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BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA,
COMPRISING
THREE HUNDRED FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS, Wales A DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTERISTIC HABITS OF
OVER SEVEN HUNDRED SPECIES,
GRACIUS J. BROINOWSKI.
Neher. I.
PUBS BY CHARLES STUART & CO. MELBOURNE, SYDNEY, ADELAIDE, BRISBANE, NEW ZEALAND, AND TASMANIA.
[A// Rights Reserved. |
1890.
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HE want of many great rivers and lakes in Australia may account for the absence of a considerable number of the more valuable or famous varieties of aquatic birds which are found in other continents blessed with larger inland seas. Still, a general survey of the oary-footed kinds which inhabit our fresh waters, shows that we possess many strange and interesting species of these birds, while our coast, with the great extent of latitude which it spans, gives habitation to a great and varied multitude of them. Taking first our weakest points in this Order, compared with other countries, the Mergansers, Guillemots and Puftins, which are so plentiful m other latitudes, are absent. The true genus Anser, the Goose, is also unrepre- sented. Under the common name of Geese are several varieties belonging to the family Anatide, notably the Cereopsis Goose, so frequently mentioned by the early explorers, with its feeble powers of flying and inability to escape pursuit, leading to its lamentably rapid destruction. Under this family comes also our only swan; a meagre representative of that lordly tribe, but famous by reason of its dusky plumage. The stately Pelican with his pouch and wonderful manner of fishing must not be forgotten. There are two Sheldrakes and but few varieties of Ducks. Of Grebes, with their curious plumage and _ floating nests, Australia boasts the possession of about as many as are found in Europe. The same remark apples to Cormorants; the Diver, with its marvellous swiftness and cunning in the water, has also a representative, and the Darter, with its snake-like head and neck. This country is rich in Terns, or Sea-Swallows, which, though web-footed, appear to use only their powerful wings for locomotion, and the three varieties of Penguins, standing in myriads like lines of soldiers afford a spectacle unknown to many countries. The Gannets are numerous, and may be seen all round the coast, making their daring plunges atter unwary fish; among these the ‘ Booby,” with its complacence and lack of fear, is the most comical of birds. The snow-white and silvery Gull is found in all latitudes, but only torrid lands are visited by the Tropic-bird, with its rosy, coveted tail-feathers, and Australia’s northern coasts are frequented by one of these. The predatory Frigate-Bird makes his raids along our shores, and, lastly, the Albatrosses and Petrels are found in great abundance and variety. The Albatross, with his giant wing and tireless flight, the “Stormy Petrels” or “ Mother Carey’s Chickens,” both of them indefatigable in flight and in their attendance on vessels long before they sight our shores, and still with that uncanny flavour to their reputation among sailors, that to kill them brings disaster? with these and the other examples it will readily be allowed that on the whole Australia is rich in the number of birds which she possesses of the most instructive
Order of Natatoves.
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ITH many, the figure of the Penguin stands out promimently among the earliest recollections, for picture books make its form familiar to children, even before they are able to read about it.
The wise-looking, helpless, dandyfied birds, standing upright in their great phalanxes on the lonely, far-away islands, are mixed up with the earliest impressions of most of us. The family is divided into six genera in all, yet only fifteen distinct species are known; out of this number, four are met with on the Australian coast. Though not possessing the most brilliant hues, the Penguin is one of the most handsomely coloured of birds, with its bold contrasts of jet black, snowy white, and blue and silvery greys. It is particularly cleanly in its habits, and no speck or stain, for which it constantly surveys its feathers, is allowed to remain for an instant after bemg observed. The Penguins are gregarious during the breeding season, when they assemble in vast multitudes on rugged isolated islands in the South Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. As the season draws to a close and moulting sets in, the fading beauties of their plumage seem to exercise a repulsive influence, and they live more apart as their splendours grow dim, till, the new crop of feathers once more complete, they again begin to re-assemble. Any individual bird not equipped in his full panoply of well-trimmed plumage is forbidden to mix in the annual gathering till every feather is in place. The habits of the birds when massed together during breeding-time offer a most fertile subject of observation, and travellers have left many interesting notes of their methodical ways. The little ones must be taught to swim, and when a more timid youngster has refused to take to the water, the mother has often been seen to entice it artfully to a projecting ledge and push it In, repeating the process till the pupil goes in of its own accord. The young are kept for ten or eleven months under the care of the mother. The male bird is zealous in rendering assistance in the hatching of the eggs. The appearance of a cluster of jagged, barren, rocky islands, where the Penguins are congregated in myriads, is described as an amazing sight. The birds resent the landing of voyagers, crowding round and pecking viciously at them. Their attacks are not dangerous, however—only annoying, and what with thei onslaughts, their harsh and eerie cries, and the insufferable smell of the vast beds of guano, travellers are glad to leave the haunts of the Penguin after but a short visit. All the varieties of this family are easily killed, hence their almost total extermination in some parts. They are as agile and graceful in the water as they are awkward and helpless on land; but the islands frequented by them are generally in such exposed positions, that in a severe gale, thousands of the young and helpless birds,
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especially of the smaller varieties, are frequently destroyed.
GENUS EUDYPTULA (Bonaparte).
HE two members of this genus shown on the plate are the smallest known varieties of the entire family. Both species inhabit the coast of Tasmania and the southern coast of Australia at nearly
all points suitable to their habits and mode of living.
EUDYPTULA MINOR (Bonaparte). LITTLE PENGUIN. Genus: Evpyptvta.
{PECIMENS of this bird or of its eggs may be obtained without difficulty in many parts of the Ss Tasmanian and southern Australian coast-line. Its favourite haunts are those localities where many small, seattered islets occur, whose sides slope gently towards the water, so as to admit of the birds easily vetting inland to some distance, to deposit their eggs. Travellers state that on some of these islands, largely frequented by the Little Penguins, beaten tracks have been formed by them which, owing to the care with which they are made level, and every obstacle thrown aside, resemble in miniature well- constructed highways formed by human care.
The food consists of marine vegetables, small crustaceans, and fish; in the pursuit of the latter it exhibits wonderful swimming powers. Like all the other varieties of the Penguin, this one is easily caught on land; it offers no resistance but a harmless peck at the hands. Its note is loud and harsh, and when uttered by multitudes and heard at a short distance the noise is described as beimg painful.
As the young are kept so long under the care of the mother, in order to enable them to gain sufficient strength to battle with the rough seas they are exposed to, the process of breeding and rearing the progeny takes up a large part of the year. The young retain their first coat of down till they grow to a considerable size, when it is quickly replaced by the feathers of the adult, and not until after this takes place do they venture into the water.
The eggs are always found two in number, and are laid in a shallow depression in the ground. They are white, and each egg measures two and a-half inches long by two inches broad; a small egg, when the size of the bird is considered.
Kach sex takes an equal share in the incubation; no diversity of colour exists between the sexes.
Upper surfaces light blue, each feather having a fine black line down the middle. The whole under surface silvery, sheeny white, with a margin of light buff; wings blue, with a line of yellow along the under edge. Irides, pale yellow; eyes, flat, with a grey-brown margin and a yellowish ring next the pupil, giving the appearance of a double iris; bill, dull grey, almost black at the tip; feet, dull yellow,
with black nails.
Habitats: Coasts of Tasmania and Southern Australia.
EUDYPTULA UNDINA (Gea) FAIRY PENGUIN. Genus: Evupyprv.a.
DESCRIPTION of the habits of the Little Penguin applies also to this variety, which follows
a precisely similar methods in its mode of incubation, feeding, and tending of its young.
The distinguishing peculiarities of the Fairy Penguin, which stamp it as a distinct species, consist in its lesser size, it being considerably the smallest of the Spheniscidw yet discovered; the further differences
and a variation in colouring from its allied species, will be easily perceived by glancing at the accompanying plate
of a much smaller wing
Upper surfaces, light blue, with broader markings of black on each feather than in the accompanying species, especially on the back, the side feathers being marked with white in the centre. Under surfaces, inner surfaces of wings, and tail feathers, glossy white; bill, dark slaty-blue above and light brown beneath: feet a reddish-white.
Total length, 153 inches; bill, 14 inch; tarsi, ¢ inch.
Habitats: Southern coast of Australia and the Tasmanian coast.
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HIS variety is much larger than either the Little Penguin or the Fairy Penguin, although not the
largest of the Spheniscida. The Crested Penguin is remarkable for its bold and beautiful colouring.
CHRYSOCOMA CATARRACTES (Bonaparte). CRESTED PENGUIN. Genus: CuHrysocoma.
LTHOUGH much more rarely met with on our shores than the two foregoing varieties, the Crested ~ Penguin inhabits similar parts of the coasts to those frequented by the former species ; in the islands
of St. Paul and Amsterdam it is found in great abundance.
In all the main particulars the habits of the Crested Penguin are identical with those of the
species already described.
Sides and upper surfaces and throat, deep blue-black ; over each eye a bright yellow stripe runs, extending at the back into a handsome crest or plume; behind each eye is a broad streak of dark rich brown. Under surfaces, white, with a silvery gloss on the breast; inner surface of wing, white, with a yellow band on the lower edge. Irides, black ; outer edge of the eye, grey; bill, sandy-red; feet, dull
yellow ; nails, black. In the female the yellow feathers over the eye are not extended to such a length as in the male.
Habitats: Parts of the Tasmanian and southern Australian coasts.
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la common with all extensive countries, Australia possesses several varieties of the Grebe, and in the
still, sedgy lagoons of the interior they are to be met with in most parts of the continent. With their pretty colouring and curious manner of nesting, the Podicipide are always an interesting feature in a typical Australian scene.
Cen ise PODICEPRS: (Latham).
HREE varieties of this genus are found in Australia, and kindred species inhabit Europe and America,
PODICEPS GULARIS (Gould) BLACK-THROATED GREBE._ Genus: Popiceprs.
URTHER observation may possibly establish the fact that this species inhabits the more northern portions of Australia; Gould records having received specimens of this, or some closely allied species, from Port Essington.
The Black-throated Grebe frequents the lagoons and rivers all over the southern parts of Australia.
Four or five eggs are laid in one nest; they are of a dull white colour, and the nest consists of floating weeds piled up in a circular form, with the top just reaching to the surface of the water.
Insects obtained in the water, and small fish, constitute the food. The sexes show little or no variation in colour or size.
Crown of the head, nape, and the rest of the upper surfaces, deep purplish brown; throat and sides of the face a deeper tinge of the same shade. From underneath each eye, a band of deep chestnut runs, the two strips meeting in a point in the middle of the throat. Two elongated yellow spots are situated at the root of the bill. Under surface, grey, merging into brown at the sides of the abdomen ; irides, yellow; bill grey, the tip of the upper mandible a lighter grey; tarsi, pale yellow, with a greenish shade on the outer side; feet, greenish grey.
The variegated colours of the head and neck disappear in winter, fading into the same brown shade as the rest of the upper surfaces.
Length, 10 inches; bill, 14 inch; wing, 41; tarsi, 14 inch.
Habitats: All over Southern Australia, and many of the more northern parts.
PODICEPS NESTOR (Gould). HOARY-HEADED GREBE. Geyus: Popiceps,
SPECIMENS of this variety have been received, and it has been seen in so many localities that its
Y habitation of the greater portion of Southern Australia has been proved; it is most abundant in Tasmania. In the winter and spring the members of this species move in small flocks, pairing off as
summer approaches, In spite of its head-feathers, the Hoary-headed Grebe exhibits the same powers of diving as others of the tribe, and its methods of feeding and nesting are similar to theirs. The white plumes on the head come into existence during the breeding season; when that period is passed the plume disappears, the head becoming brown and the throat buff.
The eggs are dusky white, and four or five are found in one nest.
During the breeding season the head is covered with long, fine, white feathers, giving the appearance from which the bird gets its name.
Upper surfaces and throat, purplish brown, the wing feathers marked with a darker streak down the centre. Under surfaces silvery grey, tinged with brown on the chest and flanks Bill, dark grey, with a lighter tip. rides, olive-yellow, delicately marked with fine lines of a deeper hue ; lores, flesh- colour ; feet, dusky yellow, of a lighter shade on the inside.
Habitats : Tasmania; Southern and Central Australia.
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PODICEPS AUSTRALIS (Gould). DIVER. Genus: Popiceprs.
HIS variety frequents the same localities, and is very similar in its habits to the other two Australian representatives of the family already described. It is often called the ‘“ Australian Tippet Grebe,”
and is closely allied to the European Great Crested Grebe, of the same genus. As the name indicates, the Podiceps Australis is an accomplished diver, and its powers of swimming not only entirely suffice for the calm waters of the lagoons where it is usually found, but in the more open reaches of the rivers, near the sea, it breasts strong currents and high winds with great ease. Its nest is constructed in the same peculiar manner as those of the Black-throated Grebe and Hoary-headed Grebe, being made so as to
float, with the top on a level with the surface of the water.
Like the crest of the Podiceps Nestor, the pretty frill of the Diver is only acquired during the
breeding season; for the remainder of the year the face is the same dull white colour as the neck. The colour and plumage of the sexes are alike, the female being somewhat smaller in size.
The plumes rising from the forehead are black; frill surrounding head and throat, black at the outer edge, white round the eyes, and rich chestnut in the centre. Wings and upper surface slaty-brown, seapularies and secondaries white. Throat, chest, and abdomen white, bordered with wavy alternate marks of grey and chestnut. Irides red; bill long, sharp and brown; outer surfaces of tarsi and toes green ; inner surfaces yellow.
Length, 24 inches; bill, 2? inches; wing, 74 inches; tarsi, 2? inches.
Habitats: Tasmania and southern portions of Australia.
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HIS is an extensive group, and its representatives are found widely distributed along the coasts and
on the inland waters of most large countries of both hemispheres. The various genera and species grouped together under this family afford a wide field for research and speculation, not only to the Ornithologist, but to every student, both scientific and philosophical, of animated nature, from the marvellous developments shown by its members, nearly all of which possess some notable peculiarity adapted to their mode of subsistence and perpetuation. Some other families of the Matatores are represented in Australia by a greater number of species than are found among the Pelecanide, but members of the latter have all some peculiarly interesting feature to arrest attention. Foremost among them in general interest comes the Great Pelican, the bird which figured as a type of constancy among the early writers, a typical virtue which in these degenerate days is no longer conceded to this respectable bird. No one could fail to be impressed, who has seen the Pelicans in this country, with their wonderfully methodical way of fishing. In the lonely up-country parts, where they come only in small numbers, the Pelicans are looked upon with affection by the settlers ; in such localities the nature-loving bushman rarely shoots them. Their visits are encouraged, and to kill the “three-deckers,” as the great birds are called there, is considered shameful; by some their destruction is even regarded as ill-omened. To this family also belongs the Roseate Tropic-bird, with its strange antics on the wing; the lover of warmth, the bird which never leaves the zone of vertical sun- rays. Of Gannets we have several varieties; everyone who has lived on the coast has seen their plunges after prey. The ‘“ Boobies,” with their unaccountable stupidity, belong also to this genus, and are found on our coasts. The Snake-headed Darter is also a curiosity among birds, with its cunning and agility in the water. The piratical Frigate-Birds, with their matchless speed on the wing and tiny feet, form another interesting group among the Pelecanda; and the Cormorants, with their dense plumage to resist their constant immersion, and their curious bills formed for seizing their finny prey, close a notable list of birds
of which Australia can boast the possession among her feathered, web-footed inhabitants.
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O student of nature, even if he has watched them only with an artistic eye, as giving life to the scene, can have failed to notice the Gannets as they poise themselves, fluttering above the sea, then seeing their prey, turn and drop like an arrow, with closed wings, sending up a white column of spray as they strike the water. Any one who is familiar with the coast scenery of Great Britain must have noticed them pursue their picturesque method of obtaining food. The incautious and confiding Booby, which often lights on the rigging of ships at sea, and remains till caught, is a variety of the genus. They
are found on nearly every extensive coast-line, and four species inhabit the Australian shores.
SULA PISCATOR (Linz) RED-LEGGED GANNET. Genus: Svta.
HIS variety inhabits chiefly the northern coasts of Australia. It is found in the greatest numbers
on Raine’s Islet, situated in the Great Barrier Reef, where its habits were studied and many specimens were obtained by Commander Ince. From notes made by him and by Mr. Macgillivray, it appears that the nest is rudely built from the roots of creepers which grow on the island. The birds were very timid, and on their being molested, the islet was completely deserted by them during the day ; they returned only at night, roosting on the earth or on stunted bushes on the higher ground. In its habits generally and in its mode of procuring its food, the Red-legged Gannet resembles the other members of the tribe. It plunges ito the sea from a great height, thus capturing fish which are
swimming near the surface.
The notes made by Mr. Macgillivray state that at the end of May he found only one bird on the nest, which contained a single egg. He was of opinion that the breeding season was then
over.
With the exception of the wings, which are dark-grey brown, and the tail, which is a yellowish brown, the whole of the plumage is white, with a yellow tinge. In the adult bird the bill is a delicate bluish pink at the base, running into a pale green; the upper mandible is tipped with yellow ; irides, dark grey: legs and feet, bright red. The colours of the bill and feet are much paler before
the bird is full-grown, deepening as it matures to the shades as depicted in the illustration.
Habitats : Great Barrier Reef and northern coasts of Australia.
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SUPA Pars 9 Clin) BROWN GANNET. Genus: Swta.
ROM its insensibility to danger when approached, this variety comes under the significant, common title of Booby, being foolishly easy of capture by hand; when caught, its bite is severe. Travellers
have often seen the Brown Gannet kept as a pet, and allowed perfect freedom, in the native villages on the islands and coasts which it inhabits. It frequents the northern shores of Australia in large numbers, and may be easily approached and its habits studied. When actually startled into flying, the curious trait has been noted that, on rising, it frequently voids the contents of the stomach. In its habits, saving its want of fear, and in its mode of obtaining food, it entirely resembles those species
already described.
In size and plumage, the sexes resemble each other closely, and they cannot be distinguished by
outward observation.
The nest is of very rude construction, built of dry scraps of herbage ; it is about a foot in diameter and almost flat. Two eggs are deposited, with the peculiarity that one is invariably pure white and the other soiled and muddy-looking. The shell is white, and the eggs differ considerably in size. The largest of which the dimensions have been taken was 23 inches by 1'/,, the average size being about
24 inches by 12. Both sexes share the duties of incubation.
Head, neck, throat, breast and all the upper surfaces rich, dark brown; under surfaces white ;
bill bright yellow, with a greyish tinge round the eye; legs and’ feet faint yellow.
The different colour sometimes observed on the face, legs and feet is believed to be that of birds befere maturity; the brownish tinge sometimes found on the former being a sign that it is not
yet adult.
Habitats : Torres Straits and northern coasts of Australia.
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SULA CYANOPS (Sundevall). MASKED GANNET. Genus: Suta.
HIS variety, though not the largest of the tribe, is of much greater size than either of the species already described. It is met with most frequently on the far northern coasts and islands of Australia
and its definite classification as a distinct species is principally due to the information collected by the captain and officers of H.M.S. “Fly,” who combined much useful scientific research with their work of surveying the waters of Torres Straits. They found the Masked Gannet in greatest abundance on Raine’s Island, where large numbers were found breeding. The bird has also been met with occasionally off the shores of Tasmania and Eastern Australia; its methods of procuring food, nidification, ete., resemble in the
main those of other members of the genus.
’
The eggs are white or bluish-white, with reddish-brown or black stains, fine Imes and spots ; when first laid they are apparently of a milky-white colour, The shell is very rough and limy on the
outside. The average size of an egg is two inches and five-eighths by one inch and three-quarters. There is no difference in the outward appearance of the sexes.
Primaries, secondaries, greater wing-coverts, tertiaries, the lateral feathers of the tail, and the tips of the two large central tail feathers are a rich brown. With these exceptions, the remainder of the plumage is pure, dazzling white; bill, yellow; base of the bill, lead-coloured; irides, bright yellow ;
legs and feet, greyish green. Length, 29 inches; bill, 5 inches; wing, 164 inches; tail, 8} inches; tarsi, 21 inches.
Habitats: Raine’s Island, Lord Howe’s Island, the Admiralty Islets, and on the coasts of Northern Australia.
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SULA AUSTRALIS (Gould). AUSTRALIAN GANNET. Genus: Suna.
EFERENCE has already been made to the pithy title of ‘‘ Booby” which has been conferred on some of
the members of this genus which seem to be almost totally wanting in the instinct of self-preservation.
In general terms a bird presents itself to the mind as an image of alertness in spying out danger and of quickness in escaping from it; the “ Boobies,” from their want of discrimination in these respects, stand out the clearer by contrast. Though powerful on the wing and agile in the water, their insensibility to the power of man is most curious. This strange propensity is remarkably developed in the Australian Gannet, which will sit unsuspicious on the rocks, gazing stupidly at its enemies till caught by hand or knocked over with a stick. It may be thus captured, not only during the breeding season, when many birds, otherwise shy, will remain to protect their eggs or young ones, but even when resting on the rocks, these “ Boobies ” allow the invaders to approach, and only when some of the flock have been caught will the remainder seek refuge in flight. The fact of its inhabiting the wildest and most inhospitable parts of the coast line, parts where men seldom have occasion to visit, may in great measure account for its unsuspicious nature; whatever the reason, there is no other known bird with such powers of flight which shows such recklessness as to its safety. The Sula Australis is found in much the same latitudes in the southern hemisphere which the Sula Bassana inhabits north of the equator, and the two species are very similar in their habits. The former is found in considerable numbers on the southern coasts of Tasmania; it also
inhabits, though in lesser numbers, the south coast of Australia.
