THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
striking the wing. This bird had berries of Gassytha in its stomach. The 
native name of the male is Cowhat, of the female BelUnging,’’^ 
They then added Eudynamys flindersii from Latham’s MSS. for an 
immature specimen, and this name was utilised by Gould when it was discovered 
that the Austrahan form differed from the East Indian true E. orientalis Linne. 
In 1843 when Gray examined the Watling drawings he recognised a painting 
of the female of this which was the basis of Cuculus cyanocephalus Latham. 
Peculiarly enough in his “ Handbook ” Gould recognised the identity, but 
retained the name Eudynamis flindersi, apparently from forgetfuhiess, as he 
wrote : “It will be seen by the list of synonyms quoted above that the young 
and the adult have been considered as distinct species, and that the specific 
name Flindersi, which I have retained from its priority, has been applied to 
the bird in one of the earliest stages of its existence after leaving the nest, when 
the prevailing tints of its plumage are rufous-brown, with transverse markings 
of dark brown ; from this state until the bird attains maturity, many parti- 
coloured changes of plumage occur ; but whether the sexes when fuUy adult are 
alike in colouring, I have not been able to ascertain ; I am inclined to think 
they are not, and that the specimens having the upper-surface regularly spotted 
with white on a bronzed olive ground and with zigzag marks or bars on the 
buffy -white of the under-surface, are adult females. 
“ This bird is very abundant in all the brushes of the east coast, from 
the River Hunter to Moreton Bay, and thence round to Torres Straits ; it was 
also found in considerable abundance by Sir George Grey on the north-west 
coast. I did not meet with it myself, and I regret to say that no information 
has yet been obtained respecting its habits and manners. I should be glad 
to know if it be parasitic or not, and also the size and colour of its egg.” 
The note attached to the Wathng drawing reads : “ Tliis is the only bird 
hitherto found in the country of New South Wales. Another of a similar form 
and magnitude, but of a glossy black colour, was taken at the same time, but 
whether of a different genus or the male and female of this species Mr. White 
was not able to determine. In make and character it resembles the 
Anomalous HombiU ; the colour is more brown.” 
This note is of interest as showing that Mr. Wliite was in touch with 
Watling, but whether he supervised him or not is not yet known. It is also 
curious to note the reference to the “ Anomalous Hornbill,” because that 
bird is now closely associated with this, though Latham, the systematic 
ornithologist of the period, did not so consider it. 
Mr. Thos. P. Austin’s notes read : “ Although I have never seen or heard of 
the Koel being seen anywhere near this district (Cobbora, New South Wales), 
I have met with them along the coast of New South Wales, near Port Stephens, 
372 
