The Tasmanian Zfrb- S&i- Vstl- NATURALIST THE JOURNAL OF THE Tasmanian Field Naturalists’ Club. m- VOI. 1. APRIL, 1907. NO. 1. CONTENTS: Ourselves -. The (CoccidcE - * - - - Meetings -------- Swan Shooting on the East Coast of Tasmania List of Members ------ The Breeding Habits of Bron/.ewing Pigeons - /- —H PRICE SIXPENCE. Printed at " The TASMANIA : iner ” and “Weekly Courier” Offices, 73-75 Patterson Street, Launceston. 1907. T ENVIRONMENT RESOURCE UBRAF r 102 Bathurst Streaf X HOBART, TAS. 7000 Tasmanian Field Naturalists’ Club. Vol. i. APRIL, 1907. No. 1. Ourselves. The Tasmanian (Field. Naturalists’ Club, having been in existence for over two years, has felt tire need of a journal of its own, and at the annual meeting in September, 190(1, it was decided that such a journal should he issued, under the title of "The Tasmanian Naturalist,” the first numl>(r of which now appears. One copy of the journal is to he issued free to all members whose subscriptions have been paid; for those not belonging to the Club a small charge is to be made. The journal is intended to deal with Natural History in its widest sense, par¬ ticular, but not exclusive, attention be¬ ing paid to subjects of fasnianiaii in¬ terest. It is hoped in time that descriptions of new forms of life will appear in its pages, but fcr some time at least the articles will be of a more or less popu¬ lar character, and under arrangement with the proprietors of "The Weekly Courier,” many of them will first appear in that widely-read journal. Members and others interested are in¬ vited to contribute, addressing all com¬ munications to the editor. Thirty copies of their papers will be supplied free to ail authors of articles of more than one- page. Unless for special reasons papers should not exceed 8009 words in length, and under 2000 are preferred. Short paragraphs will also be acceptable'. (Previous to the establishing of our journal the following papers were pub¬ lished fcr the club: — The Black-Headed Honey-Eater (with drawing), A. E. Brent. Tasmanian Orchids (with drawings), L. Rodway. 'Club’s Camp Out (with photographs), E. A. Elliott. Tasmanian Ferns, L. Rodway. The Scrub Tit, A. L. Butler. The Myrtaceae of Tasmania (with photographs), L. Rod way. Wfie Ooeeiace : Ji Jatnily of ^Remarkable Jnseets. By ARTHUR M. LEA, F.E.S., Amongst the different orders of in¬ sects there are many kinds that are remarkable for their shapes or transfor¬ mations. But of the various orders there is not one which contains species of such queer forms, or in which the changes are so singular, as in the homoptera. Little attention, however, is paid to tins order b.y the majority of naturalists, except by those officially employed to deal with etc. (Government Entomologist 1 . pests, the reasons being that the ma¬ jority of the species are of small size, of sober colours, and fre¬ quently difficult to preserve. The order is comparatively small in num¬ bers, and very fortunately so is few of them are useful to man, and many are highly destructive. The aphides (includ¬ ing “phylloxera vastatrix,” so remark¬ able on account of its life history and l ) the TASMANIAN NATURALIST. tho vin i mil !° ns ® ^“*86 it has done to .sects f? i " Ul Kur ?I*e), frogspittie in- but err ^''oppcrs, cicadas (frequently te n ;;„ 0Mi! r 5ly kn ° wn ™ locust ij 0 :.i. * er P 8 > and scale insects (“coc- cUae ). all belong to this order, it is only,, however, with the Vast family that ,w;> L ‘ cl,nCL ‘ rneJ ' Hie scale insects re usually able to move up and down with¬ in the galls. The male on ail lining his wings leaves his gall, but the female is confined for life. She either produces living young or dies full of eggs, these eventually hatch out, but in either case the young leave by an opening at the top of the gall. IHE TASMANIAN NAT UR A List. Perhaps the most remarkable of all the gall forming insects are the sptries of Frenehia (a genus named after the genial Victorian entomologist), the species of wlrlch attack the easuariuas, or she-oaks. There are two species of this genus known, one from Sydney, where it ap¬ pears to be very rare, the other from Victoria and Tasmania. The latter spe¬ cies is known as Frenehia casuarinae, and