172 Littler, Observations from tJic Lannceston District. [ist Jan. 



carrying food in its bill into a large conifer, presumably for its young. As 

 the tree was on the other side of a fence in private grounds I was unable to 

 investigate the matter. This species was exceptionally plentiful in the 

 fields about this portion of the district. 



June 25. — Observed a large iiock of Silver Gulls (Z-arMJ- novce-hollandice) 

 passing over Launceston in a north-westerly direction towards the sea. In 

 all probability they were returning from feeding at some temporary lagoon 

 formed by the late heavy rains. During some winters it is no uncommon 

 sight to see large flocks, often numbering several hundred birds, of this 

 species passing up the valley of the North Esk as far as St. Leonards, on the 

 south-east limits of the district, where they, in company with Crows {Corvus 

 coronoides), Ravens (jCorone aitstralis), and Magpies {Gymnorhina hyper- 

 leucd), feed all day long in the flooded paddocks. Towards dusk they take 

 flight, and either pass over Launceston or return the way they came, taking 

 a short cut to the lower reaches of the Tamar. The distance from the open 

 sea to the feeding grounds is about 46 miles. 



Stray Feathers. 



Western Australian Notes. — Hinmdo neoxenn. — A 

 brood was raised under the North Perth Ferry jetty during 

 winter. The young birds were flying about and resting on the 

 hand-rails of the jetty, and on board the ferry boats in last 

 week in June. 



Cucnlus pallidiis.—^otGd first arrival 5th July, following sonne 

 heavy gales. Simultaneously great numbers of hairy cater- 

 pillars made their appearance in the bush land and gardens. 



Zosterops gonldi. — Obtained a nest containing two eggs at 

 Greenmount, Darling Ranges, near Perth, on 30th August. 

 Saw another nest on 7th September, at South Perth, containing 



one Q.gg. 



Glycyphila fuhnfrons. — C3.Y>i\.\red one of two young ones at 

 Greenmount on 30th August. The fulvous front and black 

 chest lines were not apparent. 



Meliorriis longirostris. — Discovered nest at South Perth on ist 

 September ; no eggs. Two days later visited nest, found two 



.eggs. 



PardaloUis striatus.—SdiW fully-fledged young in old " red 

 gum," South Perth, ist September. 



Ptilotis sonora. — Last month (Aug^ist) saw a Singing Honey- 

 eater fly on to the road, Mends-street, South Perth, and pick at 

 a piece of orange peel, after the manner of a sparrow. — Alex. 

 Wm. Milligan. Perth, 9/9/02. 



* «: * 



Laughing Jackasses in the West.— The Jackasses {Dacdo 

 gigas) turned out here are thriving and breeding well, 

 e.specially about the cultivated districts.— ERNEST A. Le 

 SOUEF, Perth. 



