687 



NOTRS AND EXHIBITS, 



]\Ir. T. Steel exhibited a remarkable bacterial growth forming 

 a coating half an inch in thickness inside a pipe through which 

 fermented molasses wash passed on its way to the still in a large 

 Sydney distillery working molasses. The deposit consisted of 

 bacteria, apparentl}- in pure culture, mixed with a very few yeast 

 cells. 



Mr. A. F. Basset Hull exhibited skins of (a)Oestrelata leucop- 

 tera Gould, (b) Eudypttda minor Gould, and (c) Pelagodroma 

 marina Latham; also eggs of the two latter species. These 

 exhibits were collected during a visit to the Islands off the 

 entrance to Port Stephens, N.S.W., on the 16th October instant. 

 The Oestrelata was found on Cabbage Tree Island, the locality 

 where Gould's type of the species was taken. The birds were 

 discovered in considerable numbers, evidently mating and pre- 

 paring their nests, but no eggs were found. Two of the birds 

 taken contained nearly matured egg-^. Gould, in describing this 

 species, says " The Australian seas abound with Petrels, the 

 investigation of the various species of which, their habits and 

 economy, as well as their places of abode, will serve to occupy 

 the attention of ornithologists for years to come."( Handbook, ii., 

 p. 455, 1865). It is somewhat of a reflection on the enterprise of 

 local students that tlie nest, egg, and habits of this bird, breeding 

 so near to Sydney, still remain undescribed. The Pelagodroma 

 was found breeding in large numbers on the northern side of 

 Broughton Island. In most cases the burrow contained a fresh 

 egg, but two were found partlj' inculjated. The Eudyptula was 

 found breeding on Cabbage Tree Island. Nests contained slightly 

 incubated eggs, or 3'^oung in various stages of growth up to nearly 

 full size of the adult, but still with some of the down adhering to 

 the neck and shoulders. This constitutes a record breeding-place 



