Waders on the island. They were very numerous and tame round the lagoons. Adults and birds of the year were equally common.
Heteropygia acuminata (Sharp-tailed Stint, Siberian Pectoral Sandpiper).—Less common than the last-named species, but still fairly plentiful, both as regards adults and birds of the year.
Ancylochilus subarquatus (Curlew Stint or Sandpiper).—A few individuals in company with other Waders, but far from common.
Sterna bergii (Crested Tern).—Fairly common. I encountered one very large flock, all of which appeared to be adults. I visited one reputed breeding ground, but saw no traces of nests. Probably this species breeds later in the year.
Sterna nereis (White-faced Ternlet).—Only one or two individuals seen.
Larus novæ-hollandiæ (Silver Gull).—This was the common Gull on the island. Nearly all I saw were adults. On one little islet I found half a dozen empty nests, and one half-grown young one crouching in the vegetation growing in the clefts of the rocks.
Phalacrocorax hypoleucus (Pied Cormorant).—Pretty common. I often disturbed pairs or odd birds from hollows in the cliffs, but could find no nests. They are reported to breed on some of the islets between Rottnest and Garden Islands.
Anas superciliosa (Wild Duck).—I saw very few Ducks indeed during my visit; but on one occasion encountered a small flock or family, apparently of the above species, on one of the lagoons.
Puffinus (? sp.) (Petrel).—At the west end of the island I was shown a small series of burrows said to be tenanted by Mutton-Birds In the excavated sand at the entrance to most of the burrows the print of the webbed feet was plainly visible. Attempts to dig out the egg or young with the aid of a piece of wood proved futile, the burrows extending too far. I planned a second visit, this time armed with a spade, but owing to an accident in connection with our horse and buggy the second attempt was likewise a failure, so that the species remains undetermined[1]
Of course, the foregoing list does not pretend to be anything like a complete catalogue of the avifauna of the island. It would be remarkable if many of the rarer Waders are not occasional visitors. The same remarks apply still more forcibly to the Cormorants and sea birds in general. Only a resident observer could tabulate a complete list.
A Glance at the Birds of the Moore River (W.A.)
By F. Lawson, Perth.
Towards the end of October, 1903, I found myself at Mogumber, a station on the Midland Railway, about 60 miles north of Perth.
I here expected to meet my companions on a projected trip to the Wongan Hills. Some delay, however, occurred in their
- ↑ The species is, no doubt, the Wedge-tailed Petrel (P. sphenurus.)—see Campbell, "Nests and Eggs," p. 877.—Eds.
