L H Moon & Son Bookbinders THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST VOLUME 14 1977-1980 PERTH Published by the WESTERN AUSTRALIAN NATURALISTS’ CLUB CONTENTS OF VOLUME 14 No. 1, September 30, 1977 Page Some inimical effects of the Domestic Bee on the native fauna and flora. By A. M. Douglas . 1 Some notes on the mammalian fauna of the western Nullarbor Plain, Western Australia. By M. G. Brooker . 2 Observations on Quandong trees, Santalum acuminatum. Part 1. By Mrs. M. B. Mills . 15 The birds of Bald Island. By G. T. Smith . 17 John Wollaston’s birds. By E. H. Sedgwick . 19 New or interesting records of sixteen bird species from Bernier Island, Dirk Hartog Island, or Peron Peninsula, Shark Bay. By Ian Abbott . 21 Further notes on birds of Benger Swamp. By E. H. Sedgwick . 22 From Field and Study: The Mediterranean Snail (Theba pisatia) on Rottnest Island; Sighting of the Black Falcon, Lancelin district; Mistletoe-bird feeding on Nightshade berries; Some notes on the Native Poplar, Codonocarpus cotonifolius; Some recent bird observations from south-western Australia; An Asian Gull-billed Tern in Western Australia; Australian Pratincole at Lake Mason; A survey of breeding seabirds on Mistaken Island; An extension of the range of the Western Bristlebird, Dasyornis longirostris . 24 No. 2, February 28, 1978 The Occurrence, Culture and Reproduction of Peripatoides gilesii Spencer (Onychophora) on the Swan Coastal Plain. By Virginia van der Lande . 29 Some notes on the herpetofauna of the western Nullarbor Plain, Western Australia. By M. G. Brooker and J. C. Wombey .... 36 Additions to the avifauna of the Prince Regent River Nature Reserve. By P. J. Fuller and A. A. Burbidge . 42 Notes on the Reproduction of the Shark Bay Mouse, Pseudomys praeconis, in Captivity. By C. H. S. Watts and L. Spencer . 43 Observations on Quandong trees. Part II. By Mrs M. B. Mills . 46 Birds observed on a visit to Bernier Island in September 1977. By Max Howard . 50 From Field and Study: Chestnut-breasted Finch, Lonchura castaneo- thorax, at Osborne Park; Rufous Tree-Creeper, Climacteris rufa, on the Swan Coastal Plain; Rockhopper Penguin, Eudyptes chrysocome, at Two People’s Bay; Breeding after rain by the Australian Raven; Breeding stations of the Fairy Tern between Dongara and Lancelin, Western Australia; Spotted Crake and Variegated Wren at Pelican Point; Brown Bittern in the Kimber¬ ley, Western Australia; Two new occurrences of the Mediter¬ ranean Snail, Theba pisana , in Western Australia; The Little Shearwater on St. Alouarn Island, W.A.; Another observation of the Pied Wagtail, Motacilla alba , in Western Australia; The Red¬ winged Parrot, Aprosmictus erythropterus, in the North West Division of Western Australia . 51 ii i No. 3, May 30, 1978 A Record of the Slender-leaved White Mallee, Eucalyptus joecunda, in Raebold Park, Perth. By I. Lantzke and P. McMillan 57 Some unusual pollination mechanisms in Western Australian Wild- flowers. By Eigil Holm . 60 Notes on the birds of Pelsart Island, Abrolhos. By Ray Garstone ... 62 Notes on Rainbow-birds and Fairy Terns on Rottnest Island. By 1. Abbott, R. Black and N. Gucho . . 64 “ird notes from Gregory Salt Lake, Great Sandy Desert, Western Australia. By L. A. Smith and R. E. Johnstone .... 65 Preliminary observations on the Koonac in captivity. By K. F. Ken- neally and K. C. Pirkopf. 67 ^lowers adapted to mammal pollination. By Eigil Holm . 71 Prom Field and Study: The Oriental Cuckoo at Dampier; Co-oper¬ ative breeding by Red-winged Wrens; Adult White-tailed Tropic- bird, Phaethon lepturus, at Torbay; Rainbow Lorikeets at Safety Ray; Tropical seeds washed up on Western Australian beaches; Two Elapid Snakes, Denisonia pallidiccps and Denisonia suta in the Kimberleys of Western Australia; The Port Lincoln Par¬ rot, Barnardius zonarius zonarius, feeding on Lerps at Kalgoorlie; Food of the Western Bower-bird in the Chichester Range, W.A.; Southern range limits of the Rufous-crowned Emu-Wren; Ecolo- gical notes on Carnac Island Tiger Snakes . 74 Obituary: Ivan Carnaby (1908-1974) . 80 Correction .. . 84 No. 4, November 30, 1978 ^ Population study of the Barrow Island avifauna. By E. H. Sedgwick 85 No. 5, March 30, 1979 Long-toed Stints, Sandcrling and other Waders at Lake Violet, Cen- tral W.A. in midsummer 1977-78. By P. J. Curry . 109 A Ruff, Philomachus pugnax, at Bibra Lake, June 1978. By P. J. Curry . 113 Unusual method of soil disposal during burrow excavation by the ^ Trapdoor Spider, Anidiops villosus. By Barbara York Main 115 be occurrence of breeding Roseate Tern, Sterna dougallii, at Lan- . celin Island. By J. N. Dunlop . 118 ^ note on Polyporus tumulosus Cooke & Masse (Fungi). By D. A. ^ Reid, R. Hilton, D. G. Reid and B. Britten . 120 ^°me observations on the behaviour of the Red-and-Black Spider, . Nicodanms bicolor (Theriidae). By R. S. Browne . 121 A new record of Asplenium obtusatum in Western Australia. By p G. G. Smith .. . 123 ^°nen loads on New Holland Honeyeaters at Qualup. By A. H. Bur- ~ bidge, S. D. Hopper and D. J. Coates .. 126 u bservations on wind-blown Superphosphate in native vegetation. p By B. G. Muir . 128 r °m Field and Study: Nesting of Spotted Harrier near Northam; Southward spread of White-backed Swallow on Swan Coastal Plain; First record of Leach’s Storm-Petrel, Oceanodroma leu- corrhoa in Western Australia; The nest of the Western Bower- bird, Chlamydera guttata; A sighting of the Streaked Fantail- Warbler, Cisticola juncidis, in Western Australia; Omnivorous Tammars?; Three more records of the Kerguelen Diving-Petrel in Western Australia; Second record of European Common Tern, Sterna hirundo, from Western Australia; Breeding seabirds on Carnac Island; A disjunct occurrence of Pilostyles on two new p host genera . . 131 Corrections .. 136 iii No. 6, August 17, 1979 A Baird’s Sandpiper, Calidris bairdii, at Eyre; a new species for Western Australia. By P. J. Curry . . 137 The distribution of Theba piscina on Rottnest Island. By M. S. John¬ ston and R. Black . 140 Another discovery of Zygomaturus from the Murchison River, Western Australia. By Jane Balme . 144 Waterfowl utilization of Lake Claremont during 1977. By K. D. Morris and B. Knott 145 Observations on Bird-Plant interactions in the Stirling Range. By G. J. Keighery . 150 Ants protecting Banksia flowers from destructive insects? By J. K. Scott . 151 From Field and Study: Insect pollination of Suaeda australis; Bird records from the Salt Lake, Culeenup I., Yundurup; Pollination of Nematolepis; Dollar-bird, Eurystomtis oricntalis , at Karratha; Little Corellas feeding on immature seed of Acacia trachycarpa; Second Australian specimen of the Pintail Snipe, Gallinago sienura; Further southward spread of White-backed Swallow on Swan Coastal Plain; Aggression display by Whitc-naped Honey- eaters; Breeding behaviour in the Atherinc fish Craterocephalus; A sighting of the Brown Booby outside its recognized range; A further Mangrove Kingfisher record from Western Australia; Observations on the nest of the Singing Bushlark; Some Mistle¬ toe hosts from the Murchison and Wooramel Rivers, W.A.; Sperm storage in Moloch horridus; Breeding records of the Grey Honeyeatcrs in the Upper Lyons River district; Observations on the nest and young of the Pheasant Coucal 154 Obituary: John Trott (1903-1978) 165 No. 7, February 29, 1980 Rushes, Sedges and Reeds. By G. G. Smith . 169 Notes on the Tuart tree. Eucalyptus gomphocephala, in the Perth area. By J. E. D. Fox and S. J. Curry . 174 Pollen loads on honcyeaters in a Grevillea rogersoniana thicket south of Shark Bay. By S. D. Hopper 186 The avifauna of Garden Island, Cockburn Sound. By lan Abbott 189 Blue-Green Algae in nectar of Banksia aff. sphaerocarpa. By Byron Lamont . . 193 Long range sightings of bush fires as a possible incentive for Pleisto¬ cene voyages to Greater Australia. By C. E. Dortch and B. G. Muir . 195 From Field and Study: An adult food plant of Ethon breve; Further notes on Mistletoes from the Murchison area; Cattle Egrets in Herdsman Lake; Additional record of the White-backed Swallow in the South-West; The first record of the Arctic Warbler, Phyl- loscopus borealis, from Australia; A record of Orthetrum cale- donicum feeding on another dragonfly; An unusual occurrence of Eucalyptus leptophylla and Eucalyptus sargentii at Beer- mullah, north west of Gingin; The western subspecies of the Cape Barren Goose, Cereopsis novaehollandiae; Sea Lions breed¬ ing on North Fisherman Island, Western Australia 198 Correction . 204 IV No. 8, August 22, 1980 A Gascoyne bird list. By Max Howard . 205 Seasonal variations in the abundance and food preferences of honey- eaters (Meliphagidac) at Wongamine, Western Australia. By B. G. Collins . . 207 Notes on the biology, distribution and conservation of Dryandra arborea (Proteaccae). By G. J. Keighcry . 212 The effects of wildfire on Arthropod populations in Jarrah-Banksia woodland. By R. J. Whelan, W. Langedyk and A. S. Pashby 214 A bird census of Garden Island, W.A. By S. J. J. F. Davies . 220 The flora and fauna of Coffin Island. By G. T. Smith and N. Kolichis 225 Notes on the biology and distribution of two species of Diadoxus (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in Western Australia. By M. Peterson and T. J. Hawkeswood .... . 228 An early Pleistocene macropod from Jandakot, Western Australia. By Jane Balme . 233 The Potoroo Truffle, Potoromyces loculcitus. By R. N. Hilton 235 From Field and Study: A spider feeding on a jewel beetle; Musk Lorikeets at Troy Park, Swan River; Record of the Arachnid order Schizomida in Western Australia; The Red-necked Phal- arope—new migrant for the south-west of Western Australia; A note on the diet of the Cape Barren Goose; Jewel beetles as pollinators of Melaleuca pauperijlora F. Muel. between Eucla (W.A.) and Koonalda (S.A.); An observation of predatory behav¬ iour by a pygopodid lizard on a scorpion; Additions to the Herpetofauna of the Sharp Bay region. Western Australia; A note on artificial nesting sites . 236 Obituary: A. G. Mathews (1907-1978) 242 Index . 247 v WESTERN AUSTRALIAN NATURALISTS’ CLUB INC. Naturalists’ Hall, 63-65 Merriwa Street, Nedlands 6009 Postal Address: P.O. Box 156, Nedlands, 6009 OFFICE BEARERS Patron: Sir Thomas Wardle President: 1977-78: Mr. K. F. Kenncally 1979-80: Miss B. J. M. Hussey Vice-Presidents: 1977- 78: Miss B. J. M. Hussey and Mr. John Dell 1978- 79: Mr. John Dell and Mr. Otto Mueller 1979- 80: Mr. Otto Mueller and Mr. L. A. Smith 1980: Mr. Otto Mueller and Dr. T. F. Houston Hon. Secretary: 1977- 78: Mr. Otto Mueller 1978- 79: Mrs. Pam Dell 1980: Mr. Graeme Rundle Hon. Treasurer: 1977-79: Mr. J. R. Gardner 1980: Mr. M. Southwell-Keely Hon. Librarian: 1977- 78: Mrs. E. Browne 1978- 80: Miss Pam Murray Hon. Editor: 1977- 80: Dr. D. L. Scrventy Council: 1978- 79: Miss B. J. M. Hussey, Dr. D. Johnson. Messrs. E. Dell, R. W. Johnstone, D. McMillan, M. T. Millard, T. Passmore and L. A. Smith. 1979- 80: Dr. T. F. Houston, Mrs. J. Muir, Messrs. E. Dell, D. McMillan, R. Hammond. 1980: Mrs. Maureen Gardner, Mrs. Merelyn Southwell-Keely, Mrs. Betty Wellington, Miss Doris Johnston, Messrs. E. Dell, M. Howard and D. McMillan. LIST OF MEMBERS Members’ interests, as recorded by them in a questionnaire, are indi¬ cated by the following symbols: A., Arachnids; B., Birds; Bot., Botany: C., Conchology; E., Ethnology; F., Fishes; G.. General: Geogr., Geography; Geol., Geology; I., Insects; M., Mammals; Mb., Marine Biology; Ph., Photography; R., Reptiles and Amphibia; Sp., Speleology. Names of other subjects arc printed in full. HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS BRIGGS, Mrs. R. P., 46 Stirling H’way., Cottesloe, 6011. (B., Bot., Mb.) BROWNE, Mrs. Ellen. Flat 108, Forrest Hill Flats, 583 William St., Mt. Lawley, 6050 (Bot.) BULLER, K. G., 31 Broome St., Nedlands, 6009. BUTLER, W. H., C.B.E., c/- Wanneroo Wildflower Nursery, 11 Mile Peg, Wanneroo Rd., Wanneroo, 6061. (E., G., Mb., R.) DOUGLAS, A. M., 120 Third Ave., Mt. Lawley, 6050. ERICKSON, Dr. Rica, 1 Boronia Ave., Nedlands, 6009 (B., Bot.) GENTILLI, Dr. J., 65 Bruce St., Nedlands, 6009 (Climatology, Biogeo¬ graphy, Mycology). JENKINS, C. F. H., M.B.E., 22 Freshwater Close, Claremont, 6010 (B., G., I.) MAIN, Prof. A. R., c/- Zoology Dept., University of W.A., Nedlands, 6009. MILLS, Mrs. M. B., P.O. Box 187, Mcrrcdin, 6451 (Bot., I., G.) NICHOLLS, Miss C. A., A. M., 15 Circe Circle, Dalkeith, 6009 (G.) ROWE, F. W., Kendcnup, 6323 (Bot., G., Geol., I.) SEDGWICK, E. H., 20 Herbert Rd., Harvey, 6220 (B., C.) SERVENTY, Dr. D. L., 27 Everett St., Nedlands, 6009 (B., F., G., M.) SERVENTY, Miss L.. 34 Onslow Rd.. Subiaco, 6008 (B.. Bot., C.) vi SERVENTY, V. N., A.M., 8 Reiby Rd., Hunter’s Hill, N.S.W., 2110 (B.. G.) SEYMOUR, Miss O., Gwenyfred Nursing Home, 62 Gwenyfred Rd., South Perth, 6151 (B.) SMITH, G. G., c/- Botany Dept., University of W.A., Nedlands, 6009 (Bot., Mb.) SPORN, C. C., 21 Service St., Mandurah, 6210 (B., Bot., R.) TAYLOR, A., 43 Powell St., Joondanna, 6060 (Bot., Trees) MEMBERS (SENIOR) ABBOTT, Dr. Ian, Inst, of Forest Research & Protection, Hayman Rd., Como, 6152 (B., Bot.) ALLISON, R., 5 Riverside Drive, Mosman Park, 6012 (M., B.) ANDERSON, A., Wellstead, via Albany, 6330 (B., F., M., Ph.) ANDERSON, Mrs. Dorothy, 37 Alderbury St., Floreat Park, 6014 (Bot., Mb., I.) ANDERSON, K., 24 The Promenade, Willetton, 6155 (M., Mb., Ph.) ANDERSON. Mrs. Joy, 24 The Promenade, Willetton, 6155 (Bot., M., Mb.) ARENA, J., 5 Fourth Avc., Maylands, 6051. ARMSTRONG, Dr. D. P. H., Geography Dept., University of W.A., Nedlands, 6009. ARMSTRONG, Miss Ian, 59 Holland St., Fremantle, 6160. ARMSTRONG, Miss Maureen, 23 Astlcy St., Gosnells, 6110 (B., Bot.) ARNOLD, H. W. R., Beulah Downs, Kojanecrup, via Albany, 6330. ARNOLD, Mrs. Pat, Beulah Downs, Kojancerup, via Albany, 6330. ASHTON, Mrs. P. E., Victor Rd., Darlington, 6070. ATHERTON, Miss G. E., M.B.E., 4 Anne Ave., Kalamunda, 6076 (G.) AUSTIN, Prof. M. N., 15 Congdon St., Claremont, 6010 (B., Bot., Geol.) AUSTIN, Mrs. R. B., 15 Congdon St., Claremont, 6010. AUSTIN, Miss R. J., 15 Congdon St., Claremont, 6010. AUSTIN, M. B., 15 Congdon St., Claremont, 6010. AUSTIN, C. M., 15 Congdon St., Claremont, 6010 (B., Bot., Ph., Zoology) BAILEY, Max, Box 803, G.P.O., Perth, 6001 (B.) BAKER, Dr. F. H. U., 1/29 Ardross St., Applccross, 6153 (I.) BAKER, Mrs. F. H. U., 1/29 Ardross St., Applccross, 6153. BAKER, G. F. U., 36 Riverside Dve., Furnissdale, 6210. BANNISTER, J. L., c/- W.A. Museum, Francis St., Perth, 6000. BARKER, Dr. Shelley, Dept, of Zoology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, S.A. 5001 (M., I.) BARROW, G., 204 Hamersley Rd., Subiaco, 6008. BENNETT, J., Senior High School, Ravensthorpe, 6346. BENNETT, Mrs. Eleanor, Senior High School, Ravensthorpe, 6346. BENTLEY, Ms. Margot, 2/85 Fairway, Crawley, 6009. BILL, A. J., 18 Ivanhoe Cres., Avalon, 6210. BILL, Mrs. B. A., 18 Ivanhoe Cres., Avalon, 6210. BLUMER, Dr. W. C. F., 41 Thomas St.. Nedlands, 6009. BLUMER, Mrs. W. C. F., 41 Thomas St., Nedlands, 6009. BOLGER, Mrs. A., 18 Parkway, Nedlands, 6009. BOUGHER, Dr. G., 71 Circe Circle. Dalkeith, 6009 (Bot.) BOUGHER, Mrs. M., 71 Circe Circle, Dalkeith, 6009 (B., F., Mb.) BOUGHER, A., 71 Circe Circle. Dalkeith, 6009. BOUGHER, Miss L., 71 Circe Circle, Dalkeith, 6009. BOUGHER, R., 71 Circe Circle, Dalkeith, 6009. BOWER, Dr. G., 3 Cygnet Cres., Dalkeith, 6009 (G.) BOYD, J. S., Lot 25, Peaceful Bay, via Denmark, 6333. BRABAZON, Ms. Sue, 12B Salamander Place, Dianella, 6062. BRISTOW, Mrs. Diane, 3 Kaolunga Way, Lcsmurdie, 6076. BRISTOWE, Miss V. M., 75 Rookwood St., Mt. Lawley, 6050. BROADHURST, Miss L. M., District Hospital, Beverley, 6304 (B.) BROCKMAN, Miss N., 2 The Boulevarde, Floreat Park, 6014. BROCKSOPP, D. J., Box 89, Margaret River, 6285 (B., F.) BROOKER, M. G., CSIRO Divn. of Wildlife Research, P.O. Box 84, Lyncham, A.C.T. 2602 (G.) vii BROOKS, P., P.O. Box 750, Carnarvon, 6701 (G.) BROWN, C., M.A., 26 Riverview St., South Perth, 6151 (E., Bot., G., Geogr., Geol.) BROWN, R 85 Holman St., Alfred Cove, 6154. BROWN, Mrs. S., 85 Holman St., Alfred Cove, 6154. BRYANT, Mrs. J., 61 Clifton St., Nedlands, 6009. BURB1DGE, Dr. A. A., P.O. Box 51, Wanneroo, 6065. BURBIDGE, A. H., Botany Dept., University of W.A., Nedlands, 6009 (B., Bot.) BURKING, R. C., Divn. of Animal Husbandry, Dept, of Agriculture, Jarrah Rd.. South Perth, 6151. BURT, J. S., G.P.O. Box A48, Perth, 6001. BUSH, Tony, 149 Hakea Court, Albany, 6330 (B.) BUTCHER, J. L., 109 Branksome Gardens, City Beach, 6015. BUTCHER, L., 70 Kalamatta Way, Gooseberry Hill, 6076. BUTCHER, Mrs. J., 70 Kalamatta Way., Gooseberry Hill, 6076. BYRNE, K., 6 Burwood St., Nedlands, 6009 (G.) BYRNE, Mrs. A., 6 Burwood St., Nedlands, 6009. CAFFIN, D., P.O., Box 29, Armadale, 6112. CAFFIN, Mrs. N., P.O. Box 29, Armadale, 6112. CALA,BY, J. H., Box 84, Lyneham, Canberra, A.C.T., 2602. CASEY, Br. T., 100 Fern Rd., Wilson, 6107 (G.) CHAPMAN, A., P.O.. Ravensthorpe, 6346 (B.) CHARLTON, A., 23 Hester St., Langford, 6155. CHARLTON, Mrs. K., 23 Hester St., Langford, 6155. CHARLTON, Miss L., 23 Hester St., Langford, 6155. CHEESEMAN, G. M.. P.O. Box 6. Mundaring, 6073 (Bot., G.) CHEYNE, Miss D., 9 Saladin St., Swanbourne, 6010 (B., Bot., C., G.) CHEYNE, Miss B. M., 9 Saladin St., Swanbourne, 6010 (B., Bot., C., G.) CHIT^I LEBOROUGH. Dr. R. G., Victorian Inst, of Marine Sciences, 14 Parliament Place, Melbourne, Vic. 3002. CHRISTENSEN, Dr. P., 78 Pritchard St., Manjimup, 6258. CLAYTON, Ms. M. D., 130 Warnbro Beach Rd., Warnbro, 6169. CLIFTON. Mrs. Yvonne. 15 Ventnor St., Scarborough, 6019. CLEMENTS, Mrs. E., 7 Warboy St.. Mosman Park, 6012. CLEMENTS, Dr. D. A., 7 Warboy St., Mosman Park, 6012. CLELAND, Dame Rachel, 155 Rear Forrest St., Peppermint Grove, 6011. CONNOR, Mrs. D., 57 Goldsmith Rd., Dalkeith, 6009. COONEY, Miss H. L., 16 Lowanna Way. City Beach, 6015. CHRISTOPHER, Mrs. A. M., 35/73 Mill Point Rd., South Perth, 6151. CLARK, Mrs. J., 59 Mary St., Waterman, 6020. CLARK, Dr. M., 59 Marv St.. Waterman, 6020 (G.) CLARKE, Mrs. A., 22 Hillway, Nedlands, 6009. CLARKE, Mrs. M. J., 12 Aboyne Rd., Gooseberry Hill, 6076 (B., G., M.) CONACHER, A., 265 Salvado Rd., Floreat Park, 6014. CONACHER, Mrs. Jeanette, 265 Salvado Rd., Floreat Park, 6014. COPEMAN. Mrs. E., 21 Beach Rd., Marmion, 6020. CRANNIGAN, J. B., 36 Roscommon Rd., Floreat, 6014. CRANNIGAN, Miss Jan. 36 Roscommon Rd., Floreat Park, 6014. CRANNIGAN, Miss Judith, 36 Roscommon Rd., Floreat Park, 6014. CRANNIGAN. Peter, 36 Roscommon Rd., Floreat Park, 6014. CRANNIGAN, Mrs. S.. 36 Roscommon Rd.. Floreat Park, 6014. CREED, Dr. K. E., School of Veterinary Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch, 6153. CRESPIN, J. F., 3/2 Hillway, Nedlands, 6009. CULLEN, Mrs. M. E., 130 Townsend Rd., Subiaco, 6008. CUNNINGHAM, K. R.. Walpole National Park, Walpole, 6398. CUREDALE, G. E., P.O. Box 969, Geraldton, 6530. CUREDALE, Mrs. G. W., P.O. Box 969, Geraldton, 6530. CURRY, A. G.. 248-250 Mill Point Rd., South Perth, 6151. CURTIS, R., 11 Stanmore St., Shenton Park. 6008. CURTIS, Mrs. R., 11 Stanmore St., Shenton Park, 6008. viii QACHTLER, Mrs. W., 223 Hartfield Rd., Forrestfield, 6056. DARBYSHIRE, Miss J., 18 Portland St., Nedlands, 6009. DAVIDSON, Mrs. M., 107 Forrest St., South Perth, 6151. DAVIES, Dr. S. J. J. F., “Waters Upton”, Mt. Helena, 6555 (B., Behaviour, Bot., M.) DAWBARN, Miss M. C., 9 Bellevue Ave., Dalkeith, 6009 (G.) DE BURGH, Mrs. S. G., 4/17 Richardson St., South Perth, 6151. DE LA HUNTY, Mrs. S., 22 Fraser Rd., Applecross, 6153. DELL, Dr. E., School of Environmental & Life Sciences, Murdoch Uni¬ versity, Murdoch, 6153. DELL, E., Glcnbrook Orchard, Aldersydc Rd. (South), Bickley, 6076. DELL, Mrs. E. J., Glenbrook Orchard, Aldersydc Rd. (South), Bickley, 6076. DELL, J., P.O. Box 173, Kalamunda, 6076 (B., R.) DELL, Mrs. P., P.O. Box 173, Kalamunda, 6076. DEN BY, Mrs. B., 4 Wandoo Rd., Duncraig, 6023. DEN BY, B., 4 Wandoo Rd., Duncraig, 6023. DENNY, Miss R. J., 9/11 Mount St., Perth, 6000. DE REBE1RA, Mrs. A., 17 Seaforth Rd., Nollamara, 6061 (B.) DE REBEIRA, C. P. S., 17 Seaforth Rd., Nollamara, 6061 (B.) DICKENS, J.. 176 Williams Rd., Gooseberry Hill, 6076. DOLEY, Mrs. A., “Koobabbie”, Coorovv, 6515. DOUGLAS, Miss L., c/- P.O. Kununurra, 6743. DOYLE, G. E., Lot 73, Henley St., West Swan, 6055. DOYLE, Mrs. I. J.. Lot 73, Henley St., West Swan, 6055. DRAKES, D., 4 Johnson Rd., Parkcrville, 6553. DRAKES, Mrs. Doris, 4 Johnson Rd., Parkcrville, 6553. DUNCAN, Miss A., 24 Gallipoli St., Victoria Park, 6100. DUNNE, Mrs. M. A., 40 Owston St., Mosman Park, 6012. DUNNE, J. P., 40 Owston St., Mosman Park, 6012. EARLE-SMITH, Miss K., c/- Agnew Mining Co., Leinster, 6437 (B., G., M., L, R.) EARLE-SMITH, Mrs. M., 105 Nanson St., Wembley, 6014 (G.) EASTHER, Ms. J., Lot 15, Woodbridge Drive, Greenmount, 6056. EDGAR, I., 37 Mitchell St., Ardross, 6153 (B., Ph.) EDGAR, Mrs. T., 37 Mitchell St., Ardross, 6153. ELKINGTON, Mrs. K., 15 Kershaw St., Subiaco, 6008. ELLIOTT, Miss S., 86 Webster St., Nedlands, 6009. ELWOOD, T., 10 Climping St., Balga, 6061 (B., F., G., I., M., Ph., R.) EMBERSON, Mrs. J., 1 La Grange St., Innaloo, 6018 (G., Bot.) ENGLEDEW. P., 8 Kennedy Way, Padbury, 6025. EVANS, Miss M., 60 The Esplanade, Peppermint Grove, 6011. EWERS, Mrs. D. M., 25 Hammad St., Palmyra, 6157. FAIRFAX, Mrs. G., 4 Gray Rd., Gooseberry Hill, 6076. FAIRFAX, R., 4 Gray Rd., Gooseberry Hill, 6076. FAVALORO, N. J., P.O. Box 765, Mildura, Victoria, 3500. FAWCETT, Mrs. L., 18 Strome Rd., Applecross, 6153. FEWSTER, A., 9 Morphett Crcs., Bateman, 6153 (B.) FEWSTER, Mrs. B., 9 Morphett Cres., Bateman, 6153 (B.) FISCHER. Miss P., 8 Stone Cres., Darlington, 6070 (B., G., M., Ph., Sp.) FISHER, L. G., 21 Chrysostom St., Trigg, 6020 (B., Bot, G.) FLEAY, Miss J., 3/57 Troy Tee., Daglish, 6008. FOLLEY, Mrs. B., R.M.B. 8609, Two Peoples Bay, 6330. FOLLEY, G., R.M.B. 8609, Two Peoples Bay, 6330. FORD, J. R., 21 Bowtell Rd., Lesmurdie, 6076 (B., G., M., R.) FORTE, Mrs. M., 12/248 Labouchere Rd., Como, 6152. FOX, Mrs. E., Biology Dept.. W.A.I.T., Bentley. 6102. FOX, Dr. J., Biology Dept., W.A.I.T., Bentley, 6102. FRY, T. C., 25 Saunders St., Swanbourne, 6010. FULLER, P. J., 1 Ruth St., Como, 6152 (B.) IX GAMACK, J. B., Helena St., Guildford, 6055. GARDNER, Mrs. A. J., 4/18 Kintail Rd., Applecross, 6150. GARDNER, J. R., 11 Barsden St., Cottesloe, 6011. GARDNER, Mrs. M. A., 11 Barsden St., Cottesloe, 6011. GARDINER, Mrs. B., 25 Beatrice Rd., Dalkeith, 6009. GEORGE, A. S., W.A. Herbarium, Jarrah Rd., South Perth, 6151 (Bot., G., Geogr.) GIBBS, Mrs. D. G., Dardanup, 6236. GIBBS, H. B., Dardanup, 6236. . GOODALE, Mrs. A. F., 218 Arcadia Drive, Safety Bay, 6169 (B., M., Ph.) GOODALE, R. J., 218 Arcadia Drive, Safety Bay, 6169. GREEN, Dr. A. H., c/- BHP Exploration. G.P.O. Box L923, Perth, 6001. GREEN, Mrs. G.. 9 Grayson Court, Wilson, 6107. GREEN, M., 9 Grayson Court, Wilson, 6107. GREEN, Mrs. O.. 288 Hale Rd., Woodlands, 6018. GREGG, Miss R., 7 Shelley St., Shelley, 6155. GRIFFITHS, K.. “Delilya", P.O., Parkerville, 6553 (B„ Bot., I„ R.) GRIFFITHS, Mrs. P„ “Delilya”, P.O., Parkerville, 6553. HALE, Miss B., 35 Bruce St., Nedlands, 6009. HALL, Miss E., 41 Winterfield Rd., Hamilton Hill, East, 6163. HALLAM, Prof. H. E., 13 Walter St., Claremont, 6010. HALLAM, Mrs. S. J., 13 Walter St., Claremont, 6010 (E.) HALSE, S. A., 156 Lockhart St., Como, 6152. HAMMOND, R. K., 22 Victoria St., Guildford, 6055. HANCOCK, I. R., Condingup Primary School, Condingup, via Esperance. HANLON, T. M., 38 Genesta Court, Dalkeith, 6009 (G., I., Ph., R.) HARNETT, Mrs. J., 164 Shenton St., Geraldton. 6530. HARTLEY, R. G., 20 Hogarth Way, Bateman, 6153. HASKINS, Dr. C. O., Suite 600, 2100 M St., N.W. Washington, D.C., 20037, U.S.A. HASSELL, C. W., 39 Birdwood Pde., Dalkeith, 6009. HASSELL, Mrs. J., 39 Birdwood Pde., Dalkeith, 6009. HASSETT, R. J., 316 Salvado Rd., Floreat Park, 6014 (G.) HASSETT, Mrs. R. J., 316 Salvado Rd., Floreat Park, 6014 (G.) HAWKESWOOD, T. J., Dept, of Botany, University of W.A., Crawley, 6009 (Bot., G., I.) HAWTHORN, B., 5 Gidgce Place, Duncraig, 6023 (B., Bot., F., Geol., Geogr., Ph.) HEMSLEY, L., P.O. Box 242, Cloverdalc, 6105. HEMSLEY, Mrs. V., 64 Canning Avc., Mt. Pleasant, 6153 (G.) HNATIUK, Dr. R. J., 13 Eastficld Court, Ferndale, 6155. HNATIUK, Dr. S. H., 13 Eastficld Court, Ferndale, 6155. HODGKIN, Dr. E. P., 6 Princess St., Mosman Park, 6012 (I., Mb.) HOGARTH. Mrs. P. S., P.O. Box 1, Darlington. 