March Birds of the Yarra Valley 151 1976 ]

proached fairly closely in the car before it was disturbed, when it again flew south away from the creek and disappeared. An inspec­ tion of the nest showed that further leaves had been added since our last visit, probably at least a week previously. Leaving the nest I drove west about one kilometre where once again I observed a buzzard perched in a dead red gum. This time it flew north across the creek and was immediately hidden from view. We again returned to the partially lined nest and I commenced a thorough search eastward along the creek. I had only gone about 1OOm when I heard a rush of wings and saw a buzzard rising from quite close by. On this occasion I had not actually seen the bird perched, but had no doubt that it had risen from within a tree. After rejoining my father we drove west along the creek and while passing a point not far from our original sighting we saw a large dark bird perched in a red gum near the creek some distance from our track. We approached quietly on foot with the intention of trying to photograph the perching bird. We couldn't get very close before it took off but one photograph taken with a 400m lens identi­ fied it as a perching Black-breasted Buzzard. On December 7, my father and brother returned to Marrapinna to photograph a Little Falcon, Falco longipennis, with three young which we had discovered on our previous visit. On this occasion there was no sign of the buzzard despite a thorough search. Just why the buzzard ceased nesting activity is not known. Con­ ditions were ideal following the heavy winter rains, with an abun­ dance of rabbits and, presumably, other prey. Raptores were present in good number. Fork-tailed Kites were common and nesting. Collared Sparrowhawks, Brown Goshawks, Little Falcons and Whistling Kites were also nesting; present were Black-shouldered Kites, Brown Falcons, Wedge-tailed Eagles, Kestrels, a Little Eagle and a Spotted Harrier. On the two occasions I inspected the buz­ zard's nest with a nest-check mirror, disturbance was minimal. Possibly one bird of the pair may have been killed and all sightings could have been of the same bird. The most disturbing suggestion came from the owner of Marrapinna. He told me that he suspected that one or two egg collectors have been infiltrating the growing number of genuine bird-watchers visiting his station. The Black­ breasted Buzzard is a strikingly magnificent bird and it would be disgraceful indeed if this southerly extension of the breeding area were jeopardized by one selfish individual. Birds of the Yarra Valley, Ivanhoe, Victoria By Mrs. A.M. FLEMING, Ivanhoe, Victoria. INTRODUCTION: This paper gives an account of the status of bird species in the Wilson Reserve and Chelsworth Park, Ivanhoe, in the Melbourne Metropolitan area. Observations were made between January, 1970, and June, 1975. The two parks lie on the floodplain of the north bank of the Yarra, roughly halfway between Burke Road Bridge and the mouth Bird 152 FLEMING [ Watcher

of Darebin Creek. Park entrances are in the Boulevard and Irvine Road. HABITAT: Before White settlement, the Yarra Valley floodplain was full of swamps and billabongs in river woodland and swampy heath. Almost all of this habitat has disappeared but a small remnant survives in this area. The following habitat types are found: 1. River Woodland dominated by River Red Gum, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, with an understorey of Silver Wattle, Acacia deal­ bata, Tree Violet, Hymenanthera dentata, Coprosma quadrifida, andBottlebrush, Callistemon paludosus. A few clumps of Melaleuca persist, and such exotics as Weeping Willows, Sallows, Hawthorns, and Golden Poplars have been planted. No native ground cover is to be found; instead there is an infestation of Wandering Jew, Tradescantia sp. and Jerusalem Cherry, Solanum pseudocapsicum, where the ground has been disturbed by illegal worm digging. There are dense growths of Blackberries. 2. Ponds and Billabongs. The main billabong (a cut-off bend of the river) is virtually permanent, though it came close to drying up in January, 197 3, during a severe drought. It is fed by the Irvine Street drain (once a creek); when full it overflows into the river. Other ponds and billabongs are temporary; they must rely on floods to fill them and in long dry spells they dry up completely. The billa­ bongs support a number of reedbeds of Common Reed, Phragmites communis, Cumbungi, Eleocharis sp. and Bullrush, Typho angustifolia. 3. Rough grassland, left unmown with tall weeds such as Docks and Thistles. 