248 Stray Feathers. [^J^ 



April 



The Coachwhip-Bird (Psophodes crepitans).— As there 

 has been much controversy regarding the call of the Coachwhip- 

 Bird, a note on the subject may be of interest. For many years I 

 have been familiar with the haunts of this species, and felt 

 convinced that the curious notes that follow so quickly on the 

 whip-crack call of the male were produced by the female only. 

 However, at Olinda (Vic), on the ist February, 1908, I was 

 forced to change my opinion. In company with Mr. T. H. 

 Tregellas, I heard the male Coachwhip-Bird's call and the 

 answering call of the female. We were fortunate enough to see 

 the birds on the opposite sides of a road. The male bird was 

 anxious to cross, but seeing us, was afraid. On the edge of the 

 undergrowth, as it restlessly hopped about, we had it under close 

 observation as several times it emitted the two calls in con- 

 junction. Finally, growing bolder, the sprightly form, with 

 crest erect, flitted across the road and joined its mate. With 

 Mr. F. E. Wilson, at Beaconsfield, at a later date, I was able to 

 confirm this note. There also the evidence was sure, for the 

 bird was crossing some open burnt scrub. — L. G. Chandler. 

 Malvern. 



* * * 



Double-banded Dottrel. — In a swampy paddock at East 

 Devonport, on i6th July, I noticed 20 or 30 birds which 

 appeared to be the above species {OcJitJiodronius bicinctus), 

 although their wariness prevented a certain identification. A 

 couple of months later, however, a pair of these handsome 

 Dottrels was observed feeding on the beach at Devonport in 

 company with some of the smaller or Red-capped species, which 

 is always to be found here. This was on 15th September, and 

 this morning, at the end of October, I had the pleasure of seeing 

 two pairs of the Double-banded on the beach in company with 

 about a dozen of their smaller brethren. Southern New Zealand 

 is usually regarded as the breeding-ground of bicinctus, but it 

 seems pretty certain that these pairs, if they intend raising a 

 family this season, will breed on Tasmanian shores. On the 

 same beach to-day was a party of eight Sharp-tailed Stints 

 {Heteropygia aiirita),y^xo\i2Lo\y '}wst 2iXx\yt^ from their breeding- 

 grounds in Northern Asia. The Banded Dottrels looked very 

 handsome in summer plumage, the broad band across white 

 breast being very conspicuous ; the narrower band across fore- 

 neck was also distinctly visible. — H. Stuart Dove. West 

 Devonport (Tas.), 30/10/09. 



The Brown Tit (Acanthiza pusilla) as a Mimic. — This 

 useful insectivorous bird is a perfect mimic. On the nth 

 October, 1908, I found a nest of this species with young. The 

 nest was placed in a Leptosperniuni bush, about 3 feet from the 



