The Anf?TRArJAN Wir.D Duck {anas superciliosa)^ and also tlie Teai 
{a, punctata) are universally distributed over the whole of tlic conti¬ 
nent, either inland or along the sea shores. They are Iwth considered 
excellent eating, and are consequently much sought after by sports¬ 
men. They are now protected in all the colonies during the 
brooding season ; a wise precaution, for the keenness with which they 
were sought after wa.s fust leading to a diminution of their numbei-s. 
There are seveml other species of ducks, some of which are 
individually of excessive numbei*s. Two or three species of the Wild 
Goose are to be found in Queensland, and they also are Imnted for the 
table. Tndiridually they are not nearly so numerous as the ducks, 
but they ai*o gregarious, and at certain seasons flocks of great numbers 
are seen. 
The Black Swax {chenopis atrata) is peculiarly an Austmlian bird. 
One time the rara avis of the world, it is hero common to bay and 
marsh. The black plumage and musical voice attnict attention from 
afar, and the settler is sui’o, sooner or later, to have the pleasure of 
seeing it. Eiusily tamed ; these birds ai'C to be seen on the orna¬ 
mental waters of our public parks and gardens. They are considered 
game, hut require the skill of a good cook to make them truly 
enjoyable. 
Another large bird, which will be seen frequenting the same feeding 
ground.s as the Swan, is tlie Pelican {pellicanus conspicillatus,) This 
i.s a truly noble bird, fully equal to the European species in size, and is 
sliot for the sake of the skin, which, when properly cured, 
makes excellent muffs and tippets. These bii-ds are found in large 
flocks upon the sea-side, bays, and creeks, and in companies of from a 
dozen to twenty upon the far interior water liolcs oi the river-beds. 
In these latter places they ai'e exceedingly destructive to fish, and they 
also prey largely upon tlie mus.sels and crayfisli. 
Along the sea shores, and over the bays, inlets, seas and oceans that 
surround Austi*alia are to be found many species of Gulls, Terns, 
Gannels, Petrels, Albatrosses, and Erigate-bii'ds. These I cannot 
attempt in tliis essay even to name. 
Enougli lias been written to show the immigiu-nt what a vast field 
there is before him if his inclinations lead towards the study of orni- 
thology. lie will notice that the old world forms are represented in 
this soutliem and most ancient of the earth’s countries by species 
analagous, but seldom identical. The student of development will 
have a fresh and extensive field for following out the why and the 
wherefore of the anomalous forms, the peculiar habits, the remarkable 
nidification, and the extreme beauty and variations of the species 
^and gcnciu,. lie will, indeed, as mentioned in the introductoiy 
chapter of this e.ssay, have before him a book of nature always opening 
upon a new page. 
THE REPTILES. 
The reptiles peculiar to Australia are numerous and some of them 
dangerous to life. The object of ibis paper is just to mention such 
as arc thus dangerous so that they can be avoided by the immigrant. 
