172 stray Feathers. [ xs^"jan. 



to the above-mentioned species. As the conspicuous black band 

 of lower throat changes in winter to ashy-brown, it would not 

 be easy to distinguish at a distance, nor would the chestnut band 

 below. The wings were somewhat curved, and it was a pleasing 

 spectacle to watch the flock rise simultaneously, fly some distance, 

 then wheel before alighting. 



Pipit {Anthiis aiistralis). — Although a certain percentage of 

 Pipits is always to be found here, yet the bulk of them appear 

 to migrate. On 30th August I noticed a pair, with a single one 

 hard by, on the grassy parade by the river, one of their favourite 

 haunts. These seemed to be new arrivals, their plumage being 

 of a very light brown, as if they had undergone a moult just 

 previous to their return. On 2nd September I saw a Pipit soar 

 from a grass-paddock, rising, not in spirals like the Sky-Lark, 

 but in long, graceful undulations, uttering the while a short, 

 sibilant strain, and after reaching perhaps 50 feet of altitude, 

 descended with the same curving flight, still singing. Some- 

 times, after reaching the climax of the flight, this bird will give 

 one or two downward curves, then descend to earth in a long 

 slope and silently. 



Flame-breasted Robin {Petrccca pJiwniced). — On the branch of 

 a pine tree near the water, just where three smaller branches 

 grew out, I discovered the nest of a pair of Flame-breasts, 

 containing three young in the downy stage, on 31st August. 

 This is, I believe, quite as advanced as anything yet recorded 

 from Victoria of the same species. The parents are both in 

 brown,* not a trace yet of colour on the male. The only 

 difference I can detect is that one appears rather stouter in 

 build than the other, and the breast of one slightly darker. 

 The nest is built of stringy-bark fibre, with some portions 

 of web stuck on the outside, and is about 8 feet from the 

 ground. The young are fed quite fearlessly while I am sitting 

 close to the tree. 



I should like to record the finding of a Pink-breasted Robin 

 {Petrceca rJiodinogastra) within the town boundaries here. 

 Certainly we have some rural spots within the town, and this 

 was at one of them ; but it is remarkable, for all that, as this 

 species is usually confined to fern gullies and forest country, 

 and is of shy and retiring habits. On the morning of 4th Sep- 

 tember, as I passed a thorn hedge, leafless, but covered with 

 dry needles from the pines overhead, and only 100 yards or so 

 from the sea, a male Pink-breast in fine plumage flew from the 

 hedge and disappeared among the pines. Was not able to 

 locate it again, but will keep the spot under observation, as I 

 am in hopes there may be a pair there and that they will nest. 



Pipits {Anthus australis) have now (6th Septemtjer) returned 



* It has not been previously recorded that this Robin breeds before the male has 

 acquired his nuptial phimage. The fact is interesting. — Eds. 



