Il6 Bird Observers' Club. ["^"001. 



occasionally, when sorely pressed for food, in bad seasons. Some of Mr. 

 Batey's remarks proved that in domestic matters Magpies resembled the 

 genus Homo. Some pairs had no children. Some families were exclusive, 

 while among others there were petty jealousies, quarrels, and even stand-up 

 fights. Mr. Robert Hall, F.L. S., Dr. Geo. Home, and others also discussed 

 the subject. The combined material displayed consisted of a scientific 

 collection of Magpie skins and eggs from different parts of the Common- 

 wealth, including a nest curiously constructed of fencing wire exhibited by 

 Miss Bowie. 



The quarterly dinner was held at the Mia-Mia Tea Rooms on the 21st 

 August, 1907, when fourteen members were present. After the adjournment 

 Dr. H. W. Bryant took the chair, and drew the attention of members to the 

 presence of two visitors (Mr. A. G. Hamilton, and his son, Mr. C. G. 

 Hamilton), both keen bird observers. The subject for discussion was 

 "Parrots." Mr. Isaac Batey contributed a paper entitled "Parrots on Old 

 Man Plain," which proved extremely interesting, and much valuable 

 information was obtained therefrom. Two new members (Messrs. Chandler 

 and Cole) were elected. Mr. J. A. Leach, M.Sc, mentioned that the 

 members could use space in The School Gazette for nature notes, and it was 

 resolved that a committee, consisting of Messrs. R. Hall, Mattingley, and 

 the hon. secretary contribute an article of from 200 to 400 words monthly, 

 dealing especially with migration. Much valuable information should be 

 learned in this way, as it was explained by Mr. Leach that the Gazette 

 went into upwards of 2,000 schools. Messrs. Hamilton, of Sydney and 

 Perth respectively, promised to initiate the movement in their respective 

 States. 



South Australian Ornithological Association. 



The bi-monthly meeting was held on 2nd May. Dr. Morgan presided 

 over a good attendance. Useful notes upon birds found at the Reedbeds 

 this season were given by Capt. S. A. White. Dr. Angove described the 

 habits of the Scrub-Robin {D7ymacedus bniniieopygia) and its nesting habits. 

 Mr. E. Ashby noted the appearance of the Osprey {Pandion leiicocephalus) 

 on the Sturt Creek, near Blackwood. Mr. J. W. Mellor gave notes of 

 several useful birds seen at North Adelaide. Dr. Morgan displayed a 

 collection of native birds' eggs. Capt. S. A. White exhibited birds from 

 Tasmania, among them the Fan-tailed Cuckoo {Cacofiiantis Jlabellifor/ms)., 

 Satin ¥\yc3i{ch.e.Y {Myiagra nitida), Allied Y)\a.n\o\-\6.-B\Y6.{Pardalotus affi/iis), 

 Strong-billed Honey-eater {Melithreptus validirostris'). Mr. E. Ashby 

 showed birds from the Mannum district, including the Scrub-Robin 

 {Dryiiiaa'dus bri/nneopygia), Yellow-plumed Honey-eater {Pt/lotis oruata)., 

 and the Red-rumped Ground- Wren {Hylacola cauta). Mr. J. W^ Mellor 

 displayed the rare eggs of the Adelia Penguin, taken at Cape Adare, in 

 Victoria Land, by the British Antarctic Expedition in 1898. Interesting 

 notes were given by Mr. J. W. Mellor upon the trip of the members of the 

 Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science to Kangaroo 

 Island and the islands of Spencer Gulf Numerous sea and land birds were 

 identified, and their breeding haunts visited and described. Mr. Mellor 

 showed a number of stuffed specimens in illustration of his remarks, among 

 them the White-breasted Cormorant {Phalacrocorax gotddt) and its eggs 

 from Spencer (iulf ; the Spotted Scrub-Wren {Sericornis macidata), the 

 Yellow-rumped Diamond-Bird {Pardalotus xauthopygius\ and two Thick- 

 heads of the PacJiycephala family, from Memory Cove ; the Tree-Tit 

 (Sjnicrornis brevirostris) from Port Lincoln, the Rock Parrot {Ncopheiiia 

 peirophila) from Sir Joseph Banks (jroup, and other species from Kangaroo 

 Island ; also, the eggs of the Mutton- Bird {Puffinns teimirostris) from the 



