F. 39. GLAREOLIDAE (2), PRATINCOLES, Swallow-Plovers, 10 sp.--2(0)A., 4(1)O., 3(0)P., 7(5)E. 1 1 =108 Australian Pratincole=, Swallow-Plover, _Stiltia isabella_, Borneo, Java to A., N.Z. =vt. Eur. Pratincole. Mig. v.r. _(interior) rivers_, _marshes_ 9.5 Upper, wings, breast light-rufous, throat whitish; abdomen chestnut; base tail above, below white; centre tail black, rest white; bill red, tipped black, swallow-like flight; f., sim. Insects. F. 40. _Dromadidae_, Crab-Plover, 1 sp.--1(0)O., 1(0)E. F. 41. OEDICNEMIDAE (2), STONE-CURLEWS, Stone-Plovers, Thick-Knees, 13 sp.--2(1)A., 3(1)O., 1(0)P., 7(6)E., 3(3) Nl. 1 1 =109* Southern Stone-Curlew= (-Plover) Willaroo, Scrub Curlew, _Burhinus grallarius_, A., T. (acc.). Stat. c. _sandy plains_, _timber_ 20.5 Crown, upper dark-gray, marked black; round eye white; throat buff; chest, abdomen whitish, streaked blackish; white patch on wing; legs long; bill short, black; f., sim. Insects, berries. "Wee-lo." F. 42. OTIDIDAE (1), BUSTARDS, 33 sp.--1(1)A., 7(2)O., 7(2)P., 23(21)E 1 5 =110 Australian Bustard=, Wild Turkey (e), _Eupodotis australis_, A. [~110 _Choriotis australis._] Mig. r. _plains_ 48 Crown black; face, neck grayish-white; upper, wings brown; wings spotted black-white; black band on chest; abdomen white; f., smaller. Seeds, grass, lizards, insects. ==== Australia, fortunately, has one representative of Order XI.--Cranes. This is the Native Companion, the only true Crane found in Australia. These are interesting birds, with their "quadrille parties," "corroborees," and dances. They live chiefly on vermin--insects, lizards, &c. The great Gould said: "Its presence adds greatly to the interest of the scenery." Would that more Australians thought so! Cranes are amongst the best of flyers. They are said to fly sometimes at a height of from three and a half to five miles, and have been seen to cross lofty mountains in Central Asia without increasing their altitude. Perhaps because of its inappropriate name--Native Companion--some have proposed to regard this bird as the typical Australian bird, but it is not so. In fact, it is our one representative of an almost world-wide group. ==== [Page 52] [Illustration: [111] [112] [113] [114] [115]] ORDER XI.--GRUIFORMES. F. 43. GRUIDAE (1), CRANES, 19 sp.--1(1)A., 8(2)O., 9(1)P., 7(5)E., 3(0)Nc., 2(0)Nl. 1 3 =111 Australian Crane=, Native Companion, Brolga, _Antigone australasiana_, A. [~111 _Mathewsia rubicunda._] Nom. r. _plains_ 42 Deep silvery-gray; wing-quills black; naked red patch about face, throat; legs, feet black; f., smaller. Insects, lizards, bulbous roots, seeds. F. 44. _Aramidae_, Courlans, Limpkin, 2 sp.--1(0)Nc., 2(1)Nl. F. 45. _Rhinochetidae_, Kagu, 1 sp. A. (N. Cal.).