^''^Io2^^] Roval Australasian Oynithologists.' Jhiion. 125 



l>ig part, sonif of tlinn ])earing gigantic flowers, such as Banksia 

 prionotcs. There is a large number of wattles [Accaia), the seeds 

 of which form good food for many birds. A very ornate shrub, 

 growing to 25 feet, is one of the Agonis, locally called " pepper- 

 mint." There are also many " paper-barks " or tea-trees 

 {Melaleuca). Several species of Grevillea and Hakea (including 

 the " wooden pear " — a tree often over 20 feet high) produce seeds 

 which may be eaten by birds. Even the " blackboys " or grass- 

 trees {Xanthorrh(va) throw up their flowering spikes, which, in 

 full blossom, produce much honey for the Honey-eaters, and the 

 seed is much sought after by the Black Cockatoos. Closer to the 

 ground are the cycads {Macrozamia fraseri), also no end of shrubs 

 and plants bearing honey-laden flowers and also berries. The 

 vegetation of the coastal fringe is composed principally of stunted 

 Melaleuca and Acacia, forming a dense cover for such birds as the 

 Bristle-Bird {Sphenura). 



The following list of birds observed would not be an exhaustive 

 one, for it would be impossible to compile a list embracing all the 

 species in so short a time. I have to thank many members of 

 the party for their ready assistance in comparing lists and giving 

 information. I wish to thank especially Mr. J. Neil M'Gilp for' 

 his valuable notes upon the nesting birds. Mr. M'Gilp is a very 

 painstaking and keen oologist, and accomphshed some good work 

 during our visit to the south-western district. 



The birds observed and field notes made are as follow : — • 



Phaps elegans. Brush Bronze-winged Pigeon. — The writer flushed 

 two of these birds from the dense tea-tree scrub on the coast-lino 

 near Cape Naturaliste. They appeared to be of an exceptionally 

 ruddy coloration. 



Sterna bergii. Crested Tern. — Small parties seen in many places 

 along the coast-line. 



Bruchigavia novse-hollandise. Silver Gull. — Numbers were seen all 

 along the coast ; sometimes they were in large parties of from forty 

 to one hundred or more. 



Charadrius ruficapillus. Red-capped Dottrel. — Several pairs were 

 seen on the sandy beaches of the bays along the coast-line. Nests 

 containing both eggs and young were found just abo\e high water 

 mark. 



Charadrius cucuUatus. Hooded Dottrel. — One or two pairs met 

 with on the sandy l)eaches. 



Burhinus grallarius. Southern Stone-Plover. ^Heard calling at night 

 in the clearings. 



Notophoyx novae-hollandia. White-fronted Heron. — Fairly i)lentiful 

 tluough the district wlicre water was found. 



Demiegretta sacra. Blue Reef-Heron. — Mel with along the coast- 

 line. One parly re])orted tliat tlicv had been found nesting under 

 tile rocks : ^ . " 



Phalacrocorax varius. I'ied Cormorant. — Mel with on the rocks 

 along the coast-line. 



