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PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL
SOCIETY
NEW SOUTH WALES
FOR THE YEAR
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SONA
AUGUST, 1937.
: SYDNEY:
Published by the Society, 28 Martin Place.
SEanaaey :
Wheldon & Wesley Limited, 2, 3 and 4 Arthur Street,
New Oxford Street, W.C.2.
ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF NEW
SOUTH WALES
(Established 1879.)
Registered under the Companies Act, 1899 (1917).
PATRONS:
His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, Sir Philip Street, K.C.M.G.
Sir Philip Woolcott Game, G.B.E., K.C.B., D.S.O.
COUNCIL, 1937-1938.
President: Tom Iredale.
; Neville
Vice-Presidents : Theodore Cleveland Roughley, B.Sc., F.R.Z.S. Vv
.D., F.R.A.CS.,
W. Cayley, F.R.Z.S.; Garnet Halloran, B.Sc., M
F.R.C.S. (Ed.); and Frank Marshall, C.M.G., D.D.S.
Honorary Secretary and Editor: A. F. Basset Hull, M.B.E., F.R.Z.S8.
Honorary Treasurer: Phillip Shipway.
Honorary Librarian: A. 8. Le Sotef, C.M.Z:S.
Members: E. J. Bryce, F.R.G.S. ; Clive W. Firth; W.B. Gurney ; Aubrey
Halloran, B.A., LL.B.; Keith A. Hindwood; Albert Littlejohn;
E. F. Pollock, J.P., F.R.G.S8. ; Noel L. Roberts ; Michael S. R. Sharland ;
Gilbert Percy Whitley, F.R.Z.S. ’
Assistant Honorary Secretary: Betty French.
Honorary Auditor: R. J. Stiffe, A.C.A. (Aust.).
OFFICERS OF SECTIONS.
Avicultural Section.
Chairman: A. H. Brain.
Hon. Secretary: A. I. Ormsby, LL.B.
Budgerigar Section.
Chairman: R. J. Murray.
Hon. Secretary: F. Brennan.
Marine Zoological Section.
Chairman: C. F. Laseron.
Hon. Secretary: Miss M. Golding.
Ornithological Section.
Chairman: Tom Iredale.
Hon. Secretary: Roy Cooper.
service. Dr. Tillyard was an associate member, and both he and Mr, Froggatt
were accorded the honour of election as Fellows of the Society in recognition
of their distinguished services to Australian Zoology. Dr. A. J. Spiller
Brandon, a member for many years, and a Councillor from 1934, will be
greatly missed from Council meetings. Mr. T. P. Austin, a noted Zoologist,
was a life member, joining in 1917: Mr. Perey B. Colquhoun, one of the
Trustees of Taronga Park, and Mr. H. L. Spring were members of many
years’ standing.
FINANCES.
The balance sheet shows that the Society has well maintained its satis-
factory financial position.
HANDBOOK FUND.
During the year a further amount of £200 was invested in Australian
Consolidated Funds, but the capital is still far below the original objective
of £5,000. The Department of Education accepted a gift of 1,000 copies of
the late Mr. Froggatt’s ““ Australian Spiders and their Allies ” for distribution
amongst the principal State schools. This gift was designed to stimulate
interest in the Society’s work, and may be the forerunner of similar gifts in
the future.
PUBLICATIONS.
The Proceedings for the year 1935-36 formed a vehicle for conveying
information of the Society’s activities to all members, associates and institu-
tions with which exchange relations are conducted. These institutions
number 120, and are in many foreign countries as well as throughout the
Commonwealth. Part 5 of Volume 8 of The Australian Zoologist was issued
in March, 1937, the chief feature being an account, historical and zoological,
of the Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs, north of Lord Howe Island.
SECTIONS.
Steady progress was made in the work of each Section, increased interest
being shown in that of Marine Zoology. Full reports of the four Sections
will be published in the forthcoming volume of the Proceedings.
IMPORTATION OF QUAIL AND THRUSH.
Dr. Emilius Hopkinson, a noted English aviculturist, visited Sydney in
February last, and was entertained at luncheon at Taronga Park by the
President and members of Council. He stated that he had seen an advertise-
ment in England, offermg 7/6 per pair for English thrushes to be despatched
to Australia for liberation at Canberra. This Society forwarded to the
Minister for the Interior a protest against importing these birds, on the
grounds that they were of no economic value, and might possibly become pests.
In reply we were informed that a number of the birds had been procured
from New Zealand, where they were plentiful, and liberated for the purpose
of destroying the English snail, which was damaging the garden plants. This
had been done under advice of the Royal Society of Australia. Further
representations were made through the Hon. J. A. Perkins, M.L.A., but the
mischief having been done, it was too Jate to rectify the error. It did not
appear to occur to the advisers that the thrush is one of the commonest
birds in England, breeding in all the suburban parks and in many private
gardens, but the snail is just as plentiful as ever !
A movement to procure a number of Californian Quail for liberation in
New South Wales was initiated by the Restoration and Acclimatisation
Society, the purpose being the provision of more game birds for local sportsmen
to shoot. A protest against this movement was forwarded to the Chief
Secretary, who replied that a permit had been granted, after careful considera-
tion, to import 500 pairs of these birds. This Society enlisted the support
of kindred societies, and met with enthusiastic co-operation ; the Wild Life
Preservation Society submitted the matter to the Minister for the Interior,
with the result that the Commonwealth Government placed an embargo
upon the proposed importation.
a
In both of these cases this Society was instigated solely by a desire to
prevent a repetition of the errors committed in past years by misguided
individuals and governments in introducing birds such as the sparrow and
starling, and animals such as the rabbit and fox. The original intention of
the “‘importers’’ may have been quite honestly to provide something of
value to the community, either from an economic or an esthetic point of view.
The results, however, have been so disastrous that every effort should be put
forth to prevent the importation of any animal or bird unless it can be
incontrovertibly shown that it is not only of economic value, but that it is
not likely to become a pest.
PRESERVATION OF TASMANIAN TIGER.
The threatened extinction of the Tasmanian (so-called) tiger, Thylacinus
cynocephalus, has been viewed with concern by members of Council, and a
communication has been addressed to the Tasmanian Government offering
financial assistance in any scheme for an attempt to breed this animal in
captivity. The matter is under consideration by the Fauna Board, and it is
hoped that some means will be found by which the scheme may be brought
to a successful termination.
TARONGA PARK TRUST.
The relations between the Trust and the Society continue to be most
cordial. The vacancy on the Trust caused by the death of Mr. P. B. Colquhoun
was filled by the appointment of Dr. W. J. Dakin, Professor of Zoology,
Sydney University. Professor Dakin is a member and past President of this
Society, whose appointment to the Trust was supported by your Council
in 1931, when a previous vacancy occurred.
AWARDS FOR NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS IN ZOOLOGY.
During the year the question of awarding medallions or diplomas to
members who had achieved some notable results in zoological experiment or
research was discussed in detail. Rules were drawn up, principally in reference
to avicultural work, and having been adopted by your Council, were published
in The Australian Zoologist.
AUSTRALIA’S 150th ANNIVERSARY.
In connection with the celebrations to be carried out next year, this
Society proposes to prepare and publish a booklet entitled “‘ 150 Years of
Australian Natural History ”. The work will relate to the early Australian
naturalists, amongst whom may be mentioned Sir Joseph Banks, Solander,
Lewin, Swainson, John Gould and many others who were connected either
as explorers, collectors or authors, with the study of the animals and plants
of Australia. It is also proposed to organize an exhibition of objects of natural
history, paintings, photographs, literature and other features of interest
relating to the same subject. This exhibition will form an adjunct to the
celebrations, and the co-operation of the Celebrations Committee and kindred
societies is being sought.
Sir Philip Street, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet,
observed :
It gives me very much pleasure to preside over this annual meeting, and
in these beautiful surroundings and on this beautiful afternoon to move the
adoption of the annual report of the Society, the 57th. We do not always
remember, I think, how fortunate we who live upon the shores of our harbour
are, but the view spread before us from these wonderfully situated and well
laid-out gardens is one which should be an abiding joy to us.
Although you have done me the great honour of making me one of your
patrons, I am sorry to say that I have no pretension to any kind of scientific
knowledge or attainment ; but biology, the science of life, the science which
observes the forms of life by which we are surrounded ; and zoology, which
deals with the geographical distribution and classification of life in the
universe, are allied sciences which should be of absorbing interest to us all.
The combination of a zoological garden and a zoological society seems
5
eminently fitting. The first zoological garden in Australia was opened as a
private enterprise in 1854 by the licensee of the Sir Joseph Banks Hotel at
Botany. The animals were afterwards removed by his successor in title to
Watson’s Bay, and the widow of that successor, after failing to induce the
government of the day to purchase the animals, got rid of them by poisoning
them. The New South Wales Zoological Society, which, I suppose, was the
forerunner of this Society, was formed on March 24th, 1879, under the
presidency of Mr. Walter Bradley, of Bradley, Newton & Lamb, a firm of
auctioneers. I remember well his house at Randwick. A collection was
built up, beginning with pheasants and such like, and expanding until the
well-known Zoological Gardens were opened to the public at Moore Park in
1884. In 1916 the collection was removed to its present site at Taronga
Park, and large enclosures providing as close an approximation as possible
to natural conditions took the place of the then existing houses and enclosures.
Much has been done since then in the way of appropriately grouping the
animals and birds, I believe.
The report before us tells of a successful year’s work. There has been a
slight reduction in the number of members, but nothing more, it seems to me,
than the natural fluctuation which is to be expected, and there have been some
rmouch to be regretted losses from death. In particular we may regret the
deaths of Mr. Froggatt, a member of 27 years’ standing, and Dr. Tillyard.
They were both Fellows cf the Society, and were both gentlemen of out-
standing scientific distinction. We also regret the death of Mr. George Judah
Cohen, a member for 35 years, and the oldest Life Member of the Society.
His son, Mr. Samuel Cohen, who is also a member of the Society and who is
well known as a public-spirited citizen, has received with general acclamation
the honour of knighthood, and to him and to Mr. Robert Dallen, a member of
long standing who has received the honour of being made an officer of the
Order of the British Empire, we offer our very cordial congratulations.
The balance sheet shows the Society is in a satisfactory financial position,
and I understand also that steady progress has been made in the work of each
Section.
It is gratifying, too, if 1 may say so, to find that the Society is not only
justifying its existence by its valuable biological and zoological studies,
resulting as they must in an increased spread of knowledge and enlightenment,
but that in addition to this the intervention in the matter of the importation
to N.S.W. of English thrushes and Californian quail shows that it is commend-
ably alert in its efforts to protect the country from the introduction of bird
and animal life which might in future become a menace. The importation
of such birds and animals may have had the best of motives behind it, but
the results have been so unfortunate in some cases that we must agree with
the Society “that every effort should be put forth to prevent the
importation of any animal or bird unless it can be incontrovertibly shown that
it is not only of economic value, but that it is not likely to become a pest ”’.
Colonel Alfred Spain, Chairman of Taronga Park Trust, in seconding the
motion, welcomed the members and their friends to Taronga Park.
ELECTION OF COUNCILLORS.
The six members of Council, who retired under the provisions of Article 22,
were re-elected. They were Messrs. C. W. Firth, W. B. Gurney, A. Littlejohn,
N. L. Roberts, T. C. Roughley and P. Shipway.
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS.
The President, Mr. Phillip Shipway, delivered an address entitled
** Animals and the Law ”’, which is printed hereafter. (See page 9.)
CHANGE OF ROOMS.
It has long been felt that the Society required more room for its meetings,
and an opportunity occurring at the end of June of moving to the sixth floor
of Bull’s Chambers, the step was taken. The new rooms are more commodious,
lighter and quieter than those on the third floor. Members were notified
of the change in the Notice of Annual Meeting.
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30th JUNE, 1937.
ACCUMULATED FUNDS.
Se eSa 1G:
GENERAL ACCOUNT—
Working Account—
Balance at 30th
June, 1936..
Tess Excess of
Expenditure
over Income
for the Year
99 16 11
Funds Invested
HANDBOOK FUND
AcCcOUNT—
Working Account—
Balance at 30th
June, 1936. .
Add Excess of
Income over
Expenditure
for the Year
107
Less Amount
Invested
during the
Year 200 O
Overdrawn 917
Funds Invested 2,010 0O
iy
x
694
Se 1d
Q 2
£2,694 3 1
ASSETS.
£
Ce Secs
| GENERAL ACCOUNT
INVESTMENTS—
Office Furniture
and Equipment
(at valuation)
Library Books,
ete. (at valua-
tion)
100 O
500 0
HANDBOOK FUND
Account Iny-
VESTMENTS—
Australian Con-
solidated In-
scribed Stock
(Face Value)..
Australian Con-
solidated
Terme vaesn stay
Bonds (Face
Value) . = 1425070
Metropolitar
Water Board
Inscribed
Stock (Face
Value) :
660 0
100 0
Including—
Albert Little-
john En-
dowment
Hume Bar-
bour En-
| dowment
Walter and
E. Hall
Endow-
ment
100 0
106 0
175 O
; COMMONWEALTH
SAVINGS BANK—
General Account
| Handbook Fund
Account 12 10
0
0
600 0 O
0
2.010 0 0
0
(ial, iy ia
2
=
Sas 5 Sod
£2,694 3 1
AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL
SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES.
I hereby report that I have audited the books and accounts of the Royal Zoological
Society of New South Wales for the year ended 30th June, 1937, and have obtained all the
information and explanations I have required, and in my opinion the above Balance Sheet
exhibits a true and correct view of the state of the Society’s affairs as at 30th June, 1937,
according to the best of my information and the explanations given to me and as shown by
the books of the Society.
I have examined the register of members and other records which the Society is required
to keep, as specified under the N.S.W. Companies Act, 1936, and by the Society’s Articles,
and am of opinion that such records have been properly kept.
(Sgd.) ROBT. J. STIFFE, F.C.A. (Aust.),
Hon. Auditor.
Sydney, 19th July, 1937.
~1
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED
30th JUNE, 1937.
GENERAL ACCOUNT.
fo. Pes Glan aie eS ic £ S.yid =o eaGe
To Publication <Aus- | By Subscriptions—
tralian Zoologist, | Annual ae op ee @
Volume 8, Part 4 150 13 1 | Life ‘ 31 10 0
5, Publication An- at Sales — Australian
nual Report oy ovay ibe “al Zoologist . 23 i 9
+5, Office Rent .- 108 8 A Rent — Subletting
,, Office Printing and Offices ae 23) 200,
Stationery Pi, Ud. 2 ;, Exhibitions ate pA By a}
», Rent—Post Office | ,, Bank Exchange
Box .- i) and Postage 0 138 10
;, Annual Meeting » Telephone .. G2), 74:
and Social Func- » sale of Bird Rings Bip ose 5
fiOns) oe ee ee de On 0 | ,, Capitation Fee Oi 20
oy, difieravotey 45. 25 PPB 0) | ,, Sundry Receipts 2) 10556)
3 blectricity -: .. 12 16 6 », Savings Bank In-
5, PLRSUTANCE) =... ue OA WDA 10) terest .. Sit he 4 12 10
;, Mquipment and ——————— 421 13 8
Repairs ‘* Cabin ”’ Dara bs ,, Balance — Excess
a BINION) Ga be Sy we ab of Expenditure
;, Capitation and | over Income for
Affiliation Fees Fee eis) the year .. .. De Gano)
,, Office Furniture |
and Expenses .. 15 13 10
» Petty Cash Ex-
penses Fie ee a sel AN oie!
a ee MD
ee
£427 10 5 | £427 10 5
HANDBOOK FUND ACCOUNT, 1937.
Bi shal "eA Menca 6 8. id ened
To Net Premium on By Handbook Sales... 2117 9
Purchases of In- | ,, Interest on In-
vestments... . 0712; “8 vestments .. .. 7613 2
» Royalty on Sales — 98 10 11
of Australian |
See and their |
Allies . a ~) doris 10
—#— 16 5 6
» Balance — Excess
of Income over
Expenditure for
the year... .. 827° 5)
£98 10 11 | £98 10 11
PHILLIP SHIPWAY, President.
NEVILLE W. CAYLEY, Vice-President.
KEITH A. HINDWOOD, Honorary Treasurer.
Presidential Address
ANIMALS AND THE LAW.
By PHILLIP SHIPWAY.
It has been the custom at each Annual Meeting of this Society for the
retiring President to read an address on some subject appertaining to zoology.
Many notable addresses have been presented in this way by my predecessors
in office. As I am not a scientific zoologist, I am unable to follow the
accustomed procedure of speaking on some particular section of scientific
zoology; I hope that nevertheless this address, which I have entitled
** Animals and the Law ”’, will be of some interest to you, even if only as a
diversion from the usual type of subject. When I knew that our guest of
honour was to be a former Chief Justice, I felt somewhat diffident about
talking on any subject dealing with the law. However, I have so much faith
and confidence in the extreme degree of courtesy which has always been so
characteristic of Sir Philip Street that I have no fear of any interjections or
severe criticism from him. In fairness to Sir Philip, I think I might say that
my address is without prejudice, so that it is not to be assumed, in the absence
of comment, that Sir Philip agrees with any or all of my legal statements.
Now I do not propose to go into this very wide subject with any degree
of detail for three reasons, all of which, I think, are very good. Firstly, the
time for my address is limited ; secondly, details would make the address too
dry for you altogether ; and thirdly, because, as an eminent jurist once said,
** Legal advice that you get for nothing is not worth a damn”. So, a brief
dissertation on ‘‘ Animals and the Law ”’.
The law itself is sometimes described as being a particular kind of animal,
but usually only in a jocular way or by an unfortunate solicitor endeavouring
to explain why his client lost his case. If the law is an ass, it is a very wise
one indeed.
Now animals, be they beasts, reptiles, birds, fishes or insects, do not
comprehend laws which man has made; to them the law of the jungle is still
the law. Therefore it would be hardly humane if not waste of time for man
to make laws regarding the animals as between themselves. Mostly, if not
wholly, the law regarding animals deals with mankind’s association with
them, and it is upon these lines that my address proceeds.
From a zoologist’s point of view, there may be many different classes of
animals. In the eyes of the law there are, generally speaking, two classes
only, namely, Tame and Wild. Tame or domestic animals include cattle,
horses, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, cats and dogs. Wild animals include not
only lions, tigers and eagles and other animals of an undoubtedly savage
nature, but also all animals not classed as domestic or tame, such as rabbits,
foxes, pigeons and the like, and all fishes, reptiles and insects. One finds
on surveying “* Animals and the Law ” that two of the most important aspects
are the rights of animal ownership and the duties of animal ownership.
Taking the rights first, there is a marked distinction in law between the
ownership of tame animals and the ownership of wild animals. A person
may have absolute ownership of a domestic or tame animal, and which he
continues to retain even if such animal strays or is lost. The young of tame
animals (with one exception) belong to the owner of the mother animal.
The exception to which I refer is the swan. Young swans, or cygnets, belong
in equal number to the owner of the male bird and the owner of the female
bird. Swans have been made this exception because it is said to be a fact
that a male swan will mate with one female swan only.
9
In a law case about swans decided in the year 1592, it was stated by a
learned jurist that the male swan “is the emblem of an affectionate and true
husband to his wife above all other fowls’. Noble swain, swan !
Socrates, the Greek philosopher, said on this point, about 450 B.c., that the
song of the swan at its death was a song of joy, not of sorrow, on account of, in
effect, the clear conscience which the swan had for leading such a goodly life.
Whilst the lion may be the king of the animals, the swan has a regal position,
too, for the white swan, unmarked and in open and common rivers, is a royal
fowl, and legally belongs to the King. A private person may, however, own
white swans on private waters, and if they escape he may bring them back
again, but if they regain their natural liberty the King’s representatives are
entitled to seize them. The swans on the River Thames, incidentally, now
belong to the King, the Dyers’ Company and the Vintners’ Company, and
are all marked. The young of these particular swans are apportioned in a
proportion of three to the owner of the male bird and two to the owner of the
female bird. Owing to the domestic habit of swans which I just mentioned,
the owners have no difficulty in sorting out the cygnets on this basis.
Now coming to the rights of ownership in the case of wild animals,
the law holds that there can be no such absolute ownership as there is with
tame animals; at any rate whilst the animals are alive. Under certain
circumstances the law recognizes a qualified right to ownership of wild
animals. This can come about in any of the following ways: the owner of
land has a qualified right to the young of wild animals born on his land, until
they are able to fly or run away, or a landowner who has retained the exclusive
right to hunt wild animals on his own land has a qualified right to them
while they are still there. Again, if a person takes and tames a wild animal,
it becomes his property. This right he loses, however, if the animal regains
its natural liberty. Bees, which are legally and sometimes in actual fact
classed as wild animals, are a typical example of qualified ownership. If
a swarm of bees settles on a tree on a man’s property, no ownership passes
until they are hived; then they become the property of the hiver. If later
the swarm leaves the hive, the ownership continues only so long as they can
be seen and followed.
As to when a captured wild animal can be said to have legally regained
its natural liberty and so destroyed its owner’s qualified right to it is a very
debatable point. A leading American case has gone so far as to say that
almost any escape from the owner’s captivity deprives him of this right of
ownership, but the general law seems to be that the animal must have got
back to its native place, or at least into a natural environment. So if you
should see one of Taronga’s lions walking up Bradley’s Head Road, don’t
catch it there, but chase it into Ashton Park or some adjoining bushland,
and then you may catch it and take it home with you, providing of course
the lion doesn’t get the same idea first. The legal position may not be quite
as easy as all that, but you would be able to put up a very good case. The
rule as to losing ownership in the case of wild animals which have escaped
does not apply to those animals which are accustomed always to return after
escape, such as pigeons, but the custom of returning must be one that has
been created by artificial means, such as by training or by offering them food.
The point was extensively argued in connection with the international dispute
between America and England in regard to the ownership of the seal herds
in the Behring Sea. America claimed that as the seals always returned to
that continent at certain times of the year, they came under her control.
England, however, argued that the return was on account of natural migration,
and not brought about by artificial causes, and that once the seals were
beyond the three-mile limit of the American coastline they were outside
that country’s control. This view was adopted by the arbitrators, who held
accordingly.
