145 [Vol. xxxiii. 



earth or in its covering of decaying vegetation. One foot is 

 extended and a divot raked out in front of the bird. She 

 never scratches like a hen. Young fern-fronds are sparingly 

 eaten. 



" Tameness. — The cocks are extremely shy, but the hens 

 soon get accustomed to man. One individual would allow 

 its head to be stroked with a stick whilst sitting. 



" Playground. — The cock clears a level patch about four or 

 five feet in diameter, on which he struts. The playground 

 may be decorated with bright objects, but I have not seen a 

 a bower built. 



" Song. — The call-note is a high-pitched metallic ( plek- 

 plek.' The repertoire (apart from its own notes) is often 

 rendered on the playing-ground. According to my ob- 

 servations it always commences with a ' kwse-se.' Then 

 imitations of the Whip-bird, Harmonious Thrush, Black 

 Cockatoo, Magpie, and many others. At other times imita- 

 tions of dogs, chopping wood, cow-bells, etc., were given. 



"The call is passed on from one generation to another, 

 for young cocks reproduced the call of the Black Cockatoo 

 which had not visited the district for years/'' 



Dr. Home illustrated his remarks with photographs taken 

 in the bush. 



The next Meeting of the Club will be held on Wednes- 

 day, the 14th of October, 1914, at PAGANI'S EESTAURANT, 

 42-48 Great Portland Street, W. ; the Dinner at 7 p.m. 

 Members of the Club intending to dine are requested to 

 inform Mr. Witherby, at 326 High Holborn, W.C. 



[N.B. — Members who intend to make any communication 

 at the next Meeting of the Club are requested to 

 give notice beforehand to the Editor, also to supply 

 him with a written account of anything intended for 

 publication.] 



(Signed) 

 W. Rothschild, W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, H. F. Witherby, 



Chairman. Editor. Sec. § Treas. 



