48 Sfray Feathers. [,sf jui 



whether or not there is an exceptionally green strain inhabiting 

 the Mallee, I was unable to determine. The White-faced Honey- 

 eater {PHloHs leucotis) and the Yellow-plumed Honey-eater {Ptilotis 

 ornata) were both very numerus. A specimen of Strepera 

 melanoptera (evidently this year's bird) shot showed a very 

 distinct white patch on the wings, common to the allied species, 

 Strepera fusca. It is possible that these mallee birds are inter- 

 mediate between the two forms. Of Parrakeets, Barnardius 

 harnardi and Calopsittacus novcB-hollandice were both met with — 

 of the latter a large flock. The Yellow-rumped Pardalote {Par- 

 dalotus xanthopygius) was present, 4 but not numerous. — Edwin 

 AsHBY. Blackwood (S.A.), 13/3/12. 



West Devonport (Tasmania) Notes. — ^This autumn has been 

 remarkable for the great number of Robins which have frequented 

 our paddocks and gardens. Every autumn this movement 

 towards the towns and villages takes place, but the numbers seem 

 greater than ever this season, especially of the beautiful Flame- 

 breasted species {Petrceca phcenicea), which far outnumber the 

 Scai-let-breasted (P. leggii). As remarked in former notes, the 

 Flame-breasted Robins gather into flocks at the approach of 

 autumn, while P. leggii remains in pairs throughout the year. 

 My friend Mr. H. C. Thompson, of Launceston, agrees with me 

 in thinking that the male Flame-breasted Robin in full plumage 

 is the brightest and loveliest bird in our State. He says, in a 

 recent letter : — " We saw a number of them at the Third Basin, 

 South Esk River, in a rocky paddock. As they stood on the 

 round, dark boulders with the afternoon sun reflected from their 

 glowing breasts, they looked splendid indeed." No doubt it 

 was this fondness for rocky ground which caused the name 

 Petrceca, or " rock-frequenting," to be given to the genus. We 

 have plenty of this species with us still in the second week of 

 June. I am not with those who believe that the birds leave our 

 shores for the mainland at the approach of winter.* The Flame- 

 breast is always with us. 



The Wood-Swallows {Artamus sordidus) always gather in some 

 paddocks near the beach about the autumn equinox. There 

 numbers remain, taking short flights from fences and trees, until 

 a cold snap comes in April to drive them northward. This year 

 the compelling force arrived during the • fourth week of April, 

 when not only the Wood but also the Welcome Swallows [Hiriindo 

 neoxena) cleared off in a body, nor have I seen one since. The 

 Pipits {Anthus australis) seem to have left at the same time, also 

 the remainder of the Pallid [Cncnlus inornatus) and Fan-tailed 

 Cuckoos {Cacomantis rufulus) ; but on i6th May I noticed one 



♦Recently a "Nature Note" published in The Argus stated that some 

 observers, while fishing in the neighbourhood of Port Phillip Heads, noticed 

 a flock of Flame-breasted Robins flying over the sea. There was no doubt 

 the birds were heading inland. But where did they come from ? — Eds. 



