310 Clee, Amongst Birds in Out-back Morec, N.S.W. [,^fX\\\ 



Friar-Birds, both large and small. Amongst other trees planted 

 in the streets are many Queensland silky oaks {Grevillea robnsta). 

 Just now they are in full bloom, and a blaze of golden glory, with 

 scores of honeycups, and the Honey-eaters are here in hundreds. 

 The Green-backed Oriole's sweet note and mimicry is heard on 

 all sides ; but the Friar-Bird is predominant, and is worth coming 

 some distance to hear. After the early morning meal they devote 

 their whole energies to vigorous song and noisy chatter in all 

 languages. An election conference is quite a mild pr<jceeding to 

 the racket amongst the Leatherheads. 



This year, for the first time we know of, the Blue Martins or 

 Wood-Swallows {Artamns) are drinking at the nectar cups in the 

 silky oaks. They rise in a cloud from the trees, uttering their 

 single note and sweet call, and, after circling a while, settle again. 

 In previous years these birds frequented the open countrj^ 

 nesting on myall stumps, fence-posts, and any convenient spot 

 at a little height from the ground, but we have not seen a nest 

 this year ; probably the drought has interfered with their regular 

 habits. 



Your reprint, in the October number of The Emu, page 151, 

 of Mr. Taverner's views and the Canadian Fisherinaji on the balance 

 of nature is very interesting, and we should be pleased to read other 

 contributions on the same subject. At present it looks as 

 though judicious tliinning of Cormorants as well as foxes is 

 advisable in this country, for it is quite indisputable that both 

 Cormorants and Pelicans are making serious inroads on the 

 nation's fresh- water fish supply. 



Variation in the Albatrosses and Petrels. 



By Levekett Mills Loomis, F.A.O.U., San Francisco. 



Fr is part of the work of the systematist to determine the range 

 and character of the variations occurring within the limits of 

 species. That large series are required in these determinations is 

 well illustrated in the Galapagos Albatross {Diomedea irrorata). 

 The bill variations of sexually mature individuals of this species 

 are especially notable. Independent of sex, thirty-three breeding 

 birds, taken at the same rookery during the same season, display 

 marked differences in the basal width of the bill and the conca- 

 vity of the culmen (see Plate LVIII.) The nasal tubes also vary 

 in shape. Even in the same individual the shape of the tubes 

 may be dissimilar. A like discrepancy in the form of the nasal 

 tubes is found among eighty-one specimens of tlie Black-footed 

 Albatross {Diomedea nigrifyes) o]:)tained on the high sea. So far 

 as ascertained, the bill variations of the Galapagos Albatross, 

 described above, are individual variations, the examples in which 

 they occur being sexually mature. Obviously, it is idle to assume 



