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The Emu
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A Quarterly Magazine to popularise the Study and Protection of Native Birds.
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUSTRALASIAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION.
Editors: A. J. CAMPBELL and H. KENDALL.
VOL. III. — 1903-4.
24Te Clio arm* :
WALKER, MAY & CO., PRINTERS, 25 MACKILLOP STREET
1904.
'0 6 rS^/S. S&
*>1
EDITORIAL NOTE.
The third volume of The Emu is now complete. During the three years of its existence the career of the Australasian Orni- thologists' Union has been one of steady and uninterrupted progress. Its success has been largely due to the support of those members who guaranteed subscriptions for the term named, who, it is to be hoped, will continue their invaluable help. In that case it may be possible to realize an aim the editors have had in view from the inception of The Emu — to give it a higher scientific tone, one more on a level with the highest class of ornithological magazines of the world. But to gain this end members must, as heretofore, give whole-hearted support by forwarding contributions, while not forgetting the very necessary subscriptions. According to the food (material aid) the natural Emu receives, so will its dress appear — lustrous or otherwise. The same with the literary Emu. What doings of the Austral Union this journal may yet record ! Besides the primary plank — the scientific study of the avifauna — there are other great considerations well worthy of attention : traffic in birds, their wanton destruction, their national value, especially to the farmer, orchardist, &c, not to mention their aesthetic bearing, without which the sum total of human happiness can never be complete.
NOTE. — It would greatly assist the editors if contributors, when for- warding MSS., would kindly give both scientific and vernacular names of birds.
CONTENTS OF VOL. III.— 1903-4.
Acanthiza, A New, 69.
Acanthiza, Descriptions of the Eggs of two Tits, 237.
Acanthiza from W. Australia, Descrip- tion of a New, m.
Acanthiza tenuirostris (Zietz), Exten- sion of Locality, 68.
Acanthiza, Description of the Nests and Nestlings of Certain, 102.
Alexandra Parrakeet in W. Australia,
"5-
Australian Magpies, Remarks on Some
New Species (G. longirostris, Milligan, and G. dorsalis, Camp- bell), with Reflections on the Re- vision of the Genus Gymnorhiiiie, Hall, 202.
Australian Oology, Another Decade in, 168.
Aust. O.U. — Hobart Congress, 141 ; President's Address, 142 ; Orni- thological Outings, 159 ; Balance- sheet, 164; Report, 166.
Avicultural Magazine, The, 242.
Bird "Charmed" by a Snake, 241.
Bird-Lore, 128.
Bird Protection in Great Britain, 1 1.7.
Bird Protection in Other Lands, 124. »■
Birds Blown to Sea, 186.
Birds of Paradise, Protection of, 241.
Birds, Sociability of, 189.
Blackbirds and Vine Caterpillars, 233.
Bower- Birds, Playground of the Tooth- billed, 188.
British Museum, 78.
Brookton, W.A., Some Notes from, 104.
Brown's River (near Hobart) Notes, 56.
Bullfinch and Canary Singing, 127.
Bustard (Eupodotis australis) in N. Queensland, Breeding Seasons of the, 68.
Butcher-Bird, Black, 58.
Butcher- Birds, Rufous v. Black, 189.
Button-Quails in Queensland, 235.
Cairns Notes, 62.
Camp Data, 1 20.
Can and Do Birds Reason ? 243.
Casterton (Vict.) Notes, 69.
Central Queensland, Some May Notes
from, 115. Channelbill, The, 233. Clarke Island (Bass Strait) Notes, 62,
191.
Clermont (Q.) Notes, 125.
Close Season for Ducks and Quails in Victoria, Alteration of, 198, 244.
Close Seasons, Amendments in W.A. Column of, 117.
Cockatoo, Southerly Range of Long- billed, 116, 189.
Coloured Figure Fund, 80.
Coloured Plate, The, 248.
Correction, 132.
Cormorants of N. Zealand, The : a Study in Variation, 1.
Correspondence — Anomalous Close Seasons, 244; Aust. O.U. or Austral. O.U., 138; Natural History Notes in the Victorian School Paper, 80 ; Some Questions re Nomenclature, 245.
Crows, Crafty, 187.
Destruction of Birds on Lake Conne-
warre, 80. Development of Colour in the Definitive
Feather, The, 59. Drought on Birds, The Effect of, 113. Duck, The Freckled, 233.
Eagle, The Wedge-tailed, in N. Queens- land, 123. Eagles, 8.
Eagles at Close Quarters, 128. Eagles, Large Clutches of, 185. Eagles, Wedge-tailed, 187. Emu, A Sympathetic, 242. Emu Bones from King Island, 113. Emu, Extinct Tasmanian, 229. Emu Nests in N. Queensland, 116.
Fantail, Devotion of a Black and White,
187. Fantails' Nests, " Tails " of, 186. Finch, A Painted, in Captivity, 188. Fitzroy River, N.W. Australia, Notes on
a Collection of Bird-skins from
the, 40. Flight of the Albatross, The, 129. Flower Memorial, The, 140. Flycatcher in a Customs Shed, A, 185. Flycatcher in a City, 186. From Magazines, 72, 126, 194, 241.
Galah Note, A, 56. Galahs, 185.
Grey Shrike-Thrush as a " Bird of Prey," 185.
Contents of Vol. 111. — 1903-4.
Guildford (W.A.), Notes from, 226. Gymnorhina, Description of a New,
with Observations on G. dorsalis,
Campbell, 96. Gymnorhinee, Observations on the
Western, 177.
Harriers, Note on the Breeding of the,
190. Homestead Notes (N.Q.), 112. How Gannets Dive, 56.
Instinct or Sight, Do Birds Find Food by ? 115.
Koel's Egg, An Authentic, 185.
Kolora (Vict.) Notes, 117.
Kurrajong (Gladstone, Q.) Notes, 236.
Lamu Archipelago (East Africa), Birds
of the, 238. Land Birds at Sea, 126. Late Clutches of Dottrels, no. Late Clutches of Larks, 55. Laughing Jackasses, 1 13. Launceston Notes, 118. Locust Fungus, 8. Lorikeet, Red-crowned, 188.
Magpies as Weather Prophets, 241.
Maluri, a Modification, 58.
Members, About, 197, 247.
Migration, &c, of Birds, Cooktown District, N. Queensland (1902), Notes on, 47.
Mirafra, Description of a New Sub- species, 231.
Motionless Wings, The Ascent of Birds on, 130.
Murray Swamp Notes, Some, 235.
Mutton-Bird Rookery, New, 235.
Native Game in Victoria, Close Season
for, 244. Naturalist, The Victorian, 241. New Zealand Birds, Notes on Some, 122. Nomenclature, Some Questions re, 245. North American Check-List, The, 118. North-West Cape, Birds Occurring in
the Region of the, 30, 89, 171,
207. Notes and Notices— Congress, 139 ; Mr.
R. Hall, 139 ; Second Coloured
Plate, 139. Nude Cockatoos, 55. Nutmeg-Pigeons, Protection of the, 77. Nutmeg (Torres Strait) Pigeon, The, 181.
Obituary, 79, 247.
Oological Specimen, A Unique, 114.
Otway District, 61.
Owl and Great Kingfisher, 113.
Owl in Curious Plumage, 113.
Owls in Captivity, 61.
Oyster Cay, N. Queensland, A Trip to,
45- Pardalotes in Fairy Martins' Nests, 186.
Pardalote's Eggs, Variable Clutch of, 233-
Pelicans, Protection of, 195.
Penguins, Little, 232.
Perennial Moult and Original Feathering of Wing, 131.
Performing Parrots, 122.
Philippine Museum, Bulletins of the, 127.
Poisoned Grain, Destruction of Birds by, 130.
Port Darwin District, N. Aust, De- scriptions of Birds' Eggs from the, 54-
Phlohs leucotis (Lath.), The Plumage Phases of, 43, 234.
Quails, 121.
Reason, Can and Do Birds? 243.
Regent-Birds, 187.
Reviews — " Parrakeets," 78, 137, 197; "Natural History of Antarctica," 133 ; "Nests and Eggs of Birds found Breeding in Australia and Tasmania," 136.
S.A. Society for the Protection of Birds,
200. Siberia, From Northern, 185. Sittclla tenuirostris, 1 14 ; S. leucoptera,
Extension of Locality, 233. Snakes on King Island, 59. South-Western Notes, Some, 38. Spring Notes, Early, 119. Stirling Range, Notes on a Trip to the,
9- Stray Feathers, 55, 112, 185, 233. Striking Wire, 114.
Sub-species, The Exaltation of the, 243. Swallows on 'Change, 112.
Tasmania, Some Birds Peculiar to, 23,
81. Tasmanian Notebook, From a, 213. Tasmanian Oology, 234. Tasmanian Ornis, Some Rectifications
in, 179. Tawonga (Vict.) Notes, 64.
Vernacular Names, 138.
Vernacular Names, Some Notes on, 51.
Western Australia, A Natural History of, 126.
Western (Vict.) Notes, 190.
Wilmot (Tas.) Bird Notes from, 49, 108.
Wood-Swallows as Honey-eaters, 112.
Wood-Swallows Eating Honey, 68.
Wongan Hills (W.A.), Notes on a Trip to the, with a Description of a New Ptilotis, Part L, 217.
Xerophila and a New Acanlhiza from W. Australia, Description of, 69 ; A', leucopsis, 7° > X- castanei- ventris (Milligan), Nests and Eggs of, 120.
Yanchep, Notes on Lake, 20.
Zanzibar (E. Africa), The Birds of, 192.
Illustrations in Vol. 111.
ILLUSTRATIONS IN VOL. III.
Nest of Black Duck {Anas superciliosd) ... ... ... plate i
Taking Nest of White-tailed Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus baiidini) plate ii
Home of Rock Field- Wren and Blue-breasted Wren ... ... plate iii
Rookery of Sooty Terns, Upolu Bank, Great Barrier Reef ... plate iv
Heads (natural size) of Gym?iorki?ia longirostris and G. tibicen ... plate v
Chestnut-faced Owl, showing remnant of nest-down ... ... plate vi
Adelia Penguin (Pygoscelis adelitz) ... ... ... ... plate vii
Colonel W. V. Legge, F.Z.S., &c. (first President of the Aust. O.U.) plate viii
Scrub-Tit {A cantJwi-nis magna) and Nest ... ... ... plate ix
Gymnorhiita dorsalis — Immature female, mature male and female plate x
Play-ground of Tooth-billed Bower-Bird (Sce?wpcFits dentirostris) plate xi
Dead Black and White Fantail and Young, found after a flood ... plate xii
Ouandong {Santaluni) Tree, showing " Emu Berries " ... plate xiii
In the Wongan Hills ... ... ... ... ... plate xiv
Haunt of Redthroat, Chestnut-rumped Tit, &c. ... ... plate xiv
Old Egg-mound of Gnou or Mallee-Fowl (Lifioa ocellata) ... plate xv
Carter Honey-eater {Ptilotis carteri)... ... ... ... plate xvi
Brown-headed Honey-eater {Melithreptus brevirostris) ... plate xvi
(Official (Drgzm of the Jtustntlasian (Ornithologists' (Bnion.
Birds of a feather.'
Vol. III.] ist JULY, 1903. [Part i.
The Cormorants of New Zealand : a Study in Variation.
By Captain F. W. Hutton, F.R.S., Christchurch.
ALTHOUGH everyone allows that the different kinds of animals have had common ancestors, it is acknowledged to be a very difficult task to draw up a genealogical tree with any approach to accuracy. No one, perhaps, can realize fully this difficulty unless he has himself tr ed to reconstruct some portion of it. Yet the temptation to try is very strong, because we see that if we could trace out the history of an order, or of a family, or even of a large genus, we should at once obtain most interesting information about the origin of variations. Indeed, it is only by comparing a large number of pedigrees that we can ever arrive at sound conclusions as to the cause of variations.
When we feel this temptation very strongly upon us — when, indeed, it becomes irresistible — we should look out for a group of animals in which all the conditions of life are as simple as possible ; for this removes many difficulties and uncertainties out of our way. Among the sea-birds the conditions are simpler than among land-birds, and New Zealand is particularly well situated for their study. I have therefore chosen the New Zealand . Cormorants — generally known as Shags — as a test for current theories of variation ; not intending to make it a close and formal investigation of the species — for which our knowledge of the habits and changes of plumage of the birds is not yet sufficient — but merely a light sketch, showing the way to a more elaborate study at some future time.
I must, however, say a preliminary word about pedigrees in general. When only two species are concerned, we have either A derived from B, or B derived from A, or both A and B derived from an extinct species, C. This last is probably often the case, but as we cannot reproduce the extinct species, and as probably one of the new species will bear a closer resemblance to the
2 Hutton, The Cormorants of New /calami. [ist'july
common ancestor than the other new species, we may take the former to represent the common ancestor. In a few cases this may lead us astray ; but among so many uncertainties we must do our best, and it is quite certain that we can never trace any pedigree at all if we are to wait until we know the complete chain. I make this explanation so that I may not be misunderstood when I say that one of our species is descended from another. I only mean that what I call the older species resembles the common parent more than does what I call the new species. It would be tedious to have to state this every time.
Cormorants are found all over the world except in Polynesia east of New Guinea, the Louisiade Archipelago, and New Caledonia. This is surprising, because fish, on which Cormorants feed, are very abundant round the Polynesian Islands. Another remarkable circumstance is that all the birds, from all parts of the world, are considered to belong to one genus — Phalacrocorax — which, however, can be divided into several sub-genera. Most of them live amongst rocks on the seashore, but some prefer rivers and live far inland. These latter generally build their nests in trees, considerable numbers consorting together.
The New Zealand seas contain more different kinds of Cor- morants than any other part of the world. While we have i 5 species, there are only 12 in North and South America, only 7 in Asia, only 6 in Africa, only 5 in Australia, and only 3 in Europe.
Our Cormorants can be divided into three groups. The first consists of five species, three of which are also found in Australia, and can be distinguished by their black legs and feet. The second group contains only two species, both endemic,* which have yellow or orange legs and feet and a double crest on the head. The third group consists of eight species, all peculiar to the New Zealand seas. These have pink or reddish legs and feet, and the crest is either single or absent.
The first group evidently comes to us from the north. The Pied Shag ( P. varius), which is one of the two endemic species, is closely related to P. gouldi and P. hypoleucus of Australia. The second endemic species is P. brevirostris. This and P. mclano- leucus, which occurs in the Moluccas, Australia, and New Cale- donia, are so closely related, and have so many intermediate links, that some naturalists are inclined to consider them as varieties of one species. Now, if P. mclanoleucus is descended from P. brevirostris, it must have been developed in New Zealand and then migrated to Australia. If, on the contrary, P. brevi-
* Used in the same strained sense as by Darwin, in his "Origin of Species," to imply a species that is confined to a particular locality, 'the derivation of the word (eu, in or amongst ; demos, the people) hardly justifies this use, and the term is usually confined to medical science. — Eds.
Vu!9o1-11'] HUTTON, The Cormorants of Neiv Zealand. 3
rostris is descended from P. mclanoleucus , individuals of this latter species must have come to New Zealand from Australia or New Caledonia, and have given rise to P. brevirostris in New Zealand. The latter seems to be the more probable, because P. melanoleucus is also related to P. pygmaius of the Mediterranean and Central Asia. So that geographical distribution would lead us to suppose that P. brevirostris was derived from P. melano- leucus and the latter from P. pygmceus. There is confirmatory evidence of this in the fact that P. brevirostris is a very variable species, apparently not yet capable of breeding truly, while P. melanoleucus is not variable, but an old and well-established species.
P. pygmceus is black, with scattered white plumes on the head, back, and abdomen. P. melanoleucus is black above and white below, with a white frill on each side of the neck. P. brevirostris is black, with a white chin and throat. So that if the evidence from geographical distribution and from variability can be trusted, the descendants of P. pygmceus, as they travelled south- wards, acquired a pure white breast and abdomen. But when some individuals reached New Zealand a new change took place, and the breast and abdomen became black. Why was this ? Can any explanation be found ?
Some ornithologists would explain the variations in P. brevi- rostris as cases of partial albinoism, or of intercrossing with P. mclanoleucus. But if the variations were due to albinoism we should expect the white to appear on the upper as well as on the lower surface, and to be unsymmetrical ; while P. melano- leucus is not sufficiently common in New Zealand to allow us to suppose that the abnormal birds are hybrids. I think, there- fore, that we find a simpler explanation of these variations in occasional reversion to ancestral characters.
Evidently the origin of the variation in P. brevirostris is not to be found in the surrounding conditions. For if this were the case other Cormorants with white breasts and the same habits, like P. varius, would have been similarly affected. It seems more probable that the variation was due to a partial reversion to P. pygma?us, and that the reversion is not yet complete, so that the plumage of the immediate ancestor — P. melanoleucus — often appears.
Then, supposing the variation to have arisen by reversion, how has it been preserved ? Natural selection is out of the question, for the character is not a useful one. Cormorants have no enemies in New Zealand, and a black abdomen cannot be better than a white one when fishing, for so many Cormorants are white on the lower surface. Again, the idea of sexual selection does not satisfy me. Supposing a. dark variety arose and two
A Hutton, The Cormorants of New Zealand. | Ist "july
dark birds took a fancy for each other ; why should their offspring have the same partiality for dark breasts ? Why should they not prefer white ones ? There seems to be nothing to make the preferences take a particular direction ; and without this the new variations would not become fixed. Perhaps dark birds were driven away and were obliged to pair together. Or perhaps some dark birds may have become physiologically isolated from the rest. We want to know much more about the breeding habits of the birds before we can form an opinion.
There is still one other point. P. brevirostris, when young, is entirely black, and the white chin and throat come afterwards. Why, after commencing with the entirely black plumage of P. pygmceus, should there be a partial advance in the white throat ? I can offer no explanation of this ; but a white throat is a feature found in the young of other species.
The second group of New Zealand Cormorants (P . punctatus and P. featherstoni) forms the sub-genus Sticticarbo, in which the South American species, P. gaimardi, is also included.
The third group forms the sub-genus Leucocarbo , and, in addition to the New Zealand species, contains four from South America and one from Kerguelen Island. The facts are too scanty to enable us to say which way the second group has travelled. It may, however, be possible to learn something about the migrations of the second group.
Our species of Leucocarbo may be divided into a carunculated section, containing P. carunculatus , P. onslowi, and' P. traversi, and a non-carunculated section, containing P. stewarti, P. cam p- belli, P. colensoi, P. ran/urlyi, and P. chalconotus ; and, as the skin on the lores is at first smooth and then becomes granulated, I suppose that the carunculated section is descended from the non-carunculated section. Again, many of the species are characterized by having white bars on the wing-coverts and lower back, which do not appear until the birds are mature. Consequently we may assume that the species with these white bars are descended from those without them. All the carun- culated species, except P. verrucosus , from Kerguelen Island, have white bars on the wings, and all but P. verrucosus and P. traversi have white dorsal bars. This is confirmatory evidence of the carunculated having descended from the non-carunculated section.
Of the non-carunculated species P. stewarti is the only one in which both bars are present, and therefore it must be looked upon as the connecting link between the sections. In P. colensoi and P. campbelli there is an alar bar but no dorsal one, and the alar bar is very narrow in P. campbelli . In the South American species, P. bougainvillii and P. magellanicus , there is no alar
Vol. III.
I. III.-] iqo3 J
HUTTON, The Cormorants of New Zealand.
bar. So that we have a series from P. stewarti to P. magellanicus. We see the same thing in the colouration of the throat and neck. In P. magellanicus both are dark. In P. bougainvillii and P. campbclli the throat is white and the neck dark ; while in P. colensoi both neck and throat are white. Finally, the young of P. colensoi and P. ranfurlyi have the neck black as in P. campbelli, and it only becomes white when the bird is mature. The evidence is, therefore, pretty good that P. magellanicus represents the prototype from which the others have come.
P. chalconotus is entirely black, but as the colours of the skin on the face and gular pouch are exactly like those of P. stewarti, I look upon it as a black descendant of that species, especially as it has occasionally white feathers on its lower surface.
The carunculated species from' South America {P. atriceps and P. albiventer), as well as the Kerguelen Island P. verrucosus, differ from the New Zealand forms in having no feathers on the gular pouch, and we must consider them as descendants of New Zealand forms, as they are more specialized. If this is correct, the white bars on the wings and back must have been lost by P. verrucosus.
Now, if there is any truth in these speculations it follows that our third group of Cormorants came into the southern ocean by South America, from whence they spread to New Zealand. Here they underwent considerable alteration, and these altered forms re-migrated to South America, and some, at last, found their way to Kerguelen Island.
Ranfurlyi
Traversi
Verrucosus
J Albi venter...
Kerguelen Island. South America.
Onslowi Carunculatus Chalconotus V New Zealand
Stewarti
I Colensoi
I Campbelli
I Magellanicus ... ... South America.
Supposed Genealogical Tree of the Sub-Genus Leucocarbo.
P. carunculatus has lost its crest.
P. chalconotus and P traversi have lost the white dorsal bar ; and P. ranfurlyi has lost caruncles, crest, and dorsal bar.
6 HUTTON, The Cormorant a of New Zealand . [istjuly
The earliest known fossil Cormorants are from the upper eocene in England, and there are miocene species in France and in Patagonia. At this time we know that the land route from Australia to New Zealand had been broken up. But could the birds have spread from South America to New Zealand under the present conditions ? I think not, because the crossing from New Zealand to the neighbouring islands, or from the islands to New Zealand, must be very rare, and none have spread into Polynesia. Cormorants cannot be blown to sea like land-birds, and when these wide migrations took place there must, I think, have been more antarctic land than now. But this must have been islands only, or else the South American land-birds would have migrated with the Cormorants.
Again, as to the origin of the variations. The white alar bar was a new character acquired by P. colensoi, and the white dorsal bar another new character first acquired by P. stewarti. How did they arise ? Not by amphimixis. It is impossible that the simple blending of the sperm and ovum could have produced characters which never existed in any of the ancestors of either parent. Nor by the action of the environment, because it is impossible to connect the origin of white feathers on the wings and back with the weather or with any of the surrounding objects ; especially as in P. chalconotus the changes have been in the opposite direction, and not only have the white alar and dorsal bars been lost, but the whole of the under surface has turned black. P. chalconotus and P. stewarti live together in Stewart Island, and even inhabit the same shaggeries, so that it is impossible that these opposite variations could have been caused by external conditions.
Can we account for them by sexual selection ? Take, for example, the origin of the white alar bar in P. campbelli, or the white dorsal patch in P. stewarti, which, being new characters, cannot be due to reversion. What right have we to suppose that a preference was shown, by individuals of the opposite sex, to one that had some white feathers on its wing or back. And even if we do allow this, what guarantee is there that successive generations would all show the same preference ? Why should not some prefer wholly black individuals ? And if they did, the selection would be destroyed and the variation would not accumulate. I do not remember to have seen this objection to sexual selection noticed before, but it is evidently a very serious one. The bright colours of the skin on each side of the face in Cormorants will be looked upon as a typical example of sexual selection ; but the same difficulty occurs here also. Why should both sexes prefer the same colours in their partners as they have themselves, although they cannot see their own colours ? And
ol. III."]
