^°'i9¥""] SHARLAXl) & CRAXE, J^irds of Hobart. 133 



evei', (luring very cold periods odd birds find their way to the lower 

 ranges, and in the winter of 1921 we saw a pair on the eastern side 

 of the river near Lindisfame. 



Gymnorhina hypoleuca. White-backed Magpie.* — A common bird 

 in the open country on the eastern side of the River Derwent. 



Cracticus torquatus. Grey Butcher-Bird.* — The "Jackass" as this 

 bird is locally named, is fairly plentiful in the vicinity of Hobart and 

 the suburbs of Bellerive and Lindisfarne. As a home-defender this 

 bird is very pugnacious. 



We are informed on good authority that the following species have 

 also been observed within the five mile radius: — Tnniix varia {^airited 

 Quail), Circus approximans {Swam\:) Hawk), Stipiturus malachurus (Emu 

 Wren ) . 



INTRODUCED BIRDS. 



Turtur ferrago. Indian Turtle Dove.* — Very common. These birds 

 were introduced to Tasmania by the late Mrs. H. L. Roberts" of 

 "Beaumaris." 



Carduelis carduelis. Goldfinch.* — Very plentiful about Hobart and 

 suburbs. Breeds freely. 



Passer domesticus. House Sparrow.* — Very common. 



Sturnus vulgaris. Starling.* — The birds, at certain seasons of the 

 year, gather in immense flocks and spend the nights in the oak trees 

 in the city gardens. 



. Spinetailed Swifts in Tas.— The "tale of the Swifts" 

 iCIuctiini caitdacuta) for the summer of 1922 is very soon told. 

 They did not appear on our Xorth-West coast until 8th March, 

 when at 3.30 p.m. some passed swiftly towards the west, flying 

 rather low. Afterwards, a large number came from the direction 

 of the beach (north), and, passing to south and south-west, 

 stayed there for some time, many of them at a great height, and 

 circling in their mazy dance. At 6.30 (about sunset) some more 

 passed rapidly, singly or in pairs, to the westward. The day 

 had been sultry, foreboding change, with great numbers of flying 

 ants and other insects in the air; wind, first easterly, afterwards 

 S.W., light ; sky mostly covered with alto-stratus cloud. The 

 following day was very hot with north wind, and the second 

 day there was a squally north-wester, with clouds of dust and 

 a rough sea. On 28th March there was a solar halo at 9 a.m., 

 and a solitary Swift appeared at a great height, flying within 

 the circumference of. the ring, and making somewhat in a north- 

 easterly direction. In the early afternoon the sun was exceed- 

 ingly warm ; later the sky became overcast, a strong X.W. wind 

 sprang up with heavy showers until early next morning. Thus 

 were the forecasts of those two prognosticators of cyclonic 

 disturbance, the halo and the Spine-tailed Swift, again fulfilled. 

 This was the last of the birds seen on our coast, although Mr. 

 H. C. Thompson recorded them as late as 15th April in Laun- 

 ceston, which, being in a basin surrounded by hills, forms a more 

 sheltered feeding-ground in late autumn than does the open 

 coast. — H. Stuart Dove, F.Z.S., W. Devonport, Tasmania. 



