Genus GRUS, _Linn._ Species of this genus inhabit Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and Australia. 504. Grus Australasianus, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 48. The Australian Crane is a noble bird, and is deservedly admired both by the Aborigines and Europeans. The eastern and northern parts of the country are the only localities yet known to be inhabited by this fine bird; future research may however find that it possesses a wider range. Subfamily PLATALEINÆ, _Bonap._ Genus PLATALEA, _Linn._ Two species of this genus inhabit Australia, both of which are, I believe, peculiar to that country, where they perform precisely the same offices as their prototypes in Europe, Asia, Africa and America. 505. Platalea flavipes, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 49. 506. Platalea regia, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 50. Subfamily CICONINÆ, _G. R. Gray_. Genus MYCTERIA, _Linn._ The noble species of this genus inhabiting Australia is, I believe, identical with the bird of the same form inhabiting India, and if such be the case, then it enjoys a wide range of habitat. Africa and America are inhabited by species belonging to this or to a very nearly allied genus. 507. Mycteria Australis, _Lath._ Vol. VI. Pl. 51. Subfamily ARDEINÆ, _G. R. Gray_. Genus ARDEA, _Linn._ The Herons range over every part of the globe. The sixteen species inhabiting Australia include examples of the genera _Ardea_, _Herodias_, _Nycticorax_, _Botaurus_ and _Ardetta_, and I think they should be still further divided, the Reef Herons, _Herodias jugularis_, _H. Greyii_, &c. differing considerably both in structure and habits from the other members of the genus; the _Ardea pacifica_ and _A. Novæ-Hollandiæ_ also, are not typical _Ardeæ_, but fill a station intermediate between the true Herons and the Egrets. 508. Ardea pacifica, _Lath._ Vol. VI. Pl. 52. Numerous in the southern but rare within the tropical parts of Australia. 509. Ardea Novæ-Hollandiæ, _Lath._ Vol. VI. Pl. 53. Frequents the whole of the southern coasts of Australia and Van Diemen’s Land. 510. Ardea rectirostris, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 54. Found on the north coast of Australia, and I believe also in the Indian Islands. 511. Ardea leucophæa, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 55. The range of this species, which is very rare in Australia, appears to extend to the southern parts of India. Genus HERODIAS, _Boie_. Nearly every part of the globe is tenanted by members of this genus. Those inhabiting Australia are very nearly allied to, but I believe are quite distinct from, the species found in India, Europe and America, and of which they are the Australian representatives.