4. Parkland: Sportsfields, golf courses and adjacent suburban gardens; mown grass with scattered native an exotic trees. Probably now the most widespread habitat in the metropolitan Yarra Valley. HISTORY OF THE AREA: The two parks originally formed part of a cattle property, the "Chelsworth" estate, from about 1840 on. In 1923, the area be­ tween the plan lines of Russell and Marshall Streets was offered for subdivision, but thanks to the efforts of Messrs. Wilson, Eiseman and Bailey, was acquired by public subscription and presented to the City of Heidelberg. Despite river pollution, its sandy beach re­ mains a popular bathing spot. The adjacent land upstream remained a dairy farm until 194 7 when it was acquired by the Heidelberg City Council. Some swamps were filled and drained in the course of the construction of the Ivanhoe Public Golf Course and the oval and sportsfields, but the main billabong remained. ( 1 ) It is hard to overstress its importance, now that so many others have been filled with rubbish; it attracts many of the birds which fly along the river valley, particularly in times of drought. Together, the Wilson Reserve and Chelsworth March ] Birds of the Yarra Valley 153 1976

Park offer about 29 hectares of varied habitat, only 9 kilometres from Melbourne's city centre. SPECIES LIST: 1. Black Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo. Single birds and pairs are seen flying along the valley. During the 1972-1973 drought one stayed all summer at the billabong. 2. Little Black Cormorant, P. sulcirostris. Occasional flocks (up to 20 birds) seen flying along the valley. About 10 birds visited the billabong on May 18, 197 5 but were very nervous. 3. Little Pied Cormorant, P. melanoleucos. Common resident, be­ tween two and six birds. 4. Little Grebe, Podiceps novaehollandiae. Occasional autumn and winter visitor. One very tame bird on billabong, April-June 1975; it began to show traces of breeding plumage about June 22. 5. White-necked Heron, Ardea pacifica. A visitor in dry seasons. One bird spent the winter in 1972; a pair divided their time between the billabong and nearby Rockbeare Park from January to June, 1975. 6. White-faced Heron, A. novaehollandiae. At least one pair is resident and breeds regularly. On November 25, 1973 a nest with four young birds was found thirty feet up in a Red Gum; three days later they had flown and two were feeding with one adult in a nearby shallow pond. As many as sixteen birds may feed together on the parklands in winter. 7. White Egret, Egretta alba. A dry season visitor. One spent winter and spring in 1972 but was not seen after late December. A pair seen regularly, March-June, 1975. 8. Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis. One bird with Little Pied Cormorants and a White Egret, June 1, 1975 and June 4, 1975. Its presence was suprising as no stock is kept anywhere closer than Burke Road Bridge. 9. Nankeen Night Heron, Nycticorax caledonicus. A roost was found on November 19, 1972 at the secluded east end of the billa­ bong. Up to thirty birds stayed till the drought broke in early February 1973 with heavy rain and flooding; they then dispersed. Since then the roost has been frequented by about eight birds in summer and autumn. 10. White Ibis, Threskiornis molucca. In May-July, 1970, a large flock fed regularly on the wet sportsfields; up to 50 birds were seen. In winter, 1971, they came only in groups of five and six. In the drought a couple of birds came in November and December, 1972, but in more recent wet winters none have been seen as they were presumably taking advantage of favourable conditions inland. In May-June, 1975, a couple were seen, after the driest summer and autumn in Melbourne for nineteen years; on June 13, 27 birds were feeding on the hockey field. 11. Straw-necked Ibis, T. spinicollis. Six birds accompanied the White Ibis flock once or twice in July, 1970. 12. Royal Spoonbill, Platalea regia. In November, 1972, a single bird was seen twice; at the same period one was regularly seen at Bird 154 FLEMING [ Watcher

Rockbeare Park where it made a 'squat' in the reeds. (L. Course, pers. comm.) 13. Yellow-billed Spoonbill, P. flavipes. One bird with flock of White Ibis, December 6, 1970. March-May, 1975, two birds regu­ larly at or near the billabong. 14. Black Swan, Cygnus atratus. Once common along the river, according to local residents, but now only an occasional visitor. (In winter, 1970, a pair bred at Warringal Park, Heidelberg.) Usually seen flying at a good height above the valleys of the Darebin Creek or the Yarra. One seen on the river, December 23, 1972. 15. Black Duck, Anas superciliosa. Very common breeding resident. Nests in hollow trees on the banks. On December 22, 1970, a duck was seen leading a clutch of eight fluffy ducklings to the water; the procession resembled a long furry scarf trailed along the ground. 