‘
Its food consists entirely of fish, which it captures in a similar way to the other members of
the tribe, by plunging
down upon them from a height.
1e young differ widely in the colour of them plumage from that of the full-grown bird. n The 5 o@ ditt lel; tl l f tl plumage f that of the full-e birdy © leaving the shell, they are of a uniform dark-grey, which is replaced by white blotched with grey, on the under surfaces; the feathers of the wings and back having a triangular mark of white at the tip.
These colours merge gradually into the following, which are characteristic of the adult :—
Crown of the head and back of the neck, brilliant orange ; primaries, secondaries and four central tail feathers, rich dark-brown; remainder of the plumage, pure white. Space round the eye, dark-grey :
bill, dirty-yellow with a grey tip; irides, yellow; legs and feet greenish. Length, 32 inches; bill, 5} inches; wing, 19 inches; tail, 10 inches; tarsi, 2 inches.
Habitats : Coasts of Tasmania and Southern Australia and on the neighbouring islands and rocks.
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GENUS PHAETON (Zin.)
EMBERS of this genus, known as the Tropic-Birds, inhabit only the torrid zone. They are but
rarely seen beyond the twenty-first parallel of south latitude; from the fact of their frequenting
only the regions of greatest heat, they received the distinctive title of Phaéthonida, after the mythical
controller of the sun’s course. They have been divided into three species, which are placed in as many
genera, namely, Phaéton, Lepturus, and Phenicurus. The latter is the only one of the three which has been found in Australia.
Besides a mere description of the member of this tribe which is found in Australia, there is much to be said about these birds which is of interest to the general reader. They come but rarely to land, except for the purpose of nesting, and, when engaged in that function, inhabit frequently high and sometimes inaccessible places; in some of the South Sea Islands they breed in the gloomy and solitary coast jungles; they also sometimes nest in trees. Their long, bright red tail feathers, which would doubtless always be considered beautiful, even if easily obtainable, are enhanced in value by their greater rarity, like the Edelweiss of the Alps, and the natives whose shores the birds frequent prize these feathers almost beyond any other adornment. The ‘‘ Red-Caps” of the Friendly Islands, mentioned by Captain Cook, made their brilliant war head-dress of these feathers, and Dr. Bennett has recorded the same fashion as being observed by the natives of Rotumah, in the South Pacific. In the Caroline Islands two of these crimson plumes fixed in the ears and hanging downwards constitute a badge of chieftainship. On these and other islands the natives work the feathers into baskets and other articles for ornament and use. The plumes are generally obtained while the bird is on the nest. Having discovered their haunts, the aborigines approach cautiously, and are able to pluck out the tail feathers, often without even causing the bird to fly. Sailors have christened them the “ Boatswain-Birds,” or “ Straw-Tails:? they are seen many hundreds of miles out at sea, following or wheeling round ships in great circles, often flying to enormous heights.
PHAETON PHENICURUS (Gmelin). RED-TAILED TROPIC-BIRD. Genus: Puazron.
HIS variety is found in Mauritius and in many of the South Sea Islands. It is found in vast abundance in the Paumotu Group, or Gambier Archipelago: in Australia it inhabits the shores of Torres Straits and other points along the northern coast. The months of August and September are its breeding-time ; during the rest of the year it is not often seen on land, but is often met with at sea in the Indian Ocean and the South Seas. Like the rest of the tribe, its flight is pecuhar; it is a slow but very graceful flier, and when dropping down in search of fish it falls with a peculiar fluttering motion, as if faint with fatigue; this appears to be its method of descending upon its prey. The flying fish is its principal food ; sometimes it seizes other fish near the surface, but never dives for them, and but seldom floats on the surface.
When on land for the purpose of breeding, it selects wild, uninhabited parts of the coast : if there are trees in the neighbourhood, it is fond of perching on the topmost branches, as if on the look out for
intruders, ‘Two eges are deposited, without building any nest whatever; they are merely placed on a
sheltered ledge of rock, and both sexes share in the incubation. The eggs are two inches and three-
eighths long by one inch and a half broad, and are of a reddish-grey colour, with blotches and specks of
dull red.
The sexes are alike in size; the plumage of the male is somewhat richer in corour than that of the female.
Till they are about a year old the young are white, without the rosy tinge, and the upper surface ° is barred with black.
Centre of the flank feathers and tertiaries black, the other prominent wing-feathers having black shafts for the greater part of their length. Round the eye is an oblong marking of black, which extends at the back of the eve in a line of black feathers enclosing a space of white. Remainder of the plumage, except the tail-plumes, white, with a beautiful rosy flush, particularly on the upper surfaces. The two central tail-feathers, black and white at the base and brilliant red for the remainder of their length, which is fully eighteen inches. Bill, bright red, with a black streak at the nostrils; tarsi, and
base of toes and webs, blue-grey ; rest of the toes and webs, black.
Habitats: Torres Straits, parts of Northern Coast of Australia and adjacent islands.
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OME authorities have classed the representatives of this genus which inhabit Australia under two species. Their definite classification is, however, very difficult, as members of the same species even show many conflicting differences in size and markings, especially in the colour of the head. Whether
they become eventually grouped under various heads must be matter for further research.
The Frigate-birds, often called “ Man-o’-War birds,” have justly earned a wide notoriety among all who have seen their most original way of procuring food. They are widely dispersed over all tropical coasts; thei powers of fight are probably excelled by no other bird, combining as they do marvellous speed, endurance and activity, Resting on some point of observation, they watch their weaker brethren, the Gannets, Cormorants, and such like laboriously gathering a store of fish. When they are laden and on their return shoreward, the Frigate-bird sweeps on them, swift as a meteor, circles round the victim, bars its flight, darts on it with open bill, forcing the weaker one to disgorge its hard-earned food, which the bird robber will catch and swallow before it reaches the ground or sea. Their food is principally procured in this tyrannical fashion; sometimes they chase and catch flying-fish when above the surface. They also mercilessly devour the young of other birds and, though they are gregarious, are domineering and quarrelsome among themselves, even to pillaging each others’ nests. In a word, they are the terror of all sea fowl, and with them predatory ways, daring, unrivalled flight, and pitiless instincts to destroy, they have earned the character of true “Sea Vultures.”
TACHYPTES MINOR. SUALE FRIGATE - BIRD. Genus : TACHYPTES.
NHIS species is common on the coasts of tropical Australia and in Torres Straits it is abundant. There it has often been seen by travellers procuring food after the hawk-like manner of the tribe, by forcing the weaker birds to disgorge fish which they had caught. Their powerful wines enable them to fly to vast distances, but they rarely leave the tropics. They never rest on the surface of the water, only skim near it on the watch for flying-fish or for unfortunate weaker birds which they frighten into giving up their food. They see well by night, though they rarely go out to sea except by day; they
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are silent birds, seldom uttering their ery, which, when sounded, is a rough croaking noise.
They gather into colonies at the breeding time; the nest is composed of a few coarse sticks, which the birds are often seen to break off when on the wing, with a twist of their strong beaks. One or two eggs are found in a nest; they are pure white, moderately smooth and almost the same shape at each end.
The plumage of the male is greenish-black, with purple lights on the upper surfaces, the lanceolate plumes of the back showing lighter shades of green and purple. Under surfaces more brownish ; irides, brown; bill, bluish, a deeper shade at the point, which is of wonderful strength and power: gular pouch, bright red; legs and feet red.
The female is smaller and less brilhant in colour than the male, without the lengthened plumes on the back; a row of feathers forms a collar round the neck: breast and upper part of the flanks, ruddy white.
Habitats : Torres Straits and other tropical portions of the Australian coast.
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\ N example of this genus is found in South America, Africa, India, Malay, and Australia. The distinctions between the various species are not clearly defined, and, wherever it 1s found, the Darter is always of the same shy nature, which makes a close observation of its habits exceedingly difficult.
PLOLUS N( )V A -H¢ \LLAN DLAG (Gould ). DARTER. Genus: Ptorus.
HIS bird offers many singular points which well repay study. Its shape alone is_ sufficient to
single it out for observation, with its peculiarly long lean neck and narrow head, which gives an appearance that defies better description than Butfon’s, who said, when he first examined it, that “it had the head of a snake grafted on the body of a bird.”
to the snake, for it is stealthy and cunning beyond most birds. In common with other varieties of
the Palmipides, it perches on trees above the water; it often sits perfectly still for hours on high limbs, and it is then that it is most easily approached by the sportsman. When
It possesses more than a mere physical resemblance
on the lower limbs near the water it is always on the alert, and usually sees its enemy before it is seen by him. Then it drops into element, defies pursuit. Here its greatest never swinmning with much of the body exposed; when its safety is threatened the body sinks below the surface altogether, and nothing is to be seen but the slender neck wriggling swiftly and silently towards shelter.
the water like a stone, and, once there, in its favourite peculiarity Is seen :
When first seen swimming thus, the Darter is almost invariably taken by the inexperienced for a snake. If it feels itself watched it sinks silently from sight, and dives to a
wonderful distance before rising again. Here its cunning appears; it cither reappears under sheltering
weeds, or, if none are within reach, entirely reverses the direction in which it was swimming, reappearing
back towards where it was first seen; then, with only a slight pause, it pursues some fresh, unaccountable course. It haunts the upper reaches of arms of the sea, and in fresh water is to be found on the large lagoons and waterholes of the creeks and rivers in many parts of the interior.
The food consists of fish and water insects. Its powers of diving in pursuit of these are not excelled by any bird; its swiftness and endurance under water are marvellous.
February and March constitute the breeding season in the southern parts of Australia, when a large party of these birds gather and build their nests close together, forming a colony. The nests are almost flat, and are built rudely of coarse twigs in the mangroves or other bushes surrounding the water. From the worn and soiled appearance of many of these nests which have been examined, the birds appear to use them year after vear, renewing them each season with fresh material.
Vast numbers of eggs have been found in these collections of nests :
they are sweet and wholesome to eat. Each nest contains four eggs; they are of an earthy colour, and the lining membrane is blue-grey.
The egg is rather smaller than the averave size of that of an ordinary domestic hen.
Both sexes assist in the incubation.
A difference in colour exists between the. sexes.
The neck and sides of the breast in the female are hight brown, being black in the male.
The young are also of this colour till well over the first year.
The adult male is black on the upper surfaces, tinged with green; upper sides of the head, buff, flecked with darker spots; a line of white runs from the base of the bill, terminating in a point on the neck ; throat rusty brown; breast buff, flecked with darker spots like the head ; under surfaces black, tinged with deep blue; wings and tail, blue-black; wing-coverts with broad marks of dull white ; scapularies lanceolate in form, of the same shade as wing-coverts. The larger scapularies and the central and lateral tail-feathers show a wavy outline on the outer web. The eye is prominent, irides marked with brown specks ; upper mandible olive-grey, lower mandible yellow, with a patch of loose yellow skin at its base ;
legs and feet yellow, with a darker shade on the upper part of the toes. Length, 36 inches; bill, 4 inches; wing, 134 inches; tail, 9 inches; tarsi, 2 inches.
Habitats: Widely scattered over inland Australia on solitary lagoons and waterholes, and on the
upper reaches of inlets of the sea.
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GENUS .PHALACROCORAX (Svisson).
ORMORANTS are found in every part of the world, and five species of the genus inhabit Australia. Like the Darters, they also show the pecularity, among aquatic birds, in their habit of perching. In captivity they are easily tamed, and in them the old custom of hawking is still paralleled, for in parts of China these birds have had their powers of catching fish turned to the advantage of man. It has been described by travellers as a most entertaiming sight to see the proprietor of some of these trained birds row out in the morning, his workers obediently perching on the edge of the boat. When the fishing-eround is reached, the birds dive in at a signal from their master and bring up the results of the quest. They are so well trained that no precaution is necessary for preventing them from swallowing the fish. Early records speak of this method of utilising the Cormorant as having been followed in England, but there it was necessary to fix a ring on the bird’s throat to prevent it appropriating the fruits of its labours.
By some authorities, these birds have been divided into several genera. Various terms are apphed to the different species from their leading characteristics, the term Phalacrocorar being used to distinguish the largest of the tribe only.
tien ACR OCORAXY’ PUNCTATUS: (Steph) >. SPOTTED CORMORANT. GeENUS: PHALACROCORAX.
A BOUT this variety less information has been collected than about any other member of the genus. A Not many specimens are te be found in existing collections and little is known of its habits. It is a native of New Zealand; Lathain states that it is frequently to be seen in Queen Charlotte’s Sound, where it nests on the rocks and sometimes on the limbs of trees close to the water. It is one of the most beautiful of its tribe, and wherever seen its remarkable head-plumes and handsome colouring mark
it for observation.
Plumes on crown and back of. the head and feathers of the throat, black; sides of the head, breast and under surfaces, light ashen-grey; mantle, scupularies and wings, rich purple-grey, all the more prominent feathers being marked with a black spot at the tip: at the base of the neck and on each side of the central feathers of the back, green; under tail-coverts and tail, black. © Numerous soft plume-like white feathers grow on the black patch of the throat and at the back of the neck, and smaller plumes of the same description rise from the thighs and flanks; irides, green; bill, ash-grey; legs and feet,
yellow ; nails, black : webs, greenish.
Habitat: New Zealand.
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PHALACROCORAX STICTOCEPHALUS (Bonaparte). LITTLE BLACK CORMORANT. Genus: PHALACROCORAX.
HIS species was classified by Bonaparte as Microcarbo Stictocephalus; it is found most commonly in the southern parts of Australia. It is the smallest member of the genus found in Australia, and frequents more the fresh water creeks and lagoons of the interior than the sea coast. It is often to be seen perched on the gum trees fringing the creeks, and in all main essentials it resembles the other varieties of the genus. Five to ten or twenty are usually to be seen in company, often perching on the
snags, or dead timber, protruding from the waterholes.
Its food consists, as with the rest of the Cormorants, entirely of fish, frogs, etc., in the pursuit
of which it shows great skill and speed under water. The sexes are alike in colour and size.
Throat, neck and under surfaces, greenish-black ; crown of the head, upper surfaces, wings and tail, blue-black; the head is marked with numerous small white elongated spots; irides, green ; orbits, deep blue-grey ; bill, dusky grey; legs and feet, black. ‘
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Habitats: Southern parts of Australia.
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PHALACROCORAX MELANOLEUCUS.
LITTLE CORMORANT. Genus: PHALAcROCORAX.
()* the coast this variety may be occasionally met, but it prefers for its habitation the upper reaches
of inlets and the fresh waters of the interior. It is among the most timid of birds, and it is very rarely that more than two are seen together; most commonly a single individual is met with. and it is always ready to fly at the slightest disturbance ; specimens are therefore difficult to obtain. Its favourite resting-place is on the point of some snag projecting from the water, or on the branches of trees
immediately above the surface.
It has been stated that members of this species make their nests in the ti-tree scrubs along the creeks and rivers of the far northern coasts of Australia, where many pairs build in the same tree. When nesting, they are said to be very bold in the defence of their eggs and young.
oS The sexes are alike in colouring.
A black streak runs along the crown of the head and back of the neck; back, rump, flanks and tail, shining blue-black ; wings and scapularies brownish-black, each feather having a deep black margin. Sides of the head and all the under surface, pure white; irides, grey ; bill, vellow : culmen
g reyish ; legs and feet, black.
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Habitats: All parts of Australia suitable to its habits.
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PHALACROCORAX LEUCOGASTER (Gould).
WHITE-BREASTED CORMORANT. Genus: PHALAcROcORAX.
HIS is almost the most gaily coloured of all the Cormorants; when a large number are seen assembled together, according to their custom, they form a conspicuous and beautiful feature in any scene. They frequent principally the coast of Tasmania, and may be found in the rivers of that island, which they follow up almost to their source. In Bass’s Straits they are found in the greatest numbers ; in the southern parts of Australia they are by no means rare, but are more seldom met with towards
the northwards.
Its food consists of fish and aquatic animals, in the capture of which it shows the same skill as
the rest of its tribe.
The sexes are entirely similar in appearance. Until they have passed thei first year, the young are tinged with a brown shade on the upper surfaces and the same colour occurs in spots on the neck ;
the rest of their plumage is white.
The nest is circular, usually made of sea-weed, and mostly placed on low-lying sheltered ledges
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in the rocks. Two eggs are laid, which are of a faint blue colour.
The full-grown bird has the front and crown of the head, back of the neck and rump, black, with a tinge of green. All the upper surfaces, greenish-black; wings, a lighter shade, each feather with a black margin; on the forehead and back of the neck are some long-shaped white specks; throat, front of the neck and all the under surfaces, white; naked skin round the eye, brown; irides, green; bill,
horn-colour ; legs and feet, grey. Length, 26 inches; bill, 3 inches; wing, 113 inches; tail, 53 inches; tarsi, 24 inches.
Habitats: Coasts and larger rivers of Tasmania, and of Australia in the temperate portions.
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ST eNCHOCORA “HEUCOGASTER (Gould)
White Breasted Cormorant
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bel AOI OCcCORA xk V ARIUS. PIED CORMORANT. Genus: PHALACROCORAX.
HE Pied Cormorant, while being remarkable, like the foregoing variety, for its striking plumage, enjoys a much wider range for its habitat. It is gregarious in its habits, and may be very frequently seen gathered in large flocks on almost any part of our coasts suitable to its habits. It frequents principally low-lying, sandy reaches of deep bays and inlets where it obtains its food, which consists almost solely of fish. In such places, hundreds of this variety may be seen in the pursuit of sustenance, or, having satisfied thew hunger, large numbers of them resting close together engaged in
trimming their plumage. The same species is also found in New Zealand.
The sexes are alike in outward appearance, both as regards plumage and the colouring of the } ? 5 ] fo) co) exposed skin; the young have the upper surface brown and the sides of the neck and upper part of
the breast mottled with the same colour.
In his “General History,’ Latham states that the Pied Cormorant builds in trees ; a dozen
or more nesting close together. The egg is two and a half inches long, of a pale blue.
Crown of the head, neck, wings and upper surfaces black, with deep blue lights; wings similar, with more of a greenish tinge; flanks, green; tail, blue-green; sides of the face, throat and under surfaces pure white, with the exception of an ashen tinge near the eye; irides, bright green; bare space round the eye pale green, with a patch of bright orange next the beak; bill grey, lighter at the tip; legs
and feet grey, toes black.
Habitats : Widely dispersed over Australia and Tasmania
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PHALACROCORAX NOVA-HOLLANDIA: (Stephens).
AUSTRALIAN CORMORANT. Genus: PHALACROCORAX.
HIS is the Australian representative of the Common Cormorant so well known round the coasts of
Great Britain. Our variety is larger than the European Cormorant, and is considerably the largest of the Australian — species. It is common in the bays, inlets and river mouths of the southern part of this continent, and in Tasmania it is abundant. There it ascends the rivers to
considerable distances, and on some of the inland lakes it is found breeding.
In its habits, the Australan Cormorant entirely resembles its European ally. Its food consists of fish, and in wariness and shyness it is not outdone by the Phalacrocorax Carbo of the northern hemisphere. The latter has such keen powers of sight and such quickness in diving that, when it sees the flash of a gun, even at quite a short range, it will dive and be in safety under water before the shot reaches the place where it was swimming. The Australian variety is equally cunning and quick in keeping out of danger. When perched on the trees it is very difficult of approach by the sportsman, and in flying it ascends to. enormous heights, frequently soaring in great circles till
almost out of sight. Its average weight is about six and a half pounds.
The nest is built of sea-weed and marine vegetables; it is placed on a sheltered ledge of rock, and two eggs are laid at a time, of a faint blue colour. On leaving the shell, the young are covered with a scanty coat of black down; wher the
feathers come they are lighter in colour on the upper surface than those of the adult.
Sides of the face and a strip down the throat, buff; crown of the head, including the lengthened feathers, neck, upper part of the back and under surfaces, rich metallic-green; wings, brown with a margin of greenish black; tail, brownish, with more green; a band of white on the
flank; irides, green; bare skin on the face, and throat, ochre; bill, greyish, culmen and tip darker. Length, 34 inches; bill, 4 inches; wing, 133 inches; tail, 8 inches; tarsi, 24 inches.
Habitats: Tasmania and southern parts of Australia.
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CCORDING to Buffon, the body of the Pelican is only exceeded in size by that of the Albatros. From its remarkable construction and sage habits it has been embodied in the earliest writings by historians and philosophers. Scripture mentions the “ Pelican of the Wilderness ;” the Egyptians call it the “river camel;” in the most ancient carvings it figured as a type of motherly devotion, for the Pelican is there seen feeding her hungry nestlings with drops of blood from her own breast. This touching picture of constancy was probably suggested by the movements which are made by the parent in compressing the pouch against the breast to force out the fish with which to feed the young ones.
Australia possesses one of the nine varieties of this remarkable genus; three inhabit America, and six are found in the Old World. They do not frequent the colder latitudes, favouring always more temperate or tropical zones.
