^°i9io^'] Armstrong, On Albatross Island. 1 57 



Black Oyster-catcher (HcBmatopus unicolor). 



Pied Oyster-catcher (H. longirostris). — Numerous and evenly 

 distributed ; many nests. 



Silver Gull (Larus novce-hollandicB). — Some small rookeries 

 examined. Appeared to be a very large one at north end of Albatross 

 Island. The eggs of this species are taken in numbers by islanders and 

 sailors, and eaten. 



Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor). — Great numbers everywhere. 



Reef-Heron (Demiegretta sacra). — I was delighted at finding the 

 nest of this, to me, rare bird ; only one bird, a white one, was seen at 

 the nest, which was situated under a leaning rock, well hidden and 

 sheltered on what was practically a tidal island. The eggs (two) were 

 partly incubated. The nest was a fairly thick ply of tussock-grass 

 mixed with seaweed. According to the experience of the lad who was 

 with me and found the nest, two eggs constitute the full clutch. 

 Colouration of Reef-Herons is remarkable. Mr. Atkinson, who has had 

 many years' experience with the species, has seen blue and white birds 

 mated, but never a pied one. His opinion is that a Reef-Heron carries 

 its first dress all its life. The islander agreed with this, and stated 

 that, though birds of mixed colours have been seen mated, such an 

 occurrence is rare. He knew of locaUties where three pairs, all white 

 birds, nested. In other places the birds are all of the blue variety. 



Sooty Crow-Shrike (Strepera fitliginosa). — Very numerous on all 

 the large islands, where its loud, raucous notes were frequently heard, 

 more especially in the morning. We examined about 20 nests, but, 

 in most cases, were too early. 



White-faced Storm-Petrel (Pelagodroma marina). — Two fresh 

 eggs were taken on 3rd November, on Penguin Island. 



Hooded and Red-capped Dottrels. — Several nests of these little 

 trippers were seen, in the usual situations. 



[Messrs. Armstrong and Atkinson were fortunate in obtaining a landing on 

 Albatross Island. It will be remembered that the members of the A.O. U. expedition 

 last year were unable to land there through stress of weather {Emu, viii. , p. 197, and 

 Plate XVI.) An interesting account of the Albatrosses on this islet, by Mr. D. Le 

 Souef, C.M.Z.S., was published in The Ibis (1895); ^"^l subsequently another 

 account, by Mr. J. Gabriel and the late Mr. H. P. C. Ashworth, appeared in The 

 Victorian Naturalist (1896). — Eds.] 



First Bird Day in the Commonwealth. 



Bv H. W. Wilson, Melbcurne. 



The value of birds to a country, and especially to an agri- 

 cultural country, cannot be too highly estimated, but it cannot 

 be said that sufficient interest is taken in our avifauna by the 

 community as a whole to prevent its suffering through the 

 ignorance or thoughtlessness of both young and old. The vast 

 amount of good accomplished in arousing in the children an 

 interest in the study of trees and care of gardens by the 

 institution of Arbor Day in State schools led members of the 

 A.O.U. to the conclusion that the institution of a Bird Day might 

 probably produce a similar result with regard to bird life. The 



