lAO Campbell, Birds of Kangaroo Island. [^ 



St Jan. 



For comparison the Passerine or perching birds can be 

 examined, sea birds and other roving species being out of the 

 question. 



The results of these observations summarized are that 

 Kangaroo Island supplies a link between the following respec- 

 tive species from South-eastern and Western Australia, namely : 

 — Petrceca Icqgii and P. canipbelli, AcantJiiza pusilla and A. 

 apicalis, PacJiycepliala gutturalis and P. occidentalis, Zosterops 

 ccerulescens and Z. gouldii, Mcliornis noviv-Jwlhmdice and 

 M. longirostris, Mditlircptus brevirostris (possibly) and M, 

 Iciicogenys. 



The affinity of the Island avifauna with that of South- 

 eastern Australia (particularly Victoria) is shown by the inclu- 

 sion of the five genera — GeocicJda, Megalunis, Melioimis, 

 Zoiiieginthus, and /EgintJia, together with the abundance of the 

 Honey-eater Ptilotis leucotis, and the Parrakeet Platycercus 

 elegans. These are found very commonly on Kangaroo Island, 

 but are not at all common in South Australia. 



Another feature of the Kangaroo Island list is the absence of 

 Tree-creepers {Cliniacteris) and Tree-runners (5zV/£'//rt). This, if 

 substantiated, is remarkable, seeing that these birds are looked 

 upon as the universal protectors of forests against timber-boring 

 insects. The Flower-pecker {Dicceum) is not included. As in 

 Tasmania so in Kangaroo Island there are no parasitical 

 mistletoes {LorantJms), and this bird, the only known distributing 

 agent, is not found in either locality. 



Concerning the nomenclature for these intermediate or island 

 forms, it is difficult to prescribe. I would suggest that the 

 specific name Jialmaturina (meaning inhabiting Kangaroo 

 Island — Halmaturiis being the generic name for the wallabies 

 or small kangaroos) be applied to Acanthiza pusilla, Pachy- 

 cephala gutluralis, AcantJiorhyncJiiis tenuirostris, Zosterops 

 c(Endcscens, and Mcliornis {Lichnierd) australasiana ; and 

 should subsequent research and more material warrant it, that 

 the same name be also sub-specifically applied to Collyriocincla 

 harmonica, Pctraca leggii, GcocicJda hifiulata, and Mclior^iis jiovcb- 

 ho II an dies. 



The following is a complete list of (70 odd) species of birds 

 that were noted by the members of the Aust. O.U. expedition: — 



Uroaetus audax (Wedge-tailed Eagle). — A fine gorge on the Middle 

 River, some five miles inland, was the home of a pair of these birds. 

 Others were seen. 



Haliaetus LEUCOGASTER (White-bellied Sea-Eagle). 



Falco lunulatus (Little Falcon). 



Cerchneis cenchroides (Kestrel). 



Pandion leucocephalus (Osprey). — An aerie was visited, built upon 

 a prominent outlying rock some 30 feet in height. 



