158 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. [Vol. XXIV. 



shades of colour and quantity and shape of the scarlet, especi- 

 ally on the breast, that I could recognise each bird without 

 reference to its number in the catalogue. 



Perhaps the best illustration of uniformity will be found in the 

 Warbling Grass-Parrakeet, Melopsittacus unrJulatus. Some time 

 ago I saw a large cage containing a number of these birds all of 

 which were so exactly alike, except sexual difference, that it was 

 impossible to distinguish one from another. Of course they were 

 all over two years old ; it takes a year for the young ones to 

 attain maturity. 



The Cockatoo-Parrakeet, Calopsittacus novce-hollandice, and the 

 Night-Parrakeet, Geopsiftacus occidentalis, are also remarkable 

 for uniformity when fully matured, although there is consider- 

 able difference between adult and young. In the case of the 

 Cockatoo-Parrakeet the young males hear a close resemblance to 

 the adult female, but in about six months they attain full plumage. 

 When young the Night-Parrakeets are light brown on those parts 

 of the feathers which are green in the adults, but after moulting 

 they are all alike. 



In conclusion, I may say that these notes are not by any means 

 complete, and allusion might have been made to several other 

 species, but my object has been to give some of our younger 

 members a hint as to a field in which there is yet plenty of work 

 to be done. 



GEOLOGY IN RAILWAY CUTTINGS. 



Many of the railway cuttings about Melbourne display geological 

 sections of considerable interest, and the planting of the sides of 

 embankments and cuttings with bright flowering plants, as lately 

 initiated by the Railway Department, meant a considerable loss 

 to geological students. The committee of the Field Naturalists' 

 Club accordingly drew up a list of localities which it thought 

 should be left in their natural state, and brought it under the 

 notice of the Commissioners. We are glad to say that the Club's 

 views were adopted, and a promise was given that the areas 

 would be kept free from vegetation. 



Following the name of the nearest station is the precise locality 

 and its points of interest : — 



North Melbourne ... East side of approach from Spencer- 

 street. — Older volcanic. 

 FooTSCRAY ... ... Between Saltwater River and Hopkins- 



street bridge, — Bluestone. 

 Flemington Bridge... Cutting in Royal Park, both sides. — 



Tertiary. 

 Royal Park ... Between station and Sydney-road and 



Park-street, both sides of each line. — 

 Silurian, 



