The Robust Silvereye was a common bird on Lord Howe Island (Australia) until 1918. The people in this old photo (for which I was given permission to use) would have been familiar with this bird. The photo was taken at Lord Howe when all the locals assembled for a picnic celebration to welcome the first visit of the New South Wales Governor, Sir Dudley de Chair on 5th September 1927 who went there on the HMS Melbourne. Why the Robust Silvereye became extinct: A small freighter called the MAKAMBA struck a reef just of Soldiers Cap on 14th June, 1918 and was towed to Ned's Beach where she grounded. Tons of Copra and produce was thrown overboard and the big black rats came ashore from the ship to feast on this. This resulted in a rat plague on Lord Howe that was the ultimate end of the Robust Silvereye and some other species of birds. The rats fed on the eggs and nestlings. The Robust Silvereye was extinct within three years of the Makamba grounding. A Tug travelled from Sydney to salvage the Makamba and towed it back for repairs. It remained in service for many years. A couple of interesting facts on this photo. This photo and some others were lent to me to scan. It is now owned by Jack Tilton, now 86 years old. His mother, Mary Ruby Ackerman and her young son, Jack, then 7 years old - sailed on the Makamba from Sydney to Lord Howe Island in 1927 where they remained for a short time. Marion was a teacher at the school and Jack remembers he attended the school. Jack still remembers how rough and uncomfortable a trip it was on the Makamba for it was mainly a freighter, but accommodated a small amount of passengers. He also remembers a bounty of 6 sixpence per rat, dead or alive. The rats still are on Lord Howe Island today, but kept under as much control as possible. Rats are great survivors. He identified two people in this photo. His mother is sitting next the Neil Christian whose family is descended from Fletcher Chrisian of the Bounty fame. He believes he is one of the children. The Robust Silvereye is part of Empkens next bird pack for his Songbird Remix series, called Threatened, Endangered and Extint 2. Hope you enjoyed my presentation of a bit of History. Jan