2 I 6 Graham, Aiyivals mid Dc[^arturcs of Biids, Scott's Creek [i^l^Aprii 



Occasionally a few pairs of Flame-breasted Robins breed in 

 the forest, but do not stay here with the brood through the 

 summer. Other migrants are : — Circus ^ouldi (Harrier), arriving 

 generally in October and leaving in early autumn ; also Grass- 

 Warbler [Cisticola exz/is), arrives in December and leaves in 

 February ; the Snipe {Gailitiago aitstralis) arrives in September 

 and leaves in March ; the Straw-necked Ibis {Gerontiats spini- 

 collis) is a regular visitor from February to June and August ; 

 and the Stubble Quail {Cotiirnix pectoralis) from either October 

 or November to April. Petroeca bicolor (Hooded Robin) is a 

 regular visitor each November, but irregular in numbers — some 

 seasons very few, others very plentiful. 



Stray Feathers. 



In addition to the Blue Wren and Red-browed Finch, mentioned 

 elsewhere, the Barnard Parrakeet {Barnnrdius barnardi) and the 

 Black-ringed Finch {Stictoptera aniiitlosa), owned respectively by 

 Mesdames Johnstone and Williams, England, have bred, it is 

 believed for the first time, in the United Kingdom. 



A " Loveless " Parrakeet. — My Alexandra Parrakeet has 

 laid four lovely eggs, on the i8th, 20th, 22nd, and 24th December 

 respectively. I have had this bird in my possession for about 

 seven years, and this is the first occasion she has produced eggs. — 

 C. French, JUN. Richmond, Vict., 25/12/02. 



COOMOOBOOLAROO (Q.) NoTE. — I have no bird news to tell 

 you except that our little " Shepherd " {R/npidtira tricolor) is 

 still bent on fighting his shadow in the window. (See Eviu, 

 vol. i., p. 147.) Fourteen months he has been at it now with 

 scarcely a break. I think it constitutes a record. The other 

 birds seem a little inclined to breed, and the Scrub Turkeys are 

 just beginning to lay. I haven't taken one egg this year of 

 any kind. We can reckon the drought is broken — at least for a 

 time. — Ernest D.Barnard. 18/12/02. 

 * * * 



Terang (Vict.) Notes. — Ibis came into the district about 

 the beginning of April in immense flocks, attracted by the grubs, 

 which were very bad about that time. The birds stayed on till 

 the beginning of December, though in fewer numbers. I saw a 

 few White Ibis on the 23rd of this month feeding about a tea-tree 

 spring. The first Common Snipe was seen here on ist September. 

 There were very few about this year, owing to the drought. A 

 Painted Snipe was seen nearly a month earlier, but it left before 

 I could get a look at it. A Land Rail was living about the 



