THE TASMANIAN ,

Naturali

The Journal of the

Tasmanian Field Naturalists" Club

NEW SERIES

Vol. 2.

MAY, 1950.

No. 1

CONTEXTS

Tasmania’s Own Birds, by M, S. R. Shaiiand
Ml. Wellington Summit Plants, by K. Aves
Trip to Lake Tooms, by Leonard Wall . .

Eaglehawk Neck Camp.

Eaglehawk Neck Caves, by W. II. Clemes . .

( liib Field Outings, by Marjorie Scott . . .
.\nnual Report. . . .

Page

10

13

16

18

20

PRICE, 1/-.

HOBART

A

50/2003 Mercury Press

TASMANIAN FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB

(Founded 1904.)

Office-Bearers. 1950;

President:

KELSEY AVES, 15 Elizabeth Street, Hobart.

Vice-Presidents:

MICHAEL S. R. SHARLAND, 141 Hampden Road. Hobart;
ERNEST W. CRUICKSHANK. Tolosa Street. Glenorchy.

Hon. Secretary:

ALAN M. HEWER. 130 Collins Street. Hobart.

Hon. Assistant Secretary:

MARJORIE SCOTT. Tolosa Street. Glenorchy.

Hon. Treasurer:

H. G. VAUGHAN. 545 Sandy Bay Road, Hobart.

Committee:

Messrs. Harold Sargiscn, L. Wall, C. B. Widdiccmbe, E. R. Guiler.
D. Brink, Miss A. Wall.

Hon. Auditor:

R. F. ELLIS. Bankers and Traders Insurance Co. Ltd..

119 Macquarie Street. Hobart.

Fauna Coruservation;

Messrs. N. R. Laird. E. R. Guiler. E. W. Crulckshank, and E. E. Dean

Editor; M. S. R. Sharland.

Date of Publication: 31st May, 1950.

2

TASMANIA’S OWN BIRDS

By M. S. R. Sharland.

|^'OURTEEN species of birds are recognised as bein^ confined to

Tasmania and its dependencies, King Island and the Furneaux
Group, in Bass Strait. Various so-called races and sub-species need
not concern us in this review of the indigenous birds, but if we
took account of them as they existed before the publication of the
Australian “Checklist,” which eliminated some, they would number
nearly 20 different kinds.

It might be possible for an energetic observer- to see all 14
species of indigenous birds in one day, in the course of an outing,
yet this is most unlikely, as, while Tasmania is not a lai-ge island,
the time taken to traverse even a small part of it is quite out of
proportion to its size. Mountains make travel slow, anti sometimes
laborious compared with what prevails in most other States, and
the birds themselves are not well dispersed, a few being found
only in isolated localities. The most I have seen in any one outing
has been 10, and to do this it has been necessary to travel a con¬
siderable distance.

The 14 species listed as being confined to Tasmania are:—

Native Hen (Tribottyx mortierii).

Green Rosella Parrot (Phttycerratt caledoitictis).

Dusky Robin (Amanrodryaff viftata).

Ewing’s Thornhill (Actntfhizu ewingii).

Brown Scrub Wren (Sodcornis hmnilis).

Scrub Tit (AcavthorniH magna).

Forty-spotted Pardalote (Pnrdalotus quadragmtKft).

Yellow-throated Honeyeater (Meliphnga fiavicollis).

Black-headed Honeyeater (Mclithreptufi affimH).

Strong-billed, or Bark, Honeyeater (Melithreptin^ iHtfidirosfris).

Yellow Wattle Bird (Anfhochaera pantdoxo),

Black Magpie (Strepera argnta).

Black Jay (Sttepera fttliginoHd).

Masked Owl (Tyto castatwps).

Because of its close similarity with the Brown Thornhill (Acau-
thku pnnUht)—Riy close, in fact, that 1 find the utmost difficulty
in distinguishing it in the field as well as in the skin—there is
doubt in my mind whether the Tasmanian, or Ewing’s, Thornbill
is a valid species. The history of this little bird goes back to
John Gould’s day. Gould originally described it in his “Birds of
Au.'-tralia” (IS48), but in his subsequent “Handbook” (1865), he
changed his mind and made it synonymous with the Brown Thorn-
bill. However, in 1903, when an Australian Ornithologists’ Union
Congres.K was held at Hobart, specimens were again examined, and
it was decided to re-establish the bird as a species, and it continues
to be so regarded.

. The Tasmanian Museum collection is lamentably deficient in
skin material, and indeed, only one example of Ewingii appears to

B

3

b there, and a most dilapidated specimen it is, quite useless for
study. However, I have examined skins of the species, both in
Melbourne and Sydney, and also compared them with skins of the
Brown Thornhill. What differences there are, both in measurements
and plumage pattern, seem to be so slight that I cannot hnd adequate
justification for separating them. Nor can I

called hallmarks of each species as have been specified by North,
A G. Campbell, and Mack, for it appears that none is agreed as to
the primary and positive diagnostic features of the hwing and
Bif.wn Thornhills.

Once I had accepted a bird with a brick red forehpd, with its
habit of frequentinK dark, scrubby places, as Ewing’s Thornbill,
and this appeared to possess a tail slightly longer than the one
with dull forehead which I had seen frequently *n my gai'den, and
which I had considered to be the Brown Thornbill. However,
field observation has shown birds with full foreheads to be mixed
with birds with red foreheads, in several types of country, high-
lands as weW as lowlands; and, therefore, I feel that when birds of
such close similarity inhabit the same localities and cannot be dis¬
tinguished from one another in the field there is no valid reason
for splitting them into separate species.

Plumage variations are superficial, and close study of the
species would probably reveal that these were due to age.
structure of the nest varies also, yet not enough to justify a claim
sc-metimes advanced that it is diagnostic.

It is, therefore, unlikely that an observer will be able to recog¬
nise the Ewing Thornbill on an outing, which reduces his possibili¬
ties to 13, and of these some are difficult to find.

