The introduced Starling has firmly established itself, and is extending its range rapidly. Incredible numbers gather at lagoon-sides to roost in the reed-beds. This bird is a favorite with farmers and graziers, but orchardists view its rapid increase with alarm. It is possible, as Mr. C. French, Government Entomologist, has pointed out, that the Starling will yet prove a more expensive pest than the Rabbit. Starlings, at least, upset the balance of nature, for, by occupying all available nesting sites, early and late, they displace the native birds. Kingfishers, Parrots, and other birds that nest in hollows are thus being driven away from their old haunts. The Australian Oriole is a member of the family of true Orioles. The Fig-Birds of Queensland towns are closely related. The members of this family are restricted to the Eastern Hemisphere. Our Oriole is an interesting migrant which visits even cities. Its beautiful hanging, cup-shaped nest woven amongst the twigs at the end of a leafy bough is a clever piece of work. Its note is melodious and varied. It often calls "o-ree-ee-o-ole." It is also fond of mimicking other birds. The Baltimore Oriole, or Golden Robin, is properly not an Oriole, but comes in a related family--the _Icteridae_--which contains American birds somewhat similar to Orioles. The Australian bird, as shown by the colored illustration, has not the conspicuous golden and black plumage of the European bird. The Spangled Drongo is the Australian representative of a family of birds spread from Africa, Madagascar, and India up to Japan, and through the islands to Australia. They are a characteristic feature of Indian ornithology, for they are found everywhere in that country. The one Australian bird is a migrant, and seldom reaches Southern Australia. Like other Drongos, it is a glossy black, has a long, forked tail, is a good mimic of other birds' calls, and is also a vicious fighter. It is exceedingly active, and has a disagreeably harsh, cackling, and creaking whistle. It will drive away even hawks and crows. After the Shining Starlings of Queensland, come the marvellously-beautiful Birds of Paradise--"God's Birds." These unique birds are found only in New Guinea, Papuan Islands, Molucca Islands, and the rich, tropical coast scrubs of Eastern Australia. One, the Riflebird, is found even down to North-Eastern New South Wales. The Federal and State Governments are doing excellent work in protecting our beautiful birds, and are giving what seems to be a really efficient protection, so that some of our birds which possess the fatal gift of beauty in an extreme degree will probably survive for some time yet. Collectors as well as plume-hunters should be compelled to keep hands off our exquisite birds. (continued below) ==== F. 154. PLOCEIDAE (23), WEAVER-FINCHES, 487 sp.--59(56)A., 41(37)O., 1(0)P., 391(391)E. [Page 179] 1 1