Che Queensland naturalist. THE ORGAN OF THE FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB AND ITS BRANCHES. VOL. III. JULY, ig2I. No. I. FOREWORD. At this stage in the history of the Queensland Field Naturalists ’ Club and its journal, it seems advisable to comment briefly on recent developments and the outlook for the future. The point is that circumstances have arisen which make it likely that the scope of the Club will be broadened and the Naturalist enlarged or otherwise altered. These circumstances have to do with a proposal to amalgamate the Field Naturalists’ Club with the Gould League of Bird-Lovers. It is not easy to say from which body the proposal emanated, for the personnels of both are largely identical; indeed, this was one of the factors that prompted the suggestion for alliance. Other con- siderations were the possibility that by amalgamation the aims of both bodies could be more efficiently and economi- cally carried out, a larger field of operations covered (including the more systematic enrolment of country members), central rooms obtained, and a greater influence secured with the Governments and the public. Moreover, it was thought that, with a body directly representative of the whole State, the Queensland Naturalist could be enlarged and made an even more vital factor than it is at present in the study of natural history in this great, bountifully-endowed unit of the Commonwealth. Having given close consideration to these points, a combined meeting of the executives of both bodies agreed to the following resolution: “That the Queensland Field Naturalists’ Club and the Queensland Gould League of Bird Lovers amalgamate into one body, to be called the Queensland Natural History Society, all funds and assets of the existing bodies to be pooled; this action to be subject to a ballot being taken of all adult members of both bodies prior to 30th June, 1921; a seventy-five per cent, majority to decide the issue.” The ballot has been taken, and the result will be reported at an early date. 2 July, 1921 The Queensland Naturalist. In the meantime, it will not be out of place to suggest that the Field Naturalists ’ Club has reason to congratu- late itself on work accomplished. Much of this has been given to the world through the medium of the Naturalist , and the striking manner in which the list of exchanges has swelled, together with the many more direct requests that have been received from abroad for copies of the journal, have carried conviction as to the worth of the work being done. Further evidence on the point came from Professor E. H. Wilson, of the Arnold Arboretum, Harvard Univer- sity (U.S.A.), who recently carried out forestry inspection in Queensland. Speaking to a newspaper representative, Professor Wilson described the Queensland Field Natu- ralists’ Club as “easily the most active body of its kind” he had met on his travels, particularly in relation to botany and birds. His sense of its worth, he said, was best shown in the fact that he had become a life member of the Club. Referring to individual members, the visitor paid a tribute to the work being done by Mr. E. W. Biek as Director of the Botanic Gardens, and also warmly commended the Government Botanist (Mr. C. T. White) and the Assistant Government Botanist (Mr. W. D. Francis). He said he had known Mr. White by repute, and he had “measured up” beyond expectations. Queensland should be proud of the fact that it had an Australian born Government Botanist, and that one a young worker who, in Professor Wilson’s opinion, bade fair to become one of the foremost dendrologists! of his time in the world. — A.H.C. PROCEEDINGS. April to June, 1921. April 18. — Dr. A. Jefferis Turner, F.E.S., on “The Lepidoptera of Charleville and the Interior.”* May IP.— National Parks Public Meeting. The Chair was occupied by the Patron of the Club, His Excellency the Governor, Sir Matthew Nathan, whose party included Sir Thomas Robinson (ex-Agent General for Queensland in London) and Lady Robinson. The Governor, respond- ing to a welcome, extended him on behalf of the Club by the President, said it seemed to him a great thing for ♦See pp. 17-22, July, 1921 3 The Queensland Naturalist. the State to have set apart tracts of country as sanc- tuaries for the indigenous flora and fauna. Illustrated lectures on features of the National Parks of the Mac- pherson and Bunya Ranges were delivered by Professor H. C. Richards, I). Sc., (geology), Messrs. C. T. White, F.L.S. (botany), A. H. Chisholm, R.A.O.U. (ornithology), and H. A. Longman, F.L.S. (zoology). The lecturers were thanked on the motion of the Governor, who was also accorded a vote of thanks for his attendance and interest in the subject. May 23. — Monthly Meeting. Feature, Lecture on “The Microscope; its Construction and Manipulation,’ ’ by Mr. Frank L. Baker (W. Watson and Sons, Ltd.). Mr Baker spoke of the “growth” of the microscope and its great value in many fields of science. He detailed also the essentials in a microscope and exhibited what he regarded as the most desirable modern instrument, Watson’s “Service” microscope. This, he said, had been produced from specifications drawn up by a committee of the British Science Guild. Professor E. H. Wilson, of Harvard University (U.S.A.) was welcomed to this meeting, and enrolled as a member of the Club. A fine lot of lantern slides (chiefly scenic views) was screened by Mr. J. E. Young. June 1. — Illustrated lecture by Captain S. A. White, C.M.B.O.U. (South Australia), on “The Economic Value of our Native Birds.” Captain White, who was in Queensland on research work for the Forestry Dept., made a strong case for the better protection of various birds, and especially mentioned the Crested Shrike-Tit (Falcunculus) as an enemy of the destructive Cedar Twig Borer The Director of Forests (Mr. E. H. F. Swain), the Under Secretary for Agriculture (Mr. E. G. Scriven), and the Director of the Perth Zoological Gardens (Mr. A. E Le Souef) were welcomed to this meeting. June 3. — Excursion to Woogaroo Scrub, Goodna. June 20. — Illustrated lecture by Miss Freda Bage (ex-President) on “Tasmania and its National Park.” Miss Bage conveyed a good deal of interesting informa- tion, and a general discussion followed. Special lantern slides were shown by Mr. R. L. Higgins. 4 The Queensland Naturalist. July, 1921 TRANSACTIONS. BIRDS OF THE BAY. (Notes taken during a three months’ cruise of Moreton Bay.) By (Mrs.) L. M. MAYO. The Whistling Eagles ( Haliastur sphenurus) were very plentiful on Myora Beach. Every afternoon when the tide was out half a dozen of these birds would be circling overhead, to the great uneasiness of the Herons (White-fronted and Blue Reef) on the beach, or rather sand flats — the tide goes out nearly a mile in places from the shore. Twice I saw Eagles attack Herons in the air. As the Eagles narrowed the circle of their flight, all the Herons would rise, flapping aimlessly and screaming, then try to escape by doubling in the air (as a hare does on land) with their legs hanging and necks outstretched. They had a very lively fear of the Eagles, and so long as those birds were overhead they watched them. One Wedgeitailed Eagle kept to the hills by the shore. What I took to be a pair (their plumage was similar in every way, but one bird was a good deal larger than the other) of White-bellied Sea Eagles were constant on the beach, hunting for fish; and after a meal in the evening they used to make a tremendous “quacking’’ noise, like any geese. Until I actually saw the birds as they “sang their even-song,” 1 could not believe they were responsible for the noise. A pair of very beautiful red Eagles, with white heads and chests, also hunted round Myora pool. During March the birds on the sand flats comprised Pelicans, Black Swans, Curlews, Whimbrels, Godwits, Sacred Ibis, Cormorants (White-breasted and small Black), Dottrels (Red-capped, Black-fronted, and Black- banded). One lovely pair of White Egrets, still wearing their plumes, played round the fresh-water pool every day. We noted also Pied Oyster-catchers, Wild Ducks, and Kingfishers (//. sanctus and H. macleayi ). July, 1921 The Queensland Naturalist. > The Sacred Kingfisher was a very friendly chap, and used to fly out to the boat and come under the awning to have a look at me. He also enjoyed perching on the bobstay and twanging it with his bill — I think the vibration he caused must have tickled his toes nicely. Watching a flock of Herons rise one day, I noticed that the foot of one of the birds was firmly enclosed in £ bivalve. Needless to say, the Heron did not “trim’" itself, but flew off with its legs hanging down, and carried the bivalve out of sight. At night many hundreds of birds — Crows. Herons. Ibis, and Cormorants — roosted in big mangrove trees about 50 yards from the shore, and the commotion and noise as they got ready to roost beggared description. The “Shags’* always waited along the edge of the water until the other birds settled; then they took up positions on the outer branches of the trees, their breasts looking like big white flowers in the dusk. We routed the birds out occasionally, just for the joy of seeing them all circling in the air and hearing their protesting cries as they got back to bed. The White-cheeked Honeyeaters (Meliornis sericea) were flocking on the Southern end of Stradbroke Island in February, and were as common and noisy as Sparrows. In March they had all gone, and a little grey Honeyeaiter* with a dusky head, and a bright song had taken their place. I think this has been a wonderful season for birds, and they have seemed much tamer than usual. Who can believe it is the middle of winter while they hear and see every day (as I do in my little backyard) Rufous Whistlers, White-naped Honey-eaters (“skits” the boys call them.' W'hite-shafted Fly-catchers, Wagtails, and Pee wees? And Java Doves are building at the extremest tip of the silky oak. Much chance they have of rearing their brood at that altitude unless they put a decent “floor” to their nests! A pair of Little Cuckoo Shrikes are pulling and eating the dead leaves from the fig tree — and all day long “the little birds do sing!” Probably Stigrnatops otndarix. — Eds. 6 The Queensland Naturalist. July, 1921 QUEENSLAND GEMSTONES IN THE PRINCE’S CASKET. By B. DUNiSTAN. Chief Government Geologist. (With two plates). Queensland produces a wonderful variety of metallic and n on-metallic minerals of economic importance. Per- haps no other country in the world is comparable with her in this respect. Amongst these minerals are numbers of gemstones of great beauty and rarity, and it has been the endeavour, in making up a “ Prince’s Collection/’ to illustrate what can be produced in the State in the way of stones for gem and ornamental purposes. The following account of the stones of the casket does not embrace all that Queensland can produce, but a list of those not included in the collection is given at the end. The descriptions are not in numerical order, but according to mineral species and varieties: — A THE CORUNDUM VARIETIES. (Nos. 1, 2, 3.) The Oriental peridot, or yellowish- green sapphire, occurs in all parts of the Anakie sapphire held. It varies much in colour and shade, and merges into Oriental olivine, the tints varying between the standard yellowish-green and brownish-green. The stones are more attractive in daylight than in artificial light, par- ticularly if the light is yellowish; at night they are of a pink colour, this rare feature suggesting the name of Alexandrite sapphire. The stones numbered 2 and 3 have this peculiar optica! effect, and are decidedly pink at night time. They are from Mr. Hunt’s claim at Rubyvale, No. 1 stone coming from Mr. Newsome’s claim in the same locality. (Nos. 23, 24, and 25.) The three Oriental emeralds, or emerald green sapphires, are usually deep in tint, but somewhat lighter shades are occasionally found, w’hich vary between grass-green and a pale emerald-green, although none have been found having the brightness of colour of the true emerald. Its diehroic property gives it h light and dark green effect, according to the direction in which hi the rough it is viewed, and when the stones are faceted this effect is retained. The pale bluish-green sapphire — Oriental aquamarine (No. 9) — is a rare stone, and generally very clear, and when correctly faceted makes a gem much more lustrous than the ordinary aquamarine. July, 1921 The Queensland Naturalist. 7 (Nos. 7, 8.) The yellow sapphire, or Oriental topaz, is the queen of all Anakie stones, and perhaps the rarest ; and amongst its varieties the orange yellow is the most wonderful and beautiful. The yellow stone in the collec- tion was found twenty years ago at the Reward Claim, on Retreat Creek, near Ruby vale, where the first dis- covery of sapphires was made many years previously, the stone being found in the centre of a rough piece of corundum which was thrown away as worthless and afterwards picked up and broken in two, the yellow crystal showing in the centre. The deep yellow stone was obtained at Iguana Flat, close to Rubyvale. The colour varies frorr. a light canary (which is rare) to honey- yellow and lemon-yellow, all such tints producing nice effects when the crystal is not marked by cloudiness or silkiness. All the varieties of yellow sapphire are good stones for day wear, but some tints are very effective in artificial light, and with diamonds make very brilliant settings. (No. 14.) Blue sapphires. Light and dark shades of J his variety of sapphire are common, but a characteristic green tint is invariably present, which serves to dis- tinguish the Anakie sapphires from those of any other part of the world. These blues are the ‘ 4 bread and butter” stones of the miners, all others being classed as ‘■“fancy stones.” (No. 13.) Parti-coloured sapphires are not so rare as the yellow stones, although much rarer than the blue and green stones. They are very beautiful when skilfully cut by the lapidary, and show quite a number of shades; but at present no very great demand exists for them. The combined colours are blue-green, blue-yellow, yellow- green, and blue-red. The yellow usually forms the centre and sometimes takes the shape of a triangle. Occasionally a pink band is found to encircle a blue stone, and bands of yellow alternate with bands of blue. B. SILICATES. (No. 19). Aquamarine, the sea-green variety of beryl, occurs in many of the alluvial deposits in the Chillagoe and Herberton mineral fields. The stone in the collection was cut from a six-sided prismatic crystal, three inches long and over an inch in diameter, the specimen being obtained from the Tate River gravels close to the township of Fisherton, in association with alluvial gold. (No. 18). Blue beryl is an uncommon stone in Queensland, and has only been found at Brooklands, near 8 July, 1921 The Queensland Naturalist. ® ^ 2 C! O fl oi.C^ & X» & c$ ^ cd 0 > — l|® 6 h o £ c « I few ® — S* -P s-'oi ^ G o 02 - ^ © © c3 43 r~> i.vj " "■ -+-J O &2 G 'G © c3 ® £ © £ . J 03 © >0.. 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Manual of the Land and Fresh- water Shells of the British Islands, 1831, p. 97. XL Pupoides Pfeiffer. Try on, loc. cit., vol. 26, p. 108. Shell small, 3-6 111 m. long, rimate, long-ovate, turrited or rarely cylindrical, with obtuse apex and few, 5 to 6, rather long whorls. Aperture ovate, toothless except for a small, tuberculiform, angular lamella close to the insertion of the outer lip, or united with it, rarely wanting; peri- stome expanded, reflected and usually thickened within. Internal axis slender, perforate. Type, P. nitidulus Pfr. 27. pacific us Pfr. Proc. Zool. Soc.. 1864, p. 31 ; Pilsbry, Proc. Acad. X. Sci., Phil., 1900, p. 426, f. 1 : Smith, Zool. Ereb. and Ter., 1874, p. 3, PI. 4, f. 6; lied ley Index, Aloll. AY. Aust., p. 68. F. PUPINID^E. XII. Pupina Yignard. Shell pupa-shaped, for the most part covered by a smooth callus, usually polished; aperture circular; peristome simple, thickened or reflected, columellar margin divided in the middle hy a transverse channel ; right margin form- ing a second channel at its insertion. Operculum thin, membranaceous, narrow- whorled, flattish. 28. pincticola Cox, loc. cit., p. 102, xvi, f. 8, 8a, 8b. 29. strange) Pfr. Cox, loc. cit., p. 103. 30. wileojei Cox, loc. cit., p. 101, PI. xvi, f. 15, 15a, 15b.. Note . — Besides the species enumerated, Air. S. AY. Jackson collected a young shell which is probably an imma- ture specimen of the rare CkloriUs blackmani Cox. having five whorls, the first and second reddish, the third and fourth horny and transparent, tin* fifth pale reddish horny. 0 THREE INTERESTING FUNGI. The accompanying photograph of fungi was taken by Mr. R. L. Higgins on the Club’s excursion to Goodna and Woogaroo scrub on the 3rd June last. The central fungus, with lace-like veil, is evidently a fine specimen of Phallus 38 The Queensland Naturalist. Oct., 1921 m ulticolor, one of the phalloids or stinkhorn group of fungi. A fly can be indistinctly seen 011 the left-hand side of the cap or pileus ; the pileus is covered with a stinking brown, more or less liquid substance, termed the gleba, which ■carries the spores. Carrion-feeding insects are attracted to the gleba by its offensive odour, and thus the spores are spread. The two ear-shaped fungi on either side are specimens of Jew ’s ear ( Hirneola polytricha) ; this species and its ally, II. auricula- juda e, are used by the Chinese to thicken soups. Three Notable Fungi. (Photo by R. L. Higgins.) They can be used after drying, and are imported from different countries into China. The small specimen in the left-hand corner is a speci- men of earth star or Geaster. The body of the fungus consists of two coats, an outer and *an inner one, respec- tively. The outer, which is of a thick leathery nature, eventually splits in a stellate manner; the inner one is papery and dehiscent at the apex, allowing the minute •dust-like spores to escape. — C.T.W. »Oct., 1921 The Queensland Naturalist. 