Voi.^xvil.j Monthly Conversaziones. II^ 



slightly larger than the female. The paper was illustrated by a 

 splendid series of skins of the Little Penguin in different stages 

 of development, and some excellent pictures that had been 

 obtained by Mr. T. H. Tregellas. 



Mr. Le Souef then screened many unique studies of different 

 species of Penguins, and his remarks upon them were greatly 

 appreciated by members. Eggs of several species of Penguins 

 were exhibited by Mr. A. C. Stone. 



The third (September) conversazione of the R.A.O.U. was held 

 on Wednesday, 5th, at the room. Temple Court, and a fair 

 number of members attended. The chair was occupied by Mr. 

 A. H. E. Mattingley, who welcomed to the meeting Mr. Ouinney, 

 of Mortlake, and Miss Cayle}', of Sydney. Mr. Alexander and Dr. 

 Nicholls exhibited skins of the Little Penguin from Western 

 Australia, and called the attention of members to the coloration 

 of the backs of the birds, which was somewhat brighter than is 

 found in the eastern birds. The subject for the evening was 

 " Honey-eaters," and Mr. W. H. D. Le Souef opened the subject 

 with a fine series of lantern slides dealing with many species. 

 From his comments on the pictures members gleaned much 

 interesting information. Mr. A. H. E. Mattingley then contributed 

 some interesting notes on the subject, his remarks being illustrated 

 by some praiseworthy pictures of many forms of Victorian Honey- 

 eaters. Messrs. Alexander, Stone, Keep, and Ross took part in 

 the discussion which followed. Mr. F. E. Wilson then read a 

 letter from Private L. G. Chandler, which showed that, in spite 

 of exacting military duties in France, he was still able to gain 

 a little time for nature study. 



A feature of the evening was the series of eggs of Honey-eaters 

 exhibited by Mr. A. C. Stone, and about which he made some 

 interesting remarks. A fairly extensive series of skins of Honey- 

 eaters from the Union's collection was tabled, and a comparison 

 of them added much to the evening's enjoyment. 



About Members. 



Ornithologist at the Australian Museum. — The trustees of the 

 above institution have decided not to fill permanently for the 

 present the position of ornithologist, rendered vacant by the 

 death of Mr. A. J. North, C.M.B.O.U. Mr. A. F. Basset Hull, 

 R.A.O.U., has offered his services in an honorary capacity, 

 and the Museum trustees have accepted the offer. 



Mr. Basset Hull is to be congratulated (and members of the 

 R.A.O.U. may well congratulate themselves, likewise the trustees 

 of the Museum concerned) on his patriotism in giving up 

 gratuitously so much of his valuable time in the interests of the 

 ornithology of his State, and incidentally of the Commonwealth. 



