242 stray Feathers. [ist^Aprii 



bird, I feel sure it will interest many readers to learn that the bird 

 still frequents, as well as breeds in, southern Victoria. The birds 

 usually arrive here about June, leaving again towards the end 

 of the year, although a few pairs seem to stay on right through 

 the year. The largest number I have seen together was in 1919, 

 when I came across a mob of sixteen ; but as a rule 'they seem to 

 stay in pairs. I have had the good fortune to notice several 

 nests (if such they may be called), all containing one egg only. 

 One egg I found on a large fiat stone ; another between two large 

 stones on the top of a stony rise ; and two others alongside small 

 tussocks. The nesting months are from August to December. 

 During the season 1920, although I did not notice any eggs, I 

 know of four different young birds having been seen. The young 

 Bustard has some peculiar calls, and on being surprised it utters 

 two quick barks, which sound like the bark of a young dog. 

 Another call is a long-drawn-out, mournful whistle, which can be 

 heard for a considerable distance. A bird which I have mounted 

 (shot many years ago) stands just over three feet high. Unfor- 

 tunately, there is no record of weight or measurements. — J. K. 

 Russell, R.A.O.U. Barunah Plains, Hesse, Vic. 



The White Honey-Eater. — One of the most interesting finds 

 of the R.A.O.U. in Western Australia was the White or Alfred 

 Honey-eater [Laciistroica whitei), also called the Inconspicuous 

 Honey-eater, owing to its small size and dull mousey-grey colour. 

 Resembling an Acanthiza, it is little wonder that the bird has 

 rarely been procured. The first specimen — a male — was obtained 

 in 1909 by Mr. F. Lawson Whitlock at Lake Way, in the East 

 Murchison district. Mr. North described the bird as a new genus 

 and species — Laciistroica whitei, a.fter Mr. H. L. White's son 

 Alfred. A full description appeared in the Victorian Naturalist, 

 vol. xxvi., p. 138, and a coloured plate of the bird appeared in 

 The Emu, vol. ix. ; but this plate is somewhat misleading, as there 

 is a certain amount of yellowish tinge about the upper surface 

 of the birds. This is not in the live bird, there being no " adorn- 

 ment " whatever in its feathers. The species was not included 

 in the list in the last issue of The Emu owing to lack of identification 

 until after The Emu had gone to press. The bird was shot in 

 low bushes in very dry country, and its habits and actions 

 resemble those of an Acanthiza. The taking of the bird near 

 Ajana extends the range of the bird a considerable distance west- 

 ward on the Murchison, and nearer to the coast-line. — John W. 

 Mellor. Locksley (S.A.), 27/2/21. 



* * * 



The Gracemere Bird Reserve. — At the invitation of Mr. R. S. 

 Archer, who has been patron of the Central Queensland Native 

 Birds' Protection x\ssociation since its inception, a party of 

 members of the association recently journeyed to Mr. Archer's 

 homestead. After enjoying the hospitaUty of Mr. Archer and 