The body is bulky, yet the skeleton weighs only 13 pounds. In the case of the Pelican as well as in the Albatros, air is largely communicated to cells in the tubes of the feathers, the cellular tissue, and even to the bones. By many this communication of air is considered to aid the bird largely in its flight; the temperature at which it is kept by the blood making it lighter than the surrounding atmosphere. On this subject some remarks will be offered when dealing with the Albatros.
In all countries where the Pelican is found, it pursues the same extraordinary method of fishing, namely, that of beating the water, in numbers together, so as to frighten the prey into the
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shallows, where it may be seized.
The bones being so light, ossification is very slow, and the Pelican enjoys long life. Authentic eases are recorded where one of these birds has lived over fifty years.
Pére Labat has stated that the Pelican was used by the savages of some of the Western Islands to catch fish and deliver them up to its masters, after the same method in which the Cormorant is used by the Chinese.
PEGECANUS CONSPICILLATUS Cem.) AUSTRALIAN PELICAN. Genus: PeEtecanvs.
TYVHE single representative of this tribe which Australia boasts is among the largest of its kind, and,
although wanting the ornamental head-plumes possessed by some varieties, its varied markings fully compensate for their absence. It is found on inlets and arms of the sea, on the rivers and creeks, sometimes hundreds of miles inland, in Australia, and is common all over Tasmania, wherever it has not been unfortunately driven away or destroyed by the spreading of settlement.
The food consists of fish, and the method pursued by a large flock of these birds working together to obtain their food is an amazing and a most instructive sight. Spreading out so as to enclose the space of water into the shallow end of which it is desired to drive the fish, they start, apparently on the giving of a signal, beating the water into foam with their wings. Making thus a
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resounding roar, they gradually close in towards the shoal water, driving their prey before them. When they have thus closed their victims into a narrow space, and apparently after another signal has been viven to change the tacties, the beating is discontinued and a most exciting scramble ensues for the fish which have been hemmed in. Each bird drops the results of its fishing into its pouch, which is capable of distention so as to hold a great quantity of food, contracting into a small space when empty.
The nest, which is large and made with considerable care, is usually built just above the water line in sheltered spots on the banks of rivers and inlets; sticks and dry herbage are used in its construction. The eggs, two in number, are dull yellow in colour, and are three inches and
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three-quarters long by two inches and three-eighths broad.
Head, neck, back, under surfaces, and clongated feathers of greater wing-coverts, white, with a tinge of pale yellow on the breast; remainder of the wing, dark brown ; tail, brown; pouch, greyish- yellow: irides, dark; orbits, light; round the eye, yellow, with margin of pale blue; bill, bluish, with a pink shade on upper mandible; tip, yellow; tarsi, yellow; legs and feet, grey; nails, darker.
Habitats: Tasmania and Southern parts of Australia; more rarely met with in Queensland and upper parts of South and West Australia.
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MONG the WNatatores which inhabit Australia, this extensive family embraces a larger number of varieties than any other. From their vast diversity in form and their roving habits, which render definite classification so difficult, more confusion exists as to the number of genera represented in this group than in any other family in our Ornithology. In preparing the illustrations of its members, the strictest attention has been observed that only those varieties shall be shown which have beyond all doubt
been proved to make their home on our shores, or to frequent regularly the seas which surround us.
As the traveller nears Australia, long before he sights the coast, flocks of birds, many of them belonging to this group, always constitute his first acquaintance with the animal life of this continent. The most unscientific and unobservant cannot fail to be struck with wonder and admiration at these legions that follow and circle round the ship for hundreds of miles, by night and day, in storm and sunshine, the embodiment in so many forms of grace, speed, and tireless endurance.
The stately Albatros, with its huge spread of snowy or dusky wing, is the most marked among this tribe. The majority of the remaining varieties are commonly grouped under the popular name of Petrels, from the giant Ossifraga, or ‘“ Break-bones,” a bird as large as the smaller Albatroses, to the tiny Thalassidrome, or “Sea Runners,” so called because while skimming the sea in their search for food they let down their feet and run along the surface, lightly tapping the water for a considerable distance. In fact, the term Petrel was bestowed with reference to the Apostle Peter’s walking on the sea. Among this tribe, too, are some which, according to time-honoured authority, still control the fate of a ship and foretell disaster. The sailor who respects tradition looks upon the slaying of an Albatros as placing the seal of fate upon his ship, while the Stormy Petrels, ‘Mother Carey’s Chickens,” appear seized with the spirit of a coming storm, wheeling round the ship with shrill cries in which the sailor versed in augury reads danger gathering round the vessel.
The food of the Procellaride consists of sea creatures of low organization, floating crustaceans and
the like, and the refuse thrown overboard from ships, particularly when it is of a fatty nature.
GENUS PELAGODROMA (Reichenbach).
HE bold markings of the one example of this species render it easily distinguishable from its companions among the winged attendants of ships sailing in the seas which it frequents; this is the only example
of the species.
PELAGODROMA FREGATA. WHITE-FACED STORM PETREL. Guys: Prtacoproma.
PECIMENS of this variety have been obtained in various localities so distant from each other as to
prove that it ranges over a great extent of ocean. Like all the Petrels, it flies to vast distances
from land, and subsists in the same manner by picking up floating marine organisms, the refuse thrown from ships, and such food as it can obtain on the surface of the ocean in its long flights.
Its nest is constructed in the same manner as some of the other Petrels, namely, in a hole which
the bird prepares for the purpose in some bank or ledge. They breed in considerable numbers on parts . ° a “5 ve . “ .
of the mainland and on the islands off the south-western coast of Australia. The egg is white, one inch
and « half long by one inch and an eighth broad ; usually one egg only is laid at a time.
The young are furnished with a liberal coating of down on the under parts, which supplies warmth
till the true feathers appear.
Space over the eye, round the bill, and all the remaining under surfaces pure white ; crown of the head, back of the neck, and a broad streak beneath and behind the eye slaty-grey, merging into a darker tinge on the back: wings and tail, brown; upper tail-coverts, faint grey ; irides, reddish-brown ; legs and
feet, almost black ; webs, yellow.
Habitats: Cape Leeuwin and islands off the south-west coast of Australia.
GENUS HALADROMA (/iger).
()** other species of this form is known, besides the following representative, which is found in Australia.
HALADROMA -URINA TEES DIVING PETREL. Genus: HaAtLaproma.
J hats power of diving, exceptional among this tribe, is indicated in the name given to this variety. It is wanting in the strong and lasting powers of flight possessed by the allied genera, but is as agile in diving as they are on the wing. Its flight is peculiar; it keeps a straight line with a halting or Huttering motion, widely different from other Petrels, whose flight is as uncertain in its changing curves as the waves over which they skim. The Diving Petrel is even frequently seen to go through the crest of a wave rather than rise from its line of flight to overtop the obstruction ; it is said by some that they even fly under water.
Great flocks of these birds are seen together; in Queen Charlotte's Sound and parts of New Zealand they are very plentiful. They utter a peculiar note like that of a frog.
Besides the powers of diving, this species has the further peculiarity of possessing a dilatable pouch resembling that of the Pelican. In outward appearance it closely resembles the Little Auk of northern latitudes, but Gould states that the likeness is merely analogous, they being representatives of each other in different families.
Head, upper surfaces, wings and tail, dark grey; under surfaces, white; irides, brown; upper
mandible brown, lower mandible blue-grey ; pouch, light grey; legs and feet, light blue; webs, transparent blue.
Habitat : Southern Tasmanian coast.
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GENUS FREGATTA (Sonaparie).
HE colouring of members of this genus is bold and striking and this, with their longer legs, renders
them easily distinguishable. Two species of this genus are found in our seas.
FREGATTA MELANOGASTER (Gould). BLACK -BELLIED STORM PETREL. Genus: FREGATTA.
HIS variety shows strongly the characteristics which earned for this group of birds the title of Petrel. The peculiar action of flying close to the surface of the sea and pattering upon it with their feet is more noticeable in this than in any of the other Petrels. It seems to delight especially in this running motion, and its peculiarly long legs and remarkable colouring render the habit more noticeable. Its flight, too, is more than ordinarily strong and swift, even among a tribe which is not excelled in wing power by any other group. These birds follow the ships sailing to Australia in great and increasing numbers long before the coast is sighted. Their manner of feeding and general habits resemble those of the other Petrels in all essentials.
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Upper tail-coverts, flanks, sides of chest and inside the wing, white; remainder of the plumage, deep ash-colour; bill, legs and feet are of the same dark shade; irides, yellow. Length, 74 inches; bill, ? inch; wing, 6 inches; tail, 3 inches; tarsi, 12 inch.
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Habitats: Tasmanian coast and south-western coasts and islands of Australia.
PREGATTA GRALLARIA. WHITE-BELLTIED STORM PETREL Genus: FREGATTA.
HIS is another example of the Petrels which is met with all over the temperate latitudes of the South Pacific. It is as free and powerful in its wonderful flight and beautiful evolutions on the wing as the foregoing species, and has the same habit of running along the surface of the water, although with it the practice is not so frequently followed. The snowy white of its under parts renders it easily distinguishable from the former variety.
In the South Atlantic this bird is probaby also to be found; Gould mentions having secured specimens closely resembling it in their habits and flight, but being of larger size and having on the throat more of a greyish-white colour. He was of opinion that the latter would prove to be a distinct species.
The spawn of fish, mollusea and floating matter of various kinds constitute the food, and, like so many other Petrels, the Fregatta Grallaria is a constant attendant in the wake of ships; the refuse thrown overboard furnishes a welcome food supply to this and many other members of the tribe.
The sexes are alike in colour; the precise localities of nesting and the manner of breeding have
not been definitely ascertained.
Head, neck, wings and upper surfaces, deep ashy-grey; under surfaces and upper tail-coverts,
white; bill, legs and feet, almost black. Length, 74 inches; bill, ? inch; wing, 6 inches; tail, 3 imches; tarsi, 14 inch.
Habitats: Australian seas; localities of nesting not definitely known.
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GENUS OCEANITES (Keyserhing et Blaszus).
HE single example of this genus which frequents Australian seas is considered by Gould to be the same as the Procellaria Oceanica, classified by Banks, and that this view is correct may now be taken as established. Two other species of the genus exist, but neither is found in Australian
waters or making its home on our shores.
OCEANITES OCEANICA.
YELLOW-WEBBED STORM PETREL. Gunvs: Oczanica. AR to the westward of Australia this Petrel is seen among the many others by the voyager; round Tasmania it is especially plentiful, and is still found in attendance on ships till they are
well past New Zealand towards the Horn.
The yellow colouring of the webs from which it takes its name is very marked on a close inspection ; from the ship’s deck it may be distinguished by its colouring, and in its flight, its running along the surface, its habits ef feeding and general characteristics, it entirely resembles those varieties
already described. There is no outward difference observable between the sexes.
The whole plumage, dusky-brown, with the exception of the lower wing-coverts, which are a lighter yellowish-brown, and the upper tail-coverts, which are grey; irides, brown; legs and _ feet,
brown ; webs, yellow except at the case, where they are brown.
Habitats: Tasmanian and South-western Australian coasts and_ islands.
GENUS PROCELLARIA (Lzz.)
TEVHIS was the generic title originally proposed to embrace all those smallest varieties of Petrels | which have already been described, as well as the Australian representative which now alone bears the name of Procellaria. Subsequently the euphonious and happy title of Thalassidrome was adopted, signifying “sea wanderers,” the earliest observers being struck with wonder at these little marvels, incapable of weariness in their flight or dismay at the fiercest storm as they swept whole oceans in search of foad. and the one representative of the present genus now bears the once comprehensive title of Procellaria.
Upon more scientific observation, the various species were classified as already described,
PROCELLARIA NEREIS (Gould). GREY-BACKED STORM PETREL. Genus: Procerzaria.
THNHIS finishes the list of the Australian Birds which are described under the traditional and ominous
name of Storm Petrels. It also posesses all the interesting characteristics by which, with its fellows, it earned the title. Before leaving the subject, it may be of interest to remark that a patient observer does not hastily class the prophetic instincts ascribed to these birds by sailors as mere blind superstition. In England, when the swifts and swallows skim close to the earth, rain is threatened ; when they soar high, fine weather is promised. This is long ago established as a rough but sure meteorological guide, because in the denser atmosphere which precedes rain, the flies on which the swallows feed come nearer earth, and the birds follow their victims. So with the Petrels; the murky air that bodes a tempest seems to thrill them with a weird exhilaration before it is perceived by the common sailor who does not watch the movements of the barometer, and when he sees them wheeling in ever widening circles and screaming through the rigging, he dreads, all the more by anticipation, the disaster which may be hidden in the coming storm. As to his belief that to kill these augurs makes foundering more likely, the marshalling of facts will not convince him there; the root of such fears is beyond the
power of demonstration to dislodge.
The food of this species is the same as that of the varieties already dealt with.
The sexes are alike in plumage, and the female is only very slightly smaller than the inale.
Head, neck, chest and upper part of the back, dusky-brown ; wing-coverts, grey ; wings, brown ; rump and upper tail-coverts, grey ; tail, greyish-brown; under surfaces, dirty white; irides, brown; bill, brown; legs and feet, black.
Length, 6} inches ; bill, °/,,inch; wing, 54 inches; tail, 23 inches; tarsi, 14 inch.
Habitats: Bass’s Straits and southern coasts of Australia.
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TYNHE members of this family are easily distinguished from the Petrels by their soft grey colouring,
in contrast to the bold markings of the latter. Their bills also are differently formed, being broad and laminated, evidently suited for the picking up of some peculiar forms of sea-creatures. Four species of Prions are found in the southern seas, and the two of which illustrations are given undoubtedly visit Australian shores. One species only is found in northern latitudes. They are truly oceanic birds, and rarely come to land except for breeding purposes. This function they carry out on most isolated and barren spots ; to that forlorn island, Kerguelen’s Land, they come in large numbers at nesting time, and to other such desolate spots, such as St. Paul and Amsterdam Islands, ete.
ERION VLTATwS,
BROAD-BILLED PRION. Genus: Prion.
HE wide bill characteristic of all the Prions is exaggerated in this variety, hence its name, It is
5 on Anchor Island vast numbers congregate at that season. At other times it expanses of the South Pacific, and is believed to exist in the South Atlantic also.
found in large numbers at the breeding time along the Tasmanian and New Zealand coasts, and
is seen over vast
Like the rest of this tribe, the plumage of the Broad-billed Prion is of great length and softness, forming a thorough protection to the bird and giving it the appearance of having a much larger body than it really possesses. It is stated by. some authorities that two feathers instead of one spring from every root. The bird flies much at mght, when from its bulk it has much the appearance of a_ bat.
The food consists of sea-creatures and floating matter.
The sexes are alike in size and plumage, but the bill of the female is only about half as broad as that of the male.
The egg is long-shaped in form, being two inches long by one and a_ half broad, and pure white.
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Upper surfaces delicate blue-grey; larger wing and tail-feathers edged with black; a dark brown mark in front of the eye, finishing in a crescent-shaped streak behind it of the same colour ; over and round this mark, throat and under surfaces white, with a bluish tinge on the flanks and under the tail-coverts; bill, grey-blue; nostrils and a line along the lower mandible black ; irides, brown ; legs and feet, blue-grey.
Habitats: Tasmanian, southern and south-western coasts of Australia.
PRION TURTUR. DOVE-LIKE PRION. Genus: Prion.
FIVHIS variety gets its name from its soft and delicate colouring and its slender, graceful form. It
looks as though it were too fragile to range over the ocean in time of storm, yet it is seen far from any shore among its sturdier brethren in all weathers. Its flight in calm weather has a most graceful motion like that of a butterfly; it rarely settles on the water, usually taking up its food without resting
on the surface. It is met with sometimes in great flocks, but is more often seen in fewer numbers.
This variety has also an abundant coat of long and warm feathers. This gives it the appearance
of a bird of considerable size, yet its body weighs only on an average about five ounces.
Upper surfaces, delicate grey ; wing and tail-feathers, much darker; a spot before and a semi- circular streak behind the eye, very dark brown; over and round these and all the under surfaces, white, tinged with grey on the flanks; bill, light-blue; nostrils and streak on the upper mandible, black ; irides,
brown; feet light blue-grey.
Habitats: Tasmanian coast and the islands and coasts of southern and south-western Australia.
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GENUS THALASSOICA (Reichenbach).
a is one of the most prettily coloured among the Petrels, and is the only representative of the
genus.
THALASSOICA GLACIALOIDES. SILVER-GREY PETREL. Genus: TuHatassoica.
VRAVELLERS to Australia who pass the days in angling for the birds which follow the ship generally become well acquainted with this variety, for it is either among the most greedy or stupid of the flocks which follow astern on the look out for food. It is often caught on a hook which is dragged along
the surface with a piece of meat attached.
It is met with ranging over vast portions of the South Atlantic as well as the South Pacific, and is also plentiful in the Indian Ocean. It flies higher than most of the other Petrels, but its food consists of much the same materials as that of the other members of the tribe; it also rests more
frequently on the surface of the water. There is no outward difference observable between the sexes.
All the upper surface, from head to tail, a rich silvery-grey ; outer webs, shafts, and tips of primaries and outer webs of secondaries, a slaty-black; all the under surface and face, pure white ; nostrils, culmen, and portion of the base of the upper mandible, bluish lead-colour ; tips of mandibles, horn-colour, darkening into black at the extreme points; legs and feet, blue-grey, touched with a faint pink on the
tarsi, and streaked with black marks on the joints.
Habitats : This species has a wide distribution, and is common to both Atlantic and Pacitic Oceans, frequenting both warm and cold seas. At the Falkland and Chatham Islands, and about the desolate shores of Antipodes Island, a lonely spot to the southward of New Zealand, they are to be seen in vast
flocks, as well as in the warmer Polynesian seas.
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GENUS NECTRIS (6onxaparie).
HE members of this genus are distinguished from the other Petrels by their short tails, duskiness of plumage and width of wings. Two representatives visit Australia and its neighbouring islands
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for breeding purposes.
NECTRIS CARNEIPES (Gould). FLESHY-FOOTED PETREL. Gunvs : Nucrnis.
a variety does not roam so far seaward as most of the other Petrels. It is frequently met with along the south-western and southern coasts of Australia, and breeds on the mainland and on the
small islands along those parts.
Except that it does not venture to such great distances to sea, the Fleshy-footed Petrel
resembles those already described in its general habits, modes of obtaining food, ete. The sexes have the same outward appearance. A single egg only is laid, two inches and seven-eighths long by about two inches wide.
The whole of the plumage is a rich warm black; bill, fleshy horn-colour; the tips of both mandibles a dark brown; a narrow blue line encircling the eye; legs, feet and interdigital membranes,
yellowish flesh-colour; toes, brown.
Length, 15 inches; bill, 12 inch; wing, 12 inches; tarsi, 2 inches.
GENUS PEELS a6G7oce /.
OME confusion exists as to the classification of the members of this genus, but the following
representative of it is certainly found in Australian seas.
THIELLUS SPHENURUS (Gould). WEDGE-TAILED PETREL. Genus: THIELLUvs.
PECIMENS of this variety have been obtained from such various localities that it is proved to inhabit various points of the southern and parts of the western coasts of Australia. On the’ latter it was procured by Gilbert on the Houtmann’s Abrolhos, and on many of the small islands adjacent thereto.
A single egg is laid, which is two inches and three-quarters long by one and_ three-quarters
wide. The nest is placed in a burrow which is hollowed out by the bird for a considerable distance on the side of a sandy bank.
Like the preceding species, all the upper surface is a rich dark brown; the broad feathers of the scapularies washed with a lighter brown at the tips; the face, and from the throat downward, tinged with grey; the remainder of the under surface, brownish-grey ; bill, reddish-brown; culmen and tips of mandibles, dark brown; legs and _ feet, flesh-colour.
Length, 15} inches; bill, 13 inch; wing, 113 inches ; tail, 6 inches; middle toe and nail, 22
inches.
Habitats: The western, southern, and part of the eastern coasts of Australia; it has also been observed on Lord Howe's and Norfolk Islands. By Gilbert it was found in great numbers on West Wallaby Island and the neighbouring inlets and sandy banks.
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NECTRIS BREVICAUDUS. SHORT-TAILED PETREL. Gexvus: Nucrers.
HIS variety is often called also the “Sooty Petrel,” but the name by which it is most popularly known is that of ‘ Mutton-bird.”
The earliest voyagers in Australian seas left records of the marvellous sight to be witnessed on some of the islands round the coast, particularly in Bass’s Straits, when the nesting time of these birds comes on. Early in September they gather in great flocks for the purpose of preparing the burrows
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where they make their nests on the various islands. November is the breeding season, and they begin to gather about the 20th. But with wonderful regularity on the 24th, towards sunset, a mighty stream of these birds is seen sweeping towards the islands. This influx continues for several hours till the sky seems full of the vast multitude wheeling and hovering over these lonely isles. At night they alight on those spots which they had selected for breeding places. Even when the burrows contain three or four birds each, there still remain vast numbers which are reduced to making thei nests in the open, and as each pair strives for a place in the sheltered spots, and each individual sets up a shrill screaming in assertion of its rights, the deafening turmoil from all these throats is described as something overpowering. When
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comparative peace has been restored towards the morning, each pair having found a nesting place, the
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male birds leave and return at meght; this habit they observe during the breeding season.
