119.  RHYNCHAEA australis, Gould.—­Painted Snipe.

This beautiful bird was also very scarce in the interior, having been seen only on one occasion.  It is not a common bird indeed any where.  Some three or four couple visit my residence at Grange yearly, and remain in the high reeds at the bottom of the creek.  As they are with us during the summer they doubtless build, but we never found one of their nests.  They lay basking in the shade of a tree on the sand hills during the day, and separate when alarmed.  It is full as large as Scolopax Australis, but its plumage is black-banded on the back with a general shade of green.  Its head is black and brown.  It has a black horse-shoe on the breast, the belly being white, and the quill feathers are grey with a small brown spot on each.

120.  Grus AUSTRALASIANUS.—­Crane, or Native Companion.

This large sized Crane is common near the waters of the interior, but he is a wary bird, and seldom lets the fowler within shot.  When seen in companies they often stand in a row, as they fly in a line like wild fowl.  Their general plumage is slate colour, but they have a red ceres or skin on the head.  One of these birds was tame in the Government domain at Paramatta in 1829, and a goose used daily to visit it and remain with it for many hours.  I have frequently seen them together, and the goose has allowed me to approach quite close before he flew.  At last I suppose the poor bird was shot, as he suddenly ceased to visit his friend, and the Native Companion died some little time afterwards.

121.  Herodias SERMATOPHORUS, Gould.—­White Heron.

This beautiful Heron is common all over the inhabited parts of the Australian Continent, and is seen at a great distance in consequence of its snow-white plumage.  It was not however seen in the interior, although it was frequently seen on the line both of the Darling and the Murray.

122.  NYCTICORAX CALEDONICUS.—­Nankeen Bird.

A Night Heron with a nankeen-coloured back and wings, and white breast, with a black crown to the head from which three long fine white feathers project.  It is altogether a bird frequenting water, building in trees as the Heron does.  It is about the size of a well grown young fowl, but is not good eating.

123.  BOTAURUS australis.—­The Bittern.

Is well known with its dark brown mottled plumage and hoarse croaking note.  These birds are very numerous in the reedy flats of the Murray, whence they call to one another like bull frogs.  It is a higher bird than the above, with a ruff down the neck, which behind is naked.  He has a fine bright eye, and darts with his bill with astonishing rapidity and force.

124.  BOTAURUS flavicollis.—­Spotted Bittern.