16. Black-shouldered Kite, Elanus notatus. Single bints are seen from time to time, usually in winter, Commoner near the Chandler Highway or near Burke Road Bridge, where there is more open paddock. 17. Australian Goshawk, Accipiter fasciatus. Resident: the com­ monest local raptor, Immature birds seen every year. Often found skulking in thick wattle clumps where the alarm calls of Blackbirds and Honeyeaters draw attention to it. Under favourable perches, I have found the plucked feathers of Grey Fantails, Spotted Turtle­ doves and Starlings. A pair is often seen in gliding flight, circling above the trees. The Goshawk is mobbed by Magpies, Little Ravens and White Cockatoos. 18. Little Falcon, Falco longipennis. By no means uncommon along the Yarra Valley. In November-December, 1970, a pair nested in the district, rearing at least one young bird. 19. Nankeen Kestrel, F. cenchroides. Occasional visitor, but not uncommon in nearby paddocks, such as near Burke Road Bridge. 20. Crake, unidentified, Porzana sp. Two birds in cumbungi clump April 14, 1975. One bird flushed from same clump, with loud rattling "Crrrrk!" on April30, 1975. 21. Dusky Moorhen, Gallinula tenebrosa. Common breeding resident. 22. Swamphen, Porphyrio porphyrio. Occasional visitor; two winter sightings only. 23. Coot, Fulica atra. One bird with Moorhens during the drought, February 11, 1973. 24. Painted Snipe, Rostratula benghalensis. Probable sighting- a medium large, long-winged grey-brown bird, white underneath, which flushed from beside a small pond and flew off with one clap of its wings and slow floating wingbeats. Its flight was utterly unlike the whizzing, jinking action of true snipe, and its legs dangled, but it looked like a wader. It pitched into a reed-bed and was not seen again. Several people have since agreed it was probably a Painted Snipe. 25. Spurwing Plover, Vanellus novaehollandiae. Occasional visitor March Birds of the Yarra Valley 155 1976 ] with winter Ibis flocks. Quite often heard at night at all times of the year. 26. Japanese Snipe, Gallinago hardwickii. Two birds flushed from long wet grass beside the billabong, January 7, 1973 at the height of the drought. 27. Silver Gull, Larus novaehollandiae. In winter large flocks may feed on semi-flooded sportsfields, but more usually seen overhead, commuting between the Alphington rubbish tip and the freeway site at Burke Road Bridge, where they roost. 28. Domestic Pigeon, Columba livia. A number of flocks are kept locally and they regularly feed on the parklands. 29. Spotted Turtle-dove, Streptopelia chinensis. Common breeding resident; feeds on fallen seed under wattle-trees. 30. Gang-gang Cockatoo, Callocephalon fimbriatum. Usually visits in autumn when Hawthorn berries are available. Usually in small parties of four to six birds. One summer record, during the drought, January 21, 1973. On May 8, 1970, a party consisting of one adult male, one young male with a pale pink head, and four females were flying among the gums along the banks of Darebin Creek, not far from Wilson Reserve. They were noisy and seemed excited. The young male alighted on a gum branch, moved to the end of a bunch of leaves, and hung upsidedown by one foot with his wings spread and his crest raised for a moment, before the flock were chased away by Bell-miners. 31. White Cockatoo, Cacatua galerita. Frequent visitor in pairs and small flocks, particularly in winter. 32. Galah, C. roseicapilla. Occasional visitor in small flocks. Com­ mon at Banyule and at La Trobe University, particularly in winter. 33. King Parrot, Aprosmictus scapularis. Single male bird, February 26, 1974, and March 3, 1974. 34. Crimson Rosella, Platycercus elegans. One sighting only of a single bird. 35. Eastern Rosella, P. eximius. Occasional visitor at all times of the year; pairs and single birds. 36. Red-romped Parrot, Psephotus haematonotus. Moderately com­ mon breeding resident. Pairs or family parties feed on mown or rough grassland, or perch in Fennel and Jerusalem Cherry plants to eat the seeds. In winter, flocks may number as many as 25 birds. 37. Pallid Cuckoo, Cuculus pallidus. Spring and summer migrant. Locally less common than the Fantailed Cuckoo. Sometimes calls all night. 38. Fantailed Cuckoo, Cacomantis pyrrhophanus. Common and extremely noisy from July-August till December, and a few birds may be seen all year round. 39. Horsfield Bronze-Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx basalis. Infrequent summer migrant. Seen drought summer, 1972-1973 (single birds only), and in January, 1975, when Blue Wrens were seen feeding a young bird. It is mobbed by Blue Wrens, Brown Thornbills, White­ brewed Scrub-Wrens, and Little Grassbirds . 40. Boobook Owl, Ninox novaeseelandiae. Heard regularly in 1970 and 1971 but not since then. Bird 156 FLEMING [ Watcher

