narrowly; under surface of tail feathers ash-coloured, with distinct transverse bars of a deeper colour; beak, legs, and feet black; irides dull brown. Flesh measurements—length, 3.6; wing, 2.3; tail, 1.8; tarsus, .7; culmen, .45 inches.
There is little difference between the sexes in appearance, except, perhaps, that the female has a shorter bill and narrow greyish-white edgings to one or two of the tail feathers.
Types.—In the Western Australian Museum, Perth.
I beg to distinguish the new species by the scientific name of Acanthiza pallida, and by the vernacular one of "Pallid Tit."
Stray Feathers.
Swallows on 'Change.—Last week a pair of Swallows (Hirundo neoxena) suddenly appeared in the city and took up their abode under the verandah of the Launceston Stock Exchange. Every summer a pair nests under this verandah. Woe betide anyone who attempts to molest the birds on their nest; the members of the 'Change are very jealous of their little feathered friends. — Frank M. Littler. Launceston, 23/6/03.
[Re this bird an interesting note is given by Mr. T. Carter, in his "North-West Notes" in this issue.—Eds.]
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Homestead Notes (North Queensland).—We have eight or nine different Finches here now, two or three breeding—gouldiæ, cincta, and castanotis. Saw a nice mob of about three dozen of Munia pectoralis a few days ago. First week in May I saw a nest of Moreton Bay Rosellas (pallidiceps) taken out of gum tree by a timber getter—three young birds well feathered and two only just hatched. Only one small spout in the limb of tree, so there was certainly only one nest. Was very much puzzled at time. This must have been a similar case to one mentioned by you in Emu. I think the drought must be the cause of so many birds nesting out of their usual time.—John H. Smedley.
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Wood-swallows as Honey-eaters.—Re remarks in last issue of The Emu (page 68), I have kept two pairs of Wood-Swallows for the last seven months. They were turned out into an aviary in which there was honey for some Meliphagidæ. No sooner were the Wood-Swallows at liberty than they made their way to the pot, and seemed to recognize it as a natural diet. At present they live principally on fruit and honey, with a little lark food and occasional insects by way of a treat. They visit scented flowers, but I do not know whether in search of honey or not. The brush tongue would seem to indicate that honey was in the wild state a food sometimes used, though perhaps, as in the case of some honey-eating Parrots, not necessary always to subsistence.—(Miss) Helen Bowie. Clifton Hill, near Melbourne.