39 NOTES ON MISTLETOES. By C. T. White, F.L.S., Government Botanist. In forwarding specimens from Kyogle (N.S.W.) of a mistletoe for exhibit at the July meeting of the club, Mr. .J. C. Hayes wrote: — “The most remarkable thing about this parasite is that it is invariably found growing on other mistletoes. An examination will reveal two characteristics which render it one of the most distinct and beautiful members of the mistletoe family. (1) The leaves are thin, woolly, and quite unlike the fleshy foliage of the common mistletoe. (2) The colour of the young shoots, flowers, and under surface of the leaves is a beautiful golden yellow. The fruits are small- and semi-transparent, and the seed surrounded by a sticky substance characteristic of the family. 1 first found this species growing 011 a common mistletoe which was in turn growing on a hoop pine, and in a search extending over some weeks 1 found it living on its parasitic relations who had selected various forest trees for their hosts, including scrub box (Tristania) , red gum (Eucalyptus) , apple (Ango-phora) , and forest oak ( Casuo - rina ) . ” The specimen forwarded by Mr. Ilayes proved to be Xotothixos sabaureus. His remarks are borne out by observers in New South Wales and in Queensland. This -species is quite common in the neighbourhood of Brisbane, but 1 have never noticed it attack any other plant than another mistletoe, a species of either Lora /ttkus or Vise uni. Mr. Hayes’s note led to an interesting discussion as to the relationship of the mistletoes and their hosts. Mr. R. Illidge stated that he had never noticed Lora n th us lino - phyllus on any other trees than easuarinas or she oaks, and I may mention that I have never seen L. pendulus on any trees other than eucalypts; these are cases where close simi- larity exists between the foliage of host and parasite. On the other hand L. congener , a broad-leaved species, though abundant in forest country on various trees, seems most partial to easuarinas. L. longiflorus is common in forest country about Brisbane, living on both native and cultivated trees; it is very common on the swamp mahogany ( Tristania :suavelens). L. dictyophlebus is abundant on the broad- leaved trees of the “scrub” or “rain forest” (jungle). Some discussion arose as to the spread of the mistletoe cother than by the Mistletoe Bird (Diemim) , it being very evident that some of the larger fruited species, such as L. dictyophlebus , must be spread by larger birds. Other members taking part in the discussion were Mr. A. II. Chisholm and Mr. J. E. Young. 40 The Queensland Naturalist. Oct., 1921 AN ENTOMOLOGIST IN THE INTERIOR. (By A. Jefferis Turner, M.D.) Part II * My midday hours at Charleville were occupied in set- ting my captures, but in the evening I searched the lights: of the town. Do not suppose that I startled the inhabi- tants by waving a net in the open streets. My methods, were less obtrusive, and a few boxes and a piece of card- board in my pocket my only apparatus. Opposite my hotel was the School of Arts. There I sat on the veranda under an acetylene lamp reading the Sydney Bulletin,. but keeping an eye open for insects. The very first evening I took a fine pair of the curious hawkmoth, Hoplionema brachyccra (Low), which is peculiar to the interior. On this lamp I also took six examples- of an allied species, which I believed to be newt, and I took these hawkmoths only on this lamp and nowhere else. Later in the evening I strolled round the town. Fortunately there were no street lamps, but some of the shops were brilliantly lighted, and moths were thick on the window glass. Ostensibly an idler gazing on the goods behind the window, but really scrutinising the moths on the glass, it was easy for me to transfer any wanted speci- men into my pocket without anyone, unless he had been watching me very closely, being any the wiser. In this way I took Anthcla reltoni (Luc.), of which the type came from Charleville, and which I have received from Adavale. This- species was redescribed by Mr. Lower, from Broken Hill, but as Lucas’s description is quite unrecognisable by any- one who has not seen the type, now in the Queensland 1 Museum, he is not to blame for that. I took also A nth da ast arias (Meyr) ( uniform is Swim, callispila Low, nipJwma- cula Low). It may be remarked that the naturalist who has seen this species only in a cabinet on a background of white paper may be struck by its uniform colouring; but, on the contrary, one who has seen it under a lamp on a dark night will be struck by the vivid contrast of its snow-white spots on a dark ground. As every artist knows, colour effects may depend much more on lighting and 011 contrast than on pigment. Many Noctuids, together with some Geometers, Pyrates, and Micros, were taken oil these evening rounds. One shop* *(For Part I. see July issue.) t Since identified as IT. marmorata Luc. Oct., 1921 41 The Queensland Naturalist. devoted to fruit and soft drinks was specially well lighted. Here I boldly entered, and while my order was being attended to, quietly pocketed one or more desired speci- mens, leaving the shop richer than the proprietor knew. Although 1 kept my methods quiet they could not be unknown to everyone. One day my cabman came in with “a butterfly.” 1 was surprised to find it to be that fine moth Anthercm loranthi (Luc.), not known hitherto from further inland than Duaringa. It is a male, smaller in size and paler in colouring than coastal specimens. Perhaps it represents a local race, but I think it may be a new species. My landlord also presented me with 'One of the Boarmmdce, which I had not taken myself, and have not yet been able to identify. Specimens so taken are chance captures, and convey little or no information as to the habits of the species; but collecting at light is certainly profitable, and sometimes a chance capture is of significance. For instance, I found an imperfect, dead specimen in the hotel, which turns out to be Prasinocyma ocyptera (Meyr). It was something of a puzzle why this moth was found only on the coast of southern Queensland and of middle West Australia. This capture indicates that, like Boarmia penthearia, it occurs in a belt right across the continent. Most Noctuids are taken at light, but an example of (' an thy lid ia eurhythma (Turn.), previously known only from examples sent by Dr. Hamilton Kenny from Gfayndah, was taken about mid-day, quietly settled in a flowery field. One might go on for a long time yet narrating the circumstances of particular captures, but I will only say that I left Charleville well satisfied, having taken ninety- one species of lepidoptera, many of them, especially among the micros, being new species. By combining the named species from Charleville with those obtained from other inland localities, I have obtained a list which is printed at the end of this paper for the information of those specially interested, it contains nearly 200 species, but is still very fragmentary, fairly extensive in the Noctuiche, but in the micros probably representing only a small percentage of the actual fauna'. To record a local fauna with any completeness, it is necessary to live m the district for several years. It is interesting to com- pare my list with that compiled by Mr. Oswald Lower for Broken Hill, not a very favoured locality. After several .years’ residence he has compiled a list of' over 600 species Although this list may contain some errors, I believe it is substantially correct, and we may thank the author for the only inland local lepidopterous fauna based on continuous •collecting. 42 The Queensland Naturalist. Oct., 192 r The interior of Australia as conceived by the lepidop- terist is a vast area comprising, I suppose, some four-fifths; of the continent. Its limits are the western slopes of the- dividing range, but on its borders coastal and inland species- mingle over a wide stretch of country. To the south it reaches the coast on the shores of the Australian Bight. Of its western limit's I know little, but imagine that they are analogous to those on the east. Along dry coastal belts, such as about Townsville and in North-west Australia many inland species may occur. Indeed the inland species being, often migratory on account of climatic conditions, it is not surprising that they may visit many parts of the coast in dry seasons. If the interior comprises four-fifths of the continent, the coastal districts may be said to comprise four- fifths of the lepidoptera. Nevertheless, the interior fauna is richer than has been supposed. I divide its species into- three groups, distinguished in the list given below by the letters a, b, and c. (a) really comprises two groups which I am not able to distinguish from each other — (1) coastal species which have spread inland, and (2) species which are common to both regions, but often more abundant inland. These last are the section of the fauna which is particularly conspicu- ous to the casual observer. (b) species, whose real home is in the interior, but frequently visit the coast, where they vary in numbers according to the season. It is not always easy to distinguish this group from the preceding, but it may usually be done. 1 include here, for instance, Elodina padusa , Deilephila line at a, Ipanica cor nig era, and Eremochroa alphitias. (c) the genera and species peculiar to the interior not found in coastal districts except as rare visitors. Here I include such genera as Jlopliocnema, Eremochroa, Niguza,. and TlialainodeSf and many species of genera of more general distribution. The real object of this paper has been a general one — to show how much the study of any part of nature adds to the interest of life. There are many people who have no- idea what an interesting world, and what an interesting part of the world, they live in. To dispel this ignorance is, I think, the main object of the Naturalists ’ Club. I also wanted to point out how imperfect is our knowledge of the living creatures found in Australia, and how readily any- one, especially anyone living at a distance from a capital city, can assist in increasing this knowledge. In the following list the letters a, b, and c refer to the groups mentioned above; the numerals refer to localities as follows: — 1 Charleville, 2 Cunnamulla, 3 Adavale, 4 Oct., 1921 The Queensland Naturalist. 45 Mitchell, 5 Roma. 6 Bourke, 7 Brewarrina, 8 McDonnel Ranges, 9 Musgrave and Everard Ranges; other localities are given by name : — PAPILIOXID.E. Papilio sthenehis Macleay (b 1). XYMPHALIDiE. Precis villida Fab. (a 1). P yram-e i s kersh awi McCoy (a 1». PIERID.E. Catopsilia pyranthe Lin. (a 1). Anaphaeis java lib. (a 1). Elodina padusa Hew. (b 1). T evicts smilax Don. (a 1). LYCLEXID.E. Ogyris amaryllis Hew. (a 1). Zizina labradus Godart (a 1). Lampides boeticus Lin. (a 1). A aeaduba biocellata Feld, (a 1). SPHIXGKLE. Hippotion celerio Lin. (a 2). Deilephila li neat a Fab. (b 2 3). Sphinx convolvuli Lin. (a 2 8). Sphinx godarti Macleay (b 1). llopliocnema brachycera Low (c I). Hopliocnema marmorata Luc. (cl). SATURXIAIYE. Anthevaea engaea Turn, (e 1). XOTODOXTIIYE. Ochrogaster contrcma Wlk. (a 1 8 9). Epicoma argentata Wlk. (b 8). LIPARID.E. Lymantria red ucta Wlk. (a 2). ITYPkSID.E. Nyctemera arnica White (a 2). Digama marmorea But-1, (a 1). AXTHELID^E. Apr 0 sit a obscura Wlk. (c 1 8). Anthela rubicunda Swin. (a 9). Anthela asterias Meyr. (b 1). Anthela reltoni Luc. (c 1 3). Anthela magnifica Luc. (a 2). LASIOCAMPIDJE. Eremaea zonospila Low. (c 9), Eucla. Porela notabilis Wlk. (a 6). 9 44 The Queensland Naturalist. Oct., 1921 ARCTIADiE. Utetheisa pulcheUa Lin. (a 1 3 5 8). Estigmene cosmeta Low. (c 6 7). NOCTU1D.E. Cruria donovani Bdv. (a 3 5). Ipanica cor nig era- Butl. (b 1 2). A eocleptria punctifera Wlk. (a 1 2 3 8 9). Heliothis obsolete 1 Lab. (a 1 2 3 8). Canthylidia moribunda G 11 . (a 2). Canthylidia eurhythma Turn, (b 1). Euxoa radians G 11 . (a 1 2 8 9), Coolgardie. Agrotis infusa Bdv. (a 3 8). Prot euxoa m niodes Low. ( ?) (c 5). Prof euxoa pauro gramma Low. (c 2 3). Pro patr ia mundioides Low. (b 6), Coolgardie. Leucania cruegeri Butl (a 1 2 3). Sideridis diat recta Butl. (a 5). Sideridis loreyi Dup. (a 2 8). Cosmodes elegans Don. (a 2). $ pod opt era cxigua Hb. (a 2 5 8). Hypo peri gea tonsa G 11 . (a 1 3 5). Hypoperigea kcemmorrhanta Snips, (e 3). Xeunaugana delo gramma Turn, (c 6). Paromphale caeca Swin. (a 3). Eremochroa alphitias Meyr. (b 1 2 7 8). Perigca capensis Gn. (a 3 5). Proxenus tenuis Butl. (a 1 2 3 4). Omphedctis florescens Wlk. (b 2 3), Coolgardie. Omphaletis heliosema Low. (b 2 3 6). Omphaletis nun a Gn. (b 6), Coolgardie. 'Omphaletis rnelodora Low. (b 6). Caradrina confinis Wlk. (a 2). Caradrina paratorna Low. (a 6). Eublemma pare a Hb. (a 1 2 4). Eustrotia amor pha Butl. (a 1 2). Eustrotia opolla Swin. (a 1 3). Narangodes nigridiscata Swin. (b 3). Micrapatetis icela Turn, (c 3). Tarache nivipicta Butl. (a 1 3). Taracke hieroglyphica Low. (a 2 3). Tarache clerana Low. (a 1 2). Amyna natalis Wlk. (a 2). Pateeta conspicienda Wlk. (a 2). Calathusa dispila Turn, (a 5). E arias huegeli Rogen. (a 1 3). Earias parallela Luc. (b 1 2 3 5). E arias ochrophylla Turn, (b 1 2 3). ArmacUca endoleuca Hmps. (c 3). Oct., 1921 The Queensland Naturalist. 45 Arrnadica columbina Wlk. (a 1). Arrnadica conchidia Butl. (a 3). Acontia atnata Wlk. (a 3). Plusia argentifera Wlk. (a 1 2 5). Donuca spectabilis Wlk. (b 2). Xiguza eucesta Turn, (c 8), Cobar. Granvmodes oceUata Tepp. (a 8). Grammodes pidcherrima Luc. (a 2 3). Mods alterna Wlk. (a 2 8). Chaldope hyppasia Cram, (a 2). Prorocopis euxantha Low. (a 1 3). P/'orocopis stenota Low. (c 1 3). Lyncestis amphix Cram., Tennant's Creek. Diatenes aglossoides G 11 . (b 2 8). Diatenes ignepida Low. (b 2 8). Erceia sobria Wlk. (a 1). Dasy podia cymatodes Gn. (a 2 3). Dasy podia selenophora Gn. (a 2 8). Polydesma submurina Wlk. (a 8). Tatorhynchus vinctalis Wlk. (a 2 8). LARENTIADiE. Ckloroclystis laticostata Wlk. (a 2 3 4 5). Horisme peplodes Turn, (a 5). Cidaria sub red aria Gn. (a 2). Xanthorlioe sodaliata Wlk. (a 5). ACIDALIAD.E. Eois cost aria Wlk. (a 1). Acid alia dcsita Wlk. (a 8). Acid alia rubraria Dbld. (a 1 2 3 5). Addalia lyclia Butl. (b 1 2). Acidalia optivata Wlk. (a 5). Addalia oppilata Wlk. (a 1 2 5). GEOMETRID E. Gdasma ocyptera Meyr. (a 1). BOARMIAD.E. Hybernia indodlis Wlk. (a 5). Edropis excursaria Gn*. (a 5). Boarmia penthearia Gn. (a 4). Cleora displicata Wlk. (a 1). Thalainodes nessostoma Turn, (c 8). Thalainodes allochroa Low. (c 8). Harpagocnema eremoplana Turn, (c 9). Capusa graodes Turn, (b 2). Ciampa arid aria Gn. (a 7). PHYCITID.E. Hoynoeosoma vagella Zel. (a 1). Plodia inter panctella Hb. (a 1). 46 The Queensland Naturalist. Oct., 1921 Crocydopora cinigerella Wlk. (a. 1 5 9). Tylochares eremonoma Turn, (c 3). Tylochares goniosticha Turn, (c 9). Trissonca ianthemis Meyr. (a 1). Euzophera subarcuella Meyr. (a 3). Cryptoblabes oenobarello Meyr. (a 1). Etiella behri Zel. (a 1 2 3 9). Etiella chry sopor ella Meyr. (a 1). Sclerobia tritalis Wlk. (a 1). CRAMBIDJE. Crambus cuneif erellus Wlk. (a 1). Platytes idioptila Turn, (c 7). Chilo ocelleus Haw. (c 3). Sedenia cervalis Gn. (a 3). Tails termia Meyr. (a 3). SCHOENOBIAD^E. Stypii lolepis age nor Turn, (e 7). PYRALIDiE. Endotricha punctico stalls Wlk. (a 1 2 3). Herculia. acerasta Turn, (a 5). PYRAUSTID^E. Nymphula nitens Bull, (a 1). Voliba psammoessa Turn, (c 3). Nacoleia mesocklora Meyr. (a 1). Deuterarcha xanthomela Meyr. (a 2 3). Hellula undalis Fab. (a 1 2 3 5 8). M ei altar ch a phoenolls Turn, (e 3). Loxostege affinitalis Led. (a 1 2 3 5 8 9). Loxostege massalis Wlk. (a 1 3). Conoprora triplex Turn, (c 3). Sceliodes cordalis Dbld. (a 1 2 5 9). Nomophila noctuella Schif. (a 1 2 3 5 9). Pyrausta phoenicealis Hb. (a 2). Eclipsiodes crypsixantha Meyr. (a 1). Scoparia schizodesma Low. (e 9). PTEROPHORID/E. Trichoptilus scythrodes Meyr. (a 1). Trichoptilus adelphodes Meyr. (a 1 2 3). LIMACODIDiE. Parasa rutila Turn, c 8). Susica coUaris Wlk. (a 1). ’ COSSID^E. Xyleutes eremonoma Turn, (c 2 8). TORTRICIDJE. Eucosma plebeiana Zel. (a 1 3 5). Argyroploce doxicastana Meyr. (a 1 5). Oct., 1021. The Queensland Naturalist. 