165 



The following notes by Mr. G. A. Keartland refer to birds 

 •observed during the expedition, and were either amongst the 

 skins abandoned in the desert, or were shot for food : — 



iSTo. 1. Circus gouldi (Gould Harrier). 



This species was only noted in the vicinity of the large fresh- 

 water swamps at Lake Way and near the Fitzoy River. Beyond 

 recognising its presence, and the fact that lizards, snakes, and 

 grasshoppers form its chief food no information was obtained. 



No. 2. AsTUR ciNEREUS (Grey-backed Goshawk). 



A single example of this species was shot near the telegraph 

 station on the Fitzroy River. 



No. 3. AsTUR APPROXiMANS (Australian Goshawk). 



Wherever surface water was found these birds were met with. 

 W^hilst duck-shooting in August, I saw one attacking a Trihonyx. 

 It made several swoops at its intended victim, and would, no 

 doubt, soon have killed it. They are very courageous. I saw 

 one make several attempts to seize a half-grown fowl, notwith- 

 standing the fact that a dog kept barking at it, and our black 

 boy drove it away twice. A cartridge ended the trouble. At 

 Johanna Springs I shot a fine female, and was surprised to find 

 it so far in the desert. Amongst those killed were a female in 

 adult plumage, whilst her mate still retained his immature garb. 

 I had observed these birds building their nest near a creek, and 

 if time ha,d permitted I should probably have obtained their eggs. 

 All the settlers wage war against the Goshawks on account of 

 their depredations amongst the poultry. At a spring in lat. 

 22 '23, long. 124"0, one was seen devouring a Crested Bronze wing 

 Pigeon {Ocyphaps lophotes), which it had, no doubt, seized whilst 

 drinking:. 



'&• 



No. 4. AcciPiTER CIRRHOCEPHALUS (Collared Sparrow-hawk). 



Along the Fiztroy and Margaret Rivers, and their branches, 

 these bold little birds were met with. Near our camp in January 

 I was surprised to see a small male bird attacking a pair of Rose- 

 breasted Cockatoos. The Cockatoos had selected the hollow 

 branch of a tree for their nest, and whilst . they were trimming 

 the entrance to their future domicile the hawk made frequent 

 swoops at them, knocking out bunches of feathers and causing 

 the Cockatoos, which were more than twice his weight, to cry out 

 with pain. This battle was continued for some time, and was 

 eventually terminated with a cartridge, as I hoped to have the 

 •chance of robbing the cockatoos' nest myself. 



