24 
first is most cruelly maligned, because he likes a little fruit, 
and is consequently slaughtered in thousands. Were it only 
possible to do away with this species for only two years we 
should have its ignorant judges offering golden premiums to 
have the valuable little bird back again. It may be of interest 
to some to learn that the last species was busy with household 
affairs last July 22nd in the Zoological Gardens. The nest 
was well nigh completed in a Christmas Tree (Nuvtsia floribunda ) 
but I regret to say that the recent gales have almost obliterated 
the tree ; and the builders, not appreciating such rude hints, 
have gone to seek safer quarters elsewhere. 
A few Brown Honey-eaters ( Glycyphila ocularis) were also 
busy among the Wattle bloom, and though denied a sight of it, 
the clear, distinct ringing note of the Singing Honey-eater ( Ptilotis 
sonora ) betrayed its presence among the Hakea blossoms in the 
gully. The most interesting sight to me was a solitary White- 
browed Spinebill ( Ac author hynchus superciliosus ) poising itself 
on the wing while extracting the nectar from a large Kangaroo- 
paw ( Anigozanthos manglesii) , an attitude strongly suggestive - 
of the large Hawk-moths. The eleventh and last species of the 
feathered tribe noticed was the Pallid Cuckoo ( Cuculus pallidas) 
and I would suggest that we might derive much interest, as the 
^ ictorian naturalists have done, by carefully recording the earliest 
dates of arrival in each year of this interesting wanderer. Un- 
foitunately, I can only find two (1 thought 1 had more) and they 
are wide apart : — August 3rd, 1905, and July 21st.. 1909.* 
Insect life was excessively scarce, if one omits the usual 
W.A. exceptions : Flies, Ants, and Termites or white ants, as 
most people will persist in calling them, despite the fact that 
they are not true ants, but belong to a totally different Order — 
Neuroptera, or Nerve-winged Insects. The only Lepidoptera 
noted was a freshly emerged Admiral Butterfly (Pyrameis idea), 
and one or two specimens of a medium-sized Geometer Moth 
(Hydnomena correlata, Wlk.), but as they were in such wretched 
condition we left them in peace. A few specimens of our small 
metallic-green Forester Moth ( Procris viridi-pulverulenta ) were 
on the wing. This is exceptionally early for this species, as it 
seldom appears before the end of this month, and it is generally 
September ere one meets with it. 
I he Coleoptera did not favor us much better, as we only 
succeeded in taking eight species, whereas, if members recollect, 
we took forty-one last August on the Society’s excursion to 
Gooseberry Hill. Our captures comprised three Caribs ( Chlcenius 
greyanus ) and C. marginalis and Promecoderus scaur oides I believe 
it to be, but of this I am not yet sure. Staphylinidae yielded two 
*This year the bird is earlier than usual, as we heard it on May 28th and several 
again on June 8th.— (Editors). 
