132 LavvsON, ^ Visit to Rottncst Island, W. A. [5th "jan. 



Waders on the island. They were very numerous and tame round the 

 lagoons. Adults and birds of the year were equally common. 



Heteropygia acuminata (Sharp-tailed Stint, Siberian Pectoral Sand- 

 piper). — Less common than the last-named species, but still fairly plentiful, 

 both as regards adults and birds of the year. 



Ancylochilus SUBARQUATUS (Curlew Stint or Sandpiper). — A few 

 individuals in company with other Waders, but far from common. 



Sterna bergii (Crested Tern). — Fairly common. I encountered one 

 very large flock, all of which appeared to be adults. I visited one reputed 

 breeding ground, but saw no traces of nests. Probably this species breeds 

 later in the year. 



Sterna nereis (White-faced Ternlet). — Only one or two individuals 

 seen. 



LaruS NOV.^-HOLLANDL^ (Silver Gull). — This was the common Gull on 

 the island. Nearly all I saw were adults. On one little islet I found half 

 a dozen empty nests, and one half-grown young one crouching in the 

 vegetation growing in the clefts of the rocks. 



PhalACROCORAX HYPOLEUCUS (Pied Cormorant). — Pretty common. I 

 often disturbed pairs or odd birds from hollows in the cliffs, but could find 

 no nests. They are reported to breed on some of the islets between 

 Rottnest and Garden Islands. 



Anas SUPERCILIOSA (Wild Duck). — I saw very few Ducks indeed during 

 my visit ; but on one occasion encountered a small flock or family, 

 apparently of the above species, on one of the lagoons. 



PUFFINUS (? sp.) (Petrel). — At the west end of the island I was shown a 

 small series of burrows said to be tenanted by Mutton-Birds In the 

 excavated sand at the entrance to most of the burrows the print of the 

 webbed feet was plainly visible. xA.ttempts to dig out the egg or young 

 with the aid of a piece of wood proved futile, the burrows extending 

 too far. I planned a second visit, this time armed with a spade, but 

 owing to an accident in connection with our horse and buggy the second 

 attempt was likewise a failure, so that the species remains undetermined * 



Of course, the foregoing list does not pretend to be anything 

 like a complete catalogue of the avifauna of the island. It would 

 be remarkable if many of the rarer Waders are not occasional 

 visitors. The same remarks apply still more forcibly to the 

 Cormorants and sea birds in general. Only a resident observer 

 could tabulate a complete list. 



A Glance at the Birds of the Moore River (W.A.) 



By F. Lawson, Perth. 



Towards the end of October, 1903, I found myself at Mogumber, 

 a station on the Midland Railway, about 60 miles north of 

 Perth. 



I here expected to meet my companions on a projected trip 

 to the Wongan Hills. Some delay, however, occurred in their 



• The species is, no doubt, the Wedge-tailed Petrel (P. sphenurtis. )—itt Camp- 

 bell, " Nests and Eggs," p. S77. — Eds. 



