·so JOHNSON and HOOPER [ Watcher

The of the Iron Range Area of Cape York Peninsula By H. R . JOHNSON and Mrs. N. HOOPER. Melbourne SUMMARY An account of the birds that were observed by the members of the Bird Observers' Club during a campout at Iron Range, Cape York Peninsula, between August 2 and 19, 1970, with accompanying map. GENERAL T he camp-site was situated about six miles from the Iron Range Airfield, which was built originally for the transportation of troops to and from New Guinea during the 1939-1945 war, as was the road to, and the jetty at, Portland Roads. The site was 16 miles from Portland Roads, by the junction of the Portland Roads Road and the Wenlock Road, in an open area of Eucalyptus and Bladey-grass, on the bank of the Claudie River, which was 12 to 20 feet and very shallow at this time of the year. All camping equipment, including a Landrover and petrol supplies, was shipped on the s.s. " Maluka" from Cairns to Portland R oads. Three members of the party, who had travelled on the ship, and the well-loaded Landrover, arrived at the camp-site almost simultaneously with 40 members who had fl own in from Cairns about midday on Saturday, August 2, 1970. Due to the plane's capacity being 40 passengers, the eight other members of the party arrived on Wednesday, August 6. The ma in . party left Iron Range on August 16, followed by the other eight on August 19. The three sea-going members boarded the s.s. "Maluka". with all the equipment, on the 27th. T he Landrover was invaluable. In addition to bringing in the supplies from the ship, it was also used to collect prpvisions from the settlement 10 miles away, pick up mail and petrol from the Airfield, and the daily transportation of o bservers to different habitat areas. Another Landrover, which belonged to Mr. Les Holland, was used for three special trips to Mount Tozer, the Pascoe River, and to the old Lockha rt River Settlement area. A ll types of habitat, except , were within walking distance of the camp. TERRAIN Iron R ange is located at lat. 12° 47' S, and long. 143° 18' E. The area covered by the party extended from Portland R oads to the Lockhart River Settlement and Quintell Beach, along the Port­ land Roads Road and along the Wenlock Road to Mount Tozer. F rom Portland Roads to the camp the road undulates, varying in vegetation from coastal mangrove, giving way to melaleuca, scrub and bladey grass, with sandy soil and occasional dry water courses, up to wallum heath at its highest point, from where the view extends back to the coast on to Mount Tozer and the Dividing R ange. D ecember J Birds of Iron Range 81 1973

Beyond this point, the road descends to rain-forest, where the so il is heavier, tending to clay, passing over both wet and dry watercourses and more open eucalypt/ bladey grass country to the camp-site. From here, the Wenlock Road crosses the Claudie, the Middle Claudie and the West Claudie. Again, open eucalypt and rain-forest, the rivers winding through the latter with many dry, maze-like billabongs. This road leads to Mount Tozer. From the camp the Portland Roads Road passes over compara­ tively flat country, mainly through open eucalypt areas with rain­ forest in close proximity, to the Airfield. Passing the airstrip, the road continues through eucalypt and melaleuca country, with small touches of rain-forest, to the Lockhart River Settlement, which was moved up here from the Lockhart River Missio n in recent years. The Settlement is two miles inland from Quintell Beach, and the road winds down through further eucalypt forest and one or two dry sandy watercourses to the coast. are thick by the inlets and vie with scrub and vines on the sandy reaches. Some two miles south along this beach is the mouth of the Claudie River. Here, deep water in a tidal estuary is thick with mangroves and impassable. The outgoing tides leave vast sweeps of sand-banked shallow ponds to the low tide line up to three-quarters of a mile off shore. PERSONNEL Members who took part in the camp-out were as follows: ­ A.C.T.: Dr. A. and Mrs. Anne Cowan. New South Wales: Misses M. Cameron, L. Nardi, E. Pratt, M. Spinaze, D. Stenhouse, M. Talbot, Messrs. P. A. Disher, L. Holland, G. Stevens, E. Thomas, G. Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. G. Dibley, Mr. and Mrs. J. Harris. Queensland: Misses B. Durree. A. Griffin, and Mr. P. Ogilvie. Victoria: Misses C. Allen, H. Aston, G. Bowker, M. Field, D. Moroney, M. J. Officer, A. Raymond, S. Taylor, J. Thomas, B. Waite, Messrs. R. Cowley, J. de Blau, J. Dawson, J. Fordyce, R. Gill, L. Harvey, G. Henson, H. R. Johnson, R. Lowry, F. T. H. Smith, P. Thomas, Mesdames S. Bedggood, N. Hooper, K. Hough, B. Lew, Mr. and Mrs. SA. Lawrence, Mr. and Mrs. R . Sympson, Doctors D. Hollands, M. Seyfort, N. Wettenhall and Brigadier H. Officer. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Our thanks to Mr. Roy Wheeler for his organization over two years, to Mrs. Marion Cassels, Cairns, Miss Andre Griftln, Towns­ ville, the staff of the Lockhart River Settlement, Mr. and Mrs. Stan Rogers, Mr. Brian Dwyer, the staff and the nurses at the hospital, and to Mr. Jim King and his assistant of Portland R oads. Our thanks also to Mr. Les Holland for the use of his Landrover for the special trips, and to Brigadier H. Oftlcer, Messrs. F. T. H. Smith and P. Ogilvie for perusing and commenting on this paper. BIRDS OF THE AREA Bird life was abundant in every type of habitat. It was never silent. As the daylight calls ceased , the night so und s began, and 187 82 JOHNSON and HOOPER [ Bird W atcher species of birds were listed during our stay. We left just as the su mmer migrants were corning down from the north. The list that follows includes all the birds that are indigenous or migratory to this corner of the continent only: Palm Cockatoo, Red-sided (Electus) Parrot, Red-cheeked Parrot, Yellow-billed . Little Scrubwren, White-faced Robin, Green-backed, White­ streaked and Tawny-breasted Honeyeaters, Fawn-breasted Bower­ bird, Manucode, Magnificent Riflebird, and, as far as is at present known, Marshall's Lorilet. Previous visits to this area have been made by H. G. Barnard , 1911; Dr. W. Macgillivray and J. Kershaw, 1914; D. F . Thomas, 1935; G. Mack, 1953; Brigadier H. Officer, June 1961, 1965 and 1966; J. A. Bravery and M.S. R. Sharland, July 1966; L. Holland, October 1966, and 1970-71; T. Guthrie, July-August 1968, and L. Robinson, June 1969.

