Vol. xvlil.-j ^ly^y Feathers. 207 



and sooner or later have to be destroyed. The same appUes to 

 that charming and interesting mimic and all-round clever clown, 

 the Queensland Bower-Bird {Chlamydera orientalis), which is often 

 seen here. I like to hear them making all sorts of queer noises 

 and see them doing a fighting strut mth their crest up, but 

 occasionally one of them becomes destructive, not allowing a 

 tomato, peach, or other fruit to ripen — ^just pulls off the lot, and 

 throws them down ; but this does not often happen. I have had 

 a few sad days when a noted bad character has disappeared during 

 my absence, and also noted the contented and too-innocent face 

 of the gardener. 



Our summer birds are back again. We look every October 

 for the Bee-eaters {Merops ornatus) and DoUar-Birds {Eiirystomtis 

 australis), and it is a marvel ever new how the little Native-Hen 

 {Gallinnla tenehrosa) appears early in November, with the very first 

 thunderstorm. (Where do they winter ?) One night last week 

 a flight of these birds flew over our house, and one hit the roof 

 and scrambled about for a time. Next morning a little Hen 

 was fluttering about the lawn and garden, eating bits of pig-weed, 

 and quite at home. The next morning it was gone, and one 

 wonders if it knew where to follow on and find its late com- 

 panions. 



We are having a bad time — no rain of use since last March — 

 and the water-holes are giving out fast. The Cormorants are 

 having a great time among the dying fish. I notice that stock- 

 men always call them " foul birds that pollute water-holes," but 

 forget the dead fish would also do that if the Shags did not help 

 to get rid of them. Bush fires have been dreadful this year also. 

 ■ — ^J. Black (Mrs. A. Black). Pajingo Station, via Charters 

 Towers, Queensland. 



Some Gilgi Notes. — We have had the Painted Quail {Titrnix 

 varia) on the plains in these parts in millions, but the cold, 

 combined with the extremely dry weather, has cleared most of 

 them away. I witnessed a tragedy lately, while catching a horse 

 in the yards. A Painted Quail whizzed past me, and, making 

 straight for the house, went bang against the wall. I have seen 

 them strike wire and rail fences, but one would naturally expect 

 them to steer clear of a house. We have had no rain for six 

 months, and the Condamine River is dry, and the bird masons 

 are hard put to it to provide nesting homes for the season, such 

 as the Magpie-Lark {Grallina picata), Grey Jumper {Struthidea 

 cinerea), Tree-Martin {Petrochelidon nigricans), and the Swallow 

 {Hirundo neoxena) ; so I allowed my windmill tank to overflow 

 to provide the necessary moisture for the mud, and also provide 

 water for the Magpies {Gymnorhina tihicen), Laughing Kingfisher 

 [Dacelo gigas), &c. The above birds never seem to leave us. Our 

 Swallows disappeared for six weeks, but returned two weeks ago, 

 and are now patching up their old nest, which they always seem 



