Vol. XVIII. J Clelxnd, Birds of Ihe Pilliga Scrub, N.S.IV. 285 



seeds obtained from other crops were submitted to Mr. J. H. 

 Maiden, F.R.S., who has kindly supphed the following results of 

 Mr. Breakwell's examination : — 



26. Geopelia humeralis.—{i) Argemone mexicana, Mexican poppy, 



very plentiful — 99 per cent. 

 A few seeds of Urtica iirens. 

 (2) Urtica iirens most plentiful — 99 per 

 cent, of contents. 

 Quartz particles fairly abundant. 

 Mexican poppy completely absent. 

 30. Phaps chalcoptera. — (i) Urtica iirens (stinging nettle), very 



plentiful— 95 per cent, of con- 

 tents. 

 Argemone mexicana (Mexican poppy) — 



about 5 per cent, of contents. 

 Passiflora, sp., probably P. hibhertiana 

 — two seeds. 

 (2) Most of the contents quartz and 

 stone ; a fair quantity of Urtica 

 urens and two seeds of Cheno- 

 podi'um album. 

 Mr. Maiden adds that it is interesting to note that the seeds 

 of two noxious weeds are eaten in abundance by these two birds. 

 The accompanying map of the route traversed has been kindly 

 prepared by Mr. C. J. Trist, of the Forestry Office, Narrabri, at 

 Mr. Gordon Burrow's request. 



Six Months^ Record of a Pair of Mallee-Fowls. 



Communicated by J. A. Ross, R.A.O.U., MalveRxN (Vic.) 



During the year 1916, and for a considerable part of the fol- 

 lowing year, Mr. J. J. Scarce, who was engaged in boring for water, 

 was camped in the eastern angle of allotment 9 in the parish of 

 Mamengoroock, in Victoria. This point is about 3 miles south 

 of the most southerly part of the Pink Lakes, and about 6 miles 

 N.N.E. from the Linga railway station, on the line which branches 

 from the Mildura line at Ouyen to connect with the South 

 Australian railway system at Pinnaroo. Mr. Scarce had always 

 taken an interest in the birds of whatever locality he happened 

 to be in, and for several years had generously allowed Mr. F. E. 

 Howe and myself, and other members of the R.A.O.U. who from 

 time to time accompanied us, to stay at his camps in various 

 parts of the malice country. In September, 1916, Messrs. F. E. 

 Howe, T. H. Tregcllas, R. H. Archer, and myself had an enjoy- 

 able fortnight in Mr. Scarce' s camp, and such visits, occurring 

 from year to year, stimulated his interest in the rare forms of 

 bird-life in the country referred to. 



For a long time he had given close attention to the Mallee-Fowl 



