188 CAMPBELL, Birds of Groote ByJandt. {^^if^"" 



Some Birds of Groote Eylandt, Northern 

 Territory 



By A. J. CAMl'BELL, C.M.B.O.U., F.A.O.U. 



With Observations from the Diary of WM. McLENNAN, 

 R.A.O.U. 



Notwithstanding the pressing, many-sided demands made on 

 an extremely busy pastoraHst's Hfe, Mr. H. L. White, "Bell- 

 trees," N.SAV., has found time for thought to endeavour to link 

 up the avi-fauna of the northern parts of Australia. He is greatly 

 to be commended for his whole-hearted enterprise, not to men- 

 tion its considerable expense. 



He has had in the field at Cape York and the Gulf of Carpen- 

 taria country, Mr. H. G. Barnard; in Arnhem Land, Mr. W'm. 

 McLennan ; and in the further Xorth-\Vest, or Kimberley 

 Country, Mr. Gerald Hill. This year (1921) he again equipped 

 Mr. McLennan to explore, in search for "missing links," Groote 

 Eylandt (Great, or Big Island), on the western side of the Gulf 

 of Carpentaria. Groote Eylandt is a large square-shaped island 

 (roughly about 40 miles square) and about 30 miles off the main- 

 land (Arnhem Land), with which it is connected by numerous 

 small islets. For plan of locality, see Emu, vol. xvi., p. 118. 



Mr. McLennan left Thursday Island with assistants and boat 

 on 20th April for a journey of about 290 miles across the great 

 Gulf. After touching at Batavia River and Duyphen Point, the 

 party, after a voyage of five days, eventually sighted Groote 

 Eylandt on the 25th April. On the 4th July, the island was 

 left, and a return commenced to Thursday Island, which was 

 reached after five days of mostly heavy weather. Therefore, 

 two months were occupied in exphjring Groote Eylandt and its 

 vicinity. The amount of bird-life was disappointing; yet, not 

 so, if one considers the season of the year — winter time : "dead 

 low water," so far as birds are concerned ; too late for autumn 

 migrants, too early for spring visitors. From the description of 

 the country given by Mr. McLennan (see appendix), the island 

 appeared most favourable for numerous birds at the proper 

 season;, say, during October, November and December. 



However, Mr. McLennan, notwithstanding a vicious sting in 

 the eye by an ant affecting his sight, onslaught of mosquitoes, 

 and evil eyes of crocodiles and cunning natives, did remark- 

 ably well in ])rocuring 70 species of birds — all perfect skins, and 

 mostly in perfect plumage, because newly moulted. These Mr. 

 H. L. White has kindly permitted me to examine before he 

 handed the consignment over to the National Museum, Mel- 

 bourne, to be incorporated in the ever-increasing and valuable 



