Q2 Stray Feathers. T ^^ 



Emu 

 Oct. 



and shame, because of the ruthless destruction of breeding birds 

 by vandals. The Plumed Egret was found breeding in company 

 with its larger cousin, Herodias tinioriensis, in the tall red 

 gums (eucalypts) standing in the backwaters of the River 

 Murray. Eggs. — Clutch, three or four; broad ellipse in shape ; 

 texture of shell somewhat coarse ; surface slightly glossy, 

 with here and there tiny nodules, and in some examples 

 creases ; colour, bluish-green, more or less besmeared with 

 bird-lime. Dimensions in inches of two clutches: — A — 

 (i) 1.86 X 1.37; (2) 1.86 X 1.4; (3) 1.9 X 1.38. B— (i) 

 1.86 X 1.39; (2) 1.87 X 1.42; (3) 1.94 X 1.4; (4) 1.95 X 

 1.4. Mr. Mattingley exhibited these eggs at the August 

 meeting of the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria. (See Vict. 

 Nat., xxiv., p. 84.) For description of the nests see his article 

 (in this issue), p. 69. 



Ptilotis sonora (Singing Honey-eater). — This fine species 

 enjoys a wide range, and is evidently a hardy bird. My son, 

 Mr. A. G. Campbell, brought home a clutch of three fledglings 

 from the Anglesea coastal district (south-west of Port Phillip), 

 where he described these Honey-eaters as very plentiful, 

 welcoming in all directions the break of day with their merry 

 calls. The youngsters were readily reared on sifted " Lark- 

 food," moistened with honey-water, and flies. They became great 

 pets in the aviary, and when anyone entered they would perch 

 on the shoulder or bare head, and readily take flies from the palm 

 of the hand. They did not sing in the way that their name 

 would suggest, but uttered lively calls, and occasionally 

 mimicked the alarm note of their cousin, P. penicillata, which 

 occupied the same aviary. When the cold weather arrived only 

 only one Singing Honey-eater remained. It was transferred to 

 Miss Bowie's aviary, where, with other Honey-eaters, it 

 received regular attention. I think this is the first occasion that 

 this bird has been kept in captivity. It makes a most charming 

 pet, and assumes almost adult plumage from the nest. 



Hylacola pyrrJiopygia (Chestnut-rumped Ground -Wren). — This 

 rare bird was recently found in the Dandenongs, near 

 Melbourne. Mr. W. E. Molesworth forwards another specimen, 

 which he procured at Lethbridge last May. He states : — " I 

 have flushed this bird in a piece of country a few acres in 

 extent, in the centre of a stringy-bark forest, where grass-trees 

 (Xanthorrhtea) are growing quite alone on sandy soil. The 

 birds are hard to flush, but can be traced by their singing or 

 calling to each other." — A. J. Campbell. 



ACANTHORNIS MAGNA. — On page 2IO, vol. vi., of TJie Emu 

 the following question is asked — " Did Union members — as to 

 Acatithortiis viagna — kill the last of the tribe, or was it the 



