'Novc-m’ber, 1922 
The Queensland Naturalist. 
107 
BIRDS OF STRADBROKE ISLAND. 
NOTED DURING LONG HOLIDAY EXCURSIONS 
FROM ABOUT 1869 TO 1880. 
By. R. Illidge, Brisbane. 
In Stradbroke Island may be included the islands on 
its western side up to the main channel to Southport, 
which will for this purpose form its boundary as far as 
that town, which lies opposite its extreme southern end. 
This southern end has a small scrub a few hundred yards 
■wide and about a mile or so long, facing the channel, part 
of which still remains, but in a much mutilated state, and 
mostly surveyed into allotments for building purposes. 
It is this part which was most interesting as regards bird 
life. It was only a short distance from the vine scrubs of 
Nerang Creek, and many species in a few minutes could 
cover the few miles intervening, especially Pigeons. 
Being the owner of a small sailing boat, I soon ob- 
tained a fair knowledge of the island and its dependencies 
from Amity Point east to Point Lookout (always doing 
this part on foot), and south from Amity past Dunwich, 
Canaipa, Tuleen (Jumpinpin), and Currigee to Moon- 
darewa (Porpoise Point) opposite Nerang Creek (South- 
port). The only parts not consisting of sand were Dunwich 
and Point Lookout, the latter being particularly rocky. 
At Canaipa, a little sandy beach and good fresh water 
-close to camp enabled us to get across to the big lagoon 
now known as the Eighteen-mile Lagoon. The distance, 
though not great, was troublesome on account of the prickly 
nature of the undergrowth through which we had to force 
a way. We reached a high bluff from whicji a fine view 
of the lagoon was obtained, both north and south, with 
sand-dunes separating it from the sea on its eastern side. 
It looked like a large plain with small lakes scattered over 
its surface. On these small open expanses innumerable 
birds of many kinds, Black Swans predominating^ were 
seen. White Egrets were specially noticeable, shining in 
the sun, as also a variety of other wading and aquatic 
birds, including Ducks of many species. 
On going down to the foot of the bluff, we found our- 
selves confronted with high reeds which shut out all view, 
tmd a treacherous bog with streams of fine clear water 
flowing towards Swan Bay. Having found a wallaby 
track, and thinking it might lead to the ocean beach, we 
