je = rh é-e-« -~*- I es eae a 2 ee ee ee RASS Keane ® re ee cheese ee eeenanee Chnnaere’s etenene oe ee AAO. 9 4 eee . . . . eeenebhaes hee Seer eee eee es ee eee enee 1 / vA = wy Pym [FY ye e- “| hoo a) yale A= ‘ HARVARD “UNIVERSITY. LIBRARY OF THE MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY. #92) Sought Jonuong Il, 19). on “> a z = meet | ss aa =e a S , = - ; ea e- 7 ‘i i kat , , 7 : : : = - a a eS eS = ea an Po “< os e cee — _ cn | SO! SaaS. at . eee 4 ¥ ie r ‘ ¥P ~ a an ~ De 0 psy coat y) ah VICTORIAN NATURALIST: THE JOURNAL & MAGAZINE OF THE Vila Ratuyalists’ Glut af Pictoria, VOL. XVI. MAY, 1899, TO APRIL, 1900. ‘bon. Boditor: MR. F. G. A. BARNARD. The Author of each Article is responsible for the facts and opinions recorded. Metboutrne: WALKER, MAY & OO., PRINTERS, MACKILLOP STREET (OFF 390 LITTLE COLLINS STREET). 1900. INDEX TO VICTORIAN NATURALIST. WALSIEE ae ielan PAGE Abnormal Foxglove Flower - 142 Abnormal-plumaged Birds - 171 Acanthochera rufiguiaris - 30 Acanthogenys flavacanthus - 3 Agaric, A Parasitic - - 110 Algee of Kerguelen’s Land - 23 Alps, A Trip to the Victorian 81 Animal or Plant ? - - 95 Australian Birds, New S296) Australian Birds’ Eggs - 101 Australian Birds, Nests and Eggs of - 9 Australian Birds, Woriculas Names for - - 103, 131 Australian Coccide - 13, 88 Birds, Abnormal-plumaged - 171 Birds, Some South-Western Australian - - - 27 Birds’ Eggs, Australian - 101 Birds, New Australian = B Birds, Nests and Eggs of Australian - - : Birds of Myrniong - - 459 Birds observed at Burnley - 49 Black-backed Magpie, The- 43 Blackfish, The - = - 130 Books, Notices of— Australian Museum Report 75 British Museum Catalogue of Birds - - 74, 144 Early Chapters in Science 75 Key to Birds of Australia and Tasmania - 74, 92 Naturcee Novitates - - 116 Nests and Eggs of Aus- ‘tralian Birds - - 16 Burnley, Birds observed at - 49 Butterfly, Libythea geoffroyi 72 Calamanthus rubiginosis - 3 Chiamydodera guttata - ee) Coccidee, Australian - 13, 88 Corvus coronoides - - - 5d Cuckoos’ Eggs - - - 134 Dingo, A Large - - - 76 Duck, A Hybrid - - - 115 Eagle, The Little - - 60 00 Early Nesting - - - 65 PAGE Eggs of Russet-tailed Ground- Thrush - 55 Eggs and Nest of elves crowned Friar-bird - 66 Ephthianura albifrons - 65 Field Naturalists’ Club— Annual Report - - 33 Conversazione - - - 20 Blackrock - - - 182 Braybrook - - - 105 Gisborne - - - 146 Lerderderg - - elu Plenty Ranges - - 163 Ringwood - - - 183 Sydenham - - - 181 Willsmere - 161 Bxhibition of Wild Blowers 106 Proceedings, 1, 17, 33, 57, 77, 93, 105, 117, 133, 144, 161, 181 Field Notes from Wimmera 121, 149 Flora of Victoria, Contribu- tion to - - - 158 Fly-eater, White- throated 114, 160 Foreign Birds in London - 32 Fossils, New Silurian - = 4Wé Foxglove Flower, An Ab- normal - - - 142 Fungi, Two Mallee - - 141 Fungi, Victorian - - 200 Gadopsis gracilis - ~ - 180 Gerygone albigularis - 114, 160 Glycyphila - - - 28 Ground-Thrush, Eggs of Russet-tailed - - 505 Gymnobelideus leadbeatert - 108 Gymnorhina leuconota - - 41 Gymnorhina tibicen - - 43 Hybrid Duck, A - - - 115 Insect, Power ofan - 16 Katherine River, N.T. Onan ological N. otes from - 61 Kerguelen I., Algeze of - 23 Kershaw, The late W.- - 114 Kosciusko, Flora of Mt, 95, 160 iv INDEX. PAGE PAGE Leucosaria picata - - 168 | Plants, Victorian 98, 143, 144, Libythea geoffroyt - - 72 146, 158 Magpie, Note on the - 4,40 | Pomatorhinus - - 28789 Mallee Fungi, Two - - 141 | Pomatorhinus, Plumage of - 89 Malurus goutdii - - - 135 | Preserving Fluid - - 116 M‘Coy, The late Sir F. 19, 92 | Preserving suns and Myria- Megapodius pritchardi - - 646 pods - - - 116 Melicerta fimbriata = - - 38 | Prey, Plants of - - - 107 Melithreptus leetior - - 12 | Pritchard’s Megapode - - 56 Munia pectoralis - - 12 | Pseudaphritis urvillet - - 31 Museum, The National 31, 114 | Psophodes nigrogularis- - 11 Mutton-Bird Inland, A - 76 | Pterygotus australis - - 75 Myrniong, The Birds of - 59 | Péilotis cratitia - - =e Mytilaspis, Species of - - 13 | Ptilotis cartert - - 3, 87 Mytilaspis Vidgetti - - 14 | Puccinia hieracii - - - 142 Mycetozoa, Notes on Some- 80 | Puffinus tenuirostris - - 76 Myxomycete or Mycetozoon? 95 | Pulvinaria paradelpha - SNS Name, A Hunt fora - - 6 | Rhipidura albicauda - - ll Naturalists at Phillip I. - 45 | Rotifer, A New - - - 38 Nesting, Early - - 5d | Saw-fly, A New - - 92 Nest and Eggs of Carter Serub-Tit - - - - Peoria Honey-eater = 3, 87 | Septoria tabacina - - - 142 Nest and Eggs of Wattle- Sericornis magna - - - 114 cheeked Honey-eater - 111 | Southern Science Record, The 112 Nisaétus ( Aquila) morphnoides 55 | Spiders, To Preserve - - 116 Northern Territory, Ornith- Stipa luehmannit = - 158 ological Notes from - 61 | Trichoglossus rubritorquis - 12 Oologists’ Reunion, An - 91 | Tupong in Salt Water - - 31 Ornithological Association of Vernacular Names for Aus- South Australia 76, 131, 162, tralian Birds - 103, 131 200 | Victorian Alps, Trip to - 81 Ornithological Notes from Victorian Fungi - - - 200 Northern Territory - 61 | Victorian Plants 98, 143, 144, Parasitic Agaric, A - - 110 146, 158 Philemon argenticeps - - 56 | Western Australia, A Visit to 185 Phillip I., Nacuralste 3 at - 45 | White-backed Magpie, The- 41 Phreatoicus ~ - 169 | Wimmera, Field Notes from Plant or Animal ? ~ - 95 121, 149 Plants of Prey” -7))) - - 107 | Wrens, Notes on Blue - - 1365 Plants, Some Old - - 161 | Xerophila - - - - 28 ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE Egg of Chlamydodera guttata - _ - - - 10 Egg-Mound of Mallee Hen - - - - - 152 Rotifer, Melicerta fimbriata - - = - - 38 ERRATA. Page 89—For ‘‘ Pomatorrhinus”’ read ‘‘ Pomatorhinus.” Page 118, line 44—For ‘“‘ Mylitta australis” read ‘‘ Polyporus mylitte.” Page 146, line 30—For ‘‘ Minuriella annica,” read ‘‘ M. annua.” Page 170, line 21—Omit ‘‘ Acacia spinescens.” * a — PNA NID OI II INN ONS IS A a a a Vou. XVI.—No. 1. 3 May, 1899. P VAN ct Vietsrian J Haluralist ' THE JOURNAL AND MAGAZINE — OF — Ohe Field Haturalists’ Club of Victoria. PUBLISHED 4th MAY, 1809. Editor: F. G. A. BARNARD, Esq. The Author of each article-is responsible for the facts and opinions recorded. COW TT EaNEES = THE FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA ... ga DESCRIPTIONS OF THREE NEW AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. By A, J. CAMPBELL NOTE ON MAGPIE. By D. Bee A Hunt FoR A Name. By T. S. HALt, M.A. Z DESCRIPTIONS OF THE NESTS AND EGGS OF SIX SPECIES OF AUSTRALIAN BirpDS. By A. J. NORTH, C.M.Z.S. NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN CocciID#. By T. D. A. .COCKERELL Correspondence and Reports, 2. Election of Members. Proposer. Seconder. Mr. T. S Adcock, F.L.S., C. French, F.L.S. -- F.G, A. Barnard Geelong. A Mr. Jas. Kilgour, .. ae R. Hall .. C. French, F.L.S. Railway Place, Williamstown. Mr. Jas. Lidgett, .. J. G. Luehmann, F.L.S. 2 Geo. Coghill Myrniong. . Nominations for Membership. WK Members making nominations will oblige by handing the full name and address te Hon. Secretary. 4. General Business. Nominations (to be in writing) for Office-bearers for year 1899-tg00. Election of two Auditors. . Reading of Papers and Discussions thereon. un 1. By Mr. A. Campbell, jun.. ‘“ List of Birds observed at Burnley.” 2. By Mr. D. Le Souéf, C.M.Z.S., “‘ List of Birds with their Eggs obtained.” 3 By Mr. E. Olive, ‘‘ On the Katherine River, N. Australia.” 6. Reading of N atural History Notes. Members who may note any unusual occurrence, or see anything of interest in Foreign or Colonial papers, are requested to inform the Secretary of the same that he may arrange for their bringing them before the meeting; such notes should, however, be brief. a < EXCURSIONS. ® WEDNESDAY, 24TH May. Point Cook (via Laverton), Under the leadership of Mr. R, Hall. Meet at Spencer Street 10.55 a.m. train. Ornithology. THE Mictorian Patuvralist. Vou. XVI.—No. 1. MAY 4, 1899. No. 185. FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA. THE ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, roth April, 1899. The president, Mr. C. French, F.L.S., occupied the chair, and about 50 members and visitors were present. REPORTS. The leader, the President, gave a short report of the visit to the Aquarium on Saturday, 25th March, when there was a good attendance of members and an instructive and pleasant afternoon was spent. ELECTION OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken, Messrs. Jas. Sutherland, 2 Stawell- street, Kew, and H. W. Whitney, Victoria-street, Williamstown North, were duly elected members of the club. ; GENERAL BUSINESS. The President drew attention to the forthcoming conversazione, and impressed on members that all should do their best in order to ensure a thorough success. a PAPERS READ. 1. By Messrs. J. Gabriel and H. T. Tisdall, entitled ‘ Two Naturalists at Phillip Island.” The paper gave a general description of several days spent dredging in Western Port Bay, with rambles on shore, and enum- erated the more important shells, polyzoa, and seaweeds noticed. In the discussion that followed, Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., said he hardly credited the story of the crab opening oysters by the ‘insertion of small stones, and, as showing the way mollusca are preyed upon, he mentioned the large starfish and the mussels, in which case it has been shown that main force is exerted to cause the bivalves to open. Mr. Hunt spoke on the same subject, and asked the cause of the holes so often found in mussel shells. Mr. J. G. Luehmann and Mr. D. M‘Alpine mentioned the fact of pearls being frequently taken from mussels, though the latter could not recommend the industry. Mr. J. H. Gatliff drew attention to the mollusca new to science obtained by Mr. Gabriel. 2. By Mr. R. Hall, entitled ‘“ Notes on the Magpies, Gymmnor- hina leuconota and Gt. tebicens.” The author pointed out the differences in the two species, and 2 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. gave a number of notes on the birds and their habits, especially as to nest-building while in captivity. Mr. Le Souéf said that in his travels he had not seen the Black-backed Magpie in North-East Australia, where its place was largely taken by the Roller-bird: Mr. G. A. Keartland stated that he had seen the Magpies in Central Australia, but only rarely, and they were always of the Black-backed species. Mr. H. W. Hunt had had a male Magpie in captivity that each year at nesting time gathered sticks, apparently for nest- building, though it did not attempt to build. Mr. Tisdall said the speakers had, so far, omitted to notice the sweet note of the Magpie, which, according to a recent writer who had experience of many birds in all countries, was the sweetest of all bird sounds. Mr. Coghill asked the author if he had noticed that in some districts the birds did not complete their song, but ended abruptly when about half through. Mr. Currie mentioned that with bush- men the gathering together and singing of the birds was con- sidered to indicate a change of weather. Mr. A. E. Kitson said in his experience the birds away from towns in remote parts were quite as pugnacious as those nearer settlement, in which statement he was strongly supported by another member. 3. By Mr. C.C. Brittlebank entitled “ The Birds of Myrniong and Surrounding Districts.” This, after a few brief introductory remarks, gave a list of about 160 species which had been noted in the district, and dis- tinguished those which were known to breed there. f NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., read a note asking for information as to the occurrence of the Tupong, Marble Fish, or Freshwater Flat- head in salt water. Mr. G. A. Keartland read a note on the exhibit of the eggs of the rare Megapodius pritchardi. Mr. A. KF. Kitson brought forward a newspaper paragraph recording the capture of a Flathead weighing 14 lbs. off the Williamstown Pier, said to be the largest ever taken in the Bay. A Silver Bream, measuring a foot in length and weighing between three and four pounds, was taken a few days previously in the same locality. : EXHIBITS. By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard.—Flower of Native Iris, Diplarrhena morea, grown at Kew. By Mr. D. Best.—Fossils from Tas- mania. By Mr. A. Campbell, jun.—A Magnificent Rifle-bird, Ptilorhis magnifica, from Cape York. By Mr. C. French, jun. —Orchids in bloom—Pterostylis parviflora, P. aphylla, Hriochilus fimbriatus, HE. autumnalis, Prasophyllum despectens, collected at Sandringham, 9th April. By Mr. J. H. Gatliff—rz species of ‘marine shells, dredged by Mr. Gabriel at Western Port, including THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 5) type of Zrichotropis gabrieli, Pritchard and Gatliff. By Mr. R. Hall.—Several species of the Rallide. By Mr. D. Le Souéf, C.M.Z.S.—Egg of Great Bower-bird, Chlamydodera nuchalis, from North-West Australia. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. DESCRIPTIONS OF THREE NEW AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. By A. J. CAMPBELL. (Read before the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, 13th March, 1899.) CALAMANTHUS RUBIGINOSIS (n.s.), Rusty-red Field-Wren. Most resembles C. campestris (Gould), but is more rufous or rusty-red in character of colouring. The white tail tips are absent, but there are a few white feathers on the nape of the neck, which, however, may not be permanent. The whitish line over the eye is also absent. Dimensions in inches :—Length, 4.5; wing, 1.95; tail, 1.7; bill, .42; tarsus, .9. : This variety may possibly be the Desert-Wren, C. isabellinws (North), which is described as having the dark streaks of the upper surface almost obsolete. In the skin under consideration these marks are fairly distinct. Mr. Tom Carter, the collector, informs me that the bird is numerous on his station, near Point Cloates, and may be seen warbling on the tops of bushes at almost any time of the year; but it is difficult to shoot, because as soon as one is approached it dives into the undergrowth and creeps out of sight. PTILOTIS CARTERI (n.s.), Western White-plumed Honey-eater. Differs from P. penicillata (Gould) by its smaller size and yellow-tinted plumage—almost as yellow as P. flavescens (Gould). However, the only skin at my command appears to be that of an immature bird ; therefore, more material is necessary before the new species can be confirmed or otherwise. In the mean- time I beg to submit the name carterz, after the discoverer, Mr. Thomas Carter, as a small compliment for his enthusiasm as _a field ornithologist, and for his British pluck in starting pastoral pursuits in such a dry and uninviting country as the region of the North-west Cape. Comparative dimensions, in inches, of Eastern and Western varieties of White-plumed Honey-eaters :— Length. Wing. Tail. Bill. Tarsus. P. PENICILLATA ... 6.75 3.25 3.0 43 85 P. CARTERI ea 6.0 2.8 2.75 4 8 ACANTHOGENYS FLAVACANTHUS (n.s.), Yellow-spined Honey- eater, 4 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. Differs from A. rufigularis (Gould) in its smaller size, lighter or more brownish tinge of the upper surface, and by yellow spines on the cheek instead of white. Comparative dimensions, in inches, of Eastern and Western birds :— Length. Wing. Tail. Bill. Tarsus. A. RUFIGULARIS ... ‘10.5 4.75 4.5 275 1.0 A, FLAVACANTHUS ... 