jq5 From Magazines, cS'C. [^, 



Emu 

 St Oct. 



Although the majority of the birds were obtained at Inker- 

 man, Mr. Stalker, the collector, obtained some on Mount Elliot, 

 at the back of Tovvnsville, and on Mount Abbot, in the Bowen 

 district. It was on the former mount that the new Sphecothei'es 

 was found — a somewhat remarkable discovery so near a 

 populous town. Two male adults were shot during December 

 1907, from a flock of 68,* and are stated to be most nearly allied 

 to 5. sah'adorii of New Guinea. 



The new Tree-runner — Neositta magnirostris — of which an 

 excellent coloured plate is given, was procured at Inkerman, 

 14th March, 1907. It is closely allied to N. striata, "but differs 

 from that bird by its generally larger size, and especially the 

 longer and more massive bill," &c. 



Correspondence. 



THE CAPE BARREN GOOSE. 



To the Editors of " The Eviur 



Sirs, — I quite agree with Mr. Armstrong that the Cape Barren 

 Goose is not holding its own, I have been in close touch with 

 this fine bird for the last 20 years on the lakes and swamps near 

 Mount Hamilton, in this Western District of Victoria, which is 

 its chief stronghold. Mr. Frank Smith is evidently speaking of 

 this same country when he speaks of his 1,000 birds, but I 

 doubt if this number could be mustered. I know that flocks of 

 200 can be seen on one or two favourite feeding grounds, 

 perhaps nearly as many as 20 years ago ; but I also know of 

 other feeding grounds not quite so good that are now practically 

 deserted. What has become of the large flocks that used to 

 frequent the shores of Lakes Corangamite, Gnarpurt, and the 

 lakes north of Camperdown ? Would Mr. Smith say that they 

 are still plentiful there ? I am told — but my information may not 

 be correct — that these birds used to frequent portions of the 

 Gippsland lake district, and some saltings near Port Fairy, and 

 some portion of South Australia, and that they are not seen 

 there now. Being of such a wary nature, it will be a long time 

 before this bird is exterminated, but before that danger arises it 

 must be protected all the year round. 



It is pleasing to hear that Messrs. Maclaine Bros, do not 

 break the eggs on their islands, but if reports are true there 

 are some person or persons who do. 



I only know of one instance of these birds nesting wild in this 

 district, but Mr. Dennis, of Eeyeuk, has bred them for some 

 years in captivity. — I am, &c., 



ERNEST G. AUSTIN. 



* ? 6 or 8. — Eds. 



