^"';J^'^1 Mouihly Conversaziones. d>Z?> 



The l'\I)ruarv convcrsazioiu' was held at the rooms rif t\\v. Union, 

 Temple Court, Collins-street, at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, 4th Feb. 

 Dr. J. A. Leach and Mr. U. Lc Souef, C.M.Z.S., gave an interesting 

 and instructive account of the R.A.O.U. camp-out in the Bunya 

 Mountains, and other parts of Queensland visited by members. 

 Dr. Leach spoke of the beauty and economic value of the 

 mountains. Scrub-Turkey mounds and the bowers of Bower-Birds 

 were plentiful everywhere, and the lovely Rifle-Birds, Regent-Birds, 

 Cat -Birds, and other rare birds came to drink at a pool near the 

 camp. When the work done at the business session was finished, 

 he said, this congress would probably rank among the most 

 important held by the Union. Mr. D. Le Souef, in his usual 

 interesting manner, referred to the bird-life observed by him in 

 other parts of Queensland, after he had left the main party. Mr. 

 Watson, of Geelong, kindly lent slides to illustrate the Bunya 

 Mountain camp-out. 



The usual conversazione was held on the 3rd March, at No. 2 

 Temple Court. The Chairman, Mr. J. A. Ross, welcomed to the 

 meeting Capt. S. A. White, of South Australia. It was resolved 

 that letters of sympathy be sent to Messrs. A. W'. Milligan and 

 A. C. Stone, prominent members, of the L^nion, who had recently 

 undergone severe operations. 



The subject for discussion was " Ducks," and Mr. Dudley Le Souef 

 opened with an interesting lecturette, illustrated with a fine series 

 of slides. He mentioned an interesting case at the Melbourne 

 Zoological Gardens, where a Black Duck and Muscovy Duck had 

 produced hybrid offspring. Capt. White gave members the 

 benefit of his extensive field knowledge. He reported an instance 

 where a wounded Coot had sought the protection of a Musk-Duck 

 when chased by a Gould's Harrier. Every time the Hawk 

 attempted to grab the Coot, the Duck dived and sent a spurt 

 of water into the air with its feet. This manoeuvre was re- 

 peated until the Hawk gave up. the chase. Mr. A. J. Campbell 

 asked if anyone had knowledge as to the age at which Black 

 Ducks breed. Capt. White said that a pair of Ducks had nested 

 near his house, and the young birds did not breed until the 

 second year. Mr. Chub thought that the age at which Ducks 

 commenced nesting would be regulated by climatic conditions 

 and the food supply. Messrs. J. A. Ross, F. \i. Wilson, (i. 

 Dyer, and others took part in the discussion. 



The monthly conversazione was held at tlu- National Museum 

 on Wednesday, 7th April. Dr. J. A. Leacli in the cliair. 



A feeling tribute was paid to the late ^Ir. A. C. Stone, who 

 had passed away a fortnight previously. He was the Curator 

 of our collection of birds' eggs, and was one of the most active 

 and disinterested members of the Union. He wall be greatly 

 missed by all the members. 