LIST OF BIRDS Cassowary, Casuarius casuarius. A single bird sighted occasion­ ally in rain-forest along Wenlock Road. Heard elsewhere on odd occasions. · Emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae, Aborigines at Portland Roads were seen with the carcase of an immature bird that they were a bout to eat. One bird was seen in melaleuca scrub near the old Lockhart River Mission site. Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Puffinus pacificus. Six birds off Cape Weymouth. A raft of shearwaters was also seen off Portland Roads. Wilson Storm-Petrel, Oceanites oceanicus. A flock of over 200 birds out to sea off Portland Roads was almost certainly this species. Australian Pelican, Pelecanus conspicillatus. Single bird reported once at Quintell Beach. Brown Gannet, Sula leucogaster. Up to four birds seen at Portland Roads on several occasions. Australian Darter, Anhinga rufa. One bird at the Pascoe R iver. Pied Cormorant, Phalacrocorax varius. One bird in mangroves at the mouth of the Claudie River, 18.8.1970. Greater Frigatebird, F·regata Minor. One adult pair seen at Port­ land Roads. At the mouth of the Claudie River four adult birds, three male, one female, were seen in the stream of over 100 Lesser Frigatebirds, 15.8.1970. Lesser Frigatebird, F. ariel. This species was always present at all coastal areas and was occasionally sighted inland as far as. Mount Tozer. One bird at Portland Roads was observed carrying a stick. At the mouth of the Claudie River continuous small flocks, up to 30 adult birds, were seen flying steadily south into a strong breeze with scarcely a wing beat. White-faced Heron, Ardea novaehollandiae. Single birds or pairs reported from all areas, up to 10 birds on tidal flats at the mouth of the Claudie River. Mangrove Heron, Butorides striatus. One or two birds frequently seen at Portland Roads. December Birds of Iron Range 83 1973 ] IRON RANGE CAMP AREA SCALE MILES 2 3 4 I I I I J I ~ KILOMETRES

' ' ~dd/e Reef

Weymouth Bay

Griffith

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D~loyd Island d N "'"'' _ s_c_r-ub_b_y_·_.- :o }> z lloyd Bay G) "'

