34 THE WOMBAT. 
The flame-breasted robins (P. phenicea) made their appear- 
ance about the middle of April near Somerville, the first being 
noticed on the 18th, ‘and each succeeding day’ adding slightly to 
their numbers, though all were females; it was not until the 22nd 
that a male was noticed. At’ the date of writing (May 12th) 
many males are to be seen on the uncultivated lands or on the 
plains wherever the land is cleared and the soil is of a damp loamy 
nature. In the thickly timbered tracts there are none to be seen 
though one meets with an occasional pair of the scarlet-breasted 
species. (P. leggzi) 1 have long wondered how it is that so many 
more females than males are in-evidence; and-—why the females 
always lead the way. ‘These birds retire about the end of August, 
from this part, presumably to breed in the mountain ranges, I 
once saw a pair making their nests on the Dandenong Ranges in. 
October.—Geo. H. Shepherd. 
Mr. J. F. Mulder reports having obtained Cyprea gigas 
from the Western Beach, ~ posal hile pied 
Mr. J. F. Mulder reports having observed the black-faced 
Cuckoo Shrike (Graucalus melanops) at Highton, on April 29th, 
and the Painted Quail (Turnix varia) at the same place.) 0) 4). 
Mr. C. F. Belcher reports having obtained the nest and eggs 
of the New Holland Honeyeater (Meliornis nove hollandi@) at 
Airey’s Inlet, on March 31st. 0 
Mr. G. H. Adcock reports on a remarkable odour, like rotten 
fish, given off by the saltbush (Ragodia hastata.) 
Mr. H. KH. Hill reports having observed the Pink Robin 
(Petreca rhodinogastra) at Bream Oreek. ‘They were plentiful 
and very inquisitive, following him for some distance through 
the scrubs] (eurp 6 Tent \2 of pminpip ni IppWss 
Mr. C. F. Belcher Yeports that the magpies are building at 
Batesford. 24/5/02. ms 31h Sur Sty rea pew 
Grimson Prints. ‘The first ofa series of notes, by HWdward: 
W. Newcomb, in the Professional and Amateur Photographer, 
reads thus :—‘‘ Crimson Prints are a new thing, that is, as far as 
anything can be new in this land of second hand discoveries. The 
toning bath is made up just when wanted, and used at once, and 
is as follows:— rh nay Ovi 1) oo cates 
~" Snlphoeyanide of Ammonia. «. 5 « 
Todide of Potash 2. 
RCO Wa Eis UDR MOL ON ATER! £0 OVAOGE ane 
_ Chloride of gold, dissolved in 2 drms, of water 4 grs. 
“Wash the Prints well before toning, and see to it that they 
are not but proof deep. Fix full fifteen minutes, as silver iodide 
dissolves less freely in hypo. than silver chloride. Toning to a 
bright crimson with the above bath takes from half to three- 
quarters of an hour. ‘There is your formula ; now if you want to 
print the town’s portraits red, go ahead!"—A.P.J, 
1\j 