Now when a wild animal dies there may be an absolute or unqualified
ownership in the carcass. Generally speaking this rests in the owner of the
land on which the animal is killed, irrespective of whether the killing has
been done by the owner or someone else. It has been held for some time,
at least as far back as the year 1697, that, under the English common law. and
which was of course adopted here when the colony of New South Wales was
formed, if a stranger starts a fox on one person’s land and chases it on to
another’s, and there kills it, the fox belongs to the stranger. If, however, he
10
starts it and kills it on the same person’s land it belongs to the landowner.
Again, if a man starts a fox on his own land and kills it on the land of another,
«it belongs generally to the person on whose land it was started. This law has
been affected in England by the English Game Act, but we have not such an
Act here.
The distinction between wild and tame animals arises again when one
considers ‘“‘ Animals and the Law ” in regard to the legal duties of ownership.
When an injury is caused by an animal, the owner, if the animal comes under
the legal class of a tame animal, is not as a rule liable, apart from negligence,
of course, unless the person injured can prove that the animal had dangerous
habits, and what is more, that those habits were known to the owner. That
is to say, if a horse happened to bite you whilst you were standing on the side-
walk or footpath, it is no good your paying any of your money to a certain
well-deserving class to try and get you compensation unless you have pretty
good evidence that the horse concerned already had biting habits, and that
the owner knew it. For the onus will be on you to prove these two facts to
the four good men and true, in whose hands, according to the time-honoured
practice of British Justice, your claim for compensation would finally rest.
The rule in effect is that the tame or domestic animal can have one bite
and get away with it, but it is simply courting disaster to take a second bite.
An exception to this rule in the case of domestic animals is the dog. Under
the Dog and Goat Act of 1898, the owner of a dog is liable for any injury done
to a person, property, or other animal by his dog, and it is not necessary for
the person claiming damages to show that the dog had done something like
that before, and that the owner knew it.
The question of the liability of the owner of a wild animal for damage
differs from that of the tame animal inasmuch as there is no necessity to prove
that the wild animal has biting habits known to the owner. If your name
happens to be Tarzan, and you keep a pet tiger or two wandering around
your place, the first bite off your neighbour, or your mother-in-law, as the
case may be, counts against you. You can only pay up and look pleasant,
and, if you care for real he-man sport, take it out of the tiger.
The law in regard to stealing animals is of interest. It used not, for
instance, to be a crime to steal a dog or a cat, the reason given, according
to the records which have been handed down to us, being that these animals
were of such a base nature and were considered no use to man; the true
reason no doubt was the severe punishment inflicted by the law in those
days for felony.
From a report of a case before the English courts some 300 years ago
the position was summed up in the following words by one of the judges :
““ Bloodhounds or mastiffs are of so base a nature that no felony can be
committed on them, and no man shall lose life or member for it.”’
The law was not always so, however, in the case of the cat. The ancient
Britons at one time regarded the offence of killing a cat as a crime, and if the
cat was one of those kept to protect the king’s granary, a peculiar method of
fixing the penalty was adopted. The dead cat was tied up to a beam by a
rope attached to its tail, so that its nose just touched the floor. The offender
had then to give the king enough grain to make the heap big enough to cover
the cat right to the tip of its tail. History does not record what happened
if the deceased cat was a manx.
Nowadays Parliament has, however, provided that all animals, both tame
and wild, which have value and are the property of anyone, may be the subject
of larceny. The value need not be of any money value, as for instance in
one reported law case where a man’s pig became diseased and then deceased,
and he buried it. Someone, like the piper’s son Thomas, stole it and away
he ran. When caught and charged with larceny, his counsel argued that
the thing had no value, and that therefore a charge of larceny could not be
made out. The court held, however, that even a diseased, deceased, buried
pig was of sufficient legal value for the purpose of establishing the charge.
There must be a property or ownership in the animal already existing when
the act of stealing or taking occurs. For instance, if a poacher kills a rabbit
on someone’s land and immediately takes it away, ordinarily he would not
have committed the crime of stealing, because the rabbit does not belong
to the owner of the land until it is dead, and when it instantly came into
the possession of the poacher. If the poacher abandons the dead rabbit
11
and then decides to come back and take it, he would be guilty of stealing,
however, for as soon as he leaves the carcass it becomes the property of the
landowner. A fine point, no doubt, but you would probably find that it
would get you off spending a month or two as the guest of the government
should you ever get yourself into this position.
The criminal liability in regard to taking or stealing animals has been
extended here by the Crimes Act, which makes it a criminal offence to steal
any animal “‘ ordinarily kept in a state of confinement ”’, as well as any animal
kept for “ domestic purposes ”’.
The Dog and Goat Act which I mentioned earlier is worthy of our
attention. It contains some perhaps not so well known drastic measures,
at least drastic from the dogs’ point of view. It provides that anyone is
authorized by law to kill any dog, whether registered or not, wandering about
at large and not under the immediate custody, protection or control of some
competent person, unless the dog has a collar with its owner’s name and address
engraved thereon, and also in the case of a mastiff or bulldog unless it is, in
addition, muzzled. Had this Act been a recent one instead of some forty
years old, it is probable that another type of dog rather popular at present
would also be required to be muzzled. If you wish to take advantage of your
legal rights under this Act to kill dogs, you can cover your out-of-pocket
expenses by taking the tails of the dogs which you have killed along to the local
court house, and if you can show that you have acted in accordance with the
provisions of the Statute, you will receive 2/6 per tail. I would, however,
strongly advise anyone, before embarking on a career of dog-killing, to care-
fully peruse the relevant sections of the Act. One catch in the Act is that you
are required to prove that you have buried or otherwise disposed of the body,
and you would probably find that your statement made quite cheerfully to the
court officer in support of your application for the 2/6 per tail would be taken
down and used against you by the local health inspector and you would
be fined £1 and be out on the deal to the extent of 17/6, plus fares and ammuni-
tion. Should you happen to be a policeman, you are not only permitted,
but ordered by the law under this Act, to kill all dogs which you find not
complying with the above requirements, and what is more, if you do not do
so, you have to pay back out of your weekly wage cheque the sum of any-
thing from 10/- to £1 per dog. On the other hand, if you are a policeman
and you do not kill the dog strictly in accordance with the provisions of the
Act, you become liable to a fine of anything up to £5. This is probably
one reason why policemen in the execution of their duties have not found
themselves forced to turn our quiet suburban streets into shooting alleys,
using the all and sundry legally stray dogs frequenting the same as targets.
“Every dog shall have its day’ is the saying, but if the dog knew what
Parliament, in the exercise of its worldly wisdom, had done about it, he would
wish the day a good deal shorter than twenty-four hours.
Whilst the law has perhaps not been over-generous in its protection of
the dog, it has provided a substantial measure of assistance in regard to the
welfare of certain other animals by virtue of the statute known as the Birds
and Animals Protection Act. This Act, a State one, first came into force in
1918, replacing and consolidating in some respects the Birds Protection Act
of 1901 and the Native Animals Protection Act of 1903. The Act has since
been amended on two occasions, once in 1922 and again in 1930. <A protected
bird or animal under this Act is any bird or animal not mentioned in the list
given or added thereto later. So it is not a matter from the bird or animal’s
point of view of getting on the list, but of getting off it.
The first Bird Protection Act of 1901 was a comparatively short Act,
and was designed to take the place of the English Act, which up till then
had been in force in this State by adoption. It contained a schedule setting
out the names of all the birds which were protected, and gave the Colonial
Secretary, as he was then called, power to add to or remove from the list.
Having regard to certain happenings earlier this year, it is perhaps of interest
to note that the Californian quail was one of the thirteen protected birds in
the list headed “‘ Foreign Birds”. The list of protected birds headed
‘“* Australian Birds’? numbered 48. The action of naming all the protected
birds was reversed by the 1918 Act, which named only the birds that were
not protected. The 1901 Act provided a penalty for persons wilfully killing,
capturing or injuring a protected bird. The word “ wilful” was carefully
12
deleted from the 1918 Act. Under the 1901 Act it was an offence to use a
gun having a greater length barrel than six feet for the purpose of shooting
any protected bird. The present Act reduces the maximum length of the
barrel to 36 inches, and in addition, provides a penalty for using or merely
carrying any firearm having a greater length of barrel, no matter whether it
is being carried or used for the purpose of shooting protected birds or animals
or not.
The first Animals Protection Act of 1903 was, like the Bird Protection
Act which proceeded it by two years, a comparatively short Act, and again
named the protected animals, a position which was reversed in 1918. Power
was given to the Colonial Secretary to add to or remove from the list. The
only names, i.e. protected animals, on the original schedule of this Act were
the red kangaroo, wallaroo, native bear, platypus, porcupine, squirrel,
flying opossum and the wombat. Of these, the last-named, the wombat,
is the only animal to have the somewhat doubtful distinction of being specified
on the protected list of 1903 and on the wnprotected list of 1918. In addition
to a close annual season for these animals, which was from Ist August to
3lst January, a period of absolute protection was fixed from the date of
commencement of the Act to the 3lst January, 1905. Again, as in the case
of the birds, a penalty was for wilfully killing, capturing or injuring. Both
these earlier Birds and Animals Protection Acts provided that half the fines
received from the penalties inflicted under the Acts were to be paid to this
Society. This provision was not re-enacted when the 1918 Statute came
into force. The 1918 Birds and Animals Protection Act has been amended
on two occasions, once in 1922 and again in 1930. One of the most marked
alterations made by the 1918 Act was, as I have mentioned earlier, that the
birds or animals on the list are the unprotected ones, whilst those not mentioned
are the protected ones.
Protection is also given under this Act to the eggs of any protected bird,
and, by the 1930 amendment, to the skin or any part of such protected bird
or animal, and the feathers of any such bird. The Minister in charge of the
Department which administers the Act, that is the Chief Secretary, has
power to add to or remove from the list, or to specify any particular protected
or unprotected locality. A penalty of up to £20 is provided for anyone
taking or killing protected birds or animals or using any instrument as a means
for that purpose, or failing to comply with any restrictions relating to the
taking or killing of protected birds or animals. So you will observe that it is
rather difficult to get out of it if, of course, you are caught. The Act provides
machinery for the issue of a permit or licence to take or kill protected birds
or animals. By the 1930 amendment the Minister’s general power to issue
permits was limited to birds, and in the case of animals only so far as the
Governor in effect directed. If you buy or sell or offer for sale or have in your
possession any protected bird or animal, the fine is £5 per bird or animal.
This at one time did not apply in the case of any bird or animal caught outside
Australia and New Zealand, but the 1930 amending Act, by adding “or
elsewhere’ to the described area, spoilt that story. Your only chance
these days is to prove, if you can, that the animal or bird was caught in an
open season, if any, or under permit or licence. The 1930 amending Act
amongst its fifteen clauses and numerous sub-clausse contains the following
provision: “ The Minister (that is, at present, the Chief Secretary) may by
licence under conditions therein specified permit the importation of any
protected bird or animal.’ Protected bird or animal means, under the Act,
you will remember, any bird or animal which is not down on the list. How
the State Government expected to get away with that I do not know, in view
of the Commonwealth powers regarding imports, nor do I know how many
of such permits have ever been issued. The Commonwealth overruled this
provision, however, on one occasion early this year—and which caused quite
a lot of comment at the time—namely regarding the importation of a bird
known as the Californian quail, as has been mentioned in the annuai report.
Various societies, including this Society, took objection to the importation of
the bird, but the Chief Secretary’s Department overruled the objectors and
issued a permit, apparently under this clause of this Act. The Federal
Government, in turn, overruled the State Department, and under its power
by virtue of the Federal Customs Act prohibited the importation of the bird.
Obviously the rights or wrongs of the ban on the Californian quail do not
13
come within the scope of this address, nor would this meeting be the time
and place to enter into further discussion on that matter. I mention it now
only as a matter of interest appertaining to my subject “‘ Animals and the
Law ”’.
As I have stated earlier, the Birds and Animals Protection Act is
administered by the Chief Secretary’s Department. Probably this was done
in the first instance because the Act is a protection Act, and since the adminis-
tration of other provisions for protection, such as the Police Force, fall to the
lot of the Chief Secretary. Scientific research has, however, made such
strides of late years, and it has been discovered how necessary or in some
cases unnecessary certain birds and animals are for the preservation and
protection of farming and grazing activities, that in my opinion, and I believe
I am by no means alone in this view, the administration of the Act should
be transferred to an Agricultural Department. I make that statement not
on account of any particular shortcomings in the Chief Secretary’s administra-
tion of the Act, but because I think the result of such scientific research
has altered the circumstances sufficiently to warrant the transfer. It has been
suggested in some quarters that a separate board should be appointed to
administer the Act, but I do not agree with that, chiefly because in my opinion
we already have too many of such boards. I believe that an Agricultural
Department would be quite capable of doing all that is necessary for the
proper and thorough administration of an Act which no doubt at one time
was thought to be chiefly for the protection of our native fauna for its own
sake, but which science has clearly found to be a matter of national importance
from the point of view of protecting our great asset the work and activities
of the man on the land. I conclude my address on ‘* Animals and the Law ”’
by stating that in my opinion, and as a believer in the widening of the powers
of the Federal Government, there should be a Federal Birds and Animals
Protection Act administered by a Federal Department on the advice and
with the co-operation of the already existing Commonwealth Council for
Scientific and Industrial Research.
OFFICERS FOR 1937-38.
At a meeting of the Council held on the 24th July, the following officers
were elected for the current year :
President : Tom Iredale.
Vice-Presidents: T. C. Roughley, Neville W. Cayley, Dr. Garnet
Halloran, and Dr. F. Marshall.
Honorary Secretary and Editor: A. F. Basset Hull.
Honorary Treasurer: Phillip Shipway.
Honorary Librarian: A. 8. Le Souef.
Honorary Assistant Secretary : Betty French.
Honorary Auditor: R. J. Stiffe.
14
REPORTS OF SECTIONS.
AVICULTURAL SECTION.
Annual Report.
The year commenced with Mr. W. H. Relton as Chairman of the Section
and Mr. W. R. Smith as Vice-Chairman. Mr. Murray also acted as Chairman
on several occasions.
The average monthly attendance was 23, with a maximum of 28 at the ©
March meeting and a minimum of 19 at the April meeting.
Only seven, however, attended the December meeting, which was
unavoidably postponed at the last moment owing to an unexpected public
holiday, and unfortunately the date of the postponement clashed with the
meetings of several other bird societies.
Although the attendance at monthly meetings is slightly less than in
previous years, the attendance book reveals that a considerable number of
members have been most regular in their attendance and most interested in
regard to the work of the Society.
During the year the following interesting lectures were given :
“ African Love Birds”’, by Mr. W. R. Smith. Mr. Smith went to a
considerable amount of trouble with this lecture, and exhibited
examples of seven specimens of this family which are at present the
only species in captivity.
* Aviary Construction and Management ”’, by Mr. R. J. Murray, was a
most interesting and practical lecture, and was of great assistance
to the members, who profited from Mr. Murray’s wealth of experience.
“ Neophema Parrakeets in Captivity ’’, by Dr. Garnet Halloran, was of
exceptional interest, and furthermore a feature of this lecture was
that it was illustrated by moving pictures taken in the doctor’s own
aviaries.
“ The Great Barrier Reef’, by Mr. T. C. Roughley, was an unusual and
absorbing lecture, and in which Mr. Roughley related his experiences
on the Great Barrier Reef, in respect of which he has just written
a book.
Australian Parrots ’, by Mr. T. Iredale, was of considerable avicultural
interest on account of Mr. Iredale’s extensive scientific and practical
knowledge of the birds with which he dealt, and a feature of this
lecture was that he exhibited a considerable number of species of
the actual birds.
Several other lectures were promised the Section, but were unavoidably
postponed owing to the illness of the lecturer.
A Hybrid Night was held one evening, and the response was somewhat
disappointing, although a similar night along the same lines was promised
in the future. Hybrids were exhibited by Messrs. Steeles, Dummett and
Ormsby.
It was unanimously decided that no show should be held this year by the
Avicultural Section.
A most interesting afternoon was spent by members of the Section
inspecting the aviaries of Dr. Garnet Halloran, and the many members who
attended were most interested in the doctor’s collection. The thanks of
the Section are due to both Dr. and Mrs. Halloran, who so ably entertained
them on that occasion.
During the year the question of the proposed awards for notable achieve-
ments in zoology was considered at length by the Section, and eventually,
when Council had approved and drawn up new rules to meet the circumstances,
the Section’s committee prepared a report in regard to this matter and same
was forwarded to the Council for consideration.
15
Three committee meetings were held during the year, the last one being
in conjunction with the newly elected Awards Committee, for the purpose
of discussing same and preparing a report in regard to the proposed awards.
During the latter part of the year it was decided by all the members
present to advertise the Section’s meetings, and this was done. Furthermore,
Mr. Deane was appointed Publicity Officer, and he played a considerable
part in giving the Section and its work the publicity necessary to enable it to
carry on more efficiently.
Although a considerable number of aviary notes were collected during
the year and recorded in the minutes of the Section’s monthly meetings, it
is to be greatly regretted that these reports are not written out and given in
greater detail, as I feel quite sure that a considerable amount of work is being
done by the members and not receiving the prominence that it deserves.
However, it is to be hoped that the new Awards Committee will be able to
assist in this matter to a certain extent during the ensuing year.
In conclusion, I should like to refer to one matter which seems to me of
great importance, and that is the excellent spirit in which the meetings have ©
been held during the past year. The wholehearted support of the members,
coupled with the absence of any petty jealousy, will, I feel sure, contribute
in no small measure towards the future success of the Section, and it is to
be hoped that with the co-operation of those members who have been regular
attendants during the past year the Section will have an even better year
for 1937-1938.
A. I. Ormssy,
Hon. Secretary.
BUDGERIGAR SECTION.
Annual Report.
In submitting the annual report of the activities of the Budgerigar Section
for the year just closed, I feel it my duty to draw your attention to the falling
off of attendances at the monthly meetings.
This may possibly be accounted for by over-production and the consequent
lack of interest displayed by many who in past years found budgerigars
to be a good source of revenue, and the fact of the value of birds of indifferent
quality having fallen considerably has resulted in the disappearance of their
interest altogether.
Notwithstanding this, it is gratifying to report that the production of
budgerigars capable of measuring up to the standard set by the Australian
Budgerigar Council has been sufficient incentive to the members of this
Section to stand by the Australian Budgerigar Council in furthering its
incentive: that of producing quality in preference to quantity.
During the year the Australian standard of perfection was subjected
to no small amount of criticism. Notwithstanding this, however, the improve-
ment in type, colour, and general quality of birds exhibited by members of
this Section at all shows held during the year, and their success very fairly
indicates its influence, and even though it may not be letter perfect, it has
proved itself to be worthy of the efforts of those responsible for its compilation.
Although no officially organized show was held during the year, this
Section decided to accept the kind invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Fairfax
to promote a lawn show at their residence. A suitable schedule was compiled,
and a number of beautiful cut crystal trophies were offered as prizes. The
result proved to be a financial and social success. The show was capably
judged by Messrs. French, McSwiggan and Brennan, and Mr. R. L. Johnson
is to be congratulated on winning the judging competition conducted in
conjunction with the show.
During the past year a series of popular discussions created interest, and
these, together with some very interesting lectures rendered by Dr. Clunies
Ross, Messrs. A. N. Colefax, Neville Cayley, R. B. Browne and T. McSwiggan
were enjoyed and appreciated by members.
A. H. GARDNER,
Hon. Secretary.
16
MARINE ZOOLOGICAL SECTION.
Annual Report.
The Committee has pleasure in submitting its report for 1936-1937.
A series of interesting illustrated lectures has been given, as under :
1936—
July 6: ‘ Houtman’s Abrolhos”’, Mr. Price Conigrave.
August 4: ‘‘ Graveyards of the Pacific’, Mr. G. P. Whitley, F.R.Z.S.
September 7: “‘ Ecology of the Sydney District ’, Mr. T. Iredale.
October 6: “* Barrier Reef Collections’, Mr. F. J. Briggs.
November 2: “ Life and Habits of Shells ’, Miss Joyce Allan.
December 7: “ Biological Regions ’’, Professor McDonald Holmes.
1937—
February 2: “A Naturalist’s Notes in Northern N.S.W.’’, Mr. Mel.
Ward, F.Z.S., F.R.Z.S.
March 1: “‘ N.Z. Notes, Science Congress ’’, Mr. G. P. Whitley, F.R.Z.S.
April 5: “ Experiences in N.Z.”, Miss Joyce Allan.
May 3: “A Naturalist Abroad ’”’, Mr. E. J. Bryce, F.R.G.S.
June 7: “A Naturalist in Central Australia’, Mr. H. O. Fletcher.
In November, 1936, a collecting trip round the shore from Taronga
Wharf to Taylor Bay gave a dozen members and friends much interesting
data.
In February, 1937, a very successful innovation was a trip to Shark
Island, the Maritime Services Board kindly placing the launch “ Scylla ”
at the disposal of a party of eighteen members and friends. The tide being
exceptionally low (—five inches), good collections were made from almost
untouched areas.
A great number of interesting exhibits have been shown during the
year, principally by Messrs. C. F. and J. Laseron, who employ an ingenious
and inexpensive home-made dredge.
Attendances have been encouraging, and much information has been
gained from lectures, exhibits and discussions, which have all helped to make
this, the eleventh year of the Section, a satisfactory one.
Efforts to finalize the long-standing “‘ handbook ”’ question have made
great progress, and your Committee recommends that a series of handbooks
dealing with the marine life of Sydney District be published, each to consist
of 150 to 200 pages, including illustrations, to sell at 2/- to 2/6, the first
handbook to include general features of the seashore, physiography, ecology,
also the algze, vertebrates, etc. ; the second handbook to include the crustacea,
barnacles, sponges, tunicates, and the lower invertebrates ; the third handbook
to include the mollusea and brachiopods. Books one and two to be published
immediately, book three when completed.
A handbook on fishes already exists, so there is no urgency in this
direction.
Your officers wish to thank all those who so kindly gave of their knowledge
and experiences to our advantage.
Harowp §8. Mort, P. N. WHITLEY,
Chairman. Hon. Secretary.
