MIGRATION OF BIRDS AT THE CAFE YORK PENINSULA. 



93 



ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS AT THE 

 CAPE YOEK PENINSULA. 



BY 



KENDAL BROADBENT. 



Cape York being the most northern extension of Australia 

 would naturally be the winter residence of birds which, fre- 

 quenting more southern parts daring the summer months, seek 

 a warmer climate on the approach of the cold of winter. 

 Further than this, the Cape York Peninsula helps to bridge over 

 the sea between the two continents of Australia and New 

 Guinea, indicating as it does, the spot where the intervening 

 straits are narrowest, and migratory birds shunning — as is their 

 habit — a broad expanse of ocean, find here a point of departure 

 or arrival in passing from land to land, taking advantage of the 

 numerous islands which stud the passage and form natural rest- 

 ing places for them on their journey. A naturalist placed then 

 at Cape York during the early months of the year, has oppor- 

 tunity for recording useful observations relating to the seasonal 

 movements of birds, and it is in this faith that the following 

 brief notes have been made. 



ACCIPITRES. 



Aquila amlax, Lath., the wedge-tailed eagle, was here in 

 January ; but I only saw a solitary individual. 



*IIaliaetus leucogaster, Gld., the white-bellied sea eagle, breeds 

 here, as does also * Pandion leucocepl talus y Gld., the white- 

 headed osprey. 



Caprimulgidj;. 



* Fodargus ■pa'puensis, Quoy and Gaim., the New Guinea goat- 

 sucker, and arrives here from the north about the middle of 

 February. 



Cypselidj;. 



I found a swift here which I have not previously met with 

 during some wet weather which was experienced in January 

 and February. 