There is the Forty-spotted Pardalote. It is probably the rarest
of our indigenous birds. It ha.s been recorded from Eaglehawk
Neck, Mt. Direction, Old Beach, and Risdon, in the South, as well
as on Mt. Rumney. I also have a record from Long Beach (Sandy
Bay) given me by the late A. L. Butler, but I have myself seen it
on one occasion only. T^his was in a wooded gully running up under
Mt. Rumney, from the direction of Rokeby, the date being January
21. 1950. While climbing the steep edge of this gully to cross to
another one, I heard a call 1 thought was different from that of the
common Spotted Pardalote (Pardalotas piinctafiiit), coming from
a patch of Blue Gum. These trees were actually growing from the
bi'ttom of the gully, but their foliage swept close to the high bank,
and when I lay on the bank and looked up, I saw several small
Pardalotes Hying about. Imitating their calls, I soon had them at
the tips of the foliage within about 15ft of my head, and distin¬
guished them plainly as this rare little species which I had not seen
before.

It is a bird which inhabits the higher parts of trees, and, there¬
fore, requires much searching for, with a keen ear to distinguish its
calls.

\MOTHER species not common in the neighbourhood of settle¬
ment is the Scrub Tit, a pleasantly variegated bird possessing
also a sweet song. It is still to be found in the Fei*n Tree (Mt.
Wellington) district, inhabiting blackberry bushes and fern gullies,
but one needs a sharp eye to distinguish it from the Brown Scrub
Wren, which it resembles in a general way, though the white throat,
slender body, long bill, and also its distinctive call,^ will help to
identify it if one can get a good look at it before it flits out of
sight. ‘The Scrub Tit is plentiful in remote gullies, and it has
been noted in considerable numbers round the western edge of

4

Lake St. Clair, at the Franklin River crossing on the Lyell High¬
way, as well as in Golden Valley, near Deloraine. Usually there
are one or two pairs to be seen, after a little patient watching at
T‘\rn Tree Bower.

The Brown Scrub Wren is well dispersed. Nests will be found
in cluttered places, such as blackberry hedges, bracken fern, fallen

Brown Scrub Wren.

blanches, and in cutting-grass. The male of the species possesses
a superciliary stripe; this is absent in the female. This stripe is
not so well marked as that in the White-browed Scrub Wren of
other States.

This reminds me that Dr. 1), L. Serventy gave me a note about
a bird seen oy him at Lady Barron, Furneaux Group. This
reads.—“On March lb. U)47, at Lady Barron, just near the school.
I called up a Serirorniy, which was yel!ow-'’ouff in parts, black and
white on wing and a white eyebrow- It was de^inite’v t'- > li‘rht t) h ■
Siriconiin and 1 consider it to be a form of SericoDiii^

fS. froittnlis is the Australian species, and hitherto has
not been recorded in Tasmanian territory.

K. A. Hindwood and A. U. McGill (Sydney), who were at Lady
Barron, also confirmed Serventy’s observation that u bird resembling
the Australian Sericom/s had been seen on Flinders Island. Hind-
wood’s note reads.—^“After seeing Scricoiinti /u'/;n7rs ^ am con¬
vinced that the Flinders Island bird is diTerent: white eyebrow
visible, yet none at all on S. lutmiliH, while the last named is a
much darker bird than the one on Flinders.”

This bird at Lady Barron may have been the Forsyth Scrub
Wren (S. Unff/irontris innularis) as recognised by Lord, in A Dch-
criptivc Lifit ttf the fUrda of Taametnia and Adjacent /s/oad-s*, 1917—
a species simo rejected by the Checklist C mmittee and made syn¬
onymous with S. ImmUis.

5

Had it not been, as is said, much lighter in colour than S.
hiftnilis, one would have been inclined to say that it was in fact
a male of S. hnmilis with the white eyebrow stripe well developed
as in birds seen so frequently about Hobart. In any case, I
consider that 5. hnmilis retains its specific rank on slender ground,
and that eventually it will be accepted as an insular race of S.
frontalis. For the sake of simplifying bird study, the fewer
“species” we have the better.

The Masked Owl is another native bird of which we see little,
in life. I say “in life,” because we most frequently see it in death,
after it has crashed into power wires or telegraphic lines along
country roads. Many dead specimens find their way into museums,
but the bird also is caught in rabbit traps and is often released
undamaged, except for a broken foot or injured leg. We may
recognise it at once by its large, round mask-like face, and its
size compared with the much smaller and more common Spotted
Owl (}Jinox novae-Heefandiae).

Mentioning owls brings to mind the fact that there are but
one or two records for Tasmania of the Barn Owl (Tyto alba), and
tliese relate to about 40 year.s ago. This is a species which should
be watched for.

Generally, it can be stated, that the remaining species of Tas¬
manians indigenous birds as listed are common, and familiar to
most observers. The Yellow-throated Honeyeater is distributed
thioughout the State. About Hobart, the Black-headed and Strong-
billed Honeyeatei's may be seen almost any time in favoured locali¬
ties, but the Strong-billed, while mixing with the Black-headed on
Mt. Wellington, rarely, if ever, is seen on the eastern side of the
Derwent, a district very popular with the other.

The Du.sky Robin is not as common as it was some 80 years
ago, and there are localities to-day, popular in the past, where it
is not seen at all. It prefers burnt areas and new clearings, with
stumps on which to perch. It was once numerous on the lower slo|>es
of Mt. Wellington, but only a few isolated pairs are found there
to-day.

The Native Hen, common in marshes and bracken paddocks, is
holding its own and breeds freely, laying up to 10 eggs to a clutch.
A good many birds are run over by motor traffic on the roads.

The Yellow Wattle Bird, largest of the Honeyeater group, is
still subjected to an “open season,” though the Fauna Board has
been pressed, unsuccessfully, to accord it full protection. Its num¬
bers are much reduced compared with the po.sition 40 years ago.
according to reports.

The Green Rosella is well known. It is more common to-day
than the Eastern Rosella, frequenting forest country as well as
open lands. It travels in flocks, whei*eas the colourful Eastern
Rosella is not often seen, other than in pairs, or threes and fours.

The hill country contains the so-called Black .lay (Strepera)
in ample numbers, whereas its close relative, the so-called Black
Magpie, favours the lowlands. At Lake St. Clair, however, both
species intermingle, and thus their recognition marks can he com¬
pared, The Jay is generally black, with white tips to wing feathers
and tail; the Black Magpie also is black, but this tone is relieved
by white patches in the wings, as well as white beneath the tail.

6

MT. WELLINGTON SUMMIT PLANTS

By Kelsey Aves.