47 COSMOPTERYGID^E. Pyroderces charisia Meyr. (a 1). Pyroderces semnostola Meyr. (a 1). HELIODINIDJE. Stathmopoda crocophanes Meyr. (a 1). GELECHIAD.E. Anacampsis simplicella Wlk. (a 1 5). Stegasta variana Meyr. (a 1). Gelechia dcsmanthes Low. (el). G elechia pyramidophora Turn, (e 3). Platyedra gossypieUa Saund. (a 1). Catameces thiophara Turn, (e 3). Cymatomorpha euplecta Meyr. (a 5). Dichomeris eirrhostola- Turn, (e 3). XYLORY CTID^E. Maroga unipunctana Don. (a 8). OECOPHORID.E. Eulechria encrypta Turn, (c 3). Eulechria zorodes Turn, (a 3). Machimia mesogcea Turn, (e 3). Pachybela eremica Turn, (e 3). Pachybela parisa Turn, (c 3). Nephogenes epipercna Turn, (e 3). Nephogenes stenoptUa Turn, (c 3). Nephogenes erebomorpka Low. (e 3). Coisyra zanclotypa Turn, (c 3). Coesyra gilvella Turn, (c 3). Chrysonoma fascialis Fab. (a 2). PJiilobota irrupt ella Zel. (a 4). Eupselia satrapella Meyr. (a 1). GLYPHIPTERYGIDML Glyph ipteryx iometalla Meyr. (a 1). GRACILARIADiE. Acrocercops irrorata Turn, (a 1). Acrocercops heteropsis Low. (c 1). Gracilaria pedina Turn, (e 1). PLUTELLID.E. PJuteUa macvlipennis Curtis (a 1). TIXEID.E. Erechthias acroleuca Turn, (c* 1). Bedellia sornnulentella Zel. (a 1). Monopis meliorella Wlk. (a 1 3). Monopis ethelella Newm. (a 3). Tinea ochranthes Meyr. (a 3). Iphierga stasiodes Mevr. (a 3). ADELID.E. Nemotois spar sella Wlk. (a 1), 48 The Queensland Naturalist. Oct., 1921 ERRATA. Rhopalocera of the Jandowae district of the Darling Downs, by R. Illidge, vide Queensland 4 ‘ Naturalist ’ ’ for July. No. 1 should read Danaida chrysippus petilia, Stoll; and Stoll between 2 and 3 erased. No. 14, Ogyris amaryllis mcridionalis, Bethune-Baker. Bred from Loranthus pendulus, parasitic on Myall. No. 15, Jalmenus dameli , Semp. Omit Atalantia glauca and substitute common. No. 18, Delias argenthona, Fabr. Not common, larva seen on Loranthus ; and omit W ’house and common between 18 and 19. No. 19, omit common, var. with pink underwings and substitute garden only. No. 20, omit McLeay and substitute Fabr. No. 22, omit rare and substitute common, var. with pink underwings. No. 23, omit rare and substitute common. No. 24, add larva seen on Atalantia glauca. No. 25, strike out plentiful and substitute rare. - .."' 4 - o SYLLABUS. NO VEM BER-DECEMBEIR , 1921. November 7th. — Combined microscopical and entomo- logical evening. November 12th and 13th. — Burleigh Heads. Train leaves Melbourne street, Saturday, 1.55 p.m., returning South Brisbane Sunday evening, 8.10 p.m., or Monday morning, 9.43 a.m. December 12th. — Lecture by Dr. 11. I. Jensen. December 26th-January 1st. — Maepherson Range, National Park. Particulars to be published later. Those intending taking part in the excursion are asked to com- municate with the Hon. Secretary as soon as possible. It is hoped after the return of members from this, the third trip of the Club to the National Park, to bring out a special issue of the Naturalist devoted to that area. Che Queensland naturalist. THE ORGAN OF THE FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB AND ITS BRANCHES. Vol. III. February, 1922. No. 3. PROCEEDINGS. October to December, 1921. October 17 . — Visitors included Mr. H. C. Raven, of the American Museum of Natural History, New York, who was welcomed by the President, Mr. Chisholm. Mr. W. R. Colledge gave an illustrated address dealing with certain phases of pond-life in the Brisbane district. Mr. J. E. Young showed lantern slides relating to Mount Lindsay and district, and remarked on the confusion of names that had arisen since Alan Cunningham’s day. Specimens of various kinds were shown by Dr. Jefferis Turner, Mr. Hainsworth, Mr. C. T. White, and Mr. N. V. Agnew, and a series of lantern slides showing the Pale-yellow Robin ( Foecilodryas capito) at home was submitted by the President. November 7 . — The President detailed briefly the cir- cumstances surrounding the passage of the new Animals and Birds Act, which had passed the State Legislature in the last hour of the session, and which he regarded as the best measure of its kind in Australia. It was agreed to congratulate the Minister for Agriculture (Hon. W. N. Gillies) and the Under Secretary (Mr. E. G. E. Seriven) for their work in regard to the measure. Mr. C. T. White (Government Botanist), who had recently married another member of the Club, was, together with Mrs. White, presented with a dinner service. The President, in making the presentation on behalf of the Field Naturalists’ Club and the Gould League of Bird- lovers, pointed out that Mr. White was on the Councils of both bodies, and was a past-President and past-Secretary of the Club, while Mrs. White was a consistent worker in the Club’s interests. Messrs. Colledge, Tryon, and Long- man supported the felicitations, and Mr. White suitably replied. A paper on “ Insects Affecting the Wattle Trees” was read by Mr. R. Illidge, and instructive exhibits were shown by Mr. Illidge, Dr. Shaw, and Mr. Longman. 50 The Queensland Naturalist. Feb., 1922 November 29. — A special meeting to hear Mr. H. H. Baker, of Messrs. Watson and Sons, Brisbane, lecture on “The Human Eye and the Microscope . 9 ’ The lecturer dealt with his subject closely, and was accorded a vote of thanks. December 11. — Lecture by Dr. H. I. Jensen, Queens- land Geographical Survey Department. Excursions . — A very pleasant week-end excursion was held to Burleigh Heads (South Coast) during November, and the Christmas-New Year trip to the National Park of the Macpherson Range was again inaugurated. The success of the latter excursion was marred by consistently wet weather. Despite this, about a dozen members walked from Kerry to the Roberts Plateau, about thirteen miles, spent two days there, and walked down again. Some added ten miles to their walk by tramping in to the railway from Kerry. 0 TRANSACTIONS. A WONDERFUL ROTIFER. By W. R. Colledge, Brisbane. A curious and rare Rotifer is occasionally glimpsed in Brisbane. A few days, in the course of one or two years, are the only opportunities given to the student of this unique creature. Like the most of its genus, it is too small to be seen by the ordinary human eye ; and a thousand might be swallowed in a glass of water without any indica- tion of their presence to the thirsty soul. Its classical and only name is the Trochosphcera equatorialis. It was first seen by Professor Semper in the Philippine Islands, and again, forty years ago, by Surgeon Gunson Thorpe, in Brisbane, and, as far as I know, in no other place. It is a tiny globe whose walls, as transparent as a soap- bubble, display to the observer all its internal mechanism. A narrow muscular ring is thrown around the middle, and imbedded in this a continuous row of cilia. These move with wonderful rapidity, imparting a graceful rolling motion to the creature, and at the same time propelling a current of water along a channel running round the mus- cular ring. This current bears little floating particles towards the mouth, where they are passed to a tiny pair of jaws, which open and close with great regularity. J'eb., 1922 The Queensland Naturalist 51 The esophagus is a small tube leading to the stomach and intestinal canal. These organs are hung loosely sus- pended in the centre of the globe, the end of the bowel only being attached at the anus, and here and there a tiny muscular thread ropes the organs to the body-wall. The ovary, scarcely visible in the young, appears afterwards as a ribbon-like tissue attached closely to one side, just below the muscular ring. Little circular ova appear and mature in the inside in a few days, and pass out as tiny representatives of the family. Towards the close of their brief season a large resting egg begins to appear in many of the females. It is much larger than the ordinary ones, very thickly coated, and armed with stout, thorny spines. It cannot be ejected, but remains until the mother dies, when it drops down and becomes imbedded in the mud. There it lies during the TROCHOSPH.ERA E QUA TOR A LIS. Females: One with Spiny Egg 1 Male (Magnified 45 times) I (Magnified 50 times) [Photo hy W. K. Colledge. winter months, and in the succeeding summer, when the temperature is high and other conditions favourable, new members of the family arise. Though the female is rare, the male is much more so: indeed, this is characteristic of the group. The “ladies” are the dominant factors of their State. There is no need of unions or the fervid oratory of a suffragette for estab- lishment of female rights; the male is a wee, insignificant creature, and, metaphorically speaking, can hide in a fold of his wife’s petticoat and escape observation. A great many of the males of the species are absolutely unknown. With a few exceptions, they are not even pro- vided with a stomach ; all their sustenance is the original -energy with which they are endowed at birth. This carries them on until they pass into the unseen. The lord of the Troehosphseras is a little, humpbacked, pyriform being, with two little red eyes peeping through a ragged circle of cilia around his head, and about one- twentieth the size of his queen. 52 The Queensland Naturalist Feb., 1922* A QUEENSLAND RABBIT-BANDICOOT. By Heber A. Longman, Director, Queensland Mumeum. Through the kindness of Mr. J. Horsington, of Bulgroo Station, via Adavale, a specimen of the Rabbit-Bandicoot r or Bilbi, was forwarded alive to the Queensland Museum in October last. This curious little marsupial has been popularly regarded as a freak — a hybrid between a Rabbit and a Bandicoot, which would be, of course, an utter impossibility. But its long and elegant ears are the only character which could be considered rabbit-like. Anatomically, it is a specialised Bandicoot, and it belongs to the Peramelkhe. Its snout is elongated, like that of the long-nosed Bandicoot, and it is also a great burrower. Indeed, the services of two men were necessary to dig out this Bilbi, which was kept as a pet at Bulgroo Station for some months before Miss Horsington brought it to Brisbane. This beautiful little marsupial is about the size of our common Bandicoot. Its silky hair is blue-grey above, whilst the under surface of the body is white. The long ears, which are almost naked, can be erected in varying positions, but often hang drooping. The tail is long, dark basally, and has a prominent white crest above on its terminal portion. This crested tail was prized by the aborigines for decorative purposes, and, judging from the numbers they obtained, the Bilbi must have been common in some districts. Like the Kangaroo, the Bilbi is able to jump forward on its hind legs, but when moving slowly the fore limbs are also used. Two of the toes on the hind feet are small and closely associated, forming the typical marsupial syndacty- lism. Being a nocturnal animal, it spends most of the day- time curled up in a box. Should grasshoppers or beetles be placed in its case, then the Bilbi becomes alert. In catching a grasshopper it seems to be guided almost entirely by its keen sense of smell. After crushing the insect with its jaws, which, unlike those of herbivorous marsupials, are armed with sharp canine teeth, it uses its fore paws to hold its prey. The long lower jaw is attenuated in front, and presents a curious appearance when a large grasshopper is being munched. The Bilbi has lived for over three months in the Museum, to the time of writing, feeding on milk daily, with occasional insects, and it also devoured a dead mouse. In its natural state it is said to feed mainly on beetle larvae found in the roots of an Acacia. Up to the present, four species of Rabbit-Bandicoots have been described. The original species, Tlialacomys Feb., 1922 The Queensland Naturalist. 53 lagotis (Reid) is found in West Australia. T. sagitta Thomas, known as Urgarta, is a South and Central Aus- tralian form. Professor Sir Baldwin Spencer described smaller specimens from Charlotte Waters as Peragale minor, whilst Peragale leucuta Thomas, whose actual habitat is unknown, is thought to have been collected in Central or North-Central Australia. The generic term Peragale , Gray, is antedated by Owen’s Thalacomys . Until a detailed examination is made of the skull of our specimen, it would be unwise to define its specific position, but it is closely related to Spencer’s T. minor. Specimens from Surat and from Cunnamulla have been previously recorded in the Queensland Museum registers. A study of a skull shows a big development of the olfactory fossa, or fore part of the cerebral chamber con- taining the olfactory lobes of the brain, from which nerve- branches pass out to the nose through surprisingly large openings in the cribriform plate. ORCHIDS OF A SUBTROPICAL HIGHLAND. By (Miss) Hilda Geissmann, Tambourine Mountain. [The author of this article is one of our country members, resident at Tambourine Mountain, and a close student of the wild- flower flora of that botanically very rich locality. Queensland possesses about 160 species of named Orchids, and of these about 100 are epiphytic species and about 60 terrestrial ones. This State does not possess the wealth of ground orchids characteristic of the Southern States, but, on the other hand, with the exception of one or two species in the Northern Territory and a few in New South Wales, practically all the Australian species of epiphytic ones (those that grow on trees and rocks) are found in Queensland. Miss Geissmann lists twenty-one epiphytic sorts and ten terrestrial ones, a total of thirty-one species. (For the most part, the vernacular names are her own, and quite appropriate). In addition, there are four species of which she has not yet been able to ascertain the botanical names, and these are not included in the present list. — E ds.] ARBOREAL OR ROCK ORCHIDS. Rock Lily ( Dendrobium speciosum). — Large stiff plants, found on trees and rocks. Long sprays of creamy dowers. Blooms in September. Shell Pink Orchid (Dendrobium Kingianum ). — Found on the ground between rocks around open waterfalls •and on creek banks. Has sprays of delicate pink flowers. Curious habit of propagation — forms new plant at the end of stems, which drops off when strong enough and grows by itself. Flowers in September. 54 The Queensland Naturalist. Fc-b., 192 ? White Feather Orchid ( Dendrobium cemulum ). — Common on Box ( Tristania conferta) trees. Upright growth. White feathery flowers turning pink as they fade. Blooms in September. Tongue or Button Orchid (Dendrobium linguce- forme ). — Grows best on sandstone; also found on basalt Orange-blossom Orchid (Sarcoehilus falratus) growing on Wattle-tree. [Photo by Hilda Geisnnnnn. rocks and trees in open forest land. Small button- or tongue-like leaf, flat on the rock. White bloom similar to Z>. cemulum. Spider Orchid ( Dendrobium tetragonum ) . — On trunks of trees, drooping growth; easily told by its four-angled Feb., 1922 The Queensland Naturalist. 55 stems, with tuft of leaves at the end. Quaint brown flowers, sweet-scented. Flowers in September and October. Pencil Orchid ( Dendrobium teretifolium) . — Long drooping plants found on trees. Slender pencil-like leaves, often attaining a great length, with sprays of green-brown flowers. Blooms in September. Small Pencil Orchid ( Dendrobium Mortii). — Like D. teretifolium , in habit but smaller ; lemon-scented, yellow flowers on trees and rocks. Blooms in September. Fluted Orchid ( Dendrobium Beckleri). — Found on trees and rocks. Fluted, column-like leaves, with upright growth. Delicate pale-green flowers. Yellow^ Speckle Orchid {Dendrobium gracilicaule ) . — Found on trees and rocks ; thin stems with leaves on top. Sprays of yellow flowers spotted with brown. Sweet- scented ; blooms in September and October. Lily of the Valley Orchid {Dendrobium mono- phyllum). — Grows in a mass on trees or rocks. Flowers like its namesake, but yellow. Blooms at any time. Ravine Orchid ( Sarcochilus Fitzgeraldi) . — Grows in fern-like masses on mossy stones. Only found in shaded ravines and gorges. Sprays of beautiful flowers; 'white with pencilled markings in pink, brown, and yellow. Blooms in October. Orange-blossom Orchid {Sarcochilus falcatus ). — Found on Wattle { Acacia ) and Rosewood {Dysoxylum) trees. Scythe-like leaves of pale green. Has sprays of pure-white flowers with yellow centres. Rich, delicious scent. Blooms in October. Raspy-root Orchid {Sarcochilus divitiflorus) . — Found on scrub trees. Long rasp-like roots; rough dark-green leaves. The flower spray is a feathery plume of gold and brown, formed of many small flowers. Blooms in October. Lawyer Orchid {Sarcochilus parviflorus). — Found chiefly on lawyer-vines and small twigs. Bears lovely sprays of sweet-scented flowers, greenish yellow (oliva- ceous) in colour. Blooms in October. Fairy Bells {Sarcochilus Cecilies ). — Tiny clumps of brown-green leaves growing on rocks. Delicate spikes of pale-pink, bell-like flowers with a faint perfume. Blooms in January. Tangle Orchid {Cleisostoma trident at um) . — Found in mid-air with one root attached to a small twig. This small tangle of roots and leaves is more often scented than seen. Its flowers are minute green things, with a rich delightful scent that fills the air. It flowers in September and October. Creeping Orchid {Bulbophyllum exiguum). — Found on tree-trunks in masses. Tiny bulbs with one leaf at top. 56 The Queensland Naturalist. Feb.. 1922 When in flower the plants seem wrapped in a white mist. The flowers are like tiny white bells on thread-like stems, and are sweet-scented. Flowers any time of the year. Red-eye Orchid (Bulbopkyllum bracteatum) . — Small fleshy leaves of pale green, growing in masses close to trunks of trees. Tiny red flower against plant, with a short, fat pseudobulb. Grassy Orchid ( Cy rubidium suave). — Often found in hollows of dead trees; grass-like leaves and long stems of yellow flowers. Blooms in September. She-oak Orchid (Cy rubidium albuciflorum) . — Found largely on she-oak ( Casuarina ) trees and also on dead trees. Bulb-like stem and shiny, palm-like leaves at top. Long sweet-scented stems of olive-green flowers. Hand- some* seed-pod of brown and green. Olive Orchid ( Cymbidium canaliculatumi) . — Similar to She-oak Orchid, but the bulbs more fleshy and it loves moist scrub trees to grow on. Flowers greeny yellow on drooping stems. GROUND ORCHIDS. Scrub Lily ( Calanthe voratrifolia ) . — Grows along creek-banks. Broad green leaves and long fleshy roots. Flowers carried on tall straight stems, 2 to 3 ft. high, crowned on top with bunch of white flowers, which blacken when touched. A lovely decorative plant. Canary Orchid (Diuris sulphured). — Found in grassy places. A spike of quaint flowers, yellow and brown, shoot up from a bulb several inches beneath the ground. Flowers in September. Bell Orchid ( Gastrodia scsamoides). — Deep creamy- brown stalk of bells, with a papery rattle when shaken. Grows from a bulb of the same colour. Likes the border of scrub and grass land. Appears in September and October. Spotted Maroon Orchid (Dipodium punctatum) . — On the edge of grass-land these maroon flowers come. The flowers are carried high on stem 2 to 3 ft. long. Blooms in December. “Pinkies” (Caladenia earned). — These bright flve- petalled little things love the grass-land and have a grass- like leaf springing from a small round white bulb. They come to bloom in September. Horned Orchid (Pterostylis reflexa). — These are found in June in the shaded undergrowth, coming up from a tiny bulb ; they have long leaves right up the flower- stem. Two horns (the points of the lateral sepals) on Feb., 1922 The Queensland Naturalist. 