\—»w <2M?m lii^fVa S«» ^ 0X3 M^V; . v ^ A^v> llV-^ rik , : ^. 3 if - - : -I -i ,. ,. -- ^ /? A FOR THE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY .inn. it- The Emu Q ■Z7\^ v3 Hf A Quarterly Magazine to popularise the Study and Protection of Native Birds. OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUSTRALASIAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION. Editors: A. J. CAMPBELL and H. KENDALL. VOL. III. — 1903-4. 24Te Clio arm* : WALKER, MAY & CO., PRINTERS, 25 MACKILLOP STREET 1904. '0 6 rS^/S. S& *>1 EDITORIAL NOTE. The third volume of The Emu is now complete. During the three years of its existence the career of the Australasian Orni- thologists' Union has been one of steady and uninterrupted progress. Its success has been largely due to the support of those members who guaranteed subscriptions for the term named, who, it is to be hoped, will continue their invaluable help. In that case it may be possible to realize an aim the editors have had in view from the inception of The Emu — to give it a higher scientific tone, one more on a level with the highest class of ornithological magazines of the world. But to gain this end members must, as heretofore, give whole-hearted support by forwarding contributions, while not forgetting the very necessary subscriptions. According to the food (material aid) the natural Emu receives, so will its dress appear — lustrous or otherwise. The same with the literary Emu. What doings of the Austral Union this journal may yet record ! Besides the primary plank — the scientific study of the avifauna — there are other great considerations well worthy of attention : traffic in birds, their wanton destruction, their national value, especially to the farmer, orchardist, &c, not to mention their aesthetic bearing, without which the sum total of human happiness can never be complete. NOTE. — It would greatly assist the editors if contributors, when for- warding MSS., would kindly give both scientific and vernacular names of birds. CONTENTS OF VOL. III.— 1903-4. Acanthiza, A New, 69. Acanthiza, Descriptions of the Eggs of two Tits, 237. Acanthiza from W. Australia, Descrip- tion of a New, m. Acanthiza tenuirostris (Zietz), Exten- sion of Locality, 68. Acanthiza, Description of the Nests and Nestlings of Certain, 102. Alexandra Parrakeet in W. Australia, "5- Australian Magpies, Remarks on Some New Species (G. longirostris, Milligan, and G. dorsalis, Camp- bell), with Reflections on the Re- vision of the Genus Gymnorhiiiie, Hall, 202. Australian Oology, Another Decade in, 168. Aust. O.U. — Hobart Congress, 141 ; President's Address, 142 ; Orni- thological Outings, 159 ; Balance- sheet, 164; Report, 166. Avicultural Magazine, The, 242. Bird "Charmed" by a Snake, 241. Bird-Lore, 128. Bird Protection in Great Britain, 1 1.7. Bird Protection in Other Lands, 124. »■ Birds Blown to Sea, 186. Birds of Paradise, Protection of, 241. Birds, Sociability of, 189. Blackbirds and Vine Caterpillars, 233. Bower- Birds, Playground of the Tooth- billed, 188. British Museum, 78. Brookton, W.A., Some Notes from, 104. Brown's River (near Hobart) Notes, 56. Bullfinch and Canary Singing, 127. Bustard (Eupodotis australis) in N. Queensland, Breeding Seasons of the, 68. Butcher-Bird, Black, 58. Butcher- Birds, Rufous v. Black, 189. Button-Quails in Queensland, 235. Cairns Notes, 62. Camp Data, 1 20. Can and Do Birds Reason ? 243. Casterton (Vict.) Notes, 69. Central Queensland, Some May Notes from, 115. Channelbill, The, 233. Clarke Island (Bass Strait) Notes, 62, 191. Clermont (Q.) Notes, 125. Close Season for Ducks and Quails in Victoria, Alteration of, 198, 244. Close Seasons, Amendments in W.A. Column of, 117. Cockatoo, Southerly Range of Long- billed, 116, 189. Coloured Figure Fund, 80. Coloured Plate, The, 248. Correction, 132. Cormorants of N. Zealand, The : a Study in Variation, 1. Correspondence — Anomalous Close Seasons, 244; Aust. O.U. or Austral. O.U., 138; Natural History Notes in the Victorian School Paper, 80 ; Some Questions re Nomenclature, 245. Crows, Crafty, 187. Destruction of Birds on Lake Conne- warre, 80. Development of Colour in the Definitive Feather, The, 59. Drought on Birds, The Effect of, 113. Duck, The Freckled, 233. Eagle, The Wedge-tailed, in N. Queens- land, 123. Eagles, 8. Eagles at Close Quarters, 128. Eagles, Large Clutches of, 185. Eagles, Wedge-tailed, 187. Emu, A Sympathetic, 242. Emu Bones from King Island, 113. Emu, Extinct Tasmanian, 229. Emu Nests in N. Queensland, 116. Fantail, Devotion of a Black and White, 187. Fantails' Nests, " Tails " of, 186. Finch, A Painted, in Captivity, 188. Fitzroy River, N.W. Australia, Notes on a Collection of Bird-skins from the, 40. Flight of the Albatross, The, 129. Flower Memorial, The, 140. Flycatcher in a Customs Shed, A, 185. Flycatcher in a City, 186. From Magazines, 72, 126, 194, 241. Galah Note, A, 56. Galahs, 185. Grey Shrike-Thrush as a " Bird of Prey," 185. Contents of Vol. 111. — 1903-4. Guildford (W.A.), Notes from, 226. Gymnorhina, Description of a New, with Observations on G. dorsalis, Campbell, 96. Gymnorhinee, Observations on the Western, 177. Harriers, Note on the Breeding of the, 190. Homestead Notes (N.Q.), 112. How Gannets Dive, 56. Instinct or Sight, Do Birds Find Food by ? 115. Koel's Egg, An Authentic, 185. Kolora (Vict.) Notes, 117. Kurrajong (Gladstone, Q.) Notes, 236. Lamu Archipelago (East Africa), Birds of the, 238. Land Birds at Sea, 126. Late Clutches of Dottrels, no. Late Clutches of Larks, 55. Laughing Jackasses, 1 13. Launceston Notes, 118. Locust Fungus, 8. Lorikeet, Red-crowned, 188. Magpies as Weather Prophets, 241. Maluri, a Modification, 58. Members, About, 197, 247. Migration, &c, of Birds, Cooktown District, N. Queensland (1902), Notes on, 47. Mirafra, Description of a New Sub- species, 231. Motionless Wings, The Ascent of Birds on, 130. Murray Swamp Notes, Some, 235. Mutton-Bird Rookery, New, 235. Native Game in Victoria, Close Season for, 244. Naturalist, The Victorian, 241. New Zealand Birds, Notes on Some, 122. Nomenclature, Some Questions re, 245. North American Check-List, The, 118. North-West Cape, Birds Occurring in the Region of the, 30, 89, 171, 207. Notes and Notices— Congress, 139 ; Mr. R. Hall, 139 ; Second Coloured Plate, 139. Nude Cockatoos, 55. Nutmeg-Pigeons, Protection of the, 77. Nutmeg (Torres Strait) Pigeon, The, 181. Obituary, 79, 247. Oological Specimen, A Unique, 114. Otway District, 61. Owl and Great Kingfisher, 113. Owl in Curious Plumage, 113. Owls in Captivity, 61. Oyster Cay, N. Queensland, A Trip to, 45- Pardalotes in Fairy Martins' Nests, 186. Pardalote's Eggs, Variable Clutch of, 233- Pelicans, Protection of, 195. Penguins, Little, 232. Perennial Moult and Original Feathering of Wing, 131. Performing Parrots, 122. Philippine Museum, Bulletins of the, 127. Poisoned Grain, Destruction of Birds by, 130. Port Darwin District, N. Aust, De- scriptions of Birds' Eggs from the, 54- Phlohs leucotis (Lath.), The Plumage Phases of, 43, 234. Quails, 121. Reason, Can and Do Birds? 243. Regent-Birds, 187. Reviews — " Parrakeets," 78, 137, 197; "Natural History of Antarctica," 133 ; "Nests and Eggs of Birds found Breeding in Australia and Tasmania," 136. S.A. Society for the Protection of Birds, 200. Siberia, From Northern, 185. Sittclla tenuirostris, 1 14 ; S. leucoptera, Extension of Locality, 233. Snakes on King Island, 59. South-Western Notes, Some, 38. Spring Notes, Early, 119. Stirling Range, Notes on a Trip to the, 9- Stray Feathers, 55, 112, 185, 233. Striking Wire, 114. Sub-species, The Exaltation of the, 243. Swallows on 'Change, 112. Tasmania, Some Birds Peculiar to, 23, 81. Tasmanian Notebook, From a, 213. Tasmanian Oology, 234. Tasmanian Ornis, Some Rectifications in, 179. Tawonga (Vict.) Notes, 64. Vernacular Names, 138. Vernacular Names, Some Notes on, 51. Western Australia, A Natural History of, 126. Western (Vict.) Notes, 190. Wilmot (Tas.) Bird Notes from, 49, 108. Wood-Swallows as Honey-eaters, 112. Wood-Swallows Eating Honey, 68. Wongan Hills (W.A.), Notes on a Trip to the, with a Description of a New Ptilotis, Part L, 217. Xerophila and a New Acanlhiza from W. Australia, Description of, 69 ; A', leucopsis, 7° > X- castanei- ventris (Milligan), Nests and Eggs of, 120. Yanchep, Notes on Lake, 20. Zanzibar (E. Africa), The Birds of, 192. Illustrations in Vol. 111. ILLUSTRATIONS IN VOL. III. Nest of Black Duck {Anas superciliosd) ... ... ... plate i Taking Nest of White-tailed Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus baiidini) plate ii Home of Rock Field- Wren and Blue-breasted Wren ... ... plate iii Rookery of Sooty Terns, Upolu Bank, Great Barrier Reef ... plate iv Heads (natural size) of Gym?iorki?ia longirostris and G. tibicen ... plate v Chestnut-faced Owl, showing remnant of nest-down ... ... plate vi Adelia Penguin (Pygoscelis adelitz) ... ... ... ... plate vii Colonel W. V. Legge, F.Z.S., &c. (first President of the Aust. O.U.) plate viii Scrub-Tit {A cantJwi-nis magna) and Nest ... ... ... plate ix Gymnorhiita dorsalis — Immature female, mature male and female plate x Play-ground of Tooth-billed Bower-Bird (Sce?wpcFits dentirostris) plate xi Dead Black and White Fantail and Young, found after a flood ... plate xii Ouandong {Santaluni) Tree, showing " Emu Berries " ... plate xiii In the Wongan Hills ... ... ... ... ... plate xiv Haunt of Redthroat, Chestnut-rumped Tit, &c. ... ... plate xiv Old Egg-mound of Gnou or Mallee-Fowl (Lifioa ocellata) ... plate xv Carter Honey-eater {Ptilotis carteri)... ... ... ... plate xvi Brown-headed Honey-eater {Melithreptus brevirostris) ... plate xvi (Official (Drgzm of the Jtustntlasian (Ornithologists' (Bnion. Birds of a feather.' Vol. III.] ist JULY, 1903. [Part i. The Cormorants of New Zealand : a Study in Variation. By Captain F. W. Hutton, F.R.S., Christchurch. ALTHOUGH everyone allows that the different kinds of animals have had common ancestors, it is acknowledged to be a very difficult task to draw up a genealogical tree with any approach to accuracy. No one, perhaps, can realize fully this difficulty unless he has himself tr ed to reconstruct some portion of it. Yet the temptation to try is very strong, because we see that if we could trace out the history of an order, or of a family, or even of a large genus, we should at once obtain most interesting information about the origin of variations. Indeed, it is only by comparing a large number of pedigrees that we can ever arrive at sound conclusions as to the cause of variations. When we feel this temptation very strongly upon us — when, indeed, it becomes irresistible — we should look out for a group of animals in which all the conditions of life are as simple as possible ; for this removes many difficulties and uncertainties out of our way. Among the sea-birds the conditions are simpler than among land-birds, and New Zealand is particularly well situated for their study. I have therefore chosen the New Zealand . Cormorants — generally known as Shags — as a test for current theories of variation ; not intending to make it a close and formal investigation of the species — for which our knowledge of the habits and changes of plumage of the birds is not yet sufficient — but merely a light sketch, showing the way to a more elaborate study at some future time. I must, however, say a preliminary word about pedigrees in general. When only two species are concerned, we have either A derived from B, or B derived from A, or both A and B derived from an extinct species, C. This last is probably often the case, but as we cannot reproduce the extinct species, and as probably one of the new species will bear a closer resemblance to the 2 Hutton, The Cormorants of New /calami. [ist'july common ancestor than the other new species, we may take the former to represent the common ancestor. In a few cases this may lead us astray ; but among so many uncertainties we must do our best, and it is quite certain that we can never trace any pedigree at all if we are to wait until we know the complete chain. I make this explanation so that I may not be misunderstood when I say that one of our species is descended from another. I only mean that what I call the older species resembles the common parent more than does what I call the new species. It would be tedious to have to state this every time. Cormorants are found all over the world except in Polynesia east of New Guinea, the Louisiade Archipelago, and New Caledonia. This is surprising, because fish, on which Cormorants feed, are very abundant round the Polynesian Islands. Another remarkable circumstance is that all the birds, from all parts of the world, are considered to belong to one genus — Phalacrocorax — which, however, can be divided into several sub-genera. Most of them live amongst rocks on the seashore, but some prefer rivers and live far inland. These latter generally build their nests in trees, considerable numbers consorting together. The New Zealand seas contain more different kinds of Cor- morants than any other part of the world. While we have i 5 species, there are only 12 in North and South America, only 7 in Asia, only 6 in Africa, only 5 in Australia, and only 3 in Europe. Our Cormorants can be divided into three groups. The first consists of five species, three of which are also found in Australia, and can be distinguished by their black legs and feet. The second group contains only two species, both endemic,* which have yellow or orange legs and feet and a double crest on the head. The third group consists of eight species, all peculiar to the New Zealand seas. These have pink or reddish legs and feet, and the crest is either single or absent. The first group evidently comes to us from the north. The Pied Shag ( P. varius), which is one of the two endemic species, is closely related to P. gouldi and P. hypoleucus of Australia. The second endemic species is P. brevirostris. This and P. mclano- leucus, which occurs in the Moluccas, Australia, and New Cale- donia, are so closely related, and have so many intermediate links, that some naturalists are inclined to consider them as varieties of one species. Now, if P. mclanoleucus is descended from P. brevirostris, it must have been developed in New Zealand and then migrated to Australia. If, on the contrary, P. brevi- * Used in the same strained sense as by Darwin, in his "Origin of Species," to imply a species that is confined to a particular locality, 'the derivation of the word (eu, in or amongst ; demos, the people) hardly justifies this use, and the term is usually confined to medical science. — Eds. Vu!9o1-11'] HUTTON, The Cormorants of Neiv Zealand. 3 rostris is descended from P. mclanoleucus , individuals of this latter species must have come to New Zealand from Australia or New Caledonia, and have given rise to P. brevirostris in New Zealand. The latter seems to be the more probable, because P. melanoleucus is also related to P. pygmaius of the Mediterranean and Central Asia. So that geographical distribution would lead us to suppose that P. brevirostris was derived from P. melano- leucus and the latter from P. pygmceus. There is confirmatory evidence of this in the fact that P. brevirostris is a very variable species, apparently not yet capable of breeding truly, while P. melanoleucus is not variable, but an old and well-established species. P. pygmceus is black, with scattered white plumes on the head, back, and abdomen. P. melanoleucus is black above and white below, with a white frill on each side of the neck. P. brevirostris is black, with a white chin and throat. So that if the evidence from geographical distribution and from variability can be trusted, the descendants of P. pygmceus, as they travelled south- wards, acquired a pure white breast and abdomen. But when some individuals reached New Zealand a new change took place, and the breast and abdomen became black. Why was this ? Can any explanation be found ? Some ornithologists would explain the variations in P. brevi- rostris as cases of partial albinoism, or of intercrossing with P. mclanoleucus. But if the variations were due to albinoism we should expect the white to appear on the upper as well as on the lower surface, and to be unsymmetrical ; while P. melano- leucus is not sufficiently common in New Zealand to allow us to suppose that the abnormal birds are hybrids. I think, there- fore, that we find a simpler explanation of these variations in occasional reversion to ancestral characters. Evidently the origin of the variation in P. brevirostris is not to be found in the surrounding conditions. For if this were the case other Cormorants with white breasts and the same habits, like P. varius, would have been similarly affected. It seems more probable that the variation was due to a partial reversion to P. pygma?us, and that the reversion is not yet complete, so that the plumage of the immediate ancestor — P. melanoleucus — often appears. Then, supposing the variation to have arisen by reversion, how has it been preserved ? Natural selection is out of the question, for the character is not a useful one. Cormorants have no enemies in New Zealand, and a black abdomen cannot be better than a white one when fishing, for so many Cormorants are white on the lower surface. Again, the idea of sexual selection does not satisfy me. Supposing a. dark variety arose and two A Hutton, The Cormorants of New Zealand. | Ist "july dark birds took a fancy for each other ; why should their offspring have the same partiality for dark breasts ? Why should they not prefer white ones ? There seems to be nothing to make the preferences take a particular direction ; and without this the new variations would not become fixed. Perhaps dark birds were driven away and were obliged to pair together. Or perhaps some dark birds may have become physiologically isolated from the rest. We want to know much more about the breeding habits of the birds before we can form an opinion. There is still one other point. P. brevirostris, when young, is entirely black, and the white chin and throat come afterwards. Why, after commencing with the entirely black plumage of P. pygmceus, should there be a partial advance in the white throat ? I can offer no explanation of this ; but a white throat is a feature found in the young of other species. The second group of New Zealand Cormorants (P . punctatus and P. featherstoni) forms the sub-genus Sticticarbo, in which the South American species, P. gaimardi, is also included. The third group forms the sub-genus Leucocarbo , and, in addition to the New Zealand species, contains four from South America and one from Kerguelen Island. The facts are too scanty to enable us to say which way the second group has travelled. It may, however, be possible to learn something about the migrations of the second group. Our species of Leucocarbo may be divided into a carunculated section, containing P. carunculatus , P. onslowi, and' P. traversi, and a non-carunculated section, containing P. stewarti, P. cam p- belli, P. colensoi, P. ran/urlyi, and P. chalconotus ; and, as the skin on the lores is at first smooth and then becomes granulated, I suppose that the carunculated section is descended from the non-carunculated section. Again, many of the species are characterized by having white bars on the wing-coverts and lower back, which do not appear until the birds are mature. Consequently we may assume that the species with these white bars are descended from those without them. All the carun- culated species, except P. verrucosus , from Kerguelen Island, have white bars on the wings, and all but P. verrucosus and P. traversi have white dorsal bars. This is confirmatory evidence of the carunculated having descended from the non-carunculated section. Of the non-carunculated species P. stewarti is the only one in which both bars are present, and therefore it must be looked upon as the connecting link between the sections. In P. colensoi and P. campbelli there is an alar bar but no dorsal one, and the alar bar is very narrow in P. campbelli . In the South American species, P. bougainvillii and P. magellanicus , there is no alar Vol. III. I. III.-] iqo3 J HUTTON, The Cormorants of New Zealand. bar. So that we have a series from P. stewarti to P. magellanicus. We see the same thing in the colouration of the throat and neck. In P. magellanicus both are dark. In P. bougainvillii and P. campbclli the throat is white and the neck dark ; while in P. colensoi both neck and throat are white. Finally, the young of P. colensoi and P. ranfurlyi have the neck black as in P. campbelli, and it only becomes white when the bird is mature. The evidence is, therefore, pretty good that P. magellanicus represents the prototype from which the others have come. P. chalconotus is entirely black, but as the colours of the skin on the face and gular pouch are exactly like those of P. stewarti, I look upon it as a black descendant of that species, especially as it has occasionally white feathers on its lower surface. The carunculated species from' South America {P. atriceps and P. albiventer), as well as the Kerguelen Island P. verrucosus, differ from the New Zealand forms in having no feathers on the gular pouch, and we must consider them as descendants of New Zealand forms, as they are more specialized. If this is correct, the white bars on the wings and back must have been lost by P. verrucosus. Now, if there is any truth in these speculations it follows that our third group of Cormorants came into the southern ocean by South America, from whence they spread to New Zealand. Here they underwent considerable alteration, and these altered forms re-migrated to South America, and some, at last, found their way to Kerguelen Island. Ranfurlyi Traversi Verrucosus J Albi venter... Kerguelen Island. South America. Onslowi Carunculatus Chalconotus V New Zealand Stewarti I Colensoi I Campbelli I Magellanicus ... ... South America. Supposed Genealogical Tree of the Sub-Genus Leucocarbo. P. carunculatus has lost its crest. P. chalconotus and P traversi have lost the white dorsal bar ; and P. ranfurlyi has lost caruncles, crest, and dorsal bar. 6 HUTTON, The Cormorant a of New Zealand . [istjuly The earliest known fossil Cormorants are from the upper eocene in England, and there are miocene species in France and in Patagonia. At this time we know that the land route from Australia to New Zealand had been broken up. But could the birds have spread from South America to New Zealand under the present conditions ? I think not, because the crossing from New Zealand to the neighbouring islands, or from the islands to New Zealand, must be very rare, and none have spread into Polynesia. Cormorants cannot be blown to sea like land-birds, and when these wide migrations took place there must, I think, have been more antarctic land than now. But this must have been islands only, or else the South American land-birds would have migrated with the Cormorants. Again, as to the origin of the variations. The white alar bar was a new character acquired by P. colensoi, and the white dorsal bar another new character first acquired by P. stewarti. How did they arise ? Not by amphimixis. It is impossible that the simple blending of the sperm and ovum could have produced characters which never existed in any of the ancestors of either parent. Nor by the action of the environment, because it is impossible to connect the origin of white feathers on the wings and back with the weather or with any of the surrounding objects ; especially as in P. chalconotus the changes have been in the opposite direction, and not only have the white alar and dorsal bars been lost, but the whole of the under surface has turned black. P. chalconotus and P. stewarti live together in Stewart Island, and even inhabit the same shaggeries, so that it is impossible that these opposite variations could have been caused by external conditions. Can we account for them by sexual selection ? Take, for example, the origin of the white alar bar in P. campbelli, or the white dorsal patch in P. stewarti, which, being new characters, cannot be due to reversion. What right have we to suppose that a preference was shown, by individuals of the opposite sex, to one that had some white feathers on its wing or back. And even if we do allow this, what guarantee is there that successive generations would all show the same preference ? Why should not some prefer wholly black individuals ? And if they did, the selection would be destroyed and the variation would not accumulate. I do not remember to have seen this objection to sexual selection noticed before, but it is evidently a very serious one. The bright colours of the skin on each side of the face in Cormorants will be looked upon as a typical example of sexual selection ; but the same difficulty occurs here also. Why should both sexes prefer the same colours in their partners as they have themselves, although they cannot see their own colours ? And ol. III."] 1 903 J HUTTON, The Cormorants of New Zealand. why should the preference for one particular colour, as for crimson in P. onslowi ', go on for generation after generation in one species, while another species had a similar constant predilection for another colour ? Again, why did P. ranfurlyi on Bounty Islands, and P. traversi on Macquarie Island lose their white dorsal patches ? Or why did P. carunculatus, in New Zealand, lose its crest ? Can the loss of a white patch or of a crest, as well as their acquisition, be put down to sexual selection ? The loss of the white bars and of the crest is probably due to reversion, and other specific characters may have the same origin. New characters, however, occasionally arose which were not due to reversion. When this took place on continental areas we may, perhaps, attribute their preservation to their usefulness as recognition marks. But this will not help us with those species found only on a single island, or in a single locality far away from other species. Again, the great number of species in New Zealand requires an explanation. The external con- ditions of life for the Cormorants cannot be so great in New Zealand as through America from Canada to Tierra del Fuego, or as in Africa and Asia taken together, and yet there are 15 species in New Zealand to 12 in America and 13 in Asia and Africa combined. Consequently we cannot suppose that their specific characters depend directly on external conditions. This is emphasized by the fact that one species — P. carbo — extends continuously from Greenland through Asia Minor and India to Australia and New Zealand. In Aus- tralasia P. carbo never gets so many white feathers on its head as it does in Europe, and is, consequently, sometimes thought to be a distinct variety, in which case the European form must be considered as derived from the Australian one. The real causes of the great number of species in New Zealand are — firstly, it was the meeting place of two migratory streams, one from the Malay Archipelago and New Caledonia, the other from Patagonia ; and secondly, the fact that New Zealand is broken up into a number of islands, lying at considerable distances apart, and which have been isolated for a very long time. Turning now to the general characters of the group, we find the generic characters — such as the hooked bill, the rudimentary nostrils, the close, glossy plumage, the short legs and large webbed feet — all eminently adapted to their mode of living. Everyone knows that they obtain their food by catching fish, diving with their wings closed, and using their feet only for propulsion. But on comparing the sub-genera we find characters which we cannot, at present, put down as useful. For example, the shape of the bill varies a good deal, being 8 HUTTON, The Cormorants of New Zealand. \ ?n?u, ' List July long and slender in Sticticarbo (P. punctatus, &c), and com- paratively short and stout in Microcarbo (P. melanoleucus , &c), while the birds do not show any difference in habits. On the contrary, in P. campbelli we find a difference in habit without any corresponding modification. In the sea round Campbell Island there are hardly any fish, and, according to Dr. Filhol, who spent four months on the island examining the fauna during the French expedition to observe the transit of Venus in 1874, the Campbell Island Cormorant lives on mollusca, which it scrapes off the immense patches of brown kelp which border the coasts. But no modification has taken place in' the bill, which cannot be well adapted for its new use. So also in the tail. It is long and stiff, and well adapted for its uses, which are — rising from the water, sitting on rocks, and probably as a rudder when diving. But in the sub-genus Graculus (P. carbo, &c), there are fourteen tail feathers, while all the others have only twelve. This difference cannot be con- sidered as adaptive, and could not have been accumulated by natural selection. I am afraid that the conclusions here arrived at will not be acceptable either to Neo-Darwinians or to Neo-Lamarckians. For they show us that the study of even a single group, like the Cormorants, reveals several characters which cannot be explained by natural selection, or by organic selection, or by use-inheritance ; for all these agencies preserve useful characters only ; and con- siderable 'doubt has been thrown on sexual selection. It is too often the custom nowadays to think that we have discovered all the processes working in organic nature ; that the doctrine of utilitarianism will, in some way or other, explain everything ; and when any difficulty arises it is attributed to our ignorance, not of principles, but of details. These difficulties, however, must be faced, and I think that a close and impartial study of specific characters will destroy our complacency, and show us that there is some principle of definite variation at work which preserves non-adaptive characters. Rochester, Friday. — Eagles are numerous at Pine Grove, and are proving very destructive to poultry. Mr. Jos. Chappie has lost 80 full-grown turkeys this season through the depredations of these birds. — Argus, 24/4/03. At Narromine, N.S.W., Mr. W. N. Warren found, when he received the locust-fungus for trial, that all the grasshoppers had been destroyed by Wood-Swallows, which came on the scene in thousands, and cleaned them out in a few days. — Lender, 28/3/03. VoJ" IXI 1 MlLLIGAN, Notes on a Trip to the Stirling Range. 9 Notes on a Trip to the Stirling Range. By Alex. Wm. Milligan, Perth, W.A. Being fortunate enough to obtain a three weeks' special leave of absence last spring I determined to wholly employ my time in the pursuit of ornithology, and I organized a private scientific expedition to the Stirling Ranges, situate some 40 miles north of Albany, in the southern part of this State. . The persons who composed the expedition were Dr. Alan Morrison, the Government Botanist for Western Australia, Mr. C. P. Conigrave, of the Western Australian Museum, Perth, and the writer. Dr. Morrison, it was arranged, was to devote himself solely to examining and collecting the flora of the ranges, and Mr. Conigrave and the writer to the fauna, particularly the avi- fauna. In addition to his other self-imposed duties Mr. Conigrave was to take charge of that most interesting and important department in every expedition, namely, the photographic. Dr. Morrison was attracted to these ranges by the knowledge that the flora there was most distinctive and characteristic. I, in turn, was similarly attracted there, for I naturally conjectured that with distinctive floral forms we would probably meet with distinctive avi-faunal forms, by reason that the flora and avi-fauna are so frequently interdependent. That, however, was not the principal attraction to me. Relying on the assumption that one of the two original divergent " lines of migration " from Northern Australia pursued a southerly and thence easterly course along the western and southern coasts within the well-known " rain belt," and stopped at the Great Desert, between Western Australia and South Australia, I concluded that bird forms would have collected in great numbers on the confines of such desert, and that time, local conditions, and environment would have effected many variations and modifications in original forms. These ranges being in the supposed congested area indicated, I further concluded that uncommon forms and new species would as a consequence be likely to occur therein. It may be of interest to mention that the Stirling Ranges are, geologically speaking, the most ancient in Western Australia, and also the highest, one of the peaks, Mt. Toolbrunup, attaining a height of some 4,000 feet. We arrived at Tenterden Siding, our base of operations, on the night of the 22nd September, but owing to the strong equinoctial gales then prevailing, and the abnormally heavy rains accom- panying them, our camp manager and guide declined to start until the rough weather abated. Perforce we had to remain a few days at Tenterden. The time was not altogether wasted, for we thoroughly examined the local avi-fauna, and obtained and despatched to the Museum a great number of specimens. We were fortunate in finding the nest of the Black Duck, or, as it is called in Western Australia, the " Grey " Duck, and Mr. Conigrave took a photograph of the nest in situ, which is re- IO MlLLIGAN. Notes on a Trip to the Stirling. Ranee. I |;",U1I ' 6 6 [ ist July produced here. Bird-life generally was very abundant. I was delighted to meet with such old feathered friends as the Bell-Bird (Oreoica cristata) and the gregarious White-browed Babbler PomUtorhinus superciliosus), both of which were everywhere numerous. I also secured a specimen of the White-bellied Shrike- Tit (Falcunculus leucogaster). We examined some lakes and swamps in the locality, but the examination did not afford any- thing remarkable. It was not until the morning of the 26th that we really began our journey to the Ranges. Our party was supplemented by our camp manager and a camp assistant. Our baggage, stores, and general equipment rilled a dray, which was drawn by two horses. The journey occupied some fourteen days, and was wholly performed by us on foot. The distance traversed by us during the period, including deviations, mountain ascents, and side explorations, amounted to fully 200 miles. The weather was distinctly equinoctial, and we only experienced two or three tine days throughout the whole trip. Day after day we were drenched to the skin by the heavy rain-squalls, and frequently in pitching our camps we found the sites running with surface water. Leaving Tenterden, we cut into the western extremity of the Ranges, taking a north-easterly direction and making Solomon's Well our first camp. Leaving that camp, we struck an almost easterly course, cutting through the foothills, and reaching the north side of the Ranges, which we skirted until we pitched a temporary camp, a few miles west of Yetermirrup Spring. Our third camp was Yetermirrup, and our fourth one on Toll's Creek, in Toll's Pass, near the base of Mt. Toolbrunup, our objective. On our return journey we retraced our steps from there to Yetermirrup, and thence to the turn-off at the Redgum Pass. We followed the Pass until we reached the Redgum Springs, where we made our last camp. From there we struck south- westerly through the foothills to the Young River, and thence westerly to Tenterden. The country passed through was diversified in character. The Ranges themselves we found to be a succession of peaks, more or less conical in shape, and of varying heights, and they appeared to arise perpendicularly out of the vast surrounding plains. They were remarkable, inasmuch as they began abruptly at Tenterden and extended due easterly some 70 miles and then again abruptly ended. The breadth of the chain from north to south varied from 6 to 10 miles. Viewed from the top of a peak having any altitude, the others appeared like the mountain peaks shown on a physical atlas to indicate relative heights. On the north side of the Ranges gravelly foothills and rocky outcrops occurred between the defined line of peaks and the plains. The plains on the north for some twenty miles were dotted with a number of lakes and lakelets. The mountain peaks were composed of horizontal layers of vitreous sandstone. The Emu, Vol. III. PLATE I. ■^ Vol III."] 1903 I MlLLIGAN, Notes on a Trip to the Stirling Range. I I By the action of the weather the exposed edges had from time to time become broken and detached, with the result that the inclined surfaces of the peaks from summit to base were littered with reddish-coloured loose flags and fragments of laminated stone, making ascent most laborious and difficult. At a distance the defined and uncovered layers of stone resembled glacial lines. The peaks for a great distance upwards and the smaller hills were clothed with clumps or stools of a dwarf eucalypt called " marlock " which much resembles mallee scrub. In the more sheltered ravines and gullies flowering scrubs, head high, grew. The disposition of the different forms of bird-life was, generally speaking, most clearly defined. One form, the Bell-Bird {Oreoica cristata), was found everywhere. Other forms, such as the Restless Fly-catchers (Sisura inquieta), the Rufous Tree-creepers {Climacteris rufa), Western Scarlet-breasted Robins {Petroeca campbelli), the Banded Wrens {Malurus splendcns), and the Red-tipped Pardalotes {Pardalotus ornatus) were found in the good alluvial country only. Other forms, again, such as the Lesser Brown Fly-catchers {Microzca assimilis), the new Calamanthus (hereafter more particularly referred to), the Blue- breasted Wrens {Malurus pule her rimus), were found in the sterile gravelly and stony country. The new Calamanthus and Blue- breasted Wrens, singular to say, were found on the north side of the Ranges only, and notwithstanding that the local conditions on the south side were similar, and to all appearances equally as favourable. On the other hand, the Singing Honey-eaters {Ptilotis sonora) were found on the south side only. Honey-eaters, of various kinds were found wherever the flowers were, but they had their preferences. For instance, the Tawny- crowned Honey-eater (Glycyphila fulvifrons) was confined prin- cipally to the sand plains ; the Yellow-plumed Honey-eater {Ptilotis ornata) sought the " white gums ; " the Wattle-cheeked Honey-eater {Ptilotis eratitia) was local in a pronounced degree, only two small companies being discovered, and each within a restricted area of an acre. Excepting those named, all the Honey-eaters met and fed in common in the flowering scrubs of the foothills and mountain gullies, but only the Long-billed Honey-eaters {Meliornis longi- rostris) and the Green-backed Silver-eyes {Zosterops gouldi) were found on or near the summits of the peaks. The Dusky Miners (Manorhina obscura) and the Magpie-Larks {Grallina picatd) were found only in the " jam " (acacia) country at Toll's Creek. It is worthy of mention that not one Crow (or Raven) was observed during the journey. The net results of the expedition were distinctly gratifying, for we secured some 120 skins for the Museum, and secured or observed about 70 species. Included in the latter were two new species, Calamanthus montanellus and Mclithreptus leucogenys. Both species were described in the previous vol. (ii.) of The Emu, he latter named species at page 160, and the former at page 200. I 2 Milligan, Notes on a Trip to the Stirling Range. [Isf July The facts and incidents relating to their discovery will he dealt with later on in this article. We also were successful in securing specimens of the scarce Malurus pulcherrimus, the particulars of the finding of which will also be dealt with as above indicated. We also secured the egg of the White-tailed Cockatoo (Caly ptorhynchus baudini), the nest and eggs of the Western Scarlet-breasted Robin {Petrceca campbelli), and skins of the beautiful and singularly marked Wattle-cheeked Honey-eater (Ft Hot is cratitia). A photograph of the nest of the White-tailed Cockatoo is here produced. With every expedition regrets and perplexities arise with its members. Ours was not an exception. One of the keenest of the former to me was the loss of what I take to be a new Sericornis. Whilst examining some thickets at the foot of Mt. Toolbrunup, I disturbed a company of small dark chocolate-coloured birds. I could easily have shot the whole company at close quarters, as they were so fearless, but had I done so the skins would have been mangled. To stand back at a reasonable killing distance and still keep the birds in view was impossible. In a fit of im- patience I did shoot one, but it was cut about almost beyond recognition. After cursorily examining it at camp that night, I cast it away, thinking I could secure others the next day. The next day and many other days we tried to find similar birds, but unsuccessfully. Verily " a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." One of my perplexities was in regard to Pardalotus omatus. At several places in the " marlock " clumps we obtained specimens, each of which possessed orange-yellow head spots. Usually spots of that colour are taken as an external distinguishing sex mark, but it could be scarcely possible that every bird we shot should prove to be of the same sex. The matter was left over for cabinet examination, but all the skins and many others met with a misadventure after their arrival in Perth. Again, I was not satisfied of the identity of the Dusky Miner (Manorhina obscurd). The Stirling Range bird appeared to be much smaller than the Swan River bird. The Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrikes (Graucalus melanops) also appeared to be-much smaller, and some notes they uttered were not familiar to me. Unfortunately these skins shared in the misadventure before referred to. I was also in doubt as to Acanthochcera lunulata. The specimen which I shot in a secluded mountain gorge resembled A. mellivora as much as the species named, and appeared to form a connecting link between the two — that is to say, if it be possible to define a differ- ence between the two species. Then, again, we secured several specimens of the White-browed Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus super ciliosus) and in every male specimen the head was black, or almost so, not the greyish-olive of the mantle and back. Lastly, Petrceca bi color produced, as it always has produced for me, perplexity. Several adult birds were shot, in some of which the mandibles were shallow, and the top one perceptibly hooked, and in others fuller and boat-shaped without the hook. The Emu, Vol. III. PLATE II. Taking Nest of White-tailed Cockatoo ( Calyptorhynchus baudivi )* FRCM A PHOTO. BY C. P. CONIQRAVE. Vol. III. 1503 MlLLlGAN, Notes on a Trip to the Stirling Range. I now propose to give the particulars respecting the new species and Malurus pulcherrimus. In point of discovery the new Calamanthus takes priority. Calamanthus montanellus (Rock Field-Wren). — When approach- ing Yetermirrup Spring for the first time I observed a small bird run in a mouse-like manner across the track into some rough herbage. I at once followed in pursuit, and with the help of my dog disturbed it from its refuge. Instead of flying, it still ran along the ground, threading its way through the sparse low- growing ground scrub. Eventually I shot it, and as it was not a familiar form we determined to secure as many others as possible. This, however, as we afterwards found, was not easy of accomplish- ment. It appeared to be C. fuliginosus , but subsequent examina- tion proved the bird to be new. The new species is much larger than C. campcstris, but a trifle smaller than C. fuliginosus. The differences between the new species and the latter are most marked. Firstly, the lustrous fulvous wash on the upper surface of C. fuliginosus is supplanted by a lustreless greyish-brown, and the upper surface striations are less pronounced and narrower in the new species, and inclined to run in longitudinal lines. On the other hand, the under surface of the new species is marked with bolder striations, extending farther down the chest ; and the colouring of the remainder of the under surface is very much lighter, and almost becomes white on the abdomen. The new bird was invariably found on the gravelly and rocky country — never on the alluvial flats. The song is most tuneful, and resembles that of Sphenura litoralis (Bristle-Bird), but is weaker and more subdued. We secured at least half a score of specimens. The sexes differ but little in external appearance and colouring. Melithreptus leucogenys (Western Brown-headed Honey-eater). — On leaving Yetermirrup on our homeward journey we, as before stated, struck into the mountains south-westerly through the Redgum Pass, and camped near the Redgum Springs. At the latter place we were right in the midst of the mountains, and between the bases of Mt. Mondurup and Rose Peak. The locality was very rich in flowering shrubs, and as a consequence Honey- eaters of all kinds were numerous and characteristically vivacious. On the morning after our arrival we had a torrential downpour, and we were, against our will, confined to camp for an hour or so. On a slight abatement of the weather conditions occurring we moved out, although the scrubs and timber were dripping wet. Whilst standing on a hillside in the midst of the scrub, a Meli- threptus perched for an instant on a bush close by. Its blackish- brown head and white cheeks at once arrested my attention, but before I had time to shoot it it flew away. Subsequently I heard a series of rattle-like notes. These I traced to birds similar to the one described. The birds were very shy, but after much patience and pursuit I secured one, and. afterwards two others. On examining them, the orange-coloured eye-spaces with bluish- 14 MlLLIGAN, Notes on a Trip to tin Stirling Range. fisfjuh emerald orbits and their white cheeks appeared to me to at once distinguish them from M. brevirostris. After our return to Perth, a comparison with the skin of M. brevirostris disclosed other structural differences, and I declared the species a new one accordingly. Malurus pulcherrimus (Blue-breasted Wren). — On our home- ward journey, between Toll's Pass and Yetermirrup, the attention of Mr. Conigrave and myself was arrested by the tuneful song of the new Calamanfrhus, the author of which we located in a remarkable outcrop of rock some short distance from the road. Whilst in pursuit of the bird we disturbed a colony of Wrens, which we assumed to be Malurus elegans, for we could only get occasional momentary glimpses of them as they threaded their way through the denser patches of scrub. We endeavoured by all means at our command to flush them, but unsuccessfully, as they were so timid and secretive. After awaiting some time I got a snap shot at a male bird as he showed himself for a moment, but failed to kill. Finding a new lemon-scented boronia in the rock clefts, I ceased pursuit for a few minutes, but Mr. Conigrave, exhibiting greater persistence, tracked them from bush to bush by their tell-tale voices, and eventually was rewarded with a male bird, and shortly afterwards a female bird. Without examining them critically he placed them in his bag, and joined me in my botanical examination. When about to resume our journey I asked to see and was shown the birds. One glance sufficed to show that they were not familiar forms. We at once abandoned our intention of immediately resuming our journey, and com- menced to beat the scrubs for the remainder of the colony, but notwithstanding that we could hear them occasionally in the undergrowth we could not sight them. Our persistence was fruitless, and we were reluctantly compelled to give up pursuit and follow the team, which was now ahead of us some miles. On reaching the camp at Yetermirrup we talked the matter over at some length, and, having regard to the facts that very many of the Maluri are local in habit, and that the outcrop was the only one of the kind we had observed, we decided that the locality should be searched again next morning — a decision which involved a journey of 15 miles, in addition to the next day's stage of 12 miles in new country. To my secret satisfaction, Air. Conigrave volunteered to return alone in the morning, and appreciating that he was some 25 years younger, I readily, and perhaps selfishly, acquiesced in his lone undertaking. Shortly after daylight next morning he began his walk back, and we in due time proceeded on the next stage. He had not long gone before I regretted his undertaking, for, making a side exploration from the track in some likely-looking country, my dog, who accom- panied me, disturbed a number of Maluri, and the male bird showing itself on the top of a dead bush, 1 immediately shot it, and found it to be M . pulcherrimus. In the late afternoon Mi'. Conigrave reached camp after a rough and arduous journey of The Emu, Vol. III. PLATE III. ■s "5 PS Vol. III. 1903 Milligan, Notes on a Trip to the Stirling Range. I 5 2j miles, and produced three male birds as the result of his labours. From what has been stated cabinet naturalists will perceive that their brothers in the field make many sacrifices in the interest and pursuit of a common study. Although there is not, perhaps, any doubt that the birds we secured were M . pulcherrimus, nevertheless there are some minor differences between them and Gould's bird which it may be desirable to mention. In the first place, the total length of Gould's bird is given as ^ in. and the tail as 3^ in. In the Stirling Range bird the total length is f of an inch greater, but the tail measurements are equal, thus confining the difference to the body length, which is material. Gould's measurements, however, are not always reliable, and as an example of such let me mention a similar inaccuracy in Gould's recorded measure- ments of M . elegans. Again, Gould gives the measurements of the bill of his bird as ^ of an inch. Obviously this is an error, and should read TV I think, therefore, these points of difference may be put aside. Now, on the question of colour, Gould gives the colours of the crown of the head and eye-spaces of his bird as glossy violet-blue and verditer blue respectively. In the Stirling Range bird the colours are deep violet-blue with a purple glint and light cobalt respectively. Possibly, and probably, on comparison, the shades of blue in each bird would prove identical, and the differences may only rest in the discrimination of the respective writers. Some other minor differences appear in the tail colours and in the purity of the white on the abdomen, but these may be regarded as trivial. xA.ttention, however, must be directed to the facts that in each of the Stirling Range birds dingy brown feathers appear in the cap, and that the upper tail coverts are of the same shade. Upon these facts the following questions arise : — (a) Must these dingy brown feathers be taken to be permanent ? (b.) If not, are they the badges of approaching adolescence ? and (c.) If not, are they the remnants of a plumage being cast off ? The persistency of the brown feathers almost negatives the notion of their being the badge of approaching adolescence, for according to the law of averages it is scarcely possible that five male birds could be shot promiscuously and all prove young males. As against the first notion the additional fact must be recorded that the season was an abnormally late one, and that in one specimen the uppermost tail feathers showed they were last year's by their faded and abraded appearance, and that in another specimen the uppermost and undermost pairs of tail feathers were only f- of an inch long — all which point to a moult in progress. As a counter fact, however, it may be stated that we shot male birds of M . elegans and M . splendens all of which were in com- plete new plumage. If the first and second questions are to be answered in the negative, then the theory that the adult male annually assumes a nuptial plumage is well founded. To say with definiteness I 6 MlLLIGAN, Notes on a Trip to the Stirling Range. [lsf July which aspect of the matter is the correct one is difficult indeed, but I think the balance of testimony is in favour of the first and second questions being answered in the negative, and the third one in the affirmative. The following is a list of the birds secured or observed during the expedition : — (i.) AcciPITER CIRRHOCEPHALUS (Sparrow-Hawk). — One morning, in the vicinity of Yetermirrup Spring, I observed one of these winged hunters scouring a gully. He was flying at a terrific pace just about two feet above the rough ground herbage. His turnings, where patches of scrub and other natural obstacles intercepted a straight flight, were particularly graceful. Evidently his reputation had preceded him, and his flight was observed, judging by the way the Honey-eaters and other small birds sounded the alarm note of danger. By 'the same means the course of his subsequent flight could be traced half a mile farther away. (2.) UROAETUS AUDAX (Wedge-tailed Eagle). — Many of these birds were observed soaring over the craggy heights of Mt. Toolbrunup and other peaks. (3.) Hieracidea BERIGORA (Striped Brown Hawk). — Observed on several occasions (4.) CERCHNEIS CENCHROIDES (Kestrel). — Fairly abundant on the verges of the sand plains. (5.) Strepera plumbea (Leaden Crow-Shrike). — One or two odd pairs observed ; rare. (6.) GRALLINA PICATA (Magpie-Lark). — A few birds were observed in the " jam " country at Toll's Creek. They were not plentiful in any part of Western Australia that I have visited. They have a call not familiar to me. The " pee-wit " call of the Victorian and Queensland bird is not used frequently. (7.) COLLYRIOCINCLA RUFIVENTRIS (Buff-bellied Shrike-Thrush). — Numerous on good soils. (8.) GRAUCALUS MELANOPS (Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike). — Numerous on alluvial flats and woodlands. One of their calls 1 did not recognize. The birds also appear to be smaller. (9.) MlCRCECA ASSIMILIS (Lesser Brown Fly-catcher). — A few seen at different places, usually on recently burnt scrub patches. Three skins were obtained. Apparently another species of Micrcvca exists inland. (10.) PETRCECA CAMPBELLI (Western Scarlet-breasted Robin). — Numerous on the good lands. (11.) PETRCECA BICOLOR (Hooded Robin). — We shot several. Rather sparsely distributed. (12.) SMICRORNIS BREVIROSTRIS (Short-billed Tree-Tit). — We shot several in the " white gum " country. They are evidently early breeders, for we shot two young ones which were flying about. (13.) PSEUDOGERYGONE CULICIVORA (Southern Fly-eater). -- Fairly numerous in big timber. (14.) MALURUS SPLENDENS Handed Wren). — These " Mormons " were numerous on the heavy soils. 1 observed them on two or three occasions mount fully 15 feet high in the saplings. We saw young birds at Ten- terden. Vol. III. 1903 MlLLIGAN, Notes on a Trip to the Stirling Range. 1 7 (15.) MALURUS ELEGANS (Red-winged Wren). — We saw two or three companies altogether. When about one-fourth of the way up Mt. Tool- brunup I shot a beautiful male. I have reason to recollect the incident, as at the time I was labouring heavily over the loose, moving masses of stone on a steep pinch, and at the same time was nearly stifled with the scrub, which just reached the top of my head. (16.) MALURUS PULCHERRIMUS (Blue-breasted Wren). — Vide previous reference. (17.) Rhipidura preissi (Western Fantail). — This doubtful species was observed, but was not anywhere abundant. (18.) Rhipidura tricolor (Black and White Fantail).— Numerous on good soils. (19.) SlSURA INQUIETA (Restless Flycatcher).— Numerous on good soils. (20.) STIPITURUS MALACHURUS (Emu-Wren). — Saw one male bird. (21.) ACANTHIZA INORNATA (Plain-coloured Tit).— Companies numerous in the " marlock " clumps. (22.) ACANTHIZA APICALIS (Broad-tailed Tit).— Numerous on good soils. (23.) ACANTHIZA CHRYSORRHOA (Yellow-rumped Tit). — Numerous on good soils. When searching some narrow upland flats on Toll's Creek I discovered a nest in the prickly head of a hakea bush. The latter, with its strong needle leaves pointing and crossing at different angles, only allowed sufficient space in its interior for the true nest. Family councils were evidently held, and it is to be assumed that it was definitely decided that the " look-out " or " cock's nest " was indispensable, for the " look-out " was made an independent structure 6 inches away on the left-hand side of the true nest. I have not any doubt that, as the non-construction of the " look-out " would seriously affect the comfort of Paterfamilias Chry- sorrhoa, he, at the family councils, with characteristic masculine negation, strongly advocated its construction. Upon whatever grounds the matter was decided, the fact remains that no better place could have been selected for protection against every natural enemy. (24.) SERICORNIS MACULATA (Spotted Scrub-Wren). — One or two speci- mens were obtained. (25.) ClNCLOSOMA CASTANONOTUM (Chestnut-backed Ground-Bird). — A bird resembling this species was observed by Mr. Conigravc on some tea-tree country at Solomon's Well. They are said to be common about Tenterden, although we did not see any. (26.) POMATORHINUS SUPERCILIOSUS (White-browed Babbler). — Secured many specimens. Very numerous in the Tenterden woodlands and on the " sheoak " country on the south side of the Ranges. (27.) ClNCLORHAMPHUS RUFESCENS (Rufous Song-Lark). — Mr. Conigrave shot one near Tenterden from the top of a " white gum " tree. (28.) CALAMANTHUS MONTANELLUS (Rock Field-Wren). — Vide previous reference. (29.) EPHTHIANURA ALBIFRONS (White-fronted Chat). — Plentiful on edges of lakes near Tenterden. (30.) GYMNORHINA dorsalis (Long-billed Magpie). — Fairly numerous on good lands. (31.) CRACTICUS DESTRUCTOR (Butcher-Bird).— Fairly numerous on good lands. I 8 MlLLIGAN, Notes on a Trip to the Stirling Range. ["isfjuly (32.) Falcunculus leucogaster (White-bellied Shrike-Tit). — I secured three specimens in the " white gum " country. Not by any means numerous. (33.) OREOICA CRISTATA (Bell-Bird). — Widely distributed. (34.) EoPSALTRlA GEORGIANA* (Grey-breasted Shrike-Robin). — Numerous everywhere on good soils. Observed one nest with young on low branch of white gum. (35.) PACHYCEPHALA OCCIDENT ALIS (Western Thickhead). (36.) PACHYCEPHALA RUFIVENTRIS (Rufous-breasted Thickhead). — Numerous. (37.) CLIMACTERIS RUFA (Rufous Tree-creeper). — This was the only species of Tree-creeper we saw. It was numerous on the good lands. I was much interested in watching them secure their food in the soil on the edge of the swamps by digging or probing with their bills. (38). SlTTELLA PILEATA (Black-capped Tree-runner). — Numerous in timber country. (39.) ACANTHORHYNCHUS SUPERCILIOSUS (White-browed Spinebill). — See earlier references. We discovered a pair building a nest. (40.) ZOSTEROPS GOULDI (Green-backed White-eye). — Well distributed. Sec earlier references. (41.) MELITHREPTUS CHLOROPSIS (Western White-naped Honey-cater). — Much in evidence in the flowering scrubs. (42.) MELITHREPTUS LEUCOGENYS (Western Brown-headed Honey-cater . —See earlier references. (43). GLYCYPHILA FULVIFRONS (Tawny-crowned Honey-eater). — Very numerous on foothills and sand plains. We discovered scores of nests, which were invariably placed about a foot above the ground in a tussock of rough herbage. The nests in all instances contained eggs. (44.) GLYCYPHILA OCULARIS (Brown Honey-eater). — Fairly numerous in the flowering scrubs. They slightly differ in colour from the Swan River bird. (45.) PTILOTIS SONORA (Singing Honey-eater).— We found this species in one spot only, in some " sheoaks " (? Casuarina) on the south side of the Ranges. The notes they uttered were peculiar, and different to any I have heard before. I shot three or four, but owing to the unfortunate misadventure before referred to the specimens were not put into skins. (46.) PTILOTIS CRATITIA (Wattle-cheeked Honey-eater). — We secured several specimens of this remarkable bird. See earlier references. (47.) PTILOTIS ORNATA (Yellow-plumed Honey-cater). — Common in the " white gum " country. (48.) Meliornis LONGIROSTRIS (Long-billed Honey-cater). — Common in flowering thickets. (49.) MELIORNIS MYSTACALLS i Moustached Honey-cater).— Not common. (50.) MELIORNIS SERICEA (White-cheeked Honey-eater). (51.) MANORHINA OBSCURA (Dusky Miner).— Numerous in "jam" country. (52.) Acanthoch.era CARl mil ata (Wattle-Bird . Numerous in " white gum " country. * — E. gularis. See Emu, vol. ii., p. 178. Vo1' I11-] MlLLIGAN, Notes on a Trip to the Stirling Range. ig (53.) ACANTHOCPL^RA LUNULATA (Little Wattle-Bird). — I saw several together in a dense sapling thicket at the head of a mountain gully. (54.) PARDALOTUS ORNATUS (Red-tipped Pardalote). — Common in " white gum " belts. (55.) PARDALOTUS PUNCTATUS (Spotted Pardalote). — Fairly numerous in the " marlock " clumps, but not seen elsewhere. See earlier references. (56.) HlRUNDO NEOXENA (Swallow). — Common at homestead, Tenterden. (57.) Petrochelidon nigricans (Tree Martin). — Common in "white gum " belts. (58.) Anthus AUSTRALis (Pipit or Ground-Lark). — Common about fields at Tenterden. Mr. Conigrave shot one on the shores of one of the salt lakes. (59.) ARTAMUS SORDIDUS (Wood-Swallow). — Secured one specimen. Not very common. (60.) Cuculus pallidus (Pallid Cuckoo). — Common about Tenterden. Locally called the " Spring-Bird." (61.) Cacomantis flabelliformis (Fan-tailed Cuckoo). — Not numerous. (62.) CHALCOCOCCYX PLAGOSUS (Bronze-Cuckoo). — Shot a young one at the foot of a bush. (63.) GLOSSOPSITTACUS PORPHYROCEPHALUS (Purple-crowned Lorikeet). — Very numerous in the " yate " gum country near Tenterden. (64.) CALYPTORHYNCHUS BAUDINI (White-tailed Cockatoo). — Numerous in the timber country. When approaching Yetermirrup Spring on our homeward journey one was observed to leave a dry hollow limb in a "white gum" tree by the roadside. After the camp was pitched we returned to the tree, and after " tomahawking " in holes in various places in the limbs and trunk, eventually hit the locale of the nest (if it can be so termed) in the latter. It contained one egg. There was not any semblance of con- struction about the nest, the egg just being placed on the decayed matter often found in the trunks of " piped " trees. The distance from the entrance of the hollow to where the egg was deposited was some 12 feet. We observed young birds flying about with the flocks. They could easily be detected by their baby voices. (65.) PLATYCERCUS ICTEROTIS (Yellow-cheeked Parrakeet). — Not very numerous. (66.) Porphryocephalus SPURIUS (Red-capped Parrakeet.) — Uncom- mon. Saw two birds only. (67.) TURNIX VARIA (Painted Quail). — Saw several — some on stony country, and others on alluvial. (68.) BURHINUS GRALLARIUS (Stone-Plover). — Very plentiful in the " white gum " country. They came very close to the camps at night. We flushed them in the scrubs skirting the timber country on many occasions in the daytime. (69.) ANAS SUPERCILIOSA (Black Duck). — See earlier references. We saw many on the lakes near Tenterden, also many other species of Duck which we could not identify from the long distance. 20 MlLLIGAN, Notes on Lake Yanchep. [w'uV Notes on Lake Yanchep. By A. W. Milligax, Perth. Lake Yanchep is situate some $S niiles north of Perth, and forms a link of that characteristic chain of lakes, estuaries, and swamps which run parallel with the western coast and which extend, approximately speaking, from Cape Naturaliste to the Moore River. Our trip, which was made during the last Christmas holidays, was formed with the primary object of sport, the lake and its neighbourhood, according to local accounts, abounding with waterfowl, Quail, Wild Turkey, and kangaroo. To me the question of sport was only co-equal with, if not really subsidiary to, that of ornithology, and as a consequence my specimen gun and a tank of formalin were to be found with the camp baggage and impedimenta of the party. We found the country surrounding the lake to be of a bold limestone formation, honeycombed with caves and subterranean channels, through which latter streams of fresh water found their way into the lake, and, in turn, out into the ocean some three miles distant. The lake itself may be compared to a deep sunken trough. It runs almost due north and south, and is fully three miles in length, by a varying breadth of half a mile, and with its sides fairly precipitous. The southern end of the lake presents a fair expanse of clear water, but thence northwards (except in the case of one or two well-defined pools) becomes gradually shallower until the top end runs out in oozy black mud. In the shallower waters the " yangies " (bulrushes), flags, pointed reeds, rushes, and badallions rankly grow, providing refuge and food for Reed- Warblers, Crakes, Coots, Bittern, and Grass-Birds. On the ocean side the limestone rock is conspicuous for some distance, and then is succeeded by a parallel strip of undulating sand-hills clothed with a rough bright green herbage, and finally by a littoral strip of bare hungry sand reaching to the ocean, and broken only by the limestone cliffs on the beach brows. The southern end of the lake is fringed with the feathery-leaved paper-barks (tea-tree) and river banksias, which in the heat of day cast a grateful shade over the miniature bays and nooks for the wild fowl. On the precipitous sides of the lake and on the highlands the gigantic ashy-white " tuart " gums flourish, notwithstanding their inhospitable rocky homes. Upon these trees innumerable yellowish-red bunches of mistletoe hang like chandeliers. On the sheltered hillsides and in the rock chasms thickets of the beautiful white and heliotrope hibiscus occur, and sometimes shelters of acacia. Away from the lake and towards the beach a species of prickly mimosa and short undergrowth, with occa- sional thickets of banksia, predominate. These are mentioned because each section of country was inhabited by its own group of feathered denizens. Vo1- IIL] MlLLIGAN, Notes on Lake Yanchep. 2 I 1903 J ' ' The trip from a sporting point was not an unqualified success, for, although the kangaroo were plentiful, the Ducks were scarce, owing to the outlying smaller swamps still containing water and food for them. On the other hand, the scientific aspect of the trip was more encouraging, and resulted in the discovery of a new Megalurus, a specific description of which appeared in the last issue of The Emu (vol. ii., p. 201). Specimens of the Long-billed Reed-Warblers, the Black and White Swallows, the Mistletoe-Birds (Dicceum), and the chaste White-faced Ternlet were also secured. The Reed-Warblers were just bringing out their broods, and I saw one or two families of young ones just from the nest. The parent birds appeared to me to be very light in colour, both on the upper and under surfaces. Hawks were numerous, as also the White-tailed Cockatoo. One Hock of the latter I estimated to be composed of some 2,000 birds. Their querulous voices became, after a time, most irritating. For the purpose of recording the distribution of species I append a list of those secured or observed during the trip : — GRALLINA PICATA (Magpie-Lark). — A flock of these birds was domiciled at the northern end of the lake, and fed on the drier portions in company with the White-fronted Chats. Pseudogerygone CULICIVORA (Southern Fly-eater). — One I shot was touched with faint yellow on the throat. Acrocephalus longirostris (Long-billed Reed-Warbler). — Very numer- ous in the yangies. As before stated, they were in the midst of the breeding season. I saw many adult birds carrying food in their bills for their young. The birds are very much lighter in colour than Gould's coloured plate. We waited one night at one of the pools to get some Duck-shooting. The birds sang continuously until close on 9 o'clock when we left. Cinclorhamphus cruralis (Brown Song-Lark). — Numerous on the undulating sand-hills. DlC.EUM HIRUNDINACEUM (Mistletoe-Bird). — Very numerous on mistletoes on the " tuart " gums, but nevertheless difficult to get. I shot a young male who possessed a finch-like beak of a vermilion colour. CHERAMCECA LEUCOSTERNUM (Black and White Swallow). — Found a few in company with the Tree Martins. Secured two. CALYPTORHYNCHUS BAUDINI (White-tailed Cockatoo). — See earlier reference. Porzana palustris (Little Crake). — Saw several of these jaunty, jerky- gaited pigmies in the reed-beds. PORPHYRIO BELLUS (Blue Bald-Coot).