Vol. XX. 



1920 



Stray Feathers: 



103 



Extension of Locality. — During last week I recorded the 

 extension of range of two birds, both of which have hitherto not 

 been noted for this (Upper Hvmter) district, New South Wales. 

 On Monday a beautiful specimen of Plilorhis paradisea (Rifle- 

 Bird) was sent to me by a resident of Stewart's Brook, a tributary 

 of the Upper Hunter River, the bird having been shot (in a scrub 

 just over the watershed of the Paterson River, and about 15 miles 

 due east of Belltrees) by an opossum hunter, who, while flashing 

 an acetylene lamp at night, had mistaken the bird for an opossum. 

 This estabhshes a farthest west range of the Rifle-Bird. 

 On Wednesday last a party of four Struthidea cinerea (Grey 

 Jumper) settled in a tree close to my office here. The birds were 

 on the move, and remained for a few moments only. This is 

 the furthest east record for the species. It is interesting to note 

 that the Struthidea, a western bird, has been noted within 15 miles 

 of Ptilorhis, a strictly coastal scrub-bird. — H. T. White. Bell- 

 trees, N.S.W., 5/9/20. 



* * * 



Rifle-Bird Feathers. — When skinning the above-mentioned Rifle- 

 Bird I noticed a pecuharity (not previously recorded) at the end 

 of several of the feathers in each wing, and taking the form of a 



Showing peculiar pointed tips 

 on wing feathers of male Ptilor- 

 his paradisea shot on Mt. Royal 

 Range, Upper Hunter River, 

 New South Wales, on 28 th 

 August, 1920. 



Shade larger than natural size. 

 small " thorn-shaped " appendage, which followed on at the 

 extremity of the fine shaft end of the feather. — Sid. W. Jackson. 

 6/9/20. 



Nest of the Brown Hawlt. — As regards the question whether the 

 Brown Hawk is its own architect, I may mention that one nest 

 of this bird, built on a dead " apple-tree " (Angophora) near the 

 sea, on South Coast, N.S.W., from the coarseness of the material, 

 seemed to be entirely of its own construction, though I did not 

 see the Hawks actually at work upon it. The species was, I think, 

 Hieracidea orientalis. In other instances I have found this bird 

 add a few coarse sticks — usually to the nest of a Magpie or Crow- 

 Shrike. I have often watched these useful birds rabbit-hunting 

 in small companies on sandy flats near the sea, while they, of course, 

 include grasshoppers and other noxious insects in their diet ; yet 

 they are sometimes (unlawfully) shot as being cliicken -stealers ! 

 The herigora does not, I think, prey on other birds. I have seen 

 a Magpie-Lark calmly perch within two feet of a beyigora, while 



