I formerly entertained an opinion that there were two species of Emu inhabiting Australia, but I have not had sufficient proofs that such is the case. The small specimens in the possession of the Linnean Society of London and in the Jardin des Plantes at Paris, may only be stunted birds which had been kept in captivity, but as some doubt still remains in my mind the subject should be kept in view. 457. Dromaius Novæ-Hollandiæ Vol. VI. Pl. 1. Genus APTERYX, _Shaw_. New Zealand is the only country wherein the members of this genus now exist; but they doubtless formerly ranged over that continent of which the greater part is submerged beneath the surface of the ocean, and of which a few isolated spots—New Zealand, Norfolk and Phillip Islands among others—alone remain. 458. Apteryx Australis, _Shaw_ Vol. VI. Pl. 2. 459. Apteryx Owenii, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 3. Genus OTIS, _Linn._ A country better adapted than Australia for the members of this genus can scarcely be imagined, yet singularly enough only one species has yet been found there. Africa may be considered the cradle of the race, for it is on that continent that they are most numerous; Europe and India are also inhabited by various species. The _Otis nigriceps_ of the plains of Upper India, and the _O. Australis_ are beautiful representatives of each other in the respective countries they inhabit. 460. Otis Australis, _Gray_. _Otis Australis_, Gray in Griff. An. King., vol. iii. p. 305. Otis Australasianus, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 4. The range of this bird over the country is probably universal; both Dr. Leichardt and Mr. Gilbert observed it within the tropical portion of Australia, and Captain Sturt found it in the desert interior. Family CHARADRIADÆ, _Leach_. Genus ŒDICNEMUS, _Temm._ The Œdicnemi occur in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, in which latter country one if not two species exist that are not found elsewhere. 461. Œdicnemus grallarius Vol. VI. Pl. 5. The birds of this form inhabiting the northern coast have longer legs and shorter wings, and I have no doubt are distinct; but I have not seen a sufficient number of specimens to enable me to affirm that such is actually the case. Genus ESACUS, _Less._ The genera _Œdicnemus_ and _Esacus_ are merely modifications of the same form; the variation in that of the bill being expressly adapted for procuring the kinds of food upon which the species respectively subsist; the _Œdicnemus_ frequenting the stony deserts of the interior of the country feeds upon insects of various kinds, and the tender shoots of herbage; while the _Esacus_, resorting to the salt-marshes and the shores of the sea, lives upon crabs, mollusks and other marine animals.