Abstract

Vol. Vll.J Stray Feathers. 11)08 1\fUTTON-Bm.ns.-On the 2nd November, 1907, in 45.30 deg. south lat. and 108.o deg. east long. (Southern Ocean), Capt. A. Simpson, of the s.s. Moravt'an, observed large flocks of "Sooty Petrels" (possibly Pujfi11us spltenurus or P. carneipes) flying S.W. He expressed surprise at finding these birds so far from land-about 720 miles S.W. of Cape Leeuwin. According to Bartholomew's "Commercial Chart," in these latitudes there extends upon the ocean for almost the breadth of Australia a belt of drift sea-weed. Possibly the birds were foraging for food-small crustaceans, molluscs, &c.-among these floating mcadows.-A.J .C. * * MELBOURNI•: Zoo Non~s.-On the evening of 6th February I saw hundreds of Starlings catching insects on the wing. It had been a warm day, and the air seemed full of insects. The Starlings noticed it too, evidently, so were hawking in the air by hundreds after their winged prey. When they caught one, they flew to a neighbouring perch on a tree, and swallo\ved the insect at leisure! and then started off again. The following evening a fine specimen of a Grey Goshawk (Astur ct'nereus) flew slowly past me. It is some years now since we have seen a