Vol. XXI. 

 1922 



Stray Feathers. ]69 



Two eggs of the Blue-winged Kingfisher (Dacelo leachii) 

 with two eggs of the Northern T>lue Mountain Lorikeet (Triclio- 

 glossiis novtc-hollandicc scpteutrionaUs) in same nesting hole; 

 noted by Mr. W . McLennan near Coen, Cape York Peninsula, 

 North Queensland, on 25th October, 1921. When first observed 

 (22/10/21) the nest contained one egg of each species. 



Stray Feathers 



Eg-g-s of Black-ring-ed P'lnchi Stizoptcra auuulosa). — A clutch 

 of 5 eggs in my collection possesses very small specks of black, 

 well distributed over the larger ends of the specimens. Collected 

 by Mr. W'. IMcLennan on Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory, 

 on June 15th, 1921. Another clutch containing 7 eggs was 

 taken by ]\Ir. R. Hislop at Cooktown, North Queensland, No- 

 vember 4th, 1898. These eggs also possess black s[)ecks on their 

 larger ends. — Henry L. White "Belltrees," Scone, N.S.W., 

 9/12/21. 



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Albino Australian Pipit or Ground Lark i Anthus australis). 

 — A white specimen of this bird was noticed by the overseer 

 (Mr. J. Telfer) with one of his men. The bird was a young 

 one, and was noticed to be weak on the wing, so they imme- 

 diately gave chase. The bird kept going for about quarter of a 

 mile, reaching a rough gorge, where it took shelter for a time. 

 On being disturbed again, it flew up and down the side of the 

 gorge, until getting into open countr}\ Making off, it flew into 

 a very thick swarm of grasshoppers, which seemed to upset the 

 bird, and Mr. Telfer was able to get his hat over it. — A. B. 

 Bettingtox, R.A.O.U., "Brindley Park," Merriwa, N.S.W., 

 30/11/21. 



* * * 



Hawk and Dottrels.— While on the bank of the Merriwa Creek 

 one day lately, I noticed a Collared Sparrow-Hawk (Accipiter 

 cirrhocephalus) make a dart at three Black-fronted Dottrels 

 (Charadriiis mclanops) that were running along the edge. To 

 my astonishment the Dottrels dived into the stream, and keep- 

 ing under the water, made for the opposite shore. On the Hawk 

 turning again, the same thing was repeated, and so on for half 

 an hour, when I left. It is the first time I have ever seen a Dot- 

 trel take to water. A most remarkable feature was the direct 

 dive; they went in like stones, sometimes 15 feet from the shore. 

 Some time elapsed between each swoop. After making a miss, 

 the Hawk went direct to an "Oak Tree," and waited until the 

 Dottrels took to the wing. He missed them badly each time, 

 and the Dottrels did not seem more nervous than usual. — A. B. 

 Bettingtox, R.A.O.U., "Brindley Park," Merriwa, N.S.W. 

 30/11/21. 