1 903 J
HUTTON, The Cormorants of New Zealand.
why should the preference for one particular colour, as for crimson in P. onslowi ', go on for generation after generation in one species, while another species had a similar constant predilection for another colour ? Again, why did P. ranfurlyi on Bounty Islands, and P. traversi on Macquarie Island lose their white dorsal patches ? Or why did P. carunculatus, in New Zealand, lose its crest ? Can the loss of a white patch or of a crest, as well as their acquisition, be put down to sexual selection ?
The loss of the white bars and of the crest is probably due to reversion, and other specific characters may have the same origin. New characters, however, occasionally arose which were not due to reversion. When this took place on continental areas we may, perhaps, attribute their preservation to their usefulness as recognition marks. But this will not help us with those species found only on a single island, or in a single locality far away from other species. Again, the great number of species in New Zealand requires an explanation. The external con- ditions of life for the Cormorants cannot be so great in New Zealand as through America from Canada to Tierra del Fuego, or as in Africa and Asia taken together, and yet there are 15 species in New Zealand to 12 in America and 13 in Asia and Africa combined. Consequently we cannot suppose that their specific characters depend directly on external conditions. This is emphasized by the fact that one species — P. carbo — extends continuously from Greenland through Asia Minor and India to Australia and New Zealand. In Aus- tralasia P. carbo never gets so many white feathers on its head as it does in Europe, and is, consequently, sometimes thought to be a distinct variety, in which case the European form must be considered as derived from the Australian one. The real causes of the great number of species in New Zealand are — firstly, it was the meeting place of two migratory streams, one from the Malay Archipelago and New Caledonia, the other from Patagonia ; and secondly, the fact that New Zealand is broken up into a number of islands, lying at considerable distances apart, and which have been isolated for a very long time.
Turning now to the general characters of the group, we find the generic characters — such as the hooked bill, the rudimentary nostrils, the close, glossy plumage, the short legs and large webbed feet — all eminently adapted to their mode of living. Everyone knows that they obtain their food by catching fish, diving with their wings closed, and using their feet only for propulsion. But on comparing the sub-genera we find characters which we cannot, at present, put down as useful.
For example, the shape of the bill varies a good deal, being
8 HUTTON, The Cormorants of New Zealand. \ ?n?u,
' List July
long and slender in Sticticarbo (P. punctatus, &c), and com- paratively short and stout in Microcarbo (P. melanoleucus , &c), while the birds do not show any difference in habits. On the contrary, in P. campbelli we find a difference in habit without any corresponding modification. In the sea round Campbell Island there are hardly any fish, and, according to Dr. Filhol, who spent four months on the island examining the fauna during the French expedition to observe the transit of Venus in 1874, the Campbell Island Cormorant lives on mollusca, which it scrapes off the immense patches of brown kelp which border the coasts. But no modification has taken place in' the bill, which cannot be well adapted for its new use.
So also in the tail. It is long and stiff, and well adapted for its uses, which are — rising from the water, sitting on rocks, and probably as a rudder when diving. But in the sub-genus Graculus (P. carbo, &c), there are fourteen tail feathers, while all the others have only twelve. This difference cannot be con- sidered as adaptive, and could not have been accumulated by natural selection.
I am afraid that the conclusions here arrived at will not be acceptable either to Neo-Darwinians or to Neo-Lamarckians. For they show us that the study of even a single group, like the Cormorants, reveals several characters which cannot be explained by natural selection, or by organic selection, or by use-inheritance ; for all these agencies preserve useful characters only ; and con- siderable 'doubt has been thrown on sexual selection. It is too often the custom nowadays to think that we have discovered all the processes working in organic nature ; that the doctrine of utilitarianism will, in some way or other, explain everything ; and when any difficulty arises it is attributed to our ignorance, not of principles, but of details. These difficulties, however, must be faced, and I think that a close and impartial study of specific characters will destroy our complacency, and show us that there is some principle of definite variation at work which preserves non-adaptive characters.
Rochester, Friday. — Eagles are numerous at Pine Grove, and are proving very destructive to poultry. Mr. Jos. Chappie has lost 80 full-grown turkeys this season through the depredations of these birds. — Argus, 24/4/03.
At Narromine, N.S.W., Mr. W. N. Warren found, when he received the locust-fungus for trial, that all the grasshoppers had been destroyed by Wood-Swallows, which came on the scene in thousands, and cleaned them out in a few days. — Lender, 28/3/03.
VoJ" IXI 1 MlLLIGAN, Notes on a Trip to the Stirling Range. 9
Notes on a Trip to the Stirling Range.
By Alex. Wm. Milligan, Perth, W.A.
Being fortunate enough to obtain a three weeks' special leave of absence last spring I determined to wholly employ my time in the pursuit of ornithology, and I organized a private scientific expedition to the Stirling Ranges, situate some 40 miles north of Albany, in the southern part of this State. .
The persons who composed the expedition were Dr. Alan Morrison, the Government Botanist for Western Australia, Mr. C. P. Conigrave, of the Western Australian Museum, Perth, and the writer. Dr. Morrison, it was arranged, was to devote himself solely to examining and collecting the flora of the ranges, and Mr. Conigrave and the writer to the fauna, particularly the avi- fauna. In addition to his other self-imposed duties Mr. Conigrave was to take charge of that most interesting and important department in every expedition, namely, the photographic.
Dr. Morrison was attracted to these ranges by the knowledge that the flora there was most distinctive and characteristic. I, in turn, was similarly attracted there, for I naturally conjectured that with distinctive floral forms we would probably meet with distinctive avi-faunal forms, by reason that the flora and avi-fauna are so frequently interdependent. That, however, was not the principal attraction to me. Relying on the assumption that one of the two original divergent " lines of migration " from Northern Australia pursued a southerly and thence easterly course along the western and southern coasts within the well-known " rain belt," and stopped at the Great Desert, between Western Australia and South Australia, I concluded that bird forms would have collected in great numbers on the confines of such desert, and that time, local conditions, and environment would have effected many variations and modifications in original forms.
These ranges being in the supposed congested area indicated, I further concluded that uncommon forms and new species would as a consequence be likely to occur therein.
It may be of interest to mention that the Stirling Ranges are, geologically speaking, the most ancient in Western Australia, and also the highest, one of the peaks, Mt. Toolbrunup, attaining a height of some 4,000 feet.
We arrived at Tenterden Siding, our base of operations, on the night of the 22nd September, but owing to the strong equinoctial gales then prevailing, and the abnormally heavy rains accom- panying them, our camp manager and guide declined to start until the rough weather abated. Perforce we had to remain a few days at Tenterden. The time was not altogether wasted, for we thoroughly examined the local avi-fauna, and obtained and despatched to the Museum a great number of specimens. We were fortunate in finding the nest of the Black Duck, or, as it is called in Western Australia, the " Grey " Duck, and Mr. Conigrave took a photograph of the nest in situ, which is re-
IO MlLLIGAN. Notes on a Trip to the Stirling. Ranee. I |;",U1I
' 6 6 [ ist July
produced here. Bird-life generally was very abundant. I was delighted to meet with such old feathered friends as the Bell-Bird (Oreoica cristata) and the gregarious White-browed Babbler PomUtorhinus superciliosus), both of which were everywhere numerous. I also secured a specimen of the White-bellied Shrike- Tit (Falcunculus leucogaster). We examined some lakes and swamps in the locality, but the examination did not afford any- thing remarkable.
It was not until the morning of the 26th that we really began our journey to the Ranges. Our party was supplemented by our camp manager and a camp assistant. Our baggage, stores, and general equipment rilled a dray, which was drawn by two horses. The journey occupied some fourteen days, and was wholly performed by us on foot. The distance traversed by us during the period, including deviations, mountain ascents, and side explorations, amounted to fully 200 miles. The weather was distinctly equinoctial, and we only experienced two or three tine days throughout the whole trip. Day after day we were drenched to the skin by the heavy rain-squalls, and frequently in pitching our camps we found the sites running with surface water.
Leaving Tenterden, we cut into the western extremity of the Ranges, taking a north-easterly direction and making Solomon's Well our first camp. Leaving that camp, we struck an almost easterly course, cutting through the foothills, and reaching the north side of the Ranges, which we skirted until we pitched a temporary camp, a few miles west of Yetermirrup Spring. Our third camp was Yetermirrup, and our fourth one on Toll's Creek, in Toll's Pass, near the base of Mt. Toolbrunup, our objective. On our return journey we retraced our steps from there to Yetermirrup, and thence to the turn-off at the Redgum Pass. We followed the Pass until we reached the Redgum Springs, where we made our last camp. From there we struck south- westerly through the foothills to the Young River, and thence westerly to Tenterden.
The country passed through was diversified in character. The Ranges themselves we found to be a succession of peaks, more or less conical in shape, and of varying heights, and they appeared to arise perpendicularly out of the vast surrounding plains. They were remarkable, inasmuch as they began abruptly at Tenterden and extended due easterly some 70 miles and then again abruptly ended. The breadth of the chain from north to south varied from 6 to 10 miles. Viewed from the top of a peak having any altitude, the others appeared like the mountain peaks shown on a physical atlas to indicate relative heights.
On the north side of the Ranges gravelly foothills and rocky outcrops occurred between the defined line of peaks and the plains. The plains on the north for some twenty miles were dotted with a number of lakes and lakelets. The mountain peaks were composed of horizontal layers of vitreous sandstone.
The Emu, Vol. III.
PLATE I.
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Vol III."]
1903 I
MlLLIGAN, Notes on a Trip to the Stirling Range. I I
By the action of the weather the exposed edges had from time to time become broken and detached, with the result that the inclined surfaces of the peaks from summit to base were littered with reddish-coloured loose flags and fragments of laminated stone, making ascent most laborious and difficult. At a distance the defined and uncovered layers of stone resembled glacial lines. The peaks for a great distance upwards and the smaller hills were clothed with clumps or stools of a dwarf eucalypt called " marlock " which much resembles mallee scrub. In the more sheltered ravines and gullies flowering scrubs, head high, grew.
The disposition of the different forms of bird-life was, generally speaking, most clearly defined. One form, the Bell-Bird {Oreoica cristata), was found everywhere. Other forms, such as the Restless Fly-catchers (Sisura inquieta), the Rufous Tree-creepers {Climacteris rufa), Western Scarlet-breasted Robins {Petroeca campbelli), the Banded Wrens {Malurus splendcns), and the Red-tipped Pardalotes {Pardalotus ornatus) were found in the good alluvial country only. Other forms, again, such as the Lesser Brown Fly-catchers {Microzca assimilis), the new Calamanthus (hereafter more particularly referred to), the Blue- breasted Wrens {Malurus pule her rimus), were found in the sterile gravelly and stony country. The new Calamanthus and Blue- breasted Wrens, singular to say, were found on the north side of the Ranges only, and notwithstanding that the local conditions on the south side were similar, and to all appearances equally as favourable. On the other hand, the Singing Honey-eaters {Ptilotis sonora) were found on the south side only.
Honey-eaters, of various kinds were found wherever the flowers were, but they had their preferences. For instance, the Tawny- crowned Honey-eater (Glycyphila fulvifrons) was confined prin- cipally to the sand plains ; the Yellow-plumed Honey-eater {Ptilotis ornata) sought the " white gums ; " the Wattle-cheeked Honey-eater {Ptilotis eratitia) was local in a pronounced degree, only two small companies being discovered, and each within a restricted area of an acre.
Excepting those named, all the Honey-eaters met and fed in common in the flowering scrubs of the foothills and mountain gullies, but only the Long-billed Honey-eaters {Meliornis longi- rostris) and the Green-backed Silver-eyes {Zosterops gouldi) were found on or near the summits of the peaks. The Dusky Miners (Manorhina obscura) and the Magpie-Larks {Grallina picatd) were found only in the " jam " (acacia) country at Toll's Creek. It is worthy of mention that not one Crow (or Raven) was observed during the journey.
The net results of the expedition were distinctly gratifying, for we secured some 120 skins for the Museum, and secured or observed about 70 species. Included in the latter were two new species, Calamanthus montanellus and Mclithreptus leucogenys. Both species were described in the previous vol. (ii.) of The Emu, he latter named species at page 160, and the former at page 200.
I 2 Milligan, Notes on a Trip to the Stirling Range. [Isf July
The facts and incidents relating to their discovery will he dealt with later on in this article.
We also were successful in securing specimens of the scarce Malurus pulcherrimus, the particulars of the finding of which will also be dealt with as above indicated. We also secured the egg of the White-tailed Cockatoo (Caly ptorhynchus baudini), the nest and eggs of the Western Scarlet-breasted Robin {Petrceca campbelli), and skins of the beautiful and singularly marked Wattle-cheeked Honey-eater (Ft Hot is cratitia). A photograph of the nest of the White-tailed Cockatoo is here produced.
With every expedition regrets and perplexities arise with its members. Ours was not an exception. One of the keenest of the former to me was the loss of what I take to be a new Sericornis. Whilst examining some thickets at the foot of Mt. Toolbrunup, I disturbed a company of small dark chocolate-coloured birds. I could easily have shot the whole company at close quarters, as they were so fearless, but had I done so the skins would have been mangled. To stand back at a reasonable killing distance and still keep the birds in view was impossible. In a fit of im- patience I did shoot one, but it was cut about almost beyond recognition. After cursorily examining it at camp that night, I cast it away, thinking I could secure others the next day. The next day and many other days we tried to find similar birds, but unsuccessfully. Verily " a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."
One of my perplexities was in regard to Pardalotus omatus. At several places in the " marlock " clumps we obtained specimens, each of which possessed orange-yellow head spots. Usually spots of that colour are taken as an external distinguishing sex mark, but it could be scarcely possible that every bird we shot should prove to be of the same sex. The matter was left over for cabinet examination, but all the skins and many others met with a misadventure after their arrival in Perth. Again, I was not satisfied of the identity of the Dusky Miner (Manorhina obscurd). The Stirling Range bird appeared to be much smaller than the Swan River bird. The Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrikes (Graucalus melanops) also appeared to be-much smaller, and some notes they uttered were not familiar to me. Unfortunately these skins shared in the misadventure before referred to. I was also in doubt as to Acanthochcera lunulata. The specimen which I shot in a secluded mountain gorge resembled A. mellivora as much as the species named, and appeared to form a connecting link between the two — that is to say, if it be possible to define a differ- ence between the two species. Then, again, we secured several specimens of the White-browed Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus super ciliosus) and in every male specimen the head was black, or almost so, not the greyish-olive of the mantle and back. Lastly, Petrceca bi color produced, as it always has produced for me, perplexity. Several adult birds were shot, in some of which the mandibles were shallow, and the top one perceptibly hooked, and in others fuller and boat-shaped without the hook.
The Emu, Vol. III.
PLATE II.
Taking Nest of White-tailed Cockatoo ( Calyptorhynchus baudivi )*
FRCM A PHOTO. BY C. P. CONIQRAVE.
Vol. III. 1503
MlLLlGAN, Notes on a Trip to the Stirling Range.
I now propose to give the particulars respecting the new species and Malurus pulcherrimus. In point of discovery the new Calamanthus takes priority.
Calamanthus montanellus (Rock Field-Wren). — When approach- ing Yetermirrup Spring for the first time I observed a small bird run in a mouse-like manner across the track into some rough herbage. I at once followed in pursuit, and with the help of my dog disturbed it from its refuge. Instead of flying, it still ran along the ground, threading its way through the sparse low- growing ground scrub. Eventually I shot it, and as it was not a familiar form we determined to secure as many others as possible. This, however, as we afterwards found, was not easy of accomplish- ment. It appeared to be C. fuliginosus , but subsequent examina- tion proved the bird to be new.
The new species is much larger than C. campcstris, but a trifle smaller than C. fuliginosus. The differences between the new species and the latter are most marked. Firstly, the lustrous fulvous wash on the upper surface of C. fuliginosus is supplanted by a lustreless greyish-brown, and the upper surface striations are less pronounced and narrower in the new species, and inclined to run in longitudinal lines. On the other hand, the under surface of the new species is marked with bolder striations, extending farther down the chest ; and the colouring of the remainder of the under surface is very much lighter, and almost becomes white on the abdomen. The new bird was invariably found on the gravelly and rocky country — never on the alluvial flats. The song is most tuneful, and resembles that of Sphenura litoralis (Bristle-Bird), but is weaker and more subdued. We secured at least half a score of specimens. The sexes differ but little in external appearance and colouring.
Melithreptus leucogenys (Western Brown-headed Honey-eater). — On leaving Yetermirrup on our homeward journey we, as before stated, struck into the mountains south-westerly through the Redgum Pass, and camped near the Redgum Springs. At the latter place we were right in the midst of the mountains, and between the bases of Mt. Mondurup and Rose Peak. The locality was very rich in flowering shrubs, and as a consequence Honey- eaters of all kinds were numerous and characteristically vivacious. On the morning after our arrival we had a torrential downpour, and we were, against our will, confined to camp for an hour or so. On a slight abatement of the weather conditions occurring we moved out, although the scrubs and timber were dripping wet. Whilst standing on a hillside in the midst of the scrub, a Meli- threptus perched for an instant on a bush close by. Its blackish- brown head and white cheeks at once arrested my attention, but before I had time to shoot it it flew away. Subsequently I heard a series of rattle-like notes. These I traced to birds similar to the one described. The birds were very shy, but after much patience and pursuit I secured one, and. afterwards two others. On examining them, the orange-coloured eye-spaces with bluish-
14 MlLLIGAN, Notes on a Trip to tin Stirling Range. fisfjuh
emerald orbits and their white cheeks appeared to me to at once distinguish them from M. brevirostris. After our return to Perth, a comparison with the skin of M. brevirostris disclosed other structural differences, and I declared the species a new one accordingly.
Malurus pulcherrimus (Blue-breasted Wren). — On our home- ward journey, between Toll's Pass and Yetermirrup, the attention of Mr. Conigrave and myself was arrested by the tuneful song of the new Calamanfrhus, the author of which we located in a remarkable outcrop of rock some short distance from the road. Whilst in pursuit of the bird we disturbed a colony of Wrens, which we assumed to be Malurus elegans, for we could only get occasional momentary glimpses of them as they threaded their way through the denser patches of scrub. We endeavoured by all means at our command to flush them, but unsuccessfully, as they were so timid and secretive. After awaiting some time I got a snap shot at a male bird as he showed himself for a moment, but failed to kill. Finding a new lemon-scented boronia in the rock clefts, I ceased pursuit for a few minutes, but Mr. Conigrave, exhibiting greater persistence, tracked them from bush to bush by their tell-tale voices, and eventually was rewarded with a male bird, and shortly afterwards a female bird. Without examining them critically he placed them in his bag, and joined me in my botanical examination. When about to resume our journey I asked to see and was shown the birds. One glance sufficed to show that they were not familiar forms. We at once abandoned our intention of immediately resuming our journey, and com- menced to beat the scrubs for the remainder of the colony, but notwithstanding that we could hear them occasionally in the undergrowth we could not sight them. Our persistence was fruitless, and we were reluctantly compelled to give up pursuit and follow the team, which was now ahead of us some miles. On reaching the camp at Yetermirrup we talked the matter over at some length, and, having regard to the facts that very many of the Maluri are local in habit, and that the outcrop was the only one of the kind we had observed, we decided that the locality should be searched again next morning — a decision which involved a journey of 15 miles, in addition to the next day's stage of 12 miles in new country. To my secret satisfaction, Air. Conigrave volunteered to return alone in the morning, and appreciating that he was some 25 years younger, I readily, and perhaps selfishly, acquiesced in his lone undertaking. Shortly after daylight next morning he began his walk back, and we in due time proceeded on the next stage. He had not long gone before I regretted his undertaking, for, making a side exploration from the track in some likely-looking country, my dog, who accom- panied me, disturbed a number of Maluri, and the male bird showing itself on the top of a dead bush, 1 immediately shot it, and found it to be M . pulcherrimus. In the late afternoon Mi'. Conigrave reached camp after a rough and arduous journey of
The Emu, Vol. III.
PLATE III.
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"5 PS
Vol. III. 1903
Milligan, Notes on a Trip to the Stirling Range. I 5
2j miles, and produced three male birds as the result of his labours. From what has been stated cabinet naturalists will perceive that their brothers in the field make many sacrifices in the interest and pursuit of a common study.
Although there is not, perhaps, any doubt that the birds we secured were M . pulcherrimus, nevertheless there are some minor differences between them and Gould's bird which it may be desirable to mention. In the first place, the total length of Gould's bird is given as ^ in. and the tail as 3^ in. In the Stirling Range bird the total length is f of an inch greater, but the tail measurements are equal, thus confining the difference to the body length, which is material. Gould's measurements, however, are not always reliable, and as an example of such let me mention a similar inaccuracy in Gould's recorded measure- ments of M . elegans. Again, Gould gives the measurements of the bill of his bird as ^ of an inch. Obviously this is an error, and should read TV I think, therefore, these points of difference may be put aside.
Now, on the question of colour, Gould gives the colours of the crown of the head and eye-spaces of his bird as glossy violet-blue and verditer blue respectively. In the Stirling Range bird the colours are deep violet-blue with a purple glint and light cobalt respectively. Possibly, and probably, on comparison, the shades of blue in each bird would prove identical, and the differences may only rest in the discrimination of the respective writers. Some other minor differences appear in the tail colours and in the purity of the white on the abdomen, but these may be regarded as trivial. xA.ttention, however, must be directed to the facts that in each of the Stirling Range birds dingy brown feathers appear in the cap, and that the upper tail coverts are of the same shade. Upon these facts the following questions arise : — (a) Must these dingy brown feathers be taken to be permanent ? (b.) If not, are they the badges of approaching adolescence ? and (c.) If not, are they the remnants of a plumage being cast off ?
The persistency of the brown feathers almost negatives the notion of their being the badge of approaching adolescence, for according to the law of averages it is scarcely possible that five male birds could be shot promiscuously and all prove young males.
As against the first notion the additional fact must be recorded that the season was an abnormally late one, and that in one specimen the uppermost tail feathers showed they were last year's by their faded and abraded appearance, and that in another specimen the uppermost and undermost pairs of tail feathers were only f- of an inch long — all which point to a moult in progress. As a counter fact, however, it may be stated that we shot male birds of M . elegans and M . splendens all of which were in com- plete new plumage.
If the first and second questions are to be answered in the negative, then the theory that the adult male annually assumes a nuptial plumage is well founded. To say with definiteness
I 6 MlLLIGAN, Notes on a Trip to the Stirling Range. [lsf July
which aspect of the matter is the correct one is difficult indeed, but I think the balance of testimony is in favour of the first and second questions being answered in the negative, and the third one in the affirmative.
The following is a list of the birds secured or observed during the expedition : —
(i.) AcciPITER CIRRHOCEPHALUS (Sparrow-Hawk). — One morning, in the vicinity of Yetermirrup Spring, I observed one of these winged hunters scouring a gully. He was flying at a terrific pace just about two feet above the rough ground herbage. His turnings, where patches of scrub and other natural obstacles intercepted a straight flight, were particularly graceful. Evidently his reputation had preceded him, and his flight was observed, judging by the way the Honey-eaters and other small birds sounded the alarm note of danger. By 'the same means the course of his subsequent flight could be traced half a mile farther away.