I I I

Showing .area covered in the survey .,84 JOHNSON and HOOPER [ Bird Watcher

White Egret, Egretta alba. Single birds or pairs reported from all coastal areas, and one bird seen in vicinity of the camp. Little Egret, E. garzetta. Single birds seen at Quintell Beach and the mouth of the Claudie River. Plumed Egret, E. intermedia. Single bird s seen at Portland Roads and along the road to the Airfield. Reef Heron. E. sacm. Up to ten birds, five white, five grey, always at Portland Roads, one white bird at Quintell Beach. Nankeen Night Heron, Nycticorax caledonicus. Odd birds in mangroves at Portland Roads, including one immature, two birds seen harrying a Black Butcherbird on the road to the Airfield. Jabiru. Xenorhynchus asiaticus. Single birds reported from the mouth of the Claudie River and from the Settlement. White Ibis, Threskiornis molucca. One bird reported from the Airfield. Straw-necked Ibis, T. spin!collis. Two bi rds always at the Airfield and two at the old mission site. Magpie-Goose ( = Pied Goose), Anseranas semipa!mata. One flock of 110 at mouth of the Claudie River, one wounded bird cap­ tured by A borigine at lagoons near the Settlement. Flocks passing over camp nightly at 7.30 p.m. were most likely this species. Magpie­ Geese are considered "good tucker" by the Settlement aborigines. who maintain a heavy hunting pressure on them. Black Duck. A nas superciliosa. Three birds seen on lagoons near Restoration Beach. Local rumour consid ered that these lagoons carried very few aquatic birds of any kind due to the presence of crocodiles. Black-shouldered Kite, E!anus notatus. One seen regularly in the Airfield area. Crested Hawk. A viceda subcristata. Seen occasionally in the camp area and once at the Settlement. Fork-tailed Kite. Milvus migrans. Seen once in the Airfield area and once at the Settlement. Red -backed Sea-eagle. Ha!iastur indus. Two birds always present at Portland Roads. single birds in all coastal areas. Whistling Eagle, H. sphenurus. Seen frequently all areas, mostly si ngle birds. Grey Goshawk, Accipiter novaehollandiae. These birds, includ­ ing one white, were seen daily within five miles of camp. One pair was attending a nest in the camp area, at a height of 40 feet. Seen to take a bat in full flight in daylight along the Airfield Road, also harried by White Cockatoos and Eclectus Parrot. Australian Goshawk, A. fascial us. Seen in all areas over all types of habitat. Collared Sparrowhawk, A. cirrocephalus. Reported in the vicinity of the Airfield, Quintell Beach, camp, along the Wenlock Road and the old Lockhart Mission site. Little Eagle Hieraaetus morphnoides. Reported from camp, Wenlock Road and the road to the Airfield. D·ecember J Birds of Iron Range 85 1973

Wedge-tailed Eagle, Aquila audax. Sighted occasionally most areas, single and in pairs. White-breasted Sea-eagle, Haliaeetus leucogaster. Seen regularly at Portland Roads and Quintell Beach, occasionally over rain-forest near camp and along the Wenlock Road. Osprey, Pandion haliaetus. One pair constantly attending a nest near the Airfield, seen carrying a fish. Singles and pairs seen in all coastal areas. Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus. Reported once at the Airfield. Little Falcon, F. /ongipenn!s. Seen twice; camp area and Airfield Road. Nankeen Kestrel, F. cencfzroides. Recorded from the Airfield vicinity only. Brown Hawk, F. berigora. Reported from all coastal areas, the camp and the Airfield . Scrub-Fowl, Megapodius freycinet. Present in all rain-forest, par­ ticularly near water. frequently perched high in tall trees. Its loud calling during the night did not endear this bird to some campers. Many new and old mounds were recorded. Brush-Turkey, Alectura lathami. Present in all rain-forest, some­ times noted roosting high, to 70 feet, in tall rain-forest trees. Some old and new mounds were recorded. Brown Quail, Synoicus ypsilophorus. In bladey grass along Port­ land Roads Road. King Quail, Excalfactoria chinensis. One pair identified in culti­ vated fodder along Airfield Road. Red-backed Quail, Turnix maculosa. In roadside grass along Wenlock Road. Chestnut-backed Quail, T. castanota. At least one in weeds and bamboo adjoining rain-forest at camp area. Brolga, Crus rubicunda. Seen at the Airfield, flying over camp and eighteen birds on the tidal flats at the mouth of the Claudie River. The latter were stalked unsuccessfully by an Aborigine with a rifle. Pied Oyster-catcher. Haematopus ostralegus. Two birds at the mouth of the Claudie River and old Lockhart River mission site. Masked Plover, Vanellus miles. Up to 12 birds always at the Airfield. Red-capped Dotterel, Charadrius alexandrinus. A few observed at both Quintell Beach, 50 +, 21.8.1970, and the mouth of the Claudie River. Mongolian Sand-Dotterel, C. mongo/us. Up to 30 reported at Quintell Beach and similar numbers at the mouth of the Claudie River, all non-breeding plumage; 150 +, Quintell 21.8.1970. Large Sand-Dotterel, C. leschenaultii. 20 birds reported at both Quintell Beach and the mouth of the Claudie River, all non­ breeding plumage. Eastern Golden Plover, Pluvia!is dominicus. Two birds at the Airfield, 5.8.1970; one seen at Quintell Beach, 13 seen on 21.8.1970, and up to ten at the mouth of the Claudie River all visits. 86 JOHNSON and HOOPER [ Bird Watcher

