^'','^,^'] stray Feathers. 21 3 



alxjut () inches deep, and were vigorously at work over their 

 morning meal. With one of their long legs they would disturb 

 the bed of the pool, and for the next few moments their heads 

 would be very busy. Apparently the object was to disturb the 

 larv.T and such hke at the bed of the pool, and then promptly 

 catch them.— S. A. H.anscombk. State School, Belltrees (N.S.W.), 

 20/11/ I I. 



* * * 



Near Broken Hill (N.S.W.) — I have just been out back for about 

 three weeks, with indifferent success from an observer's point of 

 view. I saw one nest only of the Grey Falcon {Falco hypoleucus), 

 and that contained young birds. I saw several pairs of Black 

 Falcons (F. siibuiger), but no nest. However, I found three 

 nests of the Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis), the first that I have 

 observed. Chats {Ephthianura) were far less common than usual, 

 hardly any Song-Larks {Cindorhaniphus), and most of the smaller 

 birds had bred early. Whistling Eagles and Allied Kites were 

 in far greater numbers than I had ever seen them before. I could 

 easily have taken 50 or 60 clutches of the former had I bothered 

 to do so. Goshawks {Astur approximans) were also common. 

 All had clutches of three eggs except one of four, which were just 

 hatching. My old Buzzard {Gypoidinia) had deserted its former 

 site, but I found another nest with two eggs just hatching. When I 

 peeped over the edge I got rather a start, as several young Parrots 

 {Baryiardnts harnardi) ffew out of a hollow just beneath the 

 Buzzard's nest. Langawirra Lake held more water than usual, 

 and presented many beautiful views, as all the marginal trees 

 were standing in water. It was pretty cold, too, wading from 

 tree to tree, with an occasional immersion up to the neck, searching 

 for Ducks' nests. Red-kneed Dottrel (Erythrogonys) were numerous 

 and all paired, but not breeding. One day, when driving a four- 

 horse team through a scrubby part, eight Emus [Dromceiis) came 

 out to look at us. When we pulled up, these line creatures came 

 and made a thorough inspection of the horses and trap, coming 

 within five yards of us, and did not mind my getting out of the 

 trap for a nearer view. What a snapshot for a camera man, I 

 thought ! — (Dr.) W. Macgillivray. Broken Hill, N.S.W., 

 6/10/11. 



* * * 



Descriptions of Nests and Eggs from Cape York. — Ninox pen- 

 insularis (Cape York Owl). — Set of two taken by Mr. W. M'Lennan 

 near Piara, Cape York, on 6th August, 191 1. 



Eggs. — Rounded oval in form, close-grained, smooth, and slightly 

 lustrous, measuring — (i) 44 mm. x 38 mm., (2) 45 mm. x 38 mm. 

 Mr. INLLennan's field-note : — " About four miles from Paira, on 

 the Lockerbie track, I flushed an Owl (iV. peninsularis) from the 

 branches of a Moreton Bay ash ; flushed another from a hollow in 

 a tree close by. Nest contained two eggs. Hollow in a big wart, 

 40 feet from the ground, 18 inches in diameter, 13 inches in 