^|T. WELLINGTON has a considerable range of vegetation,

regulated by variety of climate—as indeed all vegetation is
icgulated. Mountains in the track of rain-bearing clouds have
greater precipitation on their slopes, and this normally causes
a climax vegetation of forest. On exposed summits and plateaux
wind and other factors reduce plants to rounded shrubs, rosette,
and cushion plants, and “elfin” trees, stunted and twisted with
their growing tips away from the direction of the prevailing wind.

The jilant formations of Mt. Wellington have been divided
(Vvyi'tatunt vf Mt. Wellwyton, D. Martin, Proc. Royal Society,
1P30; into three types—1, Eucalypt forest, 2, Microthermal rain¬
forest, 3, Austral-Montane. The plant ecology of the area has
been dealt with extensively by Martin in the paper referred to.

The following brief notes for novices are given on plants within
the Austral-Montane area. This is broadly the summit plateau, and
our particular location will be the col between the Pinnacle and
Ml. Arthur in the swamp from which the North-West Bay River
takes its origin. Pools lie everywhere, and frequently at their
margins we see neatly rounded cushion plants from a few inches
to several feet in diameter. They are bright emerald green and
so hard that a hoot makes little impression on them. They are
composed of the growing tips of Ahtotmiella forsierioides. The
leaves are about i in. long, narrow, and overlapping each other.
The flowers are not easily noticeable, and are of small tubular
florets, the plant belonging to the Compositae family.

This habit of growth is an extremely effective one where con¬
ditions are as severe as they are here. The rounded compact form
presenUs the least possible obstruction to the high winds. The
overlapping, hard, linear leaves lose very little water by trans¬
piration at an altitude where rarefied atmosphere, constant air
movement, and brilliant sunshine all tend to cause rapid evaporation.
Furtherjuore, the leaves of previous years die within the plant,
ultimately fornung humus which is all reserved for the parent
plant. So effective are these arrangements that several other
plants have evolved in so exactly similar a way that, where they
grow side by side on other mountains in Tasmania, it is almost
impossible to tell them apart unless they are in flower. Then it
is simple, since they are members of quite different families.

There are other examples of environment causing similar
development of habit and leaf. In this same area, rounded bushes
about 3 ft. high, with revolute leaves rather similar to those of
Rosemary, may be either OlearUt ledifolia or Oriten revoluta —totally
different families, yet diflicult to distinguish apart from flower or
fruit. Identification in this case is simplified, however, by the fact
that plants of the Orites will almost always hear the woody cases
of the fruit of previous years. Yellow Bush (OriteR acicHlaris) is
also a prominent inhabitant of this area. Its cylindrical, pointed
leaves and stems are of a distinctive yellow colour, which makes
it stand out from a considerable distance.

7

Another of the rounded shrubs, which seems to prefer the
eastern side of the watershed, is Ozothamnuit ledifolius, also with
the Rosemary-like leaf, but not so narrow, and having a rich, sweet
scent, which is very apparent on a hot, sunny day, and still more
so if the leaves are crushed in the fingers. A twig brought home
and left in the sun will increase its output of scent and remind
us of the tonic air and sunshine of the mountain top. While on
the subject of Ozothavinns, we notice Kerosene Bush (O, Hookeri)
with its minute leaves of sage green. It is one of the relatively
few mountain plants in Tasmania which have a vernacular name.
The collection, sifting, and even invention of such names, is a task
which the Field Naturalists’ Club might well initiate.

Mountain Rocket.

J^EVERAL Richeaa grow in and around the swamp. R. acerosa
is common near “Dead Island,” and R. scoparia, R. Giinnii and
R. sprcuffeloides are scattered here, the first especially seeming
to be quite capable of resisting any amount of exposure. All of
these Richcnn have very sharp, pointed leaves, overlapping each
other and widening out to clasp the stem. They all have their
petals combined into a cone which drops off in one piece like a
rice grain as the flower matures. With R. dracophylla growing
in the forest below, Mt. Wellington can boast of all the eight species
in Tasmania except two (R. MilUgani and R. pandanifolia).

Mountain Rocket (Bellendcna moniana) is prominent on the
moor here. The red capsules of its fruit are almost as showy as
its pink or white flower. It belongs to the same family as Waratah.

The Gentian (Gentiana saxosa) is an attractive feature of the
swamp with its fleshy stem, opposite stem-leaves and rosette of
radical leaves and its creamy white to pale blue flowers. It may

8

vary from two to three inches in height to nearly 2 ft. in height.
Gentians are a large mountain-loving genus spread over the vrorld,
but Australia has only this one species as a native. The brilliant
blue Gcnti/imt acaulis of our gardens is a European species.

Characteristic of most of our mountains are Pineapple, or
Snow, Grass (Astelia alpina) and Button Grass (Mesomelaena
sphaerocepkala). The former is everywhere where there is suffi¬
cient water from about 3,000 ft. upwards. A member of the Lily
family, it has bright red berries about h in. long. Button Grass
forms a glorious foreground to most of the peaks of the south and
west, but Mt. Wellington's soil is not consistently wet enough, and
it does not occur there.

Mountain Yew (Fodocarpns alpina) is the only native Conifer
which grows on Mt. Wellington, except for rare examples of
Celery-top. Mountain Yew is a low, fairly horizontally growing
shrub with narrow oblong leaves about i in. long, and it can be
seen amongst boulders near the Wellington Ski Club’s hut. Again,
the rainfall is evidently not sufficient to maintain the other native
Conifers (Dwarf and Creeping Pine, Pencil Pine, etc.), which
grow plentifully on ranges quite near (Mt. Field, Hartz., etc.).

Snow Gum (EticalypUiH coccifera) grows on exposed places
on the plateau, but it does not like marshy ground. Hence we
see it on the ridges and escarpments, and on the little hillock
called “Dead‘Island” in the midst of the marsh. Martin points
out that it is very frost-resistant, and can withstand icing of its
leaves for several days. A balance between sufficient water supply
and adequate drainage, however, is necessary. Its twisted, gnarled
trunks standing up through the sweeping curves of windswept
snowfields form the characteristic background of the Tasmanian
ski-er.

Space does not permit of further comment on such things as
the lovely heaths, sedges, and grasses with which the moors of Mt.
Wellington abound, but, perhaps, even in this brief article, some¬
thing has been said to justify the writer’s belief that, in having such
an amenity as Mt. Wellington on the outskirts of their city,
Hobartians are amongst the most fortunate of people.