frequently kills branches of she-oaks. Its larvae, when young, are in appearance much like those of other members of tin family, being provided with three pairs ot ’.egs, a pair of compound eyes, and a pair of antennae. After leaving their A—Larva of Frenehia oasuarinse, with legs, eyes and antenna;, and capable of free motion. B—Second stage as enclosed in gall, and having lost legs, eyes and antenna 1 . C—Third stage. D—Fourth or wad-like stage, with removable cap. ( 3 ) the Tasmanian naturalist. E— The enclosed gall insect of Cylindrococcus. mother's gall, they wander over the hark, and finally settle down; here they cause galls to form, the galls in time com¬ pletely; covering them. The galls con¬ tinue to grow, am) eventually from the middle of each gall a cylindrical woody growth appears, which may lie readily detached. Meanwhile changes have been taking place in the insect itself; it loses its legs, antennae, amt eyes, and even its mouth parts (henceforth receiving its nourishment through its skin k.y the pro¬ cess known as osmosis), and appears as a little brownish-red object, of irregular shape, hut having a small node at its Voder end, and a sort of thick tail at one side. As growth continues, the tail becomes thinner ant) increases in length, extending almost the whole length of the cylindrical woody growth; its bot¬ tom also becomes almost saucer shaped, hut still with tile small node, which is fitted into a depression of the wood; it is daubtless at this stage Unit pairing takes {lisice. Later on the tail collapses, bends over, and appears fitted to a re¬ movable cap, which is joined to the body byi an irregular suture—much ns the su¬ tures between the hones of the human skull. The hotly itself is now shaped like a wad, and on removing the cap the top can he seen to be completely cov¬ ered by fine concentric rings with a small opening in the centre, from which the young can nearly always be seen escaping. A heavy coating of white mealy substance is always attached to the walls of the enclosing galls, whilst the insects are healthy, hut when these are attacked by para¬ sites, as is often the case, this sub¬ stance disappears. When full fed, the lower portion of the gall is completely filled, and doubtless gives to the insect its peculiar wad-like shape. The trees attacked by these insects arc often killed by them, and the gil'ls are fre¬ quently to he seen in immense numbers. Common as the females are, the itmlc has never yet been described, and has pro¬ bably never been seen, although it has keenly been searched for; it will prob ably he much the same, however, as many others of the family. iliielly summed up tile life history! of this insect, pro¬ bably the most remarkable m Australia, if not in the whole world, is a< follows: I. I! >rn in possession of six legs, two compound eyes, a pair of antennae, and with mouth parts. Attacks hark, and causes compound galls to form. :i. Cains a tail, but loses its legs, an¬ tennae, eyes, and month part;; at this stage completely cut oil' from toe outer air. From now onwards nourished through its skin. •1. Again changes its shape, mid greatly increases the length of its tail, again be¬ coming connected with the outer air. 5. Again changes its shape, tail becomes semi-detached from the body, the upper surface of which is marked by numerous concentric rings. C. Females abundant; male unknown. THE TASMANIAN NATURALIST. Another highly remarkable genus, the species of which also form galls on she- oaks, is Cylindrocoocus. lliu spec-ies of this genus are fairly numerous m Aus¬ tralia and Tasmania, but of none is the male known. In a common Tasmanian species the height of absurdity in shape appears to be reached. After the first stage the insect is not fixed, but is capable of moving up and dawn Its gall. It has no rostrum, and receives alt its nourishment through its skin (in part of tile second stage it appears tc be at¬ tached byi the whole top of its head to the base of tiie gall). The antennae are present, hut are little more than two feebly pointer) projections. There are no eyes. There are three pairs of legs, each apparently without claws (few other ■insects with legs are known in which