Vol. IX. 



1909 



] Stray Feathers. oy 



glow of their breasts flashes into view again. The whole time 

 there is an incessant screaming as they beat backwards and 

 forwards in the same place for perhaps half an hour; then, 

 swooping with a rush of wings cleaving the air, re-forming into 

 flocks — all at a tremendous pace, and flying so closely together 

 that one constantly expects to see a collision, but never does 

 one bird make a mistake ; simultaneously every bird turns and 

 twists in mid-air, until, wearied out, the flock disperses into 

 small groups, which drift away to settle in the grass or trees 

 around. Sometimes the Galahs keep this up off and on all day, 

 and for days at a time. 



" Another such flock I saw on the Warrego a few years ago. 

 Judging by measurements, it must have been over a quarter of a 

 mile long and one hundred yards wide, inside which space were 

 crowded fluttering, flashing forms, alternating in their rose and 

 silver splashes of splendour as they beat backwards and for- 

 wards."— A. H. Chisholm. Maryborough (Vic), 14/5/09. 



West Devonport (Tas.) Notes. — An interesting gathering 

 of the feathered tribes was witnessed during the last week of 

 March in a paddock near the beach at Devonport. The clans 

 consisted of Wood-Swallows in numbers, " Summer-Birds " (a 

 pair, with two young), one pair of Tree-Martins {Petrochelidon 

 nigricans), one of Scarlet-breasted Robins {Petrceca leggii), and a 

 single Shrike-Thrush. 



The Summer-Birds or Small-billed Cuckoo-Shrikes {Coracina 

 parvirostris) fly with what Gilbert White calls " volatfi undoso " 

 — the wavy flight — flapping, then dipping on straight wings, 

 flapping again on the upward curve. This species is tinted with 

 delicate greys, whitish on the under side, black patch on throat 

 and cheeks, dark ends to wings, tail dark with white border. 

 The young appeared not to have the black on throat. 



The Wood-Swallow iArtamus tenebrosus) takes a sailing 

 flight, then flaps, then sails again without dipping. It hops when 

 on terra firma, but those seen at this season did not move much 

 when on the ground, generally dropping straight on their prey 

 from a branch or post, sometimes remaining sitting on the 

 ground, but often returning to the perch. Their food consisted 

 largely of grasshoppers, which were numerous. The Coracina 

 alwaj's flicks its long, pointed wings alternately up and down 

 after alighting ; the Artamus under the same circumstances 

 oscillates its tail sideways, often up and down as well. The 

 head, back, and under side of the latter appear of a greyish- 

 brown, wings and beak of a dark blue-grey, tail dark with a white 

 edge, and the young had a more speckled look than the parents. 

 The pair of Tree-Martins [P etrocJielidon nigricans) was sailing 



