THE HISTORY OF ZOOLOGY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA. 63 
Seals were seen on Rottnest by Volckersen and by Vlaming, 
the abandoned crew of the W aeckende Bocy managed to kill 
enough of them on the coast to keep themselves alive. 
Birds.- -It is only natural that the greater number of birds 
recorded by the early visitors to our coasts were sea-birds, but a 
fair number of land-birds were also noted. 
Vlaming recognised the footprints of the limn, or, as he 
called it, Cassowary, the name Emu did not come into use till 
a later period. He also recorded Parrots, Cockatoos and Parra- 
keets by the Swan River, whilst Dampier saw White Cockatoos 
in the north. Dampier met with Crows, Turtle-doves, Hawks, 
Kites, and Eagles ; and Vlaming saw the great nests of the Sea- 
eagle in Sharks Bay. Pelsart met with the Brush Bronze-wing 
Pigeons on the Abrolhos. Dampier mentions a variety of small 
land-birds without further particulars except that many of them 
sang with shrill notes, but it is difficult to guess what bird was 
thought by Vlaming to sing like a Nightingale. 
Of marine and aquatic birds we have records of Gulls, Terns, 
Geese, Ducks, Shearwaters, Curlews, Oyster-catchers, Cormorants, 
Sandpipers, Boobies, Noddies, and ilan-of-W ar Birds ; whilst 
we can recognise the species referred to in the descriptions of the 
Black Swan, Gannet, Crested Tern, Brown-winged Tern, Pelican, 
Straw-necked Ibis, Red-necked Avocet, Pied Oyster Catcher, and 
Wedge-tailed Petrel. 
Reptiles. Mention is made of Turtles in several of the 
narratives, and Dampier specially mentions the Green Turtle, as 
well as giving descriptions of several species of Sea-snakes. 
Of land reptiles we are told of l.izards, a red and a speckled 
Snake, and the Stump-tailed Lizard. 
Fish. -Sharks were met with in Sharks Bay and elsewhere, 
and Vlaming shows that one species at least was viviparous ; 
other Elasmobrauchs mentioned by Dampier are Skates, Thorn- 
backs, Rays, Dog-fish, and the Monk-fish. 
Of Teleosteans : Sardines, Grey Rock Bream, Garfish, 
Bonitos, Skipjack, Snappers, Breams, Old-wives, Barracoutas, a 
kind of Tunny, and the Remora are recorded. 
Crustacea.- The only Crustaceans noted are the Crabs, 
remains of which Pelsart ’s men found round a native fire. 
Insects. — Ant-hills, presumably made by Termites, were 
seen on various parts of the coast, and several explorers note the 
great prevalence of swarms of Mies. 
Molluscs.— Of Molluscs we have mention of Cockles, 
Mussels, Periwinkles, Whelks, Conchs, Limpets, Pearl Oysters, 
Rock Oysters, and Hammer Oysters. Dampier figures a Squid 
and frequently mentions the Cuttle bones which he saw floating 
on the sea. 
