ol. III. "I 



1904 I 



Stray Feathers. ^37 



Descriptions of the Eggs of two Tits (Acanthiza). — The 

 reinstatement of the Ewing Tit (A. ewingi) as a sound species in 

 the list of Australian birds has led collectors to examine critically 

 their skins and eggs of Tasmanian Tits. The skins of ewingi are 

 easily differentiated from those of diemenensis, but it would be 

 risky to separate the eggs until thoroughly typical eggs have been 

 taken of each. Mr. Charles French, jun., at a meeting of the 

 Field Naturalists' Club held 18th January last, exhibited a pair 

 of eggs reputed to be those of A. ewingi. They were collected 

 during the season of 1892, and were from the collection of 

 Mr. E. D. Atkinson, C.E. These specimens may be described 

 as elliptical in shape ; texture of shell fine ; surface glossy ; 

 colour white, lightly and sparingly spotted (thickest on the 

 apex) with chestnut or reddish-brown. Dimensions — (1) .68 

 x .5 ; (2) .67 x .5 inches. 



Mr. A. W. Milligan has described the nest of A. robustirostris 

 (see Emu, vol. iii., p. 102), from which nestlings were secured. 

 He has now kindly forwarded me a clutch of eggs of that species 

 collected by Mr. Fred. Lawson, at Wurarga, on the 9th Septem- 

 ber last. They differ from the eggs of most Acanthizas by their 

 bold and bright colouring, almost as boldly marked as, for in- 

 stance, those of some Maluri. Technically described the eggs 

 are : — Oval in shape ; texture of shell fine ; surface slightly 

 glossy ; colour warm or pearly white, blotched and spotted with 

 bright chestnut or reddish-brown and purplish-brown, the more 

 blotchy and heavier markings as usual forming a strong band 

 around the apex. Dimensions — (1) .69 x .47 ; (2) .68 x .48 ; 

 (3) .6" x .47 inches. — A. J. CAMPBELL. 



Little Penguins in the River Derwent. — Little Penguins 

 (Eudy ptula minor) frequent all the approaches to the Derwent, 

 and also the river as far at least as the Bellerive Ferry, where 

 they may be seen darting away from the steam ferry-boats. 

 Mr. Arthur R. Reid informs me that he has seen them at Austin's 

 Ferry, which is about eight miles above Bellerive and about 

 twenty from the mouth of the river. The water at that point 

 is but slightly salt. Amongst islands to which they resort to 

 breed may be named Woody Island, in Norfolk Bay, Wedge 

 Island and Bruni Island in Storm Bay, also Green Island in 

 D'Entrecasteaux Channel. Laying commences in September, or 

 possibly in August ; October, November, and December appear 

 to be the months in which it principally takes place. The eggs, 

 two in number, are laid in a hollow amongst rocks near the 

 water's edge, or under a bush distant a stone's throw or more 

 from the sea. I do not know at what age Little Penguins take 

 to the water ; the opportune moment may be determined by 

 the growth of the stiff tail-feathers. A pair of young birds from 

 Woody Island, on which the nestling down still appeared in small 

 patches, swam with perfect ease (21st October), although on land 