Turnstone, Arenaria interpres. A single bird at Quintell Beach. Japanese Snipe, Gallinago hardwickii. Single birds seen at the Air­ field and at the camp river crossing. The latter disturbed several times sought cover in the rain-forest. Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus. All coastal areas with up to ten birds as mouth of the Claudie River. Eastern Curlew, N. madagascariensis. Odd birds at Quintell Beach and the Claudie River mouth ; 24 on one occasion at Port­ land Roads. Greenshank, Tringa nebularia. A single bird observed at the mouth of the Claudie River. Common Sandpiper, T. hypoleuca. Up to fo ur birds at Quintell Beach and Portland Roads. Single birds at other ocean areas. Grey-tailed Tattler, T. brevipes. At all coastal areas, with up to 14 birds reported from the mouth of the Claudie River, all in non­ breeding plumage. Wandering Tattler, T. incana. Calls heard at Claudie River mouth, 15.8.1970, suggested this species, but its presence can only be regarded as possible. Terek Sandpiper, X enus cinereus. @ne bird reported at Quintell Beach. Great Knot, Calidris tenuirostris. Single birds at Quintell Beach and the mouth of the Claudie River, 15.8.1970. The latter non­ breeding plumage but fairly heavily marked on the breast. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, C. acuminata. Single bird Quintell Beach. 21.8 .1 970. Red-necked Stint, C. ruficollis. Flocks at Quintell Beach, 100 +, and the mouth of the Claudie River, 50 +. All non-breeding plumage. Southern Stone-Curlew, Burhinus magnirostris. Heard in the camp area, seen at the Airfield aqd Portland Roads area. Nocturnal dance and display observed near camp. Beach Stone-Curlew, Esacus magnirostris. Pairs recorded from Quintell Beach, 3 seen 21.8.1970, at the mouth of the Claudie River. Silver Gull, Larus novaehollandiae. A few birds were at all coastal areas; one in partial immature plumage at the mouth of the Claudie River. Caspian Tern, Hydroprogne caspia. Odd birds at Quintell Beach and the mouth of the Claudie River. Gull-billed Tern, Sterna nilotica. Odd birds, including two immatures, seen at Quintell Beach and the mouth of the Claudie River. Black-naped Tern, S. sumatrana. Two birds at the mouth of the Claudie River, one with the attractive pink suffusion of breeding plumage. Ten birds at Portland Roads, 17.8.1970. Sooty Tern, S. fuscata. Single birds seen at Quintell Beach and Portland Roads, where the bird was chased by a Lesser Frigatebird. Little Tern, S. albifrons. Of the six birds seen at the mouth of the Cla udie River, one, was in breeding plumage. little Scrubwren at nest

