Vol. IV. 



iyo4 



] Rc 



plain white. Phid many of the " Gould Collection " of eggs 

 been described by that author when they fell into his hands, 

 their description would have anticipated many later day 

 authorities. Of these, such rare eggs may be mentioned as 

 Ncophema splendida (Scarlet-chested Grass-Parrakeet), Pscudo- 

 gcrygonc culicivora (Southern Fly-eater), Graucalus lincatus 

 (Barred Cuckoo-Shrike), &c., &c. 



It is most interesting to notice regarding the Australian eggs 

 how many well-known collecting grounds are given — Dawson 

 River (Q.), Dobroyde (N.S.W.), Dandenong Ranges, Oakleigh, 

 Somerville, even that old-time collecting haunt Albert Park 

 (Vic), Reed-Beds (S.A.), and so on. Exception, however, may 

 be taken to Tasmania for Calopsittacus novce-hollandicc (Cockatoo- 

 Parrakeet), and Melbourne for Halcyon niadeayi (Forest King- 

 fisher). The respective species are not found within the States 

 to which they are accredited. But it is just possible that 

 authenticated eggs may, by exchange, have passed through 

 collections in these places. 



Ornithological Association of South Australia. 



The bi-monthly meeting of the association was held at the residence of 

 Dr. A. M. Morgan on Friday evening, 13th May. Capt. S. A. White 

 presided. 



Mr. Symonds Clark gave an account of the manner in which the Black 

 Duck (Anas superciliosd) conveys its young from the nesting-place to the 

 water — a distance often too great for the little ones to traverse on foot — 

 the information being vouched for by a relative of Mr. Clark (Mr. Thomas 

 Goodwin, of Yelda Mission Station, on the Lower Murray). The parent 

 bird was observed to fly in from the scrub and alight near the water's 

 edge, whereupon several ducklings appeared upon the scene from the 

 duck's back. These were secreted closely by the inother, who departed, 

 and in about 20 minutes returned with the remainder of her brood — eight 

 or nine in all — who were soon enjoying their natural element. 



The hon. sec. (Mr. J. W. Mellor), who had been appointed by the Aust. 

 O.U. at the annual meeting in Hobart as the South Australian repre- 

 sentative of the special committee to revise and bring up to date the 

 " Check-List " of Australian birds, brought the subject before the meeting, 

 with the object of coming to a decision as to uniformity. After a lengthy 

 discussion as to both classification and vernacular names, it was decided 

 to pass the matter on to a sub-committee, who will report to a future 

 meeting of the association. 



Amongst specimens shown were soine by Dr. A. M. Morgan, who had a 

 series of sternum bones, and explained the peculiarities of the various 

 species of our birds, as well as the modus operandi of determining the 

 species to which they belonged. His exhibit comprised : — Eggs of the 

 Crescent-marked Oriole (Mimeta flavocincta), the Honey-eater Ptilotis 

 fusca, and the White-throated Nightjar (Eurostopus albigularis). 

 Mr. J. W. Mellor exhibited specimens of the Rock Pebbler {Polytelis 

 melanurd) and the Least Swamp Quail {Excalfactoria lineata — austraiis). 

 Capt. S. A. White showed a series of species of the African Weaver 

 F'inches and their nests, collected by himself while in Africa. He pointed 

 out the peculiarity of these birds in placing their nests in most inacces- 

 sible places and the well-defined limits of the various species. 



