Vol. IV. 

 1905 



Legge, Birds Observed at the Great Lake. 105 



Lake, and no doubt affects the oozy marshes at the north and wet end of 

 the lake, although we came across none during our shore excursions while 

 gauging the inflow of the northern streams. 



HydrOPROGNE CASPIA. Caspian Tern. 



A single example of this cosmopolitan species was seen on the North 

 Lake, March, 1902. It was flying at a considerable height above the 

 water, with its bill pointed downwards in the normal manner. All over 

 the old world where this fine bird is to be met with it is recognizable a 

 long way ofT by its large bill pointed downwards during flight. It is to 

 be seen all round the Tasmanian coasts, unsociable as usual, either alone 

 or in pairs. 



Sterna (sp.) 



Two Terns were seen on the North Lake in March, 1902, but, though 

 examined through the binoculars, could not be satisfactorily identified. 

 They were probably 5. frontalis. 



Larus nov.e-hollandle. -Silver Gull. 



This is perhaps the most interesting bird on the Great Lake, inasmuch 

 as it may safely be regarded as to some extent a resident species, and 

 therefore actually a freshivater bird. It used to breed on Garden Island, 

 a small rocky islet, for the most part covered with vegetation. A number 

 of old nests were seen in March, 1902, situated in the niches and hollows 

 of the greenstone which crops up at the west end of the isle. In 1903 

 (March) no new nests were observed, and the inference is that since the 

 erection of the police station and tourists' hut close by on the adjoining 

 shore the birds have deserted this spot and probably now breed on Pine 

 or Kangaroo Island. The stupid and senseless practice of firing the islands 

 in the lake has destroyed the interesting alpine vegetation which formerly 

 beautified them, and has no doubt tended to drive away the birds that 

 bred there. At the time the writer visited the lake in both years these 

 little Gulls were very plentiful, but, contrary to their normal habit on 

 the sea coasts, were very shy. They were never observed to come within 

 gunshot from the boat, the only time when any were seen close being one 

 afternoon in a gale of wind, when a little party came "coasting"' along 

 the shore after the usual manner of Gulls in heavy weather. Mr. Archer 

 informs me that when the lake is frozen over in its northern parts 

 L. novce-hollandicB disappears in part, but that individuals frequent the 

 partly frozen tributary creeks and so soon as a thaw sets in reappear on 

 the lake. No doubt a good many of those normally frequenting the lake 

 retire further down to the south, to the Ouse and Shannon Rivers, during 

 frost, and some may go to neighbouring lakes (Arthur and Woods), which 

 are at a considerably lower elevation. 



PhaLACROCORAX CARBO. Cormorant. 



It was satisfactory to find this troublesome species rare. Only one or 

 two individuals were observed, and their usual habitat must be the south 

 end — Swan's Bay and adjacent waters, where the trout are abundant. 

 Of late years there has been considerably less destruction of fish by this 

 Cormorant ; and it is almost certain that in the early nineties, when 

 they were so destructive, their numbers were caused by an irruption 

 of the species — that is, a heavy migration from Victoria. Rewards were 

 then offered by the Fishery Commissioners, and large numbers destroyed 

 as a consequence. Efforts have been made to discover the breeding 



