2i8 Stray Feathers. [J^ 



Emu 



April 



indulging in their eccentric gambols, the day being agreeable, 

 with a light south-westerly breeze. The same evening, however, 

 the wind blew strongly in cold squalls, and next morning there 

 was a high southerly wind, accompanied by a shower. The 

 morning after there was an extremely high, cold wind, with 

 heavy showers, and the night was cold enough for winter, 

 although the season was midsummer. Thus on both occasions 

 was the prediction of the waterfowl amply fulfilled, although at 

 the time they were exhibiting these queer gymnastics the 

 weather was beautifully fine, there being nothing to indicate to 

 the ordinary mortal that a severe change was shortly to take 

 place.— H. Stuart Dove. West Devonport (Tas.), 23/2/09. 



Migratory Notes from Cleveland, Tasmania, 1908. — 

 On the 20th February noticed a flock of seven Spine-tailed 

 Swifts {ChcBtura caudacutd) flying across and travelling north- 

 east. Cold, snow3^-feeling winds prevailed during several days 

 of April, so our migratory birds disappeared rather suddenly. 



\2tli June. — A pair of Swallows {Hirundo neoxemi) seen 

 bathing in waterhole. These Swallows, I believe, have spent 

 the winter here, their chief haunt being some old stables. 



\6tJi August. — Fall of snow. 



22;^^ August. — Many Swallows about. 



2()th August. — Tree-Martins {Petrochelidon nigricans) have 

 returned. 



2nd September. — Heard Pallid Cuckoo {Cucuhis pallidus) for 

 first time. Swallows nesting. 



loth Septeinber. — Small-billed Cuckoo-Shrike {Graucalus 

 parvirostris) back to this district. 



I'jtJt September. — Wood-Swallows {Artainus sordidus) seen for 

 first time. 



20/// September. — Heard and saw Fan-tailed Cuckoo {Caco- 

 mantis ftabelliformis), also Bronze-Cuckoo {Chalcococcyx p/agosus). 



2ird September. — The White-fronted Chat {Ephthtanura 

 albifrons), which had been absent from district for a year, 

 returned. 



Notes on Flame-breasted Robin {Petrcvca phccnicea). — As Mr. 

 A. G. Campbell recently contributed a paper to The Emu, vol. 

 viii., part 3, on the movemejits of the above bird, the two or 

 three notes in my diary may be of interest : — 12//^ /une. — Flame- 

 breasted Robins {P. phcenicea) about. 23^^^ July. — Flame- 

 breasted Robin in lovely plumage. 



_ Brown Kingfisher {Dacelo gigas).—Re this acclimatized bird, I 

 am pleased to state they have nested in this locality for the 

 past two seasons. The flock now numbers about nine, and their 

 merry laughter is frequently heard during the early morning and 

 evening. — (Miss) J. A. Fletcher. 