NOTES BY MEMBERS OF THE MARINE SECTION.
NEw ReEcorDsS OF SHELLS FROM NEW SoutH WALES.
By C. F. and J. Laseron.
At the regular monthly meeting of the above Section, held on February 2,
Messrs. C. F. and J. Laseron exhibited several shells not previously recorded
from this State. The following species must therefore be added to the list
of mollusca recorded from New South Wales:
NIOTHA ALBESCENS Dunker.
1846. Buccinum albescens Dunker, Zeit. f. Malak., 1846, p. 170, Nov.
1849. Buccinum albescens Philippi, Abb. und Besch. Conchylien, p. 68-16,
ibuce Els 2 tise:
1909-10. Arcularia albescens Hedley, Pres. Address, Aust. Assoc.
Ady. Science, Section D, p. 367.
17
This species was originally described as from the West Indies, but as
with many early records, localities were casually applied, and later it was
identified, both by comparison with the excellent figure and the type, as the
common Queensland littoral shell. A single perfect specimen found among the
rocks at the Outer Lighthouse, Port Stephens, now extends its range down-
wards into New South Wales.
EUPLICA VARIANS Sowerby.
1844. Columbella varians Sowerby, Thes. Conch., Vol. 1, pl. 37, figs.
49, 50.
1909-10. Pyrene varians Hedley, loc. cit., p. 368.
This is also a common Queensland species. A single specimen was
collected at Point Halliday, on the North Coast, near Forster, and another
specimen in the Australian Museum was collected by R. Blackett at Long
Reef, near Sydney.
MARGINELLA PGYM2A Sowerby.
1846. Marginella pygmea Sowerby. Thes. Conch., Vol. 1, p. 386,
ple fo; uss. 785) 09.
1923. Marginella pygmea. W. L. May, “ Mollusca of Tasmania ”’,
joe al, umes Oy
Dredgings from shallow water in the entrance of Pittwater, Broken Bay,
brought to light a number of Marginellids, amongst which this species was
quite abundant. Careful comparison with both Sowerby’s and May’s figures,
and also with Tasmanian specimens, showed no difference, and therefore
this also must be added to our local fauna. Other species of Marginella, such
as the common M. turbinata, have a similar wide range.
A SimpLeE DREDGE.
Messrs. C. F. and J. Laseron exhibited a simple and cheap form of dredge,
with which they have at various times dredged successfully in depths up to
eighteen fathoms. The basis of the dredge is simply a two-gallon tin, the
edges of which are strengthened with a piece of copper sheeting, which,
protruding somewhat and splayed outwards, gives a little more weight and
bite, though even without this refinement the tin alone is quite satisfactory.
A suitable length of light line, a leaden weight a foot or two in front, a sieve,
and the outfit is complete, at the cost of a few shillings. The light weight of
the whole makes it easily operable by one man from the stern of an ordinary
skiff, and in actual practice a haul can be made even in deep water in a few
minutes, so that the number of hauls compensates for its small capacity.
When dredging, a tub is usually taken into the boat, into which the dredgings
are emptied, and when the tub is full it is taken ashore and sifted, as this is
easier than sifting over the side of the boat. When going afield by tram or
bus, a collapsible « canvas bucket is substituted for the tub, and as the dredge
and all accessories fit into a small canvas bag, there is no trouble about
transport. It might be added that results procured on at least one occasion
in fourteen fathoms a mile and a half off Long Reef, compare favourably
with those procured by properly equipped deep-sea vessels with the most
elaborate of apparatus.
ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION.
Annual Report.
During the past twelve months, many matters of interest came under
discussion at the Ornithological Section’s meetings. Although the average
attendance was only 34, this is more than compensated by the consistency
of visits of the regular members.
A full series of lectures had been maintained during the year. These
are as follows:
1936 :
July 17: “ Early Australian Ornithologists ’’, by Gilbert Whitley.
August 21: ‘“ Nature Travels Abroad”’, by E. J. Bryce.
September 18: ** The Value of Field Observations ”’, by K. A. Hindwood.
18
September 18: “ The Value of Photography ’’, by M. 8S. R. Sharland.
October 16: *‘ The Value of Nestlings’’, by P. A. Gilbert.
November 20: ‘ The Value of Egg Collecting ’’, by A. F. Basset Hull.
December 18: “‘ The Value of Aviculture ’’, by Clifford Coles.
1937 :
January 15: ‘‘ Honeyeaters”’, by P. A. Gilbert.
February 19: “‘ Birds of the Swamps ”’ (Cinema), by N. Chaffer.
March 19: “ Birds of Centennial Park’’, by K. A. Hindwood.
April 16: ‘“ Afield with a Camera’”’, by M.S. R. Sharland.
May 21: “ Australian Parrots’, by Neville W. Cayley.
June 18: Chairman’s Address, by T. Iredale.
The five lectures dealing with different phases of ornithology were an
innovation, and proved most interesting to members. LEHach lecturer was
well versed in his subject, and fully proved its value. A general discussion
followed the delivery of the last lecture, and members agreed that all phases
were necessary to complete the study of ornithology. The remaining lectures
were up to the standard that we are led to expect from these members, while
the still photographs and cinematography were equal to any that have been
shown in the past.
Mr. Neville W. Cayley, a member of this Section, was elected President
of the R.A.O.U. for the year, and attended the annual congress and camp-out
of the Union at Adelaide. While there, he was very much impressed with the
aviaries he inspected, and reported that a number of parrots that had
previously been supposed to be extinct were breeding freely.
Application for the creation of three new sanctuaries had been made
during the year. Baker’s Lagoon, near the Hawkesbury River, has been
proclaimed. This is a fine area for waterfowl. Great numbers of black swan
feed there, and some breed in the sheltered reaches. Ibis, spoonbills and
egrets are also frequently to be seen.
The formation of a national park for the North Coast is being actively
canvassed, while the Inverell Pastures Protection Board have requested the
Government to provide hatcheries and sanctuaries throughout the north-west
for the protection of Ibis.
Dry seasons prevailed throughout the year, which led to an influx of
masked and white-browed woodswallows to the coastal areas. Serious
bushfires occurred, which destroyed large belts of bushlands and were instru-
mental in driving birds from their usual haunts. Dr. Osborne, of the
University Geology Department, reported from Lochinvar that crows and
magpies were so prostrated by the heat that he could push them with his
foot without their attempting to get away.
A number of English thrushes have been imported and liberated in
Canberra during the year, and protests were made to the Minister for Internal
Affairs. An attempt was made to import Californian quail into N.S.W.,
but after requests had been sent to the Federal Government they were banned
under the Customs Act.
The question of egg collecting has been further discussed by the R.A.O.U.
members of the Society, in conjunction with the other States, and eventually
twelve resolutions were forwarded to the Victorian Government. It is hoped
to have the report adopted by all States.
Another matter of importance to come before the Section was the
destruction of birds through the eating of poisoned bait laid for grasshoppers.
Newspaper reports showed a diversity of opinions among pastoralists as to
whether the birds destroyed were of greater importance than the grasshoppers.
as it had been proved that ibis and wood swallows especially were instrumental
in killmg large swarms of these insects annually. Certain sections of the
community maintained that birds were not killed through eating the poisoned.
bait, and we are endeavouring to obtain evidence during the coming season.
Following an account in the Hmu of the damage caused to the rookery
on Cat Island by visitors, representation was made to the Council of the
R.A.O.U. with a view to devising some means for protecting the colony.
The Council then took the matter up with the Tasmanian Government, with
the result that a ranger will now be placed on the island during the breeding
season.
The Royal Australasian Ornithologists’ Union members of the Section
commenced the issue of a monthly Bulletin, comprising items of interest in
B 19
ornithology. Nine parts have now been issued, and letters of congratulation
have been received from all States. This has been the medium of acquainting
members with all matters of domestic nature, in addition to keeping them
posted with full details of the Society’s and Union’s work.
Mr. Cherry Kearton, who visited us in 1936, has published a book entitled
““T Visit the Antipodes’’. Many interesting items observed by him during
his trips with our members are recorded, and his book is illustrated with local
photographs.
The observations handed in during the year have been equal to those of
previous years, and many successful trips have been undertaken. Three
journeys during October resulted in lists, each containing over 100 species,
being placed on record.
The following extract from the November issue of the Bulletin shows
the nature of some of these excursions :
‘“* During the last month several of our members have undertaken trips
away from the city in search of birds, and all have something interesting
to report as the result of their observations. In addition to the visit to
Adelaide by Mr. Cayley and to Lord Howe Island by Mr. Hindwood, the
State Secretary (Mr. Roy P. Cooper) and party visited Dungog and the
Barrington Tops for two weeks; Mr. Sharland made an extensive tour along
the coast from Port Stephens to Port Macquarie, and thence inland to the
Comboyne plateau, and Mr. Norman Chaffer has gone to try his luck with the
camera among the birds of Rochester, just over the River Murray, in Victoria.
Mr. Clifford Coles made a comprehensive bird list during a visit to Bourke
and Brewarrina.”’
The officers desire to express their thanks to those who assisted the
Section throughout the year, and request the continuance of this help, also
that all members endeavour to take an active part in future discussions and
outings.
Tom IREDALE, Roy Cooper,
Chairman. Hon. Secretary.
RULES GOVERNING AWARDS FOR NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS IN
ZOOLOGY.
The following Rules were made by the Council of the Royal Zoological
Society on February 24, 1937:
1. The rules governing the award of Fellowship of the Society remain
unaltered.
2. In the case of each Section of the Society an ‘‘ Awards Sub-
Committee ’’, consisting of three members, may be appointed annually
by each Section, and these members shall not necessarily be members
of Council.
3. Each Awards Sub-Committee shall furnish a report to the Council
annually in the month of June, stating whether any outstanding work
suitable for award has been carried out. Such report shall indicate
the order of merit of any achievement, placing it first, second, third,
etc., on the list.
4. If considered by the Council to be of sufficient merit, a medallion
may be awarded to the first on such list, and thereafter diplomas may
be issued.
5. No awards shall be made to residents outside the State of New South
Wales.
6. In the case of the Avicultural and Budgerigar Sections the award
may be given to the member first reporting his successful breeding
in captivity of any species of bird not included in the list of birds
“not eligible”. Any member wishing to obtain an award must
send a detailed account to the honorary secretary |of the Section
within a week of young birds leaving the nest, and furnish such
evidence of the facts as the Executive Committee may require. The
award will be made only in cases where the young shall live to be old
enough to feed themselves and to be independent of their parents.
Birds must be reared by their natural parents. On notification a
20
member of the Committee will inspect. The account of the breeding
must be reasonably full so as to afford instruction to members of the
Society ; it should describe the plumage of the young and be of value
as a permanent record of the nesting and general habits of the species,
and must be forwarded within eight weeks to the Secretary of the
Society for publication in the Society’s Journal before it is published
or notified elsewhere.
7. The list of species which are “not eligible”? for awards shall be
declared annually in June by each Awards Sub-Committee.
8. Hybrids and sub-species of species may be included in the list for
which awards may be given.
SYLLABUS OF SECTIONAL MEETINGS, 1937-38.
AVICULTURAL SECTION (Second Monday in the month, except when a
Public Holiday, then on Tuesday)—
July 12.—*‘ Finches’, by F. Buckle.
August 9.—** Aviaries I have Visited’, by R. J. Murray.
September 13.—*‘ Bird Life Around Sydney ”’, by K. A. Hindwood.
October 11.—*‘ Australian Parrot-like Birds’, by Neville W. Cayley.
November 8.—Hybrid Night. Exhibition and discussion on Hybrids.
December 13.—‘* Finches in their Natural State’, by Tom Iredale.
January 10.—‘ Zoological Societies as Research Centres ’’, by Dr. Garnet
Halloran.
February 14.—‘* Ornamental Pheasants ’’, by C. Lawrence.
March 14.—“ Softbills ”’, by W. J. Wood.
April 11.—Members’ Night. Being short lecturettes by members on
individual species.
May 9.—*‘ Central Australia’, by H. O. Fletcher.
June 13.—Annual Meeting.
BUDGERIGAR SECTION (Third Tuesday in the month)—
1937.
July 20.—Judging Competition.
August 17.—“ Parrots and their Relation to Australian History ”’, by
Neville W. Cayley.
September 14.—Table Show. Green, Laurel and Olive.
October 19.—Lecture.
November 16.—Table Show. Sky Blue, Cobalt, Mauve.
December 21.—Lecture.
1938.
January 18.—Cinema at Taronga Park by C. Camp.
February 15.—Table Show. Young birds, any variety.
March 15.—Lecture.
April 19.—Table Show. Light coloured varieties.
May 17.—Lecture.
June 21.—Annual Meeting. Chairman’s Address.
MARINE ZOOLOGICAL SECTION (First Monday in the month, except
when a Public Holiday, then on Tuesday)—
1936.
July 5
August 3
September 6
October 5 (Tues.)
November 1 Subjects to be selected.
December 6 |
1938.
February 7
March 7
April 4 |
May 2 J
June 6.—Annual Meeting.
21
ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION (Third Friday in the month)—
1937.
July 16.—‘‘ Birds of Tasmania ”’’, by M. S. R. Sharland.
August 20.—‘* Bird Books—Curious and not so Curious”’, by K. A.
Hindwood.
September 17.—‘ Experiences in Northern Australia”, by C. Price-
Conigrave.
October 15.—‘‘ A Naturalist in the West Indies ’’, by E. J. Bryce.
November 19.—“ Interrelations of Bird Life ’’, by Noel L. Roberts.
December 17.—‘‘ Bush Rambles ”’, by Norman Chaffer.
1938.
January 21.—*‘ A Trip to Central Australia ”’, by H. O. Fletcher.
February 18.—‘‘ Economic Ornithology ”, by K. C. McKeown.
March 18.—“‘ Colour in Birds ”’, by Roy P. Cooper.
April 22.—‘ Travels Abroad ”’, by G. P. Whitley.
May 20.—“‘ Birds of the Barrier Reef”, by Mel. Ward.
June 17.—Annual Meeting. Chairman’s Address.
Meetings of all Sections are held in Room 6, Sixth Floor, Bull’s Chambers,
28 Martin Place, Sydney, at 7.30 (for 8) p.m.
bo
lo
SOME NOTES ON THE BIRD-DUNG SPIDER
(CELAENIA EXCAVATA).
By N. L. ROBERTS.
(Plate I.)
It is well known that observations restricted to a single member of a
species may not be applicable in every respect to other members of the same
species owing to the margin of variation and adaptation that one finds in the
behaviour of living organisms. Subject to this limitation, however, such
observations serve a useful purpose because they enable the biologist gradually
to build up the fundamental truths of an animal’s life history from records
which are in agreement. Where there is disagreement, there must be further
sifting by careful and competent observers until the variable and invariable
factors are fully known. My own observations concerning a single specimen
of the Bird-dung Spider are recorded with a sincere recognition of the limita-
tions involved, but as comparatively little is known concerning this sedentary
member of the Arachnida, I believe they are worth placing on record even
although they still leave much of its life history shrouded in mystery. Business
obligations made it possible for me to study this spider only during a limited
period in the morning and evening, and there were whole weeks during
which I was absent in other States.
McKeown") records three popular names for Celenia excavata—the
Orchard Spider, the Death’s Head Spider, and the Bird’s Dung Mimicking
Spider. Butler’) asserts that the name Death’s Head Spider has been
accepted owing to its “‘ general use’’, and although this may be true so
far as Victoria is concerned, I doubt whether this name is generally applied
in any other State where the spider is found. In any case, observers who
have carefully studied its appearance will agree with McKeown, I think, that
the appellation of Bird-dung Spider is “the most apt when the spider’s
appearance is concerned’, the resemblance to a human skull requiring a
greater exercise of the imagination. The simulation of bird dung is the
characteristic that has appealed most to observers of related species in other
parts of the world, and this, too, is a point that should carry weight.
On July 17, 1936, I discovered a female Bird-dung Spider with eight
egg-sacs on a camellia tree in my garden, and as the branch was too high
for observation purposes, I severed it and fastened it securely at a more
convenient altitude. A glance at the accompanying photograph (Plate I)
shows such a remarkable similarity, both in form and pattern, between the
egg-sacs and the camellia bud below them that a casual observer might be
pardoned by assuming the resemblance was not entirely fortuitous—a salient
example of the danger of generalizing from one observation! McKeown
refers to a suggestion that the egg sac pattern is protective, as the sacs bear
a general likeness to the fruit of the Quondong and also to the rounded cones
of the Cypress or Murray Pine. He points out, however, that the range
of the spider does not coincide with that of the Quondong, and there seems
to be no recorded discovery of the egg-sacs on a Cypress or Murray Pine.
Despite the close resemblance of the egg-sac and bud in the photograph,
I should imagine camellia trees are not sufficiently common to justify any
theory of protective resemblance, while an aggregation of egg-sacs obviously
nullifies to a considerable extent the protective value that a single sac might
involve. Butler describes the colour of the egg-sacs as “‘ dark brown ”’,
asserting also that they are “the same colour as the spider, and nearly the
same size”’. He makes no mention of markings, but McKeown states that
they are “easily distinguished by a criss-cross pattern of intersecting lines
of dark brown”. The egg-sacs I had under observation were intersected
23
irregularly with jet black markings, the black colour being more noticeable
on the egg-sac on the extreme right, as a finely-woven supporting web tended
to obscure the intensity of the markings on the other sacs. The brown
colour, too, was not the same colour as the spider, the colour of the latter
on the under surface being lighter and less uniform. Apparently the number
of egg-sacs varies, Butler stating that it is usually five, although he mentions
a spider which had thirteen in Mr. Charles Barrett’s garden. McKeown
records the usual number as six or seven, adding that on rare occasions he
has seen clusters containing as many asa dozen. In a letter I received from
Professor V. V. Hickman, of Hobart, reference is made to two lots of this
spider’s egg-sacs in the University grounds, one containing seven and the
other eight sacs. My own specimen increased the number of sacs from
eight to thirteen between July 17 and October 6. On the last-named date
I noticed the thirteenth sac, which appeared to have cost a great physical
effort, for the spider had a peculiar “‘ collapsed ’’ appearance, being shrunken
and only a shadow of her former plump self. It was exasperating misfortune
to miss the actual construction of a sac during a period of three months,
the spider choosing to accomplish this task either after I had retired for the
night or during my absence from home. On October 3 I opened one of the
sacs and counted 224 spherical yellow eggs, the fluffy lining making a snug
shelter for them during the cold wintry days. Assuming there were 200
eggs in each sac, in the normal course of events this spider would be the
mother of 2,600 spiderlings, but one must make allowance, of course, for
parasitic wasps—those efficient and relentless controllers of numbers—
which pierce the hard covering of the egg-sacs and deposit their own eggs
within them. Butler states that the sacs are “‘ caught together by a few
untidy silken ropes, and the female keeps guard over them”’. The egg-sacs
I had under observation were supported in two different ways, the sacs
themselves being securely held together by a fine, but strong and irregular
web, which was connected at strategic points by thick and tough “ guy-
ropes ’’ to the bud, leaves and stem as supports. This arrangement is clearly
seen in the photograph. Both web and guy-ropes were strengthened at
intervals by the spider, beginning at the bottom sac and gradually working
up to the highest point of attachment, the legs spinning rhythmically all the
time. An observer could not doubt that the sacs were a definite centre of
interest and activity to her. Perhaps it is going too far to say that she
“keeps guard’? over them, for her extremely sluggish temperament and
limited nocturnal movements seem to leave them very much at the mercy
of any predator. While showing the sacs to visitors I inadvertently broke
off a dead leaf which formed a partial cover for them, and it is worthy of note
that the same night the spider, apparently grasping the nature of the damage,
tied down another leaf in a position as near as possible to that of the leaf
which had fallen.
All observers are in agreement concerning the sedentary habits of the
Bird-dung Spider, McKeown commenting that there is “ something strangely
uncanny in such complete immobility’. During the day the spider which
I had under observation remained huddled on one of the egg-sacs, her legs
folded as shown in the photograph, and only occasionally varied her position.
At night she hung suspended below one of them—the bottom one most
frequently—her legs in a semi-extended position, which was quite different
from the one adopted during the daytime and appeared to be a characteristic
attitude while awaiting her prey. A close relative of this spider (Celenia
calotoides), who suspends her egg sacs in a line, also seems to cling to the
bottom one. In the case of Celenia excavata there was very little nocturnal
activity, the usual attitude being varied by repair work or slow movements
over the egg sacs. It is not surprising, therefore, that the sedentary habits
of this spider have led to considerable speculation concerning the method
of securing food and, so far as I know, no reliable information has been
published to date about the specific insects it catches or the means it employs
to secure them. Butler states it ‘“‘ seems never to bother about food ”’, while
McKeown mentions that certain observers have hinted at the possibility of
Celzenia angling for her prey in the same way as the Magnificent and Hairy
Imperial Spiders. Butler also states it is ‘ difficult to understand how it
Seen nourishment to amass enough substance for its task of egg-bag
making ”’.
24
On the night of September 10 I found Celznia feeding upon a moth,
having bound its wings tightly before proceeding to suck the body juices,
and although I had visited her fairly regularly, morning and evening, since
July 17, this was the first definite evidence obtained regarding feeding habits.
The moth was found on the ground next morning under the egg-sacs and
placed in a jar for identification. On September 17 I found another moth
on the ground, while on September 21 a morning visit revealed two moths,
one suspended from an egg-sac and the other in the process of being devoured.
Both were lying on the ground at night. I collected a total of fifteen moths
between September 10 and October 13—on which date the spider
disappeared—an approximate average of one moth every two days. As
eight egg sacs had been completed by July 17, it seems reasonable to assume
that Celeenia undergoes a long fast through the winter, and must accumulate
sufficient internal food reserves during the warmer months both to survive
and to accomplish the vital task of perpetuating the species. The egg-sacs
were constructed in a very exposed position, and it is extremely unlikely
that her prey would be available on cold nights. Unfortunately I was not
able to get the moths identified, for tiny ants found their way first to the
cupboard which contained the jar, and then to the jar itself, squeezing between
the lid and the rim, and leaving nothing but a mass of wing and body scales.
