1 I 2 MlLLIGAN, Description of a New Acanthiza from II. J. [isfo'ct 



narrowly ; under surface of tail feathers ash-coloured, with dis- 

 tinct transverse bars of a deeper colour ; beak, legs, and feet 

 black ; irides dull brown. Flesh measurements — length, 3.6 ; 

 wing, 2.3 ; tail, 1.8 ; tarsus, .7 ; culmen, .45 inches. 



There is little difference between the sexes in appearance, 

 except, perhaps, that the female has a shorter bill and narrow 

 greyish-white edgings to one or two of the tail feathers. 



Types. — In the Western Australian Museum, Perth. 

 l " I beg to distinguish the new species by the scientific name of 

 Acanthiza pallida, and by the vernacular one of " Pallid Tit." 



Stray Feathers. 



Swallows on 'Change. — Last week a pair of Swallows {Hirundo 

 neoxend) suddenly appeared in the city and took up their abode 

 under the verandah of the Launceston Stock Exchange. Every 

 summer a pair nests under this verandah. Woe betide anyone 

 who attempts to molest the birds on their nest ; the members of 

 the 'Change are very jealous of their little feathered friends. — 

 Frank M. Littler. Launceston, 23/6/03. 



[Re this bird an interesting note is given by Mr. T. Carter, 

 in his " North-West Notes " in this issue. — Eds.1 



Homestead Notes (North Queensland). — We have eight or 

 nine different Finches here now, two or three breeding — gouldice, 

 cincta, and castanotis. Saw a nice mob of about three dozen 

 of Mioiia pectoralis a few days ago. First week in May I saw a 

 nest of Moreton Bay Rosellas {pallid ice ps) taken out of gum tree 

 by a timber getter — three young birds well feathered and two 

 only just hatched. Only one small spout in the limb of tree, so 

 there was certainly only one nest. Was very much puzzled at 

 time. This must have been a similar case to one mentioned by 

 you in Emu. I think the drought must be the cause of so many 

 birds nesting out of their usual time. — John H. SMEDLEY. 

 * * * 



WOOD-SWALLOWS AS HONEY-EATERS. — Re remarks in last issue 

 ot The Emu (page 68), I have kept two pairs of Wood-Swallows 

 for the last seven months. They were turned out into an aviary 

 in which there was honey for some Meliphagidce. No sooner 

 were the Wood-Swallows at liberty than they made their way to 

 the pot, and seemed to recognize it as a natural diet. At present 

 they live principally on fruit and honey, with a little lark food 

 and occasional insects by way of a treat. They visit scented 

 flowers, but I do not know whether in search of honey or not. 

 The brush tongue would seem to indicate that honey was in the 

 wild state a food sometimes used, though perhaps, as in the case 

 of some honey-eating Parrots, not necessary always to sub- 

 sistence. — (Miss) Helen Bowie. Clifton Hill, near Melbourne. 



