28.  Grallina australis.—­Pied Grallina.

This harmless bird, somewhat larger than a field-fare, is found near water, where the banks are muddy.  It is common on all the river flats, and lives on insects.  Its pied plumage is very pretty, but its note is a melancholy one.  Very few were seen to the westward of the Barrier Range, and those always close to lagoons.

29.  Graucalus MELANOPS.—­Black-faced Graucalus.

The colour of the plumage of this bird is that of slate, and it has a black throat.  Its range is very extensive, but we did not see it in the distant north-west interior.

30.  PTEROPODOCYS PHASIANELLA, Gould.—­Ground Grauculus.

There were not more than six or seven of this bird seen during the progress of the Expedition, and that only at the Depot.  They were exceedingly wild and wary, keeping in the centre of open plains and feeding on locusts and grasshoppers.  They always kept together, and flew straight from and to the trees on the banks of the creek.  This bird is long in shape, and has a peculiar rise over the rump.  It is elegantly formed.  The head and back are slate-coloured; the rump white, with scollops, as also is the breast; the wings and tail being black and long.  It was with great difficulty that we procured any specimen of this bird from its shyness.  It apparently came from the N.E. and departed in the same direction when winter approached.

31.  Campephaga HUMERALIS, Gould.—­White-shouldered Campephaga.

An insectivorous bird, frequenting the brushes of the interior, and of wide range; visiting the southern districts in summer, but evidently being a bird of a warm climate.  A species very similar to the present inhabited Norfolk Island.

32.  PACHYCEPHALUS GUTTURALIS.—­Guttural Pachycephala.

The strong bill of this bird indicates its character as living on insects.  It is common, and has been so often described as to require no notice here.

33.  PACHYCEPHALUS pectoralis, Vig.  And HORSF.—­Banded Thick-head.

Similar in habits to the last; and is abundant in all parts of South America.

34.  Colluricincla harmonica.—­Harmonious Colluricincla.

A bird of dull plumage, with the habits of a thrush, keeping in the bushes or young sapling gum-trees, near water, and living on insects of various kinds.  Its note is sweet, and amongst Australian birds it may be considered a good songster.  Its range is extensive.  It was numerous on Cooper’s Creek, in lat. 27 1/2 degrees and long. 142 degrees.

35.  OREOICA GUTTURALIS.—­Crested piping Thrush.

I found this bird common on the plains eastward of the Darling, and also in the western interior.  It visits the south-eastern parts of the continent, and is common in South Australia; frequenting open forests, and betraying its presence by its monotonous notes.  It is a strong built bird, with a dull plumage, but its crest adds much to its beauty, and it has a deep yellow iris.