R.A.O.U. CONGRESS; Members who recall the pleasant time
spent at Lake St. Clair with the ornithologists’ camp last year
may be interested to know that the next congress and camp of the
Royal Australasian Ornithologists’ Union will be held in New South
Wales. Bu.siness sessions open in Sydney on Tue.sday, 24th October,
and delegates will leave for camp, in the Barraba district, on 26th
October. The camp will extend until Monday, 6th Noventber.
Actual camping site will be at Derra Derra station, some miles
from Barraba, in the north-west. Subscription to the R.A.O.U. is
25/- a year. Further information can be obtained from the State
Secretary for Tasmania, 141 Hampden Road, Hobart.

FOR SALE: Back Numbers of The Tasmanian Natnralisf.
See the Editor.

9

TRIP TO LAKE TOOMS

Hv Leonard Wall.

J^AKE TOOMS, one of the lesser lakes in which Tasmania abounds,

is on the Eastern Tiers, about 15 miles from Swansea on the
East Coast. Its only access, however, and that by the roughest
of roads, is from the Midland Highway, between Hobart and
Launceston.

Last September, three members of the Club spent a week-end
in the area for the purpose of learning what numbers of native
fauna are to be found in the sanctuary established there some years
ago in an endeavour to save the Forester Kangaroo from extinction.
For those readers who have access to old copies of “Wild Life,^’ a
map showing the lake and the boundaries of the sanctuary appears
on page 395 of the September, 1948, issue.

The party left Hobart by car on Friday evening, hoping to
reach the lake that night, and devote the whole of Saturday and
Sunday to exploring the area. These hopes were not realised,
however, and it was on the advice of a local landowner that camp
was pitched about eight miles short of the objective. His warning
that the road was bad proved to be a decided understatement.

The camp site that night was on a timbered hilLside overlooking
an extensive river flat and the rolling parklands so characteristic
of the Midlands. As the evening meal was prepared by the bright
moonlight, Spurwinged Plover and Native Hen could be heard cal¬
ling along the river flat, and the distinctive “Morepork” call of a
Spotted Owl from farther along the hillside. From the first light
of dawn next morning the air was full of the songs of birds re¬
joicing in the joy of a Spring day. The trees seemed full of Yellow
Wattle Birds, Noisy Miners, White-backed Magpies, Grey Thrushes,
Rosellas (both Eastern and Green), and other bushland birds,
while from the flat below came the calls of the Spurwinged Plover
and the Native Hen. As we walked down to the river to fill
our billies, a pair of Mountain Ducks and a White-faced Heron
flew upstream and Banded Plover were heard fi*om .some cultivated
paddocks.

A little later, during breakfast, a Brown Hawk alighted on a
dead tree nearby, much to the annoyance of a Noisy Miner, and
soon afterwards several Collared Sparrowhawks were seen and
heard as they flew swiftly over the hilltop.

This was a most interesting locality, on the border of open
parklands, which stretched away to the west and the rocky forest
aieas of the East Coast. Birds of both haJbitats mixed freely here,
while a short distance to the east the White-backed Magpie,
Noisy Miner, Eastern Rosella, and Spurwinged Plover, all lovers of
the open, had been entirely displaced by the forest birds.

After striking camp, we travelled about half a mile to the top
of the ridge, only to find that the I’oad forked. As seems always to
be the way, wc chose the wrong fork, as it petered out in a small
niar.sh about a mile and a half away, so we left the car and climbed
to the top of a hill in an endeavour to got our bearings. While
this did not relieve our minds of the problem of the moment, it
was profitable from other aspects, as twelve birds were added to

10

our list. These included Honeyeaters, Black Cockatoo, Black Mag¬
pie (Clinking Currawong), Flame Robin, and Blue Jay (Cuckoo-
shrike) .

Jt was a surprise to find the Kookaburra here, this bird having
been introduced from the Mainland some 20 or 30 years ago, and
liberated in Epping Forest about 35 miles to the north-west. It
has since been leaimed that Tunnack (about 14 miles to the south¬
west of Lake Tooms) is apparently the southernmost point to which
it has spread, a fact for which we may well be thankful, as its
presence is seldom counted as a blessing. It seems that Tasmanian
conditions are not entirely suited to it, otherwise it would have
spread much farther in the time.

It was here, too, that the first marsupials were seen. By
the side of the track was a dead Bennett’s Wallaby (generally
known as kangaroo), and a short distance away was another, long
since dead, which had become entangled in a wire fence. Yet
another of these animals was disturl>ed from its midday rest under
a log soon afterwards.

We returned to the car and prepared lunch, but this was dis¬
turbed by a shower of rain, which threatened to set in for the day.
It became urgent then to retrace our tracks to a roadway which
would give promise of a safe passage in any weather. We re¬
turned to the turnoff and briefly explored the right track, and
tlten decided that the safest course, after all, was to leave the car
and to walk the i*emainder of the journey. So we set off on the
last lap not long before 4 o’clock.

The track lies through low foi'ested hills, separated by small
marshes, covered with coarse sedges and with occasional small
clumps of tea-tree. The rocky nature of the country does not
allow of any luxuriant undergrowth, and the forest consists of
White Gum and Narrow-leafed Peppermint, with an undercover
oi sagi?. It crosses the watershed between the streams flowing
east into Oyster Bay, and those flowing north, the latter being
tributaries of the Macquarie River.

^V^OUT midway along the track, we were fortunate enough to

see, on the edge of one of these watercourses, a fine pair of
Forester Kangaroo, the only ones seen on the trip. They showed
extreme timidity, and bounded away as soon as disturbed.

Intermittent light rainshowers continued throughout the after¬
noon, but they ceased soon after the lake was reached, and night
had closed in. By the time camp was pitched and dinner prepared,
the weather showed definite signs of breaking, and the full moon
sliuggled through the clouds. A few Black Swan and a pair of
Spurwinged Plover were heard calling, and these were the only
signs of life. It was disappointing that no calls of the Masked
Owl oi* other nocturnal birds were heard, nor was there any
evidenct* of their presence.

In the hope of discovering what nocturnal animals might be
about, it was decided to leave some food at the base of a tree
covered only by a tin plate, which would rattle if interfered with’
but this remained untouched throughout the night. It would seem’
from this that at best the area is sparsely populated by such
animals as Possums, Kangaroo-rats, Native Cats, and Tasmanian
Devils, though there seems no adequate reason for this. The
scarcity of larger game might account for the absence of the Devil,

11

but the Native Cat feeds largely on small birds and lizards whic-h
abound, and the others are purely vegetarian in diet.

