ol. X. 



igio 



1 Stray Feathers. ^35 



Swamp-Hawks (Circus CxOULDi). — On 14th December, igog, 

 I found and photographed, in a wheat-field at Manilla, a nest of 

 the Swamp-Hawk (C. goiildi). The nest was composed of twigs, 

 which measured from | inch to i inch in circumference. It was 

 placed in the centre of a loo-acre paddock, situated 2 miles from 

 the town and about i mile from the nearest water. The farmer 

 stripped the grain with a harvester without injury to the fledglings, 

 and was unaware of their presence until he had clriven the machine 

 over their heads, when he discovered them huddled together on 

 the twigs in the standing stubble, the nest being only slightly dis- 

 arranged. — H. BuRRELL. Manilla, N.S.W., 17/5/10. 



Movement of Wood-Swallows. — A great spring migration of 

 Wood-Swallows {Artainns teiiehrosus) is taking place to-day, from 

 about E.N.E. to VV.S.W. ; light breeze oft" the sea (south) during 

 morning. I first noticed them shortly after g o'clock this morning, 

 and at mid-day the}^ are still passing, in small parties, at varying 

 heights, the lowest apparently about 150 feet ; others at double 

 that altitude ; some higher yet, so as to be almost invisible. They 

 are not steering a direct course, but sailing about in deliberate 

 circles, perhaps capturing some winged prey as they go ; never- 

 theless there is a general drift in the direction stated above, and 

 eventually the parties disappear in that quarter, apparently fol- 

 lowing the coast-line, by which route many will by-and-by pass 

 over Melbourne, and so to the interior of Victoria. This agrees 

 with an observation made at Essendon about three years ago, and 

 recorded at the time, where this species appeared to be coming 

 in numbers from the south at springtime. This was explained by 

 their having followed the coast-line from New South Wales along 

 East and South Gippsland until they approached Port Phillip, and 

 then steered north-west, passing over Essendon on their way. — 

 H. Stuart Dove. Cunninghame (Vic), 5/g/io. 



Wild Parrot Pets. — The picture (Plate XT) shows a lady (Mrs. 

 Alex. Innes, of Pratolino, Touisa Creek, Mackay) engaged in her 

 daily pleasurable task of feeding a number of Blue-bellied Lorikeets 

 {Trichoglossus novcB-hollandice). The birds are all absolutely wild 

 — none of them have ever been confined in any way — but they 

 have learned that no harm can happen to them at this house, and 

 when the lady calls they come by the dozen for the food she offers 

 them, and settle all over her shoulders, head, hands, &c., and on 

 the table, which is placed on the verandah for their special benefit. 

 Needless to say, Mrs. Innes loves the birds, and they have learned 

 to trust her implicitly. They nest in the trees in the vicinity of 

 the homestead, and it is intensely interesting to note that the very 

 first flight of the young birds is to the bountiful table supphed 

 by the gentle lady who loves them so. Mrs. Innes delights to see 

 the young birds come ; they are a bit shy at first, but soon become 



