216 Shay Notes.


for supposing that it will do well and become established in

Regent's Park. It is a beautiful species, grey in colour, with an

upstanding crest and a long tail which it is in the habit of throw-

ing up over its back on alighting on a branch. The primary and

secondary wing-coverts are conspicuously ornamented with iride-

scent colours such as blue, green, and bronze. It is a hardy bird,

of rapid flight and well able to take care of itself. Twenty-one

specimens of this species have been obtained.


The Australian Brouzewing Pigeon (see illustration) is a

larger bird than the Crested Dove and an extremely handsome

species, the wing-coverts glistening in the sun like so many

emeralds and rubies. Ten specimens of this fine bird are

amongst the birds obtained for this experiment. The remaining

birds comprise three species of Turtle Doves, which call for no

special remark.


The birds have been housed and fed by and at the expense

of the Zoological Society of London, to whom those who have

organized this experiment are much indebted. D.S-S.



STRAY NOTES.



Writing from Hyeres on March 26th last, Mr. St. Qnintin sends some

interesting notes on the early migrants. He writes : — " As regards migrants,

I heard the Wryneck on March 13th at Mentone, and many times after-

wards, and saw and identified the House Martin on March 18th, and Chimney

Swallows, also at Mentone, on the 24th and 25th. This place, Hyeres, is a

great landing place for birds, but they are harrassed terribly by the pot-

hunters for restaurants. Spotted Crakes are killed in large numbers. The

likely^ places in the saltmarshes near here are jealously preserved, and the

authorized person seems to work the area at his disposal several times a

da)', with pointers generally, but with nondescript curs also. I saw a man

one day fire both barrels at a White Stork which sailed in over his head,

evidently fatigued. It seemed quite close to him, but I was glad to see it

settle in the marsh about 300 yards behind him and arrange its feathers.

So it was evidently not really hurt. As far as I can make out all shooting

comes to an end the last week in April."



We recently had an enjoyable motor-cycle ride to Bath, to see the

newly-arrived collection of Australian birds at " Thel,ittle Zoo. ; " but as Mr.

Astley has written an account of this interesting place we will say no more



