The Zoologist/4th series, vol 4 (1900)/Issue 711/Notes from Point Cloates, N.W. Australia, Carter

by Thomas Carter

 

NOTES FROM POINT CLOATES, N.W. AUSTRALIA.

By Thomas Carter.

 

Since my last notes appeared in 'The Zoologist' (1899, p. 139), Mr. A.J. Campbell's description of the new species of Emu Wren (Stipiturus ruficeps), with a beautiful plate of the bird, was published in the 'Ibis,' July, 1899. There is little doubt that Mr. Keartland found the same species on the late Wells expedition, but, unfortunately, the skins obtained had to be abandoned in the desert, with many others. So far, I have only seen this bird on one limited part of a high rugged range that abounds with masses of large prickly spinifex and scrub, though apparently the whole length of the range (about seventy-five miles) offers similar conditions. I saw several of these birds there in July last, but failed to secure eggs or any particulars as to their breeding habits. It is surprising to see these tiny birds run, and occasionally fly, headlong into the dense prickly masses of spinifex, and thread their way through the countless spines like mice, without being impaled. One showery day, my native and self came upon a party of these birds, and succeeded in hunting one down and catching it alive, its feathers having become drenched with wet. One other new species I may claim for last year, viz. Western White Plumed Honey-eater (Ptilotis leilavalensis). I forwarded a skin to Mr. Campbell, as for some time I suspected it differed from P. pencillata, the eastern type, but had no skin to compare.

A specimen of the same species was forwarded to Mr. A.J. North about the same time from North Queensland, and the bird was named (differently) by both gentlemen. It is one of the commonest and most noticeable birds on all the rivers and white gum creeks where water lodges, from the Gascoyne River to here, and doubtless its range extends across the tropics. In fact it is so abundant that for some years I never even closely examined a specimen, never imagining it was likely to be a new species, which shows how carefully one should work in new country. It is of very sprightly, inquisitive habits, constantly uttering its pleasant liquid warbling note from earliest dawn until dark. It has a harsh alarm-note, and is quick to sound it on the approach of a dog, hawk, or biped, and all within hearing will hurry up to help the first bird to scold.

The second week in July I paid a visit to the nearest gum creek that contains good pools of water, in search of nests (the eggs being then undescribed), and was fortunate in finding five—three with a clutch each of two eggs, one with two newly hatched young, and one ready for laying. The nests were of light construction, of fibrous roots and grass, mixed and lined with vegetable down and sheeps' wool, and suspended about three feet from the ground, either in the dense prickly acacia bushes, or sort of large salt bush that grows round water holes there. In the rushes surrounding these pools were nests containing eggs of the Blacktailed Tribonyx (Microtribonyx ventralis).

About February 14th, last year, some flocks of White-fronted Chats (Ephthianura albifrons) arrived here, but only stayed a few days. It is the first time they have come under my notice. Keartland's Honey-eater (Ptilotis keartlandi) was fairly common on the high country behind the range, but I found no nests. I may mention that a skin of this bird was sent by me from here to Melbourne in 1890 for identification; but it was not until 1895 that Mr. Keartland secured specimens, when it was recognized by Mr. North as a new species.

On July 28th one of my men went to Frazer Island in the boat, and returned with more than two hundred eggs, all fresh, of the Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius). They were a welcome addition to our meals for some days. The nests are built in thick, spreading bushes, with large, soft, greenish grey leaves, that grow only on the edge of the sea.

In August, White-eyed Crows (Corvus australis), Kestrels (Tinnunculus cenchroïdes), Brown and Rufous Larks (Cinclorhamphus cruralis and rufescens), Tri-coloured Chats (Ephthianura tricolor), Brown Hawks (Hieracidea occidentalis), Pipits (Anthus australis), Singing Honey-eaters (Ptilotis sonora), and Grass Parrakeets (Melopsittacus undulatus) were breeding numerously. I visited a new nest of Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis), but it contained no eggs; and found a nest of White-shouldered Caterpillar-eater (Lalage tricolor), with young, high up in a white gum sapling.

Yellow White Eyes (Zosterops lutea) were common, and I shot specimens occasionally through the winter up to August 6th, to see if they were breeding, but came upon no indications until February 13th, this year, when I shot a male in some mangroves near the N.W. Cape, with testicles much enlarged. When we were shearing in September, a tame cat brought in a blackfronted Dottrel (Ægialitis melanops), which was breeding, doubtless, on the adjoining salt-marsh.