57 either side of the brown bonnet-like flower give the plant its local name. Green-Hoods ( Pterostylis nutans). — Found in grassy places, these little green flowers spring from tiny bulbs. One leaf comes like a minute waterlily leaf and then the bower-stem. Shaped like a Horned Orchid, but is smaller and has no horns. Blooms in September. Pixie-Caps (Acianthus exsertus). — These quaint bowers love shady scrub (rain-forest) borders. They have one leaf and a spike hung with tiny caps of brown. (“ Fairies’ Hat-racks.”) They come in September. “ Pinkies Caladenia carnea . [Photo liy Hilda Geissmann. Cradle Orchid {Cory smithes bicalcarata) . — In the shade of Bracken ( Pteris aquilina) and Blady Grass ( Imperata ) these little white cradles, each with a purple lining, rest on their green leaves. Just one leaf, oval in shape, and one cradle-like bower on each leaf, come from the wee round bulbs. Comes in May. Climbing Orchid ( Galeola sp.). — This grows in open country and is a leabess orchid putting out a long creeping shoot. This climbs the nearest tree, clinging by small rootlets, and then the buds shoot from this stem. Olive- green bowers on stems 3 or 4 in. long hang from the main stem. Blooms in September. 58 The Queensland Naturalist Feb., 1922- FURTHER NOTES ON MISTLETOES. By H. C. Hayes, Kyogle, N.S.W. With reference to the article on Mistletoes in the last: issue of the '‘Queensland Naturalist,” I may say that I have recently been studying the relationship of Mistletoes and their hosts, and during my wanderings in the sur- rounding country have noticed some peculiar and puzzling things. Just as I thought I had got together a formidable array of facts, and had established something definite, I would happen upon some vagary of this family, which would upset everything, and I would have to start all over again. For instance, one would hardly expect to find two species, Loranthus pendulus and L . linophyllus, joined together and growing on a Grey Gum ( Eucalyptihs propinqua) , but an instance of this can be seen in this locality (Kyogle, N.S.W.). L. linophyllus, though very partial to Casuarinas, will also attack the Lillypilly ( Eugenia Smithii). I also noticed two fine specimens of L. pendulus growing on an Apple ( Angophora ). To me my most interesting discovery was in connec- tion with that very distinct species Notothixos sabaurens.. I was gratified to find this species growing on L. pendulus.- As stated in Mr. White’s article, this species will not attack any plant other than another Mistletoe, and hitherto I have never seen it growing on any but a broad-leaved species.* A species of very distinctive appearance, and easily recognisable because of its glossy dark-green leaves, which are hard and somewhat tough, and with a venation much more distinct than in any other member of the family, is Loranthus dictyophlebus. Perhaps the most distinctive thing about this species is its striped, egg-shaped seeds, which are not surrounded by a mass of sticky matter so characteristic of this family, but have, as a rule, only a thread of sticky matter attached to the base of each seed. Each of the pale-green seeds is made up of six sections, as in the manner of some capsules, and are slightly ridged. The fruits, which are a beautiful orange colour, are borne in clusters along the main branches, and closely resemble the fruits of the host-tree ( Eugenia Smithii ), on which I found it. The bark of this parasite was the same colour as that of the host. The leaves when crushed have a peculiar and unpleasant smell. * We have noticed it growing abundantly on L. linophyllus on Swamp Oak ( Casuarina glauca) trees along the Brisbane River. — E ds. Feb., 1922 59 The Queensland Naturalist. FROM A BUSH WINDOW. By Mrs. F. H. IIobler, “Kilrock,” Jandowae. Bird life ! Yes, we of the bush see it daily, and some of us — later all, I hope, as the love of Nature study grows stronger — watch it with wondering eyes. Now, as I sit by the open window, the small birds’ calls are pre-eminent. First a pair of Welcome Swallows ( Hirundo neoxena) flit to and fro,, both busy carrying insects to the two now fully Hedged babies who but yesterday left their secure mud nest, so beautifully lined with the softest of feathers collected from the fowl-yard, and built high up under the window-shade on the eastern side of the house. AYhat. worry it was to the parents when one babe, so full of con- fidence and thought to see the world, buttered almost help- less into the tiny wheat-patch near by! His life might have quickly ended but for the fact that the sixteen years of the cat rendered him indifferent to the little cries of distress. This morning both young birds have gained con- fidence, and are now perched on the highest point of the grape-vine trellis, while the devoted parents dart hither and thither in search of food. Now the call of the Pardalote (“chip-chip”) comes to me, and I see him busily hunting along the veranda eaves, probably for a hole in which to build — for creek-banks are scarce in this hat country. Last spring a pair of Parda- lotes ( Pardalotus melanocephalus) espied a large auger-hole in a stump in which grew a great cluster of mignonette, and at this they were busy for some days, then deserted. Seeking the reason, I found a green frog had taken posses- sion, and his bulky body quite filled the passage-way. I remember that once a Pardalote tried to enter an old nest of the Fairy Martin ( Petrockelidon arid), but was caught by its head, and, alas ! when found was cold and stiff. So even in the lesser life there is tragedy. I listen now to the ceaseless twitterings of the tiny Tufted Lark, of which I do not know the name.* It is under the shade of the lemon-tree. First there is a call not unlike that of the common Ground Lark (A nth us australis ) . Then it breaks into songs which might easily be mistaken for a Canary’s; indeed, it has several calls and apparently seldom tires, for T hear it constantly through the night. At daylight their numbers increase, but the notes are inter- mingled with those of many others of the feathered race. One tiny nest I found contained hve delicately marked eggs, the nest being, very similarly to that of the Pipit, Probably the Bush Lark. Mirafra. — Eds. 60 The Queensland Naturalist. Feb., 1922 concealed under a tussock of grass. A few days ago I found a nest of the latter bird, with two fat young ones almost ready to move out. A harsh note now breaks in from the Butcher-bird ( Cracticus destructor ) , well known as Jacky. He sits on some bean-sticks and scolds — a saucy bird and one who has a great fancy for tiny chickens. I'm afraid I have had many shot, and mostly as they danced nimbly after a chick that had run out of the coop and from its mother’s pro- tecting wings. Jacky is well worth some attention for his cleverness. Once, when in the Central district, and bent on getting some sphinx moths that hovered round a honey- suckle creeper at dusk, I found that Jacky often got in first, and with his catch would fly away to his nest in some high brigalow trees. Later, I found him busily inspecting the honeysuckle and taking from the twigs green caterpillars of the sphinx tribe. It was during a mouse plague that we learned to appreciate Jacky, as for most of the day he and some fellow-workers could be seen flying down among the garden plants, and mice were soon seen on the railings and wire-netting — evidently -put there to “ripen” for future use. Later on, when the apricot tree shed its leaves, we were able to account for a former objectionable smell; skeletons of mice were to be seen in every available fork. The familiar Shepherd’s Companion ( Rhipidura mota- cilloides), of course, is not absent from the garden. In one of the large Pepperina trees near-by the mother bird is patiently sitting on her eggs, the second lot in the same nest. The first family was left very early to fend for themselves, their rusty-brown colour and the white mark on the head showing their youthful stage. In the same Pepperina the Magpie-Larks have two strong mud nests, and out on a further limb the beautiful little black and white Shrike* has its tiny cobweb nest built across a fork. Last summer also a pair of these birds — maybe the same two — built in this tree. In another Pepperina tree close by can be seen a nest of the “Grinder” ( Seisura inquiet a ), and though these birds are shy they are often about the garden and buildings, much like the Shepherd’s Companion. Nor is this the first season they have bred here. These different birds, all seeking the close vicinity of the homestead, are secure in their belief of the kindness of mankind and in the knowledge that their hated foe, the “goanna,” seldom, if ever, visits the locality. Even should one of these reptiles venture so close, the long teeth of the half-bred cattle-dog quickly ensure the safety of the won- derful little homes built so high among the swaying boughs. * White-shouldered Caterpillar-eater, Campephaga humeralis . — Eds. Feb., 1922 The Queensland Naturalist. 6t A few hundred yards away stands a patch of myall trees ( Acacia pcndula ), where at breeding-time bird-life is very plentiful; and. as I hunt about for the larvae of the beautiful little butterfly Ogyris Amarylis . the Magpie- Larks raise their warning cry. Various Wood Swallows, too, utter cries of distress as I look into a nest built in a low fork in the trunk of the tree, and find either young birds or eggs. High up in thin boughs a Miner has its nest, and further on hangs a neat, compact nest of one of the larger Honey-eaters. A tiny red and black bird! flutters in that bunch of mistletoe, but its home is not to be found. Now the harsh note of the Crow is heard as he flies overhead — the hated and evil one of all birds, for whom no bushman has time or sympathy. If it be a time of drought, sheep rendered weak by starvation fall an easy prey to the black demons, whose wings flap the animals* heads till they fall in stupor to the ground, when one or both eyes are the toll. Or if the sheep in its weakness seek the most boggy part of the dam — and what weak sheep does not? — again there is the forfeit of the eyes. When performing Nature’s duty of bringing forth young the ewes are unable to rise owing to wet, heavy fleeces, &e. — and who in the bush has not seen the horrors performed by the black bird, both on mother and offspring — bodies torn open while life is still very strong ! Granted the Crow does good in helping to keep down the fly pest, it is also partial to the farmyard eggs and chickens. But why dwell on the sordid side ? For one bird whose ways are detestable there are one hundred others for whom nothing but affection can be felt. The bush indeed would be a drab place without them. 0 INSECTS OF THE WATTLE-TREES. By R. Illidge, Bulimba. Insects that affect the various species of Acacia are very numerous, all orders being well represented. Lepidopterous larvae, particularly amongst the moths, feed on the foliage and flowers, and in the stems and roots many, of very large forms, such as Xyleutes, exist for a considerable time, doing such damage as to greatly weaken the tree. In the smaller branches and stems of trees of moderate size, Xyloryct lame {Maroga, Cryptophasa, and others) make burrows, some ringbarking round the part t Mistletoe Swallow, Dicceum hint ndinaceum. — Eds. 62 The Queensland Naturalist. Feb., 1922 wherein they live and subsisting on the bark and sappy matter, others drawing in leaves for food under a canopy made of silk and fragments of matter, including their own dejectamenta. The moribund state of the tree induced by these depredations is still further increased by the attacks of other insects, as Coleoptera, which lay their eggs about the damaged parts and thus obtain a footing. Many scale insects also add to the trouble. What had been a fine specimen of Acacia Bailey ana growing in my garden lost all its top branches, and being no longer ornamental was cut down and stump and roots dug out. From the roots six large grubs of Xyleutes eucalypti, about 44 in. long and f in. in diameter,* were obtained. In the stem and branches numerous larvae of Maroga unipun ct ana, also those of various weevils, longi- corns and others, were found. The Maroga and weevils are deadly pests, for the first ringbarks, causing the stem above to die, and the weevil larvae ( Chrysolophus specta- bilis) make numerous burrows. The twigs also were con- siderably affected by cottony cushion scale. A bonfire was made of the lot, with other rubbish. The larvae of several pretty butterflies feed on the foliage and flowers, and in the latter case may be inimical in preventing formation of seed-pods. However, the Wattle is a hardy tree, and thrives under conditions most adverse. Many kinds are beautiful in appearance, and, when laden with their masses of golden bloom, diffuse an aroma unequalled for fragrance. It is indeed worthy to be the National Flower. LONGICORN COLEOPTERA OF THE WATTLES, BRISBANE DISTRICT. The long-liorned beetles herewith noted number 24, but of these three species, Nos. 10, 22, and 23 are of doubtful occurrence, while two or three also affect quite different plants, as No. 14, which is likewise found in small stems of young Casuarina saplings. Family Cerambycid2e. Sub-family Prionides. — 1, Sceleocantha glabrieollis. Sub -family Ceramby deles. — 2, Nystrocera virescens; 3, Pachydissus sericus; 4, Phoraeantha fallax; 5, Didymo- cantha obliqua ; 6, Piesarthrius marginellus; 7, Uracanthus -sp. ; 8, Stephanops nasuta ; 9, Phalota tenella. Sub-family Lamiides. — 10, Probatodes piliger; 11, Hebecerus croeogaster ; 12, H. marginicollis ; 13, H. niphon- oides; 14, Symphyletes albocinetus; 15, S. pulverulens; 16, S. variolosus; 17, S. vicarius; 18, Penthea pardalis; 19, P. Feb.. 1922 63 The Queensland Naturalist. solida; 20, Rhytiphora rubeta ; 21, Ropica exocentroides ; 22, Sybra acuta ; 23, Ameipsis marginicollis ; 24, Rhytiphora polymita. In the sub-family Prionides only one species, so far, has been bred out, and that is rare about Brisbane. It is Hceleocantha glabricollis, of which perfect examples were obtained at the base of a large Acacia cunninghamii , the wood so hard that it blunted the tomahawk. Two larvae were also cut out ; these shortly pupated in the receptacles in which placed, of which one emerged perfect, the other crippled. Of the Cerambycides, many of which are amongst the most elegant of beetles, eight species have been bred, none of which is pretty, though Xystrocera virescens has a silken sheen, especially when fresh. The male Piesarthrius marginellus has curious fan-like antenme. Xystrocera is one of the species which was found in A. Bailey ana, but is most abundant in the creek-side wattle, A. Imifolia , and also A. decurrens . The larva of P. marginellus cuts off the branch, as if with a keen knife, just above its burrow, and then plugs up the hole. Occasionally, it makes a mistake and cuts itself off below, and hence falls to the ground. No. 7, Uracanthus sp., acts precisely as Piesarthrius. P. fall ax, the only species of the genus Phoracantha I know of that attacks the wattle, together with the other Ceramby- cides on the list, is usually found in considerable numbers in the main stems, or in the branches, though each works in a separate burrow. Amongst the Lamiides, Penthea pardalis and Penthea solid-a are found in the roots close to the base of tree. The female beetle triturates the bark and lays its eggs therein. Rhytiphora rubeta bores the main stems and larger branches and causes a swelling of those parts, and R. polymita is found in the stems of a small species of wattle. Symphyletes does the same, except that no swelling is noticeable. The wattles most prolific of beetle life are the true leaf-bearing forms as Acacia- decurrens , and of those bear- ing dilated petioles (phvllodia), A. limfolia, cunninghamii, and longifolia. The list must not be taken as complete, for no doubt there will yet be found many others of which it is the host plant. Many species have been taken off the tree, but this does not mean that it constitutes the food plant of their initial stages as larvae. Numbers of small larvae, when perforating the bark soon after emergence from the ova., cause a flow of gum through the tiny hole, which frequently results in their death ere they can do any further harm. In other insects 64 The Queensland