128 The South Australian Ornithological Association. 



The rest of the evening was devoted to discussion of 

 Mathew's Hand List Nos. 540 to 549 (Ground Thrushes and 

 Ephthianuras). Owing to the small meeting there was not 

 a large range of specimens tabled, those exhibited toeing from 

 the S.A. Museum and Mr. F. E. Parsons' private collection. 



OCTOBER 26th, 1917. 



The monthly meeting was held on Friday evening in the 

 Royal Society's rooms, North Terrace. Oapt. S. A. White 

 presided. 



Mr. E. Ashby reported having seen many Shell Parrots 

 (Melopsittacus undulatus) at Blackwood this (season. 



Mr. J. W. Mellor also stated that these birds were plenti- 

 ful at Lockleys, and seemed to be travelling north. Mr. Mel- 

 lor gave interesting notes upon birds observed for the month 

 at Lockleys. He stated that the landrails were numerous in 

 the crops, and remarkably quiet. The Masked Owl (Tyto alba 

 delicatula) was plentiful, and the Laughing Jack (Dacelo gigas) 

 was nesting in the hollow gums. The Native Hens 

 (Microtribonyx ventralis whitei) were much in evidence. Inte- 

 resting bird notes sent in by Mr. Bellchambers were read. 



The chief item of the evening was an account given by 

 Mr. Ashby of a few days' trip made by Mr. F. Parsons and 

 himself to a locality between the Paringa Railway line and 

 the Victorian border. Mr. Ashby described the country, and 

 exhibited birdskins collected by the two ornithologists during 

 their brief stay. Among them were the red-capped babbler, 

 red-backed wren, white-browed treecreeper, crested pigeon, 

 Barnard's parrot, Gilbert's thickhead, yellow-throated minah, 

 Lanceolated honey-eater, black and white swallow, and white- 

 throated nightjar. 



The Hon. Secretary (Mr. F. M. Angel) was requested to 

 convey the sympathy of the members to Mr. Saunders during 

 his severe illness, 



NOVEMBER 30th, 1917. 



Mr. A. G. Edquist presided. An apology was received 

 from Capt. S. A. White, who was away investigating the 

 spread of sparows along the Great Western Railway. 



Mr. Edwin Ashby reported that the White-browed 

 Babbler (Pomatostomus superciliosa) had been observed at 

 Blackwood taking young sparrows from their nest and drop- 

 ping them to the ground. Dr. A. M. Morgan confirmed this 

 habit of this useful bird. 



