hairS . ^ 
time his loud garrulous notes. r 
eggs are usually four in number. 
time his loud garrulous notes. The nest is formed on the ground, of dried grasses, lined with fine grass a: 
* Established by Mr. Gould in 1837 {Proc. Zool. Soc. 1837, p. 150.). 
•j- Established by Dr. Horsfield in 1820 {Linn. Trans, xiii. p. 158.). 
It probably embraces Heterura of Mr. Hodgson 
( 1845 > 
8 p 
