This small bird, although a night bird, is very frequently seen in the day time, sleeping on the branch of a Casuarina, to which they appear to be partial.  It is very common in the brushes of the Murray belt, and when disturbed has an awkward flight, as if it knew not where to go.  Its plumage is very downy and soft, and it weighs exceedingly light.

16.  Podargus HUMERALIS, Vig.  And HORSF.—­Tawny-shouldered Podargus.

This singular bird is an inhabitant of the distant interior, and was seen on several occasions, but invariably near hills.  The appearance of this uncouth bird is very absurd, with his enormous mouth that literally reaches from ear to ear, and his eyes half shut.  Mr. Browne surprised five of these birds on a stone, on the summit of Mount Arrowsmith, about half a degree to the southward of the Depot.  They were all sitting with their heads together, and all flew in different directions when roused.

17.  EUROSTOPODUS GUTTATUS.—­Spotted Goat-sucker.

This rapid-winged night bird is widely distributed over South-eastern Australia, if not over every part of the Continent.  I have often watched the motions of this light and airy bird round a pond of water close to which I have been lying, with the full bright moon above me, and been amazed at its rapid evolutions; and admired the wisdom of that Providence which had so adapted this little animal for the part it was to act on the great stage of the universe.  So light, that it had no difficulty in maintaining a prolonged flight, with its noiseless wing, making its sweeps to greater or lesser distances, and seeming never to require rest.  The habit of this Goat-sucker is to lie under any tree or brush during the day, from which it issues in great alarm on being roused.

18.  CHELIDON Ariel, Gould.

The brown-headed Swallow, a common bird in the interior during the summer.  Gregarious, and building clay nests, like bottles stuck against a tree, in rows one above the other.  Instinct guides these little birds to select a tree that slopes and is concave, in which the nests will be protected from rain or storms.  A white-headed swallow was also frequently seen, but it was always under circumstances that prevented our procuring a specimen.

19.  MEROPS ORNATUS, lath.—­Australian Bee-eater.

This beautiful little bird, with its varied plumage, is migratory, and visits the southern parts of the continent during summer, when its locality is near any river, or chain of ponds, although it is also found in other places.  I first shot this pretty bird on the banks of the Macquarie in 1828, where it was in considerable numbers.  It visits Adelaide, and we saw it in the interior almost to our extreme north.

20.  Halcyon Sanctus, Vig.  And HORSF.—­Sacred Halcyon.

This ill-proportioned bird in shape and general appearance is like the Kingfisher.  Instead however of living on fish, he contents himself with lizards, beetles, grasshoppers, etc., and amongst these he makes a great havoc.  The range of this bird did not extend beyond the lat. of the Depot.