^°iqo^^ 1 Lighthouse-keepers' Reports. IO5 



Lighthouse^keepers* Reports. 



By D. Le Souef, Melbourne. 



Comparatively few reports have been received from the light- 

 houses during the past year, and the information received has 

 not been of much help regarding migration. 



Mr. George Johnston, of the Tasman Island light, reports that 

 a Fan-tailed Cuckoo on 8th September was caught alive, and 

 on liberating it several others joined ; also Summer-Birds 

 {Graucalus) and Wood-Swallows {Artatnus) were seen for the 

 first time (in 1906) on that day. The Welcome Swallows appeared 

 there for the first time this year on 24th September ; last summer 

 they were conspicuous by their absence. 



At Swan Island, Tasmania, Mr. Hemsley reports that several 

 Petrels struck during rainy or cloudy weather, but the only land 

 birds were a flock of Starlings, on i6th June, at 4.30 a.m. 



At Maatsuyker Island, Tasmania, the Superintendent, Mr. 

 Muir, states that 10 Black Cockatoos arrived on 22nd May, and 

 remained for some weeks. The last Mutton-Bird was seen on 

 2 1st April. 



At the Tamar Leading Light, near Launceston, Mr. Kirkwood 

 states that Magpies seem to be increasing, and constantly alight 

 on the tower of the lantern. 



Mr. Nillson, of Table Cape Lighthouse, reports that he has 

 not noticed any birds strike the lantern for some years, but a 

 few passed by at night, but were not identified, except one 

 flock of Wood-Swallows {Artamus). 



Only one report came from South Australia, and that from 

 the Althorpe Island Lighthouse, and Mr. Rackett, who is in 

 charge, states that one White-faced Storm-Petrel struck in 

 September, and was caught alive. 



Two reports were received from Queensland — one from Mr. 

 Picken, of the North Reef Lighthouse, in which he states that 

 many birds strike the lantern in thick weather, and in nearly all 

 cases at the point the wind is blowing from, but he had not been 

 able to secure any for identification. 



Mr. M'Kee, of Lady Elliott's Island, mentions that nine 

 Mutton-Birds struck— four on the 14th, four on the 20th, and 

 one on the 22nd of September ; none were killed. Also, on the 

 latter date, a small brown and white bird with horizontal stripes 

 on its breast, which escaped. 



A very interesting report is sent from Cliffy Island. The 

 Superintendent states that many Zosterops coerulescens struck on 

 17th April, and 40 dead ones were picked up at the foot of the 

 tower next morning. Also that on 21st April \hK&t Artamus 

 sordidits struck, one being killed, and on the 30th of the same 

 month a Graucalns nielanops struck and was killed. He also 



