V>5^'-JI-] Stray Feathers. 13^ 



Dimensions over all, 3^ inches hy 2j^ inches in depth ; egg 

 cavity, 2^ inches across by i)4 inches deep. 



E£-o-s.~Ova\ in shape, somewhat pointed at the smaller end ; 

 texture of shell, fine ; surface, slightly glossy ; colour, light buff 

 or delicate fleshy tint, (i) with a cap or darker wash of the same 

 tint on the larger end, (2) with light markings (spots) of reddish- 

 brown and dull purple on the larger end. Dimensions in inches : 

 — (i) .85 X .64 ; (2) .88 X .64. 



It will be observed that these eggs, with the exception of not 

 being so elongated, are similar to those of this species which I 

 previously described as new from Mr. E. M. Cornwall's collection 

 {Emu, iv., p. 137), to whom the species is well known. It may 

 be mentioned that a bird for identification accompanied Mr. 

 Young's specimens. 



Clilaviydodera maatlata (Spotted Bower-Bird). — Mr. Thos. R. 

 Macdougall, of Clermont, Queensland, has been good enough to 

 send a handsome pair of eggs of this species, which, instead of 

 possessing the usual linear markings, are more blotched and 

 splashed, after the fashion of a type of the Satin Bower- Bird. 

 Dimensions in inches: — (i), 1.55 x 1.06; (2), 1.5 x 1.04. The 

 nest was constructed of sticks, and placed about 12 feet from 

 the ground in a sandalwood. 



Sphenitra broadbenti (Rufous Bristle-Bird). — In my work 

 ("Nests and Eggs," p. 219) for the " Distribution " I show 

 Victoria and South Australia, with a query (?) against the latter 

 State. There was no reason why this Bristle-Bird should not 

 frequent the coastal scrub of south-eastern South Australia, 

 which is similar to parts of Victoria, but there was no recorded 

 instance of it having been found there. During a recent visit to 

 Robe (Guichen Bay), South Australia, I found this remarkable 

 bird, judging by its numerous characteristic calls, fairly plentiful. 

 I got several glimpses of them darting through the short, thick 

 undergrowth, or hopping over the sand between the bushes. 

 The birds were very shy, and it was not until after six hours' 

 patient waiting that I shot a bird, apparently a fine male, which 

 I had pleasure in forwarding to the Adelaide Museum. 



Various. — From an esteemed correspondent, Mr. E. M. Corn- 

 wall, Mackay, Queensland, I have received two " Nature Study " 

 post-cards, interesting for their pictures as well as for their field 

 notes, (i) Depicts a nest of a Podargus in mangroves, containing 

 a pair of downy young. When Mr. Cornwall discovered the 

 nest a day or two previously it contained three young. But 

 when he appeared with his camera for " the record " one 

 youngster had disappeared. Probably it had been " crowded 

 out." (2) Is a pretty illustration of a Reef-Heron's nest, containing 

 two eggs, ensconced among rock on an islet off Mackay. Black 

 Oyster-catchers, Silver Gulls, Brown-winged Terns, and some 

 Ternlets were also reported residents upon the islet, while in the 