(2.) UROAETUS AUDAX (Wedge-tailed Eagle). — Many of these birds were observed soaring over the craggy heights of Mt. Toolbrunup and other peaks.
(3.) Hieracidea BERIGORA (Striped Brown Hawk). — Observed on several occasions
(4.) CERCHNEIS CENCHROIDES (Kestrel). — Fairly abundant on the verges of the sand plains.
(5.) Strepera plumbea (Leaden Crow-Shrike). — One or two odd pairs observed ; rare.
(6.) GRALLINA PICATA (Magpie-Lark). — A few birds were observed in the " jam " country at Toll's Creek. They were not plentiful in any part of Western Australia that I have visited. They have a call not familiar to me. The " pee-wit " call of the Victorian and Queensland bird is not used frequently.
(7.) COLLYRIOCINCLA RUFIVENTRIS (Buff-bellied Shrike-Thrush). — Numerous on good soils.
(8.) GRAUCALUS MELANOPS (Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike). — Numerous on alluvial flats and woodlands. One of their calls 1 did not recognize. The birds also appear to be smaller.
(9.) MlCRCECA ASSIMILIS (Lesser Brown Fly-catcher). — A few seen at different places, usually on recently burnt scrub patches. Three skins were obtained. Apparently another species of Micrcvca exists inland.
(10.) PETRCECA CAMPBELLI (Western Scarlet-breasted Robin). — Numerous on the good lands.
(11.) PETRCECA BICOLOR (Hooded Robin). — We shot several. Rather sparsely distributed.
(12.) SMICRORNIS BREVIROSTRIS (Short-billed Tree-Tit). — We shot several in the " white gum " country. They are evidently early breeders, for we shot two young ones which were flying about.
(13.) PSEUDOGERYGONE CULICIVORA (Southern Fly-eater). -- Fairly numerous in big timber.
(14.) MALURUS SPLENDENS Handed Wren). — These " Mormons " were numerous on the heavy soils. 1 observed them on two or three occasions mount fully 15 feet high in the saplings. We saw young birds at Ten- terden.
Vol. III. 1903
MlLLIGAN, Notes on a Trip to the Stirling Range. 1 7
(15.) MALURUS ELEGANS (Red-winged Wren). — We saw two or three companies altogether. When about one-fourth of the way up Mt. Tool- brunup I shot a beautiful male. I have reason to recollect the incident, as at the time I was labouring heavily over the loose, moving masses of stone on a steep pinch, and at the same time was nearly stifled with the scrub, which just reached the top of my head.
(16.) MALURUS PULCHERRIMUS (Blue-breasted Wren). — Vide previous reference.
(17.) Rhipidura preissi (Western Fantail). — This doubtful species was observed, but was not anywhere abundant.
(18.) Rhipidura tricolor (Black and White Fantail).— Numerous on good soils.
(19.) SlSURA INQUIETA (Restless Flycatcher).— Numerous on good soils.
(20.) STIPITURUS MALACHURUS (Emu-Wren). — Saw one male bird.
(21.) ACANTHIZA INORNATA (Plain-coloured Tit).— Companies numerous in the " marlock " clumps.
(22.) ACANTHIZA APICALIS (Broad-tailed Tit).— Numerous on good soils.
(23.) ACANTHIZA CHRYSORRHOA (Yellow-rumped Tit). — Numerous on good soils. When searching some narrow upland flats on Toll's Creek I discovered a nest in the prickly head of a hakea bush. The latter, with its strong needle leaves pointing and crossing at different angles, only allowed sufficient space in its interior for the true nest. Family councils were evidently held, and it is to be assumed that it was definitely decided that the " look-out " or " cock's nest " was indispensable, for the " look-out " was made an independent structure 6 inches away on the left-hand side of the true nest. I have not any doubt that, as the non-construction of the " look-out " would seriously affect the comfort of Paterfamilias Chry- sorrhoa, he, at the family councils, with characteristic masculine negation, strongly advocated its construction. Upon whatever grounds the matter was decided, the fact remains that no better place could have been selected for protection against every natural enemy.
(24.) SERICORNIS MACULATA (Spotted Scrub-Wren). — One or two speci- mens were obtained.
(25.) ClNCLOSOMA CASTANONOTUM (Chestnut-backed Ground-Bird). — A bird resembling this species was observed by Mr. Conigravc on some tea-tree country at Solomon's Well. They are said to be common about Tenterden, although we did not see any.
(26.) POMATORHINUS SUPERCILIOSUS (White-browed Babbler). — Secured many specimens. Very numerous in the Tenterden woodlands and on the " sheoak " country on the south side of the Ranges.
(27.) ClNCLORHAMPHUS RUFESCENS (Rufous Song-Lark). — Mr. Conigrave shot one near Tenterden from the top of a " white gum " tree.
(28.) CALAMANTHUS MONTANELLUS (Rock Field-Wren). — Vide previous reference.
(29.) EPHTHIANURA ALBIFRONS (White-fronted Chat). — Plentiful on edges of lakes near Tenterden.
(30.) GYMNORHINA dorsalis (Long-billed Magpie). — Fairly numerous on good lands.
(31.) CRACTICUS DESTRUCTOR (Butcher-Bird).— Fairly numerous on good lands.
I 8 MlLLIGAN, Notes on a Trip to the Stirling Range. ["isfjuly
(32.) Falcunculus leucogaster (White-bellied Shrike-Tit). — I secured three specimens in the " white gum " country. Not by any means numerous.
(33.) OREOICA CRISTATA (Bell-Bird). — Widely distributed.
(34.) EoPSALTRlA GEORGIANA* (Grey-breasted Shrike-Robin). — Numerous everywhere on good soils. Observed one nest with young on low branch of white gum.
(35.) PACHYCEPHALA OCCIDENT ALIS (Western Thickhead).
(36.) PACHYCEPHALA RUFIVENTRIS (Rufous-breasted Thickhead). — Numerous.
(37.) CLIMACTERIS RUFA (Rufous Tree-creeper). — This was the only species of Tree-creeper we saw. It was numerous on the good lands. I was much interested in watching them secure their food in the soil on the edge of the swamps by digging or probing with their bills.
(38). SlTTELLA PILEATA (Black-capped Tree-runner). — Numerous in timber country.
(39.) ACANTHORHYNCHUS SUPERCILIOSUS (White-browed Spinebill). — See earlier references. We discovered a pair building a nest.
(40.) ZOSTEROPS GOULDI (Green-backed White-eye). — Well distributed. Sec earlier references.
(41.) MELITHREPTUS CHLOROPSIS (Western White-naped Honey-cater). — Much in evidence in the flowering scrubs.
(42.) MELITHREPTUS LEUCOGENYS (Western Brown-headed Honey-cater . —See earlier references.
(43). GLYCYPHILA FULVIFRONS (Tawny-crowned Honey-eater). — Very numerous on foothills and sand plains. We discovered scores of nests, which were invariably placed about a foot above the ground in a tussock of rough herbage. The nests in all instances contained eggs.
(44.) GLYCYPHILA OCULARIS (Brown Honey-eater). — Fairly numerous in the flowering scrubs. They slightly differ in colour from the Swan River bird.
(45.) PTILOTIS SONORA (Singing Honey-eater).— We found this species in one spot only, in some " sheoaks " (? Casuarina) on the south side of the Ranges. The notes they uttered were peculiar, and different to any I have heard before. I shot three or four, but owing to the unfortunate misadventure before referred to the specimens were not put into skins.
(46.) PTILOTIS CRATITIA (Wattle-cheeked Honey-eater). — We secured several specimens of this remarkable bird. See earlier references.
(47.) PTILOTIS ORNATA (Yellow-plumed Honey-cater). — Common in the " white gum " country.
(48.) Meliornis LONGIROSTRIS (Long-billed Honey-cater). — Common in flowering thickets.
(49.) MELIORNIS MYSTACALLS i Moustached Honey-cater).— Not common. (50.) MELIORNIS SERICEA (White-cheeked Honey-eater).
(51.) MANORHINA OBSCURA (Dusky Miner).— Numerous in "jam" country.
(52.) Acanthoch.era CARl mil ata (Wattle-Bird . Numerous in
" white gum " country.
* — E. gularis. See Emu, vol. ii., p. 178.
Vo1' I11-] MlLLIGAN, Notes on a Trip to the Stirling Range. ig
(53.) ACANTHOCPL^RA LUNULATA (Little Wattle-Bird). — I saw several together in a dense sapling thicket at the head of a mountain gully.
(54.) PARDALOTUS ORNATUS (Red-tipped Pardalote). — Common in " white gum " belts.
(55.) PARDALOTUS PUNCTATUS (Spotted Pardalote). — Fairly numerous in the " marlock " clumps, but not seen elsewhere. See earlier references.
(56.) HlRUNDO NEOXENA (Swallow). — Common at homestead, Tenterden.
(57.) Petrochelidon nigricans (Tree Martin). — Common in "white gum " belts.
(58.) Anthus AUSTRALis (Pipit or Ground-Lark). — Common about fields at Tenterden. Mr. Conigrave shot one on the shores of one of the salt lakes.
(59.) ARTAMUS SORDIDUS (Wood-Swallow). — Secured one specimen. Not very common.
(60.) Cuculus pallidus (Pallid Cuckoo). — Common about Tenterden. Locally called the " Spring-Bird."
(61.) Cacomantis flabelliformis (Fan-tailed Cuckoo). — Not numerous.
(62.) CHALCOCOCCYX PLAGOSUS (Bronze-Cuckoo). — Shot a young one at the foot of a bush.
(63.) GLOSSOPSITTACUS PORPHYROCEPHALUS (Purple-crowned Lorikeet). — Very numerous in the " yate " gum country near Tenterden.
(64.) CALYPTORHYNCHUS BAUDINI (White-tailed Cockatoo). — Numerous in the timber country. When approaching Yetermirrup Spring on our homeward journey one was observed to leave a dry hollow limb in a "white gum" tree by the roadside. After the camp was pitched we returned to the tree, and after " tomahawking " in holes in various places in the limbs and trunk, eventually hit the locale of the nest (if it can be so termed) in the latter. It contained one egg. There was not any semblance of con- struction about the nest, the egg just being placed on the decayed matter often found in the trunks of " piped " trees. The distance from the entrance of the hollow to where the egg was deposited was some 12 feet. We observed young birds flying about with the flocks. They could easily be detected by their baby voices.
(65.) PLATYCERCUS ICTEROTIS (Yellow-cheeked Parrakeet). — Not very numerous.
(66.) Porphryocephalus SPURIUS (Red-capped Parrakeet.) — Uncom- mon. Saw two birds only.
(67.) TURNIX VARIA (Painted Quail). — Saw several — some on stony country, and others on alluvial.
(68.) BURHINUS GRALLARIUS (Stone-Plover). — Very plentiful in the " white gum " country. They came very close to the camps at night. We flushed them in the scrubs skirting the timber country on many occasions in the daytime.
(69.) ANAS SUPERCILIOSA (Black Duck). — See earlier references. We saw many on the lakes near Tenterden, also many other species of Duck which we could not identify from the long distance.
20 MlLLIGAN, Notes on Lake Yanchep. [w'uV
Notes on Lake Yanchep.
By A. W. Milligax, Perth.
Lake Yanchep is situate some $S niiles north of Perth, and forms a link of that characteristic chain of lakes, estuaries, and swamps which run parallel with the western coast and which extend, approximately speaking, from Cape Naturaliste to the Moore River.
Our trip, which was made during the last Christmas holidays, was formed with the primary object of sport, the lake and its neighbourhood, according to local accounts, abounding with waterfowl, Quail, Wild Turkey, and kangaroo. To me the question of sport was only co-equal with, if not really subsidiary to, that of ornithology, and as a consequence my specimen gun and a tank of formalin were to be found with the camp baggage and impedimenta of the party.
We found the country surrounding the lake to be of a bold limestone formation, honeycombed with caves and subterranean channels, through which latter streams of fresh water found their way into the lake, and, in turn, out into the ocean some three miles distant.
The lake itself may be compared to a deep sunken trough. It runs almost due north and south, and is fully three miles in length, by a varying breadth of half a mile, and with its sides fairly precipitous. The southern end of the lake presents a fair expanse of clear water, but thence northwards (except in the case of one or two well-defined pools) becomes gradually shallower until the top end runs out in oozy black mud. In the shallower waters the " yangies " (bulrushes), flags, pointed reeds, rushes, and badallions rankly grow, providing refuge and food for Reed- Warblers, Crakes, Coots, Bittern, and Grass-Birds. On the ocean side the limestone rock is conspicuous for some distance, and then is succeeded by a parallel strip of undulating sand-hills clothed with a rough bright green herbage, and finally by a littoral strip of bare hungry sand reaching to the ocean, and broken only by the limestone cliffs on the beach brows. The southern end of the lake is fringed with the feathery-leaved paper-barks (tea-tree) and river banksias, which in the heat of day cast a grateful shade over the miniature bays and nooks for the wild fowl. On the precipitous sides of the lake and on the highlands the gigantic ashy-white " tuart " gums flourish, notwithstanding their inhospitable rocky homes. Upon these trees innumerable yellowish-red bunches of mistletoe hang like chandeliers. On the sheltered hillsides and in the rock chasms thickets of the beautiful white and heliotrope hibiscus occur, and sometimes shelters of acacia. Away from the lake and towards the beach a species of prickly mimosa and short undergrowth, with occa- sional thickets of banksia, predominate. These are mentioned because each section of country was inhabited by its own group of feathered denizens.
Vo1- IIL] MlLLIGAN, Notes on Lake Yanchep. 2 I
1903 J ' '
The trip from a sporting point was not an unqualified success, for, although the kangaroo were plentiful, the Ducks were scarce, owing to the outlying smaller swamps still containing water and food for them. On the other hand, the scientific aspect of the trip was more encouraging, and resulted in the discovery of a new Megalurus, a specific description of which appeared in the last issue of The Emu (vol. ii., p. 201). Specimens of the Long-billed Reed-Warblers, the Black and White Swallows, the Mistletoe-Birds (Dicceum), and the chaste White-faced Ternlet were also secured. The Reed-Warblers were just bringing out their broods, and I saw one or two families of young ones just from the nest. The parent birds appeared to me to be very light in colour, both on the upper and under surfaces. Hawks were numerous, as also the White-tailed Cockatoo. One Hock of the latter I estimated to be composed of some 2,000 birds. Their querulous voices became, after a time, most irritating.
For the purpose of recording the distribution of species I append a list of those secured or observed during the trip : —
GRALLINA PICATA (Magpie-Lark). — A flock of these birds was domiciled at the northern end of the lake, and fed on the drier portions in company with the White-fronted Chats.
Pseudogerygone CULICIVORA (Southern Fly-eater). — One I shot was touched with faint yellow on the throat.
Acrocephalus longirostris (Long-billed Reed-Warbler). — Very numer- ous in the yangies. As before stated, they were in the midst of the breeding season. I saw many adult birds carrying food in their bills for their young. The birds are very much lighter in colour than Gould's coloured plate. We waited one night at one of the pools to get some Duck-shooting. The birds sang continuously until close on 9 o'clock when we left.
Cinclorhamphus cruralis (Brown Song-Lark). — Numerous on the undulating sand-hills.
DlC.EUM HIRUNDINACEUM (Mistletoe-Bird). — Very numerous on mistletoes on the " tuart " gums, but nevertheless difficult to get. I shot a young male who possessed a finch-like beak of a vermilion colour.
CHERAMCECA LEUCOSTERNUM (Black and White Swallow). — Found a few in company with the Tree Martins. Secured two.
CALYPTORHYNCHUS BAUDINI (White-tailed Cockatoo). — See earlier reference.
Porzana palustris (Little Crake). — Saw several of these jaunty, jerky- gaited pigmies in the reed-beds.
PORPHYRIO BELLUS (Blue Bald-Coot).— One of our party shot one of these fine birds. They were more numerous on the muddy lakes. NOTOPHOYX PACIFICA (White-necked Heron).
Notophoyx nov.e-hollandle (White-fronted Heron). — These were very numerous on the shallower portions of the lake. They were, however, very wary.
HlERACIDEA BERIGORA (Striped Brown Hawk).
CORVUS CORONOIDES (Crow).
Strepera plumbea (Leaden Crow-Shrike).
2 2 Milligan, Notes on Lake Yanchep. [isfm'
July
COLLYRIOCINCLA RUFIVENTRIS (Buff-bellied Shrike-Thrush).
GRAUCALUS MELANOPS (Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike).
PETRCECA CAMPBELLI (Western Scarlet-breasted Robin).
MALURUS SPLENDENS (Banded Wren).
RHIPIDURA PREISSI (Western Fantail).
Rhipidura TRICOLOR (Black and White Fantail).
SlSURA INQUIETA (Restless Fly-catcher).
Ephthianura albifrons (White-fronted Chat).
Gymnorhina dorsalis (Long-billed Magpie).
Cracticus destructor (Butcher-Bird).
EOPSALTRIA GEORGIANA* (Grey-breasted Shrike-Robin).
Sittella pileata (Black-capped Tree-runner).
Acanthorhynchus SUPERCILIOSUS (White-browed Spinebill).
MELITHREPTUS CHLOROPSIS (Western White-naped Honey-eater).
PTILOTIS ORNATA (Yellow-plumed Honey-eater).
MELIORNIS LONGIROSTRIS (Long-billed Honey-eater).
Pardalotus ORNATUS (Red-tipped Pardalote).
Petrochelidon nigricans (Tree Martin).
Anthus australis (Pipit).
Merops ornatus (Bee-eater).
Halcyon sanctus (Sacred Kingfisher).
Barnardius SEMITORQUATUS (Yellow-collared Parrakeet).
TURNIX VARIA (Painted Quail).
FULICA AUSTRALIS (Coot).
EUPODOTIS AUSTRALIS (Bustard).
H^MATOPUS LONGIROSTRIS (Pied Oyster-catcher).
Recurvirostra NOV.E-HOLLANDIiE (Red-necked Avocet).
Sterna nereis (White-faced Ternlet).
Botaurus poicilopterus (Bittern).
Phalacrocorax MELANOLEUCUS (Little Cormorant).
C'ASARACA TADORNOIDES (Mountain Duck).
ANAS SUPERCILIOSA (Black Duck).
Nettion castaneum (Teal).
Spatula rhynchotis (Shoveller).
NYROCA AUSTRALIS (White-eyed Duck).
Biziura lobata (Musk-Duck).
* = E. gidaris. See E?/in, vol. ii., p. 178.
Vol. III.
1903
LITTLER, Notes on Some Birds Peculiar to Tasmania. 23
Notes on Some Birds Peculiar to Tasmania.
By Frank M. Littler, Launceston.
(Read before the Aust. O.U., Melbourne Congress, 21st November, 1902.)
Part I.
The following notes and observations apply only to the northern portion of the island. Some of the species whose habits I shall be describing later are far commoner in one district than in another, although the nature of the country is very similar.
When I say " birds peculiar to Tasmania," I include the various groups of islands in Bass Strait.
Mr. Robert Hall, in his " Key to the Birds of Australia and Tasmania," lists fifteen species as peculiar to the latter place, whereas Mr. A. J. Campbell, in his " Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds," states the number to be seventeen, the two additional species recorded by the latter author being the Long-tailed Blue Wren (Malurus gouldi) and the Yellow-throated Honey-eater (Ptilotis flavigularis). Four species, viz., the Hill Grow-Shrike (Strepera arguta), Scrub-Tit (Acanthomis magna), Lesser White- backed Magpie (Gymnorhina hyperleucd), and the Grey Butcher- Bird (Cracticus cinereus) are recorded by Mr. Campbell as being found only in Tasmania.
Whistling Shrike-Thrush (Collyriocinda rectirostris). — This bird is known to most Tasmanians as the "Whistling Dick," on account of its noisiness and general cheerfulness. In some districts this Shrike-Thrush is fairly plentiful. It always makes its presence known long before it can be seen with its loud and melodious whistling notes. There is some difference in the plumage of the sexes. That of the male is slate-grey on the upper surface, tail, and ear coverts ; the wings and the centre of the back are brown, with the throat and chest white ; the remainder of the under surface very light grey ; legs and feet greenish-grey. The plumage of the upper surface of the female is brown ; under surface light grey, with the throat and chest tinged with brown. The nest is cup-shaped, and composed of strips of stringybark lined inside with grass. The situations usually selected are in a hollow of a tree or stump, sometimes even placed on the rough bark at the foot of a tree. A clutch consists of from three to four eggs. In shape the eggs are oval, inclined to round; their colour is usually pearly white, spotted with olive and dull slate. The average measurements are about \\ in. by slightly over J in.
The denser portions of the bush are mostly favoured by this bird ; it is rarely seen in the open, except when passing through a cleared portion of the forest to get into the scrub on the other side. Caterpillars and insects of divers kinds, especially those to be found under the bark of trees, constitute its principal food. On account of its powerful bill, it is enabled with ease to strip the loose bark from the limbs and search out its prey. In those
24 LITTLER, Notes on Some Birds Peculiar to Tasmania. ("isf7ul •
districts in which it is not disturbed by the sportsman's gun, it is not at all shy, allowing one to approach within reasonable distance for the purpose of watching it at work. I said that it is rarely seen in the open ; but I know of several instances in which individual birds were seen in cleared portions and feeding round settlers' homes. One bird in particular I well remember. For some considerable time it was observed in the trees in the vicinity of the house, and as there were no children to scare it away it gradually became accustomed to people passing under the tree in which it sat. The next step was from the tree into the yard round the .back door, where it busied itself hunting for any unwary insects and picking up stray crumbs. As an experiment, food was thrown out ; it was regarded suspiciously at first, but afterwards eaten with avidity ; in fact, it soon began to look for it on arrival each day. On to the verandah was the next move, and from there into the kitchen. This last was only achieved after much inspection and listening to ascertain if anyone was within. On anyone entering the room a dash was made for the door or an open window ; it seemed to know that no harm was intended, so just used to fly as far as the garden fence and watch for more food. When perched on the verandah rail, a stream of melodious notes would pour from its throat, no doubt as payment for what it had received and part payment for what it was about to receive.
Small-billed Cuckoo-Shrike (Graucalus parvirostris). — I think that I may safely affirm that if any ten people taken at random in Tasmania were asked if they knew this bird they would promptly reply in the negative. If, on the other hand, they were asked if they knew the " Summer-Bird," nine out of the ten would reply " Yes." The Summer-Bird and the Small- billed Cuckoo-Shrike are one and the same species. Mr. A. J. Campbell objects to the name Summer-Bird on the score of the species being stationary and not migratory. How the Tasmanian vernacular name arose I do not know, but consider it too late in the day to drop it altogether and adopt the scientifically correct and somewhat unwieldy title. For many years I was under the impression that the bird did migrate. In some districts to which I had paid visits during the autumn and winter months not a single bird of this species was to be seen ; and as soon as spring came round again the birds put in an appearance and remained until autumn, when they again disappeared. During June, 1899, Mr. Campbell asked through the columns of The Australasian whether this species was stationary or not. As I had never up to that time seen it during the winter months, I replied that in my opinion it migrated. The day after posting my reply, I happened to be in a portion of the bush to the south of Launceston, when what should I see but a flock of twenty Summer-Birds (an unusual number) feeding on the ground. Since that time I have been continuing my observations, and have arrived at the conclusion that the species quits the colder
Vol. III. 1903
LITTLER, Notes on Some Birds Peculiar to Tasmania. 25
districts of the island for those of more genial climatic conditions. During the following month of the same year several birds came into the private gardens round and about the centre of Launceston, and remained in the vicinity for upwards of a week, during which time they fed on whatever insects they could gather from the trees and out of the ground. So far as I am aware, the occasion referred to is the only time when the Summer-Bird has been recorded as having stayed for any length of time in and about the centre of the city.