6070 (B., Bot., Geol.) HOGARTH, T. W., P.O. Box 1, Darlington, 6070 (B., Geogr.) HOGBIN. R. H., 16 Kingsall Rd., Attadalc, 6156. HOGBIN, Mrs. W., 16 Kingsall Rd., Attadalc, 6156. HOPPER, S. D., W.A. Wildlife Research Centre. P.O. Box 51, Wanneroo, 6065. HOUSTON, Dr. T. F., 3 Mount Prospect Cres., Maylands, 6051. HOWARD, Ms. C., Unit 7, 13-15 Rupert St., Maylands, 6051. HOWARD, M. J., 9 Leschenaultia St., Roleystone, 6111. HUSSEY. Miss B. M. J., 45 Miller St., East Victoria Park, 6101 (Bot.) HUTCHINSON, J. N„ Brockman St., Balingup, 6253. HUTCHINSON. Mrs., 113 Grove Rd., Lesmurdie, 6076 (G., Geogr.) HUTCHISON, D., 7 Fern St., Swanbournc, 6010. HUTCHISON, Mrs. J. R., 7 Fern St., Swanbournc, 6010. INGLETON, N., 109 Dalkeith Rd., Nedlands. 6009 (Bot., Geol.) INGLETON, Mrs. P., 109 Dalkeith Rd., Nedlands, 6009. IRELAND, R. R., P.O. Glen Forrest, 6071 (G.) IRELAND, Mrs. W„ P.O., Glen Forrest, 6071 (G.) x IRELAND, Miss Peta, P.O. Glen Forrest, 6071 (G., Mb.) IRELAND, Dr. Mark, 73 Hardy St., Nedlands, 6009 (E., G., Geogr., Geol.) IRELAND, Mrs. Mark, 73 Hardy St., Nedlands, 6009 (E., G., Geogr., Geol.) IRWIN, E. W. D., 24 Darley Heights, Darlcy St., South Perth, 6151. IRWIN, Mrs. E. W. D., 24 Darley Heights, Darley St., South Perth, 6151. JAMES, D. F„ 283 Commercial Rd., Forrestdale, 6112 (B., G.) JENKINS, Mrs. J., 88 Rosedalc St., Floreat Park, 6014 (G.) JOHNSON, Miss D. I., 6 Merriwa St., Hollywood, 6009. JOHNSON, Miss K. M., 2 Nangkitta Rd., Lcsmurdie, 6076 (B., Bot.) JOHNSON, Mrs. K. S., 41 Goldsmith Rd., Dalkeith, 6009. JOHNSTONE, R. E., W.A. Museum, Francis St., Perth, 6000. JONES, Dr. A. L., 33 Caporn St., Nedlands, 6009. JONES, M. E., 6/262 Holbeck St., Doubleview, 6018. KABAY, E. D., 48 Banksia Tee., South Yundurup, 6208. KEAST, Prof. J. A., Dept, of Biology, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6. KEIGHERY, Mrs. B. J., c/- Kings Park Botanic Garden, West Perth, 6005. KEIGHERY, G. J., c/- Kings Park Botanic Garden, West Perth, 6005. KENDRICK, G. W., 35 Elmhurst Way, Greenwood, 6024 (C., Quaternary Geol.) KENNEALLY, K. F., W.A. Herbarium, George St., South Perth, 6151. KENNETT, Dr. B., 77 Tyrell St., Nedlands, 6009 (G.) KENNETT, Dr. D. W., 77 Tyrell St., Nedlands, 6009 (B.) KERR, Miss M., 22 Periwinkle Way, Parkwood, 6155. KINGSTON, Ms D., 10 Lania Court, Rossmoyne, 6155. KINNEAR, Dr. A., 9 Valley Rd., Wembley Downs, 6019 (I., M.) K1NNEAR, Dr. J., 9 Valley Rd., Wembley Downs, 6019 (I., M.) KITSON, Ms E., Lot 67 Harvest Rd., Morley, 6062. KLUMPP, Miss J. M., 30A Lalor St., Scarborough, 6019. KNIGHT, Dr. J. O., 32 The '.Boulevardc, Floreat Park, 6014. KNIGH'P, Mrs. J. L., 32 The Boulevarde, Floreat Park, 6014. KNOTT, E. D., 6 Swanview Rd., Grcenmount, 6056. KOCH, Dr. L. E., 51 Kingsway, Nedlands, 6009. KOLICHIS, N., 166 Howe St.. Osborne Park, 6017 (B., Ph., R.) KRIEWALDT, M., P.O. Box 6010, Hay St., East Perth, 6000. LACOUR-GAYET, Mme. R., 19 Avenue Franklin Roosevelt, Paris, France (B.) LANE, J. A., c/- Wildlife Research Centre, P.O. Box 51, Wanneroo, 6165 (B., G.) LANE, Mrs. J., Lot 128 Johnston Rd., Parkerville, 6553. LANE, P., Lot 128, Johnston Rd., Parkerville, 6553. LANE, Mrs. H., 3 Cameron St., Karrinyup, 6018. LANE, T.. 3 Cameron St., Karrinyup, 6018. LANTZKE, Dr. I. R., 4 Ailsa St., Wembley Downs, 6019 (Bot., F., G., Mb., Ph.) LANTZKE, Mrs. P. M., 4 Ailsa St., Wembley Downs, 6019 (Bot., F. G., Mb., Ph.) LAY, Dr. H., 56 Purdom Rd., Wembley Downs, 6019 (B., Bot.) LEE, Mrs. G., 5 Bennett Court, Leeming, 6153. LEE, J., 5 Bennett Court, Leeming, 6153. LE FANU, S., 41 Riverview Tee., Indooroopilly, Q’land 4068 (G.) LE SOUEF, Miss N. E., 47/73 Mill Point Rd., South Perth, 6151. LINDSEY, Miss Pat, 20 Kings Rd., Subiaco, 6008. LLOYD, M., Stirling Range National Park, via Borden, 6338. LOARING, Mrs. M., 151 Stanhope Rd., Kalamunda, 6076 (B.) LODGE, G. A., R.M.B. 107D, Boyup Brook, 6244 (B., G.) LONEY, Mrs. S.. 22 Carrington St., Nedlands. 6009 (Bot., G., Geogr.) LUXFORD, B., 15 Brown St., Claremont, 6010. LUYER, J. R., 249 Marmion St., Cottesloe, 6011. LUYER, Mrs. R. H., 249 Marmion St., Claremont, 6011. xi McCRUM, E., Lot 207 Kintore Rd., Parkcrville, 6553 (G.) McCRUM, Mrs. M„ Lot 207 Kintore Rd., Parkerville, 6553 (G.) McCRUM, Miss T., Lot 207 Kintore Rd., Parkerville, 6553. McDOUGALL, R. D., 34 Emily St., St. James, 6102 (G.) McGAURAN, Miss J., “Bunya”, Yuna, 6532 (B., Bot., I., R.) McHUGH, L. J.. 30 Oliver Rd., Roseville, N.S.W. 2069 (B.) MacIVER, Miss J., 1/33 Victoria Ave., Claremont, 6010. McKEAN, J. L.. P.M.B. 44, Winnellie. N.T. 5789 (B., G., M.) MacKENZIE, P., 18 Riley Rd., Claremont, 6010 (B., Bot., Mb.) McKEON, J. J., 33 York St., Tuart Hill, 6060 (B.) McLACHLAN, K. L., 5/2 Muriel Ave., Woodlands, 6018. McLAUGHLIN, R., Lot 55, Victoria Rd., West Swan, 6055. McMILLAN, D. j., 138 Broome St., Cottesloe, 6011. McMILLAN, R. P., A.M. 82 Railway St., Cottesloe, 6011 (B., Bot., I., Mb.) McNAMARA, Mrs. B. A., 9 Central Ave., Rossmoyne, 6155. McNAMARA, B. a., 9 Central Ave., Rossmoyne, 6155. MAHONY, K., Carracang Stn., P.M.B. 10, Geraldton, 6530 (G.) MAIN, Dr. B. Y., Zoology Dept.. University of W.A., Nedlands, 6009. MANNING, Mrs. M., 47/73 Mill Point Rd., South Perth, 6151 (G.) MARKHAM, J. R., 21 Norman St., Wembley Downs, 6019. MARKS, Mrs. V., 6 Gooch St., Hamilton Hill, 6163. MARR, Mrs. N., c/- District High School, Kununurra, 6743 (B., Bot.) MARSH, Mrs. L., c/- W.A. Museum, Francis St., Perth, 6000. MARSHALL, D., P.O. Box 593, Bunbury, 6230. MARSHALL, Mrs. V., P.O. Box 593, Bunbury, 6230. MARSHALL, Miss E., 3/247 Coode St.. Como, 6152. MARSHALL, Mrs. L. R., 20 Hobbs Ave., Como, 6152 (B., M., Ph., R.) MARSHALL, R. E., 20 Hobbs Ave.. Como, 6152 (B., Gcogr., M.) MARTIN, Dr. H., 4 Mordolf Rd., Lesmurdie, 6076. MASTERS, B., 17 Mimosa Ave., Graylands, 6010. MASTERS, Mrs. C. T„ 17 Mimosa Ave., Graylands, 6010. MAUGHAN, Mrs. D., 1B South-West H’way, Donnybrook, 6239 (B., Bot, I., M.) MAWSON, J. R., 42 Aurelian St., Palmyra, 6157 (A., R.) MAYR, Prof. E., c/- Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard Uni¬ versity, Cambridge Mass. 02138, U.S.A. MERCER, Mrs. E. W., 26 Muir St., Innaloo, 6018 (Frogs). MERCER, R. W., 26 Muir St., Innaloo, 6018 (R., Ph.) MILLARD, M., 49 Loton St.. Woodlands, 6018. MILLARD, Mrs. Y., 49 Loton St., Woodlands, 6018. MILHINCH, A. L., “Seabrook”. via Northam, 6401 (B., Geol.) MILHINCH, Mrs. R., “Seabrook”, via Northam, 6401 (Bot., G.) MILLS, Mrs. J., Lot 7. Vera St., Go^nells, 6100. MILNE. Miss E., 14 Margaret St.. Cottesloe, 6011. MITCHELL, Ms A. F.. 6 Marlow St., Wembley, 6014. MITCHELL, T., “Wyndabyne", via Piawaning, 6572. MONTEBELLO, E., 50 Davies Cres., Gooseberry Hill, 6076. MONTEBELLO. Mrs. E., 50 Davies Cres., Gooseberry Hill, 6076. MORAN, Miss Jan, 36 Roscommon Rd., Florcat Park. 6014. MORAN, Miss Judith, 36 Roscommon Rd., Floreat Park 6014. MORAN, P.. 36 Roscommon Rd., Floreat Park, 6014. MORCOMBE, M., P.O. Box 54, Armadale, 6112 (B., Bot., Geol., I., M., Ph., R., Sp.) MORECOMBF,, Mrs. M., P.O. Box 54, Armadale, 6112 (B.. Bot., Geol., L, M., Ph., R., Sp.) MORRIS, Miss F. E., 2 Staines St., Victoria Park, 6100. (B., Bot., G., Frogs, Fungi) MORRIS, Miss H., 139 Stubbs Tee., Daglish, 6008 (B.) MOULDS, M. S., 14 Chisholm St., Greenwich, N.S.W. 2065 (I.) MOYES, Mrs. J., Christ Church Grammar School, Queenslea Drive, Clare¬ mont (B.) MUELLER, Mrs. A., 7 Hamer Ave., Wembley Downs, 6019. xii MUELLER, Otto, 7 Hamer Ave., Wembley Downs, 6019 (B.) MUIR, B. G., 44 Coulston Rd., Boya, 6056. MUIR, Mrs. J., 44 Coulston Rd., Boya, 6056. MURRAY, N., 29 Hovea Tee., Kensington, 6151. MURRAY, Miss P., P.O. Box 7, Mt. Lawley, 6050 (G.) NEAL, Mrs. Alwyn, Yanchep National Park, 6035 (B., Bot., G., I., M., Ph., R.) NEAL, R., Yanchep National Park, 6035 (B., Bot., G., I., M., Ph., R.) NEWBEY, K. R., Ongerup, 6336 (Plant Gcogr., Domestication of Native Plants) NEWELL, Mrs. L., 4/19 Sorrento St., North Beach, 6020 (C., Geol., G., Mb.) NICHOLAS, D., 33 Barbigal Place, Lesmurdie, 6076 (G.) NICHOLAS, Mrs. G., 33 Barbigal Place, Lesmurdie, 6076. NOTLEY, A. T., 15 Lugger Place, Yanchep, 6065 (G.) O’DONNELL, C. F., 5 Vista St., South Perth, 6151. O’FARRELL, A., 12/18 Padbury Tee., Midland, 6056. OLDHAM, J., 11 Saladin St., Swanbourne, 6010. OLDHAM, Mrs. Ray, 11 Saladin St., Swanbourne, 6010. OLIVER, K., 44A Armstrong Rd., Wilson, 6107. PAINE, Dr. G. D., Private Bag 0035, Gaborone, Botswana. PARKER, 1. R. H., R.M.B. 137, Boyup Brook, 6244. PARKER, Mrs. I. R. H., R.M.B. 137, Boyup Brook, 6244. PARKES, B. J., 24 Bellbird Rd., Mount Eliza, Victoria 3930 (Freshwater Fishes) PARRY, Mrs. E. S., 29 Compass Circle, Yanchep Lagoon, 6035. PARRY, Mrs. F. I., 43 Shearman St., Attadale, 6156. PARRY, J., 7 Fortview Rd., Mt. Claremont, 6010. PASSMORE, Mrs. N., John Forrest National Park, P.O. Glen Forrest, 6071 (G). PASSMORE, T., John Forrest National Park, P.O., Glen Forrest, 6071 (G.) PAYTON, G. R., 2 Spencer St., Bunbury, 6230. PEGGS, Ms K., 61B Albina Rd., Maida Vale, 6057. PERRET, Dr. C. J., 132 Rosalie St., Shenton Park, 6008 (G.) PERRET, Dr. D., 132 Rosalie St., Shenton Park, 6008 (G.) PERRY, D. H., 26 Egham Rd., Victoria Park, 6100 (G.) PERRY, Mrs. G., Botany Branch, Dept, of Agriculture, Jarrah Rd., South Perth, 6151 (B., Bot.) PERRY, Mrs. K. D., 142 Drummond Cres., Dampier, 6713. PERRY, Mrs. R., 21 Clarke Rd., Morlcy, 6062. PETERSON, Magnus, 69 Alvah St., St. James, 6102 (Bot., Geol., I., Ph., R., Sp.) PHILIPP, G. A., 6 Dodonia Gardens, City Beach, 6015. PHILLIPS, Dr. B. F., CSIRO Marine Biological Laboratory, Cronulla, N.S.W. 2230. PHILLIPS, Dr. P. A., 21/73 Keightley Rd., Shenton Park, 6008 (B., G.) PIANKA, Dr. E. R., University of Texas, Austin, Texas, U.S.A. 78712. PIPER, Dr. L. R., Hazeldenc, Armidale, N.S.W. 2350. PLAYFORD, Mrs. C., 102 Thomas St., Nedlands, 6009 (Bot., G.) PLAYFORD, Dr. P., 102 Thomas St., Nedlands, 6009. POLE, Miss E., 17 Hesperia Ave., City Beach, 6015. POOLE, W. E., Division of Wildlife Research, CSIRO, P.O. Box 84, Lyne- ham, A.C.T. 2602 (G.) POPPLEWELL, A. K., Box 86, Moora, 6510. POW, Miss S., 36 Hopetoun Tee., Shenton Park, 6008 (B., Bot.) POWELL, R., 1 La Grange St., Innaloo, 6018 (Bot., F., G.) POYNTON, M„ 18 Brighton St., Cottesloe, 6011 (B., G., Ph.) PRALL, D., 7 Cliff Place, Gosnells, 6100 (B.) PRALL, Mrs. D., 7 Cliff Place, Gosnells, 6100 (B., G., Geogr.) PRENDERGAST, W. F., 30 Freshwater Pde., Claremont, 6010. xiii QUARTERMAINE, Ms J., 8 Nookawarra Place, Kelmscott, 6111. RANFORD, Mrs. F. H., 31 Goldsworthy Rd., Claremont, 6010. RANFORD, F. H., 31 Goldsworthy Rd., Claremont, 6010. REID, Mrs. D. L., c/- Western Mining Corp. Ltd., P.O. Box 17, Leonora, 6438 (B., Geol.) REID, D. R., c/- Western Mining Corp. Ltd., P.O. Box 17, Leonora, 6438 (B., Geol.) RICHARDSON, Dr. K., c/- Veterinary School, Murdoch University, Murdoch, 6153 (G.) RIDE, Dr. W. D. L., 29 Gordon St., Hughes, A.C.T. 2605. ROBINSON. Mrs. A. D., 46 Clifton St., Nedlands, 6009. ROBINSON, Ms F. E., P.O. Box 90, Lake Grace, 6353 (B.) ROBINSON. F. N., 10/35 Margaret St., Waterman, 6020. ROBINSON, Mrs. J. M., P.O. Box 61, York, 6302. ROE, Mrs. R., Lot 152 Bandy Ave., Lancelin, 6508 (B., Bot., Geol., M.) ROE, Miss S., 13/79 South Tee., Como, 6152 (G.) ROGERS, Ms M., 5 Fourth Ave., Maylands, 6051. ROSAIR, Mrs. Barbara, 120 Gooseberry Hill Rd., Gooseberry Hill, 6076 G.) ^ . ROSS, P. H., 24 Marine Pde., Mosman Park, 6012 (Fungi) ROWBOTHAM, Mrs. V., Methodist Ladies College, Claremont, 6010. ROWLEY, L, Divn. of Wildlife Research, CSIRO, Helena Valley, 6056. ROYCE, R. D., P.O. Box 144, Midland, 6056. RUNDLE, G., 5 Clontarf St., Sorrento, 6020 (G.) RUSSELL, W. K., Dept, of Agriculture, Harvey, 6220. RUSYN, Miss S., 33 Walter Rd., Inglewood, 6052 (B., Bot., G., Geol., Ph.) RUTHERFORD, Miss M., 59 Holland St., Fremantle, 6160. SAAR, A., 92 Salisbury St., Bedford, 6052 (B., Bot.) SAAR, Mrs. E. F., 2 Emander Drive, Dianella, 6062 (IB., Bot., G.) SAWYER, M., 5 Mandoon Close, Darlington, 6070 (G.) SAWYER. Mrs. P., 5 Mandoon Close, Darlington, 6070 (G.) SEMENIUK, Mrs., 21 Glcnmore Rd., Warwick, 6024. SEMEN I UK, Dr. V., 21 Glcnmore Rd., Warwick, 6024. SENIOR. Mrs. Sally, 8 Freshwater Place, Claremont, 6010. SERVENTY, J. S.. 3 Howie St., Woodlands, 6018 (G., Sp.) SHANNON, Dr. T. G., 31 Cimbrook Way, Duncraig, 6023 (B., M., Ph.) SHEPHERD, Mrs. M. L., 4 Barcoo Ave., Claremont, 6010. SHIPLEY, Miss T., Publications Branch, Education Dept., West Perth, 6005 (B., E.) SHUGG, H. B., 108 Adelaide Tee., Perth, 6000 (G.) SIDOTI, Mrs. C. E., 5 Campsie St., Nedlands, 6009. SIEBER, A. D., 184 Birkett St., Dianella, 6062 (B., Bot.) SMITH, A., 59 Cleopatra St., Palmyra, 6157. SMITH, Mrs. A., 59 Cleopatra St., Palmyra, 6157. SMITH, Mrs. Eleanor, 66 Bay View Tee., Mosman Park, 6012 (Geol., Mb.) SMITH, J. A., 7/86 Caledonian St., Maylands, 6051. SMITH, L. A., W.A. Museum. Francis St., Perth, 6000. SMITH, Mrs. J., 20 Buntinc Rd., Wembley Downs, 6019. SMITH, Dr. M., 20 Buntine Rd., Wembley Downs, 6019. SMITH, Miss P. S., 6 Oceamc Drive, Floreat Park, 6014. SMITH, Dr. V. W., 21 Purdy Ave., Ardross, 6153. SONNEMANN, N. M., Dept, of Agriculture, Kununurra, 6743. SOTZIK, K., 15 Adamson Rd., Brentwood, 6153 (G.) SOUNESS, Miss K., Egypt Estate, Mount Barker, 6324. SOUTHWELL-KEELY, M., Lot 1, Hillcrest Rd., Mundaring, 6073. SOUTHWELL-KEELY, Mrs. M., Lot I, Hillcrest Rd., Mundaring, 6073. SPALDING, Dr. V. T., 39 Strickland Rd., Ardross, 6153. SPALDING, Mrs. V. T., 39 Strickland Rd.. Ardross, 6153. SPENCE, T., 151 Mill Point Rd., South Perth, 6151. STAINSBY, P., 113 Grove Rd., Lcsmurdie, 6076 (G.) STAINSBY, Mrs. P., 113 Grove Rd., Lesmurdie, 6076. xiv STANNAGE, Miss M., 86 Salisbury St., Subiaco, 6008. STEINBECK, K., 3 Standcn Court, Kalamunda, 6076 (Bot., I., Mb., Ph.) STEINBECK, Mrs. Lesley, 2 Hotchin St., Bunbury, 6230 (G.) STEWART, Mrs. K., 7 Stanley St., Nedlands, 6009 (Bot.) STORR, Dr. G. M., W.A. Museum, Francis St., Perth, 6000 (B., Bot., G., R.) STOUT, A. L., 4/1 Lyall wSt., South Perth, 6151. STRINGER, E. H., 2/6 Scenic Cres., South Perth, 6151 (B., Bot., G., Geogr., Geol., I., M„ Ph.) STRINGER, Mrs. J., 2/6 Scenic Cresc., South Perth, 6151 (B., Bot., G., Geogr., Geol., 1., M., Ph.) STUART, Mrs. D., 94 Cobb St., Scarborough, 6019. SWINDELL, Mrs. Y. V., 98 Forrest St., Cottesloe, 6011. TALBOT, Mrs. Isabel, c/- J. N. Talbot, c/- Parliamentary Counsel, Crown Law Dept., G.P.O. Box F317, Perth, 6001. TALBOT, J., c/- Parliamentary Counsel, Crown Law Dept., G.P.O. Box F317, Perth, 6001. TALBOT, Mrs. V., c/- Parliamentary Counsel, Crown Law Dept., G.P.O. Box F317, Perth, 6001. TANNER, A. G., 44 Houston Avc., Dianella, 6062 (B., Geol.) TAYLOR, Mrs. A., 43 Powell St., Joondanna, 6060. TAYLOR, Mrs. A. M., 42 Sampson Rd., Kalamunda, 6076. TEALE, G., “Berrimillah”, Traylen Rd., Stoneville, 6554 (G.) TEALE, Mrs. J., “Berrimillah”, Traylen Rd., Stoneville, 6554 (Ph.) TEMPLE, Mss B., 211 Heytesbury Rd.. Subiaco, 6008 (B., Bot.) TETLOW, Miss E., Ill Verna St., Gosnells, 6110. THIES, Dr. H. H., 16 Edward St., Nedlands, 6009. THIES, Mrs. K., 16 Edward St„ Nedlands, 6009. THOMAS, M., 268 Nicholson Rd., Subiaco, 6008. TODD, K., 93 Menwood Ave., Killarney Heights, N.S.W. 2087 (Bot., G.) TONKINSON, J. P. 58 Dalgcty St., E. Fremantle, 6158. TORRENS, J., 2 John St.. Henley Brook, 6055 (B., M., Ph.) TROTT, Mrs. M., 13/12 Eric St., Como, 6152. VAUGHAN, Mrs. M., 35 Wittenoom Rd., High Wycombe, 6057. WARDLE, Sir Thomas, 3 Kent St., Bicton, 6157. WARHAM, Dr. J., Zoology Dept., University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand (B.) WATERHOUSE, Mrs. B. V., Yanchep National Park, Yanchep, 6065. WATERHOUSE, R. S., Yanchep National Park, Yanchep, 6065. WATSON, Dr. A. T., 14 Duncraig Rd., Applecross, 6153. WEBSTER, H. O., Lot 108 Ulster Rd., Albany, 6330 (B., Sp.) WELLINGTON, Mrs. B. D., 3 Rich St., Gooseberry Hill, 6076. WELLMAN, Mrs. J., Bindaree Tee., Kingsley, 6024. WELLS, A. G., Box 57, Scarborough, 6019 (B., Bot., Geol.) WELLS. Mrs. B. A., Box 57, Scarborough, 6019 (B., Bot., Geol.) WESTON, Dr. A. S„ 194 Crimea St., Morley, 6062. WETTENHALL, Dr. N.. 14 Lascelles Ave., Toorak, Victoria. 3142. WHITE, Mrs. M., 28 Birchwood Ave., Woodlands, 6018 (G.) WHITE, R. C., 28 Birchwood Ave., Woodlands, 6018 (G.) WHITE, S. R., 67 Moray Ave., Floreat Park, 6014. WHITE, Dr. S. S., 9A Hogarlh Way, Bateman, 6153. WHITING, N. L., 1 Miller Ave., Redcliffe, 6104. WHITING, Mrs. P. A., 1 Miller Ave., Redcliffe, 6104. WHITEHOUSE, G. V., 7 Pearsall St., Mullaloo, 6025. WHITTINGTON, A. J., 2 Nairn Rd., Applecross, 6153. WHITTINGTON, Mrs. F., 2 Nairn Rd., Applecross, 6153. WIGGINS, B. R., Cranbrook Bakery, Cranbrook, 6321. WILLIAMS, D. O., 66 Viking Rd., Dalkeith, 6009 (G.) WILLIAMS, Mrs. J. A., 66 Viking Rd., Dalkeith, 6009. WILLIAMSON, H. C., 36 Burke Drive, Attadale, 6156. xv WILLIAMSON, Mrs. R., 36 Burke Drive, Attadale, 6156. WILLIS, Ms E., 26 Roseberry St., Jolimont, 6014. WILSON, Mrs. A., 193 Gr. Eastern H’way., Greenmount, 6056. WILSON, Mrs. Helen, 44 Farrant St., Gooseberry Hill, 6076. WILSON, I. J., Agricultural Dept., Jcrramungup, 6337 (B., Bot., Geogr., I., Ph.) WILSON, R. G., 493 Gr. Eastern H’way., Greenmount, 6050. WISE, Mrs. B., 55 Merrivva St., Ncdlands, 6009. WITTWER, E., Kings Park Board Office, West Perth, 6005. WOODMAN, Mrs. A., 16 Kanowna Ave., Redcliffe, 6104 (A., Bot., I,, G., M.) WOODS, Mrs. F. S., 45 Irvine St., Peppermint Grove, 6011 (B.) WOODS, Dr. J. D., 45 Irvine St., Peppermint Grove, 6011. WORRELL, Eric, Australian Reptile Park, Pacific H’way, North Gosford, N.S.W. 2250 (A., G., R.) WRIGHT, Mrs. J., Nursing Post, Kukerin, 6352. WRIGHT, W., Nursing Post, Kukerin, 6352. WYCHERLEY, Dr. P. R., Kings Park Botanic Gardens, West Perth, 6005. WYLIE, Mrs. A., 25 King Albert Rd., Trigg, 6020. WYLIE, K., 25 King Albert Rd., Trigg, 6020. YATES, Mrs. A. M. F., 11 Alexander Ave., Claremont, 6010 (B., G.) YATES, Dr. P. C., 11 Alexander Ave., Claremont, 6010 (B., G.) YOUNG, Miss Jennifer, Box F350, G.P.O., Perth, 6001. YOUNG, Miss Phyllis, 45 Floyd St., Trigg, 6020. Printed by Wescolour Press, a division of West Australian Newspapers Ltd. 9 THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST Vol. 14 September 30, 1977 No. 1 SOME INIMICAL EFFECTS OF THE DOMESTIC BEE ON THE NATIVE FAUNA AND FLORA By A. M. DOUGLAS, Mt. Lawley The Domestic or Hive Bee, Apis niellifera, when introduced into a balanced ecosystem, because of its way of life and sheer weight of num¬ bers, deprives some native insects of nectar essential for their existence. Once certain native insects have disappeared as a result of this competition the introduced bee becomes an essential part of the ecology of the area as it pollinates plants which do not need specific insects for their fertilisa¬ tion. But if we desire to save the native insects threatened by such competition it is essential that we ban the entry of apiarists into areas where these insects still survive. Over many years we have witnessed the gradual alteration of habitats with a concomitant annihilation of elements of our fauna and flora. This took place with few people realising the extent of the destruction or apparently caring over-much about it. Recently the realisation that so many of our birds, mammals, trees and flowers face possible disappearance has caused governments to heed the advice of their experts and to implement conservation recommendations. Unfortunately few conservation bodies have as members entomologists knowledgeable enough to press the case for the preservation of native invertebrates, in particular the insects. There is little understanding, in such circumstances, of the role played by the native invertebrates in the ecosystems sought to be preserved. True, thousands of millions of dollars are spent on studying how insects affect our health, food, crops and stored products, but relatively little is spent studying how invertebrates affect and stabilise the inter¬ dependencies of plants and animals. Inspection of any insect collection, such as that of the Western Australian Museum, the CSIRO or the Department of Agriculture, reveals that numerous insects which were abundant twenty and more years ago are no longer found where they had been collected —nor, often, the flowers with which they were associated. Because of agricultural practices, housing development, surface drainage, application of trace elements, aerial spraying, etc., whole populations have disappeared. Different plants and animals have replaced them in the changed environment. Where the native insect populations have been reduced or displaced by man's activities their place in the general ecology has been usurped most conspicuously by the introduced Domestic Bee. It may now be regarded as essential in these ecologically disturbed areas. This industrious creature lives in an air-conditioned, disease-free home, carefully looked after by the apiarist. It is assured of a regular supply of clean water and transported to areas where food is always available. It works from dawn to dusk collecting nectar and pollen and storing them in vast quantities as honey and larval food—and taken advantage of by man. It can, and will, work 365 days a year if nectar is available. Where apiaries arc situated the bees range up to three miles from their respective hives, collecting nectar indiscriminately from all sources. Jf the con^truc^n of the blossom does not allow the bee to reach the nectar the bee will tear it open, often not touching the pollen and thus no fertilisation takes place. Native insects only become active when the ambient temperature has, risen to a satisfactory level. Where an immense number of bees are work^ ing from dawn in the same area nectar has often completely disappeared by the time the native insects arrive, about mid-morning. One has only to visit a place where native insects could once be seen, and be there again when an apiary is in the vicinity, to appreciate the reason for the scarcity or absence of the native species. it may well be asked what is the role, in this context, of the “domestic bee gone wild,” the escapee from captivity? When the Domestic Bee becomes feral its hive necessarily becomes stationary and life thenceforth is hazardous. It can no longer depend on a regular and good supply of water and must face enemies such as ants, some birds, possibly a local cetonid beetle, the wax moth and in some areas the infection, “foul brood.'' The feral Domestic Bee has to fit in with local climatic conditions and often does not thrive in the face of the several local hazards. Water availability is, perhaps, the most critical factor affecting its survival. By comparison with the “apiary bee,” which is carefully cushioned from most of these hazards and often transported to optimum feeding areas, the feral bee has a stressful existence and many colonies must perish. In my opinion feral populations for the most part can only exist as such by swarms continually escaping from apiaries. Thus feral bees do not really constitute a serious ecological problem. Our native bees and other insects which rely on nectar during their brief breeding stage, appear as adults mostly in spring and early summer. Unlike social insects such as the Domestic Bee, the adult phases of native southern insects are purely for mating and preparing a food supply for the next generation. This may be limited to a period of days or weeks. Native insects do not rely on free water; they use nectar both for energy and water requirements—without it they cannot exist. The emergence of native insects coincides with the flowering of certain plants, a timing which ensures the survival of both. If nectar is not available, or has been appropriated earlier in the day by foraging Domestic Bees, the native insects must die, and there is no alternative. It is now too late in the day to rationalise commercial bee-keeping enterprise in most parts of the South-West in an endeavour to save what remains of those native insects adversely affected by competition with the Domestic Bee. And it may be undesirable to attempt any such measures now, for the Domestic Bee has come to play an essential role within the changed ecosystem from which the native insects have largely been displaced. However apiaries should be excluded from those faunal reserves and national parks where the native insects and the flora dependent on them still exist in viable interdependence. These areas are now generally far distant from major settled areas and cannot support a large feral Domestic Bee population. So far economics have prevented apiarists exploiting these virgin areas with their limited flowering periods. Such areas which should be forbidden to apiarists can be defined by official conservation agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Authority, after research by appropriate survey teams. Suggested areas, from my experience, are the Israelite Bay-Mt. Ragged reserves, some malice areas south of Southern Cross, and the Murchison River reserve. SOME NOTES ON THE MAMMALIAN FAUNA OF THE WESTERN NULLARBOR PLAIN, WESTERN AUSTRALIA By M. G. BROOKER, Division of Wildlife Research, CSIRO, P.O. Box 84, Lyneham, Canberra, A.C.T. 2602. INTRODUCTION Most of the observations reported here were made on the north¬ western Nullarbor Plain within 150 km of Rawlinna (Fig. 1). Areas A, B, and C were areas for special study of Wedge-tailed Eagles and were visited regularly from March 1967 to November 1973, 2 once in 1974 (September) and once in 1976 (September-October). These areas are described in detail by Ridpath and Brooker (in prep.). All three were predominantly myall (Acacia sowdenii) woodland with areas of blue- bush and saltbush steppes, grasslands and dongas. Area A contained more open grassland than either B or C and was not grazed by sheep or cattle. Brief visits were made to Lake Brown, Carlisle Lakes and Forrest. The vegetation of the western Nullarbor Plain has been mapped by Beard (1975) and the soils and geology have been described by Lowry (1970). This region has a low non-seasonal rainfall and is climatic¬ ally a desert. Droughts are common and often prolonged. Beard (1975) reported twelve with a duration of over twelve months at Rawlinna in the 46 years 1922-1967 inclusive. The monthly rainfalls for Rawlinna during 1967 - September 1976 (Fig. 2), show that the periods January 1969 to April 1973 and January to September 1976 were very dry. This country has no natural surface water except for ephemeral pools after heavy rain and some semi-permanent freshwater lakes round the edge of the Plain e.g. Lake Brown and Lake Boonderoo which both contained water in September 1976. 