The Brush Turkey (Tallegalla Lathani.)

Scarce c.19th engraving of the Australian Brush-turkey.

The first recorded sighting of the Australian Brush-turkey was by Sydney Parkinson, artist on Cook’s first voyage at Endeavour River, Queensland on 4 July, 1770 while the ship was careened for repairs. “a bird like a Tetrao, having wattles of a fine ultramarine colour, and whose beak and legs were black”.

Common name: Australian Brush-turkey, Scrub Turkey
Aboriginal names: Wagun in Yuwaalayaay Wagun in Yuwaalaraay Wagun in Gamilaraay / Gamilaroi / Kamilaroi Wirrilaa in Gamilaraay / Gamilaroi / Kamilaroi Wirrilaa in Yuwaalaraay
Modern binomial name: Alectura lathami
First described: Gray 1831.
Distribution: NSW & QLD

From the original edition of The Illustrated Sydney News.

References:
Gibbs & Shallard. Illustrated Sydney News. ISSN 2203-5397.

Collections:
State Library New South Wales: F8/39-40
State Library Victoria: PCINF SLVIC=1853-1872
National Library Australia: Bib ID 440095