On several occasions have I seen it flying overhead, and more than once observed it perched on trees in our garden, but not staying for any length of time. To a great extent it resembles the Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike (Graucalus mclanops) of the mainland. It is, however, somewhat smaller, and differs some- what in the markings of the plumage from the latter species. It was only after much investigation that Gould separated the two species. The most striking features in the plumage of the bird under discussion are as follow : — The upper surface, wings, and tail are dark slaty-grey ; black is the prevailing colour on the forehead, ear coverts, sides of the face, and the throat ; the rest of the under surface is a pretty shade of grey ; the primaries are dark brown ; bill black, and legs and feet dark grey. There is no difference in the plumage of the sexes.
The nest, which is placed high on a dead horizontal branch of a eucalypt tree, is rather a flimsy affair, consisting of fine twigs and fragments of bark matted together with spiders' web. The structure is shallow, the sides not being much higher than suffi- cient to keep the eggs from being in danger of falling out. Generally four eggs are laid to the clutch. They are handsome in appearance. The surface is smooth and slightly glossy, the texture of the shell fine ; in shape they are inclined to be oval. The ground colour is a pretty shade of dark green, much spotted with various shades of umber ; many of the spots run together and form blotches. Mr. Campbell mentions that the markings are heaviest on the apex, but in the specimens in my possession the spots are very evenly distributed. Average size of eggs about 1 \ in. by slightly over f in. During the greater portion of the year the species is distributed throughout the length and breadth of the island. During the breeding season, which lasts from October to December, it generally goes in pairs, at other times small flocks of from six to ten are usually to be seen. Large flocks of twenty and upwards only appear during the winter months, and then more particularly about the north-west corner of the island. It is tamer in winter than at any other season of the year, allowing one to approach within reasonable distance. Its food consists of insects of every descrip- tion, which it captures either in the air or by searching among the leaves and rubbish on the ground. This bird has no song, but has a variety of notes which are used on different occasions. The most noticeable one is loud, shrill, and somewhat harsh.
2b LITTLER, Notes on Some Hi yds Peculiar to Tasmania. \ KmT",
List July
This is mostly employed as an alarm or call note. When first I heard this note I could not make out from what species of bird it emanated, it being so different from any heard before. At length I traced it to a Summer-Bird perched on the summit of a lofty tree. The notes uttered during the breeding season are soft and somewhat sweet. They vary greatly, sometimes resem- bling a cooing sound. Lastly, there are the notes in general use. They are hard to describe, but if once heard would never be mistaken for those of another species. They are very peculiar, and not on the whole unpleasing. When on the wing soft whirring notes are uttered. The flight of the Summer-Bird is peculiar. Progress is made in an undulating line, the bird rising and falling in regular waves. As it reaches the top of each imaginary wave the wings are folded, the momentum attained carrying it into the trough of another wave ; the air is then smartly beaten by the wings, which action carries the bird to the top of the next wave, and so on. It is by no means possessed of strong wing power ; the flight can at no time be called rapid.
Dusky Fantail (Rhipidura diemenensis). — This species is the insular form of the White-shafted Fantail (R. albiscapd), which it resembles closely. To most people it is familiar, either under the name of " Cranky Fan " or " Crazy Fantail." It is fairly evenly distributed throughout the island, being, however, more plentiful in some districts than in others. Generally described, this bird has the upper surface black, the under surface buff, a crescent-shaped white mark over the eye, the bases of the primaries and secondaries and tips of the tail feathers white, as are also the chin and throat. The female differs very slightly in appearance. The nest is a beautiful and marvellous piece of workmanship. Those who have had the pleasure of handling a finished specimen could not but be struck with admiration for the skill displayed by the little architects. It is usually situated a few feet from the ground, rather thick scrub being preferred, and is saddled on a naked horizontal twig. In shape it resembles a wine-glass with the base of the stem broken off. The tail-like appendage extends beneath the twig on which the nest is placed. I have seen many nests situated some twenty feet from the ground in warm gullies thickly grown with dog- wood and other saplings. When a stream is conveniently handy, the nest is placed on a twig overhanging it. The materials employed in its construction are fine dry grass, shreds of fine bark, and long fibrous green moss, the whole being covered exteriorily with matted spider's web, giving it a dirty-grey appearance. The interior lining consists of very fine rootlets, grass, or the long hair from the bases of fern fronds. One nest of this species in my possession is composed entirely of dry grass, lined with hair from fern fronds ; another is composed entirely of long, fibrous green moss, lined with fine grass. The dimensions pi the latter nest are as follow : — Circumference, 7^ in. ; diameter,
Vol. in."] Littler, Notes on Some Birds Peculiar to Tasmania. 2 7
1903 j ' /
2-|- in. ; depth, 2\ in., not including the tail-like appendage, 2 in. ; egg cavity, if in. in diameter ; depth i-| in.
Much discussion has arisen at various times as to the use or otherwise of the tail-like appendage. It is never finished off as neatly as the rest of the structure, and after a time is unravelled by the wind, and falls off to a great extent. Some writers believe it is useful in steadying the nest when placed in an exposed position ; others, again, are inclined to consider it a piece of pure mimicry, the bird desiring to imitate an excrescence on a limb. This last applies when the nest is placed in the open. Usually three eggs are laid ; the ground colour is a dirty shade of white, somewhat heavily spotted and blotched with reddish- brown, especially in the vicinity of the apex, where the spots form a confluent band.
The food of the Dusky Fantail consists almost entirely of insects, which are largely captured in the air. When flitting from bough to bough it has a rather head-over-heels kind of flight ; it is from this curious habit it gains the name of " Cranky Fan." It is very tame in disposition, and has often been known to enter dwellings in the bush and amuse itself catching flies on the window panes. Although preferring the vicinity of creeks and shady dells, it is no uncommon object in the gardens round and about Launceston. Many times have I seen one or more specimens flitting about the trees in our garden. The bump of curiosity seems to be largely developed in these birds ; oftentimes have I had them flitting round my head and face when standing quietly observing their habits in the bush. The presence of a human being about their haunts seems to excite and fascinate them ; they seem impelled to come and investigate the creature. The flight is weak and wavering, many strange antics being performed when on the wing. The song is also weak, but pretty. I always enjoy sitting in some thickly wooded gully and listening to the Dusky Fantail pouring forth its notes to the accompani- ment of a babbling rill.
Long-tailed Blue Wren (Malurus gouldi). — Under various names, such as " Gould's Blue Wren," " Cocktail," " Blue-cap," &c, is this beautiful little species known to us. Its dainty little form is almost as familiar as that of the sturdy, ubiquitous sparrow. This species is the insular form of the mainland Blue Wren (JMalurus cyaneus), and, so far as my experience goes, is very evenly distributed over at least the northern districts of Tas- mania. The summer plumage of the male, which is exquisite, is as follows : — The head, ear coverts, and a lunar-shaped mark on the upper part of the back are a rich blue — when it catches the reflection of the sun the sheen is very beautiful ; the rest of the upper surface is black ; the throat and chest are purplish- black ; the wings brown ; the tail when viewed in a dull light appears blackish-brown, but when seen in the full sunlight will be found a distinct shade of blue ; the legs and feet are brown. The winter plumage of the male resembles that which his com-
28 LITTLER, Notes on Some Birds Peculiar to Tasmania. \^mZ\-
panion has to wear all the year round. The female has to be content with a very dingy garb. The upper surface is brown, and the under surface greyish, the tail in some lights appearing of a light shade of blue.
Regarding the moulting of the male, the following notes are culled from my note book : — " 20th May. — The male Blue Wrens have lost their summer coats." 10th July (same year). — " Noticed a male Blue Wren in summer plumage, the first one I have seen this spring. Evidently it had only recently acquired it, as the colouring was not complete, the grey feathers not all being moulted out." In the Lilydale district, some fifteen miles north-east of Launceston, 17th July was the first date on which the male birds were observed to have moulted that year. 1st July the following year I find that " the Blue Wrens round Launceston have never moulted at all, but still retain their summer plumage." The previous year it was at a much earlier date that they all moulted ; in fact, by the 14th of the month the majority were regaining their pretty coats. " July the 12th. — The Blue Wrens still not moulted." The following year I note : — " On 5 th May a male Blue Wren in the garden was still in summer plumage, although all others observed had acquired their winter dress." The date of moulting greatly depends on climatic con- ditions. The nest is placed in a variety of situations, such as blackberry bushes, prickly box bushes, rushes by a river bank, &c. A note of mine reads : — " Found a nest of a Gould's Blue Wren in a prickly box about a foot high ; the nest was placed on the ground, and was composed on the outside of coarse grass, and on the inside of fine rootlets, fibres, &c. ; the lining of the egg cavity was of feathers and the soft down plucked from ripe thistle-heads." The prettiest and best finished nest of this species
1 have seen was accidentally found in a low clump of blackberries, in the Lilydale district. One evening, whilst returning at dusk from an excursion in the bush, I happened to jump over a small blackberry clump growing in the path. The noise caused a pair of Blue Wrens to fly out. Thinking a nest might be hidden in the clump, I commenced a search, and soon found it snugly hidden among a tangle of interlacing vines. It was composed on the outside of various kinds of grasses, chiefly those possessed of broad blades, and fibres of bark. The inside consisted of the stalks of a soft fine grass, the lining of the egg cavity being wholly thistle down. The shape of the nest differed somewhat from that of any other nests of this species I have found. Over one-half of the egg cavity was built a hood-like projection, as though the little architects had endeavoured to construct a shelter from the rain for the one sitting in the nest. If the sheltering hood were cut away to the rim of the egg cavity the nest would be decidedly round in shape. The greatest circumference was 15 in.; the greatest height, including hood, 5 in. ; width of egg cavity,
2 in. ; depth of egg cavity, i-| in. ; height of hood-like projection, measured from the rim of egg cavity, 2 in.
°' 3 ' Littler, Notes on Some Birds Peculiar to Tasmania. 2Q
Other nests I have found have either been globular or oval shaped. In nearly every instance four eggs were laid ; they are inclined to oval in shape, with the texture of the shell very fine, and a decided gloss on the surface. The ground colour of the shell is white. The markings, which are reddish-brown, vary greatly in number in individual specimens ; some are greatly spotted all over, not only with moderately sized spots, but also with very tiny ones, so as to give the egg quite a pinkish tinge ; others, again, have the spots closer together at the stouter end so as to form a belt. The dimensions are about five-eighths of an inch by seven-sixteenths of an inch.
The following rough note about some young Blue Wrens was made recently : — " Saw a male Blue Wren gathering food, pre- sumably for his young. After searching a while I found them, perched on a low hawthorn bough. Funny little balls of feathers they were, too, just able to fly. Great was the consternation of the parent birds when I approached close to their offspring to examine them. They (the old birds) kept constantly flying to the little ones, and doing all in their power to entice them away, and in these efforts they eventually succeeded. The plumage of the young birds (four) was much lighter than that of the adult female, or that of the male when in his winter plumage. The upper surface, wings, and tail were a light shade of brown, very lustreless in appearance ; the under surface a dirty white ; man- dibles and commissure very yellow ; irides light brown ; legs and feet yellow. The male bird is a very amusing little fellow. The airs and graces he assumes are worth watching. He hops round with his long tail erect as though he was a very important per- sonage, as no doubt he is in his own estimation. Along and over fallen logs he proceeds, darting suddenly to the ground when something choice catches his eye, back again on to the logs, now perching on a stump to pour forth his little song, then once more all on the alert, darting after some fly, and poking his little beak into every crack and crevice, flitting his tail the while. So on he goes the livelong day, tireless in his inquisitiveness.
The Blue Wren (M. cyaneus) of the mainland is said to be a polygamist ; so, to a certain extent, is our Blue Wren. No doubt others besides myself who have watched these interesting little birds have been struck by the fact that a male often has two, and sometimes three, females following meekly after him, picking up scraps he does not consider good enough for his own lordly little stomach. Round bush homesteads the Blue Wren becomes very tame, hopping round the doorways, and even into the passages, in search of crumbs, &c. Whilst one is digging in the garden it sometimes nearly falls a victim to its own boldness by darting right under the descending spade after a fat grub or a juicy worm. When in the scrub it prefers to use its legs when moving from place to place. Its powers of running are very great ; it is as nimble on its feet as a mouse ; in fact, it has the appearance of one when seen a few yards off, as it scurries
30 LITTLER, Notes on Sonic Birds Peculiar to Tasmania. |~IS^ m,"\ ,
under and over the fallen timber. The powers of flight are rather feeble, and only resorted to when moving from one locality to another, or when suddenly frightened. It prefers to trust to its legs. The song is weak, but is a rather pleasing run of notes, uttered usually when perched on some eminence.
Birds Occurring in the Region of the Norths West
Cape.
By Thomas Carter.
Part I.
Having resided at Point Cloates (a spur projecting at the base of the North-West Cape Peninsula) for thirteen years, the following list of birds may be regarded as tolerably complete, though, doubtless, there are occasional visitors, and perhaps even resident species, yet to be recorded, hs, my residence there has drawn to an end, I have made the following notes (collected, say, within a radius of ioo miles of the Point), trusting they may be of interest to other field naturalists, and also perhaps of value as a record of a hitherto unworked locality. Although Mr. Robert Hall always refers to this district as western, I think it undoubtedly should be considered as north-west, so many birds occurring there being also found here, while none of the true south-west forms are met with. Mr. Bernard Woodward's chart, in his guide to the Perth (W.A.) Museum, divides this colony into three divisions, the boundary between the N. W. and S.W. being near the Murchison River, about where many S.W. forms seem to find their northern limit, as the White-tailed Cockatoo (Caly ptorhynchus baudini) and Magpie (Gymnorhina dorsalis). I speak from personal experience, having traversed the country through to the vicinity of Albany.
Point Cloates is one of the most westerly points of Australia, and, as will be seen from the following notes, is splendidly situated for observing the movements of the Limicolae (Plovers, &c.) The country immediately off the beach is formed of high loose sand- hills with short scrub, which, in some hollows sheltered from the prevailing heavy south-west winds, forms rather dense patches of thicket, where such birds as the Wedgebill (Sphenostoma), Pied {Entomophila leucomelas) and Spiny-cheeked Honey-eaters (Acan- thogenys rufigularis), Robins, Wrens {Maluri), and Redthroats (Pyrrholcemus) find food and shelter. Behind these sandhills, which attain a height of nearly 200 feet, is open undulating " downs " country, almost destitute of bush, but clothed with grass, annual plants, and several varieties of spinifex (Triodid). This extends about 1 5 miles eastward, when the typical inland N.W. country, with clay flats, thickets, grassy plains, and creeks fringed with eucalypts (white gum or flooded gum of the interior) is met with. Two miles N.E. from the homestead a stony range
Vol. III. 1903
j CARTER, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape.
rises and runs to VTaming Head (four miles from the N.W. Cape), getting higher and more rugged further north, where for about fifty miles it is 600 to 800 feet in height, with deep, precipitous gorges, in the beds of which wild fig trees and other small trees flourish. Behind the range is broken table-land, mostly very rugged, with much spinifex. In one place a few clumps of cabbage-tree palms occur, which is somewhat remarkable. On this plateau Eremiornis, Stipiturus, and Arnytis may be found. Between this range and the sea is a flat from half a mile to two miles in breadth ; some places open grass and spinifex, at others scrubby. The country lying to the south and east of the Nor'- West Cape, on the west side of the Exmouth Gulf, is of quite a different character, dense high thicket matted with runners, large white gums, and cork trees being found close to the beach. The south and east sides of the Gulf are mostly lined with dense mangroves and extensive salt marshes (samphire flats), where it is dangerous or impracticable to take horses ; besides, the country is destitute of water, and almost impossible to work, unless from a boat. I am sure many species of birds must occur there which are not recorded in this list. The nearest freshwater pool to Point Cloates is in the deep gorge of the Yardie Creek, about 30 miles north. It is a permanent pool, but rarely visited by water-fowl, being rocky bottom and surrounded by ranges. The other nearest pools are about 50 miles in a S.E. direction, but are not permanent, so that it is a difficult country to work, on account of the scarcity of water, any rain soaking away at once, and the only wells at present being close to the beach. I may mention that the average rainfall for the years from 1 890-1902 was 9.4 inches. This term includes two periods of distressing drought — 1 889-1 89 1 and 1894-5-6, when practically no rain fell. 1893, 1897, and 1900 were hurricane years, with good falls of rain, viz., i8£, n\, and 2^\ inches, the year 1900 being the wettest season on record, and consequently a good bird year.
The total number of birds identified is 180, of which I have actually secured 170 species. I have added the aboriginal district names for the birds as far as I can recollect them.
(1.) CIRCUS ASSIMILIS (Spotted Harrier, Pillargo). — This is one of the commonest birds of prey, but as a rule shy. On warm days it frequently passes the greatest heat in a tree or a bush, and may then be approached closely. It appears to feed almost entirely on lizards, but I have frequently seen birds of the year attack poultry in a determined way. Birds in immature plumage are much more frequently observed than the handsome adults. They are most numerous in the winter months, doubtless because it is our wet season, and food is plentiful. The large, flat nest is built in a tree or a bush, from 5 feet to 40 feet above the ground. The usual clutch is three, but I have taken four eggs from a nest. Laying season, from 17th July to 1 3th September. Lizards of considerable size and in a paralyzed state may not uncommonly be found in the nest, for the benefit of the sitting bird.
32 CARTER, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. [lSf jjj
(2.) ASTUR APPROXIMANS (Goshawk). — The Goshawk is fairly common, and is oftenest seen in the summer months or dry weather, haunting the bushes round waterholes to flush and prey on Finches and other small birds quenching their thirst. As in the previous mentioned Hawk, as many as twelve birds may be seen in immature plumage to one adult.
(3.) ACCIPITER CIRRHOCEPHALUS (Sparrow-Hawk). — This bird is rather scarce, and not noted on the coast. Three eggs were noted in a nest, 23rd July, placed about 20 feet from the ground in a white gum.
(4.) UROAETUS AUDAX (Wedge-tailed Eagle, Warreedar). — This Eagle is not nearly so numerous as might have been expected from the extent of ranges abounding with wallabies. It was very plentiful on the Gascoyne River in 1887, and destructive in lambing camps. I poisoned fifteen in one morning off a dead sheep. On the salt marshes fringing the coast there these birds build on the tops of thick bushes, as trees are absent. Here the nests are usually on a ledge of one of the gorges in the ranges, and as a rule easy of access. They are early breeders, laying very regularly the last week in May. One egg is the usual clutch, rarely two. 22nd May, 1900, found a nest with one egg on a ledge of cliff, and took the egg. 28th May the same nest contained another egg, which I also took, shooting at the bird as it left the nest, because it was in one of my lambing paddocks. On 4th June the same nest contained a third egg, so these birds are not easily scared. 25th July, 1899, a half-grown young bird was seen in a nest. On one occasion a freshly killed wild cat was found in a nest.
(5.) NlSAETUS MORPHNOIDES Little Eagle). — One specimen only of this bird was observed, and it is apparently rare. The bird was perched in a gum-tree watching its chance at a flock of Ducks on a flooded flat, in April, 1900. On 18th July a large nest built in a white gum surrounded by water at the same flat contained an incubated egg, but I failed to secure one of the parent birds, which possibly might have been Haliastur sphenurus.
(6.) HALIAETUS leucogaster (White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Tantagee). — This noble bird was fairly common, each pair having its regular " bent." I am sorry to say it was occasionally, but rarely, guilty of attacking ewes and lambs. On two or three occasions a bird of the year boldly attacked the poultry or Ducks at the house. The native name (which signifies butterfly for this bird is very appropriate, for when it is seen soaring at a great elevation, or slowly flapping its wings, it exactly resembles a giant moth. The bulky nest is generally built in a most inaccessible site on a high cliff, usually under an overhanging ledge of rock. The taking of a clutch of two eggs from a nest nearly caused the writer a bad fall, or perhaps something worse. On 7th July an old sailor working for me, a native boy, and myself went to rob a nest situated on a cliff at Yardie Creek. While we were discussing the best way to lower the black boy from the top of the cliff, he commenced to climb up from the bottom of the gorge, and refused to come back. He got the two eggs safely and then began to descend, ignoring my advice to climb right up to the summit of cliff. Seeing he was coming to a place almost destitute of foothold, I climbed to a good ledge to meet and direct him. He was a little to my right, his feet level with my face. The eggs, which he had in his hat held in his teeth, were successfully passed to me, and I had just placed them in safety, when the piece of rock the black boy held to broke off, and he fell, clutching my right arm as he passed, but fortunately did not retain his hold. He dropped a distance of about 25 feet, and fell between some great boulders. I called out to the man to ascertain if the boy was hurt, and was immensely relieved
Vol. III. 1903
Carter, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. 33
to hear the native laugh. He was quite unhurt, but had badly torn his clothes. Had we fallen together we should have been both seriously injured. The previous year we had taken two eggs on 21st June from a nest on the opposite side of the creek.
Two eggs are the clutch, and they are laid late in June or early in July. If the eggs are taken the nest is forsaken. Sometimes the nest, which is usually a very large structure, about 5 feet across, is placed in the fork of a stunted tree only 10 or 12 feet from the ground. An immature bird on one occasion gave long chase to a tame Straw-necked Ibis at the house, but the Ibis was much the better flyer, and evaded capture.
(7). HALIASTUR GIRRENERA (White-headed Sea-Eagle). — This pretty Eagle is common on the coast in summer months, and in the early morning three or four pairs could be seen playing or fighting in circles above the Yardie Creek, uttering their peculiar cry, which resembles that of a Peacock. It also was occasionally seen at flooded inland country 25 miles from the sea. They disappear from about August to November, doubtless to breed in the mangroves of Exmouth Gulf. Last summer a nest was found in a dense patch of mangroves near the N.W. Cape which must have been built by a pair of these birds. It was a little larger than a Crow's nest, well hidden, and the ground below was littered with fragments of yellow land-crabs, on which they largely feed. On several occasions I have found these birds poisoned by eating bait laid for wild dogs.
(8.) HALIASTUR SPHENURUS (Whistling Eagle). — This Eagle is fairly common about the inland creeks, where it may be seen soaring for long periods at great elevations, and it is a difficult bird to shoot. It feeds largely on Ducks. A bird was picked up near the house on the coast in a very emaciated condition on 21st February, 1898, after a night of prolonged thunderstorm. It had several yellow land-crabs in its gizzard. The nest is usually in the main fork of a large white gum. Several nests with eggs (usually two) have been taken about the middle of July in various years. Three eggs were once found in a nest.
