100 
The South Australian Naturalist. 
Several specimens of Cephalopoda (Sepia apama), were cap- ■ 
tured in the pools. The cuttlebone, so common on our beaches, 
indicate that a large proportion of these creatures perish before' K 
reaching full growth — judging by the preponderance of small to- si 
large specimens washed up. Though so well equipped in the pos- it 
session of superior visual organs; powers of changing color;. 
the device of clouding the water by ejection of sepia; the won- i 
derful set of eight arms and two retractile tentacles provided with 
disc-like suction processes that hold and carry the food to the ^ 
parrot-beak mandibles, and powers of propulsion, the Sepia 
often fall victims to the foraging and hungry fish, whose teeth' 
marks may be observed in the cast-up cuttlebone. 
F. TRIGG. 
: o : 
For some years the Museum entomologist (Mr. A. M. Lea) T 
has been engaged in the examinations of birds’ stomachs, with a 
view to obtaining proof positive of the economic value of the 
varous species. He has identified the Insects, while other parts i 
of the stomach contents have been passed on to other specialists. | 
who have co-operated with Air. Lea in his work. The results of ^ 
all investigations have been carefully tabulated and got ready 1 
for publication. These facts were stated before the last meelint | 
of the S.A. Ornithological Association by Dr. J. B. Cleland, who 
added that Mr. Lea needed assistance from all those who, in com- 
ing across a dead bird, would forward the stomach, or what was 
better known as the “gizzard,” addressed to him at the Adelaide 
Aluseum. The speciments should be put in weak spirit for jirc- ■ 
servation, or, failing this, they should be salted or forwarded as 
fresh as possible, with the name of the bird and date attached vo’i 
each. Air. Lea had also stated that he had examined and tabu- j 
lated 1,500 stomachs, but there were many gaps yet to be filled!^ 
up, and many of these were among the larger and more common 
of Australian birds. It was stated that the Royal Society had 
promised to publish the tabulated lists about 100 pages per 
annum, in the annuals of its proceedings, the first list being 
printed next year. 
