May 1945 The Queensland Naturalist 
119 
and mocking not ten feet from my desk. Many familiar 
bird-calls are being used, intermingled with the bird’s own 
calls. 
The Grey Butcher-bird, C. torquatus , is well known 
as an accomplished mimic, but few have heard the pied 
bird. To my thinking its power of mimicry is superior 
to that of the Grey Butcher-bird. 
I heard a rare performance a little time ago when 
five birds — two adults, one bird of the October, 1941 
hatching which has not quite reached its full mature 
plumage and two birds of the October, 1942 hatching 
which are still in their immature colour* — were all sing- 
ing and mocking together. Many bird-calls were imitated 
so perfectly that it seemed that at least twenty species of 
birds were calling amongst my trees in the garden. The 
several calls of the male and female Koel were given. 
Mimicry seems to be confined principally to bird-calls. 
The- only animal call noted is the peculiar high-pitched 
and foal-like whinny of one of my horses. This sound has 
been apparently fixed on the birds’ minds as it is 
frequently given, and often, when I have whistled an 
imitation of the horse’s neigh, the bird has repeated it 
immediately and much more perfectly than my effort. 
REQUEST FOR INSECTS FROM QUEENSLAND 
The following letter has been received from Mr. K. 
Pairey, 4 4 The Manse,” Yaas, New South Wales. Any 
member of the Club who may be interested is requested to 
write to Mr. F'airey direct. 
Dear Sir, 
Is there any member or friend of the Club who could help me 
to get some information and specimens of certain Queensland 
insects ? 
I would, of course, if they wanted, try to do the same for them 
with N.S.W. insects. 
The ones I would want belong, mainly, to the groups Hymeno- 
ptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Diptera. If there is anyone who 
would do this for me I would supply details of the specimens which 
I want. 
Trusting you will try to help me in this matter. 
*Th§se notes were received in October, 1943, 
