Part 26

F. 38. Cursoriidae, Coursers, 15 sp.--3(2)O., 1(0)P., 13(12)E.

F. 39. GLAREOLIDAE (2), PRATINCOLES, Swallow-Plovers, 10 sp.--2(0)A., 4(1)O., 3(0)P., 7(5)E.

1 1

=108 Australian Pratincole=, Swallow-Plover, Stiltia isabella, Borneo, Java to A., N.Z. =vt. Eur. Pratincole.

Mig. v.r. (interior) rivers, marshes 9.5

Upper, wings, breast light-rufous, throat whitish; abdomen chestnut; base tail above, below white; centre tail black, rest white; bill red, tipped black, swallow-like flight; f., sim. Insects.

F. 40. Dromadidae, Crab-Plover, 1 sp.--1(0)O., 1(0)E.

F. 41. OEDICNEMIDAE (2), STONE-CURLEWS, Stone-Plovers, Thick-Knees, 13 sp.--2(1)A., 3(1)O., 1(0)P., 7(6)E., 3(3) Nl.

1 1

=109* Southern Stone-Curlew= (-Plover) Willaroo, Scrub Curlew, Burhinus grallarius, A., T. (acc.).

Stat. c. sandy plains, timber 20.5

Crown, upper dark-gray, marked black; round eye white; throat buff; chest, abdomen whitish, streaked blackish; white patch on wing; legs long; bill short, black; f., sim. Insects, berries. "Wee-lo."

F. 42. OTIDIDAE (1), BUSTARDS, 33 sp.--1(1)A., 7(2)O., 7(2)P., 23(21)E

1 5

=110 Australian Bustard=, Wild Turkey (e), Eupodotis australis, A. [~110 Choriotis australis.]

Mig. r. plains 48

Crown black; face, neck grayish-white; upper, wings brown; wings spotted black-white; black band on chest; abdomen white; f., smaller. Seeds, grass, lizards, insects.

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Australia, fortunately, has one representative of Order XI.--Cranes. This is the Native Companion, the only true Crane found in Australia. These are interesting birds, with their "quadrille parties," "corroborees," and dances. They live chiefly on vermin--insects, lizards, &c. The great Gould said: "Its presence adds greatly to the interest of the scenery." Would that more Australians thought so!

Cranes are amongst the best of flyers. They are said to fly sometimes at a height of from three and a half to five miles, and have been seen to cross lofty mountains in Central Asia without increasing their altitude. Perhaps because of its inappropriate name--Native Companion--some have proposed to regard this bird as the typical Australian bird, but it is not so. In fact, it is our one representative of an almost world-wide group.

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ORDER XI.--GRUIFORMES.

F. 43. GRUIDAE (1), CRANES, 19 sp.--1(1)A., 8(2)O., 9(1)P., 7(5)E., 3(0)Nc., 2(0)Nl.

1 3

=111 Australian Crane=, Native Companion, Brolga, Antigone australasiana, A. [~111 Mathewsia rubicunda.]

Nom. r. plains 42

Deep silvery-gray; wing-quills black; naked red patch about face, throat; legs, feet black; f., smaller. Insects, lizards, bulbous roots, seeds.

F. 44. Aramidae, Courlans, Limpkin, 2 sp.--1(0)Nc., 2(1)Nl.