Page:The Emu volume 20.djvu/167

^^Io2^^] Roval Australasian Oynithologists.' Jhiion. 125 l>ig part, sonif of tlinn ])earing gigantic flowers, such as Banksia prionotcs. There is a large number of wattles [Accaia), the seeds of which form good food for many birds. A very ornate shrub, growing to 25 feet, is one of the Agonis, locally called " pepper- mint." There are also many " paper-barks " or tea-trees {Melaleuca). Several species of Grevillea and Hakea (including the " wooden pear " — a tree often over 20 feet high) produce seeds which may be eaten by birds. Even the " blackboys " or grass- trees {Xanthorrh(va) throw up their flowering spikes, which, in full blossom, produce much honey for the Honey-eaters, and the seed is much sought after by the Black Cockatoos. Closer to the ground are the cycads {Macrozamia fraseri), also no end of shrubs and plants bearing honey-laden flowers and also berries. The vegetation of the coastal fringe is composed principally of stunted Melaleuca and Acacia, forming a dense cover for such birds as the Bristle-Bird {Sphenura). The following list of birds observed would not be an exhaustive one, for it would be impossible to compile a list embracing all the species in so short a time. I have to thank many members of the party for their ready assistance in comparing lists and giving information. I wish to thank especially Mr. J. Neil M'Gilp for' his valuable notes upon the nesting birds. Mr. M'Gilp is a very painstaking and keen oologist, and accomphshed some good work during our visit to the south-western district. The birds observed and field notes made are as follow : — • Phaps elegans. Brush Bronze-winged Pigeon. — The writer flushed two of these birds from the dense tea-tree scrub on the coast-lino near Cape Naturaliste. They appeared to be of an exceptionally ruddy coloration. Sterna bergii. Crested Tern. — Small parties seen in many places along the coast-line. Bruchigavia novse-hollandise. Silver Gull. — Numbers were seen all along the coast ; sometimes they were in large parties of from forty to one hundred or more. Charadrius ruficapillus. Red-capped Dottrel. — Several pairs were seen on the sandy beaches of the bays along the coast-line. Nests containing both eggs and young were found just aboe high water mark. Charadrius cucuUatus. Hooded Dottrel. — One or two pairs met with on the sandy l)eaches. Burhinus grallarius. Southern Stone-Plover. ^Heard calling at night in the clearings. Notophoyx novae-hollandia. White-fronted Heron. — Fairly i)lentiful tluough the district wlicre water was found. Demiegretta sacra. Blue Reef-Heron. — Mel with along the coast- line. One parly reported that they had been found nesting under tile rocks : ^ . " Phalacrocorax varius. I'ied Cormorant. — Mel with on the rocks along the coast-line.