Dawn on Sunday was heralded by the incessant calls of count¬
less birds. One of the calls was not familiar to any of the party,
so a search in the half-light was begun. The owner proved to be
a Yellow-throated Honeyeater, a bird indigenous to Tasmania, and
one which possesses a surprising repertoire.

During the morning, the western and southern shores of the
lake were explored, but time would not permit of fui-ther observa¬
tion. No signs of marsupials were found, but our “Lizard Wizard**
unearthed the following ,—Egernia whitii, metallic skink, Entre-
casteaux’s Skink, the Spotted Sand-skink, and the Yellow-striped
Frog, Brown Tree-frog, and Brown Froglet. Additions to the
bird list included Tree Martin, Welcome Swallow, Olive Whistler,
Black Duck, and Chestnut Teal.

So far as waterfowl were concerned, the lake proved disappoint¬
ing. Many years ago the level of the lake was raised by damming
to regulate the flow of the Macquarie River, and the shores are
now lined with dead trees, some of them standing in water, ghostly
reminders of what can happen in “the progress of civilisation.*’
Before man took a hand there may well have been extensive reed-
beds sheltering countless ducks and other birds, but these do
not exist to-day. The only watei*fowl seen were five Black
Swan, two Black Duck, and five Chestnut Teal. A pair of Spur¬
winged Plover was found on a small grassy fiat in the south-west
corner of the lake.

The walk back to the car that afternoon was uneventful, and
the only observation of note was of a Tasmanian Pademelon (gen¬
erally known as a wallaby), which was seen only at a distance.

The trip was not entirely encouraging. During two full days,
in what should have been favourable country, only two Foresters,
three Bennett’s Wallabies (two of them dead), and one Pademelon
were seen. It is not a satisfactory list, but it must be remembered
that the party barely entered the reserve itself — the western
boundary skirts the western shore of the lake, and the reserve lies
almost entirely to the north and east. Also, an open season for
the taking of kangaroo (except Foresters, which are totally pro¬
tected), wallabies, and brush and ringtailed possums had just
cl^osed, and it is known that thousands of skins had been taken from
that part of the island. In view of this, it i.s reasonable to suppose
that the animals would have made their way well into the reserve
to avoid the hunters. However, it will need further investigation
before any conclusion regarding the effectiveness of the sanctuary
can be reached.

SPECIMENS FOR EXHIBITION: Members are reminded that
specimens are always required for display at monthly club meet¬
ings. Members are expected to describe them and indicate where
they were collected. In cases where the object is not known
specimens will be identified at meetings when possible.

SUBSCRIPTIONS; Club subscriptions are due at each annual
meeting in February, but may be paid at any time. Adults, 5/-*
junio^, 2/6. Funds are needed. Please keep up-to-date with

12

NATURALISTS’ CAMP, 1950

Easter at Eaglehawk Neck.

|-(^OR some years to come members of the Tasmanian Field
Naturalists’ Club who attended the 1950 Easter Camp will probably
be heard to remark with feeling: you remember Eaglehawk

Neck?” And it won’t be so much a question as an exclamation !

The weather wasn’t pleasant at Easter. It was cold and wet,
and the wind, which had stropped its edge on the snow that lay on
the mountains throughout the State, now cut sharply enough to be
uncomfortable. The surf broke with audible violence on the beach
at Pirates Bay, and reverberated among the arches, gaps, and
blowholes in the headlands across the bay. Mud was underfoot,
and tents dripped water here and there — always, as it happened,
when one was either here or there! It was an occasion for complete
discomfort, and a perfect excuse for all to be dispirited and irritable.
Yet the philosophy of accepting the bad with the good in which
lasmanians are well tutored, since climatic vagaries are unac¬
countable, stood all in good stead.

Camping has been enjoyed in better conditions, nevertheless
the campers this Easter made light of the unseasonable weather.
The dampness underfoot and in the sky prov^ed no damper to good
fellowship and camping fun. There was little interruption to the
general programme; there were the usual excursions and outings,
and surfing between the showers (by a few), and the large dining
tent proved an admirable substitute location for night entertain¬
ments which otherwise would have been held round the camp fire.
Indeed, all members appeared determined not to allow the weather
to mar their fun. The pursuit of natural history was, of course,
afl'ected to some e^^tent.

There were 0)2 under canvas, including several juniors, and
the camp was held at a spot in protecting scrub, overlooking the
fctach, on the property of Mr. W. H. Clemes, whom we welcomed to
the camp “evenings” for his interesting .stories about the geology
and natural history of the district.

Some reference should be made to the financial result of the
camp. The club had to meet increased costs in all items this year.
The increase was estimated at 25 per cent, compared with what
the camp cost in 1949. Pood bills, transport, every item in fact,
was higher, and the Club may congratulate itself on showing a
profit of a few pounds, this in spite of the fact that the normal fee
foi members (£4 15s.) was not increased. If costs continue to
soar, as appears likely, higher fees will be unavoidable.

We should not overlook the value of the preliminary work per¬
formed by the advance party, in clearing the area, erecting tents,
and providing general amenities, and also of the organising work
done before this by the Camp Committee, for this, in fact, represents
a saving of many pounds, which otherwise would have to be cov¬
ered by camp fees. With increasing costs, it appears likely that
higher fees will be necessary to avoid a loss, and also in order to
preserve the continuity of the annual camp, which, except for a
period during the last war, has been a feature of the Club since
1904. Fees may have to be higher for both adults and juniors, and
juniors, incidentally, might well, in future, be clas.sified as those of
12 years and under.

13

When the main party of campers arrive<l on Thursday night
they found the tents ready for them, and the camp ship-shape, beds
made up, a lighted lamp in each tent, and a hot supper waiting
thanks to the advance party, some of whom had been working on
the site since the previous Saturday.

A large chart pinned in the dining tent directed them to their
particular tents. Kach tent had a number, and was located in
one or other of the following thoroughfares.—Lipstick Parade,
Powderpuif Row, Cash’s Corridor, Pendennis Parade, and such
sections as The Kennels (which had reference to the chain of dogs
that once stretched across Eaglehawk Neck in convict days), and
Paradise Regained, including one site known as The Reptile House.
Wooden notice boards simplified the finding of each domicile.

