72



Corresponde?ice



ZEBRA FINCHES IN THE WILD STATE


In a very interesting paper, published in the January number of

The Emu, Mr. W. D. K. MacGillivray describes an expedition to a spot

in the north-west corner of New South Wales to study the habits of

the Flock Pigeon (Histriophaps histrionica), a species that has recently

reappeared in large numbers after many years’ absence. We shall hope

to refer, in our next number, to his success in watching the Pigeons,

but his note on some of his companions at his camp may be quoted

here :—


“ There were two cane grass sheds, remains of the old homestead,

near by our camp ; these had been taken possession of by Chestnut¬

eared Finches, which had numerous nests in the roof and sides at all

stages of construction, and others containing eggs or young at all

stages of incubation or growth respectively. The Finches were also

nesting in the framework of an old dray. A long, low sandhill, about

a mile out on the plain, and which was topped by stunted hop-bushes,

needle-bushes, a few mulgas, dead finish, and one whitewood, had as

its only bird inhabitants numbers of Chestnut-eared Finches and a

few Crows. The Finches were nesting everywhere. They increase

enormously in a favourable season, like the present, and die in thousands

in a time of drought, often by sticking to a drying waterhole till all the

water has gone, and then not being able to reach any other water.”



