102 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



GENERAL BUSINESS. 



Attention was drawn to the proposed holiday excursion by the 

 s.s. Peregrine to Wilson's Promontory, and fears were expressed 

 that the excursionists might not respect the total reservation of 

 the native game. After discussion, the Secretary was instructed to 

 write to the Customs Department, asking that the necessary pro- 

 tection be afforded. 



PAPERS. 



1. By Mr. R, Hall, " Birds of the Box Hill District " 

 (continued). 



The author dealt with the Bronze-wing Pigeon, the Quails, the 

 Plovers, the Rails, and certain of the river birds. A reference to 

 the disappearance of some of a Pectoral Rail's eggs in the Swan 

 Hill district raised some discussion, Messrs. Gabriel and Keart- 

 land being of the opinion that this bird could not possibly carry 

 its eggs either by bill or claw, and that the new nest found was 

 most probably that of a second pair of birds, while rats were very 

 likely the thieves. 



2. By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, entitled " Winter Notes from 

 Queensland." 



The author gave an interesting account of a fortnight's holiday 

 in North Queensland, referring more particularly to the botany of 

 the district. He exhibited some excellent photographs of scrub 

 scenes, together with maps and specimens. 



3. By Mr. S. W. Jackson, entitled " The Discovery of the Nest 

 and Eggs of the Rufous Scrub-Bird, Atrichia riiftscens.'" 



The author gave some idea of the difficulties he had in finding 

 this nest, and forwarded a photograph showing its position in a 

 clump of wire grass. 



NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. 



Mr. A. J. Campbell read a provisional description of a new 

 Emu- Wren from Western Australia, and a note on the eggs of 

 the Blood-stained Cockatoo. 



Mr. G. A. Keattland recorded the finding by Dr. Chas. Ryan 

 of the egg of a Brush Cuckoo, Cacomaniis insperatvs, in the nest 

 of a Brown Flycatcher, Micrceca fascinavs, on 3rd December. 



Mr. H. J. Coles (communicated by Mr. A. Coles) recorded 

 that a specimen of the Australian Roller-bird had been shot at 

 Ascot Vale ; Mr. C. French, jun., also recorded the bird from 

 Warrandyte. 



EXHIBITS. 



By Mr. H. P. C. Ashworth. — Sil very-blue Wren, Variegated 

 (Lambert's) Wren, and Grange-backed Wren, from South Queens- 



