230 Two ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES. 
Two Ornithological Notes, 
By the Epirors. 
PLATYCERCUS EXIMIUS. 
The appearance of a pair of Parrakeets, indigenous to 
Australia, flying at liberty on a Scottish moor is sufficiently 
uncommon to merit brief notice. 
In August, 1913, these birds were observed by the tenant 
of Birset, parish of Mouswald, sitting on a moor gate. Fora 
few days they frequented the vicinity of the farm, their bright 
plumage rendering them easily detectable. In an effort to 
capture them the birds became separated, one of them ap- 
pearing the next day in Mouswald village. After several 
fruitless attempts, Mr Robert Dickson, the blacksmith there, 
captured it, and though it has twice managed to escape, it is 
still (August, 1917) in his possession. It is a fine healthy bird 
of the most brilliant colouring and good plumage. It imitates 
all sorts of whistles, by which means it was located when it 
escaped. 
The other bird turned up in Rockhall woods, and was 
shot there by Mr Veitch, factor to the Hoddom estate. It 
was stuffed and placed by Mr Jardine Paterson in Brockle- 
hirst, being happily saved from the recent fire in that mansion. 
The birds had obviously escaped on to the moor, but the 
original owners have never been traced. 
These parrakeets are called Rosehill parrakeets, from 
the place in New South Wales where they were first seen and 
now abound. They belong to the genus platycercus. A pair 
of stuffed specimens in poor condition and very drab colour- 
ing is to be seen at the Maxwelltown Observatory. 
TurDUS MERULA. 
Mrs Maitland Heriot reports that early in September, 
1917, these appeared in the garden at Whitecroft, in the parish 
of Ruthwell, a white bird, which no one could at first recog- 
nise. ‘It was very closely observed, and was identified as a 
white blackbird. Its principal habitat was the wild garden 
by the pond, where many birds gather to feed on rowan 