1 Observations on mammals with the exception of those on Rabbits were made opportunistically in the course of other work in and around the eagle study areas. One or more people were in the field for approxi¬ mately 300 days during the period March 1967 to October 1976, and at least. 200 hours were spent spot-lighting at night. The observations on rabbits arc reported in more detail by Ridpath and Brooker (in prep.). 3 50 1972 0 50 0 1969 1971 50 JFMAMJJASOND Fig. 2. Monthly rainfall (mm) for Rawlinna, W 1976 I i i i i i i i .i. j-i l i J FMAMJJASOND A., 1967 to September 1976. MAMMALS RECORDED 1967-76 Echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus. An Echidna was seen in myall wood¬ land west of Area B on September 23, 1972 and fresh tracks of Echidnas were observed on Areas A, B, and C. Fat-tailed Dunnart, Sminthopsis crassicaudata. This species was observed only on Areas A and B but is probably widespread. During 101 spot-light transects (each 16 km long and H hours in duration) in the period May 1969 to September 1976, Dunnarts were sighted on eight separate occasions—January 29, 1971 (I); January 26, 1972 (1); March 25, 1972 (1); March 14, 1973 (1); March 23, 1973 (1); November 22, 1973 (1); November 23, 1973 (1) and November 25, 1973 (2). The remains of Dunnarts were found in the stomachs of Foxes collected in May, 1969 and March 1973 and in the stomach of a Cat collected in March 1973. Hairy-nosed Wombat, Lasiorhinus latifrons. According to A. J. Car¬ lisle (pers. comm.), there are three isolated populations of wombats along 4 the southern section of the Nullarbor Plain in Western Australia. In the early 1960’s, a rabbitter claimed to have shot one near Rawlinna and, in 1976, the author was given descriptions of warrens and foot-prints consistent with wombats from an area 100 km south of Naretha. Other wombat sightings are given by Jenkins (1962). Western Grey Kangaroo, Macropus fuligitiosus. This species appeared to be as common as Red Kangaroo on the timbered sections of the Plain and was recorded at Carlisle Lakes and at a point 75 km south of Neale Junction. They occur in the sandhill and spinifex country along the northern edge of the Nullarbor Plain (A. J. Carlisle pers. comm.). During each winter visit (1969-73) Grey Kangaroos were present in the myall woodland on the northern edges of Area A, at least 50 km from the nearest surface water. They were seen on open country on Seemore Downs in January and July 1972, and September 1976 during dry periods. In September, 1974 a number were present in open bluebush steppes where they had not been seen before by the author. There w f as a tall stand (one metre) of speargrass (Stipa spp.) throughout this habitat at the time. When a 4000 km- sheep station at Naretha was encircled with a 2 m high dingo-proof fence in 1963, the manager claimed (E. Swann pers. comm., 1970), that few Grey Kangaroos were enclosed. During subsequent years to summer 1971-72, the density of Greys increased. In the summer of 1971-72, large mobs (to 40) were observed and most females were carrying joeys. In September 1972, few young at foot were seen and of 32 females examined in January-February 1972, only two had juveniles accompanying them, and only six had pouch young (estimated range of birth date: December 17 to January 16). Many animals in poor condition had congregated along the inside of the perimeter fence. During January and February, 1973, a similar congregating was observed but more females (19 out of 23) carried joeys (birth dates: November 23 to January 11). The drought broke in March 1973. and in September of that year, most females were carrying large pouch young or had small young at foot. Some of the factors which may have led to the reported increase in numbers of Grey Kangaroos between 1963 and 1971 are: (a) Provision of surface water by man. There was no evidence to support this on the adjoining unfenced cattle station. Here the density of Greys on the watered area did not appear to be any greater than on similar unwatered country outside the boundary of the cattle station. (b) Modification of habitat by sheep grazing, benefiting the Grey Kangaroo. This change in habitat must have occurred rapidly as sheep were not numerous or widespread on this station until 1963. (c) Prevention of dispersal. Normal immigration and emigration of Grey Kangaroos was prevented by the fence. When portions of the population of certain mammal species are enclosed, some workers (c.g. Krebs et al., 1969) have described considerable increases in their numbers within the enclosures suggesting that dispersal is somehow necessary for normal population regulation in these species. (d) Reduced predation. Dingo numbers were reduced by man to a low level and thus predation pressures on Grey Kangaroos may have been reduced. Red Kangaroo, Me gale in rufa. Red Kangaroos were found in all habitats on Areas A, B. and C. On the dog-fenced sheep station at Naretha their numbers did not appear to fluctuate as much as those of Grey Kangaroos. In conditions of high day temperature and low food availability on Area A in Feb-March 1970, tracks indicated a southern movement of Red Kangaroo through the area. During this time, two animals that were found dead showed no obvious signs of injury or disease. At the same time, large numbers were present near Haig Cave (90 km south-east of Area A) where an isolated storm had improved food supply. In early September, 1976 there was a concentration of Red Kan¬ garoos on the northern end of Area A (where storm rain had fallen recently) and they were rare in the country near Hut Donga. Over 30 mm of general rain fell on September 28 and, by September 30. there were small groups throughout the area. 5 Greater Long-eared Bat, Nyctophilus timoriensis. One found drowned in tank, Area C (W.A. Museum M10344). Lesser Long-eared Bat, N. geoffroyi. Collected on Areas A and B White-striped Bat, Tadarida australis. Collected Area C and Lake Brown. House Mouse, Mas nmsculus. There was a plague of House Mice on the Plain in autumn 1968 near the end of a period of high rainfall ( See Fig. 2). This coincided with mouse plagues in a number of habitats (including saltbush steppes) in Central Australia (Newsome and Corbett, 1975). In subsequent years (1969-73) mice were observed in small numbers near homesteads and other human habitation. During 101 spot-light counts May 1969 to September 1976, mice were observed once (November 1973). Mice were plentiful at Plumridge Lakes and Neale Junction in March 1975 (Burbidge ct al., 1976). Rabbit, Oryctnlagus cuniculus. Rabbits were first reported at Eucla i n 1894 (Long, 1974) and at Eyre in 1896 (Mason, 1897), and so probably reached the north-west Nullarbor Plain about 1900. They arc now found on the Plain, along the lake systems and north into the Great Victoria Desert. Their numbers fluctuate considerably, and when abundant, they are taken commercially by trappers based mainly on Rawlinna and For¬ rest. Trappers work up to 150 km north of the Transcontinental Railway Line. Fig. 3 shows the fluctuations in Rabbit numbers on Area A as recorded along a 16 km transect. The decline in 1969 was probably due to a drought-induced reduction in food (accentuated by extensive grass fires on Area A in December 1968) and to the high density of predators especially foxes. Myxomatosis-affected Rabbits were observed in August and November 1973 and September 1974. In 1973-1974, there appeared to be ample food and a low density of predators and so the relatively low Rabbit density in these years could be due to myxomatosis. The numbers of Rabbit warrens were recorded on two 16 km transects on Area A and one on Area B in November 1973. The average density was 142 warrens per km- (135-146) which greatly exceeds the densities given by Myers and Parker (1965) for a semi-arid area (Tero Creek) i n north-western N.S.W, (8 warrens per km 2 for whole area and 23 per km 2 for the most favoured habitat i.e. sand dunes). In September 1974 when Rabbit numbers were not high (see Fig. 3), D. Wood (pers. comm.) estimated the density of Rabbit warrens on a portion of Area A by using the belt transect method of Kelker (1945). From the number of active holes and the number of rabbits per active hole seen on a sample of watched warrens, he calculated the number of Rabbits to be 170 per km 2 . The author did not visit the Nullarbor between October 1974 and September 1976 but observations on changes in rabbit numbers during Fig. 3.—Numbers of Rabbits counted on 16 km spotlight transect near Hut Donga, July 1968 to September 1976. (Numbers after November 1973 are based on information from local inhabitants.) 6 this period were made by several Rawlinna residents. Numbers increased to plague proportions during 1975—the third consecutive year of above average rainfall. The seasonal conditions on the Nullarbor Plain at this time probably paralleled those in some arid regions of South Australia where Cooke (1977) estimated a population density of 3,500 rabbits/km- at the height of the plague during 1974-75. Myxomatosis was observed during October and November 1975. Numbers declined rapidly from Feb¬ ruary 1976. In autumn. Rabbits ‘were so poor that they weren't worth eating’. By May. 1976 Rabbits were ‘scarce’. The decline was so dramatic that most locals contended that the Rabbits had migrated elsewhere. Approximately 10 feet of dead Rabbits were said to have been dug out of a well (diameter c. 5 feet) on Secmore Downs. All observers agreed that there were little or no signs of myxomatosis associated with the 1976 decline. Foxes were ‘thick’ from January 1976. When the author visited the area in September 1976, Rabbit numbers were low (see Fig. 3) and cats and foxes were still numerous. Rabbit skeletons were frequently observed on the surface. There were no obvious signs of rabbit damage on trees or shrubs. Rabbits were able to survive through long and severe droughts in this environment. Isolated instances of breeding were observed during such droughts (November 1969 and 1970) but the survival of young born at these times is unknown. Some of the warrens appear to be deep and, in some cases, arc capped with limestone sheets. Ridpath and Brooker (in prep.) discuss the Rabbit population in relation to Wedge-tailed Eagles in this area. Fox', Vulpes vitlpes, Foxes appeared on the southern edge of the Nul¬ larbor (Eucla) in 1911, about 17 years after Rabbits reached this point (Long, 1974). They were seen on all sections of the Plain and along the northern lakes. On Areas A, B, and C, Foxes were numerous in early 1969 and again TABLE 1.—STOMACH CONTENTS OF CATS AND FOXES COLLECTED NEAR HUT DONGA (+ zr present, not counted) Stomach contents Cats 24 March Sept. 1973 1976 (D (8) May 1969 (?) Foxes 24 March 1973 (2) Sept. 1976 (17) INVERTEBRATES Tape Worms . . 2 Centipedes . . 5 + 15 Scorpions . . 3 3 Spiders . . 6 -f 7 Crickets . . 20 1 Ground weevils . . 20 + -f Carab beetles . + Grasshoppers . . 1 2 Dragonflies . 1 Unidentified . . + + REPTILES Diplodactylus sp. Heteronotia binoei? . Phyllurus milii . Aprasia inaurita . Amphibolurus nullarbor . Tympanocryptis lineata . Agamid . Ctenotus uber . Egernia sp. . Morethia adelaidensis Sphenomorphus richardsonii Trachydosaurus rugosus .... Typhlina bltuberculala . BIRDS Wedge-tailed Eagle (nestling) Little Quail . MAMMALS Fat-tailed Dunnart . Rabbit . Cattle (as carrion) . Unidentified (fur.) . 1 1 4 1 1 78 1 7 1 2 + + + 6 + + 3 1 1 45 1 63 7 in 1976. In both cases, above average rainfall had occurred in the previous two years and Rabbit numbers were high. By August 1969, the number of Foxes had declined and those remaining had congregated on bores, were less wary and included a high proportion of mangy animals. Rabbit num¬ bers (see Fig. 3) were already low and the high density of Foxes could have contributed to this (D. Wood pers. comm.). In September 1976, Foxes were still numerous and in good condition despite the fact that Rabbits were scarce. This could have been due to the availability, at this time, of alternate food sources (see Table 1). Cat, Felis cat us. It is probable that Cats reached the western Nul- larbor Plain earlier than Foxes as they were introduced on the southern edge to control rabbits in 1899 (Long, 1974) and were present at Eyre in 1896 according to Mason (1897). During the period reported on here (1967-76), Cats appear to have built up in numbers prior to 1968 and declined during the ensuing drought. There would have been ample food in the good seasons of 1967 and early 1968 including a plague of Mas musculus in autumn 1968. Cats were again numerous in September 1976. Cats were observed hunting agamid lizards and Mulga and Naretha Parrots. The items in stomachs collected in March 1973 and September 1976 near Hut Donga are shown in Table 1 and some are illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. Dingo, Cam's jamiliaris. Dingoes were seen more frequently in the malice and lake systems on the west and north of this section of the Nullarbor Plain than on the plain. In the vicinity of Areas A and B, there were three sightings in 1969, one in 1972 and three in 1973 which suggests their presence in these more open areas during good seasons (see Fig. 2 for rainfalls). The Dingo is trapped and/or poisoned by pastoralists and government doggers as far north as Neale Junction and Carlisle Lakes. Camel, Camelus dromedarius. Camels are common along the south¬ western edge of the Nullarbor Plain (Long, 1976) and were seen on all trips by the author along the northern edge. They were present at Cooper Creek (145 km north of Neale Junction) in May 1972. It is not known when feral Camels reached this area but their arrival probably followed the gold rushes in Western and Central Australia in the 1890’s. They occa¬ sionally cause damage to dingo-proof fences on sheep stations near Naretha and were seen on the plain (February 1970—Area A, May 1972—Sleeper, July 1972—Area A and September 1972—Clarrie’s Donga). The stomach of a female shot September 1972 near Naretha con¬ tained leaves, stems and fruits of quandong (Santalum acuminatum) while a group observed near Lake Brown (March 1972) was grazing Lotus cruentus. The local dogger saw a small calf in November, 1971 near Carlisle Lakes. Sheep, Ovis aries . Domestic Sheep were not present in any numbers in the Rawlinna area until the early 1960’s when large stations were established north-west and south of the town. Four Sheep were seen on Area A in September 1970 (a very dry period). They were 30 km from the nearest water and about 80 km north of other sheep. Cattle, Bos taurus . Cattle were introduced to this area in the 1920’s and there are now three cattle stations north of the railway line. These stations are restricted to a region in which underground water suitable for livestock has been found (Lowry, 1970). Other bores have been sunk, to the east and north (e.g. Sleeper, Lake Brown), presumably without success. Man, Homo sapiens. Tindale (1940) reports that the Miming Abori¬ ginal tribe lived along the south edge of the western Nullarbor, the Murunitja on the north-west and the Wonggai in the northern lakes country. There was some contact between the southern and northern tribes (Bates, 1921) but the central region of the plain was not permanently inhabited. The Miming did not venture more than 65 km from the coast¬ line in their normal day-to-day activity (Wright, 1971) and probably relied on some food sources (e.g. seafoods, penguins, some plants) which were not available to the northern tribes. Koolgahbin Claypan is said to be the most southerly ceremonial ground of the tribe in that area (D. L. Serventy pers. comm.) and wurlies still stood near here in September 1972. 8 Fig. 4.—The contents of Cat stomach (No. 1) collected near Hut Donga, September 1976, includes 1 Aprasia inaurita, 34 Tympanocryptis lineata, 1 Phyllurus milii and 4 Ctenotus uber. 9 Fig. 5.—The contents of Cat stomach (No. 2) collected near Hut Donga, September 1976, includes 15 Tympanocryptis lineata, 3 Phyllurus milii , 1 Egernia sp.. 1 Morethia adelaidensis and 1 Typhlina hitukerculata. 10 Fig. 6.—The contents of Cat stomach (No. 17) collected near Hut Donga, September 1976, includes 1 Amphibolurus nullarbor, 15 Tympano- cryptis lineato, 3 Ctenotus nber, 1 Morethia cidelaidensis and 1 Turnix velox with egg. 11 Stone artifacts were collected on Areas A, B and C and along the Forrest Road as far east as Clarrie’s Donga. There are concentrations near Lake Brown and the claypans 25 km south-east of it. Aboriginal visits to such normally waterless areas probably occurred from the north after heavy rain had filled the claypans and dongas. Three members of a group of six northern Aborigines died of thirst in late September 1963, while attempting to walk south from Neale Junction across the Plain (Allan. 1964). The party tried to obtain water from the roots of myall (Acacia sawdemi) as they had previously done from eucalypts in their native desert (T. O. Wolfe pers. comm.). This party was one of the last to ‘come out’ of the desert around the Nullarbor Plain. The first non-Aboriginal men on the north-western Nullarbor Plain were Giles and his party who travelled with camels south-west from Boundary Dam (Forrest Lakes) in September 1875, passing about 40 km south of Carlisle Lakes and about 25 km north of Area A (Giles, 1889). Two surveyors, Mason and Younge, traversed the country from Yay- oudle Rock Hole to near Boundary Dam in July 1896, on an expedition ‘to inquire into a reported incursion of rabbits’. Near Boundary Dam, Aborigines stole their camels and they walked about 260 km to safety at Eucla. At this time, kangaroo shooters were operating on the Plain north of Eucla and there were 10,000 sheep on Mundrabilla Station (Mason, 1897). The proposed construction of a transcontinental railway line resulted in further exploration by a party led by J. Muir in 1901 (Beard, 1975) and by Gibson in 1908 (Gibson, 1909). Most present-day residents on the north-west Plain are associated TABLE 2.—MONOTREMES, MARSUPIALS AND NATIVE RODENTS RECORDED ON THE WESTERN NULLARBOR PLAIN. Recent cave deposits Prior to 1940 Recorded 1967-1976 Order Monotremata Family Tachyglossidae Tachyglossus aculeatus . + + Order Marsupialia Family Dasyuridae Dasyurus geoffroii . . + Dasycercus cristicauda . . + + Phascogale calura . 4- Sminthopsis crassicaudata .... . 4 - + Antochinomys spenceri . . + + Sarcophilus harrisii . . + Family Peramelidae Macrotfs lagotis . . + + Perameles bouqainville . . + + Chaeropus ecaudatus . . + Family Phalangeridae Trichosurus vulpecula . . H- Cercartetus concinnus . + PsGudochoirus occidentalis .... . + Family Macropodidae Bettongia lesueur . 4- + B. pcncillata . . + + Onychogaloa lunata . + Lagorchestes hirsutus . . + Macropus fuliginosus . . + + + Megaleia rut a . . + + + Potorous platyops . -U Caloprymnus campestris . -j- Family Vombatidae Lasiorhinus ladIrons . . + 4- + Order Rodontia Family Muridae Notomys mltchellii . . + N. luscus . + Leporillus conditor . . + + L. apical is . . + Pseudomys rawlinnae . . + + P. hermannsburgensis . . + + 12 with small settlements along the railway line (completed in 1917), with s heep and cattle stations situated north of the line and with government- sponsored Dingo-control operations in the area. Trappers move in when Rabbits are present in high numbers. DISCUSSION In the period 1967-76, only four native mammals (excluding bats) were definitely recorded in the western Nullarbor Plain region. Table 2 hsts species which have been recorded in recent cave deposits on the southern edge of the Plain by Lundelius (1957, 1963) and Merrilees (1969). ft also shows species known from sight or specimen records to have been ,n this area prior to 1940. Specimens of five species (Antechinomys spen- c ' er i> Macrotis lagotis, Onycnogalea lunata, Pseudomys rawlinnae and P. hcrniannsburgensis) with Rawlinna recorded as location were probably donated to the Australian Museum by A. S. Le Souef prior to August 1929 (their registration date). There are two specimens of Dasycercus c . r l stlcau da from Rawlinna in the same museum (registration date July 30 r *^28), although they are not cited by Troughton (1957). Ride (1970) gives Rawlinna as a locality for Notomys fuse us. A. J. Carlisle (pers. comm.) states that ‘zebra rats 1 were plentiful between 1928 and 1936 but last seen 1938 and Barrett (1930) mentions a striped bandicoot—these possibly refer to Parameles bougainville. A. J. Carlisle also last saw in 1938 a number of other species i.c. Rabbit- ^ared Bandicoots (Macrotis lagotis), Grass-nest Rats (? Bettongia penicil- lata) and Stick-nest Rats (? Leporillus conditor). His most recent sighting °t a Native Cat (? Dasyurus geoffroii) was in 1947. While it is not possible to accurately document which mammals were present here in pre-European days, it can be said that there has been a decline and that grazing by domestic animals did not contribute to this decline as most of the country is still unoccupied. The mammal specimens from Rawlinna cited above were all col¬ led before 1930. A. J. Carlisle believes that the major decline in species now absent occurred in the late 1930’s. The estimated severity of droughts at Rawlinna since rainfall has been recorded (1917) is shown in Fig. 7 using the ‘drought index’ method of Newsome (1966). This index allows for the estimated evaporation from the soil in periods during which rain sufficient to cause pastures to respond did not fall and would be expected to measure the degree of aridity at any time. The two longest and most severe droughts occurred in 1933 and 1935 and could nave hastened the disappearance of some species in this decade. A long-time resident of this area, the late Mrs. Bertha Bennett, of Nanambinia, considered that extensive grass fires wiped out some species marsupials. Such fires occurred in 1942. While natural fires would nave occurred on the Nullarbor Plain before the advent of white man, the deliberate and accidental man-made fires which have started since would Q) 0 | -250 j "500 T'TV '11T "11 1 TV” I_I_I_111 I I I I I_I_I_I_I I I I I I I 1940 1945 1950 1955 0 '250 i^ n^i iiv i "H1TV “500 _I_L 1960 I I I 1965 I_I_L 1970 J_L I l l 1975 Fig. 7.