220 Alexander, Additions to the Library. [,sf'jan. 



" Alfred John North, Ornithologist : an Appreciation," by G. M. 

 Mathews. Austral Avian Record, vol. iii., part 6, p. I2q. 



" Flinders Chase : a Reserve for Fauna and Flora." 



This pamphlet gives an account of the movement inaugurated 

 by the Royal Society of South Australia to induce the State 

 Government to set aside the western end of Kangaroo Island as 

 a reserve under the name of Fhnders Chase. A committee, 

 consisting of Messrs. S. Dixon, J. M. Black, and S. A. White, has 

 been appointed to conduct a campaign to secure this object. It 

 is proposed to plant suitable trees, introduce members of the 

 Australian fauna threatened with extinction, utilize the native 

 plants and introduced trees, and form a holiday and health resort. 

 Members of the R.A.O.U. will unite in wishing every success to 

 such a laudable endeavour to utilize what is at present an unprofit- 

 able area of i,ooo square miles. 



Conversazione. 



The October conversazione of the R.x\.O.U. was held on Wednes- 

 day, 3rd, at the rooms, Temple Court, Collins-street, and there 

 was a good attendance of members, including Mr. J. A. Hill, of 

 Lubeck, and Mr. H. Quiney, of Mortlake. Dr. J. A. Leach occupied 

 the chair. 



Mr. A. J. Campbell, on behalf of Mr. H. L. White, tabled an 

 interesting collection of bird skins that had been made by Mr. 

 S. W. Jackson in Central Queensland. A feature of the exhibit 

 was the very excellent series of the Letter-winged Kite, showing 

 all stages, from the nestling to the adult bird. Mr. Campbell 

 said that these specimens had been procured not far distant from 

 where his type clutch of eggs of this species had come from. 

 These skins were accompanied by beautiful sets of eggs sent over 

 by Mr. White to enrich local private collections, and three very 

 handsome sets to be added to the R.A.O.U. collection. Other 

 very interesting skins were those of the Desert Chats {Ashbyia 

 lovensis), and a very striking M alums of the leuco pier its type — 

 undoubtedly a good new sub-species, now named M. I. diamantina. 

 Included amongst the skins were specimens of a Raven and Crow, 

 and Mr. Campbell indicated the usual methods of distinguishing 

 between these two birds. Mr. J. A. Hill said that, whilst these 

 birds undoubtedly destroyed much insect life, yet they wrought 

 so much damage amongst the sheep flocks, and in such a cruel 

 manner, that he considered them as being most undesirable vermin. 

 Mr. Ouiney attributed his long run of successful fodder crops to 

 his leaving these birds unmolested, whilst his neighbours' occasional 

 failures were probably due to the fact that they persecuted them 

 at every opportunity. 



Mr. Mattingley said that the U.S.A. Fisheries Bureau listed 

 Crows amongst the beneficial birds, as at certain times of the year 



