V°1^V.-| ^^,.^^ Feathers. 12> 



swarm in damp weather towards the end of summer. The fohowing 

 note is from Mr. Thompson's tield-book : — " Launceston, 1904. 

 Large number of Spine-tailed Swifts flying low among trees near 

 Trevallyn on nth February and 17th March. In Frederick-street, 

 on 20th March, some of these birds were seen, at 6.30 p.m., flying 

 low after white-ants." During the present season Mr. Thompson 

 and myself made the following notes : — " W. Devonport, 1905. 

 Spine-tailed Swift seen on afternoon of 21st February, at moderate 

 elevation. Wind S.W., strong ; weather fine, after disturbance 

 with rain. This is the first Swift seen this summer." On 24th 

 February about two dozen of these birds were seen, high up, flying 

 singly or in small groups from the westward before a strong wind 

 after another atmospheric disturbance. 



" Malurus goiildi. — Feb., 1905. Two young males noticed, one 

 on the nth, the other on the 23rd, undergoing a moult, consequently 

 presenting an extremely ragged appearance. These are usually 

 said to be birds putting off their summer blue for winter grey. I 

 consider that this requires considerably more proof, as I have 

 myself seen, in the Tasmanian bush, males of this species in bright 

 blue plumage during every winter month. We consider it probable 

 that the ragged birds are young males hatched very early, and 

 now beginning to assume the spring dress." — H. Stuart Dove. 

 W. Devonport (Tas.), 8/3/05. 



Domestic Lyre-Birds. — Mr. S. M'Xeilly, Drouin, has been good 

 enough to furnish me with the following particulars of a Lyre-Bird 

 {Men lira) which he has had domesticated for 20 years : — 



The bird was caught in October, 1885 (20 yesivs ago), and had 

 apparently only quitted the nest, his plumage being very scanty. 

 He showed no signs of fear, and was quickly and easily reared. 

 His food for the most part consisted of wood-grubs, beetles, small 

 worms, and an occasional bit of meat. His plumage gradually 

 improved, and after about 6 or 7 years he developed a magnificent 

 tail, which he shed about every year. He appeared to take great 

 pride in his plumage and had a bath regularly, after which he 

 would arrange and clean the feathers. He soon became a great 

 favourite, and had free access to the house, as well as a gully which 

 adjoins the homestead. He would sometimes wander away for 

 the day, but always returned at night, roosting in different places. 

 The men about the place declared the bird a nuisance, and while 

 any work was going on he was always in the way, hcn( e his 

 favourite saying — " Look out. Jack 1 " There appears to be 

 nothing he could not mimic. The following are a few of his 

 favourite imitations, \'iz. : — The noise of a horse and dray mo\iiig 

 slowly, with the play of the wheels in the axle boxes, chains 

 rattling, &c. ; an occasional " Gee up, Bess " ; the sound of a 

 vioHn, piano, cornet, cross-cut saw, &c.. Sec. All the more 

 frequent noises heard about the farm the bird learnt to perfection, 



