io8 
The Queenslan i Naturalist. 
November, 1 92 2 
followed it, but it only led to a convenient drinking-place. 
Returning to the top of the bluff, we travelled north for 
three or four miles, but as the lagoon was evidently not 
crossable we gave up and returned. The country was poor 
in birds, and beyond a solitary Butcher-bird and some 
Honey-eaters (as the Brush Wattle-bird and the White- 
cheeked Honey-eater) it was almost lifeless. Wallabies 
were the only animals, and they were scarce. As we got 
near our camp, however, the calls of others (as the Brown 
Honey-eater, Leatherhead, Babbler, Sacred Kingfisher, and 
some shore birds) were heard. 
A few years later another trip was made across, again 
without result ; but as on this last occasion the season was 
very dry we found the bush much burnt but the lagoon 
apparently unaltered. 
Now, all these little trips to various parts of Strad- 
broke Island at different seasons gave a fair knowledge of 
its bird life, but, be it remembered, by no means a perfect 
one. 
As the land birds of Stradbroke between Dunwich 
and Amity have been fairly well written up by other 
observers, I will, with a few exceptions, confine myself to 
the southern end, previously mentioned as having a small 
area of jungle, some of the denizens of which served greatly 
to vary the salt junk menu of old boating days. Chief 
amongst these were the Magnificent Pigeon (also known as 
Wampoo from its call), the Topknot or Flock Pigeon, the 
Large-tailed (Brown) Pigeon, and the Little Green 
Pigeon (the latter also noted by some of us at last Easter 
camp near Dunwich). All of these were excellent in our 
stews or as grills. How we should like to see some of these, 
as the Magnificent Pigeon, amongst us again — not to eat, 
but to admire their splendid plumage and graceful forms !* 
It is noteworthy that the Magnificent Pigeon, when quiet 
in one of the large-leaved figs, is difficult to see, for its 
plumage harmonizes with the foliage, whereas when feed- 
ing amongst the myrtle berries it is very conspicuous. 
Other birds of this part were two Cuckoos, the Fan- 
tailed and Bronze Cuckoos ; also a Parrot, the Musk Lorikeet. 
This Lorikeet I have seen in hundreds on the tea-trees in 
blossom on the Southport side, so that its appearance across 
the few hundred yards of channel is partly explainable, 
though cases are known of a comparatively narrow river 
forming a sharp dividing line. Of Honey-eaters, the 
* The Magnificent Pigeon, or Wampoo ( Megaloprepio magnified ) 
is now totally protected by law. — Eds. 
