THE VICTOPaAN NATURALIST. 133 



Jloccosus, Green, on roots of Correa alba, from Cape Schanck ; 

 Aspidioius alatus, Green, on eucalyptus stems, from Kerang. 

 This latter coccid has also been recently collected in New South 

 Wales, by Mr. W. VV. Froggatt, F.L.S. Also eggs of Acanthiza 

 ewingi (rare), collected in 1892 by Mr. E. D. Atkinson, in 

 Tasmania. 



By Miss M'Haffie. — Nest of Melithreptus lumclatus, collected 

 on Buffalo Ranges excursion. 



By Mr. A. Mattingley. — Echinoderm, Pentagonaster astro- 

 logorum, from Western Port. 



By Mr. F. Pitcher, for Director Botanic Gardens, Melbourne : 

 — Flowers of several varieties of Eucalyptus Jicifolia, Scarlet- 

 flowering Gum, from Western Australia, including what may 

 possibly be a white-flowering variety. Also flowers of rose- 

 coloured variety of E^tcalyptus calophylla. 



By Mr. C. Walter. — Plants not previously recorded from N.E. 

 of Victoria : — Pidteiioia mollis ; Stypandra coispitosa, var. alba ; 

 and Tetratheca ciliaia, collected by C. French, jun., and C. 

 Walter. 



By Mr. F. M. Reader. — Dried specimens of Camelina dentata, 

 Pers., naturalized, and new for Victoria ; Calotis anthemoides, 

 F. v. M., new for N.W. of Victoria; also of Poa bulbosa, L., 

 Alopecurus geniculatus, L., sub.-sp. fulvus, Sm., naturalized 

 grasses, new for Victoria. 



After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. 



ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES.— THE GRASS-WRENS. 



By G. a. Keartland. 



{Read before the Field Naturalists^ Club of Victoria, 14th Dec, 1903.) 



Writing of the genus Amytis, Gould, in his " Handbook," p. 

 335, says "it is strictly Australian, and of which three species 

 are known, inhabiting the southern half of the country." How 

 far this is now correct may be gathered from the following 

 notes : — 



The genus comprises about half a dozen species, all with 

 modestly coloured plumage. Owing to the nature of the country 

 in which they are found and its distance from civilisation but 

 little is known concerning their habits. The species recorded 

 are: — Amytis textilis, Quoy and Gaimard ; A. striatus, A. 

 macrourus, and A. goyderi, Gould ; A. modesta, North; and A. 

 housei, Milligan. 



Gould appears to have based his remarks on A. textilis on a 

 single specimen, which he describes as a male, but made no 