The moths were nearly all the same species and uniform in size, the wing-
spread being approximately one inch. No snare could be detected and the
method of capture still remained a mystery. On October 9, however, I
went out late with a torch and noticed a moth fluttering near the spider,
which appeared to be greatly agitated, moving one pair of legs up and down
rapidly, and even falling an inch or two on a thread and then climbing up
again. The moth continued to flutter near the spider as if lured by some
irresistible attraction, although it could scarcely fail to see the spider’s .
movements. There was not the slightest sign of a line with a sticky globule,
nor indeed was there any perceptible clue to the potent charm which this siren
exercised over her hapless victim. When the torch was extinguished I could
barely discern a glimmer of colour on the upper surface of the spider, but
it would be foolish to rule out visual attraction on the part of the moth,
with its large compound eyes, so admirably adapted to the creature’s nocturnal
activities. Olfactory attraction, too, is a possible explanation, for there
are many well attested examples of “ directive odours ”’ in the animal kingdom
which are not perceptible to human senses. All I can vouch for is that some
fatal influence seemed to be exercised by the spider, for suddenly the moth
fluttered too near, and this notoriously sluggish creature shot out long legs
with a lightning, springing movement of the whole body, clutched its victim,
and instantly buried its fangs in the moth’s thorax. There was a rapid
beating of wings, but the venom quickly took effect, the moth’s struggles
growing weaker until the spider was able to manipulate it with her feet and
seize it by the head. She then dropped about an inch, attached to a sac by
a strong thread, and holding the moth with her legs, curled her body up so
that the spinnerets could weave a shroud while the legs deftly rotated her
prey. This accomplished, she suspended the moth from the spinnerets,
climbed the short thread to the egg-sac, and seizing her victim by the head,
proceeded to suck its body juices. That is, in the words of Professor Lloyd
Morgan, “a plain tale’, without any attempt to “ explain ”’ the plot, but, at
least, it establishes the fact that Celznia is a subtle enchantress of moths
and rules out the theory that she angles with line and bait.
There are other points of interest worth mentioning. I wrote to Professor
Hickman concerning Celnia’s egg-laying capabilities and also the missing
male. My letter elicited the interesting information that the male has been
found. “As you remark’”’, writes Professor Hickman, “the male has not
been recorded. As a matter of fact I think he has been overlooked. I have
a male specimen in my collection, and he is quite a dwarf compared with
the female. He is a little over two millimetres long, but quite mature.
In colouring and shape he resembles the female, but, of course, has the clubbed
palpi usual in male spiders.” Concerning Celzenia’s egg-laying propensities,
Professor Hickman writes: ‘‘ Although the spider lays a very large number
of eggs during the season, these eggs are not all present in the body at the
one time. They develop gradually in the ovary, which lies in the spider’s
abdomen. When a batch of eggs is ready for laying they are extruded
25
and then enclosed in the familiar egg-sac. The spider then has to wait for
several days (or weeks) until another batch of eggs has developed in the
ovary and is ready for laying. If food is plentiful Celenia may make over a
dozen egg-sacs in the season.”
Professor Hickman inquired if I had discovered how the young spiders
made a hole in the egg-sac. The baby bird has an egg-tooth to assist it in
piercing the shell, and there are many extraordinary adaptations in the insect
world that enable the adult to emerge from the pupal state. How then can
these tiny spiders make that neat circular hole in the tough egg-sac ? There
is only one hole in each sac. Is it cut by the first spiderling to emerge from
the egg, or is there some chemical secretion which enables it to dissolve the
stout covering? Examination of a sac failed to reveal any point at which
the cover is thinner than other parts, and a superficial examination of the
spiderling gave me no clue to the mystery. Apparently temperature is a
factor in controlling the development of the young spiders for the period
that elapsed between their emergence from the first and last egg-sacs was
very much shorter than the period between the construction of those sacs.
The actual time taken in emerging seemed to vary considerably with individual
spiderlings, but was never less than a few minutes in the case of those I
observed personally. Some of them wove a hammock of the finest silk
between the egg-sac and a leaf, where they remained for an hour or two,
an examination of the leaves a few days later confirming the view that the
young spiders construct snares and doubtless feed on small insects, abandoning
this method later to prey upon moths. At the slightest touch the spiderlings
feigned death, dropping on my hand and remaining motionless for a few
seconds. So powerful and perfect is instinct! It is instinct again when
they lower themselves on a gossamer thread for the great migration adventure,
imperceptible air currents or a breeze carrying them quickly to unknown
destinations, where they will be exposed to attack from lizards, birds, insects
and other spiders. As the survival rate is in inverse proportion to the number
of eggs it is necessary for the female to lay, the mortality of Celeenia spiderlings
must be great. Assuming that two thousand emerged successfully from the
egg-sacs, not one of them was to be found a week or two later in my garden,
and probably most of them perished. How colossally wasteful it seems to
frustrate such biological intensity of purpose on Celzenia’s part, and yet how
necessary if the land is not to be overrun with spiders! Celznia herself
remained completely indifferent to her offspring for, after all, she is not
required to be more than a mechanical mother, her babies being wise, after
their kind, from birth.
Rainbow states that Celzenia lies upon her back in order to simulate a
bird’s dropping—a statement which is queried by McKeown, who has been
unable to discover her in this attitude. Strangely enough, Pycraft') quotes
a similar statement by Dr. H. O. Forbes, who describes his discovery of a
Bird-dung Spider in Java, as follows :
“IT had been allured into a vain chase after one of those large,
stately flitting butterflies, a Hestia, through a thicket of prickly Pandanus
horridus, to the detriment of my apparel and the loss of my temper,
when on the bush that obstructed my further pursuit I observed one of
the Hesperidz at rest on a leaf on a bird’s dropping. I approached
with gentle steps, with ready net. It permitted me to get quite close,
and even to seize it between my fingers; to my surprise, however, part
of the body remained behind . . . adhering, as I thought, to the excreta.
I looked closely at—and finally touched with the tip of my finger—the
excreta to find if it were glutinous. To my delighted astonishment I
found that my eyes had been most perfectly deceived, and that the
excreta was a most artfully-coloured spider lying on its back, with its
feet crossed over, and closely pressed to the body. The appearance of
the excreta rather recently left on a leaf by a bird, or lizard, is well
known. Its central and denser portion is of a pure white, chalk-like
colour, streaked here and there with black, and surrounded by a thin
border of the dried-up, more fluid part, which, as the leaf is rarely
horizontal, often runs for a little way toward the margin. This spider,
which belongs to the family Thomisidz, possessing rather tuberculated,
thick, and prominent abdomened bodies—is of a general white colour ;
the upper side, which is the one exposed, is pure chalk-white, while the
26
lower portions of its first and second pairs of legs, and a spot on the
head and on the abdomen are jet black. This species does not weave a
web of the ordinary kind, but constructs on the surface of some prominent,
dark leaf only an irregularly shaped film, of the finest texture, drawn out
towards the sloping margin of the leaf into a narrow streak, with only
a slightly thickened termination. The spider then takes its place, on
its back, on the irregular patch I have described, holding itself in position
by means of several strong spines on the upper sides of the thighs of its
anterior pair of legs, thrust under the film, and crosses its legs over its
thorax. Thus resting, with its white abdomen and black legs as the
central and dark portions of the excreta, surrounded by its thin web film
representing the marginal, watery portion become dry, even to some of
it trickling off, and arrested in a thickened extremity such as an evaporated
drop would leave, it waits with confidence for its prey—a living bait so
artfully contrived as to deceive a pair of human eyes even intently
examining it.”
Pycraft thinks Dr. Forbes was mistaken in believing the spider lies on
its back, and refers to the capture of a Bird-dung Spider in Ceylon by the
Hon. N. C. Rothschild, who took the spider, its patch of web, and the leaf,
back to England. Pycraft comments :
*“In Dr. Forbes’s spider the body, it will be remembered, was said
to rest back downwards, and to be held in that position by means of
spines on the legs. Mr. Rothschild, on the other hand, found exactly
the opposite to be the case in his spider, the body resting on its web in
the normal position. And the coloration of the upper surface confirms
his notes, if any confirmation were needed, for he held an honoured place
among men of science, and his powers of observation were singularly
acute. It has been suggested that Dr. Forbes was probably mistaken
in regard to the position of the body in the case of his spider. Moreover,
the coloration of the body, which has since been examined by experts
in the British Museum, shows that the upper surface more suitably
effects this disguise than could the under surface. Here, then, is a point
which calls for further examination.”
Like McKeown, I have never been able to find Celzenia on her back, and
possibly the fact that the abdomen is hump-shaped and that the spider is
able to elevate its legs over its back—TI have seen a captive Celeenia brush a
fly off in this manner—has misled some observers, although Rainbow’s belief
is difficult to understand. Incidentally, Rainbow has described the mimicry
of bird-dung “to a marvellous degree of fidelity ’’ on the part of the little
Two-spined Spider.
Does Celenia gain any advantage in resembling a bird’s dropping ?
Spiders are not the only creatures that simulate this appearance, so that the
question must be considered on a basis of general principles of coloration.
McAtee™) quotes a reference by Howes to certain larve which mimic the
excreta of birds. “I have been completely fooled’, writes Howes, “ by
these larvee on more than one occasion. They frequently rest in the centre
of a green leaf and while conspicuous, never suggest a living insect to the
uninitiated. In colour, the upper and lower portions of the body are dark
chocolate brown, banded through the centre with pure white, which suggests
the lime so often seen in the excreta of birds. The entire creature is highly
glossed, which gives a fresh and moist appearance to the object, which makes
no attempt to conceal itself, depending entirely upon its strangely camouflaged
body for protection.” McAtee criticizes the protective theory elaborated
by Howes. ‘ This comment ”’, he states, “ ignores the fact that a great many
birds habitually devour the excreta of their young, even returning to it when
accidentally dropped, and the nestling excreta is exactly of the luscious
appearance described by Howes.” C. H. D. Carpenter and E. B. Ford,‘
in turn, rebut McAtee’s argument by pointing out that birds swallow the
excreta not for good but for sanitation purposes. They do not go out into
the bush to search for excreta, and would be likely to eat any insect resembling
bird-dung only when it was very near the nest. G. D. Hale Carpenter'®
describes certain moths in England which resemble bird-dung; also a small
flat bug which mimicked the droppings of geese on an African beach which
proved very attractive to certain butterflies. A more remarkable example
27
quoted by Carpenter is that of some young Acridian grasshoppers which
crowd together on a leaf and by virtue of their mass simulate the dropping of
a bird. There seems to be evidence, therefore, that this type of coloration
has protective value, and it is reasonable to assume it is not without significance
in the case of Celenia. It is possible, too, that the resemblance to bird-dung
may prove attractive to certain species of moth, although the agitated move-
ments of Celznia in the presence of the moth seem to discount this theory.
In this, as in many other aspects of animal life, it is so easy to make dogmatic
statements and so difficult to furnish convincing evidence.
LITERATURE CITED.
( ** Spider Wonders of Australia’, K. C. McKeown. j ;
“) “ The Common and Conspicuous Spiders of Melbourne’’, L. S. G. Butler. Victorian
Naturalist, Vol. XLIX, No. 12.
(3) “ Camouflage in Nature’’, W. P. Pycraft. : ;
(‘) “ Effectiveness in Nature of the So-called Protective Adaptations in the Animal
Kingdom ”’, Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, Vol. 85, No. 7.
(5) ** Mimicry ”’, G. D. H. Carpenter and E. B. Ford.
(8) “ A Naturalist on Lake Victoria ’’, G. D. Hale Carpenter.
COLOUR CHANGE IN THE LEAF-CURLING SPIDER
(ARANEUS WAGNERI).
By N. L. ROBERTS.
In my garden recently were four webs of the leaf-curling spider (Araneus
wagnert). Three were completely in the shade, and the other in an open,
sunny position. I wanted to photograph the spider which had constructed
its web and rolled its leafy home where good light was available, and while
trying to lure it into a suitable position it fell to the ground and disappeared
in a litter of dead leaves. In a second or two I found it, but the creamy
mottling that had been so conspicuous a part of its colour scheme had vanished,
the general appearance now being one of varying shades of brown that made
it difficult for an observer to detect the spider against a background of dead
leaves. I induced it to cling to a grass stem and placed it on the web again,
where it immediately began to change colour, passing through different phases
rapidly, the lighter parts from brown to grey and from grey to the original
creamy colour, while the dark brown portions deepened to black. I repeated
the experiment, and although the results were not quite so pronounced, there
was ample evidence to confirm the previous happening.
Writing to me concerning this observation, Professor V. V. Hickman
states: “ As far as I know, colour change has not been recorded for this spider
before. Rapid colour change is said to be due to a sudden alteration in the
slope of the hairs on the body of the spider. It may be compared with the
colour change produced in velvet by brushing the material the wrong way.
I feel very doubtful whether this is the correct explanation. There are
numerous instances of slow changes in colour brought about by alterations
in the pigment underlying the skin of the spider. Perhaps the process can
be speeded up in some species, so that it takes place instantaneously and is
under the control of the animal.’’ I have no doubt that colour change in
the Leaf-Curling Spider is due to pigment movements, and is very limited
in its scope, for experiments with various colours of cloth as a background
failed to reveal any further colour adaptation on the part of the spider.
The bright, creamy pattern seems to fade out and return in a few seconds,
and possibly has some limited protective value. Conspicuous colours
constitute no danger while the spider remains concealed in its leaf, which is
an effective “‘ hide ” for a species which is chiefly nocturnal, but if it is forced
to abandon this retreat in daylight, ability to transform its colour scheme
might be a definite advantage in eluding some enemies.
McKeown (‘Spider Wonders of Australia”) mentions that the St.
Andrew’s Cross Spider seems to have the power of changing its colour, and
that this appears to be brought about ‘“ by the raising and depressing of its
hairy coat”. The little Two-spined Spider is also referred to by him as “ one
of the few spiders which possess the power of changing their colour at will ”’.
28
Colour change is well known in frogs, reptiles, fishes and cuttlefishes.
A greenish frog will gradually become blackish if placed in a dark moist box
in a cold room, but if placed in a white box in a warm, well-lighted room it
shows a lemon colour. In the chameleon and ‘“‘ horned toad ”’, Professor J.
Arthur Thompson points out that the colour change is due to the up-and-down
movement of the pigment granules, while in fishes, such as the plaice and
flounder, colour changes are controlled by branches of the sympathetic
nervous system. In blind flat fishes the message from the outside world
“‘ affeets the eye, then the brain, then the sympathetic nervous system ”’.
Colour change, therefore, is effected in three different ways in these three
classes of animals.
NOTES ON THE MOLOCH HORRIDUS.
By A. S. Le SOUEF, C.M.ZS.
Quite the most interesting unique reptile found in Australia is the “‘ Devil
Lizard ” (Moloch horridus). The name of this little creature is a misnomer,
for a more harmless thing could hardly be found.
Although so curious in appearance, very little indeed is known about the
habits of this animal. It is found in the semi-arid country, northward of the
east-west line, extending through the central districts to the north-west part
of the continent. Its immediate habitat is among the dwarf scrub of this
country, wherever indeed the small black ants, on which it exclusively feeds,
are to be found.
The lizard has developed an extraordinary mode of protection in a series
of sharp spiky thorns on the head and body. It never uses these when
handled, and they are evidently an automatic protection against the attacks
of snakes. Its very slow jerky walk would not enable it to escape from
anything. Its colour, brown markings on a yellow ground, makes a very
efficient camouflage for the sandy terrain on which it lives.
Although found in a bright sunlit district, it is unable to stand much
exposure to the sun, as in the absence of some shade on a summer’s day it
soon dies if tethered in the open.
The eggs, six in number as far as has been observed, are laid in a hole
in the ground about two inches below the surface. This information was
gained from observation of one of several that were turned out in Taronga
Park.
Miss Ella McFadyen, whose notes are appended, has given us some very
interesting observations on her domesticated specimens. These show an
unexpected degree of intelligence in the lizard.
THE MOLOCH HORRIDUS.
FEEDING HABITS AND EVIDENCE OF INTELLIGENCE.
SoME OBSERVATIONS By ELLA McFApYeEN.
When I set out to acclimatise specimens of the Moloch horridus or Horned
Dragon, sent to me from Alice Springs, in a North Sydney garden, I was
prepared for a task calling for a great deal of thought and watchfulness. I
believe my success was largely due to experience already gained with animals
in translating the “ language,”’ or intelligible system of signals, with which
animals can communicate their desires.
The inertia commonly attributed to Horned Dragons in captivity is,
being associated with protective colouring, a sign of uneasiness, not content.
Proceeding as I would with birds, a careful routine of approach, voice, handling
and housing was soon rewarded by marks of friendly preference and reliance.
The Molochs were housed by day in a miniature rockery within a large garden-
tub, roofed with fine wire. Whenever possible they ran free in the garden or
were given a day out in the bush. At night they had a sleeping-box indoors,
and as they showed a preference for sleeping with the head raised, tiny pillows
were provided. Their habits are extremely cleanly, and the fondness for
bathing is remarkable, even for a lizard. Warmth, abundant water, and
29
protection from aerial enemies are their favourite luxuries, and as all arrange-
ments for their comfort were made, by design, as deliberately as possible,
they quickly learned to associate my presence with their welfare, to flee to
me when they heard crows crying, or to climb to my shoulder to seek a safe
sleeping place.
INTELLIGENCE.
The speed with which the Molochs came to confide in me and to distinguish
between their human associates in exact proportion as those associates
bestowed kindness argued considerable intelligence. So did the system of
signals they soon began to employ ; tapping noises to draw attention, patting
with the paws to persuade one for favours, and various pantomimic acts
with reference to feeding, bathing, etc. The plane of vision is so low one
would hardly expect Molochs to distinguish individuals by sight, and they
usually did so by hearing, showing a keen perception for a known voice.
Not only would they come to me at the sound of my voice, but would approach
a knownspeakeramong a group of strangers, on more than one occasion showing
they remembered a voice after a lapse of several weeks. Intelligence varies
with the individual lizard, as with all animals I have observed—one indicated
good powers of recollection, another was heedless and ran into the same
difficulty over again. One accepted after a single experiment the fact that
glass is impervious, another was always puzzled by the phenomenon. Like
all lizards, Molochs are intensely curious, and I allowed mine to explore as
rmauch as possible, both indoors and out.
A female Moloch exhibited a very motherly interest in any companion
I put in her care. I once took her favourite (a younger female) to the city
for a day, and she greeted it eagerly on its return, slept beside it that night and
all next day kept a possessive paw across the wanderer’s back, as if to prevent
a second parting. This younger one went to sleep at the end of April, and
the elder, who had developed the habit of warming herself by creeping inside
my collar, did not follow until June. July brought heavy rain, and the
atmospheric change (to which the tribe is sensitive) woke the elder Moloch.
She took her usual refuge on my shoulder and signalled uneasiness of some
sort. At length, when I was preparing tepid water for some orchids, she
made her little request and was given a saucerful. Into this she got with
great enjoyment, drinking through the mouth eagerly, instead of the usual
absorption through the skin. In a minute, however, she was out and again
making signals, and this time tapped on her companion’s sleeping-box. She
persisted so long I filled a second saucer and placed the sleeper in it. The
warm liquid wakened the creature. The little monitress sat watching
attentively, and as soon as she was satisfied that her companion was awake
and drinking she returned to her own bath. When, in the following autumn,
this younger lizard sloughed and had some trouble in getting rid of a large
shell of loose skin from the back, the same watchful little creature approached
and deliberately pulled away the troublesome skin.
The sloughing and pigmentary variations are intensely interesting in
their evidence of evolutionary changes, but the matter is too intricate to be
included in the present notes.
FEEDING Hasirts.
Of the numerous ants locally available, only the small black species
attracted any notice from the Molochs. Three variants may be roughly
classified as follows: The creeping black ant, laying a strong ground scent
capable of being followed in wet weather. This was rejected by the lizards,
who plainly disliked the strong odour. The running black ant, somewhat
larger, lays a lighter ground scent only to be followed on dry ground. This
is the staple food. A third ant, found only where the ground is undisturbed
by building or cultivation, is somewhat larger and more wiry than the formér,
lays no ground scent, but follows an air scent. Hence it is very swift, moves
each on its own trail, instead of in a line, and is very hard to catch. It was
considered palatable by the Molochs when they could catch it.
Molochs feed with darts of the adhesive tongue, almost too fast for the
eye to see. They are dainty, and dislike any foreign substance to mix with
their food, often cleansing the tongue by licking young green leaves. They
will not eat ants carrying any burden save the larve of their own species or
30
grains of sugar. The sugar, though probably mistaken at first for larve, is
evidently relished for its flavour. I could never persuade my Molochs to
pick up any stationary food, not so much as a dropped ant’s egg. They would
not touch an ant that was not in motion or one that had wings.
They feed voraciously, till the sides become considerably distended, and
one thousand ants at a meal is by no means an exceptional number. Molochs
cannot for this reason live in large groups, as they would exhaust the food
supply. Being exceedingly gentle little creatures towards each other, a
hungry Dragon will not displace another from a good feeding place. Indeed,
a very small weakly specimen was placed with a number of others, and I
noticed a larger lizard sharing an ant-hole with it, for they sometimes feed
alternately, each taking an ant in turn as it emerges from the hole. The
reason why such large quantities of ants are swallowed at a meal, day after
day right through summer, is because the chitinous body-shell and legs of
the ants are not digested. The creatures are crushed against the bony
mouth-plate of the Moloch (distinct clicks can be heard as the lizards feed)
and after the juices have thus been extracted, the ants are expelled almost
whole. The Molochs’ fondness for moisture, and enjoyment of the steamy
earth after a thunderstorm, point to a long-ago habitat in a tropical swamp
where a very different food must have been obtainable. For all that, black
ants are the only food the tribe can assimilate at present, and any form of
artificial feeding appears to end in the death of the reptile.
WILD LIFE PRESERVATION IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
The following letter speaks for itself :
“There has been discussion in the correspondence columns of the
American magazine Time concerning the Koala. It started with an article
about Noel Burnet and Koala Park, and the financial difficulties of the former.
Some woman reader promptly sent fifty dollars to be forwarded to Burnet.