9.25 4.0 4.0 7 -9 NOTE ON THE MAGPIE. By Dipusn: (Read before the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, 13th March, 1899.) Many discussions have taken place in our Club on the question as to whether the Magpie, Gymnorhina leuconota, Gould, is an insectivorous or vegetable feeder, but this particular question has nothing to do with the object of my short paper, or, as I prefer to call it, note. I may, however, be allowed to express an opinion, heterodox perhaps, that the bird has always been, as it is now, omnivorous, but that, like man himself, has taken advantage of the opportuni- ties offered by increase of settlement to indulge in luxuries it never before dreamt of, and hence its incurring the enmity of many of our farmers. Although a lover of birds, I confess to knowing very little about them, but I am constrained to say that however much I might be desirous of increasing my very limited knowledge, I certainly could not do so to any great extent from any of the books I have looked into on Australian birds. Of course I am speaking only of Australian, or perhaps I should more correctly say Victorian authors, as I have no desire to court criticism outside my own colony. So far as my reading goes, all I can learn is generally that a bird breeds in such a month, that it constructs a certain kind of nest, and lays so many eggs of such a size and coloration, and that it has a certain range. As to the number of eggs in a clutch and the colour, these seem two of the most important points to our ornithologists, and whilst I fully recognize that these, as also the other mentioned particulars, are of importance, I regret that so many discussions have taken place on them to the exclusion of more interesting details. Nowhere from our authors do I get any of the interesting and instructive life-history obtainable from the English periodicals on British birds. As illustrating my con- tention, in no Victorian publication that has come under my notice have I seen anything describing the first attempts of a bird to teach its young to fly, or to search for food, or in how many days from its birth the young bird is considered strong enough to THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 5 try its first flight. In fact, I have had the conclusion forced upon me that with all our Victorian ornithologists the main, if not the only, objects they have in view are those above mentioned. This has been especially noticeable in the Club excursions I have accompanied, habits of birds being scarcely mentioned, and rarely if ever alluded to in the reports. To the mere collector this is probably all-sufficient, but if our writers were to take a few lessons from the English periodicals, several of which, as I have before stated, often have most interesting and instructive bird articles, their contributions would be far more appreciated by cur members as well as by the readers of our Victorian Naturalist. During my collecting rambles I have often been startled by the swift flight and loud swishing noise close to my head of magpies, and when one’s attention is abstracted or devoted to the search for insects, this close swishing is calculated to upset one’s equilibrium; at all events, it does mine. Now, last spring I had the same experiences, and I determined I would see what explanation for this habit of the magpie I couid get from books, but, alas! I could get none; in fact, so far as I recollect, it was not even mentioned. What I should like to know is, did the bird possess this peculiar habit in the earliest days of settlement, or is it, like that of the New Zealand parrot, the Kea, of only comparatively recent development. Now, that of the Kea I can understand, for in its well-known fatal attack on sheep it has for its object the gratification of a special weakness—the securing of the kidney fat—and although this has brought upon it condign punishment, which may event- ually mean extermination, still, as I have said, it has a distinct gratification in view. I suppose we may dismiss as a mere skit the jocular paragraph that recently appeared in the Argus from a correspondent, to the effect that the Kea seems to delight in teasing helpless creatures, such as a dog chained up, and in a recent case went so far as to peck to pieces the boots of the victim of a mountaineering accident while lying on the ground awaiting the arrival of his companions with a stretcher, and it was only by continually moving his head that he kept them away from his eyes. But where does any gratification, reason, or instinct come in for the action of the magpie, which apparently serves only to betray the whereabouts of its nest and young. If the habit has existed in early times, what was then its object, and is it the same now? It certainly did not serve to frighten away the aboriginal, and of other birds it seems to have no fear, for I have never noticed it act similarly towards them. As to animals it is different, judging from the fact that when accompanied by a dog I have not been interfered with. From my own experience I can state that up to say twenty years ago I was never molested by a 6 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. magpie, nor had I seen or heard of the habit, and prior to that time I and a companion did a great deal of collecting and saw many more magpies at all seasons of the year than I have since. This is strongly impressed upon me by the fact that the months when the magpies have their young, August and September, are those in which I have for many years been accustomed to look for a special genus of beetles, and for years no magpie came near me. Now I always have to be on the look-out. I should also like to learn from some of our bird members the average life of a magpie, and if so long as they live—provided, of course, that they are not disturbed—a pair will continue to return to the same nest, or, if one or the other dies, the newly-mated pair will do so. I do not profess to have formed any theory for the habit I have described. All I desire is to bring it before the club, by all of whose members it must have been noticed, but where, so far as I can recollect, it has never before been mentioned, and if my paper has the effect I hope for I shall be amply recompensed for all the adverse criticism I may possibly receive at the hands of my ornithological friends. A HUNT FOR A NAME. By i., S. (aan VEA: (Read before the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, 18th March, 1899.) WHEN confronted by a natural history specimen of any kind a question which naturally arises in one’s mind is as to its place in the system in which it has been found convenient to arrange both the animal and the vegetable kingdoms. We want to find out its name, for, armed with this knowledge, we are at once given a key which will open to us much of what is known of its structure and relationships. Now the identification of an organism is usually no easy matter, for animals and plants vary, and often it is exceed- ingly difficult to know where to draw the line between two species, or it may be between two genera. This is, of course, a difficulty due to natural causes. ‘Truly distinct species may be closely allied, and though an expert in the group might separate them with rapidity and unerring accuracy, still the novice may be quite unable to honestly make up his mind as to their distinctness. There is another difficulty, and that is the obscurity of the original description which gives the organism its name. It may be too brief to be of much practical value, and it may be accompanied by figures which are mere smudgy caricatures and more likely to hinder than to aid. Then, again, specialists in every group naturally invent a set of terms which one has to master before any description is intelligible. But how is one to begin? THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 7 An animal that we have never seen before comes into our pos- session, and we want more on the label than date and place of capture. Now one must assume a certain amount of knowledge on the part of the inquirer, and he should, after a preliminary examination, be able to judge whereabouts it belongs, whether a starfish, a tunicate, or a coral. I recently had a hunt for the name of an animal belonging to a group with which my acquaint- ance was but slight. At first I naturally tried other people. They all, of course, had a general sort of an idea as to its position, but no one whom I asked could satisfy me. It was not a case of no one knowing, but of my not asking the persons who did know, and so the thing was laid aside, to come up every year or two, when someone would ask me what its name was. The organism in question is a species of coral which occurs in pieces up to about the size of one’s hand, and is found at many places along our shores. ‘Tillsome three years ago all the specimens I had seen were greatly worn, so that it was not much use attempting to do anything with them. Later, however, on one of the Club’s excur- sions, when under Mr. Gabriel’s directions we dredged off Ricketts Point, near Beaumaris, three living specimens were obtained, of which I secured two. Since then other specimens from the same spot have been obtained, and Iam indebted to Mr. O. A. Sayce for a fine example preserved in formalin. One of my own specimens I preserved in spirit and the other I boiled in carbonate of soda to remove the organic matter, and I thus had a beautiful example for examination. Then arose once more the question of identification. Now, I have chosen this coral merely as a convenient peg on which to hang a few remarks as to how one may set about hunting for literature on a subject, so that I will insert a few intermediate steps which, as a matter of fact, were omitted in my search. Rolleston’s ‘‘ Forms of Animal Life,” edited by Jackson, forms a convenient starting point, as it contains a classified list of literature. Here, under corals, we are referred for classification to a paper by Martin Duncan in the Journal of the Linnean Society, vol. xviii. 1885. This paper is a revision of the genera and higher groups of the Madreporaria, to which our example belongs. There is a glossary at the end of the paper, and by the aid of some common corals one can get an idea of what is meant by most of the technical terms used in their description. Armed with this knowledge, it was seen that the specimen was referable to the genus Plesiastrzea. Then came the question of the species, on which Duncan throws no light. On reference to Mr. T. Whitelegge’s “ List of the Invertebrate Fauna of Port Jackson and the Neighbourhood ” we see one species of Plesiastraea recorded from that locality—namely, P. wrvillesa—and the reference to the original description is given. At the same time THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. | ® reference was made to that great mine of information, ‘‘ The Reports of the Challenger Expedition,” and it was found that Quelch, in vol. xvi., on ‘‘ The Reef-Building Corals,” recorded one species and mentioned another from Australian shores, they being P. urvillet and P. peroni, M. Ed., but no reference was given for the last species. Whitelegge’s reference to the ‘‘ Annales des Sciences Naturelles ” was then looked up, and there seemed to be little doubt that my specimen agreed with the figure and description of P. urvillei. Moreover, the descriptions of the other species of the genus given in the same paper were read through, but mine differed from all in some point or other. Still there remained P. peroni, a description of which I had not seen, for I knew that Tenison Woods, in one of his papers on fossil corals, casually mentioned that the common species on our shores was P. peroni, and as corals are not easy things to determine with absolute certainty, it was advisable that the description of the last species should be looked up. But looked up where? Hitherto I had not got a reference, and the species was not mentioned in the only paper of Edwards and Haime I had consulted. In the Challenger article mentioned above the reference given to P. urvillec was almost meaningless, and evidently the paper I had consulted was not the one meant. The reference runs—‘“ Plesiastrea urvillei, Milne-Edwards and Haine, Cor. II., p. 490.” Now, the Royal Society of London has published a catalogue of all scientific papers—that 1s, articles— published between 1800 and 1883, but it contained no paper the title of which could be shortened into Cor. II. A suggestion that it might be a Biblical reference was. not acted upon. Evidently, then, it was not a “paper,” but must be an inde- pendent book. There is a British Museum catalogue of books where, in default of other means of finding its title, I could have gone ; but, before doing so, I turned up the literature on corals in Nicholson and Lydekker’s ‘“‘Manual of Paleontology,” and there I found ‘“ Milne-Edwards and Haime—Histoire Naturelle des Coralliaires,” which was evidently what I wanted. On turning up the catalogue of the Melbourne Public Library the title was wanting. This was a severe blow. Nor was it in the University Library. However, no catalogue is perfect, nor is it expected to contain books bought since its publication, so that the precaution taken of asking if the work was in the Public Library was justified, for I found that it was. The description of P. peront, which I had hoped might be in this work, was there, and it, together with the figure, showed the distinctness of my specimen. Having, then, the original descriptions and figures before me, I decided that my specimens were certainly P. urvillei. Now, the present notes have been prepared merely as an THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 9 object lesson on the actual method that may be adopted in hunting up the literature of any subject. When one knows the country it is easy for him to find his way about, but to the stranger it is not easy, and he needs the finger-posts which the other never heeds. So it is with work of this kind. “ Cor. II.” is good enough for the specialist, but is a meaningless “blaze” for the ‘‘new chum.” It hardly seems necessary to insist on the fact that the mere labelling of a specimen with a name is not the end of natural history; but identification is a step, and a necessary one, if we are to communicate to others any observa- tions we may make. i ® The principles I have sketched will, of course, apply not merely to a hunt for a name, but also to a hunt in the literature in any branch on which we want to learn something of what has been done elsewhere by other observers. DESCRIPTIONS OF THE NESTS AND EGGS OF SIX SPECIES OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. By AtrreD J. Norru, C.M.ZS., Ornithologist, Australian Museum, Sydney. WHILE examining various ornithological and oological collections recently in Melbourne I observed in Mr. G. A. Keartland’s col- lection four species of Australian birds’ eggs that, so far as I am aware, have not been previously described. An egg of Chlamy- dodera guttata, from Central Australia, subsequently received, he handed me for description on the day I left Melbourne ; and yet another addition—the egg of Melithreptus letior, from North- west Australia—I received from him shortly after my return to Sydney. CHLAMYDODERA GuTTATA, Gould (Guttated Bower-bird). Ever since specimens of the Guttated Bower-bird were obtained by the Horn Exploring Expedition at Glen Edith, in Central Aus- tralia, our indefatigable member, Mr. Keartland, ‘has unceasingly urged his many friends in the interior of Australia to try and dis- cover the nest and egg of this interesting species. Towards the latter end of last year Mr. C. E. Cronies of Illamurta, who has been successful in obtaining many undescribed or little-known eggs in Central Australia, “caught a newly-fledged Guttated Bower- bird in a scrubby Mulga i in one of the valleys south of Mareena Bluff. Near the top of this tree, in a ‘silvery-white mistletoe,’ a nest was constructed. of a few dried black Cotton-bush tops, and lined with coarse grass stalks. Externally it measured eight inches in diameter, and internally about four inches and a half.” Mr. Cowle further adds—‘“‘ Viewed from below the nest. would be taken for an unfinished one not worthy of inspection, and I was 10 THE ‘VICTORIAN NATURALIST. particularly struck by the amount of ventilation in it when I had itin my hand. The blackboys who were with me were certain it was a Bower-bird’s, but I was doubtful if they had seen one before.” It was therefore with feelings of extreme pleasure that, just prior to my departure from Melbourne, Mr. Keartland informed me he had received that day the long wished for egg of Chlamydodera guttata from Central Australia. It was taken by Mr. James F. Field, during the first week in February, 1899, from a similarly described nest as above, but built in a low bush, in the neighbourhood of Alice Springs Telegraph Station. One egg constituted the sitting. It is elongate-oval in form, of a faint greenish-grey ground colour, with the usual labyrinthine network of zig-zag wavy hair and thread-like loop-lines, scrolls, and figures, crossing and recrossing each other, so characteristic of typical eggs of the Chlamydodere. In this specimen there are but very few underlying markings, nearly all of them being well defined and appearing as if they had been placed on the shell with a pen dipped in different shades of umber-brown and violet-grey, the former colour predominating and being more thickly disposed towards the thinner end, where in some places the lines are confluent and form broad irregular-shaped patches, and short wavy streaks. The texture of the shell is very fine and its surface lustreless. Length, 1.56 x 1.02 inch. In shape, size, colour, and disposition of its markings it cannot be distinguished from fairly typical eggs of its near ally, C. maculata. Egg of Chlamydodera guttata (natural size), reproduced from a photograph. The eggs of four out of the five species of the genus Chlamy- dodera inhabiting Australia are now known. According to the THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 11 Hon. Walter Rothschild * C. orientalis is not separable from C. nuchalis, and does not merit even sub-specific rank. In that writer’s opinion, therefore, the eggs described and figured by me in the Victorian Naturalist t from Mr. C. French, jun.’s, collection are really attributable to C. nuchalis. Although Mr. Rothschild has seen in the British Museum “examples of both forms, together with a specimen almost intermediate, all from one and the same locality,” I cannot agree with that writer’s conclusions. In the large series of these birds now before me the distinguishing characters of C. orientalis, pointed out by Gould, are constant in adult birds, and although undoubtedly both species are closely allied I cannot but regard C. orientalis as distinct, and the repre- sentative of C. nuchalis in Eastern Australia. RHIPIDURA ALBICAUDA, North (White-tailed Flycatcher). Although the present species was one of the novelties secured by the members of the Horn Exploring Expedition in Central Australia in 1894, by some inadvertence its nest and egg, which was secured in the same year, has been apparently overlooked and hitherto undescribed. ‘The small cobweb-coated and deli- cately-formed open nest of the White-tailed Flycatcher doubtless closely resembles that of its well-known near ally, 2. albiscapa, for Mr. C. E. Cowle, who found it at Illamurta in December, 1894, In describing it to Mr. Keartland, states it is of a “ pipe-like shape,” evidently referring to the tail- like appendage below the nest and the thin Mulga branch on which it was placed. The single egg, however, which it contained varies somewhat from typical eggs of the White-shafted Flycatcher. It is oval