1^6 Monthly Conversaziones. [,.f"oct 



in the H. T.. W'liite Collection. Tlic Mnseum Curator, Mr. J. A. 

 Kershaw, was congratulated ui)on liaving arranged the speci- 

 mens in such an interesting manner, enabling one to see at a 

 glance the dominant species and the various sub-species 

 associated with them. It was, without doubt, the finest display 

 of Mciliiri that has ever been seen in this State. 



Mr. ]\Iathews's division of the Tasmanian Blue Wren into 

 northern and southern sub-specific races was much criticised by 

 members, and all agreed that from an examination of the large 

 series of skins, from both ends of the island, such a splitting-up 

 was certainly not warranted. It was hoped that the Check-list 

 Committee would only recognize one bird as inhabiting the island. 



Another matter that aroused a good deal of discussion was the 

 splitting up of the genus Malurits into several separate genera. 

 Most members condemned this, and considered that, perhaps 

 with the exception of the beautiful M. coronatiis, there was 

 sufificient similarit}- between all the Maluri to enable them to be 

 most conveniently grouped under the one genus. 



There was also exhibited a number of recent additions to the 

 H. L. White Collection, upon which Mr. A. J. Campbell made 

 some interesting observations. It may not be generally known 

 that ever since Mr. White presented his wonderful collection of 

 Australian birds to the National ^luseum he has been adding to 

 it, and Mr. Kershaw informed members that it had been necessary 

 to provide a large new cabinet to house the recent additions. 

 The expense connected with providing the cabinet was being 

 generously borne by the donor of the collection. 



A couple of designs for the R.A.O.U. honour board were exhibited 

 and some discussion took place as to what was the most desirable 

 form such a board should take. 



The meeting then terminated, one and all going home feeling 

 that their examination of the beautiful Wren-Warblers had greatly 

 improved their knowledge of these most fascinating birds. 



On 2nd July the usual monthly conversazione of the Union 

 was held at their room in Temple Court. The subject of the 

 evening was " Plovers." Mr. A. J. Ross read a most interesting 

 paper on these birds. Mr. A. J. Campbell stated that foxes were 

 largely helping to destroy these interesting and most useful birds. 

 Mr. M'Lennan mentioned that on one occasion in the Northern 

 Territory he saw a pair of Southern Stone-Plovers spreading their 

 wings and dancing one round the other. He found the Masked 

 Plover nesting in the King River district, and that its habits 

 were similar to those of the Spur- wing. It was quieter and less 

 vicious in defence of its young. It usually laid its eggs within 

 a few feet of the edge of a swamp. Mr. Campbell noticed that 

 in the eggs of this class of birds one was usually sharper and longer 

 than the other. It was stated by poultry dealers that the longer 

 eggs usually produced cockerels. Dr. Macgillivray stated that 

 he often noticed that the Spur-wing Plover was more shy than 