The Australian Trade Commissioner wrote a sarcastic letter, asking that the
money be turned over to the protection of American animals, for the koala
is common all over Queensland and New South Wales: also mentioning that
if the donor ever visits Australia she. will see plenty of wild koalas, kookaburras,
etc., exhibiting the arrogance which might be expected of creatures pampered
by a generous government and a sentimental people. While Australians are
glad to have American money, they want it in exchange for goods, and require
no gifts. You, as an Australian interested in wild life, will no doubt be edified
to learn that the koala is such a conspicuous inhabitant of the bush! I
felt after reading his letter that the Commissioner was something less than
enthusiastic about spending good money on the protection of wild animals.
** Did you know that the koala’s fate is responsible for a recent alteration
in the American laws against traffic in furs and feathers? Nowadays, any
creature which is protected by law in the country of origin, even though the
law is a dead-letter, becomes contraband, and such traffic is punished by
confiscation and heavy fines. This is working very successfully in the case
of the fauna of the Galapagos Islands. The Ecuadorean government have
declared the islands a protected area ; nevertheless, in the absence of wardens,
every wealthy yachtsman who passed by has stopped off to kill the giant
tortoises, marine iguanas, penguins, etc., bringing back specimens of these
unique creatures to sell at a high price in America. But with the removal of
any possible profit and the certainty of a fine, people are no longer wasting
time in the Galapagos.
“Mexico has adopted tactics even more drastic in protecting the last
few elephant-seals on the Tres Marias Islands, their breeding-ground. It is
absolutely impossible to get a landing-permit for any purpose, and there is a
warden on each of the three islands, with orders to shoot to kill any landing-
party. After one or two sad experiences, poachers have come to the conclusion
that the islands have a very insalubrious climate.”
31
NOTES ON A COLLECTING TRIP IN NORTHERN NEW SOUTH
WALES.
By MELBOURNE WARD, F.R.Z.S., F.Z.S.,
Honorary Zoologist, Australian Museum.
The study of the Brachyuran fauna of eastern Australia has occupied
much of my time during the last sixteen years, and during that period I
have been able to collect at sixteen localities, spaced at intervals along the
coast from Port Phillip, Victoria, to Cape York and Murray Island, Torres
Strait.
The zoogeographical regions into which Iredale and Whitley have
divided the coast are upheld by the results of my cwn studies on crabs.
The fauna of the Maugean region is by far the most typical of Australia in
spite of the fact that Leptograpsus variegatus and Plagusia chabrus have been
recorded from South Africa and South America; there is also a slight Neo-
Zelanic influence, but this appears to be confined to the Bass Strait area.
The southern coast of New South Wales is not well known to me except
from trawled and dredged material. Im the Port Jackson area more than
half the littoral species of the Maugean region are represented, though they
form only a small part of the rich fauna. Tropical species are frequently
found, usually solitary individuals on rocky reefs or small colonies of mangrove
and mud-flat types. At Pittwater I collected a small colony of the fiddler
crab, Uca vomeris, which had a previously known southern limit at Trial
Bay, N.S.W.
Only five of the Maugean series extend into southern Queensland, and
a large part of the fauna of the Port Jackson area appears to achieve its
maximum on the coast between Port Macquarie and Ballina, and it was
with the object of studying the distribution of this northern area that my wife
and I set off in our car with camping equipment. We visited Port Macquarie,
Nambucca Heads and Ballina in New South Wales, Southport in Queensland,
and added Trial Bay, N.S.W., to our list on the return journey. I used the
fauna of Long Reef, Collaroy, as a criterion for Port Jackson ocean reefs, and
Gunnamatta Bay combined with Pittwater for bayside beaches and reefs.
Unfortunately dredging could not be indulged in during our northern trip, so
we confined ourselves to the intertidal regions.
Port Macquarig, N.S.W.
Good tides favoured our work at Port Macquarie, and five days were
spent collecting on rocky reefs at Nobby’s Head, Shelly Beach and on the
mud-flats lining the river. Small colonies of the fiddler crab, Uca vomeris,
were found in firm mud near the high-tide level. The other species of mud-
flat crabs belonged to species found commonly in similar localities in the
Port Jackson area, with the addition of one which appears to be a new species.
The series of crabs inhabiting rocky ocean reefs may be divided into
four groups: (1) Those which are hidden under stones ; (2) those which bury
themselves in the sand under stones; (3) those which move rapidly about
in the surf; (4) those found in association with alge.
The number of species hiding under stones is far greater than that found
moving about in the open on surf-washed rocks, and naturally confined to
reefs where loose stones abound. We found a fine reef at Shelly Beach
formed of serpentine which was splitting into large’ fragments, especially
below low-tide mark, where the action of the water was greatly assisted by the
destructive activities of large numbers of Siphunculid worms. These burrowed
into cracks and crannies, with the result that large masses of rock were easily
dislodged with the aid of a small crowbar. What appeared to be solid points
32
ae
—_—
of rock jutting out into the sea resolved themselves into refuges riddled with
small caverns in which crabs, anemones, sea-stars and worms were hiding.
Another place of concealment was formed by extensive growths of
encrusting worm-tubes which covered rocky surfaces with masses of intimately
intertwined tubes. The incrustation was frequently twelve inches thick, and
small caverns were formed in which crabs and other invertebrates took refuge.
Two types of worms were found responsible for the formation. The larger of
the two built its tubes of sand grains cemented together, and the smaller,
Galeolaria ceespitosa, used lime and covered the outside of the growth as a
cementing agent. Galeolaria is common in Port Jackson, where it is known as
Sydney coral, but I have not observed the association in that area with the
larger worm, at least not extensively enough to form hiding places for other
marine animals. As we progressed northwards we found that this worm-
built zone became more highly developed, until at Ballina it had become the
most important faunal zone in the region.
Tropical species of crabs were not noticeably more numerous than at Long
Reef, Collaroy, though one species, Hriphia norfolcensis MacCulloch, was
found which was previously known to me from Shellharbour, south of Port
Jackson, but not at Port Jackson.
Port Jackson Series. Tropical Series.
Rocky Reef. Rocky Reef.
Paraxanthias atromanus (Haswell). Eriphia norfolcensis MacCulloch.
Ozius deplanatus (White). Xanthias lamarckii (H.M.Edw.).
Pilumnus rufopunctatus Stimpson. Leptodius exaratus (H.M.Edw.).
Leptograpsus variegatus (Fab.) Actaea tomentosa (H.M.Edw.).
Plagusia glabra Dana. Chlorodopsis areolatus (H.M.Edw.).
Plagusia chabrus (Linn.). Pilumnus terraereginae Haswell.
Mud-flat. Mud-flat.
Macrophthalmus setosus H.M.Edw. Uca vomeris McNeill.
Macrophthalmus crassipes H.M.Edw.
Heloecius cordiformis (Latr.).
Sesarma erythrodactyla Hess.
Mycteris longicarpus Latreille.
Nampucca HEADS.
From Port Macquarie we drove up to Nambucca Heads, passing the
enchanting Trial Bay en route. Unfortunately the tides were very poor during
the four days we were collecting at Nambucca Heads. We managed to
obtain some interesting specimens in the lagoon behind the breakwater, which
is only ten years old. The tide rises and falls through the wall, and there is an
extensive growth of eel grass (Zostera). Large specimens of the flat-rumped
sea hare, Dolabella andersoni, were observed moving about in the Zostera.
Where the water flowed through the wall the rocks were covered with dense
growths of Sargassum weed, and here we found the tropical swimming crab,
Thalamita stimpsoni. A second species of this genus, Thalamita crenata,
occurred under stones on mud. Both are common species on the coast of
Queensland.
The outstanding find at Nambucca Heads was a series of cast-up fragments
of madreporarian corals. I collected every fragment seen, with the result
that half a sugar bag was filled. The local fishermen pointed out the living
reef lying about half a mile off shore, and told me that they had given up
trying to fish the reef after the first couple of visits, owing to the ease with
which their lines were cut by the coral. It is noteworthy that during our stay
we only found the fragments on a small beach facing the submerged reef.
Four genera of corals were collected, Pecillopora, Turbinaria and two massive
Astreids.
BALLINA.
We set up our camp in East Ballina. The richest collecting ground in
this region is at Flat Rock, five miles north of the river mouth, and we visited
the reef every day for ten days during the spring low tides. Our camp was
situated near the northern breakwater of the river mouth, so that our daily
walk was ten miles over surf beaches and two rocky headlands of black basalt.
We set out each day at 8 a.m., carrying lunches, collecting bags and crowbars.
33
The beaches we had to traverse were partly shingle, and the sand was
very rich in minerals. Several fossickers were washing for gold, tin and
platinum. Our first walk was undertaken during a strong south-easter.
The tide-wrack line of the beaches afforded us a fine series of large violet snails,
Tanthina violacea, in such fresh condition, with their bubble floats attached, that
we put them into a billy of water and observed the angle at which the shell
floated. The dark colour of the base was directed upward, so that at sea it
would blend with the dark blue of the ocean and the pale colouring of the
spire would be hard to discern against the surface from a submarine view.
Several shells bore clusters of small goose-necked barnacles, Lepas pectinata.
With the violet snails we obtained the beautiful ram’s horn shell, Spirula
peronii, many of which had clusters of Lepas pectinata attached. Associated
with these pelagic mollusca we also found Velella sp., Porpita sp. and large
and small specimens of the Portuguese man of war, Physalia sp. There were
also large numbers of a sand-dwelling compound ascidian about the size of the
last joint of my little finger. Apparently these had been torn from their
positions by the waves, and each had a long white fleshy stalk. The only
species of crab found on this first excursion was the pelagic crab, Planes
minutus, while none of the specimens found was on the violet snails, the
latter were the largest objects cast up, except some of the Physalia, and all
the crabs collected were various shades of mauve, strikingly like the colour
of the shells.
Flat Rock is a small rocky point six hundred feet long by six hundred
feet wide, standing without apparent connection to a headland; in fact
during the south-east weather the beach connecting it with the shore is washed
away and a shallow channel is formed between it and the land. It is reputed
to be a single block of basalt which has cracked into tesselated formation ;
the cracks have become worn into gutters, and in some parts large shallow
pools are formed, in which Hormosira, Sargassum and coralline alge grow.
Four distinct faunal zones are observable : (1) High-tide rocks and pools ;
(2) Barnacle region ; (3) Lais-Red-Algze region ; and (4) Galeolaria-Hormosira
region. There is a small sub-region on the south-eastern side, where Port
Jackson species are found under stones.
High-tide Rocks and Pools.
The molluscan fauna of this region includes Nodilittorina and
Austrocochlea, both of which are common in a similar station on the reef at
Long Reef, Collaroy. In one of the large pools we found four species of sea
urchins taking refuge in crannies and under stones, and one specimen of the
beautiful reddish urchin, Heliocidaris tuberculata, so common at Long Reef.
Three specimens of the tropical Echinometra mathaei which is common on
the coral reefs of Queensland were found, and several specimens of the common
burrowing urchin, Heliocidaris erythrogramma ; this was the common species,
though not by any means as numerous as at Long Reef, Collaroy. One or
two individuals had been attempting to burrow into the basalt, but had not
been able to make any impression, only succeeding in wearing down their
spines.
Only two species of crabs were collected, Leptograpsus variegatus and
Pachygrapsus laevimanus.
Barnacle Region.
Investigating the distribution of barnacles at Flat Rock occupied much
of our time. All the species present belonged to the acorn type, and in tracing
them from high water towards the low tide the first to appear was a small
white species, Chamaesipho columna; this was soon joined by a larger pale
brown species, T'etraclita rosea, which became so numerous at about half
tide that a complete carpet, pale brown in colour, covered the rocks. In the
thickest part of this region we found that the original animals were dead
and covered with succeeding generations, and in the hollows of the old
barnacles were large numbers of a minute bivalve mollusc. This shell could
be traced up to the level with Chamaesipho columna, but at that high station
the shells were compelled to find refuge in crevices of the rocks. At half tide
the carpet of barnacles was called the Barnacle Region. This zone was not
continuous around the whole of Flat Rock, it appeared to achieve its greatest
development at the north-eastern angle.
34
In one area a few yards square the barnacles were covered with oyster
borers, Morula marginalba, which clung with extraordinary tenacity to the
barnacles. I could not discover any signs of attack on the barnacles by the
molluse. In another nearby area the barnacles were covered with enormous
numbers of dog winkles, Neothais succincta.
Where the barnacle region was crossed by deep gutters we found the
purple barnacle, Balanus imperator, amongst the short alge on the gutter
walls ; these beautiful barnacles are usually solitary. A large limpet creeps
about over the barnacles, and many were observed entirely covered with
Tetraclita rosea.
At the lower edge of the region solitary specimens of Balanus tintinabulum
make their appearance and become more numerous on the Lais-Red-Algze
Region.
othe common crab of this region is Plagusia glabra, a swift moving species
with powerful walking legs capable of clinging tenaciously to the wave-swept
rocks. At low tide it walked about exposed to the air, and when disturbed
dived into the gutters and pressed itself into crannies. Several times I saw
it leap off the rocks and swim rapidly across wide crevices in the Lais-Red-
Algz Region.
Patiriella calcar was exceedingly common, and the gutters were thickly
strewn with them.
Lais-Red-Alge Region.
This is the extreme intertidal region, and is so called because of the
dominant cunjevoi, Lais sp., and the fine red algze which cover the rocks.
On the south-eastern side of the reef this region is fringed on the seaward side
by an extensive growth of Hklonia, beneath which is the usual thick growth of
mauve and pink coralline weed.
The only crabs of this region were Plagusia glabra, Naxia tuwmida and
Plagusia gaimardi, the latter taking the place of the southern red rock crab,
Plagusia chabrus.
On the south-eastern side of the reef is a small area where loose stone can
be raised, and the underlying fauna is similar to Long Reef, Collaroy. The
loricates, crabs and echinoderms all belong to species common at the southern
locality, but are comparatively rare at Flat Rock.
Galeolaria-Hormosira Region.
Because of the sanctuary formed by the thick growth of worm-tubes, this
region proved to be the richest at Flat Rock. There was also a certain
analogy between this and madreporarian reefs, for like them these colonial
animals, during the process of their own development, had constructed massive
formations in which totally different animals could find shelter. Several
species of crabs furnished undeniable evidence that after having taken refuge
in a hole amongst the worm-tubes they had enlarged the size of the original
hiding place until burrows had been formed which undermined the worm
colony. In some instances the worms themselves caused caverns to be formed
by encrusting several stones lying together but not filling up the spaces between
the stones.
The region does not extend completely around the reef; the most
extensive patch is near the shore on the south-eastern side at about half tide.
There is a smaller patch in a similar position on the north side.
Sessile barnacles and Galeolarian worm-tubes are found upon the
carapaces and limbs of the crabs found in this region ; several have one of
their eyes covered so as to be useless.
The list of species collected in this region is included in the list which
I have compiled in an attempt to show the sources from which the Ballina
brachyuran fauna has been derived, and also in comparison with only Port
Jackson fauna.
An interesting addition to our knowledge of the life histories of crabs was
the discovery of a Pilumnid crab which lays comparatively large eggs, from
which the young hatch out as minute replicas of the adult, and consequently
have no swimming larval stage. This process has been observed in the
Dromiacea of eastern Australia and the large spider crab, Paranawia serpulifera,
.
Cc 35
of north-west Australia. Our specimens constitute a third instance occurring
in a totally different section of the tribe.
(1) Species common at Port Jackson, but not common at Ballina:
Paraxanthias atromanus (Haswell), Pilumnus rufopunctatus Stimpson,
Ozius deplanatus (White), Heteropanope serratifrons (Kinahan),
Thalamita sima H.M.Edw., Helice haswellianus (Whitelegge), Naxia
tumida Dana.
(la) Species common in both localities: Portunus pelagicus (Linn.),
Sesarma erythrodactyla Hess., Leptograpsus variegatus (Fab.),
Pachygrapsus laevimanus Stimpson, Paragrapsus laevis (Dana),
Plagusia glabra Dana, Hymenicus varius Dana, Huplax tridentata
(A.M.Edw.).
(1b) Species very common at Ballina but rare in Port Jackson : Xanthias
lamarckii (H.M.Edw.), Atergatis ocyroe (Herbst), Chlorodopsis
areolatus (H.M.Edw.), Actaea tomentosa (H.M.Edw.), Thalamita
admete (Herbst), Matuta lesueurtt Leach.
(1c) Species known at Ballina, not yet recorded from Port Jackson :
Eriphia norfolcensis MacCulloch, Hriphia scabricula Dana, Ozius
truncatus! (H.M.Edw.), Euxanthus melissa (Herbst), Eriphia sebana
(Shaw).
(2) Species previously known from the Capricorn Group, Queensland :
Eriphia sebana (Shaw), Zozymus aeneus (Linn.), Carpilius convexus
(Forsk.), Leptodius sanguineus (H.M.Edw.), Pilumnus spinicarpus
Grant and MacCulloch, Metopograpsus messor (Forsk.), Atergatis
ocyroe (Herbst), Plagusia gaimardi H. M. Edwards.
This is the most important series of species, because five out of
the eight are typical coral reef denizens and are not known to me
from the mainland of Queensland. At Ballina all but Metopograpsus
messor are inhabitants of the Galeolaria-Hormosira region, and all
except Atergatis ocyroe, Plagusia gaimardi and EHriphia sebana are
recorded from only one specimen of each species, and may therefore
be considered as forms which have been brought in their larval
forms by the current.
(3) Species previously known from the mainland of Queensland :
Pilumnus terrae-reginae Haswell, Atergatis ocyroe (Herbst), Leptodius
exaratus (H.M.Edw.), Leptodius crassimanus A.M.Edw., Piluwmnus
spinicarpus Grant and MacCulloch, Thalamita crenata Latreille,
Thalamita admete (Herbst), Thalamita sima H.M.Edw., Charybdis
spiniferum Miers, Portunus pelagicus (Linn.).
SOUTHPORT, QUEENSLAND.
The town of Southport lies at the southern extremity of Moreton Bay, on
the western shore, and the coast road crosses the bay by a bridge at the
southern end of the town. The eastern shore is formed by a low sand-spit
extending northward for two and a half miles, and we made our camp near
the bridge, so that only a few moments’ walk brought us either to the ocean
beach or to the placid bayside of the spit. The bayside supported a rich fauna
comprised of two series, one of southern and the other of dominant tropical
forms.
Sand Dunes.
The central region of the spit was composed of sand dunes, where bleaching
mollusc shells and bones lay in the shallow valleys. The ghost crab, Ocypoda
cordimana, appeared to be the sole crustacean inhabitant of this dreary area ;
a much smaller species than Ocypoda ceratophthalma, which does not apparently
require frequent visits to the ocean. Ocypoda ceratophthalma inhabits an
area nearer the high-tide line, and the immature individuals of both sexes were
found on the bay side, whereas the adults were on the ocean side. I studied
them at night and found that those on the bay side preyed upon the colonies
of the soldier crabs, Mycteris longicarpus, carrying off stray crabs, tearing
1 It will be observed that I have recorded two species of Ozius, and I am convinced after
an examination of many specimens that a southern and a northern species exist. De Man
has published a figure of the carapace of the type of O. truncatus, and the material before me
agrees well with that figure. There are constant differences between this material and series
of O. deplanatus (White) from Port Jackson.
36 5
them to pieces and feeding upon them. The adults on the ocean side carried
the Ugaries, Donazx deltoides, from the intertidal flats to a short distance above
the high-tide line and fed upon them.
Bay Side Flats.
The intertidal sand flats were inhabited by soldier crabs, Mycteris
longicarpus, and the sand bubbler, Scopimera inflata. Both species were in
enormous numbers, though each inhabited different areas of the flats. The
soldier crabs were more numerous at the southern end of the locality, and the
sand bubbler crabs were in possession of the northern end. In some areas
the latter were so numerous that at the end of the low tide the surface of the
beach was completely covered with feeding and excavation pellets. The
latter pellets are much larger than the feeding pellets, and usually differently
coloured, having been brought up from the underlying sand and laid near the
mouths of the crabs’ burrows.
At the northern extremity of the spit we found a small colony of the
Victorian soldier crab, Mycteris platycheles, individuals of which were not
as large as those collected at Gunnamatta Bay, Port Hacking. Im the same
area of the spit we collected a series of the dawn crab, Matuta lesueurii.
This species inhabits the wash line of the beach, where waves spend themselves
on the sand, and the crabs move back and forth in the wash of the waves.
Two species occur on the coast of northern New South Wales and southern
Queensland, the large Matuta lesueurizi and a smaller species, Matuta lineifera ;
the former is common along the eastern coast of Queensland, and I found no
trace of the smaller species at Port Curtis, which is the southernmost locality
I have collected in north of Moreton Bay. All the specimens of Matuta
lineifera collected were immature and of small size.
The copulation of M. lesueurii was observed at Lindeman Island,
Queensland, and was so interesting that it should be recorded. In all the
species I have been able to study, both the immature males and females
have the abdomen rigidly adpressed against the undersurface of the sternum,
effectually preventing copulation until mature size is achieved. A mature
male will seize an immature female by the nipper, and they both bury them-
selves in the sand until the female casts her shell; immediately this is
accomplished she is soft and flabby, and swells to mature size, in one instance
from twenty-five millimetres to thirty-three millimetres across the carapace.
Copulation takes place while the female is soft ; she lies on her back beneath
the male, who supports her weight on specially modified pleopods or sexual
organs. After copulation the female rights herself, but remains lying beneath
the male, who raises his chele threateningly, and although usually a timid
crab, the male shows great fortitude in protecting his mate during the
precarious period through which she has to pass. As the hardening of the
female’s external skeleton progresses, the vigilant male tests the condition
of her back by tapping gently with one of his nippers. The sensory organs
and adjacent parts of the body become hard more rapidly than the limbs and
the rest of the body. The whole process of ecdysis, copulation and hardening
takes about twenty-four hours.
The other invertebrates of the spit at Southport included two species of
heart urchins, Moira stygia and Rhyncobryssus hemiasteroides, which were
washed up after a hard north-easter on the bay side. On our daily walks we
found many sea stars, Astropecten rappa, but only one of the southern species,
Astropecten polyacanthus. This was not a remarkable occurrence, as I had
previously found a fine specimen of this typically southern star on the beach
at Lindeman Island in the Whitsunday region.