Naturalist. Feb., 192 2 — -as, for instance, the Psyllid of the Moreton Bay fig — the gummy secretion may constitute the aliment, as also pro- tection from other insects, certainly the latter. o NET FUNGI. Among the more curious of fungi are the various species of the genus Clathrus, popularly known as Net Fungi. One of the commonest is Clathrus gracilis , and Net Fungi, Clathrus gracilis. [Photo by Ethel Caswell. the, accompanying photograph, by Miss Ethel Caswell, gives a good idea of the plant. Net fungi belong to the large group Phalloidese, or Phalloids, and the name is derived from the Greek name for lattice or grating. In its younger stage the fungus is contained in an egg- shaped or more or less globular volva. This stage is common to all phalloids, and is known as the egg stage. As the volva bursts the spore-bearing portion or receptacle expands and enlarges into a ^beautiful, delicate net. On the inner face of the meshes, particularly the upper ones, is borne a brown liquid, foetid coating — the gleba — which carries the spores. Carrion-feeding insects such as flies are attracted to the gleba by means of its foetid odour, and flying away carry the spores with them, thus distributing the species. We are particularly pleased to publish Miss Caswell ’s photo., as C. G. Lloyd, in his 4 ‘Synopsis of the known Phalloids,” states that “notwithstanding that Clathrus gracilis is the most common phalloid in Australia, we know of no photo, of it.” — C. T. White. Che Queensland naturalist. JOURNAL OF THE QUEENSLAND NATURALISTS’ CLUB AND NATURE-LOVERS’ LEAGUE. VOL. III. April, 1922 Xo. 4. PROCEEDINGS. January to March, 1922. March 6. — This occasion marked the first combined meeting of the Queensland Naturalists’ Club and the Gould League of Bird Lovers, members of both bodies having voted in favour of the two bodies working in conjunction under the names of the Queensland Naturalists’ Club and Nature-Lovers’ League. The meeting was also the annual meeting of both bodies, the retiring President of which (Mr. A. H. Chisholm) presided at the outset and welcomed His Excellency the Governor (Sir Matthew Nathan), who, as Patron, took the chair. Speaking in reference to the broadening of the aspects of the two societies, the Governor said: 4 ‘Just as one loves the birds the better in their natural surroundings — animate and inanimate — so will the enjoyment of studying them be increased by studying these surroundings at the same time.” His Excellency went on to say that the pleasurable excitement of going to a new country was enhanced if it was one with new flora and fauna, and he had derived great pleasure, when journeying about Queensland, from trying to pick up some knowledge of the different trees, flowers, grasses, animals, and birds. The Governor spoke of his experiences in other lands, and made some breezy comments on the animals and larger birds of Australia. “While,” he added, “like every other newcomer, I have got to know a few of the bigger birds, I am hoping always to increase my knowledge in the same way that I have acquired the little I have — going about the country on the lookout for something alive, and taking advantage of the science of the birdlovers whom I meet.” The annual reports and financial statements of both bodies, tendered separately, showed a healthy condition of affairs, and they were adopted, together with a motion associating the two bodies. It was pointed out that the scope of the Birdlovers’ League has been widened, and 66 April, 1922 The Queensland Naturalist. henceforth it is to include other branches of nature study. It will continue to work among children, while the Naturalists’ Club will accommodate adults in all parts of the country. Officers were elected as appears on the cover-page of this issue of the Naturalist. As a Presidential address, Mr. Chisholm lectured on the History of Ornithology in Queensland. The subject was dealt with in detail, and references to the Cardwell and Blackall districts made 'appropriate a number of lantern slides which followed. These were from pictures taken by Mr. D. W. Gaukrodger, of Alice Downs (Black- all), and from others which Mr. Chisholm took recently when visiting Alice Downs and Dunk Island, the latter place being the home of Mr. E. J. Banfield. Mr. Chisholm was thanked on the motion of Ilis Excellency and Dr. F. W. S. ("umbrae- Stewart (president, Historical Society), and the Governor was also accorded a vote of appreciation. 0 BIRD SEEKING IN QUEENSLAND.* By A. H. Chisholm, R.A.O.U. (Part I.) The history of the study of the brilliant and remark- able birds of Queensland is scarcely less fascinating than the birds themselves. Much of the romance of early exploration in primitive wilds is associated with this study, and it is a pursuit that has led to at least three of its devotees meeting violent deaths at the hands of the untamed aborigines of the country. As is the case with other parts of Australia, the earlier history of bird-study in Queensland is full of notes of exclamation — expressions of wonder on the part of white men who met for the first time the remarkable mound- builders, the wonderful Bower-birds, the brilliant Parrots and Honey-eaters, and such other species as the curious- voiced Kookaburra, Bell-bird, and Whip-bird. The pity is that familiarity with these unique creatures has bred indifference on the part of many Australians of this prosaic age. Is the time coming when we will have to go abroad to find proper appreciation of our birds? Mr. A. H. Wilson, a visiting British ornithologist, stated * ‘ ‘ The Ornithological History or Queensland ’ ’ ; Presidential Address, 6th March, 1922. April, 1922 The Queensland Naturalist, 07 recently in the Emu that any English boy is prepared to talk of Black Swans, Emus, Galahs, Lyre-birds, and •“the bird that laughs at you.” The only other Australian things that are equally household property in England, .according to Mr. Wilson, are the boomerang, Victor Trum- per (still an idol), the Kangaroo, and the Platypus! We need more of this appreciation closer home — more of the fresh, wondering interest taken in our entertaining fauna by the men of old. When the idea occurred of presenting a paper on the rise and progress of ornithology in Queensland, it seemed that the task would not be an onerous one. A little re- search, however, caused a change of view. It early became apparent that the history of ornithology in this country is so interwoven with the history of the country itself — that is, its record in exploratory enterprise — that, if jus- tice was to be done the subject, one must look more or less closely into the history of pioneering in Queensland, both before and after its separation from the mother colony of New South Wales. It should be pointed out here that man-made boun- 'daries are no concern of care-free wild birds. They fre- quent the class of country best suited to their needs and that needs them most. That, in a sentence, explains why it is not right to claim, as we frequently do, many kinds of beautiful birds to be ‘ 4 true-blue ’ ’ Queenslanders. In- deed, there are few species of Australian birds confined to the political limits of any one State. Queensland is better off than other States in this respect; but even so, many of the bird-species that we have come to regard as “ours” are shared in the South by the sub-tropical jungle areas of New South Wales, and in the North by New Guinea and the Northern Territory. It is necessary to make this general point in order to clear what appears to be an anomaly — i.e., that the great majority of birds which have their headquarters in Queensland were named * from specimens taken outside our boundaries. It is not within the scope of this paper to discuss the value of the claims that Chinese and French, respectively, touched Northern Australia several centuries ago. We know, of course, that representatives of Portugal, Spain, and Hol- land did actually reach our Northern shores well before Captain Cook — Spanish and Dutch place-names, relics of 16th and 17th Century exploration, are particularly plenti- 68 The Queensland Naturalist. April, 1922- ful about Torres Strait* — but the purposes of this dis- cussion will be served by beginning with the exploratory records of Britishers. In this respect, we find without effort a link with no less a naturalist than Gilbert White, of Sel- borne. Thomas Pennant, LL.D. — after whom our Pennant’s (•Crimson) Parrott was named — was a constant correspon- dent of the famous old Englishman ; and he is the Pennant who figures so freely in Banks’s Journal. Banks, one of the most notable scientists of the reign of George III., and his great leader, Captain James Cook, were the first Brit- ishers who had aught to do with the birds in the area that is now Queensland. Neither was an ornithologist, but when the Endeavour sailed along these shores in the good year 1770 they took, very naturally, a practical interest in all they saw. It is to Cook that we are indebted for various bird-names 011 features of our coast — to wit, Bus- tard Bay, Eagle Island, and Pelican Island. The Bus- tards taken in' the Central district were voted by the voyagers “the best birds we had eaten since we left Eng- land,” and “in honour of the feast we called this inlet Bustard Bay.” The reference to Eagle Island (which lies near Cook- town) is rather curious. Cook says: “We found here the nest of some other bird, we knew not what, of a most enormous size. It was built upon the ground, and was no less than 26 feet in circumference and 2 feet 8 inches high. Banks’s description is similar, and he adds, “The only bird I have seen in this country capable of building such a nest seems to be the Pelican.” (That “seems to be” was a wise precaution on the part of the botanist.) Fired by these notes, and probably marking also the fact that the voyagers differentiated between this nest and one of an Eagle, seen on the same isle, an impetuous American professor rashly conjectured the huge nest to be that of Dinornis , the gigantic New Zealand bird, known only by its fossil remains. How long these conjectures raged is not clear, but forty years later Maegillivray, of H.M.S. Rattlesnake , laid them to rest by pointing out that no struthious bird would make a nest of the kind, nor would a flightless land bird of great size inhabit an * The early history of Cape York and the Strait is very fully dis- cussed in ‘ ‘ Northmost Australia, ’ ’ a splendid historical work by the late Dr. R. Logan Jack, published posthumously this year; it was : not available when the present p'aper was written;. t P 1 a t y c ere u s pen nan t i . The Queensland Naturalist. 69 April, 1922 island a quarter of a mile in length.* 4 * Both Mr. Gould .and myself/' he added, “have seen nests of the same con- struction, the work of the large Fish Eagle of Australia." Macgillivray might have cleared the air still further by pointing out that the large nest was the accumulation of many years of nesting; Banfield has recorded an instance, in the same waters, of Ospreys occupying one site for at least twenty-five years. Looking (at sundown) from Dunk Island towards Tam o’ Shanter Point and Rockingham Bay, the most famous spot, ornithologically, in Queensland. L Photo by A. H. Chisholm. Rather more arresting than the foregoing matter is Banks's reference to the shyness of the birds of the strange wild country into which the intrepid Englishmen were dipping. “A Crow in England," he wrote, “though in general sufficiently wary, is, I must say, a fool to a New Holland Crow, and the same may be said of almost all, if not all, of the birds in the country. . . . What can be the reason of this extraordinary shyness in the birds is diffi- cult to say, unless perhaps the Indians are very clever in Macgillivray had visited Eagle Island. The Queensland Naturalist. April, 1922 ‘ 70 deceiving them, which we have very little reason to sup- pose, as we never saw any instrument with them with which’ a bird could be killed or taken, except their lances, and: these must be very improper tools for the purpose.” The genial botanist, it will be seen, was a little shallow in his reasoning on both birds and “Indians” (the Australian; blacks). Nevertheless, his was a prominent figure in Aus- tralian history, and it is good to have his name commemo- rated with one of our Black Cockatoos, Calyptorynchus banksii. So far as I have been able to ascertain, there is a hiatus of over forty years* between those initial notes by Cook and Banks, and the time when definite ornithological work was carried out within the present borders of Queens- land. And so we come to the time of Gould and Gilbert. John Gould, the bird-man whose name will ever stand at the head of Australian ornithology, first came to this country, accompanied by John Gilbert, in the year 1838, There is little need to say much of the great Gould, whose books speak of his work; moreover, it would seem that we can only lay claim to him zoologically, for his activities centred in Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales, and he does not appear to have reached any further north than the Richmond and Clarence rivers. With Gould ; s able coadjutor, Gilbert, however, the history of Queensland ornithology is closely associated. As Gould was concerned with ornithology rather than history, he gives no definite dates as to Gilbert’s move- ments. It seems that this worker went first to West Australia, revisited England, and on returning to Aus- tralia was sent by Gould to Port Essington, situated on the Coburg Peninsula, a few miles north-east of the present Port Darwin. That was in the early forties of last cen- tury. The visit was made possible by the fact that the Governor of the day in New South Wales had established a military settlement at that outpost in 1831, one that was destined to continue until 1849. It was the creation of that short-lived settlement — a picturesque event in Australian history — that enabled John Gould to describe many of our North Queensland birds in his great work, The Birds of * It is curious that little work among birds was carried out under the famous commands of Capt. Win. Bligh (1788-1792), Captain Matthew Flinders (1791-1802), and Capt. Philip Parker King (1819- 1821), all of whom — or their companies — must have had excellent opportunities in an ornithologicaliy virgin land. Capt. King, how- ever, was responsible for the discovery of one new Northern bird, the - beautiful Yellow Oriole. April, 1922 The Queensland Naturalist. 7r Australia •, a goodly proportioi] of such birds extend across the top of the continent, and at the Coburg Penin- sula they were taken by Gilbert. Incidentally, it is a strik- ing fact that Gilbert’s notes remain practically the only information we have regarding some of these birds at the present day — over eighty years later! But Queensland was to know John Gilbert more inti- mately than that. Returning from Port Essington, he took up where Gould left off in the sub-tropics, and we find him later on the wonderful Darling Downs, discovered by botanist Allan Cunningham some seventeen years previ- ously. It was on those downs that Gilbert discovered an essentially Queensland bird, the Scarlet-shouldered Par- rot/ described by Gould as one of the most beautiful Parrots he had ever seen, but which, alack, seems to have almost entirely disappeared from this thankless realm l Then, in 1844, Gilbert was at Moreton Bay, within a few miles of this room, when Dr. Ludwig Leichhardt came along to undertake his famous overland expedition from Moreton Bay to Port Essington. Leichhardt knew of Gould, and being anxious (he says) to render all service in his power to natural history, he gave way to Gilbert’s solicita- tions for a place in the party. Evidently Leichhardt had no cause to regret this deci- sion from a general viewpoint, for his Journal} contains numerous references to the services of the useful ornitho- logist, not the least of which was his skill in shooting birds for the pot. Practical evidence of the explorer’s apprecia- tion is shown in the bestowal of the ornithologist’s name on a range and a river. En passant , Leichhardt remarks that “Mr. Gilbert has travelled much, and consequently has a rich store of impressions de voyage ; his conversation is generally very pleasing and instructive in describing the characters of countries he has seen and the manners and customs of the people he has known. He is well informed in Australian ornithology.” Gilbert secured many new birds on the trip, of course, and everything appears to have been going well with him until 28th June, 1845. On that day, when the party was in the Gulf country, and within measurable distance of the spot! that Gilbert had made ornithological lv famous, the * Psephotus puicherrimns. t Journal of an Overland Expedition from Moreton Bay to Port Essington, by Dr. Ludwig Leichhardt; London, 18 4 7. *Port Essington. 