THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
The species known under the name axillaris ” has white axillaries, while 
the species known as ‘‘ scriptus ” has black axillaries. If the name be utilised 
at all, “ axillaris ” should replace ‘‘ scriptus,^' but in view of the lack of mention 
of axillaries in the English description, I prefer to consider the name axillaris 
as indeterminable. This conclusion is confirmed by study of the Watling 
Drawings, as none show the differential features of the two species. Moreover, 
both species are of rare occurrence round about Sydney, and there can be 
no doubt that from the figures the bird kept in captivity could have belonged 
to either species. 
Gould apologised for not studying Latham’s description before describing 
Thotatus, but apparently he simply took Gray’s conclusion without confirmation. 
Otherwise he would have noted the distinguishing character. When Gray 
made his recognition, the second species of Elanus had not been described : 
this accounts for the primary blunder. Under the circumstances, axillaris 
cannot be retained for the white axillaried bird, and as we have two certain 
names, it seems much the best to decide it to be accurately indeterminable. 
In this place, rather than provide further problems, I am retaining scriptus 
for the black axillaried bird and reviving notatus of Gould for the bird 
without black axillaries. 
Captain S. A. White has written me : “ The Black-shouldered Kite is 
not an uncommon bird in South Australia and at certain times of the year 
they come south in pairs. Insects and reptiles seem to be their principal 
food, and I feel quite sure they will not build a nest if they can possibly help 
it, but make use of any stick nest that may suit them, such as of a Crow 
or Magpie.” 
Mr. Thos. P. Austin, writing from Cobbora, New South Wales, under 
date February 11, 1915, states: “It is very seldom that I ever see this 
species in this district, and I have never known them to breed here. One 
spring about 26 years ago they appeared in the district of Geelong, Victoria, 
in almost thousands ; wherever I went these birds were to be seen perched 
in trees, on fences, and on telegraph posts and wires : they even came almost 
into the town. As far as I know none of them bred there.” 
Mr. Tom Carter wrote : “ The Black-shouldered Kite was an irregular 
visitor to the Mid-west. Sometimes several years would pass without any 
being seen. In the drought of 1890-91, a good many were seen on the 
coast at Point Cloates and several were found dead in a very emaciated state. 
Considerable numbers used to congregate every night to roost on a few 
stunted trees that stood near the house close to the beach. Their next 
appearance was in the wet season of 1900, when they were fairly common both 
inland and on the coast, but were very wary and hard to shoot. A pair of 
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