68 Bryant, Holiday Trip to Far Upper Murray. [,st ju'y 



from the post-office, and this prevented any sudden disturbance 

 from the head centres of civiUzation, as only two mails a week 

 can reach you. There are numerous rivers and creeks running 

 down the sides of the mountains in these parts of Victoria, all 

 ending in the Murray, and only a short time back they were all 

 stocked with trout ; but if some steps are not taken soon to 

 exterminate the Cormorants all the money that has been expended 

 to make this country a good fishing place will have been spent 



Stray Feathers. 



Avocets. — I saw a pair of Avocets last week near Mungindi, 

 the only pair I have ever seen in North-West New South Wales. — 

 F. C. Morse. Coocalla, Garah (X.S.W.), 10/5/19. 



Swifts Drinking. — While driving my wife and family to Armi- 

 dale (X.S.W.), 2jrd December, 1918, we were following the road 

 between Bingara and Bundarra, which in places runs just along 

 the bank of the Gwydir River. We noticed, while passing close 

 to one large water-hole, a number of Spine-tailed Swifts {Chahira 

 caiidacuta). They were skimming the surface of the water hke 

 Swallows, and we could distinctly see them, every now and then, 

 scoop up the water in the same way that a Swallow drinks. It 

 was a very hot day, probably 110° or 112° in the shade, and it 

 was just noon when we noticed the birds drinking. — F. C. Morse. 

 Coocalla, Garah (N.S.W.), lo/s/iQ- 



A Mysterious Songster. — Sitting out of doors one evening early 

 in March, at about 9 p.m., I was startled by a dehghtful bird- 

 carol, evidently high above our heads. It was a very dark, star-ht 

 sky, and a beautifully mild evening ; the bird was apparently 

 right above our heads. Mr. Allingham, as well, has heard the 

 bird singing at night, also high overhead. One night, when 

 riding home from a camp out near the Fletcher River, he heard 

 it at intervals for several miles, and wondered if the bird was 

 following his course or if the notes came from different birds. 

 It is some years since I heard a Skylark singing, but the song 

 reminded me of the Skylark's song, with a Canary trill in addition. 

 I shall be glad to know if any of our members know anything of 

 this fairy music-giver. — Mrs. A. Black. Pajingo Station, via 



Charters Towers (Q.) 



* * * 



The Unidentified Petroica. — In the April issue Mr. H. V. 

 Edwards writes of " An Unidentified Petroica (Australian Robin)," 

 and adds — " They (the Petroicas) do not breed in immature 

 plumage." His description exactly fits the female and im- 