(9.) GYPOICTINIA MELANOSTERNA (Black-breasted Buzzard). — I have no record of having shot one of these birds, but when in Perth Museum in January, 1903, I saw a mounted specimen labelled Point Cloates, 1900. On making inquiries I was assured that the bird had been sent with a parcel of duplicates forwarded by me, and suppose I had inadvertently overlooked it.
(10.) MlLVUS AFFINIS (Kite, Pad-oon). — The Kite occurs commonly inland in good seasons, but seldom visits the coast. In 1900 they were very numerous, and when driving inland three or four of them would accompany the buggy to feed on the grasshoppers disturbed out of the grass by its passage. They would flit so close to the horses' heads as to make them startled and nervous. The nests are usually built on horizontal boughs of gum trees. The clutch is usually two (occasionally three) eggs, laid in July. Several nests containing eggs were taken 19th to 22nd July, 1900.
(11.) ELANUS AXILLARIS (Black-shouldered Kite). — This bird only visited us at long intervals. During the drought of 1891 many were seen on the coast. Considerable numbers would sleep every night on two or three stunted trees near the house, and several birds were picked up dead, in emaciated condition. Their next appearance was in 1900, when they were fairly common on the coast and inland, but exceedingly wary to shoot. A pair of them reared a brood of young in a wattle
34 CARTER, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. [isfj"|
(acacia) bush, about 8 feet from the ground, in one of the paddocks. The ejected pellets below the nest were composed almost entirely of remains of mice.
(12.) Falco MELANOGENYS (Black-cheeked Falcon, Perg-gee).— This bird was not much observed until the abnormally wet season of 1900, when it was quite common, but became scarce after. No doubt some of them breed in the ranges and coastal cliffs.
(13.) HlERAClDEA ORIENTALIS (Brown Hawk, Kerra-jinga).— The com- monest bird of prey, and a very quarrelsome and noisy one, frequently circling for a considerable time, uttering its querulous cry, hence natives' name, " Kerra-jinga." Before retiring to sleep a pair will always make a great fuss. When native women hear the birds cry, they shake their bosoms, as they have a legend unless they do so they would have no milk after a childbirth. The usual clutch of eggs is three, but occasionally four are laid, and once five were found in a nest. The eggs have been noted between 28th June and 1st September. The nest is usually in a tree, but one was found containing three eggs (28th July, 1893) placed in the broken top of a large white ant-hill on the coast. All the birds seen in the district had dark chocolate breasts.
(14.) HlERAClDEA BERIGORA (Striped Brown Hawk).— This species may be considered rare, as only two birds were shot.
(15.) CERCHNEIS CENCHROIDES (Kestrel). — This is a very common bird, and breeds in hollow gum spouts, ledges of coast cliffs, and on the ranges. As a rule there is no nest whatever, but occasionally the eggs are laid in an old nest of the Crow. It is not at all unusual to find Kestrels laying in the broken summits of ant-hills. The clutch is three to five eggs and apparently two broods are reared during a season. Eggs have been found from 10th August to 1st November. The birds are crepuscular, and a pair that took up their quarters at the shearing shed was often watched catching beetles, &c, until it was quite dark.
(16.) PANDION LEUCOCEPHALUS (Osprey, Weel-bra).— This beautiful and interesting bird was common, and every year twelve to fourteen pairs laid in the vicinity. The nests were usually in places quite easy of access — on the edge of a cliff where one could walk up to the nest and look in, or on a rock above high water mark, and sometimes on the flat, open salt marshes. Some nests seen on the Exmouth Gulf were high up in white gums, but only one was seen which was built among such thin twigs as to be inaccessible by climbing. The mangroves were also very favourite nesting sites. One nest, built in the top of a mangrove about 30 feet high, in course of years became so bulky by constant adding to that the wind eventually blew the tree down. The tallest nest seen was on a large log on the beach. Standing on tiptoe on the log I could just see over the edge of the nest, which was slightly more than 5 ft. 6 in. in height. The nesting season commences very regularly early in July. Eggs have been noted from 25th June to 3rd September. Two or three is the usual clutch, but four were twice found. I have never seen the birds attempt to attack anyone visiting the nest. They fly overhead, uttering a plaintive whistle. Many an hour has been spent watching them fishing, and I must plead guilty to having been mean enough on more than one occasion, when very hungry, of frightening the bird from a fine fish in order to enjoy it myself. On one occasion an Osprey dropped in a mangrove creek within a few yards of me and caught a good-sized fish in each talon. On the other hand, they frequently miss their prey.
(17.) NlNOX OCELLATA (Marbled Owl). — This is a winter visitor, and
Vol. III.
1903
Carter, Birds Occurring in the Region of N. W . Cape.
only sparingly seen, generally in June or July. The only noise I have heard it utter is a snoring sound while flying.
(18.) Strix delicatula (Lesser Masked Owl). — This is not an uncommon resident in the hollow gums of the inland creeks and recesses of the coast ranges. Three eggs, incubated, were taken on 10th September, 1900. From personal observation this bird utters a screeching noise like that of the European Barn-Owl, of which it is the Australian representative. On two occasions, when travelling stock in the vicinity of the N.W. Cape, I have been startled at night by an extremely harsh, loud, screaming note, which probably emanated from one of the larger Owls. The first time I heard it was in the drought of 1891. While my nerves were still tingling with the unaccustomed sound they were still more startled by the whole of the natives with me rushing up in great excitement, some of them seizing hold of me in their alarm and begging me to shoot the " devil." Subsequent inquiries elicited the information that a very large bird — " sulky fellow " — as big as a Wedge-tailed Eagle, was sometimes seen in the caves of the range, and that it would steal small babies. I leave some future naturalist to decide what species it is.
(19.) CORVUS CORONOIDES (Crow, Kawk). — The Crow is found every- where, and is very mischievous and bold at dwellings and camps, but wary and difficult to shoot in the open. During droughts they are very de- structive to weakly ewes and lambs, attacking their eyes first. I have seen a Crow standing in front of a lamb temporarily left by its mother, and every time the lamb opened its mouth to bleat the Crow plucked at its tongue. The nest is usually built in the upper twigs of a tree, or on ledges of cliff on the coast. One year a pair built' four nests, one after the other, on the crosspiece of timber mortised on the top of the wool press uprights. The piece was about 3 ft. x 10 in., and 25 feet from ground, but, being quite smooth, afforded no hold for the nests, which were blown down in turn until the birds abandoned the ill-chosen site. Nests were occasionally built in the forked timbers supporting the levers at unused wells. Eggs were taken as early as 28th June, 1900, when a clutch of seven was found in a nest. The latest eggs seen were 9th September, 1898.
There are undoubtedly two resident .species of Crows — one a large, powerfully made bird with heavy bill ; the other smaller in every way, and is, I think, C. bennetti. I hope to add a note on this later.
(20.) GRALLINA PICATA (Magpie-Lark, Chillin-birrin). — A pair or more of these birds may be seen at all pools on rivers and creeks. The nest is generally high, and difficult of access. Clutch three to five, usually laid in August or early September, but they have been taken in February after rain.
(21.) COLLYRIOCINCLA RUFIVENTRIS (Buff-bellied Shrike-Thrush). — This bird was only noted in the rocky ranges, where every gorge or ravine was tenanted by a pair or more, which enlivened the solitude with their beautiful song. Curiously, I never found a nest, but shot recently-fledged young on 27th July. On one occasion a bird was observed hopping in the branches of a tree holding a lizard in its beak and singing lustily at the same time.
(22.) GRAUCALUS MELANOPS (Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike). — Common on the inland country, where any timber occurred, also to the south and east of N.W. Cape. The eggs are generally laid about the middle of July, two to a clutch. On 14th July, 1901, when climbing to a Whistling Eagle's nest in a white gum tree, my attention was attracted by a pair of Cuckoo-Shrikes seeming much disturbed. Looking down, one of the
36 CARTER, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. [lstjuiy
usual frail nests, built in the fork of a lower limb, was observed, containing two eggs. Half-grown young birds were noted in nest, 24th August.
(23.) Lalage tricolor (White-shouldered Caterpillar-eater). — A common winter visitor, but very shy in its habits. It also occurs sparingly after summer rains. The very small nest, usually built in a bunch of leafy twigs, is difficult to see in the white gums. Two nests were noted on 14th July, 1 90 1, both containing young birds, and another on 3rd August.
(24.) PETRCECA GOODENOVI (Red-capped Robin). — A winter visitor, occurring right down to the beach, but rather sparingly. Gould was of opinion this bird did not visit the coast. The cheerful but rather harsh song may be heard as soon as winter rains commence, usually in June.
(25.) PETRGECA BICOLOR (Hooded Robin). — Rather common on the ranges, and apparently resident.
(26.) MALURUS LEUCOPTERUS (White-winged Wren). — This is the com- monest species of the Maluri, but was nowhere abundant except after the hurricane of 1898, when a dense growth of " roley poley " bush sprang up everywhere, affording welcome shelter and feed to these birds. They apparently have more than one brood a year, as young were observed leaving a nest on 8th December of that year.
(27.) MALURUS ASSIMILIS (Purple-backed Wren). — This charming bird was not uncommon on coast and inland, but was most frequently seen in the scrubby gullies about the coast ranges, and was also noted in mangroves.
(28.) RHIPIDURA PREISSI (Western Fantail). — A fairly common winter visitor. Numbers of them frequented the dense patches of mangroves, where they found abundance of small insects. They were frequently observed on the beach, feeding on the small flies which occurred on the seaweed left by tide.
(29.) RHIPIDURA TRICOLOR (Black and White Fantail, Chee-ri-gal). — A winter visitor, arriving very regularly about the middle of April, and leaving in October.
(30.) ACROCEPHALUS LONGIROSTRIS (Long-billed Reed- Warbler). — This bird was only twice observed — the first time in a dense growth of tall rushes growing round a pool at Winning. There were several of them, but very shy, and no specimens were procured. This was in June, 1900, the wet year. On 25th March, 1902, an immature male was shot while singing in dense grass and bush on the edge of another pool. The under parts were remarkably rufous.
(31.) STIPITURUS RUFICEPS (Rufous-crowned Emu-Wren). — This interest- ing species was first noted and secured at Yardie Creek, close to the beach, about 30 miles north of Point Cloates, on 14th April, 1898, as recorded in The Ibis (1899), p. 399. After that date numbers were seen north of that creek on the flat below the range, and on the table-land above, but no specimen was ever seen south of the creek, although the country was precisely similar. They rarely fly unless hard pressed, but run from one bush (or bunch of spinifex) to another, uttering their faint yet rather shrill squeak. On one occasion a bird was caught uninjured after a shower of rain, when its feathers were drenched. The eggs were not found, but a family of recently-fledged young was seen on 6th September, 1900. A specimen shot lacked the rufous crown of the adult bird.
(32.) CHLAMYDODERA GUTTATA (Yellow-spotted Bower-Bird). — On 5th
Vol. Ill 190,
*I,_] Carter, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. 37
February, 1902, in the distressing drought then prevailing, I was opening out a soakage of water at Tantabiddy, 10 miles S.W. of N.W. Cape. I had moved all stock to the Exmouth Gulf, with much trouble and loss, only to have some hundreds of sheep poisoned by some unknown plant, so we had to " get up and git " out of that as soon as possible, and I came back on our tracks with a native boy, hoping to get a supply of water at a soak where we had watered horses going up. The native and self had not been working long when he put himself hors de combat by smashing his big toe with a 5 lb. sledge hammer. The soak was in a patch of thicket which cut off all wind, and the sun was blazing down on me as I was working my hardest to get some water fit to drink, for we found three poisoned dingoes in the hole, which had to be thoroughly cleaned out. Consequently I was not in a very amiable temper, and heard extraordinary noises going on in the thicket close to where the native was nursing his injured toe. After some time I said to him — " If you can't work, you need not make those idiotic noises," when he indignantly replied — " That nothing mine, that bird ; " when I jumped out, knowing it was something out of the common. Seeing a bird creeping about in the scrub, I fired with a 450 Colt revolver (my only firearm at the time), and secured what I have no doubt was C. guttata from the description in Gould's "Handbook," which I had with me. I had no preservatives and the bird naturally was badly smashed, but I made a skin of some sort and sent it to Melbourne Museum, and received a reply to say that only a mass of loose feathers arrived. In April the same year, a similar bird was seen in dense fig trees in a deep gorge near the house, and not molested, hoping it would breed, but it was not seen again. If the birds were C. guttata, of which there is little doubt, it was the first record for W.A., as already mentioned in Mr. A. J. Campbell's " Nests and Eggs," pages 202 and 203.
(33.) Amytis striata (Striated Grass-Wren). — These birds were seen on two occasions only, at the same locality — viz., a rocky " kopje " on the table-land country, with low scrub and patches of spinifex round. The birds darted across the intervening bare spaces at incredible speed, with tails erect, uttering a trilling chirp. On 21st May, 1900, a family was observed there, the young having just left the nest, which was found in the top of a bunch of spinifex. It was bulky, loosely made of leaves and fibre, and only half domed. The male bird sat quietly in a fig tree until observed by my black boy, when I shot it, surprised to see it so quiet in such a situation, which was contrary to its usual habits. One young bird was captured alive, after a long chase through spinifex bunches.
(34.) Acanthiza uropygialis (Chestnut-rumped Tit). — This active little bird occurs in inland scrub, and may be seen feeding in the white gums, uttering its cheerful little note.
(35.) Sericornis (Pyrrhol^mus) brunnea (Redthroat). — This species is not uncommon in the scrub among coast hills and also inland. It is very quiet and unobtrusive in its habits, and would not be much noticed were it not for its beautiful song.
(36.) Pomatorhinus superciliosus (White-browed Babbler). — This sprightly bird occurs rather sparingly in inland thickets, especially those composed of snake- wood and " wanyoo."
(37.) Pomatorhinus rubeculus (Red-breasted Babbler). — This species was only noted in the scrub in the bed of the Minilya River (95 miles south). A small colony had their bulky nests in a large white gum not far from the station house.
(38.) Cinclorhamphus CRURALis (Brown Song-Lark). — This was a very
38 CARTER, Birds Occurring in Ike Region of N.W. Cape. I isf "V^,
common species both on the coast and inland, being most numerous in winter, when their loud, cheerful song could be heard everywhere. Breeding season, June-September.
(39.) ClNCLORHAMPHUS RUFESCENS (Rufous Song-Lark). — Not quite so numerous as the preceding species, and not noted on the coast. Four eggs is the clutch; eggs were found from 1st June to 2nd August.
(40.) CALAMANTHUS CAMPESTRIS (Field-Wren, Nee-an-tee). — A common resident on the coast, but not noted any distance inland. It has a cheerful song, uttered from the topmost twig of low scrub, but the birds are shy, and disappear on the least alarm. They lay at any season after rain, the eggs (four to clutch) having been taken in various months.
Some South- Western Notes (Oct., 1902— Jan., 1903).
By Thomas Carter.
On that portion of the Vasse River (W.A.) which is navigable for rowing boats above the town (a distance of about \\ miles), six nests of Rhipidura tricolor (Black and White Fantail) were observed on 31st October, containing eggs or young birds. The nests were either on snags projecting out of the water, or in bushes overhanging the river.
Anas superciliosus (Black Duck) were abundant and tame, with broods of various-sized young. They would often allow a boat to row past without taking flight. These birds have increased very much since the reserve for native game was declared.
14th November. — A pair of Casarca tadornoides (Shieldrake) were on the river close to the town, with a brood of eight young in down.
There were a few pairs of Sisura inquieta (Restless Fly-catcher) about the river banks, which had evidently reared their young.
Anthus australis (Ground-Lark) had eggs, 10th November.
Zosterops gouldi (Green-backed White-eye), 22nd November, three fresh eggs.
Acanthiza chrysorrhoa (Yellow-rumped Tit). — Fresh eggs up to 4th December, and Rhipidura tricolor 9th December.
Ptilotis sonora (Singing Honey-eater), 11th December; Par- dalotus striatus (Red-tipped Pardalote) was noted feeding young in nest same day
1 6th December. — A pair of Mclithreptus chloropsis (Western White-naped Honey-eater) was feeding a fledged Pallid Cuckoo, and a short distance away a pair of Ptilotis sonora was similarly engaged. Mr. A. J. Campbell's list of birds* acting as hosts for the Pallid Cuckoo does not include the former bird.
A gentleman who takes an interest in bird life having asked me to identify a bird that occurred in the open flats to the east of Vasse, near the Darling Range, we rode out one day, and
* " Nests and Eggs," p. 565.
lo\. III."]
1903 J
CARTER, Some South-Western Notes.
were returning towards sundown, when a small bird which I took to be one of the Maluri darted out of some scrub and flew rapidly and strongly for a distance of two hundred yards. Flushing it again, a snap shot dropped it, and it proved to be Stipiturus malachurus (Emu-Wren). I was somewhat surprised to see this bird fly so readily and swiftly, as my previous experience of it was creeping tamely about in the scrub at a few feet distance.
Mr. R. Gale, of Fairlawn, told me the following curious story of a tame Emu : — The bird was allowed its liberty on the Margaret River estate, and apparently formed an attachment for a horse there, for when my informant drove this horse from Margaret River to his house near Busselton, a distance of 40 miles, the Emu arrived early the following day, in spite of having had to traverse cross roads and negotiate several fences of barbed wire and post and rails. Did the bird follow the horse by scent ?
The Por phyroce phahts spurius (Red-capped Parrakeet) was fairly common in the forest country, but Calyptorhynchus naso (Red-tailed Cockatoo), which in former years was common, was not noted.
Glycyphila ocularis (Brown Honey-eater) was fairly common about the river, though Mr. A. W. Milligan considers this bird rare south of Perth.
M alums splenalens (Banded Wren) was not uncommon, but I failed to see M. elegans (Red-winged Wren). 8th to 25th Nov- ember I spent at that delightful locality Ellensbrook, on the coast, south of Cape Naturaliste, where Mr. Milligan discovered his new Bristle-Bird (Sphenura 1 1 tor alts), and from personal observation I can endorse his remarks as to the difficulty of obtaining specimens of this bird and the Black-throated Coachwhip-Bird, or of even sighting them. When returning homewards one evening, carrying my gun carelessly under my arm, feeling tired after a long day's tramp, a bird, carrying its tail perpendicularly, ran with immense speed across a patch of sand drift into a clump of bush. A snap shot had no result. On examination of its foot- prints in the fine sand, found them to be fairly evenly from 17 to 1 8 inches apart — a long stride for a bird of its size.
Subsequent examination of the locality proved by the numerous tracks that the birds frequented this patch of sand drift, running from one patch of rushes or bush to another. They apparently came out very early in the morning, as I waited hours on subse- quent days at various times (except sunrise) without seeing the birds. The song of the Black-throated Coachwhip-Bird was frequently heard in one patch of dense coastal scrub, and once, whilst seated under the growth with a keen companion, the bird perched within about 5 feet of his head.
The Lipoa's egg-mound which was photographed by Mr. Conigrave was visited on 25th November, when the top had been freshly opened out. I was told of another nest of this species having been robbed of fifteen eggs in the vicinity of Cape Naturaliste about 12th December.
zLO Carter, Some South-Western Notes. ET',
t^ . List J"'y
The following species were noted at Ellensbrook which do not occur in Mr. Milligan's list* : — Cerchncis cenchroides (Kestrel), Sericornis maculata (Spotted-throated Scrub-Wren), Glycyphila fulvifrons (Fulvous-fronted Honey-eater) and G. ocularis (Brown Honey-eater), Halcyon sanctus (Sacred Kingfisher), Dcmiegrctta sacra (Reef-Heron), Ncttion gibberifrons (Grey Teal), and Dro- maius nova-hollandia (Emu). G. fulvifrons was not uncommon on the open hills about Cowaramup Brook, and were feeding young in the nest on 10th November. Zonceginthus oculatus (Red-eared Finch) was on two occasions shot from the upper limbs of karri trees in forest.
4th to 14th January I spent at Killerberin, on the Coolgardie railway line, with the enthusiastic oologist Mr. B. W. Leake. When camped out together in the neighbourhood we shot two specimens of Melithrcptus which Mr. Milligan stated to be identical with his recently described species, M. leucogenys. The same day I was watching a Yellow-cheeked Parrakeet (Platyccrcus icterotis) from a short distance with my binoculars, being struck with its red mantle, but, unfortunately, did not shoot it, as I had a long string of specimens to skin, and had overlooked the possi- bility of its being P. xanthogcnys (Salvadori). Some future collector may solve the problem of this species occurring there, also the identity of a small Wren seen in the open scrubby plains, which was not secured, and a small bird which was once seen travelling very rapidly in a family party among the tops of the timber — perhaps a Sittella. When crossing the Coolgardie railway line on 10th January we noted a Red-backed Kingfisher {H. pyrrhopygius) fly out of one of the numerous pits dug at the water-pipe joints. Investigation disclosed a nest containing five incubated eggs, which were visible without enlarging the nesting- hole. Mr. Leake says these birds are much more numerous than formerly, having evidently followed up the line, in consequence of procuring abundant food from the newly turned up soil.
Notes on a Collection of Bird-skins from the Fitzroy River, North- Western Australia.
By Robert Hall.
With Field Notes by J. P. Rogers.
Part III.
114. Falco lunulatus (Latham), Little Falcon.
Falco frontatus, Gould, Birds Aust., fol., vol. i., pi. 10 (1848). Falco lunulatus, Sharpe, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., vol. i., p. 398 (1874).
a. Adult skin, female, 18/2/02.
b. Immature skin, female, 27/2/02.
This morning I saw this species keeping low and flying at a tremendous rate immediately above the grass. Some Wood-
* Emu, vol. ii., pp. 70-77.
Vol 1903
*IL] Hall, Notes on Bird-skins from \ N '.W '. Australia. 4 I
Swallows (A. cinereus), seeing the Hawk coming while they were perched in a tree and the Hawk still 200 yards away, rose directly high into the air. One was singled out, and the Hawk, keeping below it, drove it still higher into the air. Going still higher, the Swallow then turned and made for the ground, with the Hawk in close pursuit. It was a wonderful sight to see the Hawk, not more than one yard in the rear, following every turn of the bird pursued. Three times the Hawk missed his blow. When within 20 yards of the ground it made its final attack, and succeeded in securing its prey. Then, shooting into the air some 40 feet, it dropped to the ground.
115. NlNOX OCCIDENTALIS (Ramsay), Western Winking-Owl.
Ninox connivens-occidentalis, Ramsay, Proc. Linn. Soc, N.S.W., vol. i., 2nd Series, p. 1086 (1886).
Adult skin, male, 19/2/02.
Base of bill and cere yellow ; irides and feet yellow.
116. Ninox OCELLATA (Hombr. and J acq.), Marbled Owl. Ninox ocellata, Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. ii., p. 170 (1875).
Adult skin, male, 12/3/02.
[Irides yellowish-brown ; bill brown, at base bluish-grey ; cere and feet bluish-grey.]