these are not terminated by claws); the front pair are the smallest, and are nar¬ row and produced; tin; hind 1'iiv are much larger, and are bladder like, whilst the middle pair are much larger still The front and hind legs appear to he com¬ posed of only one part, in stent) of five (coxa, ti'oolmntor, femur, tibia, and tar¬ sus), whilst the middle are composed of two. The legs moreover, alter 4n pro¬ portion, as the insect grows. The hinder parts of tiie body are Aotried with long golden hairs. The whole insect, how¬ ever, is so densely clothed with whitish meal that until this is re¬ moved the different parts cannot be clearly seen. A remarkable feature of this •Insect is the fact that when at¬ tacked by parasites it appears to grow mudi more rapidly, and to a much larger size than when healthy. The proof of this Is that in the galls ttend coccids may; frequently be seen that have become bloated to four or five times their nor¬ mal size, and exactly filling the galls for the greater part of their length; when so bloated the legs can he traced with great difficulty only. The gill of this species is narrow, about an inch in length, and tapers to a point; in colour it is green, but light brown at the top and bottom; at the bottom sealc-like growths are formed, so that the whole is remarkably like the young '.eaves of the tree on which it grows. Another gall formed by a species of this genus is so unlike the work of an insect and so much like that of a part of the tree itself that it deceived a botanist, who described it as the fruit of the tree. The drawings (published in the “Courier” of March 9) show various stages in the life histories of these insects, (a) Larva of Frendiia Casuarinae, with legs, eyes, and antennae, and capable of free motion, (b) Second stage, as enclosed in gall, and having lost legs, eyes, and antennae, (c) Third stage, (d) Fourth, or wad-like stage, with removable cap. (c) The enclosed gall insect of Cyliiidrocodeus. January Meeting. The monthly meeting was held in the Masonic, llal! on January 21) Bill to tail, 4ft. 1 in.; tip to tip of wings, Oft. Tin'.; each wing, 2ft. 1 lin. Ten swans which were killed on this occasion were weighed, and the average was l.’l.Gib., lmt they vary in weight from 101b. to nearly 201b. Mr. Cotton said the heaviest bird ho had weighed was lfljlb. It is a curious fact that the large primary feathers of these swans come out at a slight pull, as in stretching their wings to measure them, widely differing in this respect from the eagles, as some little effort is required to extract the large flight feathers of ■the latter birds. The skin covering the hills of swans is somewhat loose, bright red, with a pink top, the shade of colour varying more or less with the age of the bird. Soon after death the colour be¬ comes rather dull. The peculiar rustling noise of their wings makes the presence of swans known as they fly overhead, and on turning to them their heads are seen to move first on one side and then on the other, looking on the scene around them, and it is small wonder that their oios have a wild ami start!" I look. The looser sent down to King's Bay could he seen in his white dinghy, ami occa¬ sion illy his voice was heard as he shouted at the birds, trying to frighten them nnj.1 drive them to the guns. Most of them flew just a little way up or right down the bay, only small parties (lip to perhaps 1000 birds) Hying towards the shooters, and sometimes these would he wise enough to turn hack before getting within range. In rising, the swans flap along the sui- face for some distance before getting support from the air, and the noise of their myriad wings beating llie water can read Ay be imagined; it i- like a loud clapping of hands in a concert hall. It was heard then from some miles dis¬ tance, though when a large flock is fired at from short range with one barrel of a gun and they rise, the noise of tneir wings will drown the report of the second barrel. The swans always follow a leader when flying, and this is usu¬ ally an old tough gander; there¬ fore the shooters let that one pass and pick out other birds In the flock, the young and teuDcr, which are not so black In colour. They