Proposed General Index. 193


have built nests like those of their kind, without any instruction from their

parents or others.


Biologists are somewhat divided on this point, of the question of

Instinct, and I have not been able to hear of a good case of spontaneous

nest-building, where no instruction could possibly have occurred.


(Rev. Prof.) Gko. Henseow.


[I am not acquainted with any good case. The subject is one of

importance and of very great interest; and if any of our Members can help

us we beg they will do so. — R. P.]



MARK LYRE-BIRD INCUBATING.


Mr. D. Le Souef contributes the following interesting note to the

January number of the Emu :—


“ On 28th August, when in a fern gully at Gembrook, I found the nest

of a Lyre-Bird (Menura victories in the steep bank of the creek, and the

male bird was sitting on the egg, the hen bird being nowhere in sight; and

on two other occasions this season I have heard of male birds being

disturbed off the nest; in most of the nests I have before found it was the

female sitting, but we now see that both parents assist in the incubation.”



PROPOSED GENERAL INDEX.



The Editor has not yet received the names of nearly

enough members who would be willing to subscribe for a

copy of the proposed index to the first eight volumes of

this magazine to justify the Society in going to the expense of

bringing this out. All members who wish to subscribe are

asked to send in their names without delay. The price per

copy will be 6s.



