from Wester a Australia. 197 
G2. Sterna dougalli. . Roseate Tern. (Hall's Key, 
p. 88.) 
Sk.ad. (j^. 26.10.99. Pelsarf Group, Houtman's Abrolhos. 
I'his species was always seen in small companies, and 
although I tried diligently to find it incubating, it appeared 
to be waiting for November. Mr. Beddoes speaks of April, 
June, November, and December as the months for nesting. 
63. Sterna bergii. Crested Tern. (HalFs Key, p. 88.) 
A nestliug and an adult were secured on Square Island, of 
the Pelsart Group of the Houtman^s Al)rolhos. The nestling, 
though quite young, attempted to swim a considerable distance 
and had to be shot. 
Nestlwgi — The description agrees with that of Mr. Saunders 
(Brit. Mus. Cat.), excepting that the upper part of the feet 
and tarsi are slate-coloured, the under portion cf the feet 
oclireous. 
This islet, of some three acres in extent, is flat and sandy, 
a small part being covered with salt-bush. On it a score of 
pairs of the '^ferns had just hatched out their young, and the 
little birds, from a week to a fortnight old, were hiding or 
attempting to hide under bushes or running away terror- 
stricken. Amongst them an Osprey had its nest and young. 
64. Sterna fuliginosa. Sooty Tern. (Hall's Key, 
p. 89.) 
Sk.ad. ?. Rat Island, Easter Group, Houtman's Abrolhos. 
17.10.99. 
Our cutter-yacht, the *^ Wanda,^ sailed into an anchorage off 
Rat Island on the afternoon of a fine day. We immediately 
walked a few hundred yards along the beach to a "rookery ''' 
that contained some 2000 Sooty Terns, each of which had 
deposited or was depositing its single egg under a salt- bush.. 
The Salsolacece, from two to three feet high and close 
together, occupy most of the island, which is about three 
miles long. Through them we " quietly ^^ crashed^ and so 
disturbed the birds which we passed that they scrambled out 
and did not feel at ease until they had with difficulty risen 
upon the wing. At least a thousand of them mu^st have been 
