520. Botaurus Australis, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 64.
The Australian Bittern is very similar to the European, _B. stellaris_.
The members of this genus of Mangrove Bitterns usually frequent the extensive belts of mangroves and low dells covered with reed-beds and dense herbage.
Africa and America are each inhabited by birds of this form, one species of which is also found in Europe, several in India and the adjacent islands, and three in Australia, viz.—
521. Ardetta flavicollis Vol. VI. Pl. 65.
This species is said to inhabit Java and India, and although I have figured it under the name assigned to the Indian and Javanese bird, I am still inclined to believe that it is distinct.
522. Ardetta macrorhyncha, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 66. 523. Ardetta stagnatilis, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 67. 524. Ardetta pusilla Vol. VI. Pl. 68.
This species, with the little Bittern of the British Islands and several others inhabiting Africa and America, would admit of being separated into a distinct genus.
Of this family no less than sixteen species inhabit Australia, and are comprised in the following genera, viz. _Porphyrio_, _Fulica_, _Gallinula_, _Rallus_ and _Porzana_, all of which are European forms; and _Parra_, _Eulabeornis_ and _Tribonyx_: of the latter, the first is common to India and the Indian Islands, and the other two are confined, so far as we know, to Australia.
525. Porphyrio melanotus, _Temm._ Vol. VI. Pl. 69. 526. Porphyrio bellus, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 70.
527. Tribonyx Mortieri, _DuBus_ Vol. VI. Pl. 71.
Inhabits the southern parts of Australia and Van Diemen’s Land.
528. Tribonyx ventralis, _Gould_ Vol. VI. Pl. 72.
“This bird,” says Captain Sturt, “appeared suddenly in South Australia in 1840. It came from the north, fresh flights coming up and pushing on those which had preceded them. It was moreover evident that they had been unaccustomed to the sight of man, for they dropped in great numbers in the streets and gardens of Adelaide and ran about like fowls. At last they increased so much in number as to swarm on all the waters and creeks, doing great damage to the crops in their neighbourhood. They took the entire possession of the creek near my house, and broke down and wholly destroyed about an acre and a quarter of wheat as if cattle had bedded on it. They made their first appearance in November, and left in the beginning of March, gradually retiring northwards as they had advanced.”
