Australian Birds in 1697 27 



Dictionaries are silent respecting ' kropgans,* or render it by 

 ' pelican.' I am inclined to think that this rendering arises 

 from a confusion between ' kropgans ' and the German word 

 * kropfgans,' and that ' kropgans ' was formerly applied to 

 domestic geese in general which were being fed for the market, 

 and also, as in the present instance, to the wild goose from 

 which they were derived, namely to the Grey Lag Goose [Anser 

 ferns). \i this be so, the Australian bird with which the kropgans 

 is compared in the Journaal may be the Cape Barren Goose 

 (Cereopsis nov^-hollandi^)^ which is found sparingly in Western 

 Australia. The 'Rotgans' is the Brent Goose {Branta hernicld) 

 and the Australian bird which most resembles it is the Musk 

 Duck [Biziura lobata), which also is found in the west of 

 Australia, although more sparingly there than in the south of 

 the island continent. 



Other birds which were seen at the same part of the 

 Australian coast were ' Duikers,' by which name Cormorants 

 are probably designated, Cockatoos and Parrakeets. It is said 

 that all the birds were shy and flew away at the approach of 

 human beings. No aborigines were seen, although smoke was 

 visible. 



On the 1 5th of January De Vlaming quitted the anchorage 

 near Rottnest Island, and followed the coast until 30° 17' S. lat. 

 was reached. Two boats were there sent to the shore and 

 soundings were taken. The country near the landing-place was 

 sandy and treeless, and neither human beings nor fresh water 

 were to be seen. But footmarks resembling those of a dog 

 were seen, and also a bird which the Journaal calls a ^ Kasuaris ' 

 and which must have been one of the Emus.* 



On the 30th of January, 26° 8' S. lat. was observed, which is 



* No Cassowary is known to inhabit western Australia. 



