Il5 Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union. [,5^ "^"n_ 



At the Athenaeum (upper) hall, in the evening, public lectures 

 were given by Mr. A. H. E. Mattingley and Dr. J. A. Leach, the 

 subjects being "Murray Swamps" and " Mallee Scrubs" 

 respectively. Mr. David Uniapon, an aborigine, related several 

 folk-lore tales of his tribe, and spoke of the past and future of 

 the Australian aborigines. The lectures were illustrated by lantern 

 slides, and were much enjoyed by a large audience. Mr. 

 Uniapon's contribution to the evening's entertainment was also 

 greatly appreciated. 



Fourth Day. 



On Saturday afternoon, 7th November, at 2.30 p.m., a 

 gathering was held at the Zoological Gardens, at the invitation 

 of the Director, Mr. D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S. There were 38 

 present. Not only were the large specimens of animal life in- 

 spected, such as giraffe, hippopotamus, elephant, bison, orang- 

 outang, &c., &c., but also many specimens of birds. A young 

 male Lyre-Bird {Menura superba) that had been in captivity about 

 eight months was shown ; he was still in immature plumage, 

 showing that he does not attain his splendid tail during the first 

 year. The nesting-mound of the Brush-Turkey {Catheturus 

 lathami) was seen, and it was explained that it was heaped 

 together by the male bird only, who took entire charge of the 

 domestic arrangements. All the hen had to do was to make a 

 hole in the mound and lay her eggs there ; the male bird then 

 drove her off. Japanese White-necked Cranes were also seen 

 nesting, as well as wild native birds, such as the Grallina picata 

 and the Black-and- White Fantail [Rhipiditra motacilloides). 

 Numbers of wild Nankeen Night-Herons {Nydicorax caledonicus) 

 were seen roosting on the larger trees by the waterfowl ponds. 

 These birds always leave at night to obtain food at the various 

 swamps. 



After the gardens had been inspected, an adjournment was 

 made to the lawns by the Director's house, and the members were 

 entertained at afternoon tea by Mr. and Mrs. Mattingley. Before 

 leaving, a cordial vote of thanks was passed to Mr. and Mrs. Le 

 Souef and Mr. and Mrs. Mattingley, on the motion of Captain 

 White. Messrs. Le Souef and Mattingley suitably responded. 



Fifth Day. 

 Under the able leadership of Mr. A. C. Stone, about 20 members 

 and friends had a pleasant ramble through the Ringwood bush 

 on Sunday, 8th November. Mr. Stone had visited the locality pre- 

 viously, and had a number of nests marked down for observation. 

 In addition, a variety of nests in different stages were found by 

 members of the party. Rufous-breasted Whistlers {Pachycephala 

 rufiventris) were numerous, and the lovely songs of these birds were 

 heard on all sides, and a number of their nests were examined. 

 Blue Wrens [M alums cyaneus) and Brown Tit- Warblers [Acanthiza 

 pusilla) were nesting in the long grass and tea-tree in the valleys, 

 and in theopen saphng country Wood-Swallows {Artamus sordidus), 



