Illustrations

Volume I: Raptores

This Order, the members of which perform such important offices in the great scheme of nature, is but feebly represented in Australia as compared with Europe, Asia, and the other portions of the globe of similar extent; for in India alone, according to Mr. Jerdon, there are fifty-nine diurnal and twenty-two nocturnal birds of prey, while in Australia the number of the former is under thirty, and of the latter about ten. The absence of any great Equine, Bovine, Cervine, or Antilopine quadrupeds in Australia is doubtless the reason why her fauna contains no Vultures to act as scavengers, as they do in India and Africa when those huge beasts fall a prey to the large Carnivora. One typical Eagle and one equally typical Osprey play their accustomed parts in Australia, as do also the two or three species of true Falcons. Of Buzzards she has but one; but Kites and Harriers abound, as might be expected, in a country where reptiles are abundant, and which is visited at irregular periods by caterpillars to such an extent that the entire face of the country would be ravaged and rendered a desert were it not for these useful birds. Species of the Goshawk and Sparrowhawk type too are not wanting, to keep within bounds the smaller Mammalia and birds. Of the nocturnal Rapaces, the members of the genus Strix play the most important part; of these there are four very well-defined species which, in their structure and in the character of their plumage, assimilate most closely with the Strix javanica of India and the Strix flammea of Europe. These true nocturnes prey to a great extent upon the numerous species of small rodents which literally swarm in some parts of the country; while the huge yellow-eyed Owls (forming the genus Hieracoglaux) of the brushes feed upon birds, youthful Koalas, the night-loving Phalangistas, and Bandicoots.