64 Stray Feathers. [isf July 



H. longiro'Stris) lay in numbers along the coast. The eggs are 

 much alike in size and colour ; still one can usually tell the 

 different species. The Pied Oyster-catcher's eggs are rounder, 

 and the deep brown spots larger and less numerous than on the 

 Black J bird's. The latter bird lays either among the seaweed, 

 well above high water mark, or on the mesembryanthemum 

 in the clefts of the rocks, while the Pied species prefers the sea 

 beach. 



The Hooded and Red-capped Dottrels {Mgialitis cucullata and 

 .£. ruflcapilld) lay to a considerable extent along the coasts. 

 The Hooded merely scratches a hole in the white sand over- 

 looking the beach. The nest is easily traced by the numerous 

 marks of the parents in the vicinity. It occasionally lays in 

 the coarse gravel, where the eggs are very hard to locate, owing 

 to their similarity to the surroundings. The Red-capped Dottrel 

 generally lays close to the sea amongst debris cast up by the 

 waves, and occasionally on the bank. 



Mountain Ducks (Casarca tadornoides were known to breed 

 on Clarke Island many years ago, but appear to have gone 

 elsewhere. A pair occupied the hollow top (about 30 feet from 

 the ground) of a dead gum tree, and if one struck the tree the 

 beautiful bird would fly off, to return later when the coast was 

 clear. — J. D. MacLaine. 27/12/02. 



TAWONGA (VlCT.) NOTES. — 5th July. — The smaller insectiv- 

 orous birds are somewhat scarce on the flats. The customary 

 number of " Fire-tails " (Finches) and Buff-rumped Tits came as 

 usual ; but the Robins, which came towards the end of April, 

 disappeared again, and now are represented by a few birds. 



1 2th July. — Last Sunday I noticed a Water-Hen among the 

 rushes on the roadside at the foot of Creamer's Hill (Dederang). 

 It seemed to be nesting. Ducks are plentiful in the lagoons. 

 A few Cockatoos visit Tawonga Reserve at long intervals. 



26th July. — During the week a flock of White Cockatoos 

 visited a newly-sown paddock. Until now few " Cockies " have 

 been seen, but it seems that fresh earth soon attracts them. 

 They feed in flocks, each with its sentinel in some dry tree, and 

 for such noisy birds they are very quiet. Sometimes birds are 

 caught in rabbit traps set in the paddock and baited with a 

 few peas or some grains of maize. This misfortune does not 

 rid the farmer of the rest of the pests, for they continue feeding 

 in the neighbourhood of the trap. Perhaps there is some truth 

 in the bushman's statement that the Cockatoo never fears what 

 he sees. 



2nd August. — Some Ibises which were seen on 5th, 12th, and 

 19th July, are still about, but make no sign of nesting. The 

 popular knowledge that they are good eating makes them shy. 

 (Do they know that steak is tenpence a pound ?) 



9th August. — The Plovers seem to be preparing for nesting. 



