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Phaethon rubricaiidus, Boll. (Red-tailed Tropic Bird). The presence of a 

 pair of "Bo's'n Birds" on Pearson Island was a surprise to members of the 

 party, most of whom had an opportunity of seeing one at least of them. They 

 circled round the summit of the north part and occasionally descended to the 

 flatter portion on the east. Two members saw one within easy gun-shot (about 

 30 yards off) flying low over the tea-tree. As it did so, it suddenly dropped 

 the beautiful red tail feathers, suggesting to one of the two, who had not pre- 

 viously seen a Tropic Bird, that it was passing red dejecta. The bird flew in 

 a straight line flapping its wings. It was thought at the time that this would 

 prove to be a new record for the State, but, as already mentioned, there is in 

 the South Australian Museum the skin of a Red-tailed Tropic Bird secured 

 near Port Lincoln in 1919. 



Haliaetus leucogastcr (Gmel.) (White-breasted Sea-Eagle). One at least 

 of these fine birds sailed round the summit of the northern part, occasionally 

 descending to the haunts of the Pacific Gulls near the crossing, when the Gulls 

 would vigorously chase it and drive it away. A mass of large sticks and debris 

 near the summit on the southern part suggested an old nest. 



Cerchneis ccnchroides (Vig. and Horsf.) (Nankeen Kestrel). A pair of 

 these Kestrels had their home at the summit of the southern part. Under a 

 ledge of rock was an old large stick nest, doubtless belonging to them. 



Owl. A large bird seen once at night and pellets found near the northern 

 simimit, suggest the presence of an Owl. 



Neophema petrophila (Gould) (Rock-Parrot). Rock-Parrots constitute a 

 considerable part of the land-bird fauna of the main island. Probably more 

 than a hundred individuals are present. They are to be found where low shrubs 

 and herbaceous plants occupy the soil between granite boulders and slopes, and 

 particularly on the gentle limestone slopes, where a more abundant soil supports 

 the loose shrub Nitraria, a crucifer (Lepidium foliosum, Desv.), and the rosemary- 

 like composite Olcaria axillaris, F. v. M. On the tops of these plants they 

 settle before descending to search for seeds, or fly up to these points of vantage 

 when alarmed. On other occasions they walk or fly on to exposed granite 

 slopes and boulders, thus earning their name of Rock-Parrots. Occasionally 

 they run over the flatter surfaces. The note uttered is a little twittering or 

 almost whistling sound. I have not heard this same note uttered by the closely- 

 allied Neophema elegans, a bird which was abundant in burnt scrub, in shrubby 

 sandy land, and partly cleared grass land at Encounter Ba}^ a fortnight later. 

 In this connection it may be worthy of mention, as showing how an island 

 habitat may be gradually acquired, that a flock of Neophema elegans (a bird 

 was not secured for absolute identification) was met with in January, 1920, on 

 Wright Island, a small island in Encounter Bay between Rosetta Head and 

 Granite Island, about half a mile from the shore and a little over a mile and a 

 half from where identified N. elegans were present on the mainland. These 

 birds apparently passed from the mainland to the island and back again. On 

 the island they were seen to be feeding on the minute seeds of the native 

 tobacco (Nicotiana suaveolens, Lehm.). 



Two specimens of Neophema petrophila were obtained, both males, but 

 one in incomplete plumage. Male adult; iris, very dark brown; bill, very dark 

 grey above, pallid horn below ; pharynx, flesh coloured ; legs, pale greyish- 

 brown ; claws, blackish. Total length, 22-6 cm. Span of outspread wings, 

 307 cm. Weight, 53 grms. T., 395° C. Ornithomyid fly amongst the feathers; 

 mites on wings ; numerous cestodes in intestines. Male not quite adult ; soft 

 parts coloured as in other bird. Total length, 21 cm. Span of outspread wings, 

 29-3 cm. Weight, 47 grms. T., 41° C. (Fluttered along after being shot.) 

 Ornithomyid fly ; mallophaga present ; mites on wings ; cestodes in intestines. 