in form, and of a faint buffy-white ground colour, which is thickly covered with minute and indistinct freckles of very pale purplish-buff, the markings being more thickly disposed on the larger end, and forming an obscure cap. Length, 0.65 x 0.5 inch. PSOPHODES NIGROGULARIS, Gould (Western Whip-bird). Two eggs of this species, taken by Mr. J. Harris from small saucer-shaped nest built of twigs and placed in low, scrubby - undergrowth, near Bunbury, Western Australia, in December, 1898, cannot be distinguished from some eggs of the eastern representative, P. crepitans. One specimen is oval in form, and of a pale bluish-white ground colour, with dots, spots, and small irregular-shaped blotches and dashes scattered over the shell, but more thickly disposed on the larger end, where some of the markings are confluent, and are intermingled with a few underlying streaks and spots of faint bluish-grey. Length, 1.06 x 0.78 inch. The other egg is an elongate oval in form, exceeding in length average specimans of 7. crepitans, and is of * Nov. Zool., vol. v., p. 86 (1898). + Vict. Nat., vol. xii., p. 104 (1895). i, THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. a pale greenish-white ground colour, with irregular-shaped spots, dashes, and short linear streaks of black distributed over the surface of the shell, some of the spots and dots running in nearly straight lines; in other places they are in small clusters. This specimen has also similar underlying markings. Length, 1.2 x 0.78 inch. MUNIA PECTORALIS, Gould (White-breasted Finch). _ This species was met with and specimens obtained by Mr. Keartland while he remained in charge of the Calvert Exploring. Expedition camp near the junction of the Fitzroy and Margaret rivers, in North-west Australia. In his field notes Mr. Keartland makes the following remarks* :—“ This Finch was only seen between the Telegraph Station and the Margaret River. It proved very shy, and although disturbed whilst feeding amongst the long grass, or seen flying from tree to tree, only two or three were shot.” A nest of this species which he found at the latter end of February, 1897, was a flask-shaped structure, outwardly formed of very coarse grass stalks, and neatly lined inside with the finest ‘‘silver-grass.” It contained four eggs, and was built in a shrub, about ten feet from the ground. The eggs are elongate-oval in form, white, with a faint blue tinge ; the surface of the shell, although smooth, is dull and lustreless. Length— (a) 0.65 x 0.43 inch, (0) 0.64 x 0.42 inch, (c) 0.64 x 0.42 inch, (d) 0.62 x 0.43 inch. TRICHOGLOSSUS RUBRITORQUIS, Vig. and Horsf. (Red-collared Lorikeet). Mr. Keartland in his field notes made during the journey of the Calvert Exploring Expedition in North-west Australia writes} :— “On approaching Derby several pairs of these birds crossed our line of march, but I was unable to secure specimens. However, the fact that they breed in that neighbourhood was established by Dr. House, Government Resident, who showed me a beautiful pair of _ young birds in captivity which had been taken from a nest in the vicinity by a native.” Recently Mr. Keartland has received two eggs of this species, accompanied with a skin of the female procured at the same time. They were taken by Mr. E. J. Harris from the hollow limb of a eucalypt about twenty miles south-east of Derby, in May, 1898. The eggs are rounded ovals in form, white but very much nest-stained, hike most eggs found of its eastern congener, 7’. nove-hollandiae, the texture of the shell being very fine, but its surface is dull and lustreless. Length—(a) I.1 x 0.9 inch; (0) 1.08 x 0.91 inch. MELITHREPTUS L#TIOR, Gould ( Yellow-backed Honey-eater). This beautiful honey-eater, of which Mr. Keartland was * Trans, Roy. Soc. S.A. 1898, p. 143. +Trans. Roy. Soc. S.A. 1898, p. 169. THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 13 successful in obtaining several fine examples during his trip with the Calvert Exploring Expedition, has recently been found nesting in the same locality as he procured his specimens. During the first week of February, 1899, Mr. E. J. Harris took an egg of this species from a small cup-shaped nest built in the drooping leafy twigs of a Bauhinia about ten feet from the ground, and close to the junction of the Fitzroy and Margaret Rivers, North-west Australia. It is oval in form, gently tapering towards the smaller end, and is of a pale fleshy-buff ground colour, which gradually passes into a warm reddish buff on the larger end, where there are spots and blotches of a slightly darker hue, intermingled with underlying markings of faint purplish-buff, the surface of the shell being smooth and slightly glossy. Length, 0.86 x 0.61 inch. ‘This egg resembles some of the delicately-coloured varieties of those of Ptelotis awricomis. Figures of all the above eggs are included in the plates of the second edition of the Australian Museum ‘“ Descriptive Catalogue of the Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds,” now in the press. NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COCCID. By T. D. A. CocKERELL, Entomologist, New Mexico Agricul- tural Experiment Station. I1.—THE AUSTRALIAN SPECIES OF MYTILASPIS. TABLE FOR THE SEPARATION OF THE FEMALES. No groups of circumgenital glands ... I Circumgenital glands present : 5 t Lobes broad, truncate (Coccomytilus, ‘Leon. a 2 Lobes narrow and pointed hs 4 2 Scale greyish-white 5a ts 3 Scale dark greyish-brown ... a: “acacie, Mask. 3 Scale very convex sah BEF conveaa, Mask. Scale slightly convex : ... acacie v. albida, Mask. 4 Scale reddish-brown (Allantomy ytilus, Leon.) maideni, Mask. Scale with transverse silvery-white bands (Phaulomytilus, Leon.) ae ... striata, Mask. 5 No lobes, nor median depression Bh Sa a Wo 10) Lobes present; or if little developed, then a median depression ee ae ; 4 6 Scale snow-white " defecta, Mask. Scale tinged with greyish-yellow _ defecta v. tincta, Mask. 7 Only two lobes, those large ; margin on each side of lobes denticulate ... sate Shey) ke Not so; usually three pairs of lobes ; if only one pair distinct, these small... at oe eye) Dd 8 Scale snow-white Hoe ay a arena.) 14 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. sie) Il 12 tS 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 27 Scale more or less surrounded by cottony fluff; lobes very large... es grandilobis, Mask. Scale not ‘surrounded by ‘fluff; lobes smaller ; dorsal surface of body with six spines ie Baa Ho) Smaller, less than 2 millim. long... spinifera, Mask. Larger, about 3 millim. long spinifera v. major, Mask. Scale with much cottony fluff; hind end of female with eight pairs of long hyaline linear processes (Z’richo- mytilus, Leon.) 3, ae oe pi Mask. Scale ordinary ... ei ee Fae He Scale snow-white : 23 ee Scale greyish or brown, at palest (melaleucee) greyish- white en A depression between the ‘median ‘lobes, which are the only ones well developed Lael No marked depression between the median lobes Mew hos Median lobes represented by thickenings of the margin casuarine, Mask. Median lobes rather prominent, rounded pallens v. alba, Mask. Three pairs of well-formed lobes, all pointed nivea, Mask. Lobes well developed but short, broadly rounded or truncate ao a lidgetti, Ckll., n. sp. Scale brown, linear Las ae glovertt (Pack.) Scale mytiliform me See HE, Squames flattened, with serrated ends; median lobes long and parallel ; scale buff colour banksic, Mask. Squames spine-like 203 ae eee tS Scale light greyish or greyish- -white ... Be SO Scale brown in RT On A marked depression between the median lobes pallens, Mask. No marked depression between the median lobes ie eo Female insect dark red, or nearly black grisea, Mask. Female insect yellow. ... a melaleuce, Mask. Median lobes wider, nearly entire ; on various plants pomorum (Bouché) Median lobes narrower, serrulate ; usually on Citrus citricola (Pack.) (i. citricola v. tasmanie, Mask., on Pomaderris apetala, is hardly separable.) Mytilaspis lidgetiz, n. sp. Female scale of the ordinary mytiliform shape, rather narrow, usually more or less curved, moderately convex, snow-white, the exuvie bright reddish-orange, but the second skin more or less covered by a thin whitish film. Length of scale about 3 millim. Male scale much smaller, snow-white, rather broad, more or less loosely woven, so as to appear woolly ; no keel ; exuvia deep orange. THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 15 Adult female after boiling transparent ; five groups of circum- genital glands, median of 7 to 8, anterior laterals 15 to 16, posterior laterals 14 to 16, the anterior lateral group often elongated; very many dorsal glands of the type of those of Parlatoria zizyphus, but shorter; four pairs of lobes ; median lobes fairly large but short, truncate, shaped like the end of an axe-blade, broader than long, separated by a rather wide interval, but the margin not depressed between them. At the outer side of each median lobe is a long spine, nearly twice as long as the lobe, then comes a very short pointed squame; next, and separated. by a wide interval from the median lobe, comes the second lobe, which is divided into two separate lobules, the first large and rounded, the second also rounded, but smaller and narrower ; at the second lobule of the second lobe is another long spine, then a pointed squame, bifurcate at the end; then after an interval comes the third lobe, completely divided into two separate rather small lobules ; then a long spine and a pointed squame, then a more or less rudimentary fourth lobe, the lobules of which are bluntly pointed. Hab.—Massed on bark of Hucalyptus rostrata, Schlecht, and E. goniocalyx, F. v. Muell., Myrniong, Victoria, Australia (James Lidgett). The female scales of MW. lidgetti are exactly like those of M. casuarine, which I have from Mr. Maskell. The female of casuarine, however, is very easily known from lidgetti by the depression between the median lobes, which are broad, little produced, and strongly crenulate. 2.—A NEw PULVINARIA. Pulvinaria paradelpha, Ckll. and Lidgett, n. sp. Female (shrivelled) about 4 millim. long, oval, rather pale brown. Ovisac white, broad and flat, of rather a leathery consistency, nearly parallel-sided, about ro millim. long, and 4 broad. Margin of female almost spineless, the spines few and minute. Spines of lateral incisions in threes, the middle one about twice as long as the others, all of about equal thickness throughout, not bulbous or clubbed at end as in P. thompsont. Skin with fairly numerous round glands, some large, others small. Antenne 8-segmented, 3 longest, and longer than 4 and 5 together. Formula 3 (281) (45) (67). Legs fairly stout, tarsus about two-thirds length of tibia ; claw short and strongly hooked ; tarsal digitules slender; claw digitules greatly expanded, with very broad ends. Mouth parts small. Male scale glassy, translucent, with a flat dorsal area crossed by two or three sutures ; and seven or eight sutures on each side, runni g from the sides of the dorsal area to the margin. 16 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. Hab.—Both sexes on leaves of Acacia melanoxylon, R. Brown, on Mount Difficult, Grampians, Victoria, at a height of about 3,700 feet. Allied to P. thompsont, Mask., from Tasmania. For the more exact determination of P. paradelpha, the following measurements in micromillimetres may be found useful :— Antennal segments: (1) 59; (2) 56; (3) 93; (4) 37 to 45; (5) 37 to 42; (6) 255 (7) 25; (8) 51 to 54. Legs: Coxa, 1163; femur with trochanter, 232; tibia, 149; tarsus, 99. Further specimens have been found at Myrniong by Mr. Jas. Lidgett on a somewhat stunted specimen of the same tree grow- ing on the edge of a creek bank which showed undisputed signs of being submerged during flood times. The tree was literally covered with both males and females, the snow-white ovisacs of the latter being fully half an inch in length, giving the appearance as if partly covered by snow. A perpendicular rod-like fungus was noticed growing on some of the females after gestation. Nests AND Eccs oF AUSTRALIAN BirpDs.—We have received the prospectus of Mr. A. J. Campbell’s proposed work on the “Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds.” As an author Mr. Campbell is well known to members of the Field Naturalists’ Club and readers of the Naturalist, and to a wider circle of readers by his popular articles on the same subject in the dus- tralasian. The manuscript, which is the result of thirty years’ personal observations in various parts of the Australian continent, has now been completed, and some 200 coloured illustrations of eggs have been prepared by Mr. C. C. Brittlebank. The book is _to be published by subscription, and lovers of natural history oe should not fail to enter their names for a copy of a work which will, no doubt, reflect great credit both on the author and the artist. Tue Power oF AN Insect.—“ But for the Tsetse-fly the whole history of South-Central Africa would be different. It would have been rapidly traversed by mounted men, not nearly so much ill- health would have pursued explorers and pioneers forced to travel on foot, and the whole question of transport would be rendered infinitely more easy, as coaches and waggons could run, and huge numbers of pack animals—horses, mules, and oxen—might convey goods which at present are carried on men’s heads. Undoubtedly the Tsetse-fly has checked the southward range of Muhammadan raiders from the north.”—From “ British Central Africa,” by Sir Harry H. Johnston, K.C.B.—a book containing much information of interest to lovers of nature, ne the a acest distribution ae the species and popular bservations thereon. The work which includes field observations extending over 30 years, 130 photographic illustrations of birds, nests, and nesting scenes, and 200 chromo-lithographic figures of eggs will be lways the most interesting of the natural economy) of Australian birds. es Prospectus and order form may be obtained from the author, H. M. _ Customs, re or from Mr. Thos. G. Campbell, Beatty Avenue, - Mr. Campbell ventures to hope he will receive sufficient. public support to enable him to publish at once this purely Australian work. SPECIAL NOTICE. _ Members are reminded that the Club’s year ended on 30th April last, and that subscriptions (15s.) for 1899-1900 are now due, and must be paid on or before 8th June, in order to entitle members to vote at the Annual Election of office- bearers which takes place on that day. The Hon. Treasurer (Mr. J. T. illespie, 395 Little Flinders Street, Melbourne) will be glad to receive such subscriptions. Any person desirous of resigning his membership is requested to “notify the Hon. Secretary to that effect and return this Watwralist. CONVERSAZIONE, 18th and roth MAY. c HIS having been definitely fixed, and the Atheneum Hall engaged for two days, Members are requested to furnish the Hon. Secretary for the Conyersazione, Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S.; mal Museum, Carlton, with lists of their intended exhibits and space required by this meeting, May, 1899 The following gentlemen haye been appointed a sub-committee to work up exhibits in the iches named. - Ornithology ... ... Messrs. G. A. Keartland and A. J. Campbell Reptilia Nits ... Messrs. D. Le Soiief and C. Frost _ Conchology ... ... Messrs. J. H. Gatliff and J. Gabriel Entomology ... ... Messrs. D. Best and C. French, F.L.S. pibotany... ..: ... Messrs. F. G. A. Barnard and H. T. Tisdall Geology ys .... Messrs. T. S. Hall, M.A., and A. E. Kitson, F.G.S- : Microscopy a ... ~Messrs. W. Stickland and O. A. Sayce — : Rid fekets ( 1/- each) have been distributed and members are uested to make returns of sales as soon as possible after ; re reat Be a ‘ ‘ IMPORTERS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION OF MICROSCOPES, GALVANIC BATTERIES, th mieal and Seientifie Apparatus, &ce. STUDENTS’ MICROSCOPES. With Sliding Coarse Adjustment, Screw Fine LEITZ | MIGROSCOPES, Adjustment, Micrometer, Objectives Nos. 3 and a ae? land 3, Magnifying 84-600. In Mahogany Causes. ; With Sliding Coarse Adjusiment, Screw NACHET’ S MIGROSGOPES, _Fine Adjustment, Double Mirror, Side Condensing Lens, Eye-pieces Nos. 1 and 3, Objectives Nos. 3 and 6, Glass Slip, Cover Glasses, Mounted Object Forceps, Magnifying 80-550. In Mahogany Cases, : Microscopic Glass Slips, 3in. « lin., Extra Thin, Ground Edges and Rough Edges. Microscopic Cover Glasses, Nos. 1 and 3, Yin., in. and Rin. Circles. No. i square, Zin. and %in.; No. 3 square, Yin. and in. ; 642-6 LITTLE FLINDERS STREET, MELBOURNE. DAVIES, SHEPHARD & CO., MAW UL ACLTULSES OF" Water Meters, Electricity Meters, Turret Clocks, Microtomes, &¢., &C., 135 CITY RD, SOUTH MELBOURNE ; And, CLISDELL STREET, SYDNEY. NATURAL HISTORY APPARATUS, Supplied by —. CHERRY & SONS, Gisborne, Victoria. Cane ring Nets, - 3/6and 4/6 Zinc Pocket Killing (Laurel) Boxes, 1/6 and 2/- Forceps, 26 Cane or wire folding Nets, 6/- Entomological Pins (best), 1/6 per oz. box. Brass Y’s, 1/6 Zinc larve Boxes - 2/- Cyanide Bottles, 2/- r CORK SETTING BOARDS, length, 14 inches—all grooves 3 deep—papered. rand 1¥% wide, 1/- each. 2and 2% inch, 1/3. 3 inch, 1/6. 4 inch, t/9. 6inch, 2/6. (Any of the above sent by post to any part of Australasia at trifling cost.) TRAVELLING SETTING CASE, (15 x 13x 4 over all) with 12 assorted boards, 20/- CORK LINOLEUM specially imported, soft, 3 thick), 10x 8,6d. «2x10,9d. 15x 12, 1/1. 