APPENDIX I 345 



Fam. TuRDiDiE. 



(14) Merula erythropleura, Lister. 



Introduced from Christmas Island, and now very common, 

 especially on Pulu Tikus. The bird is remarkably tame, 

 coming freely into rooms to obtain water. Has a rather 

 pleasing song, which it utters in September and October. 

 The nest is built in November, and the egg is very like that 

 of the European Kedwing. 



Fam. ZosTEROPiD^. 



(15) ZosTEROPS NATALis, Lister. 



Introduced from Christmas Island. Confined to Pulu 

 Luar, where it exists in some numbers. In Christmas Island 

 it is known as Burung waring in, but in Cocos-Keeling it has 

 earned the name of Burung chinta or " love-bird." 



Golden plover, native name Burung hlchis, and Curlew 

 are said to breed on some of the islands, but I never found 

 the eggs, nor did I ever obtain a bird for identification. A 

 flock of ducks is resident on Pulu Panjang, and on the same 

 island I have seen many small waders, but the wise policy of 

 the islands is that these birds shall not be interfered with 

 and I cannot name the species. I have, however, shot a stray 

 Snipe {Scolopax gallinago, Linn.) from a small flock on Pulu 

 Tikus, and on the same island obtained a Swallow, Hirundo 

 gutturalis, Scop. These, and a wagtail, are the only visitors 

 that came to the islands in my stay of fifteen months, and the 

 atoll would seem to be altogether out of the track of any, save 

 very wind-blown, migrants. 



In North Keeling atollon are large warrens, the nesting 

 sites of " Mutton Birds " ; during my visit to the atollon these 

 birds were not present, but they evidently visit the place, for 

 the purpose of breeding, in very large numbers. 



In all probability they are Pujinus hrevicaudus or F, 

 sj)Jiem(,rus, 



