306 STUART DOVE, Tasmanian Xotes. [TiJ^Ap^rii 



The degree of jmeumaticity seems to van-, the femur always 

 enjoying that condition to the fullest extent, and usually the 

 l)roxinial moiety of the tibiotarsus — sometimes the entiie bone. 

 Usually all the bones of the foot, including the tarso-metatarsus 

 are non-pneumatic. 



Eagles as a rule possess a small patella, which is tiat on top 

 and anteroirly, but convex posteriorly; in the Wedge-tail its 

 greatest transverse diameter measures about a centimeter and a 

 half, and rather less in the vertical direction. 



CONCLUSIONS. 



From a survey of all the characters here shown, it would seem 

 that Uroaetus audax is slightly smaller than Aquila chrxsaetos, 

 in so far as its skeleton is concerned, and much smaller than 

 such species as the Monkey-eating Eagle and the Kamchatkan. 

 In its osteology it appears to be most nearly related to the Golden 

 Eagle {AqiiUa chrysactos), and this relationship will probably 

 be supported by the characters presented on the part of the 

 remainder of its morphology, when that comes to be studied. 



Tasmanian Notes 



By H. STUART DOVE, F.Z.S., West Devonport, Tasmania 



Movements of Swifts in Tasmania. — A disturbance arose 

 from south-east on 26th January, 1920 — a vivid flash, a peal of 

 thunder, then rain and high wind, quite cold. Next dav line, 

 but S.E. wind continued. Just before sunset the first of the 

 Spine-tailed Swifts (ChcBtura caudacuta) seen this summer be- 

 gan to come over from North-west, flying rather languidly, 

 ''fluttering" the wings, more than usual, and in small, straggling 

 ])arties, at a height of from 100 to about 200 feet. Tiiey were 

 jiassing from 7 p.m. until nearly 7.30, against the wind ; sky fairly 

 dear. Next morning air (|uite sharp, with frosty tang in it. 

 No more were seen until the end of February, when at 2.30 p.m. 

 several were seen at no great height making their way, one at a 

 time, to the west. At 5 p.m. a large number appeared, at first 

 making way towards S.W. against a strong wind ; they after- 

 wards played about at a great height, then moved away in a 

 north-we.sterly direction, towards the sea. Cithers appeared at a 

 much lower elevation, also making to X.W. Weather cool and 

 windy, after rain, which had succeeded several weeks of heat and 

 drought. On gth March, a pair of Swifts was observed towards 

 evening making away to north-west, wind SAW fresh, fine after 

 rain yesterday. On T4th March, a single bird flew to south- 

 east ; calm, overcast, electric, rain threatening. It was fine, with 

 very strong southerly breeze on 21st March, after N.W. gale, with 

 heavy rain previous day: small party of Swifts feeding about 2 

 miles inland, many flying quite low. 23rd March: Fine Aurora 