are fired at first when nearly up to the line, and if the first barrel fails to stop a bird, it has the second just as it passes. Tneir breast feathers may be thick and close hut the swift flight of the bird makes the shot hit all the harder when fired at as they arc coming to the guns. Flying with a good breeze they will travel at the vale of GO to 80 miles on hour, so that it Is not of much use to fire when they have passed. Those accustomed to swan shooting aim some 15 or 20 feet, ahead of the birds. A record was established on this occasion by a swan being shot dead at 120 yards range with n shot gun, and, a flock coming Down just as the shooter had waded out for this bird, he fired both barrels and secured two others; loading quickly, he fired again, and got two more, so that when he reached the firing fine he was towing live behind him. -\t another time five birds were seen to drop into the water simultaneously. What endless ways they fall through the air! Sometimes when killed outright at a good elevation they hit the water with a loud splash, making the spray fly, sometimes turning over am) over, or again falling ns if they would shun the water, being loth to leave their flight, and would drop slowly to the surface. The spent shot dropped in the water with a constant patter,sometimes hitting the boats or fall- (8) the Tasmanian naturalist. mg round the sportsmen. When swans are hit hard, hut not killed outright, tiny lly with motionless, filigli.'tly drooping wings ever nearer the surface of the water, skim over it for a long way, and then settle, perhaps two miles away, am) swim further on. I counted eight or ten that thus got out of sight, it was said that the ' rousera” when return¬ ing would pick them up. At 0.30 a.m. the majority ceased tiring, and dragged their birds to tlie boats, where they were divided—some shooters having been out¬ classed in guns and skill had not a single bird, while several shot many more than they needed, so that no dead birds were left behind, am) all were made use of. In this respect these sportsmen proved themselves true, and were content when they had shot us many birds as they could easily dispose of, although had they been bent upon slaughter, uy stay¬ ing the day, many more must have beeii killed. During the rest of tile seasja the few small parties that go there .‘hoot¬ ing would not kill more swing than aie shot on the opening day. Perhaps eight; hundred or one thousand even, are hilled in each season. This would mean, say, ten taken out of a Hock of 500 as they were Hying past, ant) those cn the wing were only a small part of the swans left in the bays. Only the lower por¬ tion of Moulting Lagoon vvia traversed, and it is said that these bird-’, are even more numerous higher up. Unless the number of sportsmen who go there to shoot largely increases, there docs nor, appear to he much likelihood of the numbers of these birds being materially! reduced by this means. There is a real dan¬ ger, however, in the large numbers of eggs taken every season by' fishermen and local residents. Thousands are sent to -Melbourne confectioners. If vigorous action was taken in enforcing tue £ 1 penalty for having an egg of the black swan in one’s possession, then there would certainly he no fear of this beautiful bird ever becoming extinct in Tasmania, or even becoming less in 'lumbers The birds nest in the shallows, and eggs may be found During nine or ter. mouths of the year. On the way both op and down the river cygnets were seen, ranging in age from a few weeks’ old upwards. When of full size the young swans remain for some time unable to lly, as their IMglit feathers are the last to glow; they are most prized for the table if they can he obtained when at this stage. In moulting, the primaries appear to ho shed at the one time, so that the birds are unable to fly; these are termed "moulters,” and It is a common practice to row or sail after these to capture i hem. Parents of young birds found li ning the open season are not shot, as they keep with their young, and «Jo not lly far from them, even on die approach of a boat. They do not join, until later, the large flocks which are shot at during the Drives, and are