90 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



The two ornithologists who joined our party at Prince's Bridge 

 station accompanied us as far as Cheltenham ; but as the inevit- 

 able gun formed a part of their equipment, their sudden 

 disappearance must be put down to consideration for the feelings 

 of the more nervous. Their course lay along the tramway track 

 until the ti-tree scrub was reached, passing on the way several 

 Sordid Wood Swallows whose conduct indicated that their nests 

 were near. Superb Warblers, Black Fantails, and Australian 

 Pipits were also noted, but as rain threatened, the friendly 

 shelter of scrub proved acceptable. On viewing the Bay, 

 Gannets, Bass's Straits Terns, and Silver Gulls were seen skim- 

 ming over the water. Skirting the scrub for a short distance, the 

 notes of the Pallid Cuckoo were heard. New Holland Honey- 

 eaters were very plentiful on the Banksias, which, being in 

 blossom, proved very attractive to them, and discoloured their 

 plumage. Near the roadside, in a leaf of dead bracken fern, a 

 Sericornis had built its nest and was rearing its brood. Here the 

 little White-shafted Flycatcher, Robins, &c., were noted ; while 

 in the scrub Burmese Doves and Yellow-breasted Robins were 

 heard. On the homeward track towards Sandringham, two 

 Brush Wattle Birds were shot, and many others seen. A young 

 Mountain Thrush next flitted across the road, accompanied by 

 the parent bird, thus proving that although the months of 

 October and November are regarded as the best ones for the 

 oologist, many of our birds lay as early as the beginning of July. 

 Pace had to be quickened now to catch the train after a pleasant 

 but rather unsuccessful outing. 



ORNITHOLOGICAL. 



POLYTELIS ALEXANDER, OR THE PRINCESS OF 

 WALES PARRAKEET. 



To the Editor of the Victorian Naturalist. 



Sir, — ^With much pleasure I have read Mr. Augustus Forbes- 

 Leith's letter regarding this bird, and I trust I shall be able to 

 satisfy him that it is a distinct species and not a hybrid between 

 Polytelis melanura (the Rock-Pebbler) and P. harrabandi (the 

 Green Leek). 



Since the date of my former letter, which was reprinted from 

 the South Australian Register of 23rd August, 1890, into your 

 February number, I have been informed by Mr. S. G. Hiibbe, of our 

 Civil Service, that he many years ago shot similar birds in the 

 neighbourhood of the Hanson and Woodforde Rivers, and within 

 the past few months Dr. E. C. Stirling, who accompanied our 



