212 Macgillivray, Ornithologists in Noyth Queensland. r,sfA^,ii 



Magpie, which he supposed was referable to the above species, but he 

 did not succeed in getting a specimen. 



Cracticus rufescens {Melloria quoyi javdini). — The Black Butcher- 

 Bird is a very shy bird, and, though common, it is not often seen. It 

 mostly keeps to the scrub. Mr. M'Lennan noted a pair on the 

 Archer River, in the mangroves. 



Cracticus nigrogularis (C. nigvogulans inketmani). — The Black- 

 throated Butcher-Bird was fairly plentiful in the forest country 

 bordering the Archer River. 



Cracticus mentalis {Bulestes mentalis kempt). — The Black-backed 

 Butchcr-Bird was fairly plentiful in the forest country along the 

 Archer River. 



'^ Alike in Difference/^ 



By E. J. Banfield, R.A.O.U., Dunk Island, Queensland. 



For many years past notes have been taken of the dates of arrival 

 and departure of Nutmeg-Pigeons and Metalhc StarHngs at Dunk 

 Island, each observation confirming the opinion that these delightful 

 birds, so unlike in appearance and character, have two con- 

 spicuous qualities in common : both are gregarious, both 

 wondrously precise in habit ; both come to these parts from regions 

 nearer the equator early in August, and fly to warmer regions 

 late in March. Though they haVe not, so far, been observed 

 earlier than August, on two occasions during twenty years casual 

 and embarrassed flocks have lingered after March, one being seen 

 well on in April and another towards the end of May. 



This season the first appearance of the heralds of each species 

 were recorded on 8th August, during anything but welcoming 

 weather. The atmosphere was cool and dull, with high winds 

 and driving rain — just such conditions as seem to be abhorrent 

 to sun-loving birds seeking rest and refreshment after long and 

 turbulent flight. The Pigeons flew about excitedly, as if not too 

 sure of locality, for had they not been taught by experience to 

 expect serenity and light and warmth ? The Starlings darted 

 in droves through the forest, shrieking distractedly, and dis- 

 appeared. Two days after, when the sun began to resume control 

 of local meteorological affairs, the Starlings came again, to forth- 

 with tear in haste and flurry the fragments of last year's nests 

 attached to the Moreton Bay ash tree in the forest. Man^^ new 

 nests were built with all possible speed, and the love-making in 

 the tall, slim tree which has been time out of mind the head- 

 quarters of the most neighbourly colony showed off the sprightly 

 and beautiful birds in most engaging and fantastic attitudes. 

 On 26th September dozens of broken egg-shells were found under 

 the tree. There will be successive broods until the end of 

 January. A pair of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos still nests in the 

 Starling tree, and the Red-backed Sea-Eagles' eyrie close along- 



