1889-90.] Mr A. J. Campbell on West Australian Birds. 305 
account, as well as that excellent and observing collector, William 
Webb of Albany, W.A., have added much interesting information 
to West Australian ornithology. 
And now I humbly beg, through this learned Society, to add to 
the heap of knowledge my worthy forerunners have built, a few 
pebbles chiefly with regard to the geographical distribution of the 
species. These pebbles were gathered during a brief research of 
four months spent in Western Australia last year. 
Another consideration has induced me to forward some of my 
observations to Great Britain, namely, the fact of the “ Enabling 
Bill ” for the self-government of Western Australia, now before 
the Imperial Parliament, towards which no doubt the attention of 
many persons is directed ; therefore, any information, scientific as 
well as political, about the great western territory, may perchance 
not be altogether devoid of interest. 
The following fifteen species of birds are now recorded for the 
first time as West Australian, namely : — Melithreptus brevirostris , 
Cacatua gymnopis, Cacatua roseicapilla , Platycercus zonarins , Ochy- 
phcips lophotes, Dromains novce-hollandice, Geronticus spinicollis, 
Grus australasianns , Xenorhynchus asiaticus, Synoicus sordidus, 
Cereopsis novce-hollandice, Puffinus nugax , Phaeton candidus , Phaeton 
rubricauda, , and Catarrades chrysocome. 
The following having been omitted from Western Australia in a 
Tabular List of Australian Birds lately issued, are now reinstated, 
namely : — Tinnuneulus cenchroides , Lagenoplastes ariel , Petroeca 
leggii, Cincloramphus cantillaus , Lavus novce-hollandice , and Podi- 
ceps cristatus. 
With regard to the emu, it may be noticed that Gould records 
only one species, Dromaius irroratus ; while Dr Ramsay questions 
the existence of the common or second species ( D . novce-hollandice). 
From reliable evidence, as well as from personal observations, I 
have been able to establish for a certainty the latter bird as well. 
It is the more common in all parts of Western Australia, whereas 
the spotted emu ( D . irroratus) has a more restricted range, being 
principally confined inland to what is known as the “silver grass” 
country, although I have seen specimens from Geographe Bay, 
south west, as well as from Roebuck Bay, north-west of the 
colony. 
VOL. XVII. 25/9/90 
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