41. Tawny Frogmouth, Podargus strigoides. In 1970 a pair perched regularly in a large gum in the Wilson Reserve car-park. Last seen August 26, 1970. A local resident claims they were shot by a youth with an air-gun. 42. Spine-tailed Swift, Hirundapus caudacutus. Occasional summer sightings. March 12, 1975, hundreds flying from treetop height up, on a hot day shortly before a thundery change. 43. Azure Kingfisher, Alcyone azurea. One bird resident at billa­ bong, April-June, 1975. 44. Kookaburra, Dacelo gigas. Common resident. To judge by the volume and frequency of alarm calls, particularly from White­ plumed Honeyeaters, it is as much feared as the Goshawk. It has been seen to be attacked by Blackbirds and the Sacred Kingfisher. 45. Sacred Kingfisher, Halcyon sancta. Summer breeding migrant. Often seen fishing in the billabong but it also catches insects on the ground or intercepts them in mid-air. No records between late April and the end of September. 46. Welcome Swallow, Hirundo neoxena. Common resident and summer visitor. Much more numerous in summer. Commonly sun themselves on the cricket pavilion roof. On March 3, 1975, an un­ usually large flock were gathered near the pavilion, perching on the roof, gutters and power lines. More than a hundred were on the roof and may more were circling overhead or feeding above the playing fields. Some pairs hovered persistently under the gable eaves as if prospecting a nest-site and chattered as they tried to drive others away. The weather was cool and drizzly. A week later I could find only half a dozen. 47. Tree-Martin, Petrochelidon nigricans. Summer visitor. A few dre seen flying with the Swallows each summer; largest number was six seen regularly in the 1972-1973 drought. 48. Fairy Martin, P. ariel. One sighting, February 11, 1973, one bird resting on the pavilion roof with Welcome Swallows and Tree­ Martins. Both species of Martin are commonly seen in summer at Burke Road Bridge. · 49. Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina novaehollandiae. Regular summer breeding migrant. Odd birds stay over winter. They dispute tall tree3 with the Red Wattle-birds but join forces with them to mob Kookaburras. They extract large wood-boring grubs from under the bark of gums and wattles. 50. White-winged Triller, Lalage sueurii. Occasional summer records. 51. Blackbird, Turdus merula. Very common breeding resident in the undergrowth and adjacent gardens. Like other ground-feeding birds, they take advantage of the work of illegal worm-diggers. 52. Song-Thrush, T. ericetorum. Breeding resident but much less common than the Blackbird. Numbers fall off markedly in dry conditions. 53. Little Grassbird, Megalurus gramineus. Seldom seen, but heard in summer in suitable habitat. On March 10, 197 5 I had an excellent March Birds of the Yarra Valley 157 1976 ] view of two in the top of a Fennel clump; they had apparently come out of hiding to join Blue Wrens and Willie Wagtails in mobbing a pair of Bronze-Cuckoos in the tree above them. They allowed me to come within five feet as they hopped up and down the stalks with their tails cocked up, Blue Wren fashion. 54. Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus stentoreus. Common spring and summer breeder which sings furiously from about September to early February. They seem to be still present though silent till April and I have seen odd birds in mid-winter; perhaps they may be only partial migrants. They usually feed among the reeds close to the water but I have seen them chasing flying insects over the billabong -rather clumsily compared to the Swallows which were also feeding there. 55. Rufous Songlark, Cinclorhamphus mathewsi. Occasional sum­ mer migrant. Several birds frequented the park's grassy areas during the 1972-1973 drought. Their preference for long rough grass was marked; when one part was mown they deserted it. They were easily observed as they sang from the tops of shrubs and bushes. On De­ cember 30, 1972 a bird which may have been nesting reacted to my presence with a distraction display in which it crept along the ground with one wing spread and drooping, or scuttled about like a rodent. It was quite noisy and gave a number of calls, including a plaintive 'whee' like a Little Grassbird. 