70 THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY voyage of the Chevert, described and figured under the name of Monacanthus Cheverti, a fish which we believed to have been up to that time undescribed. We mentioned at the time that, with the exception of there being no trace of the third dorsal spine — the chief distinguishing feature of the genus Batistes — the Fish seemed to be identical with Batistes acuhatus, Linn. It turns out that the absence of the spine in our specimen must have been the result of accident, as a few days ago Mr. Masters pointed out to me specimens of the same Fish from the Endeavour River, in which the third spine was distinctly visible. The proper name of the fish is therefore Batistes aculeatus, and Monacanthus Cheverti must sink into a synonym. Some further remarks on Poephila Gouldice and Poephila mirabilis {Bomb, et Jacq) By E. P. Ramsay, F.L.S, &c, Curator of the Australian Museum, Sydney. In my last note on this species (P.L.S. of N.S.W., vol. I, pt. iii, p. 281), I mentioned that, on account of the black-headed (P. gouldice) and the crimson-headed birds (P. mirabilis) having been found breeding together, I was wont to consider the former, females of the latter, and that both were of the same species. Further investigations, however, have caused me to modify my viefrs on this subject, and to speak with more confidence in the matter. I find now that birds, undoubtedly males, having black heads, have been found breeding with similarly coloured females, and crimson-headed males, with females also crimson-headed, as has been previously pointed out by Mr. Gould.* This, however, does not prove them to be distinct species, as we well know that many birds breed in com-paratively speaking immature plumage, and others again take years before they attain the livery of the fully adult birds. This I believe to be the case in the present instance. The young birds of the first year at least, have the plumage dull brown, with an indication of a pectoral band. As they become older, the head •Gould's Handbook, 1 p. 422.
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