— One of our party shot one of these fine birds. They were more numerous on the muddy lakes. NOTOPHOYX PACIFICA (White-necked Heron). Notophoyx nov.e-hollandle (White-fronted Heron). — These were very numerous on the shallower portions of the lake. They were, however, very wary. HlERACIDEA BERIGORA (Striped Brown Hawk). CORVUS CORONOIDES (Crow). Strepera plumbea (Leaden Crow-Shrike). 2 2 Milligan, Notes on Lake Yanchep. [isfm' July COLLYRIOCINCLA RUFIVENTRIS (Buff-bellied Shrike-Thrush). GRAUCALUS MELANOPS (Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike). PETRCECA CAMPBELLI (Western Scarlet-breasted Robin). MALURUS SPLENDENS (Banded Wren). RHIPIDURA PREISSI (Western Fantail). Rhipidura TRICOLOR (Black and White Fantail). SlSURA INQUIETA (Restless Fly-catcher). Ephthianura albifrons (White-fronted Chat). Gymnorhina dorsalis (Long-billed Magpie). Cracticus destructor (Butcher-Bird). EOPSALTRIA GEORGIANA* (Grey-breasted Shrike-Robin). Sittella pileata (Black-capped Tree-runner). Acanthorhynchus SUPERCILIOSUS (White-browed Spinebill). MELITHREPTUS CHLOROPSIS (Western White-naped Honey-eater). PTILOTIS ORNATA (Yellow-plumed Honey-eater). MELIORNIS LONGIROSTRIS (Long-billed Honey-eater). Pardalotus ORNATUS (Red-tipped Pardalote). Petrochelidon nigricans (Tree Martin). Anthus australis (Pipit). Merops ornatus (Bee-eater). Halcyon sanctus (Sacred Kingfisher). Barnardius SEMITORQUATUS (Yellow-collared Parrakeet). TURNIX VARIA (Painted Quail). FULICA AUSTRALIS (Coot). EUPODOTIS AUSTRALIS (Bustard). H^MATOPUS LONGIROSTRIS (Pied Oyster-catcher). Recurvirostra NOV.E-HOLLANDIiE (Red-necked Avocet). Sterna nereis (White-faced Ternlet). Botaurus poicilopterus (Bittern). Phalacrocorax MELANOLEUCUS (Little Cormorant). C'ASARACA TADORNOIDES (Mountain Duck). ANAS SUPERCILIOSA (Black Duck). Nettion castaneum (Teal). Spatula rhynchotis (Shoveller). NYROCA AUSTRALIS (White-eyed Duck). Biziura lobata (Musk-Duck). * = E. gidaris. See E?/in, vol. ii., p. 178. Vol. III. 1903 LITTLER, Notes on Some Birds Peculiar to Tasmania. 23 Notes on Some Birds Peculiar to Tasmania. By Frank M. Littler, Launceston. (Read before the Aust. O.U., Melbourne Congress, 21st November, 1902.) Part I. The following notes and observations apply only to the northern portion of the island. Some of the species whose habits I shall be describing later are far commoner in one district than in another, although the nature of the country is very similar. When I say " birds peculiar to Tasmania," I include the various groups of islands in Bass Strait. Mr. Robert Hall, in his " Key to the Birds of Australia and Tasmania," lists fifteen species as peculiar to the latter place, whereas Mr. A. J. Campbell, in his " Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds," states the number to be seventeen, the two additional species recorded by the latter author being the Long-tailed Blue Wren (Malurus gouldi) and the Yellow-throated Honey-eater (Ptilotis flavigularis). Four species, viz., the Hill Grow-Shrike (Strepera arguta), Scrub-Tit (Acanthomis magna), Lesser White- backed Magpie (Gymnorhina hyperleucd), and the Grey Butcher- Bird (Cracticus cinereus) are recorded by Mr. Campbell as being found only in Tasmania. Whistling Shrike-Thrush (Collyriocinda rectirostris). — This bird is known to most Tasmanians as the "Whistling Dick," on account of its noisiness and general cheerfulness. In some districts this Shrike-Thrush is fairly plentiful. It always makes its presence known long before it can be seen with its loud and melodious whistling notes. There is some difference in the plumage of the sexes. That of the male is slate-grey on the upper surface, tail, and ear coverts ; the wings and the centre of the back are brown, with the throat and chest white ; the remainder of the under surface very light grey ; legs and feet greenish-grey. The plumage of the upper surface of the female is brown ; under surface light grey, with the throat and chest tinged with brown. The nest is cup-shaped, and composed of strips of stringybark lined inside with grass. The situations usually selected are in a hollow of a tree or stump, sometimes even placed on the rough bark at the foot of a tree. A clutch consists of from three to four eggs. In shape the eggs are oval, inclined to round; their colour is usually pearly white, spotted with olive and dull slate. The average measurements are about \\ in. by slightly over J in. The denser portions of the bush are mostly favoured by this bird ; it is rarely seen in the open, except when passing through a cleared portion of the forest to get into the scrub on the other side. Caterpillars and insects of divers kinds, especially those to be found under the bark of trees, constitute its principal food. On account of its powerful bill, it is enabled with ease to strip the loose bark from the limbs and search out its prey. In those 24 LITTLER, Notes on Some Birds Peculiar to Tasmania. ("isf7ul • districts in which it is not disturbed by the sportsman's gun, it is not at all shy, allowing one to approach within reasonable distance for the purpose of watching it at work. I said that it is rarely seen in the open ; but I know of several instances in which individual birds were seen in cleared portions and feeding round settlers' homes. One bird in particular I well remember. For some considerable time it was observed in the trees in the vicinity of the house, and as there were no children to scare it away it gradually became accustomed to people passing under the tree in which it sat. The next step was from the tree into the yard round the .back door, where it busied itself hunting for any unwary insects and picking up stray crumbs. As an experiment, food was thrown out ; it was regarded suspiciously at first, but afterwards eaten with avidity ; in fact, it soon began to look for it on arrival each day. On to the verandah was the next move, and from there into the kitchen. This last was only achieved after much inspection and listening to ascertain if anyone was within. On anyone entering the room a dash was made for the door or an open window ; it seemed to know that no harm was intended, so just used to fly as far as the garden fence and watch for more food. When perched on the verandah rail, a stream of melodious notes would pour from its throat, no doubt as payment for what it had received and part payment for what it was about to receive. Small-billed Cuckoo-Shrike (Graucalus parvirostris). — I think that I may safely affirm that if any ten people taken at random in Tasmania were asked if they knew this bird they would promptly reply in the negative. If, on the other hand, they were asked if they knew the " Summer-Bird," nine out of the ten would reply " Yes." The Summer-Bird and the Small- billed Cuckoo-Shrike are one and the same species. Mr. A. J. Campbell objects to the name Summer-Bird on the score of the species being stationary and not migratory. How the Tasmanian vernacular name arose I do not know, but consider it too late in the day to drop it altogether and adopt the scientifically correct and somewhat unwieldy title. For many years I was under the impression that the bird did migrate. In some districts to which I had paid visits during the autumn and winter months not a single bird of this species was to be seen ; and as soon as spring came round again the birds put in an appearance and remained until autumn, when they again disappeared. During June, 1899, Mr. Campbell asked through the columns of The Australasian whether this species was stationary or not. As I had never up to that time seen it during the winter months, I replied that in my opinion it migrated. The day after posting my reply, I happened to be in a portion of the bush to the south of Launceston, when what should I see but a flock of twenty Summer-Birds (an unusual number) feeding on the ground. Since that time I have been continuing my observations, and have arrived at the conclusion that the species quits the colder Vol. III. 1903 LITTLER, Notes on Some Birds Peculiar to Tasmania. 25 districts of the island for those of more genial climatic conditions. During the following month of the same year several birds came into the private gardens round and about the centre of Launceston, and remained in the vicinity for upwards of a week, during which time they fed on whatever insects they could gather from the trees and out of the ground. So far as I am aware, the occasion referred to is the only time when the Summer-Bird has been recorded as having stayed for any length of time in and about the centre of the city. On several occasions have I seen it flying overhead, and more than once observed it perched on trees in our garden, but not staying for any length of time. To a great extent it resembles the Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike (Graucalus mclanops) of the mainland. It is, however, somewhat smaller, and differs some- what in the markings of the plumage from the latter species. It was only after much investigation that Gould separated the two species. The most striking features in the plumage of the bird under discussion are as follow : — The upper surface, wings, and tail are dark slaty-grey ; black is the prevailing colour on the forehead, ear coverts, sides of the face, and the throat ; the rest of the under surface is a pretty shade of grey ; the primaries are dark brown ; bill black, and legs and feet dark grey. There is no difference in the plumage of the sexes. The nest, which is placed high on a dead horizontal branch of a eucalypt tree, is rather a flimsy affair, consisting of fine twigs and fragments of bark matted together with spiders' web. The structure is shallow, the sides not being much higher than suffi- cient to keep the eggs from being in danger of falling out. Generally four eggs are laid to the clutch. They are handsome in appearance. The surface is smooth and slightly glossy, the texture of the shell fine ; in shape they are inclined to be oval. The ground colour is a pretty shade of dark green, much spotted with various shades of umber ; many of the spots run together and form blotches. Mr. Campbell mentions that the markings are heaviest on the apex, but in the specimens in my possession the spots are very evenly distributed. Average size of eggs about 1 \ in. by slightly over f in. During the greater portion of the year the species is distributed throughout the length and breadth of the island. During the breeding season, which lasts from October to December, it generally goes in pairs, at other times small flocks of from six to ten are usually to be seen. Large flocks of twenty and upwards only appear during the winter months, and then more particularly about the north-west corner of the island. It is tamer in winter than at any other season of the year, allowing one to approach within reasonable distance. Its food consists of insects of every descrip- tion, which it captures either in the air or by searching among the leaves and rubbish on the ground. This bird has no song, but has a variety of notes which are used on different occasions. The most noticeable one is loud, shrill, and somewhat harsh. 2b LITTLER, Notes on Some Hi yds Peculiar to Tasmania. \ KmT", List July This is mostly employed as an alarm or call note. When first I heard this note I could not make out from what species of bird it emanated, it being so different from any heard before. At length I traced it to a Summer-Bird perched on the summit of a lofty tree. The notes uttered during the breeding season are soft and somewhat sweet. They vary greatly, sometimes resem- bling a cooing sound. Lastly, there are the notes in general use. They are hard to describe, but if once heard would never be mistaken for those of another species. They are very peculiar, and not on the whole unpleasing. When on the wing soft whirring notes are uttered. The flight of the Summer-Bird is peculiar. Progress is made in an undulating line, the bird rising and falling in regular waves. As it reaches the top of each imaginary wave the wings are folded, the momentum attained carrying it into the trough of another wave ; the air is then smartly beaten by the wings, which action carries the bird to the top of the next wave, and so on. It is by no means possessed of strong wing power ; the flight can at no time be called rapid. Dusky Fantail (Rhipidura diemenensis). — This species is the insular form of the White-shafted Fantail (R. albiscapd), which it resembles closely. To most people it is familiar, either under the name of " Cranky Fan " or " Crazy Fantail." It is fairly evenly distributed throughout the island, being, however, more plentiful in some districts than in others. Generally described, this bird has the upper surface black, the under surface buff, a crescent-shaped white mark over the eye, the bases of the primaries and secondaries and tips of the tail feathers white, as are also the chin and throat. The female differs very slightly in appearance. The nest is a beautiful and marvellous piece of workmanship. Those who have had the pleasure of handling a finished specimen could not but be struck with admiration for the skill displayed by the little architects. It is usually situated a few feet from the ground, rather thick scrub being preferred, and is saddled on a naked horizontal twig. In shape it resembles a wine-glass with the base of the stem broken off. The tail-like appendage extends beneath the twig on which the nest is placed. I have seen many nests situated some twenty feet from the ground in warm gullies thickly grown with dog- wood and other saplings. When a stream is conveniently handy, the nest is placed on a twig overhanging it. The materials employed in its construction are fine dry grass, shreds of fine bark, and long fibrous green moss, the whole being covered exteriorily with matted spider's web, giving it a dirty-grey appearance. The interior lining consists of very fine rootlets, grass, or the long hair from the bases of fern fronds. One nest of this species in my possession is composed entirely of dry grass, lined with hair from fern fronds ; another is composed entirely of long, fibrous green moss, lined with fine grass. The dimensions pi the latter nest are as follow : — Circumference, 7^ in. ; diameter, Vol. in."] Littler, Notes on Some Birds Peculiar to Tasmania. 2 7 1903 j ' / 2-|- in. ; depth, 2\ in., not including the tail-like appendage, 2 in. ; egg cavity, if in. in diameter ; depth i-| in. Much discussion has arisen at various times as to the use or otherwise of the tail-like appendage. It is never finished off as neatly as the rest of the structure, and after a time is unravelled by the wind, and falls off to a great extent. Some writers believe it is useful in steadying the nest when placed in an exposed position ; others, again, are inclined to consider it a piece of pure mimicry, the bird desiring to imitate an excrescence on a limb. This last applies when the nest is placed in the open. Usually three eggs are laid ; the ground colour is a dirty shade of white, somewhat heavily spotted and blotched with reddish- brown, especially in the vicinity of the apex, where the spots form a confluent band. The food of the Dusky Fantail consists almost entirely of insects, which are largely captured in the air. When flitting from bough to bough it has a rather head-over-heels kind of flight ; it is from this curious habit it gains the name of " Cranky Fan." It is very tame in disposition, and has often been known to enter dwellings in the bush and amuse itself catching flies on the window panes. Although preferring the vicinity of creeks and shady dells, it is no uncommon object in the gardens round and about Launceston. Many times have I seen one or more specimens flitting about the trees in our garden. The bump of curiosity seems to be largely developed in these birds ; oftentimes have I had them flitting round my head and face when standing quietly observing their habits in the bush. The presence of a human being about their haunts seems to excite and fascinate them ; they seem impelled to come and investigate the creature. The flight is weak and wavering, many strange antics being performed when on the wing. The song is also weak, but pretty. I always enjoy sitting in some thickly wooded gully and listening to the Dusky Fantail pouring forth its notes to the accompani- ment of a babbling rill. Long-tailed Blue Wren (Malurus gouldi). — Under various names, such as " Gould's Blue Wren," " Cocktail," " Blue-cap," &c, is this beautiful little species known to us. Its dainty little form is almost as familiar as that of the sturdy, ubiquitous sparrow. This species is the insular form of the mainland Blue Wren (JMalurus cyaneus), and, so far as my experience goes, is very evenly distributed over at least the northern districts of Tas- mania. The summer plumage of the male, which is exquisite, is as follows : — The head, ear coverts, and a lunar-shaped mark on the upper part of the back are a rich blue — when it catches the reflection of the sun the sheen is very beautiful ; the rest of the upper surface is black ; the throat and chest are purplish- black ; the wings brown ; the tail when viewed in a dull light appears blackish-brown, but when seen in the full sunlight will be found a distinct shade of blue ; the legs and feet are brown. The winter plumage of the male resembles that which his com- 28 LITTLER, Notes on Some Birds Peculiar to Tasmania. \^mZ\- panion has to wear all the year round. The female has to be content with a very dingy garb. The upper surface is brown, and the under surface greyish, the tail in some lights appearing of a light shade of blue. Regarding the moulting of the male, the following notes are culled from my note book : — " 20th May. — The male Blue Wrens have lost their summer coats." 10th July (same year). — " Noticed a male Blue Wren in summer plumage, the first one I have seen this spring. Evidently it had only recently acquired it, as the colouring was not complete, the grey feathers not all being moulted out." In the Lilydale district, some fifteen miles north-east of Launceston, 17th July was the first date on which the male birds were observed to have moulted that year. 1st July the following year I find that " the Blue Wrens round Launceston have never moulted at all, but still retain their summer plumage." The previous year it was at a much earlier date that they all moulted ; in fact, by the 14th of the month the majority were regaining their pretty coats. " July the 12th. — The Blue Wrens still not moulted." The following year I note : — " On 5 th May a male Blue Wren in the garden was still in summer plumage, although all others observed had acquired their winter dress." The date of moulting greatly depends on climatic con- ditions. The nest is placed in a variety of situations, such as blackberry bushes, prickly box bushes, rushes by a river bank, &c. A note of mine reads : — " Found a nest of a Gould's Blue Wren in a prickly box about a foot high ; the nest was placed on the ground, and was composed on the outside of coarse grass, and on the inside of fine rootlets, fibres, &c. ; the lining of the egg cavity was of feathers and the soft down plucked from ripe thistle-heads." The prettiest and best finished nest of this species 1 have seen was accidentally found in a low clump of blackberries, in the Lilydale district. One evening, whilst returning at dusk from an excursion in the bush, I happened to jump over a small blackberry clump growing in the path. The noise caused a pair of Blue Wrens to fly out. Thinking a nest might be hidden in the clump, I commenced a search, and soon found it snugly hidden among a tangle of interlacing vines. It was composed on the outside of various kinds of grasses, chiefly those possessed of broad blades, and fibres of bark. The inside consisted of the stalks of a soft fine grass, the lining of the egg cavity being wholly thistle down. The shape of the nest differed somewhat from that of any other nests of this species I have found. Over one-half of the egg cavity was built a hood-like projection, as though the little architects had endeavoured to construct a shelter from the rain for the one sitting in the nest. If the sheltering hood were cut away to the rim of the egg cavity the nest would be decidedly round in shape. The greatest circumference was 15 in.; the greatest height, including hood, 5 in. ; width of egg cavity, 2 in. ; depth of egg cavity, i-| in. ; height of hood-like projection, measured from the rim of egg cavity, 2 in. °' 3 ' Littler, Notes on Some Birds Peculiar to Tasmania. 2Q Other nests I have found have either been globular or oval shaped. In nearly every instance four eggs were laid ; they are inclined to oval in shape, with the texture of the shell very fine, and a decided gloss on the surface. The ground colour of the shell is white. The markings, which are reddish-brown, vary greatly in number in individual specimens ; some are greatly spotted all over, not only with moderately sized spots, but also with very tiny ones, so as to give the egg quite a pinkish tinge ; others, again, have the spots closer together at the stouter end so as to form a belt. The dimensions are about five-eighths of an inch by seven-sixteenths of an inch. The following rough note about some young Blue Wrens was made recently : — " Saw a male Blue Wren gathering food, pre- sumably for his young. After searching a while I found them, perched on a low hawthorn bough. Funny little balls of feathers they were, too, just able to fly. Great was the consternation of the parent birds when I approached close to their offspring to examine them. They (the old birds) kept constantly flying to the little ones, and doing all in their power to entice them away, and in these efforts they eventually succeeded. The plumage of the young birds (four) was much lighter than that of the adult female, or that of the male when in his winter plumage. The upper surface, wings, and tail were a light shade of brown, very lustreless in appearance ; the under surface a dirty white ; man- dibles and commissure very yellow ; irides light brown ; legs and feet yellow. The male bird is a very amusing little fellow. The airs and graces he assumes are worth watching. He hops round with his long tail erect as though he was a very important per- sonage, as no doubt he is in his own estimation. Along and over fallen logs he proceeds, darting suddenly to the ground when something choice catches his eye, back again on to the logs, now perching on a stump to pour forth his little song, then once more all on the alert, darting after some fly, and poking his little beak into every crack and crevice, flitting his tail the while. So on he goes the livelong day, tireless in his inquisitiveness. The Blue Wren (M. cyaneus) of the mainland is said to be a polygamist ; so, to a certain extent, is our Blue Wren. No doubt others besides myself who have watched these interesting little birds have been struck by the fact that a male often has two, and sometimes three, females following meekly after him, picking up scraps he does not consider good enough for his own lordly little stomach. Round bush homesteads the Blue Wren becomes very tame, hopping round the doorways, and even into the passages, in search of crumbs, &c. Whilst one is digging in the garden it sometimes nearly falls a victim to its own boldness by darting right under the descending spade after a fat grub or a juicy worm. When in the scrub it prefers to use its legs when moving from place to place. Its powers of running are very great ; it is as nimble on its feet as a mouse ; in fact, it has the appearance of one when seen a few yards off, as it scurries 30 LITTLER, Notes on Sonic Birds Peculiar to Tasmania. |~IS^ m,"\ , under and over the fallen timber. The powers of flight are rather feeble, and only resorted to when moving from one locality to another, or when suddenly frightened. It prefers to trust to its legs. The song is weak, but is a rather pleasing run of notes, uttered usually when perched on some eminence. Birds Occurring in the Region of the Norths West Cape. By Thomas Carter. Part I. Having resided at Point Cloates (a spur projecting at the base of the North-West Cape Peninsula) for thirteen years, the following list of birds may be regarded as tolerably complete, though, doubtless, there are occasional visitors, and perhaps even resident species, yet to be recorded, hs, my residence there has drawn to an end, I have made the following notes (collected, say, within a radius of ioo miles of the Point), trusting they may be of interest to other field naturalists, and also perhaps of value as a record of a hitherto unworked locality. Although Mr. Robert Hall always refers to this district as western, I think it undoubtedly should be considered as north-west, so many birds occurring there being also found here, while none of the true south-west forms are met with. Mr. Bernard Woodward's chart, in his guide to the Perth (W.A.) Museum, divides this colony into three divisions, the boundary between the N. W. and S.W. being near the Murchison River, about where many S.W. forms seem to find their northern limit, as the White-tailed Cockatoo (Caly ptorhynchus baudini) and Magpie (Gymnorhina dorsalis). I speak from personal experience, having traversed the country through to the vicinity of Albany. Point Cloates is one of the most westerly points of Australia, and, as will be seen from the following notes, is splendidly situated for observing the movements of the Limicolae (Plovers, &c.) The country immediately off the beach is formed of high loose sand- hills with short scrub, which, in some hollows sheltered from the prevailing heavy south-west winds, forms rather dense patches of thicket, where such birds as the Wedgebill (Sphenostoma), Pied {Entomophila leucomelas) and Spiny-cheeked Honey-eaters (Acan- thogenys rufigularis), Robins, Wrens {Maluri), and Redthroats (Pyrrholcemus) find food and shelter. Behind these sandhills, which attain a height of nearly 200 feet, is open undulating " downs " country, almost destitute of bush, but clothed with grass, annual plants, and several varieties of spinifex (Triodid). This extends about 1 5 miles eastward, when the typical inland N.W. country, with clay flats, thickets, grassy plains, and creeks fringed with eucalypts (white gum or flooded gum of the interior) is met with. Two miles N.E. from the homestead a stony range Vol. III. 1903 j CARTER, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. rises and runs to VTaming Head (four miles from the N.W. Cape), getting higher and more rugged further north, where for about fifty miles it is 600 to 800 feet in height, with deep, precipitous gorges, in the beds of which wild fig trees and other small trees flourish. Behind the range is broken table-land, mostly very rugged, with much spinifex. In one place a few clumps of cabbage-tree palms occur, which is somewhat remarkable. On this plateau Eremiornis, Stipiturus, and Arnytis may be found. Between this range and the sea is a flat from half a mile to two miles in breadth ; some places open grass and spinifex, at others scrubby. The country lying to the south and east of the Nor'- West Cape, on the west side of the Exmouth Gulf, is of quite a different character, dense high thicket matted with runners, large white gums, and cork trees being found close to the beach. The south and east sides of the Gulf are mostly lined with dense mangroves and extensive salt marshes (samphire flats), where it is dangerous or impracticable to take horses ; besides, the country is destitute of water, and almost impossible to work, unless from a boat. I am sure many species of birds must occur there which are not recorded in this list. The nearest freshwater pool to Point Cloates is in the deep gorge of the Yardie Creek, about 30 miles north. It is a permanent pool, but rarely visited by water-fowl, being rocky bottom and surrounded by ranges. The other nearest pools are about 50 miles in a S.E. direction, but are not permanent, so that it is a difficult country to work, on account of the scarcity of water, any rain soaking away at once, and the only wells at present being close to the beach. I may mention that the average rainfall for the years from 1 890-1902 was 9.4 inches. This term includes two periods of distressing drought — 1 889-1 89 1 and 1894-5-6, when practically no rain fell. 1893, 1897, and 1900 were hurricane years, with good falls of rain, viz., i8£, n\, and 2^\ inches, the year 1900 being the wettest season on record, and consequently a good bird year. The total number of birds identified is 180, of which I have actually secured 170 species. I have added the aboriginal district names for the birds as far as I can recollect them. (1.) CIRCUS ASSIMILIS (Spotted Harrier, Pillargo). — This is one of the commonest birds of prey, but as a rule shy. On warm days it frequently passes the greatest heat in a tree or a bush, and may then be approached closely. It appears to feed almost entirely on lizards, but I have frequently seen birds of the year attack poultry in a determined way. Birds in immature plumage are much more frequently observed than the handsome adults. They are most numerous in the winter months, doubtless because it is our wet season, and food is plentiful. The large, flat nest is built in a tree or a bush, from 5 feet to 40 feet above the ground. The usual clutch is three, but I have taken four eggs from a nest. Laying season, from 17th July to 1 3th September. Lizards of considerable size and in a paralyzed state may not uncommonly be found in the nest, for the benefit of the sitting bird. 32 CARTER, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. [lSf jjj (2.) ASTUR APPROXIMANS (Goshawk). — The Goshawk is fairly common, and is oftenest seen in the summer months or dry weather, haunting the bushes round waterholes to flush and prey on Finches and other small birds quenching their thirst. As in the previous mentioned Hawk, as many as twelve birds may be seen in immature plumage to one adult. (3.) ACCIPITER CIRRHOCEPHALUS (Sparrow-Hawk). — This bird is rather scarce, and not noted on the coast. Three eggs were noted in a nest, 23rd July, placed about 20 feet from the ground in a white gum. (4.) UROAETUS AUDAX (Wedge-tailed Eagle, Warreedar). — This Eagle is not nearly so numerous as might have been expected from the extent of ranges abounding with wallabies. It was very plentiful on the Gascoyne River in 1887, and destructive in lambing camps. I poisoned fifteen in one morning off a dead sheep. On the salt marshes fringing the coast there these birds build on the tops of thick bushes, as trees are absent. Here the nests are usually on a ledge of one of the gorges in the ranges, and as a rule easy of access. They are early breeders, laying very regularly the last week in May. One egg is the usual clutch, rarely two. 22nd May, 1900, found a nest with one egg on a ledge of cliff, and took the egg. 28th May the same nest contained another egg, which I also took, shooting at the bird as it left the nest, because it was in one of my lambing paddocks. On 4th June the same nest contained a third egg, so these birds are not easily scared. 25th July, 1899, a half-grown young bird was seen in a nest. On one occasion a freshly killed wild cat was found in a nest. (5.) NlSAETUS MORPHNOIDES Little Eagle). — One specimen only of this bird was observed, and it is apparently rare. The bird was perched in a gum-tree watching its chance at a flock of Ducks on a flooded flat, in April, 1900. On 18th July a large nest built in a white gum surrounded by water at the same flat contained an incubated egg, but I failed to secure one of the parent birds, which possibly might have been Haliastur sphenurus. (6.) HALIAETUS leucogaster (White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Tantagee). — This noble bird was fairly common, each pair having its regular " bent." I am sorry to say it was occasionally, but rarely, guilty of attacking ewes and lambs. On two or three occasions a bird of the year boldly attacked the poultry or Ducks at the house. The native name (which signifies butterfly for this bird is very appropriate, for when it is seen soaring at a great elevation, or slowly flapping its wings, it exactly resembles a giant moth. The bulky nest is generally built in a most inaccessible site on a high cliff, usually under an overhanging ledge of rock. The taking of a clutch of two eggs from a nest nearly caused the writer a bad fall, or perhaps something worse. On 7th July an old sailor working for me, a native boy, and myself went to rob a nest situated on a cliff at Yardie Creek. While we were discussing the best way to lower the black boy from the top of the cliff, he commenced to climb up from the bottom of the gorge, and refused to come back. He got the two eggs safely and then began to descend, ignoring my advice to climb right up to the summit of cliff. Seeing he was coming to a place almost destitute of foothold, I climbed to a good ledge to meet and direct him. He was a little to my right, his feet level with my face. The eggs, which he had in his hat held in his teeth, were successfully passed to me, and I had just placed them in safety, when the piece of rock the black boy held to broke off, and he fell, clutching my right arm as he passed, but fortunately did not retain his hold. He dropped a distance of about 25 feet, and fell between some great boulders. I called out to the man to ascertain if the boy was hurt, and was immensely relieved Vol. III. 1903 Carter, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. 33 to hear the native laugh. He was quite unhurt, but had badly torn his clothes. Had we fallen together we should have been both seriously injured. The previous year we had taken two eggs on 21st June from a nest on the opposite side of the creek. Two eggs are the clutch, and they are laid late in June or early in July. If the eggs are taken the nest is forsaken. Sometimes the nest, which is usually a very large structure, about 5 feet across, is placed in the fork of a stunted tree only 10 or 12 feet from the ground. An immature bird on one occasion gave long chase to a tame Straw-necked Ibis at the house, but the Ibis was much the better flyer, and evaded capture. (7). HALIASTUR GIRRENERA (White-headed Sea-Eagle). — This pretty Eagle is common on the coast in summer months, and in the early morning three or four pairs could be seen playing or fighting in circles above the Yardie Creek, uttering their peculiar cry, which resembles that of a Peacock. It also was occasionally seen at flooded inland country 25 miles from the sea. They disappear from about August to November, doubtless to breed in the mangroves of Exmouth Gulf. Last summer a nest was found in a dense patch of mangroves near the N.W. Cape which must have been built by a pair of these birds. It was a little larger than a Crow's nest, well hidden, and the ground below was littered with fragments of yellow land-crabs, on which they largely feed. On several occasions I have found these birds poisoned by eating bait laid for wild dogs. (8.) HALIASTUR SPHENURUS (Whistling Eagle). — This Eagle is fairly common about the inland creeks, where it may be seen soaring for long periods at great elevations, and it is a difficult bird to shoot. It feeds largely on Ducks. A bird was picked up near the house on the coast in a very emaciated condition on 21st February, 1898, after a night of prolonged thunderstorm. It had several yellow land-crabs in its gizzard. The nest is usually in the main fork of a large white gum. Several nests with eggs (usually two) have been taken about the middle of July in various years. Three eggs were once found in a nest. (9.) GYPOICTINIA MELANOSTERNA (Black-breasted Buzzard). — I have no record of having shot one of these birds, but when in Perth Museum in January, 1903, I saw a mounted specimen labelled Point Cloates, 1900. On making inquiries I was assured that the bird had been sent with a parcel of duplicates forwarded by me, and suppose I had inadvertently overlooked it. (10.) MlLVUS AFFINIS (Kite, Pad-oon). — The Kite occurs commonly inland in good seasons, but seldom visits the coast. In 1900 they were very numerous, and when driving inland three or four of them would accompany the buggy to feed on the grasshoppers disturbed out of the grass by its passage. They would flit so close to the horses' heads as to make them startled and nervous. The nests are usually built on horizontal boughs of gum trees. The clutch is usually two (occasionally three) eggs, laid in July. Several nests containing eggs were taken 19th to 22nd July, 1900. (11.) ELANUS AXILLARIS (Black-shouldered Kite). — This bird only visited us at long intervals. During the drought of 1891 many were seen on the coast. Considerable numbers would sleep every night on two or three stunted trees near the house, and several birds were picked up dead, in emaciated condition. Their next appearance was in 1900, when they were fairly common on the coast and inland, but exceedingly wary to shoot. A pair of them reared a brood of young in a wattle 34 CARTER, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. [isfj"| (acacia) bush, about 8 feet from the ground, in one of the paddocks. The ejected pellets below the nest were composed almost entirely of remains of mice. (12.) Falco MELANOGENYS (Black-cheeked Falcon, Perg-gee).— This bird was not much observed until the abnormally wet season of 1900, when it was quite common, but became scarce after. No doubt some of them breed in the ranges and coastal cliffs. (13.) HlERAClDEA ORIENTALIS (Brown Hawk, Kerra-jinga).— The com- monest bird of prey, and a very quarrelsome and noisy one, frequently circling for a considerable time, uttering its querulous cry, hence natives' name, " Kerra-jinga." Before retiring to sleep a pair will always make a great fuss. When native women hear the birds cry, they shake their bosoms, as they have a legend unless they do so they would have no milk after a childbirth. The usual clutch of eggs is three, but occasionally four are laid, and once five were found in a nest. The eggs have been noted between 28th June and 1st September. The nest is usually in a tree, but one was found containing three eggs (28th July, 1893) placed in the broken top of a large white ant-hill on the coast. All the birds seen in the district had dark chocolate breasts. (14.) HlERAClDEA BERIGORA (Striped Brown Hawk).— This species may be considered rare, as only two birds were shot. (15.) CERCHNEIS CENCHROIDES (Kestrel). — This is a very common bird, and breeds in hollow gum spouts, ledges of coast cliffs, and on the ranges. As a rule there is no nest whatever, but occasionally the eggs are laid in an old nest of the Crow. It is not at all unusual to find Kestrels laying in the broken summits of ant-hills. The clutch is three to five eggs and apparently two broods are reared during a season. Eggs have been found from 10th August to 1st November. The birds are crepuscular, and a pair that took up their quarters at the shearing shed was often watched catching beetles, &c, until it was quite dark. (16.) PANDION LEUCOCEPHALUS (Osprey, Weel-bra).— This beautiful and interesting bird was common, and every year twelve to fourteen pairs laid in the vicinity. The nests were usually in places quite easy of access — on the edge of a cliff where one could walk up to the nest and look in, or on a rock above high water mark, and sometimes on the flat, open salt marshes. Some nests seen on the Exmouth Gulf were high up in white gums, but only one was seen which was built among such thin twigs as to be inaccessible by climbing. The mangroves were also very favourite nesting sites. One nest, built in the top of a mangrove about 30 feet high, in course of years became so bulky by constant adding to that the wind eventually blew the tree down. The tallest nest seen was on a large log on the beach. Standing on tiptoe on the log I could just see over the edge of the nest, which was slightly more than 5 ft. 6 in. in height. The nesting season commences very regularly early in July. Eggs have been noted from 25th June to 3rd September. Two or three is the usual clutch, but four were twice found. I have never seen the birds attempt to attack anyone visiting the nest. They fly overhead, uttering a plaintive whistle. Many an hour has been spent watching them fishing, and I must plead guilty to having been mean enough on more than one occasion, when very hungry, of frightening the bird from a fine fish in order to enjoy it myself. On one occasion an Osprey dropped in a mangrove creek within a few yards of me and caught a good-sized fish in each talon. On the other hand, they frequently miss their prey. (17.) NlNOX OCELLATA (Marbled Owl). — This is a winter visitor, and Vol. III. 1903 Carter, Birds Occurring in the Region of N. W . Cape. only sparingly seen, generally in June or July. The only noise I have heard it utter is a snoring sound while flying. (18.) Strix delicatula (Lesser Masked Owl). — This is not an uncommon resident in the hollow gums of the inland creeks and recesses of the coast ranges. Three eggs, incubated, were taken on 10th September, 1900. From personal observation this bird utters a screeching noise like that of the European Barn-Owl, of which it is the Australian representative. On two occasions, when travelling stock in the vicinity of the N.W. Cape, I have been startled at night by an extremely harsh, loud, screaming note, which probably emanated from one of the larger Owls. The first time I heard it was in the drought of 1891. While my nerves were still tingling with the unaccustomed sound they were still more startled by the whole of the natives with me rushing up in great excitement, some of them seizing hold of me in their alarm and begging me to shoot the " devil." Subsequent inquiries elicited the information that a very large bird — " sulky fellow " — as big as a Wedge-tailed Eagle, was sometimes seen in the caves of the range, and that it would steal small babies. I leave some future naturalist to decide what species it is. (19.) CORVUS CORONOIDES (Crow, Kawk). — The Crow is found every- where, and is very mischievous and bold at dwellings and camps, but wary and difficult to shoot in the open. During droughts they are very de- structive to weakly ewes and lambs, attacking their eyes first. I have seen a Crow standing in front of a lamb temporarily left by its mother, and every time the lamb opened its mouth to bleat the Crow plucked at its tongue. The nest is usually built in the upper twigs of a tree, or on ledges of cliff on the coast. One year a pair built' four nests, one after the other, on the crosspiece of timber mortised on the top of the wool press uprights. The piece was about 3 ft. x 10 in., and 25 feet from ground, but, being quite smooth, afforded no hold for the nests, which were blown down in turn until the birds abandoned the ill-chosen site. Nests were occasionally built in the forked timbers supporting the levers at unused wells. Eggs were taken as early as 28th June, 1900, when a clutch of seven was found in a nest. The latest eggs seen were 9th September, 1898. There are undoubtedly two resident .species of Crows — one a large, powerfully made bird with heavy bill ; the other smaller in every way, and is, I think, C. bennetti. I hope to add a note on this later. (20.) GRALLINA PICATA (Magpie-Lark, Chillin-birrin). — A pair or more of these birds may be seen at all pools on rivers and creeks. The nest is generally high, and difficult of access. Clutch three to five, usually laid in August or early September, but they have been taken in February after rain. (21.) COLLYRIOCINCLA RUFIVENTRIS (Buff-bellied Shrike-Thrush). — This bird was only noted in the rocky ranges, where every gorge or ravine was tenanted by a pair or more, which enlivened the solitude with their beautiful song. Curiously, I never found a nest, but shot recently-fledged young on 27th July. On one occasion a bird was observed hopping in the branches of a tree holding a lizard in its beak and singing lustily at the same time. (22.) GRAUCALUS MELANOPS (Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike). — Common on the inland country, where any timber occurred, also to the south and east of N.W. Cape. The eggs are generally laid about the middle of July, two to a clutch. On 14th July, 1901, when climbing to a Whistling Eagle's nest in a white gum tree, my attention was attracted by a pair of Cuckoo-Shrikes seeming much disturbed. Looking down, one of the 36 CARTER, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. [lstjuiy usual frail nests, built in the fork of a lower limb, was observed, containing two eggs. Half-grown young birds were noted in nest, 24th August. (23.) Lalage tricolor (White-shouldered Caterpillar-eater). — A common winter visitor, but very shy in its habits. It also occurs sparingly after summer rains. The very small nest, usually built in a bunch of leafy twigs, is difficult to see in the white gums. Two nests were noted on 14th July, 1 90 1, both containing young birds, and another on 3rd August. (24.) PETRCECA GOODENOVI (Red-capped Robin). — A winter visitor, occurring right down to the beach, but rather sparingly. Gould was of opinion this bird did not visit the coast. The cheerful but rather harsh song may be heard as soon as winter rains commence, usually in June. (25.) PETRGECA BICOLOR (Hooded Robin). — Rather common on the ranges, and apparently resident. (26.) MALURUS LEUCOPTERUS (White-winged Wren). — This is the com- monest species of the Maluri, but was nowhere abundant except after the hurricane of 1898, when a dense growth of " roley poley " bush sprang up everywhere, affording welcome shelter and feed to these birds. They apparently have more than one brood a year, as young were observed leaving a nest on 8th December of that year. (27.) MALURUS ASSIMILIS (Purple-backed Wren). — This charming bird was not uncommon on coast and inland, but was most frequently seen in the scrubby gullies about the coast ranges, and was also noted in mangroves. (28.) RHIPIDURA PREISSI (Western Fantail). — A fairly common winter visitor. Numbers of them frequented the dense patches of mangroves, where they found abundance of small insects. They were frequently observed on the beach, feeding on the small flies which occurred on the seaweed left by tide. (29.) RHIPIDURA TRICOLOR (Black and White Fantail, Chee-ri-gal). — A winter visitor, arriving very regularly about the middle of April, and leaving in October. (30.) ACROCEPHALUS LONGIROSTRIS (Long-billed Reed- Warbler). — This bird was only twice observed — the first time in a dense growth of tall rushes growing round a pool at Winning. There were several of them, but very shy, and no specimens were procured. This was in June, 1900, the wet year. On 25th March, 1902, an immature male was shot while singing in dense grass and bush on the edge of another pool. The under parts were remarkably rufous. (31.) STIPITURUS RUFICEPS (Rufous-crowned Emu-Wren). — This interest- ing species was first noted and secured at Yardie Creek, close to the beach, about 30 miles north of Point Cloates, on 14th April, 1898, as recorded in The Ibis (1899), p. 399. After that date numbers were seen north of that creek on the flat below the range, and on the table-land above, but no specimen was ever seen south of the creek, although the country was precisely similar. They rarely fly unless hard pressed, but run from one bush (or bunch of spinifex) to another, uttering their faint yet rather shrill squeak. On one occasion a bird was caught uninjured after a shower of rain, when its feathers were drenched. The eggs were not found, but a family of recently-fledged young was seen on 6th September, 1900. A specimen shot lacked the rufous crown of the adult bird. (32.) CHLAMYDODERA GUTTATA (Yellow-spotted Bower-Bird). — On 5th Vol. Ill 190, *I,_] Carter, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. 37 February, 1902, in the distressing drought then prevailing, I was opening out a soakage of water at Tantabiddy, 10 miles S.W. of N.W. Cape. I had moved all stock to the Exmouth Gulf, with much trouble and loss, only to have some hundreds of sheep poisoned by some unknown plant, so we had to " get up and git " out of that as soon as possible, and I came back on our tracks with a native boy, hoping to get a supply of water at a soak where we had watered horses going up. The native and self had not been working long when he put himself hors de combat by smashing his big toe with a 5 lb. sledge hammer. The soak was in a patch of thicket which cut off all wind, and the sun was blazing down on me as I was working my hardest to get some water fit to drink, for we found three poisoned dingoes in the hole, which had to be thoroughly cleaned out. Consequently I was not in a very amiable temper, and heard extraordinary noises going on in the thicket close to where the native was nursing his injured toe. After some time I said to him — " If you can't work, you need not make those idiotic noises," when he indignantly replied — " That nothing mine, that bird ; " when I jumped out, knowing it was something out of the common. Seeing a bird creeping about in the scrub, I fired with a 450 Colt revolver (my only firearm at the time), and secured what I have no doubt was C. guttata from the description in Gould's "Handbook," which I had with me. I had no preservatives and the bird naturally was badly smashed, but I made a skin of some sort and sent it to Melbourne Museum, and received a reply to say that only a mass of loose feathers arrived. In April the same year, a similar bird was seen in dense fig trees in a deep gorge near the house, and not molested, hoping it would breed, but it was not seen again. If the birds were C. guttata, of which there is little doubt, it was the first record for W.A., as already mentioned in Mr. A. J. Campbell's " Nests and Eggs," pages 202 and 203. (33.) Amytis striata (Striated Grass-Wren). — These birds were seen on two occasions only, at the same locality — viz., a rocky " kopje " on the table-land country, with low scrub and patches of spinifex round. The birds darted across the intervening bare spaces at incredible speed, with tails erect, uttering a trilling chirp. On 21st May, 1900, a family was observed there, the young having just left the nest, which was found in the top of a bunch of spinifex. It was bulky, loosely made of leaves and fibre, and only half domed. The male bird sat quietly in a fig tree until observed by my black boy, when I shot it, surprised to see it so quiet in such a situation, which was contrary to its usual habits. One young bird was captured alive, after a long chase through spinifex bunches. (34.) Acanthiza uropygialis (Chestnut-rumped Tit). — This active little bird occurs in inland scrub, and may be seen feeding in the white gums, uttering its cheerful little note. (35.) Sericornis (Pyrrhol^mus) brunnea (Redthroat). — This species is not uncommon in the scrub among coast hills and also inland. It is very quiet and unobtrusive in its habits, and would not be much noticed were it not for its beautiful song. (36.) Pomatorhinus superciliosus (White-browed Babbler). — This sprightly bird occurs rather sparingly in inland thickets, especially those composed of snake- wood and " wanyoo." (37.) Pomatorhinus rubeculus (Red-breasted Babbler). — This species was only noted in the scrub in the bed of the Minilya River (95 miles south). A small colony had their bulky nests in a large white gum not far from the station house. (38.) Cinclorhamphus CRURALis (Brown Song-Lark). — This was a very 38 CARTER, Birds Occurring in Ike Region of N.W. Cape. I isf "V^, common species both on the coast and inland, being most numerous in winter, when their loud, cheerful song could be heard everywhere. Breeding season, June-September. (39.) ClNCLORHAMPHUS RUFESCENS (Rufous Song-Lark). — Not quite so numerous as the preceding species, and not noted on the coast. Four eggs is the clutch; eggs were found from 1st June to 2nd August. (40.) CALAMANTHUS CAMPESTRIS (Field-Wren, Nee-an-tee). — A common resident on the coast, but not noted any distance inland. It has a cheerful song, uttered from the topmost twig of low scrub, but the birds are shy, and disappear on the least alarm. They lay at any season after rain, the eggs (four to clutch) having been taken in various months. Some South- Western Notes (Oct., 1902— Jan., 1903). By Thomas Carter. On that portion of the Vasse River (W.A.) which is navigable for rowing boats above the town (a distance of about \\ miles), six nests of Rhipidura tricolor (Black and White Fantail) were observed on 31st October, containing eggs or young birds. The nests were either on snags projecting out of the water, or in bushes overhanging the river. Anas superciliosus (Black Duck) were abundant and tame, with broods of various-sized young. They would often allow a boat to row past without taking flight. These birds have increased very much since the reserve for native game was declared. 14th November. — A pair of Casarca tadornoides (Shieldrake) were on the river close to the town, with a brood of eight young in down. There were a few pairs of Sisura inquieta (Restless Fly-catcher) about the river banks, which had evidently reared their young. Anthus australis (Ground-Lark) had eggs, 10th November. Zosterops gouldi (Green-backed White-eye), 22nd November, three fresh eggs. Acanthiza chrysorrhoa (Yellow-rumped Tit). — Fresh eggs up to 4th December, and Rhipidura tricolor 9th December. Ptilotis sonora (Singing Honey-eater), 11th December; Par- dalotus striatus (Red-tipped Pardalote) was noted feeding young in nest same day 1 6th December. — A pair of Mclithreptus chloropsis (Western White-naped Honey-eater) was feeding a fledged Pallid Cuckoo, and a short distance away a pair of Ptilotis sonora was similarly engaged. Mr. A. J. Campbell's list of birds* acting as hosts for the Pallid Cuckoo does not include the former bird. A gentleman who takes an interest in bird life having asked me to identify a bird that occurred in the open flats to the east of Vasse, near the Darling Range, we rode out one day, and * " Nests and Eggs," p. 565. lo\. III."] 1903 J CARTER, Some South-Western Notes. were returning towards sundown, when a small bird which I took to be one of the Maluri darted out of some scrub and flew rapidly and strongly for a distance of two hundred yards. Flushing it again, a snap shot dropped it, and it proved to be Stipiturus malachurus (Emu-Wren). I was somewhat surprised to see this bird fly so readily and swiftly, as my previous experience of it was creeping tamely about in the scrub at a few feet distance. Mr. R. Gale, of Fairlawn, told me the following curious story of a tame Emu : — The bird was allowed its liberty on the Margaret River estate, and apparently formed an attachment for a horse there, for when my informant drove this horse from Margaret River to his house near Busselton, a distance of 40 miles, the Emu arrived early the following day, in spite of having had to traverse cross roads and negotiate several fences of barbed wire and post and rails. Did the bird follow the horse by scent ? The Por phyroce phahts spurius (Red-capped Parrakeet) was fairly common in the forest country, but Calyptorhynchus naso (Red-tailed Cockatoo), which in former years was common, was not noted. Glycyphila ocularis (Brown Honey-eater) was fairly common about the river, though Mr. A. W. Milligan considers this bird rare south of Perth. M alums splenalens (Banded Wren) was not uncommon, but I failed to see M. elegans (Red-winged Wren). 8th to 25th Nov- ember I spent at that delightful locality Ellensbrook, on the coast, south of Cape Naturaliste, where Mr. Milligan discovered his new Bristle-Bird (Sphenura 1 1 tor alts), and from personal observation I can endorse his remarks as to the difficulty of obtaining specimens of this bird and the Black-throated Coachwhip-Bird, or of even sighting them. When returning homewards one evening, carrying my gun carelessly under my arm, feeling tired after a long day's tramp, a bird, carrying its tail perpendicularly, ran with immense speed across a patch of sand drift into a clump of bush. A snap shot had no result. On examination of its foot- prints in the fine sand, found them to be fairly evenly from 17 to 1 8 inches apart — a long stride for a bird of its size. Subsequent examination of the locality proved by the numerous tracks that the birds frequented this patch of sand drift, running from one patch of rushes or bush to another. They apparently came out very early in the morning, as I waited hours on subse- quent days at various times (except sunrise) without seeing the birds. The song of the Black-throated Coachwhip-Bird was frequently heard in one patch of dense coastal scrub, and once, whilst seated under the growth with a keen companion, the bird perched within about 5 feet of his head. The Lipoa's egg-mound which was photographed by Mr. Conigrave was visited on 25th November, when the top had been freshly opened out. I was told of another nest of this species having been robbed of fifteen eggs in the vicinity of Cape Naturaliste about 12th December. zLO Carter, Some South-Western Notes. ET', t^ . List J"'y The following species were noted at Ellensbrook which do not occur in Mr. Milligan's list* : — Cerchncis cenchroides (Kestrel), Sericornis maculata (Spotted-throated Scrub-Wren), Glycyphila fulvifrons (Fulvous-fronted Honey-eater) and G. ocularis (Brown Honey-eater), Halcyon sanctus (Sacred Kingfisher), Dcmiegrctta sacra (Reef-Heron), Ncttion gibberifrons (Grey Teal), and Dro- maius nova-hollandia (Emu). G. fulvifrons was not uncommon on the open hills about Cowaramup Brook, and were feeding young in the nest on 10th November. Zonceginthus oculatus (Red-eared Finch) was on two occasions shot from the upper limbs of karri trees in forest. 4th to 14th January I spent at Killerberin, on the Coolgardie railway line, with the enthusiastic oologist Mr. B. W. Leake. When camped out together in the neighbourhood we shot two specimens of Melithrcptus which Mr. Milligan stated to be identical with his recently described species, M. leucogenys. The same day I was watching a Yellow-cheeked Parrakeet (Platyccrcus icterotis) from a short distance with my binoculars, being struck with its red mantle, but, unfortunately, did not shoot it, as I had a long string of specimens to skin, and had overlooked the possi- bility of its being P. xanthogcnys (Salvadori). Some future collector may solve the problem of this species occurring there, also the identity of a small Wren seen in the open scrubby plains, which was not secured, and a small bird which was once seen travelling very rapidly in a family party among the tops of the timber — perhaps a Sittella. When crossing the Coolgardie railway line on 10th January we noted a Red-backed Kingfisher {H. pyrrhopygius) fly out of one of the numerous pits dug at the water-pipe joints. Investigation disclosed a nest containing five incubated eggs, which were visible without enlarging the nesting- hole. Mr. Leake says these birds are much more numerous than formerly, having evidently followed up the line, in consequence of procuring abundant food from the newly turned up soil. Notes on a Collection of Bird-skins from the Fitzroy River, North- Western Australia. By Robert Hall. With Field Notes by J. P. Rogers. Part III. 114. Falco lunulatus (Latham), Little Falcon. Falco frontatus, Gould, Birds Aust., fol., vol. i., pi. 10 (1848). Falco lunulatus, Sharpe, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., vol. i., p. 398 (1874). a. Adult skin, female, 18/2/02. b. Immature skin, female, 27/2/02. This morning I saw this species keeping low and flying at a tremendous rate immediately above the grass. Some Wood- * Emu, vol. ii., pp. 70-77. Vol 1903 *IL] Hall, Notes on Bird-skins from \ N '.W '. Australia. 4 I Swallows (A. cinereus), seeing the Hawk coming while they were perched in a tree and the Hawk still 200 yards away, rose directly high into the air. One was singled out, and the Hawk, keeping below it, drove it still higher into the air. Going still higher, the Swallow then turned and made for the ground, with the Hawk in close pursuit. It was a wonderful sight to see the Hawk, not more than one yard in the rear, following every turn of the bird pursued. Three times the Hawk missed his blow. When within 20 yards of the ground it made its final attack, and succeeded in securing its prey. Then, shooting into the air some 40 feet, it dropped to the ground. 115. NlNOX OCCIDENTALIS (Ramsay), Western Winking-Owl. Ninox connivens-occidentalis, Ramsay, Proc. Linn. Soc, N.S.W., vol. i., 2nd Series, p. 1086 (1886). Adult skin, male, 19/2/02. Base of bill and cere yellow ; irides and feet yellow. 116. Ninox OCELLATA (Hombr. and J acq.), Marbled Owl. Ninox ocellata, Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. ii., p. 170 (1875). Adult skin, male, 12/3/02. [Irides yellowish-brown ; bill brown, at base bluish-grey ; cere and feet bluish-grey.] 117. Cisticola exilis (Vigors and Horsfield), Grass- Warbler. Cisticola lineicapilla, Gould, Birds Aust., fol., vol. iii., pi. 43 (1848). Cisticola ruficeps, Gould, Birds Aust., fol., vol. iii., pi. 45 (i< Cisticola isura, Gould, Birds Aust., fol., vol. iii., pi. 44 (i< Cisticola exilis, Gould, Birds Aust., fol., vol. iii., pi. 42 (1! Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. vii., p. 269 (1883). a. Adult skin, male, 9/3/02. /;. Immature skin, male, 16/3/02. c. Young, 14/3/02. [This species is fairly numerous in the Brooking Creek Gorge, Oscar Range, but at Livuringa it is the second time seen. Specimen a swelled out its throat when singing to the size of a pea-nut.] 118. Pomatorhinus RUBECULUS (Gould), Red-breasted Babbler. Pomatorhinus rubeculus, Gould, Birds Aust., fol., vol. iv., pi. 21 (1848); Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus,, vol. vii., p. 421 (1883). Four adult male skins, 1 1/5/02. [a. Found nest to-day (20/9/00) with three young in it. b. Found nest with three eggs in it, December. I saw the birds turning over all curled leaves, and looking within them for insects. c. Found nest, 6/2/01, with two eggs.] 119. Geopelia CUNEATA (Latham), Little Turtle-Dove. Geopelia cuneata, Gould, Birds Aust., fol., vol. v., pi. 74 ; Salvadori, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxi., p. 462 (1893). One adult skin. 42 Hall, Notes on Bird-skins from N.W. Australia. |ist July [On 22/10/01 I found two eggs in a nest which had been used for a brood previously. This I judged by the droppings being placed upon the edges of the nest. I find (2/4/00) several of this species are breeding. The adults endeavoured to entice me away by fluttering and struggling when flying, as if wounded. The Turtle-Doves are still in large flocks (6/6/02). I counted 40 perched on a small cajaput tree beside the road leading into Derby.] 120. Geopelia humeralis (Temminck), Barred-shouldered Dove. Geopelia humeralis, Gould, Birds Aust., fol., vol. v., pi. 72 ; Salvadori, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxi., p. 455 (1893). Adult males, 19/2/02. [Bare patch round eye leaden colour, with purple showing through in places. This species tries to divert one's attention from their nests (2/4/00), just as with the previous species.] 121. CORVUS CORONOIDES' (Vigors and Horsfield), Crow. Corvus coronoides, Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iii., p. 20 (1877). Adult female skin, 27/2/02. [This bird was foster-parent of three young Channelbill Cuckoos. The young Cuckoos were seated upon the edge of the nest. Very strange they looked as their bills pointed skyward, the bill and neck being in a line with the body, upon the same plane. The nest was on a very thin limb. The young Cuckoos have a loud squawking cry. The foster-parents kept flying around the tree top while I was examining the nest. Irides white, with blue ring round pupil.] 122. EUDYNAMIS CYANOCEPHALA (Latham), Koel. Eudynamis flindersii, Gould, Birds Aust., fol., vol. iv., pi. 91 (1848). Eudynamis cyanocephala, Shelley, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xix., p. 324 (1891). Three skins, nestlings, male, female, sex not marked, 7/2/02. [Irides yellowish-brown ; bill pale brown, cutting edge white ; feet and legs blue-grey. Heard the calls of adults at 7.30 p.m. ; very dark. Found young in Crow's nest — a record.] 123. TURNIX VELOX (Gould), Little Quail, Swift-flying Turnix. Turnix velox, Ogilvie-Grant, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxii., p. 5 5 3 (i8Q3). Five skins received. a, b. Adult males, 18/2/02. c, d, e. Adult females, 19/2, 6/^, 19/3/02. [When rising the wings of the female give a sharp whirr, and the bird at the same time emits a quick note of alarm. It usually flies 100 yards, and as it does not run when alighted it is easily flushed again. Specimen a had a fully-developed yolk in its ovary.] V°i'in'l HALL, Notes on Bird-skins from N.W. Australia. 43 124. Podicipes NOV^-HOLLANDLE (Stephens), Black-throated Grebe. Podiceps gularis, Gould, Birds Aust., fol., vol. vii., pi. 81 (1843); Ogilvie-Grant, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxvi., p. 519 (1898). Adult male and female, 4/2/02. [This species is very tame. At Ellamurd's, where they were feeding upon insects within a few yards of where I was standing, the female bird I unknowingly shot when it was on the nest. There was an egg in the oviduct.] It seems the bird weighs down the nest, which was nearly 4 inches out of the water, according to Mr. Rogers. [There was a tape-worm in the intes- tines of the female specimen about 9 inches in length.] 125. Loph^thyia (Podicipes) cristata (Linnaeus), Tippet Grebe. Podiceps australis, Gould, Birds Aust., fol., vol. vii., pi. 80 (1844) ; Grant, Brit. Mus. Cat. Birds, xxvi., p. 502 (1898). Lophcethyia cristata, Sharpe, Hand List of Birds, vol. i., p. 114 (1899). One adult skin. 126. Stiltia ISABELLA (Vieillot), Pratincole. Glareola grallaria, Gould, Handbook Birds Aust., ii., p. 243 (1865). Stiltia Isabella, Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxiv., p. 5 1 (1896). Adult females, 28/12/01. 127. Porphyrio BELLUS (Gould), Blue Bald-Coot. Porphyrio bellus, Gould, Birds Aust., fol., vol. vi., pi. 70 (1841); Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxiii., p. 202 (1894). Adult female, 27/1/02. [Birds now laying (27th January). Four clutches, each 5, 6, 6, 7 eggs. For nest the grasses are beaten down, and reeds are placed upon them. Several nests of eggs found on 22/2/02 contained five eggs or eight eggs, and the larger number lay in bowls that appeared to have been flattened by the birds to hold better the eggs. The nests were bulky, being 16 inches in breadth and 14 inches in depth.] (To be continued '.) The Plumage Phases of Ptilotis leucotis, Lath. By Robert Hall, Melbourne. In January, 1902, a skin of a Honey-eater was handed to me by Mr. Wallen for identification. It did not agree with any description known to me, but by appearances I considered it might be a young bird of the White- eared Honey-eater. Subsequently I was able to secure skins that showed this particular one to be a phase between the nestling and the adult. 