124 Campbell, Victorian and Tasinanian Birds. \ J"™^ 



■ ' Lsth Jan. 



Artamus sordidus (Wood-Swallow). — More difference than 

 might be expected exists between the Tasmanian and the main- 

 land birds. Both the bill and the tarsus of the former are longer 

 slightly, while the outer web of the fourth primary, which in 

 the mainland specimen is, together with the second and third, 

 broadly marked with white, is only slightly edged. The white 

 markings on the tips of the tail feathers are smaller in size, but 

 these possibly, and maybe the' markings on the primaries as well, 

 vary with the age of the specimen. 



There yet remain several species of which measurements 

 should be sought, and comparisons made with their congeners 

 across the Strait, for with the material available for this article 

 the whole field could not be traversed. Again, further data 

 may throw more light on the instances already cited, as re- 

 liance cannot always be placed on the evidence of one or two 

 skins from one quarter. Whole series are required of specimens, 

 not only from the different districts of Tasmania, but also from^ 

 the several parts of Victoria, or Australia even, where the genus 

 or species is found, before the facts, either for or against new 

 and separate species, can be definitely stated. 



Field Notes on Some Birds of the Casterton District 



(Victoria). 



By (Dr.) E. A. D'Ombrain. 



The following notes, compiled from observations by Mr. W. 

 M'Lennan and myself, may prove interesting to ornithologists. 

 Any notes concerning the habits of birds must at least be of 

 some value, by reason of the light they throw on the inner life 

 of our avifauna. 



The district is a very large one, watered by the two rivers, 

 the Glenelg and the Wannon, which unite to form a fine stream 

 close to the town of Casterton, whence it takes a very circuitous 

 course south, to open into the ocean at Nelson, on the southern 

 coast. 



Amongst the birds to which these notes refer are :— 



Magpie {Gynmorhina leuconota). — On a table-land about 3 miles 

 from Casterton, a pure albino has been caught, having just left 

 the nest, on two occasions in different seasons, 1902 and 1903. 

 The question arises — Is not each bird from the same parent 

 or parents ? I intend keeping a watch for another this season. 

 The captives are still alive, and are pure albinos, with pink eyes 

 and pale legs and bill, in which is a warm tinge.* 



* [This suggests a question as to the presence or absence of colour. Though 

 neither black nor white can in any sense of the term be called a colour, yet there are 

 phases in the infinitude of gradations between these extremes which may be so called. 

 Black and white are virtually the positive and the negative in a field where light is 

 absorbed or reflected. The intermediate angles of reflection, absorption, or distortion 

 give all the rest. From the author's point of view some problems are, perhaps, more 