16 x 20, 2/- 20x 24, 3/- Any size to suit. STORE BOXES, 14x 10 x 4, corked and papered both sides, hinged and fastened with hook and — eye, 7/- each. CABINETS (io to 40 drawers) for Insects, Eecs or Micro. Suipes, in Cedar, Walnut, or Mahogany, from latest English patterns. For samples of our work visit Melbourne University and Government ‘Entomologist. , ee it wok. i, ° Pee oe ‘ rs . Z . P * ree od en ee ESE ng Peay) ee ee Oe ee Ne ae Ee eee Tee ee ee eee AIA eg coe ANA NISNIN ISIN he, i 7 SS) BN NN RN RN RN IRN IN INN RIN NN DIN IN RII NOIDA DDI IIe JUNE, 1899. THE “JOURNAL AND ci: ane TWINS oe ee <— ne The Field Dainralists’ Club of Wictoria. Pepsi : : = __—s* PUBLISHED 8th JUNE, 1899. editor. E.G. A. BARNARD, Esq. The: Author of an article is responsible for the facts and opinions recorded, iGO IN TEN LoS Co THE FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA Re 17 PROFESSOR SIR FREDERICK M‘COY ... xe i 19 FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB CONVERSAZIONE ... pe 20 ALG OF KERGUELEN’S LAND. ‘By HENRY THOs. ; _TISDALL su ce ; he ao 23 SOME SOUTH-WESTERN AUSTRALIAN BIRDS, By ROopt. pa LIAR “22. ares ce aah oes see 27 _ CORRESPONDENCE ay me ee Da “@ PRICE SIXPENCE. & ~ 2 :: oe O lreita for Guroype : pULAU & GO: 37 Soho Square, London. me _ ae ae Melbourne : ‘WALKER, MAY & CO., PRINTERS, 25 MACKILLOP STREET. ROOMS—ROYAL SOCIETY’S HALL, VICTORIA ST., MELBOURNE. BUSINESS PAPER FOR ANNUAL MEETING. A010 ON CVS Monday, 12th June, 1899, at Eight p.m. Correspondence and Reports. Election of Members. © Proposer. Seconder. Mr. R. T. Morton “ O. A. Sayce Bc Geo. Coghill 30 Oxley Road, Glenferrie. j 3. Nominations for Membership. Members making nominations will oblige by handing ae full name and address te Hon. Secretary. 4. General Business. Consideration of Annual Report and Financial Statement for 1898-0. Election of Office-Bearers for 1899-1goo. The following nominations have been made :— PRESIDENT—Mr. J. Shephard. VicE-PRESIDENTS—Messrs. T. S. Hall, M.A.,and J. G. Tecoma F. ES: Hon. TREASURER—Mr. J. T. Gillespie Hon. Lrprarian—Mr. O, A. Sayce Hon. SEcRETARY—Mr. G. Coghill CommittEE—Messrs J. Gabriel, R. Hall, G. A. Keartland, J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., A. Kitson. F.G.S., D. Le Séuef, C.M.Z.S., and H. I. Tisdall (five to be elected). 5. Reading of Papers and Discussions thereon. t. By Mr. J. A. Kershaw. ‘‘ Note on Lebythea Geoffroy.” 2. By, Mase le eh Tisdall, ‘*On Certain Movements of the Spores of a Fungus, Clathrus, sp.’ 3 By Mr. O. A. Sayce, “Remarks on an Exhibit of Some Living Stages of Mycetozoa.” 6. Reading of Natural History Notes. Members who may note any unusual occurrence, or see anything of interest in Foreign or Colonial papers, are requested to inform the Secretary of the same that he may arrange for their bringing them before the meeting; such notes should. however, be brief. 7. Exhibition of Specimens and Conversazione. Members exhibiting specimens are requested to furnish the Hon. Secretary with written particulars of their Exhibits for record in Minutes and Mazzratzst. «< EXCURSIONS. *& SATURDAY, I7TH JUNE. University, Under the leadership of Prof. Spencer, M.A. Meet at Biological School, 2.30 p.m. Biology. PROGRAMME 1899—1900. The Committee will be pleased to receive suggestions of Localities for Excursions for this year as early as possible. ~ “4 ¥ a = THE j Mictorian aturalist. Vou. XVI.—No. 2. JUNE 8, 1899. No. 186. FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA. _ Tue ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society’s Hall on Monday evening, 8th May, 1899. ‘The president, Mr. C. French, F.L.S., occupied the chair, and over 50 members and friends were present. REPORTS. The leader, Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., gave a short report of the excursion to the West Melbourne Swamp on Saturday, 15th April, 1899, and incidentally mentioned the heaps of stone lying there, brought as ships’ ballast from Brazil, which may in future days puzzle geologists. Mr. J. A. Kershaw reported a satisfactory attendance at the visit to the National Museum on Saturday, 29th April, when he showed those present the entomological and oological collections, as well as taking a general glance at the Museum. The hon. librarian, Mr. O. A. Sayce, reported the receipt of the following donations to the library: — “‘Records of the Australian Museum,” vol. ii., No. 5, from the Trustees ; __ “Tescriptive Notes of Fibres Prepared at Melbourne Botanic _ Gardens,” by W. R. Guilfoyle, F.L.S., from the author ; “ Pro- ceedings Academy of Natural Science of Philadelphia,” 1898, part 2, from the Academy; ‘Bulletin of Buffalo Society of Natural Science,” vol. v., parts 1-5, and vol. vi., part 1, from the society. ELECTION OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken, Messrs. T. S. Adcock, F.LS., | Geelong, and Jas. Kilgour, Railway-place, Williamstown, were duly elected members of the Club. GENERAL BUSINESS. Messrs. D. Best and R. Hall were elected auditors, and - nominations for office-bearers for 1899-1900 were received, Mr. G. A. Keartland moved that a deputation from the Club wait on the Commissioner of Customs and ask that the close season for quail be extended to 1st April in each year. This was carried, and on the motion of Mr. A. J. Campbell the _ President, Messrs. Le Souéf, Keartland, and the Secretary were appointed. 1 PAPERS. 1. By Mr. A. Campbell, entitled “‘ List of Birds Observed at 18 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. The author gave many notes on the birds seen by him at the Horticultural Gardens during his three years’ course of study there. The paper was discussed by Messrs. Keartland, Le Souéf, R. Hall, Kershaw, T. S. Hall, M.A., Mattingley, Barnard, and A. J. Campbell. 2. By Mr 1D: Le Souef, GZ S., entitled “Wisteousbmaes, with their Eggs, obtained by Mr. E. Olive on the Katharine River, Northern Territory.” The author extended the notes forwarded by Mr. Olive, and gave many interesting particulars as to the range of habitat of the. birds mentioned. The President, Messrs. G. A. Keartland, R. Hall, and A. J. Campbell joined in the discussion which followed. NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. Mr. T. A. Brittlebank communicated a note on the late—or, perhaps, early—building and nesting of birds this year. Mr. C. French, jun., recorded the finding of the rare Victorian orchid, Péerostylis acuminata, at Sandringham, 30th April, 1899. Mr. George E. Shepherd forwarded a note on the occurrence of the Little Eagle at Somerville, and exhibited the bird mounted. Mr. D. Le Souéf, C.M.Z.S., read a description of the nest and eggs of the Silvery-crowned Friar-bird, Philemon argenticeps, of North Queensland. EXHIBITS. By Mr. C. French, F.L.S.—An Australian specimen of the rare butterfly, Lbythea Geoffroyi, from North Queensland. By Mr. C. French, jun.—Plant new for Victoria and New South Wales, Zpacris mucronulata, R. Brown (‘“ Prodromus,” 552, from Tasmania only in 1810), simultaneously found by J. H. Maiden, F.L.S., on Mt. Kosciusko, New South Wales, and by C. Walter on the Buffalo Mountains, Victoria, Jan- uary, 1899. By Mr. R. Hall.—Nest of Chestnut-rumped Acanthiza in spout of a tree. By Mr. D. Le Souéf.—Skin and eggs of Crimson-winged Lory, and skin of Red-winged Lory. By Mr. F. M. Reader.—Dried specimens of plants, Lepturus cylindricus, F. v. M., Lepidosperma concavum, R. Br., Isoetes Drummondu, A. Br., new for the north-west of Victoria. By Mr. J. Searle.—Larva of small fly, Syrphus, sp., which feeds on aphides, also pupa and parasite. In last meeting’s list of exhibits the shells illustrating Messrs. Gabriel and Tisdall’s paper should have been listed as lent by Mr. C. Gabriel. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated, THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 19 PROFESSOR SIR FREDERICK McCOY. Ir is with great regret we record the death on Saturday, 13th May, 1899, at Brighton, of Sir Frederick McCoy, K.C.M.G,, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S., &c., Professor of Natural Science in the University of Melbourne. The late professor was one of the original members of the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, having been elected its first president in May, 1880, and his presidental address, delivered at the first conversazione of the Club on 17th May, 1881, printed at length in the Southern Science Record, vol.1., page 102, gives an interest- ing réswmé of the first year’s work of the Club, now entering its twentieth year. He was re-elected president in 1881 and 1882, and followed the then customary plan of giving an annual address at the conversaziones in April, 1882, and April, 1883, in each of which hints for future work for members of the Club were given (see Southern Science Record, vol. il., p 103, and vol. iil., p. 139). He was succeeded in the presidential chair by the late Hon. Dr. Dobson, and was subsequently elected an honorary member, and afterwards, along with the late Baron Sir F. von Mueller, a patron of the Club. His last function in connection with the Club was his presence at the conversazione of May, 1896, when he proposed a vote of thanks to his fellow patron, Baron von Mueller, for the inaugural speech. Professor McCoy was educated at Dublin and Cambridge, where he showed considerable ability in the sciences of geology and palzontology, and subsequently served on the geological survey of Great Britain, and on the foundation of the University of Melbourne, in 1854, he was selected to fill the chair of Natural Science, which then embraced the subjects of zoology, comparative anatomy, botany, mineralogy, chemistry, geology, and paleontology, but by the appointment of additional pro- fessors and lecturers several of these subjects have since been handed over to others. During later years the directorship of the National Museum of Natural History and Geology occupied a considerable portion of his time, and the regional groups of animals, &c., there are fine examples of his method of pre- senting the natural history of the world to the general public. As an author his name will ever be connected with the first and second volumes of the well-known “ Prodromus of the Zoology of Victoria,” of which twenty parts, containing two hundred excellently coloured plates, were issued under his direction, and which stamp him as a man of the front rank among systematic zoologists. He also issued several parts of a ‘‘ Prodromus of the Paleontology of Victoria,” in which numbers of our fossils are accurately described. Professor McCoy was the recipient of many honours during his long life of 76 years, from his Queen, his university, and from numerous scientific societies in many parts of the world. 20 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB CONVERSAZIONE. THE thirteenth conversazione of the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria was held at the Athenzeum Hall, Collins-street, Mel- bourne, on Thursday and Friday, 18th and 19th May, 1899. The details of the conversazione were much the same as those of previous years. The proceedings were inaugurated on Thurs- day evening by the president, Mr. C. French, F.L.S., who, ina brief speech, stated that the Club was now entering the twentieth year of its existence, and the fact of its having reached such an age should be some justification for its existence. He considered the members were to be congratulated on the excellent display of natural history objects brought together for the occasion, and trusted visitors would appreciate the efforts of the exhibitors. On behalf of the members of the Club he expressed deep regret at their recent loss by death of their patron and friend, Pro- fessor Sir F. McCoy, K.C.M.G., D.Sc., one of the pioneers of natural science in Victoria. In conclusion, he hoped future presidents would return to the former practice of delivering an adddress on their retirement from office. On Friday afternoon a lecturette entitled “‘ How an Insect Lives ” was delivered by Mr. O. A. Sayce, in the Upper Hall, to an appreciative audience. The lecturer directed his remarks to briefly explaining the three factors in sustaining life—(q@) the taking in of food and its digestion, and how the tissues became supplied with nourishment ; (4) the aeration of the tissues; and (c) the getting rid of the nitrogenous and gaseous waste products. In the matter of feeding he explained the mouth parts of a biting insect (a cricket), and compared these several parts, by the aid of coloured diagrams, with corresponding parts similarly coloured in a sucking insect (a mosquito), and showed how they per- formed their functions when feeding. The structure of the food- canal was also shown by diagrams, and the passage of the food through it was explained, also how certain glands secreted chemical substances which digested the food, how this digested food was taken up by certain cells and passed on to the blood, and how the blood was circulated by a contractile tube, the heart. The method of respiration by means of tracheze was also explained. In illustration of his remarks actual examples were shown, under miscroscopes, during the conversezione. In the evening Professor W. Baldwin Spencer, M.A., gave a lecturette descriptive of the Natural History Museum at South Kensington, London. The lecturer, by means of limelight views, gave some idea of the external and internal appearance of the museum, and drew attention to the great improvement in the manner of displaying natural history objects as evidenced at South Kensington, where typical specimens of each class are exhibited in as nearly as possible their natural surroundings, THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. alt instead of a bewildering collection of specimens displayed in stiff or conventional attitudes. He said that it was hoped that additional buildings would shortly be commenced for the national collection of Victoria. The lantern used to illustrate the lecture was kindly placed at the disposal of the Club and worked by Mr. J. Searle. The display of natural history specimens in: the main hall was of course the feature of the conversazione, and was perhaps an advance on previous exhibitions of the Club, and evidently aroused considerable interest among the visitors. The exhibition of specimens made by those members who devote themselves to microscopical work was a very attractive feature, and some twenty-five microscopes were in constant use during the whole period of the conversazione. The platform was tastefully decorated with pot plants by Mr. W. R. Virgoe, of the Old Chatsworth Nursery, North Brighton, who also exhibited some of the new plant-food known as “‘ Jadoo fibre,” with plants grown in it. EXHIBITS. The following is a list of exhibitors, with particulars of the various specimens :— AsHWoRTH, H. P. C., East Melbourne—Enlarged Photographs of Albatross on Nest; Albatross feeding young; Albatross flying; and group of young Pelicans. Two cases of Victorian Birds. BARNARD, F. G. A., Kew—Insects collected at Kew. Living Victorian Ferns (15 species). Epiphytal Lycopodium from Queensland (growing). Best, D., Hawthorn—Twelve cabinet drawers of Australian Beetles (Cole- optera). One case of Australian Wasps, &c. (Hymenoptera). Case of Australian,Cicadze, Ant-lions, &c. BRITTLEBANK, C. C.—Water-colour drawings of Orchids. BRITTLEBANK, T. A., Myrniong—Collection of Birds’ Skins from Myrniong and Bacchus Marsh districts. CAMPBELL, A. J., Armadale—Mounted Rifle-birds and Regent-birds. Photo- graphs of Birds’ Nests. CAMPBELL, A., jun., Armadale—Collection of Destructive Insects. CocHRANE, Miss S. W. L., Hawthorn—Paintings of Orchids and Wattle. Cotes, A., Melbourne—Orang-Utan from Borneo. Stripe-sided Rock Wallaby. Australian Native Bear. Case of Foxand Cubs. (Queensland Cassowary. Case of Satin Bower-birds, with bower. Case of French Partridges. Case of Snipe, Crakes, and Quail. Globe of Black Ducks, young, and egg. Collection of Wild Ducks. Black Swan and Cygnets. Albatross. Case of Gannets. Case of Huias (New Zealand). Arma- dillo from Borneo. Skull of Crocodile 26 feet long, from Borneo. Collection of Victorian Edible Fish and Birds which feed on them. