I02 Stray Feathers. [j^.^ 



Emu 

 Oct. 



and one of the sort that has been frequenting the same ridge for 

 1 8 months past. Skinned both birds for identification, and also 

 a small yellow-breasted bird, which is a stranger to both of us. 

 The white-headed Dottrel has not been noted here before, 

 although Mr. Menzies has shot numbers of the others at different 

 times, and seen them constantly.* 



The ridge these birds like is of red soil, covered with boulders 

 and pebbles of white limestone, and affords splendid protective 

 colouring — in fact, it is almost impossible to see them till they 

 fly. It is very probable that they nested here last year, as on 

 23rd October Mr. Menzies flushed a sitting bird on the road 

 between Longreach and Ilfracombe, about 10 yards from the 

 track. After diligent search he secured three eggs, partly incu- 

 bated, and tells me the ground at the spot was strewn with 

 boulders and pebbles of brown stone. Another Dottrel frequents 

 the margins of all the larger waterholes, and apparently does 

 not migrate, as Mr. Menzies has taken their eggs, and I have 

 seen them at all seasons, and could easily procure a specimen if 

 wished for. 



The Little Whimbrel visited the downs last year, but I 

 have no note of the date ; large flocks of them were seen, 

 but they seem to shift about more than the Dottrel. The 

 country is mostly black volcanic downs, and has been devoid 

 of grass for nearly two years, except in isolated patches. Got 

 two small Plover, and saw one Spur-wing, which frequents a well 

 and is a solitary bird. While helping Mr. Menzies to feed 

 sheep on hay and chopped-up wattle tree, got Crow (or Raven), 

 beautiful purple-black, with pearly white iris and dense black 

 pupil. Iris tinged with light blue on inner edge, and a little 

 muddy brown on outside edge. 



23rd June. — At Retro siding six Butcher-Birds and four 

 Magpies were very tame, and were very dexterous in catching 

 any scraps thrown to them. One handsome Black-throated 

 Butcher would take a bit held up between the fingers. 



In addition to the great mortality amongst the birds in this 

 district — first from the heat wave, and then from failure of food 

 supplies — I am afraid that cyanide of potassium, laid for 

 opossums, is proving fatal to hundreds. Should an invading 

 army of locusts or caterpillars make their appearance when the 

 drought breaks, there will be a most deplorable dearth of volun- 

 teers to do them battle. — F. B. C. Ford. Survey Camp, via 

 Springsure (Q.), 30th June, 1902. 



The Season 190 1-2 was the driest experienced here for 

 some years, and hence a good deal of bird life was either 

 conspicuous by its absence or a decided shortage in its numerical 



* The Dottrels, including a remarkable white-headed one, appear to be the 

 Oriental (Ochlhodrotmis verediis), while the yellow-breasted bird is the Orange- 

 breasted Chat {Ephthianura mirifrons).~Y.\i^. 



