Page:The Emu volume 20.djvu/147

 Official Organ of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union.

"Birds of a feather."

of the R.A.O.U. are again indebted to Mr. H. L. White, of Belltrees, for his goodness in wholly financing the coloured plate in this issue of The Emu. It is from an original drawing by Mr. Neville Cayley.

For remarks on the Cuckoo (Cuculus optatus) reference may be made to the October Emu, p. 57. The figure given represents one of the two immature females mentioned. There are hopes that the egg (yet unknown) for this species may be soon found.

The other figure in the plate represents the Allied Rufous Shrike-Thrush (Colluricincla pravissima). For critical remarks see also October Emu, p. 62.

The figures are taken from specimens collected bv Mr. W. M'Lennan on Moa Is., Torres St., and which are in the "H. L. White Collection," National Museum, Melbourne. —A. J. C.

In connection with the Perth session of the R.A.O.U., our Western Australian friends will appreciate the accompanying picture bearing on the great western territory's emblem—"Cygnis insignis" ("remarkable for Swans"). The photograph was taken some time ago for The Emu by Mr. W. M'Gowan, jun., of Launceston, whose father at the time wrote:—"The Black Swan's nest is elevated about a foot above the ground, and consists of a miscellaneous collection of rough sticks, twigs, leaves, roots, and long pieces of the New Zealand flax, which is growing near. The inside of the nest is lined with the finer roots, leaves, &c., and is basin-shaped, containing four eggs. The work of incubation seems to be shared by both birds. The one depicted seems to be the male, and, when disturbed, fights strenuously to protect the nest, smart blows being delivered by the secondary joint of the wing. After a change of position the bird is very careful to pack all the small leaves and roots about its body so as to fit into the changed position—in fact, it seems to while away much time in re-adjusting and gathering all the material within reach. It is very interesting to watch the bird sitting half up and turning over and adjusting the eggs into a more comfortable position, the sinuous, snake-like movement of the neck performing the necessary operations with infinite grace."