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, ENTOMOLOGICAL BRANCH — Twelve cabinet drawers of Life-Histories of Economic Insects. Plates for part iu. of ‘‘ Handbook of Destructive Insects of Victoria,” &c. Fercuson, W. H., Albert Park—Collection of Aboriginal Weapons. FRENCH, C., F.L.S., Malvern—Thirty cabinet drawers of Australian and Exotic Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths). Sixteen drawers of Aus- tralian Coleoptera (Beetles). FRENCH, C., jun., South Yarra—Case of Australian Sea Birds’ Eggs. Crocodile from the Nile. Collection of Lizards. bo i) THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. FRENCH, Mrs. C., jun., South Yarra—Six albums of Victorian Plants, collected principally near the Murray River. GABRIEL, J., Abbotsford—Collection of Eggs of Australian Birds. GABRIEL, C., Abbotsford—Collection of Marine Shells. HALL, R., Box Hill—Five drawers of Australian Birds and Eggs. Hunt, Mrs. H. W., Brighton—Paintings of Victorian Lepidoptera. KEARTLAND, G. A., North Carlton—Australian Birds and Eggs. Live Birds. Reptiles in spirits. Native Weapons from Central Australia. KeErRsHAW, W., Windsor—Four cabinet drawers of Exotic Lepidoptera (Butterflies), Three drawers of Australian Lepidoptera (Moths). Two drawers of Exotic Coleoptera (Beetles). Case of Birds’ Skins from Australia and adjacent islands. Globe of Venus’s Flower Basket. Skull of Bengal Tiger. KersHaw, J. A., F.E.S., Windsor—Two cabinet. drawers of Australian Lepidoptera (Butterflies). Two drawers of Australian Lepidoptera (Moths). Case of Larvee of Victorian Moths. Case of Minerals. Kitson, A. E., F.G.S., East Melbourne—Collection of representative ores of Gold, Silver, Mercury, Copper, Zinc, Lead, Tin, Iron, Nickel, Antimony, Manganese, Molybdenum, Tungsten, and Arsenic. Collection of Eocene and Miocene Fossils of Victoria. Collection of representative Igneous Rocks of Victoria. Collection of Zeolites of Victoria. Le Souer, D., C.M.Z.S., Parkville—Live Carpet Snake, live Diamond Snake, live Blue-tongued Lizards. Cast Snake Skins, including Skin of Python 18 feet long. Collection of Natural History Specimens from Queensland. Collection of Eggs of Australian Honey-eaters. LUEHMANN, J. G., F.L.S., South Yarra—Illustrated Works of Pre-Linnean Botanists. LYELL, GEO., jun., Gisborne—Case of Tropical Butterflies, including Fifty Specimens of Lycaenidze. Case of Victorian Moths of the genus Thalaina. Collection of 105 species of Australian Tortricina (Moths). SHEPHERD, G. E., Somerville— Mounted Birds collected at Somerville. SWEET, G., F.G.S., Brunswick—Coral and Foraminiferal Rock Specimens, &c., illustrating the origin of Coral Atolls, obtained during the recent expedition to Funafuti, with diagrams, Xc. TispDaLL, H. T., Toorak—Water-colour Drawings of Wild Flowers of Gippsland. Algze of Victoria (mounted). WALTER, C., Melbourne—Collection of Victorian Alpine Plants (100 species), collected 23rd to 27th January, 1899, on Mts. Hotham, St.. Bernard, Smythe, The Twins, and The Buffaloes. WaTSON, W., and Sons, Melbourne—The New ‘‘ Fram” Microscope. Tripod- foot Microscopes. Substage Illuminators,&c. Choice Mounted Microscopic Objects. Novelties in Microscopical and generai Optical Instruments. Wi tson, Master E., Beaconsfield—Collection of Orchids. MICROSCOPICAL SECTION.—Microscopic exhibits were madeby the following :— Mr. H. Bullen, a microscope formerly used by Sir John Franklin, in use. Mr. H. H. Baker, Diatom and other slides under microscope, with multiple colour illumination. Mr. J. Boyes, biological. Rev. W. Fielder, F.R.M.S., preparations illustrating the structure and life-history of a Sponge, Liver Fluke, and a Bird. Mr. J. Gabriel, blood circulation. Mr. D. M‘Alpine, micro-fungi. Mr. J. M‘Niven, biological. Mr. O. A. Sayce, beating of the heart and circulation of blood in insects, living Mycetozoa, and other preparations in illustration of lecturette. Mr. J. Shepherd, Rotifera and pond life, Mr. J. Stickland, pond life. Mr. W. Stickland, pond life. Mr. H. T. Tisdall, botanical. THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 25 ALGAZ OF KERGUELEN’S LAND. NoTes ON THE ALG# COLLECTED BY Mr. R. HALL, on KERGUELEN’S LAND, IN 1808. By Henry Tuos. TIsDALL. (Read before the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, 13th February, 1899.) BEFORE speaking of the seaweeds of Kerguelen’s Land it is necessary to take a brief view of its surroundings. In the year 1772 a French vessel commanded by Ives Julian de Kerguelen Tremaric, after passing to the south-east of the Cape of Good Hope, was caught in a violent storm and driven considerably out of the usual course. After many days the storm ceased, and Kerguelen found himself in an awkward predicament. A heavy steaming fog surrounded the ship, which quite eclipsed the sun, and so prevented him from finding his latitude. The ship’s course was impeded by a mass of floating seaweed, and it took him some days to extricate the vessel from its embraces. At last the fog rose, the blue sky appeared once more, and to his astonishment Kerguelen saw before him a new land. As Sir Joseph Hooker describes it—‘' The island presents a black and rugged mass of sterile mountains, rising by parallel steppes one above another in alternate slopes and precipices, terminating in frightful naked and frowning cliffs, which dip perpendicularly into the sea. ‘The snow lying upon these slopes between the black cliffs gives a most singularly striped and banded appearance to the whole country, each band indicating a flow of volcanic matter, for the island is covered with craters, whose vents have given issue to stream upon stream of molten rock. ‘These are worn all along the coasts into abrubt escarpments, rendering a landing impracticable except at the heads of the sinuous bays.” ‘This was the country that Kerguelen and his crew of frightened sailors gazed at. After carefully rounding the rocky prominences, they at length found the entrance to a large, well-sheltered bay—presumably Christmas Harbour, which lies to the south of Kerguelen, or, as Capt. Cook called it some time afterwards, the Island of Desolation. The island is 100 miles long and about 50 miles wide, but is so indented with fiords, harbours, gulfs, and bays that hardly any part of it is more than a few miles from the sea. It les in the Southern Ocean, about 3,500 miles S.E. from the Cape of Good Hope and 3,000 miles from the extreme west coast of Australia. As this paper only deals with the seaweeds of this remarkable island, we will only take a glance at its position with regard to ocean currents. The great counter current comes from the west and passes both north and south of the island, so that, as we might expect, the seaweeds drifted to the island come from that direction. On comparing the list of seaweeds which were found by Sir J. Hooker during the voyage of the Hrebus and Z'error at the Falkland Islands with 24 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. those collected by Mr. Hall on Kerguelen’s Land, I found them almost identical—in fact, every genus and nearly every species is represented in Hooker’s list. Another remarkable fact requires notice: some distance to the south-west of Kerguelen’s Land a large region of the ocean is quite covered—impassably so—by seaweeds. ‘This region is somewhat similar in appearance to the celebrated Sargasso Sea, in the Atlantic Ocean ; but it must be remembered that the Sargasso Sea is formed of an immense mass of floating seaweeds brought and kept together by a circular movement of ocean currents, whereas the seaweed region near Kerguelen’s Land is in the midst of a strong onward current. Darwin throws some light on the construction of this almost unknown region. Speaking of the seaweed Macrocystis pyrifera :— “This plant grows on every rock, rising from a depth of often 60 fathoms. I know few things more surprising,” he says, ‘‘ than to see this plant growing and flourishing amidst those great breakers of the Southern Ocean, which no mass of rock, let it be ever so hard, can long resist. ‘The stem is round, slimy, and smooth, and seldom has a diameter of so much as an inch,” and “ nearly all its leaves grow on the surface.” Now here we find an explanation of how such a large portion of the sea—1,ooo miles long and 500 miles wide—could be covered by seaweeds when the currents of the sea are all in one direction. Presuming that the bottom of the ocean in this part, like the celebrated bank of Newfoundland, rises to within 60 fathoms (360 feet) of the surface, we can quite understand that the enormous length of this seaweed would allow it not only to come to the surface, but to cover the same with its huge leaves. Imagine this submarine rocky island bearing millions of Macrocystis, which, as they arrive at the top of the waves, spread out their massive leaves, often 1,000 in number ; and further consider that the leaves become the home of myriads of parasitic seaweeds, and we can easily understand the apparent anomaly of an immense mass of seaweeds retaining its position in spite of winds and currents. Speaking of similar huge beds of seaweeds, Darwin remarks—‘“ Almost all the leaves, ex- cepting those that float on the surface, are so thickly incrusted with corallines as to be of a white colour. We find exquisitely delicate structures, some inhabited by simple hydra- like polypi, others by more organized kinds, and _ beautiful compound Ascidez. On the leaves also various patelliform shells, Trochi, uncovered molluscs, and some bivalves are attached. Innumerable crustaceze frequent every part of the plant. On shaking the great entangled roots, a pile of small fish, shells, cuttle-fish, crabs of all orders, sea eggs, star fish, crawling Nereidous animals of a multitude of forms all fall out together.” What Darwin speaks of as occurring in the kelp of these vast THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 25 regions is quite in unison with the personal facts gleaned by | members of this club in their outings, either for pond life or on the seashore. A glimpse of life in a Sargasso Sea is caught from an article, ‘‘The Nest Builders of the Sea.” The author writes :— “In the vast tract, occupying an area of 260,000 miles, popularly denominated the Sargasso Sea, are found numbers of animals that seem peculiarly adapted by various modifications to the pelagic life they lead. In the full enjoyment of our novel surroundings we were attracted by a singular object peering out of the water. The curious creature proved to be the pelagic fish, Aztennarius marmoratus, SO exact in its imitation to the sargassum that, had we not been familiar with it, it would have been passed by. The tall and barbeled dorsal fins were out of the water. It was resting upon its nest, an oval mass of sargassum somewhat smaller than a football. This curious creature, whose pectoral fins resemble limbs, selects from the floating alge bits of Sargassum bacceferum, which consist of feathery branches, each tuft having a thread-like branching stem studded with round air- vessels that form perfect floats or buoys. These are collected into a single mass by the fish, and woven in‘ and out in a seemingly incomprehensible manner. A bit is taken in its mouth, with which the fish dives into the mass, coming out at the opposite side. As the nest assumes a more compact shape a gelatinous substance is attached to the various parts that serves to cement them. It is now an irregular oval, floated by the air- vessels. Around the nest the quaint parents move, or recline upon it as we have seen. When the eggs are hatched the bands are loosened, and in the nest, that, in consequence of the growth of its substance, has become a veritable living arbour, the young find abundant protection, and closely resemble the bits of weed among which they lie concealed.” Referring to the seaweeds collected by Mr. Hall at Kerguelen’s Land. The greater portion was taken from the rocks (when uncovered), or picked up on the shore after the heavy tides. Amongst the seaweed may be seen a tiny piece of Lessonia, which gives a very poor idea of this magnificent plant, which is certainly the bulkiest seaweed yet discovered. It only grows in deep water ; it is tree-like in habit. In one of those wonderful _books of Jules Verne there is an excellent word-picture of these seaweeds ; and remember that he only speaks in a fictional way of real scientific facts. He presents his hero crawling along the bottom of the sea, casting up his eyes in astonishment at the enormous forms of Lessonia towering above his head for hundreds of feet, the vast stem producing large branches, which bifurcate into smaller and smaller until mere twigs, like those on terrestrial trees ; these bear myriads of leaves that hang gracefully downward. 26 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. Another specimen of a very large seaweed is D’Urvillea. This plant is as common as possible on our own rocks ; it especially delights in fastening itself on to the rocks that are lashed by the turbulent breakers in the offing. It is an _ ever- wonderful sight to see a foaming torrent dashing between close-lying rocks, all below water-mark being covered by the huge fronds of D’Urvillea. As the torrent passes the fronds are swept by it to their utmost stretch, and the beholder never expects to see them again. Now the water rushes back, carrying the seaweed with it. And so on, backwards and forwards, with ceaseless velocity ; but the firm root-like mass at the base laughs at the power of the water, and the young frond grows and flourishes in this rough cradle. One of the red seaweeds is a Polysiphonia; they are often found growing on some of the larger brown seaweeds. ‘Their construction is rather curious. A number of tubes are completely surrounded by a thicker layer of smaller tubes ; this constitutes the stem for a single internode, then a number of very short tubes placed in the same manner forms the node, then follows a similar internode, and in this way the stem and all its branches are formed. One species, P. elongata, is a perennial, and in its several seasonal aspects varies as much as a deciduous tree. It grows on clean rocky sites in deep water. As winter approaches the branchlets fall off, and the stem and branches remain bare until spring returns. While in its winter state it is known in Britain under another name. The branchlets are renewed in the spring, and the plant becomes much more beautiful in consequence of their increasing number. On account of their bulk, Mr. Hall informs me he was unable to dry the large olive green and brown species. So that the great division Phzephyceze is only represented by half a dozen species, two of which have not been identified by Prof. Reinhold, and may be new to science. On the other hand, the Chlorophyceze, as a usual thing, are so small and require such close hunting that Mr. Hall has not been able to collect many. I remark that out of the six specimens two seem to be varieties of known species. ‘The red seaweeds, Florideze, are, however, well represented. The greater number have been identified, but ten out of the thirty specimens of Floridez are either unknown or varieties of known species. I append to this paper a full list of the species found, and will conclude with a few lines from the pen of Marie J. Ewan :— ** Nature hath tones of magic deep, and colours iris bright, And murmurs full of earnest truth, and visions of delight ; Tis said, ‘ The heart that trusts in her was never yet beguiled,’ But meek and lowly thou must be, and docile as a child. Then study her with reverence high, and she will give the key, So shalt thou learn to comprehend the ‘ secrets of the sea.’ ” THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 27 List oF ALG& FOUND AT KERGUELEN’S LAND BY ROBERT HALL, NAMED BY Pror. T. REINHOLD, OF ITZEHOE. PHAPHYCEZ— Adenocystis lessoni Macrocystis pyrifera Desmarestia viridis *D. chordalis D. (unknown) Lessonia (? unknown) CHLOROPHYCEA— Enteromorpha bulbosa (var.) E. bulbosa Porphyra umbilicaulis Ulva lactuca Cladophora Hookeriana C. (variety) FLORIDEZ— Rhodomeleze— Polysiphonia flabelliformis Rhodomelia (unknown) Bostrichia vaga, Hook. and Har. Corallinaceze — Melobesia antarctica, Har. Rhodophyceze— Ceramium rubrum (var.) C. rubrum Ballia callitriche Bonnemaisoniez— Ptilonia magellanica Delisea pulchra D. elegans FLORIDE (continued )— Sphcerococcoideze— Sarcodia (or Merostheca) S. (a variety) Rhodomenieze— *Epymenia variolosa Rhodomenia (unknown) Gigartinaceze— Callophyllis (unknown, in- ter C. tenera and C. variegata) C. variegata Gigartina (unknown) G. radula Ahnfeldtia plicata A. concinna Delesserieze— Delesseria lyalli D. epiglossum D. ‘Tasmanica D. (unknown) D. crassinaria Nilophyllum (unknown) Cryptonemiacezee— Iridea micans I. micans (variety) Schizymena (unknown) Acanthacoccus antarcticus * Peculiar to the island. SOME SOUTH-WESTERN AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. By RoBert HALL. (Read before the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, 13th March, 1899.) From the time of the publication of Gould’s “ Handbook” in 1865 up to 1888, when Dr. Ramsay’s “ Tabular List of Australian Birds” appeared, not a single new species peculiar to the South- West had been obtained (Ramsay). Since that date I know of no additional species having been revealed, so that it is of interest now to have some preliminary remarks on what may prove to be possibly one new species under further research. The skins referred to are from the Kalgoorlie district, and have been sent i) 8 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. to me at various periods by my enthusiastic correspondent, Mr. Lindsay Cameron. XEROPHILA. No sex given. Date of collection, 20/11/98. It resembles XX. pectoralis more than any other, but has no pectoral band showing. The under surface is dull white. Bill slightly less robust than that of X. lewcopsis, and not finch-like, as credited to X. pectoralis. ‘The white of forehead deeper than in X. lewcopsis. Under tail-coverts cinnamon; flanks uniform rich cinnamon ; tarsus not compressed, stouter than in YX. leucopsis; tips of tail quills in both webs marked with rufous, as if indicating youth. No Xerophila other than Jeucopsis, as far as I know, has yet been recorded from South-Western Australia. Total length, 4.5 inches; wing, 2.05 inches; tail, 1.7 inches; bill from gape, .4 inch; tarsus, .6 inch. POMATORHINUS. Collected 17/1/99. Sex not marked. It bears a close re- semblance to P. superciliosus, and by the markings of its upper wing coverts, which are partly edged with pale chestnut, it may be the young of this species. It differs in having a bill one-fifth less in length, a forehead and crown not scaly, and having the inner webs of the primary wing quills, excepting the first, partially edged with fulvous. Mr. Gould, writing of P. superciliosus, says the sexes of young and old are only distinguishable from one another by dissection. In the specimen under review it is quite easily recognizable from the skins of P. swperciliosus