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AVES.

THIS COLLECTION HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO THE LINNEAN SOCIETY, IN WHOSE CABINETS THEY ARE NUMBERED ACCORDING TO THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY ARE HERE INSERTED.

1.  Halcyon sacra.  Swainson.  Alcedo sacra, Ind.  Orn. 1 250.  Sacred Kingfisher, Latham, 4 25.

This bird was taken at sea, in the neighbourhood of Cambridge Gulf, on the North-west Coast, having probably been blown off by a strong land wind.

2.  Barita tibicen.  Cuvier.  Coracias tibicen, Ind.  Orn. sup. 27.  Piping roller, Latham, 3 86.

3.  Barita varia.  Cuvier.  Coracias varia, Ind.  Orn. 1 173.  Pied roller, Latham, 3 86.

This appears to be a young specimen.

4.  Centropus phasianus.  Illiger. 
Cuculus phasianus, Ind.  Orn.  Sup. 30. 
Polophilus phasianus, Leach, Zool.  Misc. plate 46. 
Pheasant Cuckoo, Latham, 3 240.

This bird is found upon all parts of the coast of New South Wales north of Port Jackson, as well as upon the eastern part of the North-west Coast.  Its habitat in Australia is known to extend as wide as twenty-four degrees of latitude, and twenty-six degrees of longitude.  This specimen was taken at Endeavour River, on the East Coast.  There is also another specimen of this bird in the Linnean Society’s collection, that was taken in the neighbourhood of Port Jackson.

5.  Meliphaga corniculata.  Lewin. 
Merops corniculata, Ind.  Orn. 1 276. 
Knob-fronted Honey-eater, Latham, 4 161.

This bird is found upon the whole extent of the Eastern Coast.

The next bird in the collection has been arranged by Dr. Latham in the Linnean genus Gracula, but appears to me to agree in no respect with that genus, as originally characterized by Linnaeus, much less with it as it has been modified by modern ornithologists.  Whether we consider, according to M. Cuvier,* that the type of Gracula is the Paradisea tristis, Linn., or, according to M. Temminck, that it is the Gracula religiosa, Linn.,** in which latter opinion I feel rather disposed to acquiesce, my bird agrees with the group in none of its essential characters.  In fact, the Linnean genus Oriolus is that to which it bears the closest resemblance in its general appearance; particularly by a similar disposition of its colours, and in the structure of its bill, wings, and legs.  I would at once refer it to that genus, but that I have some reason to think that it belongs to the meliphagous birds, which are so abundant in New Holland, and which have been observed to assume the appearance of almost every group in the Insessores.  Indeed, some birds of that country, which have been decided to be meliphagous, such as the Meliphaga cyanops, Lewin,*** [Graculine Honey-eater, Lath.  Syn. 4 166. sp.  Ed. 2da.] and others allied to it, and which differ little from the bird before us, have so many external relations with the Orioles, that they probably would be found to arrange themselves in the same family with them,