ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES. 



Edited by A. F. BASSET HULL.) 



Power of Flight of the Black-throated Grebe. — Much uncertainty appears to exist as to 

 whether the Black-throated Grebe [Podiceps novae-hollandits) is able to fly. Recently I had the 

 gratification of actually witnessing the tight of this species. Across the lagoon that runs past the 

 town of Forbes. N.S.W., a footbridge is built. A group of Grebe, traversing the lagoon, rose with a 

 rapid, though laboured flight, when they came t < > the bridge, reached an altitude of about fifteen feet, 

 and settled again a lew yards beyond the bridge — the total distance flown could not have been more 

 than thirty yards. - E. A. Brownhill, Forbes. 



[All three species of Grebe are capable of long' and sustained flight. Like the Musk ami Blue- 

 billed Ducks, however, they do not exert themselves unnecessarily. — Ed.] 



Nesting Habits of Artamus. — Whilst spending a holiday on the Monaro highlands, during 

 the month of February, 1918. I was struck with the difference in the nesting habits of the Wood 

 Swallow ((Artamus sordidus) in that district, as compared with the Forbes district. In the latter, 

 during the spring months, both A. sordidus and the White-browed Wood Swallow (A. superciliosus) 

 nest in prodigious numbers, placing their nests in any position, no matter how exposed. Not so hi 

 the .Monaro country. In every case I observed the nest was placed in a hollow spout at some height 

 from the ground, and always facing north. Doubtless this position was chosen as a protection against 

 thefrequent cold, bleak, southerly winds so prevalent in the district. — E. A. Brownhill, Forbes. 



Late Nesting of the White-plumed Honeyeater. — On May 17th, on the banks of the 

 Lachlan River, I discovered a nest of the White-plumed Honeyeater (Plilotis penicUlata), and natu- 

 rally thought it was an old structure. On investigation, I found that it contained four fully-fledged 

 young birds. This is surely a remarkable instance of late nesting ? — E. A. Brownhill, Forbes. 



[Many of the Honeyeaters, and notably the Bearded and Fulvous-fronted (Meliornis novae-hol- 

 landits and Glyciphila fitlvifrons) breed just when it suits them. I have observed fresh eggs in the 

 nests of both the last-named species near Sydney in ten out of the twelve months of the year. — Ed.] 



Pelicans at Lake Cowal. — The frequently-asked question, " Where does the pelican build 

 its nest," was answered in the summer of 1916-17, when a breeding colony was formed at Lake Cowal, 

 evoking considerable interest in the minds of bird lovers from near and far. The oldest residents 

 in the Lake Cowal district had not known the pelicans to nest on this lake before. The breeding colony 

 was established on two earth banks surrounded by the lake water, and about sixty chains from the 

 edge. These banks were thrown up when a stock tank was made in the dry bed of the lake. As it 

 partially filled, the banks appeared as two small islands, each approximately sixty feet square. Upon 

 visiting this breeding colony, I found seventy young pelicans in various stages of growth, from the 



