194 ^^''^^ Feathers. [J^^n. 



Swallow's [Petrochelidon nigricans) nest, built in a hollow 

 gum branch, I found three young birds, partly fledged, and 

 beside them was huddled a large green frog. Seeing some 

 long feathers projecting from beneath the frog's body, I caught 

 hold of them, and presently pulled out an adult Swallow, the 

 female bird, apparently, which was much ruffled and rather dazed, 

 but still able to fly. Had she endeavoured to resist the frog's 

 intrusion and been overcome ? It is certain that, without my 

 aid, she could not have extricated herself. What was the frog's 

 object in entering the nest ? I do not think that it meant to 

 make a meal of the young birds, for they were unharmed. I tried 

 to eject the frog, but it crawled further down the hollow. I have 

 observed several unusually large clutches this year, such as 

 Scaly-breasted Lorikeet {Psitfeuteles chlorolepidotus), three eggs ; 

 Whistling Eagle {Haliastur sphemirus), three : White Cockatoo 

 [Cacatua galerita), four ; and Grey Jumper {Stnithidea cinerca), 

 six eggs. In contrast was the nest of a pair of Crows (Cor v its 

 coronoides), which I took at Fairymead, in company with Mr. 

 Arnold Young. We were unable to dislodge the bird from the nest 

 until I was half-way up the tree, when she dashed off. Usually 

 a Crow leaves the nest while the intruder is some distance away. 

 This nest contained only one egg, which was discoloured and 

 showed every sign of long incubation. White Cockatoos were 

 " thrown off their balance " this season by the winter rains. They 

 nested in numbers in August, which I have never known them to 

 do before. Usually in this district one can depend on the 

 Cockatoos nesting almost to the day — about the second week in 

 October. — Ernest D. Barnard. Gladstone, Queensland, 26/10/12. 



Flame-breasted Robin in Tasmania. — In the past autumn and 

 winter I have kept careful records of the Robins, and find that, 

 undoubtedly, the Flame-breast [Petrceca phanicea) remains with 

 us all the year, as does the Scarlet-breast [P. leggii). On i^th 

 April (1912) my journal records : — " Many Flame-breasts now in 

 the paddocks about the town, some of the males with most vivid 

 breasts ; the colour seems, in many instances, brighter in the 

 autumn than in the spring, owing, perhaps, to many of the young 

 males donning their livery in the former season for the first time. 

 16/A May. — Flame-breasts, in both red and grey plumage, feeding 

 in newly-ploughed paddock, in which are also White-fronted 

 Chats [Ephthiamira albifrons) and Pipits {Anthus aiistralis). 6th 

 Jtine. — Flame-breasts still in evidence, feeding in grass paddocks 

 adjoining Don road. yth June. — Four of the same species in 

 splendid red, accompanied by several greys, seen in the morning, 

 as well as a pair of Scarlet-breasts. 14th June. — A pair of Scarlet- 

 breasts were perched on the overhead electric wire, the male 

 singing. 18th June. — ^Two pairs Flame-breasts in small paddock, 

 the males in fine red; others seen in a larger paddock. 20th June. — 

 Two male Flame-breasts in plumage, with about half-a-dozen 



