The specimens of a species of Eclectus are smaller than those of E. polychlorus, but the same in color; these may perhaps be referable to E. Linnæi (Wagl.). A fine set of both the males and females and young of both sexes are contained among those purchased for the Museum, from New Britain; and a beautiful little Trichoglossus, near T. placens, but probably new; also a diminutive species of Loriculus (?) of a uniform bright green, having a spot of yellowish red on the chest; the upper tail coverts yellowish green, and the under surface of the wings bluish green.

Among the Cuckoos, Curulus inspiratus? Endynamys tahaiticus were plentiful.

Centropus ater-albus, and C. violascens were obtained. Buceros ruficollis did not appear to be rare, as many were obtained.

Of the Rallidæ, Rallus Philippensis, a very widely distributed species, was found, and a Megapodius, species probably new, but resembling the species from the Island of Savo, in the Solomon group. We were fortunate in securing both adults, half-grown birds, and the chick of this species for the Museum.

The Herons were not as numerous as might be expected. Nycticorax, represented by a species closely allied to, if not identical with C. Caledonicus. Demiegretta Brayi in various stages of plumage.

Of Buturoides Javanicus (B. flavicollis ?) I believe only one specimen was obtained.

Tringa minuta, Actitis empusa, and Totanus brevipes, from the Duke of York Island. Limnocinclus acuminatus, from New Ireland. Egialitis bicincta, E. inornata, without localities. Among the sea birds, Anous stolidus, Fregetta aquila, L.?; Phaton rubricanda, Nectris carneipes (Gould), were obtained off the Solomon Islands.

This closes my remarks on one of the largest and most interesting collections that have ever been made in those localities; and although it contains several species which I consider new, I have refrained from naming them in deference to the wishes of my esteemed friend, the Rev. George Brown, who has informed me he was desirous of sending a set of all the species he had obtained to

our mutual friend Dr. Sclater, the learned Secretary of the Zoological Society of London, who will doubtless give them the attention they deserve, and we hope soon to see a full account of the collection, with descriptions of the new species, from the pen of that eminent ornithologist.

In addition to the large collection of Birds, Mr. Brown and Mr. Cockerell obtained a varied and interesting collection of mammals, a large number of specimens of Cuscus, C. orientalis, Belideus ariel, Halmaturus (?) nov. sp., (allied to H. brunii, and which I have named, in honor of the Rev. George Brown, H. Brownii), and a Perameles, differing from P. papuensis, chiefly in the remarkably stiff, spine-like hair on the back, and which I have named after Mr. Cockerell P. Cockerelli, both of which will be found described in the present number of the proceedings of the Linnean Society of N. S. W.

Among the fruit-eating bats I find two large species of Pteropus resembling our Flying Foxes;" a smaller species, which is doubtless Pteropus personatus; and a very interesting species of a genus allied to Pteropus and strongly smelling of musk, which may perhaps prove to be Cephalotes peronii. Besides two (?) species of Harpyia (H. cephalotes and another), there are six or eight other species of bats belonging to various genera, of which more will be said hereafter.

Of Rodents there are but two species of rats, one of a dull mouse-colour, with spiny flat hairs down the back-perhaps a species of Echimys; and the other a species of Mus, known to the missionaries as the "banana rat," a close-furred rufous-coloured species, descriptions of which I hope to lay before this society at its next meeting.

The collection of Reptiles consists of about 170 specimens37 species-chiefly pythons and harmless tree-snakes, two species of Geckos, and others of the genera Grammatophora, Odatria Monitor, Hinulia, and Mocoa, &c. Of Batrachians, there were only two or three specimens, one of the genus Pelodryas.

The collection of Arachnidæ was not large in species, although considerable in numbers and size. It chiefly consisted of a large species of Nephila (Leach), and a few Casteracantha.

On the Fishes, among which are some beautiful and very interesting forms, I hope shortly to offer some remarks, having secured most, if not all, of the specimens obtained.

Much credit is due to the Rev. Mr. Brown and Mr. Cockerell for the aid they have given to science, and the great patience and energy displayed in getting together such large and beautiful collections of the natural history of these little known islands. Having examined the whole of the collections so obtained, of the birds and mammals, I estimate the number to be about 1500 specimens. The invertebrata I did not examine closely, but saw sufficient of them to know that the Coleoptera alone must have numbered several thousand: it contained some large species of Curculionida and Longicorns of many species. The Lepidoptera consisted of several beautiful species of Papilio, Ornithoptera of at least two species, and several belonging to the family Nymphalida; a good number of the Pieride and Daniida. In all about 800 specimens or more.

