THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
habits of the species, confuses. Thus, if specimens are selected from different 
locahties they are commonly quite different in shade, and look like distinct 
subspecies, but series at present do not uphold the differences. I do not say 
that later subspecies may not be easily characterised, but at the present time 
I cannot diagnose such. Ashby (p. 73) considered Northern Territory birds 
smaller. 
However, the Australian birds are paler throughout than typical orientalise 
and as the subspecific name pacificus is the oldest one, after the typical 
subspecific, our present nomination is quite accurate. Its range outside 
Australia I have not determined ; New Guinea birds are commonly 
allotted to our form, which is also recorded generally in Moluccan catalogues. 
Specimens I have seen, however, differ appreciably, so that I am unable 
to state exactly that these are referable to our subspecies, though from the 
geography of these places our migratory birds should reach there. At 
present we have no idea of the migration routes of Australian birds. 
Since this was in print Dr. MacgiUivray has told me that the birds from 
Lloyd’s Bay migrate direct north in a distinct line, not passing through Cape 
York. This fact necessitates revision of all the commonly accepted ideas 
concerning Australian migratory birds. 
78 