—Drought indices (Newsome 1966) based on rainfall and ev aporation data from Rawlinna, 1917-1976. 13 be expected to have a greater effect upon the vegetation since such fires would tend to cover the same ground more often and would not be asso¬ ciated with thunderstorms which would put out some of the fires started by lightning. Aboriginal man probably visited the Plain only during wet seasons and so did not have the opportunity to fire the area as often as in other parts of Australia. Grazing by Rabbits and increased firing could have eliminated the water-rich perennial plants required by Leporillus (Robinson, 1973, Watts and Eves, 1976). Rabbits, especially when very numerous, could have taken over the burrow systems of Bcttongia lesueur (Calaby, 1969). Cats and Foxes are sometimes present in large numbers when Rab¬ bits, their staple diet, are scarce. Such situations occurred twice in the period 1967 to 1976. Under these conditions, these predators take small mammals and reptiles (Table 1) and could be expected to have competed with dasyurids when they were present. It is of interest to note that the small dasyurid Sminthopsis eras - sicaudata has survived. A study of its ecology in this area may help to explain why other species have been eliminated. The most likely future uses (tourism and rabbit trapping), of the Nullarbor Plain would not be expected to affect the survival of the native mammals now present. A number of conservation reserves cither exist or are proposed in this region and their faunas are being surveyed (Bur- bidge et al., 1976). The chances for re-colonisation by previously-common species, either from undiscovered isolated populations or by re-introduction, are probably not good while Rabbits, Cats and Foxes remain. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Thanks are due to A. J. Carlisle (Kalgoorlie) and to E. Swann and R. Absalom (Rawlinna) for historical information and their hospitality; to CS1RO colleagues D. S. Hart, J. Bywater, M. S. Jones and A. J. Est- bergs for assistance in the field; to G. M. Storr (W.A. Museum) and J. C. Wombey (CSIRO, Canberra) for identifying the reptiles found in fox and cat stomachs; to M. Archer and D. Kitchener (W.A. Museum) for mammal identifications; to B. J. Marlow (Australian Museum, Sydney) for details on Rawlinna specimens housed in that museum; to Frank Knight (CSIRO, Canberra) for drawing the figures; and to Dr J. H. Calaby (CS1RO, Canberra) for his comments on the manuscript. REFERENCES ALLAN, J. 1964. Wongai patrol. Walkabout, 30: 34-37. BARRETT, C. 1930. Wild nature of the Nullarbor Plain. Aust. Museum Magazine, 1; 115-121. BATES, D. M. 1921. Ooldea Water. Proe. Roy. Geograph. Soc. A ust . — S. Aust. Branch, 21: 73-78. BEARD, J. S. 1975. The vegetation of the Nullarbor Area. Explanatory notes to sheet 4 of Vegetation Survey of Western Australia. Perth: University of W.A. Press. BURBIDGE, A. A., et. al. 1976. The wildlife of some existing and pro¬ posed reserves in the Great Victoria and Gibson Deserts, W.A. Wildl. Res. Bull. West. Aust., 5: 1-16. CALABY, J. H. 1969. Australian mammals since 1770. Aust. Nat. Hist.. 16: 271-275. COOKE, B. D. 1977. The rabbit in inland Australia. Aust. Mammal Soc. Bull., 3: 17-18. GIBSON, C. G. 1909. Country lying along the route of the proposed transcontinental railway in Western Australia. Bull. Geol. Stirv. West. Aust., 37. GILES, E. 1889. Australia Twice Traversed. 2 vols. London: Low, Marston. JENKINS, C. F. H. 1962. The hairy-nosed wombat in W.A. West. Aust. Nat., 8: 77-78. KELKER, G. H. 1945. Measurement and interpretation of forces that determine populations of managed deer. Ph.D. Thesis, Michigan Univ., Ann Arbor. 14 KREBS, C. J., B. L. KELLER and R. H. TAMARIN 1969. Microtus population biology: demographic changes in fluctuating populations of M. ochrogaster and M. pennsylvanicus in southern Indiana. Ecology, 50: 602-607. LONG, J. L. 1974. Introduced birds and mammals in Western Australia. Agric. Protection Board of IV.A. Tech. Series, 1. LOWRY, D. C. 1970. Geology of the Western Australian part of the Eucla Basin. Bull. Geol. Surv. West. A list., 122. LUNDELIUS, E. L. 1957. Additions to knowledge of the ranges of West¬ ern Australian mammals. W. Anst. Nat., 5, 173-182. LUNDELIUS, E. L. 1963. Vertebrate remains from Nullarbor Caves, Western Australia. J. Roy. Soc. W. Aust., 46: 75-80. MASON, A. 1897. Report of an expedition in the south-eastern portion of Western Australia to inquire into a reported incursion of rabbits. Perth: Govt. Printer. MERRILEES, D. 1968. Remains of the pig-footed bandicoot in Nullarbor Caves. W. A ust. Nat., 11 : 19. MYERS, K., and B. S. PARKER. 1965. A study of the biology of the wild rabbit in climatically different regions in eastern Australia. CSIRO Wildl. Res., 10: 1-32. NEWSOME, A. E. 1966. Estimating severity of drought. Nature, 209* 904 NEWSOME, A. E. and L. K. CORBETT. 1975. Outbreaks of rodents in semi-arid and arid Australia. In Rodents in Desert Environments, (Eds. I. Prakash and P. K. Ghosh). The Hague: W. Junk. pp.117-153. RIDE, W. D. L. 1970. A Guide to the Native Mammals of Australia. Melbourne: Oxford University Press. RIDPATH, M. G. and M. G. BROOKER. The ecology of the Wedge¬ tailed Eagle in Western Australia. I. Breeding and movements (In prep.). ROBINSON, A. C. 1975. The Sticknest Rat Leporillus conditor on Frank¬ lin Island, Nuyts Archipelago, S.A. A ust. Mammal., 1: 319-327. TINDALE, N. B. 1940. Distribution of Aboriginal tribes of Australia. Trans. Roy. Soc. S. A ust., 64: 104-231. TROUGHTON, E. 1957. Furred Animals of Australia. Sydney: Angus and Robertson. WATTS, C. H. S. and B. M. EVES. 1976. Notes on the nests and diets of the White-tailed Stick-nest Rat, Leporillus apicalis, in northern South Australia. S. A ust. Nat., 51: 9-12. WRIGHT, R. V. S. 1971. The archaeology of Koonalda Cave. In Abori¬ ginal Man and Environment in Australia (eds. D. J. Mulvaney and J. Golston). Canberra: A.N.U. Press, pp. 105-113. OBSERVATIONS ON QUANDONG TREES, SANT ALUM ACUMINATUM By Mrs. M. B. MILLS, Merredin PART I Since the drought years of 1968-69, 1 have been making observations on Quandong trees throughout Merredin district. In June 1973, I received a letter from Dr. M. S. Buttrose of the C.S.I.R.O. Division of Horticultural Research, Adelaide, South Australia, making enquiries about Quandong trees. This added to my previous interest, and I stepped up my activities regarding Quandong tree observations. During August 1973 Dr. Buttrose visited Western Australia and came to Merredin to sec our Quandong trees. Our first stop for investigations was in the town, in Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford’s garden. Here three mature trees and a number of small ones were growing, all the trees looking healthy, growing amidst flowers, shrubs and trees. One Quandong tree and some small ones were of particular interest. In a slightly curving line on a flower bed was a row of small Quandong trees, about a dozen of them extending for almost 25 ft. Previously Mr. 15 Rutherford had told me that he and his wife had discovered while digging around shrubs in their garden that these little Quandong trees were all connected by a long, single root system to the parent tree. Dr. Buttrose and I were able to see for ourselves the strong root system extending from the parent tree and the little trees growing vertically from it. Mr. and Mrs. Ruthrford had removed several of these little trees and trans¬ planted them into pots. However they did not survive. A visit was then made to a group of Quandong trees on Chandler Road, about ten miles north of Mcrrcdin. There was a large number of healthy mature, but rather small trees on an incline amidst Eucalypt trees, Acacia and scrub. These trees would receive a good run off of water from the incline. One tree in this group had a large, red flowering Mistletoe on it, but this seemed to have little effect on the tree, as it produces fruit each year, a heavy crop, followed by a light crop. Nearly all the trees in this group bear good crops of fruit, every other year, as it seems to be their habit to rest a year between fruiting. Close by, and north of this group is another stand of Quandong trees, which differ somewhat from the first group, in that they are much larger and taller, and their leaves are broad and fleshy. I he fruit is large and loose skinned around the nut, whereas in the first mentioned ones the fruit is bright red and fitting tightly around the nut. There is also a slight difference in the flavour of the fruit. The trees in this group bear large amounts of fruit every other year. A visit was also made to view Quandong trees on York road, east of Merredin. One particular tree was marked out for continued observations, this was a small Quandong tree growing near the roadside, in sandplain country in heavy yellow sand. This tree had a parasitic vine closely entwined about it, the Dodder vine, and as it has no contact with the ground, growing on the Quandong, it would appear to sap its vitality. However the little Quandong tree does bear quite a lot of fruit, a dark red, tasty fruit. It was decided to keep a special watch on two stands of trees, those on Chandler road to be known as No. 1 group and the Quandong tree on York road with the Dodder vine entwined on it to be known as the Quandong Dodder plant. Observations were taken on Quandong trees on Mrs. Ada Blair’s property, Homelands Farm, Southern Cross, July 31, 1973. I visited Mrs. Blair’s property and Mrs. Blair showed me a group of Quandong trees growing naturally in her garden. They looked healthy and were bearing large green fruit, some of it starting to turn red. The trees were about eight years old, very tall, the tallest Quandong trees I have yet seen. We estimated their height to be 25 ft. These trees had grown straight up-right, not in their usual rather bushy manner. The main trunk was very slender. A shelter had been erected near this group of Quandong trees and Mr. and Mrs. Blair thought perhaps this had something to do with their extraordinary height. They bear fruit each year, which is very clean and free from grubs and dirt. The soil around them has been frequently cultivated with cow manure added to it, also a lot of dried leaves from other types of trees near by. Mr. Blair told me that the soil is a rich red loam. The soil around the trees appeared to be warm and humid. There was a lot of grass about the trees, perhaps barley grass or wild oats. Mr. and Mrs. Blair showed me the small Quandong trees which had come up naturally from seeds scattered about the mature trees two years previously. It was most surprising to sec hundreds of little trees as thick as the grass they were growing amongst. I counted 50 little trees in one square foot. The height of the little trees ranged from just showing through the soil to two or three inches in height. A young Quandong tree about four years old was shown to me where it had germinated close against a wall of a galvanised iron shed, with another building a few feet away. This young tree was tall and slender, about 5-6 ft. in height, and with a slender main trunk, as in the case of the trees previously mentioned. The manner of growth could be likened to a slender young Eucalypt sapling. Other trees further over in the orchard were more compact and 16 bushy as is the usual habit of these trees. They were all healthy and bearing fruit, the ground well cultivated and fertilised with cow manure. The soil where all these trees are growing is quite wet, but not boggy. In April 1973 over three inches of rain was recorded in 24 hours, and there had been other earlier good falls of rain. During the winter I examined a group of young Quandong trees on Nungarin road, about five miles north of Nokanning. There were 128 small trees in the group ranging in height from six inches to almost 2 ft. The little trees looked healthy and were growing close to one mature Quandong tree which appeared rather old and straggly. I dug around some of the little trees with a spade to see if they were connected by a root system, but they had germinated from seed. There was a big, old eucalypt growing close to the trees otherwise the area was clear of trees or scrub, except for a heavy covering of grass and wild oats around the trees. The land was low-lying and appeared to receive a lot of water as run-off from the railway line near by. THE BIRDS OF BALD ISLAND By G. T. SMITH INTRODUCTION Bald Island is 45 km east of Albany and lies 1.2 km from the mainland. It is a small island of 770 ha, 4.6 km by 2.3 km at its widest point, bounded by a steep escarpment with numerous heavily vegetated gullies running into the sea. Storr (1965), who visited the island from May 30 to June 4, 1959, has described the geology, vegetation and birds of the island. He classified the vegetation into six formations:— Succulent mat (Carpobrotus aequi- lateriis , Disphyma australe, Rhagodia baccatci); Tussock land (Poa caes- pitosa, Scirpus tiodosus, Lepidosperma gladiatum); Heath (Melaleuca par- viflora, M. nucrophylla, Thryptomene saxicola); Peppermint scrub (Agonis flexuosa): Bushy Yatc forest (Eucalyptus lehmanni); Teatree forest (Mela¬ leuca pubescens). This article lists the birds recorded on two short trips to the island on October 27-29, 1971 and April 29 to May 3, 1976. BIRD LIST Little Penguin, Eudyptula minor. Common around the NW, N and NE sides of the island. The sandy gullies running into Barker Bay on the north side had large numbers of burrows, probably of this species. Great-winged Petrel, Pterodroma macroptera. Burrows of this species were common in the NW half of the island, wherever the sand was deep enough. Found in the Succulent mat, Tussock land. Peppermint scrub and Melaleuca lanceolata thickets. Burrows were found from the coast to the top of the island, and were most common in the tussock land and teatree forest. In October three chicks were found, all were in down with the primary wing and tail pins just bursting. A number of birds were still coming in at dusk, but from their numbers it would appear that most of the chicks had fledged. In May there were large numbers arriving at dusk, and frequent calling throughout the night. Some birds had laid and were incubating. Occasional fresh eggs were found on the surface. They were very common in the surrounding sea, and in May a raft of 30 to 40 birds was seen near the island. Black Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo. One bird seen on the north coast in 1971. Not recorded by Storr. Australian Goshawk, Accipiter fasciatus. In May 1971 one pair nested in a Callitris preissii, 15 m above the ground. The two chicks were in down but with the primary wing feathers well developed. A Great-winged Petrel with its brain pecked out was found under the nest. Not recorded by Storr or in 1976. 17 Wedge-tailed Eagle, Aquila audax. One seen soaring over NW end of the island in 1976. White-breasted Sea-Eagle, Haliaeetus leucogaster. One pair seen. One skeleton collected near NE corner of the island. Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus. In 1976 a single bird seen on a number of occasions. Kestrel. Falco cenchroidcs. One and possibly two pairs seen in 1971, not recorded in 1976. Brown Quail, Synoicus ypsilophorus. Several birds flushed in Tussock land in 1971 and 1976. Sooty Oystercatcher, Haematopus fuliginosus. Two and three birds were seen on the NE coast in 1971 and 1976, respectively. Silver Gull, Larus novaehollandiae. Common around the coast. In 1971 15 birds roosted in the Succulent mat on the NE corner of the island. There was no sign of breeding. Crested Tern, Sterna bergii. Only a few seen around the coast. Brush Bronzewing, Phaps elegans. Common in the Tussock land and heath areas. Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Cacomantis pvrrhophanus. Several heard calling in both 1971 and 1976. Golden Bronze Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx plagosus. Several heard on the top of the island in 1971. Not recorded by Storr or in 1976. Kookaburra, Dacelo gigas. A number of birds seen in the tops of the gullies on the north side. Welcome Swallow, Hirundo neoxena. Common on the top of the island especially over the Tussock land. Pipit, Antlms novaeseelandiae. One bird seen in the Tussock land on the NE corner of the island. Not recorded by Storr or in 1976. Broad-tailed Thornbill, Acanthiza apicalis. Common in all formations except the Tussock land and Succulent mat. Spotted Scrub-Wren, Sericornis maculatus. Very common in the more densely vegetated areas of the gullies and on the top of the island. White-breasted Robin, Eopsaltria georgiana. Only one bird seen in one of the larger gullies on the north-east side in 1971 and only a few seen in 1976. Grey Fantail, Rhipidura fuliginosa. Common in wooded areas through¬ out the island. Golden Whistler, Pachycephala pectoralis. Only recorded in the larger and damper gullies with Eucalyptus lehmanni at the SE end of the island. Silvereye, Zosterops gouldi. Common in small flocks of up to 12 birds throughout the island in 1971. In 1976 only a few birds seen. New Holland Honeyeater, Phylidonyris novaehollandiae. In 1971 uncommon on the NW end of the island, but common at the SE end where Banksia praernorsa, Leucopogon spp., Gastrolobium bilobium and E. lehmanni were flowering. In 1976 they were common throughout the island. Red-eared Firetail, Emblcma oculata. A few birds seen in the gullies on the NE side of the island and in the Melaleuca scrub. DISCUSSION A total of 27 birds have now been recorded from the island, 21 of them land birds. Excluding migrants (Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Golden Bronze Cuckoo), vagrants (Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Pipit) and the raptors, the island has 12 resident land birds. This compares with the 56 species recorded in 10 km radius of Channel Point on the mainland opposite the island (Smith, unpublished data). Only the Australian Goshawk and the Wedge-tailed Eagle have been known to breed on the island, the other raptors appear to be visitors from the mainland. 18 Allowing for differences in observers and the timing of the visits there appears to have been no change in the species composition of the resident birds or any significant changes in their populations. One possible exception is the White-breasted Robin which Storr recorded as common in 1959; only one bird was recorded in 1971 and only a few in 1976. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Department of Fisheries and Wildlife organised and provided the transport for the October 1971 trip. Drs. A. A. Burbidge and A. N. Start and Messrs. E. D. Kabay and A. M. J. Hopkins kindly provided the bird list from their April 1971 trip. REFERENCES STORR, G. M. 1965. Notes on Bald Island and the adjacent mainland. W.A. Naturalist, 9: 187-196. JOHN WOLLASTON’S BIRDS By ERIC H. SEDGWICK, Harvey Wollaston's Picton Journal, compiled by Canon A. Burton, reveals that Archdeacon John Ramsden Wollaston, in his record of events between April 1841 and January 1844, made a number of references to the bird- life of the coastal plain. Wollaston, of course, had no means of pre¬ cisely identifying the birds that he encountered and, in endeavouring to describe what he saw, leaned heavily upon his English experiences. It is not always possible to identify precisely the species which he records. The following is ari abstract of references taken from the second edition of Wollaston's Picton Journal (Paterson. Brokensha: Perth) with an attempt to identify the birds in the light of present knowledge. p. 5—“the horrid screech of the great black, or (of the] white, cockatoo”. (The White-tailed Black Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus baiulini and the Long-billed Corella, Cacatua tcnuiroslris. The Corella no longer occurs in this area, but vide Birds of W.A., Serventy & Whittell, the Long¬ billed Corella was frequent in the early days of settlement). p. 17—“Emus are rarely seen. ... I have seen wild turkeys”. (Emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae, and Australian Bustard, Eupodotis australis). p. 25—“a beautiful parrot, called here ‘twenty-eight’ from the noise it makes resembling those words.” (Port Lincoln Parrot, Barnardius zon- arius. It would appear from this reference that ‘Twenty-eight’ a name still commonly used for the coastal race of this bird, was in use from the very early days of settlement in Western Australia). p. 28—"of swallows we have a few and excessively tame; so much so that one cherished pair built in one of our rooms and fly over our heads as we sit at meals. They resemble the martin but I have seen two sorts. There is a beautiful little bird too here very familiar which we call the robin. It has a brilliant red breast and its habits resemble that of England, but it is smaller and much more delicately made. We have moreover a pretty black and white bird like a wagtail, very tame and frequently seen on the backs of animals. There is a difference, however, in its deportment—it moves its tail horizontally instead of vertically.” (Welcome Swallow, Hirundo neoxena . and probably. Tree Martin, Petro- c belief on nigricans, Scarlet Robin, Petroica multicolor , and Willy Wagtail, Rhipidura leucophrys. It is evident that the vernacular names used were applied then as now. Also mentioned are “some cockatoos.”) p. 35—“We have plenty of tame parrots in two or three varieties, very beautiful. Also a white cockatoo . . (The most likely parrots would be the Port Lincoln Parrot, the Red-capped Parrot, Purpureicephalus spurius, perhaps the Western Rosella, Platycercus icterotis). p. 43—“a diver and a wigeon”. (No Australian waterfowl closely resemble either the European divers or the Wigeon so one may only speculate upon the species to which reference is made. (Musk Duck, 19 Bizi ura lob at a, and White-eyed Duck, Aythya australis, appear possibilities), p. 44—“a few ducks”, p. 52—“a good many wild turkeys.” p. 80—“I hope the tiny birds 1 sent by Mr. Sampson will bear their voyage. ... I have now an Australian eagle which John has skinned and preserved; a most noble bird. Indeed the birds of prey in this country are very numerous and of many most beautiful varieties, eagle, hawks, falcons and owls.” (The choice here is too wide to hazard a useful guess as to specific identity.) . p. 92—“The bronze-winged pigeon, a beautiful bird, is excellent eating and so are ducks and quails. . . . Even crows sometimes are not despised.” (The Common Bronzewing, Phaps chalcoptera. ‘Quail is not definitive. Stubble Quail, Coturnix pectoralis , doubtlessly moved into cleared areas with little delay, but Painted Quail, / urnix varia, would have been more likely in bush areas. The crow would probably be the Australian Raven, Corvits coronoides). p. 96—‘Two young emus. ...” p. 115—“Mr. Drummond (the botanist] told me that at first he sub¬ sisted his family almost entirely on black swans. These arc rarely to be got now. (Black Swan, Cygnus at rat us), p. 1 17—“the hawks and falcons which abound here, annoy us much by taking off . . . our young chickens and turkeys.” (Australian Goshawk, Accipiter fasciatus, and Little Falcon, Falco longipennis, would be the most likely predators in this role). p. 120—“four wild ducks and two divers” (See p. 43 above. As Musk Duck are obviously ducks this later reference seems to suggest that some other diving bird is intended. Wollaston would surely have referred to grebe as ‘dabchicks’ and would have recognised coot and cormorants as such? Reference is here made to a marked decline in animal life (in 1842!) attributed to the early settlers being forced to live off the land). p. 123—“a few birds” (The reference is to small birds prepared as skins for a friend in Britain). p. 144—“an irregular row of 23 pelicans” (Australian Pelican, Pelc- canus conspicillatus). p. 146—“1 have just made the pen with which 1 am writing from an eagle’s wing. John shot a magnificent bird of this kind. ... It was strong and large enough to carry off a kid.” (Wedge-tailed Eagle, Aquila audax, appears likely. See also p. 80.) p. 147—“A native brought us a quite new dish, three ibises, the colour a delicate light brown, yellow legs and green bill, altogether very beautiful.” (A puzzling reference as the description does not fit any of our ibis or ibis-like birds and in any case, until recent times, ibis appear to have been quite infrequent in the far South-West. Possibly the birds were rails, e.g. Black-tailed Native-hen? Nankeen Night-Heron, Nycticorax caledonicus, a bird which would be vulnerable to a native hunter, almost qualifies, but has a black bill. A wader is possible though none really fits the description). p. 154—“Crows arc the only animals that seem to delight in the [bush) fires. They arc seen to accompany the fiercest, flying about in the smoke to catch the small reptiles, grasshoppers, etc. . . .” pp. 181, 193—“Emu 14 —as food (The first reference describes the bird in some detail, including the weight “before it was drawn about 100 lbs”). p. 194—“white-crested cockatoo” and “crow”. p. 195—“four emu legs in the chimney corner draining off the oil they contain in order to preserve them for the legs of a work table.” p. 196—“crow”, “break-o-days”. (Brcak-of-day has been applied to the Pied Butcher-bird, but this species would be unlikely in the area treated. The Western Magpie, Gymnorhina dorsalis, has a considerable dawn penetration and would readily attract attention.) p. 202—“emu”, p. 205—“emu”—“crows”. p. 252—“swans and ducks ... a magnificent eagle or falcon”. 