117. Cisticola exilis (Vigors and Horsfield), Grass- Warbler.
Cisticola lineicapilla, Gould, Birds Aust., fol., vol. iii., pi. 43 (1848). Cisticola ruficeps, Gould, Birds Aust., fol., vol. iii., pi. 45 (i< Cisticola isura, Gould, Birds Aust., fol., vol. iii., pi. 44 (i< Cisticola exilis, Gould, Birds Aust., fol., vol. iii., pi. 42 (1! Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. vii., p. 269 (1883).
a. Adult skin, male, 9/3/02.
/;. Immature skin, male, 16/3/02.
c. Young, 14/3/02.
[This species is fairly numerous in the Brooking Creek Gorge, Oscar Range, but at Livuringa it is the second time seen. Specimen a swelled out its throat when singing to the size of a pea-nut.]
118. Pomatorhinus RUBECULUS (Gould), Red-breasted Babbler.
Pomatorhinus rubeculus, Gould, Birds Aust., fol., vol. iv., pi. 21 (1848); Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus,, vol. vii., p. 421 (1883).
Four adult male skins, 1 1/5/02.
[a. Found nest to-day (20/9/00) with three young in it.
b. Found nest with three eggs in it, December. I saw the birds turning over all curled leaves, and looking within them for insects.
c. Found nest, 6/2/01, with two eggs.]
119. Geopelia CUNEATA (Latham), Little Turtle-Dove.
Geopelia cuneata, Gould, Birds Aust., fol., vol. v., pi. 74 ; Salvadori, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxi., p. 462 (1893).
One adult skin.
42 Hall, Notes on Bird-skins from N.W. Australia. |ist
July
[On 22/10/01 I found two eggs in a nest which had been used for a brood previously. This I judged by the droppings being placed upon the edges of the nest. I find (2/4/00) several of this species are breeding. The adults endeavoured to entice me away by fluttering and struggling when flying, as if wounded.
The Turtle-Doves are still in large flocks (6/6/02). I counted 40 perched on a small cajaput tree beside the road leading into Derby.]
120. Geopelia humeralis (Temminck), Barred-shouldered Dove.
Geopelia humeralis, Gould, Birds Aust., fol., vol. v., pi. 72 ; Salvadori, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxi., p. 455 (1893).
Adult males, 19/2/02.
[Bare patch round eye leaden colour, with purple showing through in places. This species tries to divert one's attention from their nests (2/4/00), just as with the previous species.]
121. CORVUS CORONOIDES' (Vigors and Horsfield), Crow. Corvus coronoides, Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iii., p. 20
(1877).
Adult female skin, 27/2/02.
[This bird was foster-parent of three young Channelbill Cuckoos. The young Cuckoos were seated upon the edge of the nest. Very strange they looked as their bills pointed skyward, the bill and neck being in a line with the body, upon the same plane. The nest was on a very thin limb. The young Cuckoos have a loud squawking cry. The foster-parents kept flying around the tree top while I was examining the nest. Irides white, with blue ring round pupil.]
122. EUDYNAMIS CYANOCEPHALA (Latham), Koel.
Eudynamis flindersii, Gould, Birds Aust., fol., vol. iv., pi. 91 (1848). Eudynamis cyanocephala, Shelley, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xix., p. 324 (1891).
Three skins, nestlings, male, female, sex not marked, 7/2/02.
[Irides yellowish-brown ; bill pale brown, cutting edge white ; feet and legs blue-grey. Heard the calls of adults at 7.30 p.m. ; very dark. Found young in Crow's nest — a record.]
123. TURNIX VELOX (Gould), Little Quail, Swift-flying Turnix.
Turnix velox, Ogilvie-Grant, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxii., p. 5 5 3 (i8Q3).
Five skins received.
a, b. Adult males, 18/2/02.
c, d, e. Adult females, 19/2, 6/^, 19/3/02.
[When rising the wings of the female give a sharp whirr, and the bird at the same time emits a quick note of alarm. It usually flies 100 yards, and as it does not run when alighted it is easily flushed again. Specimen a had a fully-developed yolk in its ovary.]
V°i'in'l HALL, Notes on Bird-skins from N.W. Australia. 43
124. Podicipes NOV^-HOLLANDLE (Stephens), Black-throated
Grebe.
Podiceps gularis, Gould, Birds Aust., fol., vol. vii., pi. 81 (1843); Ogilvie-Grant, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxvi., p. 519 (1898).
Adult male and female, 4/2/02.
[This species is very tame. At Ellamurd's, where they were feeding upon insects within a few yards of where I was standing, the female bird I unknowingly shot when it was on the nest. There was an egg in the oviduct.] It seems the bird weighs down the nest, which was nearly 4 inches out of the water, according to Mr. Rogers. [There was a tape-worm in the intes- tines of the female specimen about 9 inches in length.]
125. Loph^thyia (Podicipes) cristata (Linnaeus), Tippet Grebe.
Podiceps australis, Gould, Birds Aust., fol., vol. vii., pi. 80 (1844) ;
Grant, Brit. Mus. Cat. Birds, xxvi., p. 502 (1898). Lophcethyia cristata, Sharpe, Hand List of Birds, vol. i., p. 114
(1899).
One adult skin.
126. Stiltia ISABELLA (Vieillot), Pratincole.
Glareola grallaria, Gould, Handbook Birds Aust., ii., p. 243 (1865). Stiltia Isabella, Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxiv., p. 5 1 (1896).
Adult females, 28/12/01.
127. Porphyrio BELLUS (Gould), Blue Bald-Coot.
Porphyrio bellus, Gould, Birds Aust., fol., vol. vi., pi. 70 (1841); Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxiii., p. 202 (1894).
Adult female, 27/1/02.
[Birds now laying (27th January). Four clutches, each 5, 6, 6, 7 eggs. For nest the grasses are beaten down, and reeds are placed upon them. Several nests of eggs found on 22/2/02 contained five eggs or eight eggs, and the larger number lay in bowls that appeared to have been flattened by the birds to hold better the eggs. The nests were bulky, being 16 inches in breadth and 14 inches in depth.]
(To be continued '.)
The Plumage Phases of Ptilotis leucotis, Lath.
By Robert Hall, Melbourne.
In January, 1902, a skin of a Honey-eater was handed to me by Mr. Wallen for identification.
It did not agree with any description known to me, but by appearances I considered it might be a young bird of the White- eared Honey-eater.
Subsequently I was able to secure skins that showed this particular one to be a phase between the nestling and the adult.
44 Hall, The Plumage Phases of Ptilotis leucotis. [isfjuly
From a number of skins before me I am able to note seven distinct phases in the plumage development of the species.
The most important phases, and those which supply new information, are a and b, the skin a being the nestling, with yellow ear coverts, and b an immature bird with ear coverts partly yellow and partly white, in about equal proportions. In another skin the yellow is simply a wash upon a portion of the white, while in a third a flush of yellow is merely visible. In the young* stages the throat is either dull brown or yellowish-brown, or faint yellow with a brown crescent as the indicator of the dark throat, which is brown before the final moult for black. The abdomen also varies between dull tawny and yellow.
The crown is olive in the early phase, grey and olive in a later moulting stage, and finally grey streaked with black. The dorsal surface is duller in the early stages than in the later, which is in agreement with those of most species of birds.
Measurements of adult males are supplied as under, to show the amount of variability in the sizes (g1, gl).
Specimens /; to g, inclusive, show very clearly the maturing of the species as far as its plumage is concerned, for they represent six clear phases.
Specimens h and ;' show an adult male and an adult female practically to have the same measurements.
Specimens ; and k show two adult females — one (k) small, and possibly below the average, while the other (;') is about as large as adult females usually are.
Young birds (as in d) are sometimes larger than adult birds (as in h) of the same sex. The rule, as we have it, is to recognize the male as larger than the female, which is probably correct in a large series of skins.
Brief descriptions of the important phases are : —
Specimen a. — Nestling, 31/12/02, Torquay, Victoria.
In colouration it agrees with b, excepting the ear coverts, which are uniform yellow. Wing, 2.25 inches ; tarsus, 0.85 inch ; culmen, 0.35 inch ; tail, 1.3 inch.
Specimen /;. — Juvenile, sex not marked, December, 1899, Murray River, Victoria.
Throat and chest dull olive-brown, remainder of under surface yellowish-olive ; ear coverts, anterior half white, posterior part yellow, and beneath a portion of the white at its base ; head dull yellowish-olive, and slightly duller than the rest of the upper surface; superciliary stripe and lores black. Total length, 7 inches ; wing, 3.5 inches ; tarsus, 0.95 inch ; culmen, 0.5 inch ; tail, 3.35 inches.
Specimen c. — Juvenile female, Melbourne, Victoria, 12/4/98.
* Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. ix., p. 241, has it : — " Young and immature birds have the throat and fore-neck dull brownish-grey instead of black, and the yellow in the plumage is much less developed than in the adult." Nothing is said about ear coverts.
Vol. Ill 1903
Hall, The Plumage Phases of Ptilotis leucotis. A c
Throat, centre as in b, sides brownish, black being new feathers ; ear coverts white, flushed with yellow ; crown and upper surface as with b ; superciliary stripe and lores brownish-black ; margins of tail feathers less yellow than in b ; under surface of body more yellow than in b, and much less yellow than in adult. Total length, 7 inches ; wing, 3.06 inches ; tail, 3.25 inches ; culmen, 0.5 inch ; tarsus, 0.95 inch.
Specimen d. — Juvenile male, Box Hill, Victoria, March, 1900. Throat and chest as in b ; ear coverts white, very faintly washed with yellow ; superciliary stripe and lores brownish-black ; crown and upper surface very much as in b and c. Total length, 7.15 inches ; wing, 3.35 inches ; tail, 3.5 inches ; culmen, 0.5 inch ; tarsus, 0.85 inch.
Specimen c. — Juvenile male, Melbourne, Victoria, 12/4/98. Whole of throat, chest, and superciliary stripe nearly as black as in adult ; ear coverts pure white ; forehead dull yellowish-olive as in younger stages, while the crown and occiput are moulting in favour of the grey of the adult ; remainder of upper and under surfaces as in adult. Total length, 7.75 inches ; wing, ^.j inches ; tail, 3.6 inches ; tarsus, 0.9 inch ; culmen, 0.55 inch.
Specimen /. — Juvenile female, Box Hill, Victoria, 10/4/01. A moult of the olive-like feathers of forehead and crown in favour of the grey of the adult is very distinct. About half of the old feathers persist in irregular patches, while the greys are also irregularly scattered. No colour change is noticeable. Total length, 7.5 inches ; wing, t,.t, inches ; tail, 3.65 inches ; tarsus, 0.9 inch ; culmen, 0.5 inch.
Specimen g\ — Adult male, Box Hill, Victoria, 17/7/96. Example giving largest measurements. Total length, 9 inches ; wing, 4.05 inches ; tail, 4.3 inches ; tarsus, 1 inch ; culmen, 0.5 inch.
Specimen g1. — Adult male, Heytesbury, Victoria, 5/8/96 {per Mr. George Graham).
Example giving smallest measurements. Total length, 7.5 inches ; wing, 3.2 inches ; tail, 3.45 inches ; tarsus, 0.85 inch ; culmen, 0.5 inch.
Specimen h. — Adult female, date uncertain, Oakleigh, Victoria. Small-sized female. Total length, 6.9 inches ; wing, 3 inches ; tail, 3.3 inches ; tarsus, 0.9 inch ; culmen, 0.5 inch.
A Trip to Oyster Cay, N. Queensland.
By E. M. Cornwall, Cairns.
On 15 th November a party of six left Cairns in the oil launch Industry at 4.30 a.m. for Oyster Cay, Upolu Reef, and Green Island, to inspect the marvellous bird colonies and coral reefs of those places. As the almost full moon sank, a soft glow proclaimed the coming dawn, and when day broke Green Island
46 CORNWALL, A Trip to Oyster Cay, N. Queensland. [Isf 'july
showed, a mere fringe, to the eastward, and the white sands of Upolu Bank glimmered right ahead.
Nearing the bank the sea-birds could be seen hovering over it in countless thousands, and one who has not had the oppor- tunity of seeing these birds in their own domains could barely credit the sight that was revealed to those who landed on the Bank. I have seen a few bird rookeries in various places, but nothing to compare with what we saw here — even the famous Mutton-Bird rookeries suffered by contrast. The Bank, a mere sand ridge of about three acres in extent, some two or three feet above high water mark, and clothed with coarse grass and mesembryanthemum, was one seething mass of bird life. The birds were like a swarm of bees about a hive ; the little island seemed just a quivering mass ; and the wind coming from them brought evidence of their proximity to both hearing and smell. The majority of the birds were the very much misnamed Sooty Terns {Sterna fuliginosd), and the reflection of the bright green shallow water upon the snow-white under parts of these birds produced a pretty effect, giving them a beautiful sea-green tinge. The sight which greeted us when we landed on Upolu Bank is better described by the camera than the pen — birds were every- where, eggs likewise, the latter so close together that it was almost impossible to walk without treading on them. The " rain " of guano was something to be remembered. The pretty birds would barely deign to move out of the way. In some cases they would allow themselves to be caught in preference to leaving their eggs. Amongst the Terns, but on higher patches of sand, were colonies of the Lesser Crested Terns (S. media), conspicuous with their light-coloured plumage, jet black crests, and red bills. There were also a few Noddies, and quite a number of Frigate- Birds, but though one of the latter perched upon the only bush upon the bank and seemed disposed to " sit " for me, he drew the line at the focussing cloth. He was a noble fellow, sat quiet, and seemed to take little interest whilst the camera was planted at a few paces distance, but when the cloth began to flap he evidently thought it would be well to be out of the road.
I have often wondered how, on a great rookery like this, the birds are able to identify their eggs, and after carefully watching for a considerable time have come to the conclusion that they are not at all particular whose egg they sit on. Although the rookeries of different varieties are well defined, the whole are so jumbled together that along the fringes where two varieties meet the eggs are much intermingled, and in very many cases Sooty Terns had taken possession of Lesser Crested Tern's eggs and vice versa.
Leaving Upolu a course was steered for Oyster Cay, which was reached about noon, and proved a bitter disappointment to the ornithologists and photographers of the party. A beche-de-mer fisherman had established a station there, and most of the birds had deserted it, those left being so wild that photographs could
The Emu, Vol. III.
PLATE IV.
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Vol. III. 1903
Cornwall, A Trip to Oyster Cay, N. Queensland. 47
not be procured. A few eggs of .the Noddy (Anous stolidus) were found, to add to the collection from Upolu Bank, to which, disappointed, we returned and secured a few more pictures in the evening light. Numbers of the large and handsome Crested Terns (Sterna bergi) were now noted flying in couples towards the island, and a close search was made for eggs, but without success, it being too early. A fortnight later numbers of their eggs were laid on the bank.
Once more getting aboard, we steered for Green Island, where we camped for the night. Some few years ago this island was the breeding place for countless thousands of white Nutmeg Pigeons (Myristicivora spilorrhoa) ; but, alas, pot-hunters have proved too much for them, and during the evening we spent there, though right in the middle of the breeding season, only two pairs visited their old haunt.
A strong south-wester and very lumpy sea gave us a lively time on the run home, but the Cairns wharf was safely reached about 9.30 p.m., after one of the most enjoyable and interesting outings it has ever been my lot to take part in.
Notes on Migration, &c, of Birds, Cooktown District, North Queensland, 1902.
By P. Cochrane, Cooktown.
SHINING Fly-CATCHER (Myiagra nitida). — Did not nest until the middle of January. A few pairs have been here all the year.
Broad-billed Fly-catcher {Myiagra latirostris).— Here 14th May ; numerous 6th June.
WHITE-FRONTED FANTAIL. — Here 15th May; numerous 8th June; very few 1st September.
RED FANTAIL. — Here 15th May; numerous 8th June; very few 1st September.
BLACK AND WHITE FANTAIL (Rhipidura tricolor). — Here 3rd May ; numerous in June ; did not see any in October.
BEE-EATER (Merops ornatus).— Here 20th February ; all gone by 1st September.
DRAGOON-BlRD (Pitta strepitans). — Numerous 14th May. Have seen none since September.
SCRUB-RAILS (? R. tricolor). — Numerous 16th May ; a few pairs in December.
White-tailed Kingfisher (Tanysiptera sylvia). — Nesting 4th February; none 4th May. Heard some calling 8th December.
TORRES STRAIT PIGEON (Myristicivora spilorrhoa). — In very large flocks 27th January ; very few 8th March. Have not seen any for a few days (18th March). Here 1st September; very large flocks 24th September.
TOP-KNOT PIGEON (Lopholainius antarcticus). — Here 18th August. They generally remain about six weeks, but are always more numerous on mountains.
48 Cochrane, Notes on Migration of Birds, N. Queensland. fIsf j1^
Red-crowned Fruit-Pigeon (Ptilopus swainsoni). — Nest on low bush, egg fresh, 4th February.
MAGPIE-LARK (Grallina picatd). — Here 1st May. Did not see any after September.
BUSTARD (Eupodotis australis). — Here 13th August. Several on plain, 1 ith October.
Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus). — " Chopping " 18th August; nest 17th November.
Stone-Plover (Burhinus grallarius). — Nest 18th November.
Straw-necked Ibis (Carphibis spinicollis). — Here 8th May. Have not seen any for a long time (6th October).
White Ibis {Ibis moluccd). — A few in mangroves, 12th September.
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus). — Saw what was a new one to me 20th October ; it was a smaller bird than the common, dark except breast, which was a rufous color ; its flight was light and quick.
Owlet Nightjars (JEgotheles novce-hollandice). — Calling, 22nd October.
GREEN FINCHES (? Poephila gouldice). — Here 29th August ; saw none after 13 th October
" Red-billed " Finches. — Here 8th September.
CUCKOOS. — A great variety, nth September. Koel {Eudynamis cyano- cephald) and Channelbill (Scythrops novce-hollandice) calling, 12th Septem- ber; latter numerous, 21st October. A Cuckoo " piping," 22nd October.
GOSHAWK (Astur novce-hollandice). — Nesting, 21st August.
WEDGE-TAILED Eagle (Uroaetus audax). — Saw one, 13th October.
FROGMOUTHS (Pordargi). — Here 24th September, on roof of house, and catching moths on mango blossom ; calling 27th September. One species of Podargus bellows almost like a bullock, finishing with the usual snap of beak. It is a common belief amongst residents on rivers frequented by crocodiles that they (the crocodiles) bellow, but as they no not climb trees it cannot be " alligators " but one of the Podargi.
STARLING (Calornis metallica). — Here 26th July ; repairing their nest, 1 ith August. There were no light-coloured (probably immature) birds amongst the first to arrive; 25th November, saw a lot of light-breasted birds busy carrying material for nests, and working it into new nest higher up, so that it looks as if the immature ones lay the same year. Young in nest, 27th December.
Banksian Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksi). — Here 21st May, but retired, as the " bloodwood " (eucalypt) nuts were not ripe enough ; here again 19th June ; also 23rd July, on bloodwoods. The other year a pair nested near the house. Only at early morning and at dusk were the birds seen near the nest. When young one was partly fledged both parents left in the early morning, returning at dusk to a tree some distance from the nesting tree chattering away for a few minutes, then they would both fly to nest-hole, and enter without a sound.
BLACK-BACKED MAGPIE {Gymnorhina tibicen). — Here 21st May ; in large numbers, 27th May; a few, 12th October.
PlED CROW-SHRIKE (Strepera graculina). — Here 13th June; gone in August.
Scrub-Fowl {Megapodius duperreyi). — Laying, 2nd October.
Vol. Ill, I9Q3
I COCHRANE, Notes on Migration of Birds, N. Queensland. 49
GREEN DOVE. — Saw one 11th June; don't know it — probably Chalco- phaps chrysochlora.
NATIVE COMPANION (Grus australasiana). — Very large flock' (about 100) passed 23rd September; more 20th October,
DRONGO {Chibia bracteata). — A few about, 5th June; going south, 15th October. Two here all winter with flock of Jays (Cuckoo-Shrikes), stealing grasshoppers, &c, from them.
CUCKOO-SHRIKES (Graucali). — Here in large flocks (three kinds), nth June ; very few, 30th September ; all gone, 2nd December. Think it unusual for them all to go.
Brown Kingfisher (Dacelo gigas). — Nesting 9th July.
Forest Kingfisher (Halycon macleayi). — Noticed several pairs on beach, catching sand crabs, October, along with Halcyon sordidus (Man- grove Kingfisher).
BUTCHER-BIRDS (Cracticus quoyi {rufescens) ). — Singing early morning, 1 5th July. Fancy the brown one is the male (?); some of the blacks say it is. The brown birds are apparently not so numerous as the black ones.
Pheasant-tailed Pigeon (Macropygia phasianella). — Here 16th July.
Masked Plover {Lobivanellus miles). — Here 15th November.
ROBINS (? species). — -Numerous all winter ; all gone, October.
General Notes. — Birds singing stronger, 30th July, and some on the move. Did not hear any birds singing, 1st November ; a few singing, 29th November ; heard a Cat-Bird (Aelurcedus maculata), 4th December, and calling loudly 10th December, early morning. Very few birds about from October. Have not seen any Wrens (Maluri) for months. The Honey-eaters have been fairly numerous. No Dollar-Birds (Eurystomus). Saw flock of large Swifts, 20th November. Have not seen any Fig-Birds {Sphecotheres) for months ; none nesting. No water near here after October, except 600 gallons per day, which I have laid on to the garden in a palm gutter. Think all the birds took advantage of it every afternoon about 4 o'clock, the Honey-eaters and Starlings being the most numerous.
Bird Notes from Wilmot, Tasmania.
By (Miss) J. A. Fletcher. The Brown and Sparrow-Hawks (Hieracidca oricntalis and Accipiter cirrhoccphalus) are frequently about, and prove them- selves a great nuisance to the chicken-yard. The lovely White Goshawk (Astur nova-hollandia) is an occasional visitor to this district.
The Black Crow-Shrike (Strepera fidiginosa), or, to use its local name, the Black Jay, is truly an inquisitive bird. Wander- ing about in flocks with loud discordant cries, it is certainly not welcomed when it appears. Bold and curious by nature, these " Jays " will sit on a fence post, with head cocked on one side, examining with grave deliberation any unusual event or object. A stone thrown at them only evokes one of their " calls," and perhaps a removal to the next post. They are very fond of fruit, and often work great havoc in the orchards. Not content with
SO Fletcher, Bird Notes from Wilmot, Tasmania. \ ^T,
*J ' | i st J my
a plain diet, they have a liking for chickens or young ducks. I well remember watching a curious scene one October morning. About 5 o'clock I was awakened by the distressed cry of a hen with chickens, and also by what seemed to be the jubilant call of a dozen or more Jays. Pulling up the blind very carefully, I saw a hen sitting in a corner made by a paling fence joining a hut. She had her chickens safely tucked under her, much to the Jays' discomfiture. But I was surprised to rind the birds were following the tactics of the Crows. One Jay was perched on the fence behind the hen, a second was on the hut roof, a third on the corner of the house above my window, another on a low tree-fern stump just in front of the hen ; several more were perched on the clothes line and all were intently watching the proceedings of another rascal, who would hop close up to the hen and cleverly hop back again when the fowl made a dart at him. This was the signal for one of the outposts to make a dash down, but the wary old hen was backed well against the fence and exposed none of her nine tiny black chicks. Becoming vexed with the way they worried the hen, I threw a boot at them, but some only flew on to the line, while others remained where they were. While dressing I heard them at their worrying trick again, and as the poor hen seemed to be getting exhausted I seized a broom and chased the crowd across the hillside. I have since been sorry that I did not wait to see positively which would have conquered.
