Biziura lobata (Musk Duck).—Common. When swimming fast to get away from an intruder, like a ship at high speed, this bird sinks deeply into the water, only the head and neck being visible.
It may be as well to conclude with the interesting fact that Albatrosses—apparently Thalassogeron cautus—are found on Reid Rocks, about 10 miles south-east of King Island. Passing in the steamer on the north side, 20 or 30 birds were distinctly visible sitting upon nests. Should not the Tasmanian Government extend the protection it gives to Albatross Rock, a few miles away, to Reid Rocks also?
North Queensland Notes on Some Migratory Birds.
By Fred. L. Berney.
The Richmond District of the Flinders River, on its southern side, where most of my notes were made, is high, open, practically treeless downs, watered by many bore streams; while Homestead, on the Campaspe River, is ordinary forest country—ironbark and bloodwood ridges, with box fiats. Where the district is not specially named the note refers to Richmond.
Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena) and Fairy Martin (Lagenoplastes ariel).—My notes are hardly full enough to warrant my saying more than that I think these two are winter visitors to us, arriving middle to end of April, and leaving again in September. I found a colony of the spouted nests of the latter, most of which contained fresh eggs, as early as 19th August.
Black and White Swallow (Cheramœca leucosternum).—I first came across this Swallow on 24th May, 1900, on the Flinders River, 40 miles below Hughenden; the following winter, although I was in the district, I saw nothing of it, but this winter I have seen it fairly frequently, on and after the 15th April, on the Flinders, about 30 miles below Richmond, never more than three or four together.
The Roller or Dollar-Bird (Eurystomus australis).—During the summer of 1900-1901 these birds were plentiful about Homestead, on the Campaspe, where they commenced arriving on 20th October. By the 3rd November their queer chattering could be heard everywhere. Towards the end of the following March they got scarce, and I have a note that I heard one on the 20th April, but did not remember to have done so previously for two or three weeks. Out west they are scarce, and I have only met with it three times in four years, twice about Richmond and once at the head of the Landsborough, in January and March respectively, the latest date being the 22nd of the latter month.
Bee-eater (Merops omatus).—From my diary I take the following dates of arrival and departure:—1898, 2nd October, one seen, the first; 3rd October, numerous. 1899, 9th September, first birds seen. 1900, 1st September, first birds seen; 5th September, numerous. 1901, 25th August, fairly plentiful. 1902, 25th March, all disappeared suddenly.
The winter of 1898 was exceptionally severe, which may possibly account
