32 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. [Vol. XXVI. 



ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS FOR 1909-IO. 



The following office-bearers, being the only nominations 

 received, were declared elected : — Professor A. J. Ewart, D.Sc, 

 Ph.D. : vice-presidents, Mr. J. A. Leach, M.Sc, and Mr. F. 

 Wisewould ; hon. treasurer, Mr. G. Coghill ; hon. librarian, Mr. 

 A. D. Hardy, F.L.S. ; hon. secretary, Mr. F. G. A. Barnard ; 

 hon. assistant secretary and assistant librarian, Mr. R. W. 

 Armitage ; and hon. editor, ^Nlr. F. G. A. Barnard. On a ballot 

 being taken for five members of committee, Messrs. J- Gabriel, 

 G. A. Keartland, j. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., F. Pitcher, and Dr. C. 

 S. Sutton were duly elected. 



Mr. G. A. Keartland thanked the members for their support 

 and encouragement during the two years he had occupied the 

 presidential chair, which he then vacated in favour of Professor 

 Ewart, who expressed his gratification at being honoured with the 

 position, and trusted he would carry out the duties to their 

 satisfaction. 



NATURAL HISTORY NOTES 



Mr. J. A. Kershav\', F.E.S., said that a request had recently 

 been made for a short open season for Bronze-wing Pigeons, on 

 account of the damage they cause to farmers' crops, and asked 

 the opinion of those present. Mr. G. A. Keartland said from 

 his observations he considered the Bronze-wing Pigeons eminently 

 useful birds. At Narree Warren he had seen them feeding on 

 the fruit of the African box-thorn, and did not consider them any 

 detriment to farmers, as they usually feed on small seeds. 



Mr. G. Coghill called attention to the splendid exhibit of 

 Epacris blooms forwarded by Mr. A. G. Campbell from the 

 Grampians, which was some of the finest ever exhibited at a 

 meeting. 



Mr. C. F. Cole mentioned the occurrence of a Bronze Cuckoo, 

 Chalcococcyo: plagosus, at East Malvern on 30th May last. This 

 he considered as an instance of early arrival, not late departure. 



EXHIBITS. 



By Mr. R. W. Armitage. — Wood opal, sectioned and polished, 

 showing annual rings, medullary rays, grub borings, bark, &c. — 

 probably a casuarina, from Gawler, South Australia; also a 

 casuarina stem, sectioned, for comparison ; lignite, with fossil 

 resin, from Eocene deposits, Parwan Valley, Ingliston. 



By Mr. A. G. Campbell. — Flowers of Epacris impressa, various 

 shades, from Grampians, near Pomonal. 



By IMr. C. J. Gabriel, — Marine shells from Japan and Hong 

 Kong. 



By Miss H. Maddren. — Grass-stone from Central Queensland ; 

 shark's teeth and skin from Flinders ; &c. 



