206 SWARMING OF THE SOLDIER BEETLE. 



The accompanying photograph represents one of the stones covered by a mass of the beetles, 

 and gives some idea of the enormous number of specimens that were present. Besides trie larger 

 masses, numbers of smaller groups were scattered about, some consisting of many, and others of only 

 a few specimens. From a little distance these groups had the appearance of dark green moss upon 

 the stones. 



In his " Australian Insects," p. 168. Mr. W. W. Froggatt says : — " This beetle sometimes appears 

 in great numbers ; I have seen the Melaleuca scrub on the Blue Mountains black with them." The 

 species is also referred to by Mr. A. M. Lea in " Insect and Fungus Pests," as an enemy of the Codlin 

 Moth as follows : — " Another species known as Telephorus pulchellus. occasionally eats codlin grubs, 

 and many species of the same genus have been recorded as attacking them elsewhere." 



These Soldier Beetles have a veiy soft integument, and belong to the same family as the Fire-flies 

 and Glow Worms, the Malacodermida?. The specimen shown in the accompanying enlarged figure 

 is a typical example, and the following is a brief description of it. 



Dorsal surface. — Head black, covered with minute hairs. Antenna? almost black, somewhat 

 lighter at the joints, pubescent. The larger anterior portion of the prothorax black, the remainder 

 bright yellow ; lateral margins forming an upturned flange, which is most distinct on the yellow 

 portion. The entire surface is covered with small hairs. Both the head and prothorax are glossy. 

 The elytra, which do not cover the last segments of the abdomen, are metallic bronze green ; in many 

 of the darker specimens they are olive green. They are pitted, and covered with minute hairs. Ex- 

 posed tip of the abdomen bright yellow. 



Ventral surface. — Head black, prothorax and mesothorax bright yellow. In the centre of the 

 metathorax there is a darker portion extending from the posterior pair of coxa?. Abdomen bright 

 yellow. Entire ventral surface covered with minute hairs. 



Legs black, covered with hairs which, in some lights, give them a reddish appearance. Length of 

 the specimen described and figured, 14 mm. 



NOTES ON THE PLUMAGE-DISPLAY OF THE BIRDS OF PARADISE IN 

 TARONGA PARK. 



By A. S. LE SOUEF, Director, Taronga Park. 



Several species of Birds of Paradise have been successfully acclimatised in two aviaries in Taronga 

 Park for the past three years. These have proved quite hardy. For the greater part of the day they 

 sit under cover and in the darkest portion of the enclosure, only showing themselves to any extent 

 in the early morning and in the evening about an hour before sundown ; at these times they are most 

 active, flying rapidly round the aviary. Their call notes can be heard at almost any time of the day, 

 especially those of the Red Plumed and the Six-wired Birds. 



The moulting of the Birds of Paradise seems to be a rather more serious affair than with most 

 other birds. The feathers start to fall in November and are generally all out by January. The birds 

 at this time are more retiring than usual, and their call notes and " displays " are not indulged in. 

 When the young feathers are growing during February and March the birds indulge in sunning them- 

 selves all the morning, often sitting in strained and twisted postures in order to let the sunlight play 