44 Hall, The Plumage Phases of Ptilotis leucotis. [isfjuly From a number of skins before me I am able to note seven distinct phases in the plumage development of the species. The most important phases, and those which supply new information, are a and b, the skin a being the nestling, with yellow ear coverts, and b an immature bird with ear coverts partly yellow and partly white, in about equal proportions. In another skin the yellow is simply a wash upon a portion of the white, while in a third a flush of yellow is merely visible. In the young* stages the throat is either dull brown or yellowish-brown, or faint yellow with a brown crescent as the indicator of the dark throat, which is brown before the final moult for black. The abdomen also varies between dull tawny and yellow. The crown is olive in the early phase, grey and olive in a later moulting stage, and finally grey streaked with black. The dorsal surface is duller in the early stages than in the later, which is in agreement with those of most species of birds. Measurements of adult males are supplied as under, to show the amount of variability in the sizes (g1, gl). Specimens /; to g, inclusive, show very clearly the maturing of the species as far as its plumage is concerned, for they represent six clear phases. Specimens h and ;' show an adult male and an adult female practically to have the same measurements. Specimens ; and k show two adult females — one (k) small, and possibly below the average, while the other (;') is about as large as adult females usually are. Young birds (as in d) are sometimes larger than adult birds (as in h) of the same sex. The rule, as we have it, is to recognize the male as larger than the female, which is probably correct in a large series of skins. Brief descriptions of the important phases are : — Specimen a. — Nestling, 31/12/02, Torquay, Victoria. In colouration it agrees with b, excepting the ear coverts, which are uniform yellow. Wing, 2.25 inches ; tarsus, 0.85 inch ; culmen, 0.35 inch ; tail, 1.3 inch. Specimen /;. — Juvenile, sex not marked, December, 1899, Murray River, Victoria. Throat and chest dull olive-brown, remainder of under surface yellowish-olive ; ear coverts, anterior half white, posterior part yellow, and beneath a portion of the white at its base ; head dull yellowish-olive, and slightly duller than the rest of the upper surface; superciliary stripe and lores black. Total length, 7 inches ; wing, 3.5 inches ; tarsus, 0.95 inch ; culmen, 0.5 inch ; tail, 3.35 inches. Specimen c. — Juvenile female, Melbourne, Victoria, 12/4/98. * Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. ix., p. 241, has it : — " Young and immature birds have the throat and fore-neck dull brownish-grey instead of black, and the yellow in the plumage is much less developed than in the adult." Nothing is said about ear coverts. Vol. Ill 1903 Hall, The Plumage Phases of Ptilotis leucotis. A c Throat, centre as in b, sides brownish, black being new feathers ; ear coverts white, flushed with yellow ; crown and upper surface as with b ; superciliary stripe and lores brownish-black ; margins of tail feathers less yellow than in b ; under surface of body more yellow than in b, and much less yellow than in adult. Total length, 7 inches ; wing, 3.06 inches ; tail, 3.25 inches ; culmen, 0.5 inch ; tarsus, 0.95 inch. Specimen d. — Juvenile male, Box Hill, Victoria, March, 1900. Throat and chest as in b ; ear coverts white, very faintly washed with yellow ; superciliary stripe and lores brownish-black ; crown and upper surface very much as in b and c. Total length, 7.15 inches ; wing, 3.35 inches ; tail, 3.5 inches ; culmen, 0.5 inch ; tarsus, 0.85 inch. Specimen c. — Juvenile male, Melbourne, Victoria, 12/4/98. Whole of throat, chest, and superciliary stripe nearly as black as in adult ; ear coverts pure white ; forehead dull yellowish-olive as in younger stages, while the crown and occiput are moulting in favour of the grey of the adult ; remainder of upper and under surfaces as in adult. Total length, 7.75 inches ; wing, ^.j inches ; tail, 3.6 inches ; tarsus, 0.9 inch ; culmen, 0.55 inch. Specimen /. — Juvenile female, Box Hill, Victoria, 10/4/01. A moult of the olive-like feathers of forehead and crown in favour of the grey of the adult is very distinct. About half of the old feathers persist in irregular patches, while the greys are also irregularly scattered. No colour change is noticeable. Total length, 7.5 inches ; wing, t,.t, inches ; tail, 3.65 inches ; tarsus, 0.9 inch ; culmen, 0.5 inch. Specimen g\ — Adult male, Box Hill, Victoria, 17/7/96. Example giving largest measurements. Total length, 9 inches ; wing, 4.05 inches ; tail, 4.3 inches ; tarsus, 1 inch ; culmen, 0.5 inch. Specimen g1. — Adult male, Heytesbury, Victoria, 5/8/96 {per Mr. George Graham). Example giving smallest measurements. Total length, 7.5 inches ; wing, 3.2 inches ; tail, 3.45 inches ; tarsus, 0.85 inch ; culmen, 0.5 inch. Specimen h. — Adult female, date uncertain, Oakleigh, Victoria. Small-sized female. Total length, 6.9 inches ; wing, 3 inches ; tail, 3.3 inches ; tarsus, 0.9 inch ; culmen, 0.5 inch. A Trip to Oyster Cay, N. Queensland. By E. M. Cornwall, Cairns. On 15 th November a party of six left Cairns in the oil launch Industry at 4.30 a.m. for Oyster Cay, Upolu Reef, and Green Island, to inspect the marvellous bird colonies and coral reefs of those places. As the almost full moon sank, a soft glow proclaimed the coming dawn, and when day broke Green Island 46 CORNWALL, A Trip to Oyster Cay, N. Queensland. [Isf 'july showed, a mere fringe, to the eastward, and the white sands of Upolu Bank glimmered right ahead. Nearing the bank the sea-birds could be seen hovering over it in countless thousands, and one who has not had the oppor- tunity of seeing these birds in their own domains could barely credit the sight that was revealed to those who landed on the Bank. I have seen a few bird rookeries in various places, but nothing to compare with what we saw here — even the famous Mutton-Bird rookeries suffered by contrast. The Bank, a mere sand ridge of about three acres in extent, some two or three feet above high water mark, and clothed with coarse grass and mesembryanthemum, was one seething mass of bird life. The birds were like a swarm of bees about a hive ; the little island seemed just a quivering mass ; and the wind coming from them brought evidence of their proximity to both hearing and smell. The majority of the birds were the very much misnamed Sooty Terns {Sterna fuliginosd), and the reflection of the bright green shallow water upon the snow-white under parts of these birds produced a pretty effect, giving them a beautiful sea-green tinge. The sight which greeted us when we landed on Upolu Bank is better described by the camera than the pen — birds were every- where, eggs likewise, the latter so close together that it was almost impossible to walk without treading on them. The " rain " of guano was something to be remembered. The pretty birds would barely deign to move out of the way. In some cases they would allow themselves to be caught in preference to leaving their eggs. Amongst the Terns, but on higher patches of sand, were colonies of the Lesser Crested Terns (S. media), conspicuous with their light-coloured plumage, jet black crests, and red bills. There were also a few Noddies, and quite a number of Frigate- Birds, but though one of the latter perched upon the only bush upon the bank and seemed disposed to " sit " for me, he drew the line at the focussing cloth. He was a noble fellow, sat quiet, and seemed to take little interest whilst the camera was planted at a few paces distance, but when the cloth began to flap he evidently thought it would be well to be out of the road. I have often wondered how, on a great rookery like this, the birds are able to identify their eggs, and after carefully watching for a considerable time have come to the conclusion that they are not at all particular whose egg they sit on. Although the rookeries of different varieties are well defined, the whole are so jumbled together that along the fringes where two varieties meet the eggs are much intermingled, and in very many cases Sooty Terns had taken possession of Lesser Crested Tern's eggs and vice versa. Leaving Upolu a course was steered for Oyster Cay, which was reached about noon, and proved a bitter disappointment to the ornithologists and photographers of the party. A beche-de-mer fisherman had established a station there, and most of the birds had deserted it, those left being so wild that photographs could The Emu, Vol. III. PLATE IV. a >~, < ,%V Z WaI ^1| % MWM> * 9 Till <» " /» *; r ft 3L \' ^ >,/ few , .'I p. ■■'*%• I ▼ I* » > ' aft* / st July Avicultural Magazine (February), p. 147, remarks: — "By the way, it really seems like divisions run mad when a bird so obviously a Polytelis is erected into a separate genus on account of a slight difference in one wing feather ! However, that is not Mr. Seth-Smith's fault, though the British Museum Catalogue of 1 89 1 does not separate it." * * * W OUR member, Mr. S. P. Townsend, is to be congratulated on the usefulness of his maiden article, " Notes on the White- faced Storm-Petrel " {Pelagodroma marina), which appeared in April number of The Victorian Naturalist (vol. xix.) Mr. Townsend made two mid-summer trips to Mud Island, Port Phillip Bay, the second time being accompanied by Mr. Clifford Coles They ascertained that the majority of the tiny burrows of the timid little Petrels were tenanted with young, and that most of the parents came to feed them from between the hours of 9 p.m. and midnight, and then disappeared. Other important notes bearing on the life-history of this Storm-Petrel are recorded. Mr. Townsend very properly suggested the advisability of the Government protecting these rookeries from demolition by the guano-diggers, but at the time he was not aware that, principally at the instigation of the Aust. O.U.,a proclamation had appeared in the Vict. Government Gazette, 3rd December, 1902, protecting the White-faced Storm-Petrels on Mud Island during " the whole year." Now that Mr. Townsend has taken Mud Island " under his wing " he might easily get the necessary " permit " to work out other interesting points in the life-history of the little ocean waifs. For instance, it would be extremely interesting to learn when the White-faced Storm-Petrels come in to lay their single eggs, how long incubation lasts' and when the young are full grown and leave with their parents for their ocean haunts. Incidentally, in his paper, Mr. Townsend has recorded other birds seen on or in the proximity of Mud Island — some 28 species, of which 10, as may be expected for the locality, were Limicoline birds. Some of these he noticed in flocks in the lagoon — partially dry at low water — in the centre of the island. * * * A RoEBURNE correspondent writes : — " Since my wire to you on the 1 6th ult. concerning the extraordinary influx of Wild Turkeys after the rains, the birds appear to have decided to settle here until rain falls in the Gascoyne and Ashburton districts. The oldest residents here declare that they have never before seen such a sight. On the morning of Monday, 30th March, late sleepers were awakened by firing going on all over the town, resembling a village trying to beat off a besieging army ; but the noise was only occasioned by many enthusiastic sportsmen endeavouring to bring off flying shots, as the huge birds went sailing low over the town. . . . The effect of the influx of Turkeys on the local butchering company is disastrous, the Vol. III.~1 From Magazines, &c. J Z inhabitants generally preferring turkey to mutton or beef. The proprietor will doubtless view the departure of the birds with a great amount of satisfaction." — Morning Herald, Perth, 14/4/03. Bird Lore. — This admirable magazine more than maintains its high standard of merit in the number for January and February, 1903. Amongst the noticeable articles is the second instalment of a new departure in bird literature. This is from the pen of the well-known ornithologist Mr. Abbott H. Thayer, which opens with the statement that " the use of photographs of stuffed birds as illustrations in bird-books has become an insidious stumbling block in the path of those you are trying to lead to see the beauty of life in all its forms," which is followed by an announcement that each succeeding number of the publication will " contain a photo, from specimens in the American Museum of Natural History of some comparatively little known bird .... the name of which will be withheld until the succeeding number of the magazine." Mr. Thayer closes his present paper with the remark : — " But, as the case stands, photography's exquisite revelations go far beyond all art productions in the same field." The place of honour in the present issue is assigned to Mr. A. J. Campbell, who, in an article on " The Mound-Building Birds of Australia," brings all information possessed concerning these birds up to date, and enables the outside world to realize, by means of photos., how they work and what are their surroundings. " How to Study Birds " forms the subject of a most useful article from the pen of Mr. Frank M. Chapman, the editor. The remaining articles are of the best quality. The Zoologist (March, 1903) contains a most interesting article on the extinct Black Emu (Dromceus ater) by Graham Renshaw, M.B. The only stuffed example known is in the Jardin des Plantes Museum, Paris. Dr. Renshaw, who examined the specimen, states it is about the size of a large Bustard, and differs from the ordinary Emu {D. novce-hollandics) in its smaller size, in the greater development of its plumage, and in its colour being brownish-black instead of greyish. The history of the Paris specimen is well known, it being the skin of one of three live birds which Baudin and Peron captured on Kangaroo Island, off South Australia, in 1803. The other two birds were ultimately turned into skeletons, one remaining in the Museum of Com- parative Anatomy connected with the" Jardin des Plantes and the other being forwarded to the Royal Zoological Museum, Florence. Two other " parcels " of the Black or Pigmy Emu, or, as Dr. Latham called it in the vernacular, Van Diemen's Cassowary, have been traced to British soil by Dr. Renshaw, but were unfortunately lost. At the sale of the Bullock Museum, 1 8 1 2 , the Linnean Society purchased a " Lesser Emeu " for £j 1 os. , 76 From Magazines, &'c. \ tst July but where it came from and whither it went cannot be traced. A live pair of Van Diemen's Cassowary was exhibited in London — perhaps in the old menagerie of Exeter 'Change, the doctor thinks — and was seen by Dr. Latham, who described the species as D. (iter, figuring one in his " General History of Birds " (1822), plate exxxviii. Nothing is known of the fate of these birds either. All ornithologists, particularly Australians, will share in Dr. Renshaw's lament for the disappearance " utterly from the face of the earth " of the little, tractable Black Emu — a specimen of which lived in Paris for 18 years. He says the species should not rank with the " commoner " extinct birds — Great Auk, Labrador Duck, &c. — but should rather be enrolled in the " almost unique " series of exceedingly rare forms. What is to be said of " the squatter " who on leasing Kangaroo Island barbarously exterminated all the Emus (besides kangaroos) thereon ? There is just one interesting point in Dr. Renshaw's valuable article which he appears to have missed. Why did Latham call the birds he saw " Van Diemen's Cassowary " ? It is strongly suggestive that this was because they came from Tasmania — Van Diemen's Land in those days. In the absence of testimony to the contrary, it is quite possible they did, because Tasmania was populated at the time, whereas Kangaroo Island was out of the beaten track of civilization, and the extinct Emus of both islands may have been allied forms if not identical. Dr. A. B. Meyer, of the Royal Zootogical Museum, Dresden, has contributed to The Ibis (April, 1903) a most interesting article " On the Eggs of the Moa." From the facts collected by the learned doctor, he finds that the eggs of the great extinct birds of New Zealand are very much rarer than those of the .Hpyornis of Madagascar, 36 of which are known, whereas only 3 or 4 perfect Moas' eggs are yet recorded, besides a dozen more im- perfect or reconstructed examples. All the specimens yet discovered have been found on the South Island. The first nearly perfect specimen was found in 1859. It measures about 10 inches in length by about 7 inches in breadth, and is supposed to be referable to the Dinornis novce-zcaUuidicc (Owen). It was sold for .£100, and is in the Rowley collection (England). A second and complete Moa's egg is in the Otago Museum. It was dis- covered by a gold-dredging party on the Molyneux River in 1898, and is probably that of the Pachyornis clephantopus. Another perfect specimen was found in the same locality the following year, and was put up at auction in England with a reserve of £350. No bidder was found above £150, and it is reported that the egg was returned to New Zealand. About the year 1892 a fourth and nearly perfect egg, supposed to be that of D. robustus, was unearthed, and probably remains the property of a dredging company. Owen constructed in plaster an egg of Dinornis Jl. III."] 1903 J From Magazines, &c. 7 7 maximus measuring nearly 17 x 13 inches. An average egg of the extinct Madagascar bird (JEpyornis) measures about 1 2 inches in length. Protection of the Nutmeg'Pigeon. Referring to an effort (see " Report for 1901-02/' Emu, vol. ii., p. 185) by the Aust. O.U. to get the Nutmeg-Pigeons (Myristicivora spilorrhoa) properly protected on the islands off the North Queensland coast, whither the birds resort to breed, the Under-Secretary, Brisbane, has been good enough to cause preliminary inquiries to be made, and has forwarded to the Council of the Union the following correspondence : — (1.) From Mr. J. N. Parkes, Home Secretary's Department, Townsville : — " I had your (Under-Secretary's) letter published in the local columns of the Townsville Daily Bulletin. There have been no letters written to the paper, and no one has made any inquiries or offered an opinion excepting those to whom I have spoken. They all agree that it would be advisable to take action in the manner indicated by the hon. secretary Aust. O.U." (2.) From Mr. C. Pennefather, Comptroller-General, Prisons Department, Brisbane : — " The Torres Strait Pigeons commence their flight from New Guinea about the beginning of October, as a rule, and stream down the coast as far as the Palm Islands in countless thousands (I might, I think, safely say millions). They settle on almost all the many wooded islands and islets along the line of coast from Cape York to the vicinity of the south end of Hinchinbrook Island. They also settle on some of the islands in Torres Strait. " They nest on the islands they settle on, and feed on the main- land, principally on nutmegs, and it is understood that the male birds carry over food to the females sitting on their nests. I am not, however, sure about this, but the fact remains that on many islands on which they nest there are no trees but mangroves, and consequently there is no fruit nearer than the mainland. In January and February the birds, with their young, now strong enough for the voyage, take flight to New Guinea. " There can be no doubt that the indiscriminate slaughter which takes place on some of the islands while the birds are nesting must tend to reduce the natural increase, but it is a question whether this has any considerable effect upon the numbers which annually flock down the coast, and it does not follow that because the pigeons come to this part of the coast at a certain time that they may not have another breeding- season in New Guinea. The fact that these birds afford a fresh meat diet to many settlers on the coast, as well as to the employes on the beche-de-mer and pearl-Ashing craft, is worthy of con- sideration. 78 Protection of the Nutmeg-Pigeon. [isfjulj " The question as to whether these birds should be protected or partially protected or not during their stay on the Queensland coast is a difficult one to give an opinion upon. If the close season is fixed as from the 1st November to 1st April, and it is strictly observed, I do not think many birds would fall to the gun, as they do not settle down to breed until about the 1st November, and they leave the islands for New Guinea before the 1st April, consequently they would be wholly protected." [The assumption in Mr. Pennefather's interesting remarks that these Pigeons may possibly breed a second t'me in New Guinea is scarcely feasible, seeing that migratory birds usually only breed in the highest latitudes of their range. The Nutmeg-Pigeon is at present protected from 1st November to 30th April in each year. According to some authorities a few of .the birds arrive as early as September, while eggs have been taken in October. (See also Mr. P. Cochrane's article in this issue, p. 47.) If the close season were extended, say, a month, at the beginning (making it from 1st October to 30th April, and properly observing it) it would probably be sufficient pro- tection for the Pigeons for the time being. — Eds.] The British Museum of Natural History. His Excellency the Governor of Victoria, Sir George Clarke, F.R.S., has received a letter from the British Museum authorities which sets forth certain desiderata. The Council of the Aust. O.U. has pleasure in giving publicity to the ornithological requirements, with the hope that some collecting members of the Union will deem it a privilege to assist one of the most noble institutions in the kingdom. Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe, who has charge of the Ornithological Department, writes : — " I should much like to have a carefully- prepared series of Victorian species. We have a gradually increasing set of Australian birds, but it is so difficult to get them with proper dates, sexes, and moults. " Perhaps we could give an exchange. Again, I should like some birds in spirits. We want specimens of the leading genera of Passeres, and I much want a couple of skeletons of the Crested (Square-tailed) Kite (Lophoictinia isura ." Review. " Parrakeets." - - Mr. D. Seth-Smith, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., the editor of the Avicultural Magazine, is issuing, under this title, in six parts (price 33s.), a concise and instructive description of the Parrakeets, Lorikeets, Love-Birds, and Parrotlets which are or are likely to be imported into Great Britain. Not only are instructions for the treatment of the various species in captivity Vo!5o3L] *«*■««■ 79 given, but also valuable notes on their habits in a wild state. The work is well illustrated, and is to average about three coloured plates per part. The three parts to hand contain admirable examples of the work of Mr. H. Goodchild and Mr. H. Gronvold, whose faithful reproductions of bird life are well known to orni- thologists. Amongst the Australian items of interest in the first three parts are the sections dealing with the Swainson or Blue- bellied Lorikeet {Trichoglossus novce-hollandice) ; the Red- collared Lorikeet (Trichoglossus rubitorques) ; the Scaly-breasted Lorikeet (Psitteuteles chlorolepidotus) ; the Musky Lorikeet (Glossopsittacus concinnus), so common in parts of Eastern Australia ; the Cockateil or Cockatoo-Parrakeet (Calopsittacus novce-hollandice) , which is described as, with the exception of the Budgerigar, " the commonest Australian Parrakeet with English aviarists ; " the Great-billed Parrakeet, from Western New Guinea, &c, and other Malayan species ; Barraband Parrakeet (Polytclis barrabandi), so well known as the " Green- Leek " in Eastern Australia (this admirable coloured plate is by Mr. H. Gronvold) ; the Black-tailed Parrakeet {Polytclis nicl- anura), commonly known in Australia as the " Rock-Pebbler " ; and the Alexandra Parrakeet (Spathoptcrus alcxandrcs, Gould), from Central and Western Australia, brought more under notice since the Horn Expedition, 1894. When it is remembered that the present parts of the work embrace also American and Asian species, and that for each full notes and instructions are given, it will be realized how valuable it must prove to aviculturists and students of bird life. The publisher is Mr. R. H. Porter, 7 Prince's-street, Cavendish-square, W., from whom the numbers under review have been received. Obituary. A RECENT mail brought news of the death of one of the founders of the American O.U. Mr. Thomas MTlwraith, author of the first text-book on Canadian birds (" The Birds of Ontario "), and ornithological superintendent of the district of Ontario since the first meeting of that Union, was a man (in the full sense of that word) who devoted every available hour to the duties of his office and the pursuit of bird-lore. He passed away on 31st January. The late Mr. MTlwraith possessed one of the largest and best private collections in Canada, got together by many an hour of patient search in American woods. The MTlwraith family, and more particularly Mr. Wm. MTlwraith, of Rock- hampton, to whom the deceased was closely related, and who was the suggester of the system of observing stations which the Aust. O.U. has endeavoured to establish throughout Australia, are so well known to local ornithologists that deep sympathy will be felt for a loss which is not only personal to them, but one to the scientific world. 80 Correspondence. I"tjuly Correspondence. \ Ul'RAL HISTORY NOTES IX THE VICTORIAN " STATE SCHOOL PAPER." To the Editors of " The Emu." SIRS, — Kindly allow me space to point out that the praiseworthy efforts of the Victorian Education Department to familiarize the children of the State with the names and habits, &c, of the fauna and flora of the land in which they live are likely to be marred through want of a little care in the preparation of the articles dealing with the subject. In one article last year headed " Yellow-haired September " the author tells the children that he noticed a " Grey Butcher- Bird, " and that he knew it by its sharp-pointed bill . I never yet saw a Butcher-Bird with a " sharp-pointed " bill. In fact, I understand the curved tip or hook to the bill is the chief anatomical point in the bird's anatomy. Pipit is spelt Pipct, and the bird is called unmusical. To hear it sing ng at nesting-time is enough to contradict this assertion. The theory that the " extra " nest of the Yellow-tailed Tit is meant to deceive the Cuckoo is ingenious, but is not borne out by experience. Personally, in a period of over twenty years' collecting I have never found, or heard of, a Cuckoo's egg being found in the top nest.* I have seen the wily Cuckoo enter a nearly completed nest, and leave it, perhaps to call another time when things were ship-shape. By all means teach the young people Natural History, but let it be scientific, even if popular. — Yours, &c., ERNEST A. D'OMBRAIN. Casterton, 26/// April, [903. Note. Destruction oe Birds on Lake Connewarre. — Last Christmas a person was shooting and demolishing flocks of Sandpipers, Tringa, &c, with punt guns. Although it was open season for these species, it is illegal to use guns that cannot be used from the shoulder. Some other persons were noticed shooting rifle balls into flocks of Pelicans, which had evidently been driven from the interior by the drought. Could not the Field Naturalists' Club of Geelong aid the proper authorities in bringing future offenders to book ? Donations to the Coloured Figure Fund. SINCE the last acknowledgments the Council desires to return thanks for the following amounts, viz. : — Mr. H. G. Barnard (Queensland), £1 is. ; Mr. J. G. Gray (N.S.W.), 12s. 6d. ; Sir Samuel Way (South Australia), 6s. 6d.; Mr. S. Robinson (N.S.W.), 5s. ; Mr. E. M. Cornwall (Queensland), 5s. ; Mr. W. M'llwraith (Queensland), 5s. ; Edward D'Ombrain (Victoria), 5s. * We believe one instance is known. — Eds. Jhe £mu Official Organ of the JUtstraksian Ornithologists' oEtnion. Birds of a feather. Vol. III.] ist OCTOBER, 1903. • [Part 2. Notes on Some Birds Peculiar to Tasmania. By Frank M. Littler, Launceston. {Read before the Aust. O.U., Melbourne Congress, 21s/ November, 1902.) Part II. Large-billed Ground-Thrush {Geocichla jnacrorhyncha).— There is so little difference in outward appearance between this species and the Ground-Thrush {Geocichla lunulatd) found on the mainland that Gould did not at first consider it worth while to treat them as separate and distinct species. After further observation and comparison, it was decided to treat the species as distinct. The chief differences between the two species is that the Tasmanian one is more bulky and has a stouter bill. The plumage of the Large-billed Ground-Thrush is rather pretty, not that the colouring is at all brilliant, but the blending of shades is very harmonious. The whole of the upper surface, wings, and tail are russet-brown, each feather being margined with black. The under surface is brownish-white, deepening into buff on the breast and flanks. Each feather, with the exception of those on the centre of the abdomen and under tail coverts, has a black lunar-shaped mark near the tip. The irides are dark brown, the bill dark horn colour, and the legs and feet olive. The young in first plumage are very pretty little creatures. They are more spotted and have the lunar-shaped marks more distinct than the adult birds. The nest is usually placed on a stump or thick horizontal limb of a tree in dense scrub, not far from the ground. Unlike most birds, this species returns to the same nest year after year, after adding more material, until it attains a great size. The prettiest nest of this species it has been my pleasure to find was in a lovely shady glen. Dogwood, musk, and sassafras trees interlaced overhead, forming a lovely canopy and effectually protecting the delicate ferns. Tree-ferns grew in profusion, many with their trunks 15 feet and more in height, and com- pletely covered with delicate ferns. " Staghorn " and other hardy ferns flourished luxuriantly ; and through the centre of the glen a little brook babbled musically, the whole forming one of the prettiest of scenes. In a fork, where a tree branched into two, 82 LITTLER, Notes on Some Birds P rati Kir to Tasmania. [ ist "Set. was situated a good-sized nest of the Ground-Thrush, containing a fully-fledged, prettily-spotted young one, with big brown eyes. The nest (of considerable size) was covered on the outside with long, fine green moss and lichens. The moss on the tree-trunk had spread on to the nest, so that it (the nest) appeared to be a protuberance on the trunk. Fine roots and grass formed the bulk of the structure, and the inside lining was the hair-like substance from the bases of tree-ferns. The parent birds were keeping watch to see that nothing happened to their " sole remain- ing joy." It was a lovely picture — the whole having as a background the gracefully waving fern fronds. Sometimes two and occasionally three eggs are laid by this species. In shape they are a somewhat elongated oval ; the surface is glossy, the ground colour light, warmish green, spotted and blotched more or less heavily with reddish or rufous-brown markings. The dimensions are about \\ in. by just short of i in. This species is fairly well distributed through the island. In no district is it very common. As may be expected, insects and seeds constitute the diet of the Large-billed Ground-Thrush. Insects are almost entirely pro- cured from out of the ground and from among the fallen leaves and twigs. Many times I have, while seated at the edge of a clearing on a summer's evening at dusk, watched this bird, with its mate, come forth in search of its own and young's evening meal. Cleared patches cultivated right up to the edge of the scrub always afford a happy hunting-ground. It is most entertaining to watch the bird dart along the.rows of vegetables, stop suddenly, and with swift movement snatch up a succulent grub, then more briskly hurry on. This Thrush seldom employs its wings, which are not really strong, but trusts rather to its feet. The rapidity with which it can get from place to place is really astonishing. Being much of the colour of the soil, it is difficult in the gathering gloom to follow the movements of one with accuracy. The note is a very pretty low whistle, to be heard issuing from the scrub early in the morning while the grass and leaves are yet wet with dew, also at dusk. Lesser White-backed Magpie (Gymnorhina hyperleuca). — In Tasmania this bird is simply known as the " Magpie." In some districts it is the best known of birds, after the imported Sparrow. I am not fully aware of the range of this species in Tasmania, but know there are several districts where it is a complete stranger. On the West Coast, I believe, some were introduced. On the mainland its nearest relation is the White-backed Magpie {Gym- norhina leuconotd). There is some slight difference in the colouring of the sexes. In the male the whole of the under surface, head, and cheeks are a beautiful glossy black ; the rest of the plumage is white ; bill horn colour, legs and feet black. What a really handsome bird the male Magpie is in nesting season ! How carefully groomed he is ! Have you ever watched him, perched on a rail with beak uplifted and chest swelled to its Vol. III. 1903 LITTLER, Notes on Some Birds Peculiar to Tasmania. fullest, pouring forth his joyous and melodious song to his mate, who is busy hunting for grubs on the ground close by ? How bright and intelligent his hazel eyes are, full of worldly wisdom and cunning ! To the casual observer the most conspicuous difference in the plumage of the female is that the under surface is more of a grey than a black, and the upper surface is very dingy compared with that of the male. The nest is open and bowl- shaped ; sticks, twigs, and strips of eucalypt bark constitute the main items in its composition ; the inside lining consists princi- pally of grass and shredded bark. The situation usually chosen is in the forked branches of a eucalypt, generally some distance from the ground. Although the same nest is not occupied during successive years, the same tree is resorted to season after season. Furthermore, a keen observer has given me his opinion that, should one of a pair nesting in a tree to which they had become attached be killed between nesting seasons, the survivor brings along a new mate to the old nesting tree. In exposed positions it is not often that such a frail nest as this Magpie's really is holds together from one season to another. All Magpies do not build their homes of such prosaic materials as twigs and bark. In well-tilled districts wood becomes very scarce, only isolated giant gums being left here and there. In one such place Magpies were in a quandary, not enough suitable material being easily available for house building, and the problem was solved thus : — The first reapers and binders introduced into Tasmania were those binding with wire. When the stacks were threshed the wire on each sheaf was cut and thrown in a heap. With this unpromising material some of the Magpies, in the Longford dis- trict more particularly, built their nests. String binders super- seded wire, and the Magpies that used wire had to go back to the traditions of their forefathers and employ sticks. Three, and sometimes four, eggs are laid. In shape they are oval ; the ground colour is greenish, spotted and blotched over with umber. Dimensions are about i-| in. by 1 in. To Tasmania belongs the privilege of being the first State to recognize the Magpie as being of economic value, and to extend protection to it. In 1879, under the Game Protection Act, 42 Vict., No. 24, it was decreed that whosoever killed the birds or destroyed their eggs would be liable to a penalty not exceeding £1. In 1885 this Act was extended, under 48 Vict., No. 35, so that persons could not buy, sell, or offer for sale birds of this species. Notwithstanding this, large numbers of young birds are taken annually from their nests, and sold in the towns. Some time since, while on a visit to a district in the northern part of the island, I was struck by the total absence of the Magpie. On asking if there was any known reason for it, I was informed that the farmers had destroyed them all, as they considered that the birds pulled up the wheat when in the " milk." It was another instance of too hasty conclusions being arrived at through faulty observation. The birds were merely searching among the 84 Littler, Notes on Some Birds Peculiar to Tasmania. [_,st Oct. sprouting grain for their favourite food of grass-grubs and wire- worms. A most lamentable number of Magpies are destroyed every year through the careless and indiscriminate laying of poison for rabbits and Sparrows. There are a certain number of agriculturists who cannot, or will not, see any good in birds, and consider that even the total annihilation of their feathered friends would have no effect on the many " pests " with which they are plagued. Not so long ago, a large landowner, who does not poison, picked up no less than 200 dead Magpies, besides other birds, that had been poisoned by his neighbours. If farmers would only recognize the fact, they have in the Magpie one of their very best friends. The food is almost entirely insectivorous ; in the winter seeds and any stray grains are added to the menu. Grass-grubs form the favourite diet. About sunrise is the chief feeding time. It is very entertaining to watch a Magpie hunt for grubs ; it goes about the work in such a business-like manner. Watch one at work. Presently it stops short and puts its head on one side, as if saying, " Now I have got you." An instant later the beak is darted rapidly down, and a grub pulled out. The heads of the grubs are only visible just below the surface of the ground, but quite enough for the sharp-eyed Magpie. When not engaged in seeking food most of the time is passed among the branches of lofty trees. These Magpies move in flocks of, say, six to a dozen individuals, although occasionally larger companies may be seen. The largest one I have seen recently round Launceston consisted of 47 birds. Round Conara (the native name of the Magpie) and other midland districts even larger flocks may be seen. This bird is of a some- what pugnacious disposition, always quite willing to cross swords with one of its own species or any other bird ; or, if tame, it does not scruple to try conclusions with a cat or dog. Hawks are its pet aversion, not an opportunity being lost to harass every one that comes near. On one occasion a Hawk was too clever for its tormentors. One day some half-dozen Magpies were chasing one away from a tree which contained a nest and young birds. Suddenly the Hawk doubled, and darting straight for the tree, plucked a young bird from out of the nest and sailed triumphantly away. Near a certain farm stands a giant gum in which a pair of Magpies nest year after year. When there are young in the nest, the old birds are very savage, darting down with angry cries on everyone passing under the tree. A Magpie makes an entertaining pet, though after a time it becomes very mischievous, and delights in pulling up freshly-set young plants. I have known one, after watching, say, turnips or onions being thinned out, to go on with the thinning until not a plant remained. Another bird used to watch the operation of setting young plants very intently, and as soon as one's back was turned commence pulling them all up. As a counterpoise against these bad traits there is the good one of being a very useful destroyer of insects of all kinds. This bird is one of our best songsters, its voice beiny VOigo3LJ Littler, Notes on Some Birds Peculiar to Tasmania. 85 very powerful and pleasing. Early on a summer's morning nothing is more delightful than to hear a number of Magpies pouring forth their melodious song while swaying on the topmost twigs of some lofty tree. Morning and evening are the times when most singing is done, but it is no uncommon thing to hear the birds burst forth into song in the middle of some bright moonlight night. After having successfully routed a Hawk is another occasion for a paean of triumph. The wing power of this species is very great ; it can dash through the air with a marvellous rapidity. Long distances (comparatively speaking) are traversed without perceptible movement of the outstretched wings. Grey Butcher-Bird (Cracticus cinereus). — In this bird we have another well-known species. Its distribution is fairly general throughout the island, though in some districts it is more plenti- ful than others. Properly speaking, our representative is merely a sub-species of the mainland Butcher-Bird {Cracticus destructor), the chief point of difference being its larger bill. There are no striking differences in the plumage of the sexes. The following may be taken as a rough description of the plumage : — The crown of the head and the back of the neck are black ; the rest of the upper surface brownish-grey ; the wings, except the basal portions, are dark brown, the two middle secondaries broadly margined with white ; the tail is dark brown, each feather, with the exception of the two centre ones, tipped with white ; the under surface is greyish-white ; bill and feet black. The nest is a somewhat substantial structure, open and bowl-shaped. Fine dead twigs are mostly employed in its construction, the inside lining being of fine grass and rootlets. She-oaks and honeysuckles seem to be the favourite nesting trees ; eucalypts and clusters of loranthus are also chosen. The distance from the ground at which the nest is placed varies greatly, sometimes not being more than a dozen feet, and at others well up in the forked branches of some lofty tree. A beautifully finished specimen in my collection is constructed entirely of pliable eucalypt twigs, and very neatly lined with fine yellow grass stems. Its dimensions are : — Over all, 7 in. ; egg cavity, 5 in. ; depth of same, 2+ in. The number of eggs in a clutch varies from three to four. The latter number is deposited quite as frequently as the former. I have found the shape to be very variable, some- times the eggs being roundish-oval, and at others decidedly lengthened. The texture of the shell is fine and the surface lustrous. There is also much variety in the colouring they take, some being greenish-grey ; the green is sometimes very pro- nounced. Others are fawnish-brown. Some examples are spotted and blotched all over with reddish and purplish-brown ; others have a distinct belt round the apex of colouring matter, with spots distributed irregularly over the rest of the surface. Others, again, have the belt, but practically no markings elsewhere. Dimensionsof odd examples : — (1) iLin.xfin., (2) i^-in.xiin., 86 LlTTLKR, Notes on Some Birds Peculiar to Tasmania. [Isfoct. (3) 1^ in. x 1 in., (4) if in. x f in. This so-called " Jackass" is a very familiar bird, either to dwellers in town or country. Its favoured haunts are thickly timbered tracts, where it can find an abundance of both insect and animal life to satisfy its wants. It is a familiar object around bush dwellings, where, w th its loud or discordant notes, it strikes terror into the hearts of chickens and cage birds. Woe betide the latter if their cages are not properly fastened over by an outside cover of fine wire netting against the long hooked beak of this marauder. Dwellers in towns are also visited and their cages robbed. So far as my observations go, the autumn and winter months are when the " Jackass " is most frequently seen about town gardens. A Jackass " is much in favour as a pet, being either caged or allowed the run of the garden, where it does good. work among many noxious insects. A young bird may, by dint of persever- ance, be taught to whistle scraps of airs with a certain degree of accuracy. The food of this species consists of large insects, mice, and small birds. To some considerable extent it may be ranked among the beneficial species. During the winter it may often be observed picking scraps of fat oft sheep and other skins hanging on farm fences. Like its English cousin, our Butcher- Bird often impales its victims on long thorns. In many instances each bird has its particular bush which it uses as a larder, and this is usually near its nest. Recently I came across a larder which consisted of two callow nestlings of some small bird, the remains of a mouse, and a number of large beetles. On another occasion a couple of Sparrows were found impaled. The Butcher- Bird does not at first kill its victims, but impales them alive, for he knows well that dead bodies soon decay, and, as a rule, he does not like his game " high." The notes of the Butcher- Bird are hard to describe, they being rather " a jumble of dis- cordant sounds." Nevertheless, the vocal efforts of a number of these birds singing in the early morning are far from being unpleasant. The notes are very loud, and can be heard for some considerable distance. Yellow-throated Honey-eater (Ptilotis fLavigularis). — This is one of the finest of our Honey-eaters ; the general tone of its plumage is more handsome than the majority. It is fairly well distributed over the island, in some districts being fairly plentiful, while in others, where the nature of the country does not suit, it is rare if not altogether wanting. The plumage of the species is marked as follows : — The upper surface, including wings and tail, is olive-yellow ; the crown of the head, breast, ear coverts, and under surface are all dark grey ; some of the ear coverts are tipped with yellow ; the chin and upper part of the throat are bright yellow ; the abdomen and flanks washed with olive ; bill, legs, and feet alike black. There is practically no difference in the plumage of the female, but in point of size she is somewhat smaller than her mate. The nest is cup-shaped and somewhat deep, the materials Vol. ill"! Littler, Notes on Some Birds Peculiar to Tasmania. 87 1903 j ' / employed in its construction being narrow strips of stringybark, tine grass stems, thin, pliant twigs, and the cocoons of spiders ; the inside lining consists of kangaroo or opossum fur, wool, or even the hair-like substance from the bases of " man tree-fern " fronds. The nest is placed either low down in the centre of a thick bush standing almost alone in fairly open country, or else in a thick tangle of scrub. Generally two to three eggs are laid, but as many as five have been found in a nest. In shape they are inclined to oval ; the texture of the shell is fine and the surface slightly lustrous ; the ground colour is fleshy or pinkish- white, with small spots of reddish-brown and purplish-grey, sometimes without the latter, distributed over the surface. The dimensions are about five-sixths of an inch long by three-quarters of an inch broad. Last King's Birthday twelve months (1901) I spent, in company with a number of others, at St. Patrick's River, whence Launces- ton is supplied with water. While wandering through the scrub by the riverside with a young companion, our attention was attracted by the behaviour of a pair of Yellow-throated Honey- eaters ; it seemed as though there must be something in the neighbourhood the birds did not wish us to see. Thinking their nest might be close by, we commenced a search, but did not succeed in rinding anything. As we were retracing our steps, however, an exclamation from my companion quickly brought me to him, and there, perched on a twig some three feet from the ground, was a pair of young Yellow-throated Honey-eaters, fully fledged. We then sat down on a log some three feet from the birds, and watched them for some time. The old birds were very much concerned at our presence ; they never moved more than a few yards, then returned and fluttered round us, uttering cries of distress. The young birds seemed to consider us strange animals, but could not decide whether to be alarmed or not. In reply to their parents' cries they chirped after the fashion of young Sparrows. At length the old birds enticed the young ones to move from our vicinity oft into a denser part. Although the birds were fully fledged, and able to use their wings a little, their tail feathers were only about three-quarters of an inch long. The under and upper surfaces were greyish, not yet having attained the yellowish tinge ; the wings were paler than in the adult stage. The parent birds looked very handsome in their yellowish-green livery, fluttering from bough to bough in the bright sunshine. After a while they seemed to understand no harm would come to their young, for they ceased to fly round excitedly, and contented themselves with remaining in the neighbourhood. The Yellow-throated Honey-eater favours fairly heavily tim- bered country, whence it procures its food, which consists of various kinds of insects obtained from under the bark of the trees of its haunts, as well as flies, &C. The vocal powers of the species are practically limited to a loud whistle-like call note often 88 LITTLER, Notes on Some Birds Peculiar to Tasmania. I ,„[''"'),', repeated. The favourite position when uttering this call note is on the topmost twig of some sapling. Yellow Wattle-Bird (Acanthochcera inauris). — On the main- land the place of this species is taken by the Red Wattle-Bird (Acanthochtzra carunculata). Only certain favourable districts are frequented by the Wattle-Bird — favourable both as regards climate and food. Altogether the species is very irregularly distributed through the island. The plumage is marked as follows : —The crown of the head and the back of the neck are striped with black and grey, each feather centred with black and fringed with grey ; the back and shoulders are dusky brown ; the outer edges of the primaries margined with grey ; the two centre tail feathers dark grey ; the rest blackish-brown, and all broadly tipped with white, giving the under side of the tail a graduated appearance ; throat, breast and flanks buffy-grey, each feather being centred with blackish-brown ; the centre of the abdomen is rich yellow ; bill black ; feet light flesh colour ; bare skin round the ear and upper extremity of the long, pendulous wattle, which hangs from below the ear, white, gradually deepening into rich orange at the extremity. The nest is flat and open, fairly substantial pliable twigs, also grass stems, being the chief items in its composition ; the inside lining as a rule consists of wool. A low, thickly- wooded .tree is usually selected as a resting place for the nest ; the choice generally falls on a honeysuckle (banksia). A clutch consists of from two to three eggs. In shape they are somewhat elongated. The texture of the shell is fine and the surface lustrous ; the ground colour a pale salmon-pink, sparingly marked with bold spots of chestnut and dull purplish-grey. As is generally the case, the markings are more pronounced about the apex. The dimensions are i^ in. by about i in. The breeding months range from August to December. The Yellow Wattle-Bird is among the most highly esteemed of any of our game birds. Owing to the great slaughter that has taken place during the past few years, and fearing that the species was in danger of extermination, it was decided to afford it absolute protection for two years. By the provisions of an Act dated 30th December, 1901, "for the further protection of the Wattle- Bird," anyone taking or destroying their eggs or birds is liable to a penalty not exceeding 20s. Previous to the passing of this Act the shooting season extended from 24th May to 31st July, both inclusive. During the seasons in which flowering eucalypts are plentiful, the birds become very fat and weigh at least six- ounces. During the winter its food consists of rich nectar from eucalypt blossoms and honeysuckle cones. In summer, as the honeysuckles alone are in flower, insects, especially beetles, are added to its diet. In some districts the eucalypts blossom one year and in other districts the next ; the consequence is that the Wattle-Bird moves from one district to another in search of food. I have known it to be very plentiful one season, and Vol. II 1.1 i9°3 J LITTLER, Notes on Some Birds Peculiar to Tasmania. 89 the next hardly a bird was to be seen or heard. In summer it resorts to the mountain slopes, returning to the plains as winter approaches. The harder the winter frosts, the more plentiful is the bird expected to be. The thickly-wooded plains are warmer than the mountain slopes. It soon becomes very wild after being shot at, and is therefore difficult to approach, giving the alarm and taking flight at the least sign of danger. I have heard of the Wattle-Bird, when feeding in honeysuckles (banksia), allowing one to approach really close, but have had no experience of this personally, for my dealings with the species have always been among the topmost twigs of lofty eucalypts. It moves in flocks, which greatly vary in number. I do not know whether as a rule the Wattle-Bird sleeps at its feeding ground, but at the first glimmer of daylight it can be heard among the tree tops. I have watched large flocks leaving their feeding ground at dusk, and moving further into the bush. The voice of this species is most remarkable, and once heard is not easily forgotten or mistaken for that of any other bird. The cry is loud and harsh, and is between a cough and a scolding voice suffering from a cold in the throat. When two birds are quarrelling their voices sound very harsh and discordant. Birds Occurring in the Region of the North-West Cape. By Thomas Carter. Part II. (41.) Ephthianura albifrons (White-fronted Chat). — The first noted occurrence of this bird was on the coast (14th February, 1899), when some natives called my attention to what was to them a strange bird (their eye-sight being stimulated by rewards of tobacco, &c, for any new bird or eggs)- There were considerable flocks of these birds about that date, but they did not remain long. A few were seen about 10th May. A casual visitor. (42.) Ephthianura AURIFRONS (Orange-fronted Chat). — Occurs spar- ingly on the coast after rains. The following are dates when seen : — 18th August, 1894; March, 1898; 16th July, 1898; October, 1898; 12th January, 1899; 25th March, 1900 ; and 12th July, 1902. They were rather numerous in the winter of 1903, and one of my employes took a clutch of three eggs on 28th August, which were unfortunately broken. (43.) Ephthianura tricolor (Tricolored Chat). — In some seasons this charming bird was one of the commonest species, hundreds of them being seen perching on the fence wires when boundary riding. In 1898, a hurricane year, they were particularly numerous, but since that season few were noted. I have frequently seen three or four drowned in troughs for watering stock. On two occasions an egg of the Chalcococcyx basalis (Narrow-billed Bronze-Cuckoo) was found in the nest of this bird — one on 6th March, 1898. The nest is built in the top of a low bush, and occasion- ally in a large bunch of spinifex. Four eggs were once found, but three is the_ usual clutch, laid very regularly about 14th July. go Carter, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. [J( mu Oct. (44.) EREMIORNIS CARTERI (Carter Desert-Bird). — This bird was only noted about the ranges and table-land, and also on the flat below the range, north of the Yardie Creek. It appears to me singular that neither this species nor the Stipiturus ruficeps was ever noted south of that creek, though the country is precisely similar on each side. This species does not seem to care to fly unless suddenly disturbed by the passage of a horse or buggy. Its flight is feeble, with the short, rounded wings rapidly beating, and tail drooping and expanded. After being once flushed it is difficult to rise one again. On one occasion a specimen was shot and marked down into a very small scrubby bush with a little spinifex and dead leaves round. After searching about half an hour, I systematically rooted up and threw away all the spinifex and bush except one branch about an inch in diameter, which was pressing close to the ground, and it was only upon lifting this up that the winged bird was discovered lying underneath. On being exposed it fluttered away, but was soon captured. The only note it has been heard to utter is a harsh " chat chat." On 16th September, 1901, a male bird was shot off a nest from which young birds had recently fledged, and I take it to be a nest of this species (see Emu, vol. i., p. 56). All specimens shot contained remains of black beetles, especially the so-called " pie-dish " beetle, and small-sized grasshoppers. (45.) SPHENOSTOMA CRISTATUM (Wedgebill). — The remarkable song of this very wary bird could be heard in any densely-foliaged patch of thicket, cither inland or among the coastal hills. It consists of five loud ringing notes, repeated rapidly a great many times, and one would wonder how the bird could keep it up so long without pausing to " draw breath." Bush- men locally call the bird the " Sweet-Kitty-Lintol," and these words, with strong accent on the last syllable, very fairly represent the rhythm of the song. Occasionally a metallic ringing double note was uttered at the conclusion of the song. When disturbed from a patch of the thickly- leaved " Ming-ga " (aboriginal) bush, which these birds love to haunt, they fly silently, with their white-tipped tail feathers widely expanded, to another patch, and are difficult to sight again. The prettily-marked bluish eggs are laid in July or August. The natives dislike very much to hear this bird singing, and attribute ill-luck to it. (46.) CRACTICUS NIGRIGULARIS (Black-throated Butcher-Bird). — These birds were sparingly distributed in the patches of mallee growing about 25 miles inland. They were also noted on the Minilya and Lyons Rivers, and are kept occasionally by the settlers for the beauty of their notes. They were known in the district as " Magpies." In their wild state they are extremely shy, and I heard their beautiful notes on various occasions for some years before I succeeded in securing specimens. At a sheep camp on my inland run a bird was once observed hopping about the brush fences of the sheep-yards, and it was the only time I saw this bird exhibit any degree of tameness. On 19th July, 1900, I camped in a patch of mallee with the determined intention of identifying the species. There was a moon, and one of the birds commenced to utter its rich flute-like notes in the very early hours of the morning, between two and three o'clock. My native boy and self were having breakfast at daybreak, when a party of five Emus came right up to our camp, and stood within ten yards, in- tently observing us. My dog barked furiously, but the birds only ran away a short distance and again came up, doing this three times before they finally left us. Breakfast over, we started to find the Butcher-Bird, which was still singing, but, after walking for a great part of the morning, we found the song always kept some 200 yards ahead of us, the bird moving on as we approached, without our ever sighting it. We were returning to Vol. lll.l Carter, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. Q I camp to move on to water, our horses having had none since the previous noon, when we saw two black and white birds attacking a Crow very savagely. My boy said they were Magpie-Larks, but I felt sure that could not be, as the nearest water was eight miles away. Approaching the scene of the fight, we observed a bulky nest in one of the trees, and sat down to await the return of the owners. It was not long before first one, then another came back, and I shot them both. The nest contained four eggs, was deep in structure, and placed about 15 feet from the ground. (47.) OREOICA CRISTATA (Bell-Bird, Pan-pan-pannella, Bokkun, Bokkun- b'okkun). — This well-known bird was to be found all over. On the clear, still winter mornings their songs, heard on all sides, were a distinct nuisance when one wanted to locate the horse bells, in order to make an early start for the day's journey. The eggs, two or three in clutch, are laid from June to September, according to the season. On nth June, 1901, a nest was found containing two eggs, one very small and addled. There were several hairy caterpillars inside the nest. The male bird was sitting, and as soon as he left the nest commenced his song at a short distance. The natives dislike the song of this bird, having some supersititon attributing ill-luck to it, as in the case of the Wedgebill. (48.) Eopsaltria GEORGIANA (gularis) (Grey-breasted Shrike-Robin). — Only one specimen of this species was noted, and it was shot in a dense patch of mangroves near the North- West Cape, 23rd February, 1902. (49.) E. pulverulenta (White-tailed Shrike-Robin). — Rather curiously, the only bird noted was shot on the same day as the preceding species, and within ten yards of the same spot, in mangroves, It was hopping about on the mud, at times uttering a clear whistling note. (50.) PACHYCEPHALA MELANURA (Black-tailed Thickhead). — Only one specimen of this bird was seen, and shot, in the same patch of mangroves as the two preceding species, on 14th June, 1902. So far this is a south and west record for this and the preceding bird, as far as I know. (51.) SlTTELLA PILEATA (Black-capped Tree-runner). — This bird occurred sparingly in the mallee, inland. A fledgling, in exceedingly interesting striped plumage, was shot 25th July, 1900. (52.) ZOSTEROPS LUTEA (Yellow White-eye). — A common winter visitor, small flocks being frequently seen in the coastal hill thickets. In February, 1900, a male bird was shot in mangroves near the North-West Cape, which, from dissection, was apparently breeding. (53.) Z. GOULDI (Green-backed White-eye). — The Green-backed White-eye was only seen once or twice at Point Cloates, but in the dense cover about the bed of the Gascoyne River it was very abundant, and did much harm to the fruit in the gardens near the township. (54.) MYZOMELA NIGRA (Black Honey-eater). — This charming little bird was not uncommon on the coast in good seasons, more especially in winter. It was seldom observed inland. (55.) Melithreptus l.etior (Golden-backed Honey-eater). — This beau- tiful species was only seen in thickets on the west shore of the Exmouth Gulf, where two specimens, both males, were shot on 18th June, 1902, and a few others observed. The song somewhat resembled that of the Red- capped Robin, having a grating sound. The birds were apparently breed- ing, and very wary, causing some difficulty in procuring specimens. (56.) GLYCYPHILA ALBIFRONS (White-fronted Honey-eater). — This ex- tremely shy bird occurred occasionally in great numbers both on the coast 92 CARTER, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. [isf Oct and inland. In 1898 they were particularly abundant. There is a large plant growing thickly to a height of sometimes 10 feet, and bearing blue flowers which contain honey, and in that year the patches of this plant were alive with the active little birds, uttering their pleasing musical notes. The birds were scarce in succeeding years. 28th July, 1899, found a nest containing young, in the top of a large bunch of spinifex matted with creepers, on the stony range. (57.) GLYCYPHILA OCULARIS (Brown Honey-cater). — The delightful, cheerful, loud song of this bird could be heard almost all the year round in the deep gullies of the ranges. This Honey-eater was only noted away from the ranges on two occasions, when a single bird was seen, once inland, and again in scrub on the coastal hills. (58.) ENTOMOPHILA LEUCOMELA (Pied Honey-eater). — One of the com- monest winter visitors, both on the coast and inland. Immediately after the first winter's rain its mournful, piping song could be heard wherever any scrub grew. The nests are built 3 to 4 feet from the ground. Two or three eggs are the clutch, which may be found about 21st July. One early nest, containing one egg, was found on 27th June, 1901. (59.) PTILOTIS CARTERI (Carter Honey-eater). — In the white gum trees and thickets along the river beds and creeks this was the commonest bird, but it was never seen away from water. Its cheerful, liquid song, beginning at early dawn and lasting until sundown, together with its active, inquisi- tive disposition, prying and scolding about a camp, always attracted atten- tion. The small hanging nests were built in the scrub which grows thickly round waterholes. Two eggs are the clutch, and they may be found very regularly from 1 ith to 20th July. The only nest seen out of that month was one on 20th August, 1901, and contained two incubated eggs — probably a second brood. (60.) Ptilotis SONORA (Singing Honey-eater, Pad-dern). — A common resident species everywhere. The song consists of a loud double note, constantly repeated. At first peep of dawn in the winter months a number of these birds, singing one against another from different points, make quite a pleasing chorus. During the remainder of the day they are con- stantly uttering various single or double notes, but never unite in song as at early daybreak. Two is the usual clutch of eggs, but on one occasion three were found in a nest. The birds apparently lay after rain, as eggs were taken on various dates from 3rd May to 30th September. There were generally a pair or two of these birds in the vicinity of the house, where they would become quite bold, and regularly visit the dining table on the verandah to feed from the sugar basin or jam tin, but, becoming reckless, they usually fell victims to some of the house cats. (61.) Ptilotis keartlandi (Keartland Honey-eater). — This sprightly little Honey-eater was plentiful on the table-land behind the ranges and in many of the deep gorges, especially that of the Yardie Creek. The stunted desert gums which grow in these localities furnish these birds' chief food supply, and they were never seen far away from their vicinity. I only once found a nest containing eggs, viz., on 9th May, 1900, with two, much incubated. It was suspended from the drooping leaves of a desert gum. Judging from the various dates on which fledged young were shot, or noted, the birds breed any time after rain. (62.) Manorhina flavigula (Yellow-throated Miner).