^°iJi^"] SHARLAXD & CRAXE, Birds of Hohart. 129 



Gabianus pacificus. Pacific Gull. — Like the preceding species, the 

 Pacific Gull is very common about the harbour, often perching on the 

 top of vessel's masts. Frequently seen in flocks of from 15 to 20 

 birds. 



Catharacta skua. Southern Skua. — A somewhat rare visitor to 

 Hobart, but specimens have been seen in the vicinity of Bellerive. 



Lobibyx novae-hollandiae. Spur-winged Plover. — Common about Ho- 

 bart and suburbs. May often be seen feeding in company with Silver 

 and Pacific Gulls on mud banks at low tide. Frequently flies over 

 the city at night. 



Zonifer tricolor. Black-breasted Plover.-^ — Common on the Belle- 

 rive side of the Derwent, where it breeds. Last year we found three 

 nests in a small paddock. We have noticed this species to be much 

 more pugnacious than the Spur-winged Plover. 



Limosa lapponica. Barred-tailed Godwit. — During the summer 

 these birds come down to Tasmania from Siberia, and in 1919 one 

 visited a small lagoon on the outskirts of Bellerive. They have not 

 since been observed so close. 



Notophoyx novae-hollandiae. Blue (White-fronted) Heron. — Occas- 

 ionally odd" birds may be seen at Bellerive; but they are not common. 

 Two years ago a pair nested along the river just outside the five- 

 mile radius, but some local "sportsmen" found the nest, and being 

 unable to climb the tree, shot the young birds from the ground. 



Chenopis atrata. Black Swan. — A rather irregular visitor. Usu- 

 ally to be seen passing down the river Derwent in flocks of about 

 half a dozen birds at the beginnmg of the shooting season, when 

 they have been disturbed from their usual feeding grounds. 



Anas superciliosa. Grey (Black) Duck. — Frequents the upper 

 reaches of the Dei*went, and occasionally may be seen within the 

 five-mile radius, more especially during the evenings. 



Phalacrocorax carbo. Black Cormorant. — Fairly common birds 

 about the river, frequenting the bays, where they take their toll of 

 fish. Have also observed them half way up Mt. Wellington "fishing" 

 at creeks, and have seen them perching on factory chimneys on the 

 outskirts of the city. 



Phalacrocorax fuscescens. White-breasted Cormorant. — Does not 

 frequent the harbour waters to the same extent as P. carbo. 



Microcarbo melanoleucus. Little Cormorant. — Fairly plentiful in 

 the vicinity of the harbour, where they may be seen diving for their 

 food. 



Sula serrator. Australian Gannet.^ — May occasionally be seen 

 slowly flying up the river past Hobart, and sometimes reach about 30 

 miles from the sea. Breed on lonely Mewstone Rock, south of Tas- 

 mania. 



Uroaetus audax. Wedge-tailed Eagle. — We have observed this 

 splendid bird on the outskirts of Bellerive, and have heard of its ap- 

 pearance on Mt. Nelson. 



Haliaetus leucogaster. White-bellied Sea- Eagle. — This fine bird may 

 occasionally be seen up the River Derwent, often wmding up in great 

 spirals till it resembles a small Sparrow against the clouds, 



Falco peregrinus. Peregrine Falcon. — A common bird about 

 Hobart, and pei'haps the greatest enemy of ovraers of homing Pigeons. 

 These birds have been taken off the protected list, and rewards are 

 paid for their heads. 



leracidea berigora. Bro^\^^ Hawk.* — By no means a rare bird in 

 the five-mile radius. A few years ago they bred on Mt. Nelson. They 

 ai-e common all through the Bellerive district. 