Six species of sea urchins were collected from the Zostera, the largest
and commonest being Tripneustes gratilla ; individuals covered themselves
with pieces of Zostera, a habit also evinced by the smaller Salmacis virgulata
alexandri and Salmacis sphaeroides. Only one of the beautiful little globular
urchin, Mespilia globulus, was found, and a single juvenile Heliocidaris
tuberculata ; both species were on the Zostera, and had a few blades of the
plant attached. A large long-spined urchin, Centrechinus sp., was common
on the Zostera flats, and at times individuals were stranded at low tide. The
presence of this urchin made wading a hazardous undertaking, the needle-
sharp spines would penetrate through the canvas instep of a sand-shoe.
Although the usual coloration was black in the water, occasional ones were
37
seen in which the spines were transparent or banded with broad black bands,
and brilliant ocelli were not observed on the tests.
Two distinct species of large anemones were collected from the Zostera
flats ; both had buried the foot and body wall in the sand without taking a
grip on any deeply buried stone or other solid object, as is the habit of the
stinging anemone, Actinodendron plumosum, an inhabitant of a similar station
in the Barrier Reef region.
The larger of the two anemones at Southport spread its disc flat on the
sand, and measured about eight inches in diameter; it appears to be a
Stoichactis, though it differs from the giant anemone, Stoichactis kenti, in
the minute size of the tentacles with which its disc is covered, and in the way
it spreads out its disc. The giant anemone folds the margin of the disc so that
the circular outline is lost, the Southport species folds the margins only
slightly. The smaller anemone occurred in greater numbers, and was much
more brightly coloured in life; the hidden body wall was rusty red, with the
disc and tentacles greenish-grey with pale magenta tips. Unlike the Stoichactis
species, the disc of this species is almost buried in the sand, and the long
waving tentacles appear to rise directly from the sand.
The molluse fauna of the spit was very rich; hercules club shells lay
about on and close to the Zostera flats, and frequently afforded resting places
for clustering oysters. In several instances the oysters had become so
numerous upon one club shell as to kill it ; small limpets cling to the oysters,
and small crabs, Heteropanope serratifrons, find refuge wherever the oysters
form suitable crannies. Pinna shells’ occur in large numbers, and add to
the difficulties of collecting, their partially visible edges inflict painful wounds
upon the incautious foot. The largest gastropod appears to be the hairy
oyster borer, Cymatium australasia, and several were found laying their
eggs in the form of a concave cluster attached to a parchment-like skin.
Cowries, Hrronea errones, were taken under small masses of sponge amongst
the Zostera. Occasional specimens of the large Sydney cockle, Arca
trapezia, were found partially buried in the sand. There appeared to be
two distinct species of flat-backed sea hare, Dolabella, both of large size.
One species buried itself entirely in the sand, and was collected when it was
being driven from hiding in search of water. The commoner species inhabited
the Zostera patches.
Lying on sand flats in a foot or two of water in the upper reaches of
the bay we found what at first sight appeared to be a small plumose anemone,
pale olive brown in colour. Upon close inspection it resolved itself into a
sea jelly, Medusa, resting upside down on the sand. When disturbed and
an attempt was made to make it swim right side up, which is in the normal
position of its kind, it evaded our efforts and returned to its original topsy-turvy
posture, with a gently undulating rim of the disc the only movement visible.
We soon found that this species of Medusa was common, and each one observed
was at rest as described, the largest only three to four inches in diameter. It
appears to be a characteristically tropical species, for I have seen it on all
the sandy shores of bays near estuaries where I have collected on the
Queensland coast.
The Hermit Crabs of Southport.
The hermit crabs, Dardanus setifer, occurred quite commonly, though
in a rather extraordinary manner ; all the specimens collected were exposed
on the intertidal flats, and they had been killed by the exposure to the air.
Each crab inhabited the shell of the hairy oyster borer, Cymatium australasia,
from which, in most instances, the epithelium had been worn entirely from
the surface of the shell.
The commonest species, Diogenes sp., was a minute hairy form of
gregarious habits ; large colonies were to be seen amongst the blades of the
Zostera, and here and there we found the larger Clibanarius taeniatus, usually
solitary specimens wandering along at the edge of the tide.
The anemone-bearing hermit, Dardanus deformis, was collected with its
accompanying group of anemones, Caliactis meriam, and it was found that the
young of this anemone cling to the blades of the Zostera. This association
of anemone and crab has also been observed between the large deep-sea
hermit, Clibanarius strigimanus, from the trawlers, and a large anemone in
the aquarium at Taronga Park.
38
TriaLt Bay, N.S.W.
On our way back to Sydney we visited Trial Bay, the interesting locality
at South-West Rocks. We spent our time collecting along the crescent-shaped
beach towards the old gaol at Arakoon. A breakwater had been built near
the gaol, and during heavy weather rocky reef dwellers are swept from their
habitat and cast up on the strand in the lee of the breakwater. In this area
we found many sea urchins, Heliocidaris tuberculata and H. erythrogramma,
as well as molluscs and fragments of crabs, Leptograpsus variegatus, Plagusia
chabrus and Percnon planissimum ; the latter is a typically tropical species.
In one area, where seine nets had been used, we found fragments of the
tropical swimming crab, Portunus sanguinolentus, and a complete specimen of
the interesting swimming crab, Charybdis natator, which is credited with a
wide range in the Indo-Pacific region. I have seen and collected this species
when it was swimming at the surface of the sea four or five miles from land
on the coast of Queensland during fine weather when the sea was as still as a
mill pond.
At Arakoon we observed a small colony of the sand-dwelling hermit
crab, Diogenes custos. A solitary individual was wandering over the sand
in a shallow pool left by the receding tide; the rest of the colony was found
by digging in the floor of the pool, for this remarkable hermit crab has the
extraordinary habit of burying itselfin the sand. On the beaches at Pittwater
I have seen this species being washed back and forth in the wash of small
waves and from time to time burying itself completely in the sand; a bait
seized by the crab was drawn hastily beneath the surface of the sand so that
the fortunate one could feed in seclusion.
Tn conclusion, I wish to express my thanks to Dr. Hubert Lyman Clark
for the identification of the Echinoderms mentioned in the foregoing notes.
39
BLACK SNAKES IN COMBAT.
By DAVID FLEAY, B.Sc., Dip.Ed.,
Curator, Australian Section, Melbourne Zoological Gardens.
Plates II and III.
Early in September, 1936, I collected in the red gum (EHucalyptus rostrata)
forest bordering the Murray River near Tocumwal, N.S.W., some very fine
specimens of Pseudechis porphyriacus, the common black snake.
Destined to be exhibits in the open-air snake yard at the Zoological
Gardens, Melbourne, these large reptiles, newly awakened from winter
hibernation, averaged between five and six feet in length. Im fact one of
the forty-five blue-black, red-bellied captives measured seventy-two inches
from head to tail, with a girth of eight inches.
During the two previous years similar but smaller black snakes, together
with tiger snakes, copperheads and brown snakes, had been exhibited in this
“snake pit ’’, and though varied observations were recorded, including the
devouring of newly-born young snakes by the frogs (Hyla aurea) provided as
prey, it was not until the advent of the Tocumwal specimens of Pseudechis
porphyriacus that truly spectacular revelations were made. Then it was
proved beyond doubt that in the mating season there may be a very definite
and exceedingly violent rivalry between the males of this species.
Thriving on a plentiful supply of frogs inhabiting the weeds of the water
moat, the big black snakes lived side by side in amity with representatives
of the other well-known venomous species, Notechis scutatus, Demansia
textilis and Denisonia superba. At night they curled up beneath broad sheets
of bark, and emerged on bright days to enjoy the warmth of the sun or to
swim and hunt with graceful undulating movements in the water.
Unlike Noiechis scutatus, the tiger snake, and Denisonia superba, the
copperhead, other frog-loving species, Pseudechis porphyriacus readily takes
its prey either on or below the water surface.
On the morning of October 12, 1936, an air of excitement and irritability.
was noticeable for the first time among the black snakes. No sooner did
one specimen come into accidental contact with another than both reptiles
would shoot swiftly away to cover. In fact it almost seemed that an electric
tension held sway among the reptiles. As the day became warmer, two of
the largest snakes approached one another and moved along side by side,
with heads arched and raised about a foot from the ground. As they moved
along their heads swayed slightly from side to side, and their mouths gaped
open.
Though for a long time this curious alignment of the two reptiles appeared
to be a preliminary to copulation, this was definitely disproved, for the
pairing of the male and female is an entirely different and more passive
proceeding. Akin to a fencing bout, the “‘ on guard ”’ position, with curved
necks and raised heads, lasted just as long as it took one of the rival males to
gain the advantage by placing its arched head above that of the other. Having
seized the opportunity, the aggressor then twisted its neck about that of its
enemy, and continued the twist, with furious writhing movements, until its
whole body was entwined about that of its rival. The latter, though at a
disadvantage, retaliated in similar fashion to the best of its ability. The
general effect was similar to that of a two-stranded rope.
Writhing, hissing and struggling, with both reptiles exerting the greatest
possible constriction on each other, and actually rolling slowly over and over
en masse, the “‘ round ’’, if one may so term it, lasted for perhaps a minute.
Then as if by mutual consent they suddenly disengaged completely, and
separated, only to line up slowly, with gasping hisses, and repeat the whole
40
“4
“on guard ” position and bewildering twisting motions. And so many times
on that first day and during those that followed, providing the weather was
sufficiently warm for active movement, the two big snakes continued to
struggle in terrific efforts to wear one another down. Occasionally they
glided slowly from one end of the “ pit’ to the other with mouths gaping
open, hissing and gasping, before one gained the coveted ‘‘ neck hold” and
precipitated the twisting “‘rope grip”’. Not always did they fight with one
another, for occasionally a different male was involved with one or the other
of these deadly rivals. Smaller males were also observed in combat, and it
was noteworthy that they appeared to struggle with snakes approximately
their own size. However, the original large combatants persisted in their
bitter feud. The scales on both dorsal and ventral surfaces had become
frayed and worn painfully thin so that hemorrhages were visible along both
bodies and a general reddish tint could be seen through the scales. So
engrossed were the combatants that on several occasions they completely
disregarded my presence and continued to struggle even when lifted from
the ground !
Doubtless in the wild during the pairing months the stronger male
intimidates rivals and drives them away from his “ territory ”’, and in support
of the fact that these battles are not mere “‘ stadium ”’ events brought about
by captive conditions I have several observations to stress.
Firstly, during these two months of October and November, 1936,
while rivals fought each other in the “ snake pit ”’, copulation also took place,
being indulged in at times by the rival males with various females between
competitive struggles. When acts of pairing ceased in November, so likewise
did all inclination to fight, and peace reigned once more.
Secondly, in the month of November, 1936, Mr. Jack Clark, a keen
bushman residing at the interesting Moira Lakes (Victoria), reported to me,
quite independently of events in the Zoological Gardens, that he had chanced
on two large black snakes in a swamp. They were tightly entwined, rolling
about, and struggling so furiously that they ignored his presence. He
watched them for five minutes, and then killed both reptiles. Mistakenly,
but quite naturally, he considered that they were pairing.
Thirdly, I have observed bitter struggles occurring among other male
reptiles, particularly Tiliqua nigrolutea (the southern blue-tongued lizard),
during the mating months of October and November (in southern Victoria).
In the case of the main feud in the snake yard at the Zoo, following
weeks of prolonged struggling, one of the rivals eventually received the worst
of the prolonged encounters and with scales torn and bleeding and evidently
totally exhausted it retired for several days to rest its battered body. Previous
to this respite the encounters had been more than usually bitter, and several
observations were made of the rivals actually biting one another savagely.
However, in view of the strong immunity of Australian snakes to their
own venom, this was definitely a very futile proceeding, and largely a display
of temper. The majority of bushmen adhere very strongly to the belief
that the pairing months among snakes are February and March, but my own
observations on Pseudechis porphyriacus recorded primarily in the wild state,
and secondly in captivity, indicate October and November as the true mating
months for that species, with a period of pregnancy lasting until the birth of
young in February and March.
I have observed Notechis scutatus, the tiger snake, and Denisonia superba,
the copperhead, copulating in March, but such activity may or may not
possess special significance.
The actual mating process in Pseudechis porphyriacus is quite distinct
from the furious ‘‘ rope-coil ’’ competitive struggles of the male snakes. A
male snake exhibits sexual excitement by quick nervous movements. The
tongue flickers more rapidly than usual as the snake glides along in the keen
alert fashion observed during the hunting of frogs. Occasionally the females
are pursued for some distance. Actual copulation occurs with the male
lying on—but not coiled about—the female, and heads are not raised above
the ground. Curious spasmodic local twitchings and jerkings of each part of
the body, from head to tail, are observed, and these gradually attain a climax
of excitement. An unusual incident arising from the peculiar temperament
of the snakes at this particular time occurred in November, 1936.
4]
One morning I happened to be standing in the centre of the “ pit”
when two large black snakes shot out from beneath a conerete slab, one being
in pursuit of the other. The fugitive, evidently a female, rapidly glided
towards my feet, and knowing the advantage of remaining motionless at such
a time, I made no attempt to move. However, imagine my sensations when
the fugitive shot across the toe of one shoe and sought refuge up my leg
imside the trouser cuff. With no recourse other than to clasp hands round the
leg and obstruct further progress beyond the knee, I endeavoured to maintain
the same statuesque pose. Following some nosing and pushing, the snake
turned back and glided down again, and I retired, resolving never again to
become entangled in the domestic affairs of large black snakes !
OBITUARIES.
THOMAS PHILLIPS AUSTIN.
Portrait, Plate IV.
Born at Hamilton, Victoria, on 4th January, 1874, Austin showed an
interest in natural history at an early age, commencing to collect birds’
eggs while a boy. In later years, as a grazier on his property, Cobborah
Estate, near Gulgong, New South Wales, he developed his early predilection
along scientific lines, and set out to compile firstly a representative collection
of the eggs of birds breeding within the boundaries of his 8,000-acre property,
and secondly to acquire as complete a collection of the eggs of Australian
birds as possible. In his first objective he employed his extraordinary
talent for tree-climbing, using the aboriginal methods of cutting “ toe-
notches ” and ascending straight trunks with the aid of a tomahawk only ;
and sometimes adopting a variant, using iron spikes instead of notches.
He also used the “ hoop ”’ method, employing a length of fencing wire for the
hoop. For trees too thick, high, or otherwise inaccessible by these methods
he had a 70-foot rope ladder, with catapult, fine line, and guy ropes. Thus
equipped, he not only collected eggs, but also took many fine photographs
of the nests in situ. In The Australian Zoologist, Vol. 1, pp. 109-137, he
furnished details of 122 species, the eggs of which he had collected on his
estate, and illustrated many of their nests. The only other paper he
contributed to the Society’s Journal was one on “ The Flight of a Falcon ’”’,
ibid., p. 185. He visited North Queensland, the Barrier Reef region, Port
Stephens, N.S.W., and other places in furtherance of his second objective, and
by means of exchanging his duplicates with collectors elsewhere in the
Commonwealth he acquired a representative series of eggs of over 700
Australian species and subspecies of birds. This collection is second only
to that of the late H. L. White, who bequeathed it to the National Museum,
Melbourne. Austin intended to bequeath his collection to the Australian
Museum, Sydney, with a sum for its proper display. However, when the
recent embargo was placed on egg-collecting, and several collections were
handed to the Museum, Austin’s magnificent accumulation, with its cabinets,
was also handed in, and he then turned his attention to philately, acquiring
a fine collection of the stamps of the Australian States and Commonwealth.
He joined this Society as a life member in 1917, and had therefore completed
twenty years of membership at the date of his death on 18th June, 1937.
He left a widow and daughter.
A.F.B.H.
WALTER WILSON FROGGATT.
(1858-1937)
Portrait, Plate V.
On March 18, 1937, there passed away at Croydon, near Sydney, our
fellow member and former President, Walter Wilson Froggatt, one-time
Government Entomologist of New South Wales.
Born in Melbourne, Victoria, on June 13, 1858, he was educated at the
Corporate High School, Bendigo, Victoria. His love of nature commenced
early in life, and in 1880 he collected specimens at Mount Brown Goldfield,
Grey Ranges, New South Wales, and on the Flinders River, Queensland, in
1882. The material collected was sent to Mr. C. French and Baron von
43
Mueller. In 1885 he was appointed Assistant Zoologist and Entomologist
to the Royal Geographical Society’s New Guinea Expedition. In 1886 he
was collecting for the Macleay Museum, the private museum of Sir William
Macleay, at Cairns, Russell River, Daintree and Mossman Rivers, in North
Queensland, and, during 1887-88, he collected for the same institution at
North-west Kimberley, Western Australia, and Derby, Barrier Range,
Lennard and Fitzroy Rivers.
From 1889-1896 he was attached to the staff of the Sydney Technological
Museum as collector and assistant. His first scientific papers appeared during
this period, 1890, and from that date until 1933 every year saw some contribu-
tion to Australian systematic or economic entomology, a record, and repre-
senting 43 years of service.
In 1896 he was appointed Government Entomologist to the Department
of Agriculture, New South Wales. He was thus a pioneer in economic
entomology in this State, his wide experience gained in the field in all parts
of Australia proving of great value to him in elucidating problems confronting
the man-on-the-land.
In 1907 appeared his “ Australian Insects’, a work now out of print,
but which was the first general text-book on Australian Entomology. During
1907-08 he made investigations in connection with economic entomology on
behalf of the Governments of Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia
and Queensland in America, Europe, Africa and Asia. In 1909 he made
investigations into coconut pests in the Solomon Islands for Lever’s Pacific
Plantations. In 1913 he made investigations into the palm leaf beetle in
the New Hebrides for the French Planters’ Association.
Upon his retirement from the Department of Agriculture in 1923, he was
appointed Forest Entomologist to the Forestry Commission of New South
Wales, a position he filled for four years. Many articles from his pen on
forest insects appeared during this period in the Australian Forestry Journal,
and these later formed the basis for a work, Forest Insects and Timber Borers,
which appeared in 1927, and formed a fitting companion to his Forest Insects
of Australia, which had appeared in 1923.
He was, like so many of the old-time naturalists, an all-round naturalist,
an attitude towards nature which was perhaps brought about by the natural
development of the science of biology and which of more recent years has
given place to specialization in some particular branch of investigation.
This general interest is evidenced in his association with so many different
scientific societies. Of these mention might be made of the Linnean Society
of New South Wales, of which he was President from 1911 to 1913 and a
member of its Council up till his death; a member of the Council of this
Society, which made him a Fellow in 1931, and it is interesting to note that
in 1935 the Society published his popular handbook, Australian Spiders and
their Allies. He was also a President of the Naturalists’ Society of New South
Wales, a society in which he took great interest, and he was associated with
the Wattle League, Wild Life Preservation Society, and the Gould League
of Bird Lovers. He had also been associated with the Australian National
Research Council and the Linnean Society of London. During the latter part
of his life he displayed a great enthusiasm for horticulture, his garden being
utilized for growing various Australian shrubs and trees which he presented
to local municipal bodies and people interested.
In 1927 the bulk of his collection of insects was sold to the Australian
Commonwealth Government, and is now at Canberra, F.C.T.
To assist in popularizing nature study, he wrote “ The Insect Book”’,
which constitutes No. 1 of the Shakespeare Head Australian Nature Books,
and which appeared in 1933.
The writer has been acquainted with Mr. Froggatt for a number of years,
and since his retirement from the Public Service, his visits to the Australian
Museum were made more frequently and members of the staff were thus able
to enjoy discussion with him about the animals he had collected in the field
and to hear his narratives of the localities he had visited. At his home at
Croydon visitors were always welcome, and entomologists from overseas, as
well as local residents, will long remember the hospitality of “‘ Bonito ”’,
and in which connection grateful acknowledgment must be paid to Mrs.
Froggatt.
A. MUSGRAVE.
44
LIST OF MEMBERS.
As on 13th August, 1937.
Note.—Unless otherwise specified, members are residents of the State
of New South Wales.
Members will oblige by notifying the Honorary Secretary of any change
of address.
PATRONS.
His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, Sir Philip Street, K.C.M.G., 4
Onslow Avenue, Elizabeth Bay, Sydney.
Air Vice-Marshal Sir Philip Woolcott Game, G.B.E., K.C.B., D.S.0O., Langham
House, Ham Common, Surrey, England.
ASSOCIATE BENEFACTORS.
Albert Littlejohn, 9 Young Street, Sydney.
Walter and Eliza Hall Trust, 117 Pitt Street, Sydney.
Gustavus Athol Waterhouse, D.Sc., B.E., 39 Stanhope Road, Killara.
FELLOWS.
Burrell, Harry, *“‘ Tallawalla”’, 129 Darley Road, Randwick.
Carter, Herbert James, B.A., F.R.E.S., ‘‘ Garrawilla’’, Kintore Street,
Wahroonga.
Cayley, Neville W., 42 Newcastle Street, Rose Bay, Sydney.
Chisholm, A. H., The Argus Office, Melbourne.
Dakin, Professor William John, The University, Sydney.
Hull, Arthur Francis Basset, M.B.E., Box 704, G.P.O., Sydney.
Tredale, Tom, ‘“‘ Solander ’’, Queenscliff Road, Manly.
Mathews, Gregory Macalister, Meadway, St. Cross, Winchester, England.
Musgrave, Anthony, Australian Museum, Sydney.
Roughley, Theodore Cleveland, Technological Museum, Sydney.
Turner, Dr. A. Jefferis, Dauphin Terrace, South Brisbane, Queensland.
Ward, Melbourne, 20 Wylde Street, Potts Point.
Waterhouse, Gustavus Athol, D.Sc., Stanhope Road, Hillara.
Whitley, Gilbert Perey, Australian Museum, Sydney.
HONORARY MEMBERS.
Buchanan, Robert, National Park, Audley.
D’Ombrain, Dr. E. A., 193 Macquarie Street, Sydney.
Dunbabin, Thomas, Sun Office, London.
Hull, A. F. Basset (see Fellows).
Johnston, Professor T. Harvey, The University, Adelaide, South Australia.
Le Souef, E. A., Margaret River, South West, Western Australia.
Lyell, George, Gisborne, Victoria.