in my cabinet. Were it not that P. temporalis has fulvous on the quill webs I should incline myself to believe the next moult would drop the fulvous quills in the W.A. specimen. Perhaps it will in the winter quarter. Mr. Cameron speaks of the Chatterer as the most conspicuous of their birds. ‘They run and jump along the ground, and fly from bush to bush, never resting for a minute. They have a great variety of notes, and I have several times heard one I did not know, which, in the finding, I learned to be of the Chatterer. On 1oth August last I found a nest of two eggs and several nests with each two young birds only. One nest contained a young bird and an undeveloped egg. The number of young in each nest was always two.” Of P. super- ciliosus the clutch is generally four, while it may range from three to five, according to most observers. At Swan Hill, Victoria, on 8/10/96, I observed a nest containing two young, but this seems to be unusual, and it was perhaps a part of a clutch of three eggs. While Mr. Cameron has noted all his nests to contain each two birds or two eggs, the recognized family of P. swperciliosus ranges from three to five. GLYCYPHILA. (a.) Male. Collected 27/11/98. Forehead black, some few THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 29 lateral feathers faintly tipped with slaty white, around eye black, with a faint trace of a white ring appearing ; crown of head black ; narrow line running from angle of lower mandible, white ; ear coverts silvery slate, behind which is an irregular line of white ; chin feathers brownish black, edged with dirty white ; primaries and primary coverts’ margins yellowish-greem; under surface of wing fulvous; upper tail coverts rufous, central parts black ; abdomen, flanks, and under tail coverts whitish with centres of feathers narrowly marked with brownish black; bill, legs, and feet black. ‘Total length, 7 inches; culmen, .65 inch; wing, 3 inches ; tail, 3 inches ; tarsus, .8 inch. (6.) Young. No sexgiven. Collected 27/11/98. The whole of dorsal surface light brown, excepting upper tail coverts, which are a richer brown ; under surface chin and throat greyish, upper and lower breast mottled brown, each feather being tipped with light brown ; abdomen, flanks, and under tail coverts nearly as in (a) ; wing coverts edged with fulvous ; under surface of wings slate; bill brown. Total length, 7 inches; culmen, .6 inch; wing, 3.1 inch; tail, 3 inches ; tarsus, .7 inch. In the two specimens received, (6) appears to me to have just left the nest, while (a), possibly the parent of (6), is perhaps only a few months older, or more likely one year old. If it had a white forehead, and was devoid of definite rufous on its upper tail coverts it would be closely related to if not G. albifrons. Our fellow member, Mr. G. A. Keartland, secured a specimen of (a) while nesting in a stunted tree between the Johanna Springs and Jilgelly Creek in the North-West, but observed only one sex. This skin was lost with hundreds of others. Mr. Cameron writes :—‘‘I think the two honey-eaters are male and female of the same species. I saw numerous pairs of them, and always the same. This pair certainly behaved like mates, and when I fired at another bird, they flew and alighted together on a bush 150 yards away. I then approached and shot them. ‘The dark one was a male; the grey one I consider a female, but cannot definitely say. I have seen none of them since (30/11/98), and most likely will not get more till next spring.” In classifying G. albifrons, Mr. Gould says nothing about rufous on the upper tail coverts; but Dr. Gadow, in vol. ix. “ British Museum Catalogue of Birds” refers to a rufous brown. In stage 6 (the younger) the upper tail coverts are not nearly so defined in rufous as in stage a (the elder) apparently. No stages to the adult of G. albifrons seem to have been yet described, and if the above (a) and (6) do not prove eventually to form an additional species the descriptions will serve as those of con- necting links. In this genus the known young are much opposed in plumage to that of the parents, 30 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. ACANTHOCHARA RUFIGULARIS, Gld. Not that this species is by any means rare, or because it is new to the western colony, do I now refer to it, but to try and elucidate the point referred to by Dr. Gadow when classifying this family in 1884 (‘British Museum Catalogue of Birds,” vol. ix.) Dr. Gadow, while examining seven specimens, says half of them have yellowish feathers below the cheeks, while the other half have white spinous feathers in the same places, in both cases independent of age or sex. In several skins I have examined I find what appears to me to be four distinct stages of development, including the type described by Mr. Gould, as follows :— (a) Young male. 24/11/98. Kalgoorlie, W.A. Yellow cheek feathers, uniform in colour and not spinous; gape and proximal! end of bill bright yellow ; forehead indistinctly scaled ; tail feathers margined on outer webs with olive green; upper tail coverts and general plumage feathers are edged with fulvous brown. (6) Male. December, 1898. Kalgoorlie, W.A. Cheek feathers partly yellow, partly white, and some combined yellow and white, the yellow at distal ends. all being spinous ; proximal end of bill sombre yellow; forehead more scaly than in (a); tail feathers not nearly so olive green as in (a), almost absent ; upper tail coverts and general plumage feathers whiter than in (a). (6) Locality: Swan Hill, Victoria. This is a skin showing the same disposition of the colours and texture of the cheek feathers as in the above specimen from Western Australia. (c) Male. 8/10/96. Swan Hill, Vict. Cheek feathers white and spinous ; proximal end of bill browner than in (a) and (6); forehead scaly; tail feathers without olive green; upper tail coverts and general plumage are edged with a more distinct white than in (0). (d) The adult skin as figured by Gould, and showing a larger bird than in the three stages above. In (a), (6), (c), (d) the dimensions are progressive, the differences between (a) and (d) being conspicuous. I have not been able to secure enough specimens to satisfy the query of Dr. Gadow “that the yellowish feathers below the cheeks, as well as the whites in the same region, are independent of age,” but I can trace, as above, the conspicuous feathers below the cheeks to be soft and yellow in the young, to be partly yellow and in part white in the immature bird, the yellow being the softer in texture, while in the adult the feathers in this same position are white and spinous. Skin (a) agrees with Mr. Camp- bell’s A. flavacanthus exhibited here this evening, while the two skins (6), one from Western Australia, the other from Victoria, connect (a) and A. flavacanthus with the adult of A. rufigularis through (c) above. THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 31 CORRESPONDENCE. THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. To the Editor of the Victorian Naturalist. Str,—I was greatly pleased, when present at your conversazione last week, to hear Professor Spencer say that at last there was some reasonable chance of an early extension of the buildings at the National Museum. Having waited so long it may seem rather injudicious to propose any opposition on account of which the matter may be indefinitely postponed, but at the risk of so doing I would venture to suggest that the Field Naturalists’ Club should exert its influence in favour of the removal of the National Museum to a more central and accessible site, say at the Public Library, where there is room for an annexe, similar to the picture galleries, along the Latrobe-street frontage. Here a museum would be in close proximity to the existing literature, and thus permit of greater facilities for study. It may be said that the Museum is required at the University for teaching purposes, but I think on inquiry it will be found that the biological and other schools possess nearly enough typical specimens, and that if more are required they can be easily spared from the National collection. The so-called assistants’ rooms at the Museum are a disgrace to Victoria, and the whole of the accommodation is far behind that of the Australian Museum, Sydney, as I remember it some years ago. Along with others I deeply deplore the death of the late director, Sir F. McCoy, but think that now, as there is a vacancy in the management, is the time to bring the Museum more within reach of the average citizen and student.—I am, &c., KANGAROO. Melbourne, 27th May, 1899. [‘‘ Kangaroo,” and doubtless other readers, will be pleased to know that the desirability of removing the Museum as suggested above was affirmed at a meeting of the trustees on the rst inst., and at the same time Professor Spencer was appointed honorary director.—Ep. Vict. Nat. | Tue TUPONG IN SALT WaTER.—The Tupong, Marble Fish, or Freshwater Flathead, Pseudaphritis urvillei, C. and V.= P. bassii, Castlenau, a few years ago suddenly appeared in our streams, but, since Castlenau’s description nearly thirty years since, had not been recorded from Victorian seas. Obviously, to rapidly spread from stream to stream it must pass through salt water, though its capture in the sea had not been noted. On the recent visit of the Club to the Aquarium, in the Exhibition Buildings, I noticed what I believe to be P. wrvillet in a saltwater tank, along with several specimens of ‘‘ Leatherjackets ” (Monacanthus, sp.) I drew the 32 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. attention of Mr. Kershaw to the fish, and he was of the same opinion as I was, that the fish was the common Tupong, though, of course, one cannot be absolutely certain of a fish without de- tailed examination. Still we had a good view of it as it rested on the bottom or swam lazily along close to the glass wall of the tank, elevating and depressing its two dorsal fins. In colour it was somewhat lighter than the variety which we know from our rivers, though mottled or marbled in much the same way. I saw a specimen in the saltwater tanks at the same place a couple of years ago that I believe was also the Tupong, though I could not examine it very closely, since it declined to move, and conse- quently I waited for some more evidence. Mr. Kershaw has kindly looked up the question at the National Museum, and finds that they have four specimens, received at different times within the last few years, and labelled ‘‘ Western Port.” Presumably these specimens were caught in the sea, as they came through the fishermen. The first specimen I saw at the Aquarium came from the same place, so they do not seem to be very uncommon there. Western Port, it may be mentioned, receives the drainage of no large streams, and, as it is fully open to the sea, is peopled by a truly marine fauna. It is not an estuary, any more than Port Phillip is. The question is rather an interesting one, as Mr J. Douglas Ogilby has suggested (Proc. Linn. Soc., N.S.W., 1897, p. 560) that perhaps our species is identical with P. bursinus, C. and V., which, like Castlenau’s specimen, was also originally described from saltwater (Port Jackson), and has never since been recognized. If, as Mr. Ogilby points out, the identity of P. urvilles with P. bursinus is settled, then the latter name will take precedence. Both generically and specifically, as will be seen on reference to Mr. Ogilby’s paper, the synonymy of this fish has been somewhat of a puzzle to unravel, and I would ask any of our angling members to carefully preserve any sea-caught fish which they believe to be the Tupong, as possibly some slight variations, sufficient to finally settle its name, may be found.—T. S. HAL. toth April, 1899. P.S.—Mr. Kershaw has told me that the Museum has also a specimen caught at Port Melbourne in 1883. This, however, is just off the Yarra mouth and might not mean much. Another specimen, however, was obtained from Mordi- alloc about two years ago, and as it was netted off shore it supplies positive evidence of the occurence of the Tupong in salt water.— TiS. LAL. a2 theAprill 1890. ForEIGN Birps In LoNDoN.—At the Crystal Palace Bird Show, held in February last, about 400 foreign birds, the majority of ‘which were parrots and parrakeets, were exhibited. Amongst them was a specimen of the rare Princess of Wales Parrakeet, from Central Australia, which was exhibited by Mr. Fulljames, an enthusiastic exhibitor of some seventy birds. a i a tli ae ee el a abe eg _ OF FICE- BEARERS, 1898-9. = a _ President: MR. C. FRENCH, F.L.S. Wice=Presidents: MR. J. SHEPHARD. MR. T. S. HALL, M.A. on. Treasurer: MR. J. T. GILLESPIE, Messrs. Alex. Cowan and Sons, ’ 395 Little Flinders Street, Melbourne. Hon. Librarian: MR. O. A. SAYCE, Harcourt Street, Hawthorn. ‘hon. Secretary: MR. GEO. COGHILL, 80 Swanston Street, Melbourne. on. Boitor of the “ Wictoteay Aaturalist : MRR Bs, Gee A. BARNARD, Bulleen Road, Kew. Committee : MR. J. GABRIEL, MR. G. A. KEARTLAND, MR, J. A. KERSHAW, F‘E.S., g MR. J. G. LUEHMANN, F.L.S., and MR. H. T. TISDALL. Ki OBSECTS. a Tus CLus was fodnded in 1880 for the purpose of affording observers and lovers of Natural _ History regular and frequent opportunities for discussing those special subjects in which they __ are mutually interested ; for the exhibition of Specimens; and for promoting Observations in the Field by means of Excursions to various collecting grounds'around the TESTIS ees) SPECIAL NOTICE. “Members are reminded that the Club’s year ended on 30th April last, and that subscriptions (15s.) for 1899-1900 are now due, and must be paid on or before | 8th June, in order to entitle members to vote at the Annual Election of office- ‘bearers which takes place on that day. The Hon. Treasurer (Mr. dice AR Gillespie, 395 Little Flinders Street, jMclboae. will be glad to receive such subscriptions. - CONVERSAZIONE TICKETS. Members are requested to make returns of sales on or before py Fes i eixthis meeting. — eee VICTORIAN NATURALIST Contains the proceedings of the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria. % Authors of Papers published in the Victordan Naturalist are informed that ints of such articles can be obtained at a nominal cost by giving notice previous publication to the Hon, Sec., from whom all information can be obtained. OST Gi the Numbers from the commencement, January, 1884, can be obtained from the Hon. Sec., Mr. Geo. Coghill, 80 Swanston ee pi elboutne at ae each, or in sets (except Vols. I. and IV.), > so PELTON, RIMWADE 7 : ; IMPORTERS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION OF ES \ MICROSCOPES, GALVANIC BATTERIES, Ghemieal and Scientifie Apparatus, &e. STUDENTS’ MICROSCOPES. h Slid C Ad Si Fi 5 LFITZ | MICROSCOPES J caatimenttirometer, Chee ee Hae pacece land 8, Neg 84-600. In Mahogany Cases. With Sliding Coarse Adjuntiene: Screw — N ACHET’ S MICROSCOPES, Be Adjustment, Double Mirror, Side — ndensing Lens, Eye-pieces Nos. 1 3 and &, Objectives Nos. 3 and 6G, ee Rip. Cover Glasses, Mounted OES “ Forceps, Magnifying 80-550. In Mahogany Cases. : = 2 Microscopic Glass Slips, 3in. x 1 Extra Oe Ground Edges and Rough % Edges. Microscopic Cover Glasses, Nos. 1 and 3, %in., %in. and in. Circles. No. — i square, %in. and in.; No. 3 square, Yin. and Yin. : 342-6 LITTLE FLINDERS STREET, MELBOURNE. . DAVIES, SHEPHARD & CO., Water Meters, Electricity Meters, Turret} Clocks, : Microtomes, &c., &¢., 135 GITY-RD., SOUTH MELBOURNE. And, CLISDELL STREET, SYDNEY. NATURAL HISTORY APPAR cATUS, Supplied by E. CHERRY & SONS, Gisborne, Victoria. Cane ring Nets, - 3/6and 4/6 Zinc Pocket Killing (Laurel) Boxes, 1/6 and 2/- Forceps, 2 6 - Cane or wire folding Nets, 6/- Entomological Pins (best’, 1/6 per oz. box. Brass Y’s, 1/6 a Zinc larve Boxes -. 2/- Cyanide Bottles, 2/- 3 CORK SETTING BOARDS, length, 14 inches—all grooves 34 deep—papered. “S x and 134 wide, 1/- each. 2and 2% inch, 1/3. 3 inch, 1/6. 4 inch, 1/9. 6 inch, 2/6. (Any of the above sent by post to any part of Australasia at trifling cost.) : TRAVELLING SETTING CASE, (15 x 13x 4 over all) with 12 assorted boards, 20/- ae CORK LINOLEUM specially imported, soft, 3g thick), 10x 8,6d. 12x ro, aos 15, X u2) 2/1. ae 16 x 20, 2/- 20x 24, 3/- Any size to suit. a STORE rane 4 x 10 X 4, corked and papered both sides, hinged and factanea with hook and | 4 eye, 7/- eac a CABINETS (10 to 40 drawers) for Insects, EGes or Micro. Stipes, in Cedar, Walnut, or ~ Mahogany, from latest English patterns. For samples of our work visit Melbourne _ & University and Government Entomologist. ma “ ee - SANA NANI NI NESS ‘ JULY, 1899. AR. aturalist : “THE JOURNAL AND MAGAZINE : The Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria. ae PUBLISHED 6th JULY, 1899. 4 INA NAN ASR EN ASE NE NEN - Editor: F. G. A. BARNARD, Esq. - The Author of each: article is responsible for the facts and opinions eee recorded. ‘ a GS CONTENTS: BK ae Ss ; PAGE, ¢ THE FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA bis. ee Nea te = i. 5 = . 4 ) A NEw RoTIFeR. By J. SHEPHARD AND W. STICKLAND 38 \ ‘_ NOTES ON tHe NEAGPrEsS. BY ROBE REVABL) 207° -in-> 40 ate Two NATURALISTS AT PHILLIP ISLAND. By J. GABRIEL a AND H. T. TiIsDALL ans . 5 45 2 List oF BIRDS OBSERVED AT Deer cy. BY ic es CAMPBELL, JUN.... es on ari} Nene 49 x ; P 7 NOTES aes £e5 re i sees oe 55.. ier z i 8 ——————————— Pid hehe “& PRICE SIXPENCE. » 4 Agents for Gurope : ‘DULAU & CO., 37 Scho Square, London. aOR peat Melbourne : WALKER, MAY & CO., PRINTERS, 25 MACKILLOP STREET. crea NN NNN Nr Ne rw : ROOMS—ROYAL SOCIETY'S HALL, VICTORIA ST., MELBOURNE. BUSINESS PAPE =R FOR MONTHLY MEETING, R ae 10th July, 1899, at Eight p. m. , Correspondence and Reports. 