certainly left alone by the sportsmen. The return trip was coinmencd about 10 o’clock, and a favour¬ able wind enabled Us to sail most of the way. For several miles after leaving the hank dead, birds were occasionally seen, and one or two were picnc.1 up, the others bring left for later boats. About A YOUNG BLACK SWAN (Chenopis atrata). ( 9 ) THE TASMANIAN NATURALIST. four or live miles down tiie water was seen to be covered with feathers, which Pacific gulls hail torn from a c.ven. Wishing to capture a little cygnet, one of a party of three or four swimming in front of the boat, was singlen out, and as it was rapidly gainut upon, the bird was soon lifted from the water aid placed in the boat. Oil being brought to Hobart it became exceedingly! tame, and evidently enjoyed life, in less than five weeks gaining in weight from lib lOoz. to over 41b. When caught it was supposed to lie about four weeks old. and a photo of it (reproduced in the illustrated section) was taken a i jc'< afti ■. The bills amt eyes of young iwans are black, but change to red later. When the feathers are plucked from a black swan it then looks snowy white, the down not being attached to the feathers but separate. With the young captured bird it was noticed that the nest down with which many young oirils are covered on hatching from the she'll did not give place to feathers, which is tiie general rule, but to the true down, and the feathers appear later. This down was not white, hut a fawn colour. Wo arrived at Helvetian again en Triiiiy afternoon with some of the swans. _ tie following day I started on the return to Hobart, after having witnessed in those large Mocks of magnificent hi:.Is one of the finest sights of its sind, and long may it remain. Jbist oj Members. (An asterisk denotes * Anthony, E. S.. Elizabeth and Davey streets, Hobart. *Atkins, V. J., Audley-street, Hobart. ‘Atkins, W. X.. Moonali. Atkinson, R. li., Friends’ High School, Hobart. Bayuton, H. ,T., Boa Vista-road, North Holmrt. ‘Beattie, d. W., Elizabeth—truet. lioba.it. Beedham. Miss. Wanviek-street, lloliart. Beedhum. I... Win wick-stm t, Hobart. ‘Bell. Miss, l.imlisftirne. *Black, R. A., Dept. Agriculture. Hobart. Boxa.ll. >1.. c/o Messrs. Brrgess Ti os., Hobart. ‘Brent, A. 11., Austin's Kerry. Ikownell. K. I .. S.ok ■ -street. II ibart. ‘Butler, A. I... Muvray strret, Hob a 1. fatal. W. ('.. Binds Dept., I)ivvy-streel. fin pmcll. II. C. I).. Swan street. Hobart, ‘Oleines, S.. Leslie House, New Town. *folboitni. II. .1., founcil of Agr ieult i e, Hobnt t. •Conlon. A„ Council of Agriculture, Hobart, ‘Cook. J. V.. D am sin-street, Hobart. Crookall, W.. Smith street, IloUfl-i't. DTInnleii, Fiank, .ML Stuart, lloliart. D’Eiiulen, Tims., Mt. Stuart, lloliart. Dove, H. Stuart, Deroupnrt West. Dutlioit, N,, Bellerive. ‘Elliott, C. H., High-Sieet, Hobart. ‘Elliott, E. A., High-street, Hobart. ‘Gibson, Dr. G., Macquarie-street, Hobart Original Member.) *Ha.rcourt, Alee., Mary street, Hobart. Hardcastle, l.'r. C., Macquarie-street, Hobart. ‘Harrison, M. W., Glemi.'cliv. H i vey, 1!. Macquarie-street, Hobart. Irvine, Miss, Friends’ High School, Hobart. Johnson, -I. A., Training College, Hobart. ‘Johnston, R. |M„ LiS.O., Government Statistician, Hobart. Kermofic, Mi-s D„ “Corona,” Battery Point, TIubri t. Ki niiode, W., “Corona,” Bittirv Point, Hobart. ‘Lea, A. M., fmtiU'H of Agriculture, Hotiart. Lea, Mr s. A. M.. Mm i iv-stie- t, Hobart Lock wood, I’., Nile. ‘Lord. Clive. Sandy Bay. Hobart. Ladder, Miss, Klplliu-road, I.aiinceston. Al'Alli-ter, Miss, Friends’ High School, ‘.M'Dimaltl. i!. E., Ill Brisbane street, Hob: r. t. ‘May, W. L., Forest Hill, SailiL'oi I. ‘.Maxwell. 