The South Auntralian Ornithological Association. 7 



Mr. Parsons showed a photograpii of a cluster of forty- 

 two nests of the Fair}' Martin, built on the trunk of a gum tree, 

 i>outh Queensland. 



He also reported having seen Bylacola cauta near Mount 

 Lofty. This bird was reported some years ajio by Mr. F. R. 

 Zietz from Black Hill at the entrance of the Fifth Creek Gully. 



Professor J. B. Cleland commented on the increase of 

 Willie Wap:tails {Leiicocirca tricolor) in Adelaide and 

 suburbs of late years. In the nineties, these birds were 

 uncommon in the suburbs. Now many gardens have a pair, 

 and the birds may frequently be heard singing at night. 



At about 10 p.m. on September 15th last, a clear star- 

 light night with no moon, no less than three were heard in the 

 distance of about two and a half miles, between Hindmarsh 

 Square, Adelaide (where the first was heard), and Fullarton. 



Do both sexes sing at night? Is night singing only 

 associated with the nesting season? Do the birds rival each 

 other as roosters do? 



He also exhibited a nest of Morgaitoriii.s su2)frciliosiis, 

 found at Clarendon on October 1,3. The interior, as well as the 

 entrance, had been lined with grass, and interwoven in the en- 

 trance were three Spider Orchids iCahidenia <Jilatata), a num- 

 ber of white Everlastings {Helichrysum Baxtcri), and two 

 flower heads of a brownish rush-like plant (Lifziihi c(i)npestris). 

 Marks of the bird's bill were recognisable on the 

 stems where these had been bruised in picking off 

 the flowers. There seems to be no doubt that the 

 flowers were used for decorative purposes. More- 

 over, tlie birds had exhibited undoubted predilection for 

 certain flowers; thie white Everlastings were numerous, but 

 the Spider Orchids (yellow to bi-ownish with a purple patch 

 on the labellum) were relatively few and scattered, and much 

 less numerous than a striking blue orchid which had not been 

 gathered. The rush also, was inconspicuous and not very 

 abundant. The birds seem to prefer yellowish brown and 

 white. The nest was untenanted, but the flowers were fresh, 

 having been probably gathered that morning or perhaps the 

 evening before. Professor Cleland acknowledged his indebted- 

 ness to Mr. J. M. Black and Dr. Rogers for identification of 

 plants. 



Dr. Morgan suggested that an old Babbler's nest had been 

 taken i)ossession of by S])otted-sided Finches. 



Mr. F. R. Zietz exhibited a number of bird skins from the 

 S.A. Museum collection, comprising Birds of Paradise and' 