56. Blue Wren, Malurus cyaneus. Common breeding resident; very numerous in undergrowth, particularly the dense blackberries by the river. As one walks around the billabong, a dozen different family parties may be counted, and their total numbers must be high. Be­ tween March and July it is unusual to see a blue male, but an un­ usual plumage phase is quite often seen in late February-early March, having basically the brown immature plumage but also the light-blue ear-coverts, some of the cap, and the black line which marks the lower edge of the black breast-patch. Whether these birds are acquiring brown eclipse plumage I do not know. On Nov­ ember 18, 1973, two blue males were seen excitedly pursuing a female and singing loudly, while one male carried a Buttercup petal in his bill. 57. Brown Thornhill, Acanthiza pusilla. Common breeding resident in dense growth; their loud buzzing alarm note may refer to a bird of prey, a rat, snake, cat, or human. In late May, 1973, these calls drew my attention to two which were fighting, they lay on their sides on the ground, firmly grasping each other's legs and wings with their feet and looking as if they had fallen out of the bush above them. Three or four others and two Scrub-Wrens were perched in the bush and all the birds were buzzing loudly. The combatants were so absorbed that I was within a foot of them before they saw me and flew off. 58. YeUow-rumped Thornhill, A. chrysorrhoa. Occasional visitor, particularly in winter when small flocks sometimes accompany the Flame Robins. 59. White-browed Scrub-Wren, Sericornis frontalis. Common breed- Bird 158 FLEMING [ Watcher

ing resident. Each patch of dense cover seems to have its breeding pair but the nests are always very well hidden. Worm diggings attract them. 60. Flame Robin, Petroica phoenicea. A regular winter migrant; as many as twenty birds may be seen feeding on the sportsfield. On May 26, 1970, a small party was seen attended by an adult Fan­ tailed Cuckoo. 61. Southern Yellow Robin, Eopsaltria australis. Common breeding resident, particularly in the denser undergrowth. Another species to benefit from the worm diggers. 62. Grey Fantail, Rhipidura fuliginosa. Common breeding resident. 63. Willie Wagtail, R. leucophrys. Very common breeding resident. 64. Leaden Flycatcher, Myiagra rubecula. One record, August 7, 1970 - a male bird attacking its reflection in the window of a neighbouring house. 65. Restless Flycatcher, Seisura inquieta. Occasional summer sightings. 66. Golden Whistler, Pachycephala pectoralis. Resident in small numbers; more often heard than seen. Immature and juvenile birds seen. 67. Grey Shrike-Thrush, Colluricincla harmonica. Resident in small numbers. 68. Shrike-Tit, Falcunculus frontatus. Breeding resident in the river valley in small parties. · 69. Mistletoe Bird, Dicaeum hirundinaceum. Occasional winter visitor; sometimes in quite large flocks. 70. Spotted Pardalote, Pardalotus punctatus. Fairly common breed­ ing resident. 71. Striated or Eastern Striated Pardalote, P. striatus or P. ornatus. Occasional sightings only. 72. Grey-breasted Silvereye, Zosterops lateralis. Common breeding resident. Feeds on fruit of Coprosma, Tree Violet, Pittosporum, wild Cherry-plums and Apple trees. 73. White-plumed Honeyeater, Meliphaga penicillata. Very com­ mon resident. Always aggressive and alert for predators. Breeds regularly. One bird seen attacking a Fantailed Cuckoo, October 30, 1970. 74. Eastern Spinebill, Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris. Occasional winter sightings only. 75. Bell-miner, Manorina melanophrys. The Bell-miner colony was a well-known local land-mark until winter, 1974, when the last birds disappeared. Originally a large colony occupied the river bank in a continuous belt downstream from the Wilson Reserve car-park to the mouth of Darebin Creek and some way up that valley as well. (C. C. Bailey, pers. comm.) When my observations began in 1969, there were a number of breaks in this distribution, which several observant local residents blamed on the increasing numbers of Little Ravens in the district; there has been no habitat change in the area. In 1972 the car-park colony extended to the corner of the Boulevard March Birds of the Yarra Valley 159 1976 ] and Redesdale Road and to the foot of Nyorie Court, but in the spring and summer, 197 4, I was of the opinion that it had contracted somewhat and that there were fewer birds present in the car-park; at the same time there was a Little Raven's nest with two young birds in it only twenty yards from the Bell-miners' Red Gums. Next spring, there were no Bell-miners to be found and their trees had been taken over by Red Wattlebirds. On November 19, 1973, I saw a Bell-miner carefully picking out insects from a spider-web in the fork of a dead branch; it did not appear to be collecting the web itself. 76. Red Wattlebird, Anthochaera carunculata. Common breeding resident; sometimes present in very large flocks and sometimes only a few pairs. In winter they benefit from the flowering Yellow Gums and Ironbarks planted in Irvine Road and the Boulevard; they also make the most of any soft fruit available in summer. The breeding season seems to be long; I have seen birds feeding flying young at any time from mid-August up to February. Nesting birds collect spider webs from house eaves and window frames. 