[.]AGLEHAWK NECK ha.s not only an interesting and somewhat

lurid historical background as being the gateway to the natural
penitentiary of Tasman Peninsula in the days of Port Arthur, and
as such was guarded by a chain of ferocious dogs and armed
sentries to intercept absconding prisoners, it possesses also some
attractive scenery, being hilly almost to mountainous, with a pictur¬
esque coastline. The coast nearby is geologically classic as regards
the action of the sea on the land. There are few coasts which can
tell a more typical story of sea invasion than this eastern coast
of the peninsula reaching from the northern side of Pirates Bay
round to Cape Pillar. It is honeycombed with caves and blow¬
holes.

The cliffs of mudstone with harder sandstone here and there,
rising to 600 or 700 ft., and faulted conspicuously, are carved
iuipressively by the sea, which continually assails them, and this
carving has given us the wonderful Tasman Arch, the Devil’s
Kitchen, and Blowhole, with its scalloped edges, and the curious
Tessellated Pavement at the other end of the bay. An article by
Mr. denies in this issue deals more specifically with these coastal
features.

We witnessed the sea in storm one day and watched the wave.s
sj'urting high in foam as they sma.shed against these cliffs, the
spray I’ising for more than 100 ft. at times.

The hills behind the camp yielded interesting plant life, in¬
cluding e.xamples of Club Moss, which resembled dwarf pines. The
scrub here was dense and tough and difficult to penetrate if one
left the tracks. Mr. denies was our guide for excursions to
Waterfall Bay, Cash’s Lookout, and a fire tower on Mt. Montagu,
on the other .side of the Neck.

Bird life was fairly plentiful. Honeyeaters were common;
heath and Banksia were in flower to attract them. Miss Mosey
recorded all the smaller species except the Tawny-crowned Honey-
eater, and there was also one of the larger kind in the Brush Wattle
Bird. Other observers were Len Wall, Hugh Wilson (on a visit
fiom Melbourne), Terry Cashion, L. Vernon, M. S. R. Sharland.
anti Mrs. C. H. Elliott.

Roving above the beach was a Sea Eagle, which occasionally
fkw within observation distance of camp — certainly well within
range of Mr. Simson’s telescope, which was also useful in watching
other species, as well as examining remote parts of the coastline
and the Hippolyte Rock out to sea.

14

The waters of the bay, broken so violently by the wind, also
yielded the sight of an albatross, probably the Black-browed
species, as well as the Australian Gannet. Along the rocky parts
of the foreshore five Sooty Oystercatchers were in constant atten¬
dance, always a handsome group. Some of tjie migrants were
still there, the Tree Martin and Cuckoo-shrike.

On the edge of the camp a party of Brown Quail took shy peeps
at what was going on and stayed relatively close. There were
several here as well as along the Blowhole road.

Although rain precluded a thorough examination of the area,
members, nevertheless, found much of interest, and there is a sug¬
gestion that they should return sometime to explore it again—in
fine weather, let us hope!

The social side of the camp was up to standard. The evening
concerts and “acts** were well arranged, and often extremely funny.
The president (Kelsey Aves) and his concert leader, Burn Widdi-
combe (with baton), did good work in this direction. And, as a
bedtime prelude, there was always hot coffee, cakes, or buns pre¬
pared by our indefatigable chef, Charles Theobald.

A popular and highly competitive event was the nature study
exhibition. It brought forth a surprising variety of specimens,
several of which were unearthe<i at the camp site, these being
aboriginal artefacts. It was found that the tents had been pitched
on a former midden.

Each morning and at meal times, the challenging and I'ather
forbidding call from Harold Sargison*s brass horn summoned us
to rise and eat, and the campers, listed below, will all probably
agree that they could wish for nothing Iwjtter than that they should
hear it again, next Easter, at this very pleasant camping site.

Messrs. H. K. Aves. H. P. Sargison. E. W. Cruickshank. M. S. R. Shar-
land. A. Brownell. C. B. Widdicombe. A. Hewer. A. Craike, H. Wilson.
F. A. Peterson. L. Wall, J. A. Simson. L. Vernon, J. B. Thwaltes, F. Green,
T. Ca.shion. G. Taylor, J. Mitchell, G, L, Propstlng (visitor), Prof. C. S.
King.

Mesdames C. H. Elliott. Widdicombe. Brownell, Fleming, McMillan.
Goldfinch.

Misses S. Sargison. E. Sharland, F. Moorehouse, N. Moorehouse, R.
Afichman, J. Bignell, — Bond. H. Dresdner. B. Godfrey, M. Gorringe, N.
Gorringe, M. Griffiths, C. M. Hurford. J. King, H. Lake, B. Mulcahy.
H. Mosey, D. Piggott. M. Scott. M. Shepley. C. Shepley, A. Wall.

Juniors: D. Widdicombe, J.. R.. and G. Brownell, D. Wilson, K.
Sargison, M. Reid. A. Fleming, L. Goldfinch. M. Jackson. E. Widdicombe.
S. Aves.

Chef: C. Theobald. A?sictants: D. Andrews and B. McDougall.

15

FEATURES OF EAGLEHAWK NECK

By VV. H. Clemes, B-A., B.Sc.

AS a detailed description of the Geologry of Eaglehawk Neck has

already appeared in the CIub*s journals, I shall confine iny
remarks to some of the features to be seen between the Blow Hole
and Waterfall Bay.

The ordinary tourist, paying a hurried visit to the main scenic
attractions, does not realise that there is a network of caves under¬
neath that have been formed by the sea cutting along the many
fault planes that cross the strata in this area. These faults occur
at intervals in an approximately East to West direction, but there
is another major fault which starts between the Blow Hole and
the Tasman Arch, and runs in a North to South direction, cutting
across the back of the Arch and the Devil's Kitchen.

Along this fault the sea has cut some notable caves parallel
to the coast, and some distance inland. The beginning of tins
fault is first noticed in a cave, the gulch leading to which can w
seen on the cliff track coming from the Blow Hole to the Arch.
To get to this cave, it is necessary to climb down into the gulch
about a quarter of a mile from the Blow Hole. Since fives
destroyed the bushes, it is now necessary for inexpert and elderly
climbers to have a rope attached to a tree to give a secure hand
hold.

A trip along a slippery scree leads on to a broad platform
under the cliffs. Farther on, a small cave blocks the way, as there
is a drop of about 16 ft. to the rubble floor of the cave. The
usual practice is to take along two long poles and construct a ladder
on the spot. A further walk along a broad platform leads you
to the cave. It runs in for about 200 ft. and has the appearance
of a lofty railway tunnel with parallel sides and a flat roof about
.*^0 ft. high.

