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J. Cassidy—Australian Bird-Beauties



tadornoides), the finest species of the genus, which has also the

great virtue of being much less spiteful and pugnacious than its

relatives. Unfortunately, this fine Duck does not seem inclined to

nest in Europe, and it has not yet been bred in captivity in our part

of the world nor in America.



AUSTRALIAN BIRD-BEAUTIES


By James Cassidy


All Australian birds fall for study into five various species. In

each species we find distinct beauties in the several individuals con¬

stituting each class.


For the sake of convenience we will just run over the names of

the separate genera and the type of birds we may expect to find



distinguishing each :—


(1) The Raptores



Birds of prey.



(2) Insessores



. Perching birds.



^ f Rasores

[ Gallinace^e



. Pigeons.



. Quails, Partridges, etc.



(4) Grallatores .



. Plovers, Sandpipers, Ibises, Herons, etc.



(5) Natores .



All water birds.



We shall here give one or two members of each genus some con¬

sideration keeping in mind our title.


A fine example of the Raptores species is the Wedge-tailed Eagle

(Aquila audax). It is of the Falconidse family and is found all over

the southern portion of Australia. It also flourishes in Tasmania

and the larger islands of Bass’s Straits. John Gould considers this bird

and the Golden Eagle “ beautiful analogues of each other ”. In its



