The Emu. 
Cracticus cinereiis is a true " Butcher Bird " in its habits, and 
has apparently the same propensity for " spitting " its prey on 
thorns as its English namesake, which, however, is a true 
Butcher Bird {Lanius). I base my belief on finding a few 
years ago a freshly-killed Blue Wren {Malurus gouldi) " spitted " 
on a large sweetbriar thorn in a hedge close to a grove of 
trees frequented by the Butcher Bird. 
3. Ephthianura ALBIFRONS (Jard. & Selb.), White-fronted 
Chat. 
This interesting little bird is a marked illustration in Tasmania 
of an exodus of certain species alluded to by Gould so many 
years ago. Climatic influence — great droughts, prevailing heavy 
rains, or sudden storms, and the like — cause, no doubt, those 
movements which locate species in a district or province wherein 
they were never before observed. In his "Handbook" the author 
in question states that the Ephthianura is not found in Tas- 
mania, though common in the Strait islands. That it should 
not, therefore, be found on the north coast (so far as I can 
ascertain) is remarkable, for its first appearance, as recorded, was 
in the Sorell district, not far from Hobart. It was noticed there 
in the seventies, and from thence extended gradually to the 
midlands and along the east coast. About fifteen years ago 
it was first seen in the Ross district, and is now more abundant 
perhaps in the gorse flats in the valley of the Macquaric than 
anywhere else. To reach this part of the island it had high 
ranges to cross, probably taking in the flat lands above the 
Derwent, at Bridgewater, in its migration, for there it has for 
many years been firmly established. It delights in the gorse- 
covered paddocks on the Macquarie, and in the breeding season 
every little isolated patch has its pair, with the young troop 
accompanying them, the male bird uttering its peculiar, lonely 
little note — " Pianng" — by way of warning to its brood. 
Some eight years ago it appeared as far north as Falmouth, on 
the east coast, having no doubt reached there by way of the 
open littoral tract of country from Spring Bay past Swansea* to 
the north, along which it also occurs. How far north of Fal- 
mouth it has settled down I do not at present know. In this 
locality it frequents the sand-dunes, open shore paddocks, raised 
pebble reaches, &c. It may be seen close to the tide-line, flitting 
from boulder to boulder, and darting up several feet into the air 
at passing flies and insects. In the Bridgewater district it has 
the same habit of frequenting the borders of the Derwent 
estuary, where there are reedy and rushy flats instead of the 
op^n grassy " dunes " of the east coast. The habits of this 
Chat are most interesting. During the breeding season, when 
the female is aroused from its nest it flies to the ground, and 
\yith _ extended and fluttering wings runs and tumbles along 
i. : .. |):erhaps followed the coast down from Bank Strait. 
