^"^'iMi^'^'] Slale Sccvclarics' Repor/s. 021 



Perth, some years ago, I noticed a number of [Hover on a tlat 

 near Nangetty Station. (Jn making incjuiries, I found that t]ie 

 owner of the station had imported some from South Australia, 

 and they had increased and multiphed where they were released. 

 At the time, needing a few for the Zoological Gardens, I asked 

 the manager to nip off the wings of a few young ones, so that 

 we would he able to catch them later. He did it, but the 

 old birds killed every young one that had been pinioned. I 

 think they were the Black-breasted Plover {Zonifer pectonilis) . 

 They liave appeared lately on many properties on account of tlie 

 clearing, and seem to be increasing generally. 



I saw quite a number of Kingfishers about, especially near 

 the Vass and Capel Rivers, and I think they are increasing, 

 due to the large number of perch and carp bred in the rivers. 

 The Mallec-Fowl (Leipoa) arc still doing well on the coast in 

 my paddock, but I suppose will disappear when the clearing 

 is done. Domestic cats, gone wild, are very plentiful on the 

 coast, and, as usual, destructive. 



I saw one thing the other day that was of interest to me, 

 although it may be well known to others, and that is a Black- 

 and-White Fantail {Rhipidura mot ac ill aides) eating the large pig 

 lice (Hcematopiniis uriiis). These are the largest lice found on 

 any animals, and frequently cause death to young pigs, and these 

 dear little birds, by clearing them off, are doing a real service 

 to mankind. 



Another thing I noticed was, owing to tlie drouglit in tju' 

 North, we have had a large iiumber of Goshawks [Astiir crucntiis) 

 in the Zoo, and the difference in the sizes of the sexes is most 

 striking. Although a large number have been shot, others seem 

 to come, and some of them come after the chickens practically 

 in the dark. The other night, driving the ponies past a pad- 

 dock with high netting round it, I saw one of these Goshawks 

 attacking a hen sitting on chickens, and it was so dark that 

 I had diifftculty in seeing what it was, but it flew up into my 

 face and left the matter in no doubt. 



In the evening of a hot, humid day there was a large swarm 

 of white ants in our stable yard at the Zoo, and a pair of 

 (ioshawks were flying after them and eating tlicm flying, just 

 like Swallows after insects. I never knew before that termites 

 were included in the menu of these birds, but there is no doubt 

 about it, as, ho'm^ very interested, I watched them for some time. 



E. A. Le SouiiF, 

 .S7((/(: Secretary for Westcr)i Australia. 



Queensland. 

 Since the last report the membership of the R.A.O.U. in Queens- 

 land has continued to increase, and now is considerably higher 

 than ever before. Progress is also the watchword of the Gould 



•21 



