Page:The Emu volume 4.djvu/153



(Rufous-breasted Thickhead).— Occurring in similar localities but less common than the last named.

(Green-backed White-eye).—The commonest bird on the island.

(Singing Honey-eater).—Not uncommon in the acacia scrubs. Birds of this species inhabiting Rottnest are certainly much darker on the breast and under parts, and have the dusky stripes better defined than examples from the interior of the mainland.

(House Swallow).—This was the only representative of the Hirundinidæ I found on the island. It was fairly common, and, in addition to breeding in outhouses and similar situations, was nesting in cavernous hollows in the limestone cliffs.

(Pipit).—Fairly common, and breeding on the shores of the lagoons.

(Pallid Cuckoo).—Sparingly met with on the island.

(Rock-Parrakeet).—This pretty little species is fairly common, but seems to favour the western side of the island, where it breeds on several small islets, and occasionally on the most precipitous slopes of the mainland cliffs. For a nesting site it takes advantage of any natural hollow in the limestone rock. I examined half a dozen or more nests. All of these were on the summits or slopes of islets, not in the face of the cliffs. The favourite situation appeared to be under a large slab of rock overhung by a profuse growth of vegetation (Mesembryanthenmum). In one instance I found young in down in a slight hollow in the sandy soil, simply concealed by vegetation, and without other shelter. The eggs vary from four to six; they are inclined to be spherical, and of the usual white colour. When a nest is being examined the old birds fly round with great rapidity, or perch on a neighbouring rock whence they exhibit great anxiety. Young in first plumage lack the blue forehead band. In traversing the island I often disturbed pairs or small parties of this Parrakeet, generally in the more open parts. Their chief food seems to be small round seeds, but I could not identify of what species of plant.

(Sooty Oyster-catcher).—I encountered a few examples of this species at the western extremity of the island, but saw little evidence of their breeding. The deep red beak and legs are very conspicuous in flight.

(Red-capped Dottrel).—Very common both on the beach and the margins of the lagoons. I caught one example in down, but the breeding season was for the most part over.

(Hooded Dottrel).—I only observed a few examples in company with other Waders round the lagoons.

(Banded Stilt, "Rottnest Snipe").—Towards the close of my stay this species was beginning to arrive. A flock of 70 or 80 took up their quarters on the largest of the salt lagoons. The majority appeared to be adult birds. They were very wary, and on being disturbed flew to the centre of the lagoon, where they floated lightly on the water till the danger had passed.

(Turn-Stone).—a few in company with other Waders.

(Little or Red-necked Stint).—The commonest