the salt lagoons of Lake
Torrens.

117. SCHOENICLUS AUSTRALIS.--Australian Sand-piper.

A bird very much resembling the British Dunlin. General plumage, grey
with a white breast. A quick runner, and fond of low damp situations as
well as open plains. Common on the banks of all rivers and lagoons.

118. SCOLOPAX AUSTRALIS, LATH.--Snipe.

Considerably larger than the Snipe of England. Common in South Australia
but very scarce in the interior. In the valley of the Mypunga there are
great numbers of snipe which build there, but it is only in such
localities, where the ground is constantly soft that they are to be
found. Their flesh is delicate and their flavour good.

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