Correspondence, Notes, etc.



291



an extent with a tomahawk, I decided to take the bird, which had only a

few feathers. For the first few days after being brought to Melbourne it was

fed 011 honey diluted with water, injected down its throat with a small glass

syringe. The little thing soon learnt to feed itself from a saucer, and was

110 trouble to rear. Nothing delights it more than to be handled and played

with ; its antics on the swing are most amusing. It is now in full plumage,

the rusty markings just appearing on the nape and back. Occasionally it

says a few words, learnt from a Rosella Parrakeet whose cage hangs near.

The breeding season in Victoria appears to be far advanced in October, as

two or three nests found by our party on the same occasion contained fairly

well grown j'oung, always two in number. These birds were very numerous

in the district, and were in company with G. pusillus. Lately they are very

numerous round Melbourne, having been seen in the parks, gardens, etc.,

feeding from the flowering gums. The favourite nest-site seems to be about

18 inches from the opening down the main trunk of a green tree in open

forest. The birds quickly betray their nest by harsh screeching, and only

have to be watched for a few minutes in order to detect the nest.— Fred.

P. Godfrey. 23rd February, 1905.”



CHANGE OF COLOUR AT MOULT.


Sir, —The following letter from Mrs. Gorter seems to me of sufficient

interest to merit publication in the Magazine. As I have pointed out

(British Birds, Vol. II. p. 68) a similar change sometimes takes place during

the moult in our European Goldfinch ; but, as the strength of the bird

increases during the spring months the golden yellow on the head gradually

deepens to crimson. It is quite likely that this may happen in the case of

Mrs. Gorter’s Gouldian-fincli. A. G. ButeER.



Sir, —We have read about the Rev. H. D. Astley’s Gamboge-headed

Finch. I had some Vermillion-headed Gouldiau Finches brought me from

Northern Australia last year. They have been moulting and one of them

shows distinctly new feathers of yellow hue, like a colour-fed canary. I

shall write you later if there is any farther change. I thought it might

interest you. Aeys v. Gorter.


THE FOOD OF BARN OWLS.


[The following letter appeared in the “Field” op Jime

Sir, —On June 13th I examined a tub which had been put up for a

Barn Owl, when the Owl flew out the contents of its dining-room, consist¬

ing chiefly of pellets, and fragments of pellets, and the half of a young

Starling were carefully collected by my man, and were afterwards soaked

in water, with the following results : One young Starling, one Blackbird,

one Greenfinch, eight Sparrows or finches, one Mole, fourteen small Rats,

thirteen Shrews, twenty-five Field Mice, and five doubtful. As usual, there