20 Other references of interest to the naturalist appear on p. 89 where a visit of James Drummond, on June 27, 1842, is recorded and on p. 115 where it is recorded that Drummond again visited the Wollastons, this time with John Gilbert, on November 21, 1842. On p. 233 (August 1843) are Wollaston’s comments on parts of Gould’s Birds of Australia, the property of the Governor, John Hutt. NEW OR INTERESTING RECORDS OF SIXTEEN BIRD SPECIES FROM BERNIER ISLAND, DIRK HARTOG ISLAND, OR PERON PENINSULA, SHARK BAY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA. By IAN ABBOTT, Zoology Department, University of Western Australia, Nedlands 6009. 1 spent four weeks in June and July 1976 doing research on Silvereyes on Bernier I. (June 7-15), Peron Peninsula (June 17-24) and Dirk Hartog I. (June 25-July 7). Mees (1962) and Davies and Chapman (1975) have comprehensively listed all of the bird species known to occur at these locations and provided details of earlier visits by ornithologists. There is therefore no need to publish a complete list of bird species observed during my visit. Instead, the list below contains the first or second records of bird species for these localities, records of species that have not been seen at some of the localities for many years, or new breeding records. The areas covered at each locality were as follows: Bernier I., the northern quarter of the island; Peron Peninsula, roads between Monkey Mia and Denham, Peron Peninsula H.S. and Denham, and area around the H.S.; Dirk Hartog I., north to Tetrodon Loop (including the Notch Point peninsula), south to the first point S. of D.H.I. H.S. and west to Herald Heights and the coast. ANNOTATED LIST White-faced Heron, Arciea novaehollandiae. One seen on W. coast of Bernier I. (second record for island). Seven birds seen near Tetrodon Loop on Dirk Hartog I. (new record for island). Reef Heron, Egretta sacra. Both grey and white phases were seen on Bernier L, although the latter phase was rare. It seems possible that Shortridge’s record of E. alba on Bernier I. refers to this species (see Mees, 1962:^ 101). Mountain Duck, Tadorna tadornoides. Two seen once overhead near the H.S. on Dirk Hartog l. (second record for island and Shark Bay area). Black-shouldered Kite, Elanus notatus. A dead bird was found at Peron Peninsula H.S. This is the second record for Shark Bay area. Little Falcon, Falco longipennis. One bird was observed once at close range with binoculars at H.S. on Dirk Hartog 1. (new record for Shark Bay area). Silver Gull, Lams novaehollandiae. A nest containing one egg and one chick was found on the east coast of Bernier I. near the Wedge Rock anchorage. This species doubtless also nests on the small islets around this anchorage. Rock Parrot, Neophema petrophila. Only observed (10 birds) on Eagle Islet, about 16 km SE of Denham. Pallid Cuckoo, Cue ulus pallidus. Two birds were seen once in the centre of Bernier I. (W of Wedge Rock anchorage). This is the first record for the island. One bird was seen frequently near H.S. on Dirk Hartog I., one was seen at Notch Point, and two were seen together near the centre of the island. This species has not been recorded on Dirk Hartog 1. since 1921. Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike, Coracina novaehollandiae. A flock of twelve birds was seen in centre of Dirk Hartog I. (W of H.S.) on July 3. They were flying N. On July 5 eleven birds were seen S of the above locality. This is the first record of this species on Dirk Hartog I. since 1917. Viliite-fronted Chat, Ephthianura alhifrons. One male was seen in a 21 paddock near Tetrodon Loop (Dirk Hartog 1.) on two days. This species has not been seen on the island since 1927. Crimson Chat, E. tricolor. One bird was seen near H.S. on Peron Peninsula. (Second record for peninsula). Orange Chat, E. aurifrons. Group of 4-5 birds fed in paddocks adjacent to H.S. on Peron Peninsula. (First record for Shark Bay area). Red-capped Robin, Petroica goodenovii. Rare. Two brown-plumaged birds were seen in a paddock near Tetrodon Loop, Dirk Hartog 1., and one male was seen in the yards at the H.S. This is only the third record for Dirk Hartog 1. Western Warbler, G cry gone fused. One bird was mist-netted, banded and released near H.S. on Peron Peninsula. It was not heard to sing. This is the first record for Shark Bay area. Silvereye, Zostcrops gouldi. Status uncertain on Bernier 1., but pro¬ bably resident. Rare. About ten birds were seen in Diplolaetia: tall Acacia coriacea thickets near centre of island W of Wedge Rock anchorage (cf. discussion on status by Mecs, 1962: 110). Little Crow, Corvits bennetti. This species occurs in small numbers (maximum number seen together was four) on Bernier I. Mees (1962: 111) was not able to determine the species of Corvus observed by him on the island. I thank the following for permission to work on their property: Stuart and Liz Rocchi, Peron Peninsula H.S., Sir Thomas Wardlc, Dirk Hartog I. H.S. Mr. B. K. Bowen, Director of Department of Fisheries and Wildlife kindly arranged my transport to and from Bernier I. The Western Austra¬ lian Wildlife Authority granted permits to work on Bernier and Dirk Hartog Islands. Field expenses were met by a grant from the Australian Research Grants Committee. REFERENCES DAVIES, S. J. J. F., and G. S. CHAPMAN. 1975. The status of birds on Peron Peninsula and Dirk Hartog Island, Shark Bay, W.A. Emu, 75: 55-61. MEES, G. F. 1962. Birds, pp. 98-112 in ‘The results of an expedition to Bernier and Dorrc Islands, Shark Bay, Western Australia in July, 1959.’ W.A. Fish. Dept. Fauna Pull., No. 2. FURTHER NOTES ON BIRDS OF BENGER SWAMP By ERIC H. SEDGWICK, Harvey Since the publication of “Birds of Benger Swamp”, W.Aust. Nat., 12, 1973: 147-155, I have maintained a programme of observations which has confirmed my conclusions relating to the seasonal occurence of the commoner water-frequenting birds. The table appearing on p. 149 was based on over 3,000 observations. An additional 1,400 observations provide no grounds for amendment. LIST OF SPECIES Predictably a number of additions have been made to the list of species occurring in the area. These are: Little Egret, Egretta garzetta. Sec W. Aust. Nat., 13, 1975: 62 for a note on the occurrence of this species in late 1973. My only other record is for December 25, 1975, when I located one bird in close proximity to White-faced Herons and Straw-necked Ibis. Two long, fine head plumes were noted. Royal Spoonbill, Platalea regia. Two were identified on November 24, 1975 and one bird observed on December 4 and on December 11, but none on later visits. At least one of these birds had a well-developed crest. Stubble Quail, Coturnix pectoralis. When I first flushed quail in the Swamp, I postulated “? Brown Quail” on the basis of habitat and it was not until December 29, 1971 that I heard calls of Stubble Quail from 22 a then dry portion of the Swamp and from adjacent paddocks. This is the only quail specifically identified at the Swamp. Spotted Crake, Porzana fluminea. My only record of this species was made on November 8, 1976, when I was able to observe a single bird feeding by a pool on a Typha lined track. Spotless Crake, P. tabuensis. This species was not satisfactorily iden¬ tified in the Swamp until October, 1974, though it appears to be reason¬ ably frequent in the general area. Common Sandpiper, Tringa hypoleucos. One bird was seen on several occasions by members of a W.A. Naturalists’ Club excursion on November 9, 1975. My only other record is of one bird on the handrail of the bridge at the approach to the Swamp, on November 24, 1975. Marsh Sandpiper, 7'. stagnatalis. On October 13, 1976, 1 flushed a wader from a roadside. It flew to a distance of c. 35 m, alighted on the water, and swam freely to a grassy shallow, where it remained briefly before wading and swimming to a similar area a few metres away. I was able to obtain a fairly full description and identified the bird as this species. However, on December 17, 1976, I encountered one bird with Greenshanks and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers under ideal viewing conditions. In size it was comparable with the Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, but in form, stance and style it was very like the Greenshanks, though more active. Noted: White on face, underparts, rump and adjacent areas. Legs, ? green- grey—not black, nor definitely yellow. Black-tailed Godwit, Limosa limosa. On December 11, 1974, I saw two godwits feeding in shallow water with Greenshanks. I approached the birds to c. 80 m before both species flew and, without separating, returned to the same place. The terminal part of the godwits’ tails appeared black, contrasting sharply with white upper tail and rump. A fairly dis¬ tinct white band on the wing was noted. Eventually I flushed the birds again, confirming these diagnostic features. This appears to be a slight extension of recorded range. Oriental Pratincole. Glareola mcildivarutn. Located on November 15, 1976 by Messrs. I. Edgar and J. Bunn, who kindly informed me of their discovery. I proceeded to Benger and found the bird without dif¬ ficulty and confirmed the identification. However, by that time the light was indifferent so I returned the following morning, when observing con¬ ditions were ideal, and made a detailed description. White-winged Triller, Lalage sueurii. Cock bird encountered in Mela¬ leuca on December 11, 1975. Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Acanlhiza chrysorrhoa. Two noted in Mela¬ leuca on December 11, 1975 and one bird in the same locality on December 31, 1976. White-fronted Chat, Ephthianura albifrons. On December 25, 1975, I located a pair in the Swamp. The shallower pools were dry and culti¬ vation had been commenced in a few places. The birds were present in a cultivated area of c. 0.2 ha. Neither this nor the preceding species is frequent in this part of the clay zone. ADDITIONAL NOTES ON CERTAIN SPECIES PREVIOUSLY RECORDED White-necked Heron, Ardea pacijica. None recorded in 1974, but 1975 was an invasion year and birds were present at Benger from Sep¬ tember 22, when one bird was seen, until the drying out of the Swamp. An estimated 20 birds were scattered through the Swamp from early October. A similar pattern occurred in 1976 when one bird was seen on October 31, and thereafter 20 or more were present. Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis, I have two additional records of single birds — on December 19, 1973 and December 25, 1975; the latter was apparently immature—a dark legged bird. Glossy Ibis, Plegadis falcincllus. One additional record—a single bird on December 25, 1975. White Ibis, Threskiornis molucca. The steady increase in number of this species detailed in my earlier account has continued. In 1973, the birds were late appearing: c. 25 were seen on November I and thereafter 23 no big counts were made because the birds showed less tendency to flock than in the preceding years. In 1974, one bird was noted on September 2 and thereafter scattered individuals and groups were present until Janu¬ ary 10, 1975 when at least 35 were recorded. The species reappeared on October 7, 1975 when four birds were present. This was another season of scattered groups with numbers hard to assess. In 1976, three birds were noted on September 1. Numbers started to build up in October and towards the end of the season a tendency to flock was apparent. On October 31, 72 birds were counted feeding in one area. 1 estimated 100 birds to be present in the Swamp. On January 6, 1976 1 counted 7 I birds in the same area and a later recount gave a total of 80 +• Again no immature birds have been seen. Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Platalea flavipes. During December 1973 I saw two birds on each of three occasions. 1974—nil. 1975—two birds on December 25 and two and perhaps a third, on December 29. 1976—three on December 7 and one on December 17. Whistling Kite, Hallastur sphenurus. Usually two birds appear to be present, but at the drying out of the Swamp the number is augmented, and up to nine birds have been seen together. This might be explained by: (1) Presence of young of the year. (2) The fall of the Swamp level providing improved food supply. (3) The activity of shooters providing food for scavengers. The presence of six birds on June 5, 1974 (when the Swamp level was still low) may tend to discount (1). Black-tailed Native-hen, Gallinula ventralis . My only additional records have been for 1975 which appears to have been a moderate invasion year. At Benger I saw seven on December 11 and four on December 18. Coot, Fulica atm. I have a strong impression that over the past four years the number of Coot appearing at Benger has been low. Records of Coot in any number are restricted to October and November, mainly the latter month. This pattern may have been due to good seasons pro¬ viding favourable conditions elsewhere. ADDITIONS TO FAUNA OTHER THAN BIRDS Western Water-rat, Hydromys fuliginosus . One, dead, found on a track by member of the W.A. Naturalists’ Club excursion on November 9, 1975. CONSERVATION The future of Benger Swamp now appears to be assured. The Depart¬ ment of Fisheries and Wildlife is acquiring blocks in the Swamp and now has a controlling interest. An imaginative comprehensive management plan is being developed. VEGETATION With the interest now being focussed on the Swamp I have abandoned an intention of adding to the previous notes on vegetation in the hope that one of our specialists will provide a detailed treatment. However, the following corrections are desirable: the Typha is T. orientalis , not angusti- folia and the common Lemna is L. oligorrhiza. FROM FIELD AND STUDY The Mediterranean Snail ( Thcba pisana) on Rottnest Island. —Dr. D. L. Serventy outlined the history of the spread of the Mediterranean snail on Rottnest in the W.A. Naturalist (2 (2), 1949). These snails were very much in evidence and a familiar sight as they clung to the vegetation in clusters. A favourite resting place was the vertical flowering stems of the introduced plant Asphodelus fistulas us which had become established along the roads and tracks traversing the Island. 24 During a visit to Rottnest in June, 1975, I noticed that these snails were no longer abundant and in fact were moderately difficult to find. A fairly intensive search showed them to still be present but there had been a catastrophic collapse of the original population. This suggests that these snails have come under some form of biological control in recent times. —D. H. PERRY, Victoria Park. Sighting of Black Falcon, Lancelin District. —At about 8.30 a.m. on January 24, 1976, 3.5 km north of the Lancelin golf links on the sand track to Wedge Island, a Black Falcon (Falco subniger) was seen. The bird was in flight and then perched on the top of a Christmas tree (Nuyt- sia floributula) at a distance of 40 paces. The sighting was made with 10 x 50 binoculars with the sun at the back of the observers who were themselves in shadow and there could be very little doubt as to the identification. The area in which the bird was seen was typical of the district— undulating, covered with knee-high heath with occasional stands of shrubs rising to a height of about two metres. The whole area was rich in insect life, with beetles, some of which were of considerable size and what appeared to be tree crickets, predominating. From the same observation point several Kestrels, two Little Falcons, one Spotted Harrier and one Black-shouldered Kite were also seen. —A. FEWSTER and M. T. MILLARD. Mistletoe-bird feeding on Black Nightshade Berries. —On September 19, 1976 a male Mistletoe-bird (Dicaeum hirundinaceum) was observed feeding on the berries of a Black Nightshade (Solatium nigrum) growing within a fowl-run. The visits were made during the morning and only the male visited the feeding site. Each visit was heralded by the calls of the bird after its arrival in a nearby Wandoo. The next move was to a support beam on the run, thence to a dip in the wire and, when inside, to the nightshade. After removing a berry the bird flew each time to a projecting twig within the cage, appeared to masticate the fruit, dropping part thereof, swallowing the rest and returning for a further fruit. Two or three berries were thus consumed during the visit. Exit was then made to the outside support beam and a direct flight out across the valley to a Marri some 200 metres away, followed. Several such visits were made during the morning. The nightshade bore a good proportion of black, ripe fruit. The following week seeds of what appeared to be the above fruit were found inside, at the bottom, of a nest of the Western Silvereye ( Zosterops gouldi), apparently recently vacated. These birds had been seen feeding on the nightshade along with the Mistletoe-bird. —KEVIN GRIFFITHS, Parkerville. Some Notes on the Native Poplar, Codonocarpus cotinifolius. —The Native Poplar is a fairly common plant along the eastern fringes of the South-West province and across the Eremean province. It is a striking plant and easy to recognise on account of its bright green foliage, a shade of green not common in our arid and semi-arid regions. Along the eastern side of the South-West province this plant regenerates prolifically after a fire, grows rapidly to a height of two to three metres and at the age of about seven years it dies down. Regeneration is rarely seen in this region except following a fire. In the arid country stretching across the Eremean province to the Western Australian border, the Native Poplar is a feature of many of the landscapes. On a journey to Alice Springs (June, 1973) living specimens of Native Poplar were almost non existent. A great many dead ones were to be seen and these appeared to have been dead for 25 some years as many had fallen over. 1973, 1974 and 1975 have been very good years in this region and copious rains have fallen. A friend who recently traversed this same route to Alice Springs (October, 1975) tells me that there has been a profuse regeneration of Native Poplar, now from one to two metres high. It is interesting that whilst fire is the main factor triggering regeneration in the South-West Province, it does not perform this function in the Eremean Province where continuing heavy falls of rain are required. — D. H. PERRY, Victoria Park. Some recent bird observations from south-western Australia.—The following notes deal with some birds 1 recorded while in Western Austra¬ lia in February 1976. Blue-billed Duck, Oxyura australis. At least three adults and five young at Lake Seppings, Albany, on February 10. Marsh Sandpiper, Tringa stagnatalis. One bird at Wilson’s Inlet on February 14. It was in shallow water only a few centimetres deep and at the northern end of a small island. The bird was viewed at a distance of 20-30 metres. The identification was based principally on the straight bill, light green legs and white in the forehead and foreparts of the face. The general appearance of the bird was that of a small Greenshank. In my field notes I have recorded the size of the bird as being ‘slightly smaller than that of a Greenshank but hard to say positively’. The only other waders in the vicinity were a pair of Common Sandpipers Tritiga hypoleticos, but the Marsh Sandpiper did not associate with them at all. I have previously seen the Marsh Sandpiper near Mildura, Victoria and at the I.C.l. Saltfields, Adelaide, South Australia. Southern Emu-wren, Malachurus stipiturus. One adult male and at least two uncolourcd birds at John Forrest National Park from where this species does not appear to have been formally recorded before. These birds were seen on February 7 in a small patch of treeless dense heath with a few r bare rocks, one kilometre south of the Park Kiosk and a short distance south of the Lake. The birds’ long filamentous tails and the light blue breast of the male rendered them unmistakable. —LEO JOSEPH, 1 Angas Street, Kent Town, S.A. An Asian Gull-billed Tern in Western Australia.—On October 17, 1976 I collected one of four Gull-billed Terns at the mouth of the Lawley River in north-west Kimberley. The specimen was later identified as Sterna nilotica affinis Horsfield of south-eastern China. Its shorter wing, less stout bill, darker rump and tail, and eclipse plumage readily separate it from Australian birds (adults of which retain their nuptial plumage throughout the year). Even a juvenile Australian bird in our collection with spotted wings has a while rump and tail. Details of specimen (registered number A14658): exposed culmcn 38 mm, wing 282 mm, tail 104 mm, tarsus 30 mm, iris dark brown, upper mandible black, lower mandible black with basal portion orange, feet and legs dark brown, mouth orange. Wings and entire upperparts including tail dull steel grey, a well-defined black stripe through the eye, head flecked black, underparts white. Judging from the plumage stages given in Witherby et al. (The Handbook of British Birds, vol. 5, p. 14). The bird was over a year old and moulting into its first summer plumage. Several subspecies of the Gull-billed Tern are currently recognized. Australian birds (S. n. macrotarsa) are the largest with palest upperparts (whitish grey back and white rump and tail) and have the most massive bill. Length of wing, tail and bill in the Lawley River bird are well below the range (310-354, 111-141 and 40.0-46.4 respectively) given for Australian birds by Scrventy, Servcnty and Warham (The Handbook of Australian Sea-birds, 1971, p. 206). Few measurements arc available for af finis; how¬ ever Witherby et al. state that it has a shorter wing and rather shorter 26 bill than the nominate race. Wing length given by Witherby et al. for nominate nilotica (300-337 mm) is considerably greater than in the Lawley River specimen. It is possible that Asian Gull-billed Terns frequently visit the shel¬ tered tidal waters of Kimberley and Northern Territory during the southern summer. Eastern Common Terns (Sterna hirtindo longipennis) and White¬ winged Black Terns (Sterna leucoptera), both summer migrants from the Northern Hemisphere, were collected during the same biological survey of Admiralty Gulf and its hinterland in October 1976. — R. E. JOHNSTONE, Western Australian Museum. Australian Pratincole at Lake Mason.