109 
551. Malacorhynchus membranaceus . . . Vol. VII. PI. 13. 
Genus Dendrocygna. 
This form is found in India, Africa, America and Australia ; the 
bird I have separated into a distinct genus, under the appellation of 
Leptotarsis, should be included in this genus, the difference which 
it presents being too slight to warrant their separation. 
552. Dendrocygna arcuata Vol. VII. PI. 14. 
553. Dendrocygna Eytoni. 
Leptotarsis Eytoni, Gould Vol. VII. PI. 15. 
“ Many of the reaches,” says Captain Stokes, when speaking of 
the river Adelaide of the north-western part of Australia, “ swarmed 
with wild fowl, consisting almost wholly of ducks, which, from a 
habit of perching on the trees, have received the name of Wood 
Ducks. Their singularly long legs, with the web very much arched 
near the toes, gives great pliability to the foot and a power of grasp- 
ing, which enables them to perch on trees. When on the wing they 
make a peculiar pleasing, whistling sound, that can be heard at 
a great distance, and which changes as they alight into a sort of 
chatter. Their perching on trees is performed in a very clumsy man- 
ner, swinging and pitching to and fro. We subsequently often found 
them on the rivers of the north coast, but not within some miles of 
their mouths or near their upper waters, from which it would appear 
that they inhabit certain reaches of the rivers only ; we never found 
them in swamps. The farthest south they were met with was on the 
Albert River, in the Gulf of Carpentaria, in lat. 18° S., which gives 
them a range of six and a half degrees of latitude over the northern 
part of the continent. These ducks are the Leptotarsis Eytoni of 
Mr. Gould.” 
Genus Nyroca. 
Two species at least of this genus are known, one inhabiting Eu- 
rope and India and the other Australia : both have the irides white. 
554. Nyroca Australis, Gould Vol. VII. PI. 16. 
Genus Erismatura. 
The members of this genus, although but few in number, are found 
in Europe, Asia, Africa, America and Australia. 
555. Erismatura Australis Vol. VII. PI. 17. 
This species, the only one of the genus inhabiting Australia, is, I 
believe, strictly confined to the western parts of the country, as 
hitherto it has not been seen elsewhere. 
Genus Riziura. 
A genus of which only a single species is known to exist, and which 
is singularly different from every other member of the family. It is 
