Vol. IX. 

 igog 



"I Gibson, Birds Observed hetiveen Kalgoorlie and Eucla. JJ 



The following sea and other birds were noted on the coast near 

 Eyre, over a stretch of about 20 miles : — 



OsPREY (JPandion leucocephalus). — Two noted. 



Turnstone (Arenaria inter pres). — -Fairly common. 



Pied Oyster-catcher and Black Ovster-catcher (Ho'tna/opits 

 longirosiris and H. unicolor). — Common. 



Red-capped Dottrel {Mgialitis ritficapilla). — Common. 



Banded Stilt {Cladorhynchus lettcocephalus). — Two seen. 



Caspian Tern {Hydroprogne caspia). — One seen. 



Crested Tern (Sterna bergii). — Common. 



Silver Gull (Larus novce-hollandio'). — Common. 



Pacific Gull (Gabianns pacificus). — Two or three seen. 



White-fronted Heron {Notophoyx nova;-hollandi(e). — Several seen 

 on the reefs. 



Reef-Heron {Demiegretta sacra). — A few on the reefs. 



Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax hypoleucus). — Common. 



In addition, several small unidentified waders were seen. 



Total number of land birds identified, iii (including three doubtful 

 species). Total number of sea-birds identified, 13. Grand total, 124; 

 and, in addition, several unidentified sea-birds. 



The observations were made during the months of September, 

 October, and November (1Q08). 



Notes on Ducks. 



By Robert Hall, C.M.Z.S., Col. M. B.O.U. 



The following observations, made at Swan Hill, upon the 

 Murray River, refer to eleven species. The season 1906 was a 

 specially good one for swimming birds — the best since 1872. 

 The river had flooded the adjacent country for at least 1,000 

 miles along its course, the whole of the billabongs being filled 

 and the back chains of waterholes converted into broad lakes. 

 The present season is even better, the flood being higher than 

 that of 1872. Accordingly, in 1906 there was an abundance of 

 food, and the Ducks bred large families and hatched out young 

 late in the season. In April the wading and swimming avifauna 

 made a stirring and very interesting impression upon the 

 glistening water surfaces all along the face of the river 

 frontages. I had camped for several months. 



Spatula rhync/iotis, Lath. (Shoveller). — This is the most local 

 of the Ducks, and may be found when nearly all the other 

 species have gone north, or have distributed themselves. Their 

 young are later abroad. To a limited extent only they nest in 

 this district. When feeding one may distinctly hear them sieving 

 in the mud. As with every other animal, they place their con- 

 fidence in man until once shot at with a heavy gun. It is then 

 difficult to approach near to a flock. It is a very quick flier. 

 A flock will be asleep, and, if alarmed, the whole body will be 