2, Election of Members. Proposer. Seconder. - Mr. H. Hartnell O. A. Sayce. ae W. Stickland “ Trrewarra,” Burke Road, ‘Camberwell. = eae Mr. Wildon Jas. Morgan se J. Shephard .. Be O. A. Sayce 11 Robb Street, N. Essendon. Mr. J. A. Harper .. T.S. Hall, M.A. A J. Shephard Met. Gas Co., Flinders Street. Mr. E. Meeking 50 ee C. French, F.L.S. ao G. Coghill Auburn. Mr. S.P. Townsend —_—_-- G. E. Shepherd cS T. A. Brittlebank Mornington, Victoria. : 3. Nominations for Membership. Members making nominations will oblige by handing the full name and address tc Hon. Secretary. 4. General Business. 5. Reading of Papers and Discussions thereon. 1. By Mr. C. Walter (communicated b Mr. C: French, jun.,) “A Trip to the y j Pp Victorian Alps.” 2. By Mr. R. Hall, “ Four Phases in the Plumage of Pomatortrinus saneeanente 3. By Mr. D. M‘Alpine, “ Plant or Animal—Myxomycete or Mycetozoon ?” 6. Reading of Natural History Notes. Members who may note any unusual occurrence, or see anything of interest in Foreign — or Colonial papers, are requested to inform the Secretary of the same that he may arrange for their bringing them before the meeting; such notes should, however, be brief. 7. Exhibition of Specimens and Conversazione. Members exhibiting specimens are requested to furnish the Hon. Secretary with written particulars of their Exhibits for record in Minutes and Maturaiest. «<< EXCURSIONS. *® SATURDAY, I5TH JULY. Zoological Gardens. Under the leadership of Mr. D. Le Séuef, C.M.Z.S. Meet there at 2 p.m. Zoology. PROGRAMME 1899—1900. The Sub-Committee will be pleased to receive suggestions of Localities for Excursions for this year as early as possible. eee THE. Dictorian Paturalist. Vou. XVI.—No. 3. JULY 6, 1899. No. 187. FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA. THE nineteenth annnal meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society’s Hall on Monday evening, 12th June, 1899. The president, Mr. C. French, F.L.S., occupied the chair, and about 30 members and visitors were present. REPORT. Mr. R. Hall stated that bad weather on Queen’s Birthday pre- vented the excursion fixed for that day being held. ELECTION OF MEMBER. On a ballot being taken, Mr. R. T. Mortan, 30 Oxley-road, Glenferrie, was duly elected a member of the Club.. ANNUAL REPORT. The hon. secretary, Mr. G. Coghill, then read the nineteenth annual report, for 1898-9, which was as follows :— “To the Members of the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria. Ladies and Gentlemen,—In the nineteenth annual report, now presented to you, your Committee records the work of the year ending 3oth April, 1899—a year of progress In many ways. ““The membership of the Club has increased since last year, being now 120 ordinary, 2 life, and 11 honorary members, while recent nominations indicate that the number will be _ larger next year, and would be still larger if all members join in this important branch of their Club duties and induce friends with scientific leanings to join our ranks. “The attendances at meetings have shown an increase, and the papers read have been numerous, though we have to regret the want of variety in the subjects treated, which we trust will this year be remedied by the botanists, entomologists, and geologists contributing more largely. “Of the papers read 22 were on zoological subjects, 5 on botanical, 1 on geological, 1 general, and 3 were accounts of trips. The authors were—Messrs. F. G. A. Barnard, D. Best, C. C. Brittlebank, A. J. Campbell, J. Gabriel, R. Hall, T.S. Hall, M.A., E. G. Hogg, M.A., S. W. Jackson, G. A. Keartland, J. A. Ker- slaw, HES:, D: Le Souef, C.M.Z.S.; J. G: Luehmann, F.L.S., Geo. Lyell, jun., D. M‘Alpine, J. Shephard, W. Stickland, and H. T. Tisdall—mostly all gentlemen whom we have had to thank in the past, and thank again now, whilst expressing the hope that the new year will see additions to the list of contributors of papers. 34 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. “‘ Natural history notes have been read at each meeting and duly printed. “ The fifteenth volume of the Victorian Naturalist is now com- leted, and the journal continues, under the able editorship of Mr. . G. A. Barnard, to whom our thanks are due, to occupy a prominent position amongst the Australian scientific publications. The plates this year were limited to those illustrating Mr. Hill’s paper on the Case Moths, which were kindly supplied by Prof. Spencer. “The excursions have been for the most part rather better at- tended, and our thanks are due to the various leaders. The annual social picnic was held at Blackburn on Saturday, 29th October, and proved most enjoyable and a thorough success in every way. “An exhibition of microscopic acquatic life, on the 14th November, was a great addition to the usual meeting, the organ- izers and exhibitors sparing neither time nor trouble in placing an attractive and instructive collection before the members. “The exhibition of wild flowers, held in conjunction with the ordinary meeting on roth October, again also formed a memorial of the late Baron von Mueller, wreaths and other designs being made of the flowers by lady friends of the president’s and afterwards placed on the grave. ‘The principal exhibitors outside of members were Messrs. J. H. Maiden, F.LS, Sydney, and W. Guilfoyle, F.L.S., Melbourne. ‘At the request of the librarian, and owing to the increase of the library, it has been decided to have a large bookcase con- structed, which will enable the whole of the books to be properly arranged. “ The attention drawn, at the July meeting of the Club, to the wholesale destruction of the Wattle (Acacia) blossom led to the Argus and the Australian Natives’ Association taking the matter up, and the united efforts had considerable effect in influencing public opinion and thus saving the trees. We hope in the future something more definite, in the shape of a law, will result. “The receipts for the year, including £18 12s. from the realization of the Metropolitan Bank deposit, total, by the treasurer’s report, £115 2s. 3d., and the expenditure amounted to £120 4s. 5d., leaving a credit balance of £9 os. 10d., and, for the first time for many years, no outstanding liabilities exist ; and further, the hon. treasurer informs us that considerable arrears have come in since the audit. “The thanks of the Club are again due to Messrs. Morton and Coghill for the use of their office for committee meetings. “ Your Committee would point out in conclusion that, successful though the past year has been in many ways, the coming year may be made more so by a large addition to the scientific workers in THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 35 the Club and by these and present workers giving the result of their labours to fellow-members, remembering that all careful observation, be the observer ever such a tyro, is of use in the ' determining of scientific facts. ‘For the Committee of the F.N.C., “ Cuas. FrenNcH, Preszdent. “Gero. CoGHILL, Hon. Secretary. “oth Fune, 1899.” On the motion of Mr. D. Best the report was received, and, after considerable discussion—principally on the questions of the prevention of the destruction of the Wattles and the protection of native birds—was adopted, on the motion of Mr. C. Maplestone, and seconded by Mr. W. Stickland. FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The hon. treasurer, Mr. J. T. Gillespie read the financial statement for 1898-9, which was as follows :— RECEIPTS. To Balance, 30th April, 1898 roe ie Hee LA 2540 », Subscriptions ; ao Lip Wy © », Victorian Naturalist— Subscriptions He 465 10 O Sales, &c. ce 915 3 Advertisements... Gp ia (6) —— 24 2 9 », Proceeds of Sale of Fixed Deposit Re- ceipts, Metropolitan Bank : 18 12 Oo me BQ 2 4129 5 3 EXPENDITURE. By Victorian Naturalist— Printing—Arrears... 425 12 0 Vol. xv. ... 56 5 3 Reprints... “iss 53 © = HET OB ;, Rooms—Rent and Attendance... so to LEO 5, Library—Periodicals ... O % © Bookbinding, &c. A Mil ©) Insurance o 6 6 Ome: 22 ,, Printing and Stationery R 1B © », Postages, &c. Qin 7 5, Conversazione, 1899—Deposit for Hall... 2 0 0 7) », Balance tee ah B00 Boe a 9 O10 £129 5 3 J. T. GILLESPIE, Ao. Treasurer. 30th April, 1899. Audited and found correct. De esis \ Auditors, 10th May, 1899. ROBY. HALL, | 36 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. The hon. treasurer also read the following statement of assets and liabilities :— ASSETS. Balance in hand ... ash a | £9) ome Arrears of Subscriptions, say Ane se as 25 One Books and Bookcases ent 600 cnt Pe) OY © #154 10 4 LIABILITIES. Subscriptions Paid in Advance iS ae ws ge 15 eo On the motion of Mr. W. Stickland, seconded by Mr. C. Maplestone, the statements were received and adopted. CONVERSAZIONE. Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., reported that the conversazione held in May last had been in every way a success, and thanked his committee and members generally for the assistance given him. It had resulted in a small credit balance, which would be increased before the accounts are finally closed. The President and others considered the success of the con- versazione was In a very great measure due to Mr. Kershaw’s excellent management, and a special vote of thanks was accorded to him, on the motion of Mr. C. Maplestone and the President. DESTRUCTION OF THE WATTLE. On the motion of Messrs. D. Best and F. G. A. Barnard, the hon. secretary was instructed to write to the Melbourne news- papers, deprecating the destruction of the Wattles during the ensuing flowering season. OFFICE-BEARERS FOR 1899-1900. The following office-bearers were declared duly elected, being the only nominations received :—President, Mr. J. Shephard ; vice-presidents, Messrs. T. S. Hall, M.A., and J. G. Luehmann, F.L.S. ; hon. treasurer, Mr. J. T. Gillespie; hon. librarian, Mr. O. A. Sayce ; hon. secretary, Mr. Geo. Coghill. A ballot for five members of committee resulted in the election of Messrs. J. Gabriel, G. A. Keartland, J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., D. Le Souéf, C.M.Z.S., and H. T. Tisdall. A vote of thanks to the retiring officers, coupled with the name of the President, was passed, and suitably responded to by Mr. C. French, F.L.S. Mr. J. Shephard, in taking the chair, thanked members for the honour done him. CAMP-OUT. Mr. A. J. Campbell gave notice that he would bring up the question of a camp-out at the next meeting of the Club, THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 37 PAPERS. 1. By Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., entitled “Note on the Butterfly Libythea geoffroyi, Godart.” The author pointed out the various synonyms under which this butterfly has been described by different writers, and gave a detailed description of the male insect from a specimen recently received by Mr. C. French, F.L.S., from Herberton, North Queens- land. 2. By Mr. H. T. Tisdall, entitled ‘‘ On Certain Movements of the Spores of a Fungus, Clathrus cibarius.” The author detailed the experiments he had made and the movements noticed, and asked if other members had observed any such action by the spores of fungi. Mr. O. A. Sayce suggested that the action mentioned was the well-known ‘‘ Brownian ” movement, and was common to all ex- tremely minute inorganic bodies, and was supported in this view by Mr. D. M‘Alpine. 3. By Mr. O. A. Sayce, entitled ‘“‘ Remarks on an Exhibit of Some Living Stages of Mycetozoa.” The author briefly demonstrated the life-history of this rarely investigated division of plants by means of drawings on the black- board, and exhibited specimens in various stages under the micro- scope. Mr. D. M‘Aipine, in view of the interest of the subject, sug- gested that the discussion be postponed till next meeting, which was agreed to. EXHIBITS. By Mr. A. J. Campbell.—Pair of eggs (the first exhibited) of the Russet-tailed Ground-Thrush, Geocichla trecinz; also, on behalf of Mr. T. A. Brittlebank, the first reputed eggs of the Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Syma flavirostris, from Cape York ; the eggs in shape. and texture most resemble those of the White-tailed Kingfisher, Tampiptera sylvia ; two specimens measure each 1 x .88 inch. By Mr. Geo. Coghill.—Large land shell from Matabele Land, South Africa. By Mr. C. French, F.L.S.—Larva and chrysalid of butterfly, Ornithoptera cassandra, North Queensland. By Mr. F. M. Reader.—Dried specimens of plants—WMelaleuca ericifolia, Sm., Hhrharta stipoides, Lab., Thelymitra ixioides, Sw.—new for the north-west of Victoria. By Mr. Herbert W. Whitney.— Gang-Gang Cockatoo, Callocephalon galeatwm, shot at Warburton. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. CHANGE oF ADDRESS.—Mr. 5. W. Jackson, of South Grafton, N.S.W., desires to inform readers of the Naturalist that his address in future will be—Care of G.P.O., Sydney, N.S.W. 38 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. A NEW ROTIFER—WELICERTA FIMBRIATA. By J. SHEPHARD AND W. STICKLAND. (Read before the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, 16th Jan., 1899.) In a gathering from the Botanical Gardens, Melbourne, we met with a rotifer, a Melicerta, presenting characteristics sufficiently differing from previously described species to lead us to regard it as new. The genus Melicerta has hitherto comprised four species. Of these W. ringens and J. conifera are remarkable for their habit of constructing an outer casing to the tube in which they live, consisting of pellets made by means of a special organ. Both the other species possess the pellet-forming organ, but are said not to use it—WM. janus fortifying its tube with pellets of fecal matter, while M/. tubscolaria possesses only the gelatinous tube, figured by Hudson and Gosse as very similar to those of the genus Floscularia. The pellet-forming species are well known here ; but the other two are, we believe, unrecorded. The animal forming the subject of this paper was found on stems of Nitella, in company with WM. ringens, several species of Limnias, and Stephanoceros erchornit ; this latter beautiful object being observed for the first time in Victoria. The general appearance at once suggests Melicerta tubicolaria, but the tube is built up of light brown fibres, each possessing a granular structure arranged so as to radiate somewhat irregularly from a thin gelatinous tube which fits closely to the body. The whole appears flexible, and is readily broken up. Older specimens were noticed whose tubes had almost entirely lost the brown colour, but their fibrous nature could still be detected, though with difficulty. In one case the middle portion of the tube was quite pale, while the two ends were coloured. The thickness of the tube wall varies from twice to four times the width of the animal’s body, and the filaments composing it are long in proportion to their breadth. The body of the rotifer is usually extended well out of the tube, and when fully stretched is long and tapering. The corona much resembles that of MW. tubicolaria in outline and width when seen in the dorsal aspect ; but the dorsal gap appears wider than in that rotifer, though not nearly so wide as in JW. ringens. The two ventral antennz are shorter than those figured for M. tubicolaria, not extending to the upper portion of the corona, and possess much flexibility, being sometimes bent into the form of a hook, but usually project more laterally than forward. Considerable search revealed a dorsal antennze placed high up in the neck, near to the trochal disc, and of somewhat unusual form, having a flat expansion bearing sete, and supported by a very short peduncle ; this is best seen when the animal is in the July, 1899. THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. aS ei | Mulla, i N77 SS Gitte Wiz yt Ss, \) i In Mahogany Cases. : = With Sliding Coarse Adjuctien® Ser "ew NACHET’S MICROSCOPES, Fine Adjustment, Double Mirror, Side — 4 Condensing Lens, Eye-pieces Nos. 1 and 3, Objectives Nos. 3 and 6, Glass Slip, Cover Glusses, Mounted Cheese Forceps, Magnifying 80-550. In Mahogany Cases. Microscopic Glass Slips, 3in. x lin., Extra Thin, Ground Edges and Rough Edges. Microscopic Cover Glasses, Nos. 1 and 38, Yin., in. and Rin. Circles. No. 1 square, %in. and in.; No. 3 square, Yin, and Yin, 642-6 LITTLE FLINDERS STREET, MELBOURNE. DAVIES, SHEPHARD & CO., MAINT ULACLIULRESES OF : ee Water Meters, Electricity Meters, Turret Clocks, Microtomes, &¢., &¢., 135 CILY RD, SOUTH MELBOURNE ; And, CLISDELL STREET, SYDNEY. — NATURAL HISTORY APPARATUS, — Supplied by E, CHERRY & SONS, Gisborne, Victoria, Cane ring Nets, - 3/6and 4/6 Zinc Pocket Killing (Laurel) Boxes, 1/6 and 2/- Porckas 26 a Cane or wire folding Nets, 6/- Entomological Pins (best), 1/6 per oz. box. Brass Y's, 1/6 Zinc larvz Boxes - 2/- Cyanide Bottles, 2/- ls CORK SETTING BOARDS, length, 14 inches—all grooves 34 deep—papered. ; zand 1% wide, 1/- each. 2 and 2% inch, 1/3. 3 inch, 1/6. 4 inch, t/9. 6 inch, 2/6, ‘ (Any of the above sent by post to any part of Australasia at trifling cost.) TRAVELLING SETTING CASE, (15 x 13x 4 over all) with 12 assorted boards, 20/- ee CORK LINOLEUM specially imported, soft, 3g thick), 10x 8,6d. 32x10,9d. «5x12,1/1% 16 x 20, 2/- 20x 24, 3/- Any size to suit. a STORE ae 4 x 10 x 4, corked and papered both sides, hinged and fastened with hook and a) eye, 7/- each. eS ‘CABINETS (ro to 4o drawers) for Insects, EcGcGs or Micro. Suipes, in Cedar, Walnut, or eS. Mahogany, from latest English patterns. For samples of our work visit Melbourne University and Government Entomologist. a ra? NA NAN BSF SENN IN ANAS ENE NINN IAN Nap STARE Ss g 1 Melbourne : WALKER, MAY & CO., PRINTERS, 25 MACKILLOP STREET. “Field Naturalists’ BUSINESS PAPE 2B FOR MONTHLY MEETING. © fi mai ROOMS—ROVAL SOCIETY'S We cee ST. MELBOURNE. 