Zoological Illustrations Series II/Plate 43



In giving publicity to this new and interesting bird, we feel particular pleasure in expressing our thanks to Allen Cunningham, Esq., His Majesty's Botanist, in New South Wales, by whom it was there discovered. Although devoted to a science already so much benefited by his researches, this enthusiastic Traveller found some leasure for Ornithology, and has lately favoured us with a large collection of skins, prepared during one of his inland journeys; with a request that they may be made public: among other highly curious forms, the present bird is conspicuous. It was found in the open forest country, North of Liverpool Plains.

When once we are so fortunate as to discover the natural station of any being, we may be convinced that every circumstance regarding its structure, habits, or even colour, are employed by Nature to typify its relations to other beings; and that until most of these can be explained, there is good reason to suspect the accuracy of our views on its true affinities. Possessing all the essential characteristics of Petroica, our bird exhibits in the bill, feet, and tail, an immediate affinity to Sialia arctica: while it is clothed in the pure white, and glossy black plumage, which nature afterwards employs to designate the typical group of, (North. Zool.) at the opposite point of the circle of Saxicolinæ. This remarkable analogy is extended to the bill, the point of which is longer and more incurved, than in any of the immediate affinities of our bird: its close relation to the old world Saxicolæ, is too obvious to need explanation.