A VISIT TO THE CLAREMONT ISLANDS. 457 
Grey-backed Sandpiper, Totanus pulverulentus, Mill. — 
Numerous, but very shy and noisy. 
Australian Curlew, Numenius cyanopus, Vieill.— This fine 
species was not common, and was so wild that it was useless to 
try and get a shot at it. Its size and unusually long bill at once 
distinguish it from its European cousin, besides which its cry is 
slightly different. 
Australian Whimbrel, N. uropygialis, Gould.—Common. This 
is decidedly smaller than the European bird, though its call-note 
is identical. 
White and Blue Reef Herons, Demigretta jugularis, Forst., 
and D. Greyi, Gray.— These were the most numerous birds upon 
the island, and I believe them to be one and the same species, 
for I have constantly seen them in all stages of plumage, passing 
from blue to white. There is no difference in their size or habits, 
and they are always found together. Unfortunately I have never 
been able to find them breeding, though there were plenty of nests 
upon the low shrubs on this island. Mr. Macgillivray, quoted by 
Gould in his ‘ Birds of Australia,’ is of opinion that the two forms 
are specifically distinct, and states that he has never seen any 
exhibiting a change from blue to white, or vice versdé, and upon 
Dugong Island he had seen the young white from the nest. 
I have seen them in this intermediate state of plumage at the 
New Hebrides, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and elsewhere, and I do 
not think that the blue are adult birds. 
Silver Gull, Larus Jamesoni var. Gouldi, Bonap.— Only a pair 
of these birds were noticed, and they were very vociferous as 
I approached a certain point of the island, flying to and fro over- 
head in a very excited manner, as if they had a nest or young 
close at hand. However, a careful search failed to disclose any. 
At times they came so near that I was able to observe them 
minutely. They were certainly larger than those to be seen 
every day in Sydney Harbour, and their beaks were of a dark 
brownish red, almost black at the tip, but otherwise I could 
detect no difference. 
Caspian Tern, Sterna caspia, Pallas.—A pair seen. 
Torres Straits Tern, S. cristata, Stephens.— Common. 
Little Tern, S. nereis, Gould.—Several of these elegant little 
birds were observed and one shot. ‘They were perfectly fearless, 
ZOOLOGIST.—DEC. 1885. 2N 