— On 19th July, 1900, a pair of birds was shot off a nest containing two eggs, and built in the upper twigs of a mallee tree, as recorded in The Emu, if I recollect rightly. Vol. III. '9°3 CARTER, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. The same species was afterwards found to be plentiful in the dense scrubs about the bed of the Gascoyne River, but I now suspect that it may be the Yellow Miner (M . luted). Unfortunately, to the time of writing this (on board C.P.R. steamer Empress of China, en route for Vancouver) I have had no opportunity of comparing skins of the two species. (63.) ACANTHOCBLERA RUFIGULARIS (Spiny-cheeked Honey-eater). — This handsome bird was a fairly common winter visitor, both on the coast and inland, and I was somewhat surprised to find many of them in dense man- groves near the North-West Cape, where several old nests, apparently belonging to this species, were seen. I may here mention that mangroves, though most unpleasant ground to work, furnish food supply and shelter to many birds one would not expect to find there, and arc always worth inspecting. (64.) DlC^UM HIRUNDINACEUM (Mistletoe-Bird). — This beautiful little creature was occasionally seen, but was not by any means plentiful, no doubt owing to the scarcity of timber. It was most frequently seen on the scrubby bushes about the ranges, and table-land behind, and was also noted on several occasions in mangroves. (65.) PARDALOTUS RUBRICATUS (Red-browed Pardalote). — The upper branches of the white gum trees along the creeks were the only situations in which these birds were noted. Their subdued, but sweet little song could be heard wherever these trees grew. But for hearing their song, the presence of these birds would easily be overlooked. (66.) HlRUNDO NEOXENA (Swallow). — Fairly common, but never abun- dant. There is no doubt that some of these birds remain all the year. They chose most remarkable building sites. In September, 1894, a pair built their nest on the inside of the ridge board of the shearing shed, a few feet above the sheep in the sweating-pens. Here they sat and reared their young, heedless of the noise and bustle around. Another pair built a nest on the top of three pannikins hung from a nail inside the store. A still more extraordinary site for a nest was behind the broken skirting board of a cabin on the wreck of the A.S.S. Co.'s Perth, which was situated two miles from the mainland on a reef. Whenever the 6-ton cutter used for station work lay at her moorings any length of time, one or two pairs of Swallows would build a nest under the hatches on top of the bulkhead, entering the hold through the slits cut in the hatch covers for insertion of the hand. If the boat sailed when a nest contained eggs or young the old birds would accompany it, in one instance following her a distance of 35 miles and back. Nests containing eggs on the boat were noted 4th April, 1 90 1, and 17 th September, 1900. Other favourite situations were on ledges of the timber lining the wells used for watering sheep, even when water was being regularly drawn by natives with bucket. (67.) CHERAMCECA LEUCOSTERNUM '(Black and White Swallow). — Fairly common at certain times ; possibly migrating. A few pairs bred on high sandstone cliffs on the coast, and it was surprising through what hard material the nesting holes were drilled, as it usually meant a considerable amount of labour with a strong sheath-knife to enlarge the hole sufficiently to admit one's arm. The nesting cavity is large and about 3 feet from the aperture. Nesting material bulky, formed of flat leaves from a species of mulga (" wee-arra," aboriginal) and small twigs. Eggs were laid about the middle of August. On 10th September, 1901, I found two nests built about 2 feet from the ground in the face of a small hummock by the road- side. Apparently both nests contained young birds. Q4 Carter, Birds Occurring in the Region of A. II'. Cape. Emu st Oct. 68.) PETROCHELIDON NIGRICANS (Tree Martin).— This was by far the commonest of the Swallow family, both on the coast and inland, and usually confounded by casual observers with the Fairy Martin (P. ariel). Some- times for days together great numbers would be seen, evidently migrating. The nests were built in hollow spouts of white gums, and were formed of considerable quantities of gum and other flat leaves. Eggs are laid early in August. (69.) PETROCHELIDON ARIEL (Fairy Martin). — Not nearly so numerous as the preceding species. A small colony built their nests every year on the face of a shaly cliff on an inland creek, and on several occasions when examining them carpet snakes were found coiled up inside the nests, having swallowed three or four birds as a rule. Eggs are laid about the last week in July. On one occasion several nests were seen built on the trunk of a large white gum tree overhanging a pool. (70.) ANTHUS AUSTRALIS (Ground-Lark). — This familiar friend was to be seen everywhere," and might be called a " hardy perennial " as in dry seasons and droughts, when other birds were almost totally absent, it was always in evidence. They appear to lay after rain. Clutch, two or three eggs. (7 1 .) ARTAMUS PERSONATUS (Masked Wood-Swallow). — Only two specimens of this species were seen, and they were shot off the wire stay of the flagstaff at the house, 17th February, 1900, after a heavy N.E. gale and dust storm. (72.) ARTAMUS CINEREUS (Grey-breasted Wood-Swallow). — A very common winter visitor, occasionally seen in great flocks, soaring and twittering at considerable elevation. The eggs (two or three) are laid about the middle of September. (73.) ARTAMUS MINOR (Little Wood-Swallow).— These neat little birds were fairly common about the cliffs and gorges of the ranges, where they bred, but they were seldom noted away from such localities. (74.) EMBLEMA PICTA (Painted Finch). — The first bird of this species was seen and shot off a precipitous cliff in the Yardie Creek gorge on 5th April, 1898. Subsequently they were observed rather frequently, and are appar- ently extending their range. In October, 1900, several were noted at an inland creek, and in 1901-02 they were fairly common, especially about the ranges, where they were undoubtedly breeding. On 10th December, 1902, numbers were watering at the Yardie pool, and once more than thirty of these beautiful birds perched at the same time on a great boulder, making a charming picture. The crops of all specimens invariably contained small grass seeds. (75.) 'Leniopygia CASTANOTIS (Chestnut-eared Finch, Neamoora). — These little Finches were to be seen in numbers everywhere, but generally in the vicinity of water. When the smaller pools dry up, they congregate in great flocks at the larger waterholes, drinking apparently all day long, but con- stantly disturbed by the Hawks dashing through them. They were a great nuisance at the wells, falling into the water in hundreds, and fouling it with their decaying bodies. They breed any time after rain, and rear brood after brood, as long as the good time with grass seeds lasts. The nests may be found in almost any site — in bushes, holes in trees, dead logs, and quite com- monly in the under part of larger birds' nests, such as Eagles, Hawks, and Crows. Mr. G. A. Keartland expresses the opinion that these birds can smell water, and the following note may confirm it. At the shearing shed were two 400-gallon tanks with tightly fitting lids. The spouts conducting the rain- water entered the tops of the tanks by circular holes cut out to fit them. One Vo]' '!''] CARTER, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. 95 of these holes was slightly larger than the pipe, and when the tank was quite full the birds could just get the tips of their beaks into the water beside the pipe, and here numbers of them would stay all day sipping the water. I have frequently been indebted to them for finding rock-holes containing water on the ranges. (76.) MlRAFRA WOODWARDI (Rufous Bush-Lark). — These birds first attracted my attention on 30th October, 1900, when driving about 30 miles inland. They were dusting themselves in the red sand, and, appearing very rufous. I shot three, and casually mentioned in a letter to Mr. A. J. Campbell that I had secured some very rufous Bush-Larks. The skins were overlooked in my cabinet until Mr. A. W. Milligan's description appeared,* when I found my birds to be identical with those described. They are tame in habit, and were only seen on the inland red sand plains. They sit close in the grass, but occasionally perch in bushes, like the Ground- Lark. On 5 th February, 1902, a nest containing four fresh eggs was found, built in a hollow of the ground under a thick tuft of grass, so appar- ently they breed after any rainfall. {77.) MlCROPUS PACIFICUS (White-rumped Swift). — A summer visitor, usually seen when strong N.E. winds prevail, and a sure sign of rain or unsettled weather. The natives call them " rain-brothers." On some occasions they were seen in immense numbers, notably on 1st and 2nd April, 1898, when a ceaseless stream of them was flying south from dawn to dark, and on 2nd April a violent hurricane (" willy-willy," aboriginal) practically destroyed Cossack and Roeburne in the further N.W. (78.) EUROSTOPUS ARGUS (Spotted Nightjar). — This nocturnal bird might be flushed anywhere, but was nowhere plentiful. It was mostly seen about the ranges and table-land behind, and would flit about camp fires there at night. In the drought of 1889—91, when camped at the North- West Cape, numbers of these birds flew about over the camp at night, uttering their peculiar cry, well described by Mr. Keartland as " Caw-caw- caw-gobble-gobble-gobblc." The natives have a very absurd superstition about this bird also — i.e., that it steals small babies at night. (79.) PODARGUS STRIGOIDES (?) (Tawny Frogmouth). — Fairly common, but not numerous. Seen mostly in the gorges of the ranges and in the inland mallee. On 30th October, 1900, my buggy passed close under a male bird sitting on two eggs in a mallee tree. They apparently breed after rain, as other eggs were noted on 16th July, 1901, 7th February, 1902, and a fledgling on 4th December, 1900. A man engaged in sinking a well for me once shot one of these birds as it was perched on the windlass stand. On dissection I found it to be crammed with large centipedes, which made him regret having shot a bird so useful at a camp. The Podargi are always difficult birds to identify. I have one skin from south-west and two. from north-west. The latter are much more tawny in colour than the other and wings are fully an inch shorter, but the general character of plumage of all is much the same. It is strange that the natives here call the bird " Morepork," which appears to be the general name all over Australia. (80.) .Fgotheles NOV.E-HOLLANDLE (Owlet Nightjar). — Occurs sparingly in the crevices of cliffs on the ranges, and also in gum spouts inland. (81.) MEROPS ORNATUS (Bee-eater). — This beautiful bird was fairly com- mon about some of the inland creeks through the winter months until * Vict. Na(.t xviii., p. 25. 96 CARTER, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. (ape. [ist Oct. December, and was particularly numerous on the Lower Gascoyne River. (82.) DACELO CERVINA (Fawn-breasted Kingfisher, Pooka). — Plentiful on the Gascovne and Lyons Rivers, where their loud cackling notes could be heard in the early day and evening. They remain in the shade during the mid-day heat. On 4th October, IQ02, I heard their well-known note- when crossing the bed of the Minilya River, where they were never pre- viously known to occur. Possibly the fact that small fish are now plentiful in the pools there, as recorded by me in the Zoologist, may have something to do with their extending their range. The aborigines' name, Pooka, signifies stinking. (83.) Halcyon pyrrhopygius (Red-backed Kingfisher). — Fairly common about inland creeks, where their mournful whistle may be heard all day. One specimen shot contained several fair-sized scorpions. This bird was never noted on the coast. (84.) HALCYON SANCTUS (Sacred Kingfisher). — This species was only noted on two occasions, and on the coast, both times in February. Possibly they were migrating. (85.) HALCYON SORDIDUS (Mangrove Kingfisher). — These birds were not uncommon on the coast, especially in the summer months (December to April), and were probably migrating. I did not succeed in finding eggs. Shot a bird on the beach, 15th June, 1900, and saw a pair ist September, 1901, which was probably breeding in some sandstone cliffs. (86.) CUCULUS PALLIDUS (Pallid Cuckoo). — A common visitor to the coast and inland as soon as winter rains commence. Their peculiar cry may be heard all day, and very often all through the night. Female birds were rarely seen. An immature young one was shot 14th November, 1900. (87.) MESOCALIUS OSCULANS (Black-eared Cuckoo). — A scarce visitor, two specimens only being seen and secured, viz., one on the range near the coast, 19th May, 1898, and one inland, 16th April, 1900. (88.) CHALCOCOCCYX BASALIS (Narrow-billed Bronze-Cuckoo). — A fairly common winter visitor, arriving usually in June, but occasionally seen after summer rains. An egg of this species was found in a nest of the Tricolored Chat (Ephtkianura tricolor), 4th March, 1898, and another in a nest of the Field-Wren (Calamant litis canipestris), ist June, 1887. (89.) CENTROPUS PHASIANUS (Coucal). — A specimen of this bird was shut in thick scrub near a pool at Minilya station in 1887. It occurs sparingly on the Ashburton River. Description of a New Gymnorhina, with Observations on G. dorsalis, Campbell. (With Plates.) By Alex. Wm. Milligan {Honorary Ornithologist, Perth Museum, W.A.) Gymnorhina longirostris (Long-billed Magpie), sp. nov. During the course of a systematic examination of the bird- skins of the Western Australian Museum, Perth, my attention was attracted to hve Magpie-skins which had been obtained by Vol. III. 1 903 MlLLIGAN, Description of a New Gymnorhina. QJ one of the Museum collectors on the Cane and Ashburton Rivers, North-Western Australia, and which bore, at first sight, a striking resemblance to Gymnorhina tibiccn (Latham) of Eastern Australia, except for their conspicuously long and narrow bills. A closer examination and comparisons with a pair of mounted specimens of Gymnorhina tibiccn in the Museum and with re- corded scientific descriptions of that species disclosed so many points of difference as to warrant the separation of the Western form, and I therefore declare it a new species. My grounds for separation are briefly as follow : — (a) The Western bird is longer ; (b) its bill is longer, more narrow, less arched, and more triangular- shaped ; (c) its tail is shorter ; (d) its tarsi are shorter ; and (J ° \_isl (Jut. even the scale-like markings which precede the feathers have been clearly revealed on portions of the body, thus furnishing another link in the evidence) the gap has been to some extent bridged. To prove his thesis the author found it " necessary to ascertain the mode by which the perennial moult of the in- dividuals of a species of birds is made up, from the earliest to the last stages of renewal ; and, further, to what extent each feather participates in this annual process during the period of complete feather-change." To carry out this investigation the specimens observed were procured at intervals of a week, and whilst in a comparatively fresh state, both wings of each specimen were examined and measured, the stages of feather development being most carefully noted. What may be called the processional history of a bird's plumage is recorded, from " downy investment " to its mature stage, even the order in which feathers are cast having been observed. Moult problems are very fully entered into, and by means of copious notes, plates, and diagrams much is done towards their elucidation. Re change of plumage without moult, Mr. Degen writes, in a letter to Mr. A. J. Campbell : — "Feathers are funny bits of tissue, so that aftera year theyarenot worth even sending to the dyer's. . . . Colour-change without moult, indeed ! The disciples of the fraud are fast vanishing, both in Europe and America. Does not replacement of pigment suggest vitality of an organ, and, as a natural consequence, vascularity ? And the latter, again, how can it exist without the accompani- ment of nerves? A bird will not even wince if you cut one of its feathers. ... Of course, if you pull it out the effect is different, the old stump sitting tightly on the newly-formed papilla beneath." It will be recollected the last time we referred to Mr. Degen's work was in connection with a projected trip with Colonel Harring- ton to Abyssinia.* Mr. Degen has distinguished himself as a careful collector, bringing back five new animals, including Otomys degen/, which have been described by Mr. Oldfielcl Thomas, F.R.S.f Mr. Degen's principal haul, however, was 350 specimens of fish from Lake Tsana. Mr. G. A. Boulenger, F.R.S., who examined the fish, described no less than 21 new species, including Barbus degeni.\ Two new lizards were also collected, which were also described by Mr. Boulenger, and Mr. Degen received a well- merited third dedication in Latastia degeni.% A CORRECTION. — " Notes on a Collection of Bird-skins from the Fitzroy River, North-Western Australia" (Hall — Rogers). The notes of No. 122 (page 42) refer to Scythrops novce-hollandice (Channelbill), instead of Eudynamis eyanoccphala (Koel). * Emu, vol. i. , p. 155- + Proc. Zool. Soc. Loud., vol. ii., part 2, p. 308 (1902). t Ann. A/a*. Nat. Hist., 7th ser., vol. x., p. 421 (1902). § Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 7th ser., vol. xi., p. 54 (1903). The Emu, Vol. III. PLATE VII. Adelia Penguin ( Pygoscelis adelia). FROM A DRAWING BY H. GRONVOLD, B. M. REP., " SOUTHERN CROSS.' IQ03 III. H r, Kevieius. Reviews. NATURAL HISTORY OF ANTARCTICA. ["Report on the Collections of Natural History made in the Antarctic Regions during the Voyage of the Southern Cross." Printed by order of the Trustees, British Museum (Natural History), Cromwell-road, S.W. 1902.] The great home Museum, in its usual classical style, has issued a bulky report, including 53 plates, results of the work of the scientific collectors of the Southern Cross Expedition, which was fitted out by Sir George Newnes, Bart. It will be remembered that the expedition was in charge of Mr. Borchgrevink, and that it spent the winter of 1899 on Vic- toria Land. Mr. Nicolai Nanson, the zoologist, most unfortunately for the enterprise, died in October, 1899, but Mr. Hugh Evans (previously known to Australians in having been associated with Mr. H. Gunderson and Mr. Robert Hall in the trip of the Edward to Kerguelen in 1897) carried on the collecting as best he could. Part IV. of the book deals with the Aves, and has been written by Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe, F.L.S., &c, also an hon. member of the Aust. O.U. The letterpress has a complement of four beautifully coloured plates (Gronvold — West, Newman) of birds and eggs, besides many half-tone blocks (by the permission of Sir G. Newnes and Messrs. Hurst and Blackett) of birds amongst the ice. Dr. Sharpe was somewhat handicapped by the " unexpected absence of official note-book," which appeared to have been lost, but he has culled interesting field observations from MSS. in possession of Mrs. Nanson, wife of the deceased zoologist. The following birds which are more particularly Australian are mentioned, viz. : — Yellow-webbed Storm Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus), found breeding on Victoria Land ; Black-bellied Storm-Petrel (Fregetta melanogaster), Brown Petrel {Priofmus cinereus), Silvery-grey Petrel (Priocella glacialoides), Spectacled Petrel (Majaqueus cequinoctialis), Soft-plumaged Petrel (CEstre- lata mollis), Giant Petrel (Ossi/raga gigantea), Cape Petrel {Daption capensis). Banks Dove-Petrel {Prion banksi). Several Albatrosses are noted, but they were mostly seen in the open sea, not within the pack-ice. It is interesting to find that a new Tern has been recorded for the New Zealand region — namely, Sterna vittata — which was procured at Campbell Island. The most conspicuous birds, however, in Victoria Land are its Penguins. A number of Emperor Penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri), the largest known, standing 4 feet in height, were captured, but unfortunately their breeding place was not discovered ; while near the headquarters camp the smaller Adelia Penguins {Pygoscelis adelice) were breeding in vast rookeries, the photographs taken by Mr. Bernacchi being reminiscent of the great Penguin rookeries of " Kings " and " Royals " on Macquarie Island. The figure of Pygoscelis adelia? is here reproduced from plate vii. In life the bird wears a light bluish coat, with pure white breast ; bill crimson and black ; feet flesh-coloured. ; height, 2+ feet. 1 34 Revieius. [,sfo«. Concerning this curious inhabitant of Antarctica the following are the graphic field observations of Mr. Bernacchi : — " The arrival of the small Penguins at Cape Adare presented a most curious appearance. When walking on the rough ice they struttle along upright, but as soon as they reach ice upon which there is some snow they drop down on their breasts and glide along toboggan fashion, making use of nippers as welhas feet. They all travelled along the same path, which soon became blood-stained from their bleeding feet, cut by the projecting pieces of ice. They came from the north, and must have travelled at least 20 miles over very rough ice. Some landed upon the pebbly shore at Cape Adare, and nearly all at the same spot, but others continued to journey southwards towards the bottom of Robertson Bay, where there was another rookery. It was like an immense army. For fourteen days they came in. an absolute unbroken continuation. One day we witnessed the black meandering line of Penguins from the summit of Cape Adare, and could trace it for quite two miles out towards the northern horizon. " They did not in the least hurry themselves, but trudged along steadily in their own phlegmatic way. Their pace was, perhaps, one mile an hour. When approached by anyone they stop, and make no attempt to get out of the way, but they shorten their necks and lower their beaks until they assume the appearance of looking down their noses ; then they slowly stretch their necks and raise their beaks until they point upwards towards the sky, making at the same time a droll raucous cry — all this with a most ludicrous aspect of indignation, as no doubt they were profoundly indignant. Sometimes one or more of the most audacious would rush out from among their companions and attack you furiously ; on presenting the sole of the foot — booted, of course — they peck at it viciously, and with such vigour as to leave marks upon the hard frozen leather. They do not give way an inch of ground, but stand up before you erect and determined. " As to their general habits : On landing they made straight for a certain spot ; some to the summit of the Cape, up the snow slope of which they climb with great facility, some to the base of the mountain, and others scattered over the shore. They congregate together in communities or social coteries of 50 upwards. On reaching the spot they immediately start to build their nests, in which work the male as well as the female participates. The nests are crude affairs ; the first operation consists of scratching a small depression in the old guano ; then pebbles are carried to it in their bills and piled around, and as soon as it is completed, which takes a day or so, the female sits in it and the male commences his courtship. It was highly amusing to watch their love antics. Some are industrious, and pile around many hundreds of small pebbles ; others — the lazy ones — were quite proud and delighted with only half a dozen. On approaching the former nests, the occupants generally modestly retreated before the intruder, but on approaching the latter — the lazy ones, with absolutely nothing to boast about — they made an enormous fuss and rushed at you to bluff you away with their own prowess. It was laughable to watch how they pilfered stones from each other's nest ; they are most shameless thieves. The thief slowly approaches the one he wishes to rob, with the most creditable air of nonchalance and disinterestedness, and if on getting close the other looks at him suspiciously, he will immediately gaze around most childlike and bland, and appear to be admiring the scenery. The assumption of innocence is perfect ; but no sooner does the other look in a different direction, than he will dart down upon one of the pebbles of its nest and scamper away with it in his beak as fast as his little legs will bear his fat body. If the theft is •1 Reviews. \ 2 ^ discovered, the injured party will give chase ; then all the kind and sym- pathetic neighbours rush in and rob to their hearts' desire ! " Woe to the foolish Penguin that rambles about in a restless fashion among the community ; before making his escape outside the circle he will have left behind a large quantity of his plumage, with which the others will feather their nests ; he must either have a home — i.e., a nest or keep quiet on the outside of the circle if he wishes to be left alone ; that is a sine qua non among them. The females generally fought whilst sitting in the nest by stretching out their necks and pecking at each other's tongues ; but the males fought in the orthodox and picturesque human fashion, with their arms — that is to say, their flippers — and their teeth — that is to say, their beaks. The pugilists stand erect, and deal each other resounding blows with their flippers, first one and then the other, with astonishing rapidity. When one is knocked down the beak of his opponent is brought into play, with no slight effect. The females rise from their nests and try to intervene and separate them, repeatedly getting between the combatants, and moving their heads rapidly from side to side in protestation. I have seen the females drive the least attractive fighter right out of the circle, but, quite unabashed, he would at once rush back to his antagonist, and the fray would commence again. These fights lasted as long as a quarter of an hour ; in fact, they were not terminated until one was completely conquered. The vanquished bird generally presented a pitiful appearance, being covered with gore and devoid of much of his plumage, and it took him several days to recover his equilibrium. The din that the thousands of Penguins made was deafen- ing, and was like the roar of a vast multitude of people. " The Antarctic Skua {Megalestris maccormicki) arrived on the same day as the Penguins, singly at first ; a few days after in great numbers. They are of a light brown colour and measure nearly 5 feet from tip to tip of the wings. Being of a most predatory nature, they played great havoc among the eggs and the young Penguins. Indeed, they may be said to live entirely upon them during the breeding season, for wherever there are Penguins the Skuas are not far away. On November the 2nd the Penguins com- menced to lay their eggs. Two is the number laid, and an interval of three days elapses between the laying of the first and the second egg. They are white, and average from 2 to more than 3 inches in length, and from if to 2 inches in breadth ; some are almost spherical in shape. The shell is thick, and the inside has a greenish tint. The yolk is comparatively small, the contents of the shell being mostly albumen. We collected some 4,000 of these eggs for dietary purposes and packed them in salt. They we're a luxurious addition to our larder ; being utterly devoid of any strong flavour, they were greatly relished. The poor Penguins, when robbed, looked extremely.disconsolate ; however, there was some consolation to be derived from the fact that we were not the only thieves, for a rapacious Skua would walk up to a Penguin in the most barefaced manner and extract the egg from underneath it. The eggs took exactly 3 1 days to incubate, the tem- perature beneath the bird being 700 and 8o° Fahr. An actual observation with the thermometer placed alongside the eggs gave 720 Fahr. " During the period of incubation absolutely no food of any kind was taken, but it was observed that large quantities of snow were frequently consumed. The first young appeared on 9th December. They were quaint little creatures, of a dark slaty colour, the darkest towards the head, and with dark feet and a dark rim around the eye, which subsequently changed into the spotless white circle of the parent bird ; they grew very rapidly, the dark legs at birth becoming in a few days quite pink. What a spirit of homeliness, peace, and industry existed among them ! There were no fights now. Indeed, the paterfamilias was much too engrossed to think I36 Reviews. [JH of fighting ; family responsibilities rested heavily upon him. Poor fellow, he was really to be pitied, he had to work so hard to satisfy the insatiable appetites of the family. Thousands and thousands of ' bread-winners ' went fishing each day in the lanes of open water ; when filled with Crustacea they return and disgorge into the open mouth of the youngster. This method of feeding the young was interesting. The baby places its head into the open mouth of the parent and devours the food forced up into the throat. By 1 8th January nearly all the young birds had discarded their downy coat, and been seduced to the water's edge and taught how to swim by their ever- attentive parents. Strange to say, all the young birds, unlike the older, had white throats ; evidently they do not acquire the dark throat until the first or second vear." " NESTS AND EGGS OF BIRDS FOUND BREEDING IN AUSTRALIA AND TASMANIA." THE section of the Special Catalogue of the Australian Museum (Sydney) devoted to avi-fauna has reached Part III., which includes some of the family Muscicapidm. Criticisms already published on Parts I. and II. (Emu, vol. i., p. 28, and vol. ii., p. 118) apply generally to the part at present under notice. In this instance the half-tone blocks are particularly good, whilst a decided and pleasing novelty is introduced in the shape of excellent pictures, from life, of fledglings — those of the Brown Flycatcher (Micrceca fascinans) and White-shafted Fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa), the youngsters having been removed from the nest in the bush to the shades of the Australian Museum, where they were photographed, being afterwards returned to their solicitous parents. " Nine days after " (says Mr. North) " I saw one of them (White-shafted Fantail) being fed ; it had grown almost as large as the parent." Sins of omission have again to be pointed out. They seem the characteristic of the work so far as issued, but it is with great reluctance that the reviewers refer to them. For instance, it would have greatly increased the value of the work had the author given the history, in addition to his descriptions, of the interesting and remarkable nests of the Fly-catchers — Kaup's (Arses kaupi), White-lored (A. lorealis), and Boat-billed (M achczrorhynchus flavi- venter), which he states are in the National Museum, Melbourne. Surely the author knows that the two last were figured in The Ibis (1897, p. 398, and 1898, p. 53, respectively), and were the type nests. The nest and eggs of the Broad-billed Fly-catcher (Myiagra latirostris) are not mentioned at all, although authen- ticated examples were found at Cape York, 20th December, 1896, and by so reliable a field collector as Mr. Harry Barnard. Vide Ibis (1898, p. 53). Again, a good description is furnished of the White-bellied Robin (Eopsaltria georgiana), but there is no mention of its nest and eggs ; hence an impression is conveyed that they were still undiscovered. Authenticated examples of these are recorded and figured in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria, vol. iii., p. 3 (1890), while one Vo!-oIIL] Reviews. 137 of the co-type clutches of eggs is in the same museum where Mr. North saw the Fly-catchers' nests above-mentioned. This virtual misleading of the bird-student is to be deeply regretted, and as a doubt exists as to whether the White-bellied Robin was placed in its proper genus by Gould, the opinion of an expert of Mr. North's attainments would have been — had it been given — of value. .A case in which records have been ignored or overlooked is in connection with the White-browed Robin (Pcecilodryas super- ciliosa). Here the author says he does not know on what authority the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Northern Territory have been recorded amongst the habitats of this species. His predecessor, as curator of the /Australian Museum, was regarded by most ornithologists as an authority on such matters, and Mr. North will find " Port Darwin and Port Essington " given by Dr. E. P. Ramsay in his " List of Australian Birds " — Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., vol. ii., p. 183 (1877). Other examples might be cited to prove that, excellent as the work is from literary and artistic standpoints, it is either not a complete epitome of what Australian museums contain (Mr. North has gone beyond the limits of his own Australian Museum in Sydney in what on the title page is called a special catalogue of that institution), or that these collections and the accompanying information are lamentably incomplete. It is hard to believe that local observers and collectors have so far neglected their opportunities (ample proof to the contrary exists) as this work would lead one to infer, and what has been so far set forth by the author goes rather to prove that his splendid opportunities of studying contemporary bird literature and collections have not been availed of. " Parrakeets." — Parts 4 and 5 of Mr. Seth-Smith's excellent handbook have been received. In the 4th number he includes the Crimson-winged, in Britain usually called the Red-winged. In our vernacular list this bird figures as the Crimson-winged Lory, which the author considers " an unfortunate designation for a species which is entirely distinct from the Loriidae." The King Parrakeet (known to Australians as the King Lory (Apros- mictus cyanopygius) is described as well known to British avi- culturists. The group to which it belongs (Platycercince), a purely Australian one, is described as having 11 or 12 of its species represented by living examples in Great Britain. Masters's and Crimson (Pennant's) Parrakeets and the Adelaide Parrakeet have full notices. The Yellow-bellied is said never to be offered for sale there. Of the Pale-headed Rosella,so well known in Queens- land, an account is given of its nesting, and to the Blue-cheeked Parrakeet some space is devoted. Of the Smutty (Brown's) Parrakeet (Platyccrcus brown 1) and the Yellow Parrakeet (P. flaveolus) Mr. Goodchild furnishes excellent plates of male birds, which will afford students who have not the opportunity of I 28 Reviews. \ El™ J List Oct. seeing living specimens an opportunity of observing how closely these species resemble each other in everything but the fact that the yellow in the second species replaces the red in the first. The fifth part of this work should prove of exceptional interest to members of the Aust. O.U., since all the 15 species dealt with are from Australia. There are four fine coloured plates, depicting Barnard's, Bauer's (Port Lincoln), and the Many-coloured Parra- keets, from the pencil of Mr. Goodchild ; Yellow-vented and Red- vented " Blue Bonnets " (Gronvold) ; and the Golden-shouldered Parrakeet (Renault). The text is, as usual, well worth perusal ; but it is questionable whether the Red-backed Rosella (Platycercus erythropeplus) should have been included in Mr. Seth-Smith's book. Is it a valid species ? It is certainly not known to Aus- tralian ornithologists. Mr. Seth-Smith mentions a pair as having bred in Britain, and Count Salvadori described a pair in the Zoological Gardens (London), but the probabilities are that it is a hybrid, as the species of the family to which it belongs are known to occasionally interbreed, and, the species being so closely related, hybrids between these birds would most likely prove fertile. Correspondence. AUST. O.U. OR AUSTRAL. O.U. ? To the Editors of " The Emu." SIRS, — The use of Aust. O.U. (Australasian Ornithologists' Union) so as to distinguish the abbreviation for our Union from the A.O.U. adopted by the American Ornithologists' Union, has led some of my friends to ask does Aust. O.U. mean " Austrian " Ornithologists' Union. Since Aust. O.U. is liable to be thus misconstrued, I would suggest that Austral. O.U. be a happier use of the abbreviation. — Yours, &c, A. MATTINGLEY. Melbourne, 6/7/03. VERNACULAR NAMES. To the Editors of " The Emu." SIRS, — With regard to a footnote in The Emu, vol. ii., No. 3, and the paper on vernacular names in last issue, I would like to make a few remarks. It is obviously essential that we should all use the same systematic names, but so long as we do so, is it of very great importance what English names we use ? What difference can it make if I speak of the Waxbill instead of the Red-browed Finch, or the Tomtit instead of the Yellow-rumped Tit, or the Red Lory instead of the Crimson Parrakeet, if I give the scientific names also ; always supposing that the name has not been widely applied to any other Australian bird ? And in the case of birds which are generally known by a particular name, of what use is it to fol. III. "1 i9°3 J Correspondence. L39 attempt to alter it ? As an example I may mention the Laughing- Jackass. Is there anyone anywhere who calls this bird the Brown Kingfisher, or is there ever likely to be ? Of course a name may imply an error, as in the term " Mopoke," or that of " Curlew " for " Stone-Plover," but this is an entirely different case. As to the question of hyphens, it seems to me of very small importance whether we use them or not. — I am, &c, H. E. HILL. Guildford, Western Australia, 4/8/03. [The only comment necessary on this letter is to point out that all ornithologists do not use the same scientific names, and that Mr. Hill differs entirely in opinion, re the matters discussed, from the principal bird-students of France, Germany, and America (the latter including some of the leading ornithologists in the world ; Great Britain is to some extent behindhand). If orni- thology is ever to be an exact science — which it ought to be — it must be clearly recognized that no detail is unimportant, that everything tending to confusion must be avoided, and the question arises, Why should not Australasia take her proper part in the matter ? — H. K.] Notes and Notices. The third Congress of the Aust. O.U. will be held this year at Hobart, from the 24th to 26th November, when many important ornithological matters will be tabled. The usual camp-out excur- sion will probably follow the business of the Congress, and the popular lecture — " The Islands of Bass Strait," which was so successfully given in Melbourne, will be repeated at Hobart. It it hoped that as many members as possible will comply with the Hon. Secretary's invitation to be present at this Congress. The second coloured plate (Honey-eaters), members will be glad to learn, is in progress. To the " Coloured Figure Fund " the Council desire to return thanks for the following donations : — Miss Brumby (Tasmania), 5s. ; Mr. J. R. M'Clymont, M.A. (Tasmania), 6s. ; Mr. Thos. Tindale (Victoria), 5s. ; Mr. C. E. Smart (Victoria), 5s. ; S. Robinson (Queensland), 2s. ; Mr. M. Woodhouse (Victoria), is. 8d. FROM Yakutsk, Siberia, under date 20/6/03, on a post card, Mr. Robert Hall writes : — " The tundra, the Mecca of my pilgrim- age, is reached. The land, so full of birds, teeming with mos- quitoes, and covered with flowers, holds quite a new charm for me. To-morrow we start for a real piece of tundra ; and what Australian birds will be met ? We have already collected along the great valley of the Lena River, and notes of geographical distribution will surely be of interest. We have been 14 days travelling from Lake Baikal, having used 70 horses, a river boat, and 1,200 miles on a stern-wheeler." I4O The Flower Memorial. ("ist'oct. The Flower Memorial. The following is abridged from The Times, 27th July, 1903 : — A bust of the late Sir William Henry Flower, F.R.S., Director of the Natural History Department of the British Museum, was formally presented to the Trustees of the British Museum by the blower Memorial Committee, of which Lord Avebury is chairman, at the Natural History Museum, South Kensington, on Saturday ; and the Archbishop of Canterbury, as the representative of the Trustees, received and unveiled it. The ceremony took place in the central hall of the Museum in the presence of a large and distinguished gathering. Professor Ray Lankester, F.R.S., Director of the Natural History Depart- ment, of the Museum, opened the proceedings with a few words, and intro- duced Lord Avebury, the chairman of the Memorial Committee. Lord Avebury, in presenting the bust to the trustees and asking the Archbishop to unveil it, expressed the respect and admiration which he had always felt for the late Sir W. Flower, a naturalist of great eminence, who had rendered magnificent service to the Museum. Dr. Sclater, F.R.S., speaking as an old and intimate friend of the late Sir W. Flower, gave a brief sketch of his career. He pointed out that he had held the office of president of the Zoological Society of London, and stated that when the directorship of the Natural History Museum became vacant in 1884, Sir W. Flower was selected omnium consensu as the fittest man for that important post. Virchow, of Berlin, was said to have desig- nated him as the " Prince of Museum Directors." The late Director had filled three of the most exalted and conspicuous posts that a devotee of zoological science could expect to occupy, and had made his mark in all of them. The Archbishop of Canterbury (who presided) said it was as a principal Trustee of the British Museum that he was allowed the privilege of accepting on behalf of the Museum, and of unveiling, a memorial to one of the very best officers who in its long history had ever served it. But it was as a close personal friend of the remarkable man whose bust he unveiled that lie rejoiced specially in being fortunate enough to be the official recipient. After a tribute to Sir W. Flower's personal qualities, the Archbishop stated that, in 1889, as President of the British Association, Professor Flower, as he then was, delivered an address, taking for his subject " Museums ; " and in that address there were two or three passages which expressed so strikingly what his ideals were that he could not refrain from quoting them. He said : — " What a museum really depends upon for its success and usefulness is not its buildings, not its cases, not even its specimens, but its curator. He and his staff are the life and soul of the institution, upon whom its whole value depends. ... A museum is like a fixing organism — it requires continual and tender care. It must grow, or it will perish ; and the cost and labour required to maintain it in a state of vitality is not yet by any means fully realized or provided for, either in our great national establish- ments or in our smaller local institutions A. museum has been defined as a collection of instructive labels illustrated by well-selected specimens." It seemed to him that no man among the scientific men that he had known had done so much as he to popularize in that particular way for uninstructed people, like himself, in scientific subjects the vast mass of material which was collected in buildings such as that, and to make avail- able lor the nation's good that which was the nation's property to start with. The Emu, Vol. 111. PLATE VIII. Colonel W. V. Legge, F.Z.S., &c. (first President of the Aust. O. U.) FROM A PHOTO. BY HARCOURT M GUFFIE CO., HOBART. Jhe £mu ©ffirial Organ of tlu Jlusiralasian Ornithologists' (Enion. Bir«Js of & feather." Vol. III.] 7TH JANUARY, 1904. [Part 3. Australasian Ornithologists' Union. HOBART CONGRESS. The third annual Congress of the Aust. O.U. was a signal success. Pleasant preliminaries commenced at Launceston on the after- noon of Wednesday, the 24th of November, when some members landed from Adelaide and Melbourne, en route for Hobart, and were met by Messrs. Wra. M'Gowan, Superintendent of Public Reserves, F. M. Littler, F.E.S., and H. C. Thompson. An enjoyable " brake " drive to the Electric Power Station and other places of interest was most thoughtfully provided by Mr. M'Gowan, while Mr. Littler entertained the party at a " surprise " tea at the romantic Cataract Cliff Grounds. At Hobart on Thursday morning the president, Colonel Legge, the hon. secretary, Mr. D. Le Souef, and Mr. F. R. Godfrey, on behalf of the visiting members of the Union, waited upon His Excellency the Governor, Sir Arthur Havelock, at Government House, and were kindly received. His Excellency expressed great interest in natural history, and took an especial interest in the protection of birds that were shot for the sake of their feathers. He wished the Union every success in its endeavours to enlist public sympathy in favour of our feathered friends. His Excellency also alluded to the pleasure it would give him to preside at the proposed illustrated lecture on " The Islands of Bass Strait." The real business of the Congress began in Hobart on Thursday, 25th November. The meetings were held in the Royal Society of Tasmania's hall, which had been kindly placed at the disposal of members ; but owing to the late arrival of Victorian and South Australian visitors proceedings did not begin until 8 p.m., instead of 3 p.m., as originally arranged. Colonel Legge, F.Z.S., &c, took the chair. After the minutes of the Melbourne Congress had been read by the hon. secretary (Mr. D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S.) and duly confirmed, the annual report was read, which dealt with the work done by the Union during the preceding year, and is published in this issue. The motion for the adoption of the report was proposed by Colonel Legge, who thought it 1 A 2 Australasian Ornithologists' Union. [7th "jan very satisfactory, seconded by Mr. F. R. Godfrey, and carried unanimously. The hon. secretary then read two letters of interest from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and one from the Vice- Admiral, in reply to a request from the Council of the Union that members might be allowed to proceed by a vessel of the fleet to Royal Companies' Islands for exploration purposes. The Admiral has kindly instructed the officers of the discovery (relieving) vessels Morning and Terra Nova, when going south, to keep a look-out, and report the exact position of the islands, if found. Colonel Legge thought it most satisfactory that the Admiralty should give such a reply. It was a matter of great importance to geographical science that these islands should be visited. Messrs. A. J. Campbell and D. Le Souef also spoke on the subject, the latter expressing the opinion that the Admiralty would be glad to get information re the islands, but wanted to get it from our side. The balance-sheet for the financial year 1902-3 was read by Mr. A. Mattingley, who since Mr. R. Hall's departure for Siberia had been acting as hon. treasurer. It showed a credit balance of £39 3s. 6d. in the general fund and of £10 17s. 8d. in the coloured figure fund. Mr. F. R. Godfrey said he had great pleasure in moving the adoption of the statement, and thought the treasurer and Council of the Union should be congratulated on the remarkably satisfactory result, considering the excellent way in which The Emu had been issued. Mr. A. Morton seconded the motion. The Emu was most interesting. Colonel Legge endorsed the remarks of the preceding speakers. He had always a great desire that the Union should not do merely provincial work. One main thing to be kept in view was the issue of coloured plates. ' As an old member of the B.O.U. he knew that Wolff and Keulemans had done much to forward the work. The motion was carried, after a brief discussion as to charges for the plate already published, during which it was mentioned that a refund had been made owing to an item having been paid twice in error. president's address. In reading his address the retiring president (Col. Legge) welcomed the visitors to Hobart. With increased steamer communication a larger attendance from Australia would be possible. He thought that the Aust. O.U. would prove a worthy scion of the B.O.U. The address was as follows : — In heartily welcoming to Tasmania the members of the Aust. O.U. who are attending this third Congress of what is now one Vol. Ill 1904 Australasian Ornithologists' Union. 1 43 of the national scientific institutions of Australasia, I may be per- mitted to express my gratification that the capital city of our state, and the favourite watering-place of Australasia, was chosen for this meeting. It is to be sincerely hoped that their stay in Hobart will leave a pleasing recollection in the memories of those here present, and that at no distant date this fair city may again be chosen for our rendezvous. Before commencing the subject-matter of this, the third address which I have had the honour of giving you during the term of my presidentship, it is right that I should express my regret that at the first two Congresses held, and which took place at Adelaide and Melbourne respectively, I was unable, through pressure of military duty, to be present ; and at the same time personally express my thanks to those who kindly read what I had to say at those gatherings. Our Union has now been in existence a little more than two years, and it is a matter for congratulation on all sides that it has been such a success, and that as a biological organization it has become a worthy scion of what we must look upon as the parent one — the British Ornithologists' Union. When I had the pleasure of giving you my inaugural address, in 1901, it will be within your recollection that much stress was laid on the advis- ability of working on the lines of the B.O.U. and of conducting our journal, The Emu, as much on the pattern of The Ibis as possible, and endeavouring to extend the sphere of our work beyond the confines of Australia — to Austro-Malaya, Polynesia, and New Zealand, in order to endow our journal with interest for European and American readers, and thus raise the scientific standard of our " organ " and of the Union in general. It is no doubt with sincere pleasure that we now see these desiderata being gradually evolved, even though the Union is still in its infancy. There are now 200 members on the roll, and the increase for this year has been 15 in Victoria, 1 in New South Wales, 2 in Queensland, 4 in Tasmania, 2 in U.S. of America, and 2 in Europe. I express my sincere regret at the death of Dr. Snowball, one of our first members, and belonging to the State of Victoria. The acquisition of members from the European and American " Regions" — if I may use this term in an orni- thological sense — speaks volumes for the popularity of so young an institution, and redounds immensely to the credit of our energetic secretary, Mr. D. Le Souef, and likewise to the able manner in which our joint editors are conducting the journal. We have a valued correspondent in Captain Hutton in New Zealand, which annexes that territory to our sphere of operations ; and it is much to be desired that we should acquire some relation- ship with New Guinea and Java — both ornithological areas of the highest interest to Australian workers in our particular branch of science. My fellow-members may hold that this is looking too far ahead ; but, in spite of the vast territory comprised in our island con- I A A Australasian Ornithologists' Union. (niiTui tinent, which comes within the scope of our labours, we can still afford to extend our operations to important adjacent sub-regions which have affinity in their avifauna with Australia; for by so doing we are certainly contributing, through the pages of The Emu, towards the general knowledge of the ornithology of what are most interesting provinces at our very doors, and which are so distant from Europe that their exploration from there is a matter of great difficulty and expense. In this connection, our secretary, with the assistance, perhaps, of some of our Queensland members, might be able to enlist correspondents both in Java and southern New Guinea. Alluding again to the Australian " Region," which is the home- sphere of our work, the vastness of the field open to our investi- gations in it can be best appreciated when we consider that the area is nearly equal to that of Europe, to which the labours of the ornithologists of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and all the countries of Europe are largely devoted. In other words, the territory for investigation, nearly equal to that offered to the combined naturalists of Europe, is open to our members, and with what splendid possibilities as regards a vast increase to ornithological discovery. And in this connection we find that already the pages of The Emu have, in no small degree, added to our information concerning the ornithology of the North-West and Northern " sub-regions " of Australia, as foreshadowed in my inaugural address, and alluded to again in last year's. These have been, until recently, almost unexplored fields, and being the habitat of rare representatives of Southern forms, the point of arrival on our shores of many Limicoline birds, the passing ground of Asiatic and Malayan visitants to Australia, and the winter abode of some Australian internal migrants, they are the most interesting ornithological provinces of our region. Much acquisition to our knowledge has accrued from the papers on collections and eggs by Messrs. Hall and Le Souef, on the habits and distribution of birds in the North- West by Mr. Carter, and the notes on and lists of migrants by Messrs. Cochrane and Berney, from Northern Queensland. The early dates of breeding — that is, in the midwinter of the South, June and July — of not a few widely distributed species I will hope to touch upon presently. It will now be opportune, perhaps, to pass under review the good work done in The Emu since the last meeting in Melbourne, November, 1902. As the result of the pleasant outing at the Ornithologists' Camp at Phillip Island, an interesting account was written, by the editors, of the "Mutton-Bird" rookery* in which some note- worthy details of the habits of the birds were given and a beautiful photograph of the Little Penguin (Eudy ptula minor') on its nest * It would be well to do away with this inappropriate name, and substitute " colony" or "petrelry." Vol. Ill 1904 Australasian Ornithologists' Union. I4S reproduced, which enhances the value of the article. Later on, the report on the colony of Petrels in Part 3 by the Council embodies some important observations and recommendations for its better preservation. That in reference to the opening of burrows for obtaining eggs being discontinued is an excellent one, as it is well known what an effect the wind has on dunes and sandy tracts when even the smallest part of their surface is disturbed. Serious as it is in this part of the world, it is far worse in the tropics, where a constant monsoon wind of uniform strength blows for five months of the year from the same quarter and has the effect of moving the dunes bodily onwards, and overwhelming by degrees human habitations in their vicinity. A fixed date, as suggested, for the cessation of egging operations is most necessary, and it is to be hoped that this recommendation will be brought into effect. Mr. Le Souef, in Part 3, published after the Conference, con- tinues his review of the collections of eggs from Port Darwin, in which the breeding season there for Raptorial birds is shown to be chiefly in the Southern winter — May till September ; Uroaetus audax is an exception — 25 th January — the chances being, however, that this is a case of sporadic breeding. Three species of that diminutive genus P seudogerygone (Fly-eaters) — namely, P. bruneipectus, P. Icevigastra, and P. chloronota — have their eggs described for the first time, and will probably be figured ere long in The Emu. The nesting of the Austro-Malayan migrants and Northern residents comprised in the genera Eurystomus , Met ops, Centro pus , Pt isles, Myristicivora, Histrio- phaps, and Lophophaps are described among the 80 species treated of, the most interesting note perhaps being that relating to the Roller (E. australis), which darted into the holes of sundry trees with the object of decoying away the intruder from its nest. This is an exhibition of intelligence which has no counter- part except in the case of the Plovers and other Limicoline birds, and it is almost certain that no other Picarian genus shows as high a form of instinct in this direction. In connection also with Mr. Le Souef's article, it may be men- tioned that the Fly-eaters have a peculiar interest attached to them as being one of the few genera which gives us affinity with New Zealand, there being three species of Gerygone in that country, including the Chatham Islands. The genus is somewhat widely distributed, occurring in the Indo-Malayan area, and passing through Papuasia to Australia, from whence it extends to New Zealand. In Part 1 of the present volume is a further notice by the same writer on the birds of the Northern Territory, in which the nesting of two species of Rhi piclura, one of Ptilosclera, and one of Platycercus is given, these Fantails and Parrakeets being all Northern species. The eggs of Rhipidura phasiana are evidently described for the first time. Mr. Le Souef's article on the change of colour, without moulting, of some birds opens up an interesting field of investigation which I46 Australasian Ornithologists Union. I 7th'7ati will be more fully explored as time goes on. It is certain that the change from adolescent to mature plumage is in many genera differently brought about to that from non-breeding to nuptial dress. Many years ago I pointed out in the "Birds of Ceylon " that the Golden Plover of Asia and Polynesia got its black breast by a change of colour in the feathers as well as by a moult (page 935, " Birds of Ceylon.") This is, doubtless, the case with other Limicoline birds having a marked change of dress and which migrate long distances to palaearctic nesting-quarters, and may be a provision of nature to hasten on the change before migration, during which the constitution is weakened. Many Laridce — Sterna in particular — appear to acquire this nuptial dress by a change of feather. On the other hand, young Raptorial birds, certain species of which the writer used to keep in Ceylon for observation purposes, moult in acquiring the gradual changes to maturity. In Part 4, vol. ii., Mr. A. J. Campbell again adds a new bird — an Acanthiza — to our lists, its habitat being Tasmanian territory — King Island. This Tit, A. magnirostris, under the test of the examination of a large series of skins may perhaps rank as a sub-species only. Some Acanthizce , like the Western Australian representatives of Eastern forms, evidently run very close to each other, merely as local varieties or sub-species, the various forms of which require examining among a very large series of specimens before one can pronounce confidently on their dis- tinctness. Mr. Campbell deals exhaustively in the last part of vol. ii. with the close seasons in the respective States of the Commonwealth in connection with the protection of native birds, a good cause which he has so much at heart. These must naturally vary to suit the different climates of the States, but no doubt an improvement in bringing them more into line can be made. In this State the close seasons have been changed, one might say, backwards and forwards, on the motion of members of Parliament who know next to nothing of the economy of birds, and act upon the information of sportsmen who have not carried out careful investigations and who take the occurrence of a particularly and abnormally early brood, or a second, or may be a third brood, as depicting the normal time of breeding. Hence we get unsound legislation, which does more harm than good. Mr. T. Carter has again been well to the fore as regards that interesting " district," Western Australia. Reference has been made before to the valuable work done by him in connection with the Limicola?, the coast of the far North- West being the point of arrival of these migrants from the North. He has now taken in hand a list of the birds in the vicinity of North-West Cape, the result of 1 3 years of the closest observation, which is his strong point. In the present volume, Part 1, 40 species are dealt with, commencing with Raptores, very interesting notes on which are given. The wild, almost uninhabited, areas of the Vol. III. 1904 Australasian Ornithologists' Union. '47 far North-West are conducive to facile observation of the habits of birds which in settled districts are shy and wary. Nowhere else in Australia would the Osprey, for instance, be found so common and its nests so easily accessible, and the immense nest found built on a log lying near the sea beach is a singular instance of an abnormal situation. In this connection it may be mentioned that Haliaetus leucogaster has been known to build on a bush on the Strait Islands. It is noteworthy in Mr. Carter's article that the Long-billed Reed-Warbler was only twice observed ; the species is no doubt remarkable for the manner in which it confines itself to very restricted localities where its favourite reeds are in abundance. This peculiarity it shares with most of the Acrocephali ; our Eastern bird, for example, is only found where the bull-rush (Typhci) abounds, and so closely does it haunt them and remain concealed during most of the day that were it not for its notes it would often be passed over. A few species of this genus are non-migratory. It should be ascertained if the Western Australian Reed-Warbler migrates or not to the North in winter. In Part 2 the list is continued, the number of species embodied in the article being 89. It is worthy of note that three species of our interesting " Chats " are found at Point Cloates, E. albifrons, as elsewhere, proving an unexpected visitor, and that, too, sometimes in large flocks. The history of its appearance in this island is noteworthy, and is touched upon in vol. i., p. 84. Some interesting notes of the habits of the newly-discovered Eremiornis carteri are given, which reveal the same skulking propensities as other members of the sub-family Timeliince, which are ground-frequenting. A further contribution by Mr. Carter embodies some interesting notes on birds from the south-west district of his colony, one of which is valuable as relating to the habits of another new member of the Timeliincs, peculiar to Western Australia — Sphenura litoralis ; and in noting the extraordinary rapidity with which these birds move along the ground, and then, abso- lutely concealing themselves, refuse to be flushed. Another energetic naturalist from Western Australia, Mr. A. W. Milligan, has done excellent work since the last Congress, which combines descriptions of seven new species — a Meli- threptus, a Calamanthus, and a Megalurus, two more " ground " Timeliince, a Gymnorhina, two Acanthiza, and a Xerophila. In addition there is a valuable article on a " trip " to the Stirling Ranges, one of the most important mountain systems in Western Australia, and a district which is destined to furnish a good field for Western ornithologists. Three beautiful photographs embellish this article, one of which is a comprehensive view of the Stirling Ranges. Not a few of the Western Australian Passerine birds are so closely allied to Eastern forms that they can scarcely rank beyond sub-species. My own* impression withjregard to these close allies is that, originally, and perhaps prior to the evolution of desert \ A-S Australasian Ornithologists' Union. ¥"}a • * [_ 7th Jan. areas, consequent on a change in climate in the southern region of Australia, these forms were one and the same ; that the results of complete isolation from their fellows in Eastern Australia has led to the creation of those differences in plumage, and even structure as regards bill and legs, which now elevate them to the position of sub-species. As regards the tendency among ornithologists, in these days of such exhaustive collecting and widely extended avifaunistic work, to create species on the strength of minor differences, I would fain warn our members against this danger, in the light of what has happened of late years as the outcome of examination by cabinet naturalists of enormous series from widely extended districts. Many new species, described in India during the formation of Mr. Hume's vast collection, and likewise not a few from Australia, have gone down before the scythe of exhaustive comparison, which should make us careful that new species described in The Emu are not similarly treated. Referring to Mr. Milligan's species, his Megalurus striatus is evidently a very well marked form, but Calamanthus montanellus appears to be a sub-species of C. fuli- ginosus, altered by climatic and topographical conditions. Meli- threptus leucogenys also seems to be close to the Eastern bird M. brevirostris. The discovery of a North Australian representa- tive of Gymnorhina tibicen is an interesting point in geographical distribution, and is perhaps an instance of alteration due to isola- tion and climatic and food conditions. The new bird is evidently a sub-tropical form of G. tibicen, our Eastern Magpie, making, with G. dorsalis, two peculiar species for Western Australia. With regard to the specific title of the latter not corresponding to its vernacular name, " Long-billed," if I remember rightly Mr. Campbell proposed the title longirostris, when I suggested dorsalis, owing to the differences in the specimen under examina- tion, in the hood and back, from the Eastern bird. Mr. Milligan concludes his article with exhaustive observations on G. dorsalis, whose range will be found, no doubt, to extend further north along the coast, as it is found 800 miles north- east of Perth. The addition of a new Acanthiza from the Murchison district, A. robustirostris, gives a noteworthy increase to this typical Australian section of these small Timeline birds. Of still greater interest, however, is the discovery of a new Xerophila, which from the description appears to be a sound species. Any increase to the very small list of Australian representatives of the typical " Titmice," Paridts, must be welcomed by all ornithologists, and it is to be hoped that the addition to it of X. castaneiventris will be supplemented by that of other co-species from districts as yet but imperfectly worked. The geographical distribution of Western Australian birds is further added to by another paper from the pen of Mr. Milligan, on birds observed at the littoral waters north of Perth called Lake Yanchep. Our member, Mr. PL E. Hill, is a new contributor to the useful Vol. III. J Australasian Ornithologists' Union. '49 data on distribution published since last Congress. His long notice of the birds of the Geelong district contains remarks on about 140 species, which ought to give a very fair idea of the avifauna of that part of Victoria, besides furnishing some in- teresting details on the habits of the species observed. Mr. Hill has likewise added to the observations on Western Australian birds of Messrs. Carter and Milligan, by a paper, in Part 2 of the present volume, on birds observed at Brookton, on the Albany and Perth railway line. Some 40 or 50 birds are noticed, among which is Hirundo ncoxcna in July, which gives South-Western Australia as one of the winter quarters of our Welcome Swallow. In reference to the habit of Artamus sordidus of " clustering," this appears not to occur in areas to which it migrates in the summer for breeding purposes. Seldom more than two or three pairs are seen in the same spot. It is apparently a habit, of the young birds in particular during the first winter, slightly resembling the packing of young Starlings and other birds in their immature stage. Western Australia, from Mr. Hill's note, is shown to be one of the areas to which Artamus sordidus returns in the winter. In Part 1, vol. iii., Mr. Hall continues his review of a collection of birds from North-Western Australia — Fitzroy River — accom- panied by field notes from Mr. Rogers, which give information as to the habits and distribution of the species discussed. Notices of collections from the far North will, when combined, form the basis to work out the geographical, distribution of the avifauna of this comparatively little known sub-region of Australasia ; but, in order that migratory birds maybe successfully dealt with, the dates of all specimens procured should be carefully recorded by the collector for the cabinet naturalist's information, and the length of the bird from tip of bill to tip of tail recorded on the label. Other measurements can be given by the reviewer of the collection. Mr. Rogers has an interesting note on the rearing of Channel- billed Cuckoos by the Crow {Corone australis).