Notes on Some Birds of the Abrolhos Islands (W.A.)
By Chas. G. Gibson, Perth.
The following few brief notes on some birds found breeding on the Abrolhos Islands, W.A., may prove of interest.
The notes were made during a short trip to the Islands between the 9th and 19th of November last. The trip was to a certain extent marred by bad weather, mild southerly gales being experienced during the whole of the time, and these prevented us from getting about the islands as we had wished. Some notes on this trip by Mr. A. W. Milligan have appeared in The West Australian newspaper.
The Islands consist in the main of three groups—Pelsart, Easter, and Wallabi—these being separated by 10 or 12 miles of open water. Pelsart Group is the most southerly, and Wallabi the northern. The following islands were visited, viz.:—Pelsart (Pelsart Group), Wooded Island, Rat Island (Easter Group), East Wallabi and Pigeon Islands (Wallabi Group).
The following is a list of the birds noted breeding on the various islands:—
White-bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaētis leucogaster) had almost finished breeding. About eight nests were noted, several with two large young almost able to fly, and others that the young birds had apparently just left. Nests built as a rule on the rocky promontories, and close to the water. Noted only on the Wallabis.
Osprey (Pandion leucocephalus) had almost finished breeding. Nests noted on almost every island, and containing young in all stages, from just hatched to almost able to fly. Several nests also noted that the young had just left. No nests with eggs were seen. Nests built on the coral heaps anywhere on the islands.
Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus).—These birds were not personally noted breeding, but I was informed (on reliable authority) that there was a small colony of them breeding on the west end of West Wallabi Island, in company with the Pied Cormorants (Phalacocorax hypoleucus). My informant told me that the Pelicans did not build their own nests, but simply took possession of suitable ones of Cormorants and laid two eggs therein. On our return to Geraldton I was presented with a pair of eggs taken from this rookery in October, 1907. There were said to be eight to a dozen pairs breeding.
Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax hypoleucus).—A small colony of these was noted breeding on Lagoon Island (Wallabi Group). We were unable to land on this island, however, and so could not note the contents of the nests, but the birds appeared to be sitting on eggs or small young. There was also said to be a large colony breeding on West Wallabi.
Pacific Gull (Gabianus pacificus).—These had practically finished breeding. Several pairs of old birds were noted with their young (two) "at heel." They were not plentiful.
Silver Gull (Larus novæ-hollandiæ).—Only one small colony was