72 The Queensland Naturalist. April, 1922 ornithologist was killed by blacks. The natives attacked at. 7 o’clock that evening, and as Gilbert emerged from his tent he was struck in the chest by a spear, and died almost instantly. He was buried on the spot next day, Dr. Leichhardt reading over him the burial service of the Church of England. Thus ended the man who, though working in a subsidiary capacity, stands out very pro- minently in the inner history of Queensland ornithology. His journal and bird specimens were returned to Gould, who wrote much therefrom, and who lamented that by the untimely death of Gilbert he had “lost an able coadjutor and science a devoted follower.” There is no Queensland bird bearing Gilbert’s name, but it was given by Gould to a sweet-voiced southern whistler, Pacycephala gilberti, “as a just compliment to one who most assiduously assisted me in the laborious investigations required for the production of The Birds of Australia .” All other references to Gilbert are in accord. For instance, Jukes, the naturalist of H.M.S. Fly , when speaking* of Megapodes’ mounds seen on Possession Island, corroborates “the singular account given by Mr. Gilbert in Gould’s Birds of Australia ,” and adds, “I cannot mention the name of this gentleman without saying how much I, in common with all who knew him, regretted his unfortunate death.” With the passing of Gilbert, Leichhardt has little further claim on ornithological attention. His Journal , of course, has many references to birds, but few of the notes are arresting. Perhaps the most interesting are those showing the foreigner’s never-ending interest in the remarkable Spotted Power-bird ;t on one occasion he made a very unusual record by finding four bowers close together, “as if,” he says, “one habitation was not sufficient for the wanton bird to sport in.” Leichhardt has to be remembered with gratitude, too, for having brought Gilbert’s journal and specimens back to Gould. There is a general impression among historical writers that the specimens were abandoned, but this i& confuted by what Gould has to say, and Leichhardt men? tions only the sacrifice of Gilbert’s botanical specimens, which were poorly packed. $ It should be added that the * “Narrative of the Voyage of H.M.S. ‘Fly, 1 by J. B. Jukes, naturalist to the expedition; London, 1847. fSee article by Mr. Gaukrodger in this issue. — Eds. t There was no ornithologist with the last Leichhardt expedition of 1847, the one of which nothing definite was learned after April & 1848, and whose fate remains unsolved to this day. April, 1922 The Queensland Naturalist. 73 colonists of New South Wales erected a marble tablet to the memory of Gilbert in the old St. James’ Church, Sydney. Members of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists’ Union attended a memorial service there in October, 1911, and laid a wreath of wild flowers on the tablet. F. Strange was the second of Gould’s collectors to fall a victim to the Queensland blacks. He seems to have The White-faced Robin ( Poecilodryus capito), at home in a Lawyer-vine, South-eastern Queensland. (This species was discovered in the early days by F. Strange, one of John Gould’s collectors, who was killed by blacks. Photo taken with left hand, while right hand is near the mother-bird. ) [Photo by A. H. Chisholm. worked mostly, and very successfully, about the Northern Rivers of New South Wales (whence he sent Gould the first specimen he had seen of the Albert Lyre-bird), but came to Queensland later and worked north of Moreton Bay. He was killed by aborigines on one of the Percy Islands in, or about, 1854. (The date is erroneously given in one work 74 The Queensland Naturalist, April, 1922 as 1846). Strange was a man of broad interests, and lie is tributed by Diggles as “a zealous and efficient collector, and one who did much to render Australian natural his- tory known to the world.” The late thirties and early forties constituted a very distinctive period in exploratory work inland and survey work along the northern coasts, and with some of those expeditions were bird-seekers of marked ability. In this respect I think chiefly of the voyage of the Beagle, the voyage of the Fly, and the voyage of the Rattlesnake. All three were survey ships of Her Majesty’s Government, and were engaged on various parts of the northern and eastern coasts at the period mentioned; and all three, fortunately for Gould in particular, carried men to whom the study and advancement of natural history appealed as both a fascinating hobby and a patriotic duty. II.M.S. Beagle was the pioneer of the trio. This illus- trious vessel worked the north-west coast of the continent in 1888 (Captain Wickham) and in 1840-41 (Captain Stokes) she did survey duty along the Barrier Reef and round through Torres Strait to Port Essington. Apart from their marine work, the men of the Beagle discovered many rivers and did generally useful explora- tory work ; and* in addition to all this they advanced very materially the natural history of the country. Benjamin Bynoe, surgeon of the Beagle, is many times mentioned with appreciation by Gould, who pays tribute also to “the perseverance and assiduity of Mr. Charles Darwin, Captain Wickham, Captain Stokes, Lieutenant Emery, and Mr. Dring.” II.M.S. Fly (Captain F. P. Blackwood) sailed from England on 11th April, 1842, and was engaged in the survey of Rockingham Bay in May of the following year. Later, it worked further north, notably in the vicinity of Cape York. The narrative of this expedition, written by J. B. Jukes, M.A.. F.G.S., makes fascinating reading still, leavened as it is with many pleasant bird-notes, including references to migration of Australian birds at Cape York. Jukes wondered, as many of us have wondered since, at the reason for birds migrating from North Queensland to New Guinea. “In these latitudes,” he says, “mere temperature cannot be the cause of it, although the varia- tions of the seasons for different fruits or insects may. Officers of the Fly were also in communication with Gould ; it was Commander J. M. R. Ince who sent the great ornithologist his first Sun -bird. April, 19 22 The Queensland Naturalist. /S We come now to the Rattlesnake. This famous vessel arrived in Moreton Bay in October, 1847, and thence onward did much useful work, under the command of Captain Owen Stanley, with John lYIaegillivray as naturalist. A younger naturalist on the Rattlesnake was Thomas Huxley,* destined to achieve world-wide fame as a biologist. Moreover, it would appear that James Wilcox, of Sydney, a naturalist who sent many valuable bird- specimens and notes to Gould, was also aboard the vessel. The name of Wilcox is not mentioned in the Narrative of the voyage, but Maegillivray said of him, in a letter to Gould: ‘‘lie was employed by the late Captain Stanley to procure specimens of natural history for the Norwich and Ipswich Museums, and to his zeal and industry as a collector 1 was often much indebted.” Maegillivray himself was the distinguished ornithologist so warmly commended by Gould for his work among distinctive birds of North Queensland. “The officers of Her Majesty’s ship Rattlesnake says Gould, “so well employed their time in collecting the natural products of the Cape York district, that they added very materially to our knowledge of the fauna of that part of the continent.” The justice of this statement becomes evidenced in Maegillivray ’s Journal t and Gould’s Birds of Australia . Both works are replete with Maegillivray ’s observations upon birds, many of which he was the first to collect. Nor was Cape York the only place of note in respect of the work of the Rattlesnake. In May, 1848, the vessel was anchored ten days at Dunk Island, where, in addition to many useful observations, Maegillivray took a “new and handsome Flycatcher,” which Gould called Monarcha leucotis. Consideration of the cruise of the Rattlesnake brings us to a contemporary event of ornithological interest, viz., Kennedy’s tragic expedition from Rockingham Bay to Cape York. Tarn 0 ’ Shanter Point, opposite Dunk *It should be mentioned in passing that Professor S. B. J. Skertchly, for long an officer of the Queensland Field Natural- ists’ Club and Gould League of Bird-lovers, and still an Honor- ary Ranger under the Birds Protection Act, had the honor of being closely associated with Darwin, Huxley, and Wallace. It was his pleasure, as a young man, to assist Dr. Duncan to name some of Darwin’s corals from the “Beagle” voyage. “Huxley,” said Prof. Skertchly, recently, “built up my biology, and, I think, never quite forgave me for eschewing natural history for my first love, geology.” t “Voyage of H.M.S. ‘Rattlesnake’,” by John Maegillivray, London, 1852. The Queensland Naturalist. ;6 April, 1922 Island, commemorates the arrival of a vessel of that name at Rockingham Bay, in company with the Rattlesnake, in May, 1848. The leader of the expedition was Edmund B. Kennedy, the naturalist T. Wall, and the botanist W. Carron. The story of this fateful journey, which is told by Carron as an addition to The Voyage of the Rattlesnake, needs little recapitulation. Kennedy and party left the Tarn o’ Shanter and Rattlesnake at Dunk Island, and, after experiencing severe privations, nearly all were killed by blacks. Wail died on December 28, 1848, two days before the scanty residuum of the party was snatched from death by a rescuing party guided by the faithful Jacky Jacky. The chief ornithological discovery of the trip was the Cassowary. Wall took one of these big birds, tor the first time, but had to drop the skin. A rough description was given by his brother, W. S. Wall, then curator of the Australian Museum (Sydney), in the Illustrated Sydney Herald of 3rd June, 1854, under the name of Casuarius australis, and this was accepted by Gould. Kennedy’s expedition was not the most notable one made in Queensland during the forties. That honour is undoubtedly with Sir Thomas Mitchell, who, in 1845, pene- trated the Maranoa and the interior, as far as what he called the Victoria River, now known as the Barcoo, and the Alice River, presumably called after his wife. It was unfor- tunate that Mitchell did not have an ornithologist with him on that great trip; nevertheless, his Journal ( Tropical Australia) contains many interesting bird-notes, and shows a generally healthy appreciation of the good cheer of the birds. “The charm of a beginning,” Mitchell writes at one stage, “seemed to pervade all nature, and *the songs of many birds seemed like the orchestral music before the commencement of any theatrical performance. Such a morning, in such a place, was quite incompatible with the brow of care.” A healthier attitude, surely, than that of one or two other early writers who described the Australian bush as melancholy and our birds as songless! Mitchell could even forgive the screeching of the White Cockatoos, in admiration of the spotless birds as “amidst the unbrageous foliage, forming dense masses of shade,” they “sported like spirits of light.” Perhaps it should be suggested at this point that the attitude of early observers (from scientists to convicts) in the wonderland of Australia seems to have been, as it is to-day, largely a reflex of the mind of the individual. The “bird that laughs at you” is, and probably always has been, one The Queensland Naturalist. 77 April, IQ22. of the favourites of the Australian town and bush; yet one finds an early Queensland writer using this harsh quotation at Jack’s expense — “At once there rose so wild a yell As all the fiends from heaven that fell Had pealed the banner cry of hell.” “Appalling as the ravings of a madman” is his further description of the famous laughter. “One never learns to laugh with it or at it. It strikes upon the ear with a wild clash, increasing every moment in exasperating intensity, and ends in a prolonged sardonic chuckle, as though in cynical comment on the ways of man.” What a pity this outburst could not 'he translated to the Kooka- burras! They would then have much to laugh about. However, the same writer is persuaded to observe later that it was “ worth a journey from the other side of the world to see Black Swans preening their feathers, White Egrets sitting like marble figures in the trees, and Blue Herons standing at the edges of the reeds, all in a Hood of sunshine at midwinter noon.” But 1 digress. Further consideration of land expedi- tions brings us to the distinctive work accomplished through the agency of A. C. and F. T. Gregory. These gentlemen, after doing much hard work in West Australia, accepted a commission from the British Government to examine the country between the Victoria River (North- western Australia) and Moreton Bay. They started from the town of Brisbane on 12th August, 1855, the party comprising eighteen persons, among whom were the brothers Gregory (commander and assistant), F. von Mueller (later a famous botanist), and J. R. Elsey (surgeon and naturalist). It is with Elsey that we are chiefly concerned. A. C. Gregory himself, although his Journal* is little more than a record of dates and distances, was a keen naturalist, but it was Elsey who collected many new birds for Gould to describe, and supplied much valuable information. His '‘finds” included many of our beautiful Finches; indeed, he supplied practically all of these birds that did not come the way of Gilbert and the men of the Beagle . Elsey did not accompany Gregory on his second expedition in search of Leichhardt (1858) ; he returned to England, and later went to the West Indies, where he died about 1860. His work is finely tributed by Gould under the * “Journals of Australian Explorations by A. C. Gregory and F. T. Gregory: ” Government Printer, Brisbane, 1884. The Queensland Naturalist. April, 1 922 heading of M alums coronatus (one of Elsey ’s discoveries), and his name lives with the Elsey Creek and Elsey Station, the latter the Northern Territory property made famous by Mrs. Gunn in the delightful book, We of the Never- Never. Curiously enough, extensive collecting of new birds in what is now the State of Queensland ended with Separation from New South Wales; new birds have been taken since Elsey ’s day, of course, but good species were no longer to be found in the same numbers; certainly, more than 80 per cent, of Queensland’s birds had been “christened” by the year 1860. Passing by the expedition of Burke and Wills (1860- 61) and one or two others of geographical but not ornithological importance, we come to the plucky travels of the brothers Jardine. In 1863 the Imperial Government had accepted a recommendation by Sir George Bowen, first Governor of Queensland, for the establishment of a settlement at Cape York, and Mr. William Jardine, police magistrate at Rockhampton, was placed in charge. Jardine senior went north by water, and his two sons, Frank and Alexander, went overland with stock, starting from the famous Gracemere Station in May, 1864. The Narrative of that meritorious and successful expedition* has many valuable notes upon birds, and there are further important observations, particularly upon migration, in the Appendix, contained in letters from Jardine senior to Sir George Bowen and the Colonial Secretary of the day. One observation that should be verified is Jardine ’s statement that the young of the Jungle Fowl (Megapode) “ return and roost in the mounds at night.” In years immediately succeeding Jardine took many new birds, which Were sent to Gould through Charles Coxen. From this period onwards all references to Cape Y'ork carry with them the name of Jardine, which illustrious family offered hospitality to many notable explorers and naturalists. Captain (afterwards Admiral) John Moresby was there with TI.M.S. Basilisk on several occasions in the early seventies; it was upon these cruises that Port Moresby (New Guinea) and Mourilyan Harbour (named after Lieut. Mourilyan, of Moresby’s staff) were discovered. Lamentably enough, however, the Basilisk carried no * “ Narrative of an Overland Expedition from Rockhampton to Capo York, ” compiled from Journals of the Jardine Brothers, and edited by Frederick J. Byerley; Brisbane, 1878. April, 1922 The Queensland Naturalist 79 naturalist, a fact deplored by the captain when at the D'Entrecasteaux , Islands. ‘‘A naturalist." he writes,* ‘‘would have envied our position, surrounded as we were by strange trees and shrubs and beautiful birds, but which, unfortunately, we could give no name.” Another exploratory visitor to Cape York in the seventies was Dr. R. L. Jack. Becoming Government Geologist of Queensland in 1877, Jack did much valuable work, both geologically and geographically. Resourceful as he was, however, he had very little knowledge of birds, and the only references to our subject that I can find in his writings are an allusion to a “rough arcade” of a Bower-bird, and a note upon some tiny bird that caught his attention near the Coleman River, Cape York Penin- sula, in September of 1879. “Several miles from camp,” he says, “we passed some enormous and fantastic blocks of grey granite, and saw a flock of very little birds, with bodies apparently no larger than butterflies. I could not. however, shoot any. My impression is that no bird so small is known in Australia.” Bird-lovers may entertain themselves in conjecturing the identity of these birds. We have several species with claims to be considered the smallest Australian bird. There is no other exploratory expedition that calls for special notice, f though that of Ernest Favenc, organised by Oresley Lukin, of the Queenslander , is worthy of passing notice. That West Queensland expedition started from Blackall, then the furthermost west railway point, in 1878. The party’s interest in birds was so practical that the leader kept a record of the number they ate. In a short period these figures totalled 584, including 50 parrots (Corellas and Galahs), 350 Ducks (five species), 150 Pigeons (principally Flock), 11 Geese, 4 Turkeys, 8 Spoon hills, 7 Water-Hens, 2 Shags, one Emu, and one Native Companion. To that menu was added later “such choice delicacies as Eaglehawks and frogs.” Crows and Hawks were “carefully reserved to the last, when all else should fail.” (To be continued.) *“ Discoveries and Surveys in New Guinea and the D'Entre- casteaux Islands; a Cruise in Polynesia, and Visits to the Pearl- shelling Stations in Torres Strait, of H.M.S. ‘ Basilisk,’ by Captain John Moresby, P.N. ; London, 1S76. ” fFor a concise survey of the history of Australia generally consult ‘■A Short History of Australia,” by Ernest Scott; Melbourne, 1910. Professor Scott has frequently brought “ Forgotten Feathers” to the notice of ornithologists, 8o The Queensland Naturalist. April, 1922 “A PRETTY LITTLE PROBLEM.” It is pleasing to know that Professor Sydney B. J. Skertchly (a founder of the Queensland Field Naturalists ? Club) has taken over the science column in the Brisbane Courier, for some time ably conducted by the late Dr. J. Shirley. In his notes of the issue of the 22nd April he has some remarks to offer on the beautiful native flower known most commonly as the Fringed Violet ( Thysanotns tuberosus). Professor Skertchly writes : — ‘‘Patience is essential to a true observer. Here is a pretty little problem you may help me to solve. For the last two years I have been trying to find out the weather (or other) conditions which induce our lovely Fringed Violet ( TJiysanotm ) to open in the morning or remain closed. The royal purple, tasselled beauties abound in our home paddock, and when they are flowering I have missed few days in which I have hot done them homage. Sometimes I was sure they kept shut iu abnormally hot, dry weather, only to find them glorying in the sunshine after having rigorously refused for days to open. Then again, I have been almost as sure it was dull weather they dislike; only to be foiled again. I am no nearer the solution than last year. With ns they open between eight and nine in the morning, and close soon after noon, never to reopen. The act of closing takes -from ten minutes to half an hour, and the action is very pretty to watch. First, the fringe at the tip of the petals folds over, then the side-1 ri ages are laid atop, and finally the whole of the fringed appendage (for the true petal is quite a narrow thing) is wrapped up. Our specimens have never studied botany, for they never twist their sepals after flowering as the fruit ripens, as the text-books tell us is their bounden duty.