This annual assembly of the Mutton-birds is the signal for an onslaught on them by man. The
natives collect great quantities of eggs, and in March and April the young and adult birds are trapped
and put to various uses. In catching the birds, advantage is taken of their powerlessness to rise for flight off the earth. On account of the length and shape of their wings, which are like those of the Albatros, they must first float upon the water before they can rise. Their captors, then, block up a large number of the paths leading to the sea which the birds have formed, leaving one only open among the number. This particular one, unfortunately for the Mutton-birds, leads over a precipice, at the bottom of which a hole has been dug. The birds come in such crowds, anxious to reach the
water, that they tumble into the pit im tens of thousands; those which fall being soon smothered by their unfortunate followers. The captors, sealers and others who make these birds a source of profit, then proceed to pluck them. It takes the feathers of twenty-five birds to make a pound in weight, the value of which is twopence or a little more in Tasmania; yet some of the parties do well at the business,
so vast are the numbers of birds captured.
The young are tender and juicy and form wholesome food, and the old birds, when properly cured, are also excellent eating. The old birds are of an oily nature, but the young are so impregnated with oil, being fed on a fatty secretion by the parents, that on being held up by the legs the ot! pours out from their beaks. It is clear and pure, and also fetches a good price in Tasmania.
It will thus be seen .that the annual visit of the Mutton-bird is an event of great and varied importance to those natives and white men who frequent the islands. What with its eggs, its flesh, feathers and oil, these birds form an industrial resource of great importance to a considerable number. In spite of its great annual destruction in these different islands, its numbers do not sensibly diminish, but on the 24th of November of every year the sky is thick with gathering multitudes.
The flight of the Mutton-bird is swift and strong. It flies close to the surface of the water, and it has been estimated that its speed often exceeds sixty miles an hour.
Crustaceans, molluses, and such like form the food, being gathered along the coasts.
t => ee =) The sexes are entirely alike in size, shape and colour.
The nesting is performed in burrows, as deseribed, or else the egg 1s deposited on the ground in the shelter of rocks or bushes. Usually one egg is deposited. It is of great size, being two inches and three-quarters long by one inch and seven-eighths broad, and snow-white in colour. The albuminous part is very large, and it is a strange fact that, no matter how long it is boiled, the yolk and a portion
of the white still remain soft and watery,
The young leave the breeding-ground about the end of April, and for some time after this the sea in the neighbourhood of their birth-places is covered with them for miles. They finally separate into flocks and depart in various directions.
The whole of the plumage a very dark brown, the upper surface darker than the lower ; bill, blackish-brown ; the under mandible with a longitudinal mark of grey; outer side of the tarsi and outer toe, brownish-black ; webs, vellowish flesh-colour, darkening towards the extremities.
Habitats: The numerous islands in Bass’s Straits are the particular resorts in summer for the purpose of breeding and rearing the young; numbers are also met with along the south-eastern seaboard of New Zealand, and frequent that part of the Pacific lying between that country and the southern portion of the Australian continent. }
GENUS PUFFINUS (47757):
FYNHIS is an example of the Shearwater. Members of this tribe have of late years been classified into
tore sub-families than formerly. The Mutton-bird, the Fleshy-footed Petrel and others are now classed under different species than formerly. The members of these various groups are all gregarious, differing otherwise somewhat in their habits.
PUFFINUS NUGAX, ALLIED PETREL. Geyxus: Pures.
iN ISLAND and parts of the east coast of Australia are the chief haunts of this variety, 4 where it may be seen in considerable numbers at the breeding season. It is not, however, to be found in such vast flocks as the Mutton-bird. Gould reports that he saw numbers of this Petrel off the
north-eastern shores of New Zealand: he considered this to be the Antipodean representative of the Puffinus Ohbseurus ot Europe.
The egg is pure white; two inches long by one inch and three lines in breadth.
Crown of the head, the whole of the upper surface, wings and’ tail, black; sides of the face, throat, and all the under surface, white: legs, greenish-yellow ; webs, yellowish-orange.
Total length, 11 inches: bill, 22 inches; wing, 6} inches; tail, 3 inches; tarsi, 14 inch. Habitats: Norfolk Island appears to be the principal breeding place, although met with in considerable numbers on the eastern seaboard of Australia. The vicinity of the Three Kings Islands, off the northern coast of New Zealand, also seems to be a favourite haunt of this species.
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CEeNWS) TALOBZNA. (/s. Geof. de St. flare).
= following is the only representative of this genus in our Ornithology. It was classed by Gould among the Petrels, though in appearance it closely resembles the Prions, especially the Prion
Turtur.
HALOBANA CORU EEA. BLUE PETREL. Genus: Hatopana.
‘iG has been stated that this Petrel closely resembles the Prion Turtur, with which, also, it is frequently
seen in close company. It can, however, be easily distinguished from the latter, and also from the other smaller varieties of Petrels, on a close inspection, by its possessing white tips to the tail feathers, aud showing the wings, when outstretched, barred with white. It is a bold and powerful flier, and may be seen in attendance on ships among the innumerable other birds, great and small, from many degrees
west of Australia almost till Cape Horn is reached.
Its food is obtained in the same manner as that of the other Petrels described, and consists of
the same lowly-organised sea creatures, floating refuse from ships, ete. The sexes are alike in size and colouring.
Crown of the head, back of the neck, sides of the chest, back, rump, wings and tail, grey; tips of tail feathers, white; cheeks, throat, centre of the chest. and all under surfaces, white ; before and behind the eye, dark brownish mark; bill, dull blackish-brown, with a blue-grey stripe alone the lower part of the
under mandible: tarsi and toes, delicate blue: interdigital membrane, flesh-colour.
Habitats: From the 40th to 60th degrees of south latitude in the. Pacific Ocean: particularly plentiful about the coast of Tasmania, where it loves to congregate, with other species of the Petrel family, about the islands in Bass’s Straits; on the north-east coast of New Zealand, and from thence to Cape Horn, it is constantly met with durmg the greater part of the year, although not in anything like the numbers that are observed about the Tasmanian coast. It is also common in the Atlantic Ocean, between the 40th and 60th degrees of south latitude.
GENUS. DAPTION (Stephens) | TEVHERE is no variety of the Procellarida more widely distributed over the temperate latitudes of the
southern seas than the single representative of this genus.
DAPTION CAPENSIS.., CAPE PETREL. Genus: Daption.
N° one who has come to Australia by sea, or who has sailed to any extent in our seas, can fail to be A well acquainted with the appearance of the “Cape Pigeon,” which is the most popular title of this bird. It appears certain that this best known of all Petrels embraces the whole circumference of the globe in its wanderings. Soon after the Cape of Good Hope is passed, the enterprising passenger for Australia is angling over the stern for specimens of his winged followers, and as the Cape Pigeon is the most confiding, it is generally the first and always the most frequently pulled on board. A line with a hook and bait attached will always secure a specimen, and if even only a piece of cork or wood is put on, the Cape Pigeon in his immocence is pretty sure to be the first to get his feet and wings entangled m it. When brought on board, the peeuliarity is always noticed that they disgorge their food and an oily substance is seen to exude from the nostrils. Sailors of course say it is seasick, but its indisposition is more likely to be caused
by nervousness at its novel surroundings.
It is one of the handsomest fliers among the many birds of such powerful wing which bear it ompany. Its dappled plumage soon singles it out from the rest, and the Cape Pigeon often remains with the emigrant to Australia as a memory of his first acquaintance with the winged inhabitants of the land of his adoption. The colouring varies somewhat among this variety, but its neble flight and bold markings
are always prominent.
It sometimes rests lightly on the water for a few minutes while picking up food, and even occasionally dives to a shallow depth, but while at sea its favourite position is on the wing.
The sexes are alike in size and colouring.
Nearly the whole of the head, back and sides of neck, upper part of the back, and edge of the wider surface of wing, dark brown; wing-coverts and upper tail-coverts white, each feather having dark brown tip; basal half of the tail crossed by a broad white streak, the apical half a dark brown ; bill,
blackish-brown ; legs, feet and interdigital membranes, very dark brown.
Habitats: The whole of the vast areas of the southern portions of the Atlantic and Pacitie Oceans we familiar to this wanderer of the sea: not confining itself to the warm and temperate latitudes, it at immes Voyages to the chilly regions of the Antarctic Cirele, where it was seen by Sir James Ross ; and,
Indeed, Gould is of the Opllton that 1t constantly cirvculnnavigates the globe.
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GENUS OSssltP RAGA (//omb. et /acq.)
_ single species of this genus is the largest and most powerful of all the Petrels.
OSSIFRAGA GIGANTEA. GIANT PETREL. GENUS: OSSIFRAGA.
IKE the Cape Petrel, this variety is found all over the temperate southern latitudes at sea: it also frequents somewhat higher zones than the former, and have even been seen sometimes, though
rarely, in northern latitudes.
Although their food consists chiefly of fish, the Giant Petrels are carnivorous They feed upon the carcases of whales or birds at sea, and when they spy sealers engaged in cutting up a seal, they hover round and devour ferociously what is left of the flesh. In their voracious manner of feeding, they often snap the smaller bones of the carcase, hence their title of Ossifraga, or ‘“ Break-bones.”
They are often taken by sailors for Albatroses, but their flight is by no means so graceful or
sustained as that of the prince of flyers. They are shy by nature and rarely come close to a vessel at sea.
They breed on the precipitous sides of rocks and cliffs on such lonely islands as Kerguelen’s Land. When the nest is approached the young birds have the power of sending out a jet of most
foul-smelling oil upon the intruder, to a distance of six or eight feet. The nestlings are covered with
a long coating of grey down; their first feathers are dark brown blotched with white.
Entire plumage very rich dark brown; irides, almost black; bill, pale horn - colour ; legs,
blackish-brown.
Habitats: Australian seas generally; very abundant in D’Entrecasteaux’s Channel, Tasmania :
Prince KEdward’s Islands and Kerguelen’s Land appear to be the favourite breeding places.
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\I EMBERS of this genus are chiefly distinguished among Petrels by the great length of their wings and the delicacy of their feet.
AISTRELATA MOLLIS (Gould). SOFT-PLUMAGED PETREL. Genus: A‘sTrRevara.
FYNHIS Petrel is noticeable from the rapid motion of its great wings. It is more plentiful in’ the Atlantic than in the Pacific, but seems to range completely round the elobe, over the seas in the
temperate latitudes.
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The food consists of the same materials as that sought after by the majority of the Petrel tribe.
The sexes are alike in colour: the young have the throat speckled with grey and the under
surface dark grey before the full-grown feathers appear.
Upper part of the head, slate-grey, with margin of white on forehead; back, slate-grey ; throat, face, and all the under surface, almost a pure white, except where interrupted by a faint grey tinge upon the chest, forming a band across the breast ; before and behind the eye a dark brown mark ; tail, feathers
in centre dark grey, outer feathers white-grey ; bill and feet, black.
Length, 134 inches; bill, 14 mech: wing, 10 inches; tail, 5 inches; tarsi, 12 inch; middle toe and
nail, 1¢ inch.
Habitats: Although not so numerous in the Pacific as in the Atlantic, they are very plentiful in the colder southern latitudes, and vessels making their easting and passing near the preeipitous islands of St. Paul and Amsterdam meet with them in ereat numbers; doubtless, like other wandering members of
the family, it visits all parts of the globe.
yor ) my 4 MSTRELATA COOKI. COOl’S PETREL. Genus: AlstTRELATA., | ae is another swift-flying Petrel, and in its great range of habitation resembles the foregoing species.
Some confusion exists as to its definite distinction from the A’strelata Leucoptera, or White-winged Petrel; Gould was of opinion that the two belonged to distinet species, from differences he observed in the size, colouring and formation of the feet. Only the well-detined variety is illustrated here, however, though subsequent investigation may sanction the subdivisicn of the members of this genus into other
species.
The deseription of the foregomg species —naunely, the Soft-plumaged Petrel—as to habits and food, applies also to this variety ; the name of the latter will be easily borne in mind as it recalls that of our
vreat navigator, Captain Cook.
Crown and sides of the head and whole of upper surface grey, apex and base of each feather narrowly margined with white; wing-coverts and quills, brownish-black ; the front cheeks from immediately beneath the eye, and the whole under part, white : bill, sooty-black ; tarsi and knee, brownish-vellow ; feet,
black. with intermediate webs dull yellow. Length, 124 inches ; bill, | inch; wings, 24 inches ; tarsi, | inch.
Habitats: The colder latitudes of the southern seas generally, particularly about the southern coasts of New Zealand and Tasmania; at the Auekland and Chatham Islands they are met with in great
numbers.
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ZJESTRELATA LEUCOCEPHALA.
WHITE -HEADED PETRETL. Genus: -AUSTRELATA.
HIS is the most powerful and the most picturesque fher of all the Petrels. It never soberly follows
in the wake of ships like its more business-like brethren, but may be seen at intervals at a
great distance, by reason of its pure white head and under parts, advancing at hurricane speed from the horizon. When it overtakes the ship, it wheels through and round and high above the attendant flock with beautiful evolutions, its long, narrow, darkly-coloured wings, in their powerful strokes, looking like a great letter W, closing and unclosing in its swift circles. It seldom nears the ship, being wild and timid, but, having perhaps obtained some floating particles of food, soon wings away over the sea in
some fresh direction.
From its only occasional and hurried visits to the neighbourhood of ships, and its wary nature, specimens are hard to obtain; Gould gives an interesting account of how he drew one within shot by exercising its curiosity as to the nature of a bottle which was thrown out astern and was kept bobbing,
with only the neck exposed, by means of a string attached.
Forehead, face, the whole of the under surface and tail, white; back part of the head and neck, grey; wings, dark brown, approaching to black; back, dark greyish-brown; eye encircled by a‘ black mark bill, black; legs, toes and webs, flesh-colour ; the tips of the toes, black.
Habitats: Like the other wandering members of this great family it ranges over a vast extent of the southern seas, appearing to favour the colder latitudes, although occasionally met with in Bass’s
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GENUS ADAMASTOR (Bonaparte).
EVERAL species of large Petrels are classed under this genus, and the following variety visits
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Australian waters, specimens having been obtained by Gould on the east coast of this continent.
ADAMASTOR CINEREA. GREAT GREY PETEEL. Genus: ADAMASTOR.
EMBERS of this genus are often mistaken for Albatroses from their great size and soaring flight. The Great Grey Petrel covers vast areas of the ocean from east to west and is found over nearly twenty degrees of south latitude. It flies higher generally than the smaller Petrels but descends with
lightning-like swiftness when it sees food on the surface.
Though its name does not point to the possession of diving powers, it is as skilful under water as the Diving Petrel, using its wings for propulsion beneath the surface. One observer, Mr. Harris, records that he saw it close its wings and plunge into the sea from a great height, after the manner of the Gannets, in search of food. From its habits of frequently flying abroad by night, it has often been
called the Night Hawk.
It builds in burrows, which are hollowed out of the faces of soft banks in such lonely islands as Kerguelen’s Land. These burrows are sometimes driven in to a length of twenty feet and frequently split off into numerous separate branches. The branches have no terminal chamber, but the main tunnel ends in an enlarged space. The strange feature is noticed that the branches do not appear to be put to any special use; the eggs being deposited in the terminal or enlarged chamber. The eggs are merely laid on the floor of this cavity, where they are hatched. Before the female begins to sit, birds of both sexes visit these chambers, when they may be heard making a dismal, moaning sound. Once the hatching begins, the male bird no longer visits the nest and the birds become silent, except at night, when the male may be heard calling to his mate on the nest.
The colouring of the sexes is alike, but the female is somewhat smaller than the male.
Crown and sides of the head, ear-coverts and upper surface, tips of the tail feathers and under tail-coverts, dark brownish-grey ; throat, chest and under surface, white; culmen and nostrils, black ; tip of the mandibles, horn-colour; tomia, yellowish horn-colour; feet, yellowish: toes, brownish-black.
Habitats: From the 30th to 60th degrees of south latitude this species is universally dittused; and, indeed, has so great a range of habitat that it is met with from the desolate cliffs of Kerguelen’s
Land to the solitude of the icy seas about Cape Horn.
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GENUS MAJAQUEUS (Reichenbach).
ee difference exists between ornithologists in regard to the single member of this genus, Gould being of the opinion that it is distinct from the Procellaria Aquinoctialis of Linneeus, the which, although greatly resembling and closely allied to this species, has not the broad white mark around the
eye—one of this bird’s distinguishing features.
MAJAQUEUS CONSPICILLATUS (Gould).
SEE OLACLED PETEREL ‘Guus: Massourus:
HE peculiar markings on the head of this member of the Petrel family render the bird very conspicuous, and its individuality is especially noticeable when in the company of other winged roamers of the sea, hovering about the ship and alighting upon the water to examine or secure any
object that has been cast overboard.
Although somewhat of a timid nature, and not generally venturing in such close proximity to ships as many other members of the family, the impulse of curiosity to examine strange objects floating astern will frequently lead it to become a prey to the bird fisher, who is the more tempted to effect a capture by the bold markings of the head and face—from which the name of Spectacled Petrel
arises—arousing his particular interest. Dead whales, seals and mollusca generally are its food.
The whole plumage is a heavy black, with the distinct and marked exception of the sides of the face, chin, and a broad band which crosses the front of the crown, passes down before and beneath, and then takes an upward curve at the back of the eye, being black; sides of the mandibles and nostrils,
yellowish horn-colour; culmen and tips of both mandibles, black; legs, feet and toes, black.
Habitats: From the cold latitudes about St. Paul’s and Amsterdam Islands, and thence to the southern coasts of Tasmania and New Zealand, it is very common, and an occasional wanderer may
be met with between the latter country and Cape Horn.
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GENUS PHCEBETRIA (Reichenbach).
THNHE greatest in size and importance of the truly oceanic family Procellarida@ is that bird of unrivalled
flight, the Albatros. Resembling in many particulars in their habits the smaller Petrels, in whose company the great Albatros is a frequenter of the deep, the enormous expanse of wing, great size of body, graceful and sustained power of flight and noble appearance, at once proclaim the Albatros the
monarch of the ocean.
PHQEBETRIA FULIGINOSA (Gme.) SOOTY ALBATROS. Genus: PuHoserria.
NHIS species is one of the commonest of the Albatroses ; its distinguishing characteristics are gracefulness of flight and uniform sombreness of plumage. Swiftest among the swift, this bird, with»every part
of his body absolutely motionless, save the head and eye which slowly turn and vigilantly scan everything around him, sweeps past and through his less speedy companions, sustaining a flight the graceful beauty and ease of which it is impossible to adequately describe. This wonderful and prolonged flight, without the slightest perceptible motion of the wings, which is sometimes continued for fully an hour, at once attracts the attention and admiration of the voyager. Dr. Bennett expresses his belief that the whole surface of the body of the Albatros is covered by a system of air cells which, by a wonderful and beautiful muscular apparatus, are inflated or diminished in response to the bird’s desire to ascend or descend. That such a peculiar apparatus does exist in all birds, and in some is developed to a considerable extent, is well known; but the actual factors in raising the bird in the air while the wings are apparently
motionless are those simple mechanical laws governing the magnitude and direction of pressures.
The Sooty Albatros is a general inhabitant of the cold waters of the Southern Ocean within the Antarctic Circle, where great numbers are met with; Captain Cook speaks of them as having been abundant about the ship at the time of his falling in with the first ice; his sailors, on account of the bird’s sombre plumage, called it “The Quaker.”
One peculiarity of this species is the cuneated tail which, with its more delicate structure generally, undoubtedly indicates the possession of greater aerial powers than others of the family. In its manner of flight a marked difference from all the other Albatroses is noticeable; rising to a greater height, its wonderful aerial evolutions are so easily performed and of such an exceedingly beautiful nature that the beholder will not quickly tire of the sight. Gould states it to be the only species that will pass directly over a ship, and that it frequently poises itself directly over the deck in such an inviting manner that the gunner cannot resist the tempting mark.
The nest is of mud, or mud and grasses intermixed, raised a few inches above the ground with a slight depression on the top to prevent the egg from rolling out. | When the young birds are half- grown they are covered with a light greyish down; and when approached by man each bird erects itself on its respective mud hillock and with upraised beak makes a strange clattermg noise, and squirts from _ the nostrils a stream of foully smelling oily fluid, if the intruder has the temerity to touch it.
The whole of the plumage a very dark brown, approaching to black on the head, wings and | tail; above, beneath and behind the eye a clear white mark; bill, jet black, exvept for a yellowish longitudinal line along the under mandible; feet, brownish, tinged with purple.
Habitats: Although preferring the colder southern seas, this species is also met with all through the temperate latitudes to the south of the Equator.
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GENUS DIOMEDEA (Liumneus).
HE few known species of this form of the above-named genus are the largest of the ocean
haunting birds, and are met with in both southern and _ northern latitudes. It is probable,
indeed, that they circumnavigate the globe in their wanderings, as, although always more numerous in the higher latitudes, they are frequently met in intermediate places.
DIOMEDEA MELANOPHRYS (Temminck).
BLACK-EYEBROWED ALBATROS. Genus: Diomepga.
