frequently
impossible to sleep from the constant screeching of the young owls. Their
food is principally mice, bats, and large moths.

14. ATHENE BOOBOOK.--Boobook Owl.

So called from its whoop resembling that sound. Like others of its genus
it comes from its hiding place at sunset, and its note in the distance is
exactly like that of the cuckoo, but the sound changes as you approach
it. This bird has a dark brown plumage, spotted white, and differs in
many respects from the genus Strix, although very closely allied to it.

15. AEGOTHELES NOVAE-HOLLANDIAE, VIG. AND HORSF.--Owlet night Jar.

This small bird, although a night bird, is very frequently seen in the
day time, sleeping on the branch of a Casuarina, to which they appear to
be partial. It is very common in the brushes of the Murray belt, and when
disturbed has an awkward flight, as if it knew not where to go. Its
plumage is very downy and soft, and it weighs exceedingly light.

16. PODARGUS HUMERALIS, VIG. AND HORSF.--Tawny-shouldered Podargus.

This singular bird is an inhabitant of the distant interior, and was seen
on several occasions, but invariably near hills. The appearance of this
uncouth bird is very absurd, with his enormous mouth that literally
reaches from ear to ear, and his eyes half shut. Mr. Browne surprised
five of these birds on a stone, on the summit of Mount Arrowsmith, about
half a degree to the southward of the Depot. They were all sitting with
their heads together, and all flew in different directions when roused.

17. EUROSTOPODUS GUTTATUS.--Spotted Goat-sucker.

This rapid-winged night bird is widely distributed over South-eastern
Australia, if not over every part of the Continent. I have often watched
the motions of this light and airy bird round a pond of water close to
which I have been lying, with the full bright moon above me, and been
amazed at its rapid evolutions; and admired the wisdom of that Providence
which had so adapted this little animal for the part it was to act on the
great stage of the universe. So light, that it had no difficulty in
maintaining a prolonged flight, with its noiseless wing, making its
sweeps to greater or lesser distances, and seeming never to require rest.
The habit of this Goat-sucker is to lie under any tree or brush during
the day, from which it issues in great alarm on being roused.

18. CHELIDON ARIEL, GOULD.

The brown-headed Swallow, a common bird in the interior during the
summer. G