The Magpies (Gymnorhina hypcrlcuca) are very numerous, and many of them nest year after year in the same tree or man- fern.
Of Robins we have four varieties very common here. The Flame and Scarlet-breasted Robins (Petrceca phcenicea and P. leggtt) are at present (March) both about. In the darker gullies and the secluded creeks the lovely Pink-breasted Robin (P. rhodino- gastra) is to be found. This bird appears to have the power of causing the sound of its rather mournful call to appear quite a distance away, when the bird itself is in reality a few paces off.
Out on the cleared lands the more homely Dusky Robin (P. vittatd) is a familiar friend. On referring to some notes of the year 1891 I found this brief mention : — " Saw female Robin (Flame-breasted) sitting on nest. A Pallid Cuckoo (Cuculus pallidus) appeared to be trying to get to nest, but ' Cock Robin ' kept flying at him, and eventually drove the intruder away." So far as observation goes, the female Robin does all the building of the nest ; the male, who sits generally on a branch or stump near by singing, is a very good guide to its situation.
The Satin Fly-catcher (Myiagra nitida) is occasionally to be seen in our scrubs.
The Whistling Shrike-Thrush (Collyriocincla rcctirostris) is in winter a particularly tame bird, even entering huts after crumbs. It is easily attracted about a place by bread or cake, or even potato crumbs, left in prominent places. One " wild " pet I
Vol. Ill, 1903
Fletcher, Bird Notes from Wilmot, Tasmania. c 1
had was particularly fond of dough and oatmeal. Sometimes this bird would come early in the morning, sit on the verandah, and whistle away until his breakfast was placed for him. During the breeding season these birds occasionally utter a peculiar call resembling two pieces of tin struck quickly and sharply together. I was very much amused by the action of a Shrike-Thrush once. He was procuring bark for a nest. Some bee-hives stood near, covered with stringybark, and the bird seized a strip of bark in his beak and hopped backwards. The bark yielded as he hopped, but he miscalculated the length of the sheet of bark, and the last hop landing on nothing, he and the bark turned a somersault on to the ground. Nothing daunted, however, he seized the bark and flew away.
Cuckoos always seem to leave this mountain district about February. In April they return for a few days, and leave us again for a warmer climate. I think they must go down to the harvest fields on the lower lands.
A pair of Swallows (Hirundo neoxena) built under a corner of the verandah this season. A fact particularly interesting was their fondness for music. Whenever the piano was played they would become very excited, and would fly (singing) round and round the windows or dart into the schoolroom. Sometimes they were content to sit on the fence and would sing as if their little throats would burst. Another case worth mentioning was of a pet Magpie. He was particularly fond of the musical scales, and would try to run up them with his voice (?) ; several notes he got quite correctly. If lively tunes were played he would whistle his loudest, and if the tune were changed to a sad one his voice would drop to a gurgle.
To return to the Swallows. I once had two eggs, half incubated, of this species sent to me, as well as the female bird. Poor thing, she was dead, and had been taken off her nest with her wings tightly bound round with a cruel thread wound round and round her little body. Evidently she had selected the thread when lining the nest, and in some way when tucking her eggs under her she had got it fatally round, and being unable to move had starved to death. Unfortunately decomposition was so far advanced that I could not skin her.
{To be continued})
Some Notes on Vernacular Names.
By H. Kendall.
As1 a preliminary step towards the work of the sub-committee appointed at the last annual meeting of the Aust. O.U. to consider and arrange for a revision of the vernacular list of Australian birds now in common use (Australasian Association for the Advance- ment of Science, Sydney, 1898) some notes have been gathered for consideration by members of the Union. »
C2 KENDALL, Some Notes on Vernacular Names [ist'luly
There are several problems to be faced. If one consults such a work as the " Catalogue of Nests and Eggs " of the British Museum, he- finds that local vernacular names do not coincide with those used by such high authorities. Taking one genus of Australian birds mentioned in vol. ii. of that work for example, it is noticeable that what in our list is called the Masked Plover is there described as " Gould's Wattled Lapwing," that our Hooded Dottrel and others of the family are classed as " Plovers," and so on. This is a difficulty which will have to be dealt with, but is one which will probably remain in an unsatisfactory state until an inter- national commission be appointed to draw up a list for the use of the whole world. Another trouble is that some of our vernacular names need reconsideration ; but this, again, is a matter which our scientific ornithologists will be able to deal with ; and a third, yet to those who have to write the names frequently by no means a minor one, is the form some of these names should assume. The chief phase of the last-named difficulty is as to the use or disuse of the hyphen and capital letters in " compound words."
The use or disuse of the hyphen is often a troublesome problem to others than ornithologists, and it is one which has recently been receiving attention in that home of " live " bird-lovers, the United States of America. Recognizing that " vernacular names are perhaps more often employed by scientists than formerly," and that " it is important, first, that these names be correct (that is, formed in accordance with some established principles of construction "), Dr. Edwin W. Doran has contributed to the January number of The Auk (vol. xx., No. i, pp. 38-42) a note- worthy article on the subject. The phase of the question with which he particularly deals is the " great lack of uniformity in writing the compound vernacular names of birds," and he con- siders that, so far as the American Check-List is concerned, " a majority of ornithologists seem to have selected incorrect forms."
With the " Standard Dictionary" as his authority, Dr. Doran proceeds on the sound principle " that abnormal association of words generally indicates unification of sense, and hence com- pounding in form." Taking our own (A.A.A.S.) Vernacular List, it may be worth while to see how far the principles he cites would affect the names as published therein. The rules are : —
Rules for Compounding Vernacular Names of Birds. Write as a compound word :
1. A general name used with any other name prefixed for specification
and denoting food or prey (Cherry-Bird, Sparrow-Hawk).
2. A general name used with any other name prefixed tor specification
denoting —
a. Similarity (Quail-Dove).
b. Habit (Butcher-Bird).
c. Characteristic (Song-Sparrow).
d. Habitat (House-Sparrow).
iq 1 KENDALL, Some Notes on Vernacular Names. 5 3
3. Any two or more names or words in joint arbitrary use (Road-
runner, Turn-stone).
4. A phrase consisting of an adjective and a noun, together used as a
mere name : generally written without the hyphen, Redpoll, Yellowlegs, Goldeneye.
A rough glance shows that to comply with these rules the following changes would be necessary in the recognized Australian list (the amended form being given in each instance, the numbers preceding the names being those in the A.A.A.S. list) : —
Rule 1. — 532, Nutmeg-Pigeon.
Rule 2. — (a), 62, Magpie-Lark ; 132, Pheasant-Fantail ; 165, Emu- Wren ; 483, Cockatoo-Parrakeet ; 554, Partridge-Pigeon, (b), 31, Winking-Owl; 34, Western Winking-Owl ; 683, Diving-Petrel (this section might be used to make an awkward combination — Whistling-Shrike-Thrush). (c), 463, Musk-Lorikeet; 523, Swift-Lorikeet; 526, Night-Parrakeet ; 533, Topknot-Pigeon; 542, Flock-Pigeon ; 584, Stone-Plover (as 585); 755, Musk-Duck. (d), 129, Wood-Fantail ; 468, Palm-Cockatoo; 506, Mallee-Parrakeet ; 520, Rock-Parrakeet ; 525, Ground-Parrakeet ; 537, Ground-Dove ; 551, Stubble-Quail ; 554, Scrub-Fowl ; 556, Brush-Turkey (as 557); 565, Plain- Wanderer ; 705, Ashy or Sombre Reef-Heron; 707, Reef-Heron; 741, Wood-Duck ; 745, Shieldrake or Mountain-Duck.
Rule 3. — 589, Turn-stone.
Rule 4. — 125, White-shafted Fantail ; 126, Western Fantail ; 127, Dusky Fantail; 128, Rufous Fantail; 129, Wood-Fantail (2d) ■ 130, Northern Fantail ; 131, White-tailed Fantail ; 132, Pheasant-Fantail (2a) ; 133, Black-and-White Fantail; 226, Whiteface ; 227, Chestnut-breasted Whiteface ; 228, Black-banded Whiteface; 229, Wedgebill ; 285, Spine- bill ; 286, White-browed Spinebill. (This rule could hardly be applied to such a case as White-eye, where two vowels follow one another.)
It will be seen from the foregoing that some 46 changes would be involved in a list of 759 birds were these rules observed, hence the alteration would not be very great. The proposed system would undoubtedly conduce to uniformity, as well as involving little change. In considering it, however, it is necessary to remember that it is very doubtful if inconsistency can be entirely avoided. Exceptions prove the rule. Modern usage in English certainly branches out in two directions. One follows the agglutinative tendency of Aryan tongues, and, starting with a name built up of two or more words, either uses the hyphen to connect them or (probably later) makes them into one word where unification of sense is to be conveyed ; the other treats them as two words, and ignores the connecting link. The latter system is less definite and occasionally misses the precise meaning, the finer sense, the words would bear when joined together. Hence the use of the hyphen seems decidedly preferable. On the other hand, authorities differ widely. The usage of dictionary- makers is very far from uniform, and there is a great difference between the British and American use of the hyphen. Virtually the whole matter resolves itself into one of usage and conven- ience. Probably by avoiding the use of the hyphen greater consistency could be assured. But is consistency everything that
54 Kendall, Some Notes on Vernacular Names. [isfjul ■
is to be thought of ? To say nothing of the unification of idea that would be lost by omitting the hyphen, it would be very inconvenient to make so many changes in our list as such an alteration would involve, even though by doing so we should fall into line with our American brethren, who in their Check- List print Vesper Sparrow, Duck Hawk, Ring Plover, &c. The name of the bird, apart from its distinguishing adjective (or adjectival noun-prefix), might perhaps stand out more clearly in indices, &c, but to those familiar with bird-names would this be a compensating advantage ? My own opinion is that the hyphen should be retained.
Re the use of capital initials where "Bird," or " Hen," or "Fowl," or any similar word, forms the second number of a name- combination, would it not be well to treat it as equivalent to a proper name, such as Hawk or Duck, and use a capital initial ? It is hard to see why it should not be so treated.
A final suggestion is that when issued the list be interleaved with plain paper, or so arranged that there should be a blank page opposite each page of names, for the purpose of recording remarks, dates of arrival and departure, and the many other references a bird-student wants conveniently to hand. This would aid in gathering material on which in the near future our Check-List might be based.
Descriptions of Birds'-eggs from the Port Darwin
District, Northern Australia.
By D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., &c, Melbourne.
Part III.
Rhipidura PHASIANA (Pheasant Fantail).
This attractive little bird is found in the scrub-covered country of Northern Australia. Its habits are similar to those of the White-shafted Fantail (R. albiscapa), and it seems to nest princi- pally in January, several nests being found in that month. Its delicately-constructed, open nest is composed of soft shreds of bark and lined with a few fine vine tendrils, and it is well covered on the outside with cobwebs. They are placed on a horizontal bough, generally by a fork. Measurements — internal breadth, i^ inches ; external, if inches ; internal depth, i inch ; external, i|- inches. The clutch appears to be two eggs. They are of a very pale cream — some sets are almost white — with an irregular zone of brown markings round the larger end, but varying in different eggs as to its exact position, and in some cases being much more irregular and lighter in colour. Two clutches measure — A, (i) .60 x .48, (2) .59 x .48 ; B, (1) .65 x .49, (2) .66 x .49 inch. I do not think these eggs have been described before, and all those of the Australian Rhi piduree are now known.
Vol. III. 1903
Le SoUEF, Birds' -eggs from Northern Australia. 55
Rhipidura dryas (Wood Fantail).
Gould, sp. 137 ; Cat. B. Brit. Mus., vol. iv., p. 322.
The eggs and nest of this beautiful Fantail are very similar to those of its near ally, the Rufous Fantail (R. rufifrons). The nest was found on 18th November, situated on a thin fork near the end of a branch and about 10 feet from the ground ; it was composed of fine shreds of bark and lined with fine 'grass seed- stalks and lightly covered outwardly with cobwebs, and measures — internal depth, 1 inch ; external, \\ inches ; internal breadth, 1 \ inches ; external, 2 inches. The nest contained two fresh eggs, which are light buff in colour and marked on the larger end only, where the small reddish-brown and greyish markings form a confluent zone. The eggs measure — (1) .66 x .48 inch ; (2) .67 x .49 inch.
PTILOSCLERA VERSICOLOR (Red-crowned Lorikeet").
Gould, sp. 447 ; Cat. B. Brit. Mus., vol. xx., p. 66.
This Lorikeet is found in Northern Australia, and they generally live in flocks, except when nesting. They lay their eggs in a hollow limb, generally at a considerable distance from the ground, and the rotten wood on which the eggs are laid usually soon discolours them. The eggs are white, without gloss, and one taken on 27th January measures .98 x .78 inch. The clutch is either one or two eggs.
Platycercus amathusia (Blue-cheeked Parrakeet).
Gould, sp. 420 ; Cat. B. Brit. Mus., vol. xx., p. 548.
This bird ranges over Northern Australia, and is very similar to the Pale-headed Parrakeet (P. pallidiceps). It was nesting in the Port Darwin district in July, two clutches of eggs being taken, one on the 10th and the other on the 14th of that month. They are pure white and glossy, and measure — A, (1) .99 x .79, (2) 1 x .78 ; B, (1) 1. 01 x .78, (2) 1 x .80. The two nests each had two fresh eggs in, evidently uncompleted clutches.
Stray Feathers.
Late Clutches of Larks. — On 8th February I noticed a nest of the Black-breasted Song-Lark (Cinclorham phus cruralis) con- taining four eggs. On the 14th of same month I saw another nest containing five eggs — a record clutch, I think, for this species. On 26th I found a nest of the Bush-Lark (Mirafra horsfieldi) with three eggs on the point of hatching. — Fred. L. Berney. Richmond (N.Q.), 4/3/03. * * *
Nude Cockatoos. — I have a tame white Cockatoo (Sulphur- crested) which is a bit of a puzzle. He most persistently refuses to grow feathers. Eighteen months ago I took him from the nest
56 Stray Feathers. \S$%
a most perfect, full-feathered bird. He has run at large ever since, fed on varied food. He learned to talk quickly, but, alas ! moulted his beautiful white coat and is now in an almost nude state, every fresh crop of feathers being a failure, the feather or stump breaking off just close to the skin. I observed a couple of wild Cockatoos in a similar condition last week. Unnatural state of affairs, is it not? — A. M. POWELL. Bungarby,zv/r Cooma,
N.S.W.
* * *
A " Galah " Note. — Last week, as a lady was proceeding from Sandringham station to her home, she saw a bird pursued by two Hawks, which have been very bold in that neighbourhood this season. This turned out to be a " Galah " Cockatoo, which almost immediately flew on to her dress, and accompanied her home. Though at first it would allow no one but its rescuer to touch it, it afterwards proved so tame that it would perch on shoulder or arm of any member of the family, and, though at liberty, came regularly to be fed. One morning it was missing, but on " Cocky " being called two or three times it surprised the young lady looking for it by answering " Here I am," close by her. On another occasion a son was sitting under the tea-tree, smoking, and the Galah climbed on to him, only to descend at once, however, and return with a stick in its beak. This was only one of many instances of mimicry shown by it. — H. KENDALL.
I7/3/03-
* # *
How Gannets Dive. — On the 17th of October, 1902, one Gannet was diving in the estuary of the Derwent between One- Tree and Crayfish Points. This was the first I had seen since the 2nd of June, and was apparently a casual visitor, for no more appeared until the 5th of November, from which day until now (21st January) they have been seen frequently. The dive of the Gannet (so far as the eye can judge) is taken vertically, or very nearly so. As a rule the wings remain expanded until the bird reaches (or almost reaches) the Water. But occasionally the wings are closed for an instant at some height above the water — perhaps in order to accelerate the speed by reducing the extent of surface to which the air offers resistance. The foregoing remarks apply to dives taken from a height of about 15 feet and over. ' When they are taken from a lower elevation the course is frequently an oblique one. I desire in this note to correct a formerly expressed opinion regarding the movements of the Gannet in diving.* — J. R. M'CLYMONT. Brown's River Road,
near Hobart.
* * *
Brown's River Road (near Hobart) Notes. — In the first week of August of a recent winter, a company of Yellow-rumped Tits (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa), frequenting some suburban fields,
* Papers and l'roc. Roy. Soc. Tas., 1887, p. 113.
Vol. IN. ' -i9°3 -1
Stray Feathers. C 7
separated and began nest-building. But this was not the first sign of coming spring. On the 21st of July two Yellow-throated Honey-eaters (Ptilotis flavigularis) began to trill their call-note, to which they often added three or four grace-notes, mellower in quality. On the 24th day of the same month a Magpie (Gymnor- hina hyperleucd) flew into a black wattle (acacia) and piped for the space of half an hour — it may have been to please his mate. Variations were introduced such as I had not heard at other seasons of the year. Tail and body moved continually whilst he was singing. A pair of the above-mentioned Yellow-rumped Tits selected as the site of their nest a pittosporum growing in a grass plot. Two varieties of this shrub grew at the place ; one was broad-leafed, but had few branchlets ; the other was narrow- leafed, but abounded in branchlets, and was impenetrable to the eye unless one peered into it. The Tits wisely preferred to build in latter. They began about the 15th of August, and continued to build until the 22nd, when the open (top) nest was completed. It was not feather-lined either at that time or later. After a few days' interval the birds resumed work, and finished the covered nest (with the exception, perhaps, of the external entrance) on the 5th of September. But, a few days later, perceiving doubtless that the nest had been disturbed, they removed the feathers with which the covered nest was lined, and deserted the spot. The measurements of this nest were as follows : — The open nest was 2 inches in depth, and 2\ inches in diameter externally, the walls being thin and frail, as I believe is always the case. The egg receptacle was separated from the open nest by a partition only. It was <\\ inches deep externally, and had an unprotected elliptical entrance in the side. Another Yellow-rumped Tit's nest, which was built in a cypress, contained partially incubated eggs on the 17th of November. A miniature archway, leading to the interior of the lower nest, was formed of wiry plant-stalks ; it was ij inches in height and projected if inches from the main structure. The testimony of eye-witnesses who have seen the open (or top) nest occupied by adult or young birds would be of great value, for it would set at rest all doubts regarding its use. Whilst these Tits were building, I had ample opportunity of observing that earth-worms constitute an important article of the diet of this species. These the birds killed by battering upon a post or clod. A stomach which was examined contained insect remains. About the middle of September the two birds to whose spring notes I have alluded commenced to build. On the 19th of the month the female Magpie was collecting flocks of wool wherewith to line her nest of small sticks, built in a blue gum (eucalypt) 40 or 50 feet from the ground. She held each flock down with one foot, and pulled its fibres apart with her beak, before carrying it away. The Yellow-throated Honey-eaters lined their nest with horse-hairs, plucked from the horse's back whilst at work. Two young Magpies appeared with their parents in the open on the 24th of November. The old birds were very jealous of intruders,
5 8 Stray Feathers. [is? Jul'
and frequently chased other birds from their neighbourhood. On one occasion both of them followed a Raven (or Crow) for a long distance,' and tried to hasten its departure by repeated peckings, but the marauder did not once turn upon them. Ground-Larks (Antkus austral is) were vigorously pursued, but were never overtaken. Whether the Lark ascended in short spirals, or -shot almost vertically upwards, or sailed down the wind like a leaf floating down a stream, he left the Magpie behind, and the latter invariably gave up the pursuit and returned to the ground when the Lark had attained the height of from ioo to 200
feet.— J. R. M'Clymont.
* * *
Maluri. — A Modification. — Mr. A. W. Milligan, of his own volition, has been good enough to send for my inspection the Blue-breasted Wrens (the true M. pulcherrimus of Gould*), procured on his Stirling Range expedition (an account of which is given in this issue) that have enabled me to modify a portion of my work on the Maluri. In " Nests and Eggs," p. 178, I have stated : — " Should there really be a bird in the south-west with an indigo throat, then there is also a black-throated variety between it (M. pulcherrimus) and M . lamberti in the east." This proves to be a somewhat paradoxical statement — wrong in supposing there was not an indigo-throated bird, but right in stating there is a black-throated variety between it and M . lam- berti. For this intermediate variety Mr. A. J. North has since assigned the name M. assimilis — see Vict. Nat., vol. xviii., p. 29 (June, 1 901). Attention, however, was first directed to this probable third kind in The Ibis, p. 1 1 (January, 1901). For No. 149, or Malurus pulcherrimus, in my book, page 177, the " geographical distribution " should be Western Australia only, while North-West and South Australia and Victoria apply to M. assimilis, with Mr. North's additional localities thrown in. Consequently, in regard to these alterations, " Observations," &c, under my M. pulcherrimus may be construed accordingly. — A. J. Campbell.
* * *
Black Butcher-Bird.— Writing from Cairns, under date 28/1/03, Mr. E. M. Cornwall says': — 21st December, 1902. — Went to a patch of scrub where I had taken a clutch of eggs last season and had seen the birds at different times during the year. Approaching the place I saw one old bird carrying food, and immediately after the other appeared carrying a grub. I then saw that they were feeding two fully-fledged young, which were both brown. Although I have seen very many of both the black and brown Butcher-Birds, I have never noticed the black and brown together. The pairs were invariably either both black or both brown. Mr. W. T. White says he has found the young ones
* The British Museum "Catalogue of Birds," vol. iv., p. 295, erroneously states that the throat is "deep black " instead of indigo-blue.
Vol. III. 1903 i
Stray Feathers. 5 9
of the black variety in the nest, and they were both black. Mr. Le Souef tenders the same evidence. About Cairns it is very noticeable that whilst the brown variety favours the stunted scrubs along the sea shore, and even haunts the mangroves a great deal, the black one prefers the deeper shades of the jungle proper, or the melaleuca swamps. I have hitherto felt quite satisfied that they were two distinct varieties, but after what
I saw on the 21st ult. my opinion has been shaken.
* * *
Snakes on King Island. — No account of King Island would be complete without reference to the snakes, both copper-headed and tiger, so frequently met with in moist places. Before a collector has been an hour at work he would have material for several " snake yarns," though the reptiles are not now as plentiful as they were in former years. Credit can hardly be given to the statement that bracken fern is so thickly matted that snakes can travel as easily along the top as on the ground ; but a visit to the island, and the meeting with several snakes sunning themselves breast high, will convince the doubter. When hunting about one morning for a Robin recently shot, I found a snake "pointing" the dead bird, possibly contemplating making my prey his. Another sight of which I was witness suggests the probability of there being method in the way a snake procures its food. A number of small birds (Wrens, Scrub-Wrens, and Tits, eight in all), actively jumping about in a bush and scolding their loudest, proclaimed the presence of an enemy. If the snake had not been disturbed from its position on the top of a tussock, it would doubtless have had an opportunity of fascinating or striking at
one of the birds when it came within reach. — A. G. Campbell.
