68 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



In " Transactions of New Zealand Institute" vol. xxvii., 

 1894 :— 



" Synoptical List of Coccidse reported from Australasia and 

 Pacific Islands up to December, 1894," by W. M. 

 Maskell, F.R.M.S. Contains many Victorian species of 

 Coccus. 



Glaciers. — An interesting article, entitled " The Discovery of 

 Glacier Bay (N.W. America)," by John Muir, appears in the 

 Century Magazine for June, 1895. It is well illustrated, and 

 gives much information in a popular way on the progression and 

 effects of glaciers. 



Magpies. — During the last 20 years I have noticed from time 

 to time a species of magpie which I am at a loss to understand. 

 I at one time thought them to be the Black-backed {Gymnorhina 

 tibicen), but during 1893 I had the pleasure of observing the 

 true Black-backed bird in the Goulburn Valley, and they are 

 decidedly smaller, besides which their song is very different to 

 the birds I wish to draw attention to, and whose notes resemble 

 those of the White-backed {G. leuconota). I am unaware if 

 anyone has previously drawn the attention of the members of the 

 Field Naturalists' Club to the existence of this particular magpie, 

 and in doing so myself I would like to state that the birds are by 

 no means rare, hence I cannot think them a freak, and, failing 

 this, they must be either a cross between the Black-backed and 

 White-backed, or another species altogether. My friend, Mr. A. 

 Coles, has kindly promised to exhibit three of the Black-backed 

 birds I am speaking of, also one White-backed one, all shot by 

 myself in this district (Somerville), the latter bird for comparison 

 as regards size. I would like further to say that the true Black- 

 backed Magpie {G. tibicen) is never found here, and never, 

 apparently, gets so far south. Though the three birds exhibited 

 are, I believe, all males and old birds, I have seen many females, 

 and also younger birds, though I never found them nesting at 

 any time. They are not solitary in their habits, and I have 

 always found them in company with the White-backed. Between 

 Cranbourne and Dandenong, in the Lyndhurst district, they are 

 fairly numerous during the autumn and winter months. As will 

 be easily noticed, the amount of black on the back varies con- 

 siderably, from a complete saddle to little more than a ring. 

 Probably some members of the Club may be able to give some 

 information regarding them. — Geo. E. Shepherd, Somerville, 

 3rd June, 1895. 



