^"IgoS^'] Austin, A Visit to the Great Barrier Reef. jyy 



pandanus tree in which was a Crow's iCorvus coronoides) nest 

 only about lo feet from the ground, and while we were standing 

 under the tree we could see the Crow on her nest. From here 

 we had a little over two hours' run for Temple Island, which we 

 reached just in time to give us an hour on land before dark. 

 The only bird we saw breeding that evening was the Pied 

 Oyster-catcher. Early next morning we again visited this 

 island, and examined a tremendous nest of the White-bellied 

 Sea-Eagle {Haliactits Iciicogaster). This nest was built in a 

 white gum tree about 20 feet from the ground, and consisted of 

 about a fair-sized dray load of sticks, and was quite flat on top, 

 but broad enough for four or five men to sleep upon. I might 

 here mention that we saw one nest of these birds upon nearly 

 every island we visited, and on no occasion did we notice two of 

 their nests on the same island, but on a few of the islands we 

 saw the nests of the Osprey {Pandioii IcucoccpJialns). Just before 

 leaving Temple Island Mr. Healey noticed the nests of three 

 Large-billed "^S^ow^-YXow^xs^OrthorJiampJuis magnirostris) within 

 a few yards of each other. At 10.5 a.m. we set sail for the 

 Beverley Group, which consists of six fair-sized islands on an 

 average about 350 feet high. To this group we had a 

 glorious sail before a strong south-westerly. At 2.45 we 

 lowered the sails, having covered the 35 miles in less than five 

 hours. Here, much to our disappointment, we found bird-life 

 very scarce indeed ; the only birds we saw were Coucals 

 {Centropus pJiasianus) and Swallows {Hii'undo neoxend). After 

 an early breakfast next morning we departed for Reid Island, a 

 small, rocky peak with a little low scrub growing on the top. 

 Here we saw a great many egg-shells of the Panayan Terns 

 {Sterna ancestJietd), and beneath the rocks were many young 

 birds. Leaving Reid Island at 1.15 p.m., we had a very trying 

 time. There was very little wind, and what there was was dead 

 against us. We beat against it for fourteen hours. At last, 

 much to our relief, we reached Snare Peak at 3.15 a.m. Here 

 we dropped anchor for a two-hours' sleep. At 6 a.m. we were 

 all on deck, and at once decided not to land here, but to hoist 

 the sails and make our way east for Redbill Island, on the 

 Great Barrier Reef At first there was very little wind, and 

 after practically drifting for an hour, a breeze sprang up, which 

 increased in force as the day wore on. At i p.m. on Tuesday, 

 19th November, we reached Redbill Island and the long-looked- 

 for Barrier Reef By this time the weather looked anything but 

 pleasant, especially as we were in a small boat at the Barrier. 

 On this island there was an immense rookery of Reef- Herons 

 {Deiniegretta sacra) and Panayan Terns {Sterna ancsstheta), all 

 nesting together. About 5 p.m. a storm arose, so we went back 

 on board the Lassie and eventually decided to remain where we 

 were for the night, as we were very anxious to visit Sandpiper 