11.. Stone Buildings, Hobart. ‘.Morton, A., Tasmanian Museum, Hobart, ‘Nairn, C. C„ Pink-street, Hobart, ‘Nairn, Mrs. ('_ Park-street, Hobart. ‘Nairn, Miss, I’.uk-strect, Ilobai't. Naden, Miss, Quayle-street. Hobart. Naden, N„ Quayle-street, Hobart. Nieholls, li. M., Garden Island Creek, Huon. Noetiing, Dr. J., Sandy Bay, Hobart. ( 10 ) , i c. Ul m i rv CT THE TASMANIAN NATURALIST. '■"Penny, G. C'., Lands Dept., Hobart. Piessc, E. L.. Bay-road, Hobart. *Philp. J. E., Battery Point, Hobart. Pitfield, L., Glebe Town. Hobart. •Pitman, (’. A., Lands Dept., Hobart. •Pitman, C. B., Bonds Dept., Hobart. •Pottengar, Ii. L., 205 Davey-street, Hobart. Pretyinan, E. H., Samly Bay, Hobart. •Reid, A. 11., Liverpool-etfeet, Hobart. Roberts, Mrs. il. L.. Beaumaris, Battery l’oint. Hobart. Robey, Miss, Federal-Street, Hobart. •Rodway, L., Mncquarie-street, Hobart. Simpson, T. C. Holebrook Place, Hobart. •Simson, Aug., High-street, Launeeston. •Smith, Di. G., London. •Smith, J. E., Friends’ High School, Hobart. Stephens, A. A., Lansdowne Crescent, Hobart. Tarleton, -T. W.. Sandy Bay, Hobart. Tribe, R., juu., Murray-street, Hobart. Walpole, S., Union Bank, Hobart. Walkir, li. R„ Study Bay. Hobart. *Watehonij, A. D„ Battery Point, Hobart. Wardman. J., Botanic Gardens, Hobart. Watson, H., Sandy Bay, Hobart. •White, A„ Broomhill, Mangalore. Woolley, C. E., Lindjsfarne. Wright, C., Trinity Hill State School, Hobart. ¥)F)e ^Breeding Jiabits of fBronzewing ‘Pigeons By MARY G. ROBERTS, M.A.S.E., M.A.O.U. (The birds bare dealt with are our com¬ mon bronzewing (iPhaps chalcoptera) mull .tire created bronzewing of New South Wales (Ocyphaps lopbotes).) In my aviaries, where these varieties have been kept season after .season under exactly the anno conditions, 1 find the time of year ire wirin’ a they begin to build, and the period nesting lasts, vary considerably; influenced, no doubt, by .the severity or otherwise of weather conditions. For instance, in 1004 they both began to lay in July and! August, and both sat five times, and carried on breed¬ ing operations until quite the end of Ma ref j. lit is almost needless to say tlnat all the eggs were not lia.Uiied, nor all the young reared; in one instance a pair of our own bronzewings fell from the nest and 1 died when a few days old, and another time one egg was laid ancl for¬ saken. Some untoward circumstance also befell the crested variety, and, from my experience, 1 conclude that three times nesting in one season would Ire the normal or outside number. In the fol¬ lowing year (lt>05) operations commenced stili earlier, and, to my surprise, on Jims 27 1 found eggs in the nest of tine New Sou tin Wales crested, and two days later in that of our common bronze-wing, there ace many disappointments in avicultr-re.the crested bronze-wings deserted the nest owing to being disturbed during some al¬ terations to the aviary, and the young of our bronzewings hatched out only to fall victims to a sudden and severe change of temperature. The ben nested again at the end of August, but on September 16 a heavy fall of snow was .responsible for me death of one squab; next morning the other died, and .the following morning the mother—a matter of keen regret to me, a> during her .short and interesting life ste bid 1 engrafted very much pleasure into mine. The last season (1906) was much later than usual, owing to the frequent and! intermittent snowstorms which fell upon the mountain up ito the beginning of December. The birds .show¬ ed no sign of nesting until October, and it was November before the first common bronzewing was hatched; they were not only later in beginning, but earlier in leaving off, and by t in end of November this variety had iflnished, .the result, being two young from the first nesting, and onr. from the second; the crested variety had begun somewhat earlier. It has bv English avieulturists much handsomer than the commoner variety, the Wo’nga- Wonga. tdeucosa lvia picata) o.f New South Wales, well known for its size and i\i being the possessor of white flesh; the partridge bmnzehving (Gcophaps scripta), commonly called the squatter— the only remaining white-flesh variety, and considered by Gould the most deli¬ cious of all pigeons; the iplumod 1 ground dove (Geofh.rps plumifera), the latter one of the most attractive of birds; troth of tfiese breed upon the ground, and are believed to l»e a connecting link between the partridge and the pigeon; the young leaves the nest, if not as early a- quail, much earlier than pigeons do; tlie little green pigeon (Chaleopliaps chrv- socblora), of New South Wales, a charm¬ ing bird of small size, with bright green wings and vinaeeons breast, also the Java necklace and white Barbara - doves. Both these varieties have bred with me, and T hop' to acclimatise the former, for it is evidently hardy, is now very common about the suburbs of Sydney .and is constantly to lie heard cooing from tile pine trees. The bird may also he seen about the lawns, or often feeding with the sparrows from any seed-box that is near at hand. I had th? imis- fattune to lose .a pair of crowned New Guinea pigeons (Gotira iDWlliertisi), cele¬ brated' hath for size and beauty. This pigeon is of a light slate colour, with rich maroon breast. Otiaer distinguishing features are bright red eyes and a large tan-shaped crest.’ It is believed in New Guinea that in capitvity they lose all pride in this remarkable adornment, hut such is not the ease, as T frequently no¬ ticed that when ,sitting on the ground they found occupation in dressing with the beak the crest of each other. The finer of the two fell a victim to the had temper of a silver pheasant, tier companion, always a delicate bird, died from natural causes. I have never ceased to grieve over my loss, as under present conditions there is little chance of having them replaced. The Goveun- rnent of British New Guinea (its now a protective policy with regard to these birds, and will not allow them to lie ex¬ ported. I understand tint the only chance would be To try for them in Ger¬ man New Guinea. In thinking over the merits of these different varieties there is none I think ,so charming to keep, nor more worthy of our admiration in many ways, than our common bronze¬ wing. It is not necessary 'to consider the ways of the ants only to find wisdom; we can obtain it, and many other lessons, by making ourselves familiar with tlio habits and disposition of these birds. The cock especially is worthy of notice; .as soon as we hear him coo-ing to at¬ tract the attention of his mate we know that nesting operations, are about to begin, and by watching .we soon see him flying from place to (dace in search of a good foundation to build upon. As soon a tills important matter is settled, and although the nest at ifimst is composed of a few twigs or small sticks only, each one is carefully tested before being .taken up, and 1 have often been surprised to see how many have been rejected aa unsuitable. During incubation, and after¬ wards, I have often seen them adding fresh material, a.- if to enhance the com¬ fort and security of the abode. Docs not ali This show a great amount of intelli¬ gence and reasoning power? Beyond this the birds "ate brave in defence of tile eggs and young, both before and after hatching. Although I have often tried, I have never succeeded in driving thou from the nest — either parent would flip my hand with his or her wing, and with flashing eye utter a note of disap¬ proval with all .the voice it could com¬ mand. T always turned' away vanquished, hut with increased admiration of their bravery. When feeding with the phea¬ sants I have noticed them attempt to shrike the latter with their wings, which shows them to he possessed of a good', a mount of courage. At the present .time- m effort is being made by the Avicul¬ ture! Society of England to introduce boTa varieties of these pigeons into the public parks about 'London, hut I doubt if our iTonze-wing will lend itself to ac¬ climatisation in a colder climate than this. Already, however, the crested' variety of New South Wales is .at liberty in the grounds of Woburn Abbey, the iiesmenee of the Duchess of Bedford, one of t(j.' members of the Australian Orni¬ thological Union. As autumn approaches many scarlet- breasted robins (Pctroeca Leggii) make their way from the bush into the gardens of Hobart. This year the first were seen on ti>e 11th Martin, and they are now fairly common. ( 12 ) } \ ’. v 2 " \ •■i** - . I /' , . v ' - - THE TASMANIAN FIELD NATURALFSTS’ CLUB. OFFICE BEARERS, 1906-7. Chairman ------ Mr. S. C.LEMES. Vice-Chairman - Mr. J. EDGAR SMITH. Hon. Secretary and Treasurer - Mr. E. A. ELLIOTT. ' t « . J •’ . t ■ i ‘ • i , • • i . Hon. Assistant Secretary - .. Mr. N. NADEN. . / ' ■ 1 r. I Hon. Editor - - - Mr. ARTHUR M. LEA. Committee : Mr. E. S. yNTHONY, Mr W. C. CATO. Dr. C. 1 IA RECAST LE. V-Mr. A. MORTON. Dr. FRITZ NOETLING. Mr. J. E. PH 1 L 1 \ Mr. L. RO'DWAY.;