On October 19th a pair, male and female, of the scarce Redkneed Dottrel (Erythrogonys cinctus) fell to one discharge of my gun, at an inland creek. They had one or two others with them, doubtless young of the year. The Sandpipers referred to in my last paper (Zool. 1899, p. 142) were kindly identified for me by Mr. Campbell as the Grey-rumped Sandpiper (Heteractitis brevipes). They were common all the summer, especially in November; on the 2nd I killed eight with one shot, in company with other waders.

During the prevalence of heavy southerly gales in December, Silver Gulls (Larus novæ hollandiæ) forsook the beach, and were feeding on beetles on the high open country some miles from sea. On December 20th, after some parching east winds, an Oriental Pratincole (Glareola orientalis) settled on the beach near the house. So far, this is the south and west record.

In January, 1900, a Yellow-billed Albatross (Thalassogeron chlororhynchus), and, a little earlier, a Giant Petrel (Ossifraga gigantea), were picked up dead on the beach—a long way north for these birds.

In February last I took a trip towards the N.W. Cape. On the way a very heavy N.E. blow set in, with every indication of a hurricane, but the latter did not arrive. There were numbers of Lesser Frigate Birds (Fregata minor) blown down. A party of eight flew a few feet over my head, making their way north again; unluckily, I had just strapped my gun to buggy ready to move on. There were numbers at sea, and that night by moonlight I saw several flying north, and also the next day. They only occur here when hurricanes are about. Black-cheeked Falcons (Falco melanogenys), too, made their appearance in some numbers, and flocks of Oriental Pratincoles. The latter soon left us. In a large mangrove swamp near the Cape, Pelicans, Egrets, Ducks, Mangrove Bitterns, and Waders were in numbers. I secured specimens of Red-capped Dotterel (Ægialitis ruficapilla) and Sharp-tailed Stints (Heteropygia acuminata), which I have never seen on the beach here. Sacred Kingfishers (Halcyon sanctus) were common on the coast in February; they visit us yearly about then: are they migratory? On February 20th natives brought in a Hoary-headed Grebe (Podiceps nestor), which they had caught on the beach. It was very poor, and a sign of bad drought inland. Fortunately this drought broke in March, and between March 10th and date of writing—April 21st—we have had fifteen inches of rain. The inland clay, flat country is flooded and impassable for miles.

At a large gum flat twenty-five miles east of here, which is now full of water, I last month shot, with other birds, the following interesting species:—White-headed Sea Eagle (Haliastur girrenera), Little Eagle (Nisætus morphnoides), Owlet Nightjar (Aegotheles novæ-hollandiæ), Black-eared Cuckoo (Misocalius osculans), Red-browed Pardalote (Pardalotus rubricatus), Variegated Wren (Malurus lamberti), Red-rumped Tit (Acanthiza pyrrhopygia), Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax stictocephalas), Plumed Whistling Duck (Dendrocycna eytoni), Blackcapped Tree-runner (Sittella pileata), Marsh Tern (Hydrochelidon hybrida), Oriental Pratincole (Glareola orientalis). The two latter species were in large flocks at my first visit, and I hoped would breed there, but when revisited a few days ago saw only one Marsh Tern. The Pratincoles were balls of fat. Some Straw-necked Ibis (Geronticus spinicollis) and White-necked Herons (Ardea pacifica) were there, and some Black Swans. Nests of Teal (Nettion castaneum) were plentiful in the hollow gumtrees, with eight or nine eggs. A Red-rumped Kingfisher (Halcyon pyrrhopygius) I shot had several large scorpions in its gizzard.

Last month I was at the Minilya River, and secured specimens of the Red-breasted Babbler (Pomatorhinus rubeculus), and saw a colony of their nests (old) in a large white gum close to the station-house. On July 26th, last year, I found an Osprey's nest with the unusual number of four eggs, all beautifully marked. The nest was placed on a boulder about three feet high, in the bed of a strong creek where it emptied into the sea. Later in the season I saw a nest in a still more exposed position, viz. on the bare surface of a large open salt-marsh near the end of a salt-pool. The rugged range, before mentioned, was within half a mile of both these nests, and high scrubby sandhills still closer, so it is strange the birds should choose such absurdly accessible places. Doubtless, the reason is, that months or a year may pass without a human being visiting there.

This being a season of rain that may not occur again in a generation, birds should be plentiful; and I hope in the course of the year to have opportunities of making other interesting notes. No more Rabbits have been seen here.