Of Mollusca there was a large number. I did not observe anything striking among them, but some of the smaller species of land and fresh water shells will probably prove new. I may notice, however, the following from New Ireland and Duke of York Island-Helix Macgregori (Cox) in great numbers, Helix Lombei, Helix Nova-Hibernica, and two other species, Partula spadacea, Leptopoma vitrea; Melanopus sp.; Pythia, two species; Melania, six species; and a great quantity of Cyclostoma laveus, evidently a most common shell throughout the group; besides a new species of Omphalotropis.

Among the Geological specimens from New Ireland were pebbles of Jasper, Porphyry, and Porphyry conglomerate, specimens of Coral and Calcareous-limestone, some nice crystals of Aragonite, and lumps of Yellow Clay, Silicate of Alumina. The most interesting geological specimen obtained from New Ireland consists of a mass of pure chalk, containing Globigerina; this must be found in large lumps, for Mr. Brown has presented the Museum with some rude figures cut out of solid blocks about four feet in length, eight inches in diameter, and fifteen inches wide. These images, although not

altogether deified, are held in considerable reverence, and kept in a large house set aside for their reception, and into which no female is allowed to enter. They are rude representations of saints with palm leaves held in their hands, the fronds curving over their heads; others have what I take to represent rays of glory; some with Elizabethan collars and tall conical hats; others again, with a sort of helmet or cock's comb-like ridge over the crown, and holding palm leaves, as if for a canopy, over them.

I scarcely know which is the more interesting, this deposit of Globigerina chalk, with its masses of minute shells, or the fact of these carvings representing the Elizabethan and old Spanish mode of dress, which points to the probability of the early Spanish voyagers having visited these Islands.

Mr. Brown informs me that the chalk is thrown up by the sea after earthquakes and tidal waves, in large masses, which fact seems to point to quite another origin of these Islands than is generally supposed.

I have forwarded some portions of this Globigerina chalk to Professor Liversidge, who will doubtless give us a full account of its analysis in due time.

On Perameles Cockerellii. By E. P. RAMSAY, F.L.S.

Not having an opportunity of examining the teeth of this species when describing the animal, I take the first opportunity of supplying this omission, as far as possible, with a remark on the coloration:

Incisors, I can find no trace of the 5th (large posterior) incisor; canines 1:1, these are, comparatively speaking, very small, and about equal in length to the first premolar; premolars 3:3 molars 44, all developed, comparatively broad. The distance between the posterior incisor to the canine is 0.2; to the first true molar, 0.7.

In Perameles Cockerelli there is a well-defined narrow line along the upper lip from opposite the canine tooth, bordering the blackish brown of the upper part of the face and head, which extends a little below the eye, and from thence in an upward curved line to the ears; the sides of the face below are ashy grey, pencilled below the ears with blackish and a few little rusty red; there is also a small patch of rusty red at the base of the ear below; the hind feet are blackish brown; and the snout rather bare in front from opposite the canine tooth.

Notes of a Collection of Birds from the Norman River, Gulf of Carpentaria, with descriptions of some new species. By LE COMTE DE CASTELNAU, Consul Général de France, Melbourne ; and E. PIERSON RAMSAY, F. L.S., Curator of the Australian Museum, Sydney.

Le Comte de Castelnau having lately secured for his museum a collection of Birds from the Gulf of Carpentaria, we thought, perhaps, some remarks upon the avi-fauna of this far-off and little known region would prove acceptable to the Society. The fol. lowing, then, is a list of the species obtained, with descriptions of such as we deem to be new or undescribed :

The Nomenclature, except where otherwise stated, is that used in Mr. Gould's Handbook to his Birds of Australia.

1. HALIAETUS LEUCOGASTER, Vigors.

2. HIERACIDEA ORIENTALIS, Schleg., Sharpe, Brit. Mus. Cat., Acc., vol 1., p. 422, 1874.

3. PANDION LEUCOCEPHALUS, Gould.

4. HIERACOGLAUX CONNIVENS.

5. STRIX DELICATULUS, Gould.

6. HYLOCHELIDON NIGRICANS.

7. MEROPS ORNATUS.

8. DACELO LEACHII, Vig. & Horsf.