Vol. x\ii.i WniTLOCK, Notes on North-Weslern Birds. 173 



able, we put out to sea. Our boat proved a rapid and good sailer, 

 and in alDout three hours land could be dimly discerned ahead. 

 A nearer approach, however, proved this to be Lowendal Island, 

 but, more to the westward, the low-lying coast of Barrow Island 

 was just visible. Our course was accordingly altered, and in a 

 couple of hours we were near the shore. 



Viewed from seaward, Barrow Island presents a desolate and 

 most uninviting appearance. The highest point of the island is 

 but 270 feet above sea-level. This altitude, on an island 17 miles 

 long by about 5 miles wide on the average, is insignificant. As 

 we sailed along to our appointed anchorage the coast-line 

 presented few features of interest. Occasionally we passed a length 

 of low cliffs, with an isolated rocky promontory, tenanted by a 

 pair of Sea-Eagles or Ospreys, but more often the coast was a mere 

 fringe of low sand-hills, with infrequent and small patches of 

 mangroves. The land rose a little towards the interior, but 

 bushes or trees seemed to be conspicuous by their absence. 

 Small patches of what looked like scrub on closer investigation 

 proved to be a variety of stunted mangrove, or other tree closely 

 resembling it. Tracts of bare rock, some of considerable extent, 

 were visible, and with the aid of a field-glass could be seen 

 extensive areas covered by very dwarfed spinifex {Triodia). 



Our anchorage was a natural little port, easily entered at high 

 tide, and well protected from a heavy sea by its very narrow 

 entrance. Immediately to the east, and not more than a half- 

 mile away, was Double Island. Fresh water was obtainable 

 both on Double Island and near our anchorage by digging in the 

 sand above high-water mark. On a sandy peninsula forming the 

 southern side of our harbour were a few large bushes of snake- 

 wood, inhabited by the common _ Singing Honey-eater {Ptilotis 

 sonora), and also b}^ a few " Mangrove-Pigeons " {Geopelia 

 tranquilla), with a pair or two of White-rumped Wood-Swallows 

 [Artamus leucogastex). Land-birds, other than the larger birds 

 of prey, were scarce, both as regards numbers and species. An 

 interesting species, however, was present in a variety of Desert- 

 Bird {Eremiornis carteri), which I found more frequent than in 

 any other locality I have visited in the North-West. 



The main object of my trip, however, was to learn all I could 

 of the little-known Black-and- White Wren of Barrow Island 

 {Mai urns edonardi), and also to procure a few specimens for museum 

 purposes. My beat was the before-mentioned sandy peninsula, 

 and also about five miles of coastal country on the north side of 

 our harbour. I also made several trips half-way across the 

 island, but the bird-life of the interior was so sparse and un- 

 interesting — apart from the presence in low-lying spots of a pair 

 of Desert-Birds — that I gave but little of my time to its further 

 exploration. 



I was on the island for a fortnight, and also put in a day on the 

 neighbouring Double Island. During this period the weather 

 was very hot, and, as a rule, a strong warm wind was blowing. 



