Vol. XIII 

 1914 



] INIacgillivray, Notes on Some N . Queensland Birds. 149 



9th July, 191 1. — " Had a look for Tropic-Birds under the ledges of 

 rock, and found three nests. The first contained a half-grown young 

 bird, the second one egg, the nest being a shallow depression in the 

 sand 4 feet under the rock ; the third contained one small voung bird 

 not long hatched." 



loth July, 1911. — "Examined all the holes and caves round the 

 edge of the island. The first containing a Tropic-Bird's nest with 

 one egg was at the back of a fair-sized cave, 20 feet long, 11 feet 

 broad, and 4 feet high. The opening of the cave was 9 feet across 

 by t8 inches high. Another nest under a small ledge of rock con- 

 tained one small young bird. Did not find any more. Crawling into 

 the caves was not exactly a pleasant game. The air in some of 

 them was very foul, and a match would only just burn in it, and as 

 a rule one or two Pectoral Rails would be found in each. As I 

 crawled into them the Rails would make a dash out, and two of them 

 gave me such a start by striking me in the face that I tried to stick 

 my head through the several feet of coral rock that formed the roof 

 of the cave. Found another nest in a cave in the centre of the 

 island. The bird was sitting on it, but had not yet laid. This bird 

 deserted the nest without laying. 



15th July, 191 1. — "Went round the caves again, and found 

 another Tropic-Bird's nest containing an egg. Saw one of these 

 birds flying round the island ; it had two long tail feathers. When 

 on the ground these birds cannot walk — they can only shuffle along. 

 When on the wing the feet are kept out at a slight angle from the 

 body with fully outspread webs, and are very conspicuous." 



27th July, iQii. — "No Tropic-Birds at Bramble Cay." 



Pelecanus conspicillatus. Pelican. — Noted in fair numbers thiough- 

 out the Gulf country, manv of the water-holes and lakes containing 

 flocks of twenty or more. All these rivers abound with fish, so that 

 they are always assured of a good supply of food. They were 

 frequently seen on Channel Rock, in Torres Strait. A large flock 

 was also noticed on the swamp between Cripple Creek and George- 

 town, where the Native Companions were congregating. 



Circus gouldi. Allied Swamp-Hawk — Noted at Peak Point, at 

 Lockerbie, and at Bramble Cay. 



Astur cinereus. Grey Goshawk. Astur novae-hollandiaB. White 

 Goshawk. — Mr. ^PLennan agrees with Mr. Harry Barnard in regarding 

 the Grey and the White Goshawks as phases of the one species.* He 

 found it, however, very difficult to gain information as to the mating of 

 birds of the two colours and the resultant effect on the young. Like 

 Astur fasciatus, the male bird is rarely seen anywhere near the nest: 

 Many hours were spent waiting and watching for the appearance of 

 the male bird, and, although fourteen nests containing either young 

 or eggs came under observation, the male was seen only once. 

 Eight of the females were grey birds, and six white. Where the male 

 and female were seen both were grey. Only one nest contained a 

 young bird ; it was nearly fully fledged, and was grey, the parent 

 iicing also grey. 



These birds began to build or repair old nests early in August, but 

 no eggs were laid until October, the earliest record being on the 5th 

 of that month. Nesting finished at the end of November, the only 

 two records in December being of hard-set eggs or fully fledged 



* See Eniii, vol. x., p. J47. 



