^''I-J^^-J Stray Feathers. 4I 



friend had to give up setting that particular kind of trap. Grey 

 Shrike-Thrushes iyCollyriocincla hannouica) were plentiful, and 

 their delightful notes were often heard ; they were very fearless. 

 One pair had their usual bark nest in a small hollow at the side 

 of a huge boulder of granite, and where it was perfectly sheltered 

 and well out of reach — a very safe place, as no enemy could get 

 to it. At the foot of the mountain the nest of a Ground-Thrush 

 {GeocicJila liinulata) was noticed, built of moss, but no birds 

 were seen. Several Flame-breasted Robins {Pctraxa plurniccd) 

 were generally on the open ground in front of the tents, and 

 only one Pipit {Anthns australis) was noticed. Blue Wrens 

 {Maliiriis cyaneus) were seen on several occasions, as well as the 

 Rufous Fantail {RJiipidura rufifroiis) and Brown Tit {Acantliiza 

 piisilld). We saw several pairs of Spotted Ground-Birds 

 iyCinclosonia punctatuin), and they were also very tame, In the 

 scrub by the creeks, on the way up the mountain, the cheery call 

 of the Pilot-Bird {Pyciiopti/us floccosus) was heard on several 

 occasions, also that of the Butcher-Bird {Cracttcus destructor'). 

 The White- naped Honey-eater {Mclithrcptus lunnlatus) was 

 seen, and also the White-throated Thickhead {Pachycep/iala 

 outtura/is), Bell Miner {Manor/nna melanopJirys), and Red 

 Wattle-Bird {AcantJiocJicura caruncnlata) as well as the Gang- 

 Gang Cockatoo {Cal/ocep/ialon galcatmu) and Crimson Parrakeet 

 {Platycerciis elegans). The beautiful clear note of the Lyre-Bird 

 {Menura victoricE) was often heard, and on listening to one at 

 his playing mound in the scrub we noticed what a wonderful 

 mocking-bird he was, and how quickly he passed from the note 

 of one bird to that of another, almost running one note into the 

 other. These birds are apparently being slowly but surely killed 

 out by the foxes. — D. Le Souef. Melbourne, 25th April, 1907. 



Black-cheeked Falcon and Pigeons. — Yesterday, 19th 

 April, I witnessed a sight that was full of interest and a great 

 object lesson in regard to instinct among birds. A Falcon 

 being observed hovering near the Pigeon-house, my son ran for 

 the gun, and by the time he had got it and a couple of cartridges 

 the bird had risen to a good height, far beyond gun-.shot. As it 

 continued to ascend higher and higher by soaring in circles we 

 ob-served seven of the Pigeons above the Falcon, circling also to 

 attain greater altitudes. This continued for several minutes 

 until both the bird of prey and its frightened sky-mates 

 appeared very little larger than Sparrows. The design of the 

 F'alcon was to me a[)parent all through the proceedings. His 

 object was to reach an altitude above that of his intended victim, 

 so that the necessary downward swoop could be accomplished. 

 The Pigeons obviously were aware of the plot, and were just as 

 anxious to keep above their enemy. When at an immense 



