^°';,^,^' ] From Magazines, &'C. I20 



New Australian Birds, — In tlie Bulletin of the B.O.C., 



No. clx.x.. Mr. (i. M. Matlicws describes the following new 

 birds : — McUor)iis iii^^ra ditlciei. Irom Albany, W.A. ; Acanthiza 

 albivcntris hainiltoni, from New South Wales ; Acanthiza iredalei, 

 from Lake Way, W.A. ; and Mr. Tom Iredale describes as new 

 Cindoramphus rufescens mathewsi, from Yalgoo, W.A. 



In Bulletin No. clxxi. Mr. Mathews describes : — Piezo- 

 rhyiichus nitidus wardelli, from Cooktown, North Queensland ; 

 Diaphorillas striatus howei, from Kow Plains, Victoria ; Myzomela 

 obscura harterti, from Cairns, North Queensland ; Coracina melanops 

 tasmanica, from Tasmania ; Artamus tregellasi, from Rockingham, 

 W.A. ; Butoridcs rogersi, from North- West Australia. 



In the Novitates Zoologies, vol. xviii., there are described : — 

 Gerygone albigularis rogersi, from Derby, North-West Australia 

 (with nest and eggs) ; Alisterus cyanopygius minor, from Cairns, 

 North Queensland ; and the eggs of Poephila personata belcheri. 



Bird League at Belltrees. — In the Public Insiruction Gazette 

 of New South Wales for 30th June, 1911, is published an 

 interesting article, entitled " How I Formed a Bird League at 

 Belltrees," by Mr. S. A. Hanscombe, who is the teacher at the 

 local public school. Mr. Hanscombe is very enthusiastic, and 

 has the help and advice of Mr. H. L. White, of Belltrees, as well 

 as being able to refer to his magnificent collections and library 

 of ornithological works. He has achieved a signal success in 

 inculcating a love of birds in the young folk of the district. An 

 extract from his article will give an idea of the work accom- 

 plished : — " Having obtained the active support of the manager 

 of Belltrees Station, Mr. H. L. White, and other local residents, 

 I drew up the rules for our League, and obtained the signature 

 of each pupil wishing to join. In this course no pressure was used, 

 and none was needed. I admitted children only, as I had by now 

 the active support of all the residents. . . . My task was now 

 a most enjoyable one, as immediately I had the necessary charts 

 drawn out for the wall I had many willing volunteers to subscribe 

 thereon the information they already had. I provided a day-book 

 for miscellaneous notes, and at the end of the week the older pupils 

 would, in turn, take this day-book and enter up all bird notes 

 on the wall charts. Any doubtful notes had to remain over for 

 further observations. The ])ui)ils, I found, soon preferred to give 

 their observations orally, and then be questioned on them. I 

 allowed much freedom, and allowed trustworthy boys to bring 

 me two nests and eggs of any species they saw ; but I never 

 allowed, on any conditions, a boy to take half a clutch of eggs. 

 By so doing, birds were saved from rearing half-broods, and those 

 whose nests were taken rebuilt and reared full clutches. Two 

 nests and eggs of each species were taken, if possible — one from 

 a green tree and one from a dead tree. Why ? To illustrate 

 the wonderful methods Nature devised for protection of nest and 



