THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
The West Australian specimens differ from typical C. p. plagosus in almost 
exactly the opposite manner, being duller above, much less bronze, and less 
barring underneath. I differentiate these as Chrysococcyx plagosus carteri. . . . 
The migratory movements of the species from the east coast seem to be short, 
as I have them from most months in the year.” 
It is suggested that this species is more or less sedentary, as it is not 
commonly reported from localities outside Australia, nor does it occur in North- 
west Australia. Macgilhvray, however, records it from Cape York {Emu, Vol. 
XIII., p. 163, 1914), writing : “ In April, 1911, Mr. McLennan obtained two skins 
of this bird on the Jardine River, Cape York. The birds were not numerous, 
and those obtained were both females. Irides greyish-brown, eyelids pale green, 
bill black, legs dark or blackish-green. Stomach contents, caterpillars.” I 
have also specimens procured by Kemp at Cape York, and they are also females. 
If these were migrating to New Guinea they must only cross the Straits, as the 
species has not been recorded by the recent Dutch and British Expeditions 
which procured Bronze Cuckoos, but of peculiar species, not such as could be 
mistaken for this one. Neither are the birds recorded in the British Museum 
Catalogue from the Solomons, etc., truly referable to this species as restricted. 
I have again criticised New Guinea specimens, but conclude that no sub- 
specific relationship between these and the Australian forms can be accepted. 
The distribution of Bronze Cuckoos in Australia is somewhat peculiar, and 
tends to confirm the generic distinction of the Narrow-billed Bronze Cuckoo as 
it occurs aU over Australia alongside the Bronze Cuckoos which are referable 
to one genus but which appear to be different species. Thus at Cape York, 
plagosus has been rarely met with but russatus is common and basalis may also 
occur. From the north-west basalis is recorded, and there minutillus is present ; 
from the south (east and west) plagosus and basalis are both known. From 
Melville Island minutillus is received and rarely basalis. From Normanton 
basalis and russatus^ the former predominating. The movements of these 
forms are as yet unknown. 
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