48 RUDOLF SÖDERBERG, STUDIES OF THE BIRDS IN NORTH WEST AUSTRALIA. 
for the sportmans rifle, so much so that already it is a bird unheard of in the neigh- 
bourhood of settled districts. That the Jabiru is doomed to extinction, unless steps 
are taken to prohibit its slaughter, there can be little doubt — — —> 
Ecological. — During the stay at »Babbo yard», 15 miles north of Meda, and 
in Beagle bay, 8 miles from the coast, I saw the Jabiru stork on several occasions. 
Four birds lived in a salt-water marsh in Beagle bay, but at »Bobbo yard» in a 
freshwater creek. It was also seen at Nooncanbah, Fitzroy (WIDELL). 
Fam. Ardeide. 
Herodias timoriensis LEss. 
Math. handl. n:r 203. 9 ad. Meda, Kimb. !9/s01911. 
Appeared in small numbers at Meda. 
Demigretta sacra CM. 
Math. handl. n:r 209. I ad., 2 juv. Sunday Islands 18/;, ?3/2 1911, moult.; 2 ad. Broome, Dampier 
land ?!/& 1911. 
Moulting. — The spec. ”/2 in strong moulting on the body. The feathers, 
that are growing out, are distinguished from the old ones by a slaty blue colour; 
the former more earthy brown. 
This species was seen at the coast on the das -zone. but not generally. 
Mesophoyx plumifera GLpD. 
Math. handl. n:r 202. J ad., 2 ad., Derby, Kimb. ?/5, !7/s 1911; 9 ad.? Meda, Kimb. "5/5 1911. 
Moulting. — None of these specimens, which are in winter plumage without 
plumes, moults. The moulting (cf. Demigretta) seems to take place or begin in Febr. 
(Marsh?) when the winter plumage is obtained. 
Uncommon in Kimberley. Observed only at Meda and at the coast of King's 
Sound. The species is said to have become more rare at the coast of Kimberley, be- 
cause it has been killed for commercial purposes (the plumes). 
Notophoyx nov&-hollandie LATH. 
Math. handl. n:r 204. 2 29 ad. Nooncanbah, Fitzroy ??/12 1910, 17/, 1911, moult.; 1 SJ ad., 1 
ad. Meda, Kimb. 12/5, 15/5 1911, the last one little moult. on the neck; 9 ad. Beagle bay, Dampier land ?/7 1911. 
Variations. — The Cat. of birds mentions that the white on the head varies. 
This is the case here as well. The supposition that it is the oldest ones which have 
the white parts most developed is also confirmed here. One young specimen has on 
