Vol. XX.-i Stray Feathers. 243 



Mrs. Archer, i\\v nu-inbers of i\\o party took advantage of the 

 visit to inspect the lioundaries of what is known as Archer's 

 Reserve, which, including the mere, has an area of about 1,000 

 acres, and is one of the first areas to be proclaimed as a sanctuary 

 for bird-life in Queensland. Only those closely associated with 

 the movement can realize what an immense advantage has been . 

 the fine sheet of water, known as the " Mere," of long-estabhshed 

 permanence even in dry seasons, and the surroimding country 

 also contained in the reserve, in preserving and perpetuating the 

 water-birds of this country, apart from the historic aspect of the 

 locaUty, where there was ended, in 1853, the overland trip of 

 Messrs. ' Charles and Wilham Archer, a notable circumstance in 

 the settlement of Central Queensland, and where there still stands, 

 in an excellent state of preservation, the home of the Archers. 

 A place more charmingly situated it would be difficult to imagine. 

 Thousands upon thousands of all kinds of birds, large and small, 

 and of great variety, frequent this dehghtful neighbourhood in 

 complete safety from the gunmen, some of whom have at times 

 been very strongly tempted to take a shot ; but, as a rule, the 

 reserve is respected, and the birds themselves know it well. 

 * . * * 



A Hawk Irruption.— Every year, in January or February, we 

 have a wave of Hawks, which, I think, are mostly Collared 

 Sparrow-Hawks. I fancy they are young birds migrating from 

 inland, somewhere where people and guns are not, for they simply 

 rush for and take little chickens, and always try to get the Finches 

 in the aviary on my verandah. Lately one, trying to catch Finches 

 on a lemon-tree, came within a few feet of me. We did not 

 shoot them, but in letters from my neighbours one mentioned 

 shooting nine and others mention a plague of Hawks after the 

 chickens and little Turkeys, that simply had to be shot to stop 

 their carnage. Probably from now on only odd ones will be 

 observed. Talking of birds travelling, last killing morning about 

 100 Crows stopped to eat the offal, and made a dreadful noise 

 all day. Next morning they were all gone, the only ones 

 remaining being the few old residents who are always about, and 

 who take eggs when they can find them. They show marvellous 

 instinct in disappearing when a man goes out with a gun. Really, 

 I am sure we do not average more than two killed by shooting 

 each year. The Butcher-Birds (Crow-Shrikes) are very numerous 

 . and tame here, and come to be fed. One day I killed a small 

 snake, and a Butchcr-Bird came and dragged it all over the place, 

 so I cut it into little sections, and he carried it off to his family. 

 They sing gloriously nearly all the year round here. —(Mrs.) A. 

 Black. Pajingo, Charters Towers (0.) 



Four Eggs in a Clutch of the Desert Chat.— A nest with a clutch 

 of four eggs of the Desert Chat {Ashbyia lovensis) was discovered 

 on 14/12/20 ; locality, Muligan paddock, about 20 miles north 