* It may be right to -mention here that, in order to further our knowledge of the seasonal migrations of both oversea and " internal" migrants, a record of the breeding of all Picarian, Columbine, and Limicoline species in the north, north-eastern, * The mistake of inverting the generic and specific titles of the Raven and the Crow appears to have arisen as the result of some little obscurity in the observations, p. 38, vol. ii , Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., and to the fact being overlooked in Australia that, as Dr. Sharpe had made a Raven and a Crow out of an Australian form, the generic title Corvus- Raven — would have to be applied to the bird now recognized as a Raven, and Corone to that relegated to our lists as a Crow. Should the wording of the abovenamed " observations " on the Aus- tralian Crow be not clear to those who peruse the British Museum Catalogue, a glance at the descriptions of Ravens and Crows in the volume, and in which all our well-known Ravens are in the genus Corvus, and the equally familiar Crows — the European and Indian Bazaar Crow, Corone splendens, for example— placed in Corone, should make the matter clear that the Raven cannot be placed in the genus Corone. I 50 Australasian Ornithologists' Union. Nth Jan and north-western districts is an important desideratum. This point has been incidentally referred to above. Mr. A. G. Campbell, the ornithological scion of our worthy co-editor, has contributed an important addition to the orni- thology of Tasmania and its dependencies by his paper detailing his diligent work in King Island. This appears in the last part of vol. ii. Some 86 species are noticed as having been observed in the island and its littoral, and a new breeding-place for Thalas- sogeron cautus (White-capped Albatross) announced, which is the most interesting fact concerning our pelagic birds that has been made known for many years. Notes and description of the sub-species Malurus clizabethce , Campbell, are given, and, as the writer had the good fortune to get a number of specimens, he had full opportunity of verifying the validity of this new bird. We learn likewise that the recently discovered Acanthiza inhabits the low scrub away from water- courses. It will no doubt be found in the forests on further exploration, as we have in Tasmania one species, Acanthiza ewingi, (.?)* which is a denizen of the scrub. It is noted, also, that the Green Parrakeet of the island is very large, which is probably due to the effect of isolation and climatic conditions, which, as above observed, are likely to affect structurally, either one way or the other, species which are deprived of all commingling with their fellows, thereby developing a fixed local type. As the Gang- Gang Cockatoo (C alio cep halo n galeatum) is an inhabitant of this island, it accounts for its occurrence occasionally on the north-west coast of Tasmania, the only locality, as far as I am aware, in which it has been noticed. The most interesting species from a distribution point of view in King Island is Cisticola exilis. This Grass- Warbler, like Cisticola cisticola, has a very wide range, extending over Australia, through the Austro- and Indo-Malayan sub-region, to Formosa, and westwards to the Malay Peninsula and Eastern Bengal. The puzzling summer and winter plumages of the little members of this genus have led to a splitting up of the present form into several species, which Dr. Sharpe, in the British Museum Catalogue, has united under C. exilis. It is much to be hoped that, some day, it will, under the pressure of northerly winds, extend its range to Tasmania from King Island, which has the distinction, if one may so style it, of being the southern geographical limit of this interesting little Warbler. We now pass again to the far North, but this time towards the east, to notice Mr. Berney's valuable paper on migratory birds in the Flinders River district, which is admirably situated * Australian naturalists have, perhaps, been led to the conclusion that, as this species is expunged from the Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., it is synonymous with A. diemenensis. Only three species were examined by Dr. Bowdler Sharpe, which no doubt were all of the latter and much commoner form, from the open country districts. The forest bird had not at that time, in all probability, reached the British Museum. Vol. III. 1904 J Australasian Ornithologists' Union. 1 5 I for such species. The record of the arrivals and departures of the Australian and Oriental Dottrels and the Australian and Oriental Pratincoles is given, which is of much interest, and it is to be noted that the former bird, Pcltohyas australis, was not found breeding, arriving in December and leaving in January, testifying thus to its usual mysterious movements. The Channel- bill, Coucal, and Koel are also summer visitants to the districts of the Richmond and Campaspe Rivers, as likewise the Roller and Bee-eater, which arrive, no doubt, from the Malay Islands and then range southwards through the continent. Mr. Cochrane's paper on birds from North Queensland deals also with migration, and contains valuable notes, one of which refers to the Nutmeg-Pigeon, which species is also spoken of by Mr. Cornwall in an adjoining paper on a visit to Green Island. It is to be hoped that steps will be taken in Queensland to afford additional protection to this bird, as the outcome of the corre- spondence published by the editors in Part 1 . The short and abundant migration of this species from New Guinea, down the coast to a place almost as hot as its winter abode, is a singular and noteworthy feature in its economy, and it is the more peculiar when we have regard to the fact that New Guinea is essentially the land of Pigeons, and free from the great enemy to their breeding economy — monkeys. In our own State, Mr. F. M. Littler, of Launceston, has been doing good work in noting the distribution of species in the Launceston district, and has written two articles on our " peculiar " birds, accompanied by some redescriptions of well- known plumages, with interesting notes on the habits of the species, and further on their nidification, concerning which information is always welcome. In reference to the internal migrations of our Graucalus, there is still more to be learnt ere we can satisfactorily follow its movements. It is some years since their winter locale on the east coast was recorded by myself, and now Mr. Littler finds them in some seasons about Launceston during the winter. It is certain that they leave the high-lying districts in winter and affect the littoral areas of the island, in one of which — the lower-lying portions of the county of Arthur — they may some day, when the district is opened up, be found in greater numbers. They will also be traced, in all probability, to the low-lying areas in the north of Dorset. The question is, however, do they not carry out also a partial migration to the Strait islands ? They arrive on the Break-o'-Day Plains, which are a mountain upland, about the last week in September or first week in October, but hardly any were seen this year until the end of the latter month. Mr. Littler's observations go to prove that our male Malurus is very irregular in acquiring his nuptial dress. There is no doubt that this species frequently does not moult till July, and on the uplands does hot sometimes get its blue dress until the end of September. A pleasing feature in the organization of our Union is the 1^2 Australasian Ornithologists' Union. \ ,F"T1U \ A few Swamp-Hawks {Circus gouldi) were seen leisurely beating over crops or grass land, while a bold Little Falcon (Falco lunulatus) was observed to fly along under cover of a standing train at Parattah and. disappear over the roof of a carriage after some Sparrows. Three, if not four, of the common species of Cuckoos were heard, some young Bronze-Cuckoos being fed by a family of Tits. The ringing notes of the Hill Crow-Shrike (Strepera argutd) were heard in the gullies, and a fine bird seen on the road to Mt. Wellington. As may be expected, Whistling Shrike-Thrushes (Collyriocincla rectirostris), Butcher-Birds (Cracticus cinereus), and Magpies (Gymnorhina hyperleucd) were often in evidence the Magpies especially in the more open lands. One morning half a dozen were observed following close upon the heels of a ploughman, on the look-out for unearthed " grub." Mr. M'Gowan is collecting a number of young Magpies for trans- portation to King Island, where that bird does not exist. The wooded gullies were the home of the two Thickheads — the Olive (Pachycephala olivaced) and the Grey-tailed (P. glau- cura), and the eggs of both species were seen, a nest of the former being cosily hidden in the crown of a tree-fern. The Olive Thickhead has a very plaintive, whistle-like call-note, while the sweet notes of the Grey-tailed sounded even sweeter than the call of its mainland cousin and close ally, the White-throated Thickhead. The Flycatchers and Robins were denizens of thickest forest. The plaintive .calls of a pair of migratory Satin Flycatchers (Myiagra nitidd) were heard in nearly every gully, where the birds were busily incubating high up in the trees, while the Dusky Fantails (Rhipidura diemenensis) darted about with rayed tails in every pocket of scrub. The Scarlet-breasted Robin (Petroeca leggii) and the Flame-breasted Robin (P. phceniced) were here and there tending fully-feathered young, but some of the lovely Pink-breasted Robins (P. rhodinogaster) were still brooding, sitting upon lovely triplets of eggs in the most exquis- itely made of moss nests, the nests being usually placed in musk or hazel standing in dark, damp gullies, the home also of the Ground-Thrush (Geocichla macrorhyncka). The Long-tailed Wrens (Malurus gouldi) were common in every bit of bush, the beautiful blue bands of the males making them specially attractive as they perched upon or darted through the undergrowth. These blue beauties are exceedingly fond of the briar-bushes for covert. The visitors viewed with alarm the manner in which Tasmanians allow this thorny nuisance to encroach upon the forests and to spread over valuable lands in tangled masses, without taking precautions to check its prodigal growth. The Scrub- Wren (Sericornis humilis) in the humid gullies was noticeably larger and darker compared with its compeers on the mainland, but some of the birds on the Launceston side appeared to be a smaller race of humilis. The Tits, however, were especially 1 62, Australasian Ornithologists' Union. \ j?1?" interesting, chiefly on account of the re-establishment of the long- lost Ewing Tit (Acanthiza ewingi). Colonel Legge, in his introductory remarks to " A Systematic List of Tasmanian Birds " (Proc. Roy. Soc., Tasmania, 1 900-1), hinted that further research might possibly lead to the re-discovery of Ewing Tit, which some authorities considered was identicalwith the well-known " Brown-tail " (A. diemenensis). In The Emu (vol. ii., p. 203, 1903) Mr. A. J. Campbell drew attention to a Tit his son had collected on King Island the previous November, which closely resembled the description of the missing ewingi. Then, during this present Congress, Mr. A. Morton, Curator of the Tasmanian Museum, produced two reference skins — very distinct birds, and labelled respectively A. ewingi and A. diemenensis. The fact of these being different was fully confirmed by the two kinds having been collected near Hobart by some members of the Union, who exhibited them in the flesh during the Congress. Colonel Legge has furnished a separate note about the two species.* The King Island Tit before mentioned has also turned out to be a ewingi, which is evidently not an uncommon species, because members of the Congress collected it also in the neighbour- hood of Launceston. Local collectors now say they used to differentiate this Tit from the familiar " Brown- tail " by the name of the " Creek " Tit, because of its habit of constructing a small mossy nest near to or overhanging the water of creeks or gullies, whereas the common Tasmanian Tit (A. diemenensis) usually builds in more open situations. The Scrub-Tit or Scrub-Wren (Acantkornis magna), by reason of its scarceness in Australian Museums, was much sought after for reference specimens. Several pairs were secured and nests obtained. One nestf (the subject of the illustration) was built in the fork, about 2 feet from the ground, of a dead moss and fungus-covered hazel, in thick musk scrub. Another nest was found near a watercourse, about 6 feet from the ground, supported in the drooping, dead frondage clinging to a tree-fern stem. This nest was constructed' outwardly of strips of bark, dead fronds, rootlets, and a few bits of green moss, and well lined with a thick ply of brownish fern-down and a few feathers, a little fur and thistle-down, the whole nest, of course, being globular in shape, with a side entrance. It was most artfully concealed, and con- tained a pair of typical eggs and an egg of the Fan-tailed Cuckoo (Cacomantis flabelh ' [or mis), all quite fresh. By the character of the eggs of the Scrub-Tit (almost white, with a few red speckles on the apex) the bird is clearly not a Sericornis. However, the bird itself resembles very much a Sericornis , only its bill is slightly curved instead of being straight and perky. Honey-eaters are always attractive, but four if not five species peculiar to Tasmania (including some of the islands in Bass Strait) were of more than ordinary interest to the visiting members of * See page 179, this issue. + Now in the National Museum, Melbourne. The Emu, Vol. III. PLATE IX. Scrub-Tit ( Acanthornis magna) and Nest. FROM A PHOTO. BY A. J. CAMPBELL. V°i'go11 1 Australasian Ornithologists' Union. (6 6 the Aust. O.U. Foremost was the Strong-billed Honey-eater (Melitkreptus validirostris), an active bird with pronounced song and call-notes. Several clutches of fledglings were observed, perched in short scrub, the youngsters appearing very pretty, with flesh-coloured bills and yellow face-stripes, which ornamenta- tions disappear in the adults. One member of the Union, who keeps successfully a Honey-eater aviary, cast longing eyes on a sleek set sitting side by side on a low branch, where their parents fed them incessantly. " Ah, I shall bag these," said the Honey- eater man, and, sneaking up through the thick undergrowth, all but had his hand on the coveted prize when a discharge of a gun down the gully scattered the young Strong-bills instantly, like- wise, the hopes of the Honey-eater man. Another Melithreptus — M. melanoce phalus (Black-headed Honey-eater) — usually flew high amongst the taller trees. The fine Yellow-throated Honey-eater (Ptilotis flavigularis) is a showy bird. Almost in every timber tract its curious " chuck "-like call-notes and whistle- like purring songs were heard. A nest with young was observed in the sprouting suckers at the head of a gum stump. The Spine- bill (Acanthorhynchus) is somewhat different from the mainland species, being richer in colour, especially the markings on the throat and chest, and shorter in the bill. We are not sure whether or not we heard the gurgling notes of the large Yellow Wattle- Bird (AcantkockcEra inauris), but the Brush Wattle-Bird (A. mellivora) was not uncommon along Distillery Creek, near Launceston. Yellow Wattle-Birds are sold in the markets when in season at yd. each. The other Honey-eaters observed common to both Tasmania and the mainland of Australia were the White- bearded (Meliornis novce-hollandie?), the Crescent (M ' . austral- asiana), and the Miner yManorhina garrula). The honey-loving White-eye (Zosterops coerulescens) was fairly common. Two Pardalotes were collected — P. punctatus and P. afflnis ; but the only endemic species — P. quadragintus — was not once seen. Tasmania's only Finch (Zonaginthus bellus) was flushed along the tea-tree creeks, also on some open land beside the Presbyterian Cemetery in Launceston. A White-bellied Sea- Eagle (Haliaetus leucogastcr) passed within 20 feet of the place where these birds were seen, just as they were flushed. A nest containing a full complement of six eggs was taken recently by a local member of the Union. A White Cockatoo (Cacatua galeritd) was heard screeching upon a range, while Green Parrakeets (Platycercus flaviventris) and Rosellas (P. exirnius) were observed on the lowlands. Along the river flats Blue Coots (Porphyrio melanonotus) and Native-Hens (Tri- bonyx mortieri) were noted from the train, as was a flock of six Wattled Plovers (Lobivanellus lob at us) and a flock of about a score of Black-breasted Plovers (Zonifcr tricolor), the latter seen in an old cultivation paddock. T64 Australasia)! Ornithologists' Union. L7th'jan. BALANCE SHEET, Year £ s. d. £ s. d. 53 4 9 Balance from last year. Receipts by Hon. Treasurer. 83 10 2 Subscriptions, year current, 1903. 15 o o „ ,, in advance, 1904. 1 10 o ,, ,, . ,, 1905. 3 15 o ,, ,, post paid, 1 90 1. 415 o Members' donations. 24 18 6 Lecture at Melbourne on 29 13 6 "Islands of Bass Strait," as per contra. 135 13 8 Coloured Figure Fund. 5 o Dinner, Annual Congress, as per contra. Publishers' Receipts. 7 15 8 Sales Emu. 015 o Binding members' copies, as per contra. 300 Trade Advertisements 200 9 1 Australasian Ornithologists' Union. Vol. III."] 1904. J ending 30th June, 1903. 16s Illustrations — Blocks, 1 Brass 1 17 6 ,, ,,14 Half-tone 835 Coloured Plate — Lithographer Artist 1 1 1 2 15 Postage Coloured Figure Fund, as per contra — Hire Athenaeum Lanternist Slides Printing Posters Printing Emu Binding — Two years, for Royal patrons ,, Members' copies, as per contra Printing — Various Stationery — Large envelopes, cover for Emu Rubber Stamp Cases for Emu, Hon. Editors Congress Expenses — Telegram, Adelaide Hire Royal Society Hall (2) Dinner, as per contra Printing Advertising Phillip Island " Camp-Out " d. 10 on 13 16 6 440 200 0190 606 1 14 6 0 2 10 112 6 3 19 9 140 1 16 o 0100 Forwarding Books to Auditors, Adelaide, and return Returned Cheque, deceased estate ... Advertising, Tasmania, re Islands Exchange, Poundage, Bank Charges, &c. Balance at Bank 23 17 11 7 14 18 o 9016 o I o o 0176 246 312 6 1 10 o 040 1 7 7 39 3 6 £200 9 1 A.G.B. Examined and found correct. M. Symonds Clark, ) , ,., > Auditors. Edwin Ashby, I The above Balance, £39 3s. 6d., now at Bank, 30/6/03. A. MATTINGLEY, Hon. Treasurer. i66 Australasian Ornithologists' Union. r Emu L7th Jan. STATEMENT OF COLOURED FIGURE FUND, Year ending 30/// June, 1903. Lecture Account. By sale of tickets £ s. d. 24 18 6 £24 1 8 6 To Hire Athenaeum , Lanternist , Slides , Printing , Posters , Balance (profit) £ s. d. 440 200 O IQ O 606 i 14 6 10 o 6 £24 18 6 Members' donations, 190 1-2 1902-3 Trade advertisements, 1902 J9°3 Credit balance, Lecture 2 18 8 4 15 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 10 0 6 ,624 14 2 Coloured Plate — Maluri Balance in hand 26/11/03. 1 3 1 6 6 1 o 1 7 8 £24 14 2 REPORT FOR 1902-3. To the President and Members of the Aust. O.U. Ladies and Gentlemen, — I have the honour to report that the Aust. O.U. is gradually increasing in numbers, as since the last meeting eleven have joined from Victoria, one from New South Wales, one from Queensland, two from South Australia, three from Western Australia, seven from Tasmania, three from America, one from Germany, one from New Zealand, and one from England ; total, 30. Four have resigned, and we have lost one through decease. The Emu still maintains its high degree of excellence, and it is of interest to notice that Nature says " that the excellence of its journal speaks for itself, and may be regarded as a proof of its success ; " Bird-Lore, of the U.S., America, says " The Emu continues to grow in size and excellence," &c. ; The Ibis and Vo1- III,1 Australasian Ornithologists' Union, 1 67 1904 J b / similar publications speak highly of it, and both European and American scientific societies are applying for it. The first volume is out of print, but a fresh supply will shortly be available, of which due notice will be given in The Emu. There has been no lack of papers, but, of course, the number that can be pub- lished is regulated by the state of our finances. The coloured plate was a success, being well reproduced, and it is proposed to have coloured illustrations of two Honey-eaters in vol. iii. A good deal of work has been done by the Council in the interests of our feathered friends in the various States, but much more needs doing, especially in the better carrying out of the Game Laws in the country districts, where in many places it is prac- tically a dead letter. We are glad to notice that two of our members have been elected among the first Colonial Members of the British Ornithologists' Union — namely, Col. Legge, our president, and Capt. Hutton, of New Zealand, and our energetic co-editor, Mr. A. J. Campbell, has been elected a Corresponding Fellow of the American Ornitho- logists' Union, and a member of our Council — namely, Mr. R. Hall — has been elected a Corresponding Member of the Zoological Society of London, a compliment he well deserves ; and we also desire to congratulate that gentleman on the success that has attended his visit to Siberia in search of the breeding haunts of many birds that pass their winter in Australasia, an account of which will doubtless appear in The Emu later on. Efforts have also been made through representations to His Excellency the Admiral of the Australian Station to get the Royal Company's Islands visited by one of His Majesty's ships, but so far without success, as at present, although these islands are marked on the Admiralty charts as being about 400 miles south of Hobart, they have never yet been visited by a British man-o'-war, nor have they been surveyed, and practically nothing is known about them, not even by the Admiralty ; but as the matter is now before them in London, it is hoped that efforts will be made to either prove or disprove their existence, as, if they do exist, probably many sea-birds would be found breeding there whose eggs and young have so far not been described. Much information has been obtained through the Queensland Government regarding the habits, &c, of the Torres Strait Pigeon, and steps have been taken to prevent their wanton destruction during the nesting season. Successful efforts have also been made to prevent the destruc- tion of the breeding ground of the White-faced Storm-Petrel on Mud Island, in Port Phillip, and these interesting little birds are nesting in fair numbers this year. I have the honour to be, Ladies and gentlemen, Your obedient servant, D. Le Souef, Hon. Sec. Aust. O.U. 1 68 Campbell, Another Decade in Australian Oology. Lth'jan. Another Decade in Australian Oology By A. J. Campbell. {Read before the Aust. O.U., Hobart Congress, 28/7/ November, 1903.) The study of oology (which, of course, includes caliology or nidiology) is one of the most fascinating of nature studies, espec- ially for the young. I think it can be proved that all the successful ornithologists of the world were in their early days " bird-nesters," therefore it is the young we most desire to see take up the study of orni- thology— the old help themselves. During the previous decade (1 884-1 893), as was pointed out by me in a paper, " A Decade in Australian Oology," read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 10th July, 1893, about 1 }0 species of Australian eggs were described as new to oological science. By a strange coincidence about the same number of species was discovered or described during the last decade (1894- 1903), bringing the total to about 690 known kinds of Australian eggs, leaving a balance of some 70 or 80 species {i.e., taking the total of known Australian birds at about 765 species) to be discovered or otherwise accounted for. At this rate of progress the balance of unknown eggs should be wiped off during the next decade ; but, of course, the last miles of a journey are always the hardest and appear the longest. I shall endeavour to mention some of the most important desiderata in Australian eggs. Those are the large Chestnut-faced Owl {Strix castanops) of Tasmania, coupled with the little Lurid Owl {Ninox lurida) of Queensland ; the Bower Shrike-Thrush {Col- lyriocincla boweri) of the Northern palm scrubs, and the White- eared Flycatcher {Piezorhynchus {Monarcha) leucotis) of the same region ; the Purple-crowned Wren {Malurus coronatus), Rufous- crowned Emu-Wren {St i pi turns ruficeps), and the Carter Desert- Bird {Eremiornis carteri) of the North-West ; then, coming back again to the rich North-East, we have such interesting forms as the Broadbent Ground-Thrush {Geocichla cuneata), Tooth-billed Bower-Bird (ScenopcBus dentirostris), the glorious Golden Bower- Bird {Prionodura newtoniana), and the Collared Scrub-Wren {Sericornis gutturalis) ; two Tree-runners — the Pied (Sittella a'bata) and the White-winged {S. leucoptera) — are both required from the North, although they will doubtless be found character- istic of their genus ; among the charming Honey-eaters there are the Broadbent {Glycyphila albiauricularis), Varied {Ptilotis versicolor), Streak-naped (P. filigcra), Fasciated (P. fasciogularis), and the Cockerell (P. cockerelli), all of the North Queensland scrubs ; the Yellow-rumped Finch {Munia flaviprymnd) , of which a few pairs of b:rds have recently reached the Southern markets ; of the white eggs, those of the Little Kingfisher {Alcyone pusilla), the rare Red-faced r Lorilet {Cyclopsittacus coxeni), the remarkable Night-Parrakeet {Geopsittacus Occident- ^igj"'] CAMPBELL, Another Decade in Australian Oology. 1 69 alis), and the Rock-Pigeon (Pctrophassa albipennis) are very desirable. The foregoing are more particularly " home " or purely Aus- tralian birds, but it is to the ends of the earth we are to look for the most difficult to obtain — to the tundras of the high north for the migratory waders, and the islands of the far south for Petrels. There are about half a score of our migrants, chiefly Limicoline birds (a tribe especially dear to our retiring president, Col. Legge), whose breeding haunts — many about the Arctic Circle in Siberia, have yet to be invaded. Let me specify them : — Oriental Dottrel (Ochthodromus veredus), Mongolian Sand- Dottrel (0. mongolus), Curlew (Numenius cyanopus), Whim- brel (N . varicgatus), Little Whimbrel (Mesoscopolax minutus Grey-rumped Sandpiper (Heeler actitis brevipes), Little Stint (Limonites ruficoliis), Sharp-tailed Stint {Hetcropygia acuminata) Curlew-Stint (Ancylockilus subarquatus), and the Great Sandpiper (Tringa crassirostris). [It is just possible that our energetic member, Mr. Robt. Hall, who, with commendable enterprise, has visited Eastern Siberia, is returning with information of some of these interesting wanderers.] To the south we shall have to look for the island homes of the Black-bellied (Cymodroma mclanogaster) and the White-bellied (C. grallaria) Storm-Petrels, likewise for the Silver-grey Petrel (Priocclla glacialoides), while to more temperate seas for the Brown-headed Petrel (CEstrelata solandri) and the White-winged Petrel (CE. leucoptera). Probably some of the Antarctic expeditions now out will fall in with the eggs of the first-mentioned sea-birds. Before I proceed to the next part of my paper perhaps I should have mentioned the Spine-tailed Swift (Ch&tura eaudacuta). These familiar Australian birds are known to breed in Japan, and I believe eggs have been offered for sale in England, but I can find no description of authenticated specimens. As I have stated in my work (" Nests and Eggs," p. 532) I am credibly informed that these Swifts breed under the Kegon Waterfall, near Nikko, Japan. The rock under the fall consists of alternate hard and soft layers, making a series of shelves. The Swifts nest in the recesses between the shelves, the outer edges of which are so friable that they will not bear the weight of a man, therefore the situation has been deemed practically inaccessible. Neverthe- less some of our Australian visitors to Japan might easily interest the inhabitants there to procure examples of eggs. If oology is of any scientific importance surely it is an aid to the proper classification of birds. " By their fruits ye shall know them " is an ancient truism. Glancing over a collection of Australian eggs, it is wonderful to note how correct has been the classification of the birds by systematists. Nevertheless there appear a few exceptions or anomalies which I may be permitted to point out, and which might be taken into consideration when any future systematic 170 CAMPBELL, Another Decade in Australian Oology. \ j^1?" scheme is on the tapis, or, indeed, during the consideration of the proposed " Check-List " of the Aust. O.U. Piezorhynchus nitidus lays a very different egg to that of P. gouldi, including its allies. The former is greenish-white spotted with sepia, while the latter is pinkish-white marked with red, and the nests of both are totally different. Would it not be better to retain P. gouldi and its allies in the genus Monarcha, where Gould originally placed them ? For years the familiar Yellow-tailed Tit was designated Geo- basilcus, until it was transferred to the genus Acanthiza. The Tit seldom or never lays spotted eggs as the true Acanthizce do. Moreover, its double-chambered nest distinguishes the structure from those of all its congeners. On strong oological grounds the Redthroat should be kept in its original genus, Pyrrholcemus, because it is not a true Sericornis, judging by the character of the eggs of all the known Sericorncs. The same applies to the Scrub-Tit of Tasmania. It is not a Sericornis, but an Aca nt/iiza, or , better still, Acanthornts, as Colonel Legge has called it. With regard to the White-breasted Shrike-Robin of Western Australia, it has obviously been misclassed. It is not an Eopsaltria (which lays greenish eggs mottled with red), but lays a uniformly olive-coloured egg resembling that of the Dusky Robin (Amauro- dryas — I prefer that name to Pctrcecci) of Tasmania. The eggs of Climactcris leucopkcea (White-throated Tree-creeper), being almost white, differ from those of true Climacterine birds, which are richly spotted with red. In the large and varied family Meliphagidd (Honey-eaters) some anomalies are apparent in the classification. The Zosterops, which lay uniformly bluish-green eggs (not the usual pinkish- mottled eggs of Honey-eaters), will have to be kept in a separate sub-family. It is possible that the genus Myzomela may be divided. The light buff-coloured eggs of M. nigra and M. pee- toralis are distinct from the red-speckled eggs of the rest of the genus. I think it would be proper to keep the Tasmanian or Crescent Honey-eater in its old genus (Liekmera). By habit and feathering it is not a true Meliornis. The sexes are almost alike in plumage in Meliornis, but in the Crescent Honey-eater they differ. The Myzanthce have all been bunched under the name Mano- rhina, which in Gouldian days only referred to the Bell-Bird. The nidification of the Australian Miner differs materially from that of the Bell-Miner. It is also questionable whether or not, on oological grounds, the common Miner of Tasmania and South- Eastern Australia should not be separated from its other cousins. The beautiful Spiny-cheeked Honey-eater is certainly not a Wattle-Bird — Acanthochtfra — but should remain as formerly Acanthogenys. Its eggs are olive-coloured. Wattle-Birds lay reddish eggs. Again, the boldly marked eggs of Philemon Vol. III. 1904 CAMPBELL, Another Decade in Australian Oology. 171 buceroides (Helmeted Friar-Bird) are characteristically different from those of the rest of the genus. Possibly all the Wood-Swallows have been termed Artami without sufficient oological evidence. There appear to be three types — (1), sordidus stands alone, (2) superciliosus and personatus are closely allied, (3) the remaining species are characteristically alike. Cuckoos are always puzzling creatures. Amongst the beautiful Bronze-Cuckoos, should not those that deposit pinkish-speckled eggs be generically distinct from those which deposit uniform brownish or olive-coloured eggs ? At present both kinds are placed in the same genus — Chalcococcyx. Of course, it is exceedingly difficult to treat Parrots and Pigeons oologically, because they all lay white, or nearly so, eggs, but microscopic examination of the shell and the different number of eggs to a normal clutch will greatly assist classification. Then, if nestlings be considered, the large and splendid genus Platycercus would probably be divided — those that wear the parents' plumage from the nest, as in the common Rosella, against those that take three or four seasons to don full plumage, as in the handsome Crimson (Pennant) Parrakeet. In the family Raliidce, the eggs of the Crakes differ considerably. Those of the Spotted Crake (Porzana jiuminea), being more Rail-like, differ from those of the Little Crake (P. palustris) and Spotless Crake (P. tabuensis). To conclude for the present these somewhat crude suggestions, I may say with regard to the graceful sub-family Sternince (Terns), that if a systematic study be carefully made of the genus Sterna there may be reasons found for separating 5. fuliginosa and 5. ancestheta, which lay reddish-mottled eggs, with glossy- surfaced shell, from the other members of the genus laying olive-marked eggs with surfaces more or less matt or dull. Birds Occurring in the Region of the Norths West Cape. By Thomas Carter. Part III. (90.) Cacatua gymnopis (Bare-eyed Cockatoo, Kogga-je). — This noisy and conspicuous bird occurs in great flocks along the beds of the larger watercourses and rivers, which are fringed with white gums. About the end of October, when most of the young birds are fledged, immense flocks may be seen, and their clamour is occasionally deafening and annoying. As almost all the natives in the district are now regularly employed and fed on the stations, they do not trouble much to secure the young birds, which were formerly much sought after by them and considered a great dainty. Flocks occasionally visited the coast south of Point Cloates, at a point about 25 miles from the nearest inland creek. Such casual visits were usually made in the winter months, May or June. At the Yardie Creek considerable numbers were resident, breeding in holes and crevices I 72 Carter, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape, [7thjan. of the great cliffs. In a smaller gorge in the range, about six miles from the homestead, three pairs almost invariably bred, and although the nests were never disturbed, being in an inaccessible situation, the number of birds remaining to breed was the same every year. They obtained water from caves in the gorge, where water dripped most of the time from stalac- tite formation. The eggs are laid from about 25th August to 22nd September, the second week in September being the best time to look for them. The clutch is two or three. Occasionally eggs are laid in holes in the large white ant hills on the flats nearer the coast, where timber is absent. The birds are very hardy in captivity, and make amusing pets, but are quick to bite. (91.) CACATUA KOSEICAPILLA (Rose-breasted Cockatoo, Culerrit). — This beautiful species was never seen on the coast, but was fairly common inland. A flock of these birds flying is a really splendid sight, as it also is to see a number of them perched all over a great gum-tree, their plumage forming a beautiful contrast to the dark green foliage and white bark. These birds were never noted breeding in the gum-trees, but seemed to lay only in the mulga (" jam ") and gidyea timber. A pair were seen enlarging a nesting-hole as early as 18th May, but the laying season seems to be early in September. These birds are not nearly such hardy cage birds as their Bare-eyed brethren. (92.) CALOPSITTACUS NOV.E-HOLLANDLE (Cockatoo-Parrot, Wec-arra, Wamba). — Fairly common inland, and occasionally visiting the coast from April to July, after rains. Eggs appear to be laid according to the season, as they were obtained on various dates from 16th July to nth September. They make charming cage birds and breed in captivity. (93.) BARNARDIUS OCCIDENTALIS (North Parrakeet, Mullin-coorin). — These beautiful birds were nowhere plentiful, but occurred from the Gascoyne River to the Nor'-West Cape. Rather curiously, I never succeeded in taking their eggs. (94.) PSEPHOTUS MULTICOLOR (Many-coloured Parrakeet). — These birds were not uncommon a little north of the Gascoyne River early in 1887. When camped out there with sheep, gaining " colonial experience," I shot several at the troughs, but never saw any of the birds at any subsequent date. The season was very droughty. (95.) NEOPHEMA ELEGANS (Grass-Parrakeet). — Only one specimen of this species was obtained. It was picked up dead by a native near Point Cloates (31st March, 1900), and was not in full plumage. (96.) MELOPSITTACUS UNDULATUS (Warbling Grass-Parrakeet, Padda- moora). — This lovely little bird was very abundant, especially in wet seasons. Its eggs could be found in any suitable gum-spout. These birds lay after rain, irrespective of seasons. The natives frequently annoyed me very much by their thoughtless cruelty in securing the young birds. A sharp-pointed stick was used to impale them as they lay at the bottom of the nesting cavity, and being transfixed and brought to the aperture they were thrown to the ground, then collected by the native or his gin, and thrown, squirming and squeaking, on to the hot coals of a fire to be cooked for " light refreshment." All natives appear to think animals are quite incapable of suffering pain. (97.) GEOPELIA TRANQUILLA (Ground-Dove). — Specimens of this bird were shot in the Gascoyne River in January, 1901, but not noted else- where. (98.) GEOPELIA CUNEATA (Little Dove). — Very common in the summer ol. Ill 1904 CARTER, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. I 73 months when water is scarce. They congregate in great flocks in the scrub surrounding the pools. The eggs are laid in the very fragile nests in low bushes, and were noted from 1st May to 15 th September. (99.) PHAPS CHALCOPTERA (Bronze-winged Pigeon). — These birds were decidedly scarce, an odd bird or two only being occasionally seen watering at pools. (100.) HlSTRIOPHAPS HISTRIONICA (Flock Pigeon). — An irregular visitor, occurring commonly, in some seasons, usually after a hurricane, when the abundant rain has produced plenty of grass-seeds, though small numbers were noted on the Minilya River in 1887, and also on the coast at Point Cloates in 1890 — a dry season. In 1900, which, as before stated, was the wettest year ever known in this district, odd birds were constantly seen on the inland flats, almost invariably flying at great speed. They must have bred in great numbers, for in January, 1901, countless thousands were watering at a pool on the Lyndon River, as recorded in The Emu, vol. i., p. 126. The immense bush fire which had just before burnt out the whole of the country north and north-east of the Lyndon River, for a space of about one hundred miles square, was evidently the cause of this great congregation of these birds, as the fire here reached its southern limit, and they were feeding on the edge of the unburnt plain. (101.) LoPHOPHAPS FERRUGINEA (Red-plumed Pigeon). — These charming, sprightly birds were to be found wherever rocky ground occurred in the vicinity of water. They were seen in such situations on the Gascoyne River at Rocky Pool, at several places on the Minilya and Lyons Rivers, at the Yardie Creek, and Nor'-West Cape. If one took up a situation near a pool where they came to drink, they would run close round in a most confiding way, uttering their " coo," with crest erect. The two eggs are laid on the ground in very exposed situations, the nesting material being very slight. Eggs were taken on 18th May, 12th September, and 25th October, so that the laying season apparently depends on the rainfall, and more than one brood is reared, as eggs were noted in May and October, 1900. (102.) OCYPHAPS LOPHOTES (Crested Pigeon). — These birds were not. numerous, and are apparently decreasing in numbers, or being driven further inland by stocking the country. They were fairly plentiful on the Gascoyne River in 1887, watering at sheep-troughs. (103.) COTURNIX PECTORALIS (Stubble Quail). — Only one specimen of this bird was seen. It was shot close to the homestead at Point Cloates, 9th November, 1901. (104.) Syncecus australis (Brown Quail). — After heavy rains these birds were fairly common in the thick grass that grows in the beds of watercourses, but disappeared as the vegetation dried off. They occasion- ally bred near the coast. Eggs are usually laid about the middle of September. Young birds, strong on the wing, were shot 4th November. (105.) LlPOA OCELLATA (Mallee-Fowl, Gnow). — These birds occurred in 1887 in the thick coastal scrub north of the Gascoyne River, where natives used to gather their eggs. These dense scrubs apparently extend between the vast salt-marshes and the sea as far north as Cape Farquhar, which is about 70 miles south of Point Cloates, and being quite unexplored and undisturbed, owing to the absence of water, the birds probably still occur there. Although out of the district at present under consideration, I may mention that in September, 1887, when travelling between the Wooramel and Murchison Rivers (about 90 miles south of the Gascoyne River), great numbers of nests were seen in a thick belt of mallee (about I "4 CARTER, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. f7th™an. 50 miles across) which occurs there, and many natives had come t here- to secure the eggs. jobi] TURNIX VELOX Little Quail). — After good rains these skulking little birds occur everywhere in open grass and spinifex country, and when riding one constantly flushes them, or sees them running about like mice from tuft to tuft. The natives try to catch them with their hands, and when the}- fail, as is frequently the case, they say the bird is a " cunning fellow." The note is a loud " coo-00," most frequently uttered at night, and I judge the birds are largely nocturnal in feeding. The eggs are laid any time after rain. 107., Hypot.exidia PHiLipriXEXSlS (Pectoral Rail). — These birds seem to be generally distributed when grass is plentiful, but are so shy that their presence is easily overlooked. On two or three occasions the remains of specimens, killed by cats or hawks, were observed. One was shot on the beach at Point Cloates in the drought, 15th October, 1891, and another shot while running about in the sheep-yards at the shearing shed, 27th July, 1 90 1. (108.) Microtriboxyx vextralis (Black-tailed Native-Hen, Chandilla). — Very common in some good seasons, the banks of the pools being alive with them as long as the water lasts. Several clutches of eggs were found from 13th July to 3rd August. In June, 1897, when a flood broke up the great drought, there were countless thousands in the immediate vicinity of Geraldton, doing great damage to the corn crops. (109.) FuLICA AUSTRALIS (Coot). — An occasional visitor when water is plentiful, notably in 1898 and 1900. (no.) EUPODOTIS AUSTRALIS (Bustard, Padderra). — In good grass seasons these birds are very abundant. On the open grassy plains they can be seen feeding sometimes as far as the eye can reach, in pairs or small mobs, like a flock of sheep " on a good spread." As a rule they are exceedingly wary on the coast and can rarely be shot there except from a buggy. They apparently lay after any rain, as eggs were taken on various dates from 4th June to 2nd October. There is hardly any nesting material, and two eggs appear to form the clutch as frequently as one. These birds are nocturnal, or partly so, in their habits, as in the breeding season their loud call can be heard all through the night, and many times, when camped out, I have seen and heard them fly close over the camp. (in.) BURHIXUS GRALLARRS Stone-Plover, Wee-lo). — Evenly distributed over the country, but nowhere seen in large numbers. On the coast they occur mostly in the winter, and pass the day sleeping on the stony ranges, where I have frequently disturbed them. My experience in securing a specimen for a skin was decidedly unpleasant. My camp, consisting a- usual of a breakwind of scrub, was pitched on a flat where the birds had been heard at night. About midnight I was roused by the melancholy cry of a bird, apparently quite close. Lying flat on the ground, a long, shapeless object, apparently a dead stump, was all that broke the sky line, but suddenly it flew away, much to my surprise, as its outline in no way resembled a bird. Evidently it had been standing watching me, with neck much up-stretched. Immediately afterwards its cry came from behind the camp. Crawling round, gun in hand, and whistling a reply to the bird as well as I could, I saw apparently another stump at an unknown distance. Lying flat, the gun had to be held to my cheek in order to clear the grass, &c, and I blazed off a No. 2 cartridge, receiving, in doing so a tremendous blow on the bridge of nose and upper lip, which, with a shower of sparks and strong backward wrench to my head, irri- V°i* q11" 1 CARTEK) Birds Occurring in the Region of A'. IF. Cape. I 75 pressed me that the gun had burst. Walking forward I picked up the dead bird, at the distance of nine yards only, and upon examining the gun discovered that both barrels had gone off, and consequently the specimen was simply riddled with shot, and my face rather severely cut and bruised from a jagged part of the gun butt. (112.) ORTHORHAMPiirs MAG.MKOSTRis (Long-billed Stone-Plover). — The native name for this bird is " Wee-lo," same as for the preceding species, on account of the similarity of the cry. A pair or so could invariably be seen at a point on the coast about 45 miles north of Point Cloates, where a heavy surf broke on a coarse shingly beach. Odd birds were seen about 20 miles north of Point Cloates, the most southern point at which they were noted. One egg was found, 24th October, 1900, on the top of the shingly ridge mentioned above. It was laid in a depression, without any nesting material. (113.) GLAREGLA ORIEXTALIS (Oriental Pratincole;. — These birds were only visitors immediately before rains or stormy weather, and always disappeared soon after. Their occurrences were on the following dates : — 19th January, 1900, one shot on beach at Point Cloates after heavy north- east gale ; 9th to 12th February, numerous flocks seen, with strong north- east winds blowing; 18th April, 1900, large flocks at a flooded gum flat 25 miles inland — unsettled weather and heavy rains ; 6th December, 1900, two seen on a salt-marsh. The natives call these birds " Rain- brother." (114.) Arenaria INTERPRES (Turn-stone). — Common on the beach, especially in the summer. They may be seen in less numbers all through the winter months. (115.) H.EMATOPUS LONGIROSTRIS (Pied Oyster-catcher, Warrangarree). — A common resident, usually seen in pairs, but about the end of September, after the breeding season, they go in small flocks of 12 or 15. Eggs were taken on various dates from 5th July to 17th September. (116.) rLEMATOPUS UNICOLOR (Black Oyster-catcher, Wee-ardoo). — Not so common or tame as the preceding species, and found more where the beach is rocky Eggs were taken on 12th September. (117.) ERYTHROGONYS CINCTUS (Red-kneed Dottrel). — This is a rare species, only twice being noted, viz., 20th October, 1899, a pair of adults with three immature birds were seen at a pool 25 miles inland, and 2nd May, 1900, when a nest containing four eggs, almost hatching, was found in a tuft of samphire on an island in a flooded salt-marsh. (118.) Squatarola helvetica (Grey Plover). — A regular summer visitor arriving about 21st September. They usually feed singly or in pairs on the beach close to the edge of the water, and are very wary. (119.) CHARADRIUS FULVUS (Lesser Golden Plover). — A summer visitor, and rather more numerous than the above. This bird seeks its food about high water mark among the seaweed left by the tide. (120.) OCHTHODROMUS BICINCTUS (Double-banded Dottrel). — One speci- men only was secured, viz., on 7th December, 1898. (121.) OCHTHODROMUS VEREDUS (Oriental Dottrel, Bool gar ra-boolgarra). — A common summer visitor, arriving very regularly the second week in September, and leaving for the unknown breeding haunts about the middle of March. They are seen mostly in flocks on the salt-marshes and open grass or spinifcx flats near the coast, and rarely occur on the beach. When seen on the beach it is usually during the prevalence of parching I 76 Carter, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. [7,h"|an. hot north-east winds. A most extraordinary sight of these birds was in the great heat wave of 30th and 31st December, 1895, as mentioned in Mr. A J. Campbell's " Nests and Eggs," p. 792, when for miles the beach was lined with them, either migrating, or, as I now think, more probably driven to the water line by the intense heat. On 15th March, 1892, great flocks of these birds were on the salt-marshes in almost full breeding plumage, preparing for their annual flight. They were extremely fat, and, contrary to their usual custom, very shy, as usually a flock of this species will remain quite stationary upon anyone approaching, and not take flight until one is quite close. (122.) Ochthodromus geoffroyi (Large Sand-Dottrel). — Not uncommon on the beach in summer, and usually seen singly. (123.) OCHTHODROMUS MONGOLUS (Mongolian Sand-Dottrel). — I have a skin of a male, secured 28th January, 1900, which I think can only be referable to this bird. It is smaller in size and the bill not so heavy as in O. geoffroyi. (124.) .LGIALITIS RUFICAPILLA (Red-capped Dottrel). — Very rarely seen on the beach at Point Cloates, but is common in mangroves near the North- West Cape. A few were breeding at a flooded salt-marsh near the sea, 30 miles south of Point Cloates, in May, 1900. (125.) .LGIALITIS MELANOPS (Black-fronted Dottrel). — Occasionally seen at inland pools. One was brought into the shearing shed by a tame cat, and was apparently breeding on a neighbouring salt-marsh. (126.) PELTOHYAS AUSTRALIS (Dottrel). — These birds were only once seen, viz., 8th July, 1902, when a pair (male and female) were shot on the large plain between the Lyndon and Minilya Rivers. There were several pairs of them, and they were very tame. The female contained well- developed eggs, so they were evidently breeding, but, as usual, we had to push on for water for horses and could spare no time to search for eggs. (127.) Himantopus leucocephalus (White-headed Stilt). — Occurs at pools and swamps after heavy rains in some numbers. In 1900 scores of them were breeding from 1st May to 12th September on a flooded salt-marsh, 30 miles south of Point Cloates, as recorded in Zoologist, July, 1901. Some nests were on the ground on the small islands, others built in the tops of samphire bushes growing out of the water. (128.) Recurvirostra nov.e-hollandi.e (Red-necked Avocet). — Not so commonly seen as the preceding species. A few pairs were breeding with the Stilts mentioned above, 1st May, 1900. (129.) NUMENIUS CYANOPUS (Curlew). — A common summer visitor, arriving about the end of September. Odd birds remain all winter. Large flocks were noted near the North- West Cape in July, and again in August, 1902, so these particular birds could hardly have time to visit the Northern Hemisphere to breed. (It seems to me curious that the Whimbrel was never noted, as they occur on the south coast of Australia. They probably pass down the eastern coast of Continent.) (130.) MESOSCOLOPAX MINUTUS (Little Whimbrel). — These birds were only observed when severe droughts inland drove them to the coast. In the summer of 1890, when a severe drought prevailed, many were seen, and some were killed by striking against wire fences. They were next noticed in the drought of 1896, when many were seen and specimens shot in September and October. (131.) Limosa nov.e-ZEALANDLE (Barred-rumped Godwit). — Occurs The Emu, Vol. III. PLATE X. Varied-backed Magpie ( Gymnorhina dorsalis). Immature female. Mature female. Mature male. FROM A PHOTO. BY C. P. CON1GRAVE Vol. III. 1904 Carter, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. 177 sparingly on the beach in summer. Specimens were shot as late as 27th May, 1898. 22nd October was the earliest noted date of arrival. There appeared to be two varieites — one of large, solitary birds, and a second of smaller birds that went in flocks (probably L. limosd). (132.) HECTERACTITIS BREVIPES (Grey-rumped Sandpiper). — Fairly numerous on the coast in summer from November to May, sometimes seen in considerable flocks, as eight were once secured at one discharge of the gun. One specimen was shot 6th June, 1899, out of a small flock feeding in mangroves. (133.) TRINGOIDES HYPOLEUCUS (Common Sandpiper). — Only one speci- men was seen, and shot, on beach, 30th October, 1901. (1 34.) Glottis glottoides (Greenshank). — A scarce bird. One specimen was shot at the Yardie Creek, 24th January, 1898, and odd birds seen in mangroves near North-West Cape. They are very shy and difficult to approach. (135.) CALIDRIS ARENARIA (Sanderling). — A quite common bird on the beach, where they may be seen almost any time of the year, feeding generally with Turn-stones and Little Stints. I have seen and shot many specimens in June and July, so it is evident they do not all leave to breed. Probably immature birds often remain. (136.) LlMONITES RUFICOLLIS (Little Stint). — A very common beach bird, and may be seen any month of the year, but most numerously in the summer. (137.) Heteropygia acuminata (Sharp-tailed Stint). — Mostly seen in mangroves about the North-West Cape in the summer months, but a few birds were seen at the flooded salt-marsh south of Point Cloates in June, 1900. Observations on the Western Gymnorhinae. (With Plate.) By Alex. Wm. Milligan {Hon. Ornithologist, Perth Museum, W.A.) THERE are two questions affecting our Magpies which I should like to ask and shall endeavour to answer. The first is, " Why are the bills of the Western species longer and more narrow than those of the Eastern ones ? " The second is, " Why should there be (as there undoubtedly is) an absence of ' hilarity of song ' as compared with their Eastern congeners ? " The first question I will endeavour to answer by advancing two theories, namely — (a) the depth of food supplies, and (6) attrition. In support of the first theory let me say that the heat of the Western Australian summer season, and the length, in point of time, of it, are notorious, as also are the open sandy nature, generally, of the soil and the almost entire absence of tracts or swards of indigenous grasses. By reason of the heat beating upon the open soil for a continuous and lengthened period, and without the natural protection of the latter by such swards, grubs, worms, and the lower forms of life, upon which the birds principally subsist, naturally seek lower levels in the soil. To follow these forms, the birds would of I 78 MlLLiGAN, Observations on the Western Gymnorhince. \ £mTu necessity be compelled to probe deeply, perhaps to the full extent of their bills, or nearly so, in quest of their daily food ; and these very acts, oft repeated, as they must be, would tend to and would in course of time develop the bill both in length and girth. As a counteraction, however, to the girth development, the same repetition of the same acts would, by the fact of the bill meeting with harder substances than itself (that is to say, the vitreous sand granules), cause the bill to become attenuated by trituration. In Eastern Australia the soils of the agricultural districts, wherein the birds are principally found, are moister and more cohesive, and are better protected from a milder sun by a natural clothing of grass, the surface roots of which, more important still, form the natural home of the lower forms of life before referred to. As a consequence the natural food supplies of the birds are nearer, if not actually in, the surface soil, and a shorter bill serves the purpose of obtaining them. And if the bills of the Eastern forms be closely examined it will be readily seen that the depth to which they are probed in quest of food is the beginning of the distinct arch of the culmen. Again, the contact of the bill with the moister and less granulous soil does not cause friction in the same degree and consequently a corresponding reduction in girth: Collaterally, and perhaps in combination with the above theory, I might have advanced even with greater force the well laid and accepted principle of natural selection. Repeating what has been said in reference to the daily quest of food by the Western birds, there would, I think, accepting that principle, be a tendency to an increased length of bill. Birds with bills of short or of medium length would on the average be placed at a considerable disadvantage in search of their daily food, while birds with bills of a more appropriate length would correspondingly be placed at an advantage, and so tend to survive and to leave progeny mheriting the same characteristic. Such " survival of the fittest " (that is, of birds whose bills are longer) would go on until the length of bill best adapted to the conditions of their existence was attained. My answer to the second question is that the absence of "hilarity of song " is due solely to the peculiarity of climatic conditions. The sudden and spontaneous outburst of song is invariably simultan- eous with the termination of a period of privation or enforced rest. In the latter respect birds in a natural state undoubtedly sing more hilariously in the early morning, after a period of darkness and rest. In countries where the winters are rigorous, and particularly where the surface of the earth and the vegetation are covered with snow for a comparatively lengthened period, birds of purely local habits or enjoying only a restricted range suffer privations. Consequently, what is more natural to them than, on the relaxation or removal of those severe conditions, that they should give full vent to their only mode of expression, namely, that of song ? It is a fact that many birds, such as the Limicolce, evade the rigours of winter of Northern Europe and Asia by Vol. III. 1904 MlLLlGAN, Observations on the Western Gymnorhince. I 7Q seeking the warmer and more congenial shores of Australia ; and it is singular, indeed, that not one of these birds possesses any claim to song. In Western Australia there is not, strictly speaking, any winter season. Snow, even in the highest mountain peaks of the extreme south, is a rarity. The seasons are only two — the hot and the rainy. The latter is never what might be called really cold, except, perhaps, on the occurrence of an occasional blow from the Antarctic. Immediately after the first rains at the back end of the hot season numerous flowers and shrubs at once come into bloom, and they are followed by a succession of others during the rainy season. There is not, in fact, any stagna- tion of vegetable growth in any month of the year. Even many of the birds nest and bring up their young in the early part of the rainy season. With climatic conditions such as these, what is there to prompt spontaneity of song to any degree. Certainly bird-song is heard in greater volume in the months corresponding to the springtime of South-Eastern Australia, but that fact is principally due to migrants who have arrived from the northern parts of the State to breed, and who aid to swell materially the volume by their love-song. A parallel is afforded in the vegetable life of the State. Our indigenous trees are not deciduous, and even deciduous trees introduced from colder climates evince a disposition to maintain the old leaves until the reappearance of the new. The budding into leaf and the blossoming of trees and the outburst of the song of birds are simultaneous in cold climates. The foregoing remarks are not intended to imply that the Western Australian birds are songless. On the contrary, they do possess song in a marked degree, but that is not conspicuous at one particular time more than another, for the reasons stated. For instance, the species under notice carols in the same manner as the Eastern birds, but not so markedly or spontaneously at certain periods. This partially suppressed characteristic is not alone peculiar to the species mentioned, but it is observable in many others, notably the Magpie-Lark (Grallina picatd) and the Dusky Miner (Manorkina obscura). [The plate (No. X.) of Gymnorhina dor satis, male, female, and immature female, should have appeared in connection with Mr. Milligan's paper in the previous part, page 99, but was unavoid- ably held over. — Eds.] Some Rectifications in Tasmanian Ornis. By (Colonel) W. V. Legge, F.Z.S., &c. ACANTHIZA EWINGI (Gould). In my address at the annual Congress I recently had occasion to allude to the fact that Ewing's Tree-Tit still stood as a valid Tasmanian species, although it had been omitted from the list of the genus in the B.M. Catalogue. It was pointed out that I 80 LEGGE, Some Rectifications in Tasmanian Ornis. j" ^"?