AUSTRALIAN LESSER NODDY. 
Campbell"^ wrote calling it the Lesser Noddy : ‘‘ As its name implies, it is 
similar in appearance but smaller than the noddy, yet in one or two points 
of its natural history differs much. Unlike the noddy, which nests upon low 
bushes or upon the ground, the lesser noddy seeks the mangrove trees, and 
then only upon one island (Pelsart) out of all the groups, although mangroves 
exist elsewhere. There, again, the lesser noddy remains throughout the year, 
whereas the noddies’ visits are periodical. The first eggs may be observed the 
beginning of September, but the climax of the breeding-season is not reached 
till December.” 
Gilbertf, who found this bird on Houtman’s Abrolhos, West Australia, 
writes : Like A nous stoUdus, it is truly gregarious, the nests being arranged 
as closely as possible on the branches of the Mangrove, at a height of from 
four to ten feet above the ground, the sea-weed of which each nest is constructed 
being merely thrown across the branch, without any regard to form, until it 
has accumulated to a mass varying from two to four inches in height ; in 
many instances long pieces of sea-weed hang down beneath the branch, giving 
it the appearance of a much larger structure than the reality ; the nests and 
branches of the trees are completely whitened with the excrement of the 
bird, the disagreeable and sickty odour of which is perceptible at a considerable 
distance. South Island, Houtman’s Abrolhos, appears to be the only one 
resorted to for the purpose of nidification ; for although large mangroves 
occur on others of the neighbouring islands, it was not observed on any of 
them. I have seen vast flocks of birds, but I confess I was not at all prepared 
for the surprise I experienced in witnessing the amazing clouds, literally 
speaking, of these birds when congregating in the evening while they had 
their young to feed. During their alternate departure and return with food 
they presented a most singular appearance. From their breeding-place to 
the outer reef, beyond the smooth water, the distance is four miles, and over 
this space the numbers constantly passing were in such close array that they 
formed one continuous and unbroken line. After the young birds were able 
to accompany their parents, I observed that they all left the breeding or 
roosting-place in the morning and did not again return until evening, the 
first comers apparently awaiting the arrival of the last before finally roosting 
for the night. It is when thus assembling that their immense numbers strike 
you with astonishment. Like its near ally, it commences the task of incub'dtion 
in December, and lays but a single egg ; while sitting on which, or tending its 
young, it is very easily caught, as it will suffer itself to be taken off the 
nest rather than quit it. It forms an excellent article of food, and several 
* Proc: Auatr. Asa. Adv. Science, 1890, p. 495. 
t In Gould’s Handb. Birds Austr., Vol. II., p. 417, 1865. 
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