P l n l c I•} l"'l10to by Davfd H olland.'i JOHNSON and HOOPER [ Bird Watcher

Crested Tern, S. bergii. One bird seen at Portland Roads, while up to 14 were at the mouth of the Claudie River. Lesser Crested Tern, S. bengalensis. On one occasion 15 birds were seen at the mouth of the Claudie River. White-capped Noddy, Anous minutus. Twenty, on one occasion only, at Portland Roads. Red-crowned Pigeon, Ptilinopus regina. Possibly two pairs reported along Portland Roads Road. Observed building and attend­ ing nest at least 100 feet up on August 10 and 11. Sitting on nest for the remainder of our visit. Purple-crowned Pigeon, P. superbus. Recorded a few times in rain-forest in camp area, along Wenlock and Airfield roads. Wompoo Pigeon, Megaloprepia magnifica. Seen frequently and heard calling constantly in all rain-forest. Three nests reported in camp area at 10, 25 and 35 feet, two with one egg each. One immature bird was also observed. Torres Strait Pigeon, Ducula spilorrfzoa. Recorded in mangroves at Portland Roads, two in rain-forest i1ear camp, seven birds flying at the mouth of the Claudie River and three birds flying south over Portland Roads Road, near camp. White-headed Pigeon, Columba norfolciencis. Reported at edge of rain-forest along Wenlock Road. Brown Pigeon, Macropygia amboinensis. Seen and heard fre­ quently all rain-forest areas. Bar.. shouldered Dove. Geopelia humeralis. Single birds and small flocks to a dozen or so birds seen in most open eucalypt areas. Peaceful Dove, G. striata. Small numbers at Portland Roads, Pascc~: River, fringes of Iron Range A irfield, and in some open eucalypt areas. Grc~n-winged Pigeon, Cha!cophaps indica. Present in all rain­ forest. One bird sitting on a nest in camp area. Rainbow Lorikeet, Trichoglossus haematodus. Flocks to ten birds uver most areas; appeared to be more numerous in the vicinity of the Airfield and Quintell Beach. Fig Parrot ( = Marshall's Lorilet) , Opopsitta diophthalma mar­ shalli. Excellent views of both sexes of this species were obtained by almost all of the party. They were seen in and flying over all types of habitat, including the mangroves at Portland Roads. Two records of the female in and leaving nesting holes in the rain-forest. Palm Cockatoo, Probosciger aterrimus. :Singles and pairs in all areas. Two reports of males displaying and rubbing against tree limbs. White Cockatoo, Cacatua galerita. A large flock at the Airfield, 70-80 birds; also seen singly and in much smaller flocks in all areas. Red-sided (Eclectus) Parrot, Eclectus pectoralis. Singles and pairs, mostly male. flying over all areas. One female was frequently seen entering, leaving or looking out of a nesting hollow in a huge tree, about I 00 feet up, at the West Claudie River crossing. This tree atso contained several nests of the Shining Starling. ExceJient December ] Birds of /ron Range 89 1973 views were obtained of five male and four female parrots in a nearby tree. One of the calls of the female sounds more like a toy trumpet than does the call of the Manucode, and was at first con­ fused by most campers with that bird. Red-cheeked Parrot, Geoffroyus geoffroyi. Scattered through all areas, mostly seen in swift flight. Activity in a nesting hollow reported along the Wenlock Road. Ten females disputing a nesting hollow along the Airfield Road. One call of this bird is strikingly similar to a call of the Noisy Miner. Pallid Cuckoo, Cuculus pallidus. Reported once from open eucalypt along the Portland Roads Road. Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo, Cacomantis castaneiventris. A few birds reported in rain-forest along Wenlock Road and camp area. One report at Portland R oads. Fan-tailed Cuckoo, C. pyrrhophanus. Most often reported singly from the Airfield vinicity, with odd reports from other areas. Horsfield Bronze-Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx basalis. Seen in most rain-forest and its fringes. Little (Rufous-breasted) Bronze-Cuckoo, C. minutillus. Singly and in pairs in, and close to, all rain-forest areas. Single birds, lack­ ing the reddish eye and orbital ring, but with all other features oi the ad ult of this species were seen in two separate areas. Pheasant-Co ucal, Centropus phasianinus. Present in many patches of grass and eucalypt scrub. · Boobook Owl, Ninox novaeseelandiae. Heard from camp area on two successive nights onl y. Papuan Frogmouth, Podargus papuensis. One pair flushed on several occasions from a Pandanus Palm on the rain-forest fringe near the Airfield. Each time the birds flew into rain-forest, and on one occasion gaves a series of quiet "ooms". Also heard, and seen by spotlight, in the camp a rea. White-tailed Nightjar, Caprimulgus macrurus. Heard calling in camp area on several occasions. Frequently flushed all areas, particu­ larl y from dry pandanus leaves. Grey Swiftlet, Collocalia spodiopygia. Commonly overhead all areas, mainly feeding. Azure Kingfisher, A lcyone azurea. Frequently observed in man­ groves at Portland Roads and Quintell Beach. Occasional reports from all areas. Little Kingfisher, A. pusilla. Regularly seen in an inlet in man­ groves at Quintell Beach, once viewed catching a fish. One report from rain-forest near the camp. Blue-winged , Dacelo leachi. Observed in most areas, mostly open eucalypt and mangroves. , macleayi. Regularly seen in all areas, more often in the open eucalypt country. , H . sancta. In good numbers in all mangroves, particularly Portland R oads, A few in other areas. Mangrove Kingfisher, H . chloris. Regularly observed in man­ groves at coastal areas. 90 JOHNSON and HOOPER [ Bird Watcher

Yellow-billed Kingfisher, torotoro. Present in all rain­ forest. F requently heard calling. Rainbowbird, Merops ornatus. Common all areas. This bird appeared to be building up in numbers and moving south, but observations were not sufficiently detailed to confirm or refute this. Several were seen on track by camp dust-bathing, 21.8.1970. Noisy Pitta, Pitta versicolor. Occasionally heard calling from rain-forest, including the camp area, during the day and at dusk. Once heard about 9 p.m. Later it was seen by several members. Welcome Swallow, lii,rundo neoxena. Present, not in large num­ bers, at the Airfield, beaches and some open areas. Tree Martin, Petrochelidon nigricans. In flocks to about 50 birds at the Airfield, along the Airfield Road and over eucalypt and open areas. Fairy Martin, P. ariel. To 20 birds at the Airfield on most days. Australian Pipit, Anthus novaeseelandiae. One bird only defi­ nitely identified at the Airfield on our arrival. Later, two birds were seen. Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike, Coracina novaehollandiae. Common in eucalypt area around the Airfield, ~cks ~50 +. Also reported from all areas, mainly open eucalypt. White-breasted Cuckoo-Shrike, C. hypoleuca. Singles, pairs and small flocks in open eucalyptus and scrub in coastal areas, the Air­ field and settlement vicinities. One immature bird was identified. Papuan Cuckoo-Shrike, C. papuensis. Meticulous observers were a ble to separate this bird from C. hypoleuca in several areas, mainly among scattered trees near the Airfield. Barred Cuckoo-Shrike, C. lineata. Mainly seen high in rain­ forest fig trees. Cicada bird , Edoliisoma tenuirostre. One female reported near camp in rain-forest edge. Male sighted near Airfield. White-winged Triller, Lalage sueurii. A few birds reported from most areas. Four females feeding on lawn at the old Lockhart River Mission site, 8.8.1970. Varied Triller, L. leucomela. Present in all rain-forest edges and adjacent eucalypt areas. Northern Scrub-Robin, Drymodes superciliaris. Common all rain-forest. Although frequently heard, this bird was difficult to observe unless called-up by repeating its low whistle. Grey-crowned Babbler, Pomatostomus temporalis. Parties observed in most open eucalypt areas, carrying nesting material near Portland R oads. Birds appeared to resemble the Victorian race rather than that of Central Australia. Tawny Grassbird, Megalurus timoriensis. A few observed in areas of dense bladey grass. Lovely Wren, Malurus amabilis. Parties in all areas, favoured bladey grass and vines on edge of rain-fo rest, seen to fly up into the rain-forest. Red-backed Wren. M. me/anocephalus. Well distributed in bladey g rass a reas.

