THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 179 



524. PsEPHOTUS H^MATONOTUS, Gould, Rcd-backed Parrakeet. 



I have seen an albino of this species which was shot from a 

 flock of these birds, but it presented no strong contrasts. 



533. Melopsittacus undulatus, Shaw, Warbling Grass- 

 Parrakeet. 



In author's collection, Irom Kalgoorlie, W.A. 



This bird, a male, received from Mr. L. D. Cameron, has a 

 misplaced primary quill, leaving a vacancy between the fifth and 

 seventh primaries of the right wing. It has grown out of the 

 back, immediately to the right of the centre of the lumbar region, 

 that is, on the side nearest to the wing having a feather short. 

 The feather extends three-fourths of an inch beyond the rump 

 feathers, and appears to be quite perfect, compared with those 

 between which, under ordinary conditions, it should have been 

 placed. How this misplaced feather affected the flight of the 

 bird would be interesting to know. 



In the report of the Calvert Exploring Expedition, " Trans. 

 Royal Soc. S. Australia," vol. xxii., part 2, p. 171, reference is 

 made to yellow birds of this species having been seen on three 

 occasions. 



562. CoTURNix pectoralis, Gould, Stubble Quail. 



(a.) In National Museum collection. 



This specimen is pure white, with the exception of a few small 

 blotches of brown at distances from each other. One is at the 

 rear of the junction of the tarso-metatarsus and tibio-tarsus, a 

 second is behind the shoulder, a third at the bases of the right 

 lateral rectrices, another on the occiput, with two on the nape 

 and two on the neck. The brown and black pigments of the 

 regular plumage have failed to develop. This specimen is whiter 

 than (b). 



(b.) In collection of Mr. Andrew M'Gregor. 



General appearance greyish-white. The crenate markings on 

 the upper surface are white against the surrounding grey ; the 

 slate along the broad axis of each contour feather is whitish and 

 prominent ; head light brown, with lines along shafts of feathers 

 white. Primaries whiter than rest of plumage. Bill and feet 

 dark. 



Female bird, taken at Beveridge, Victoria, March, 1898. 



I have heard of a hybrid quail, but have not had an oppor- 

 tunity of examining it. 



Dr. Schufeldt has examined a hybrid grouse, and found certain 

 differences in the osteology of it and the nearest species (Auk, x., 

 p. 281). 



591, PoRPHYRio melanonotus, Temm., Bald Coot. 

 In National Museum collection, Melbourne. 

 The sides of chest, head, hinder neck, back, tail, together with 



