IT2 Nnte<i r Vict. Nat. 



" The Austral Avian Record." — The August part of this 

 magazine, being No. i of vol. ii., is to hand, and contains the 

 usual budget of additions and corrections to the names of 

 Australian birds. " The Colouration of the Palate and 

 Pharynx of Australian Birds " forms the subject of a short 

 article by Dr. J. B. Cleland, who gives those particulars 

 regarding some seventy species. The editor's (Mr. Gregory 

 Mathews) additions and corrections are mostly trinomials — 

 thus the Northern Territory bird, Atnytornis rufa, recentlv 

 described by Campbell and Kershaw in The Emu (xii., p. 

 274) becomes Diaphorillas striata rufa. The new genera 

 formulated are Austrotis, Neonectris, and Kempiella, the 

 latter for a yellow-breasted robin from Cape York, North 

 Queensland. 



Timber-boring Insects. — The Journal of Proceedings of 

 the Royal Victorian Institute of Architects for July last con- 

 tains an instructive paper, read before the Institute by Mr. 

 Chas. French, jun.. Government Entomologist, in which he 

 deals with insects infesting timber, notably those which attack 

 the beams and timber of houses, and frequently the furniture 

 contained therein, more especially if constructed of bamboo 

 or wicker. Methods of treatment are given, and suggestions 

 for the prevention of damage. Mr. French was recently re- 

 quested by the Tasmanian Government to furnish a report 

 on the supposed prevalence of a timber-boring beetle in Tas- 

 manian hardwood. He made an extensive examination ot 

 the saw-mills, &c., of the island State, but found that the 

 borer was confined to two or three timber-yards, where the 

 timber infested had been some time on hand. In his report 

 he made certain recommendations regarding the exportation 

 of timber which should remove all grounds of complaint. 

 The hon. secretary of the Institute, Mr. John Little, at the 

 same meeting, gave an interesting account of his observa- 

 tions on the timber industry of Tasmania, and the uses of 

 Tasmanian hardwood, in which he agreed with Mr. French's 

 statement that the presence of the timber-boring beetle Lyctus 

 bninncus is confined to a very small area. He was loud in his 

 praise of the excellent use which is being made of local 

 hardwood in ornamental fittings for public and other 

 building's. 



Bird Day. — This year Bird Day will be celebrated in the 

 State schools on Friday, 24th October, consequently the cur- 

 rent number of the School Paper for the different grades of 

 pupils is devoted to articles and extracts from authors' writ- 

 ings relating to birds. Each is well illustrated with pictures 

 of our more interesting birds. Members willing to assist in 

 bringing the claims of bird protection before the scholars of 

 our schools should notify the head master of the school thev 

 are willing to address as early as possible. 



