Vol. V. 

 1906 



J McClymont, Forgotten Feathers. 2 1 



song- of the Long-billed Reed-Warbler, a nearly allied Aus- 

 tralian representative of the Sedge-Warblcr, which is abundant 

 in the reed-beds of Swan River* It is in all probability the 

 bird whose song" was heard by the explorers. Two birds were 

 seen on the river which it is difficult to recognize, owing to the 

 archaic names by which they are designated. In an augmented 

 edition of the Dictionary of Kilianus, published in 1642, the 

 " Kropgans " is said to resemble a Swan. The Latin equivalent 

 is " Onocrotalus," but what bird Latin authors called by that 

 name is very doubtful. Although " Kropgans" is often rendered 

 " Pelican," I am of opinion that the above-quoted definition 

 indicates the Gannet rather than the Pelican. " Rotgans " is 

 also a puzzling word. It is the name of the Anser minor of 

 authors of olden times, and is so called in order to distinguish it 

 from Anser citiercus or major — " Graeuwgans " in the Dutch 

 vernacular. The former bird is, I believe, the Anser albifroiis, 

 the latter the Anser anser of modern authors. There is little 

 room to doubt that the " Rotgans " of the diarist is the Cape 

 Barren Goose, although the fact that in our days the Cape 

 Barren Goose does not frequent continental rivers precludes a 

 satisfactory identification. Other birds which were seen at this 

 stage of the journey, and which are merely named in the 

 " Journal" of the voyage, are Divers (by which we must under- 

 stand Cormorants), Cockatoos, and Parrakeets. All the birds 

 which were seen were shy, and flew away at the approach of 

 the voyagers. Little Cormorants, White-tailed Black Cocka- 

 toos, and Yellow-collared Parrakeets were with little doubt 

 amongst the number. No human beings were encountered, 

 although the smoke of fires was seen. 



On the 15th of January De Vlaming followed the coast 

 northwards until latitude 30" 17' S. was reached, which is that 

 of Jurien Bay. Two boats were sent on shore, and soundings 

 taken. The country near the landing-place is described as 

 being sandy and treeless, and neither human beings nor fresh 

 water could be found. 



It has been mentioned in the pages of this magazine that the 

 word " Emu " is derived from the Portuguese " Ema," possibly, 

 we may add, indirectly and through French. "Ema "appears 

 to have been originally a name of the Crane, afterwards of the 

 Ostrich, and finally of various other Struthious birds, such as 

 the Cassowary of Ceram and the Rhea of the Brazilian and 

 Patagonian sub-regions. " Cassowary " is said to be a Malay 

 word ; it was adopted by the Dutch in the form " Kasuaris," to 

 designate the Cassowaries of Ceram and New Guinea. Both this 

 word and the word " Emu " appear to have been bestowed upon 

 the Dronueiis of ornithologists at an early date in the history of 



* Guuld, " Handbook to tlic Hiicis of Australia," vol. i., p. 403. 



