268 
HOGAN, Birds of Willis Island 
The Emu 
April 
February. The first egg was found on February 7th. But even 
in March—a month later — it was strange that so very few nests 
had been built when the number of Noddy Terns was considered. 
For some reason building had stopped, while the majority of 
eggs laid were grouped together near the N.W. end of the island, 
and it was among the nests in that vicinity that two young birds 
were found on March 25th. Early in April, 1924, nesting re¬ 
commenced, this time in earnest, and for a couple of weeks 
Noddy Terns were very industrious. During the second week 
of April many eggs were laid, and by the close of that month, 
nests, each containing one egg, were scattered thickly all over 
the island. Nest building continued even into May. Many 
nests were seen on bare sand and among the coral rubble, but 
they were always within about 6 yards of the edge of the grassed 
areas and safely above the high-water mark. Noddy Terns re¬ 
sented the presence of intruders near their nests, and some flew 
viciously at the heads of members of the party on Willis Island, 
while strange birds always got an unpleasant reception from 
them. On one occasion I saw a Noddy Tern when disturbed on 
its nest, pick its egg up and fly off, carrying the egg to a new 
position. 
(3) CRESTED TERN (Sterna bergii). 
this bird was first noticed in December, 1922, when flocks of 
about a dozen were observed flying at some little distance from 
the island; while flying they made a shrill cry. During January, 
1923, small flocks were almost daily observed flying backwards 
and forwards over the island, but it was not till March that the 
Ciested leins were seen resting on the island. They sat in 
small groups on the beach, but up to the time of our departure 
at the end of April, 1923, there was no sign of their nesting. 
Throughout the 1922-3 season not more than about two dozen 
of these birds were observed at any one time. 
During the next season the first Crested Tern was observed 
on Decembei 6th, 1923, and not more than a few frequented 
the island until the end of January, 1924. During February, 
not only did their numbers increase, but they were more fre- 
quently seen. I hey were most numerous during March, when 
on 13th I counted at least 60 resting on the exposed reef plat¬ 
form at a veiy low tide. During the time they were numerous 
they were noisy also, particularly about dawn, when their short 
harsh cues, as they flew high over the island, were very notice¬ 
able. During April their numbers decreased. On April 19th 
tie irst eggs were seen, when two nests were found close to 
where a group of Sooty Terns was nesting 
PLACK-Naped TERN (Stenia sumatrana ). 
this bird was first observed on November 25th, 1922, and a 
™ da / s Iater two were seen on the beach. During December. 
1922, flocks of about 10 or 12 were frequently noticed, some- 
imes flying over the sea some little distance off, and sometimes 
resting on the beaches. During January and February, 1923, 