92 JOHNSON and HOOPER [ Bird Watcher

Black-throated ( = Fairy) Warbler, Gerygone pa!pebrosu. Com­ mon in all rain-forest and mangrove in coastal areas. Observed feeding flying young and nest building. (This bird can be easily mistaken for the Green-backed Honeyeater.) Large-billed Warbler, G. mugnimstris. A few records from rain­ forest near the Airfield. Mainly recorded from coastal areas. At Quintell Beach a nest of cobwebs and root fibres, 24 inches long, suspended 10 feet high over water, was being constructed on the 11th. One bird collected root fibres, the other cobwebs, b::Jth work­ ing together. On the 13th a bird was reported sitting in the nest. Buff-breasted Warbler, G. !evigaster. Only three rec::Jrds in man­ groves and vine scrub at Quintell Beach. Little Scru bwren, Sericornis beccarii. Present in all rain-forest, and in vines and tangled growth on its fringes. Two eggs in nest on the 4th were hatched by the 6th. Wide variation of plumage noted among a dozen birds at the West Claudie 5.8.1970. Large-billed Scrubwren, S. magnirostris. Present in all rain-forest and some vine scrub patches. Observed nest-building on the 11th. Lemon-breasted Flycatcher, Microeca flavigaster. Widespread in most areas in eucalyptus and edge of rain-forest. Little Yellow Robin ( = Flycatcher), M. griseoceps. At first campers experienced difficulty in separating this bird from the Lemon-breasted Flycatcher, but later it was reliably reported from all areas, mainly in rain-forest and its fringes. Mangrove Robin, Peneoenanthe pulverulenta. Only reported from mangroves at Portland Roads. where several were noted; a male was seen feeding a female sitting on a nest. White-browed Robin, Poecilodryas superciliosa. Fairly wide­ spread in all areas in open eucalyptus and rain-forest fringes. One pair at a creek crossing near camp was frequently observed in the same small area. Yellow Robin, Eopsaltria australis. Reported twice from the same area of open eucalypt on the Portland Roads Road. White-faced Robin, Tregellasia Leucops. A strikingly-marked little bird who endeared itself to all campers. It was common in all rain-forest. Grey Fantail, Rhipidura fuliginosa. Seen in all areas regularly. Rufous Fantail, R. rufifrons. In good numbers in all rain-forest. Northern Fantail, R. rufiventris. Seen in all a reas, mainly in open Eo rest. Leaden Flycatcher, Myiagra rubeculu. Present in all areas, numerous in some eucalypt areas. Broad-billed Flycatcher, M. ruficollis. A few birds observed in mangroves and melaleuca at Quintell Beach, at the mouth of the Claudie River and Portland Roads. Shining Flycatcher, M. alecto. Present in all rain-forest, usually along watercourse. Also seen in coastal mangroves. Boat-billed Flycatcher, Machaeri·rhynchus flaviventer. Present in all areas of rain-forest and in open forest along its edges. December J Birds of Iron Range 93 1973