Sherborn, Dr. Charles Davies, British Museum (Natural History), London.
Stiffe, R. J., 350 George Street, Sydney.
LIFE MEMBERS.
Baxter, Mrs. D., ‘“‘ Clyde’, 35 Station Street, Crow’s Nest.
Bryce, Ernest John, 47 Nelson Road, Killara.
Buckle, Frank, 104 Hunter Street, Sydney.
Coles, Clifford, 16 Bancroft Avenue, Roseville.
Conacher, C. W. D., “ Crona.”’, Turramurra.
45
Crommelin, Miss Minard F., 9 Upper Avenue Road, Mosman.
Dangar, R. H., “‘ Turee ’’, Coolah.
Dellow, Walter Joseph, 32 Alibone Street, Ashfield.
Dixson, Robert Craig, J.P., 33 Hunter Street,
Dixson, William, Gordon Road, Killara.
Foreman, Dr. Joseph, “The Astor’’, Sydney.
Gurney, W. B., Department of Agriculture, Box 364, G.P.O., Sydney.
Halloran, Aubrey, B.A., LL.B., Bull’s Chambers, 28 Martin Place, Sydney.
Hallstrom, E., 26 Ryan’s Road, Willoughby.
Hordern, Mrs. Nora Ebsworth, 364 Darling Point Road, Darling Point,
Edgecliff.
Hordern, Sir Samuel, “‘ Babworth House’, Darling Point, Edgecliff.
King, Sir Kelso, K.B., Mercantile Mutual Insurance Co., 117 Pitt Street,
Sydney.
Levien, Robert Henry, 40 Wycombe Road, Neutral Bay.
Minell, Mrs. Dorothy Ebsworth, 15 Wyuna Road, Point Piper.
Monticone, Dr. Charles Albert, Box 2058, G.P.O., Sydney.
Murray, C. Stuart, Box 2427 MM, G.P.O.
Musgrave, Anthony (see Fellows).
Nash, Albert Edward, 8 Alt Street, Waverley.
Spain, Col. Alfred, V.D., 16 Spring Street, Sydney.
Spring, Robert Alexander, ** Woodford’, St. Elmo Street, Mosman.
Todman, R. G., “ Merdin ’’, 328 Edgecliff Road, Edgecliff.
Troughton, Ellis Le Geyt, Australian Museum, Sydney.
Turner, W. H., 476 Pitt Street, Sydney.
White, Alfred Henry, Belltrees, Scone.
Whitley, Gilbert P. (see Fellows).
ORDINARY MEMBERS.
Adams, W., Third Avenue, Carlingford.
Adey, Arthur R., 30 Hicks Avenue, Mascot.
Adey, John Stanford, 30 Hicks Avenue, Mascot.
Alexander, I. A., 34 Coolong Road, Vaucluse.
Allan, Miss Elizabeth May, *‘ Vergemount ”’, Gilliver Avenue, Vaucluse.
Alt, Jack, 9 Whiting Beach Road, Mosman.
Anderson, Dr. C., Australian Museum, Sydney.
Andrews, A., “ Burra’’, Llangollan Avenue, Enfield.
Andrews, Ernest Clayton, 4 Belle Vista, 32 Benelong Crescent, Bellevue Hill.
Andrews, William C., 38 Kameruka Road, Northbridge.
Archer, H. R. Walter, 14 Buena Vista Avenue, Mosman.
Ash, Arnold, 9 Ryde Road, Hunter’s Hill.
Ashton-Hanson, A. B., “‘ Zuleika ’’, 71 Bayview Avenue, Undercliffe.
Atkinson, J., 4 Thompson Street, Mosman.
Baas, Otto Hermann, 18 Bridge Street, Sydney.
Bailey, R. F., 466 Parramatta Road, Petersham.
Baker, H. H., 9-13 Bligh Street, Sydney.
Barker, A. F., Blair Street, Bondi.
Barnett, Marcus 8., 44 Fox Valley Road, Wahroonga.
Baron, George, Sydney Safe Deposit, Ash Street, Sydney.
Barrett, Frederick William, Scottish House, 17 Bridge Street, Sydney.
Barrie, W., 15 Blair Street, Bondi.
Bartlett, Miss Violet Artah, 98 Prince Albert Street, Mosman.
Blaxland, Dr. F. J., ‘‘ The Raymond ”’, Elizabeth Bay.
Blenkarn, G. G., Phillip House, Phillip Street, Sydney.
Bloch, Eugen, 1 Burrawong Avenue, Mosman.
Blow, Walter Russell, 11 Silex Road, Mosman.
Blunden, J. H., Box 16, P.O., Gulargambone.
Boden, E. M., Abbott Street, Cairns, Queensland.
Booth, F. Holroyd, Victoria Arcade, Sydney.
Brain, A. H., 28 Alibone Street, Ashfield.
Briggs, Frederick J., c.o. Miss D. English, 33 Grassmere Road, Killara.
Brodziak, A. A., 8 Spring Street, Sydney.
Brown, Mrs. Jocelyn, 4 Raymond Road, Neutral Bay.
Browne, R. B., 113 Pacific Highway, Hornsby.
46
Buckland, Sir Thomas, “ Lyndhurst ’’, Stanley Road, Hunter’s Hill.
Burkitt, Professor Arthur N., Medical School, The University, Sydney.
Burrell, Harry, “‘ Yarrenbool’”’, 141 Darley Road, Randwick.
Burrell, Mrs. Emily, “ Yarrenbool’’, 141 Darley Road, Randwick.
Burrows, William, 19 Owen Street, Lindfield.
Campbell, Charles, 15 Bradley’s Head Road, Mosman.
Campbell, T. G., Flat 4, ““ Alameda ’”’, 806 Military Road, Mosman.
Campe, A. C., 50 Sydney Arcade, King Street, Sydney.
Campion, F. J., A.C.A. Building, King and York Streets, Sydney.
Carey, Ross, 4 Marian Street, Enmore.
Carter, H. J., F.R.Z.S., “‘ Garrawilla ’, Wahroonga.
Catchlove, F. 8. L., 15 Prince Albert Street, Mosman.
Catchlove, Rex, 15 Prince Albert Street, Mosman.
Catt, John Ward, *“‘ Tomah ’’, Church Street, Carlingford.
Cayley, Neville W., 42 Newcastle Street, Rose Bay.
Clark, Dr. Ernest D., 749 Military Road, Mosman.
Clark, Roland C., 33 Kardinia Road, Mosman.
Clayton, Charles, 60 Albert Road, Homebush.
Clegg, Walter, 55a Hayberry Street, Crow’s Nest.
Coghlan, Frederick A., 18 Bannerman Street, Cremorne.
Cohen, Sir Samuel S8., 11-13 Bond Street, Sydney.
Comins, Francis, 48 Prince Albert Street, Mosman.
Comtesse, Capt. D. L., Tug Hydra, Goat Island, Sydney.
Cooper, Roy P., 22 Dangar Street, Randwick.
Corke, Frederick Huntley, 67 Castlereagh Street, Sydney.
Cornford, William Henry, “‘ Greyfels ’’, Queenscliff Road, Manly.
Cousins, W. G., Angus & Robertson Ltd., Sydney.
Cox, Alfred Percy, 23 Chelmsford Avenue, Croydon.
Cunningham, Harold Joseph, c.o. State Crown Solicitor, 237 Macquarie
Street, Sydney. ;
Curran, William Joseph, 325 George Street, Sydney.
Curtis, Louis A., 66 Pitt Street, Sydney.
Dakin, Professor William John, Zoology Department, The University of
Sydney.
Dalgleish, William James, 7 Thompson Street, Mosman.
Dallen, Robert Ambrose, 23 Elizabeth Street, Ashfield.
Debert, Jack, “‘ Braemar’, Balmoral Beach.
Dewhurst, Norman, Box 478AA, G.P.O., Sydney.
Dickson, Dr. J. 8., 50 Bradley’s Head Road, Mosman.
Doak, Dr. F. W., 114 Belmont Road, Mosman.
Donaldson, James A., 26 Ryrie Street, Mosman.
Dovey, John Whitsed, ‘“‘ Lynwood ’’, Roseville.
Dufty, J. H., 22 Rawson Street, Haberfield.
Dunean, Grantley A., Alexandra Street, Hunter’s Hill.
Dunster, Miss C. A., 48 Stanhope Road, Killara.
Eecles, Alfred Edward, 31 Prince Albert Street, Mosman.
Eipper, Miss E. M., 28 Thompson Street, Mosman.
Elliott, N. G., “ Macquarie ”’, Junction Road, Wahroonga.
Evans, Dacre Fitzherbert, 5 Silex Street, Mosman.
Evans, Joshua, “‘ Edenglassie ’, 2 Thompson Street, Mosman.
Everitt, Theo Athol, 36 Letitia Street, Oatley.
Fairfax, John Hubert, “‘ Elaine ’’, Edgecliff.
Fairfax, John, & Sons Ltd., Hunter Street, Sydney.
Faviell, M. C., Perpetual Trustee Chambers, 33 Hunter Street, Sydney.
Fels, Mrs. Dora, 8 St. Elmo Street, Mosman.
Firth, Clive W., 2 Kent Road, Rose Bay.
Fish, A. L., “ Melita’, Milton Avenue, Mosman.
Fitzhardinge, Miss Julie G., ‘‘ Redhill’’, Pennant Hills.
Fitzpatrick, George, 21 Macquarie Place, Sydney.
Foy, Walter B., 16 Clisscld Street, Ashfield.
47
Francis, Neville H., 14 Prince Albert Street, Mosman.
French, Miss Betty, 2 Havilah Street, Chatswood.
Gatliff, Henry Ernest, “ Myall’’, Pretoria Avenue, Mosman.
George, Miss S., 4 Burrawong Avenue, Clifton Gardens.
Gietz, Charles,
Gilet, Maurice L., Box 2715C, G.P.O., Sydney.
Giltinan, Richard B., Flat No. 2, “‘ Yeronga’’, 235 Walker Street, North
Sydney.
Getaeciak A E., 11 Wanstead Avenue, Marrickville.
Gould, Henry, Simpson Street, Mosman.
Greenland, H., ‘“‘ Halcyon ’”’, 82 Homebush Road, Strathfield.
Grimmond, G., No. 1 Flat, ‘“‘Mercena’’, Bay Street, North Bondi.
Hall, Thomas E., c.o. A. Hall & Co., 366 Pitt Street, Sydney.
Halloran, Dr. Garnet, 143 Macquarie Street, Sydney.
Hallstrom, J., 26 Ryan’s Road, Willoughby.
Harrison, Frank, 41 Bradley’s Head Road, Mosman.
Harrison, Frederick Illingworth Wright, 15 Bent Street, Sydney.
Hart, Lavington B., 4 Athol Flats, Rickard Avenue, Mosman.
Hart, Mrs. Lavington B., 4 Athol Flats, Rickard Avenue, Mosman.
Hawke, Douglas Osborn, “‘ Bronte ’’, Ruby Street, Mosman.
Hawley, John, 85 Surrey Street, Darlinghurst.
Hawley, Joseph William, 75 King’s Road, Vaucluse.
Hayes, D. J., 1 Watkin Street, Rockdale.
Henderson, John Alexander, ““ Yeronga ’’, 18 Prince Albert Street, Mosman.
Herbert, Major M. J., V.D., Moorook, South Australia.
Higgs, Reginald Francis, 251 George Street, Sydney.
Hill, A. C. W., 115 Pitt Street, Sydney.
all. ., Taxation Department, Castlereagh Street, Sydney.
Hill, Miss "Lesley, 115 Pitt Street, Sydney.
Hindwood, Keith Alfred, Wingello House, Angel Place, Sydney.
Hirst, Edward, 104-114 Clarence Street, Sydney.
Hirst, Miss H. G., 175 The Strand, George Street, Sydney.
Hockings, Arthur Thornton, Box 1761, G.P.O., Sydney.
Hooke, R. W., 34 Thompson Street, Mosman.
Hordern, Anthony, 12 Spring Street, Sydney.
Hull, William George, 6 Buena Vista Avenue, Mosman.
Hunt, Miss Mary, 61 Chiltern Avenue, Willoughby.
Iredale, Tom, F.R.Z.S., “‘ Solander ’’, Queenscliff Road, Manly.
Jarvis, R. O., 20 Prince Street, Mosman.
Johnston, Claude, 3 Major Street, Mosman.
Johnston, Cyril D., 10 Little Street, Mosman.
Jones, Chas. Lloyd, c.o. David Jones Ltd., Sydney.
Jones, Edward E., 48 Bradley’s Head Road, Mosman.
Jones, L. Trevor, 15 Bradley’s Head Road, Mosman.
Judd, Everard, 24 Bradley’s Head Road, Mosman.
Kelly, Thomas Herbert, 39 Hunter Street, Sydney.
Kennedy, Colin, 61 Avenue Road, Mosman.
King, Miss Alice, 24 Thompson Street, Mosman.
King, Ambrose, 116 Croydon Road, Croydon.
King, George Alfred, Sydney Mail Office, Hunter Street, Sydney.
King, Norman, 70 Church Street, Ashfield.
King, Walter, “‘ Bobra’’, 24 Thompson Street, Mosman.
Kirwan, W. T., Angus & Robertson Ltd., Sydney.
Laseron, C. F., 4 Bond Street, Sydney.
Lawson, Albert Augustus, Harden Road, Artarmon.
Leahy, Mrs. Ellen, Military and Avenue Roads, Mosman.
Leithhead, David, 9 Royal Street, Maroubra.
Le Quesne, W. J., ““ Waipa’’, 6 St. Elmo Street, Mosman.
Le Souef, Albert Sherbourne, Taronga Park, Mosman.
48
Lewis, George Owen, c.o. Tooth & Co., Kent Brewery, Sydney.
Littlejohn, Dr. Edward Sydney, 2 Malvern Avenue, Croydon.
Llewellyn, William H., “‘ Ashley ’”’, 20 Prince Albert Street, Mosman.
Locke, Dr. Keith Morgan, ‘‘ Warminster ”’, New Canterbury Road, Petersham.
Lovett, Perey Walter, 1 Ellamatta Avenue, Mosman.
Lowe, Mrs. Norman E., 56 Bradley’s Head Road, Mosman.
Lynch, David W., “ Vandroya’’, 16 David Street, Mosman.
Lyne, Miss C., 4 Simpson Street, Mosman.
Lyne, Miss L., 4 Simpson Street, Mosman.
Macansh, Miss L. Leigh, Box 3709SS, G.P.O., Sydney.
MacCulloch, Dr. H. T. C., “‘ Hillerest ’’, 76 Boulevard, Lewisham.
MacDonald, John Eldridge, Orange Grove, Woy Woy.
Macgregor, Duncan, 34 Burrawong Avenue, Mosman.
Macgregor, Geo. V., 34 Burrawong Avenue, Mosman.
MacKenzie, Keith L., Cremorne Club, Cremorne.
MacKillop, J. A., F.R.G.S., “ Orana ’”’, No. 38, The Grove, Mosman.
MacKillop, F. C., *‘ Cumbrae ”’, Ellamatta Avenue, Mosman.
McMahon, Henry Francis, c.o. H. McMahon & Co., 60 York Street, Sydney.
McRobert, Miss Helen, 61 Bradley’s Head Road, Mosman.
Maguire, Dr. F. A., Hengrove Hall, 193 Macquarie Street, Sydney.
Maher, James, 47 Bradley’s Head Read, Mosman.
Marks, Frederick William, 173 Elizabeth Street, Sydney.
Marks, L. W., 34 Bradley’s Head Road, Mosman.
Marsh, Dr. H. Seaward, ““ Beanbah’”’, 235 Macquarie Street, Sydney.
Marshall, A. J., 152 Penshurst Street, Penshurst.
Marshall, Dr. Frank, C.M.G., “‘ Harley ’, Macquarie Street, Sydney.
Martin, E. J., Bacon & Co. Ltd., 314 Pitt Street, Sydney.
Martin, Mrs. R. J., McIntosh Street, Gordon.
Mawhiney, Hugh Arthur, “ Thornby ”’, St. George, Queensland.
Mellor, Walter L., ‘“‘ Stamford ’’, 437 Forest Road, Penshurst.
Meyer, Nurse E. S8., 173 Liverpool Road, Ashfield.
Middleton, James Thomas, 15 Thompson Street, Mosman.
Mills, George Newnham, 14 City Road, Sydney.
Milsop, W., 51 Prince Albert Street, Mosman.
Mitchell, Karl A., Yorkshire House, 14 Spring Street. Sydney.
Moore, William Robert, Box 41A, G.P.O., Sydney.
Morgan, Frederick E., Snow, Elliott Pty. Ltd., 77 York Street, Sydney.
Mort, Harold S., 13 Milner Street, Mosman.
Murphy, Col. G. F., Box 3A, G.P.O., Sydney.
Murphy, Rev. Peter J., Blessed Sacrament Presbytery, 59 Bradley’s Head
Road, Mosman.
Murray, R. J., 34 Thornley Street, Marrickville.
Muston, Horace J., 13 O’Connell Street, Sydney.
Napier, S. Elliott, Sydney Morning Herald Office, Hunter Street, Sydney.
Nathan, Albert H., “‘ Adderton ’’, Fullerton Street, Woollahra.
Nichols, A. E., 47 Burlington Road, Homebush.
Nichols, Niel F., 11 Faraday Avenue, Rose Bay.
Noskowski, L. de, Consul-General for Poland, 76 Pitt Street, Sydney.
Oberg, Alwyn Olof, 33 Dudley Street, Haberfield.
Packer, Lewis, “‘ Melita ’’, Milton Avenue, Mosman.
Palmer, Joseph Smith, 19 Brady Street, Croydon.
Parer, Dr. John Ignatius, 8 Carlton Street, Granville.
Parkes, George A., 10 Royal Exchange Buildings, Bridge Street, Sydney.
Patrick, Capt. James Robert, Scottish House, Bridge Street, Sydney.
Peall, Mrs. Oscar, Oare Pennings, Wiltshire, England.
Pearson, Richard Browning, “‘ Quantambone ”’, Brewarrina.
Perier, A. J., c.o. Kodak Ltd., 379 George Street, Sydney.
Perry, Fred S8., 6 Burrawong Avenue, Mosman.
Perry, Leonard John, 16 Bradley’s Head Road, Mosman.
Phillips, R., King Street, Gloucester.
Pike, Edwin Deacon, “ Whangaroa’’, Bradley’s Head Road, Mosman.
49
Pitman, John Alfred, 25 Albert Parade, Ashfield.
Pockley, Dr. Eric, Pioneers’ Club, Phillip Street, Sydney.
Pollock, Ernest Frederick, ‘“‘ Te Whare”’, Carrington Avenue, Strathfield.
Pomroy, Richard Osborne, c.o. Lawrence & Hanson, 33 York Street, Sydney.
Powell, John, 17 Thurlow Street, Redfern.
Pratt, Frederick W., 7 St. Elmo Street, Mosman.
Preston, H. D., “The Glen”, Booth Street, Camperdown.
Priestley, Leslie G., “‘ Pitsmoor ”’, The Grove, Roseville.
Prior, H. K., 44 Bradley’s Head Road, Mosman.
Prior, Mrs. 8. H., ““Dundoo”’, Bradley’s Head Road, Mosman.
Purser, Dr. Cecil, “ Ascot ’’, Grosvenor Road, Wahroonga.
Raves, Victor Sydney, 928 Pitt Street, Sydney.
Reeve, Richard E., ‘“‘ Kia Ora’’, Pope’s Lane, Woonona, N.S.W.
Relton, W., 84 Nelson Bay Road, Waverley.
Richardson, H. R., 181 Clarence Street, Sydney.
Roberts, Noel L., Cathcart House, 11 Castlereagh Street, Sydney.
Robertson, Mrs. George, “ Ingliston ”’, Ettalong Beach, via Woy Woy.
Rofe, T. E., Eldon Chambers, 92 Pitt Street, Sydney.
Rogers, C. 8., 55 Ramsgate Avenue, Bondi.
Ross, Miss Jean, 5 Stanton Road, Haberfield.
Ross, William Lyle, 4 Fairlight Crescent, Manly.
Roughley, Theodore Cleveland, F.R.Z.S., Technological Museum, Harris
Street, Sydney.
Rouse, J. J., “ Kardinia’”’, Darling Point.
Rush, V. G., 18 Gordon Street, Mosman.
Sagar, H., 1 Simpson Street, Mosman.
Samuels, Leslie John, 15 Young Street, Redfern.
Sands, Colonel R. S., 374 George Street, Sydney.
Scammell, George 8., 7 David Street, Mosman.
Scott, Hector McDonald, 30 Cowle’s Road, Mosman.
Scott, Mrs. H. M., 30 Cowle’s Road, Mosman.
Shadforth, Ridley, Queenscliff iioad, Harkord.
Sharland, Michael Stanley R., c.o. Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney.
Shipway. Phillip, 133 Pitt Street, Sydney.
Shirley, Miss D., 47 Wolseley Road, Mosman.
Simpson, W. H., 2 Effingham Street, Mosman.
Simpson, Miss Patricia, 2 Effingham Street, Mosman.
Sims, Albert, 58 Pitt Street, Sydney.
Smith, Ernest A., 9 Bligh Street, Sydney.
Smith, R. Dundas, 54 Margaret Street, Sydney.
Smith, W. R., 28 Tindale Road, Artarmon.
Sorenson, Edward 8., 66 Sydenham Road, Marrickville.
Spain, Ian Alfred Hamilton, 170 Kurraba Road, Neutral Bay.
Spiegel, Michael, “‘ Athol’, Whiting Beach Road, Mosman.
Spring, David A. H., St. Elmo Street, Mosman.
Stephenson, John Hunter, 4 Ranger’s Road, Cremorne.
Stewart, Professor J. Douglas, The University, Sydney.
Stewart, Robert, 34 Middle Head Road, Mosman.
Storey, Alec Graham, 7 Lennox Street, Mosman.
Storey, Mrs. A. G., 7 Lennox Street, Mosman.
Street, Sir Philip, K.C.M.G., 4 Onslow Avenue, Elizabeth Bay.
Stuart, William, ‘‘ Glenhurst ”’, Yarranabe Road, Edgecliff.
