Vo j o nI ] Stray Feathers. 2\\ 



Pigeon, which I saw twice, but unfortunately was not able to 

 get a specimen ; the other was one of the small Doves, and I feel 

 sure it is the bird Woodward describes as Chalcopelia a/ra, and as 

 having met it down the coast to the south. I found them very 

 sparsely distributed over the Archipelago in pairs, and I not only 

 procured specimens, but took their eggs, which are deposited 

 on a few twigs, like all the Dove family, and are of a dirty-white 

 colour. The nest is generally placed in an acacia tree, about 6 feet 

 from the ground. The birds seem to keep to the thick under- 

 growth. — (Capt.) S. A. White. Zanzibar, East Africa, 24/9/03. 



From Magazines, &c. 



The Victorian Naturalist, vol. xx., pp. 133-139 (February, 

 1904) contains some " Ornithological Notes on the Grass-Wrens 

 (Amytis) " by Mr. G. A. Keartland. His personal field observa- 

 tions on A. text His, A. striatus, and A. modest a (of which he was 

 the discoverer) are very interesting and valuable. 



* * * 



Magpies as Weather Prophets. — It is noted as a remarkable 

 fact that these birds are this year building their nests on the ground 

 instead of on the limbs of trees as formerly. The statement is 

 vouched for by several old residents, who add that there used 

 to be a tradition among the blacks that when Magpies built 

 in this manner it was a sure sign of a phenomenal visitation of 

 wind in the spring. — Hamilton Spectator , 5/9/03. 



* * * 



Protection to Birds of Paradise. — Sportsmen in British 

 New Guinea, whenever they see a Bird of Paradise, shoot at it. 

 The Lieutenant-Governor of the territory has issued a notice 

 prohibiting the destruction of these birds in most portions of 

 the possession, so that they may not become extinct. Very 

 few feathers taken from the Bird of Paradise are imported into 

 Australia from New Guinea. It is stated that they are sent to 

 Paris, treated there, and then forwarded to the Commonwealth 

 if required. — Argus, 1/ 10/03. 



* * * 



Bird " Charmed " by Snake. — Mirboo North. — A miner at the 

 Iron Syndicate's mine was standing outside his hut, when he 

 noticed a bird on the roof whose actions he thought rather 

 peculiar. The bird dropped almost at his feet. On looking 

 down he saw a big snake making all manner of contortions 

 with its body, and its movements seemed to hold the bird spell- 

 bound. When in the act of seizing the bird the snake reared 

 itself up, and, seeing the man, made towards him. The snake 

 seemed to charm the bird by its contortions and movements, 

 and not, as is generally supposed, by its eyes. On being killed 

 it proved to be a 4-foot tiger snake. — Age, 29/1/04. 



