476 MR. W. B. ALEXANDER ON THE 



when they breed together. In that case the origin of the rare intermediate 

 forms may be due to incomplete segregation or they maybe simply variations 

 of the white form. It is a pure assumption that they are of hybrid origin, 

 hence I think the name sacra should be retained. 



Anseriformes. 



Anatidje. 



Chenopis Atrata (Latham). Black Swan. 



I am informed by Mr. 0. Lipfert that a specimen was shot on Gun Island 

 in 1894. It is distinctly surprising to find that this bird flies so far out to 

 sea, especially as the islands do not afford lakes of the kind usually frequented 

 by swans. 



[Virago castanea {Eyton). Green-headed Teal. 



Campbell states that this species occurs in the Wallaby Islands. In view 

 of the confusion between this species and V. gibberifrons, and the absence of 

 any specimens, the record requires confirmation.] 



Pelecaniformes. 



Phalaceocoracid*. 



Hypoleucus varids perthi, Matliews. Pied Cormorant. 



These birds are found everywhere round the islands. We only found one 

 colony nesting on West Wallaby Island, where they were in company with 

 Caspian and Crested Terns, and Silver and Pacific Gulls. The nests con- 

 tained fresh eggs, and when the birds flew off at our approach the Silver 

 Gulls seized the opportunity to feed upon the eggs of their more timid 

 neighbours. 



On an islet off Rat Island, we found the nests of an old colony not being- 

 used that year. On a little island at the western side of the lagoon, south of 

 the Wallaby Group, we found a number of eggs lying_ about among the 

 bushes. Cormorants were sitting on the shore on this islet, but they were 

 evidently not nesting there, as there were no nests and the eggs were on or 

 under the bushes promiscuously. Mr. Lipfert obtained eggs on Middle Island 

 in 1894. 



PHiETHOJfTIDJ. 



Sc^OPHiETHON rubricauda westralis, Matliews. Red-tailed Tropic Bird. 



A pair of these birds with their single egg, obtained by Mr. Lipfert on 

 Rat Island in November 1894, are in the W.A. Museum. 



Subsequently Beddoes wrote to Campbell (10) that he had "found Tropic 

 Bird nesting on Pelsart Island, month February, two eggs, both hard-set. 

 Following February two nests, same kind, were taken on Rat Island ; two 



