174 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



University, were elected ordinary members, and Mr. H. B. 

 Williamson, State School, Hawkesdale, a country member of the 

 Club. 



EXCURSION. 



The excursion to Sassafras Gully on 26th January was altered 

 to Menzies' Creek (Gembrook line) on Saturday, 9th February. 



PAPERS READ. 



1. By Mr. D. M'Alpine, entitled "The First Recorded Fungus 

 Parasite on Epacris." 



The author described and named a fungus, Cladosporium 

 epacridis, which had been found growing on the leaves of Epacris 

 impressa, at Caulfield, by Mr. C. French, F.L.S. 



2. By Mr. R. Hall, entitled " Notes on the Scarlet-breasted 

 Robin." 



The author gave some interesting notes on the nesting habits, 

 &c, of the Scarlet-breasted Robin, Petrceca leggii. 



Messrs. A. Coles, A. J. Campbell, D. Le Souef, and G. A. 

 Keartland discussed the paper. 



3. By A. J. North, C.M.Z.S., entitled " Additions to the Geo- 

 graphical Distribution of Australian Birds." 



The author said that among some bird skins recently received 

 from Cloncurry, in the Gulf District of Queensland, he had identi- 

 fied Ptilotis keartlandi, also Myzomela nigra and Emblema picta. 

 Reference was also made to additional localities for other birds. 



Messrs. G. A. Keartland, D. Le Souef, A. Coles, J. A. Ker- 

 shaw, O. A. Sayce, R. Hall, and A. J. Campbell took part in a 

 discussion which followed, the latter stating that some of the 

 records would be found in his new work, " Nests and Eggs of 

 Australian Birds," which had just been published in England. 



4. By Mr. T. S. Hart, M.A., entitled t: Notes on Some 

 Mineralogical Specimens." 



The author described and exhibited a number of mineralogical 

 specimens from the Ballarat district, which comprised several rare 

 varieties of crystalline structure which had not hitherto been 

 recorded as occurring in Victoria. 



Mr. O. A. Sayce said he was glad to have heard the paper, 

 and considered that the thanks of the Club were specially due to 

 the author, as he had journeyed from Ballarat to read it himself. 



5. By Mr. G. A. Keartland, entitled "Australian Desert Birds." 

 The author briefly described the habits of some of the more 



noticeable birds met with in the great desert of Central Australia. 

 This paper gave rise to some discussion, in which Messrs. A. J. 

 Campbell, A. Coles, and D. Le Souef joined. 



NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. 



Mr. D. Le Souef stated that two Brush Turkeys, Talegallus 



