Vo: 

 1Q03 



"•] Stray Feathers. 2 I-9 



had removed the maggots was dead, and the larvae had dis- 

 appeared from the other, which was doing well. Later in the 

 season we found another nest with the young in a similar state ■; 

 also that of a Grey-tailed Thickhead, with 1 1 large maggots in 

 one of the young and four in another. In each case one young 

 bird was free. I had not an opportunity to see if the latter 

 lived, as someone took the nest and young. A friend of mine 

 also found the young in a Goldfinch's (introduced) nest afflicted 

 in like manner. Those he removed the larvae from died. We 

 have only observed this in one district, and would be glad to 

 know if others have noticed the same thing. — H. C. THOMPSON. 



Launceston. 



* * * 



More about Mutton-Birds. — When coming out of Otago 

 Harbour on Sunday, the 26th November, some of these Petrels, 

 in immense numbers, were settled on the water and feeding on 

 what is locally known as " whale-feed " — small shrimp-like 

 creatures about an inch long, and which at times are so numerous 

 as to colour the water for acres brick-red. It was almost calm, 

 and as we drew up to the birds a passage was opened up through 

 them as we passed. It was amusing to watch their efforts to 

 escape — many of them were so filled as to be unable to fly, and 

 attempted to escape by diving and paddling frantically away 

 from the vessel. It was noticed that many, in their efforts to 

 escape, ejected the reddish substance they had been feeding 

 upon. They appeared to extend several miles north and south 

 of Otago Heads. We also noticed birds off Cape Farewell Spit 

 lighthouse, but not in such great numbers as the preceding. 

 After leaving the Bluff we noticed them in Foveaux Strait, and 

 came across large numbers 30 or 40 miles westward of Solander 

 Island. There were also with this last lot a number of Whale- 

 Birds, or Prions. — (Capt.) WiM. Walter, s.s. Westralia. 



Western Port Notes. — Real Curlews made their appear- 

 ance early in August, and were fairly numerous by middle of 

 September. Their numbers were considerably increased during 

 October, and by the end of November they were to be seen all 

 over Western Port Bay, at the spots favoured by them. On 14th 

 September a nice flock of a score of Whimbrel was observed, 

 together with Bar-rumped Godwit, Sooty Oyster-catchers, 

 Pelicans, Sandpipers, &c., on " Bird Rock." Golden Plover, 

 Marsh Tringa, and Greenshank were noticed in October, but in 

 limited numbers as compared with some seasons. Swans were 

 numerous and Ducks scarce ; neither nested locally, owing to 

 all swamps being dry or nearly so. A few Snipe made their 

 appearance early in September, but, owing to scarcity of water, 

 were only seen in isolated pairs. I visited the rookery of Pied 



