Vol. III. 

 1903 



j CARTER, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. 



rises and runs to VTaming Head (four miles from the N.W. Cape), 

 getting higher and more rugged further north, where for about 

 fifty miles it is 600 to 800 feet in height, with deep, precipitous 

 gorges, in the beds of which wild fig trees and other small trees 

 flourish. Behind the range is broken table-land, mostly very 

 rugged, with much spinifex. In one place a few clumps of 

 cabbage-tree palms occur, which is somewhat remarkable. On 

 this plateau Eremiornis, Stipiturus, and Arnytis may be found. 

 Between this range and the sea is a flat from half a mile to two 

 miles in breadth ; some places open grass and spinifex, at others 

 scrubby. The country lying to the south and east of the Nor'- 

 West Cape, on the west side of the Exmouth Gulf, is of quite a 

 different character, dense high thicket matted with runners, 

 large white gums, and cork trees being found close to the beach. 

 The south and east sides of the Gulf are mostly lined with dense 

 mangroves and extensive salt marshes (samphire flats), where it 

 is dangerous or impracticable to take horses ; besides, the country 

 is destitute of water, and almost impossible to work, unless from 

 a boat. I am sure many species of birds must occur there which 

 are not recorded in this list. The nearest freshwater pool to 

 Point Cloates is in the deep gorge of the Yardie Creek, about 

 30 miles north. It is a permanent pool, but rarely visited by 

 water-fowl, being rocky bottom and surrounded by ranges. The 

 other nearest pools are about 50 miles in a S.E. direction, but 

 are not permanent, so that it is a difficult country to work, on 

 account of the scarcity of water, any rain soaking away at once, 

 and the only wells at present being close to the beach. I may 

 mention that the average rainfall for the years from 1 890-1902 

 was 9.4 inches. This term includes two periods of distressing 

 drought — 1 889-1 89 1 and 1894-5-6, when practically no rain 

 fell. 1893, 1897, and 1900 were hurricane years, with good 

 falls of rain, viz., i8£, n\, and 2^\ inches, the year 1900 being 

 the wettest season on record, and consequently a good bird 

 year. 



The total number of birds identified is 180, of which I have 

 actually secured 170 species. I have added the aboriginal 

 district names for the birds as far as I can recollect them. 



(1.) CIRCUS ASSIMILIS (Spotted Harrier, Pillargo). — This is one of the 

 commonest birds of prey, but as a rule shy. On warm days it frequently 

 passes the greatest heat in a tree or a bush, and may then be approached 

 closely. It appears to feed almost entirely on lizards, but I have frequently 

 seen birds of the year attack poultry in a determined way. Birds in 

 immature plumage are much more frequently observed than the handsome 

 adults. They are most numerous in the winter months, doubtless because 

 it is our wet season, and food is plentiful. The large, flat nest is built in 

 a tree or a bush, from 5 feet to 40 feet above the ground. The usual clutch 

 is three, but I have taken four eggs from a nest. Laying season, from 

 17th July to 1 3th September. Lizards of considerable size and in a paralyzed 

 state may not uncommonly be found in the nest, for the benefit of the 

 sitting bird. 



