/ol. IV. "I 

 1905 J 



Lavvson, a Visit to Rottnest Island, W.A. 



13^ 



Pachycephala RUFIVENTRIS (Rufous-breasted Thickhead).— Occurring 

 in similar localities but less common than the lasr named. 



ZOSTEROPS GOULDI (Green-backed White-eye). — The commonest bird on 

 the island. 



Ptilotis SONORA (Singing Honey-eater). — Not uncommon in the acacia 

 scrubs. Birds of this species inhabiting Rottnest are certainly much 

 darker on the breast and under parts, and have the dusky stripes better 

 defined than examples from the interior of the mainland. 



HiRUNDO NEOXENA (Housc Swallow). — This was tlie only representative 

 of the Hirundinidai 1 found on the island. It was fairly common, and, 

 in addition to breeding in outhouses and similar situations, was nesting 

 in cavernous hollows in the limestone cliffs. 



Anthus AI'STRALIS (Pipit). — Fairly common, and breeding on the shores 

 of the lagoons. 



CUCULUS PALLIDUS (Pallid Cuckoo).— Sparingly met with on the island. 



Neophema PETROPHILA (Rock-Parr akeet).— This pretty little species is 

 fairly common, but seems to favour the western side of the island, where 

 it breeds on several small islets, and occasionally on the most precipitous 

 slopes of the mainland cliffs. For a nesting site it takes advantage of 

 any natural hollow in the limestone rock. I examined half a dozen or 

 more nests. All of these were on the summits or slopes of islets, not in 

 the face of the cliffs. The favourite situation appeared to be under a large 

 slab of rock overhung by a profuse growth of vegetation {Mesembryan- 

 thenmni). In one instance I found young in down in a slight hollow 

 in the sandy soil, simply concealed by vegetation, and without other 

 shelter. The eggs vary from four to six ; they are inclined to be spherical, 

 and of the usual white colour. When a nest is being examined the old 

 birds fly round with great rapidity, or perch on a neighbouring rock 

 whence they exhibit great anxiety. Young in first plumage lack the 

 blue forehead band. In traversing the island I often disturbed pairs or 

 small parties of this Parrakeet, generally in the more open parts. Their 

 chief food seems to be small round seeds, but I could not identify of what 

 species of plant. 



HCEMATOPUS UNICOLOR (Sooty Oyster-catcher). — I encountered a few 

 examples of this species at the western extremity of the island, but saw 

 little evidence of their breeding. The deep red beak and legs are very 

 conspicuous in flight. 



/Egialitis RUFICAPILLA (Red-capped Dottrel).— Very common both on 

 the beach and the margins of the lagoons. I caught one example in down, 

 but the breeding season was for the most part over. 



.^GIALITIS CUCULLATA (Hooded Dottrel). — I only observed a few 

 examples in company with other Waders round the lagoons. 



Cladorhynchus australis (Banded Stilt, " Rottnest Snipe ")•— Towards 

 the close of my stay this species was beginning to arrive. A flock of 70 

 or 80 took up their quarters on the largest of the salt lagoons. The 

 majority appeared to be adult birds. They were very wary, and on being 

 disturbed flew to the centre of the lagoon, where they floated lightly on 

 the water till the danger had passed. 



Arenaria INTERPRES (Turn-Stone).— a few in company with other 

 Waders. 



Limonites RUFICOLLIS (Little or Red-necked Stint).— The commonest 



