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THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. : 215 
thers of which kept somewhat worn through the bird always 
living on the ground. The wings developed properly about 
three months ago, but the bird made no attempt to fly away. 
During the whole period that the bird was in my possession 
it was fed on raw meat, varied every now and then with 
sparrows, starlings, rats and mice, and it is interesting to 
note that it has never had a drink. of water during the whole 
period. It seemed to show an aversion to water right from 
the start when attempts were made (failing the bird helping 
itself) to pour water down its throat. | On each occasion that 
this was attempted, the bird would struggle and shake its 
head violently from side to side, both while it was being held, 
and after. It must needs, therefore, have utilised only the 
water present in the flesh of the meat, and of the animals, 
given to it as food. The native Australian name in the Col- 
larenebri district for this specieg is ““G'oo-G'o0-ga-ga,’’ which 
became the bird’s pet name while it was in my keeping. The 
specimen is now undergoing a drying process after preserva- 
tion by the formalin method.’’ y 
DotpHins v. SHARKS.—One sometimes hears of battles 
between Dolphins and Sharks, but seldom obtains anything 
reliable relating thereto. The following occurrence, there- 
fore, reported by a Fisheries Inspector, at Port Stephens, 
will be of general interest to naturalists and others. 
On the 23rd. April, of this year, while the two Brothers 
‘Smithers were Dolphin-hunting near Broughton Island, they 
saw a big commotion in the water near the shore. On going 
closer to investigate, they found a large school of Dolphins 
or “‘Porpoises’’ (Delphinus delphis). These were attacking 
three very large sharks, each about 14 feet in length. Two 
of the Dolphins were harpooned and as soon ag this was done, 
the sharks at once attacked them and kept eating them right 
up to the side of the launch. The lance was driven into 
these sharks several times, but the sharks did not appear to 
take the slightest notice of it. : 
In this connection it is of interest to note that the Dol- 
phin-hunters captured 23 out of this school of Dolphins in 
the space of an hour. As far as I know, this is the first time 
in the experience of Dolphin-hunters on this coast that these 
cetaceans have been harpooned jn such shallow water—about 
4 fathoms—the Dolphins, as a rule, never rising to a launch 
in any but water of a good depth; say about 20 fathoms. 
The Dolphins are pursued at present solely for their teeth, 
which are used as currency in certain Pacific Islands. About 
160 teeth are obtained from each individual. 
DAVID G. STEAD. 