Frill-necked Flycatcher, Arses lorealis. Good numbers in all rain-forest. Present, but less common, in open eucalypt areas. Spectacled Flycatcher, Monarcha trivirgata. Well distributed in numbers in all rain-forest and its fringes. One immature bird near the Airfield. White-eared Flycatcher, M. leucotis. Not common, but reported from all areas of rain-forest and fringes, where it usually kept high in the trees. Rufous Whistler, Pachycephala rufiventris. Present in all eucalypt areas. Grey Whistler, P. griseiceps. Moderately common in all rain­ forest areas and adjacent eucalypt areas. Grey Thrush, Colluricincla harmonica. Seen and heard in all open eucalypt areas though not plentiful. Rufous Thrush, C. megarhyncha. Widespread in all rain-forest and eucalypt areas. One male was observed displaying with cocked tail and drooping wing action. Striated Sittella, Neositta striata. Widespread mainly in eucalypt areas, but moving into rain-forest and its fringes. Mistletoebird, Dicaeum hirundinaceum. Common and very vocal, widespread all areas and habitats. Yell ow- breasted Sun bird, N ectarinia jugularis. Present in all areas and habitats. Female seen carrying nesting material on the 3rd. A nest in the camp area by the river was completed by 23.8.1970. Immature birds at Portland Roads. Grey-breasted Silvereye, Zosterops latera/is. Recorded all areas, in and near rain-forest. The Iron Range birds appear to have wider orbital rings than southern birds. Yellow Silvereye, Z. lutea. Recorded once in mangroves at Quin­ tell Beach. Green-backed Honeyeater, Clycichaera fa/lax . Present in parties in all rain-forest, usually quick in movement, high in the outer leaves of rain-forest trees. White-streaked Honeyeater, Lichmera cockerelli. Present usually, though not numerous, in many eucalypt and wallum areas. Observed feeding flying young near the Airfield. Dusky Honeyeater, Myzomela obscura. The common honeyeater, widespread all areas in both open eucalypt and rain-forest. One bird put on a fluttering distraction display and attacked an observer who approached a fledgling on the ground. Red-headed Honeyeater. M. erythrocephala. Parties seen in mangroves at Quintell Beach, in mangroves, nearby melaleuca and scrub at Portland Roads. Collecting cobwebs at the mouth of the Claudie River. Scarlet Honeyeater, M. sanguinolenta. One party in scrub and melaleuca at Portland Roads. Banded Honeyeater, M . pectoralis. Reported only from the Air­ field areas, once seen feeding flying young. Only one bird was reported as "definitely had spangled back". 94 JOHNSON and HOOPER [ Bird Watcher

Graceful Honeyeater, Meliphaga gracilis. Well scattered all areas. Tended to prefer eucalypt areas. Many observers had difficulty in discriminating between this bird and M. notata. Lesser Lewin Honeyeater, M. notata. Common and vocal in all areas especially rain-forest. Yellow Honeyeater, M. {lava. In open eucalypt areas, at Portland Roads and the Settlement, but sparse in numbers. Varied Honeyeater, M . versicolor. Numerous in mangroves at Portland Roads where its combined singing tended to drown all other bird calls. Tawny-breasted Honeyeater, M. flaviventer. Widespread in rain­ forest and eucalypt areas. Its greater size attracted attention when among other honeyeaters. Observed building nest near the camp. White-throated Honeyeater, Melithreptus albogularis. Present in most open eucalypt areas, common in some. Observed feeding young in a nest, also feeding flying young. Blue-faced Honeyeater, Entomyzon cyanotis. Recorded twice at Portland Roads in melaleuca, once from old mission site. Helmeted Friarbird, Philemon novaeguineae. Present in good numbers in all areas. Silver-crowned Friar-bird, P. argenticeps. Only two records of this species, at Portland Roads and along the track to the Pascoe River. White-breasted Honeyeater, Ramsayornis fasciatus. One report of two birds seen on the Wenlock Road. Brown-backed Honeyeater, R. modestus. A few observations from most areas in open eucalypt, mangroves and melaleucas. Party recorded at the mouth of the Claudie River. Red-browed Finch, Aegintha temporalis. Flocks, incl uding many advanced immature birds, in bladey grass, vines, etc. in open eucalypt and rain-forest fringes. This Cape York race is paler about the head and has dark under tail coverts. Shining Starling, Aplonis metallica. Flocks to 30 birds passing over, several nesting trees, one with birds always present and attend­ ing nests near the West Claudie River. Olive-backed Oriole, Oriolus sagittatus. Present in all areas, especially open eucalypt. Yellow Oriole, 0. flavocinctus. Widespread in all areas, mainly rain-forest and mangroves at Portland Roads. Yellow Figbird, Sphecotheres flaviv entris. Common, parties to over 40 birds in all rain-forest. Spangled Drongo, Dicrurus bracteatus. Present in small numbers in all open eucalypt and in some melaleuca. Magpie-Lark, Grallina cyanoleuca. One party only of up to 35 birds always at the Airfield. White-breasted Woodswallow, Artamus Leucorhynchus. Mainly observed in small flocks to 50 birds in coastal areas, also at the Settlement and passing over the camp. Pied Currawong, Strepera graculina. Only two birds seen near the mouth of the Claudie River. These birds appeared to have more December J SMITH, Gibberbirds 95 1973 white in the wing and a different call to their southern counterparts. Pied Butcherbird, Cracticus nigrogularis. Reported once from old mission site. Black Butcherbird, C. quoyi. Frequently reported from rain-forest areas, its fringes and mangroves at Quintell Beach. Spotted Catbird, Ailumedus melanotus. Not common but seen and heard in most rain-forest areas. Fawn-breasted Bowerbird, Chlamydera cerviniventris. Occasional sightings from scrubby and open eucalypt areas and mangroves at Portland Roads. One bower was discovered in a tangled area in open eucalypts about four miles from Portland Roads. The bower was extremely neat and tidy, it was decorated with green berries among the twigs and out on the front platform. The walls ran north and south, were approximately 15 inches high, 3 inches thick, with an 8 inch slightly undulating floor between them. The front platform was 11 inches long from south to north and the back platform was 16 inches long. The bird was observed "painting" the walls which were, centrally, stained brown. Manucode, Phonygammus keraudreni. Heard and seen in most rain-forest. Magnificent Riflebird, Ptiloris magnificus. Very vocal, commonly heard in all rain-forest. Although females were more frequently seen, most observers enjoyed at least one sighting of the resplendent male. Two full displays were also observed. Australian Crow, Corvus orru. Eight birds reported from the Air­ field and seven from Quintell Beach.