* * “If you have a microscope, even a low-powered one, examine a petal, and you will he enchanted wtili the orderly arrangement of the colour-bodies. If you wish to paint the flower you will find yourself bothered at first with the red light that streams through it when seen by . partly transmitted light. T find it best, first, to lay in a ground of pure carmine, and before it is quite dry to run over a light wash of Prussian blue — cobalt and ultramarine are fatal. 1 don’t find Thysanotu-s very attractive to insects, though I have seen them buzzing all round as I lay observing; but, with us at any rate they seem to get on pretty well without them, for hardly a flower misses seeding, though it. is open but for four hours at most. Now for a bit of that caution I have been inculcating. What f have recorded of the ways of Fringed Violets is what 1 know by close, continued accurate observa tion to be true for Molemlinar by the Nerang River side. Whether it holds good everywhere 1 cannot say, but you may help me to determine. 8ome of the results of my own observations on flowers seem to be so opposite from those of other writers that one pauses before expressing an opinion.” * G. Beni ham in “Flora Australiensis ” ; F. M. Bailey in the * ‘ Queensland Floi a, ’ ? &c, — Bps, April, 1922 The Queensland Naturalist. 81 SPOTTED BOWER-BIRDS AT HOME. By D. W. Gaukrodger, Alice Downs, Blackali. Part 1— NESTING NOTES. Much has been written relating to that most interest- ing creature, the Spotted Bower-Bird ( Chlamydera macu- lata), but so far I do not know of any special observations being recorded of the bird’s movements at and about its .nest. It is rather an astonishing fact that, notwithstanding the numbers of these birds that are to he seen (I write Mother Bower-bird on the Offensive. (“With feathers ruffled, she would show plenty of fight/’) [Photos by D. W. Gaukrodger. particularly of the Barcoo district, Central-west Queens- land), it is so seldom one can drop on to their nests; and it is a safe assertion that the big majority of bushmen — keen observers, too — have never seen one. The bowers, or playgrounds as they are generally called, are exceed- ingly common, and every bushman can relate some peculiarities manifested by the birds in and about these wonderful little structures; but few have any knowledge of the nests, and one begins to reason why this should be so. The fact that during September, October, and Novem- ber in each year numbers of young, fully fledged Bower- birds can be seen being fed by their parents disposes of 82 The Queensland Naturalist, April, 1922 the possibility of the species not nesting here, and the puzzle is increased when that too common individual,, found in every district, who is always on the look-out for young birds to cage, seems never to have his stock augmented with young Bower-birds. During nearly twenty-five years' residence in these districts, and in spite of being at all times on the qui vive r I have only seen three Bower-birds’ nests, and even now have not seen the eggs in situ , as each of the three homes 1 refer to contained two little ones. In thinking over the positions and localities of these three nests, I get no guide to assist me in locating other homes. Each was built in a widely divergent place. The first I saw was in an orange-tree not more than ten yards from the front veranda of the Saltern Creek (Barcaldine district) homestead. That was about sixteen years ago. The next was a quarter of a mile or so from a settler’s house in this district (Blackall), and lodged in the top of a bauliinia sapling in a most exposed position, about fifteen feet from the ground. The last one I found during September, 1921, miles away from any habitation, and tucked away in the shelter and protection of a thick native creeper, entwined into a “dead finish” bush. It was this nest that enabled me to frame these notes, and that formed the subject from which I was able to obtain some photographs. On the particular day on which I came across this nest I was searching around with my camera on the lookout for subjects. Usually, when on such expeditions 1 do not give much attention to these thickets, for I find from experience that our birds out here do not as a rule take advantage of this shelter — more than likely, I think, on account of the harbour it provides for their natural enemies such as snakes, little iguanas, and lizards of many kinds. However, departing from my usual custom on this occasion, T investigated the clump, it was a lucky move. From the first glimpse T got of the nest, only about eight feet from the ground, I thought it strange that a Butcher- bird should build in such a secluded spot. With the aid of a leaning stick, 1 started to climb to make further examination, as no eye could fail to notice that the nest was of this season’s construction. With my hands I parted the matted vines, and had only made one step upwards when I got satisfying evidence that I w r as at a Bower-bird’s nest. Just above me was the bird, with feathers spread from head to tail, and uttering incessantly the well-known hissing and scolding notes peculiar to her April, 1922 The Queensland Naturalist. 83; kind. I ignored this antagonism, bent as I was on seeing what was in that home, and I drew myself upwards until [ could see two little fluffy occupants. When a bushman wishes to demonstrate his satisfac- tion with an event he usually says, 4 ‘That ’ll do. me!” and so I repeated these words to myself as I carefully stepped to the ground. As I walked around the tree studying the thickness of the bush and the best direction to point the camera lens, suitable to the light, the old bird sat above,, motionless and silent, but watching me suspiciously. After deciding on the time of some future day favour- able to photography, and tying back a few limbs that would probably be an obstruction to the camera eye. I left the spot for the time being. Mother Bower-bird; more tractable. (‘‘In a dark place, surrounded by protective colouring.”) It is outside the object of these notes to relate all the many little dodges resorted to in photographing this bird, at its nest. Suffice it to say that for three weeks I gave up all my spare time to 4 4 battling” with a shifty, cunning, and suspicious subject, surrounded by protective colouring, in a dark spot with streaks of strong light from a summer' sun striking through. And so the failures and disappoint- ments were many. Is it possible that the ease with which one could mistake a Bower-bird ’s nest for some other only partly built (and therefore not looked more closely into) is the- principal reason that so few nests are seen? The construe- .84 The Queensland Naturalist. April, 1922 tion of small sticks, loosely put together, resembles very much a Butcher-bird’s nest in the making, with the cup itself only very little deeper than that of the Bronze wing Pigeon. And so far as ventilation for the occupants is concerned, nothing better could be designed. Young Bower-birds seem to be cunning almost from the day they are hatched. Try to lift one from the nest and it hangs on to its home tenaciously, but when freed it will lie in the hand in whatever position it may be placed, shamming death. But that little open corner of one eye exposes the trickiness. As these young birds grew they became wild and suspicious, and in the partly feathered stage would crouch and- make the best of the poor protec- tion provided by their shallow nest as I moved around; but my back being turned they would stealthily move out to a thicker portion of the tangled boughs and only return when all was quiet. From pepperinas and Moreton Bay fig-trees near homesteads, and also from the common gidyea tree tops above camps, I have heard Bower-birds mimicking almost •every note and call familiar to the bush. But for energy and persistence in this direction I have heard nothing .to equal that mother Bower-bird during my first few visits to her home. I could without the slightest difficulty recognize every call she made, with the exception of one which was a distinct sound like “Woggy,” repeated some- times twice and at others four times in succession. Being deep, this note gave one the feeling that she was endeavour- ing to imitate some blackfellow s ‘ ‘lingo ,’ 7 or else was u ‘ taking off” an isolated boundary-rider calling to his only dog. Besides the variety of this particular bird’s mimicry, there were the quick changes she made from one subject to another. One could easily imagine at one moment that some interfering Willy Wagtail was in that tree, whilst in the next breath the guttural ‘ ‘ Thump, thump” of the Emu was easily recognizable. Without, as it were, changing breath, the Storm-bird would then get a turn, and in quick succession Magpies, Crows, Butcher-birds, Soldier-birds (Miners), Babblers, and hosts of others would come in for attention. Occasionally, as if these displays were not interesting me to her satisfaction, she would suddenly almost fali to the ground, and with neck stretched out, feathers ruffled, and wings spread, she would creep through the grass, pretending helplessness. I have seen many other birds making a somewhat similar ‘‘stunt” when their young April, 1922 The Queensland Naturalist. 85 seemed in danger, but none that could carry it out with such thoroughness as this Bower-bird. Intermittently, the mimicry and antics of pretence would continue as long as I stood perfectly still, but for me to make one move, especially to place my hand at the nest, would cause her to dart with a hiss and a scold, and, with feathers ruffled, show plenty of fight. Although the bird did not actually strike my hand, once or twice she came too close to be pleasant. The mother-bird feeding the young was not without interest. As well as I could judge from my hiding bower, about twenty yards distant, variety seemed to be the main feature of the menu. Grasshoppers, moths, caterpillars, Baby Spotted Bower-birds; aibout one week old. (They will sham death in >any position in which they are placed at that age.) and many kinds of berries all seemed to be acceptable. Sometimes the morsel was more than the youngster could swallow easily, then the old bird would give assistance with such determination as almost to suggest that she was aware* she had no time to waste on delicate appetites, formalities, or good manners. Strangely enough, I did not see any other Bower- birds than the one about this nest until the young ones were almost ready to fly. For about a week prior to their being ready to leave, two other birds came along. They did not seem, however, to be interested in any of the proceedings. They did no mimicking and made no attempt 86 The Queensland Naturalist. April, 1922 to bring food to the nestlings; in fact, to all appearances they were merely casual visitors. Those two little Bower-birds are still with us. They are in a specially built enclosure, and are detained only for the purpose of proving whether the species takes up mimicry without the parent’s tuition or not, and also whether it is one of their accomplishments for one to drop bones from the air for its companion to catch. With these matters in particular solved, we hope to allow them absolute freedom. They are now seven months old, are fully fledged, but still lacking those pretty little pink crest feathers peculiar to the matured birds. They show deep Young Bower-birds; just after leaving nest. (These birds are now being studied in captivity.) [Photos by D. W. Gaukrodger. interest in every sound and movement that occurs about them, but so far have made no attempt at mimicry. They relish every kind of food that is given them, and enjoy regularly a midday bath; consequently, they are both sleek and healthy, dust recently they have started to amuse themselves by hopping and playing about their enclosure with sheep vertebrae bones, shining tins, and coloured glass ; and just as I finish these notes one is busy entertaining its mate (and, incidentally, annoying me) by persistently tingling a little sheep-bell that their attendant has attached to one of their perches, with the object of encouraging them in their frivolity. April, 1922 The Queensland Naturalist. 8 ; THE LATE DR. SHIRLEY. Queensland natural history suffered a distinct loss by the death on the 5th April of Dr. John Shirley. He was .always an ardent supporter of the Field Naturalists ’ Club .and Gould League of Bird Lovers, of each of which he was a past President. His was a familiar figure at the Club’s meetings and outings, particularly the more extended .excursions, as he was chiefly a naturalist of the open air, and not merely a text-book and laboratory student. Australia would be the richer if more of our public men were sufficiently wide-visioned to take such a healthy interest in the great out-of-doors. That interest was part of Dr. Shirley’s being, and only those who “went bush” in his company knew the zest with which this naturalist of past seventy would scale a height or clamber into a gully — particularly those of delectable Tambourine Moun- tain or the Macpherson Range National Park — in pursuit of plants or land-shells. Dr. Shirley was born at Dorchester (England) in 1849. He arrived in Queensland in 1878, and was appointed head teacher of the State school at Roma. In 1879 he was . appointed District Inspector of Schools, and, while holding this office for various parts of the State, travelled, prac- tically speaking, over every portion of it. Much of this travelling was accomplished at a time when there were no railways and very little settlement, schools being a great • distance apart. It afforded a good opportunity for pursuing natural history studies and the collecting of specimens. In 1909 Dr. Shirley was appointed Senior Inspector of Schools, and in 1914, when the Teachers’ Training College was established, was selected for the position of Principal — a post he held till the end of 1919, when he was retired under the provisions of the Public Service Act. It may here be mentioned that it was characteristic of the man that when over sixty years of age he spent the long vacation due to him for continuous service in studying and prepar- ing a thesis for the degree of Doctor of Science at the Sydney University. After leaving the Training College he was appointed Conchologist to the Queensland Museum, a post he had in previous years filled in an honorary capacity. This position he held for one year and nine months, when the pruning-knife of retrenchment did away with the posi- tion. He was a versatile writer whose studies covered a number of branches of natural science, botany and con- « etiology being his strongest and most loved subjects. His most important published work is The Lichen Flora of 88 The Queensland Naturalist. April, 1922; Queensland , mostly first published as a series of papers in. the “Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland .’ 