—On November 12, 1975, about 1620 hours, 1 saw two Australian Pratincoles (Stiltia Isabella) on a bare stony wash at the eastern end of the air-strip at Lake Mason, approximately 55 km north of Sandstone. One of the birds ran for a distance of about 20 m with its head turned at an angle of 90° to its body, then braked sharply with the aid of its wings to capture a large grasshopper. The grasshopper was struck on the ground 10-12 times before being swallowed. The birds showed no alarm but stood quietly, occasionally bobbing their heads. They took flight when an approach was made at 20 m or so. The accompanying annotated sketch was made from my field notes. —C. P. S. de REBEIRA, Balcatta. A Survey of Breeding Seabirds on Mistaken Island, Western Australia. On September 23, 1976 a survey of breeding seabirds was carried out on Mistaken (or Rabbit) Island, King George Sound, W.A. The survey occurred during a visit from 1330 to 1630 hours by Dr I. Abbott, my wife and myself and Mr. Cliff Meredith who kindly provided the dinghy and rowed the party the short distance involved. The island is about 10 ha of which about 10 per cent is exposed rock or rock with very shallow soil covering. The remaining area has good soil depth for burrowing seabirds and is well vegetated with bushes up to some four metres. The presence of many rabbits was apparent from the scratchings, droppings and warrens; one was sighted. Ninety-four burrows were searched. Little Penguins, Endyptula minor, at various stages of breeding or preparation were found in 34 and one 27 nestling was very close to feather development. The remaining 60 bur- rows were empty; about ten were smaller at the entrance and with ^ narrower tunnel than the usual penguin burrow. These burrows showed no sign of recent occupation or use. They were located on the south-east side and may have been burrows used previously by the Great-winged Petrel, Pterodroma macroptera, which has been recorded breeding on the island (Serventy, Serventy and Warham, The Handbook of Australian Sea* Birds, 1971); the dried remains of one of these birds was found during the visit. The penguin burrows were spread sparsely over the whole isla n q except in the areas of bare rock or shallow soil. They bred in cavities among the rocks around the shoreline and one bird was brooding nest¬ lings in a thick patch of grass. No evidence was found of White-faced Storm-Petrels. Pelagodroma marina; Basset Hull (Emu, 21, 1922: 27) had considered uninhabited burrows belonged to this species. One Sooty Oystercatcher Haematopus fuliginosus was present but gave no indication of nesting. Some black and white feathers were found, apparently from the work of an avian predator. Dr Abbott forwarded them to Dr G. M. Storr (Western Australian Museum) and they were identified as those of the Cape Petrel D apt ion cape use. —S. G. LANE, 65 Wood Street, Lane Cove, N.S.W, An extension of the range of the Western Bristlebird, Dasyornis Ion* girostris. —At the time of settlement the Western Bristlebird was known to have been in coastal areas from Perth to Albany. Following the dcs- truction of the population at Wilson’s Inlet (Denmark) by fire in 1914^ there were no more reports of the bird until it was rediscovered at Two' Peoples Bay in 1945 (Serventy and Whittell, Birds of Western Australia, 1967). It was subsequently found at the Waychinicup River in 1960 (Ford Emu, 63, 1963: 437). While travelling through the Fitzgerald River National Park along the old telegraph line on 26 June 1976, a Western Bristlebird was heard singing. Subsequently five pairs were heard to sing in the area (about 1 km-) w'hich was 62 km west of East Mt. Barren and north of Woolbennup Hill. The area was a wide expanse of undulating open heath, 50 to 100 cm high with elongated patches of various eucalypts including Eucalyptus tetragona and E. decipiens, two to four metres tall and some 50 to 500 m2 in area along the drainage lines. These eucalypts have a dense under- storey of closed heath, 1 to 1.5 metres tall. The most common species in both the open and closed heaths were Melaleuca stricta, Adenanthos cuneata, Davicsia reversifolia, Casuarina humilis, Leptospermum sp.. An* arthria prolifera and A . gracilis. The exact location of two of the five pairs was obtained; in both cases they were in the eucalypt clumps. One pair that was followed for an hour moved between three clumps over an area of 150 m L ’. It appears that here as well as at the Waychinicup River and Two Peoples Bay the Western Bristlebird prefers areas of closed heath while the Field-wren (Calamanthus fuliginosus) occupies the open heath. Plumage details were only obtained from one pair. In general the plumage appeared washed out compared with the other populations. The head was grey, the upper parts were grey-brown, the belly and flanks were grey-brown and the primaries were a very pale chestnut. The songs heard were within the range of variation of those from Two Peoples Bay and Waychinicup River. There are extensive areas of suitable habitat in the Park and the total population may well exceed that of Two Peoples Bay which is about 80 pairs (Smith. Emu, 77, 1977: in press). If this is so then the long term survival of the Western Bristlebird appears relatively secure, given adequate management of its habitat. —G. T. SMITH and L. A. MOORE 28 THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST Vol. 14 February 28, 1978 No. 2 THE OCCURRENCE, CULTURE AND REPRODUCTION OF PERIPATO/DES G/LESII SPENCER (ONYCHOPHORA) ON THE SWAN COASTAL PLAIN By VIRGINIA VAN DER LANDE, Zoology Department, University of Western Australia* Peripatus near Perth was for long known only along the scarp and the western parts of the Darling Range plateau. The type locality of Peri- pat o ides gilesii Spencer was Armadale (Spencer, Proc. Roy. Soc. Victoria, 12, 1909: 420-422) and it has been collected as far east as Mt. Helena. In August 1971 Professor A. R. Main made the interesting discovery of a thriving colony on the Swan Coastal Plain, at the field station at Jandakot operated by the Zoology Department, University of Western Australia. This locality is 17 km west of the Darling scarp. When I came to the University to begin a nine month study of certain aspects of nutrition in the Onychophora, with particular reference to the salivary glands, this colony provided a convenient source of adequate material. So far this is the only locality on the coastal plain where Peripatus has been found. Professor Main would be interested in additional records from this environment. Specimens should be forwarded to him at the Zoology Department, University of Western Australia, Nedlands. The animals I collected, both male and female, possessed the sixteen pairs of walking appendages characteristic of this species, and their dim¬ ensions, colour pattern and jaws corresponded with the description of the type. My study extended over the dry summer period when P. gilesii disappears from its usual habitats. Animals were reasonably abundant when collected in early October 1976, mid-October and mid-November, one hour’s collecting yielding 20-25 specimens. None were found in the period December to April but they were collected again after the first heavy rains at the end of May 1977 and subsequently, despite a severe burn which included the collecting area on March 14, 1977. At this period only 5-6 animals per hour were obtained, some from refuge areas where the burn had caused less damage and others up to a metre from the refuge area, in places where the burn had exposed the sandy substrate. The main collecting area was limited to a narrow zone in low-lying Melaleuca bush adjacent to the reedy margins of Lake Banganup. The animals were most frequently found between the sheets of bark which had fallen to the ground between the trees, although they also occurred in the litter and under pieces of wood and other debris. They were always under cover in places where there was maximum contact for the body surface, i.e. places which were damp and dark, but not water-logged. Clusters of up to five individuals of assorted sizes occurred. Healthy cultures were maintained for a period of nearly nine months in plastic containers with close-fitting lids, which were never completely shut, since over-damp surroundings lead to rapid death by fungal infec- *On study leave from Department of Zoology. University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, England. 29 tion. A constant environment room was available with a temperature of 20°C and relative humidity of 85%: the humidity in the containers was higher, as evidenced by some condensation on the lid. Since several died in open containers in early attempts to establish cultures, the substrate— pieces of Melaleuca bark and litter—was moistened with distilled water from time to time, but water-logging was avoided. Tests on food preferences and feeding activity were carried out so 30 Fig. 2. — General view of area from which Peripatoides gilesii were collected near Lake Banganup, October 1976. Note the loose bark at the bases of the trees. 31 Fig. 3.—A large specimen of P. gilesii revealed by separating sheets of Melaleuca bark. The animal has adopted a very characteristic pose. October, 1976. as to obtain animals with glands at a known stage of secretory activity for the main study. At the beginning of the study, animals fed in daylight shortly after food was presented and accepted a variety of food materials, but over the November-May period food was only occasionally ingested in the early morning around 2.00 a.m. and was confined to living termites. Daylight feeding resumed mid-May. Termites of the genus Coptotertnes*, all associated with wood, proved to be the most acceptable diet. Both fresh and boiled pieces of other invertebrates such as woodlice, locusts, earthworms, cockroaches, meal¬ worms and beetles, as well as frog muscle and chicken liver were also proffered but were mostly refused. Termites from soil termitaria and ants were consistently rejected. It was noticed that animals darkened in cap¬ tivity—the orange-red papillae on a black-grey background, which were just apparent to the naked eye in newly collected animals, became visible only under the dissecting microscope with good illumination. On one occasion only (October 1976) P. gilesii commenced feeding immediately on presentation of the abdomen of a staphylinid beetle and the alternate cutting action of the jaws and removal of soft parts by suction was clearly visible through the transparent exoskeleton. Living termites were often glued down with slime ejected from the slime glands, prior to feeding, but whether this was part of the defence or feeding mechanism was not clear. The small termites were left as skeletonised head capsules, the abdomen and thorax both being ingested. No soft tissues remained in the head capsules, which were otherwise undamaged. Moult¬ ing and the expulsion of faecal material ensued soon after. Animals survived many weeks without feeding. Cannibalism has been observed by the author in other species but there were no instances in P. gilesii during the present study, despite the long periods of starvation. *Coptotermes acinacilormes (from Cottesloe and Toodyay) and C. michaelsenl (King's Park). Identification kindly confirmed by Dr. J. Majer, Western Australian Institute of Technology. 32 Fig. 4.—Eviscerated exoskeletons of termites eaten by P. gilesii. Scale = 1.0 mm 33 The proportions of males and females collected could not be deter¬ mined as the animals can only be sexed by dissection. In general females are larger than males, although male-sized females are also found. Some dimensions of animals collected in October 1976 are tabulated below, but a systematic survey of all collected was not performed. (Walking) length in mm. Wt. In gms. 18 .0235 15 .0205 Length was very variable 22 .0200 25 .1540 14 .0185 14 .0170 $ 27 .1210 9 9 .0040 Average of April juveniles It might have seemed that males were twice as numerous as females among the specimens dissected, but as serial sectioning techniques were involved in the main study, a conscious choice of small animals was made so as to reduce the work load. Large females dissected at the end of 1976 contained up to 15 ova in the two oviducts, the ova were large (approx. 1.5 x 0.9 mm) and yolky. A progressive development of the embryos could be observed in gravid females killed over this period. By January, the adult form was recog¬ nisable, with antennae, 16 rudimentary pairs of appendages although the oral apparatus appeared poorly developed, consisting of a pit, with no recognisable lips or feeding jaws. Fig. 5. — P. gilesii. Embryo removed on February 2, 1977 showing paired appendages, antenna and oral pit (arrowed). Fixed in Bouin. Scale = 0.2 mm. 34 Fig. 6.—Embryo of P. gilesii under scanning electron microscope, showing appendages and 1 antenna. Note the absence of claws and sensory papillae. Scale = 0.1 mm. On examining the cultures on April 5, 1977 after a three week absence, a small, pale specimen 9.0 mm long was seen on a cluster of adults. Closer examination showed that the pale background was overlaid on the dorsal surface by a reticulated pattern of mauve pigmentation, virtually absent from the ventral side and appendages. Pigmentation was most intense on the large head and antennae; the skin darkened within a week. The two eyes were a vivid chestnut brown colour. Cultures were then examined daily and a total of 10 juveniles were counted. At first they were associated with clusters of adults, but soon dispersed individu¬ ally to the litter whose colour they came to match remarkably closely. The last specimen was born during the night of April 19/20, 1977. It was interesting that a Tasmanian oviparous form, Ooperipatus insignis, also in culture, started reproducing at the same time. No record of breed¬ ing in P. gilesii is known. These observations were incidental to the main study and were carried out during the tenure of a Leverhulme Fellowship, whose financial assistance towards travel and research expenses is gratefully acknowledged. Facilities were kindly provided in the Zoology Department, University of Western Australia by Professor S. D. Bradshaw while the author was on study leave from the Zoology Department, University of Nottingham. 35 Fig. 7.—Juvenile P. gilcsii, about three days after birth, ex culture. The dorsal pigmentation has become more conspicuous. Note the presence of 16 pairs of appendages, characteristic of this species. April 5, 1977. Scale = 2.0 mm. SOME NOTES ON THE HERPETOFAUNA OF THE WESTERN NULLARBOR PLAIN, WESTERN AUSTRALIA By M. G. BROOKER and J. C. WOMBEY, Division of Wildlife Research. CSIRO, P.O. Box 84, Lyneham, Canberra A.C.T. 2602 These observations were made on the western half of the large Miocene limestone plateau known as the Nullarbor Plain. The geology (Lowry, 1970) and vegetation (Beard, 1975) have been described. Climatically this region is desert with a non-seasonal rainfall regime. Most of the records on frogs and reptiles were made during the course of other work in the north¬ western corner or during brief visits to the nothern fringe and to Forrest, Twilight Cove and Madura. Locations of places mentioned in the text and vegetation (after Beard, 1975) are shown in Fig. 1. The bulk of preserved specimens arc housed in the Western Australian Museum, Perth (WAM) and were determined by Dr. G. M. Storr. The remainder are lodged in the Australian National Wildlife Collection (ANWC) Canberra. 36 Fig. 1.—Map of western Nullarbor Plain showing places mentioned in text and the approximate limit of Mallee around the edges. FROGS Family LEPTODACTYLIDAE Neobatrachus centralis (Parker) Recorded in flooded clay pans south-east of Lake Brown (29°22’S, 126°07’E) in April, 1968 and September 1970 and in a flooded donga on Kanandah (September, 1974 and 1976). This species was recorded by Bur- bidge, et al. (1976) at Plumridge Lakes and is probably the only frog in this area. LIZARDS Family GEKKONIDAE Diplodactylus ciliaris Boulenger One (WAM 39710) collected under tin in Myall-Bluebush 16 km north of Naretha. Diplodactylus maini Kluge Specimens (2) from Brown’s Road (29°30’S, 126°40’E); habitat pre¬ dominantly Myall-Mulga woodland but specimens were collected in a small patch of Malice. Diplodactylus pulcher (Steindachner) This species found in Myall-Bluebush on Kanandah and Seemore Downs and in Hut Donga. 37 Diplodactylus galeatus Kluge The authors have examined a colour photograph of a gecko collected by Mr Mark Clements on Rawlinna Proprietors Station in 1969. The live specimen was examined at the South Australian Museum by the late John Mitchell and was entered in the Information Section records on June 9, 1969 as Diplodactylus galeatus (M. Tyler pers. comm.). According to Mr. Clements, this gecko was found in firewood near the shearing shed (31° 25’S, 125°02’E). The vegetation here is Bluebush steppe with Spcargrass, belts of Myall and occasional Black Oaks. The firewood could have been Myall, Mulga or sleepers from the Transcontinental Railway Line but was definitely not Malice (David Seaton, pers. comm.). Kluge (1967) records specimens of this species from south-west Northern Territory and central South Australia where he considers it to be a ‘relict confined to moderate elevations’. Diplodactylus vittatus Gray Specimens (11) collected in Myall-Bluebush, in dongas and Spcargrass flats. As many as six were counted on road during 16 km spot-light tran¬ sects through Myall-Bluebush habitat in September to March. Gehyra variegata (Dumeril & Bibron) Common in all areas where trees present including Carlisle Lakes and Clarrie’s Donga. Heteronotia binoei (Gray) This species found in all habitats and with preceeding species was the most commonly-observed gecko in this area. Phyllodactylus marmoratus (Fitzinger) Specimen (ANWC R1331) from under rocks in Mallee on the escarp¬ ment near Madura. Other specimens from similar habitats along coast west from Twilight Cove. Phyllurus milii Bory Found in Myall-Bluebush and open grassy plains on Seemore Downs, Kanandah and Eagle Area. Also collected in rocky escarpment near Madura (ANWC R1380). Family PYGOPOD1DAE Aprasia inaurita Kluge One specimen (ANWC R1404) found in a cat gut collected near Hut Donga (30°25’S, 125°45’E). Family AGAM1DAE Amphibolurus cristatus (Gray) Specimens (4) collected in the Mallee on the edge of the Plain on Kanandah (30°40’S, 124°25’E). Amphibolurus isolepis (Fischer) Found on the Mallee-Spinifex on the edee of the Plain on Kanandah (30°40’S, 124°25’E). Amphibolurus minimus Loveridge This species found in Mallee on the western edge of the Nullarbor Plain (Badham, 1976). Specimen (ANWC RI393) collected near Goddard’s Creek (31°02’S. 123°59’E). Amphibolurus nullarbor Badham According to Badham (1976), this species is endemic to the Nullarbor Plain. Specimens were collected on Arubiddy (ANWC R1325), Eagle Area (ANWC R1355. 1357. 1366) and Seemore Downs (ANWC R1373) in Myall-Bluebush and Bluebush steppes. Amphibolurus pictus Peters Collected in sandy habitats along northern edge of the Plain (145 km north Rawlinna, Lake Brown, Carlisle Lakes). 38 Amphibolnrus reticulatus (Gray) Common in Myall-Mulga woodland on the Plain and also recorded in transitional Myall-Mallee at Carlisle Lakes and 50 km south-west of Naretha. Digs shallow burrow often at base of a Bluebush. Moloch horridus Gray Recorded 150 km north of Rawlinna and 4 km west of Kitchener. None obseived on the Nullarbor Plain where there is no Mallee (see Fig. 1). Tympanocryptis lineata Peters Common in Myall and open grass areas of Kanandah, Seemore Downs and Eagle area. Family VARANTDAE Varanus gouldii (Gray) I his species not often observed (one or two sightings per year) but occurs in Myall-Blucbush, dongas and open grassland. Female containing 7 eggs collected on November 25, 1971. Family SCINCIDAE Cryptoblepharus virgatus (Garman) Specimen (ANWC R1381) from under rock on escarpment near Madura. Ctenotus atlas Storr Found in Mallee-Spinifex near edge of Plain on Kanandah (30°40’S, 124°25 E). Ctenotus schomburgkii (Peters) Specimens (2) from rabbit holes in Myall-Bluebush on Eagle Area and in Mallee-Spinifex near Carlisle Lakes. Ctenotus uber Storr Collected in Myall-Bluebush on northern end of Eagle Area (30°15’S, 125°45’E), near Hut Donga (in cat stomach) and on Bluebush steppe 24 and 38 km south of Forrest. Egernia multiscutata Mitchell and Behrndt One specimen (ANWC R1365) dug out of burrow under Bluebush in Mvall-Blucbush habitat on northern end of Eagle Area (30°10’S. 125°45’E) and a tail attributable to this species was found in a cat shot near Hut Donga. Lerista frosti (Zietz) Specimen (ANWC R1372) found under tin near house at Endeavour (30°34’S, 125°30’E). Lerista labialis Storr One collected under log in Mallee-Spinifex at Carlisle Lakes. Lerista muelleri (Fischer) Specimens (3) from under logs in Myall-Mulga country on Kanandah (30°40’S, 124°40’E). Menetia greyii Gray Common on Kanandah, Seemore Downs and Eagle Area often round base of Myalls. Also collected Clarries Donga, Twilight Cove and Madura. Morethia adelaidensis (Boulenger) t This species apnears to have a wide distribution in all habitats on the Plain with specimens from Kanandah, Seemore Downs, Eagle Area, 130 km north of Rawlinna and 50 km south of Forrest. Also recorded 16 km west of Nullarbor Station in S.A. Morethia boulengeri (Ogilby) Specimens (3) from north-western fringe near Lake Brown (20°23’S, 126°07’E). 39 Morethia butleri (Storr) Specimens (2); one (ANWC R1349) collected in Spinifex south-west of Lake Brown (29°22’S. 125°54’E) and one (ANWC R1377) under rocks on escarpment near Madura. Morethia obscura Storr Observed in coastal heath on southern edge of Plain (Twilight Cove and 14 km east of W.A. border) and specimens (ANWC R1324, R1378) from under rocks on escarpment near Madura. Sphenomorphus richardsonii (Gray) Collected (7) in Hut Donga and under rocks near mills on Seemore Downs. Tiliqua occipitalis (Peters) Specimen from Lignum swamp near Lake Brown. Trachydosaurus rugosus Gray Recorded in all habitats visited on the north-western Nullarbor Plain. SNAKES Family TYPHLOPIDAE Typhlina australis (Gray) Collected 67 km east of Kalgoorlie and at Point Culver. Typhlina bituberculata (Peters) Specimens (2) from Kanandah homestead and near Hut Donga. Large numbers of Typhlina found in cat and fox stomachs collected near Hut Donga in September, 1976 were probably this species. Family BOIDAE Aspidites ramsayi (Macleay) This species recorded on Kanandah by John Bywater (pers. comm.) in 1968. Several ‘tiger-snakes’ were killed in a donga near Kanandah homestead when this area was first settled in the early 1960’s (Eric Swann, pers. comm.). These were probably Aspidites ramsayi. There have been no more recent sightings. Family ELAPIDAE Pseudechis australis (Gray) Recorded on Kanandah, Seemore Downs and Eagle Area. The gut of one collected near Lake Brown on March 20, 1973 contained Neobatrachus sp. Pseudonaja modesta (Gunther) Specimen (ANWC R1337) collected by Cathy and Eric Absalom at Seemore Downs homestead. Pseudonaja nuchalis Gunther Recorded 80 km north of Rawlinna by John Bywater (pers. comm.). Rhynchelaps bertholdi (Jan) Specimen (WAM R43587) from Myall-BIuebush on Seemore Downs. Denisonia gouldii (Gray) Specimens (2) from Seemore Downs and Eagle Area in Myall- Bluebush. DISCUSSION One frog and 27 reptiles were recorded on the western Nullarbor Plain proper, i.e. in habitats exclusive of Mallee communities. As most of the collecting was done opportunistically, a number of species, could have been overlooked. However, five agamids shown as occurring on the 40 Nullarbor Plain by Cogger (1975) are probably found in the Mallee on the edge of the Plain but not on it. The distribution of Amphibolurus cristatus (Gray) shown by Pianka (1971) circles the plain. A. pictus Peters was only collected in Mallee and A. fordi Storr occurs only in the presence of Triodia spp. (Cogger, 1975). Oiporiphora reginae Glauert has only been recorded west (Storr, 1974) and east (Paul Webber pers. comm.) of the Plain, and Storr (1974) shows locations for D. winneckci Lucas and Frost, which are either north of or on the eastern edge of the Plain. No Cryptoblepharus were collected on the Plain proper; Myall and other Nullarbor trees may not provide a suitable habitat. The absence of records on the Plain for Tiliqua occipitalis (Peters) and Moloch horridus Gray suggests that they do not occur here. There is some evidence from local inhabitants that the numbers of Aspidites ramsayi have declined. Cats and foxes are efficient and significant predators of some reptile species in this area under certain conditions. On the Eagle Area in September, 1976, there were large numbers of cats and foxes and very few of their staple diet—rabbits. Predator stomachs col¬ lected at this time contained up to 43 individual reptiles — mainly Tympanocryptis lineata, Ctenotus uber and Typhlina. The season was very dry, temperatures were low and no geckos other than Phyllurus milii were observed. It could be predicted that geckos would become important cat and fox food sources with the onset of warmer weather. The diet of cats and foxes in this area is discussed in more detail by Blooker (1977). ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Some of the material cited here was collected by CSIRO colleagues J. Bywater, M. S. Jones, A. J. Estbergs and D. S. Hart. Mr. Mark Clements of Canberra kindly allowed publication of his record of Diplodactylus galeatus. Frank Knight (CSIRO) drew the figure. Special thanks are due to Dr. G. M. Storr of the W.A. Museum for identifying specimens and making useful criticisms of the manuscript. REFERENCES BADHAM, J. A. 1976. The Amphibolurus barbatus species-group. (Lacer- tilia: Agamidae). A list. J. Zool., 24: 423-43. BEARD, J. S. 1975. Vegetation Survey of Western Australia: Nullarbor (Sheet 4) Perth. University of W.A. Press. BROOKER, M. G. 1977. Some notes on the mammalian fauna of the western Nullarbor Plain. W. Aust. Nat., 14: 2-15. BURBIDGE, A. A. et. al. 1976. The wildlife of some existing and proposed reserves in the Great Victoria and Gibson Deserts, W.A. Wild!. Res. Bull . West. Aust., 5. COGGER, H. G. 1975. Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. Sydney: Reed. KLUGE, A. G. 1967. Systematics, phylogeny, and zoogeography of the lizard genus Diplodactylus Gray. (Gekkonidae). Aust. J. Zool., 15: 1007-1108. LOWRY, D. C. 1970. Geology of the Western Australian part of the Eucla Basin. Geol. Sur. Bull. West. Aust., 122. PIANKA, E. R. 1971. Notes on the biology of Amphibolurus cristatus and A. sc tit ula t us. W. Aust. Nat., 12: 36-9. STORR, G. M. 1974. Agamid lizards of the genera Caimanops, Physig- nathus and Diporiphora in Western Australia and Northern Territory. Rec. West. Aust. Mus., 3: 121-46. 41 ADDITIONS TO THE AVIFAUNA OF THE PRINCE REGENT RIVER NATURE RESERVE By P. J. FULLER and A. A. BURBIDGE, W.A. Wildlife Research Centre, P.O. Box 51, Wanncroo, W.A. 6065. INTRODUCTION In July 1977 we took part in a survey of the status of the Salt-water Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) in some river systems of the north-west Kimberley. This work was carried out from the University of Sydney’s Research Vessel The Harry Messel and the results are reported elsewhere (Messel, et al., 1977). During the survey we had the opportunity of observing birds which frequent the estuarine portions of the Roc and Prince Regent Rivers and adjacent country included in the Prince Regent River Nature Reserve. Storr et al. (1975) list 134 species of birds recorded in this reserve during an August 1974 survey. We are able to add a further 16 species. We were in the Roe River on July 23-24 and the Prince Regent on July 26 and 27, 1977. BIRD LIST Australian Pelican, Pelecanus conspicillatus. Small parties of up to five individuals observed on both rivers. Brown Booby, Sula leucogaster. A single bird was observed at the mouth of the Roc River. Little Black Cormorant, Phalacrocorax sulcirostris. A flock of 15 was seen in the Prince Regent River well upstream. White Egret, Egretta alba. Occasional birds were encountered in both rivers, mainly on mud flats adjacent to mangroves. Little Egret, Egretta garzetta. In small groups of up to four feeding on mud flats adjacent to mangroves. Jabiru, Xenorhynchus asiaticus. Single birds and pairs observed along both rivers. Grey Teal, Anas gibberifrons. A single bird seen on the bank of the Roe River near its mouth. Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus. A single bird seen in the upstream estuarine section of the Roe River where it passes through a gorge. Sooty Oystercatcher, Haematopus fuliginosus. Two birds seen on a mud bank in a creek flowing into the Roe River. Grey Plover, Pluvialis squatarola. Three seen on an exposed mud bank in the Roe River. Eastern Curlew, Numenius tnadagascariensis. Scattered birds sighted throughout both river systems. Little Greenshank, Tringa stagnatalis. Two seen on mud flats in Roe River. Common Sandpiper, Tringa hypoleucos. Occasional birds observed in both river systems. Red-necked Stint, Calidris ruficollis. A flock of 40 seen near the mouth of the Roe River. Crested Tern, Sterna bergii. Observed flying and feeding along both rivers. The Lesser Crested Tern, S. bengalensis, outnumbered this species. White-breasted Wood Swallow, Artamus leucorhynchus. A flock of about 25 was seen in mangroves near the mouth of the Prince Regent River. DISCUSSION A total of 150 species of birds have now been recorded for the Reserve. Doubtless further visits, especially during the wet season, will add to this number. Most of the additional species recorded here are birds which frequent the margins of the Roe and Prince Regent River estuaries. This type of 42 habitat was not thoroughly explored by Storr et al. (1975) who worked on foot. Because we were working from boats we were able to search large areas of the river banks in a short time. Additional to the species listed above we observed a number of Great-billed Heron, Arden siunatrana. Storr et al. only recorded a single bird. The only breeding bird we noted was the Osprey, Pandion haliaetus. A nest on an islet at the mouth of the Prince Regent River inspected on July 27 contained one newly hatched chick, one egg which was chipping and another egg. A nest of the White-breasted Sea-Eagle, Haliaeetus leucogaster, in a Bombax tree just outside the Reserve near the mouth of the Roe River contained a single almost fully fledged chick. REFERENCES MESSEL, H., A. A. BURBIDGE, A. G. WELLS and W. J. GREEN, 1975. The status of the Salt-water Crocodile in some river systems of the north-west Kimberley, Western Australia. Dept. Fish. Wildl. West. A list. Rept. No. 24. (Dept. Fish. Wildl.: Perth). STORR, G. M., R. E. JOHNSTONE, J. DELL, and L. A. SMITH, 1975. Birds of the Prince Regent River Reserve, north-west Kimberley, Western Australia, hi: Miles, J. M. and A. A. Burbidge, A biological Survey of the Prince Regent River Reserve, north-west Kimberley, Western Australia, in August 1974. Wildl. Res. Bull. West A list. No. 3. (Dept. Fish. Wildl.: Perth). NOTES ON THE REPRODUCTION OF THE SHARK BAY MOUSE. PSEUDOMYS PRAECON/S, IN CAPTIVITY By C. H. S. WATTS and LESLEY SPENCER, Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science, Frome Road, Adelaide, South Australia 5000 ABSTRACT The Shark Bay Mouse, Pseudomys praeconis, is known only from Bernier Island off Western Australia. Few specimens have over been collected. In April 1975 we received two males and one female which subsequently produced two litters in the laboratory. Details of the growth and development of these litters is presented as well as data obtained on the gestation period (28-30 days) and the oestrus cycle (less than 14-16 days). INTRODUCTION The Shark Bay Mouse is one of the least known of Australian rodents. Until the collection of the present specimens, it was known from only five or six specimens few of which had been collected in the last fifty years (Robinson et al., 1976). One early specimen was collected from Peron Peninsula W.A. but the species is now known only from Bernier Island in Shark Bay, W.A., an “A” class nature reserve. The mouse is a small (30 g) nondescript rodent greatly resembling the more widespread Plains Rat, Pseudomys australis, from which it differs in having a mottled appearance, shorter ears, the apical rather than basal half of the tail darkly pigmented dorsally and in characters of the skull. Since our only female has died and it is unlikely that further specimens will be obtained for some time, the few details that we obtained of the breeding biology of this rare species arc presented here. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two males and one female were caught on Bernier Island, W.A. on April 21, 1975 and sent to Adelaide (Robinson et al.. 1976). All were adult. One male died shortly after arrival. The remaining pair were housed in a 91 x 61 x 33 cm wooden and glass cage containing two nest boxes. They were fed on mixed bird seed supplemented twice a week with diced vegetables. Water was provided ad. lib. The room was under natural lighting with the temperature controlled at 21±1°C. 43 DAYS AFTER BIRTH Except for periods when the female was pregnant, or thought to be, vaginal smears were taken daily, usually in the afternoon, the smears were obtained with a small wire loop, dried in air, and stained with methylene blue. Young were weighed and measured soon after birth and then at approximately weekly intervals until about 60 days old and then at 102 and 130 days old. Weights were determined to the nearest gram; length measurements to the nearest millimetre. RESULTS (a) Oestrus cycle. Data obtained on the oestrus cycle are sparse. Copulation plugs were recorded on three occasions: the first the day after the young of the first litter were removed from the parents cage, 50 days after they were born; the second, 14 days later, and the third 16 days after the second. The female was smeared during this time and oestrus was observed only at those times that a copulatory plug was found. The oestrus cycle would thus appear to be less than 14-16 days. .'■■■" WEIGHT, g LENGTH, mm Fig. 1.—Average growth curves of two litters of P. praeconis born in the laboratory. 44 (b) Gestation length and litter size. The female had two litters, one of four and one of three young. The first litter was born 30 days after she was paired for the first time. The second litter was born 28 days after a copulatory plug (the third) was observed. In neither case was the female lactating. The gestation length would appear to be around 28 days. (c) Growth and development of young. The average growth rates of head and body, tail, pes and weight of each litter of young are given in Figure 1. Litter one comprised two males and one female (plus one unsexed stillborn) and litter two, three males. The three young of litter one all died on day 50 after birth following a brief illness associated with an intestinal infection. The mother died when the second litter was 22 days old but this seems to have made little difference to their growth rates. The proportionate lengths of head and body length and tail length changed during the first 120 days. On day three the tail was considerably shorter than head and body but grew rapidly (Figure 1) and on day 14 was equal in length to the head and body. Between days 20 and 100 the tail was longer than head and body, after this the normal adult condition of approximately equal lengths was reached. Approximately adult lengths of tail and pes were reached around day 60, but weight and head and body length not until day 100. Both litters grew at approximately equal rates. Young were born hairless and with the ears folded down. At 11 days the ears were free, the eyes were still closed and they were well furred (adult colouring). The eyes opened at 15 days and by 18 days the apical half of their tails were becoming darkly pigmented dorsally as in the adults. Young were weaned around 30 days. At about this time the young made a twittering noise when disturbed, similar to a call given by the adults. For the first 16 days the young were often attached tenaciously to the teats of the mother and were dragged around by her when she was disturbed. They were also very difficult to remove for examination during this period. Upper and lower incisors had not erupted on day 0 but had done so by day three. The female stayed with the young constantly until the 16th day when it was observed that she had left the young to visit the male. The male was kept in the same cage as the female and litter but did not share the same nest box until the young were approximately four weeks old. When the female was removed from the cage the male kept the young warm and behaved protectively towards them. DISCUSSION Two recent papers (Happold, 1976; Kemper, 1976) have summarised the available information on the growth and development of Pseudomyine rodents. The scattered information on the breeding biology of Australian rodents is summarised in Watts (1974) and Happold (1976). The growth rate of P. praeconis appears to be similar to that reported for other species of Pseudomys. The early eruption of incisors, eyes opening around day 15, and approximately 90% adult weight reached by about day 80 are all very ‘normal’ for Pseudomys. The limited data obtained on P. praeconis show that it also agrees with most other Pseudomyinae in having a relatively long gestation period (relative to Mus and Rattus; it shares with P. desertor (Happold, 1976) the distinction of having the shortest known gestation period in Pseudomyine rodents), low litter size and probably also a relatively long oestrus cycle. These characters together with the nipple clinging behaviour of the young are emerging as Pseudomyine characteristics. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We thank A. C. Robinson and J. F. Robinson for collecting the animals, the Western Australian Department of Fisheries and Fauna for 45 issuing the necessary permits, and the Australian Biological Resources Interim Council for financing the collecting trip. REFERENCES HAPPOLD, M., 1976. Reproductive Biology and Developments in the Conilurinc Rodents (Muridae) of Australia. A list. J. Zool., 24: 19-26. KEMPER. C. M., 1976. Growth and Development of the Australian Murid Pseudomys novaehollandiae, A ust. J. Zool., 24: 27-37. ROBINSON, A. C., J. F. ROBINSON, C. H. S. WATTS, and P. R. BAVERSTOCK. 1976. The Shark Bay Mouse and other mammals on Bernier Island. W. A ust. Nat., 13: 149-155. WATTS, C. H. S., 1974. The Rodents of Australia: a personal view. A ust. J. Mamm., 2: 109-116. OBSERVATIONS ON QUANDONG TREES By Mrs. M. B. MILLS, Merredin Part II* 1973 On September 2 the Quandongs at No. 1 group had green fruit on the trees. On the ground a number of fruits had fallen; these were smaller than the green fruits and had reddened. When opened the fruit was clean inside and free of grubs and dirt. In other trees in this group, a little farther north, though the fruits were large and had reddened and fallen to the ground, were not ripe. These trees showed little change on September 7. The Quandong tree at the Dodder plant had green fruit on September 2, and little had fallen. On September 9 the fruits were hardening and turning yellow-green. On September 23 a visit was made to Tantagin Rocks, about 25 miles south-east of Merredin. I was in company of Professor van Steenis and Mrs. van Steenis, from Leiden, Holland and Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford, science and language teachers at the Merredin High School. Of a number of Quandong trees near the rocks l noticed in particular two large ones, about 10 ft. high with slender main trunks. They were not compact bushy trees but had straggling much-branched limbs, like Sandalwood, Santalum spicatum. The leaves were slender and thin and sparse on the branches: they were not in fruit but had apparently fruited the previous season. Judged by the fallen nuts it appeared to have been a heavy crop. A large number of small Quandong trees about 3 J in. high were under the trees. When some were dug up it was seen that all had germinated from seeds and had a long almost vertical tap root, unattached to anv plant or grasses. There was a heavy layer of dead moist leaves on soft reddish soil. The kernels of the nuts, when tasted raw, had a pleasant slightly sweetish taste. At No. 1 group on September 29 the fruit was ripening. There were some very large fruits on one tree but in the other trees the fruit was still in the green stages. On October 8 the fruit in this group had ripened very quickly and appeared to be at the peak. However two small trees still had green fruit on them. On the same day, October 8, I travelled about three miles beyond the Ouandong tree at the Dodder plant and came on a laree number of Ouandonas in virgin country on the Old York Road. On the north side of the road, in heavv Eucalyptus country, were a fair number of large Quandong trees bearing green fruit. The land on the south side of the road was drier and among the Eucalyptus and A curia were a great number, well over a hundred, of mainly young Quandongs resembling ‘Continued from p. 17 46 an orchard. Nearly all the trees were in green fruit and fruiting was much heavier than on the trees north of the road. On October 14 the trees in No. 1 group were loaded with ripe fruit and a large quantity was collected for cooking purposes. The fruits were very large and had a soft rather tart taste. The Quandong tree at the Dodder plant still had green fruit on it on October 15. By October 20 the small amount of remaining fruit at the No. 1 group was nearly all ripe, though some green fruits were still present. It had been a long wet winter and spring which had produced rain nearly every day as well as cold, cloudy conditions. This may be the reason why green fruit still persisted. On October 28 the Quandong at the Dodder plant where the fruit had been late ripening, was now in its ripe stage. The fruits were large, dark red, smooth-skinned, nice-tasting, clean and fleshy. Other trees in the vicinity had ripening fruits. On November 5 the Quandong at the Dodder plant had ripened and there was now no fruit on the tree. Neighbouring trees had red but not quite ripe fruits. I received a spray of Quandong leaves and ripe fruits from Dr. M. S. Buttrose, of the CSIRO Division of Horticultural Research, Adelaide. This fruit was very similar in colour and form to the fruit on the Quandong at the Dodder plant. A sample of Quandong jam received from Dr. and Mrs. Buttrose appeared to have a distinctly different flavour from our fruit and was, perhaps, of a lighter colour. 1 have noted yellow-fruited Quandongs where the fruits though ripe do not become the normal bright red. Such trees occur at Mcrrcdin, Nokan- ing and at South Booran. Some yellow fruit picked at South Moorine Rock by a friend was fleshy and nice tasting and when cooked had the same flavour as the red Quandongs. Dr. Buttrose gave me the reason why yellow Quandongs do not redden as do other Quandongs: “These are really a variety which apparently cannot manufacture the red anthocyanin pigments of the normal Quandong, and as far as I have been able to learn they differ only in this respect. The pale Quandongs are labelled as ‘Moonlight’.” On November 14 the trees at No. 1 group had finished fruiting for the season, though one or two red fruits and a few green ones still remained on some trees. The trees here and a little north were in blossom, some heavily. Some of the trees had borne fruit heavily this season. On November 15 blossom was setting on the Quandong at the Dodder plant and other trees in the vicinity. On November 15 1 re-visited the virgin area on the Old York Road. Most of the Quandongs here had fallen, ripe fruit. There had been no heavy fruiting here and all trees examined were showing blossoms. The flavour of the fruit on these trees was somewhat salty and perhaps a little bitter. On Novenibcr 18, on the Nungarin Road some five miles north of Nokaning, I picked fruit from two Quandong trees. The fruits were mainly bright red, large and tight skinned, but some were a definite yellow of a dull lemon colour. They appeared to be ripe and after being placed in the refrigerator overnight they turned an orange-red. On December 10 1 examined Quandong trees in Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford’s garden. Two mature trees were heavily in blossom. Of the little Quandong trees attached to the long rooting system mentioned earlier (Part I, pp. 15-16), the one at the beginning of the root system is thriving, growing up from the small root upright into a healthy little tree. Further along the root system a small number of little trees had withered owing to Mr. Rutherford having accidentally cut through the root system with a spade while loosening the earth around other trees. The three trees which were transplanted from this root system in June had all died. December 23: All Quandong trees through the area 1 have travelled are heavily in blossom; their scent is strong upon the breeze. 47 1974 On January 23 the Quandong trees opposite Miss Teasdale’s, on the Golf Road, Merredin, have tiny fruit setting on—one, two, or a small number, up to, on one spikelet, nine small fruits. The profusion of blos¬ som, some still remaining but dry and falling away, did not all become fruit-bearing. The greater part blew away in the wind or was gathered by insects. On January 28 few fruits seemed to be setting on the trees in No. 1 group. I dug around the little trees which had grown in numbers under two Quandong trees to see if they were from seed or from a root system; they were from seeds. The greater number of little trees, of about five or six inches in height, were dead or were very brown and withered. A long hot January with no cool changes and unusual cloudless skies had done havoc to them. Usually in January there arc cool changes, often cloudy, with thunderstorms and rain, sometimes heavy. On January 27 I went to a farm about seven miles south-west of Merredin to see a patch of several acres of uncleared land which had been left in its natural state there. The trees were mainly big old Eucalyptus with surrounding belts of mallee, some native pines and “camel box", Alyxia buxifolia. In this area very many Sandalwood and Quandong trees were growing very close together, about 2-3 ft. apart. Quite a number of both species had mistletoe growing on them, causing the trees to become straggly, showing dead branches. The mistletoe on the Sandalwood is very similar to the mistletoe growing on Quandong trees but lacks the vivid red colouring, the flowers being an orange-red colour. The Sandalwood mistletoe had, as well as flowers, small pale yellow oval fruits as well as smaller green fruits. Next day, January 28, I examined the No. 1 group Quandongs. One tree in this group had sticky mistletoe seeds identical with those on the Sandalwood mistletoe. On February 8 I examined a fine group of Quandongs on a reserve about five miles north-cast of Merredin, at Gnamma rockhole. There were a large number of young trees in an area of about one acre, close together, the trees being about a few yards apart and about 5-6 ft. in height. They were very healthy looking and some had borne heavy crops of fruit, which now lay about the ground. These little trees were slightly different in leaves and colouring. The leaves were small and slender and had a curling tendency. Their colour, compared with another group of Quandongs, was paler, a yellow-green. The fruit on the ground was a deep, dark red, as yet unspoiled by rain. Some were placed in a cup of water and it was surprising how soon the fruit revived from its dehydrated state and became soft and fleshy, like a ripe Quandong still on the tree in its season—October or November. However the skin was darker from lying drying out in the sun. The water in the cup took on a rich brown-red colour also, and was not unpleasant to the taste. In the No. 1 group no blossoms remained on May 20, and apart from a few fruits setting on the trees they were seemingly quite bare. All the previous heavy blossom had dropped off or been blown away by strong winds. The Quandong trees on the north side here had no fruit on them at all. One particular tree interested me. It seems rather barren as it has not fruited for a few years and has none this season. Yet it looks healthy and is bushy, tall and well-grown. At the Quandong by the Dodder plant the fruit has set on very well; the tree is loaded with quite large, shining yellow-green fruits. Last month, during April 3, 4 and 5, flooding rains had been exper¬ ienced at Merredin and surrounding districts. In some localities up to four and five inches of rain were recorded and the Quandongs at Merredin received this drenching after a terrifically hot summer, now followed by further good rains and very pleasant sunny weather. On July 14 I searched at No. 1 group for young trees and found five poor looking examples about six inches high. On turning over the 48 soil, red and rich in a very wet place under a number of young trees, about four inches down I found a large number of germinating seeds. I counted 73. Some were lying above ground, in very moist conditions, lying in a covering of water, and all were attached to nuts. Other seedlings were found, 27 in all, unattached to nuts. 1 took one seedling and grew it in a glass jar with a mixture of leaves and soil. It flourished on a window sill for 15 months until a mischievous cat knocked it over. On August 14 the Quandong at the Dodder plant was loaded with fruit, most of it half red and of a good size. Curiously, only one side of the tree, that nearest to the roadway, was bearing. On the far side, nearest to the heavy scrub, there were only two fruits. 