Vol. III. 

 1903 



Stray Feathers. 12 1 



25th May, Wolfang. — First frost. Red-capped Robin and mate 

 at camp. 



26th, 27th May, Wolfang. — Wood-Swallows holding " referen- 

 dum," flying high and very excited. 



24th June, Malvern. — About 500 Wood-Swallows passed over- 

 head just at sunrise, flying high and due north, keeping a straight 

 course until out of sight. 



14th July, Clermont. — Plenty of Masked Wood-Swallows. 

 Betcherrygahs feeding young. Fairy Martins and Magpie-Larks 

 building near lagoon. 



24th to 31st July. — Plenty common Wood-Swallows building; 

 got nest with eggs , also eggs or young of Magpies, White-winged 

 Chough, Finches, Tree-runners, Tits, Pardalotes, and Flycatchers. 

 Got Pale-headed Parrakeets fully fledged. Cockatoo-Parrots very 

 plentiful ; no nests found. Honey-eaters' nests noticed, but not 

 visited. — F. B. C. Ford. Clermont (Q.), 18th August, 1903. 

 * * * 



Quails. — I noticed some time ago in one of the daily papers a 

 reference to Quail having been washed ashore in numbers on the 

 south-east coast and in Western Port. I have made the most 

 searching inquiry, and fail to find anyone who can throw any 

 light on the subject locally. Very seldom a week passes without 

 my travelling the coast line between the Eastern Passage of 

 Western Port and Cape Patterson, and I have not seen any traces 

 of Quail washed up. Had such been the case I would have 

 certainly noticed it. 



Sportsmen visiting this district appear to be astounded at the 

 scarcity of Stubble Quail this season, and all put it down to the 

 extension of the close season, apparently forgetting the fact that 

 last year excellent shooting was to be had up to June and July. 

 They one and all say the birds have been here and gone before 

 the season opened. I have always been a close observer of Quail, 

 and have noted that if a good Quail season is followed by an early 

 and wet winter, the birds stay with us right on, and a wet season 

 is always followed by a number of birds. 1892 was one of the 

 best seasons we have had in this district ; the birds were plentiful 

 on the highlands round San Remo in silver tussock grass cover, 

 and I noted that in the early part of the season they frequented 

 the tops and northern slopes of the hills, whilst not a bird would 

 be found on the southern slopes, although the whole country is 

 apparently of the same nature. After the first April rains the 

 birds left the high lands and packed on the neighbouring flats. 

 I think they leave the hills when the rain causes the grass seed to 

 germinate, and seek insect food on the lower country. After 

 June I saw very few. Observers will note that Quail are not the 

 only birds that are scarce this year. In our part the Cuckoo 

 family were conspicuous by their absence ; only a few of the 

 Pallid species put in an appearance. Wattle-Birds are scarce 

 compared with other years, and Ducks have not been seen at 

 all. — P. L. C. O'Shannassy. San Remo, 20/5/03. 