^n this omission was probably owing to Dr. Sharpe having only those examples in the national collection to judge from, which were evidently belonging to the open-country form, A. die- menensis , which is more easily procurable than the first species, A. ewingi. Personally, I had shot the bird several times, but had not preserved the skins ; and I omitted the species by over- sight in my list. It is satisfactory that when attention was drawn to this Acanthiza at the Congress, conclusive evidence as to its existence should so soon have been forthcoming. There is a specimen in the Museum among the birds in a small col- lection recently acquired from a private source, and which came from the New Norfolk district ;■ another was procured in the gullies on Mt. Wellington by Mr. A. G. Campbell, and a comparison of these examples with A. diemenensis furnishes the following details : — A. ewingi. — The principal characteristics of this species at once distinguished from A. diemenensis — the rufescent forehead, the greater length of tarsus, and the dark " winglet " (at point of wing). To these may well be added, as a marked feature, the greater length of tail. Minor differences are — darker upper surface in ewingi, darker throat, the dusky bases of the feather showing more conspicuously than in the common species, the fulvous edgings of the primaries, and the darker abdomen. Gould shows the dark winglet in his figure, and notes it in a description, also the length of tarsus, which feature has been evolved, no doubt, from the bird's mode of life in frequenting undergrowth. The measurements of two specimens — one of ewingi and one of diemenensis — from the same district (New Norfolk) are : — A. ewingi: wing, 1.95; tail, 1.7; tarsus, 0.95. A. diemenensis : wing, 1.93 ; tail, 1.59 ; tarsus, 0.75. This species has recently been procured by Mr. A. G. Campbell on King Island and mentioned by him in his article (cf. vol. ii., p. 207). An examination of the specimen from that island and one from Mt. Wellington reveals the same characteristics as noted here, and the extra length in tail and tarsus of the same. The King Island specimen is slightly paler on the forehead than the examples from the mainland, and the light tip and dark subterminal bar on the tail slightly more pronounced ; but this may be an individual characteristic. Acanthiza magnirostris (Campbell). This is a well-marked insular form. Besides having the bill stouter and longer than in A. diemenensis, the colouration of the under surface is darker than in that species. The wing is likewise \ of an inch longer, and the tarsus stouter. MlCROPUS pacificus (Latham). This Swift was omitted from my revised " Systematic List " of Tasmanian Birds, prepared for the A. A. A. Science Con- gress two years ago. I observed several examples in a large Vol. III. 1904 LEGGE, Some Rectifications in Tasmanian Ornis. l8l flock of Ckcztura gigantca which were " dashing " about the homestead in February, 1896, and, as my list was prepared in a great hurry for the Congress, the addition was overlooked. It is satisfactory to find that Mr. Littler has also observed this species in the Launceston district. It doubtless visits Tasmania frequently in company with the " Spine-tail " in continuation of its wanderings down the east coast of Asia to the Australian Continent, but has been overlooked in former years by observers in this island. Micro pus pacificus is also an occasional visitant to New Zealand. (?) Climacteris scandens (Temminck). On more than one occasion I have seen a " Creeper " in the Tasmanian forests, generally in those little " companies " of birds that are never met with in sunny spots in the heavy timber- land above. Scricornis, Acanthornis, and Acanthiza (ewingi) are the genera that usually collect together. In March, 1902, I met with one example in the myrtle forests at the back of Quamby Bluff, on the track to the Great Lake, and had an opportunity of observing it through my binoculars. Recently, having occasion to refer to the genus with B.M. Catalogue, I find that specimens of C. scandens and C. pyrrhonota* are both in the B.M. collection, collected by that indefatigable field naturalist, Ronald Gunn, Esq., and in all probability pro- cured in the northern forests of the island. The bird I last met with, on the occasion named, corresponded in character with C. scandens, but not having procured the specimen, I note it here with a query, notwithstanding, in the face of the evidence afforded by the example in the national collection, both species can with propriety be added to the Tasmanian lists. The Nutmeg (Torres Strait) Pigeon. The following report by Mr. Frank L. Jardine, Somerset, has been forwarded to the Under-Secretary, Brisbane, and kindly sent on by him to the Aust. O.U. It will be noted that Mr. Jardine deals with a district north of that as to which complaints of reckless destruction arose, and, presuming he speaks of the same variety of Pigeon, evidently knows little of what prevails lower down the coast than his own station, while the months of incubation — " middle of August to March " — do not agree with the observations of more southern writers. The slighting- allusions to those who started the agitation may be allowed to pass unnoticed : — Carpophaga lnctuoso\ is the earliest of our many migratory birds, being * C. pyrrhonota is now generally accepted to be the young of C. leucopJuza (i.e., scandens), Gould having inadvertently transposed the names lettcopJura and scandens under his figures. It is quite probable that the White-throated Tree-creeper is found in Tasmania, seeing it is a common species near the coast line on the mainland immediately opposite. — Ens. f Myristicivora spiiorr/ioa. — 'EDS. I 82 The Nutmeg {Torres Strait) Pigeon. [7thjan. closely followed by Calornis metallica, Tanysiptera sylvia, and many others, and arrives here early in August, some showing up by the middle of luly, as yesterday I noticed a few small " flocks " coming across from New Guinea, and most probably were it not for the moulting season many would arrive even earlier. These first arrivals, as a rule, do not remain with us, but continue their flight further south, where they settle on some of the numerous mangrove-covered islands and islets ; the small, low, and densely covered by mangrove ones appear to be their favourite nesting habitat, as on them they are completely secure from all enemies. As the tide covers the surface of the islands, they are safe from the attacks of native cats, snakes, rats, and other vermin from underneath, and the tops of the mangroves, seen from a distance, owing to the prevalence of the strong south-east trades, have the appearance of being clipped level, and are so stiff and interlaced that a man can scramble along them oxer- head, but unable to get through to the ground, consequently the young and eggs are closely protected from skywards from Hawks and other birds of prey. As the distance from here to New Guinea is short (ioo miles) and the intervening sea being dotted with islands within sight from each other, which can be used as resting places, the flight is not at all exhausting, so that the birds land here strong and in good condition, and commence nesting operations straight away, the clutch consisting of one egg only, which probably accounts for the fact of their laying so often, the earlier arrivals bringing up perhaps four broods during their eight months sojourn with us. During the term of incubation the male birds carry food for the sitters in their crops from the mainland, which can be ejected fresh and intact at will, the parents afterwards supplying food to their young in the same manner, and by the beginning of September many of them are strong enough to fly and forage for themselves, and they in their turn lay two or three times before leaving Australia about end of March with the south-east trades, and on any date between the middle of August and March eggs can be collected. Many of the islands on the coast are fairly high-wooded, such as Cairncross, Turtle, Deliverance, and others, having only a fringe of mangroves round them, the interior being timbered with fig trees, terminalia, and several other edible (for birds) fruit and berry-bearing trees. Deliverance Island, which is low and flat and of considerable extent, is almost a forest solely of terminalia, and nearly the whole series of islands to the eastward of Cape York arc fruit-bearing. In the early sixties they were all densely covered with terminalia trees, which were ruthlessly cut down by the beche-de-mer fishermen for smoke-house purposes, Warrior and Half-way Islands being completely denuded, but the trees are now springing up again. However, I do not think that on any of the islands (Deliverance may, perhaps, be an exception) there is sufficient food to supply throughout the season all the birds that frequent them, so that it must be supplemented from the mainland, to which the birds commence their flight from early in the morning until about 8 o'clock, when there remain only those sitting on nests and young birds, fledged, but not yet sufficiently strong to undertake the journey. The return flight in the evening commences about two hours before sunset, and lasts until dark, during which two and a half hours the Pigeons fly in an unbroken, continuous stream, thousands upon thousands of them, and immediately after daylight and at dusk the sound made by their cooing is one deep, unbroken, monotonous boom, which when approaching an island may be heard from some distance. On the mainland, in our large areas of rich evergreen scrubs, there V°qoin'] The Nutmeg {Torres Strait) Pigeon. iS^ is at all seasons an abundance of fruits and berries of some kind for the birds to feed on. The date-like fruit of the terminalia (native "wong-ai"), which in size and shape resembles one of their eggs, is a special favourite and easily swallowed whole, and for the months of September and October the " Gainawa," like the natives, subsist principally upon it; later on the talamba (allied to the mangoes), the red berries of seaforthia, the cariotas and many other palms ; of " tuka," " tulu," " puri " (native names) and numerous trees come into season, which gives them a generous supply of food at all periods of their stay here, and when certain trees are in heavy bearing the birds to a considerable extent acquire the flavour of the berries they feed on, some of which are distinctly disagreeable, the " puri " especi- ally giving a flavour which penetrates the whole of the flesh, and being similar somewhat to that of a very sweet sweet-potato. I am not sure as to what is the extreme southern limit of the White Pigeon's habitat, but in '61 I shot two on Funnel Creek, south of Cape Palmerston, and later on observed them on the Burdekin River ; and during a journey overland to Cape York from R'ockhampton in '64 saw but two birds, on the Mitchell River, about five miles below its junction with the Lynd ; and again, while making the overland telegraph line from Cape York to Coen, saw but a few birds, in the marginal scrubs on the banks of the Skardon and Batavia Rivers ; also on a trip from Somerset to Ebagula and back again (returning by a different route), which occupied a period of eight months, not a bird was seen, consequently it may be assumed that their visits to the peninsula are confined or nearly so to the coast and its vicinity, and I may here remark that among the many stations (" settlers' ") on the way between Coen and Cape York I did not see a shot-gun, the armoury usually consisting of a rifle, wherewith to shoot the customary ration bullock monthly, and revolvers carried on the waist belt, and also that my nearest neighbour in Australia is 200 miles distant. I merely quote this to show that Carpophaga luctuoso has 200 miles of country to live in free from molestation. In one of the attachments to your letter it is remarked that " there can be no doubt that the indiscriminate slaughter which takes place on some of the islands while the birds are nesting must tend to reduce the natural increase." Relative to this, so far as I am aware the islands are all unin- habited, unless temporarily by a canoe party of natives, or now and then by a couple of coloured men tortoise-shell hunting, so naturally comes the question, " Who are the slaughterers ? " Many years ago, whilst there was a thriving beche-de-mer industry flourishing along the coast, carried on by large vessels employing from 1 to 200 semi-savage Kanakas, this assertion may have been gently applicable, but those times, men, and manners are long since past, the spasmodic trade being now carried on by small cutters from Thursday Island, which, owing to the difficulty and restriction placed on procuring native labour, unless for missionary purposes, are manned by two men (usually Manila-men), and at times by one, or a man and his wife, who sail the boat along the coast and procure local native labour, bound only by some verbal agreement, which is apparently satisfactory to the employe, as he is always ready and willing to " come again " so long as the work does not take him away from his district ; and the people engaged in the trade do not carry firearms, as by so doing they are afraid of putting weapons into the hands of their crew. The pearl-shelling industry and its working economy have now under- gone a thorough change both in style and scene. Formerly diving operations were carried on in small boats, manned by South Sea Islanders, who worked in the passages amongst the numerous islands on the shelling 184 The Nutmeg {Torres Strait) Pigeon. [7±hjan. grounds, and in each boat there were usually one or two fowling-pieces, with ample ammunition, and men eager and able to use it, but at the present time a pearling venture is essentially and practically a deep sea voyage occupying nine months of the year, as the boats are worked from large vessels which serve as store depots, and are for weeks together out of sight of land ; they are also manned by Japanese, Javanese, Hindus, and other " Allsorts " of non-sporting tendencies, who, instead of a club and a gun, carry a knife and a net, so that it is evident that from these two large sections of the Torres Strait community the White Pigeon is almost as tabu as the Ibis of classic " pastorals," and with regard to the inhabitants of Thursday Island, the hub of the Strait, their subscription towards the mortality of the Pigeon is small, almost nil, as the botanic endowments of the islands surrounding and adjacent to the town are not favourable to Pigeons' tastes or requirements, and those who would enjoy a day's shooting now and then on the more distant islands cannot afford the loss of time, as it interferes with the chase of more valued game — the almighty dollar. I think I may safely say that by the people of Somerset there are more birds shot than by the whole of the other residents of Torres Strait combined, and the bag there last season did not exceed 600 birds. Taking this as a basis, I do not think the assertion that in all Torres Strait the number of Pigeons ( taking the extreme limit) which fall to the gun annually does not exceed 1,000 can be veritably contradicted, and this proportion in relation to their vast numbers is infinitesimal, so that those interesting themselves in the subject may feel assured, and lay their minds at rest as to the most superlatively remote possibility of one of the " glories of our avifauna " becoming a rare bird. Probably more Pigeons are killed by the natives during the north-west monsoon than by any other agency, on some of the small, less densely wooded islands, where at night, with torches made of pandanus leaves and gum, they spear a good many, perhaps 30 or 40 during a night. The spear is not thrown, but made with a long, light bamboo shaft, and used from underneath, lance fashion. I am aware that I have touched on subjects that at first sight may appear to be directly foreign to the one under notice, but on consideration it will be seen that they are, or were, in reality indirectly the most potent basic factors in bringing forward the present correspondence and interest con- cerning the protection of the Torres Strait Pigeon, and possibly they may be received in evidence of the fact that the Pigeon is not slaughtered in the ruthless manner it is supposed to be by southern enthusiasts ; also that the supposed necessity for immediate protection is not as requisite or serious as represented. I have also entered more into detail than I other- wise would have done had not the impression been forced upon me that some of your correspondents were treating on a subject that they evidently were not very well up in, some of them even being in doubt as to whether Carpophaga luctuoso bred in Australia or not. Please let it be understood that my remarks throughout this letter refer only to that portion of the peninsula contained in the triangle having as base a line from Cooktown to Normanton, with Cape York as apex, embracing an area of, say, 10,000 square miles, with a coastal boundary of nearly 1,000, and along this great extent of coast line between Normanton and Cape York (600 miles), with the exception of a Moravian mission station on Cullen Point, at mouth of Batavia River, there are not any settlers or inhabitants, other than native. The same may be said of the long line of east coast, over 400 miles, lying between Cape York and Cooktown ; nor are there any police stations near the coast from which supervision could be exercised if required, and the whole immense length* of these V°1-0111' I The Nutmeg {Torres Strait) Pigeon. I 85 coasts and littorals is almost unvisited by man, the Pigeons therefore having it virtually as an unmolested preserve, unless from their natural hereditary enemies. In conclusion, I have carefully gone through the papers forwarded by you, and find that their contents and opinions, in addition to personal knowledge and experience, fail to make it clear to me against whom, or what, the Pigeons in these millions are in need of protection, therefore my opinion is most decidedly antagonistic towards it, for the simple reason that really there is nothing tangible to protect them from. Stray Feathers. From Northern Siberia. — Mr. A. R. Reid, Hobart, saw a flock of about 1,000 Little Stints (Limonites rufvcollis) at the South Arm, Storm Bay, Hobart, on 9th November. He shot three, and they were all females. — D. Le S. * * * I OBSERVED a flock of about 30 Galahs (Cacatna roseicapilla) flying over North Melbourne this morning, coming from the south, and flying low, as is customary with them. It is the first time I have noticed these birds so far south. — A. MATTINGLEY. 22/9/03. * * * Large Clutches of Eagles. — I took a trip on the run the other day, during the wet weather, and in addition to other nests noticed two of the Whistling Eagle (Haliastur sphenurus), each containing five young. Never found one before with more than three, and often only two eggs. — Sep. Robinson. Buckin- guy (N.S.W.), 5/10/03. * * * An Authentic Koel's Egg. — A medical friend, a collector, shot a male and female Koel {Eudynamis cyanocephala). He collected the female and put her on the ground to go for the fallen male. The female, to his surprise, dropped an egg and flew. I have the egg, and he has the male bird. — (Dr.) F. HAMILTON- Kenny. Hospital, Gympie, Q., 11/11/03. * # # A Flycatcher in a Customs Shed. — In the A. U.S.N. Shed, Australian Wharf, Melbourne, there has been for two or three months a White-shafted Fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa). It pipes merrily at times on the rafters of the shed, and flits up and down catching flies (which are numerous, attracted by the fruit, &c, cargoes), regardless of the busy throng beneath. — A. J. CAMPBELL. 23/10/03. * * * Grey Shrike-Thrush a " Bird of Prey." — Last season Mr. Andrew M'Gregor, of Essendon, Victoria, shot a little Chestnut- bellied Quail, which fell close by a tree not far from where he was, but before it was possible for him to secure it, a Grey Shrike- Thrush (Collyriocincla harmonica) picked it up, and flying into 1 86 Stray Feathers. [7thJ^ a tree, commenced to make a meal off it. I knew these Shrike- Thrushes occasionally took the eggs of other birds, but did not think they would take a bird as large as a Quail. — D. Le SOUEF. * * * Flycatchers in a City. — In a busy part of Sydney lately, near the Wharf, heavily laden lorries and other vehicles were con- tinually passing. In a recess close at hand a small tree grew, and in it lived a pair of Black and White Fantails {Rhipidura tricolor). They seemed perfectly at home in their noisy quarters, and caught flies off the lorry horses passing by, as if they thought they had been driven past for that purpose. This shows how tame these charming birds become when not persecuted. — A. S. Le SOUEF. Zoological Gardens, Sydney. * * # " Tails " of Fantails' Nests. — With regard to the nest of the Western Fantail {Rhipidura preissi), I was examining one the other day, and noticing the usual apparently unfinished condition of the end of the spout, with the solid impervious construction of the nest generally, it suggested itself to me (the nest in question being a trifle damp) that the spout was in reality a spout, allowing the escape of any water received (as during rain) which could not get through the solid nest itself. The raggedness of the end would then serve an obvious purpose. — H. E. Hill. Guildford (W.A.), 16/9/05. * * * Pardalotes in Fairy Martin's Nests. — It is known the Par- dalotes occasionally use Fairy Martins' old nests, but I am not sure that that trait has been recorded of the Black-headed Pardalote (P. melanoce phalus). One of these birds last Septem- ber occupied a deserted Martin's nest under the verandah of one of the outbuildings. By some chance one of the old birds got caught by the feathers of the back of the head at the end of the spout, and was found hanging there dead. A week after- wards we pulled the nest down and there were half-fledged young in it, also dead. — Chas. A. Barnard. Coomooboolaroo (Q.), 8/1 1/03. * * * BIRDS Blown TO Sea. — I was informed lately by Mr. Rea, of Caramut, Victoria, that when a very severe bush Are swept over that district from the North two years ago, hundreds of birds, such as Cockatoos, Parrots, Cuckoos, Acanthizas, Fantails, and many others, were blown out to sea by the northerly gale and Are combined, and, apparently being unable to return against the wind, got drowmed, the ocean beach in that neighbourhood being for many days afterwards strewn with dead birds. — D. Le Souef. [Similar instances are on record. Fire and flood cause many faunal forms to be " lost at sea." — Eds.] The Emu, Vol. III. PLATE XII. A Devoted Mother. Dead Black and White Fantail ( Rhipidura tricolor) and Young, found after a flood. FROM A DRAWING BY B. J. LANE. Vol. III. 1904 Stray Feathers. I <^ 7 Wedge-tailed EAGLES {Uroactus audax). — Hearing that these birds were unusually numerous in the Hughenden district (N.Q.), I wrote for information to Mr. J. H. Frith, of Hughenden station, who kindly gave me the following details. In eight months of this year they had poisoned one thousand and sixty (1,060) Eagles ; at one lamb he had known as many as 1 2 or 1 4 to be poisoned. Poisoning an already poisoned dingo one morning, he gathered eighteen dead Eagles from about it in the afternoon. I do not think it is any exaggeration to say that Hughenden station alone must have lost some thousands of lambs by Eagles this year. — Fred. L. Berney. Richmond (N.Q.), 30/10/03. * * * Regent-Birds. — I have just had an opportunity of handling a pair of Regent-Birds (Sericulus melinus) in the flesh. They were obtained by Mr. W. L. May on the Blackall Range, Queensland, preserved in formalin, and then forwarded for stuffing by post. The colour of the eye struck me as interesting. The male has a light yellow iris and the female a dark brown. It is probable that the yellow of the male is a rich orange, and has faded in the formalin. The birds have soft gizzards and were full of a substance which resembled a fruit pulp, with a large proportion of small black seeds with hard coverings. I am not able to identify the seeds by their appearance, so purpose planting them to see if they will grow.— CLIFFORD COLES. Melbourne, 1 3/ 1 0/03 . # * * Devotion of a Black and White Fantail. — My friend, Miss Hood, of Merrang, Hexham, Victoria, found the nest of the Black' and White Fantail (Rhipidiira tricolor) built on the branch of a willow tree, which had been covered by flood waters. She was surprised to find in the nest the skeleton forms of three little ones, all with their heads in an upright position and their mouths wide open, and standing over them was the dried-up form of their devoted mother, with her wings outspread and her feet holding on to the edge of the nest. She had evidently died endeavouring to protect her young from the overwhelming flood, and such an act of devotion well deserves recording. The sketch is from a drawing made by Miss Hood at the time.— D. Le Souef. * * * Crafty CROWS. — Crows are crafty and intelligent birds, especially those individuals which forage around homesteads, but few would give them credit for sagacity similar to that shown by dogs in burying food for future use. For two years past I was puzzled to account for the number of eggs of the domestic fowl and duck that I and others found about the cultivation paddocks buried to the general level of the surrounding land, and in most cases neatly covered with earth. Sometimes the rain would wash away the covering and leave the egg exposed ; at other times the egg would be revealed by being trodden upon. 1 88 Stray Feathers. I -,hT!,i i On 28th September the operator was discovered. A White-eyed Crow had devoured one egg and was busy in the act of covering up in newly ploughed land the second egg, unbroken. — Geo. Graham. Scott's Creek (Vict.) Playground of the Tooth-billed Bower-Bird. — I am sending you a photo, of the finest playground we found of the Tcoth- billed Bower-Bird (Sccnopceus dentirostris). You will see it was situated amongst a dense tangle of lawyer-palms, and we had to clear one side to get at it with the camera. The playground was large, very clean, and I counted 75 leaves on it, all fresh. At the back, amongst the sticks, may be noticed some of the withered leaves which had been thrown out. The following note may be of interest. In the morning all the birds were noticed low down amongst the scrub, quite close to their playground, whilst towards sundown they were invariably perched high up amongst the topmost branches of the trees, but still in the immediate neighbourhood of the playground. They were always very noisy. — E. M. Cornwall. Cairns (N.Q.), 4/10/03. * . * * A Painted Finch (Emblema picta) in Captivity. — I caught a number of Painted Finches in the M'Donnell Ranges by snaring them with single horsehair, but for some unaccountable reason they all died with the exception of one within 24 hours. I obtained all the native-grass seeds and had the ordinary shop-seeds as well, took every possible care of the birds, but they died so rapidly that I gave them up in despair. The single bird I brought down to Adelaide, and it is thriving in the open-air aviary. There was a nest not 10 yards from my fireplace when I left the camp. The eggs are white, and the nest the coarsest of any Finch I know, one peculiarity of it being that a number of pellets of clay are used in the foundation. I watched the nest built from the first stick. Small sticks are used more than grass, and the nest is much smaller than that of any of our ordinary Finches. — Horace J. Page. Mitcham (S.A.), 1 5/10/03. Red-crowned Lorikeet (Ptilosclera versicolor). — As very little appears to be known concerning the nidification of this pretty little Lorikeet, it may interest ornithologists to hear that I saw two broods, three and four respectively, that were taken from their nests — hollow spouts in trees, I understand — about the 15th September; they had been in hand a week when I saw them, and the oldest lot would, I should think, just be. able to fiy a short distance had they had their liberty. They appeared to differ but little in their plumage from adult birds, excepting that the red crown was entirely wanting ; three individuals, though, showed the first indications of it by a narrow band of red across the forehead. They were thriving on a mixture of The Emu, Vol. III. PLATE XI. Vol. III. 1904 '] Stray Feathers. 1 89 oatmeal and honey. These birds were obtained on Cambridge Creek, some 30 miles north of Richmond township, Flinders River, North Queensland. — Fred. L. Berney. Richmond (N.Q.) Southerly Range of Long-billed Cockatoo. — In continuation of Mr. Geo. Graham's previous note ( The Emu, vol. iii., p. 1 16), he states, under date 15th September : — " The most of our White Cockatoos have been absent since midwinter, leaving us with about ten only, with no ' Long-bills ' among them." However, at a later date he says : — " In my immediate locality there are the usual six or eight Corellas, and on the 16th October, between Curdie's River and Cobden, I was surprised to see a large flock. I counted seventy without counting all of them. They must find the food supply suitable to their requirements, and will probably in the future become as numerous here as in the north. I have observed during the last twenty years that all new comers among the birds are spring and summer visitors before they become established as permanent residents." — W. J. Stephen. RUFOUS v. Black Butcher-Birds. — Last Sunday morning, whilst passing a grove of mango trees near the State Nursery at Kamerunga, my attention was drawn to a Black Butcher-Bird {Cracticus quoyi), and surmising that he had a nest in one of the trees, I went and investigated, with the result that the nest was discovered in the last tree of the grove ; I was quickly up along- side the nest, which contained three nearly full-fledged young ones, and you can judge the interest I felt when I found that two of them were brown and the other jet black. I have got the interesting little strangers at home and they give every promise of being easily reared, as they eat voraciously. Should they die I will put the bodies in spirits and send them to you, but if they live I will probably take them to Melbourne with me and present them to the Zoological Gardens, Melbourne. It is very evident to me that, whilst the adult birds of each sex are quite black, the male being black at all ages, the female's immature plumage is brown. I am particularly anxious to rear these young ones so as to ascertain at what age the females take on the black plumage. — E. M. CORNWALL. Cairns (N.Q.), 27/10/03. * * * Sociability of Birds. — Early in October, when strolling along a river bank, I found in a willow tree overhanging the water several birds nesting. They included the Restless Fly- catcher (Sisura inquietd) and the Black and White Fantail (Rhipidura tricolor), the two nests being about 5 feet apart, and a Magpie-Lark (Grallina picata). The nest of the Restless Flycatcher had three eggs in, and that of the Fantail four. I could not see into the Magpie-Lark's nest, but the bird was sitting. IQO Stray Feathers. [7thjan. On another occasion, on a small blackwood tree, I saw the occupied nests of a White-plumed Honey-eater (Ptilotis penicillata and Black and White Fantail, and on an adjoining eucalyptus tree a Magpie-Lark and White-fronted Heron (Notophoyx novce- hollandice), which is a common night bird here. I see the Grallina and Black and White Fantail nesting close to one another, and notice that the same thing has been observed in Queensland and elsewhere. Such facts show how fond many birds are of nesting in company. It is not only " birds of a feather " which exhibit this gregarious instinct. — S. F. Mann. Caramut (Vict.), 20/10/03. * * * Western (Victoria) Notes. — Mountain Ducks (Casarca tador- noides) are fairly plentiful in the open country at this time of the year, of course in pairs. I counted twenty-one young ones with a pair the other day, and one of my employes found a nest with twenty-one eggs in on 10th August. These must be maxi- mum clutches. I found a nest of the Yellow-rumped Tit (Acanthiza) the other day, in which a Narrow-billed Bronze- Cuckoo (Chalcococcyx basalts) had laid an egg in the upper story, which, of course, is not used for rearing the family. There were no eggs in the lower compartment. On several occasions I have noticed Ravens combining together to pull a log or heavy piece of bark over, to obtain grubs below. CJccasionally one knowing Raven only looks on, thereby getting unfairly an unlucky grub before the others get a chance. Many Magpies (Gymnorkina tibicen) have nested on the ground this year (1903), generally on a tussock of grass or in a bunch of Cape weed. Suitable trees for nesting in are getting scarce.— R. A. D. HOOD. Merrang, Hexham. * * * Note on the Breeding of the Harrier. — With reference to Mr. Le Souef's note, Part 4, vol. ii., on the breeding of the Harrier {Circus gouldi) at Cullenswood, those birds have resorted to the same lagoon for many years past, varying their time for nesting slightly in accordance with the season, whether wet or dry, so that the locality is sufficiently free from water. Some years back the nests used to be on some slight eminence, of which there are several at the nesting-site, caused by the accumulation of silt round tussocks among the reeds ; but now they usually resort to the dead level of the lagoon. Originally the ancestors of that pair of Harriers bred in a small lagoon of about 3 acres in extent much nearer the homestead, but after it was drained they for- sook that site and took to the present one. During the breeding season these Harriers are destructive to poultry, coming about the houses in search of chickens for their young, and every year We lose a few from our yards. Young rabbits also form part of their prey, and taking them all the year round they do more good than harm — certainly in a rabbit-infested district. Before the Vol. III. 1904 Stray Feathers. \ g f breeding season it is their habit to soar high in the air, similarly to the Brown Hawk (Hier added), uttering a shrill scream. In all open, marshy districts these birds form the most attractive objects of their family, as they " course " gracefully over the land, often for considerable distances, with outstretched wings, in search of their prey, and at such times no doubt often pick up an unwary Quail. The Harrier, with its long tarsus, makes a good object lesson of the manner in which birds of prey use their talons. When pursued by Magpies, as they so often are in the breeding season, the latter coming up behind them, and often above them, with great speed, the Harrier will, when taken unawares, perhaps, turn around on its side and strike out the long leg and talons nearer its pursuer with lightning-like rapidity, the Magpie sheering off in its dash, and just getting clear of the sharp claws aimed at it. The whole performance can be seen very plainly, owing to the length of leg possessed by this genus. — W. V. L. Clarke Island (Bass Strait) Notes. — The breeding season for birds in the Strait may be dated from the beginning of August, except in the freshwater birds, such as Ducks, Swans, &c. Owing to heavy rainfall this season, it was to be expected that an increase in the number of clutches of the above-mentioned birds would follow, but on the contrary Musk-Ducks are only now preparing to lay, also Teal and Swans. Their nests are in different stages of building. I presume the excessive rainfall has in- undated their former nesting-sites — a fact which may possibly account for their building a little later. Cape Barren Geese (Cereopsis novce-hollandicB) are laying in large numbers this season. I have seen as many as 30 nests on two islands. Last year it was almost impossible to get any eggs, which led one to think that the birds had departed else- where to breed, so we must attribute it to nature, which often ordains that both the animal and vegetable kingdom should be less prolific in some seasons than in others. The Black Duck's (Anas superciliosa) nest is very difficult to find. I have never found the eggs myself, but have known of others doing so, and have also seen the fledglings. This species prefers to build along the banks of creeks, as distinct from lake bank sites, and generally among dead rushes or at the base of a hollow tree. The Musk-Duck (Biziura lobata) is a very wary fellow. At the crack of a stick, when one is close to his nest, he will slide gently off and reappear 100 feet away from the spot. The nest of this bird is made of small round reeds, with sides and roof to it, also a small opening in the side for the parent to pass through. In the nest will usually be found from two to four eggs. A pair of Wedge-tailed Eagles (JJroaetus audax) has occupied a small blue-gum thicket on Clarke Island for the last twenty 192 Stray Feathers. [ E™ years, and in spite of their eyrie being burnt by bush fires four times, they this year still retain the same spot and are now hatching the eggs. If robbed when the eggs are fresh they will almost always lay again in the course of a month. Have just examined the eyrie of a White-bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaetus leuco- gaster) on Cape Barren Island, but the birds had just completed building. This species is rather rare here, and consequently it is almost impossible to get the eggs, their nests, when found, being sometimes inaccessible. It is a more suspicious bird than the Wedge-tail, and if often robbed will breed elsewhere. One will often see hanging from the eyrie birds, fish, rats, &c, while at the bottom of the nest there will be a perfect bed of bones. The Whistling Shrike-Thrush (Collyriocincla rectirostris) is about in great numbers, and among the shrubs their bark nests are in different stages of construction. I have not seen any Swifts as yet, and do not expect them until the middle of Septem- ber, when they appear here in thousands, only stopping, however, for a few weeks. Only one of the Honey-eaters is laying at present — the Fulvous- fronted one (Glycyphila fulvifrons), which builds in small bushes about 2 feet from the ground. Its nest is made of small twigs, &c, the eggs being white with a few small brown spots at the larger end. I saw a beautiful bird of this family on Cape Barren Island — the Tasmanian or Crescent Honey-eater (Lichmera australasiand), which flits about very gently, making a slight cracking noise with its wings. Brown Quail have been here in thousands during the months of May, June, and July, but have now almost all gone, except the usual number that are always here. — J. D. MACLAINE. September, 1903. The Birds of Zanzibar (East Africa). — I will give you a sketch of the birds I shot on the fine island of Zanzibar. This island, about 40 miles long by 20 miles wide, is very rich and fertile, and covered by a dense mass of vegetation — cocoa palms, magnificent mango trees, bananas, papaw, jack fruit, and a dozen other fruits, including oranges, indigenous to the island, a most luscious and delicious fruit, very thin-skinned. Some of the country is quite park-like in appearance, with huge mangoes and stately cocoanut palms dotted about, and long waving grass ; other parts are a mass of virgin jungle, all matted together by vines and creepers of many varieties. Hence you may draw a fair conclusion as to the variety of birds that would be found here. To commence with Corvidce. I have noticed a large black Crow, but have been unable to procure it ; it seems identical with the African Rook. The White-necked Raven (Corvidtur albicollis) is very plentiful, and forms great scavenger parties all over the island. I noticed many of the Shrike family, also collected several of the Campophaga. In the middle of the day, when the heat is at its most intense power, it is hot here. I have Vol 1904 J Stray Feathers. I g stood under a giant mango tree, with its immense head of dark, thick foliage, and have shot no less than eleven species of birds from its branches without hardly moving. They seem to take refuge here during the hottest hours of the day from the sun's fierce rays. Several species of Cuckoo-Shrike inhabit the island. Flycatchers are very strongly represented, and one of the most common is one of the Paradise species, with two very long tail feathers in the male ; head and neck a rich lead colour ; breast white ; wings, back, and tail rich brown or rufous ; and a very decided crest. They are very noiseless. I have never heard them utter a sound, and they were very plentiful amongst the clove trees, where they kept very close to the ground, capturing many diurnal moths, to be found in great numbers there. Many species of Grass-Warblers and Reed-Birds are to be found amongst the high grass— some very, very small ones. The family Nectariidce are very well represented here, some of most beautiful and striking plumage. One of the most common is the Scarlet- breasted Sun-Bird, which is dispersed all over the island. I shot the same bird in half a dozen places on the East Coast. This bird I have seen in dozens at about 4 o'clock in the afternoon congregating in a flowering tree, and have noticed he is a most pugnacious little chap. The males will fight most determinedly- and I have seen them attack birds three times their own size. The general plumage is velvety brown with a purple sheen through it ; a patch of metallic green on forehead and throat ; the chest and throat or lower part of the throat a deep scarlet. Although I have seen and collected one species of Zosterops nearly all the way up the mainland, I have not seen any on the island ; perhaps it may not be the time of the year for them, and they only visit here at stated times. Two species of Swallow have been seen— one a mouse-coloured, small one, which is very numerous. I have also seen the white-breasted one which is found on the main- land. I shot several specimens of the Pipits which I take to be the Tawny Pipit, described by Woodward, if I remember rightly, as Anthus rufulus. I shot this bird at Lake St. Lucia, but did not meet with it north of Mozambique ; I feel sure it is the same bird. Finches are well represented on this island, like the mainland, and I noticed that the species known as the South African Canary is distributed in great "numbers from the Cape peninsula to this island. I saw it and shot specimens at Delagoa Bay, on the Zambesi, Mozambique, Pomba Bay, and Dar-es-salaam, and now here. I procured the rare little Yellow Weaver-Bird here, also its eggs and nest. This bird is found on the coast, but is represented by Layard as being a very rare bird ; in its habits it seems to take the place of the black- faced variety, found all over South Africa, and builds a nest very peculiar in shape. The eggs are much paler in colouring and show spots. In shape they are like the Bishop-Bird's eggs, but not such a dark blue. I think this species is called capensis. I have not seen a true Lark on the island, and only the one species of Pipit as aforesaid 1 94 Stray Feathers. [7thjan. described. Night birds seem conspicuous by their absence, and I fancy there can be but few, if any, on the island. A gentleman who has lived on the island for years tells me that he has only seen two Owls during his residence here. Of course the terrible fever of destroying must possess him, and although the poor birds had taken up their abode on his home he destroyed them for the sheer sake of killing. I have shot several Kingfishers here. One species, a very small one, but a most elegant bird, keeps very closely to the reeds and rushes and it is with great difficulty one can get them out. Strange to say, although Hornbills are fairly plentiful on the coast, not one species is to be found on the island. Possibly I should say I have not come across any and cannot get any information relating to them. I shot a very pretty little Kite, which seems to me to resemble our Black- shouldered variety, but might be the one described by Sharpe as the Blue Kite. I came across several large waterholes in the forests, many of which were half a mile long, generally not more than 200 yards wide, but in many places very deep. The lily plants growing in — in fact, covering — these waterholes were very tine ; leaves two feet across, and the beautiful rich blue flowers the size of large tea-cups, the banks being fringed by high rushes. I could not induce the natives to go into these holes and had at last to go in myself. Still I have been rewarded, for I shot several strange water birds, a beautiful little Red-headed Duck, a very small Bittern, and several Nankeen Herons, as well as the African Jacana ; also a Water-Crake like our Little Crake of Australia. It must suffice to say that I have shot about 100 birds on the island, of about 40 species, and have collected some fine bats and mammals, also flies, so you can see I am not idle. Am now about to start for the German East Coast again and make another attempt to go as far north as Lamu, to collect Waders in deep lakes and marshes there ; then to work in to Lake Victoria Nyanza, and do Madagascar on my return. — S. A. White. Zanzibar, East Africa, 24/8/03. [Captain White has taken many photographs during his African travels. He sends one depicting a number of swarthy natives pushing his little ship through the surf at Zanzibar, preparatory to sailing for an island seldom visited. — Eds.] From Magazines, &c. lx The Croydon Mining News (14/8/03) a correspondent gives the following important information on the usefulness of the much-abused Crows in the Gulf of Carpentaria district : — " The most wonderful thing I have seen, and which I feel almost certain bids fair to put an entirely new aspect on the tick question, is the game the Crows are playing up here. I saw four instances of it in a journey of 40 miles, and the last clearly defined illustra- tion, within a mile of the Vanrook homestead, amongst what I Vol. Ill, 1904 From Magazines, &c. 1 Q S presume were a quiet milkers' (one-mile) lot, which let me get up close and thoroughly watch the game. A flock of about 50 or 60 Crows flew down on to the cattle. The latter suddenly stood still, and seemed to enjoy the operation which followed, the old Crows completely cleaning them of ticks. Some stood on the backs, picking down the sides of the beasts as far as they could reach. Others ran down the tails and worked in under the hams and udders of the cows, while others remained on the ground, waiting to snatch up any ticks that fell from the operations of the workers above. I watched them for a considerable time, and eventually, after they had apparently exhausted the supply on that particular mob, the Crows took flight. I then got close to the cattle to see how much good they had done, and I was surprised. On mentioning the matter to the station hands two of them said they had seen the Crows only recently at the game I have described, and they can verify what I have stated. The ticks they eat are, of course, the big female variety, who, when they drop off, breed young ticks by the thousand, as has been proved." * * * The Avicultural Magazine. — Recent numbers of this maga- zine contain (July, vol. i., No. 9) a good plate of the Varied Lorikeet by Mr. Goodchild, with interesting letterpress by Mr. Reginald Phillipps, who on 1 5/1 1/02 secured a pair. His experience proves that the " Red-crowned bird is the female," and the artist corroborates this opinion — one which runs counter to the idea that male birds usually have the showiest plumage. An interesting note from a member of the Aust. O.U. (Mr. F. L. Berney) is embodied in the article. Mr. Gronvold figures the Greater Button Quail (Turnix tanki) in the August number. This is more gaily decorated than most of our Australian species, and ranges, according to Mr. Seth-Smith, " from Spain, Sicily, and through Africa, Madagascar, the Indian Archipelago, China, and Australia " (?). This is another instance in bird life in which the female is more brightly coloured than the male. She is also the larger of the pair. Another item worth recording as to the pair which the author had in captivity and under close observa- tion is a reversal of the usual procedure of gallinaceous birds. Instead of the male picking up dainty morsels and presenting them to the " wife," in this species the order is, to use Mr. Seth- Smith's own words, " exactly reversed, the females unselfishly presenting the most attractive morsels to their husbands." The male sat on the eggs, which hatched on the 12th day, and looked after the chicks most assiduously, the mother ignoring all her responsibilities in this matter. Protection of Pelicans. — The following letter by Mr. J. W. Mellor, hon. secretary S.A. Ornithological Association, appeared in the Adelaide Register of 28th October last : — 196 r ,, ■ c, r Emu rrom Magazines, crc. th jai |_7th Jan. " A movement is on foot to remove the partial protection afforded to certain of our native birds by the Birds Protection Act, notably our Aus- tralian Pelican, and also to go a step further and pay so much per head for their destruction. Some years ago, when these birds were numerous and nested on Kangaroo Island and elsewhere, they were placed on the un- protected list ; but, owing to their becoming less in later years, they were removed to the partially protected list to save them being totally extermin- ated, as they are year by year getting fewer, being exposed to the marksman- ship of the ever-increasing rifle, whose accuracy is becoming more and more like perfection ; and the birds themselves, swimming as they do high on the water, make an excellent target for the ' pot shooter.' The advance of civilization and the gun has driven the birds from Kangaroo Island and elsewhere, with the consequence that they have only one breeding spot in South Australia. This, too, is very small, and year by year decreasing ; and with the assistance now proposed there is every likelikood of their soon becoming extinct. This is a pity, seeing that the species is peculiar to Australia. The increase of these birds is but limited when compared with many others. The number of eggs laid in a clutch is only two, and they have not more than one clutch during the year ; so that, with the various causes for mortality surrounding the incubation and rearing of the young, they do not average a pair of young to every pair of parent birds. Many may ask — ' Why make such a fuss about them ? What good are they ? Are they of any use for food ? Do they not eat a lot of Ash ? ' Well, many other birds seem equally useless so far as man's little conception is concerned. Take, for instance, the Emu, Cassowary, &c. But who would like to see them exterminated ? We are often rather short- sighted when dealing with Nature's provisions, and ' do not miss the water till the well runs dry.' So it will be with many of our native birds if care be not exercised. I do not wish to state that they eat no fish, as that is to a great extent their food, but the number they use in this way is small when compared with other means of destruction, and I think that Nature- has provided abundance and to spare for these and other birds, and, with proper management, for man as well. But if man abuses, why should the birds be blamed? It is rather absurd and short-sighted to shunt upon something else the misconduct of men who indiscriminately catch all sizes of fish, but more small than large ; and, rather than throw the small ones back into the water to grow larger, save them and send them into the market. It is a known fact that hundreds and thousands of Murray cod are sent into the various markets though they weigh only a few pounds each, whereas they should turn the scale at 20, 30, or 40 lbs. More stringent means should be used to remedy this abuse in a better close season for the fish, and fines inflicted should a fish under a certain weight be killed. Last year Murray cod were plentiful. A fisherman of Goolwa said in The Register of 14th March of last year that they were so abundant that prices fell from 6d. to 2d. and even id. per lb., and the fisherman could not get sufficient boxes to put the fish in to send them to the markets. Now, with the con- tinual decrease of Pelicans, is it not absurd to suppose that since last year's plentiful supply the Pelicans have ' wiped out ' the cod? It points more to the fact that the fishermen caught excessively large quantities, and diminished the breeding stock too much ; or, failing this, there are with fish, as well as other things, some seasons when breeding is not so prolific as in others. This being the case, it is a pity to destroy one of our distinct species of birds." Vol. Ill 1904 . Revieiv. ^gj Review. PARRAKEETS. [Parrakeets; being a Practical Handbook to Those Species Kept in Captivity By David Seth-Smith, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. London: R. H. Porter, 7 Princes- street, Cavendish Square W. (Pp. 1-2S1, with indices, contents, and appendix.)] The sixth number of this admirable work is to hand, and com- pletes a book in which, as the author in his preface says, " it has been the aim . . . . to make .... a complete monograph of the imported species of Parrakeets." The three coloured plates in the issue now noticed are up to the standard of those in previous parts. The birds figured are the Splendid Grass-Parrakeet (Ncopkcma splendid a), the Turquoisine or Chestnut-shouldered Grass-Parrakeet (N. pulc/tella), the Golden- fronted New Zealand Parrakeet (Cyanorkamphus auriceps), the Antipodes Island Parrakeet (C. unicolor), and the Varied Lori- keet (Ptilosclera versicolor), all from the pencil of Mr. H. Good- child. In depicting the last-named species the artist has doubtless placed pictorial effect before scientific accuracy. The withered lemon colour of the eucalyptus blossoms, and of the midribs of the leaves employed, to say nothing of the peculiar blue of the leaves, would be hard to match in Australia, which was once supposed to be the home of this botanical genus. The ''systematic index" shows that some 130 species of a family inwhich, " scientifically speaking, there is no difference between a ' Parrot ' and a ' Parrakeet ' " have been dealt with, and by an appendix British information on the subject is brought up to date. In the appendix Mr. Seth-Smith says of a specimen of Masters Parrakeet — " The only difference I could detect between this bird and a Pennant .... was in the yellow centres to some of the tail feathers ; " and, as to the Red-mantled Parrakeet, he quotes from Mr. Johnstone, who, in August, 1903, records that two fine Red-mantled Parrakeets had been'" bred from a cock Pennant and a hen Red Rosella." Still later, in a letter to Mr. A. J. Campbell, just received, the author of the book under review writes :—" I am now perfectly convinced that Platycercus erythropeplus of Salvadori is a hybrid between P. eximius and P. elegans, and that P. master si anus is merely a sickly variety of P. elegans." Australasian ornithologists have always been doubtful as to the validity of these species, and will now be more confirmed in their opinion. The complete work of Mr. Seth-Smith is offered by the publisher, bound in art linen, gilt top, at 40s. About Members. We heartily welcome Mr. Thomas Carter (late of Point Cloates) and his English wife back to Australia. Mr. Carter is again taking up pastoral pursuits, but, in lieu of the dry north-west, in the more genial south-west province of Western Australia. 198 About Members. ^thjan. Mr. C. French, F.L.S., the well-known Government Ento- mologist of Victoria, who has also devoted some time to the study of the economic side of bird life, has been elected a Fellow of both the Entomological Society of London and of the Society of Economic Entomology of America. The honour is well deserved. Mr. F. M. Littler, of Launceston, who has not only contributed valuable papers to the The Emu, but has endeavoured to popularise the study of birds in Tasmania by his many articles on the subject in the local press, has also received the Fellowship of the British society named above, having found time whilst closely observing birds to learn much of Tasmania's insect life as well. Mr. Geo. Graham, of Scott's Creek, near Cobden, Victoria, manager of Mr. Frank Madden's station, recently had a narrow escape from losing his life through being twice shot by a young man — a farmer of the neighbourhood — who appears to have been labouring under an imaginary grievance. For some days Mr. Graham's condition was considered critical, but he has happily made a good recoverv, and been enabled to resume active work. Members will congratulate Mr. Robert Hall, F.L.S., C.M.Z.S., on his safe return to Melbourne after an absence of ten months travelling in Asia and Europe. The most important part of his journey, ornithologically speaking, was his voyage down the River Lena, during which, with his companion, Mr. R. E. Trebil- cock, he collected about 90 species of birds, in all some 400 skins. The Hon. Walter Rothschild has purchased this collection, together with the collector's field-notes, which in due course, it is understood, will appear in The Ibis. Alteration of Close Season for Ducks and Quails in Victoria. Colonel Legge, F.Z.S., in his presidential address before the Congress of the Aust. O.U. at Hobart, said : — " In this State the close seasons have been changed, one might say, backward and forward, on the motion of members of Parliament, who know nothing of the economy of birds, and act upon informa- tion of sportsmen who have not carried out careful investigations and who take the occurrence of a particularly and abnormally early brood, or a second, or may be a third brood, as depicting the normal time of breeding. Hence we get unsound legislation, which does more harm than good." Unfortunately Tasmania is not the only State where political busybodies interfere, against expert advice, with such matters as close seasons for birds. In Victoria the Minister for Public Works (Mr. Thomas Bent) has seen fit to curtail what has been proved by keen inquiry and experience to be the proper Vol. III. 1904 Alteration of Close Season in Victoria. \ QQ close seasons for Ducks and Quails. The opinion of officers responsible for the due administration of the Game Act, that no alteration should be made, was backed up by such independent bodies as the Zoological Society, the Field Naturalists' Club, and the Aust. O.U. x\nd yet it is deliberately ignored. The associations named have no end save the due pro- tection of our birds to serve, and some of their members have for years sacrificed both time and money in pains- taking research to ascertain the proper breeding seasons of the various species. Yet the Minister of a day, for some occult reason (possibly for no reason save a desire to acquire popularity with pot-hunters, or a mere fancy that he is better informed in the matter), with a stroke of his pen, or a mere ipse dixit, can frustrate the good result of all these years of work. The evidence is overwhelming that the recent Ministerial decision is an egregious blunder. Can the close season as newly arranged be called protection at all ? Is there even humani- tarianism in an action which will permit the destruction of brooding Ducks, thus leaving clutches of defenceless young to perish, and nestfuls of eggs to rot, as will certainly be the case if the season when they may be shot opens earlier than the end of January ? No bird-lover will think so. The following has been proclaimed : — Alteration in Close Season for Quails and Wild Ducks. Quails of all kinds (other than Californian Quail) in the Counties of Anglesey, Benambra, Bendigo, Bogong, Borung, Dalhousie, Delatite, Gladstone, Gunbower, Kara Kara, Kar- karooc, Lowan, Millewa, Moira, Rodney, Talbot, Tatchera, Weeah, from the 1st day of July to the 6th day of February next following, both dates inclusive in each year. And in the Counties of Bourke, Buln Buln, Croajingolong, Dargo, Dundas, Evelyn, Follett, Grant, Grenville, Hampden, Heytesbury, Mornington, Normanby, Polwarth, Ripon, Tambo, Tanjil, Villiers, Wonnangatta, from the 1st day of July to the last day of February next following, both dates inclusive in each year. Wild Ducks and Teals of all kinds, Wood Duck, or Maned Goose, from the 1st day of July to the 26th day of December next following, both dates inclusive in each year. [Since the above was written, the following has appeared in The Argus, 31/12/03: — Hopetoun. — The shooting season for Wild Ducks opened here on 28th December, and large numbers of sportsmen from all parts of the district came to Hopetoun. They all did well, but it was considered by everyone that the season opened too soon, as large broods of young Ducks, in some cases only a few days old, could be seen on every sheet of water. The close season should at least extend another month.] 200 S.A. Society for Protect ion of Birds. [ ffi? S.A. Society for Protection of Birds. The eighth annual meeting of the Society for the Protection of Birds was held at the Royal Society's Room, Institute, North Terrace, Adelaide, on Wednesday afternoon, 25th November. His Excellency the Governor (Sir George Le Hunte) presiding over a large attendance, chiefly ladies. Interesting speeches were delivered by His Excellency, Mr. W. J. Sowden, and Sir Lancelot Stirling. On the motion of Mr. Simpson Newland the following officers were elected for the ensuing year : — Patroness, Lady Tennyson ; Patron, His Excellency the Governor, Sir George Le Hunte ; President, Lady Bonython ; Vice-President, Right Hon. Sir Samuel Way, Bart.; Committee: Lady Way, Mesdames Harmer, Clampett, J. T. Ralph, John F. Mellor, T. W. Hall, Paton, Somer- ville, Knox, and H. H. Norman, Misses N. Wigg, Ware, Lewin, and Cunningham, Rev. A. W. Clampett, M.A., and Messrs. M. Symonds Clark, J. W. Mellor, and C. C. Cornish ; Chairman of Committee, Mr. J. G. O. Tepper ; Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. J. Playford. The following is taken from the annual report presented by the Hon. Secretary (Mrs. Playford) : — The number of members has increased from 1,175 to 1,274. The committee thankfully acknowledges assistance given by friends and associates. Its thanks are also due to the press for the insertion of articles and items of information respecting bird life. The society is glad to learn that the Government contemplates compiling an illustrated catalogue of all protected birds for the use of the police. It is especially glad to an- nounce the passing of a new Act of Parliament to amend, or, rather, add to, the Birds Protection Act of 1900. In this amendment the punt gun is absolutely forbidden, and the legal size of the bore of guns much reduced. This will prevent much useless and cruel slaughter. The amendment also contains valuable enactments respecting licences and other matters in the Northern Territory. More legislation is still needed, especially for the raising of the age at which gun licences can be obtained from 14 to 20. The persistent wearing of aigrettes and whole birds in hats and bonnets, and the continued falsehood of the tradesmen, who assert that feathers are artificial or manufactured, are deplored. There are thousands of tender-hearted people and societies at work with heart and soul to protect and save the birds, and the society trusts yet to see the day when women will look upon the wearing of birds or their feathers in its proper light, as a sign of heartlessness and a mark of ignominy and reproach. The work of the society shows steady progress. It is encouraging to state that not one appeal for support to the most influential ladies and gentle- men in the highest positions has been unsuccessful, and it is hoped that by degrees all classes will be educated as to the stern necessity, as well as the humanity, of protecting to the utmost the most lovable, useful, and beautiful creatures in God's world. The financial statement shows a credit balance of £30. Donations to Coloured Figure Fund.— W. Armstrong (V.), 12s. 6d.j Col. Legge (Tas.), 10s. ; H. C. Thompson (Tas.), 5s. ; A. Gedge (S.A.), 5s. Vol. III. PLATE XVI. THE EMU. H GtotlvoIcL deletlrtk MiTLtern.Bros.imp . 1. CARTER'S HOTKEY-EATER. P"L il crbi s c asr t er 1 . 2. BROWN-HEADED HONEY-EATER Melrbhreptus brevirostns. ©fficial Organ of the JUstvalaesian Ornithologists' Enion. Birds of & fe&tber.' Vol. III.] 2ND APRIL, 1904. [Part 4. Remarks on New Species of Australian Magpies, G. longirostris, Milligan, and G. dorsalis, Campbell, with Reflections on the Revision of the Genus Gymnorhinae, Hall. By Ed. Degen, Parsons' Green, London, S.W. Perhaps I should not at present have troubled ornithologists with anything from my side concerning these noble and most remark- able birds had it not been that an article appeared in the October number of The Emu, by Mr. A. W. Milligan, giving a description of what is claimed by him as a new species, hailing from Western Australia. In times gone by I had the rare privilege of personal acquaintance with the types of G. dorsalis, and retain the liveliest interest in everything bearing upon the life-history of so-called Magpies generally — birds so representative of the avifauna of the Australian bush. By making the principal features laid down by Mr. Milligan for the diagnosis of the new species the subject of a closer scrutiny, one of the first and most important points is the remarkable coincidence in the longer bill claimed for the two Western Aus- tralian forms by both authors as distinguishing G. longirostris from G. tibicen in the one case, and G. dorsalis in the other, from the rest of the previously known standard forms of Gymnorhince. The length of the bill of Mr. Milligan's G. longirostris, as measured along the culmen, is stated to range from 2.5 to 2.1 inches, in diminishing scale. Mr. Campbell's figures are for a male bird 2.3, and to within near 2.2 for a female. The measurements, therefore, for both these species, though slightly higher, by being absolute — that is, for 3 birds, 2 longirostris and 1 dorsalis — than either leuconota or tibicen (leaving hyperleuca, as a smaller race, out of consideration here), the remaining specimens of the so-called " long-billed " show no excess in length for the beak over some of G. tibicen, for which species 2.2 inches have been recorded. At the same time it should be admitted that the inferior measurements recorded by Mr. Milligan represent those of young individuals. Like Mr. Milligan, I have no series of G. leuconota at my disposal 202 DEGENj New Speciei o) Australian Magpies. Emu 2nd April for examining this species as to the length of their bills ; but I should in no way be surprised to find, if it were done, that a considerable percentage would prove to be possessed of bills fully as long as those mentioned and ascribed to the Western forms. The endeavour to show the remarkable individual fluctuations, which range from 44 to 57 mm., as I have done on G. tibicen, apparently has borne no fruit, else the advisability of some allow- ance for this before a multiplication of species. For purposes of comparison we are indebted to Mr. Milligan for the introduction of a photographic plate which accompanies the description of his new species. Its top space is occupied by the figure of the head of G. longirostris, and the bottom part by that of G. tibicen. The former shows it at a glance to be, as further pointed out by the author in the text, the not quite mature feathered but fully grown male, whose plumage was to shortly have been replaced through the impending moult. It is the abraded and thoroughly worn-out garb acquired during the moult of the previous season. The photograph, moreover, shows it, in an unmistakable manner, to be the dry specimen of a cabinet skin. This is revealed by the flatness of the crown of the head. In itself of no consequence and mattering little ; but as among other things it is intended to show the relative differences and existing proportions in the distribution of the white and black portions between this species and G. tibicen depicted underneath it, the general outlines become much more dissimilar, as would have been the case had two specimens of a uniform condition been selected, instead of an overstuffed (to be detected in the greatly exaggerated orbits) specimen of the latter type. In the first instance — though not wholly, perhaps, but certainly very near the mark — the culmen of G. longirostris would in no wise appear to be so conspicuously straight as it now does by being continued in line over the crown of the head beyond its root, or the converse of it as seen in the artificial raising of the same in G. tibicen. In the same manner the depth of the bill at its base in the latter becomes greater in appearance as the soft parts situated between the lower mandibles are brought into greater prominence by being stuffed out, producing in this way the impression of an angle of a higher degree. But as the sheath covering the beak is subject to a perennial replacement too, a certain amount of atrophy through wear must be ascribed to it as having taken place, and this to some extent would help to produce a loss of the rotundity which is a characteristic feature after the renewal of the rhampotheca, and as seen in the figure of G. tibicen, but absent in the specimen of G. longirostris figured above. The thoroughly worn down condition of the plumage of the crown and nape, too, in a great measure would become responsible for the circular-shaped white patch appearing either enlarged, i.e., reaching higher up the head portion, as pointed out, and further figured for G. longirostris ; or reduced as discernible Vol " 'J Degen, New Species of Australian Magpies. 203 from the figure of the head of the specimen of G. tibicen, the latter being in the prime condition of adult plumage. Where, as happens in this case, the feathers of that portion of the nape which are black overlie the white ones, owing to this wear, which is greater at the tips, they being the most exposed parts, they lay bare a much greater area of the white feathers, which are white to their roots. Allowance also is required for the shifting and the displacement of whole sets of feathers in a specimen whose skin is dried only to serve for ordinary purposes, having myself frequently found some portions getting quite out of sight, others, perhaps, being made unduly prominent. Where, therefore, the leading characters for specification in a genus depend mainly on the relative distribution of only two colours, such as black and white, as in this case, too much stress should not be laid on the accuracy derived from surface-measurements taken on these portions and such as the black band on the back, &c. The same remarks would apply to other parts in regard to absolute measurements — for instance, lengths of bills and tarsi — unless it were done only under positively analogous conditions. A measurement such, for instance, as one taken over the culmen of a bill may, with an equal amount of conscientiousness, become either 2.3 in the hands of the one taxonomist, as it is liable to become 2.15 inches in the hands of another, both being experts. An additional inch on a man's nose certainly would make an appreciable difference in his facial expression, but no one would on this account alone dispute his right for considering himself as belonging to the species Homo sapiens. To dilate any further on the validity of measurements after the results obtained for the individual fluctuations occurring in the lengths of their flight and other feathers, from a series of specimens belonging to a distinct species, and related elsewhere, seems futile, and the same would hold good for the tails, or, to be more accurate, tail- feathers. Such distinguishing characters as " tail is shorter," to say the least of it, are conceptions more than elastic. For example, I find that quite a number of tibicen have tails whose lengths exceed 5.5 inches according to whether we measure slack or full. Moreover, there is no sharply defined limit for the insertion of the rectrices, and much depends on whether we include the caudal vertebrae or not. The last point, and one having possibly more weight in the determination of this new species, concerns the feathering of the legs, or " thighs," which is stated to be " white" in this case " for the upper half and inner sides " and " white with dark brown for the lower half of the outer sides." In G. tibicen, too, I find the inner sides clothed with white feathers, and several amongst them are " noticeable " equally in regard to their lower portion. On the whole, I do not think the separation of this Western , form of G. tibicen as a distinct species a sufficiently and conclus- 204 DEGEN, New Species of Australian Magpies. [2nf April ively warrantable procedure on the grounds upon which Mr. Milligan constructs its type. And by attempting to supplement analogies on hand of a larger stock of material of Mr. Campbell's Western Australian species, G. dorsalis, by referring to the tail- band of the latter, he shakes the very foundations upon which he based his own. Why he here comes to the conclusion that its narrowness, or otherwise, is simply a matter of age, evidence of which he quotes of two fully adult, and another one equally so but with insufficiently mature plumage, in which the tail-band is larger, and still more so in three other decidedly young birds, is not quite comprehensible. I have myself never entertained any other opinion on this point, and have given ample reasons in some other place for my views on the acquisition of the fully-matured garb — viz., a progressive development by means of a series of moults. And this is the very reason why Mr. Milligan does not seem to be able to agree with Mr. Campbell about the " mottled " condition of the wing edges in the latter's G. dorsalis, he finding these of a pure white in his own skins of G. dorsalis. As pointed out by Mr. Robert Hall, and since acknowledged by the author himself, Mr. Campbell's typical female bird is not a fully adult specimen, an opinion to which I gave expression then, when I had the privilege of handling the specimen. Mr. Milligan's remarks on the colouring of the stems of the feathers to which he refers as a " noteworthy feature " in these Western birds, is debatable too, as this distribution applies to the shafts the same as it does to the barbs, it being merely a matter of development, and subject to age, and is in no way exceptional from the other species. A specimen of G. leuconota in my possession sufficiently shows this to be the case, where the conditions are similar as those mentioned for G. longirostris. Without wishing to impair in the slightest the admissibility of this Western form of bird, described by Mr. Milligan, as a distinct species, any more than he does it himself in regard to Mr. Camp- bell's G. dorsalis, no serious harm is done by recommending the utmost caution in a genus in which the effect of hybridization or albinism cannot easily be traced, blending, as it must do of necessity, with no other colours than black and white, of which latter the question will remain a study for a long time to come. For instance, on very little better grounds, except for its smaller dimensions, G. hyperleuca, confined to Teismania, has so far found grace to be considered as a species, although to this day it has not. freed itself entirely from the suspicion of a " race only." And with this we find ourselves involuntarily drawn towards that tricky ground, their geographical distribution. G. longi- rostris, so far as ascertained by Mr. Milligan's present material, is recorded from the north-western territories of Western Aus- tralia, the districts adjacent to the Ashburton River. It has a decided flavour of G. tibicen for its colour distribution in both the adults and the young of the two sexes. On the other hand, V°ooin'l DEGEN, New Species of Australian Magpies. 