The Avicultural Magazine.— The December number contains a plate delineated in colours by Mr. Norman B. Roberts of the White-throated Thickhead (Pachycephala gutturalis). This is accompanied by notes from Mr. D. Seth-Smith, who considers that "there is no reason why the handsome Thickheads should not be kept" in captivity. Mrs. Johnstone contributes an article on the breeding of the Rock Pebbler Parrakeet (Polytelis melanura) in which, after noting that the birds set about nesting in a very quiet way, and that the young remained a good deal longer in the nest than the Barnards or Rosellas, she says that "the hen, though a good nester and sitter, was not an energetic mother; the cock totally ignored the entire family."
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According to the Avicultural Magazine (January, 1904), at the December Show-Bird at the Crystal Palace, amongst the Parrakeets a fine pair of Varied Lorikeets (Ptilosclera versicolor) obtained first place, the second prize going to a good pair of "Kings" (Aprosmictus cyanopygius). A Red-collared Lorikeet (Trichoglossus rubritorquis) and a Black-tailed Parrakeet (Polytelis melanura) were also exhibited; while in the "Hybrids Class" the only birds worthy of note were a beautiful pair of crossbreds between the Rosella (Platycercus eximius) and the Red-backed Parrakeet (Psephotus hæmatonotus). These interesting birds, it is stated, showed more of the characteristics of the latter parent. In Grass-Finches, &c., Class, the following Australian species were exhibited, viz.:—Black-ringed Finch (Stictoptera annulosa), Red-tailed or Red-faced Finch (Bathilda ruficauda), Long-tailed Finch (Poephila acuticauda), Masked Finch (P. personata), Gouldian Finch (P. gouldiæ), and Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton).
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A Sympathetic Emu.—Among the feathered pets at Cawarral station, near Tungamull, on the Emu Park railway, is an Emu. Taken there as a chick some years ago, it has grown up to be a fine big stately bird, which holds its own among the denizens of the station yards. When the drought was at its worst, the vicissitudes to which birds and beasts with all their senses were exposed were very trying, and those of an old blind horse were extreme. How the Emu came to discover its pitiable condition is a mystery, but it did so, and acted towards it in a most obliging and charitable fashion. There was only one little hole on a wide area of country where the horse could get water, and for weeks while the drought continued the Emu led it there as its necessities demanded. It also guided the steed about the bush, warning it in intelligible language of fallen trees, and other dangers in its path. The Emu kept its companion from starving by guiding it to where some feed was to be had. An informant saw the horse unwittingly approaching a bushman's tent, whereupon the Emu called out, and made such "an 'ell of a row"
