THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
The nasal and rictal bristles are numerous and very long, exceeding the bill in 
length. The fourth and fifth primaries are equal and longest, the third and 
sixth appreciably shorter, the latter exceeding the former ; the second is less 
than the ninth and is equalled by the secondaries. The first primary is short, 
about half the length of the second and not much more than one-third the length 
of the longest primary. The tail is very long and fan-shaped, composed of 
twelve broad feathers, the shortest about equal to the length of the wing. 
The feet are small and delicate ; the tarsus is obscurely scutellated 
anteriorly. The middle toe is longest, the inner one a little less than the outer, 
the claws weak ; the hind-toe is strong and claw comparatively stronger, so 
that the hind-toe and claw appear about equal to the front toes. 
The distribution of the four Rhipiduroid genera in Australia needs a remark. 
Rhipidura is generally distributed even into Tasmania, and extra-limital into 
New Zealand, New Caledonia, etc. Howeavis is a northern form, which reaches 
on the east as far south as Victoria, but does not go to Tasmania; while on the 
west it just penetrates into the north-west. It is more common to the north. 
Setosura is another northern form which does not pass below the tropics, either 
east or west, and is well distributed outside Australia to the direct north. 
Leucocirca is also northern, and has ranged over the whole of Australia, but 
again not reaching into Tasmania. As regards coloration, while the three former 
may be closely related, the last named seems quite different in detail. As these 
little birds now take on the adult coloration in the nest, we are dependent upon 
the subspecific plumage changes for information, and at the present time we 
cannot speculate much as we cannot gauge whether the colour changes are 
primitive or due to loss. 
