Ixxv 



MINBRALS. 



Specimen of fossil wood, Miss Buckland. 



The following papers by Professor R. Tate, F.G.S., F.L,S., etc., Adelaide, 

 were read by Mr. R, M. Johnston, F.L.S.: — 



1. Description of ncAv species of mollusca of the upper eocene beds at 

 Table Cape. 



2. Notes and description on a new species of Odax, by R. M. Johnston, 

 F.L.S., etc. 



3. Description of a new fossil shell, from the Eocene Beds, Table Cape, 

 by R. M. Johnston, F.L.S. , etc. 



NOTES AND EXHIBITS. 



Colonel Legge presented two specimens of birds to the Society — one an 

 owl (the brown fish owl, Ketupa Ceylonensis), and the other a kite (the Indian 

 pariah kite, Milviis govinda. ) He would not advocate the acquisition of birds 

 from all parts of the world for this necessary adjunct, but thought that 

 a complete collection froai the ornithological region, embracing India 

 and the Malayan Archipelago, and terminating in New Guinea, would be 

 valuable here for comparison. There were three species of this large owl — 

 one inhabiting Ceylon ; another coming from the Malayan Archipelago ; and 

 the third from the Himalays and China. Curiously enough, no large owls 

 were found in Australia, excepting a variety of the barn owl known in 

 England. The present specimen was brought from the jungles of Ceylon. 

 The species lives chiefly on fish, but also on vermin of different kinds and 

 small birds. It is a very ravenous bird, and forms rather a formidable 

 looking object when seen in the gloom of the forest. The specimen under 

 notice was a female. The kite shown was found chiefly in Ceylon and 

 India. It was alliad to uur Australian kite (Milvus affinisj found along 

 the eastern coast and up fis far as Timor, the Malayan Archipelago, and 

 extending to the Andaman Isles and to India. There were two allied species 

 of this kite — Milvus govinda, to which the present specimen belonged, 

 and Milvus affinis. Milcus govinda ran up to 19in. in breadth of 

 wings, whilst the Austialian kite was never larger than 16^in. The 

 AustraHan kite, of which there was n > specimen at present in the Museum, 

 was darker than the other, and showed an unmistakable difference. It 

 was curious that no species of kite was found in Tasmania ; that, 

 though it was found in Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia, 

 it had not crossed the Straits. The bird was well known in India, where it 

 frequently flew about the streets, and attacked boys carrying provisions : 

 it was also a great attendant in the fishing nets in the morning. He 

 would like to see a specimen of the Milvus affinis found in this country. 

 While speaking of birds, he would throw out a suggestion to members 

 fond of ornithology, viz., that a specimen of the osprey was wanted for the 

 Museum. He knew that the bird was found on the eastern coast of 

 Australia. The common fish-hawk or grey back sea eagle (Hcdicetus 

 hucogasterj, was also wanted. It was found in the Himalayas, aud extended 

 down to this country, where specimens were supposed to be larger than else- 

 where. (Applause.) 



Mr. Stephens directed attention to an interesting rock specimen from 

 the Upper Huon district, discovered and presented to the Museum by Mr. 

 Claries Glover, who was well known as the pioneer in mineral explorations 

 in the South-west, and whose labours in that field for many years past 

 had rivalled those of Mr. James Smith in the North, though they had nr.t 

 resulted in the discovery of another Mount BischofF. This rock had 

 attracted much notice, and, until carefully examined, had led many 

 persons to suppose that it was allied to the well known Carrara marble. 

 Mr. F. M. Kraus6, of Ballarat, had kindly analysed a specimen of the rock, 

 and furnished the following description : — Rock specimen from Weld 

 River, Upper Huon, 