AMILIAR to every voyager to Australia by its numbers and utter absence of fear displayed in approaching to close quarters, the Black-eyebrowed Albatros is considered the most common of the species that range over the vast extent of the southern ocean, and it is but rarely that a ship after reaching the 35th degree of south latitude is not accompanied in her course by many of these birds, and in lowering and stormy weather the snowy whiteness of their under plumage is pourtrayed with startling distinctness against the murky and sombre clouds that encompass the vessel. So fearless of the presence of man is this species that often, when captured and landed on the deck, whence it is unable to rise again, it readily submits to be handled without displaying either irritation or timidity, and could an adequate supply of its natural food be procured’ it is probable that the bird would resign itself to a state of captivity and become as domesticated as some of the Gulls.
Captain Hutton states that this species is possessed of diving powers, which are occasionally exercised when the presence of any particularly appetising morsel is revealed under the surface of the water; but being of a piratical nature, the bird generally prefers to allow a Night Hawk (Great Grey Petrel) to seize the substance first, and then with fierce eye, outstretched wings, and making a hoarse eroaking noise, it runs along the sea in chase and forces him to relinquish the prize and seizes it in his powerful beak ere it sinks. By seamen this bird is called the “ Molly Hawk.”
There is little or no outward difference in the plumage of the sexes; nor does it appear to vary in this respect from youth to maturity. Gould, however, states that a reliable mark by which a fully matured bird may be distinguished exists: In the young bird the bill is always a dark brown, while in the adult it is a bright yellow; and in the same flight may be seen individuals in which that organ varies from a very dark brown to a most beautiful yellow.
In general habits, nidification, ete., this species resembles the Wandering Albatros.
The head, neck and all the under surface, white; before, above and behind the eye, a beautiful streak of blackish-grey in the exact shape of an eyebrow: wings, dark brown; centre of the
back, a dull black; tail, dark grey ; bill, bright yellow, the colour deepening on the tips of the mandibles; legs and toes, white, with a faint yellowish tinge, the interdigital membrane and_ joints
showing a faint blue.
Habitats: This species is met with almost anywhere from the Cape of Good Hope to Cape Horn, in temperate as well as cold latitudes, and is as abundant in the Atlantic as in the Pacific Ocean. Off the southern coasts of Tasmania and New Zealand vast numbers are met with, particularly at the Chatham Islands and Campbell Island, where they resort for breeding purposes.
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DIOMEDEA CHLORORHYNCHOS (Latham). YELLOW-BILLED ALBATROS. Genus: Diomepza.
HIS species is frequently seen in the company of the preceding one, which, in its flight, habits, ete., it resembles; and like the Black-eyebrowed Albatros, the species is well-known and displays no timidity in approaching very close to ships, and is often called the Yellow-nosed Albatros.
The plumage of this species seems to vary according either to their habitat or age. In the icy regions of the Antarctic Seas they have been observed with the whole head, neck, and underparts a spotless white; while in more temperate latitudes the same parts have a greyish tinge.
Like the Wandering Albatros, they rarely fly more than five or six feet above the surface of the water, except when compelled to a greater altitude by inclement weather, always descending close to the water when it moderates, and sweeping in graceful undulations just over the ocean swell, seeking with keen eye any refuse that may be floating in the wake of the ship.
The breeding places are those inhospitable islands within the Antarctic Circle, and here, during the process of incubation, the bird may be approached on the nest, and without offering the slightest resistance, can be pulled off, only to again waddle back with the utmost gravity to its post. The nest is usually ten or twelve inches high, of a cylindrical form with a small ditch around the base; one egg only is deposited, very white and large and peculiar in shape, being long in proportion and equally thick at both ends. Sometimes, when the area of the breeding ground is too limited for the great numbers of birds that flock thereto, many of them will be satisfied with an adjacent dry spot, and despising the labour of erecting a nest, merely make a slight concavity in the soil to prevent the eg¢ from rolling, and there deposit it.
Like the other Albatroses, this bird nourishes its young by disgorging the contents of the stomach; doubtless this is from the fact that as the bulk of the food is the decaying blubber of dead whales, seals, &c., such soft and oily substances could not be carried in the bill to any distance.
It was observed by Captain Carmichael that this bird, when irritated, would separate the feathers of the cheek and display a beautiful stripe of naked orange skin, running from the corners of the mouth toward the back of the head.
Head, neck, all the under surface, rump and under surfaces of the wing, white; before, above, and behind the eye, a faint grey line; back, wings, and tail, brownish-black; culmen, from the base to the point, a bright orange-yellow ; remainder of the bill, black; feet, white, with a faint bluish tinge.
Length, 36 inches; breadth from wing to wing, 84 inches; bill, 4 inches.
Habitats: The whole of the Southern Ocean, without the Tropics, is familiar to this bird, although it does not confine its peregrinations to the colder latitudes alone, being met with in all the intermediate seas between the Cape of Good Hope and Tasmania, and from thence to the coast of South America.
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DIOMEDEA CULMINATA (Gould).
CULMINATED ALBATROS. Genus: DIoMEDEA.
LMOST as plentiful in the Australian seas as the black-eyebrowed variety, this species, although not the largest, is one of the most active and powerful of the Albatroses, and in its habits and
mode of life generally so closely resembles its congeners that details of these particulars would be needless repetition. The specific differences of this species from Diomedea Chlororhynchos, for which, when at a distance, it is sometimes mistaken owing to the similarity of plumage, are in the shape of the bill and the size of the feet. The bill of D. Chlororhynchos is more laterally compressed and the culmen is rounded, while in the subject of this plate the culmen is broad and flat, and from this feature is derived the name of Culminated Albatros; the feet also of this species are very much larger, this peculiarity
being at once noticeable when the bird is about to settle upon the water at a short distance. In size this species is intermediate between the one previously described and that to follow.
The Auckland, Campbell, Bounty and Antipodes Islands are visited by these birds in common with other Albatroses for breeding purposes; at the Falkland Islands, in the South Atlantic Ocean,
there are also extensive breeding grounds.
Back, wings and tail, a very dark grey, the latter with white shafts; head and neck, dull white, washed with greyish-black; before and behind the eye a mark of greyish-black, which is interrupted beneath by a thin streak of white immediately below the lower part of the lid; rump and all the under surface, white; bill, black, except the culmen and tip and the lower edge of the under
mandible, which are horn-colour.
Habitats: From the Great Australian Bight to Cape Maria Van Diemen—the northern extremity of New Zealand—this species is very abundant; about the southern coast of New South
Wales, and thence to Bass’s Straits, it is frequently met with.
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DIOMEDEA CAUTA (Gould).
SHY ALBATROS. Genus: Diomepea.
HE distinctive characteristics of this bird are excessive timidity and caution, as it can rarely be tempted to approach within shooting distance from the ship. Whilst numbers of other species of Albatroses and other oceanic birds will daringly sweep around the ship, in utter disregard of the gun, and swoop down upon any refuse thrown overboard from the vessel, this bird may be noticed on the far outskirts of the flocks of his winged congeners, circling and wheeling in immense sweeps, but only alighting on the water to secure any chance morsel that may have escaped the observation of his hardier brethren when he is far astern of the ship and out of all possible danger from man.
Only inferior in size to the great Wandering Albatros, and in speed and beauty of evolution, when on the wing, to the Sooty Albatros, this bird, by his marked capacity for sustained and graceful sailing flight, at once excites the attention and profound admiration of the voyager.
The breeding places of this species in the southern seas are doubtless somewhere in the high latitudes, as they have been seen in great abundance by the captains of whaling ships about Bounty and Antipodes Islands, two bleak and inhospitable spots six hundred miles from the coast of the Middle
Island of New Zealand.
There is but little difference between the sexes in colour when fully grown; the female, however, can always be singled out by her comparative diminutiveness, and the young by the bill being of an uniform grey.
Crown of the head, back of the neck, throat, all the under surface and rump, grey-white ; before and behind the eye a mark of greyish-black, gradually passing into a delicate pearl-grey, which extends over the face; back, a rich pearl-grey, deepening on the wings and tail into brown; bill, a light grey or bluish horn-colour, except on the culmen, where it is yellow, darkening at the tips of the mandibles; the upper mandible at the base surrounded by a narrow line of black; the base of the lower mandible surrounded by a belt of rich orange; feet, bluish-white.
Length, 31 inches; bill, 44 inches; wing, 214 inches; tail, 9 inches; tarsi, 3 inches.
Habitats: Abundant about the southern coast of Tasmania, especially so in the vicinity of D’Entrecasteaux’s Channel; the Auckland, Campbell, Bounty and Antipodes Islands appear, however, to be more favoured localities, doubtless from thei lonely situation in the southern ocean affording better facilities for nidification; the species is also occasionally met with in the warm latitudes of the
South Seas.
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DIOMEDEA EXULANS (Linmneus).
WANDERING ALBATROS. Genus: DiomMepEA.
REATER in size than the Swan, of magnificent extent of wing, and of noble and gallant bearing when either sailing through the air or resting upon the water, the Wandering Albatros ranks high above all his ocean competitors. Endued with great strength, and of a most savage disposition, he holds undisputed sway over the rest of the ocean haunting birds and inspires them with the most palpable terror. It is commonly asserted and believed that this bird will attack and tear out the eyes of a man when swimming in the water; and such is its ferocity and size, that Gould remarks from his observation of it that he could well believe that such a feat would be readily attempted. The sea is the home of this species, and save for the purpose of breeding, in such desolate places as the Auckland and Campbell Islands, it never resorts to the land. Perpetually sailing on tireless wing, scanning with eager eye the surface of the water for meduse and other marine organisations that form a portion of its food, it never rests by day or night and seems to scorn repose. The sight of a dead whale drifting on the ocean, or of a whaleship with the carcase of one attached alongside, at once ensures the attendance of some hundreds of these birds eager to enjoy a repast of the blubber, and in defiance of the sailors, who will attack them with whaling spades and lances, these fierce roamers of the air and sea will sometimes even swoop upon the decks, and attempt to seize the pieces of blubber as they are cut up and thrown into the try-pots ; and, indeed, a single Wandering Albatros, from the velocity of its onslaught, great size and weight, is no despicable antagonist. During the prevalence of calms, when the refuse thrown overboard floats in the immediate vicinity of the ship, numbers of these birds, floating or swimming about the glassy surface, with ease and beauty of movement beyond all conception, make a noble and elegant picture, and the impression of the poetry of motion thus depicted will long remain in the memory of the traveller. On such occasions as these, the birds, more after the manner of the domesticated Swan than that of the untamed ranger of the seas, will swim up to the very sides of the vessel and seize in their powerful beaks any food that may be thrown to them; or may be easily caught with a hook and line. But it is during a storm, when the surface of the water has been lashed into heaving mountains and valleys by the violence of the gale, that the movements of this superb bird when on the wing excites the greatest wonder and admiration. Apparently borne aloft on its mighty wings by some unknown and _ invisible power, skimming with meteor-like swiftness the crests of the towering waves, descending and ascending the watery <lepressions and elevations with no perceptible muscular exertion, and then darting through the air and almost touching the spars of the rolling and tossing ship with the tip of its pinion, it gazes down with calm defiance upon the deck as it passes, to again resume its erratic and wonderful flight.
The average weight of these birds Gould gives as seventeen pounds, and the extent of wing from tip to tip ten feet one inch; but Dr. McCormick, R.N., states having met with examples weighing quite twenty pounds, and whose outstretched wings measured twelve feet. Latham speaks of one in the Leverian Museum measuring thirteen feet, and alludes to one mentioned by Ives as having been shot off the Cape of Good Hope, which measured seventeen feet six inches from wing to wing.
The breeding places in Australian seas are the Auckland and Campbeli Islands, these barren solitudes being generally favoured by all the Albatroses that range the southern latitudes. The nest is larger than that of any other species, being eighteen inches in height, six feet in circumference at the
base, and 27 inches in diameter at the top. This huge affair is constructed of dried grass, leaves and seaweed, matted together with mud, is usually built along the side of some grassy declivity, and with the great white bird sitting on the top, is a curious sight to witness. During the process of incubation the male bird is for ever on the wing, and shews the utmost solicitude in supplying his mate with food. The presence of the male bird seems to inspire his companion with courage, and she will defend herself stoutly with her bill, and can only be dragged off the nest by using great foree, when she will waddle awkwardly away to a short distance and anxiously watch the movements of the despoiler. Dr. McCormick noticed that a fierce species of Lestris was always on the watch for the female bird to quit the nest, when this predatory visitor would instantly pounce down and devour the egg; and when one of these pirates passed overhead the poor female Albatroses would snap their beaks violently together and
give utterance to harsh, braying croaks.
The egg is a pure white, four inches and three-quarters long by three and a quarter broad ; some have been noticed to be marked with dull spots at the larger end. It is considered good food by the sealers and whalers, although, like the egg of some other oceanic birds, no amount of boiling will
harden the white.
This species varies much in colour at different ages; very old birds are almost entirely white, with the exception of the pinions, which are a very dark brown, or nearly black; and birds are met with in every stage, from white, mottled white and brown, and barred with dark brown, to a rich dark brown approaching to black ; bill, delicate pink, except for the tips of the mandibles, which are a light horn-colour; eyelash, bare, fleshy and of a pale green; legs, feet and webs, pinky-white.
Habitats: From the 30th to the 60th degree of south latitude this species is most abundant; from the Cape of Good Hope to Cape Horn great numbers are always to be met with; in the cold seas surrounding the Auckland and Campbell Islands, and also about the southern coasts of Tasmania, it is very plentiful, and is common over the whole of the southern and temperate latitudes of both Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
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TYNHIS group of oceanic birds was considered by Gould to be deserving of a family designation.
Universally diffused over the sea-washed lands of the globe, nearly twenty species are represented in Australia, and others also may probably be discovered. Some species of the many genera which constitute this family are coloured in the most charming and beautiful manner, and although not rapid fliers, their light and delicate construction of body and indescribable ease and grace of movement when hovering just above the surface of the water, will long be remembered by the traveller.
CIS eV NOWS iCleccz).
RUE oceanic birds, and ranging both temperate and warm latitudes, the representatives of this genus are abundant on various portions of the Australian coast. In their general mode of life they resemble Petrels, but have distinguishing characteristics from those birds and the Terns; from the latter they especially differ in their flight, which is slow and steady; and, unlike many of the Petrels, they are very silent birds, rarely giving forth a note when met with upon the open sea.
ANOUS LEUCOCAPILLUS (Gouid)
WHITE-CAPPED NODDY. Genus: Avovs.
HIS, one of the most handsome of the Noddies, is a confirmed ocean wanderer and seldom visits the land except for breeding purposes, when they collect in vast flocks on the small islets in Torres Straits and some of the coral islands of Polynesia. In its habits and mode of life generally there is such a marked resemblance to the Noddy Tern, described in the Plate following, that that description will be fully applicable to this species.
Jardine considers this Noddy to be identical with the A. Tenuirostris of South Africa; but Gould and Bonaparte have treated it as distinct.
Crown of the head and nape of the neck, white; near the posterior angle of the upper and lower eyelids, a small triangular patch of white; the rest of the plumage a rich deep black; bill, black, except
for a faint horn-coloured line along the upper mandible; legs and feet, brown.
Total length, 14 inches; bill, 24 inches; wing, 9 inches; tail, 5 inches; tarsi, ~ inch; middle toe and nail, 14 inch.
Habitats: Torres Straits and other northern parts of Australia.
GENUS PROCELSTERNA (Lajresnaye).
FEYWO small Terns comprise this genus, which is allied to the members of the genus Anous, from which,
i in some few minor particulars, they differ. Gould applied the specific term Cinereus to the following species of the genus, but the same term having been previously used by Neboux, Bonaparte replaced it by Albivitta, which has been adopted by Gould.
PROCELSTERNA ALBIVITTA.
GREY NODDY. GENUS: PROCELSTERNA.
TYNHIS is one of the smallest of the Noddies and is in every particular a true Anous, and in habits, manners, and general mode of life resembles the other members of the family.
About some of the guano islands in the South Pacific Ocean this species is fairly numerous, but does not breed in those places, the eastern and north-eastern coasts of Australia, and Norfolk Island, are doubtless the most favoured localities in this respect, although no nurseries have been discovered.
Oceasionally following in the wake of ships, this Noddy may be captured in the same manner as other ocean birds, but in general is rather timid and is somewhat chary of taking a bait affixed to a hook. In picking up any floating substance it settles on the water in a very deliberate manner, and by the silence it maintains contrasts markedly with the other birds by which it may be surrounded, as these usually keep up a continuous ¢lattering and croaking as they alight on the surface to seize any food.
The egg is of a pale cream colour, dashed with blotches of dark brown and dull red at irregular intervals, and is considered excellent eating.
Head, neck, and all the under surface, silvery greyish-white; back, wings and tail a rich grey ; secondaries, tipped with white; bill, dark brown; tarsi and toes, dark brown ; interdigital membrane, bright vellow.
Total length, 11 inches; bill, 14 inch; wing, 8 inches; tail, 5 inches; tarsi, 14 inch; middle toe and nail, 12 inch.
Habitats: Torres Straits and the eastern coast of Australia; also Norfolk Island and the islands of the Phenix Group, lying between the Equator and 10° south latitude.
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GENUS ANOUS (Leacxz):
ANOUS MELANOPS (Gould). LESSER NODDY. Genus: ANOUS.
RODIGIOUS numbers of this bird and an allied species (A. Stolidus) frequent the Houtman’s Abrolhos, off the coast of Western Australia.
This Noddy is of gregarious habits, and towards the close of the day, when the old birds are returning from the ocean, their breeding places present an extraordinary spectacle to the visitor, there being, according to Gilbert, amazing clouds, literally speaking, of these birds around the clumps of mangrove on which their nests are made; and usually silent when upon the water, the croaking
noise made by the old birds and the quack and peculiar piping whistle of the young ones at this time are simply deafening.
The nests are constructed in a very expeditious and rough manner by simply laying masses of seaweed on the thickly-growing topmost branches of the mangroves, at from five to ten feet from the ground. The layer of seaweed is from about two to four inches in thickness, and no attempt is made by the birds to give any shape to it, a small depression on the top to keep the egg in its place being regarded as sufficient preparation for the process of incubation. The nests of this species are, however, placed at a greater height on the branches than those of the A. Stolidus (Noddy Tern), with which species this one dwells and incubates in the greatest harmony; and doubtless it is this fact that ensures the prevalence of the vast numbers of the Lesser Noddy over its congeners, for the nests of the latter, being placed lower down and sometimes actually upon the ground, are preyed upon by a _ small lizard which devours thousands of the eggs as well as the young birds. The strong and unpleasant odour of these breeding places is perceptible to a great distance, and the nests, leaves and branches of the trees
are completely covered with the white excrement of the birds, giving the
appearance of a heavy fall of snow. At this particular place (the South Island of Houtman’s Abrolhos) the distance from the breeding place to the feeding ground on the outer reef is four miles, and Gilbert states that over this space the numbers of birds con- tinuously passing were in such close array that they formed one steady and unbroken line, and even those who have seen the vast flights of the Passenger Pigeon, so vividly described by Audubon, would be amazed at the extraordinary spectacle presented on this island.
The egg is of a dull cream colour, marked all over with blotches of dull red and brown,
the latter appearing to show from the inside surface of the shell. These blotches are most numerous
at the larger end. The egg is one inch and three-quarters long by one inch and a quarter broad.
The sexes show no outward difference.
Crown of the head and back of the neck, pale ash colour, changing into dark grey towards the back ; before and behind the eye, a margin of jet black ; posterior half of the lower lash, pure white ; throat, fore part of the neck and all the under surface dark grey; wings and tail, very dark brown, approaching to black; bill, black.
Total length, 13 inches; tail, 5 inches ; wing, 8? inches; tarsi, § inch ; middle toe and nail,
14 inch.
Habitats: Like the Lesser Noddy, this species is found in great abundance on the small sandy islets of Torres Straits and at Houtman’s Abrolhos, off the coast of Western Australia, these two places being the greatest breeding grounds; other nurseries, however, exist in some of the low-
lving coral islands of Polynesia, and also in the Indian Ocean.
ANOUS STOLIDUS. NODDY TERN. Genus: Avyovs.
ry HIS species in habits and general mode of life resembles in almost every particular the preceding i one, except that in the mode of nidification more care is manifested than is displayed by the Lesser Noddy and the Sooty Tern in constructing a shallow nest of small twigs or dried grass, intermixed with which are fragments of coral, mussel shells, and occasionally pieces of turtle and fish bones. The whole nest is, however, built in a very slovenly ,manner, and in many instances this bird appears to favour the ground in preference to the labour, trifling as it is, of making a nest in the
mangrove: a tuft of grass or lump of seaweed in this case answers all requirements.
Should any of the birds be following a ship as night approaches, they will invariably alight on the yards to sleep, even though land may be within a few miles, and may then be easily captured, but not without biting savagely with the bill and scratching violently with the sharp claws to such a degree as to make it unsafe to be held by an unguarded hand. From this habit of sleeping on the spars of a ship is derived the name of ‘“ Noddies,” given to this and other species of the family by sailors; if left undisturbed on their perch they will sleep on until the return of day.