* * *
" The Development of Colour in the Definitive Feather." — When concluding the note on Mr. Le Souef s paper {The Emu, vol. ii., p. 196) the conjecture was put forward that " to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion .... microscopical research into the structure of living feathers will have to play a large part in the inquiry." Since writing this the news comes that science has taken a prominent part in the discussion of the " moult or no moult " question, and that the microscope has been effectively used to solve some of its problems. In 1899 Dr. R. M. Strong, a thoroughly qualified histologist, began a series of investigations into the development of colour in feathers. As the work was done in the famous Harvard Zoological Laboratory, where every facility for proper observation is at hand, where none but a thoroughly qualified man would be employed, and where everything is under the direction of Dr. E. L. Mark, the results should be reliable. Remiges from living birds, feather-germs, and dry feathers were used. The results are embodied in a technical paper (under the above title) by the investigator (" Bulletin Mus. Compt. Zool.," vol. xl., No. 3, pp. 146-186), and are accompanied by nine plates. Dr. Strong
60 Stray Feathers. [isfj'uly
deals with the various theories put forward, and shows where they fail. Starting with the assumption that a solution of the problem (change of colour without moult) " could not be attained without a thorough consideration of the cause of colour and its development," he arrives at the conclusions that — " The contention for a flow of pigment from the barbs into the barbules, &c. . . . is at once made absurd by the fact that the barbules are pigmented before the barbs are differentiated. Variations in colour patterns are usually correlated with variations in the distribution of pigment in the earlier stages of the feather's development. When completed the feather is composed of cells which have dee// entirely metamorphosed into a firm horny substance, and its pigment is imbedded in that lifeless matter. The cells composing a barbule are fused into a solid, more or less homogeneous structure. The pigment of one portion of the barbule is as effectively isolated from that of another as is the colouring in a piece of agate. Likewise in the barb and rachis pigment is definitely and permanently located either in the solid cortex or in effectively separated cells of the medulla, and there are no pores large enough to permit the passage of melanin granules. The characteristic longitudinal arrange- ment of melanin granules, which one finds at the close of cornification of the feather, is permanent. . . . When the feather is completed the dermal pulp possesses no functional connection with it ; the barbs and barbules arc then isolated from the vital processes of the organism, and have no further power of groivth.
" i . Most feather pigments are too resistant to chemical re-agents to warrant belief in their solution and redistribution.
" 15. Before cornification has ceased all the pigment which the feather is ever to receive has been supplied to the cells composing its fundament.
" 16. Changes in the colour of plumage may take place — (1) by a moult, during which the new feathers may have the same pigmentation as their predecessors or a different one ; (2) by a loss of certain portions of the feather ; or (3) by physical disintegration in the cortex of the feather as the result of exposure. There is no satisfactory evidence of a process of re-pigmentation, and the histological conditions of the feather render such a process highly improbable."
All who read Dr. Strong's paper will be disposed to agree with the verdict of the editor of The Auk, that it is " one of the most noteworthy ornithological papers of the year." But even though the passages I have italicized are so definite in expression that they would hardly have been used by a scientific man who was not absolutely certain as to his premises, one may be pardoned for doubting whether the last word has been said on the subject. The range of birds examined has been com- paratively small, and the results of further research will be anxiously awaited. — H. KENDALL.
%£<] Stray Feathers. 6 1
Owls in Captivity Fed by Bush Brethren. — A very striking- instance of sympathy or solicitude has occurred between Chestnut- faced Owls {Strix novce-hollandice) who were enjoying their full liberty and some of their less fortunate brethren who have been confined for some years in a cage in the City Park, Launceston. The occurrence first came under my notice about September last year, when the keeper of the animals drew my attention to the number of young rabbits that the " cats " were bringing home and depositing in front of the Owls' cage, some being left so near that the Owls were able to drag several of the pieces into their cage. After observing this strange occurrence for some days, I could plainly see that the " cat " theory was untenable. A solution of the mystery presented itself soon afterwards. Being in the vicinity of the Owls' cage one evening after dark, the birds seemed to be making an unusual commotion, and attention was attracted to an Owl passing quite close to me, and perching on the top of the cage. I could see it flying about quite plainly by the light from a street lamp at no great distance. I have seen the Owls repeatedly since, and heard them chattering quite close to the cage, but in the uncertain light have not been able to detect them carrying food. There can be no doubt, however, as to the source of the secret supply of food, which consisted generally of the hind- quarters of young rabbits, bandicoots, and bush rats. " Hind- quarters " are mentioned particularly, because there were only three Owls in the cage, and the supply was generally far in excess of their requirements ; consequently they were seemingly too indolent to take receipt of all the food offered. Some, there- fore, was allowed to drop in front of the cage, elevated above the ground about 2 feet. From the remains found I conclude that the providers had the first dainty morsel themselves, and further that more than one Owl was engaged in this laudable enterprise. One morning in particular I counted the remains of no less than four rabbits, in addition to one whole carcass ; there were also the remains of one bandicoot. All these had to be carried some distance after being caught, and taken almost right into the centre of the city, in the full glare of the electric light. The occurrence is more remarkable because the cage front is composed of H-inch mesh wire netting. Indications showed that generally the food was passed in about half-way up the front of the cage. The feeding (which I attribute to the pairing and nesting season) has now (April) almost ceased. —
W. M'Gowan, Superintendent Public Reserves, Launceston.
* * *
Otway DISTRICT. — Rufous Bristle-Bird (Sphcnura broadbcuti). —This bird was plentiful, though more often heard than seen, from Forrest down to Apollo Bay. In all its habits it suggests the Coachwhip-Bird. I found a nest in a " cutting-grass " tussock in a small glade on the side of a scrubby gully at the back of Krambruk (see Emu, vol. ii., pi. 12). There was a
62 Stray Feathers [is? July
young bird just hatched and an egg that would have hatched next day. Local residents had no distinctive name for the Bristle-Bird, and few of them seemed to have ever seen it.
Flame-breasted Robin (Petrceca phcenicea). — We saw at least eight pairs of this species in a walk from Forrest to the coast (25 miles), and not one of the Scarlet-breasted birds (P. leggii). At Apollo Bay there were a few of the latter, but the " Flame- breasts " were still in an easy majority. There is not the slightest doubt in my mind that they breed throughout this forest. I saw old birds feeding what seemed to be this season's young on several occasions, though I did not discover any nests.
Sooty Oyster-catcher (Hcematopus unicolor). — Two or three pairs were seen at the Elliott River. They are not common west of Port Phillip, and on the long stretches of beach between the Heads and Lome have never been noted, so far as I am aware.
General. — We noted 62 species in rive days' observation. —
C. F. Belcher.
* * *
Cairns Notes. — When reading friend Hall's theories re reversion of colours, I was reminded of a set of Kingfisher (H. macleayi) eggs I got last year. The nest was in a white ants' nest, in a tree, and when I put my hand in to feel for the eggs I pulled it out very quickly, having felt something slimy and cold, like a snake. Having broken up the nest, I found a great green frog quietly sitting on a clutch of four eggs. Whether he had gone in the hole for shelter, or had thought to try his hand at incubating I cannot say ; but the frog had made the nest wet, and the eggs when removed were so coated with chocolate mud that, though thoroughly washed, the stains were ineradicable. Some of the markings were in blotches, and really appeared as if beneath the surface of the shell. The eggs have been disposed of in exchange, or would have been forwarded. — E. M. Cornwall. 16/4/03.
* * *
Clarke Island (Bass Strait) Notes.— The small islands of Bass Strait are much frequented by that unlucky bird, the Mutton-Bird (Puffmus tenuirostris). I call them unlucky because such great numbers are annually taken by the residents for home consumption and the local markets ; indeed, to such an extent that it is questionable if they will stand the yearly drain. Persons ignorant of their habits have spoken of the probability of their breeding twice a year, but when studied this will not hold good. If we consider the facts that the birds arrive here in September and commence scratching out their burrows about the 20th of that month ; the eggs are generally laid on 25th November, varying a day, and sometimes two, either earlier or later, according to the state of the weather — when stormy earlier, and when fine the reverse ; and that the young birds are not able to fly until the end of April and beginning of May, this
Vol. III. 1903
Stray Feathers. 6 X
would make nearly j\ months for the bird to rear the first fledgling ; this leaves 4^- months, so we must naturally conclude that the bird would not so materially change its habits as to produce another brood in such a less space of time. Re the Mutton-Bird laying a second time after it has been robbed, I can only say they have never been known to do so. The theory was that if you robbed a nest when the egg was fresh and examined it again in ten or twelve days' time you would most likely find another egg. This year, to prove what I state, I marked a number of nests after robbing them, and looked at them again after the stated time and also nearly a month later, but in both instances found no eggs. I examined numbers of nests that had been robbed by other people (who had been there and ate the eggs, not being scientifically inclined), with the like result.
A marked decrease is evident in the numbers of the Cape Barren Geese (Cereopsis novcs-hollandies) in Bass Strait. This year in particular the nests found on the sheep-breeding islands were almost nil ; it is probable that this is due to the fact that the residents rob the nests so systematically every year that the birds seek more secluded spots in the breeding season, and return to their old haunts later. A curious feature about these birds is that, although web-footed, they are never seen swimming except when wounded or too young to fly. They are very suspicious, and one must be careful not to touch their nests or handle the eggs if wishing to obtain a clutch of goslings from them. People have taken eggs out of a nest and finding them unfit for blowing, &c, have replaced them carefully, and, happening to return the same way, have been astounded to see the parent bird breaking them with great expedition.
The Summer-Bird or Cuckoo-Shrike (Graucalus parvirostris) usually makes its appearance in September in flocks of six or eight. Only one clutch has been found, on one of the principal islands, which shows that they do not breed here to any extent.
The Wood-Swallow (Artamus sordidus) arrives about the same time as the preceding bird, and also seems to prefer breeding elsewhere, although its eggs have been found once or twice. In each case the nest was built on that of another bird.
Spur-winged Plover (Lobivanellus lobatus) lays in October, but it is difficult to find the eggs of this noisy bird. The nest is simply a slight depression in the ground, and the eggs are apt to be mistaken for small stones, particularly as their colour resembles the surroundings to a greater or lesser extent.
The Large-billed Ground-Thrush (Geocichla macrorhynchd) is also a rare bird. It constructs its green moss-made nest generally in a hollow stump in a thickly wooded gully and almost invariably near water. It is a very shy bird.
The Black-cheeked Falcon (Falco melanogenys) is not plentiful. It is generally found nesting among cliffs or rocky gorges, the eggs being almost similar to those of Brown Hawks (Hieracidea).
The Black and Pied Oyster-catchers (Hcematopus unicolor and
64 Stray Feathers. [isf July
H. longiro'Stris) lay in numbers along the coast. The eggs are much alike in size and colour ; still one can usually tell the different species. The Pied Oyster-catcher's eggs are rounder, and the deep brown spots larger and less numerous than on the Black J bird's. The latter bird lays either among the seaweed, well above high water mark, or on the mesembryanthemum in the clefts of the rocks, while the Pied species prefers the sea beach.
The Hooded and Red-capped Dottrels {Mgialitis cucullata and .£. ruflcapilld) lay to a considerable extent along the coasts. The Hooded merely scratches a hole in the white sand over- looking the beach. The nest is easily traced by the numerous marks of the parents in the vicinity. It occasionally lays in the coarse gravel, where the eggs are very hard to locate, owing to their similarity to the surroundings. The Red-capped Dottrel generally lays close to the sea amongst debris cast up by the waves, and occasionally on the bank.
Mountain Ducks (Casarca tadornoides were known to breed on Clarke Island many years ago, but appear to have gone elsewhere. A pair occupied the hollow top (about 30 feet from the ground) of a dead gum tree, and if one struck the tree the beautiful bird would fly off, to return later when the coast was clear. — J. D. MacLaine. 27/12/02.
TAWONGA (VlCT.) NOTES. — 5th July. — The smaller insectiv- orous birds are somewhat scarce on the flats. The customary number of " Fire-tails " (Finches) and Buff-rumped Tits came as usual ; but the Robins, which came towards the end of April, disappeared again, and now are represented by a few birds.
1 2th July. — Last Sunday I noticed a Water-Hen among the rushes on the roadside at the foot of Creamer's Hill (Dederang). It seemed to be nesting. Ducks are plentiful in the lagoons. A few Cockatoos visit Tawonga Reserve at long intervals.
26th July. — During the week a flock of White Cockatoos visited a newly-sown paddock. Until now few " Cockies " have been seen, but it seems that fresh earth soon attracts them. They feed in flocks, each with its sentinel in some dry tree, and for such noisy birds they are very quiet. Sometimes birds are caught in rabbit traps set in the paddock and baited with a few peas or some grains of maize. This misfortune does not rid the farmer of the rest of the pests, for they continue feeding in the neighbourhood of the trap. Perhaps there is some truth in the bushman's statement that the Cockatoo never fears what he sees.
2nd August. — Some Ibises which were seen on 5th, 12th, and 19th July, are still about, but make no sign of nesting. The popular knowledge that they are good eating makes them shy. (Do they know that steak is tenpence a pound ?)
9th August. — The Plovers seem to be preparing for nesting.
Vol' "Ll Stray Feathers. 65
Where individuals were seen, pairs, threes, or fours are common. Nothing is changing among the small migratory birds, but perhaps the backwardness of the season, owing to the want of rain, may account for this.
1 6th August. — Two signs of spring have to be noted. The full song of a Magpie was heard in the beginning of the week, and about the middle the Swallows, which have been away for some time, returned. Satin-Birds are in flocks. One flock was noted with about a score of green birds and but one black.
30th August. — Swallows have begun to build against the screen of the verandah. As they are building on boards exposed to full glare of the sun, they use horsehair to bind their work. [A break unfortunately here occurs in Mr. Wilson's observations, owing to his illness. This is to be regretted the more as spring migrations were now due. — Eds.]
4th October. — The Swallow's nest on the verandah, according to a little boy, " fell down." It was resting on a planed hardwood " tie," and plastered to painted boards, the latter only half an inch thick. A few Ibises are still to be seen about the swamps.
11th October. — Are the Fantails jackals for the horse? One morning this week a Fantail (Black and White) was noted looking very seriously into a horse's face as the animal grazed. Its position was about 1 5 inches from the horse's nose, and the quadruped seemed pleased with the biped's attentions. Probably the horse disturbed insect colonies in securing his breakfast, and but for the Fantail's help he would have suffered for his intrusion.
1 8th October. — Building seems to be the prevailing business of the birds. The body hair from two horses, that had been removed by currycomb, had in a few days entirely disappeared. Combings from manes and tails were not in so much demand, but dis- appeared later in the week. The birds visited the yard early, while the material was wet. Unfortunately it was not possible to follow them to their nesting-places. One Ibis was seen and heard at different times during the week. Gang-Gang Cockatoos do not seem to be nesting yet. Occasionally three or four are seen flying from the ranges east of the river towards those to the west, about eight o'clock in the morning. They fly high, and sexual distinguishing marks are invisible, but I think the Gang-Gang is at least a bigamist. Indeed, I should not wonder if he were convicted of polygamy.
Attention is called to hens (barn-door) assuming the plumage of cocks. These seem to be, in every case, very old, and their vagaries have been preceded by intermittent laying, the pro- duction of small eggs, and finally malformed eggs. These seem to point to exhaustion of reproductive power. The change of plumage is accompanied by other changes. The hen attempts to crow, she walks like a cock, and she shuns her sex. Has she ceased to be an object of desire to the lord of the harem ? Does he accordingly cease to protect her ? Is she safer from her
66 Stray Feathers. [isf™ly
natural enemies in borrowed plumes ? Apparently she has become incapable of self-defence, and when killed she is found to be " feathers and bones." Crowing hens are objects of detestation in Gaelic folk-lore. The reason seems plain. A hen-wife who permits a fowl to reach such an age as is necessary for the change of garb must be very inefficient. Does the assumption by the female of male plumage take place in wild bird-life D Its analogy is surely seen in the black " death robe " of the Satin-Bird.*
25th October. — On Sunday Jackasses were observed select i 11 g hollows, obviously for nesting. The male seems to perform a sort of dance among the boughs of the dead tree on which his mate sits. On Monday morning a flock of Ibises (about 20) was disturbed while feeding in the swamp. When they rise they fly a short distance into the heads of dead trees, and then set out, in a " follow-the-leader " flight for some other feeding- ground. On 26th October a flock of about 40 was noticed feeding on the flat, away from the swamp. There has been rain enough to moisten the ground to some depth. The nearest were never within gunshot.
On 30th a Robin was noticed among the bushes by the river. The situation is very quiet, and probably, as he appeared un- willing to fly far, he had domicile somewhere near.
8th November. — Small flocks of Ibises are reported in the district. A large and early immigration of Leatherheads is also to be noted. These birds seem to have difficulty in finding food.
15th November. — A young Wattle-Bird was brought to school by one of the children. It was fully fledged and seemed well nourished. Advice to leave the rest to papa and mamma was given.
22nd November. — The Buft-rumped Tit is noted where the Robin was seen lately, busily engaged picking up a living. I am not at all sure that these birds in an ordinary season breed on the flats, but those under notice seemed to be foraging for others besides themselves.
29th November. — Necessity compelled a journey to Bright. The road winds upwards over a range for five miles. The creeks which cross the road on the east side of the range are still running, and birds were seen at the various altitudes as usual. Near the top a Gang-Gang Cockatoo hen flew past my horses' heads, so near that both shied. On the western side of the range the creeks are dry, and bird life in the upper regions is very poorly represented. When the region of running water in German
* This phase of bird life was alluded to by Aristotle, and some interesting instances are cited in notes to Letter xxxv. of White's " Natural History of Selborne " (Blackwood's edition). There seems no reason why such change should not occur in wild birds, but the analogy given above is a doubtful one. The "death robe" of the Satin Bower-Bird is usually regarded as only the assumption of mature plumage by the male. — Eds.
Vol. Ill 1903
Stray beat furs. 67
Creek is reached birds are met with in great numbers. One marked peculiarity is that the Gang-Gangs, both males and females, are to be seen near the river (Ovens), though in the higher regions they are neither to be seen nor heard. As I saw no young birds, and as the hens were flying about at 8 a.m., I conclude that the Gang-Gangs have not bred, and are not now breeding. The dry weather is probably responsible for the birds missing a season.
6th December. — On Wednesday a flock of Ib'ses, flying high, passed over the school, travelling in a southerly direction. Statements are frequently made that strange birds are to be seen and are breeding here this year. Birds of all kinds seem to be more numerous than usual. One nest was shown to me. It was on the top of a stump about 4 inches in diameter and 2 feet high. It contained two zebra-striped young, scarcely distinguishable from the decaying wood, and proved to be the nursery of the Rufous Fantail. Surely an unusual site.
13th December. — On Tuesday morning, about 7, a large flock of Ibises was seen feeding on grasshoppers on the flat. This was increased by smaller bodies arriving — about 1 2 in each — for the next hour. As soon as breakfast was over each detachment flew into the dry trees.
This morning, also, about 7.30, the first of the " Bogong Crows " arrived. Before their arrival a few Crows were seen flying north, as if their business was to get out of the way. The " Crows " fly in loose order, and give plenty of notice as to their where- abouts. The caw of these " Crows " is quite different from that of the real Crow. The supply of grasshoppers, &c, is very good, and as the crops are very early it is quite possible that the " Crows " will escape the accusation, only too well founded, of eating the grain.
20th December. — On Tuesday a Noisy Miner hatched out two young ones, and on Wednesday a third, in a tree whose branches touch the building used as a school. The boys took great interest in the nest and the process of incubation, but no sign of violence was shown to the birds.
27th December. — The large flocks of Ibises have broken up into small bodies of from 25 to 100. These are eating up grasshoppers in places missed by the large flocks. For example, the large flocks almost exterminated grasshoppers on the large paddocks, and now the smaller flocks are cleaning up the bends of the river. " Bogong Crows " are associated with the Ibises. These have missed their customary diet of wheat, rye, &c, owing to their arrival being later than usual. A journey to Bright reveals the same condition of things as was formerly noted. The late rains have had no appreciable effect on the water in the mountain creeks.
To 31st December. — The small birds — Wrens, &c. — seem to be more numerous than usual on the flats. They have bred, but by the river, not in the ranges.
68 Stray I- cat hers. [isfjuly
The ravages of foxes are complained of. Obviously the supply
of small game has given out in the mountains, and Reynard
has shifted into winter quarters in the height of summer. —
James Wilson.
* * *
ACANTHIZA TENUIR0STR1S (ZlETZ). — EXTENSION OF LOCALITY — I beg to report that this small species has been found in Western Australia, there being a specimen in the Perth Museum from the Murchison district. As our vice-president has pointed out when describing this new species (Proc. Roy. Soc. S.A., vol. xxiv., p. 112, 1900), it is nearest allied to A. rcguloidcs (BufT-rumped Tit), but is a smaller bird, and in addition to other differences easily distinguished by its yellowish-white upper tail coverts instead of ochreous as in A. rcguloidcs. It appears to me that A. tenuirostris is the western form of A. rcguloidcs, or vice versa. — A. W. Milligan. Perth (W.A.), 6/5/03.
Wood-Swallows Eating Honey. — Concerning my note on this subject (Emu, vol. ii., p. 217), perhaps I should have stated that the stomachs of those birds examined contained not only insects, but also a yellowish sticky liquid, just like honey. The ants did not amount to more than three or four to each bird, but of course one would not expect to find full stomachs at the early hour at which the birds were shot. But, apart from that, the steady, deliberate movements of the bird's head and neck as it buried its beak in each blossom, holding it there a moment while, as I think, it extracted the nectar, all indicated the honey-eater rather than the insect-hunter. There was no peck or quick movement such as you would expect with the latter. — Fred. L. Berney. Richmond (N.Q.), 15/4/03.
Breeding Season of the Bustard (Eupodotis australis) in North Queensland. —
4th January (1902). — Male bird " strutting."
17th January (1898). — Nest, two eggs.
27th January (1898). — Two nests, one egg in each.
30th January (1903). — Male bird " strutting."
31st January (1900). — Nest, two eggs.
1 8th February (1898). — Nest, one egg.
1 8th February (1903). — Turkey Bustards "calling" at night.
27th February (1902). — Nest, one egg.
28th February (1898). — Young bird just able to fly.
8th March (1898).— Young bird just able to fly.
22nd March (1898). — Nest, one egg, much incubated.
4th April (1902). — Young bird just able to fly.
1 6th June (1901). — Nest, one egg, bird flushed.
13th July (1901). — Bird shot contained hard-shelled egg; would have been deposited within about a week.
Vo|90I3IL] Stray Feathers. 69
25th December (1898). — Bustards "calling" at night. 26th December (1899). — Male bird "strutting." With the exception of two instances (16th June and 13th July) all these records point to January, February, and March as the nesting months here. The "strutting " and " calling " are also confined to these months, with the end of December thrown in. I can find no mention made of the " calling " by any authority. It is only done at night, and consequently hard to prove. I may possibly be wrong, but don't fancy so. The " call " is a soft, hollow roar, which one finds hard to describe in words, but it can be produced by contracting the lips to a circle just large enough to insert the point of one's little finger and then pro- nouncing " who-o-o-o," drawn out by expressing the breath fairly forcibly,