205 Mr. Campbell has acquainted us that G. dorsalis occurs in the districts lying chiefly to the south-west. With the exception of the bill, again, which in the latter species is more curved, we once more behold in the adult male merely another edition of G. leuconota, and for the female we have something like a good imitation of G. tibicen for the distribution of the black and white portions of the back. As at the time of Mr. Campbell's descrip- tion no existence of any other species — barring his remark, based on report only, from Hammersley Range — was recorded from Western Australia, with the exception of the bird mentioned by Gould from the Swan River, which the latter author queried as tibicen, it now would appear that Gould had to deal probably with a specimen akin to one of those described by Mr. Milligan, in which the black band occupies a narrower space. And this would strongly account for the fact of Dr. E. P. Ramsay's wavering whether to let it stand as G. tibicen, on second thoughts, or on a further revision to transfer it as doubtful to G. leuconota, as he did per list of 18S8. If it eventually can be proved that the longer bill is a constant character, whether linear as observed for G. longirostris, or more constantly curved in G. dorsalis than in G. leuconota, much of the complexity attending the problem of this genus will be removed, but not before. Evidence is not lacking, through the introduction of these two Western forms, that somewhere due west an intermingling of the two standard forms — viz., G. tibicen and G. leuconota — has taken place, and as a direct consequence of this fusion difformity of the bill may have to be reckoned with as one of its results. How much more portions of white or lighter colour, which, with a more complete knowledge of the range and habitats of this genus, correspondingly seems to become a more conspicuous feature, may be due to albinism, there is at present no means of verification, and this quantity in its specific estimation should not be neglected either, as may be seen from remarks on this subject in connection with the observations made on the decadency of the Pheasant in England, taken from The Daily News (12/10/01), as follow: — " Can it be that our English game is getting decadent ? Can the artificiality of our Pheasant-rearing and Pheasant-feeding have reached a point that they are at last showing their ill results ? The question is asked not with reference to the flesh of the birds, but to their plumage. As to the flesh there is, indeed, little doubt of the answer that should be given. We seem 'almost to have lost the game bird of thirty or forty years ago. The modern Pheasant is very little removed from the ordinary barn-door fowl. The flavour of his cramming is strong, or, rather, is feeble and insipid, upon him. He tastes of grain and chicken food. It is the price the consumer pays for his abundance in the market. He has ceased to have the quality fercB natures. Anyone who has tasted a Pheasant shot, say, in the wild parts of Ireland, will admit what a good judge the wild bird is of the food which agrees 206 DEGEN, New Species of Australian Magpies. [2ndAUril with it. The true gamey flavour is not to be mistaken. But has the decadence reached the plumage also ? One is certainly struck with the number of white feathers in the festoons of Pheasants over the poulterers' windows this season, and we know the inferences from albinism. It is, of course, true that the Pheasant who shows the white feather is singled out and ruthlessly shot by the keeper. The keeper's motive has, indeed, nothing in common with the theories of Dr. Nordau. His resentment is supported by reasons much less recondite. Whitish birds are conspicuous in the dusk, and a temptation to the poacher and the night marauder. So they are shot as early as possible in the season. It is a plausible explanation. But, all the same, is albinism on the increase ? " By calling attention to this and many other points I am very pleased to find myself fully in accord with the views held by Mr. Hall, who on p. 2 of his article (I.e.) remarks : — " The principal plumage-phases of all the Gymnorhina? appear in G. dorsalis." But when it comes to the question of origin and subsequent divergence in the present forms of Gymnorhina?, I, like the critic of Mr. Hall's article in vol. i. of The Emu, p. 30, am unable to accept his reasoning, notably in regard to his "evolution" of these from a " hypothetical purely black ancestor in a direct line." To many it must seem a little paradoxical that nature should have chosen the unreasonable and totally unaccountable course of creating a species directly evolved from a totally black ancestor with the greatest amount of white first — viz., G. leuconota — in order to reverse it again for the establishment of such a typical form as G. tibicen, when this accomplishment lay in her direct path. But in order to assuage the unpleasant taste which a strong medicine leaves behind on the palate of the student of nature, he immediately supplies the palliative for it when on p. 3 (I.e.) he defines his reversion as meaning " mostly plumage develop- ment from a black to white back, which works in all." In regard to the question of priority of the vernacular name " Long-billed," which Mr. Milligan also claims for his newly- described bird, it may be said that to the uninitiated it seems but common logic that he should propose to Mr. Campbell to waive his rights after the latter author having " check-listed " his G. dorsalis " Long-billed," by further endorsing his claim for being based on the literally translated equivalent of the scientific term " longiroslris." He thus proposes to him to name it hence- forth the *" Varied-backed " Magpie in accordance with its technical description, G. " dorsalis." Time was — that, however, before I had an opportunity of becoming acquainted with the great individual differences existing in regard to the length of the bill — -when I seemed to be impressed much more with the character as seemingly valid than I am now with that of the dorsal colour-variation. I therefore take the opportunity of repeating here what I suggested then in the course of discussion on the subject with Mr. Campbell — viz., to name his bird G. longi- Vol. III. 1904 DEGEN, New Species of Australian Magpies. 207 rostris, as being more in accord with what then appeared to be the stronger feature — which view he only reluctantly seemed to share. In retaining dorsalis as a specific designation Mr. Campbell showed great foresight, and adopted a course which he has no reason now to regret. But how the case would stand now for Mr. Milligan's species had Mr. Campbell acted on my suggestion is easy to perceive, for then Mr. Milligan could not have had recourse to either the vernacular term " Long-billed " or the scientific equivalent " longirostris" this latter having in the above supposed case already been occupied by Mr. Campbell. There would then have remained no other alternative to Mr. Milligan, giving his new Western form a specific name based upon taxonomic features exclusively, than to fall back upon that which has reference to the quondam characters next most strongly assigned to it, to be henceforth known perhaps as G. albicruralis, or the " White-legged Magpie " of Australian vernacular celebrity. Birds Occurring in the Region of the North-West Cape. By Thomas Carter. Part IV. (conclusion). (138.) HYDROCHELIDON HYBRIDA (Marsh Tern). — This species was only- observed during two years — viz., 1898, when considerable numbers were seen at a flooded white gum flat about 25 miles inland from Point Cloates. This flat was again filled with water-in the record wet season of 1900, and larger flocks were seen there in April, but the birds did not breed, as I had hoped. A few were also seen in July at the Maud's Landing salt-marsh, where was a large sheet of water. (139.) GELOCHELIDON ANGLICA (Gull-billed Tern).— This Tern was only once recorded — viz., in May, 1900. On the 1st of that month about five pairs were seen on the flooded marsh at Maud's Landing. Two nests (though they were hardly worthy of that name) were found on one of the low islands, each containing one egg. Two specimens of the birds were shot for identification. One had been feeding almost entirely on grasshoppers, the other on small lizards. (140.) HYDROPROGNE CASPIA (Caspian Tern). — Resident, and not un- common on the coast, but not seen in numbers in any one place, one or two pairs only frequenting each sandy spit or small island, where their loud, harsh notes usually revealed the presence of their eggs or young. 2 1st September, 1890, young in nest about seven days of age. 25th August, 1891, young birds noted about half grown. 25th March, 1893, natives brought in several eggs from Frazer Island. 5 th August, 1894, 1 6th September, 1894, 9th November, 1894, two eggs in nest on each date. 3rd May, 1896, two eggs seen. So these birds have no regular laying season. (141.) Sterna dougalli (Roseate Tern). — Not uncommon in the summer months at Frazer Island and sandy points of the mainland. Several clutches of eggs, much incubated, were found on Frazer Island, 12th November, 1893. 208 Carter, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape, [211d™ur;i (142.) Sterna MEDIA (Lesser Crested Tern). — Fairly numerous in summer. (143.) STERNA BERGII (Crested Tern). — This handsome species was not rare, but only once found breeding — viz., 26th April, 1902, when fourteen eggs were noted on Frazer Island. Each egg was laid singly in a slight depression in the sand, on one of the highest hummocks, without any nesting material, and they were all laid within a radius of 3 feet. (144.) Sterna frontalis (White-fronted Tern). — Seen in the summer months about sandy points. (145.) STERNA NEREIS (White-faced Ternlet). — This elegant little bird was only very occasionally observed. (146.) ANOUS STOLIDUS (Noddy). — Sometimes seen in immense nocks on low sand-banks adjoining Frazer Island, about the middle of May. On one occasion such numbers of these birds circled in columnar formation above the sand-bar (which is about four miles from the house) as to look exactly like dense clouds of smoke, and my natives were so positive that another shipwrecked crew had landed there, and were making signals, that they persuaded me to go out in the boat to their relief, only to find that birds were the cause of the illusion. (147.) LARUS NOV.E-HOLLANDLE. (Silver Gull). — A very common species throughout the year, excepting from about the middle of January until April, when they disappear, probably going further south to breed, as their eggs were never found in the district under consideration. They became very tame about the house and native camps after orders were given they were not to be molested, as they are useful scavengers. After a while the natives used to feed them on scraps of meat or turtle and take an interest in their movements, calling them " fowl-brothers." During a spell of very heavy southerly gales in December, 1 899, they temporarily forsook the beach and fed largely on beetles captured on inland spinifex hills. (148.) PELAGODROMA MARINA (White-faced Storm-Petrel). — A dead specimen of what seemed to be this bird was picked up on the beach, 31st July, 1894. Several other Petrels were found at various dates, but too much decomposed for identification. (149.) Puffinus tenuirostris* (Short-tailed Petrel). — Great nurn" bers of " Mutton-Birds " were to be seen on the open sea and inside the reefs at deep water channels, in November and December. As they were difficult to shoot, this was the only species identified. When outside the reefs in my cutter on various occasions, numbers of birds were seen all through the night flitting about quite silently, like dark shadows. The natives informed me they used to breed on islands in the northern part of the Exmouth Gulf, especially on Long Island, or, as they call it, " Tarra," from the nesting burrows on it, " tarra " in this locality signifying " hole." (150.) OSSIFRAGA GIGANTEA (Giant Petrel). — A specimen of this bird was found dead on the beach after heavy southerly gales in December , 1899. (151.) Thalassogeron carteri (Carter Albatross). — On nth May, 1900, one of the native boys went to the boat to wash her decks down, as usual, and returned with a beautiful live Albatross which he had caught from *? P. chlororhynchm (Wedge-tailed Petrel), which is the usual species of " Mutton- Bird " found breeding on the western coast. — Eds. Vol. III. 1904 Carter, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. 20Q the dingy. It was in line plumage and apparently uninjured, except at the point of the wing, but was in a very emaciated condition. I could not quite make it tally with the description of T. chlororhynchus, but marked the thing so, as it seemed to be nearest that species. However, the Hon. Walter Rothschild, who afterwards procured the skin, described it as new, under the above name, at the meeting of the British Orni- thologists' Union, 21st October, 1903. [Extract Bulletin :—" Differs from T. chlororhynchus in having the bill, including the culmen, black, the face and sides of the head white, without the grey tinge of chlororhynchus, and the feet yellowish-white in life, without any blackish colour on the' digits and tarsi. (Bill and irides black, legs and feet yellowish-white.)" Several other Albatrosses of different species were found dead on the beach at various dates, but too much decomposed for identification. I have seen specimens on the wing outside the reefs, but never succeeded in shooting any. It is to be hoped the new species will be confirmed, and its breeding locality traced. (152.) GERONTICUS SPINICOLLIS (Straw-necked Ibis).— As far as I can ascertain, the first record of this species in the district was in May, 1888, when numbers suddenly appeared, and neither natives nor settlers knew the bird, but Mr. J. Brockman informed me he had seen and shot a specimen some years earlier. After the break-up of the 1889-91 drought immense numbers were to be seen over the country. For some weeks they used to roost in thousands on some bare sand-drift hummocks behind the house at Point Cloates. In October, 1900, some hundreds of these birds bred and reared their young at Cardabia Creek, about 60 miles south-east from Point Cloates, and this is, I believe, the first record of this species having bred in Western Australia. Their presence would probably have been overlooked, but two of my natives were sent with a bullock cart to find an iron water tank which had been washed down the creek by floods. They evidently had a good time with the colony of birds, as they returned after two days with scores of eggs in the tank, and said plenty more were left—" Can't finish 'urn," as they regretfully expressed the situation. As soon as possible after hearing the news I drove across, but some time had elapsed, and on my arrival almost all the young birds had left the nests, and only addled eggs were left, of which we secured a score. There was then no water nearer than a quarter of a mile, as it had dried rapidly. The nests were mostly built on low bushes flattened down by the flood — some bushes containing five or six, all interbuilt — and were lined with white-gum leaves. Some nests were made on the ground. I told the boy to secure some of the young birds which were flapping and running about, but ought to have known that unless specially ordered he would kill all as soon as caught. However, one was secured alive and taken home, where it speedily became quite tame and a most amusing and useful pet. It had full liberty, and was speedily champion of the poultry yard, the fowls, ducks, and even cats and dogs, fearing its long beak. After a time it became great friends with a young kangaroo dog. The dog would take a bone and partially swallow it ; then lie down with open mouth, when the Ibis would put its beak down the dog's throat, pull out the bone, and run off with it. The dog would follow, and, after a mock combat, return with the bone and again swallow it for the bird to extract, and they would so play until the dog was tired, and, lying down to sleep, the Ibis would mount guard over it, preen its fur with beak, and snap viciously at anyone approaching. It rarely missed a meal-time, but marched up when the table was laid for its share of food, and would snap one's hand, or pluck at one's trousers with its beak until something was given to it. At other 2IO Carter, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. \ ^™\\\ times every crevice of the verandah floor was thoroughly examined for centipedes, lizards, &c, any boots laid about being well probed to the ends of the toes. On 5th May, 1902, an immature female bird alighted on the kitchen roof, and after some trouble was captured, and its wing clipped. The older bird soon paired with it, and they built several nests, which, unfortunately, the goats always ate, until in despair they made a nest on the house roof, but had no chance of laying in it, as we took them away to the shearing shed with rest of live stock soon after, and there they were left on my departure. (153.) THRESKIORNIS STRICTIPENNIS (White Ibis).— This Ibis was not personally seen, but three reliable persons told me of having seen occasional specimens with flocks of G. spinicollis. (154.) PLATELEA REGIA (Black-billed Spoonbill).— In October, 1900, some young Spoonbills were taken from a nest built in a white gum tree standing in the water near Winning Pool, by some natives, who unfortunately ate them first and then talked of the "strange birds." I saw the nest, which was a largish structure, also the bills and feet of the birds, and believe they were referable to this species. (155.) Notophoyx pacifica (White-necked Heron). — Not uncommon at inland pools, and occasionally seen on beach. (156.) NOTOPHOYX NOV.E-HOLLAXDLE (White-fronted Heron, Wy-ang, i.e., frightened). — Rather more numerous than the preceding species. (157.) DemieGRETTA SACRA (Reef-Heron, Kooroodor). — Common on the beach and reefs, both grey and white birds being frequently seen in company and breeding together, as the following notes will show : — 25th October, 1902, two white immature birds in nest, with white parents, on Frazer Island. 25th September, 1894, nest with one egg, female adult white. 6th September, 1901, nest with three incubated eggs on sand- stone cliff on beach. One adult male white, the other blue female. 1st September, 1901, nest with three eggs, apparently white female, blue male. 26th August, 1894, nest with three eggs, blue and white adults. Inside the wreck of the A.S.S. Perth, situated on the reef about 2\ miles from the shore, a pair of blue Herons built a nest composed entirely of fragments of fencing wire, which, having formed part of the cargo, was laid in quantities around the wreck, and available for building purposes at low tide. Numbers of these birds bred in ledges and in crevices of the great cliffs at the Yardie. (158.) NYCTICORAX CALEDONICUS (Night-Heron). — Occurs rather plenti- fully about the mangrove creeks. One specimen was shot in a patch <>t mallee inland, several miles from the nearest water. (159.) Butoroides JAVANICA (Green Bittern). — One or two of these exceedingly skulking birds could always be disturbed from a patch of mangroves near the North- West Cape, and apparently bred there, as they were seen at various seasons. (160.) PELECANUS CONSPICILLATUS (Pelican). — Fairly common at large pools on the rivers and saltwater creeks. They bred regularly at Pelican Island, in Shark's Bay, and the natives informed me they used to breed on a small island in the Fxmouth Gulf. (161.) PLOTUS NOV^E-HOLLANDLE (Darter). — One specimen only was seen, and shot, at Cardabia Pool, 26th August, 1901. (162.) PHALACROCORAX HYPOLEUCUS (Pied Cormorant). — Abundant, and Vol. III. 1904 Carter, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. 2 I I breeding regularly in low bushes on Frazer Island, where we used to collect their eggs for culinary purposes from about nth to 28th July. (163.) PHALACROCORAX SULC1R0STRIS (Little Black Cormorant).— The only noted occurrence of this species was at the flooded white gum swamp in April, 1900, when they were in considerable numbers. (164.) TACHYPETES MINOR (Lesser Frigate-Bird, Wannoo).— The appear- ance of these fine birds was a certain indication of an approaching hurricane or of very stormy weather further north, and they were classed by the natives, with other occasional visitors at such times, as " rain-brothers." There were some numbers of them at Point Cloates at the commencement of the severe hurricane of 25th and 26th January, 1898. Several of them hovering over the house and kitchen, two were secured by a right and left barrel shot, 31st March, 1899. A small flock was seen also 10th February, 1900. As soon as the weather cleared they returned north, and on one occasion were distinctly seen, late at night, flying north by the bright moonlight. (165.) PHAETON RUBRICAUDA (Red-tailed Tropic-Bird).— One of these beautiful birds was shot at Point Cloates 23rd April, 1891, while hovering over a camp. It was the only one noted. (166.) SULA SERRATOR (Gannet).— The only specimen noted of this bird was found dead on the beach, 30th September, 1901. (167.) PODICIPES NESTOR (Hoary-headed Grebe).— Occurs rather spar- ingly on inland pools. While sailing in my cutter near Point Cloates in the drought, February, 1 897, we saw one of these birds about half a mile from the land, and one of the natives, diving into the sea, captured it. Another was caught on the sea, close to the house, 19th February, 1900, by some natives who were swimming. (168.) PODICIPES NOV.B-HOLLANDI^E (Black-throated Grebe). — Rather more numerous in inland pools than the preceding. (169.) CHENOPIS ATRATA (Black Swan).— This fine bird occurs in con- siderable numbers when heavy rains have filled the larger pools and swamps with water. On the " Lake " near the Minilya River 300 or more birds could frequently be seen, and they bred there when the water lasted long enough ; also on the Nichol Bay flats, south of the Gascoyne River, and in the large cane-grass clay-pans near Winning. At the latter locality the water dried up one year after many eggs were laid, and consequently the birds forsook them. In the wet year, 1900, odd pairs of birds bred at many small waterholes. There was a nest containing seven eggs in an islet covered with samphire on the flooded salt-marsh at Maud's Landing, 1st May. Eggs were noted between that date and 12th July in different seasons. (170.) ANSERANAS SEMIPALMATA (Pied Goose).— 1 8th September, 1892, a small flock of these birds was resting on the beach at Maud's Landing and allowed me to ride past within a few yards of them without taking flight. Soon after they were observed swimming on the sea. In 1900 numbers of these birds were on the flooded clay-pans near Winning. (171.) DENDROCYCNA EYTONI (Plumed Whistling-Duck).— Plentiful in wet seasons, notably in 1900, when they were in great numbers at even- pool. (172.) ANAS SUPERCILIOSA (Black Duck).— This Duck was scarce, and not nearly so numerous as the preceding species, N. gibberifrons, Nyroca australis, and M alacorhynchus membranaceus. 2 I 2 CARTER, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. LndApril (173.) Nettion cast ax hum (Teal). — Not nearly so common as gibberi- frons, and only noted in mangrove creeks, where they breed, in some cases as many as 10 miles from the nearest fresh water. Young in down seen 21st July, 1900. (174.) Nettion gibberifrons (Grey Teal, Wang-anner). — The com- monest Duck in the locality, breeding in hollow gum spouts. Eggs noted from April to August. The native name is applied to Ducks generally. (175.) Spatula rhynchotis (Shoveller). — Only one specimen was seen, and shot, near Winning, 30th October, 1900, but I heard that another was secured on the Minilya River same year. (176.) Malacorhynchus membranaceus (Pink-eared Duck). — Not un- common, occurring mostly on shallow clay-pans. (177.) NYROCA AUSTRALIS (White-eyed Duck). — With the exception of N. gibberifrons this was the commonest Duck. (178.) STICTONETTA N.EVOSA (Freckled Duck). — Only once noted — viz., at Cardabia Pool, 23rd July, iqoo, when three were shot out of a small flock. (179.) BlZIl'RA LOBATA iMusk-Duck). — A single specimen was observed on Cardabia Pool in 1900. (180.) DROM.EUS IRRORATUS (Spotted Emu, Yalla-biddee). — These birds were very abundant, but were considerably reduced in numbers by the droughts, especially that of 1894-96, in which distressing season they died wholesale. In the corner of one paddock seventy-five, were seen dead in the space of about 200 yards, the birds having apparently wandered into the angle of the fence and died from thirst. They were frequently seen in mobs on the beach drinking sea water. The natives, upon seeing a mob approaching, would conceal themselves in an extended line or semi-circle, and when the poor birds were opposite the centre of them would rush down and drive them into the sea where they were soon caught, as the natives were much the more expert swimmers. On several occasions a pair or more of these birds came to water at the troughs of the wells with the sheep, and, squatting down, would drink within a few yards of the natives or white men drawing the water. What appear to be birds about three -parts grown frequently exhibit great curiosity, and I have seen them come within 10 yards of where I was having an al fresco meal, and remain some time, gazing intently, while my dog was barking furiously at them. The breeding season is usually about the middle or end of May, when most eggs have been noted, but is much influenced by the weather, being delayed if winter rains are late in falling, or put off altogether for that year if it proves very dry. 20th March, 1887, a female was shot with eggs considerably developed in ovaries. Eggs were noted in nests on 25 th May, 1887, and 28th May, 1888. Eleven eggs were once found in a deserted nest. Spinifex country appears to be the most favourite nesting ground, and many birds visited the salt-marsh country near the coast for breeding purposes, laying on the " islands " surrounded by salt-marsh. (181.) CORVUS BENNETTI (Short-billed Crow). — As mentioned in the earlier part of these notes, there are evidently two species of Crows occurring with us, but not the so-called Raven, and on Dr. E. Hartert and myself comparing the smaller Short-billed skins from my collection with Mr. A. J. North's description of C. bennetti* we came to the conclusion that they * Victorian Naturalist, vol. xvii., p. 170 (1901). Vol. III. 1904 Carter, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. 2 I arc referable to that species, which apparently, therefore, extends across the Continent. Note. — I am indebted to Dr. Hartert, of Tring, for pointing out to me that I had inadvertently labelled skins of Falco lunulatus as F. melano- genys, so probably the birds referred to in these notes as melanogenys were all referable to the former commoner species. From a Tasmanian Notebook. By Frank M. Littler, F.E.S. Owing to various reasons, I was not able to do the amount of outdoor work among the birds I would have liked during the past summer. In the hope they may be of interest to my fellow- workers, I lay some extracts from my note-book before them. Ground-Lark (Antkus australis). — While young are in the nest the parent birds feed them almost the whole night. Lhe state of the weather makes no difference. At this season of the year they are very cheerful ; their call notes can be heard continually, especially during the night. They appear to move about a great deal under the cover of darkness. SWALLOW {Hirundo neoxena). — On almost any moonlight night, while there are young to feed, the parent birds sally forth and gather food for their insatiable young. This goes on nearly the whole night. This especially applies to those about farm-houses that have come under my notice. On the 26th September a couple of days were spent in a trip to Eastfield, some four or five miles south of Cressy, which is about 2"/ miles south of Launceston. My object was to ascertain how far the breeding season had advanced. The land comprising the Eastfield estate is of an undulating character, about one- half being under cultivation, the other half moderately wooded with fair-sized trees ; there is practically no scrub. Along the southern and eastern boundaries of the estate runs a fair-sized permanent creek. Some of the country through which this creek runs is somewhat flat, consequently the land is marshy for some distance round. The banks of the creek and the surrounding swampy flats are the haunts of many wild-fowl. Many species of birds had not started to build at the time of my visit. This I partly attribute to the extreme wetness of the spring. The following birds were observed during my short stay : — Swamp-Hawk (Circus gouldi~).—Very plentiful, always hunting in pairs over the flats, some flying low down, while others were sailing high up on majestic wing. Why does this Hawk persistently turn somersaults in mid-air every few minutes ? At the same time it utters a short, sharp cry. The somersaults are not performed forward, but backward, with a swerve to the left or right as the bird is recovering itself. SPOTTED Owl (Ninox maculatd). — A solitary specimen was found in the centre of a young blue gum near the house. From evidence this bird had been in the habit of using this nesting-place for some time past. When I approached within about a yard it merely watched closely every movement on my part, without attempting to stir. The friend with 2 i zj. Littler, From a Tasmanian Notebook. [2nd April whom I was staying had previously told me that almost every night for some time past his rest had been disturbed by the cry of a " Mopoke." When I found this Owl in the tree so close to his bedroom window, I felt almost sure that it was the culprit. RAVEN {Cor one australis). — Too plentiful to be appreciated. Called by everyone " Crows." I took particular care to examine every specimen I could lay my hands on — quite a number — and found them to be in every instance Ravens. The damage they do among the young lambs is very considerable. When driving to Eastfield I observed a lamb standing alone in the centre of a field, feebly moving its head from side to side, trying to avoid the cruel beak of one of these black brutes, who was dancing round it, " cawing " loudly the while. At this time of the year Ravens give little attention to anything other than lambs' and sheep's tongues and eyes. I found what were evidently nests of this species, but, as they were inaccessible, was unable to investigate them. Small-billed Cuckoo-Shrike {Graucalus parvirostris). — About two pairs only were seen, but no trace of a nest. Their note at this time of the year is a very short one, differing greatly from that uttered at other seasons. Their curious undulating flight is a marked peculiarity of the species-. LONG-TAILED Wren (Malurus gouldi). — Fairly common among the gorse bushes on the flats. Always moving in pairs. DUSKY FANTAIL (Rhipidura diemenensis). — One solitary specimen was seen in a willow tree by the creek. Its warbling notes are very pretty, to be heard at best advantage when a murmuring stream is close by. GRASS-BIRD {Megalurus gramineus). — Many were heard among the long grass along the banks of the creek. A few were flushed ; some individuals allowed one to nearly tread on them before rising. A few yards of their flight would be traversed, and then they would drop again into the grass. Their flight was somewhat weak and clumsy. Their voice, though weak, was sweet. No nests were found, the flooded state of the ground precluding an exhaustive search. VELLOW-RUMPED Tit {Acanthiza chrysorrhoa). — A small flock was seen running over the trees by the homestead in search of insects. It was very entertaining to watch the quick and eager way in which they searched every nook and cranny of the bark. Striated Field-Wren {Calamanthus fuliginosus). — Among the long grass and rushes on the flats, also in some of the fields of growing corn, this bird could be flushed. In its manner of rising suddenly and dropping again among the grass, &c, it much resembled the Grass-Bird. Its pretty notes were often heard. It is a very quick runner, and does not take readily to the wing. Lesser White-backed Magpie {Gymnorhina hyperleuca). — This fine bird was to-be seen everywhere, and in the early morning would be heard uttering its tuneful song from the tops of the pines round the house. I found one nest containing a full clutch of four eggs. It was situated in a stringybark, some 16 feet from the ground. Externally it was composed of twigs, next came a layer of grass and bark ; the egg-cavity was snugly lined with wool. On the same tree, and not more than 6 feet away, was a Miner's {Manorhina garrula) nest. GREY BUTCHER-BIRD {Cracticus cinereus). — Only about two pairs were seen or heard. No trace of a nest anywhere. Vol. J 1 1. "I Littler, From a Tasmanian Notebook. 2*5 Strong-billed Honey-eater {Melithrcptus validirostris).— Only one or two specimens seen ; no nests observed. Black-headed Honey-eater (Melithreptus melanpcephalus). — The same remark applies to this species. MINER (Manorhina garrula). — Plentiful everywhere, their noisy voices were always in evidence. One nest with a full clutch of four eggs was found. It was very substantially built, far more so than any I have ever seen in other districts. Sticks and twigs formed the bulk of the material employed in its construction. The egg-cavity was well lined with wool, in all probability from a dead sheep lying at the foot of the tree. A number of other nests was seen being built. This bird is thoroughly detested by sportsmen, as it always gives warning of their presence to any game in the neighbourhood. YELLOW-TIPPED PARDALOTE [Pardalotus affinis). — A few were observed running over the limbs of the wattles in search of insects. SWALLOW (Hirundo neoxend). — Astonishingly plentiful round the home- stead and the flats by the creek. Two nests had been built at the home- stead, one under the verandah, and the other under the spouting, high up in a corner on the wall. From the number of birds to be seen wheeling round, there must have been several nests in the outhouses and barns, but time did not permit of a thorough investigation. Does this bird ever build in trees, under certain conditions ? I have good grounds for suspecting it does.* GROUND-LARK (Anthus australis). — Flocks of a dozen or more birds were common. No trace of a nest was found. The very fact of them still moving in flocks seemed to indicate that they had not yet commenced breeding. Their running powers are really great ; and the habit they have of flicking their tails is very curious. When flying, the white margins of the primaries and the white outer tail feathers are very conspicuously displayed. PALLID CUCKOO (Cuculus pallidas). — I have never before seen so many birds of one species in such a small area. No two birds were seen together ; each bird seemed perfectly oblivious of the existence of any other member of the same species. Some of the birds were heard uttering their low, plaintive notes, while others were quite silent. Their flight is peculiar. When disturbed they fly with easy motion close to the ground for some yards, then, when close to the object upon which they are going to perch, they rise up almost perpendicularly on to it. The tail is jerked up and down, when perching, rather slowly. They appeared to obtain most of their food from off the ground. RoSELLA (Platycercus eximius). — Small flocks of half a dozen or so were seen feeding on the ground in company with Magpies and Miners ; and in the gum-trees feeding on the blossoms. NATIVE Hen (Tribonyx mortieri). — Very common on the flats by the creek. Two nests were observed — one in the centre of a clump of band grass, some 3 feet from the water's edge. It was composed entirely of grass- stems ; its diameter was about a foot, and it contained seven eggs, evidently incubated. The second nest was also this season's, but empty. It was placed on the top of a pile of rubbish some 40 feet from the water, and composed of dry grass-stems. The birds ran freely about in the open, but were quite silent. Some birds among the reeds were making a noise * Where did this .Swallow build before the advent of white man in Australia? — Eds. , 2l6 Littler, From a Tasmanian Notebook. [2nd April like the low rumbling bellow of a bull heard from a distance. Sonic low- grunting sounds also emanated from the same localities. The white patch on the wings is very distinct. They run in a very jerky fashion, the tail being jerked up and down both when running and standing still. SPUR-WINGED PLOVER (Lobivanellus lobatus). — Somewhat scarce and very wild. Young birds were said to have been seen, but none came under my notice. Most of their time appeared to be spent wheeling in pairs and uttering their harsh cry. No eggs were found ; it appeared as though there could not be any about, as the birds took no notice of myself, com- panion, or the dogs we had with us. A most diligent search was made over the flats and uplands, but all to no purpose. WHITE-FRONTED HERON (JS otophoyx novce-hollandicB). — For several years past a pair of these birds has nested every year in a projecting limb of a tall gum, right in the centre of one of the runs. At the time of my visit the birds had young some few days old. The nest was placed in a fork at the end of the limb, and composed of twigs lightly thrown together, the birds obtaining their own and young's food from the creek, some con- siderable distance away. A few days after my visit the nest was robbed by a Wedge-tailed Eagle. M< lUNTAIN DUCK (Casarca tadomoides). — A male and female of this species were observed swimming in the creek. The male took to flight as soon as he saw he was under observation, but the female, who had a family of young ones swimming after her, quietly paddled under some projecting bushes. Black Duck {Anas superciliosd). — Quite a number of birds of this species was seen swimming on the stream or flying in pairs. When rising from the water they make a great splashing noise. Teal {Nettion castaneum). — Only one or two specimens were seen. MUSK Duck {Biziura lobatd). — A solitary specimen was seen swimming in the stream. When thinking itself unobserved it swam with its back out of the water, but as soon as it realized that it was under observation it sank until only its head and a small portion of its neck were visible. When it dived it reappeared at some considerable distance from the place where last seen. General. 7th November. — Corra Lynn. — Found a Fire-tailed Finch's {Zonceginthus bellus) nest just begun in a prickly box. The material being used was fine green grass-stems. On my way home a Ground-Lark (Anthus australis) flew out of a clump of band grass just at my feet. In the centre of the clump a nest containing three recently hatched young birds was discovered. It was most beautifully woven with fine grass-stems. But for the parent bird fluttering out at my feet, I would most certainly have taken the nest for that of the White-fronted Chat {Ephthianura albifrons). 2 1st November. — When I went to see if the " Fire-tails " had laid, I found the nest no further advanced, and evidently deserted. A few yards away another nest of the same species was discovered, containing six eggs. Three were in an advanced stage of incubation, and the other three quite fresh. In all probability the bird whose nest was first found deserted it for some reason or other, and then, there not being time to build a fresh one, the female laid her eggs in the nest a few yards off. Without doubt the second clutch of eggs would have been ejected from the nest as soon as the rightful ones hatched. It would be very interesting to know whether iooJ1 I Littler, From a Tasmanian Notebook. 217 the females took it in turns to sit on the eggs, or whether the interloping bird left all the work to the rightful owner of the nest. The nest was lined very snugly with rabbit's fur and a few feathers. The nearest farmyard is some two miles off. 2nd December. — Launceston. — This afternoon while walking along the upper part of High-street, a White Goshawk (Astur novce-hollandice) was seen approaching in an easterly direction. It flew overhead at no great elevation, allowing its form to be plainly seen. It disappeared among the trees on the Cataract Hill. At no other time have I ever seen this species within the town boundaries. A strong southerly wind was blowing at the time, which seemed to hamper the bird's flight considerably. 1 8th December. — While some six miles along the Patersonia road I came across a pair of Yellow-throated Honey-eaters {Ptilotis flavigularis) very busily engaged in gathering wool to line their nest. I was unable to ascer- tain its exact locality, owing to the dense scrub. The birds took but little notice of my presence. Close by I found a young fully fledged Dusky Robin (Petrosca vittatd) perched on a twig. Just to see what would happen, I captured it and held it in my hand. Naturally, it vigorously protested with all its lung power ; in the space of a second some half-dozen or more adult birds were flying, screaming, round me. It was most amusing to watch the antics of some of them ; they seemed almost beside themselves with consternation and indignation. Some flapped along the ground, feigning broken wings ; others tumbled out of bushes and then flew up again, and repeated it de novo ; others contented themselves screaming. I put the young bird down — in a few minutes not a bird was to be seen, and quiet once more reigned. The Christmas holidays were spent at Scottsdale and Derby, towards the N.E. coast. The weather was not altogether favourable for outdoor work, so that my notes for the trip are but sparse. I cull the following : — Lesser White-backed Magpie (Gymnorhina hyperleucd). — None seen round Scottsdale or Derby ; a few pairs observed round " The Camp," some nine miles on the road to Derby. BROWN SCRUB-WREN {Sericornis humilis). — Several pairs seen in the blackberry hedges round Scottsdale. They were very shy. Long-tailed Wren (Malurus gouldi). — Very plentiful ; mostly females, or sombre-plumaged birds, as perhaps many of them were young not yet in adult plumage. TREE-MARTIN (Petrochelidon nigricans). — A few seen along the road. SWALLOW (Hirundo neoxena). — Plentiful both at Scottsdale and Derby. Notes on a Trip to the Wongan Hills, Western Australia, with a Description of a New Ptilotis. By Alex. Wm. Milligan {Hon. Ornithologist, Perth Museum, W.A.) Part I . On the 14th September, 1842, or about 61 years ago, Gilbert, the intrepid field naturalist and the coadjutor of Gould, wrote from the Wongan Hills describing the nest-mound and eggs of 2 I 8 Milligan, Notes on a Trip to the Wongan Hills, W.A. [2ndAprii the Gnou or Mallee-Fowl (Lipoa ocellata), which he found for the first time in the locality indicated. Subsequently, Gould, when writing of the Black-throated Coachwhip-Bird (Psophodcs nigrogularis), quoted Gilbert as follows : — " I heard it (the Coachwhip-Bird) for the first time, together with the notes of many other birds equally strange to me, in the vicinity of the Wongan Hills." To view scenes which Gilbert saw and to tread what ma}- be truly termed " hallowed ground " were in themselves a sufficient . object for an expedition to the Hills, but when combined with the facts that Gilbert had there heard birds the notes of which were strange to him, and that the district had not been explored, ornithologically, since his visit, the desire to go there became almost irresistible. Natural inquisitiveness, also, to see what changes (if any) had taken place in the local avifauna, helped to clinch the matter. Hence I organized a party, having the same personnel (with one addition) as that which visited the Stirling Ranges last year. By the map, the Hills are some ioo miles north-east of Perth, and are about in the same latitude as Bourke, New South Wales. They are about 90 miles inland from the western coast, 50 miles from Mogumber, the nearest railway station, and are on the eastern verge of the characteristic rain-belt. We left Perth on the morning of the 30th September last, and arrived at Mogumber at noon, where we were met with a dray, horses, and driver, provided by Lord Abbot Torres, of the Spanish Benedictine Mission of New Norcia, who throughout our trip afforded us the greatest hospitality and evinced a lively interest in our labours. We reached the Mission Station (15 miles distant) that night, and being up betimes on the following morning completed another stage of 22 miles for the day, leaving 13 miles to accomplish our outward journey. Making a start at dawn the next morning, we entered the gorge leading up into the Hills just before noon. The whole journey was performed on foot, as also the return journey, the dray being used for transporting our baggage, provisions, and equipment. A fortnight's local explorations brought up the total of the miles covered to 250. The character and formation of the country over which we passed are exhaustively dealt with towards the end of this article. All that need be said now is that we passed through belts of jarrah {Eucalyptus marginata), beautiful-leafed gum (E. calophylld), York gum (E. loxophlcba), jamwood {Acacia acuminata)) and sheoak (Casuarina) until we reached a place called Behagning Spring, which was noteworthy inasmuch as it marked the line where the coastal vegetation " petered " out and the inland vegetation began. Thence the gigantic flowering eucalypt (Eucalyptus macrocarpa), the gimlet gums (E. salubris), the salmon gums (E. salmonophloia\ the morrell gums (E. longicornis), the quandongs, and the sandalwoods held sway. Two large plains were crossed — one the Bishop's Plain (named The Emu, Vol, III. PLATE XIV. o The Emu, Vol. III. PLATE XII Quandong Tree, Wongan Hills, showing Scarlet Drupes, called " Emu Berries." FROM A PHOTO. BY C. P. CON1GRAVE Vol. III. 1904 MlLLIGAN, Notes on a Trip to the Wongan Hills, W.A. 2 I Q after Bishop Salvado, the founder of the Mission), and the other the Y Y plain. At the base of the Hills a depressed tract of moist saline country was found, in which salt or brackish lakes formed, one of them, Lake Hinds, being several thousand acres in extent. The Hills themselves form a very conspicuous object in the surrounding country, are about 1,200 feet above sea level, and about 8 miles in length. They are flat-topped, and composed of ferruginous conglomerate, which overlies country rock. They are seared with gullies and marked with abrupt, bold escarpments, bluffs, and declivities. A remarkable feature in their vegetation is the gimlet gum thickets, which much resemble the " Whipstick " (a species of mallee) scrub near Bendigo, Victoria. Frequently whole belts of these gums were found prostrate, caused by " white ants." BIRDS. — The results of the expedition were most gratifying from every point of view. We collected 130 skins for the Western Australian Museum, included in which were those of such uncommon forms as Drymaoedus pallidas (?), Hylacola cauta, Calamanthus montanellus , Malurus pulcherrimus, Malurus leucopterus, Cinclosoma castanonotum , Sericornis brunnea, Miso- cahus palliolatus, Glycy phila albifrons, Cladorhynchus leuco- cephalus, Petrceca goodenovi , and a new Ptilotis, hereafter described. Added to this we had the opportunity of making close observation of the habits of many of these species and their young. We also secured many nests and eggs, particularly those of Microeca assimilis, Glycyphila albifrons, Glycy phila ocularis, and Petroeca goodenovi . Our great disappointment was to find that the Gnous (Lipoa ocellata) and the Black-throated Coachwhip-Birds (Psophodcs nigrogularis) had abandoned the locality. Even up to. recent times, the former must have been numerous everywhere in the Hills for we met with hundreds of their old nest-mounds. These had been constructed not only in the rich red alluvial soils at the bases of the Hills, but also in the pocket-gullies on the hill- sides, and even on the rocky brows of the hills in the broken conglomerate and gravel. Sites of the last-mentioned descrip- tion, it is conceived, would not have been chosen by the birds if more suitable ones had been available. One is prompted to ask, " Why have the birds deserted the locality ? " I conjectured at the time that it was owing to the pastoral lessees " firing " the scrubs from time to time in the summer season so as to obtain a growth of sweet "feed " for stock after the first autumn rains — a practice much in vogue in Western Australia.* On stating my theory to an old resident of Mogumber, who had been a frequent visitor to the Hills in search of minerals, he disagreed with it, and expressed the opinion that the desertion was due to the severe drought which afflicted the country some * Too much so in Australia generally. —Eds. Emu 220 MlLLIGANj Notes on a Trip to the Wongan Hills, II. J. i 2nd™pri1 eight years ago. His theory has received confirmation from my friend' Mr. B. W. Leake, of Kellerberrin, who states that previous to the drought mentioned the Gnous were numerous in his district (some 150 miles south-east of the Wongan Hills), but that during the drought not only the Gnous but also all the smaller marsupials disappeared, and have not since been seen there. At my request, Mr. Conigrave very kindly photo- graphed one of these nest-mounds which had been constructed in the conglomerate on a hill-brow. The photograph is here produced, and shows in the foreground, on the rim of the nest- crater, some pieces of conglomerate used in the construction of the mound. One piece measured 6 inches x 4 inches x 4 inches and weighed considerably over a pound avoirdupois.* Obviously the birds must have experienced great difficulty in breaking through the inhospitable and dense surface and after- wards in excavating and removing the heavy fragments. I have at all times held the opinion that these birds, in constructing these mounds, do not use their wings for transporting material, but their feet only. In the particular mound under notice it would have been impossible for the builders to have seized and transported the rock and gravel by their wings, and doubt- less their stout claws were the sole agency. Whilst at the Margaret River, in the south-west of this State, I had the opportunity of seeing one of the birds at work " coning " the saucer top of the mound (see Emu, vol. ii., page 76), and on that occasion the feet only were used. In vain Mr. Conigrave and I strained our ears to catch the sound of the inimitable notes of the Black-throated Coachwhip- Bird. The low-growing scrubs of the locality formed ideal homes for them, but evidently they had left or perished simultaneously with the Gnous. It is noteworthy that the members of both the species named are found in close companion- ship in the scrubs between Capes Naturaliste and Leeuwin. Notwithstanding the absence of these two feathered friends of Gilbert's, we found pleasure in meeting one of his discoveries — Malurus pulcherrimus — at its scientific " birthplace." On our first day's outing on the Hills the first two birds shot fell to my gun, the second of which was a handsome male bird of the Wren in full nuptial plumage. We found the species very numerous in the general tracts or rock patches in and about the hills. I had ample opportunity of observing them in their native haunts, and frequently brought the little families to my feet by imitating the calls of a young bird in distress. Great rivalry appears to exist between the males in their song, and on one occasion I found two of them in fierce combat. It would have been possible to shoot at least a dozen males without trouble, but after killing the second male I felt that I had done enough " murder " amongst these charming creatures. We were too * The size of these stones is remarkable. — Eds. The Emu, Vol. III. PLATE XV. •■£■< <) Vol. III. 1904 Mii.lican, Notes on a Trip to the Wongan Hills, W.A. 2 2 I late for their nests and eggs, as all their broods were out. I caught several young birds at different times, but after examining them returned them to their parents' care. I have now found and have recorded this species at two different places in Western Australia — the first at the Stirling Ranges, in the south (see Emu, vol. iii., page 14), the second at the Wongan Hills. These I take to be the most southern and northern limits respectively of the species, but I shall be surprised, indeed, if the species is not afterwards found at elevated rocky places between the above limits. They undoubtedly are not only lovers of stony and rocky places, but also of mountainous ones. Our first clay's outing in the Hills was also productive of another rare form in Drymacedus pallidus (?). When emerging from one of the dense scrubs into more open country I heard a series of clear, thrush-like notes just ahead of me. The author of them I found sitting on a dead branch of a fallen shrub. Quite unconscious of my presence, he continued his song. It was, I confess, with some qualms of conscience that I shot the bird, but the exigencies of science had to be satisfied. On picking him up, his mate came running up quite close to me and for some time fed about unconcernedly within a few feet. I need scarcely say that I did not molest her. Other specimens were obtained subsequently, included in the number being an advanced fledgling. On comparing the skins obtained with the Eastern form (D. brunneopygius) I cannot detect any differences between the Eastern and Western forms. Certainly, in one or two skins of the latter the under parts are a little lighter in colour than in the former, but on the other hand one of the adults we secured was very much darker on those parts than the Eastern bird. On the same day's outing we met with a family of the Rufous- rumped Ground-Wrens (Hylacola canto), one of which Mr. Conigrave was fortunate in getting. The locality in which they were found was a flat-bottomed gully of rich red soil with dwarf scrub growing upon it. We found the members of the family most fearless and familiar. On my imitating the cry of a young bird, these bright, coquettish little fellows, with tails elevated, would approach me by short, rapid runs, scrutinizing critically at each brief stoppage, and then fearlessly run over my feet as I stood. Running off again in the scrub, I would bring them back again and again with the same device. The birds do not resort to flight, but run along the ground like mice, and thread their way through the undergrowth, the tails always being carried vertically. When first disturbed, the adult bird utters a single scolding note, and repeats the same at intervals while the intruder remains. They possess, however, a spirited, clear song, which is uttered when perched on a bare limb in a low bush. They appear to be very local in habit, for the only place except one we found them in the Hills was in the gully mentioned, which we named after the genus. The broods 22 2 Milligan, Notes on a Trip to the Wongan Hills, W.A. [2nf April evidently were all out and well advanced, for two of the birds we shot were strong fledglings. We were fortunate in observing in the same gully, in the early stages of our explorations, a pair of Cinclosoma castanonotum. To observe them, however, was one matter, but to secure them was quite another. We found them always in the same spot, but after once flushing them it was almost impossible to sight them again. Hour after hour and day after day were spent in earnest but unsuccessful quest until, on the last day but one, Mr. Conigrave, after an hour's waiting, managed to shoot a male. A second bird was shortly afterwards secured, which proved to be a young male, and subsequent to that again I shot a young- female. The thick undergrowth afforded them the best of concealment, and they were never at any time slow in availing themselves of it. To accentuate the difficulty of capture, they do not utter either an alarm note or song. The only sound we heard them make was a faint " tsee, tsee," and this only appeared to be a call-note to the young after we had separated them — a habit common with Turnix varia in similar circumstances. The plumage of the young did not, as might have been thought, resemble the adult female. Instead of the light slate-grey breast of the latter, they were blotched diffusely with dark brown and greyish-white. The back, however, showed the cinnamon colour very distinctly. Probably they assume another phase of plumage more nearly approaching that of the female before they reach maturity. The species seems not only local in habit, but very sparsely distributed. Excepting those mentioned we only saw another pair, and those not in the mountains but in some casuarina scrub on the brackish saltbush plains. A very common bird everywhere in the Hills was Sericornis (Pyrrholcemus) brunnea. During the first morning's outing in the low scrubs I met with a family of them. The whole brood, headed by the parent birds, passed where I stood, hopping swiftly along the ground and through the undergrowth, each uttering a subdued, plaintive, single note, which produced a singular effect. The song of the adult bird when not en famille is quite different, and consists of a series of loud, cheery notes frequently uttered whilst hopping through the scrubs. They enlivened the hill- lands very much with their distinctive song. We found, too, that they were not above borrowing their neighbours' notes. One morning Mr. Conigrave and I followed what we took to be a Calamanthus, or Field-Lark, through the dwarf scrubs on the hillside. After some time we espied the bird sought for sitting at the foot of a small shrub and uttering the same notes. My companion shot him, and on picking him up found him to be, not the species his song denoted, but Sericornis brunnea. The Wongan Hills bird is slightly smaller than those from the north- west and the interior, and the throat-patch is much less extensive, and is a deep rusty-red. One of the gems of the collection was Malurus Icucopterus, Vol. III. 1904 MlLLIGAN, Notes on a Trip to the Wongan Hills, W.A. 2 2 which was comparatively speaking numerous on the moist, brackish, sandy tracts in the vicinity of the lakes and also on the plains. As M. pulchcrrimus loves the dry, stony country, so does M. Icucopterus love the inland sand areas. We found it most difficult to get sight of a male, although we could frequently hear their singular " reeling " notes. On the other hand, the females were most fearless and trusting, and could always be brought to foot with a decoy note. The broods were all out, and on many occasions I caught and examined young ones. We managed to secure two males during the trip, but neither fell to my gun, although I chased one from bush to bush at full speed and with much enthusiasm for fully half a mile. They appear to be always on the alert and at the same time very distrustful. No doubt these unenviable but life-essential qualities have been developed and made constant by their being continually harassed by their enemies, their brilliant plumage making them conspicuous objects in the landscape. The habit of elusion has eventually become a second nature with them. Colour to this surmise is given by the fact that the females, who are sombre in colour, are quite fearless. When being chased the male bird adopts highly intelligent tactics. Dropping into the first convenient bush at its base, he quickly passes through to the other side of it, and immediately takes wing and flies with great rapidity to the next shelter, thus interposing the quitted bush between the pursuer and pursued, with every advantage to the latter. On comparing the skins of the two male birds we secured with some skins of the same species obtained at Day Dawn (some 200 miles farther north),* the former was of a distinctly darker blue ; and on a further comparison of both the above with the skin of a male obtained at Yule River, in the north-west, the last was much paler blue than either, and in addition was larger, and had brown legs and bill instead of black ones. The difference between the Wongan bird and the Yule River bird was very marked indeed, but the Day Dawn bird helped to bridge in a slight degree the gap of difference. The female of the Yule River is a clear biscuit-brown with whitish under parts, whilst the females from the other two localities named varied from an obscure brown to greyish-brown. On one of the large shallow lakes we met with a company of Cladorhynchus leucocephalus numbering 80 or thereabouts. Desirous to make sure in the first place of securing some speci- * This affords some food for study. In Australia, speaking generally, the rule has been, the farther one goes north the brighter and more conspicuous the colouration of the birds— a fact only in accordance with and accentuating the law of environ- ment. Proofs of this are forthcoming along our eastern coast until the " bond and verge " of our " region " in New Guinea are reached. In the instance cited an exception comes in, and from it a question arises : Have former observations been faulty, or is there a zone in which Nature hangs in the balance and may go either way — in this case to a fainter shade ? Such a question as this, more is the pity, is often lest sight of in the enthusiasm of a collector in the field. There observation is not close enough. — H.K. 224 MlLLIGAN, Notes on a Trip to the Wongan Hills, W.A. [2nf April mens for the spirit tank, I approached them, under cover of a shrub which was distant some 50 yards from them, with the intention of giving them the first barrel whilst they stood and the second when they arose. Imagine my astonishment, when, after raking them with the first barrel, they stood stock still. Acting on impulse, I fired the second barrel into them, and still they stood, notwithstanding that numbers of their companions lay dead and dying beside them. Eventually I had to enlist the services of Mr. Conigrave's dog to chase them around the lake so as to get a shot on the wing. We afterwards waded out into the lake, the water in which did not reach above our ankles, and picked up 17 birds, the result of four barrels. Without the slightest difficulty I could have shot the whole company, as they were so tame and stupid. I regret that the instincts of sport should have so dominated the higher ones of humanity as to cause me to shoot more birds than were necessary for scientific purposes, but as the birds were a welcome addition to our larder, in which tinned meats, local kangaroo, and damper played the most prominent part, the cruelty was to a great extent justifiable. The whole plumage of each of the 17 birds was white, excepting the wings, which were brownish-grey. Not one bird of the 17 shot possessed the chestnut breast-band, or even the faintest indication of it, and none of those who escaped had it, so far as I could see, and I had an excellent opportunity of observing them when stalking them, and subsequently on their passing me. The three birds which we selected for skins were found on examination to be young birds, and I regret now that I did not examine every one that was shot. From what has been said it may be deduced that each bird of the company was a young one, and the neck plumage of those shot, evidenced by bunches of feathers in course of development, supported the deduction. One of our party, who claimed to have an intimate knowledge of the Old World Charadriidce, asserted that it was not unusual for the young broods of the European Stilts to unite themselves into large companies and remain together. If so, it is the first time that such a habit has come under my observation. Singular to say, the bills of many of the birds shot were straight, but others again were slightly upcurved. Mr. Conigrave was fortunate enough to obtain, on the second day's exploration at the Hills, an ornithological " godchild " of mine in the form of Calamanthus montanellus. This was shot in one of the dwarf scrubs on the hillside. Owing to the running, secretive habits of the species, specimens were hard to get, although the birds were numerous in every part. Their beautiful, clear, warbling notes, uttered usually whilst perched on the top of a low bush or running along the ground, were always charming. We secured altogether some half a dozen specimens, included in which were two young ones in very much advanced plumage. When returning one afternoon to camp, I flushed a pair of Vol. III. 1904 Milligan, Notes on a Tri [> to the Wongan Hills, W.A. 225 Parrots from the base of a small bush, just on the verge of the lake country. Following them to the tree in which they alighted I shot one, which turned out to be a non-breeding male of Psephotus multicolor , remarkable inasmuch as his bill was pale pink and that the cere at the base of the upper mandible was quite flexible and soft to the touch. The humeral feathers were very red, and the partially concealed transverse black band on the under surface of tail feathers was very clearly defined. In another instance I saw the parent birds and their young flying about. Another surprise was to find Eopsaltria gularis at the base of the Hills in the heavy timber. The species, however, was very rare, and it was not until the last day but two before leaving the Hills that I secured one, which happened to be attending to the wants of a young Bronze Cuckoo. On the following afternoon I secured another specimen, which turned out to be a young bird. Comparing the one adult bird obtained with a number of adult skins secured at different times on the coast, I found the former to be much smaller and the yellow colour of the upper parts to encompass the upper tail coverts only, and not the lower back. In the absence of a series of skins nothing can be done at present but to record the differences. Of the Honey-eaters deserving note we shot several specimens of my ornithological " godchild," Melithreptus leucogenys. In every specimen the eye-zones were yellow and the orbits bluish - emerald, and the other characteristics upon which I distinguished it from the Eastern form were also constant. We obtained several skins of Ptilotis cratitia, which were fairly numerous. Glycyphila albifrons were very numerous, and we obtained and saw many nests and eggs. They are restless, vivacious, swift- flying birds, with a variety of call notes. One in particular (their feeding note) resembles the repeated monosyllables " chink, chink." I shot two young birds in different localities, each of which had a bright yellow throat. The bill of one of these two birds was abnormally long, even as compared with adult birds of the same species. The Psittacidae family was not well represented in either species or individuals. We obtained three specimens of Platy- cercus icterotis. I was in hopes when shooting them they would prove Count Salvadori's Platycercus xanthogenys, having cherished the notion for many years past that this latter species, which up to the present is only represented in the cabinet by one skin, will be found in one of the dry inland areas where the eucalypts are not found. This notion was grounded on the theory of protective colouration. The green colouring on the mantle of P. icterotis (the absence of which establishes P. xanthogenys) would in such areas make its possessor always conspicuous, and in consequence an easy prey for its enemies, and in time would lead to its extermination. Birds of the same species without such colouring, and less conspicuous, would have an infinitely 2 26 Milugan, Notes on a Trip to the Wongan Hills, W.A. [2nf April better chance of surviving. Two of the birds shot were fledglings. I saw another adult bird entering a hollow in a salmon gum with food in its mouth, evidently for its young. One of the novelties obtained during the expedition was that of the Western form of Ptilotis leiicotis. The first specimen was shot by a member of the party on the Hills, and at first sight I pronounced it, but with reservation, to be Ptilotis leucotis, although it appeared to be much smaller and not so brightly coloured as the Eastern form. Subsequent comparison showed distinct modifications in structure and colour disposition, hence I intend to separate it from P . leiicotis. At a later date I shot a young bird in some sparse timber in one of the deep gullies in the Hills. Shortly afterwards I shot, near the same spot, an adult bird, evidently the parent bird of the former. At the time I was surprised to see it running agilely up the trunk of a tree, extracting, as it ran, insects from the bark crevices. Its pace was quite as quick as that of a Tree-creeper, but instead of ascending spirally, after the manner of that bird, it ran vertically up the face of the trunk. Afterwards we secured many more specimens, including fledglings. Objection may be taken to my elevating the new bird to the rank of species. The scientific name I appropriate for the new bird is Ptilotis novce-norcice ; the vernacular one the Western White-eared Honey-eater. The specific description is as follows : — Similar to Ptilotis leiicotis except that the hind- neck, mantle, and back are greyish-olive, not rich yellowish- olive, and that the remainder of the plumage is not so brightly coloured. The black colour, also, is confined to the throat, sides of the head, and cheeks. The white cheek-stripes are very narrow, and not so conspicuous. The secondaries are brown, without olive wash of the tail ; the upper pair of feathers are blackish- brown, without similar, wash, and the remainder of tail feathers are almost black as to one longitudinal section, as in P. leiicotis. Iris dark brown ; bill black ; legs and feet greyish-black. Total length, 6.5 inches; wing, 3.5; tarsus, 0.8; culmen, 0.5. Type, Western Australian Museum, Perth. Notes from Guildford, W.A. By H. E. Hill. On first seeing this district, with two rivers — the Helena and the Swan — innumerable swamps, and the Darling Ranges (granite) close by, I expected to find a large number and variety of birds. This expectation, however, was doomed to disappoint- ment, as birds of all kinds were scarce except in a few favoured patches. It is hard to say why this should be so, but it is certainly not due to any scarcity of food. As I was not often able to get out into the field, my notes are of the briefest. A complete list might include about 120 Vol. III. 1904 Hill, Notes from Guildford, W.A. 227 species, but I only observed about half that number ; there are only about half of these again which are in any way common. Circus (sp.) NlNOX BOOBOOK. — Two specimens only noted. C'ORONE AUSTRALIS. — Common. Grallina PICATA. — Rather uncommon. COLLYRIOCINCLA RUFIVENTRIS.