An abundant supply of food is procured on the reefs, particularly at low water, such as euttle-fish, small mollusca and meduse. This species seldom ranges far out to sea unless a shoal of small fish be discovered, when vast numbers will flock thither, and, sustaining themselves just above the surface of the water, by quick movements of the head seize their prey.
During the period of incubation the birds do not show the slightest fear of man, and those building on the branches of the mangroves will suffer themselves to be lifted off their nests and placed on the ground without attempting to fly away, and, indeed, will remain sitting there with the most apparent indifference whilst their nests are being examined or the eggs taken away. But for the presence of the small lizard before alluded to in describing A. Melanops, these birds would increase overwhelmingly every breeding season, and Gilbert states, as the result of close observation when he visited the rookeries on Houtman’s Abrolhos, that he was satisfied that not more than one of every twenty birds reached maturity, or lived long enough to wing its way to the ocean; these lizards do not eat the whole of the young bird, only extracting the brain and vertebral marrow.
One egg only is laid, and herein lies the great distinction between the Noddies of the northern and southern hemispheres; by the former, according to most ornithologists, three eggs are laid, and by the latter only one. After a minute comparison, Mr. Coues was still undecided as to whether the Pacitic and North American birds were distinct, but rather than unnecessarily multiply the number of
specific designations he has also described this species under the old name of Stolidus.
By dissection alone can the sexes be distinguished: and the plumage of the adult bird is acquired by the young at a very early age.
All the upper and under surface, a rich dark brown; crown of the head a bluish erey, gradually deepening into brown as the back is approached ; tail rather darker than the back and wings ; immediately before and behind the eye a triangular mark of black, the anterior part of which is the largest and very sharply defined ; bill, black ; feet, reddish-brown : claws, black.
Habitats: Besides the Houtman’s Abrolhos, these birds breed in prodigious numbers in Torres Straits, particularly at Bramble Key and Raine’s Islet, but are not found to the southward of the latter place on the eastern coast; among the guano islands of the South Pacific, and from thence to Christmas Island, situated about one hundred and twenty miles to the north of the Equator, the species is also met with, though in somewhat limited numbers.
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GENUS ONYCHOPRION (Wagter).
TY\WO species of this form are met with in the Australian seas; and the first described is also found voth in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
ONYCHOPRION FULIGINOSA. SOOTY TERN. Genus: OnycHoprion.
()* the western, northern and eastern coasts of Australia this species is met with in great numbers’ but on the southern coast it is more sparsely distributed.
The most marked and distinguishing feature of this bird from its congeners is its sombreness_ of plumage about the upper surface, rendered the more conspicuous by the white markings of the under surface.
In the manner of procuring food and general habits a great similarity exists between this Tern and A. Melanops and A. Stolidus; during the breeding season it associates with the utmost harmony with those species, the whole three combining their forces in forming vast nurseries, the most noted of which are those on the Houtman’s Abrolhos, Raine’s Islet and Bramble Key. By the seamen of the
earlier voyages in Australian seas these nurseries were called ‘“ Wide-awake Fairs.”
The egg is two inches and an eighth long by one inch and a half in breadth, and is of a rich creamy-white, with blotchy markings of dark purplish-brown, which, however, sometimes vary considerably in shades of colour. One egg only is deposited on the sand, a slight depression in which is the only preparation made for a nest. Being very palatable, the eggs are much sought after by seamen, and during the sojourn of Mr. Macgillivray’s party among the islands of Torres Straits over fifteen hundred dozen were procured by the blue-jackets during the month of July, forming a very acceptable change from the usual ship’s fare.
The disturbance created in the water by a shoal of porpoises in pursuit of small fishes at once attracts great numbers of this Tern, and as the sudden dashes and plunges of the porpoises cause the small fry to leap out of the water in all directions, they are swooped upon and secured by the birds ere they fall back again into their native element.
The breeding season commences about the end of May, and by the end of June most of the young birds are able to fly and provide for their wants, many of them being very strong on the wing, At this period of their life they are excellent eating, and occasionally during the passage of a ship of war through Torres Straits the breeding grounds are visited by the sailors and great numbers of the
young birds and eggs taken away.
Crown of the head and back of the neck, a rich glossy black; all the upper surface, wings and tail, deep black; the apical half, the shaft, and the outer web of the lateral tail feathers, white; on the forehead a white V shaped mark; all the under surface of the wings and body, white, changing into grey towards the lower part of the abdomen; bill, black; feet, brownish-black.
Habitats: The ranges of habitats of A. Melanops and A. Stolidus also apply to this species.
ONYCHOPRION PANAYENSIS. PANAYAN TERN. Genus: Onycuoprion.
A MONG the vast numbers of Noddies and Sooty Terns frequenting the lonely Houtman’s Abrolhos L and the low, sandy islets of Torres Straits, a few birds of this species may be seen, generally in pairs, and although often in the company of the other species when wandering over the ocean in search of food, it is of solitary habit when resorting to the shore for repose or breeding purposes.
Although met with in such limited numbers at the great nurseries of the other species on the Australian coast, there is doubtless some undiscovered breeding place about the Gulf of Carpentaria or the seas of the East Indian Archipelago, for they are fairly abundant in those waters, and numbers occasionally attend the wandering cruises of whaleships, picking up the refuse oily matter thrown overboard.
When visiting the islands in Torres Straits in H.M.S. “ Rattlesnake,” Mr. Macgillivray and the sailors who accompanied him observed a number of turtle shells arranged—doubtless by the natives who sometimes visit the place—on the shore of Bramble Key. On turning these over he was surprised to discover under each shell a Panayan Tern, sitting on her egg in the most contented manner. On Sophia Island, an uninhabited spot about eleven degrees south of the Equator and near the Ellice Group of islands, a small colony of this species exists, and here the birds breed undisturbed, save for the occasional visit of some island trading vessel, touching at this lonely isle for the purpose of procuring the eggs of the green turtle. At this place the birds deposit their eggs amongst the loose broken coral that lines the shore above high water mark. The eggs are much smaller than those of the Sooty Tern, but have the same colouring, and are looked upon by the natives as an especial delicacy.
Unlike the other allied species, it is not gregarious during the period of incubation. Seeking some sheltering rock standing among the débris of broken coral and shells lining the shore, the female bird deposits her single egg, without making any attempt at the formation of a nest; and until the young bird is hatched and has gained strength of wing, the male is most unwearying in supplying his mate with food, which consists principally of very small fish and the various mollusca and medusze found on the reef.
Crown of the head and nape of the neck, a deep black; on the forehead a large V shaped mark of greyish-white ; back, wings and tail a bright brown, the outer tail-feather white at the base; all the under surface white, washed with grey; bill, black; legs and feet, blackish-green.
Habitats: The western and northern parts of the coasts of Australia; the islands of the East Indian Archipelago, and some of the low-lying islands of the Ellice and Kingsmill Groups in the South Pacitie.
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GENUS] wy DROCHELDIDON . (Laie).
IFFERING from the other Terns in choosing as their habitats the swamps, marshes and lagoons of the interior, about the sedgy herbage of which they build their nests, the members of this genus range over a great portion of the Australian continent.
HYDROCHELIDON LEUCOPAREIA. MARSH TERN. Genus: Hyprocueripon.
HIS is one of the smallest of the Terns, and is distinguished by the delicacy and beauty of its plumage and by its powerful flight, which is rendered the more conspicuous by the bird’s extreme lightness.
The reaches of some of the rivers and the solitude of the reedy lagoons of the interior of the Australian continent are frequented and enlivened by numbers of these birds, particularly during the breeding season, when they may be seen flying in small flocks over the surface of the water and skimming the edges of the marshes or lagoons.
Although the food of this species consists chiefly of very small fish, it has been observed to seize flying insects while on the wing, by swooping close to the ground and again ascending to a considerable height, the plunges being performed with great velocity; this insect hunting is usually
undertaken by the birds in pairs.
This Tern, although not a swift swimmer, is an exceedingly buoyant one, and when shot at and wounded will not dive as others of the Terns do, but will inflict severe bites with its sharp bill when taken in the hand, though without uttering cries. In this respect, and in the affectionate concern manifested by the male towards the female bird when the latter is wounded, the species greatly resembles the American Marsh Tern described by Audubon. That great ornithologist relates that on the various occasions when he shot male birds the female would merely take a circle as she rose above the reach of shot, and then move off to some considerable distance; but when the female dropped, if on the water, the male would plunge headlong towards her, and, alighting by her side, would do all in his power to aid her in swimming or flying off.
During nidification the birds appear to attach themselves to a particular locality among the lagoons and marshes which they frequent, usually selecting a spot where the sedgy herbage is very long and conceals their eggs from the prying eyes of Hawks. As soon as the young bird has gained sufficient
strength on the wing the birds again disperse to the various feeding grounds.
As regards plumage, the male and female bird are much alike, but the latter can always be known by her comparative smallness to the male.
Forehead, crown and nape, deep black ; all the upper surface, wings and tail, a rich grey ; sides of the face and throat, white, deepening into grey towards the chest ; bill, a brilliant red; feet, red.
Total length; 97 inches; bill, 12 inch; wing, 8% inches; tail, 84 inches; tarsi, { inch.
Habitats: The interior rivers, lagoons and marshes of the Australian continent generally ; about the Swan River and Cambridge Gulf, in Western Australia, it has been observed in small flocks, but made
no lengthened stay.
GENUS GYGIS: (Wazier,,
()" the single species of this genus of Tern found in Australia, or of its allies, but little is known. The various groups of the South Sea Islands, the Indian Ocean, and northern Australian seas generally are its habitats.
GYGIS CANDIDA. WHITE TERN. Genvs: Gryais.
A eg is undoubtedly the most beautiful of all the Terns, and although met with all along the northern half of the eastern seaboard of Australia, the favourite haunts of the species are those low-lying palm-elad islands of Polynesia known as the Paumotu Archipelago, situated to the eastward of the Society Islands. On Elizabeth and Oeno Islands, lonely little spots in the archipelago alluded to, and not far from the famous Pitcairn Island of the “ Bounty” mutineers, there are two nurseries of these birds.
Like its very antithesis in colour, the Sooty Tern, this bird seems satisfied with the merest apology for a nest, but, unlike O. Fuliginosa, it never incubates on the ground, always choosing a depression in the peculiar horizontal branches of a species of Pandanus which is very plentiful on the two islands before mentioned ; and although the strong trade winds cause a constant oscillation of the branches, the egg almost invariably retains its position, as very few were observed lying on the ground by Mr. Cuming, who visited these places some years ago, but he noticed that many of the young birds fell down and died of hunger.
By the natives of the Paumotu Archipelago the plumage of these snow-white birds is greatly estimated for purposes of adornment, and the breeding grounds in some of the islands of the group are annually visited by parties of natives, who devote several days to feasting on the eggs, which, as the Terns congregate at such localities in thousands, are very plentiful.
In speaking of a visit to Keeling Island, in the South Pacific, Darwin observed this beautiful Tern, and stated that it would approach within an arm’s length of his head, its large black eye scanning him with an expression of quiet curiosity, and that little imagination was required to fancy that so light and delicate a body was tenanted by some wandering fairy spirit.
here is no outward difference observable in the sexes.
The entire under-plumage is snow-white ; wings and back a very light grey; bill, dark blue at the base, deepening into black at the tip; feet, orange.
The length of the adult bird is 13 inches, with a breadth of 20 inches from wing to wing.
Habitats :
The northern part of the eastern coast of Australia and the numerous atoll islands of Polynesia,
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Cea Sol ERIN UIA: (Bore).
ARIOUS parts of the Australian coast are inhabited by these fairy-like little birds, whose delicate colouring and elegant forms, as they hover about the low sandy islets, convey an impression of
beauty not easily forgotten by the traveller.
STERNULA NEREIS (Gould. LITTLE TERN. Genus: STERNUvLA.
LTHOUGH not so beautiful and fairy-like a creature as G. Candida, this is a very delicately- coloured and graceful little Tern, and congregates in prodigious numbers at the breeding grounds,
the principal of which are on Garden and Rottnest Islands, off the coast of Western Australia.
In its habits and general economy this species resembles exactiy the Little Tern of Europe,
but far surpasses it in delicacy of plumage.
Like the Sooty Tern, this species makes no attempt at forming a nest, a slight depression only being formed in the sand or loose coral, in which two eggs are deposited. These are of a dull creamy white, occasionally blotched at the larger end with markings of dark brown; they are one inch
and three-eighths long by seven-eighths broad.
Like the other ocean-haunting Tern, the food consists of the various mollusca, medusze and small fishes; the latter are captured with great ease, the bird plunging down into the water from a great
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height and striking its prey with an unerring aim. The sexes have no apparent outward difference.
Crown of the head, black, with a pale bluish mark in the centre; back of the neck and mark around the eye, black; forehead, greyish white; back and wings, a delicate silver grey; sides of the neck and body beneath the wings, white, deepening into grey on the abdomen; bill and feet, a light
yellow.
Total length, 104 inches; bill, 12 inch; wing, 73 inches; tail, 44 inches; tarsi, °/,, inch.
Habitats: From the low sandy islands in Bass’s Straits and along the Great Australian Bight to the coast of Western Australia; the species is also met with at the mouths of the tidal rivers of the Northern Territory of South Australia.
GENUS STERNA (Liuneus).
FYVUREE species of this genus inhabit Australia, and, as now restricted, are universally diffused over
the seas of the globe. The colouring of these Terns is particularly delicate and beautiful.
STERNA MELANAUCHEN (Zemminck). BLACK-NAPED TERN. Genus: STERna.
| OVING the warmth of the tropic seas and islands of the East Indian Archipelago, this beaut ifu Au Tern, which is distinguished from all the other members of the genus by the pearly-crey crown
of the head, is also a frequent visitor to the northern coasts of Australia.
The breeding places of this species are said to be the islands of the Malayan Peninsula and the Nicobar Islands in the Indian Ocean; but a small nursery of the birds was discovered by Mr. Maegillivray on one of the sandbanks near Sir Charles Hardy’s Islands in Torres Straits. About the islands of the Louisiade Archipelago also these Terns are met with, and although not yet discovered,
there is doubtless a breeding place somewhere in that group or on the southern coast of New Guinea.
In the mode of procuring food and habits in general this species presents no marked difference to the other Terns, except that it is excessively shy, cannot be captured by a hook and line, can but
rarely be approached near enough to be shot unless during the breeding season, and is a very noisy bird.
When patrolling the reefs and sandbanks in search of food, the number of a ‘flock seldom
exceeds eight or ten.
Two eggs, of a dull cream colour, mottled with brownish marks, are deposited in a slight depression formed in the sand or shingle. The plumage of the young birds seen by Mr. Macgillivray on Sir Charles Hardy’s Islands differed from the adult bird in having the back markings on the head a brown mottled with white; and this is considered by Mr. Blyth to show the affinity of this
species to the genus Onychoprion. In Java and other parts of the East Indian Archipelago this Tern is called “Toyang Kacha.”
No outward difference was discernible by Gould in the sexes; but he was of the opinion that, In common with other members of the family, this species undergoes changes of plumage, and that
consequently at some seasons of the year the black mark at the occiput is more subdued in colour
than at others.
Crown of the head, pearl grey; neck and under surface, white, with a greyish tinge on the breast ; a gorget-shaped mark commencing immediately before the eye and extending over the nape, black; upper surface, wings and tail, a rich silvery grey; bill, black; feet, dark brown.
Habitats: The islands about Torres Straits; and thence along the northern shores of Australia
to the Celebes and Moluccas.
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STERNA MELANORHYNCHA (Gould). SOUTHERN TERN. GENUS: STERNA.
FYXHE present bird is one of the smallest of the Terns, and, as far as is known, in habits and
general mode of life does not differ from the other members of the family.
This species frequents the colder latitudes of the southern hemisphere, but occasionally visits the coasts of New Zealand and Tasmania, and some fine specimens were procured by Gould near Maria Island, off the coast of the latter island. All these, he observed, had white foreheads, which is doubtless the winter plumage, as he subsequently received from Mr. Macgillivray what he considered some fully adult examples of the species in their summer dress, in which the crown of the head was entirely black. In some specimens, however, the bill was red, while in others the red of the upper mandible was stained with black, but in all the upper and under surfaces were a dark blue grey, and the rump, tail-coverts and tail white.
Except for its much smaller size and darker hue of plumage, there is a strong resemblance between this species and one inhabiting the Falkland Islands, in the South Atlantic.
No breeding places of this bird have yet been discovered on the Australian coast or the islands adjacent thereto; but as small flocks are occasionally seen about the Chatham Islands, and the New Zealand and Tasmanian coasts, there are probably nurseries situated in some of the islands
of the southern ocean, which will doubtless be revealed at some future time.
St. Paul’s and Amsterdam Islands are included in the range of habitat of this species, and from the former place some eggs were procured by Macgillivray, the ground colour of which was an olive brown, blotched and marked all over with rich umber; at the larger end these markings were particularly conspicuous and intermingled with faint streaks of grey. The length of the egg is
1? inch by a breadth of 12 inch.
When met with at sea this Tern is rather timid, does not usually approach very close to the
ship, and is chary of taking any food secured to a hook, unless driven to it by hunger.
Forehead, grey; from behind the eye, occiput and back of the neck, black; all the under
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surface, grey-white; the upper surface, wings and tail, a rich grey; Dill, black; le
red.
Total length, 13 inches; bill, 21 inches; wing, 93 inches; tail, 64 inches; tarsi, 3 inch.
Habitat: That portion of the southern ocean lying between the south coast of Australia and
the Chatham Islands seems to be the most favoured range.
STERNA GRACILIS (Gould). GRACEFUL TERN. Genus: Sterna.
|" is to be regretted that so little is known regarding this fairy-like and beautiful Tern, and although Gilbert states that he saw vast flocks on the Houtman’s Abrolhos, he arrived there too late to secure any eggs, the breeding season being over, and could learn but little of its habits from
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the people who visited the Abrolhos.
The species is gregarious at all seasons of the year, and about the low sandy islands of the Abrolhos shoals and the the islands of the Dampier and Buccaneer Archipelagos — all of which are situated in the warm seas of the West Australian coast—large flocks of these graceful sea rangers are seen continually passing to and fro, especially in the early morning and towards the close of the day ; during the heat of the day, and after the birds have finished the morning’s fishing about the coral
reefs and sandbanks, they retire to the shore and seek the shelter of the stunted herbage.
Two eggs are laid by this species, and those found on the <Abrolhos were deposited in a careless manner on the ground among the loose debris of coral and seaweed lying above high water
inark,
Crown of the head and back of the neck. a deep rich black; all the upper surface, wings and tail, silvery grey; sides of the neck and all the under surface, white, with a faint tinge of rose-colour on
the breast and abdomen; bill, red; feet, orange-red; claws, black.
Habitat: The coast of Western Australia, from Cape Leeuwin to the Buccaneer Archipelago,
and the islands of the northern coast.
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GENUS GELOCHELIDON: . (4Srehm).
/ TYPICAL example of this genus is found in the Gull-billed Tern of the British Islands. It is
also common in North America.
GELOCHELIDON MACROTARSA (Gould).
LONG -LEGGED TERN. GENUS : GELOCHELIDON.
ITHER the true habitat of this species has not yet been visited by an ornithologist, or the bird is
very rare.
Although nearly allied to the Gelochelidon Anglica (Gull-billed Tern) of Europe, the Australian bird has distinctive features from the representative of the genus in the northern hemisphere, the principal of which are its greater size of body, longer and larger legs, aud the delicacy of the colouring of the back and wings.
Until the vear 1837, this species, according to Gould, was entirely new to science. In that year he published a full description of the bird, but during the following twenty-eight years he saw but two other examples, one of which was obtained from Southern Queensland ; the other was procured on the Victoria River, in North-west Australia.
The vast extent of coast line from the western shores of the Gulf of Carpentaria to the Fitzroy River in Western Australia is still comparatively unexplored by the ornithologist, and it is probable that with the rapid progress of settlement in those regions, additional light will be thrown upon the obscurity which at present surrounds this great Tern by one or more of the breeding places being discovered and the habits of the species observed by the collector.
Crown of the head and back of the neck, a deep black; all the upper surfaces, a bright silvery grey; the tail feathers, washed with light brown; sides of the head, neck and chest, white ; all the rest of the under surface, grey-white; bill and feet, a dull black.
The total length of the two specimens obtained by Gould averaged 17 inches; bill, 21 inches ; wing, 132 inches; tail, 6 inches; tarsi, 12 inch.
Habitat : The north-western coast of Australia.
Gens VY LOCHELIDON (Srezm):
HIS is the largest and most powerful member of the family Sternide@; only a single specimen is found in Australia. It is common to various parts of India, and also occurs in the south of Europe.
SYLOCHELIDON CASPIA. CASPIAN TERN. GENUS : SYLOCHELIDON.
{REAT breadth of wing, velocity of flight, and diving powers distinguish this fine member of the A family Sternida.
Although found alone the shores of Australia generally, the species is more numerous about the
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coast of Tasmania and the islands of Bass’s Straits than on any portion of our island continent.
