THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
Observations. Although the White-tailed Tropic Bird is usually restricted 
to tropical waters, in Australia it has been observed as far south as Houtman’s 
Abrolhos, on the west coast, while on the east coast an immature specimen was 
blown ashore at Botany Bay (New South Wales) during February, 1898, after 
an occurrence of easterly gales.” 
Otherwise I have traced no record on the West Coast, and it should be 
emphasized that no breeding-place of this species is known nearer than the 
Seychelles, and that on Christmas Island, Indian Ocean, the distinct and 
beautiful species, Leptopiimthon fulvus (Brandt) occurs. If L. lepturus has 
been procured on the West Coast it suggests that an Australian breeding 
locality may be looked for. Examination of the available material shows 
that though little difference in coloration can be observed, there is a very 
slight but appreciable difference in measurements. This is only as regards 
the three Oceans : the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific, but when long series are 
available many forms may be determined. This seems certain when we bear 
in mind that on Christmas Island, Indian Ocean, a most beautiful species 
lives which has varied only in attaining a uniform rich salmon throughout 
its plumage, the black markings remaining unchanged. Again, in the North 
Atlantic Ocean, the plumage has not materially altered in shade, yet the 
black markings on the primaries show sufficient differences to demand 
specific recognition. 
Atlantic Ocean birds give measurements as follows : Ascension Island 
birds, the tail without the elongated tail-feathers. 
Culmen. 
Wing. 
Tail. 
Middle Toe, 
51 
265 
102 
30 mm. 
50 
267 
111 
31 
48 
256 
109 
30 
49 
266 
111 
29 
Fernando Noronha specimens 
47 
• 
• 
266 
114 
31 
.lip « • • • 
49 
262 
118 
31 
46 
266 
119 
30 
Indian Ocean birds give : 
48 + 
270 
113 
31 
Mauritius 
48 
269 
120 
29 
50 
273 
117 
31 
44 + 
275 
112 
32 
51 
282 
121 
31 
48 
270 
116 
30 
308 
