^"''i fo'^*] Royal Austral a si an Oyniihologis/s' Union. 2'53 



been reasonably rt'liai)K' for comparative purposes. I-Jlood slides 

 from several further species were obtained during the trip, and 

 the sizes of the respective red cells are given below. The results 

 confirm in general those previously obtained. Amongst the 

 largest cells were those of the Cat-Bird, Parrot, Crow, and Dove. 

 The smallest cells were those of the Honey-eater [SdiJ^incilnps), 

 Zosterops, Malurus, and Acanthiza. 



Geopelia humeralis, 12. i x b.q microns. 

 Platycercus pennanti, 12.2 to 12.6 x i)A) microns. 

 Cacoviantis fiahelliformis, 11. 4 to 12 x b.() microns. 

 Oreocincla luniilata, 12 x 7 microns. 

 Acanthiza pusilla, 10.8 to 11. 4 x 6.9 microns. 

 Malurus cyanochlamys, 10.5 to 11. 4 x ().() microns. 

 Artainiis leucogastcr, ir.4 to 12 x 6.9 microns. 

 Climactcris leiicophcea, 11. 4 to 12 x 6.9 microns. 

 Zosterops dorsalis, 10.5 to ir.4 x 6.6 microns. 

 Stigmatops ocularis, 10.4 to 11 x 6 microns. 

 Ailurcedus smithi, 12.2 to 13 x 7 to 7.2 microns. 

 Corvus cecilice, 12 x 6.9 microns. 



NORTHERN NOTES. 

 By W. H. D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., Hon. General Sec. R.A.O.U. 

 Leaving Brisbane on 27th September, I arrived at Townsville 

 on 6th October, and left next morning for Prairie, 1,414 feet above 

 sea-level, 205 miles west from Townsville. There was a certain 

 amount of long, coarse grass, but near any settlement the ground 

 was bare. Many nests of White-browed Babblers were noticed 

 in the smaller trees. Mr. J. R. Chisholm drove me from Prairie 

 to " The Plains," about two and a half miles out. The only 

 water came from a bore near the house. Many birds came to 

 drink at the small reservoir ; practically all were seed-eaters, as 

 insect-eaters and birds of prey can do without water. It was a 

 beautiful sight to see thousands of Galahs [Cacatua roseicapilla) 

 in various-sized flocks circling in the sunlight. One flock 

 previously photographed contained fully 10,000 birds. Corellas 

 [Licmetis tenuirostris) also live largely in flocks ; they were nipping 

 off the ends of the green branches of eucalypt trees. Exactly 

 why they do it is difficult to say ; it could hardly be for food, 

 although it may possibly be for moisture. A few bream and cod 

 kept in the reservoir and large corrugated iron tank were thriving. 

 Warbling Grass-Parrots also were in thousands. Elying hurriedlv 

 and taking sips of water when fiying, they returned many times 

 to the reservoir before they were satisfied. Many Elock-Pigeons 

 {Histriophaps histrionica) assembled on the banks ; they came 

 only in small companies or pairs. Other birds noticed were the 

 Pied Grallina, Pipit, Leach's Kingfisher, Plain-Wanderer, White- 

 winged Chough, Black-and-White Fantail, Oriole, Cockatoo- 

 Parrot, a few Sulpliur-crested Cockatoos, Banksian Black 