Frequenters of the mouths of rivers, and the muddy or sandy flats which are usually attendant features of such places, these Terns are usually seen flying in pairs and fishing much in the same tanner as do the larger species of Gulls. It is then that the splendid wing development of this species is seen to the best advantage; suspended high in air, its keen, restless eye detects a fish far below, and with amazing velocity and unerring aim the bird cleaves the air and plunges into the water, emerging triumphantly from beneath the surface within a few seconds holding the prize in its powerful beak, and flying to land to enjoy the feast. At other times the male and female bird will be seen in company, skimming the crests of the billows with graceful swallow-like movements, uttering the while in quick succession their peculiar cackling note, which more resembles a coarse laugh than
the ery of a bird.
These Terns resort to the islands in Bass’s Straits during the months of August, September and October for the purpose of breeding; at this time they are very fierce, and savagely resent the intrusion within the boundaries of their breeding place of any of the Gulls or Petrels.
As the breeding season approaches, the spotted appearance of the crown of the head changes to a hue of the deepest black.
Even during the period of incubation this species is not gregarious, seldom more than one pair being found on an island, unless it be of some considerable size or of a rough and _ precipitous character, when others will seek out secluded spots in the various little bays and indentations, and form nests near the water's edge by simply making a slight depression in the sand or shingle.
Two eggs are laid, of a dull stone-colour, with markings of brown; they are nearly three inches in length by one inch and three-quarters broad, but are not very palatable, owing to their strong fish-like flavour.
Only by the smaller size of the female can the sexes be distinguished, as they are both subject to the change of plumage before mentioned.
Forehead, crown and nape, a rich glossy black; back, wings and tail, ashy-grey, deepening into dark-grey on the primaries; remainder of the plumage, white; bill, scarlet, with a white line along the upper mandible, and a yellowish line along the edges of both mandibles.
Total length, 205 inches; bill, 4 inches; wing, 163 inches; tail, 64 inches; tarsi, 2 inches.
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Occasionally examples are met with nearly 22 inches in length, and with fully a breadth of 36 inches from wing to wing.
Habitats: The coasts of Australia generally, and the islands and coast of Tasmania especially.
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GENUS TRALASSE US: (Gaze).
FEXHREE distinct species of this genus are found in Australia, the type of which in Europe is T. Cantiacus, and which is there widely diffused.
THALASSEUS CRISTATUS. TORRES STRAITS TERN. Guyvs: Tuatassevs.
CYOMETIMES called the Yellow-billed Tern, this is the most shy and timid of the family, and ~. eannot, like so many of its congeners, be captured with a hook and line, the presence of which, floating on the water, is a signal for immediate flight to a considerable distance.
This is the largest of all the Terns inhabiting the islands of Torres Straits, where great numbers may be seen at all seasons of the year; it was considered by Gould to be identical with
Sterna Pelecanoides, described by Captain King.
In mode of life generally this Tern does not differ from Thalasseus Poliocercus (inhabiting the coasts of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania), to which it is very nearly allied; the plumage of the two species is very much alike, but 7. Cristatus may always be recognised by the much larger bill and stouter body.
About the islands of Torres Straits and the low sandbanks of the Great Barrier Reef this species 1s very numerous. Breeding places were discovered by Mr. Macgillivray on Lizard Island and Raine’s Islet. At the latter place the nursery was visited in June, when both eggs and voung birds were procured; here, it was noticed, the birds were divided into three flocks, each having a separate nursery, but all situated on a low ridge on the lee side of the island. As soon as Mr. Macgillivray’s party approached within fifty yards the utmost alarm prevailed among the birds, all those sitting on nests rising and flying away, but returning in a few minutes, they hovered about, anxiously watching the movements of the visitors. The nests were merely slight hollows scooped out of the soft sandy soil, but each was situated in a clear sheltered spot among the scrubby herbage. One egg or one young bird only was found in each nest, and the former varied considerably in their markings; the ground colour of most was a dull grey, in some instances very thickly blotched or speckled with black; others were marked with wavy streaks and small spots of brown; others again were marked all over with irregular blotches of black, and a great many were noticed in which the larger end was either blotched or streaked. with dark red on a light pinkish-grey ground.
There is no outward difference between the sexes when fully grown; the young birds, however, may be distinguished by the black part of the head being mottled with white.
Crown of the head and occipital crest, black; forehead, sides and back of the neck and all the under surface, silky-grey ; back, wings and tail, ashy-grey, deepening into brown on the edges and tips of the primaries; bill, pale greenish yellow; legs and feet, black.
Habitats: The islands of Torres Straits and the northern and western coasts of Australia.
THALASSEUS POLIOCERCUS (Gould). BASSS STRAITS TERN. Genus: THALASSEUS.
TYVHE English type of this species is the Kentish Tern, and in general habits it resembles that
variety ; it is, however, a rather larger bird.
During the winter months this Tern is very abundant on the shores of New South Wales and Vietoria, and vast flocks frequent the islands of Bass’s Straits; in that season small flocks make their way into the various bays and inlets, and very often ascend far up the rivers and remain about the sand and mud flats till the warm weather returns. Whilst in these localities their principal food
consists of the shoals of small fish—principally mullet—which are then very plentiful.
These flocks vary in numbers from ten to a hundred, and each would seem to possess its exclusive range of fishing ground, although when an especially large shoal of fish appears on the surface, the whole will combine forces for an onslaught, when nothing can exceed the address and suddennes with which these birds dart upon and secure their prey, this species being one of the swiftest of
the Tern family.
During the prevalence of heavy easterly gales on the coast of New South Wales, numbers of these birds will seek refuge inland, and alighting on the margins of swamps and marshes, even though
those places should be in close proximity to man, will there remain till fine weather sets in, when they
return to their usual haunts about the sea shore.
High, inaccessible rocks, standing some distance from the shore, are usually chosen as breeding places, and here the birds deposit their eggs in the crevices of the rock, generally on the side facing the land and out of the reach of the spray should stormy weather happen. About the coast of New South Wales many such rocks may be observed, covered with the white excrement of these Terds and Gulls, the latter bird fishing and dwelling with perfect amity with the present species.
The eggs are usually of a dull grey colour, although many are seen of a light buff tinge; but all present the same irregular blotches and streaks of brown ; in many instances these markings bear a great resemblance to Chinese characters, and in some the blotches are so thick at the larger end as to blend and form a distinet zone.
There is no outward difference in the sexes; in summer the mottled black and white heads of the adult birds change to the deepest jet black.
Crown of the head and occipital crest, deep black; forehead, sides and back of the neck and all the under surface, silky-grey ; back, wings and tail, ashy-grey; bill, bright yellow; legs and feet, brownish black.
Total length, 17} inches; bill, 2? inches; wing, 122 inches; tail, 7 inches; tarsi, 1 inch.
Habitats: The coasts of New ‘South Wales and Victoria and the islands of Bass’s Straits.
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THALASSEUS BENGALENSIS. INDIAN TERN. Genus : THALASSEUS.
ae allied to and resembling in its general mode of life the two preceding species, this Tern is a frequenter of the warm latitudes of the northern parts of Australia and the islands of the East Indian Archipelago.
About the mangrove-banked sluggish waters of the tidal rivers and creeks debouching into the Gulf of Carpentaria, and adong the north-western coast of Australia, these Terns are seen in small flocks, generally haunting the sandbanks at the entrances to the sea.
Like the preceding species, the present does not display any fear of man, and around the shores of Port Darwin and Port Essington numbers of these birds may be observed at almost all seasons of the
year, standing on the sand flats or flying about fishing.
The food consists principally of fish and the various mollusca and meduse to be found on the reefs.
A change of the plumage about the head, similar to that which takes place in 7. Cristatus
and 7. Poliocercus, is also undergone by this species in summer, when the winter coating of white
gives place to a rich black; there is no difference of plumage in the sexes.
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Crown of the head and occipital crest, black; back and wings, a rich grey; tail, dark grey; all
the under surface, a light grey; bill, bright yellow; feet, dark grey.
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Total length, 133 inches; bill, 23 inches; wing, 114 inches; tail, 42 inches; tarsi, 1 inch.
Habitats: The coasts of Northern and North-western Australia.
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ie there seems to be much affinity between the present or Gull family and the Terns,
they are perfectly distinguishable, and easily separated into two families. The Gulls are in general much stouter than the Terns; the bills much stronger, and in some crooked at’ the end, in a degree equal to many birds of prey, and, indeed, the first of the family to be now deseribed—the Great Skua Gull—is of particularly rapacious habits, seldom obtaining its livelihood by its own honest exertions, but, attacking the ordinary species and the Petrels, it forces them to yield up their booty:
the legs of the Gulls are also much stronger than with the Terns. Comprising numerous species, the
family has been divided into many genera in accordance with the variety of their structure, general habits and nidification. In the latter respect, although the various species show differences, they are
thoroughly gregarious at this time, and prodigious numbers assemble at the breeding places, which in some instances are on isolated rocks, and in others on the banks of tidal rivers or salt marshes near the shore,
The soft and dense plumage of the Gulls renders them incapable of any great diving powers, although it gives them a graceful carriage when swimming, and therefore these birds seldom dive, always heinw able to secure their prey on the surface of the water. Like the Terns, the Gulls are true
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cosmopolites, inhabiting the shores and islands of every zone, and most of the genera have a wide range.
GENUS SITERCORARIUS (2727:
TYNHIS is the only representative of the parasitic Gulls inhabiting Australian seas; in the higher latitudes
of the northern hemisphere they are very numerous.
STERCORARIUS CATARRHACTES. GREAT SKUA. Genus: STeERcoRARIUS.
RG powerful, and of a tyrannous and rapacious disposition, the Great Skua contests with the Albatros the supremacy of the ocean, robbing and slaying without merey its weaker brethren, and
devouring their bodies when unable to obtain fish or eggs.
As the voyager to Australia nears the higher latitudes the ship is sure to be visited by wandering individuals or pairs of this species—generally the former. The slow, heavy flight and bulky body of the bird as it approaches the vessel at once arouses attention ; apparently attracted more from inquisitiveness than from a desire to obtain food, the Skua will follow and hover about the ship for perhaps half an hour, and although quickly pouncing upon and securing any morsel of edible refuse cast overboard when such has drifted a considerable distance astern, the bird will but rarely seize a bait attached to a line towing in the ship’s wake. After sufficiently satisfying its curiosity by examining the ship and its human tenants as closely as excessive caution will permit, the solitary wanderer again wings its way over the
ocean until lost to view.
The most frequented haunts of the species in Australian seas are the southern coasts of Tasmania and New Zealand, where great numbers may be seen; but it particularly favours the higher and colder latitudes about the Auckland and Campbell Islands, on which the breeding grounds of so many of the other ocean haunting birds are situated, and where the predatory instincts of the Skua have the fullest
scope in devouring the eggs and young birds of the other species.
A favoured breeding place is in the cheerless solitudes of Kerguelen’s Land, and Mr. Eaton gives an interesting account of a visit to the nursery in that inhospitable island. As the visitors approached the females sitting on their nests, the male birds swooped towards them with such menacing aspect and fierce impetuosity that the seamen who accompanied Mr. Eaton had to defend themselves by striking the birds down with sticks: sometimes a Skua would fly straight at a seaman’s face, rising only just in time to clear his head, and uttering short despairing cries, as if hopeless of preventing the intruder from reaching the nest. On some occasions, when the birds seemed to fancy that they had succeeded in intimidating the enemy from despoiling their nests, they, would stand face to face upon the ground, with wings extended
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vertically so as almost to meet above their backs, whilst two or three would chant a peean consisting of a dozen notes or so, delivered in hoarse croaking tones; and there was every indication that during the period of incubation the Skua is courageous to an alarming degree, particularly if young birds were in the nest.
Petrels of one sort or another seemed to be the staple food of the Skuas on Kerguelen’s Land. They hunt for them in the evening when it is becoming dusk, flymg rapidly along the hill sides, close to the ground, like Hawks, ready to pounce upon any that they may see emerging from the mouths of their burrows. Again in the early morning the Skuas are upon the wing to waylay Petrels returning from the sea; nor are they idle during the rest of the day, which is devoted to plundering the nests of other birds of the eggs and young ones. A number of Blue Petrels captured in the night by the sailors who attended Mr. Eaton were turned loose in the day time, and were all chased by Skuas and killed on the wing before they had flown half a mile.
No nests were made by the Skuas on Kerguelen’s Land, the eggs being merely deposited on the
ground among the low scrubby herbage: there were three in each nest, some being dark brown mottled with white, and others a lighter brown, with darker-hued spots all over the larger end.
After the close of the breeding season the birds disperse over the ocean, for the most part separating into pairs, and are often seen fully a thousand miles from land, their only resting places upon the water being the floating masses of seaweed which are met with at wide intervals in all latitudes, and here they have been observed resting with as much ease as upon solid ground,
When two Skuas are engaged in fishing together the pair will not hesitate to attack the largest Albatros, if that bird should be carrying any food while on the wing: at this time the giant bird has no other resource but to drop his load and settle on the water, and once the plunder is secured the Skuas fly away. “
By many sailors and sealers the flesh of the Skua is considered delicate and much valued, and the feathers are esteemed for their softness and cleanliness.
The plumage of the Skuas of the southern hemisphere is stated by Gould to be darker than that of those inhabiting the northern hemiszhere, and they are also larger and heavier birds: but there is no difference in the colouring of the sexes.
The whole plumage a rich brown; _ bill, legs and feet, bluish-black.
Habitats: The whole of the southern seas generally.
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GENUS LARUS (Ziameus).
NRUE _ cosmopolites, the members of this genus inhabit the shores and islands of every zone, although there is but one representative found in Australia, the which represents the L. Marinus of European and American seas. From its northern prototype, however, it differs in the manner of its flight, which is powerful and buoyant, but in all other respects they are similar. Like those of Europe and America, the Gulls of the southern hemisphere are voracious and clamorous birds, and they may be styled the vultures of the sea, devourmg as they do carrion of every kind which floats on the surface or is cast ashore. With the exception of the Great Skua, the Gulls familiar to us in Australia are timid, unless when assailed by hunger, or when driven by inclement weather they seek refuge on shore, and establish themselves in the immediate vicinity of the dwellings of man.
LARUS PACIFICUS (Latham).
PACIFIC GULL. Genus: Larvs.
7 stormy weather, especially if it be an easterly gale upon the coast of New South Wales, a
by no means infrequent visitation are the flocks of this species of the family Laride@, which, driven from their ordinary haunts by the violence of the wind and sea, travel inland till the desired shelter is found in some depression of the country, such as a grassy flat or the margin of a swamp or lake; and here they will remain till the violence of the storm has abated, either wandering about the flats in a contented manner, or picking up the worms and larve generally to be found in newly- ploughed fields. On such occasions as this it has been observed, immediately after the birds have alighted from then journey from the sea, that many appear to have suffered severely trom the weather, and are barely able to sustain life by looking for worms or such other food as may be in the neighbourhood ; it is then that they may be captured and domesticated, and there is no other of the ocean-haunting birds that so soon resigns itself to imprisonment as this Gull. It is no unusual sight in many of our coastal towns to see one of these white sea wanderers walking about in an apparently contented manner among the common poultry of the farm, although the garden is the haunt preferred, as there may be found a plentiful supply of worms and _ snails, for which diet the captive shows a strong taste, although meat, bread, and, in fact, almost any food will be eagerly eaten by the bird as time passes on and the desire to escape to the ocean dies away. Looking at a captive Gull under circumstances such as these, it appears difficult even to imagine that this pretty creature is the prototype of the Gulls of the northern hemisphere as described by M. Baillon, who says that their ignoble port, their importunate cries, their edged and hooked bills, present the hateful picture of birds sanguinary and basely cruel; they fight rancourously together on the scene of carnage, and even when they are shut up, and their ferocious humour is soured by captivity, they wound each other without apparent motive, and the first from which blood is drawn falls a victim to the rest, for their fury then rises to a pitch, and they tear in pieces the unfortunate wretch which they had wounded without cause.
The present species, however, has not the dreadful characteristics presented by M. Baillon, although, in common with most ocean birds, it loves to feed on carrion, and will gather in multitudes about the ecarease of a whale or seal, on which they easily satiate their rapacity, and procure ample
provision for the innate gluttony of their young.
The distinct features by which the Larus Pacificus differs from all other species are the pearly whiteness of the irides and the deepened form of the bill; their flight is powerful and buoyant, performed by graceful, measured beats of their long, extended and arched wings. When a flock has alighted on a sand bank, or any place affording a level surface, a peculiar action is often noticed to be performed by some of the birds either walking or running backwards with remarkable celerity,
patting their feet upon the ground with lightning-like rapidity.
As winter approaches, large flocks congregate about the sand banks and mud flats at the mouths of rivers and creeks, where, at early morn, they may be observed energetically fishing or’ picking up the usual erustacea, mollusca, etc., abounding in such docalities; and as the heat of the
5
sun becomes powerful, a pretty scene is formed by the birds resting on the shore, close to the
water, either standing on one foot, with retracted neck, or lying down.
In the breeding season this species is strictly gregarious, a number of flocks joining together and choosing either some lonely rock, standing well out from the shore, or an inaccessible headland, and here the nursery is established. Many such breeding places are to be found on the islands about Tasmania, particularly those not often visited by man. Three eggs are usually deposited on the bare rock, in such a place as to be safe from breakage; the ground colour is a pure olive, beautifully marked with blackish and umber-brown streaks and blotches; two inches and _ five-eighths long by one
inch and seven-eighths in breadth is the average size.
The general plumage of the young birds is light brown, with lighter-hued margins to the longer feathers, which gives them-a somewhat mottled appearance; and the bill is a yellowish-brown deepening into black at the tip. The complete colour of plumage is not acquired till after several
moultings, when the bird is rather more than two years old.
Head and neck and all the under surfaces, black: lower part of the back and wings, deep slate-colour, with the exception of the inner primaries and the secondaries, which are broadly tipped with white; tail, white, barred near the tip with the same shade as the wings: irides, white; legs,
yellow; nails, black; bill, a strong yellow, tipped with bright orange-red.
Habitats: The southern part of the eastern shores of the Australian continent and the islands of Bass’s Straits.
GENUS BRUCHIGAVIA (BSonaparte.)
: genus from the rest of the family. In their general habits and economy they bear much resemblance to the other genera of Gulis: but both this species and B. Gouldi undergo no change of
| ELICATE structure, elegant appearance and = gracefulness of flight distinguish the Gulls of this
the head plumage, which is white at all seasons of the year. Two species only are known to inhabit Australia—one the islands of the Society Group in the South Pacific, and another Brazil.
BRUGCHIGAVIA JAMESONTI. SILVER GULL. Genus: Brucuieavia.
N beauty of form and lightness and gracefulness of movement, either when on the wing or running
over the surface of the ground, the Silver Gull fairly competes with the fairy-like White Tern
(Gygis Candida), and like that bird it will sometimes approach to withm an arm’s length, hovering smoothly just out of reach, and scanning with quiet imterest the expression of the stranger.
When in pursuit of a shoal of small fish these Gulls assemble in flocks, and, hovering over the surface of the water, each bird darts every few seconds among the fry with extraordinary rapidity, and continues to prey upon the fish until so repleted as to be unable to fly. A pretty picture is often afforded the traveller by a group of this species when floating on the water, and it is pleasant to see them buoyantly rising and falling alternately upon the rolling swell of the Pacific, the pearly whiteness of their under parts contrasting with the deep blue of the ocean, and their elongated wings extending beyond the tail, giving them a peculiar appearance of gracefulness and agility.
At sea, and when the nearest land is perhaps some hundreds of miles distant, the voyager will sometimes be gratified by the sudden appearance of a pair of these Gulls. Wheeling in ever narrowing circles around the ship, the winged pilgrims seem to express pleasure by their short, rapid cries, especially when bits of bread or such refuse is thrown overboard to them. Once their hunger is satisfied the pair will often remain, flying about in the vicinity of the ship the whole day, and then suddenly, as if cognisant of the existence of land in a_ particular direction, they wing their flight over the sea and return no more.
Like the preceding species, the Silver Gulls are strictly gregarious during the breeding season, and nurseries inhabited by many hundreds of these aerial and ocean wanderers are to be found’ among the sedgy herbage of the salt marshes on unfrequented parts of the coast; others are situated upon the small islands of Bass’s Straits.
Some slight preparation for the period of incubation is made, a few small sticks, rushes and tufts of grass being gathered together in the form of a nest. Four, and sometimes five, eggs are deposited in the rude structure: great differences of colour are presented, no two of any of the four or five in each nest being alike: the colour of some is a dark olive-brown, in others a pale green: im some instances one ege will be thickly streaked and blotched with a very dark brown, while in another the markings will be but barely perceptible; a difference in shape is also shown, some being rather long and thin, and others short and thin.
There is no outward difference in the sexes; the youne birds, however, can always be
recognised by then mottled brown and white plumage.
Head. neck, under surfaces, and rump and tail, white; wings and remaining upper surfaces grey, except the primaries, which are almost white, with a black mark near the margin: bill, irides, legs and feet, bright red; nails, black: irides, white.
Habitats: The southern coasts of Australia and the islands and shores of Tasmania.
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‘a surveying the birds of the order Natatores some remarkable contrasts are afforded by the
preponderance in number of species of some of the groups of the order and the extreme paucity of others of those inhabiting the northern and southern hemispheres, and the present family is a case in stance; for while at least forty species inhabit Europe, half that number are all that are known in Australia. Of the family Procellaridw, however, while less than ten species are met with in Europe, nearly forty range Australian seas.