Notes on Gibberbirds, Ashbyia lovensis By FRED T. H. SMITH, Kew, Victoria. On April 21, 1973, with Robert Swindley and Don Teese, a stop was made near the 61 mile post north of Broken Hill, New South Wales, on the Silver City Highway, in a somewhat undulating area of gibber, to see if the above species could be located. When about 90 metres west of the roadway two Gibberbirds were seen feeding in short, very sparse vegetation amid open gibber, on the gently sloping side of a long rise in the ground. On approaching the birds more closely, only one bird, apparently the duller hued female, was still moving about feeding; the other bird could not be seen. On scanning the immediate vicinity with binoculars the more brightly coloured bird was noted sitting in a small ground hollow, which proved to be a nest with three apparently fresh eggs. The bird, a male, ran from the nest, then began flapping its rather rounded wings over its back and calling some short notes of alarm at the same time. Occasionally, duririg this performance, a short burst of attractive undertone song was heard. The bird sometimes ran with wings slightly drooped, in which posture it resembled a small rodent, or walked about more upright, 190. ADDENDUM [ Bird Watcher

All our observations were made around the eastern end of the island, as shown on the accompanying map. The differences between the June and July counts need not imply changes for the popula­ tions present in the area, as there are extensive areas of mud-flats to the west, to the north between Sunday Island and the mainland and to the east around Scrubby Island, Dog Island, Horn Island and C1onmel Island. Flocks of Oystercatchers were seen to fly east towards Clonmel Island in June and July, and other waders were seen flying towards the mainland in March. Exploration of these areas might reveal that much larger numbers overwinter here. It is noteworthy that the winter of 1973 was unusually mild. We thank Messrs. F. T. H. Smith, J. Hyett and Roy P. Cooper for comment on our observations, Mr. B. Hill for drawing the map,, and Mr. and Mrs. C. Tivendale of the Para Park Game Reserve Co-operative Ltd., for enabling us to visit Sunday Island. G. W. and K. A. Johnstone, Windsor, Victoria, 21/9 I 1973.

ADDENDUM In the paper on "The birds of the Iron Range area of Cape York Peninsula" by H. R. Johnson and Mrs. N. Hooper, it is stated that "Previous visits to the area have been made by G. Mack. 1J53." George Mack was the author of a paper, "Birds from Cape York Peninsula, Queensland", which appeared in the Memoirs of the Queensland Museum, Vol. 13, Part 1, pp 1-39, that was published! on 14th December, 1953, but the actual field work was carried out by D. P. Vernon, the present Ornithologist to the Queensland) Museum. It is of interest to note the circumstances behind this work, which is possibly the most extensive biological collecting survey that has been carried out in this area. A number of Archbold Expeditions, which were associated with. the American Museum of Natural History, New York, had visited New Guinea between 1933 and 1939. The marked similarity in flora and fauna of Cape York Peninsula and New Guinea has long been known, and in 1948 it was arranged with the Queensland authorities that another Archbold Expedition would visit Cape York Peninsula. It was agreed that a member of the Queensland Museum staff should accompany the narty and collect for the State Museum, and D. P. Vernon. who was then a senior Preparator of the Museum, was selected. He joined the party at Portland Road and remained }n the field for four months, from May 29, 1948, to September 27, 1948: He returned with 507 birds. 135 mammals, together with 34 reptiles and a series of invertebrates in spirit; "a very fine single effort in the time available". The 507 birds represent 140 species; of these 134 species ( 474 specimens) collected in eastern Cape York Peninsula from Portland Road in the north to Cooktown district in the south are recorded in this paper by Mack.-Ed.