1902 J 



Stray Feathers. \0<^ 



Moor-Hen flew on board, very much exhausted. The date was 

 loth June. The ".stray" was caged and cared for, and began 

 to feed at once. It is now the property of one of our members, 

 Mr. S. Drayton, and is doing well at Brighton. — A. J. C. 



* * * 



The Double-banded Dottrel {OchtJiodroinus bicinctus) 

 appears to visit Victoria regularly on migration. Writing from 

 Geelong in July Mr. C. F. Belcher writes : — " Hundreds of 

 Double-banded Dottrels are on the flats between St. Albans and 

 the Breakwater, mostly on the training track. Nearly all in 

 immature plumage." During the same month strings of these 

 Dottrels were exposed for sale in the Melbourne market. — 

 A. J. C. 



•TT W TV 



Wild Bird Shows. — The various Melbourne bird shows 

 were generally a success this year. In Parrots alone some 30 

 species were exhibited, including the Alexandra Parrakeet 

 {Polytelis alexandrce) from the interior, and the Smutty Parrakeet 

 {Platycercus browni) from the Northern Territory. The Rosella 

 section at the South Suburban Canary Show had 35 entries — a 

 "lively" task for the judge. Queensland Grass-Finches appear 

 to be gaining favour, but none not previously shown were 

 exhibited. A decided novelty was a pair of Honey-eaters 

 {Meliornis novcB-JiollandicB) exhibited by our member, Mr. 

 Edward D'Ombrain. 



It is a pity that these interesting exhibitions are divided, and 

 only form so many " side-shows " to dog, poultry, &c., exhibi- 

 tions. Could not a National Bird Show be held, after the 

 manner of the famous bird shows at the Crystal Palace, 



England ?— A. J. C. 



* * * 



The Dire Drought. — Various Notes. SxncQ the end of 

 April the following species have been appearing here, no doubt 

 being driven to seek for food on the coast on account of the 

 severe drought now prevailing inland : — Gyninorhina tibicen. — 

 Very plentiful everywhere, feeding about the ploughed fields in 

 flocks of 10 to 20. Cracticiis robustus. — Also fairly plentiful. 

 Crows (both Corvus and Corone). — Very numerous ; residents 

 say they never noticed so many, and accuse them of eating the 

 corn I Grallina picata. — Though resident in fair numbers all 

 the year, this species is now very plentiful. Large flocks may be 

 seen feeding anywhere, and I notice them about sundown 

 flying across to the timber on the other side of the river in 

 hundreds. Besides these species Halcyon pyrrJwpygia is 

 numerous, for I saw no less than seven along the fences in one 

 afternoon, and have noted others since. This speaks for the 

 severity of the drought, for the K.ed-backed Kingfisher is, I 

 think, considered a strictly inland species ; and Macknade 



