THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
examined are absolutely larger in the wing than the largest New South Wales 
specimen. This may be maintained as a subspecies 
Podargus strigoides victoria} Mathews. Victoria. 
It must be remembered that the Mallee of Victoria harbours a distinctly 
smaller bird, as Tidll be noted below. In coloration Tasmanian birds are 
noticeably darker above and below, with the throat peculiarly more grey. As 
the size is smaller this is a valid subspecies : the males average 270 mm. in the 
wing, females little less, and the largest wing is 279 mm. Vigors and Horsfield 
give detailed differences in the coloration which are approximately correct, and 
the name to be used is 
Podargus strigoides cuvieri Vigors and Horsfield. Tasmania. 
The preceding three subspecies grade easily and are little differentiated, 
so that it was surprising when the Victorian ornithologists pointed out that the 
Podargus of the Mallee of Victoria and South Australia adjoining was a distinct 
and much smaller bird. Of this fact there can be no denial, as the largest 
specimen, the type of rossi, only measures (a male) 256 mm. in the wing and 
the average of the males is 254, the wing measurement being peculiarly 
constant : the females so far procured are noticeably less, only averaging 
241 mm. in the wing, while as regards coloration the specimens are darker 
than P. s. victoricB. Hence as a very marked subspecies leading to another 
group we have 
Podargus strigoides rossi Mathews. Mallee of Victoria and South 
Australia. 
Captain White’s expeditions to the Gawler Ranges, Eyre Peninsula and 
Central Australia, have fm’nished a series which must receive a subspecific 
name as they are noticeably lighter than the preceding birds and are, more- 
over, slightly smaller. The largest male measures 248 mm. in the wing, and 
the average wing measurement of males is 243 mm., of females 240 mm. I 
therefore name the Central Australian form 
Podargus strigoides centralia nov. subsp. 
The type is a female from Apperinna Bore, Central Australia, collected on 
August 8th, 1913, by Captain Samuel A. White. 
Gould named the West Australian bird as a distinct species on account of 
its smaller wing measurement, and this is a constant feature, though of only 
subspecific value. The measurements agree very closely with those of the 
MaUee form, the averages being exactly the same, but they are characteristically 
lighter in coloration and the females show a rufescent tinge as a constant 
feature. 
The name for this form will be 
Podargus strigoides hrachypterus Gould. South-west Australia. 
34 
