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Show 340 MR. E. P. RAMSAY ON THE BIRDS OF [Apr. 17, 221. CARPHIBIS SPINICOLLIS. Carphibis spinicollis, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 282. Met with once only, during the wet season, on the Lower Herbert river, in small flocks. 222. THRESKIORNIS STRICTIPENNIS. Threskiornis strictipennis, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 284. I found this species on an extensive mud-flat at the mouth of the Fitzroy river, and have also received specimens from Port Denison. Mr. Johnstone informed me that it occasionally visited the Herbert river. 223. IBIS (FALCINELLUS) IGNEUS. Ibis (Falcinellus) igneus, Gould, Handbk. B. Anstr. ii. p. 286. I give this species on the authority of Mr. Johnstone, whom I found well acquainted with the bird, and who had obtained a specimen a short time prior to m y visit. 224. PLATALEA REGIA. Platalea regia, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 287. 225. PLATALEA FLAVIPES. Platalea fiavipes, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 288. These species are seldom met with in Northern Queensland. I have received P. regia from Port Denison, where it was considered a very rare bird ; and P. flavipes was observed near the mouth of the river Fitzroy, a single specimen only. Mr. Robert Johnstone informed me that Spoonbills were occasionally seen on the Upper Herbert river; but he did not identify the species with certainty. 226. GRUS AUSTRALASIANA. Grus australasianus, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 290. " Native Companions" were found very plentiful in all the swamps in the Herbert district. Early in the morning their hoarse croaking cry was most frequently heard. 227. XENORHYNCHUS AUSTRALIS. Xenorhynchus australis, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 293. Found in tolerable numbers, in pairs, throughout the district, particularly on the sand-spits and shallows of the Herbert river; they were very wary, and at all times difficult to approach. I was much amused watching a pair of these birds stalking round a large Crocodile sunning himself on one of the numerous sandbanks of the river-the birds carefully eyeing the Saurian, and the Saurian patiently waiting until one of them should come within the swing of his tail (of which the birds were careful to keep out of range). What excited their curiosity I cannot imagine ; they must have seen dozens of Crocodiles in their time. |