102 Stray Feathers. [ist%"ct. 



flight. There were also several fertile eggs. The birds do not 

 stray at all, and, though they are in a wood which is on the 

 extreme outside of the park, I have never seen a single bird 

 outside, nor have I seen them in any other part of the park, though, 

 as you know, they have their complete liberty. We can only 

 catch them by feeding them into traps. We do not feed the 

 chickens until they come to the ordinary winter feeding for Brush- 

 Turkeys and Pheasants together." 



From Magazines, &c. 



Montebello Islands. — The Geographical Journal (July, 1913) 

 contains a general and interesting article on these islands by 

 P. D. Montague. The islands are off the coast of North-West 

 Australia, and about 40 miles from the nearest mainland. Mr. 

 Montague had in his party the late Mr. L. Burns, whose obituary 

 notice appears in this issue. Mr. Montague remarks that 

 ten small land-birds are found in the group, the majority of which 

 agree with types from the north-west mainland, but two are 

 sub-species not elsewhere recorded — one a very pale form of 

 Anthus. named A. montebelli* the other a dark sub-species of 

 Eremiornis, called E. assimilis* Of the birds of prey, the Osprey 

 (Pandion) was the most abundant. Two pairs of Sea-Eagles 

 {HalicBetus leucogaster) were also found nesting, and a few pairs 

 of the White-headed Sea-Eagle {Haliastur leucosternus). The 

 latter species fed largely on rock-crabs. The mangroves were 

 much frequented by Brown Honey-eaters (Stigmatops) and a 

 species of Ground-Dove (Geopelia), which roosted in the thick 

 trees during night and from, the heat of the day. The nesting 

 season varies according to the rains, said to be usually January 

 or February ; but after a shower in July a small percentage of 

 these birds began breeding. 



Correspondence. 



THE R.A.O.U. " CHECK-LIST." 



To the Editors of " The Emu.'' 

 Sirs, — I am sorry that Mr. A. W. Milligan should have drawn 

 personalities into his defence of the "Check-list." This should not 

 have been done, because I feel quite sure that all the members 

 of the " Check-list " Committee, except Mr. Milligan, know me well 

 enough not to credit me with any wish to be personal. I contend 

 that, in spite of Mr. Milligan's argument, the Tasmanian session 

 did not represent the ornithologists of Australia. The majority 

 at every session is composed of trippers, or. if you like, call them 

 " bird-lovers." How could anyone, who thought for a moment, 

 adopt the list when they had not the slightest knowledge of what 

 it contained ? 



* Montague, Austral Avian Record, vol. i., p. 181. 