77. Red-browed Finch, Aegintha temporalis. Common breeding resident in small flocks in all rough grassy areas and among the tall weeds on the river-bank. They associate in feeding flocks with Blue Wrens, Goldfinches and Greenfinches. Their nests are numerous in such dense bushes as the Tree Violets and Coprosma on the edge of grassy areas. One nest with fledglings was found in late April, 1973; this seems very late in the season, even after a drought. 78. House Sparrow, Passer domesticus. Very common breeding resident around the cricket pavilion, where they nest in the roof and investigate the dust-bins. 79. Tree Sparrow, Passer montanus. Common breeding resident. In summer, they seem to prefer neighbouring gardens where water and soft fruit are available, but in winter flocks of about fifty birds feed on the oval and near the pavilion. They do not seem to investigate the dust-bins as the House Sparrows do. They will nest in roofs and gutters if there are no House Sparrows present and I have found their rather obvious nests in Hawthorn bushes. 80. Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis. Common breeding resident. Feeds in summer on long grass and thistles with Red-browed Finches; in winter on the oval with Flame Robins. 81. Greenfinch, C. chloris. Moderately common breeding resident. 82. Starling, Sturnus vulgaris. Very common resident; breeds in the pavilion roof and also in holes in trees. 83. Indian Myna, Acridotheres tristis. Very common resident, breeding in the pavilion roof and in holes and spouts in trees. They regularly enter dust-bins to forage, sometimes entering by a re­ markably small opening between the bin and the lid. 84. Magpie-lark, Grallina cyanoleuca. Common breeding resident. 85. Grey Butcher-bird, Cracticus torquatus. Moderately common resident. 86. White-backed Magpie, Gymnorhina hypoleuca. Common br~ed­ ing resident. Bird 160 WHINRAY and TIERNEY [ Watcher

87. Little Raven, Corvus mellori. Common breeding resident; seems to be increasing in the district. It takes advantage of every possible source of food - the Alphington tip, rubbish bins, compost heaps, bird tables, and free-range bantam chicks. Goshawks are mobbed very aggressively. APPENDIX: The following birds have been reported to me by others but I have not observed them myself: Chestnut Teal, Banded Landrail, Swift Parrot, Golden-headed Cisticola, Yellow-winged Honeyeater, Green-backed Oriole, Dusky Wood-Swallow. The following birds are escapees from captivity: Ring-necked Pheasant, Barbary Dove, Port Lincoln Parrot, Cockatiel. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: I wish to acknowledge the assistance by Mrs. Jill Moore who kindly identified plant specimens for me, and Ellen McCulloch who en­ couraged me to write this paper and edited it into shape. REFERENCES: (1) C. R. Cummins (ed.)- Heidelberg Since 1836, A Pictorial History. Heidelberg Historical Society, 1971. A recent record of the Black-shouldered Kite in Tasmania. Kents Group is in north-eastern Bass Strait about 90 km south-east of Wilson's Promontory. Three large and two small islands make up the group. Erith Island, about 390ha in area, is one of the large islands. It is leased from the Tasmanian Lands Department and cattle are grazed on it. The vegetation, which has been modified greatly by periodic burning, includes Drooping Sheoak woodland, scrub, tussock grassland and grassland of introduced herbs. On November 9, 1974 we noticed a white hawk when it rose from bushes at the top of the steep slope in from the head of Deepwater Bay, Erith Island. When we reached that spot the bird could be seen perched in a Drooping Sheoak about 200m to the south-east. We obtained a first description by using field glasses. The breast, belly, head and undertail were white. The upper part of the back was white also. The legs were yellowish. As the bird was in repose only the outer half of one wing could be seen. This was grey apart from a black patch on the shoulder. It was very difficult to be sure at the distance but either the bill or the orbital patch was black. The length from b:Jl to tail tip was estimated at 381mm. We tried to approach the bird but it rose when we were 150m from it. However it made no headway against· the gale blowing down into the bay and flew almost at right angles to the wind. This brought it right over us and only two or three metres above us. It was then carried out over Deepwater Bay and flew back and forth across wind. When last seen it was being carried in the direction of Garden Cove on nearby Deal Island. The flight over us was unexpected. As the bird approached we noticed that the black shoulder patches became arcs of black when the wings were extended and that the uppersides of the wings were