To descend into Tasman Arch, it is necessary to find a way
down the outside cliff. It is not a difficult or dangerous feat, but
the 200 ft. climb is strenuous enough. A 60 ft. rope is useful. On
the first descent, about 200 ft. of rope was used, and we worked our
way backwards and forwai'ds along the cliff until the only possible
way down was found. Since then, numbers of people, including
many ladies, have reached the bottom safely, and there has not
been an accident. On one occasion a large cocker spaniel joined
the party and got down safely, but had to be hauled up some of
the more precipitou.s parts by force.

It is only from the bottom that one gets a true picture of its
grandeur, graceful contours, and size. It is hard to realise that
the Memorial Church in Brisbane Street, Hobart, with its spire,
could stand under the archway. The roof is flat and strongly but¬
tressed on either side. Very little fallen rock is ever found. To
reach the back of the Arch, a rather nasty gulch has to be crossed,
which looks more hazardous than it really is.

On both sides of the Arch caves have been cut deep into the
Cliff, and, meeting the North to South fault, have cut along it
at right angles, to emerge into the main entrance. If you stand
at the back you have waves coming at you from both sides as
well as from the front. There are also other minor caves.

16

One day a large black snake was found at the bottom. It was
still alive after its terrible fall, though desperately thin, as it had
only a drip of water from above to keep it alive. Another time
a moulting Crested Penguin was found, though in those days we
did not realise what it was. A favourite bathing place was in one
of the side gulches. You could get wonderful high dives from
the cliffs into the beautifully clear, deep water. A friendly swell
would lift you over the kelp on to the ledges again.

''I'lIE Devils Kitchen is more easily climbed. A narrow ledge
leads down on to the Fernery. Here a 60 ft. rope is attached to
a tree, and, with the help of steps cut in the bank, you can reach
a scree which slopes steeply down to the bottom. Long grass
gives good handholds. There is a regular way to be followed or
the climb would be more difficult. On reaching the bottom, you
are surprised to see i*ight through the point into the next bay.
On the Kitchen side, the entrance is quite small, but inside it opens
into an immense cave, with roof stretching up into the darkness.

Running back into the cliff at the back of the Kitchen, is the
most notable cave of all. The sides run in parallel, about a chain
across, with a flat roof about 100 ft. high. I have paced out 150 yds.
without climbing on the boulders which block the end. A small
cross gulch blocks the way into the cave. This is crossed by
balancing a spar or plank about 10 ft. long across it. The difficulty
is that you have to get along the cliff on a 6 in. ledge, and some¬
how poke the pole over and rest the near end on the same pre¬
carious foothold. It usually take.s the full strength of the party
to accomplish this. The plank we kept in readiness has unfor¬
tunately been lost into the water, and is now reposing up in the
cave, so near and yet so far.

Another interesting cave is found on the sea-side with a real
blowhole in it.

Paterson’s Arch is notable in that the sea passes right down
the outer support of the archway. It is possible, on a calm day,
to go right through and round the arch in a motor boat.

The Stack farther along the coast is another curious feature,
not only on account of its height, about 250 ft., but its slender
structure. It is difficult to imagine how it has survived the carv¬
ing away from the cliff and subsequent battering by storms.

Waterfall Bay, with its 600 ft. cliffs covered with vegetation
from top to bottom, is a glorious sight. It is so large that the
mind fails to grasp its size. Rising above it is the Peak which
has yet to be named. A party of three of us first climbed it in
Jb95, and built a cairn in commemoration. There is a small flat
top on which to picnic. On the seaward side it drops over a 1,000 ft.
almost sheer into the water below. Maria Island can be seen
to the North.

A track from Waterfall Bay to the Peak would open up a
coastal panorama of wonderous beauty.

17

CLUB FIELD OUTINGS

By Marjorie Scott.

DURING the year, eleven day outings were held by club members.

as well as two long-weck-end camps, and the Christmas-New
Year camp.

Alpine plants were the objective for the outings in February
and May. These outings were led by Mr. Aves, to the Mt. Wellington
plateau, via the Organ F^ipe? in February and the Zig-zag Track
In May.

Mr. Hewer led the March outing up Myrtle Gully to Mr. Dan
Griffith's hut, where we had hoped to see his tame birds—-unfor¬
tunately. he was out. Berries were particularly good on this trip,
especially Heart Berries (Aristotelia peduncularis). On the trip
back, Aimspides were seen in New Town Creek.

The April outing w'as of geological interest—the sandstone arch
near Sky Farm, Abihotsfield Road (Claremont). Mr. Hewer, our
leader, found many lizards and snakes under rocks near this arch.

A Sunday trip to Richmond w'as arranged by Mr. Wilson in
May—bird-observing towards Cambridge. The most common birds
seen on this trip were Black Swan and Spurwinged Plover. An
irregular visitor, White Egret, was seen on this trip.

In June, we walked from Risdon to the Ship's Graveyard, the
object being bird-observing. We ended up by playing cricket !

The outing in July was led by Mr. Sharland, along the beach
from Bellerive to Howrah, then inland over the Rokeby Road to the
rifle range, back to Bellerive. Birds were numerous on this trip,
and orchid leaves were beginning to shoot.

In August, films on salmon were shown at the monthly meeting
s'» an outing was arranged to the Salmon Ponds, Plenty, to see the
d/velopnient of the fish from egg to maturity. The September out¬
ing was led by Mr. Gilbert, who gave the lecture at the meeting
on E'lcalypts. He took us to Mt. Wellington to illustrate in the
field the differences in eucalypts that he had de.scribed in his lecture.

The October outing was to Bruny Island, from Denne’s Point
to Killora. Spring flowers were beginning to come out. which made
the outing of interest to botanists. A bus was hired for the Nov¬
ember outing, to take the party to Chauncy Vale. The party split
into smaller groups to see various parts of the sanctuary, most
members going to the cliffs.

The first long week-end trip was in March, at the Orford Youth
Hostel. From the Hostel we had day trips along the Prosser River
and to Spring Beach. We walked along the old East Coast Road
to the remains of an old convict settlement near the Prosser River.
The black sandy soil on the way to Spring Beach was an excellent
place for heaths, especially the common heath (tJpacris iwprcssa)
On the Monday morning, we walked to the point between Orford
and Triabunna.

