May, 190?.] TflE VlCtOftlAN NAtURALlSt. 9 



whilst in the eaves of the hut a Welcome Swallow, Hirundo 

 neoxena, had built its mud nest. A few Land Rails, IIi/pot(enidia 

 philippinensis, were seen, and some of them, no doubt, nest in 

 the long, coarse grass. The little Silver-eye, Zosterops coerulescens, 

 was observed gobbling up the fruit of the white currant 

 (Styphelia) buslies with avidity ; whilst the White-fronted Chat, 

 Ephthianura albijrons, was everywhere present, and they, no 

 doubt, build their nests in the bushes and long grass on the island. 

 White-fronted Herons, Notophoyx novce-lioUandicti, and also the 

 Pacific Heron, Notopltoyx pacijicn, were seen in flocks wading the 

 shallow lagoon, ever and anon stabbing with their stiletto-like 

 bills at the fish fry as they swam past. The Meadow Pipit or 

 Ground-Lark, Anthus anstralis, was occasionally seen, but it is 

 doubtful if they breed there. The mournful note of the Grass- 

 bird, Alegaliirus gramineus, was everywhere heard — mournful, no 

 doubt, to our ears, but the sweetest music in all the world to its 

 mate. The introduced Starling was seen feeoing along the 

 shore, whilst high up overhead an Australian Swift could be 

 observed cleaving through space hawking for insects. A pair of 

 Gould's Harriers were seen hovering over the grassy part of 

 the island, the distinctive white patch on the rump gleaming in 

 the bright sunlight. 



Out in the calm water Hoary-headed and Tippet Grebes were 

 seen diving for their prey, and m close proximity to several Mu^k 

 Ducks. The carcasses of a Black Cormorant and a Fairy Penguin 

 were picked up on the beach, several of these birds being observed 

 swimming in the sea, as was also the Pied Cormorant. The 

 boatman informed me that years ago the Black Cormorant used 

 to nest on the island in dozens until continued interference with 

 their nests drove them away. Silver Gulls used to nest there also, 

 and occasionally a Pied Oyster-catcher would lay its two eggs on 

 the sand close to the water. The Little Red-capped Dottrel was 

 observed running along the sand gobbling up the Sand-fleas, or 

 Hoppers, a species of crustacean, whilst out on a sand-spit the 

 Pacific Gulls were found resting. 



At one time Black Swans probably nested there, for the Rev. 

 Robert Knopwood, A.M., in his "Journal of the Proceedings of 

 H.M. Ship Calcutta" (reprinted in the "Historical Records of 

 Port Phillip," edited by J. F. Shillinglaw, 1879) has this entry : — 

 "Tuesday, 11 (October, 1803). Wind S.S.E. A.M.— The 

 same party and self went on shore to the island in the middle of 

 the bay, now called Signet (!) Island, where we see a great 

 number of Black Swans. I was the first that killd one on the 

 island. We kill 3, and caught many alive, and caught many 

 Pelicans, and some sea birds. . . ." 



The return of the boat necessitated my leaving this interesting 

 spot, and thence once more back to the city. The following 