— Very local. GRAUCALUS MELANOPS.— Abundant round Guildford during the latter part of 1902 ; scarce in 1903. PETRffiCA CAMPBELLI.— Fairly common. SMICRORNIS BREVIROSTRIS.— Seen in parts. PSEUDOGERYGONE CULICIVORA.— Extremely abundant ; can be heard anywhere throughout the district at all times. MALURUS SPLENDENS.— Common ; clutch usually two eggs. Rhipidura PREISSL— Common ; 6/9/03, nests just started, few straws only in place; 9/9/03, nest complete; 19/10/03, nest just begun. I am unable to see the difference between R. freissi and R. albiscapa of Eastern Australia. Rhipidura tricolor.— Very common and tame, except during the winter ; sings day and night throughout the year. SlSURA INQUIETA.— Have seen a single bird only. ACROCEPHALUS LONGIROSTRIS. — Not to be seen during the winter ; appears in spring, and makes its nest in the first week in December ; eggs not often to be found before the tenth of the month. Will desert the nest if it has been touched. A much quieter bird than A. australis. ACANTHIZA INORNATA, A. APICALIS, A. PYRRHOPYGIA, A. CHRYSORRHOA.— All fairly common where there is any timber. A. chrysorrhoa perhaps the most frequently seen. EPHTHIANURA ALBIFRONS.— Seems to move about a good deal ; in 1902 I did not see a single individual, but it was pretty common in February and March, 1903 ; have not seen it since. GYMNORHINA DORSALIS.— Not in very great numbers.— 5/8/02.— Nest started. 28/9/02.— Nest noticed on 5th August, now has' young birds. 18/10/02.— Birds just ready to fly. 28/10/02.— Same pair of old birds have started a fresh nest. 1 5/12/02.— New clutch reared, young just flying- 5/8/03.— Nest half finished in next tree to the one mentioned above in August, 1902. 10/9/03.— This nest now has three eggs. 14/10/03. — Nice young birds, can just fly. CRACTICUS DESTRUCTOR (LEUCOPTERUS). EOPSALTRIA GEORGIANA.— Observed on one occasion only. PACHYCEPHALA RUFIVENTRIS.— Very common wherever the trees grow at all thickly, but oftener heard than seen. CLIMACTERIS RUFA.— Observed on one occasion only. SlTTELLA PILEATA. — In one or two parts of the district. ACANTHORHYNCHUS SUPERCILIOSUS.— Very common everywhere. ZOSTEROPS GOULDI. — Another very common bird ; known locally as the " Greenie." 2 28 Mill, Notes from Guildford, W.A. [2„f April Ml l,il iikl Til s CHLOROPSIS. — Have seen two or three birds only, both in thickish timber. Glycyphila OCULARIS.— Common. Ptilotis SONORA. — Common; known locally as the "Trooper." MELIORNIS LONGIROSTRIS. — Common wherever the adenanthos grows ; have seen it nowhere else ; shy at all times. When nesting it may be observed without much difficulty, as it remains close by the nest, though it shows great agitation if this is approached ; at other times it is hard to get even a glimpse of the bird. 19/(5/03. — Empty nests in adenanthos at Bennett's Brook. 30/9/03. — Nest with two sets eggs at Bennett's Brook. 3/10/03. — A good many nests (empty) at same place, all in adenanthos. 17/10/03. — Nest with two eggs barely set. In all its habits .1/. longirostris closely resembles M . mystacalis. MANORHINA OBSCURA. — Not very common ; warier than .1/. garrula, hut quite as noisy. Ac AXTHOCILERA CARUNCULATA. — Very plentiful at times ; scarce from May to August ; when not nesting collects in flocks, sometimes of large size. ACANTHOCH.ERA LUNULATA. — Very local ; fond of patches of thick scrub. 27/9/03. — Nest at Lockridge, in banksia, one egg ; birds very quiet and feeding close by ; one or two empty nests at Bennett's Brook ; birds very wild. PARDALOTUS ORXATTS. — Very common. Petrochelidox NIGRICANS. — Saw none in 1902. 6/5/03. — Was fairly plentiful through summer ; not visible since end of March. 16/5/03. — Abundant on river. 25/11/03. — A good number nesting in hollow tree by river. Anthus AUSTRALIS. ARTAMUS SORDIDUS. — Usually Wood-Swallows are not very common, but there are a few about occasionally ; this is the only species I have identified. MKROPS ORNATUS. — Reported; have not seen it myself nearer than Perth. Dacelo GIGAS. — Some years ago a number of " Laughing JackasM-> " was released in various parts of the south-west. In 1902 I saw a single pair only linear the Mundaring Weir , but since then the}' seem to have grown rather common. There were a good many all along the Swan during the latter half of 1903, and I found a nest on the Helena River in the middle of October. HALCYON SANCTUS. — A common bird ; nests abundant in trees along the Swan during November, 1903. CUCULUS PALLID1 S. CHALCOCOCCYX PLAGOSUS. — Have not seen the bird, but a single egg 01 this species was shown to me. GLOSSOPSITTACUS PORPHYROCEPHAUS. — At odd times small flocks of Lorikeets appeared ; never saw any at close quarters, but believed they belonged to this species. CALYPTORHYNCHUS BAUDINI. — The White-tailed Black Cockatoos were frequently seen flying across or feeding in the timber. BARNARDIUS SEMITORQUATUS. — Occasionally reported. Voi-9i4ri"] HILL, Notes from Guildford, W.A. 22Q MlCROTRIBONYX VENTRALIS. — On -the river. BURHINUS GRALLARIUS. — From July, 1 902, to June, 1903, I only heard a single bird ; after that they were to be heard almost every night. .FGIALITIS MELANOPS.— 26/4/03.— Flock of about a dozen Dottrel on river ; appear to be the Black-fronted, besides another species. PLEGADIS FALCINELLUS (?). — There were a few Ibis about in the spring of 1902. I think this was the species. Saw none in 1903. Notophoyx XOV.E-HOLLAXDl.E. — Common on the river. NOTOPHOYX PACIFICA. Nycticorax CALEDONICUS. Ardetta PUSILLA.— 28/11/03.— Nest with three fresh eggs in rushes on river ; nest consisted merely of a handful of fragments of rushes, and fell to pieces on being removed. I had unfortunately neglected to photo- graph it. 30/11/03. — Flushed bird at same place; discovered another egg on ground close by where the nest had been. DUPETOR GOULDI.— Saw the Black Bittern twice on the Swan. Reported also from Helena. Phalacrocorax carbo, P. hypoleucus, P. melanoleucus. — Cormorants always plentiful on the river ; P. hypoleucus the commonest. 2/3/03. — Noticed a Cormorant on a log in the river ; it remained in a peculiar attitude, swaying in the wind with both wings half-spread for a long time, as if it were trying to dry them in the breeze. PODICIPES POLIOCEPHALUS. — Reported on river. CHEXOPIS ATRATA. — Have only heard Black Swans flying across. NETTION GIBBERIFRONS (?).— Saw a small flock on the Swan once only. NYROCA AUSTRALIS. — Saw none in 1902 ; very common in the early part of 1903, after which they gradually grew scarcer as the year advanced, but they never disappeared altogether ; no doubt they left for breeding. 19/3/03. — Large flock on river, a considerable difference in the shading of the birds ; the general body colour of some individuals was chestnut, while that of others was very dark. The white under tail coverts were very conspicuous as the birds swam about. BIZIURA LOBATA. — Reported on river. Extinct Tasmanian Emu. By D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., &c, Melbourne. For some time past I have been trying to obtain information regarding any remains that may still exist of the extinct Tas- manian Emu, and have advertised twice in all the Tasmanian newspapers to that effect, but without eliciting information of any value. A specimen lived for some years in the City Park, Launceston. Mr. Wm. M'Gowan, the Superintendent for Public Reserves in that city, informs me that the bird was received there about thirty years ago, and that it lived for about ten years in con- finement, but that the person who buried it on its death has since died, therefore its burial place is unfortunately not 230 Lf. SOUEF, Extinct Tasmania)! Emu. [2nd April known. Mr. M'Gowan, speaking from memory, considers it was quite as large as the mainland species. This bird was supposed to be the last of the Tasmanian Emus, but as apparently nothing authentic is known as to where it really came from, it may very probably have been imported from Australia, as there are records of Emus having been sent across to' Tasmania over fifty years ago from Victoria. Two eggs are known to be in existence. Both are considerably smaller than those of the mainland variety, one measuring 4.85 x 3.40 inches, and the other 4.80 x 3.50 inches, whereas the size of a typical egg of the mainland Emu is 5.56 x 3.63 inches, which would seem to point to the insular bird itself being also smaller, but two eggs are hardly sufficient to prove the point. Mr. H. H. Scott, the Curator of the Victoria Museum, Laun- ceston, kindly forwarded me a bone he had found in a limestone quarry. It is the femur of an Emu, but is too damaged to be of any value, except that it is smaller than those from the main- land. Emus were originally plentiful in Tasmania, as they are often mentioned by early settlers. For instance, the late Rev. R. Knockwood mentions an Emu and six young ones in his diary in 1803, and Mr. T. Stephens, of Adelaide-street, Hobart, has kindly sent me the following notes regarding them. Mr. John Meredith, of Cambria, East Coast, says : — " I remember perfectly Emus being caught in this neighbourhood prior to 1830, and for a few years subsequently also between this place and Avoca. I saw a pair at Circular Head on 'Black Thursday' (185 1). They were full grown, and had with them half a dozen young ones. The old birds had been caught when young near Circular Head and reared and tamed." Mr. Ransom, of Killymoon, in the Fingal district, remembers hunting Emus with kangaroo dogs about 1840, when he was a young man of 18. He remembers Captain Hepburn, of Roy's Hill, finding an Emu's nest with eight or nine eggs. A little later these were hatched under a Turkey hen. From these were bred others, and a pair of them was given to the late Baron von Steiglitz, of Killymoon, one of which survived until 1873, when it was drowned in trying to cross a flooded river. With its death, the Tasmanian Emu, Mr. Ransom believes, became extinct. An old resident of Avoca, who knew Captain Hepburn, used to say that the Tasmanian Emu was much taller than the Australian, but the general opinion of old colonists is that the two species were identical. In the " thirties " they were habitually hunted and killed for food on the east coast and elsewhere. Gould, writing about 1846, says that the Emus were then almost extirpated from Tasmania. He clearly regarded them as of the same species as those of Australia. Mr. Stephens also says that in the early Vo1- II1- 1 Le SOUEF, Extinct TasManian Emu. 2X\ 1904 j o " fifties " Mr. James Cox, of Clarendon, imported one or more from Victoria along with two Native Companions, and others were introduced somewhat earlier. When in 1802 some members of Baudin's French expedition landed on King Island they were informed by a sealer named Cowper that small, dark Emus were plentiful on that island, and that he himself had killed about three hundred, consequently some have thought that the Emu which used to exist on that island was identical with the extinct Black Emu (Dromceus atcr) of Kangaroo Island, while some bones lately received by the National Museum of Melbourne from King Island* also bear out the same thought, as they are very much smaller in every way than the mainland birds, and approximate closely to those of D. atcr, but more bones must yet be received before the matter can be settled. It is much to be regretted that so little information can be obtained about the extinct Tasmanian birds, and it is to be hoped that our Tasmanian members of the Aust. O.U. will still endeavour to discover some Emu remains. Description of a New Sub-species of Mirafra. By Robert Hall, F.L.S., C.M.Z.S. EIGHT specimens of Mirafra, or Bush-Larks, from Broome, N.-W.A., agree among themselves while conspicuously varying from other species in so far as there is no rufous colouring, with only the palest isabelline over portions of them. The lateral or terminal parts of each feather, which are either strong rufous or pale rufous in the known Australian species, are in these birds almost white, while the greater portion of each feather is brownish-black, so that the contrast is great. What attracts the eye at once is that these specimens appear black and white dorsally and pale cream ventrally. The Aus- tralian Mirafrae that I have so far handled have been dorsally strong or pale rufous or brownish, and ventrally strong or pale rufous. Consequently these birds appeal to me as representing a sub-species. It is a well-known fact that certain desert birds distinctly guard themselves in the matter of colouration by agreement with their surroundings. My correspondent, Mr. J. P. Rogers, has collected these particular eight birds on ground that has the birds assimilating in colour with it. He further states to me that on a part of the Fitzroy River, N.-W.A., where the ground is greyish the birds are greyish, but that the majority on the Fitzroy are chocolate, because the ground is of that colour. On the Robinson and Meda Rivers, Mr. Rogers further states, the birds are brown, in agreement with the brown soil. On the Ashburton River, near Onslow, from where Mr. A. W. * Emit, vol. iii., p. 1 13. 232 HALL, Description of a N ew Sub-species of Mirafra. [2„d April Milligan received his type,* the ground is very rufous, and so red and friable that Mr. Rogers has seen a cloud of it above the river when he was fifty miles away from it. As the colour of the ground is so is the colour of the Mirafra. Accordingly a knowledge of the large areas of varying soils and the Mirafra associating upon them should, in my opinion, give us a complete and proper list of this genus, with all but the type ranking sub-specifically. The light-coloured specimens, which I shall refer to as M. hor s field i pall id us, are from Roebuck Bay Plains, N.-W. Aus- tralia. Six are males, two females; collected between 25th and 30th October, 1902. Soft parts. — Bill — upper mandible deep brown, lower pale yellowish, the tip being as upper mandible ; legs and feet pale brown ; irides brown. [This is another case which the committee appointed at the last annual meeting of the Union to inquire into the vernacular naming of our birds, and the necessity of a revision of our tentative Check-List, should investigate. " As the ground is so is the colour of the Mirafra," says Mr. Hall ; also that " certain desert birds distinctly guard themselves in the matter of colouration by agreement with their surroundings." Without for one moment throwing doubt on Mr. Hall's right to class the bird he describes as a new sub-species — it would be presumptuous on my part to do so — may one not ask whether in a case where colouration depends upon environment, and where also this abnormal colouration is largely (not altogether) relied upon as a basis for a new type, the matter should remain in abeyance until further evidence be available ? An instance cited by Mr. A. W. Milligan in the present issue of The Emu {re Drymaa?dus brunneopygius), wherein he admits that he " cannot detect any differences between Eastern and Western forms," confirms one in his doubt whether ornithologists have not been running to extremes in giving new names to sub-species of birds. In America they have been abolishing many sub-species which on further inquiry would not justify their existence. We should do so here. — H.K.] Little Penguins. — It might interest you to know that a pair of Penguins nested this spring on the shore in front of my house. The main coast road at this point runs within a few feet of the beach, and the nest was in the embankment of the road. The birds were there for upwards of two months, in spite of the fact that the average traffic on the road amounts to at least 40 vehicles per day, practically passing over their heads ; besides which on more than one occasion they were pulled out of their hole to be exhibited for the curiosity of visitors. — C. ROSS MACKENZIE. Somerset (Tas.), 10/ 1/04. * A/, wooihoardi (Rufous Bush-Lark), Vict. Aat., vol. xviii., No. 2, p. 25. V°i9oTJ Stray Feathers. 233 Stray Feathers. The Freckled Duck. — Mr. Sep. Robinson has noticed that when the Freckled Duck (Stictonetta ncBvosd) is breeding its bill becomes quite red, like that of a Black Swan. He saw scores of them (the Duck) earlier in the year, but none with red bills. — D. Le S. Blackbirds and Vine Caterpillars. — A neighbour tells me he has lately been interested in watching both of these — the latter as a pest, the former (this is more than many of us do, I am afraid) as a friend. A vine which gave promise of about 1 cwt. of grapes was being ravaged by caterpillars. Soon after sunrise my friend saw a Blackbird bring one of the green and black caterpillars and lay it on an asphalt path, then another and another, until five were ready. Then it departed with them for its nest, and fed a brood therein. — H. KENDALL. 27/2/04. * * * Variable Clutch of Pardalote's Eggs. — Among the eggs taken by me this season are a set of Pardalotus rubricatus, one egg of which has a number of line pink specks dotted over it, especially at the larger end. A second egg has a few specks, while the third is quite white. Another bird that is here now, and which I have not seen in this district before, is the Chestnut- breasted Finch (Munia castaneithorax). They are now breeding. Yesterday I also saw among the long grass near the place several of what, as far as I can make out from the description, are the Masked Finch (Pocphila personata). This bird I have never seen before, and I trust they will remain and breed. — H. GREEN- sill Barnard. Duaringa, Q., 10/ 1/04. The Channelbill. — The Channelbill {Scythrops novce-hollandice) has been unusually plentiful in this district during the spring, and has been as reliable as ever in the matter of weather changes — in fact, the shearers look upon the bird as a real prophet of evil. On 1 1 th November I shot a female containing four immature eggs, the largest being half an inch in diameter, and am inclined to think that the Scythrops feeds at night, as the one I shot was flying past at 5 a.m., and its stomach was then full of wild figs, and I know of no figs growing nearer than ten miles from here. It was just sunrise when I shot the bird, so it follows that it must have been feeding before daylight. — H. T. WHITE. Scone, N.S.W. Extension of Locality, Sittella leucoptera (Gould). — Recently, whilst examining the skins of our Museum relating to the Ccrthiidce, I was surprised to find three skins of Sittella 234 Shay Feathers. |2n Emu d April leucoptera, obtained, as the labels disclosed, at the Blackwood River, in the southern portion of Western Australia. As the species is regarded as a purely tropical form, I, from motives of abundant caution, determined to await the return of Mr. J. T. Tunney (who collected them) from Northern Australia, and receive confirmation of the notes on the label before publishing the record. Mr. Tunney, having now returned, confirms the notes. The fact above recorded is just about as perplexing as the presence of Petroeca goodenovi at Rottnest Island and its absence on the coastal side of the Darling Ranges. — A. W. MlLLIGAN. Perth, W.A. * * * Plumage Phases of Ptilotis leucotis. — In an interesting article by Mr. Robert Hall, entitled " The Plumage Phases of Ptilotis leucotis" {Emu, vol. iii., pages 43-45) that gentleman records the measurements of a number of skins of the species from fledgling to adult, and concludes by giving the measure- ments of the largest example as follows : — Total length, 9 inches ; wing, 4.05 ; tail, 4.03 ; tarsus, 1 inch ; culmen, 0.5 inch ; and of the smallest example as 7.5 inches, wing 3.2, tail 3.45 , tarsus 0.85 inch, and culmen 0.5 inch. A comparison with the measurements of the largest example, which substantially corresponds with the measurements of skins in the Western Australian Museum obtained from Victoria, shows that the Western bird is not only materially smaller in every particular, but also smaller than an Eastern juvenile bird of the species. — A. W. MlLLIGAN. TASMANIAN OOLOGY. — We have had such a wet season that the lakes (Sorell and Crescent), which are usually separated by half a mile of good collecting country, have overflowed and now join, and this has driven all water-birds away. Nests with eggs were observed of the following varieties : — Tribonyx morticri (Native- Hen), Acanthochcera inauris (Yellow Wattle-Bird), Graucalus melanops (Small-billed Cuckoo-Shrike), Pachycephala olivacea (Olive Thickhead), Circus gouldi (Swamp-Hawk), Cracticus cinercus (Grey Butcher-Bird), Strepera fuliginosa (Black Crow- Shrike), and several other smaller kinds. Last week I spent two days in the Sandford district, about 12 miles from Hobart, and collected eggs of the following birds : — Platyccrcus cximius (Rosella), clutch ten eggs ; Circus gouldi (Swamp-Hawk) ; Pachy- cephala olivacea (Olive Thickhead) ; Porphyrio melanonotus (Bald- Coot), clutches six eggs each ; Cuculus pallidus (Pallid Cuckoo) ; besides several others of the commoner varieties. While at the Lakes I took a nest of the Gymnorhina hyperleuca (Lesser White- backed Magpie) containing four eggs, three being the usual size and the fourth about the size of a Sparrow's egg, but as round as a marble— rather a freak. — W. A. ATKINS. Hobart, 17/1 1/03. V;1-1"'] Stray Feathers. 235 Button-Quails in Queensland. — The most noticeable feature of the half-year has been the great influx of Quails,* which have apparently come here to breed, and have been doing so for six months. I took eggs on 22nd August, and saw plenty of young birds, and again on the 8th of this month (January) caught young just able to run and hide. In the 20 years I have been on the Peak Downs I can only remember them being thick about four times, though there are nearly always a few. Of course grass and herbage are very rank this year, owing to the dearth of stock and marsupials, but how did the Quails guess that ? I rather think, but have no proof, that the years they have come have been when good rains succeed a period of drought. I know that certain grasses grow then which are not always here, although heavy seeders, and I think that the ordinary grasses grow stronger and seed more freely after the spell and sweetening of the ground that a drought entails, so that the birds are sure of ample food supplies and plenty of cover. They are so small that it is rather like " breaking a butterfly upon the wheel " shooting them with a 1 2-bore. But the flesh is very white and toothsome, and they are so numerous that it is not hard to walk them up. — F. B. Campbell-Ford. Clermont, 1 5/1/04. Some Murray Swamp Notes, 28/12/03. — A White Crane's or Egret's nest (Mesophoyx plumifera) with two large young ones was seen in a " shaggery " (Phalacrocorax melanoleucus), about 15 feet high, and situated in a small eucalypt, the large stick nest being easily separated from the Cormorant's nests around it, which were built with grass and eucalypt leaves. All seemed perfectly happy together, although the Cormorants perched within 18 inches of the Crane's nest. The number of young observed in Cormorants' nests did not exceed two per clutch. Wood-Duck, or rather Maned Geese (Chenonetta jubata), were remarkably few, and it appears from observation that these birds require greater protection, since they seem to be on the decrease. This is also the case with Bittern (Botaurus pcecilopterus). On the other hand. Nankeen Herons (Nycticorax caledonicus) appear to be increasing. Teal (Nettion gibbcrifrons) and Black Duck (Anas superciliosa) were plentiful, as also Spur-winged Plover (Lobivanellus lobatus). Landrails (Hypotce- nidia philippinensis) were found nesting, and as many as 1 1 eggs were counted in some nests. In an orchard close by, Leatherheads (Philemon corniculatus) and the small Sanguineous Honey-eaters (Myzomela sanguinolenta) waged ceaseless war on the ripe figs. — A. Mattingley. * * * New Mutton-Bird Rookery. — To those who are interested in Mutton-Birds (Pufflnus tcnuirostris), either from appreciation of * Chiefly Turnix velox and T. pyrrhotliorax. 236 ^>«v leathers. [Jf™^, the edible qualities of the young birds and eggs or from a desire to have the birds periodically visiting our coast for breeding purposes, it will be satisfactory to know that within the last few years a rookery has been formed on Griffith Island, near Port Fairy. It is formed on the sand dunes to the south-westward of the island, which is covered with tea-tree and undergrowth, the highest point being 74 feet above sea level. When on a visit last month to the lighthouse situated on the easterly point of the island, I observed that there appeared to be tracks cut in the tea-tree scrub running towards the summit of the dunes, which, viewed from a distance, appear to have curious notches in their sky-line, similar to what might have been formed by surveyors cutting away the undergrowth for lines of fences. These tracks have been formed by the birds running to the summit of the dunes each morning for the purpose of taking flight in accordance with custom during the nesting season. This rookery should increase in extent if it remain undisturbed, as the island appears in every way suitable as a breeding-place for the birds. — C. W. Maclean. Ports and Harbours Office, Melbourne, 30/12/03. Kurrajoxg (Gladstone, Q.) Notes. — This is a splendid year- plenty of grass and water, and everything rolling fat. We have had about 20 inches of rain so far, and I think they have had more at Coomooboolaroo. The common Bronzewing (Pkaps chalcoptcra) has laid right through this year, as I found a nest on 22nd February with small young ones ; on 9th May a young bird on the nest just able to fly ; on 16th August I took a per- fectly fresh egg from a nest in a leafy ironbark ; and again on 2 1st October I saw a bird sitting, but did not climb the tree to investigate. I have at last seen a Wonga's (Leucosarcia picata) nest. It contained two heavily incubated eggs, in a tall brigalow (acacia), about 40 feet from the ground. Both birds were at the nest. On the same day, 7th October, I rooted a Brush- Turkey's (Talegallus) nest, and found sixteen eggs in various stages of incubation. Most probably there were more in the nest, as I only burrowed about three-quarters of it ; but I con- sidered I had a very fair share, so left the rest to hatch. I found a Black-throated Grebe's (Podia pes novce-hollandice) nest attached to a snag in a dam, only about 7 or 8 feet from the bank. On wading in I discovered three tiny fluffy chicks in the nest, covered over in the same manner as the bird. covers her eggs when an intruder approaches. They were too frightened to keep still, hence betrayed themselves by jumping off the nest into the water as I drew near. Although they were very young (we judged them as being about two days old) they were able to dive about 15 feet ; and as the water was very shallow and clear, we were able to keep them in sight the whole time. — E. D. BARNARD. 1 7/ 1 1/03. ol. III. "I 1904 I Stray Feathers. ^37 Descriptions of the Eggs of two Tits (Acanthiza). — The reinstatement of the Ewing Tit (A. ewingi) as a sound species in the list of Australian birds has led collectors to examine critically their skins and eggs of Tasmanian Tits. The skins of ewingi are easily differentiated from those of diemenensis, but it would be risky to separate the eggs until thoroughly typical eggs have been taken of each. Mr. Charles French, jun., at a meeting of the Field Naturalists' Club held 18th January last, exhibited a pair of eggs reputed to be those of A. ewingi. They were collected during the season of 1892, and were from the collection of Mr. E. D. Atkinson, C.E. These specimens may be described as elliptical in shape ; texture of shell fine ; surface glossy ; colour white, lightly and sparingly spotted (thickest on the apex) with chestnut or reddish-brown. Dimensions — (1) .68 x .5 ; (2) .67 x .5 inches. Mr. A. W. Milligan has described the nest of A. robustirostris (see Emu, vol. iii., p. 102), from which nestlings were secured. He has now kindly forwarded me a clutch of eggs of that species collected by Mr. Fred. Lawson, at Wurarga, on the 9th Septem- ber last. They differ from the eggs of most Acanthizas by their bold and bright colouring, almost as boldly marked as, for in- stance, those of some Maluri. Technically described the eggs are : — Oval in shape ; texture of shell fine ; surface slightly glossy ; colour warm or pearly white, blotched and spotted with bright chestnut or reddish-brown and purplish-brown, the more blotchy and heavier markings as usual forming a strong band around the apex. Dimensions — (1) .69 x .47 ; (2) .68 x .48 ; (3) .6" x .47 inches. — A. J. CAMPBELL. Little Penguins in the River Derwent. — Little Penguins (Eudy ptula minor) frequent all the approaches to the Derwent, and also the river as far at least as the Bellerive Ferry, where they may be seen darting away from the steam ferry-boats. Mr. Arthur R. Reid informs me that he has seen them at Austin's Ferry, which is about eight miles above Bellerive and about twenty from the mouth of the river. The water at that point is but slightly salt. Amongst islands to which they resort to breed may be named Woody Island, in Norfolk Bay, Wedge Island and Bruni Island in Storm Bay, also Green Island in D'Entrecasteaux Channel. Laying commences in September, or possibly in August ; October, November, and December appear to be the months in which it principally takes place. The eggs, two in number, are laid in a hollow amongst rocks near the water's edge, or under a bush distant a stone's throw or more from the sea. I do not know at what age Little Penguins take to the water ; the opportune moment may be determined by the growth of the stiff tail-feathers. A pair of young birds from Woody Island, on which the nestling down still appeared in small patches, swam with perfect ease (21st October), although on land 238 Stray Feathers. [J:™ril they had seemed bewildered and incapable of movement. A younger bird from Bruni Island did not attempt to swim. This was one of a pair of nestlings covered with down even to the flippers, and still without tail-feathers. The irises of the pair first mentioned were pale green, whilst those of the younger birds were grey, so that apparently the colour changes with age. The down on the upper surface was grey and fluffy, on the under surface dull white, and somewhat close in texture. The length of the young birds which were still clad in down was 14.25 inches. The little creatures extended their flippers and agitated them precisely in the same manner as that in which young flying birds open and flap their wings, for the muscles which in the latter case must be trained for flight must in the former case be trained for swimming. They also snapped at one's fingers and at one another, and at times uttered a sound which resembled the hiss of an angry kitten. When a Little Penguin is catching small fish it darts hither and thither through the shoal, and causes the small fry to scatter in all directions, and sometimes to leap completely out of the water in their eagerness to escape. On one such occasion a Silver Gull (Larus novcB- hollandi.az) was, like myself, an observer of these proceedings, and whenever the Penguin reappeared, the Gull flew quickly to the spot, as if in anticipation of a meal. If this were so, it must have been disappointed, for it obtained nothing. Once only did I observe the Penguin return to the surface with a small fish in its bill, which was thereupon quickly swallowed. Im- mersion lasted about half a minute, after which the bird floated on the surface for a few seconds. Numerous thorn-like pro- tuberances on the tongue and palate are inclined slightly towards the gullet, and may assist the Penguin to hold its prey and to swallow it. In two fresh skins of adult males which I examined, the basal halves of the feathers of the throat and fore-neck were in one specimen strongly washed in the other lightly washed with black. In the same skins, when preserved, the washes of black had disappeared. Perhaps the disappearance of the grey colour might be attributable to starch, which was employed in the process of cleaning. — J AMES R. M'CLYMONT. 12/ 1/04. Birds of the Lamu Archipelago (East Africa). — Since writing to you I have spent some time amidst the ancient ruins on the many islands of the Lamu Archipelago, and made several most interesting trips up the Tana River, on the mainland, through country very little if ever trod by white man. I say ancient Lamu, for it is first known to history as a vast kingdom in the year 914 A.D., and was known to the Phoenicians B.C., but with all its antiquity, its buried cities, its vast Persian ruins, the ornithology of this Archipelago is as little known as that of Central Africa. I have lived amongst it, waded up to my waist in its swamps to collect and study its aquatic birds — result (of Vol. III. 1904 Stray Feathers. 2T.Q course, one has to pay for everything in this climate with the pound of flesh) sunstroke, followed by fever, and with great difficulty I was brought back to Zanzibar, when, with a good doctor and good nursing, thank God ! I am becoming myself again. Now to give you some little glimpse of what the feathered tribes are like which inhabit this vast collection of islands, which are separated by more or less narrow channels lined with dense masses of mangrove trees, growing up straight in many places to the height of 150 feet. There are a rise and fall of tide here from 12 to 16 feet and when the tide goes out vast banks and marshes are laid bare, or partly so, and it is now that one can study the wader family as they busily traverse the banks and shallows (where there are thousands of huge sea-slugs) for their food. Vast flocks come from the sea-shore, others from the tops of the stunted mangroves, where they have been awaiting the going out of the tide. Most conspicuous amongst these birds are the Sea-Curlews — one of giant proportions, and the other species seems almost identical with our own Australian bird. Their shrill call is heard at all times during the day as they fly up or down the channels, and in the quiet of the night their shrill note cuts the atmosphere like a whistle. A bird associating with the last is one that by observation through powerful glasses was evidently our common Greenshank. Unfortunately they were very shy, and no matter what ruse I played I could not get within .decent range. I collected four varieties of Sandpipers. Some of the smaller species were in great numbers. Tall and stately Cranes (Egrets) of a pure white, yellow bills and legs, could easily be distinguished amidst the merry throng. Then there is a Crane 4 feet high, jet black, with very long white neck ; a slate fellow very much like our White-fronted Heron of Australia ; and last, but not least, great numbers of the pretty little White Egret. I am told by the natives that there are three species of Duck, but I only saw, and shot, one species, with a white face — a very elegant bird, and fairly good eating. I may add here that on some of my trips through the channels I have seen small islands on which stunted mangroves grow quite white with the Little Egrets, which get up like a white cloud, without a sound. Leaving the water and taking to the island of Lamu, we find it sandy and covered very thickly with cocoanut trees, but still there are vast thickets of tangled vines and shrubs, also dwarf fan palms, and in these thickets are many birds. First I must mention the small Vulture, which finds its way into the narrow streets of the villages and is exceedingly tame, the natives never molesting these birds, for they are such great scavengers. The White-breasted Raven also helps in the work, and one becomes quite accustomed to its dismal croak. The little black Crow is not such a bold bird, and although he is met with on the out- skirts of the villages he is not nearly so trustful. A very familiar bird on the islands is a little black Shrike (Drongo ?) with forked tail ; it has rather a pleasing note, and is to be seen on the 24-0 Stray Feathers. [2n?April borders of an open glade, and early in the morning on the top of a dead branch, and seems to be the first bird in the morning to make a stir, for his voice is heard long before any other, and strange to say, like our Australian Black and White Fantail, on moonlight nights I have often heard its soft note up in the thick foliage of some huge mango tree. Of Kingfishers there are three which came under my notice — one a very elegant bird, somewhat larger than our Halcyon sanctus, throat and chest pure white, abdomen rich chocolate, wings most lovely shade of blue Prussian, black tail, same coloured blue also back, back of the head same bright blue, bill and feet coral red. One is a pied species, the third a small and sombre-coloured one. I found amongst the brushwood a very elegant Thrush, resembling the Olive Thrush of the Cape, but much more richly marked. Sun- Birds are very numerous ; a very handsome jet-black variety is one of the most conspicuous. The little orange-bellied one was very numerous. Of Mcrops there are two species — one small and sombre-coloured, but the larger species is a most handsome bird. Tl\eir habits and even their notes are identical with the Australian M. ornatus. The Finch tribe is very strong here, as in every part of Africa. The Weaver Finch here is quite a different bird from the one on Zanzibar Island ; it is of a saffron- yellow, with black back and tail, and the entrance to its dome- shaped nest is much more elongated and made more neatly, being woven closer and of finer material. There is a most elegant . little scarlet variety, and a blue one with long tail ; again a very small black one, but I have shot this bird at Zanzibar. A very large brown species with a massive bill draws one's attention, for it is always chattering, and moves about in large families. I am much interested in this Finch family, for the numbers of species I have collected over Africa (I mean in the South and on East Coast and islands) is wonderful. Guinea-Fowl are very plentiful in the thick undergrowth, also a brown hen called Spur-Fowl, on account of the spur on the wing like our Spur- winged Plover. Nocturnal birds are not at all plentiful, and I did not see one single species of the Owl family. The only bird 1 saw, and shot, was one of the Nightjars. There are three species of Swallows — a small brown one, a large Swift, and a very pretty little one with white breast with black band and steel-blue back. This is but a brief sketch of the birds of Lamu, for I have made many notes and specimens, from which later on I may be able to give you a more detailed record. I am hoping that this sun- stroke will not prevent my visiting Madagascar this trip. I forgot to mention a very fine Fish-Hawk which is often to be seen perched quite motionless on a mangrove tree overhanging one of the channels. It has white head, neck, back, and breast, wings rich brown. Another Hawk which is very familiar up the coast is a small brown one which hovers over the waters of the bays like a Gull, and picks up any refuse thrown from the ship. I met with two species of the order Columbae — one a fine large VojonI] Stray Feathers. 2\\ Pigeon, which I saw twice, but unfortunately was not able to get a specimen ; the other was one of the small Doves, and I feel sure it is the bird Woodward describes as Chalcopelia a/ra, and as having met it down the coast to the south. I found them very sparsely distributed over the Archipelago in pairs, and I not only procured specimens, but took their eggs, which are deposited on a few twigs, like all the Dove family, and are of a dirty-white colour. The nest is generally placed in an acacia tree, about 6 feet from the ground. The birds seem to keep to the thick under- growth.— (Capt.) S. A. White. Zanzibar, East Africa, 24/9/03. From Magazines, &c. The Victorian Naturalist, vol. xx., pp. 133-139 (February, 1904) contains some " Ornithological Notes on the Grass-Wrens (Amytis) " by Mr. G. A. Keartland. His personal field observa- tions on A. text His, A. striatus, and A. modest a (of which he was the discoverer) are very interesting and valuable. * * * Magpies as Weather Prophets. — It is noted as a remarkable fact that these birds are this year building their nests on the ground instead of on the limbs of trees as formerly. The statement is vouched for by several old residents, who add that there used to be a tradition among the blacks that when Magpies built in this manner it was a sure sign of a phenomenal visitation of wind in the spring. — Hamilton Spectator , 5/9/03. * * * Protection to Birds of Paradise. — Sportsmen in British New Guinea, whenever they see a Bird of Paradise, shoot at it. The Lieutenant-Governor of the territory has issued a notice prohibiting the destruction of these birds in most portions of the possession, so that they may not become extinct. Very few feathers taken from the Bird of Paradise are imported into Australia from New Guinea. It is stated that they are sent to Paris, treated there, and then forwarded to the Commonwealth if required. — Argus, 1/ 10/03. * * * Bird " Charmed " by Snake. — Mirboo North. — A miner at the Iron Syndicate's mine was standing outside his hut, when he noticed a bird on the roof whose actions he thought rather peculiar. The bird dropped almost at his feet. On looking down he saw a big snake making all manner of contortions with its body, and its movements seemed to hold the bird spell- bound. When in the act of seizing the bird the snake reared itself up, and, seeing the man, made towards him. The snake seemed to charm the bird by its contortions and movements, and not, as is generally supposed, by its eyes. On being killed it proved to be a 4-foot tiger snake. — Age, 29/1/04. 242 From Magazines, &c. [2nd April The Avicultural Magazine.— The. December number contains a plate delineated in colours by Mr. Norman B. Roberts of the White-throated Thickhead (Pachycephala gutturalis). This is accompanied by notes from Mr. D. Seth-Smith, who considers that " there is no reason why the handsome Thickheads should not be kept " in captivity. Airs. Johnstone contributes an article on the breeding of the Rock Pebbler Parrakeet (Polytelis melanura in which, after noting that tine birds set about nesting in a very quiet way, and that the young remained a good deal longer in the nest than the Barnards or Rosellas, she says that "the hen, though a good nester and sitter, was not an energetic mother ; the cock totally ignored the entire family." * * * ACCORDING to the Avicultural Magazine (January, 1904 , at the December Show-Bird at the Crystal Palace, amongst the Parrakeets a fine pair of Varied Lorikeets {Ptilosclera versicolor) obtained first place, the second prize going to a good pair of Kings" (Aprosmictus cyanopygius). A Red-collared Lorikeet (Trichoglossus rubritorquis) and a Black-tailed Parrakeet {Poly- telis melanura) were also exhibited ; while in the " Hybrids Class " the only birds worthy of note were a beautiful pair of crossbreds between the Rosella (Platycercus eximius) and the Red-backed Parrakeet (Psephotus hannatonotus). These interest- ing birds, it is stated, showed more of the characteristics of the latter parent. In Grass-Finches, &c, Class, the following Australian species were exhibited, viz. : — Black-ringed Finch 1 ' Stictoptera annulosa), Red-tailed or Red-faced Finch (Bdthilda rufveaudd), Long-tailed Finch {Poephila acuticauda), Masked Finch (P. pcrsonata), Gouldian Finch {P. gouldia?), and Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton). * * * A Sympathetic Emu. — Among the feathered pets at Cawarral station, near Tungamull, on the Emu Park railway, is an Emu. Taken there as a chick some years ago, it has grown up to be a fine big stately bird, which holds its own among the denizens of the station yards. When the drought was at its worst, the vicissitudes to which birds and beasts with all their senses were exposed were very trying, and those of an old blind horse were extreme. How the Emu came to discover its pitiable condition is a mystery, but it did so, and acted towards it in a most obliging and charitable fashion. There was only one little hole on a wide area of country where the horse could get water, and for weeks while the drought continued the Emu led it there as its necessities demanded. It also guided the steed about the bush, warning it in intelligible language of fallen trees, and other dangers in its path. The Emu kept its companion from starving by guiding it to where some feed was to be had. An informant saw the horse unwittingly approaching a bushman's tent, where- upon the Emu called out, and made such " an 'ell of a row " Vol. III. 1904 From Magazines, &c. 2 A. that the horse took warning, turned round, and followed his feathered mate. Since rain came, filling waterholes and giving a spring to the grass, the Emu has relaxed in his attentions. Another blind horse has joined the first, and as both are fat and comfortable the feathered friend may think his attentions are no longer required. — Rockhampton Bulletin, 5/10/03. Can and Do Birds Reason ?— Under this title Mr. F. M. Littler, F.E.S., has, in a recent number of The Zoologist, tried to throw some light on a question which, as a section of the problem as to the dividing line between instinct and intelligence in the animal world, has engaged some of the foremost minds of the century, and concerning which the results arrived at are not too definite. Possibly our Tasmanian observer is right in considering that " in any newly-settled country or colony, where environments are constantly changing, there is a wider scope for observations on the intelligence of birds than in any highly and long cultivated area." The local instances he cites (which might be very considerably added to from Australian observa- tions) both for and against the contention that birds do reason, involve some knotty points. But the whole question is one which will probably never be completely solved until some much more intimate knowledge be possessed of mental and psychological activities throughout their whole range. The conclusion Mr. Littler arrives at is: — "The more the subject is investigated, the firmer grows my conviction that animals (such as quadrupeds and birds) which are continually associated with man . . . . are possessed of an intelligence and power of reasoning, small and feeble though these may be." The problem opens up a fascinating field of study, and may with advantage be investigated much further. Every reliable observation will be a help — even though the deductions drawn therefrom be merely those of analogy. The Exaltation of the Sub-species.— Writing on this subject, Dr. Jonathan Dwight, jun. {The Auk, vol. xxi., pp. 65, 66) says that " signs are not wanting at the present time that its value • • • • is impaired by the undue prominence which it has attained. ... It seems to be forgotten that the sub-species is only a convenient recognition of geographical variation within the limits of the species. . . . We must beware lest we name that which exists only in our expectant mind. ... To name every degree of incipiency is pushing matters to a point when the name, by overshadowing the fact, ceases to be the convenient handle for which it is primarily intended. . . . We forget that, as names multiply, they lose in definiteness of meaning. It is not inconceivable that our successors may reduce our splinters to sawdust, and bestow a name upon each and every grain. . . . True science does not receive much up- 244 From Magazines, &c. [2„d April lifting from the mere renaming of a few handfuls of skin and feathers. . . . We confuse nomenclature and ornithology, forgetful that the names, which should be the tools of the ornith- ologist, may easily become the playthings of the systematise . There is more serious work on hand than the naming of sub-species if the advance of ornithology is to keep pace with that of kindred sciences." Close Season for Native Game in Victoria. REFERENCE was made in the last issue of The Emu (pp. 198-9) to the alteration of close seasons for Ducks and Quails in Victoria, and pointing out that an egregious blunder had been made. The Government, having the courage of its opinion, be it said to its credit, now admits that a serious mistake was made in opening the shooting season for these birds earlier than usual. It is too late to remedy the evil this season, as far as Ducks are concerned, but in future the close season will extend until the end of January, while it will be illegal to shoot Quails in any part of Victoria before the 1st April. Dr. T. J. Ryan, Nhill, a keen sportsman and observer of bird- life, states that it has been a most exceptional year for birds of all kinds in the Wimmera district, and, on that account, instead of opening the season earlier, from a national point of view it would have been better to have had no open season this year ; thereby native game would have enjoyed a great chance of multiplication. This very excellent suggestion in favour of the birds may commend itself to the Government the next prolific season there is for bird- life in the State. The Government of the day may always rely on the hearty co-operation of the Australasian Ornithologists' Union, and doubtless of other associations having kindred aims, in the matter of the proper protection of birds. Correspondence. ANOMALOUS CLOSE SEASONS. To the Editors of The Emu. SIRS, — Reverting to the close season for Duck in New7 South Wales, it will be seen in The Emu , vol. ii., p. 194, in the comparative table of " close seasons " for game in the different States, that Ducks are protected from 1st August to 31st January, but on my arrival in the Riverina district I was surprised to find that Duck-shooting was in full blast on the 28th December. The ocal Game Inspector stated that the New South Wales Act permitted shooting on that date. Who is correct ? Many Ducklings a few days old were seen, particularly Black Ducklings, and large numbers of " flappers " were in evidence, as is usual at that time of year. — I am, &c, A. MATTINGLEY. Melbourne, 1/2/04. Vol II 1904 :i-~l Correspondence. -AS SOME QUESTIONS re NOMENCLATURE. The Editors of The Emu Sirs The mention of Calamanthus montanellus in my paper* leads' me to refer to the President's address read at the last Hobart Congress of the Australasian Ornithologists' Union. Speaking of the new species described by me for the year, he said that Calamanthus montanellus appeared to be a sub-species of C. fuliginosus " altered by climatic and topographical conditions." As Col. Legge has not had the opportunity of comparing the two forms, nothing further need be said. In the same address the speaker said : — " Not a few Western Australian Passerines are so closely allied to Eastern forms that they can scarcely rank beyond sub-species. My own impression with regard to these close allies is that, originally, and perhaps prior to the evolution of desert areas, consequent on a change of climate in the southern region of Australia, these forms were one and the same ; that the results of complete isolation from their fellows in Eastern Australia has led to the creation of those differences in plumage, and even structure as regards bills and legs, which now elevate them to the position of sub-species." I must confess that I have not the same masterful grip of such a comprehensive and recondite subject as our retiring President has, but as many of the new species I have lately described and a new one described in this issue are and will be necessarily affected by the President's pregnant remarks, I shall be glad to receive information on the following points :— (a.) When, approximately, did desert areas evolve consequent on a change in climate in the southern region of Australia ; and from what trustworthy data did the President receive the impression that the Eastern and Western forms were at one time identical ? (b.) Since the " identity " period mentioned, have or have not the Eastern forms, or is it probable that they have, undergone any modification ? If they have, how is it now possible to make a true comparison between the two forms ? (e.) Why is it that the Western forms alone (as suggested) have undergone modification ; and why should not " complete isolation " be just as referable to Eastern Australia as to Western Australia, and just as effective in producing in the Eastern forms a departure from the hypothetical original species ? (d.) What difference exists at present in climate and rainfall between the relative and corresponding parts of the southern parts of Eastern and Western Australia ? (e.) Do not the desert areas impinge as well on Eastern Aus- tralia as on Western Australia ? In the same address the President warns members of the Union against creating new species on minor differences. If species are not to be created on minor differences, then I ask upon what * See page 217. 246 Correspondence. [2nd April differences are they to be created ? Nay, I will go further and say that if trivial differences are to be suppressed in the considera- tion and determination of species, one-third, at least, of Australian species will " go down before the scythe of exhaustive comparison." faking Australian Passerines, I ask what else but trivial differ- ences separate such species as Gould's Micrceca assimilis from Latham's M. fascinans, his Malurus elegans from M. amabilis, M . pulckerrimus , and M. lamberti, and any one of them from the other, and his Artamus melanops from A. venustus ; Dr. Sharpe's Petrceca campbclli from P. leggii ', his Cinclosoma castancothorax from C. marginatum, his Gerygone cinarescens from G. albigularis ; Count Salvadori's Platycercus xanthogcnys from P. icterptis ; De Vis' Acanthiza squamata from A. reguloides ; Zietz's Acanthiza tcnuirostris from the same species ; North's Climactcris super- ciliosa from C. erythrops, and his Malurus assimilis from M. lamberti, and so on. If the President's view of the subject is right, then all these ornithologists are wrong. The President's remarks imply that differences in structure of bills and legs are of slight importance. It is difficult to admit this, having regard to the fact that the chief characters which distinguish Passerines from the rest of the class " Aves " are the palate and the " arrangement " of the deep plantar tendons of the foot. The powerful bill and claws {inter alia) of the Crow help to place him at the head of the Oscines. I appreciate, of course, that there are degrees of difference. Let me present the case of Melithreptus brevirostris and the Western modified form of M. Icucogcnys, in which latter (excluding other minor differences) the bill is much shorter and finer. With such a modification, is it not probable that if the two species exchanged habitats, the Western form would eventually perish or become diminished in number by reason that his shorter bill would not enable him to extract nourishment from food stores which the bird with the longer bill could ? Where a modification an important organ such as the bill (and which is to a bird what hands and mouth are to a man) is permanent and not variable, and without intergrades, then such a fact is to my mind of much greater importance in the consideration and determination of species than the presence or absence of an eyebrow, or difference in a shade of blue of the plumage, or the colour of a forehead patch. I am aware that I am trenching on debatable ground, but as the Check-List Committee will begin their labours this year, the discussion of the subject, with the addition of the President's recorded impressions, should prove most helpful in their deliberations. — Yours, &c, ALEX. WM. MILLIGAN. [Whether our ex-President was justified in saying that Cala- manthus montancllus appeared to be a sub-species of C. fuligin- nosus, " altered by climatic and topographical conditions," must remain an open question until further evidence be forthcoming. Vo1- III-1 Correspondencei 247 Though (to quote Mr. Milligan) Col. Legge " has not had the opportunity of comparing the two forms," it must be remembered that his extensive ornithological knowledge would prevent his forming a hasty or illogical judgment. As to Mr. Milligan's assertion that " nothing further can be said," the matter is open to question. As in the case of many other newly-named species and sub-species (of which probably too many have already been made in Australasia, as elsewhere), there is a great deal to be said. Isolation and environment must have played their part ; climate also — Mr. Milligan's own paper supplies evidence of this.— Eds.] About Members. The following is an extract from a letter by Mr. H. E. Dresser, 28 Queensborough-terrace, Hyde Park, London W., received by the Honorary Secretary : — " I am busy collecting materials for a work upon European eggs, on the same scale as my ' Birds of Europe,' and probably shall extend it to the eggs of all the Palaearctic birds. Of the Eastern Palaearctic species there are several which breed in your latitude, and of these I warjt the eggs of the following : — * Sterna ancestheta, * Anous stolidus, Oceanites occanicus, * Pclagodroma marina, Pufflnus griseus, Pufflnus leucomelas, Pufflnus carneipes, (Estrelata mollis, (JLstrclata brevipes, Diomedia melanophrys. " Of those marked with an asterisk I have eggs, but require more, and more especially varieties. " I have probably one of the largest and most complete collections in Europe, and have many duplicates, and would be glad to give exchange for or purchase any of the above eggs well authen- ticated. Trusting that you can help me in this matter." Obituary Notice. Mr. E. P.- Sealy, one of the original members and founders of the Aust. O.U., passed away, at the age of 64, on the 30th October last, at his home, Southerndown, Timaru, N.Z. The deceased gentleman was an enthusiastic naturalist. In addition to a first-class oological collection, including the eggs of the now extinct New Zealand Quail (Cotumix novaz-zealandiai), he possessed moths, butterflies, and birds' skins. Having left England in the early " fifties " for New Zealand, the late Mr. Sealy, as may be expected, saw some stirring times in that colony. He started sheep-farming, which he relinquished for a time to join the Provincial Government as surveyor, and accompanied the late Sir Julius Von Haast on most of his exploring expeditions to the head waters of the Canterbury rivers, Mr. Sealy taking observations, as well as photographs, for Sir Julius. When surveying in the Mackenzie Country Mr. Sealy did some couragous mountaineering. He was the first man to explore to their sources 248 Obituary Notice. [Jftjg the Tasma and Hooker Glaciers, and in doing so he carried an old-fashioned camera, 12 x 10, which with plates and accessories weighed at least half a hundredweight. Years before the present dry plate process was invented he obtained some very fine photographs of the glacier region, some of which may be seen in the Christchurch Museum ; and others won for him a gold medal at an International Exhibition in Vienna. Apart from his scientific attainments, the late Mr. Sealy was of a retiring disposition, a man of sterling worth, and strictly honourable in all his dealings, being conscientious to a degree. Had he been spared longer it was his intention to write an article for The Emu on the Double-banded Dottrel (Ochthodromus bicinctus), an interesting bird which he had especial advantages of observing in the field, particularly during its breeding season. His not having been able to do so is a distinct loss to ornithological science. The Coloured Plate. Through the generosity of the contributors to the Coloured Figure Fund the Council has been enabled to have executed the second coloured plate (Plate XVI.), depicting two hitherto unfigured Honey-eaters, an old species and a new one — namely, Mclithrcptus brevirostris (Brown-headed Honey-eater) and Ptilotis carteri (Carter Honey-eater). It is somewhat remarkable that the former, described by Vigors and Horsfield, and so long known, should only now be figured. With regard to Ptilotis carteri (Campbell) some ornithologists may have P. Icilavalensis (North) in mind. P. carteri was first publicly exhibited and described at the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 13th March, 1899. The first announcement of P. Icilavalensis appeared in the Australian Museum Records, 17th April following. Irrespective of the pros and cons as to priority, some authorities entertain a doubt as to the two being identical, especially as the types came from localities widely apart. P. Icilavalensis in vernacular terms has been called the " Lesser White-plumed Honey-eater." On oological grounds, at all events, there is certainly some distinction to be drawn between this species and P. carteri. The eggs of the latter are as large, if not larger, than those of the ordinary White-plumed Honey-eater (P. peni- cillata), therefore if carteri = Icilavalensis how can it be called the Lesser White-plumed Honey-eater ? However, this is a matter for the authors of the forthcoming " Check-List " to settle. Mr. D. Seth-Smith, F.Z.S., Addiscombe, Surrey, is again to be thanked for so kindly superintending the production of the plate in England. Walker, May and Co., Printers, Mackillop street, Melbourne. W&3 tiP$**ta i i p~n-'*\ "; \-s ■ : *. -j \r- --—- /&$*. 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