Vol. II. ■ 

 1902 



"I Stray Feathers. 29 



shallow, open well in sandy soil, I disturbed a Pardalote {P. 

 inelanocephalus) from its nest. On digging the nest out I found 

 two eggs, both considerably incubated. Surely April is a curious 

 time to breed. 



Dacelo leachii as a Poultry Thief. — This bird bears a rather 

 evil reputation in this district as a chicken-stealer. That it does 

 kill and eat chickens in considerable numbers there is no doubt, 

 for the residents here agree in considering it as bad as a hawk. 

 It deals with chickens just as with lizards, &c., pouncing on and 

 carrying them off to a neighbouring tree, where, after knocking 

 their brains out against a limb, it swallows them whole. The 

 great Kingfisher often seizes the chicks in spite of a brave 

 resistance on the part of the mother. Only small chickens, up 

 to about two or three weeks old, are taken. This bad habit of 

 an otherwise harmless and useful bird will probably lead to the 

 destruction of a large number, the Birds Protection Act notwith- 

 standing. 



A Singular Nesting Site. — A few days ago I found a 

 nest of the Crimson Finch {NeocJiniia phaeton) in a curious 

 position. It was placed in the thatch of a grass-built hut, 

 just below the edge of the roof and close to the door, the 

 hut at the time being occupied by some Chinamen. It was 

 firmly wedged in, the entrance being scarcely visible, and 

 contained three eggs in a very advanced stage of incubation. 

 Though by far the greater number of these Finches build in 

 this district in the pandanus palms, I have often found their 

 nests in growing sugar-cane, wedged in amongst the dead 

 " trash " which adheres to the stalk. Both the Crimson Finch 

 and the Chestnut-breasted {Mnnia castaneithorax) are at 

 present breeding plentifully, and appear to do so all the year 

 round. — Edgar H. Webb. Macknade, N.O., 12/5/02. 



" The Biter Bit." — As Mr. Balke, Presbyterian missioner, 

 was travelling from Ailsa to Warracknabeal, his attention was 

 attracted by something rose-coloured rising up and down from 

 the ground. Drawing nearer, he was surprised to find a Hawk 

 (Harrier) with a Rose-breasted Cockatoo attached to it, the 

 Cockatoo having hold of the Hawk by the two legs (thighs). 

 The Hawk tried in vain to "get at" the Cockatoo till it (the 

 Hawk) was completely exhausted. Mr. Balke finished the 

 Hawk with a stick, and as soon as it lay dead the Cockatoo 

 loosed its grip, and, to Mr. Balke's intense surprise, said, '' Poor 

 Cockie!" Mr. Balke, acting the "Good Samaritan," took the 

 bird home ; but an advertisement brought the rightful owner, 

 who lived several miles from where Mr. Balke came across the 

 fight.— Joseph A. Hill. Kewell, Vic, 3/5/02. 



