^°';9^/^-] Stray Feathers. I7I 



Island Sanctuaries. — In a letter received by Mr. D. Le Souef, 

 C.M.Z.S., the Director of the Zoological Gardens, Melbourne, 

 Victoria, from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and 

 Stock, it is stated that the Government has proclaimed Raine 

 Island, Hinchinbrook Island, Gould Island, Garden Island, Agnes 

 Islet, Eva Islet, Channel Rock, and the Barnard Group as reserves 

 for the protection of native birds. The lighthouse-keeper at 

 North Barnard Island has been appointed the ranger for the 

 Barnard Group, and at present the authorities are in communica- 

 tion with two selectors on Hinchinbrook Island in connection 

 with their appointment as rangers of that place. The assistance 

 of the Police Department is also being sought to prevent any 

 breach of the Acts on the islands for which no ranger can be 

 appointed. The R.A.O.U. is extremely gratified at the action 

 taken by the Queensland Government. 



* * * 



Bird Protection.— As an illustration of the fact that an ardent 

 oologist may also be a bird-lover, the following birds have reared, 

 or are rearing, young during the present season within a radius 

 of 50 yards of my office where I write this :~Geopelia placida, 

 Psephotus hcematonotus* Halcyon sanctus* Cuciihis inornatus, 

 Chalcococcyx plagosus, Hirundo neoxena* Petrochelidon artel* 

 Micrceca fascinans, Rhipidura tricolor, Seisura inquieta, Lalage 

 tricolor, Coracina rohtista, Acanthiza chrysorrhoa, Malurus cyano- 

 chlamys, Artamus sordidus, Artamus super ciliosus, Colluricincla 

 harmonica, Pachycephala rufiventris, Pardalotiis punctatus,* 

 A phelocephala leucopsis,* Ptilotis penicillata, Ptilotis chrysops, 

 Zosierops ccvniJescens, Grallina picafa, Tropidorhynchus cor- 

 nicidatus, Stagonopleura guttata. — H. L. White Belltrees Scone 

 (N.S.W.), 28th October, 1914. 



Starlings Useful. — An interesting statement regarding the 

 value of Starlings has been made by Mr. H. B. Slaney. He 

 states: — "I am convinced that the Starhng is a most valuable 

 bird to agriculturists in southern Victoria. Certainly, my ex- 

 perience is not very great, but I know of no birds south of the 

 Divide, equal as far as numbers are concerned, which visit our 

 farms and pasture lands and consume such vast quantities of 

 caterpillars and insects as the Starlings. I saw none of these 

 birds leave for their nests with less than three caterpillars in its 

 beak. One morning I observed several making for the nests with 

 their beaks so full that they had to settle on the ground, and, after 

 emptying their beaks, swallow some of the food before they' could 

 make a fresh start. I know that they are troublesome to fruit- 

 growers who leave their trees unprotected, but to agriculturists 

 and pastoraUsts their value is inestimable." 



* Breeding in artificial nesting-places. 



