VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF HOUTMAn's ABRoLHOS. 477 



eggs in each." Mathews, in commenting upon this record, remarks that one 

 egg is the usual clutch, and it seems to me probable that the late Mr. Beddoes 

 made some mistake in the matter. 



[Leptoph.ethon lepturus DOROTHEA, Matheivs. White-tailed Tropic 

 Bird. 



Recorded by Campbell as an occasional visitor, but he does not state that 

 he saw the species himself nor on what evidence he relied. As there is no 

 other record of the species on the west coast of Australia it requires sub- 

 stantiation,] 



Pei.ecanidj. 



Catoptropelecanus conspicillatus (Temm. § Laug.). Australian 

 Pelican. 



Small parties of these birds were seen on West Wallaby Island, opposite 

 Pelican Island, as well as on Rat Island. We found no evidence that they 

 were or had been nesting, though I specially visited the small island known 

 as Pelican Island, as its name and the presence of pelicans in the vicinity 

 suggested that it might be their stronghold. 



Campbell states that they have been known to nest on Pigeon Island, 

 whilst Gibson was told that they nested on West Wallaby Island, appro- 

 priating the nest of the Pied Cormorant in which to lay their eggs. Both 

 state that the breeding-season is earl)' (Sept., Oct.). 



Falconiformes. 



Aquilidje. 



Cuncuma leucogaster (Gmelin). White-bellied Sea-Eagle. 



These birds were met with on North Island and all of the southern groups. 

 Their nests were found on several of the small islets in the Wallaby Group, 

 but the young had already flown. Campbell states that they lay in Sep- 

 tember. Judging from the remains met with round the nests, they feed 

 chiefly on the larger lizards and on Mutton-birds and Terns. 



Pandionid.e. 



Pakdion haliaetcs cristatus (Vieillot). Osprey. 



Much more numerous than the Sea-Eagle, especially on Pelsart Island. 

 Their nests were found on all the groups, generally on small islets. On 

 Pelsart Island, where they nest on the island itself, three nests were found, 

 in each of which was a fully-Hedged young bird. Though these were 

 apparently able to fly they did not attempt to do so, but either lav flat in 

 the nest or adopted a threatening attitude with their wings raised and 

 feathers spread. The old birds, meanwhile, circled round high in the air 

 uttering shrill cries. 