2 4 i iM Seah =e 4 (40 BA } Monday, 1ith September, 1899, at Eight pm. | Correspondence and Reports. — Election of Members. 6. Reading of Natural History Notes. Members who may note any unusual occurrence, or see anything of i interest in Foreign or Colonial papers, are requested to inform the Secretary of the same that he may arrange for their bringing them before the meeting ; lee notes SHES Re however, be brief. x Bs 7. Exhibition of Specimens and Conversazione. ; Members exhibiting specimens are requested to furnish the Hon. Secretary wae written particulars of their Exhibits for record in Minutes and Maturaltrst. % EXCURSION Ss. & SATURDAY, 7TH OcTOBER. Braybrook. Under the leadership of Mr. — F. G, A. Barnard. Meet at ue ure ean 1.50. Den trai Botany. — ME SATURDAY, 21ST OCTOBER. FO peer Ferntree Gully. ee leadership of Mr J. G. Luehmann, F.L.S. Meet at Prince’s Bridge Station, ii 35¢ p.m. Botany. THE Mictorian Paturalist. Vou. XVI.—No. 6. OCTOBER 5, 1899. No. 190. FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA. THE ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society’s Hall on Monday evening, 11th September, 1899. The president, Mr. J. Shephard, occupied the chair, and about 60 members and visitors were present. REPORTS. The president reported that a practical evening for the prepara- tion and examination of Blood Films had been held at the Rev. W. Fielder’s laboratory on Monday, 28th August, when a most interesting and instructive evening was spent. A report of the botanical results of the excursion to Cheltenham on Saturday, roth August, was read by the leader, Mr. C. French, jun., who stated that a very interest- ing afternoon had been spent. Some twelve varieties of orchids had been noted in bloom, besides numerous other plants. On one of the orchids a parasitic fungus new to science had been found. Mr. J. Stickland stated that those members interested in pond life had also experienced a profitable outing, as among other captures were the males of the rotifers Lacinularia pedunculata and L. elliptica, which are somewhat uncommon. A report of the visit to the Botanical Gardens on Saturday, 9th September, was read by Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, who stated that, owing to the inclement weather, attention was principally devoted to the collections in the Economic Museum and the System House, which were kindly explained by Mr. J. Baker, in the un- avoidable absence of Mr. F. Pitcher. ELECTION OF MEMBER. On a ballot being taken, Mr. C. L. Barrett, Dendy-street, Brighton, was duly elected a member of the Club. GENERAL BUSINESS. The postponed discussion on the question of protection to native birds was resumed, when a letter was read from Mr. F. C. Christy advocating the extension of the close season for all water- fowl from the 21st December to at least the middle of March, Several members spoke on the subject, but it was considered hopeless to ask for the inclusion of the Christmas holidays in the close season, and that the only course open was to endeavour to have the present Act more strictly enforced. The president drew attention to a copy of a new work by Mr. R. Hall, entitled “A Key to the Birds of Australia and Tas- 94 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. mania,” which had been presented to the Club’s library by the author, and said that the work would no doubt prove of great service to working ornithologists. PAPERS READ. 1. By Mr. H. T. Tisdall, entitled “ Plants of Prey.” The author called attention to the so-called carnivorous plants, such as the Droseras, Bladder-worts (Utricularia), Pitcher-plants cf Western Australia, and the Nepenthes of Queensland, describing some of their more prominent features. 2. By Mr. D. M‘Alpine, entitled “ Description of a New Parasitic Agaric.” The author described a new species of fungus of the genus Hebeloma (Agaricaceze), which had been found by Mr. C. French, jun., during the Cheltenham excursion, growing on the stem of an orchid, Péerostylis pedunculata, R. Br., it being most unusual for a Hebeloma to be parasitic. 3. By Rev. W. Fielder, F.R.M.S., entitled ‘“ Egg-cells and their Development.” The egg-cells of amphioxus, crayfish, frog, and bird were taken as representing types of alecithal, centrolecithal, and telolecithal eggs. After a detailed account of the processes involved, illus- trated by blackboard sketches, in the extrusion of the polar bodies and the fertilization of the egg of the frog had been given, the influence of food-yolk upon the segmentation of the egg-cell was graphically described by comparison with other typical eggs. The significant fact that the egg-cells of such diverse types as those mentioned all passed through practically the same stages in their early development was strongly insisted upon as a proof of the importance of embryology to a due appreciation of the position taken up by leading naturalists as to the origin of diverse forms of animal life. NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. Mr. D. Le Souef read a note on the occurrence of double eggs. Mr. E. R. Hammett, Mansfield, reported that an eagle had recently been shot there measuring 6 feet 8 inches from tip to tip of wing and 3 feet from beak to tail, and weighing 8 lbs. Mr. R. Hall read a note on a supposed hybrid duck, in measurement resembling Anas superciliosa and in colour Weétion castaneum. EXHIBITS. By Mr. A. Coles.—White Ptarmigan (mounted). By Rev. W. Fielder.—Micro. slides in illustration of his remarks on egeg-cells. By Mr. D. Le Souéf.tHead of Murray Cod, from fish weighing 90 lbs., from Edwards River, N.S.W. ; also double duck egg. By Mr. D. M‘Alpine.—Coloured drawing of fungus Hedeloma frenchie (new to science). By Mr. Jas. Lidgett.—4o0 species of Coccide, from Ceylon. By Mr. F. M. Reader.—Dried plants of Stackhousia THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 95 flava, Hook.; Goodenia paniculata and Scirpus setacews, un- recorded for the N.W. of Victoria. By Mr. H. W. Whitney.— Bronze Cuckoo, Chalcococcyx plagosus. Aiter the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. A BOTANIST ON MT. KOSCIUSKO. TAKING advantage of his visit to Melbourne, Mr. J. H. Maiden, F.L.S., Government Botanist of New South Wales, and Director of the Botanic Gardens, Sydney, at very short notice offered to give a lecture before the Field Naturalists’ Club, entitled “A Botanist on Mt. Kosciusko.” The committee accepted the offer with great pleasure, and arranged a special meeting of the Club for Tuesday, 19th September, at the Royal Society’s Hall, when there was an excellent attendance of members and friends. Mr. J. Shephard, the president, occupied the chair and briefly intro- duced Mr. Maiden, who at once entered upon his subject with the remark that he preferred to term it a “chat” rather than a ‘lecture. His remarks were illustrated with limelight views, which were well displayed by Mr. J. Searle. The lecturer described a trip taken in January last, his starting point being Jindabyne, on the Snowy River, some 300 miles south of Sydney, from whence the top of Kosciusko is distant about 30 miles. The pictures shown were nearly all taken from a botanical point of view, and showed the character of the vegetation met with during the ascent, and mention was made of the extent of ground covered by such species as. Phebaliwm ovalifoliwm, Orites lancifolia, Prostanthera cwneata, which often occurred in acre patches. The flowers, as a rule, were of the more sombre hues, but what they lacked in colour. was made up in quantity. The region at about 50c feet below the summit proved the most pro- lific gathering ground, and many interesting plants were noted there, while the beautiful Caltha introloba was found flowering beneath the snow. At the close of the lecture Mr. F. Wisewould, in an enthusiastic speech, proposed a vote of thanks to the lecturer, which was seconded by Mr. C. A. Topp, M.A., LL.B., and carried by acclamation. PLANT OR ANIMAL—MYXOMYCETE OR MYCETO- ZOON? By D. M‘ALPINE. (Read before the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, 10th July, 1899.) It is very gratifying to find that a member of this Club, and an expert microscopist (Mr, Sayce), has undertaken the investigation of some of the so-called slime-fungi, and now that attention is being called to them it may not be inappropriate to consider the much-debated question as to their position in the scale of life. 96 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. Since they are living organisms, the first point to be discussed is, do they belong to the animal or the vegetable kingdom ? and the answer to that question will show that they partake of the nature of both, and yet, strictly speaking, belong toneither. In fact they lie on the borderland of both kingdoms, and consequently have a botanical and a zoological aspect. It is not my intention to quote authorities this evening, but to consider the leading features presented by this group of organisms, and then draw such con- clusions as the facts warrant. There is something in a name in this case, for the name chosen will indicate a leaning either to one side or the other. Myxogastres was the name given to the group by Fries in 1829, as he considered that they had some connection with the group of fungi known as Gastromycetes, but that view is now givenup. Wallroth, in 1833, used the name Myxomycetes, or slime-fungi, and in 1859 De Bary introduced the term Mycetozoa, or fungus-animals, to indicate their relationship with the lower forms of animal life; so that it becomes a question as to which name is the most appropriate, Myxomycete or Mycetozoon. Apart from any views we may hold as to their nature, they have briefly the following life-history in typical cases :— I. Starting with the spore, which is produced in a sporangium, this produces on germination— 2. A Swarm-spore, which is typically pear-shaped, and provided with a cilium by means of which it can move about. After atime this cilium is drawn into the body, and now it becomes an amoeboid body— 3. Myxameba, as it is termed, and capable of creeping about. When two of these meet their protoplasm can flow together into a single mass, and a number of these uniting constitute the last stage of all— 4. Plasmodium, a mass of naked protoplasm, which still retains the power of movement. ‘This last process is sometimes spoken of as multiple conjugation, but the nuclei do not fuse. Finally the sporangia are produced, with their contained spores, and the life cycle is completed. Let us now see in the first place on what characters their animal nature is based :— 1. Power of movement.—At certain stages of their existence they can either creep or swim, and no doubt but the amoeboid move- ment is an animal characteristic. It is well known, however, that there are undoubted plants which at one stage of their existence are capable of free movement, and have the “animal” motion characteristic of infusoria in water, as in the swarm-spores of Ulothrix, or the zoogonidia of White Rust (Cystopus), for instance, so that this character may be dismissed as irrelevant. 2. Power of absorbing and digesting solid nutriment.—This is a character not known among recognized plants, and both the plas- lod THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 97 modia and myxamcebe can take in solid food. The amceboid forms can also divide like ordinary amcebe, and so their animal character at this stage, as well as from their mode of feeding, is pretty well established. In these two physiological processes, viz., amoeboid movement and power of absorbing solid food, such as bacteria, they undoubtedly resemble animals, and if we only knew them in these stages there would be little or no room for differences of opinion. In the next place let us inquire wherein they resemble plants. Reproduction.—They are reproduced by means of spores formed inside sporangia, and the walls of both are composed of a substance like the cuticle of the vegetable cell, so that in one of the most important features of their life, the propagation of the species, they behave like plants. In the matter of nutrition they are animals, while in the matter of reproduction they are plants, and it resolves itself into a question of the relative importance of these two processes in settling their position as plants or animals. The reproductive organs, on account of their relative constancy of character, hold an important place in determining the position of organisms, and the saying, ‘“‘ By their fruits ye shall know them,” is generally applicable to plants. If we apply the Scripture criterion to the fructification of the slime-fungi, I think it will be generally acknowledged that from this point of view they are undoubted plants. Having settled that the most reasonable view to take of the slime-fungi is to place them in the vegetable kingdom, the next point is as to whether they are to be regarded as fungi or not. If we agree with Hartig that “every fungus consists of a my- celium and a sporophore,” then, in the absence of mycelia, assuredly these organisms are not fungi. But if we take the other view and divide fungi into two classes, those with hyphz and those without, then they might readily find a place there. The conclusion of the whole matter is that we cannot definitely assign a fixed place to them. ‘They are exceptional forms, and must be treated accordingly. They might be placed without any dispute in Haeckel’s division of the Protista; but, belonging neither to the botanist nor zoologist, they might run some risk of being neglected altogether. In one stage of their existence they behave like animals, and may be accounted as such; at another stage they behave like plants, and since the reproductive process is recognized as settling affinity for systematic purposes, the benefit of the doubt may be given in favour of their retention by the botanist. I consider that the ends of truth and science would be best served by placing them on the boundary line, but purely as a. matter of convenience it is desirable to assign them to one or other of the two great divisions of biology. Let it be clearly 98 THE VICTORIAN NATURALISY’. understood that it is a question, like so many others, with two sides ; for what I object to, and the main object of writing this note, Is the positive way—I had almost said the cocksure way —in which some speak of these organisms, as if their systematic position was beyond dispute. I always remember in cases of this kind a saying of my old teacher, Professor Huxley—‘ The next best thing to being certain of what is certain, is to be uncertain of what is uncertain.” RECORDS OF PLANTS NEW TO VICTORIA AND NEW DISTRICTS FOR VICTORIAN PLANTS. By Cuas. WALTER. Communicated by C. French, jun. (Read before the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, 14th August, 1899.) AT the July meeting of the Field Naturalists’ Club I noticed that Mr. F. M. Reader, of Dimboola, exhibited specimens of the plants Goodenia ovata, Smith, and Xanthorrhaa australis, R. Brown, as. new plants for the N.W. district of Victoria. Some twelve years ago, when collecting in that district, I saw plants of the Goodenia on the banks of the Wimmera, and noticed the grass-trees, Xanthorrhea australis, not far from Mr. Cowell’s station, in Victoria, but near the South Australian border. Mr. Reader has no doubt been guided by the second part of Baron von Mueller’s “ Key to the System of Victorian Plants,” which records the different districts in which plants have been found. This index was published in 1885, and though supple- mentary lists have been printed in your journal, it is now some years since any additions to it have been published. In the meantime several collectors have visited the Mallee country, among them my friend Mr. St. Eloy D’Alton, of Nhill, who possesses a thorough knowledge of the Mallee flora, and who- kept the late Baron von Mueller constantly informed of any new discoveries, as I also did, which the Baron duly noted for a new edition of his list of Victorian plants. On the occasion of my first visit to the Grampians, some fourteen years ago, I reported to the Baron sixteen species from that locality alone which had not been recorded in the “ Key” from the S.W. district. I have no doubt Mr. Reader will still find plants in the Northern Mallee, which, though new to him, are already known to Mr. D’Alton, an abstract of whose “ Notes on the Plants Indigenous to the N.W. Portion of the Colony of Victoria” has recently been published in the ‘“ Proceedings of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science,” Sydney session, 1898. My remarks apply also to former exhibits by Mr. Reader—for instance, Goodenia amplexans, F. v. M.,. «specimens of which I have in my herbarium, collected in-company with Mr. D’Alton in 1887, in the north-west. I beg to submit the following additions to the plants recorded THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. Ne in the Supplementary Lists which appeared in your journal of May, 1888 (vol. v., p. 14); December, 1893 (vol. x.,'p. 132) 5 and January, 1894. (vol. x., p. 159), being twenty- five species unrecorded for Victoria and seventy-four with additional regional records :— PLiants New FoR VICTORIA. RUTACE. Eriostemon umbellatus, Turcz. LEGUMINOS&. