150 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., National Museum, Carlton, who had 



undertaken the duties of hon. secretary for it. 



PAPERS. 



1. By Mr. A. J. Campbell, entitled " Descriptions of Three New 

 Australian Birds." 



The author gave brief descriptions of the Rusty-red Field- 

 Wren, Calamanthus r%(,higinosus ; Western White-plumed Honey- 

 eater, Pt'dotis carteri ; and Yellow-spined Honey-eater, Acantho- 

 genys Jtavacanthus, all from North- West Australia. 



Some discussion ensued, in which it was questioned whether 

 these were true species or merely varieties of Eastern birds. 



2. By Mr. D. Best, entitled " Notes on the Magpie." 



The author stated that his object was to ask ornithologists why 

 more details of the life-histories or habits of birds were not given 

 in their writings. He wished to know the reason for the habit of 

 magpies swooping down upon intruders when near their nests, and 

 whether it was a long-standing habit. 



Considerable discussion took place, the general opinion being 

 that the action was for the sake of protecting the young at the 

 breeding season, though Mr. C. Frost stated that he had observed 

 it at other times than the breeding season. Mr. H. T. Tisdall 

 stated that he knew of an instance of magpies attacking in the 

 manner mentioned which occurred at least thirty-five years ago. 

 Mr. Best, however, said he was not satisfied with the replies, and 

 hoped that more definite conclusions would be brought forward by 

 some ornithological member. 



3. By Mr. R. Hall, entitled "Some South- Western Australian 

 Birds." The author referred to the skins of four birds which he 

 had recently received from the Kalgoorlie district, Western 

 Australia, and pointed out the differences between them and their 

 nearest allies, generally Eastern species. One of the birds, he 

 thought, would on further research probably prove to be a new 

 species. 



Mr. G. A. Keartland and Mr. A. J. Campbell complimented the 

 author on his close and careful observations. 



4. By Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., entitled " A Hunt for a Name." 

 The author showed the difficulty into which workers might some- 

 times get, owing to the scientific descriptions of comparative well- 

 known objects being originally published in almost inaccessible 

 proceedings or transactions, and gave an account of the steps 

 taken to identify a coral, Plesiastraea urvillei, Edw. and H., 

 dredged off Beaumaris on a recent Club excursion. 



Mr. O. A. Sayce said he had been greatly interested by the 

 author's remarks and hoped that the catalogue of technical and 

 scientific serials in the Melbourne libraries which Mr. Hall was 

 preparing would soon be available to students. 



