172 stray Feathers. [J^^,. 



The Crimson Parrot [Platycercus elegaiis). — A letter signed 

 " Tavistock," in the last Ibis (October, 1914), records a successful 

 attempt to induce a pair of Crimson Parrots {Platycercus clcga)is) 

 to breed in captivity in Great Britain. The writer was surprised 

 to find that the young birds have, with the exception of a few 

 greenish feathers on the wing, " the full crimson plumage of the 

 adult." The writer considered this a " most interesting and 

 remarkable " circumstance. The editors of The Emu were just 

 about to record a similar occurrence in a note on a photograph 

 forwarded by Mr. Randall Smith, head teacher of State School, 

 Wodonga West. The photograph showed a young Crimson Parrot, 

 one of a clutch of three young wild birds taken last year from a 

 nest in a hollow in a eucalypt. Each was, with the exception of 

 a few green feathers on the wing, in the full crimson and blue 

 plumage of the adult. 



Birds and Drought in the West. — I had an interesting trip the 

 other day getting mihtary horses. Thirty miles west of Moora 

 we motored through a flock of 300 Black Cockatoos {Calypto- 

 rhynchiis bmtdini), which flew along in front of the car for nearly 

 a mile. I also saw on that trip some hundreds of Bare-eyed 

 Cockatoos (Cacatiia gymnopis). They were using their long bills 

 to dig up yams in a field. This year, which is a very dry one, 

 has driven the Princess Alexandra Parrakeets {Polytelis alex- 

 andrce) down as far as Three Springs, where several young were 

 observed last season. The spread of settlement in the drought 

 areas in Western Australia will make a great difference to bird 

 life. Bustards are increasing wonderfully, and also Quail of 

 different species, while the lack of cover has driven many other 

 birds back. We are having a dreadful drought this year — in fact, 

 it is the worst year since settlement took place. — E. A. Le Souef, 

 Director Perth Zoological Gardens. Perth, 22/9/14. 



Destruction of Herons. — Strong representations regarding the 

 wearing of plumes of Egrets and other birds were made in Sydney 

 to the Inter-State Commission by the Council of the Wild Life 

 Preservation Societj/ of Australia. It was pointed out that the 

 present proclamation had failed in its object. The Council 

 suggested that the present proclamation be cancelled and a fresh 

 one issued, prohibiting the importation of all plumage other than 

 that suggested by the Council. Among other evidence of local 

 destruction of Herons, it was stated that during the past winter 

 numbers of women were to be seen wearing the sections of the 

 backs of Egrets, undressed in any way, the hat being frequently 

 covered with these sections. One of the vice-presidents of the 

 society, Mr. D. G. Stead, Chief Inspector of the Fisheries Depart- 

 ment, who is now travelling abroad for his department, intends 

 collecting information in America as to the working of the pro- 

 hibition measures in force there. Measures have also been taken 