For the November long week-end. Mr. Green led a small party
to Variety Bay, on Bruny Island. We were taken to see a con¬
vict church built in 1846, also to convict brick kilns and bakehouse

18

luins near Variety Hay. We found many penguins nesting on the
banks and under rocks on the shore on our trip towards the Neck.

A camp wa.s arranged at Fortescue Bay, between Christmas
and New Year. The party was to leave by fishing boat on Boxing
Hay, but, unfortunately, the boat did not leave till Thursday, 28th
necembcr. Three members went by this boat and the other seven
walked in from Oakwood on the Saturday. The vegetation was
typical of wet coastal area scrub with the tracks lined with cut¬
ting grass (Galntia pHittaconun).

TASMANIAN FIP]LD NATURALISTS’ CLUB.

(P’ounded 1904.)

PARTINGS are hel<i at the Roya! Society’s room, Tasmanian
Museum, Hobart, on the third Thursday in each month, except
December and January. The annual meeting is held in February.

Annual Subscription: Adults 5/-; juniors 2/0.

Anyone interested in Nature Study is welcomed to membership.

Application for election should be made to the Hon. Secretary,
c/o Sargison’s, Jeweller, 21 Klizabeth St., Hobart, or direct to
Mr. A. M. Hewer on meeting nights. Subscriptions may be paid
t(.> Mr. H. F. Sargison, 21 IJlizabeth St., or to Secretary.

Lectures, field outings, wild life show, and nature study camps,
‘He the chief activities of the Club.

PROTECTION FOR TASMANIAN TREES.

\yE already have laws for the protection of native birds and furred
animals, many of which have benefited accordingly, ajid the time has
come when there should also be laws extending protection to native trees
and native vegetation generally. Bird.s, particularly, are so linked wJth
trees through mutual partnerships that the welfare of one is dependent
on the other. Elxtenslve tree destruction brings in its train diminution
in bird life and a consequent increase in insect pests normally controlled
•by birds.

Aside from this economic asnect. there is the aesthetic side of tree.s:
they add much to the beauty, of our landscape as well a.s our lives, and
it is regrettable to obseiwe the‘amount of destruction and mutilation which
still proceeds with trees of all kind.s. much of which could be avoided
with due thought and care.

Our highways are beautified by trees, cur streets and narks would be
dull without them, our bushlands are still pleasant places with Eucalypts,
Banksia, and Wattle. There is a growing section of the community ready
to safeguard and further beautify its environment by planting and preserv¬
ing trees, but so widespread is the vandalism of another section, par¬
ticularly that of nubile instrumentalities, which sacrifice trees, often to
little purpose, that the need l.s for tree-lovers to band together and en¬
deavour to instil into the public mind the necessity for a changed and
enlightened outlook.

Whether or not the Feld Naturalist.s‘ Club should organise a campaign
in favour of tree preservation. It is urgent that ste|)s be taken to crystallise
the popular feeling that indiscriminate tree destruction has proceeded too
far. The most effective measure would, perhaps, be to form a body to be
called a "tree-wardens* league/’ with the specific object of tree protection.
Much could be done by such a body, membership of which should be
State-wide. It is hoped that members of the Club will sponsor formation
of a body of this kind and thus initiate a step w^hlch would most likely
have f.ir-reaching benefit to the State. Let us begin now—M.S.

19

TASMANIAN FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB.
Annual Report for 1949-50.

J-TINANCIAL membership of the Tasmanian Field Naturalists’ Club is
now 115, consisting of 105 seniors and 10 juniors. It is with regret
that we record the passing of Messrs. B. H. Edgell and J. H. Wall.

The annual mee'!.ing and nine ordinary monthly meetings were held
during the year, the average attendance being 80.

Many interesting talks were given during the year—the subjects
covered being:—An outline of the History of the Club, Federation Peak.
Easter Camp at Saltwater River. Macquarie Island, Identification of
Eucalypts, Naming of Plants, Bird Observdng at South Arm, Lake Tooms,
The Kimberleys, Our National Heritage, Documentary Films showing
Wild Life and Birds in Canada. Also a film entitled “Salmcn Run. "
The lecturers who assisted were:—Messrs. M. S. R. Sharland. J. B.
Thwaites, H. K. Aves, N. R. Laird. M. Gilbert, Mis.s M. Scott. Messrs.
L. Wall. J. Levis. A. M. Hewer, and. Crcsble Morrison.

Field outings were quite successful under the leadership of various
members. Several week-end camps were held. The Easter Camp (1949>
was held at Plunkett Point, the site of the old Convict Coal Mine a'L
Saltwater River. The weather was perfect, and much valuable informa¬
tion, was collected. A highlight of the Camp was the “Museum” Com¬
petition. A prize was offered for the best exhibit collected in the vicinity
of the Camp. The .senior section was won by Miss A. Wall, and the
Junior by Eleanor Widdlccmbe.

A Wild Nature Show wa.s to have been held in October, but had to
be postponed because of the risk of an epidemic of Poliomyelitis. No. 4
of the new series of the Club's magazine, The Taamtimau Naturalist, was
published in May, 1949. During the year, two sub-committees were
appointed. A committee of three was appointed to give evidence on be¬
half of the Club, to the Joint Parliamentary Select Committee, on the
,Pl^ntine Valley and National Park Bill.

J Inother sub-committee was formed to work on behalf of the Club
the cause of Fauna Conservation. This Committee has held
^several meetings in conjunction with similar committees fr'om the Walk¬
ing Club and the R.S.P.C.A. Members of this Committee will be elected
annually.

The Club has undertaken to carry out Phenalogical observations in
co-operation with the Hobart Weather Bureau. Notes on the animals
and plants suggested for observation have been duplicated.

During the year a demonstration on Botany and Marine Biology
was staged by the University of Tasmania for the special benefit of the
Club. About 70 members and friends attended. As a new venture,
several film evenings were held. All were successful.

A most enjoyable camp in rough country was held at Fortescue Bay
betw'een Christmas, 1949, and the New Year. 1950. Some very interest¬
ing information was collected.

The statement of receipts and expenditure shows that cash in hand
at the end of the year amounted to £49 Os. 2d., as against £91 17s. 9d. at
the commencement. This is again due largely to tihe increased cast-of
publishing the Club’s Journal.

20