THE VICTOKIAN NATUKALIST, 59 



length, all stages, from fresh eggs to young birds, being seen in the 

 same log. 



Geopelia cuneata and G. tranquilla. — Of these two doves 

 the former is the commoner, its frail little nest being often seen in 

 low bushes and shrubs in the spring, and later on again in tlie 

 early autumn months. 



HiSTRioPHAPS HisTRiONiCA. — The Flock Pigeon was for many 

 years more numerous than any other bird inhabiting the fertile 

 downs of the Gulf country. Twenty years ago it was no 

 uncommon sight to see these birds flying in to water in an 

 unbroken succession of mobs from fifty to several hundreds each 

 for two hours or more at a time from the plains in all directions. 

 Nothing could be heard near the waterhole but the clatter and 

 whirr of wings as each mob alii^hted near the water, each bird 

 running down to the edge, dipping its bill once or twice, and then 

 off again to the plains for the night. I have frequently taken this 

 bird's eggs over twenty-five years ago when resident in the district. 

 The Flock Pigeon is essentially a ground bird, never perching. 

 (To be continued.) 



A NEW VICTORIAN COCCID. 



By James Lidgett. 

 (Communicated by F. G. A. Barnard.) 



{^Reml before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 20th May, H»U1.) 



Lecanium australis, sp. nov. 



Adult female naked, brown in colour, with several blotches of 

 lighter ground colour or nearly yellow scattered irregularly over 

 the dorsum, and occupying about half of the area of that region ; 

 ventral surface yellowish, concave, and usually crowded with scores 

 of young larvae. In shape semi-globular, with several longitudinal 

 rather deep furrows, which give the dorsal region a ridged appear- 

 ance. Along these furrows are placed some shallow depressions, in 

 which the spiracles are situated. These are rather large, and 

 bivalvular in shape, with immense trachea. Mentum mono- 

 merous ; rostral setae long and coiled ; dermis chitinous, with 

 many scattered triangular gland-spots ; marginal spines entire, but 

 very small ; abdominal cleft distinctly lecanid, lobes rather large ; 

 antennae and feet entirely wanting. Diameter of insect averaging 

 J<in. 



Larva elliptical, flatlish, and may always be found occupymg 

 the ventral region of the adult; antennas six-segmented, the 

 second being the longest, the rest sub-equal, each bearing several 

 stout hairs ; feet long and slender, coccae longer than trochanter, 

 tibia much shorter than femur, claw large ; tarsal digitules fine 

 hairs, claw digitules filiform ; spiracular depressions shallow, and 

 bearing some fine hairs. Length of insect about ^,\- in. 



Adult male unknown. 