1 suspect that the Dodder vine, which had twined all over the branches of the Quandong tree, may have been the cause of this. August 29: Quandong trees that arc in fruit in the district are mainly showing red patches on the fruit. A stand of trees on the York Road, near Chapman’s farm where water flows across the road and appears, perhaps to carry superphosphate from the paddocks with it, are heavily fruiting, with large fruits with red patches on them. October 8: Generally it seems to me that fruit is much scarcer this year than last season, even though there was so much heavy blossoming of the trees. The fruit is ripening earlier and very much larger than usual. All the fruit on the Quandong at the Dodder plant has ripened and fallen; this was the tree which was a late ripcner last season. October 26: All the fruit has apparently ripened and fallen from the trees for this season. All the trees examined are coming into blossom, including those that had just borne large amounts of fruit. The early season and short fruiting may have been the result of the heavy rains in May. There was no late fruiting. 1975 February 20: The Quandong tree at the Dodder plant is only just beginning to set fruit. The same is the case with the trees of the No. 1 group, where fruit appears to be sparse. When No. 1 group was examined again on May 9 it was found that actually a fair amount of fruit had set, despite the earlier scanty blossoms. The fruit w' as . of good size. There were some small trees from a few inches to six inches high at the bases of some of the trees. On May 14 I examined Quandong trees on the Nungarin Road, about five miles north of Nokaning. A group of 128 trees examined in the winter of 1973 were seen to be well grown and healthy. Other trees here examined for fruit showed the majority were not bearing, although they looked healthy; only five trees in 20 mature ones were well covered with young well-grown fruit. Quandong trees on the York Road also showed the majority to be without fruit. Of 24 well-grown trees examined only four were bearing some fruit, but only sparsely. On August 4 and 9 on Chandler and York Roads I examined 258 Quandong trees. Of these only four were fully loaded with fruit, seven had one or two fruits on each and one tree had a small amount of fruit. On September 23 I examined the No. 1 group. Of 64 trees in the group 24 were well covered with fruit. Out of this number six trees were fruiting heavily and several others had only one or two fruits on each. Individual trees appear to bear some fruit each year, a light crop followed by a heavy crop and so on. Other trees do not appear to bear fruit at all. Rainfall has been light but constant, with a pleasant, mild spring. There were not many frosts and the weather was generally calm. November 11: Quandong trees on the Golf Road, Merredin, flowering profusely, with a fragrant scent. November 18: Quandongs in blossom on the York Road. 49 December 11: The Quandong trees at No. 1 group are nearly all in blossom, some heavily. A tree which 1 had referred to as “barren” is now heavily in blossom, for the first time for some years. On December 12 1 examined the Dodder plant Quandong and found it to be heavily in blossom. However the Dodder vine, which is laden with large dull green berries, is taking its toll of the tree. Its crown is now almost bare of leaves where the Dodder is entwining it; only the outer branches have leaves and blossoms. A culinary note: Quandong fruit is very nice to cat, and many delicious and interesting recipes may be made from them. Quandong pies, with cream added, are delicious. Quandong puree, jam, preserves and chutney have all been tried and found very good. Recently Dr. Buttrose sent me a jar of dried Quandongs in sweet sherry, to be eaten direct or sweetened with sugar and cream added. They were delicious. The kernel from the Quandong nut is also nice to eat and may be roasted lightly in cooking oil and salt sprinkled over them. BIRDS OBSERVED ON A VISIT TO BERNIER ISLAND IN SEPTEMBER 1977 By MAX HOWARD, Carnarvon. INTRODUCTION Bernier Island is the northern-most island in the Shark Bay group of islands and together with Dorre Island it forms an “A” Class reserve, number 24869 for the conservation of flora and fauna. It lies about 30 miles west of Carnarvon. On September 20, 1977, Michael and Irene Morcombe and myself departed Carnarvon on the Nor-West Whaling boat Boullanger, to attempt to photograph if possible the Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) and the White¬ breasted Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), which are abundant on the island. We arrived on the island at 1700 hours the same day, and camp was set up in the bay just north of Redcliff Point. We departed the island at 0730 hours on September 24. The area searched from the campsite was about 2 miles north, 3 miles south and half mile west. LIST OF BIRDS OBSERVED Silver Gull, Larus novaehollandiae. The most common gull, found in large numbers around the shore line and offshore rocks. Pacific Gull, Larus pacijicus. Very common around shore line and offshore rocks. Very few immature birds sighted. Pied Oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus. Appeared to be the more common of the oystercatchcrs. One nest located with one egg on the beach near campsite. Sooty Oystercatcher, Haematopus fuliginosus. Several birds sighted on most days south of Redcliff Pt. Osprey, Pandion haliaetus. Common on parts of the island visited, three pairs sighted within three miles of campsite. One pair attempted nest building and another nest located with two young about one month old. White-breasted Sea-Eagle, Haliaeetus leucogaster. One nest containing two large young about two months old, located about half mile south of Redcliff Point. Welcome Swallow, Hirundo neoxena. Very common on parts of island visited. Australian Pipit, Anthus novaeseelandiae. Another common bird observed mainly on the beach at our campsite, and in the thicker scrub. Little Falcon, Falco longipennis. One bird only observed flying south along cliff face on the first day of our visit. However it was heard calling on all subsequent days, and it was observed flying away from cliff face, just north of our campsite. 50 Pied Cormorant, Phalacrocorax varius. The only cormorant sighted during our stay. It appears to be very common on the rocks, and off-shore islands. Turnstone, Arenaria interpret. The most common wader observed on all days on the island, observed on both rocky and sandy coastline. Variegated Wren, Malurus lamberti. Appears to be common on all parts of the island visited. A number of brightly coloured males were observed. Singing Honeyeatcr, Meliphaga virescens. Several birds sighted during our stay, and appears to be a common species. Reef Heron, Egretta sacra. One bird sighted (grey phrase) on off¬ shore island just south of Rcdcliff Point. Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus. One bird sighted on foreshore south of Redcliff Point. Grey Plover. Pluvialis squatarola. One bird sighted on the foreshore south of Redcliff Point. Crested Tern, Sterna bergii. Several birds sighted flying a short distance out to sea from our camp on most days. Red-capped Dotterel, Charadrius ruficapillus. Appeared to be a common bird on the foreshore, several parties of birds observed on all days. Field Wren, Calamanthus fuliginosus. This bird was observed on all days, heard calling on numerous occasions and would appear to be a common species, although it keeps well hidden in the small scrub. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to extend my thanks to Mr. Dave Dempsey and the crew of the Boullanger, without whose help the trip would have been impossible. The Fisheries and Wildlife Authority, Perth, gave us permission to visit the island. REFERENCE MEES, G. F. Birds of Bernier and Dorre Island, 1962, Fauna Bulletin No. 2 Fisheries and Fauna Department. FROM FIELD AND STUDY Chestnut-breasted Finch, Lonchura castaneothorax, at Osborne Park.— During the last few years the Chestnut-breasted Finch has been sighted at Osborne Park, usually feeding on the seeds of Winter Grass (Poa annua) growing in a patch of cultivated tomatoes near the edge of a sedge covered swamp. The garden is irrigated summer and winter. In August 1973 I saw six birds, and again in September 1975 when I counted 40 individuals, which remained in the area until the beginning of December. In July 1976, a similar sized flock was seen in my area. On July 3, 1977, 18 birds were counted feeding in a fairly tight group on green Winter Grass seeds growing thick amongst the tomato plants. When these finches were flushed off the ground they flew short distances before landing on the tomato stakes, and then one by one would alight on the ground to continue feeding. An adult male specimen with small gonads was collected on this day, now in the Western Australian Museum. (Registered number A15099). On July 7, 1977, only seven birds were counted. As I watched this small group feeding, I noticed a iarge male feral cat stalking the finches only a metre or two from the unwary birds. This species has recently been recorded at Herdsman’s Lake, about 2 km south of my locality. Presumably these birds comprise a breeding flock of escapees from local aviaries. —NICHOLAS KOLICH1S, Osborne Park. 51 Rufous Tree-Creeper, Climacteris rufa, on the Swan Coastal Plain.—* Seldom has the Rufous Tree-Creeper been recorded from the Swan Coastal Plain, and there are no records since those of W. B. Alaxander (Emu, 20: 149; 47: 282) near Perth between 1912 and 1920. The only specimens were collected at Wanneroo on August 1907 and now in the Western Australian Museum. Serventy (Emu, 47: 282) believed that it had quite disappeared from the coastal plain, though still resident in the Darling Range (plentiful in some parts, personal observation). I was surprised to observe two pairs in Tuart-Jarrah Woodland with Banksia at Balcatta, a Perth suburb. The precise locality was between Delawncy and Rickman Streets on the eastern side of Takari Primary School. The birds were seen entering hollows in the Tuarts. Nesting was not established. They were sighted several times between October 23 and December 10, 1974. —NICHOLAS KOLICH1S, Osborne Park. Rockhopper Penguin, Eudyptes chrysocomc, at Two People’s Bay.— During a recent holiday, a visit was made to the Two People’s Bay Nature Reserve on August 30, 1977. In the small cove east of the picnic area Dr. J. Hitchcock and I identified an immature Rockhopper Penguin which had been discovered by his sons. The bird was slowly swimming close inshore, rolling on its side and diving occasionally. It appeared to be in good condition except for an injured eye. The ranger at Two People’s Bay, Mr. R. Sokolowski was notified of the penguin and he kindly con¬ firmed the identification. Reference to Handbook of Australian Seabirds (D. Serventy, et al.) indicated that this bird was immature as it had pale, slightly protruding eyebrow stripes not reaching the base of the beak and lacked the adult filamentous crests. The bill was dull brown and the feet flesh coloured with black soles. The black throat and chin further suggest that this bird was probably between one and two years old. —G. F. U. BAKER, Furnissdale. Breeding after rain by the Australian Raven.—In “The Comparative Ecology of Australian Corvids. Ill Breeding Seasons” (CSIRO Wildl. Res., 1973; 18: 67-90) Rowley et al. could find no records of the Australian Raven (Corvus coronoides) breeding in autumn or after rain. On May 16 1974, I recorded a nest of C. coronoides 16 metres high in a Salmon Gum (Eucalyptus salmonophloia) at Manmanning, approxi¬ mately 150 km north-cast of Perth in the wheat belt of Western Australia. The bird was incubating five eggs and subsequently two fledglings left the nest. By ageing the nestlings from observations of the nest and allowing an incubation period of 20 days, the period of laying for the first egg would have been between April 25 and 30. The long dry summer characteristic of the Western Australian wheat belt ended early in 1974 when the first substantial rain fell on March 4 (33 mm). A total of 115 mm of rain fell from March 4 to April 23. At the same time maximum temperatures remained mild but normal for that time of year, i.e. the mean maximum for April was 20.2°C. Successful breeding was also noted in two other species in the same area: the Magpie Lark (Grallina cyanoleuca) and the White-browed Babbler (Pomatostomus superciliosus). This is the first published breeding record for C. coronoides at this time of year, when day length is decreasing. Rowley ( loc. cit.) recorded nest building by C. coronoides near Canberra in May 1964 but the nest was not laid in. He cited also a pers. comm, record of a local egg col¬ lector’s knowledge of autumn nesting. Similar behaviour (autumn breeding after rain) is well known for C. bennetti in Central Australia and was recorded for C. mellori in central New South Wales in 1969 following a drought Rowley (loc. cit.). It is also recorded for both C. bennetti and C. orru for Western Australia by Carnaby (IV.A. Nat., 4 (7), 1954) and Robinson (IV.A. Nat., 4 (8), 1955). —GRAEME CHAPMAN, P.O. Box 10, Glen Forrest, W.A. 6071. 52 Breeding stations of the Fairy Tern between Dongara and Lancelin, Western Australia. —During my avifaunal survey of the coastal strip and islands between Dongara and Lancelin from 1957 to 1964, no breeding colony of the Fairy ’l ern Sterna nereis was discovered but it was reported that Mr. 1. Edgar had previously found the species nesting on the sandy point opposite Edward island (Ford, Emu, 1965, 64: 184). Two breeding localities have since been discovered. On January 20, 1971, 1 found a colony of about 200 adults on the high part of the eastern beach of Boullanger Island, and made the fol¬ lowing breeding census: nests with one egg, 29; nests with two eggs, 7; nests with one egg and one chick, 3; nests with one chick, 15; and nests with two chicks, 8. On December 16, 1964, Dr. E. Lindgren found about 150 pairs with eggs and small downy chicks on the western beach of Whitlock Island. Some interesting additional records to the birds of Boullanger Island made on January 20, 1971 were: Grey Plover, Pluvialis sqiuitorola, 18; Large Sand Dotterel, Charadrius leschenaultii, 5; Bar-tailed Godwit, Limosa limosa , 3; Grey-tailed Tattler, Tringa brevipes, one; Common Sandpiper, Tringa hypoleuca, one; Sanderling, Calidris alba, 30; Red-necked Stint, Calidris ruficollis, 11; and Turnstone, Arenaria inter pres, 12. —JULIAN FORD, Western Australian Institute of Technology. Spotted Crake and Variegated Wren at Pelican Point. —On November 25, 1975 several Naturalists’ Club members saw a single Spotted Crake (Porzana fluminea) feeding along the edge of the sedge surrounding the lagoon at Pelican Point on the Swan River estuary, Perth. This was the first time the Spotted Crake had been observed at the Point. The bird was watched for several minutes and appeared to be a mottled brown immature, lacking the distinctive white spots of the adult, however the characteristic unbarred extensive white under-tail was noted. The tail was flicked continually as the bird moved. Throughout the winter of 1975 a party of fairy wrens (Malurus) were seen on several occasions at the Point, usually feeding in the Melaleuca bushes. The birds, numbering up to six, were in non-breeding plumage and were presumed to be Splendid Wrens (Malurus splendens). On October 7, 1975 it was noted that there was still no male in breeding plumage amongst the party. However, when they were next seen, on January 3, 1976, a male in the partially moulted plumage of the chestnut- shouldered group of fairy wrens was present. This bird had a dark grey- brown bill, glossy black lores, metallic blue cheek and ear-coverts, and a long, bright chestnut bar on each shoulder. The buff breast was speckled with dark patches. Considering the habitat Dr. D. L. Serventy believed these to have been the Variegated (or Purple-backed) Wren (Malurus assimilis) rather than either the similar Red-winged (M. elegans) or Blue-breasted Wrens (M. pulcherrimus). This would be at the extreme southern end of the species’ coastal range. It has not previously been recorded at Pelican Point. Evidence of breeding was seen on January 9, when one bird in non-breeding plumage solicited and received food from another. The male had progressed further into eclipse plumage by this date and was not noticed when the party was next watched on February 8, 1976. Other interesting sightings at the Point may be mentioned: September 5, 1975: Nine terns, probably Whiskered Terns (Chlidonias hybrida), September 22, 1975: One Grey-tailed Tattler (Tringa brevipes) in breeding plumage. December 16, 1975: One small tern, possibly a Common Tern (Sterna hirundo). February 17, 1976: Rick Curtis saw a Brown Goshawk (Accipiter fasciatus) catch and devour a Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis). March 24, 1976: Two Eastern Golden Plovers (Pluvialis dominica). —BRUCE CORFE, Cairns. 53 Brown Bittern in the Kimberley, Western Australia.—Condon (Check¬ list of the Birds of Australia, 1975) gives the distribution of the Brown Bittern, Botaurus poiciloptilus, as confined to southern Australia. There are no records of this species from the Northern Territory (Storr, Birds of the Northern Territory, Spec. Pubis. West. Aust. Mus., 1977 (7)), in Queensland it is confined to the wet south-eastern corner (Storr, List of Queensland Birds, Spec. Pubis. West. Aust. Mus., 1973 (5)), and in south¬ ern western Australia it is known from as far north as Moora, though the type locality of the subspecies westralensis Mathews was purported to be Shark Bay (Mathews, Novit. Zool., 1912: 18: 235). The first specimen (WAM A12495) from the Kimberley Division, Western Australia, was collected by W. H. Butler on October 22, 1971 at Argyle Lagoon, Ord River. It is a female with an unconvoluted oviduct, so may have been a young bird, but the skull is fully pneumatised. Specimens in the Western Australian Museum indicate that males average larger in wing and bill measurements than females (Table l). Amadon and Woolfenden (Am. Mus. Novit., 1952, 1564) had little material from Western Australia when they concluded that westralensis was a synonym of poiciloptilus. The mensural data in Table 1 support their con¬ clusion that Western Australian birds are not smaller than those in south¬ eastern Australia. TABLE 1.—MEASUREMENTS (mm) OF BOTAURUS POECILOPTILUS FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIA. WAM. Reg. Sex Wing Bill Tarsus Locality A759 6 347 72 100 — A10959 $ 338 73 102 North Dandalup A4978 S 324 73 102 Muchea A3677 $ 326 71 92 — A10036 $ 280 64 84 Herdsman Lake A4505 9 303 62 93 South Belmont A4494 9 302 66 91 South Belmont 8450 9 300 65 102 Pinjarra A3643 9 295 63 100 Swanbourne A12495 9 306 72 90 Argyle Lagoon —JULIAN FORD, Western Australian Institute of Technology. Two new occurrences of the Mediterranean Snail, Theba pisana (Muller), in Western Australia.—Travellers along Eyre Highway from the days before the present sealed road would not readily forget the old roadhouse at Madura, located at the foot of the Hampton Escarpment some 2 km west of the present facility. In the course of a visit to the now abandoned site in October 1976, I found a thriving population of the introduced Mediterranean Snail, Theba pisana (Muller) on bushes growing around the ruin and on the side of the escarpment nearby. As usual when gathered in the hand, the animals quickly emerged from the shells and became active. All shells seen were pallid, with the characteristic brown spiral markings either weak or absent. The native snails Bothriembryon barretti Iredale, Sinumelon nullar - boricum (Tate) and Angasella oligopleura (Tate) are common here and elsewhere along the Hampton Escarpment. There is as yet no evidence of any displacement of native species by T. pisana but the site would repay future checking on this aspect. In fine weather all three native species withdraw into crevices beneath rocks; B. barretti and S. nullarboricum may also burrow' into soil under vegetation. When collected, the native species tend to be much less active than T. pisana. Thus aestivation behaviour of the two groups of snails contrasts strongly. Whether the introduced species will be able to survive the droughts that affect the district from time to time remains to be seen. In September 1976, living specimens of T. pisana w r crc found by Mr. T. Hargreaves near his residence in Durlacher Street, Denham, Shark Bay. They are suspected by him to have been brought there on a vehicle 54 that had previously been left standing for several weeks at a snail-infested locality at Geraldton. This is the first authenticated record of T. pisana from Shark Bay, though there has been a previous, unsubstantiated report of snails in another part of the townsite. Whether the species will become established there permanently remains to be seen. Mr. Hargreaves’ suggestion on the source of these snails is likely to be correct. Once while changing a car wheel near Geraldton, I left some vehicle fittings on the ground by the road for about 10 minutes. On picking them up, several living T. pisana were found attached to or crawling on the fittings and could easily have been transported away. T. pisana now has a very wide distribution in south-western Australia and it is doubtful if there is a single coastal settlement or fishing spot between Kalbarri and Esperance without its population of this species. The motor vehicle has probably been the decisive factor in this range expansion. The Madura and Shark Bay records are the most peripheral to date for the species in Western Australia. The climates of the two localities are not dissimilar; Madura rainfall averages 247 mm and Denham 236 mm per annum, the six wettest months being March to August (winter) in both cases. Soils in both places arc strongly calcareous. The specimens are now in the collection of the Western Australian Museum. —G. W. KENDRICK, Western Australian Museum. The Little Shearwater