Vol. VII.T 

 1907 J 



Front Magazines, &c. IC^ 



North Island, states that " the species is not what one can call 



numerous here, but it is to be seen occasionally in pairs or quite 



small parties." It is known that the l^rown or Swamp-Quail 



readily breeds in captivity in Australia. Have cage birds been 



taken to and liberated in New Zealand, or have wild birds 



emigrated across the Tasman Sea } Judging by the wide 



range the bird enjoys — from New Guinea to Tasmania — 



emigation has probably occurred. In any case the New 



Zealand Government would do well to rigidly protect the Quail" 



(say for 10 years) till they are numerous enough to hold their 



own against shooters. 



* * * 



Tasmanian Fauna. — The letter of "Onlooker" in to-day's 

 Examiner will awake a sympathetic echo in many breasts. 

 Much has been done in other countries, much even in the other 

 States of our Commonwealth, in the matter, by the reservation 

 of large bush areas for the preservation of native animals, while 

 in New Zealand the Government has, with far-sighted wisdom, 

 set aside the magnificent tract of 600,000 acres as a national 

 park and heritage to the people for ever. In this splendid range 

 of mountain and forest, river and lake, the native fauna are 

 strictly protected — no shooting or collecting allowed — and it is 

 high time that our animals, which have an equal interest with 

 those of New Zealand, should have a tract of bush country in 

 which to roam without danger of gun or snare. We have species 

 in this State which are found nowhere else in the world ; surely 

 it is our duty to see that measures are taken for their 

 preservation ere it is too late. — H. Stuart Dovp:. — Exmniner 

 (Launceston), 16/7/07. 



Vellow-RUMPED Finch. — "Within recent years, at least, few 

 birds have caused quite such a sensation in the avicultural world 

 as the Yellow-rumped Finch, the Mnnia flavipjymna of Gould." 

 Thus writes Mr. D. Seth-Smith, F.Z.S., in The Avicultural 

 Magazine (May, 1907) regarding " The Yellow-rumped Finch 

 and its Relationship to the Chestnut-breasted Finch {M. 

 caslaneitliorax)." Mr. Seth-Smith had several examples of the 

 former bird under observation, one of which developed an 

 abnormal phase of plumage. "The throat had darkened con- 

 siderably, and there were distinct traces of a dark pectoral band," 

 while in another example "the throat has darkened very con- 

 siderably, the pectoral band has commenced to develop, and 

 there is a dark spot on the flank." The birds were probably 

 over two years old. Mr. Seth-Smith concludes the M. 

 fiaviprymna in its sandy-coloured plumage " is merely a desert 

 form of M. castaneithorax.'" Members of the A.O.U. should 

 read Mr. Seth-Smith's article at length, which is accompanied by 

 four clearly etched figures. 