9 He also contributed several important papers to the Quee ns la n d Nat ura list . Dr. Shirley’s death leaves a blank in the ranks of the older naturalists associated with this club. We of the' younger school are chiefly specialists in our respective- studies, and we can ill afford to lose men like the late Dr.. Shirley, whose wide experience and breadth of knowledge were always at the disposal of others. — The Editors. SYLLABUS, MAY-JULY, 1922. May 15: Evening Meeting. Practical Dem'onstration by Mr. R. Illidge on Mounting and Setting Insects. Exhibits. Reports o.f Excursions. June 3 : King ’s Birthday — Excursion to Burpengary, North Coast Line. Burpengary, a few miles north of Petrie, is a place so far unvisited by the Club. It seems to offer a good field for general work. Train leaves Central 8.5 a.m. Returns to Central about 6.30 p.m. June 19: Evening meeting — Lecture on “Marsupials,” by Mr. H. A. Longman, F.IL.S. (Director Queensland Museum). Exhibits. July 9: Saturday afternoon excursion to One-tree Hill (Taylor ’s : Range). 1 Subject: “The Study of Eucalypts in the Field . ” Leader, Mr. C. T. White, F.L.S. (Government Botanist). Meet at Cemetery Gates 2.30 p.m. July 17 : Evening meeting. Out upon the hill-top, far above the river -mist, Listen to the Butcher-birds fluting in the dawn; Hear the little Robins pipe Ere the trees the sun has kissed; All the gladsome bird-songs fill the early morn. ‘ ‘ Lalage. ’ r the Queensland naturalist. JOURNAL OF THE QUEENSLAND NATURALISTS’ CLUB AND NATURE-LOVERS’ LEAGUE. Vol III. August, 1922 . No. 5 . PROCEEDINGS. April to June, 1922. April 3. — A letter was received from the Minister for Agriculture notifying the proclamation of regulations •under the recently-passed Animals and Birds Act. The matter was discussed by Messrs. A. H. Chisholm and H. A. Longman, the latter suggesting the establishment of reserves in Western Queensland for the preservation of kangaroos and wallabies. It was agreed to accord the Minister (Hon .W. N. Gillies) and the Under Secretary (Mr. E. G. Scriven) a vote of appreciation. The feature of the evening was an address by the President (Mr. R. L. Higgins) on limestone caves to the North of Rockhamp- ton. With the 'aid of lantern slides and specimens, Mr. Higgins emphasised the picturesque mature of these cur- ious formations, and strongly urged that they be reserved for the people. Other interesting exhibits were shown by members. May 15. — Mr. R. Illidge gave a most informative paper and demonstration on the treating anjd mounting of butterflies. Entomological exhibits were sent by Messrs. Hayes (Kyogle, N.S.W.), C. Geissmann (Tambour- ine Mountain), and J. C. Smith. Mr. Illidge supplied descriptive notes on each exhibit. Among other exhibits was one tabled by Mr. C. T. White (for Mr. E. W. Bick) — a specimen of Barrington 1 a sfieciosa, which was found at Jumpin’-pin, Stradbroke Island, and was thought to have drifted across the Pacific from Fiji. June 19. — In response to an invitation (from the Royal Geographical Society (Queensland), Mr. H. Tryon was appointed to represent the Club on a committee being formed to consider the question of studying the Great Barrier Reef from both economic and scientific stand- points. Mr. White introduced the subject of an arboretum 90 The Queensland Naturalist. August, 1922 for Victoria Park, Brisbane, upon which matter he had spoken to other societies, and, after the proposal had been supported by various members, it was agreed to write the Mayor of the city in favour of the project. OUR MARSUPIALS. At the June meeting, Mr. H. A. Longman (Director of the Queensland Museum) lectured on the Marsupials of Australia. He stated that Pelsart, the captain of the Dutch East India Co.’s ship Batavia, gave a description of the Dama wallaby from the Abrolhos Isles, where his ship was wrecked, as long ago as 1629. This was the first mention of an Australian marsupial, although this particular species was not scientifically described until 1817. Am Island wallabies were living in the garden of the Dutch Governor of Batavia in 1711. The lecturer pointed out that extraordinary interest attached to the marsupials, owing to the birth of their young in an immature condition, the new-born young of a large kangaroo being only half an inch in length. Var- ious modifications of the pouch were mentioned, including the big bag of the kangaroos and allies, the smaller bag, opening backwards, of the native bear and the bandi- coots, the circular cavity with a muscular rim of the wombats, and the shallow depression of the carnivorous native catts. The so-called marsupial bones were found in both sexes. About 150 species of marsupials were known from the Australasian region, including representatives from the Celebes, in the North-west, and also from 'the Solomon Islands, where a cuscus was found. Marsupials could be broadly divided into two divisions, herbivorous and non- herbivorous, the difference in diet being strikingly illus- trated in the dentition. The presence of two smaller inner toes, closely united and used as a fur-comb, was a welb marked characteristic of the great majority of our species. Special mention was made of rare forms, including the marsupial moles from Central Australia, the tiny honey- eating Tarsipss, the fat-tailed pouched mice, the Queens- land wombat, the tree kangaroos of North Queensland, the feather-tailed opossum, and the beautiful ring-tailed opossumls from the Herbert River district. The so-called fiying squirrel, which had a thin membrane between its August, 1922 The Queensland Naturalist. 91 fore and hind limbs, was a wonderful parachutist, and lie had measured a distance of over 80 yards, which he had seen traversed by these phalangers when gliding through the air from tree to tree. The lecturer claimed that the fauna of Australia was of greater interest than that of any other country, and that the efforts made to ensure its adequate protection were well worthy of support. The majority of marsupials were bv no means lacking in virility. Australian opos- sums had thriven wonderfully in New Zealand, and, if given fair play, should never become extinct. Referring to the unprotected kangaroos and 1 wallaroos, Mr. Long- man expressed the hope that should these characteristic Australian animals ever become rare, fenced reserves would be established in appropriate districts in Western Queensland. In conclusion, brief reference was made to .the many extraordinary fossil's found on the Darling Downs, including the giant Diprotodon { the Brigalow skull, known as Euryz\gomci and the carnivorous pouched lion. Many interesting slides were shown, a number of Them being reproduced from John Gould’s beautiful plates. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOIL, FOREST FLORA, AND GEOLOGICAL FORMATION." Dr. Jensen lectured at the December meeting of the Club on the dependence of forest flora and soils on the underlying geological formation. The chemical composition and texture of soils depend, he said, upon the rock from which they are derived, and to a less extent 011 climate, which considerably affects the processes of rock- weathering and soil-leaching. The forest flora was shown to be, espe- cially in our western country like the Roma and Spring- sure districts, a faithful guide to an adequate idea of the properties of the underlying soil and even of the class of rock below. Thus, Brigalow ( Acacia harpophylla) scrub is always a sign of highly calcareous, very heavy, usually black soil, with heavy clay subsoil below, and calcareous rocks (shales or limestones) underlying. Belar ( Casuarina lepidophloia) indicates a loamy soil good in lime such as is * It may be mentioned for those interested that a series of articles on the above question, by Dr. Jensen, appeared in the pages of the Queensland Agricultural . Journal , October 1921 to January 1922. — Eds. 92 The Queensland Naturalist. August, 1922' shed by calcareous sandstones. Pine ( Callitris robusta) is invariably found on poor yet deep silieious sandstone country. On tablelands of silieious sandstone we get the Ironbark ( Eucalyptus decorticans) on shallow very poor soils. On silieious sandstone ranges with steep slopes, Lancewood ( Acacia dora&oxylon) and another Acacia (A. Bancroftii) are very abundant. These trees prefer the quickly drained slopes. The Poplar Box ( Eucalyptus populifolia) is a lover of calcareous sandstone country with fairly heavy soils and clayey subsoil. It is usually poorly drained country this tree prefers, and where the run-off is very bad and the subsoil has very high water capacity, the Sandalwood, Eremophila Mitchelli, accompanies the Box. The common Silver-leaved Ironbark ( E . melanopliloia) flourishes on the same formations as the Poplar Box, but only on hills and well-drained places. The Spotted Gum (E. maculata) likes sandy loams on well-drained slopes. The lemon-scented variety ( E . macu- lata var. citriodora ) seems to be confined to gravelly and conglomerate country. Numerous other plants and their significance as an indication of the agricultural value of soils were mentioned. It was emphasised in brief that the old plan of the bush man of judging country by the trees growing on it is sound in practice. Mr. C. T. White (Government Botanist), speaking in support of a vote of thanks to the lecturer, pointed out how important would be the study of the distribution of our grasses and forage plants in relation to soils and geological formation. He also strongly advocated the inclusion of a botanist in geological reconnaissance parties, so that the botanical survey of the State could be carried out systemati- cally at the least expense. POPULARISING TREES. On a recent excursion of Club members, which Mr. C. T. White (Government Botanist) led to Mount Coot-tha, Professor H. C. Richards (Queensland University), who was one of the party, suggested that it would add to the interest of the reserve if nameplates were placed on the most prominent of the native trees growing beside the chief path. The Mount Coot-tha reserve being under the control of the Brisbane City Council, the suggestion was passed on to the Mayor (Alderman II. J. Diddams, C.M.G.). He received it favourably, and Mr. White has been asked to co-operate with the City Council in carrying out the pleasant little innovation. The Queensland Naturalist. August, 1922 9 BIRD SEEKING IN QUEENSLAND* 93 By A. IT. Ciiisholm, R.A.O.U. Part 2 . We leave now the era of geographical exploration of Queensland and come to the work of residents and indi- vidual visitors. Firstly, consider the visitors. Throughout the writings of John Gould there is frequent mention of the name of Samuel White, of Adelaide. This gentleman was -a keen naturalist, and it is somewhat remarkable, as Mr. A. J. Campbell points out,f that he was not renowned for research. He was to have accompanied the Burke and Wills expedition, but came instead on a general collecting tour of Queensland in 1867. Making inland from Cleveland Bay (Townsville), White’s party encountered great privations, and ultimately returned to the coast at Port Denison. Thence they worked down past Brisbane, and across the Maepherson Range into New South Wales. Later, Mr. White fitted out a boat called the E/sea ;and went north, intending to visit Cape York, New Guinea, and the Aru Islands. After leaving the Arus, his crew mutinied and locked him in his cabin, whence he was rescued, it is said, by J. T. Cockerell and F. W* Andrews, two of his collectors. The boat was subsequently pillaged, th$ collections sold, and the diaries lost. However, much of the history of these trips has been collected from private sources by S. A. White (son) and published in the South Australian Ornithologist . White, senr., died on 17th No- , vember, 1880. An interesting link with White, senr., and through him with Gould, is offered by Captain C. E. Pennefather, a retired mariner, of Brisbane, who is the possessor of the two volumes of Gould’s Handbook , autographed by the author as a presentation to his friend White. The latter was met and assisted by Captain Pennefather when he (the captain) was pearl-shell fishing in Torres Strait in The seventies. lie took the ornithologist on several cruises in his vessel, the Crinoline , and in return White presented * * k The Ornithological History of Queensland”; Presidential Address, 6th March, 1922. t” Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds”: Intro. The Queensland Naturalist, August, ig2Z 94 him with the Handbook , and also taught the mariner to* skin birds. At that time White was the guest of Frank Jardine, the intrepid explorer and pioneer of Cape York. George Bennett, M.D., author of Gatherings of a Naturalist in Australasia (London, 1860), was an English- Australian scientist who did good general work, and was a friend and helper of Gould. Apparently, Dr. Bennett’s only personal acquaintance with this State was when he made, in 1871, “A Trip to Queensland in Search of Fossils. ”* ITis book, however, contains numerous refer- ences to birds whose “headquarters” are in Queensland; for instance, the “Kowhat” (Koel Cuckoo), “Paradise Honey sucker ' ’ (Rifle-bird), and “King Iloney sucker ’ r (Regent-bird). It was a weakness in the old days to place many Australian birds among the Honeyeaters; neither of the birds so designated by Bennett belongs to that group, any more than does the “Coachwhip Iloney sucker ” (Whip- bird), of old Dr. Latham. Bennett also has some interest- ing notes upon our fine Jabiru, one of which birds he kept in captivity, and which he found needed a pound and a-half of fresh meat daily to keep it in good condition. Dr. E. P. Ramsay was probably the first ornithologist to visit Rockingham Bay after Macgillivray. As ornitholo- gist to the Sydney Museum, Ramsay was at Cardwell in 1874. lie also wrote, in the Ibis (England) for 1875 r a “List of Birds from Port Denison, Queensland,” but in that case specimens were supplied by a Mr. Rainbird. Another Northerner who supplied Ramsay with many novel or rare bird-specimens in the early seventies was Inspector Robert Johnstone, of the Herbert River Police Force. Ramsay died at the end of 1916, leaving behind him a record of fine service to Australian ornithology. The name of Carl Lumholtz may be introduced here. It is doubtful, indeed, whether this gentleman should not be grouped with the Queenslanders, inasmuch as the greater part of his four years in Australia was spent in the outlying parts of this great State. Certainly it was his experience in Queensland that furnished the material for his book, Among Cannibals (an account of four years’ travels in Australia, and of camp life with the aborigines of Queens- land : London. 1890). Lumholtz, an educated Norwegian, was first in Queensland slightly more than forty years ago. He spent ten months (1880-81) at the hospitable Gracemere Station, after which he set out (August, 1881) on an 800- miles tour of West Queensland. That experience was * From a thorough memoir by Henry Try on, written when Dr. Bennett died, at Sydney, in 1893, at the age of eighty-nine years. August, 1922 The Queensland Naturalist. 93 followed by fourteen months’ study of the northland, during most of which time he lived among the wild blacks in the valley of the Herbert. As a matter of course, there is much of ornithological, as well as ethnological, value in Lumholtz ’s book. The homestead at Gracemere, according to an illustration in his work, looked precisely the same forty years ago as it does now; but it would seem that birds were more plentiful on the fine mere in those days than they are at present, though the big lake has long been a sanctuary. “Not many years ago,” says Lumlioltz, “Mr. A. Archer counted thirty-seven species of birds on the lagoon. He believes that a few years ago there were 10,000 birds on the lake.” The most striking bird Lumholtz saw there was the Parra, or Lotus-bird. He wondered how the young ones could disappear so quickly, until one day (he says) a couple that he surprised dived under water and held themselves fast to the bottom, while he “watched them for a quarter of an hour before taking them up.” The most valuable portion of Lumholtz \s book, how- ever, is that dealing with the far North. He has many important observations on birds restricted to such rich regions as the valley of the Herbert River, and shows a healthy appreciation of the relief provided by all “sounds and sweet airs,” from the “jubilant, happy voice” of the “Towdala” ( Orth onyx spaldingi) to the “thundering call of the Cassowary,” which latter jungle-monarch he describes as “the stateliest bird in Australia.” Mention of a blacks’ name for a bird (“Towdala”) recalls a good story told by Lumholtz. He relates that a certain settler, who was out after Emus, accosted a native with the query, “You bin see ’im tshuJcki-tshukki big fellow?” The heathen in his blindness regarded his questioner in silence for a moment, and then replied with dignity, “I suppose you mean an Emu!” A touch of civilisation, however, apparently did not affect the appetite of the average aboriginal, for Lumholtz records later that one of his Northern “boys” ate fourteen Tallegalla eggs (each about three times the size of a hen’s egg) in two hours, “and felt no inconvenience therefrom.” We come now to A. J. Campbell, of Victoria, a dis- tinguished living ornithologist, and one whose fondness for the Rockingham Hay district has led him to pay several visits there. Mr. Campbell, who has been at the head of Australian cabinet and field ornithology for many years, was first at Cardwell in 1885 (in company with A. and F. Coles, of Melbourne, and A. Gulliver, of Townsville) and 96 The Queensland Naturalist. August, 1922 his latest visit was as recent as five years ago. Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds (Mr. Campbell \