236 
ALEXANDER, Visit to Coomooboolaroo f Th ? Emu 
L Jan. 
Haliaetus leucogaster. White-breasted Sea Eagle. — This Eagle was 
seen more often than the preceding species. At Rockhampton it is 
sometimes called the “Silver King,” but more usually is known as the 
“Fish Hawk.” Several were noted during the trip on the Fitzroy 
River. At Gracemere a pair had a nest in a tall tree rising above the 
scrub. One of the eaglets had fallen out of the nest and was dead 
on the ground at the foot of the tree. Beneath the tree were also 
found the skeletons of several Water Tortoises (Chelodina longi- 
collis) and the wing of a Coot (Fulica atra) and at a little distance 
the skeleton of a large Eel-pike ( Muraenesox ) was picked up. All 
these had doubtless been obtained by the birds from the adjacent 
lake, but whether they were killed by the birds or picked up dead 
there was nothing to show. Several of these Eagles were seen at 
Yeppoon and Messrs. Alexander and Chisholm saw a bird in imma¬ 
ture plumage pick up a sea-snake from the beach and fly away with 
it. The tail of the snake was held in the talons of the Eagle, and 
though the snake endeavoured to lift its head to attack the bird, it 
seemed quite unable to raise it high enough. [In the Emu , Vol. VII., 
p. 172, Mr. E. M. Cornwall recorded that these Eagles live largely on 
sea-snakes on the islands off Mackay.] 
Haliastur sphenurus. Whistling Eagle. — Many were seen in vari¬ 
ous places, especially on the launch trip on the Fitzroy River, when a 
few nests were seen in the high trees on the banks and birds going 
to them. Several nests were also seen about Gracemere. On the 
lagoon at the Botanic Gardens Mr. Alexander saw one swoop down 
into the reeds and reappear with a dark object in its talons. With 
this it settled on a post and proceeded to enjoy a meal. Through 
field-glasses Messrs. Alexander and Gaukrodger watched it tearing 
off feathers which appeared to be black, so the bird was probably a 
Coot, of which there were great numbers on the lagoon. About 
Rockhampton this bird is generally called the “Kite-Hawk.” 
Haliastur indus. White-headed Sea-eagle. — Numerous about Yep¬ 
poon, where they frequented especially the mangroves at the mouths 
of the creeks. A new nest without eggs was found on North Keppel 
Island in a Eucalyptus tree. This eagle is smaller than the White¬ 
breasted Sea-eagle, but a more showy bird, and with the sun in a 
favourable position its white head, neck and chest and the bright 
rufous colour of the body give it a very handsome appearance. 
(To be Concluded.) 
Visit to Coomooboolaroo 
By W. B. ALEXANDER, M.A., C.F.A.O.U., Sherwood, 
near Brisbane. 
Only two members, Mr. W. B. Barnard and the writer, were 
able to accept the invitation, given by Mr. C. A. Barnard to all 
those present at Rockhampton to visit him at Coomooboolaroo, 
after the conclusion of the conference. The beautiful old home¬ 
stead standing on the bank of the long double lagoon is familiar 
to many members of the R.A.O.U., and, even in a district where 
the inhabitants are almost all hospitable, the hospitality of Mr. 
and Mrs. Barnard is famous. Under these circumstances it is 
