_Bill_ longer than the head, nearly straight, but slightly curved downwards; compressed laterally; _nostril_ long and open, situated in a large groove which runs along the upper mandible for nearly two-thirds of its length from the base; _wings_ rather short and feeble, very much rounded; _tertiaries_ long, nearly reaching to the end of the wing; _legs_ rather long, more powerful than in the genus _Rallus_; _toes_ not so much lengthened as in that genus; _tail_ long cuneiform; the _webs_ loose and of a decomposed character. A genus established for the reception of a singular species of Rail inhabiting the north coast of Australia, and in which Mr. G. R. Gray has since placed four other species from different localities. 534. Eulabeornis castaneoventris, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 78. Genus PORZANA, _Vieill._ The _Porzanæ_ inhabit Europe, Africa, India and Australia; the four species inhabiting the latter country are generally distributed, even within the tropics. 535. Porzana fluminea, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 79. 536. Porzana palustris, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 80. 537. Porzana leucophrys, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 81. 538. Porzana immaculata Vol. VI. Pl. 82. Order NATATORES, _Ill._ Upon taking a general view of the birds of this Order inhabiting Europe and Australia, our attention cannot fail to be arrested by some remarkable contrasts which present themselves to our notice. I allude to the great excess in the number of species of some of the principal groups, and the paucity of others; for instance, of the true _Anatidæ_ or Ducks, exclusive of the Mergansers, the European fauna comprises at least forty species, while eighteen are all that are known in Australia; of the _Laridæ_ or Gulls, exclusive of the Terns, twenty species inhabit Europe, while three are all that are known in Australia; on the other hand, sixteen species of Terns frequent the shores of Australia, while only twelve resort to those of Europe; of the family _Procellaridæ_ or Petrels, nearly forty species enliven the Australian seas, while seven are all that are known to inhabit the seas of Europe; no Puffins or Guillemots are found in the seas south of the Equator; while the Penguins are unknown north of the line; and the Grebes and Cormorants are equally numerous in both hemispheres. Family ANATIDÆ, _Leach_. Genus CEREOPSIS, _Lath._ But one species of this singular and strictly Australian form has yet been discovered. 539. Cereopsis Novæ-Hollandiæ, _Lath._ Vol. VII. Pl. 1. Genus ANSERANAS, _Less._ Like _Cereopsis_, this genus contains but a single species, which is equally confined to Australia. 540. Anseranas melanoleuca Vol. VII. Pl. 2. Genus BERNICLA, _Steph._