Tait, George Edward, 35 Moruben Road, Mosman.
Talbot, Langley, 25 Wattle Street, Killara.
Taylor, Thomas C., 29 Olola Avenue, Vaucluse.
Thatcher, Frederick W., 572 New South Head Road, Double Bay.
Thomas, John, Shellharbour.
Thomson, Judge Alexander, 48 Muston Street, Mosman.
Throsby, Dr. H., 135 Macquarie Street, Sydney.
Tollow, Alfred Charles, 125 Burwood Road, Burwood.
Tomalin, J. H., 38 Burrawong Avenue, Mosman.
Tomkins, E. J., Mitchell Street, Enfield.
Turner, Robert, F.R.A.I.. 25 Hale Road, Mosman.
50
Vickers, Edward Russell, 9 The Corso, Manly.
Von Drehnen, Carl, 7 Milton Avenue, Mosman.
Von Drehnen, Otto, ““Wyuna’’, Buena Vista Avenue, Mosman.
Walker, Egmont Palmer, ‘* Colebrook ”’, Bellevue Road, Double Bay.
Wallace, John R., 29 Alberta Street, Sydney.
Wallis A. M., 572 New South Head Road, Double Bay.
Ward, Melbourne, F.R.Z.S., 20 Wylde Street, Potts Point.
Warren, John Donald, 56 Redan Street, Mosman.
Weaver, Charles Herbert, 21 David Street, Mosman.
Webb, Sydney Douglas, 93 Middle Harbour Road, Lindfield.
Webb, S. W., 19 Hargrave Street, Sydney.
Webster, Dr. Leonard Clarke, 30 Musgrave Street, Mosman.
Westerweller, Walter Lawrence, ‘““ Womponia ”’, Gunnedah.
Weymark, John N., 26 David Street, Mosman.
Wheelwright, A. H., “ Rosedale’, Narrawa, via Crookwell.
White, Judge Cecil Alban, “‘ Winbourne ”’, Ian Street, Rose Bay.
Whitley, Mrs. P. N., 9 Dundas Street, Coogee.
Whitley, P. N., 9 Dundas Street, Coogee.
Whyte, George, Daily Telegraph Office, 168 Castlereagh Street, Sydney.
Wiburd, James Carvosso, 16 Moruben Road, Mosman.
Wilcox, Arthur Crawshaw, 3 Prince Albert Street, Mosman.
Wiliams, Miss Gwladys M., North-west Nurses’ Club, Regent Street, West
Maitland.
Williams, William John, 5 Effingham Street, Mosman.
Winkworth, L. H., 51 York Street, Sydney.
Witney, Joseph John, 165 Pacific Highway, Roseville.
Wright, Harold James, P.O., Box 9, Auburn, N.S.W.
HONORARY ASSOCIATE MEMBERS.
Dodd, F. P., Kuranda, Queensland.
Malloch, Dr. J. R., Bureau of Biological Survey, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.
Mathews, Gregory M. (see Fellows).
LIFE ASSOCIATE MEMBERS.
Agar, Professor W. E., The University, Melbourne, Victoria.
Ashby, Edwin, “ Wittunga ”’, Blackwood, South Australia.
Barkley, William Henry, Raglan Street, Mosman.
Berney. F. L., “ Barcarolle ’’, Longreach, Queensland.
Cameron, Lindsay Duncan, Hilly Street, Mortlake.
Campbell, John Honeyford, O.B.E., I.8.0., Royal Canadian Mint, Ottawa,
Canada.
Director, Dominion Museum, Wellington, New Zealand.
Ellis, Ralph, junior, 2420 Ridge Road, Berkeley, Calif., U.S.A.
Finlay, Dr. Harold John, 14 Pine Hill Terrace, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Hardwick, Dr. F. G., “‘ Wyoming ”’, 175 Macquarie Street, Sydney.
Hardy, G. H. H., The University, Brisbane, Queensland.
Hill, Gerald F., Box 109, G.P.O., Canberra, F.C.T.
Hopkinson, Dr. Emilius, C.M.G., Balcombe, Sussex, England.
Houison, J. K. S8., 274 Church Street, Parramatta.
Jackson, Sidney William, c.o. J. S. P. Ramsay, 55 George Street North,
Sydney.
Moss-Robinson, Leslie H., Exon Vale, Narara.
Nathan, Sir Matthew, K.C.M.G., West Coker, Yeovil, England.
Oldham, R. V., Port Moresby, Papua.
Thackway, A. E. J., ““ Wyoming”, Albyn Road, Strathfield.
Thomas, Andrew David, 12 Clifton Avenue, Burwood.
West. Alfred E. P.. 35 Helena Street, Guildford, Western Australia.
Wilkinson, John Wrixon, Wood Street, Warwick, Queensland.
Williams, Godfrey Herbert, Aberpergwyn, South Wales.
Wilson Professor James Thomas, 31 Grange Road, Cambridge, England.
Wright, Phillip A., ‘“* Wallamumbi’’, Armidale.
Zeck, Emil H., Box 36A, G.P.O., Sydney.
D 51
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS.
Adams, T. 8., 19 Macquarie Road, Undercliffe.
Adnam, Miss Gieta, Holland Street, Chatswood.
Aguilar, Miss Grace, The Block, 428 George Street, Sydney.
Allan, Miss Joyce K., Australian Museum, Sydney.
Allatt, W., Union Bank of Australia, Bondi Beach.
Armstrong, Miss Nell, 16 Alister Street, Cremorne.
Barnett, Percival E. B., “ Bescot ’’, The Crescent, Chatswood.
Barrett, Charles, ““ Maralena’’, Maysbury Avenue, Elsternwick, Victoria.
Barrett, Sir James, 105 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria.
Beggs, R., Douglas Park.
Bell, W. J., 497 Riley Street, Sydney.
Bernard, Henry James, 7 Bernard Avenue, Gladesville.
Blaxland, Mrs. F. J., “ The Raymond ”’, Elizabeth Bay.
Boardman, W., Australian Museum, Sydney.
Border, A. J., 8 Redmyre Road, Strathfield.
Brennan, Frank, 28 Collingwood Avenue, Earlwood.
Brierley, E. A., 5 Henry Street, Ashfield.
Brookes, Albert E., Okauia, Matamata, Waikato, New Zealand.
Brown, Dr. Reg., Newcastle.
Browne, Mrs. R. B., 113 Pacific Highway, Hornsby.
Bryce, Mrs. E. J., 47 Nelson Road, Killara.
Bullivant, C.
Burke, Miss M., Royal Hotel, Tumut.
Butters, Miss Elizabeth, 28 Toxteth Street, Glebe.
Camp, Charles, 7 Heydon Street, Mosman.
Campbell, W. J., Public School, Petersham.
Cayley, Neville C., 42 Newcastle Street, Rose Bay.
Chaffer, Norman, 90 Boundary Street, Roseville.
Chapple, A., 541 Elizabeth Street, Sydney.
Cherniayeff, Boris V., Jerseyville, Macleay River, N.S.W.
Chisholm, Alex. H., F.R.Z.S., The Argus Office, Melbourne, Victoria.
Clark, J., National Museum, Russell Street, Melbourne.
Clark, Miss Margaret Honor, 33 Kardinia Road, Mosman.
Clarke, A. E., 4 Elsham Road, Auburn.
Clarke, Frank O., 41 Crump Street, Mortdale.
Clarke, J., 41 Crump Street, Mortdale.
Cleland, Professor J. Burton, The University, Adelaide, South Australia.
Clifford, Stan, “ St. Leonards ”’, First Avenue, Maroubra.
Clinton, K. J., School of Tropical Medicine, Sydney University.
Cooney, Donald Aloysius, 22 Bellevue Street, Sydney.
Cooper, Miss Jean, 37 King Street, Waverton.
Cooper, Mrs. R. P., 22 Dangar Street, Randwick.
Crawford, Miss M., 93 Cremorne Road, Cremorne.
Cridland, Frank, O.B.E., 10 Barrack Street, Sydney.
Croucher, Hamilton, Gilgandra Road, Bondi.
Deane, Lawrence Edward, “ Edgevale’’, Highgate Road, Lindfield.
De Lestang, Albert, Adel’s Grove, via Burketown, North Queenslan1.
Dingeldei, Walter Leslie, 75 Stacey Street, Bankstown.
Douglas, B. D., 75 Tweedmouth Avenue, Rosebery.
Dummett, George, 7 Wellington Street, Arncliffe.
Dummett, Stephen, 7 Wellington Street, Arncliffe.
Emerson, Robert, 13 First Avenue, Willoughby.
English, Miss Kathleen M. I., March Street, Yass.
Enright, W. J., West Maitland.
Ferguson, Thomas L., ‘‘ Rancliff’’, 60 Ocean Street, Woollahra.
Filewood, E. §8., 1 First Avenue, Campsie.
Fleay, David Howells, Zoological Gardens, Melbourne, Victoria.
Forbes, Dr. Arthur Duncan, Nyngan.
Fraser, Harold, 37 Whistler Road, Manly.
52
French, §., 33 Premier Street, Marrickville.
Friedlander, R., & Sohn, Karlstrasse 11, Berlin, N.W.6, Germany.
Fuller, Miss M., Box 109, G.P.O., Canberra.
Gairns, J. A., 40 Benith Street, Auburn.
Gannon, Gilbert Roscoe, “* Bushlands ”’, Livingston Avenue, Pymbie.
Gannon, Mrs. G. R., ** Bushlands”’, Livingston Avenue, Pymble.
Garaway, A. K., 21 Graham Street, Auburn.
Gardner, A., 21 Kingsland Road, Strathfield.
Gilbert, Percy A., “ Dacelo’’, Colin Street, Lakemba.
Glissan, C. Lindsay, 100 Gloucester Road, Hurstville.
Golding, Miss M., 2 Broderick Street, Balmain.
Gostelow, E. E., 86 Consett Street, Concord West.
Greaves, T., Box 109, P.O., Canberra.
Gwynne, A. J., 41 Gipp Street, Carrington.
Hambridge, B. J., 70 Eleanor Street, Granville.
Handley, J., Waterworks Road, West Ashgrove.
Hardy, George, Prince’s Street, Otahuhu, New Zealand.
Hargreaves, A., 9 Addington Avenue, Ryde.
Hargreaves, E., 9 Addington Avenue, Ryde.
Hatfield, F., 6 Balfour Road, Rose Bay.
Hayck, Leo Benoni, 35 Royal Street, Maroubra.
Hollingsworth, W. S8., 9 Saville Street, Gore Hill.
Hoyer, C., Wentworth Road, Strathfield.
Hummerston, P., 805 New South Head Road, Rose Bay.
Ings, Keith Richard, 5 Gould Street, Campsie.
Jervis, Thomas Henry, 74 Roseville Avenue, Roseville.
Johnson, R. A., Maritime Services Board, Circular Quay.
Johnston, R. L., 17 Gipps Street, Drummoyne.
Jones, EH. W., 8 Culwulla Street, Hurstville.
Jopling, Miss M. W., Public Library, Sydney.
Kemp, Arthur Perry, Boonanghi, Quirindi.
Kennedy, Miss Grace, 61 Avenue Road, Mosman.
Knights, Miss Nellie E., ““ Kelvin Grove ’’, 9 The Avenue, Ashfield.
Krauss, Miss G. B. L., 484 Bouvardia Street, Five Dock.
Laird, Miss M., 3 Clarewill Court, Bream Street, Coogee.
Laseron, John, 4 Bond Street, Sydney.
Lavender, Roy, 13 Goulburn Street, Sydney.
Law, Miss L. E., 39 Middle Harbour Road, Lindfield.
Lawes, Les, 365 Miller Street, Cammaray, North Sydney.
Leach, Stephen, 69 Lithgow Street, Crow’s Nest.
Leithhead, Mrs. David, 9 Royal Street, Maroubra.
Linsdell, P., 40 Thomas Street, Parramatta.
Longley, G., 17 Bronte Street, Bronte.
Lowe, Norman E., 56 Bradley’s Head Road, Mosman.
Lowe, Robert Norman, 56 Bradley’s Head Road, Mosman.
Mann, John §8., Prickly Pear Laboratory, Sherwood, Brisbane.
Marshall, John M. J., 27 Paul Street, Waverley.
Marshall, L. R., 13 Mary Street, Leichhardt.
Mason, T. G., 75 Croydon Street, Lakemba.
Matthews, Richard Thomas, 38 Hampton Court Road, Kogarah.
Mayer, Frederick W. S., c.o. R. P. Mayer, 88 Concord Road, Homebush.
Messmer, Mrs. C. A., 64 Treatt’s Road, Lindfield.
Metcalfe, Herbert William, 300 Alfred Street, North Sydney.
' Mitchell, J. M., 13 Queen Street, Alexandria.
Morton, Paul J., 5 Meeks Road, Marrickville.
Moxey, F. A., 14 Llandillo Avenue, Strathfield.
McClelland, Hugh, 47 Calthorpe Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, England.
McCulloch, Miss Daisie, Public Infants’ School, Dubbo, N.S.W.
53
McDonagh, C., 3 Eve Street, Arncliffe. -
MacDougall, William Alexander, Sugar Experiment Station, Mackay,
Queensland. :
McKellow, Miss Nellie, 17 Caledonian Street, Bexley.
McKie, Rev. E. Norman, The Manse, Guyra.
MacKnight, K. H., 10 O’Connell Street, Sydney.
MeNeill, Frank A., Australian Museum, Sydney.
MacPherson, Dr. John, ““ Wyoming ”’, 175 Macquarie Street, Sydney.
McSwiggan, T. J., 264 Railway Parade, Penshurst.
Nicholas, Harold Thomas, Commonwealth Prickly Pear Station, Scone.
Nicholas, E., 19 Edinburgh Road, Willoughby.
Nicholson, Dr. Alexander John, Bureau of Economic Entomology, Canberra.
Nock, George 8., 188 George Street, Sydney.
Norman, R., 83 George’s Road, Bexley.
Northmore, Sir John, Judge’s Chambers, Supreme Court, Perth, W.A.
Nubling, Erwin, Flat 2, 23 Hughes Street, Potts Point.
O’Brien, B., 525 King Street, Newtown.
Oliver, Arthur W. L., P.O. Box 1628, Central Post Office, Kowloon, Hong
Kong.
Oliver, Dr. W. R. B., Dominion Museum, Wellington, New Zealand.
Ormsby, Anthony Irwin, 17 Castlereagh Street, Sydney.
Patterson, E., Woodford Street. Northwood.
Paul, Hector George, c.o. H. Jockel, Matthews Chambers, The Corso, Manly.
Peir, P. A., 49 Gloucester Street, Rockdale.
Peters, V.. Mount Auburn Road, Auburn.
Peterson, Miss Jean, 97 Lyons Road, Drummoyne.
Pring, E. H., 24 Highfield Road, Lindfield.
Pryce, Miss Betty, “ Cotswold’, Marlborough Street, Willoughby.
Quaife, P. L., 33 Spencer Road, Mosman.
Ramsay, J. S. P., 55 George Street North, Sydney.
Reynolds, J. W.
Rhodin, Charles, Riverview Avenue, South Hurstville.
Ridley, D. M., Vale Avenue, Dee Why.
Rogers, Mrs. C. 8., 55 Ramsgate Avenue, Bondi.
Royal Zoological and Acclimatisation Society of Victoria, Royal Park,
Melbourne.
Scott, Cecil Baliol, Whitton. ‘
Scott, James Frederick, Bank of Australasia, Martin Place, Sydney.
Sears, Miss C., 40 Towns Road, Rose Bay.
Seaward, William Trotman, ** Myala’’, Scone.
Sharp, J. H., 1 Moore Street, Campsie.
Sinclair, Frederick J. K., 316 Pacific Highway, Lindfield.
Smith, Mrs. Grafton, “* Munni”’, Dungog.
Smith, Miss Vera Irwin, “ Leana’”’, Mount Morris Street, Woolwich.
Smith, W., Holmesbrook Street, Ashgrove.
Southward, R. C., 33 Centennial Avenue, Lane Cove.
Springall, C. W., 478 Mowbray Road, West Lane Cove.
Stach, L. W., 78 Herbert Street, Albert Park, S.C.6, Victoria.
Steeles, E. C., 136 Homer Street, Undercliffe.
Steeles, C. L., 70 Bayview Street, Undercliffe.
Stowar, A., Sheffield Street, Auburn.
Sullivan, Noel, 69 Duntroon Avenue, Roseville. :
Surtees, E. C. B., Military Road, Rose Bay.
Tancred, P. H., 10 Hardy Street, South Ashfield.
Tayler, Miss E., Rural Bank of N.S.W., Sydney.
Thomas, James Francis, Tenterfield.
Trevitt, Ernest A., 32 Rutledge Street, Eastwood.
54
Trewartha, F. J., Lane & Trewartha Ltd., 108 Hunter Street, Newcastle.
Turner, Dr. A. Jefferis, F.R.Z.S., Wickham Terrace, Brisbane, Queensland.
Wachsmann, A. C. W. de B., Beecroft.
Walker, E., 39 Dudley Street, Coogee.
Walsh, J., 39 Third Avenue, Carlingford.
Watkins, G. W., Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney.
Webster, Mrs. T. E., 20 Park Road, Kogarah.
Weeding, Rev. Benjamin J., Box 22, Booleroo Centre, South Australia.
Whiteley, A., 21 East Crescent, Hurstville.
Wilks, E. F., 42 Beach Street, Coogee.
Williams, Amos A., Bullembalong Road, Berridale, via Cooma.
Williamson, James Robert, 48 Ocean Street, Penshurst.
Wills, J. R., 49 Ross Street, Parramatta.
Wines, William, Box 48AA, G.P.O., Sydney.
Wise, Miss Mary I., P.O. Box 53, Sale, Victoria.
Wood, W. J., 61 Wilson Road, Cremorne.
Yardley, H., 37 Renwick Street, Leichhardt.
EB 55
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Female Bird-dung Spider with e
[Photograph by N. L. Roxserrs.
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PLATE IV.
Thomas Phillips Austin.
PLATE V.
Walter Wilson Froggatt.
Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales
MEMBERSHIP.
(The Society’s year commences on Ist July.)
Amount of
Class. Subscription.
Sige a,
Associate Member bee a ee ee Ms 0 5 O per annum
Ordinary Member A ao | Regie Ua Meares! a
(Members joining after lat J anuary in any year
pay one-half subscription.)
_ Life Associate Member Ae a at tne 210 0 in one sum
Life Member .. : Ae ort ae LOO: Ore 52 is
Honorary Associate Member. 3 is .. ) Elected for services to
Honorary Member Fae oh Australian Zoology or
to the Society.
TITLES.
(Conferred by the Council.)
For distinguished ser-
Fellow .. oie is as we ae .. pvices to Australian
Zoology.
Associate Benefactor .. .. Contribution of £100 to Society’s Funds
Benefactor ag vee a8 * reece 5151010) Au a
Endowment Member .. “a oe », £1,000 a ‘i
PRIVILEGES.
Members of all classes may attend all meetings of the Society and its
various Sections. Every Ordinary member receives a free pass to Taronga
Zoological Park and Aquarium, and twenty tickets each year, admitting 20
adults or 40 children to the Park only.
APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP
should be addressed to the Honorary Secretary, Box 2399 MM, G.P.O.,
Sydney, accompanied by a remittance of the amount of subscription. The
number of Ordinary Members is limited to 350, and should there be no vacancy
at the time of application, the applicant will be registered as an Associate
Member, and shall take precedence in accordance with the date of his admission
to Associate Membership.
PUBLICATIONS.
The Australian Zoologist.
A Journal containing papers relating to the Zoology of Australia.
Published at irregular intervals. Subscription to ordinary members elected
prior to July 1, 1933, 1/— per annum ; ordinary members elected after June 30,
1933, and all associate members 2/6 per annum.
Price
Vol. Parts. Date. Pages. Plates, (unbound)
£s.d.
is 8 1914-20 256 — 19 Be 00
II 4 1921-22 172 45. 012 6
ir 8 1922-25 362 41 L050
IV 6 1925-27 362 49 1 6 0
Vv 4 1927-29 362 41 BeO-<0
VI 4 1929-31 394 32 bes. 0
Vil 5 1931-33 398 23 1.02.0
VIII 1 1934 78 6 0 4 6
2 1935 74 3 0 6-0
3 1936 46 3 0 3 0
4 1937. 148 7 0 4 0
Note.—Single parts of any volume may be obtained at published prices,
less 20 per cent., to members or associates. Prices may be ascertained on
application to the Honorary Secretary.
ea) DaaS,
ITHSONIAN INSTITUTION LIBRARIES
; iii it |
3 9088 = 405 8283
Wa Bata
XN) AS PUBLICATIONS Conn ie ; 9
| UF i Australian Zoological Hand
‘Check List of fi Fishes and bes like An
Bibliography. of Australian jets 1176-
Musgrave, F.E.S. 380+viii pp. Price haces ‘Post
British Possessions, 9d. ; aor way oe BN ae
Fifth-seventh Annual Report Sexe re Fhe if |
Balance Sheet... we ae eat Fe ah
Presidential Address : Animals and the Law, by Phillip Shipw oy,
Officers, 1937-38 Dif bic eae ed eta Ce Le en
Reports of Sections— eG iy Pa ts
Avicultural Section | ye vt iyo FAN Sey
Budgerigar Section 9 6.000 0.0 we ee
“Marine Zoological Section... A “kth.
Notes by Members .. UA | wae
Ornithological Section .. re Pi tee
Rules Governing Awards... ve a in
Syllabus of Sectional Watton ef e ‘es -. .
Sone Change in the en Curling Soir (Aranens sobheeth We N. Le
rts oa o. . wh etsy i ha
Notes on the Moloch Raryidis, by A. S. Le Souef Aue
Wild Life Preservation in Other Countries | Wy att wi
Notes on a Collecting Trip in Neeies New South Wales, by
Ward -* a. ~ ee oe ae } ev 3d
Black Snakes in’ Combat, by David Fleay: a1 be erat
Obituaries— . 5%
Thomas Phillips Austin...) )..!
4
Walter Wilson Froggatt “5 athe
List of Members _ Associates _ \.
% ates Printed by. Australasian Medical
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