140 Notes and Notices. risr'"oct. 



forms, my attention was at once attracted to an unfamiliar form 

 which conspicuously stood out from the others by reason of the 

 lustrous live-brown tint of the upper surface, the uniform liright 

 umber-brown tail, and the erectile feathers of the forehead. 



After a little research, I proved it to be identical with Saxicola 

 inacularia of Quoy and Gaimard, obtained at "Port Western" in 

 1830. Mr. Wilson's specimen was obtained by him at Phillij) 

 Island, Western Port, Victoria — obviously the same locality. 



In the British Museum Catalogue, vol. vii.. p. 294, the late 

 Dr. Bowdler Sharpe, after referring to Acanthiza inacularia, pre- 

 dicted that it would prove to be Acanthiza pusilla. 



I append a translation of the original specific description, as 

 the former appears in the Catalogue, and except as to the omis- 

 sion of the conspicuously dark sepia flanks and the two minor 

 points of difference hereafter indicated in parentheses, such 

 description accurately fits Mr. Wilson's bird. 



The frontal feathers alone render the bird easily recognizable. 

 and also distinguishable from its nearest ally, A. ma^nirostris 

 (Campbell), of King Island. 



Description. — " Above rufous-brown, the frontal feathers loose 

 and elevated in front, covering the base of the bill, and of a 

 reddish colour with whitish spots; the bill is brown, straight, and a 

 little curved at the point ; the throat, breast, and belly are dull 

 white streaked with brown (black) ; the tail, which is slightly 

 rounded, is uniform rufous (burnt umber) and is marked near its 

 tip with a broad transverse brand ; the feet are long, slender, and 

 brown, like the toes. The female or young male differs in 

 having the belly buff without striations." — Alex. Wm. Millig.ax. 

 William-street, Melbourne, 16/9/12. 



Important Notice, 



The twelfth annual session of the R.A.O.U. will be held in 

 Tasmania during November. 



Inter-State members will leave Melbourne per s.s. Loongana on 

 Friday, 15th, at 4 p.m. 



Saturday, i6th, there will be an outing in the vicinity of Laun- 

 ceston, and in the evening a general meeting, when the presidential 

 address will be delivered. 



Monday, i8th, sessional business, and in the evening a lecture, 

 free to the public. 



Tuesday, 19th, in the afternoon, depart from Launceston for ten 

 days' working camp-out on Flinders Group. (Some ornithological 

 novelties are expected to be found among the Peaks of Flinders.) 



After the camp-out some members will visit Hobart, and 

 addresses to school children will be given. 



Further details are announced on the hon. secretary's usual 

 circular, which states expenses for the session need not exceed ^y 

 per member — i.e., from Melbourne. 