The most important Australian representatives of the Anatide are the Cereopsis Goose and the Black Swan, while for singularity of appearance the Musk Duck takes precedence of all other members of the family.
GENUS BIZIURA (Leach).
()" all the anomalous forms of animal life met with in the Antipodes, none is more so_ than this
genus, of which only one species is known, and so especially different is it from all other members of the family Anatide, that although Gould, following Bonaparte, placed it next to the genus Hvismatura, he believed it to be but seemingly allied to that form. Especially adapted for diving and for procuring its food from the bottom rather than from the surface of the water, this species more resembles one of the Cormorants than any other bird of the order Natatores.
BIZIORA LOBAEA:, MUSK DUCK. Genus: Biztura.
HIS extraordinary bird is widely distributed over the whole of the southern portion of the Australian continent, and is also met with in Tasmania and the islands of Bass’s Straits.
The most singular feature of the Musk Duck is a wattle-lke formation hanging from the under surface of the under mandible of the male bird. This appendage is of a stiff and leather-like consistency, irregularly rounded and hanging in folds, and is one inch and a half deep; and, as yet, the function or use—if it is possessed of any—of this curious lobe has not been discovered.
Both the male and the female birds, during the pairing and breeding season, possess a powerful musky odour, and the secluded retreat of a pair is by this often revealed; and when a bird is killed during this particular season it is unfit for food, and the smell of musk is retained for years afterwards in the skin if it be preserved.
There is much disparity of size in the sexes, the male bird being fully as large again as the female, and although both are alike as regards plumage, the latter has not the lobe attached to the bill of the male.
Although specimens of this Duck were procured by Gould from the extreme eastern point of Australia to the lakes running parallel to the coast of Western Australia, and from numerous intermediate places, none of them presented any sufficiently marked differences for him to establish a second species, and doubtless those inhabiting Western Australia are similar in habits and diet to those found in the eastern portion of the continent and Tasmania. All display the same love of solitude and fear of man, and lonely individuals will often be found in some solitary pool, living in undisturbed seclusion, and feeding on small frogs, shrimps, mussels, cockles, leeches and aquatic worms. For some months the bird will lead this hermit-like existence till the food supply is exhausted, and it flies away to seek « mate of the opposite sex dwelling under similar circumstances to its own.
The diving capabilities of the Musk Duck are very great, and seem to be depended upon both for procuring food and for preservation from danger; for when surprised by the sportsman, instead of rising and flying, it will dive the instant the trigger is drawn, and remain beneath the surface for a length of time, only re-appearing again to breathe at long intervals, till the patience of
the enemy is exhausted.
Generally preferring to haunt the fresh-water pools and narrow tortuous creeks, solitary individuals or pairs are yet frequently met with in salt water, in most cases far up some deep inlet of the sea, engaged in fishing or swimming rapidly along near the shore, locking for some secluded spot which promises to be free from intrusion even by other birds.
Parallel to the coast of Western Australia are a series of lakes and marshes, and here, in this portion of the continent, these unsociable birds, abandoning the pools and waterholes of the rivers and ereeks, resort for nidification. In some cases the nest is built on the top of a log, where a branch forms a suitable angle for the purpose, or on the bank, two or three feet above the level of the water, and both care and labour are manifested in its construction, dried reeds and long grass being placed together in a rough lattice-work and lined with soft feathers and down, plucked by the male and female birds from their own breasts. Two eggs only are usually found in each nest, of a pale olive colour, and three inches long by two broad. During the period of incubation the female bird rarely leaves the nest, except when pressed by the pangs of hunger, and by the time the young birds are hatched her body has become thin to emaciation, The young take to the water with the parent birds within a day or so after leaving their shells, and if the mother is surprised by man when accompanied by them they immediately mount upon and cling to her back and dive to a place of
safety, in the same manner as the Grebes.
The note of this bird is pecular, resembling the sound caused by a large drop of water falling into a deep well, and not unlike that made by opening the lips suddenly.
The colour is a dusky brown, which is of a deeper shade on the crown of the head and back of the neck. On the remaining surfaces the feathers are margined with a lighter shade; the wings are of a deeper brown ; bill and lobe underneath, dark grey-green; legs and feet, dark grey ; irides, brown
In the female the colour is not quite so pronounced in the markings of. the feathers, and she does not possess the appendage under the bill.
Habitats: The whole of the southern and part of the eastern and western portions of Australia: also Tasmania and the islands of Bass’s Straits.
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CENUS DENDROCYGNA & (Swazsox ).
ARIOUS portions of America, Africa, India, the Malayan Peninsula and Australia are inhabited by this form. The two species of the genus to be found in this country both make the same peculiar whistling noise when on the wing, and are larger than the Indian and Malavan_ birds.
DENDROCYGNA GOULDI. WHISTLING TREE-DUCK. — Guxus: Deyprocyena.
HE extensive lagoons, lakes and marshes of the north-western part of this continent are enlivened during the last four months of the year by prodigious flocks of this species, which resort thither
from the rivers and creeks of the interior to feed upon the supply of succulent aquatic weeds and
“mussels, frogs, ete., abounding in such places, which are also favoured haunts of many other species
of aquatic birds. With these latter the Whistling Duck associates in harmony, although .on the
approach of human beings, or if a gun be discharged anywhere in the vicinity, each species will rise
and separate into distinct flocks, the Whistling Ducks generally making for the nearest timber, where
they alight on the trees in an awkward, clumsy manner, swaving to and fro, and only preserving an upright position by clinging to the branches with thei toes.
When engaged in fishing they are silent and industrious birds, seldom giving utterance to a note, and only retiring to rest at sunset, at which time the whole of the flocks will rise simultaneously, the combined effect of the whistling noise made by some thousands of the birds startling the solitude of the wilderness.
March and April are the breeding months of the species in North-west Australia. During
those months numbers were observed by Gilbert to visit the small islands in the neighbourhood of
Port Essington and build their nests in the long grass. About Cambridge Gulf and the mouths of the Roper and MacArthur Rivers breeding places of small flocks have also been discovered. In all
cases the nests were but roughly constructed, and the number of eges varied from five to ten, and
were of a creamy-white colour; two inches long by one and a half in breadth was the average. size.
Crown of the head, upper parts of the back and wings, brown, the feathers bordered by a lighter margin; rump, tail and outer wing feathers, slaty: wing-coverts, chestnut; sides of the head, buff, with finely-pencilled markings on the tips of the feathers; breast and abdomen, deep chestnut, barred with circular markings of black; lanceolate flank feathers, yellowish, margined with brown ;
irides, brown; Dill, very dark grey; tarsi and feet, greenish-grey. Habitats: Australia generally; more abundant in the north-west than elsewhere on the
continent.
DENDROCYGNA EYTONI (Gould). EYTON’S TREE-DUCK. Genus: Dernprocyana.
LTHOUGH closely resembling the preceding species, except in plumage, this bird was given a 4 specific name by Gould as a tribute to the labours of an ardent ornithologist and author of a work on the Anatida——Mr. Eyton.
Like Dendrocygua Gouldi, this species loves the warm waters of the lagoons of the north-west coast of Australia, and it is also met with in flocks from Port Essington to the Albert River in the Gulf of Carpentaria. As it presents much the same habits and mode of life generally as its fellow member of the genus, the description of D. Gouldi in those particulars is applicable to this bird.
Qn the lagoons and creeks of the remote interior of Australia small flocks of from ten to twenty birds are occasionally seen, when they may be approached very closely before taking wing; on the larger rivers, however, and on the lagoons and open timberless waterholes near the coast, they display great timidity if approached by man, and are difficult to shoot. When the flock is disturbed whilst feeding the birds rise very quickly and form a V-shaped flight, the outline of which is preserved with unbroken regularity until they are lost to view.
In inditication this species does not differ from the preceding one.
Head and neck, light reddish-brown ; upper surfaces, brownish-grey; tail, more yellow and tipped with black: tertiaries, red-brown, barred with black; flank feathers, yellow, with dark margin ; a band of reddish-brown with black markings runs across the upper part of the abdomen; lower part of the abdomen, buff; irides, rich brown; feet, light red.
Habitat: Australia; the northern and western parts being the more favoured ranges.
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Cen s MALACHORAYNCHUS (Swanson).
TDQOWERFULNESS and velocity of flight, delicacy of plumage, and absence of timidity of man distinguish this beautiful little Duck from the rest of the Anatide. One species only is known, and is peculiar to Australia.
MALACHORHYNCHUS MEMBRANACEUS. PINK-EYED DUCK. Genus: Matacnoruyncuvs.
HE advent of the rainy season in New South Wales, Victoria, and other parts of the southern
portion of the Australian continent, when the long-dried gullies and depressions are rapidly filled
with water, is the signal for the presence of this small but elegant and graceful species of Duck, small
flocks sometimes making their appearance wherever a sheet of water has temporarily settled, and devouring the swarms of the lower forms of animal life which breed in such places.
Although so constant a visitor to the thickly settled parts of this country, almost nothing is
-known of the economy and mode of life generally of this species; this, doubtless, arises from the
fact of the breeding places having not yet been discovered and the birds subjected to observation during the period of incubation. That they breed in the far interior of the country seems fairly evident, as the flocks visiting New South Wales come from the westward, and return in_ that direction as the dry season advances; yet it is somewhat strange that, so far, no one of the many explorers and travellers to the mterior have mentioned having come across any of the nests.
The southern half of the continent, with its temperate climate, appears to be the extent of the range of this species, although it occasionally visits Tasmania at irregular intervals. Although not a common bird, small flocks of from ten to twenty are not infrequent in New South Wales, especially in those localities possessing shallow fresh-water lagoons, while in the northern and warmer latitudes of Australia the species is seldom or never met with.
As powerful on the wing as they are expert in the water, a flock of these birds will be seen flying with amazing impetuosity towards a sheet of water, and with a graceful circling evolution
performed high over the water, the flight alights and is immediately engaged in diving eagerly beneath
On 5
the surface ; if the pond or lagoon is but of limited dimensions, the supply of food is soon exhausted by the birds, which dive incessantly to the bottom should the water be shallow, and then rising
again, with meteor-like swiftness they descend upon a fresh feeding ground no great distance away.
The larger size of the male bird is the only means of distinguishing the sexes, which are exactly alike in plumage.
Crown of the head, grey, with a shade of yellow ; chin and sides of the head, white, with crescent-shaped markings of black ; round the eye runs a ring of black; behind the eye runs a pointed streak of pink, bordered with black; back and wings, brown, with black specks ; upper’ tail- coverts, light brown; tail, dark brown, tipped with white ; back of the neck, sides, and under surface, light brown, crossed with numerous bold crescent-shaped markings of dark brown, which become broader
down the sides, and are fainter on the abdomen ; irides, dark brown ; bill, olive: tip of the lower
mandible, white ; tarsi, green or yellowish-brown ; webs, dark brown.
Habitat : The southern parts of Australia.
GENUS ERISMATURA (Bonaparte).
LMOST equalling the Musk Duck in sustained diving powers, the members of this genus, which A are limited in number, although found in Europe, America, Africa, Asia, and Australia,» rely upon their capabilities for immersion alike for procurmg their food and protection from danger.
A striking feature of the species inhabiting Australia is the very considerable difference of
plumage in the sexes.
ERISMATURA AUSTRALIS. BLUE-BILLED DUCK. Genus: Enrismatura.
FYVHAT series of reedy-margined lakes running parallel to the coast of Western Australia, and alluded to in Plate XLVIII., is the especial range of the present species, and, indeed, only in very rare instances has the bird been seen elsewhere in Australia.
Although little is known of its habits, in many respects this Duck appears to much resemble the Bizivra Lobata, being like that bird an expert diver, often remaining under water’ for a considerable time, particularly if disturbed by the approach of man or the discharge of a gun in its neighbourhood ; the nest is also similarly constructed to that of the B. Lobata.
Fresh-water mussels, cockles, shrimps, small fish, and aquatic growths constitute the food of this species, and when procuring it a flock—which usually numbers from eight or ten to twenty birds—is seldom seen out upon the open water, preferring to remain near the margin of the lake, where concealment from observation is secured by the long sedgy herbage or the pendulous branches of the tea-tree.
The breeding months are September and October, when each flock inhabiting the lakes retires to the security afforded by the reedy margins and build their nests; these are similar to and almost as carefully constructed as those of the Musk Duck. The egos vary in number from two to ten, are of large size, of a bluish-white colour, two inches and five-eighths long by two inches broad, and have a very roughly grained surface, more resembling the eggs of the Goose than those of any Duck.
In the male, the head, throat, and neck are deep blue-black ; breast, wings, and back, rich red-brown ; rump and tail, dark brown; abdomen and under tail-coverts, light brown, with blurred transverse markings of a darker shade; irides, dark brown; bill, light blue: outside of tarsi and webs, dark grey ; front and inner sides, light grey.
The female is equal in size, but is of a uniform shade of dark brown, with transverse irregular markings of reddish-brown ; under surfaces, more grevish-brown: tail, black ; bill, olive-green ; irides and feet, lighter in colour than those of the male.
Habitat : Western Australia.
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CENUS— SEArFULA: (Boze).
HE European type of this form is the Shoveller of the British Islands. The plumage of no
other Duck is so changeable as that of the male bird of this genus; when the female is sitting
on her eggs, he undergoes a moult, after which he appears mottled, and seems as if inclined to
assume the soberer garb of his partner; but by the time the young birds are hatched his plumage has attained the perfection of varied and beautiful colouring.
SPATULA VARIEGATA (Gould).
VARIEGATED SHOVELLER. GENUS: SPATULA.
ISTINGUISHED by beauty of plumage and gallant carriage either when swimming or walking,
this species is conspicuous from the other Ducks; the handsome crescent-like markings which
adorn the feathers of the breast, neck and scapularies serving to intensify the variety and splendour of colour.
The rarity of the present species is such that little is known of its habits. Up to 1865— when it was entirely new to science—only one specimen had reached Europe, which was fully described
by Gould.
The formation of the bill is similar to that of the well-defined European form (Spatula Clypeata), which it also doubtless resembles in many other particulars, such as feeding on aquatic
insects, worms and larvee, procured by sifting the watery mud through the lone and _ finely-set teeth.
During the rainy season in Australia, when large areas of country are subjected to partial inundation, a wandering individual or pair may be seen associating with the hundreds of Ducks of other species always to be found at such times feeding upon the aquatic grasses and insects of the submerged flats or other depressions of the country temporarily under water in Australia and New Zealand; but as the water dries up, the various species betake themselves elsewhere, and the Shoveller also disappears at the same time, returning to some unknown or unfrequented habitat in the imterior
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Nothing is known in regard to the nidification of this species; for although a few birds are occasionally seen in the settled parts of the country, their breeding places are doubtless far from the haunts of man, and remain to be discovered by some enthusiastic collector or wandering sportsman.
Total length, 164 inches; bill, 3 inches; wing, 94 inches; tail, 44 inches; tarsi, 12 inch.
Crown of the head and round the base of the bill, black, with brown and green lights; a crescent-shaped streak of white runs from the front of the eye downwards to the throat; cheeks and neck, metallic grey-green ; front of the neck, brown, with perpendicular markings of black ; back, dark grey, the feathers margined with brown; breast, shoulders and mantle, white, each feather broadly tipped with dark brown; under surface, rich brown, with black markings; flanks, much lighter; greater wing-coverts,
brown ; lesser wing-coverts, grey; primaries, dark brown; scapularies, blue-grey, with white markings:
tail, dark brown, with green reflections ; irides, bright yellow; bill, purplish-black ; legs and feet,
vellow : toes, black.
Habitats: Australia and New Zealand.
SPATULA RHYNCHOTIS.
AUSTRALIAN SHOVELLER. Genus: SPATULA.
| Gigseeme the rare Spatula Variegata, the present species is fairly abundant, both in the southern / portions of the Australian continent and the small islands of Bass’s Straits; but, like that beautiful bird, the S. Rhynoctis, assumes during the pairing season a much richer plumage than at any other time, his splendour and variety of colour at this period affording a marked contrast to the
more sober hues of his mate.
In many particulars, such as size and structure, manner of immersing the head and neck when feeding in shallow water, and especially in the conformation of the bill, this species bears a close resemblance to the common European Shovyeller, as well as to the Variegated Shoveller of this country.
After a heavy tall of rain has occurred during the wet season, and filled many slight depressions of the land with water to a shallow depth, and when numbers of flocks of Ducks of various species resort thither to feed, some of these beautiful Shovellers may generally be seen swimming | about with and feeding in harmony with the other members of the family; and when these flocks are alarmed by the report of a gun, or disturbed otherwise in such a manner as to cause their flight, it is not unusual to see several Shovellers rise up in the midst of a flock of another species, and, with them, fly in company to some other locality.
Although generally more numerous in the interior of the country, about flooded country or where a heavy fall of rain has been experienced, this bird is not uncommon near the coast during the rainy season. Swamps, marshes, and shallow pools of small extent seem to be preferred to the deeper waters of rivers, creeks and lakes, doubtless from food being the more easily procured in the former places.
As with the Variegated Shoveller, but little is known of the nidification of this species; the breeding places must be in the interior of the continent, when the birds visit the country in the
vicinity of the coast during the rainy season.
In the male, round the crown of the head and base of the bill, dark brown; a wavy line of white runs downward in front of the eye ; crown of the head, blue-grey, each feather marked -in the centre with black; round the eye green, running into dark grey; all the under surfaces rich brown, each feather broadly marked with black near the tip; back, duller brown, each feather marked with black; wing-coverts, grey ; primaries, dark brown; secondaries, glossy green on the outer webs: tail, dark brown, with green reflections : ivides, bright yellow; bill, purplish-black; legs and _ feet, vellow.
Phe wings of the female are the same as those of the male, but otherwise her plumage is of a soberer tint, and the brilliant colours of the head so noticeable in the male are absent.
Habitats: The southern portions of Australia, and the islands of Bass’s Straits.
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GENUS NYROCA (femmngz).
Se species only of this form inhabits Australia; they are expert divers and frequent both fresh
and salt water. In habits and economy generally the present genus resembles the preceding one.
NYROCA AUSTRALIS (Gould). WHITE-EYED DUCK. Genus: Nyroca.
NDISTURBED inlets and arms of the sea, or slowly running tidal rivers and creeks, are the
favourite haunts of this bird, which, like the two preceding species, relies upon its diving
powers to obtain food, and, similar to Rhynchotis, the raimy season ensures its presence in the settled districts of the country.
The species has a wide range of habitat in Australia, being met with from the eastern to the western seaboard of the southern portion of the continent; in the latter part, however, it is not at all plentiful, and in the northern parts of Australia is very rare. About the rivers of the eastern watershed of New South Wales numbers of these birds are shot during the rainy season, at which time they are usually observed feeding in the company of Shovellers and M. Membranaceus.
So frequently were numbers of these birds seen on the rivers of Tasmania by Gould that he was certain that them breeding places were on that island; nothing is, however, accurately known respecting the nidification of the species.
The male bird is shghtly larger than the female; but the sexes may always be known by
the brighter plumage of the former.
The colour of the male is a uniform reddish-brown, a band of lighter colour runs across the breast ; the secondaries are white at the base, showing a conspicuous mark on the wing; bill, dark grey, white near the tip; irides, white; legs and feet, dusky brown.
Habitats: The southern portion of Australia, from east to west, and Tasmania and_ its
adjacent islands.
GENUS ANAS (Liu)
MYNHE ereat variation in size and plumage of members of this genus renders it very difticult to strictly classify them into species. They are the Australian representatives of the European Wild Duck ;
no country in the world is without one or more members of the tribe.
ANAS PUNCTATA (Cw). AUSTRALIAN TEAL. Genus: ANAS,
FEXHIS is one of the commonest forms of the Australian Wild Duck, and may be found in almost
every part of the continent. [t is more frequently met in the southern parts and in Tasmania, but even in far northern parts it is met with in great flocks on the higher table-lands. It is not really inigratory, but, being a true vegetable feeder, it appears to shift its locality more in search of suitable
food. The up-country sportsman is often mystified by its almost total absence, perhaps for a whole season, and overjoyed by its plentifulness during the next. It is quite equal as a table bird to its
European cousin; the flesh is tender and full-flavoured without being too strong. It grows very wary in parts much frequented by man, but in a good season a fair shot can make sure of good sport.
The nest is usually placed among the herbage near the margins of the creeks and rivers which the bird frequents; eight or nine eggs are deposited, which are similar to those of other members of the tribe.
These birds vary considerably in size, though the markings are similar, so as to leave room for a question whether two distinct species do not exist. In Tasmania the birds are usually smaller than | I )
in Australia.
During the breeding season the colours of the male are more brillant than those of the female, but for the greater part of the year the sexes are alike in outward appearance.
When he dons bis nuptial dress the male has the whole of the head and neck a_ brilliant glossy green; breast and under surface, rich chestnut, each feather broadly marked with black; upper surfaces brown, with darker markings: wings, brown, except the outer webs of the secondaries, which are metallic-green ; greater wing-coverts, white; bill, blue-grey; nail and edges of the upper mandible, black ; irides, red; legs and feet, lead-colour. |
The female is of soberer colour than the male, though the markings are similar,
Habitats: Tasmania, and largely distributed over Australia.
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