58 
others inhabit New Guinea and the neighbouring islands ; but as yet 
we have no evidence of the form occurring on the continent of India. 
266. Spheeotheres Australis, Swains Vol. IV. PI. 15. 
T urdus maxillaris , Lath.? 
Nothing whatever is known of the nidification of this bird ; in all 
probability it will prove to be very similar to that of the Orioles. 
Family ? 
Genus Corcorax. 
A genus containing only one species which possesses many singu- 
lar habits, both as regards its progression over the ground and its 
nidification. So far as is yet known, it is confined to Australia. 
267. Corcorax leucopterus Vol. IV. PL 16. 
Family ? 
Genus Struthidea. 
Generic characters. 
Bill shorter than the head, robust, swollen, arched above, deeper 
than broad ; gonys angular ; nostrils basal, lateral, round and open ; 
wings moderate, round, first primary short, the fourth and fifth the 
longest ; secondaries long and broad ; tarsi seutellated in front, 
plain behind ; toes long and strong, the outer one longer than the 
inner one ; claws strong, compressed and much curved. 
The only known species of this form is confined to the interior of 
the southern and eastern parts of Australia, where it inhabits stony 
ridges, and is mostly observed on the Callitris. 
2 68. Struthidea cinerea, Gould Vol. IV. PI. 17. 
In my account of this species, I have stated that its actions are 
very similar to those of the Corcorax leucopterus , and the following 
extract from Mr. Gilbert’s Journal of his overland journey to Port 
Essington, shows that the two birds assimilate still more closely in 
their nidification. 
“ Oct. 19. — Strolled about in search of novelties, and was amply 
repaid by finding the eggs of Struthidea cinerea. I disturbed the 
bird several times from a rosewood-tree growing in a small patch of 
scrub, and felt assured it had a nest, but could only find one, which 
I considered to be that of a Grallina ; determined, if possible, to 
solve the difficulty, I lay down at a short distance within full view of 
the tree, and was not a little surprised at seeing the bird take posses- 
sion of, as I believed, the Grallina s nest ; I immediately climbed the 
tree and found four eggs, the medium length of which was one inch 
and a quarter by seven-eighths of an inch in breadth ; their colour 
was white, with blotches, principally at the larger end, of reddish 
brown, purplish gray and greenish gray ; some of the blotches ap- 
pearing as if they had been laid on with a soft brush. From the 
appearance of the nest I should say it was an old one of Grallina , 
particularly as it contained a much greater quantity of grass for a 
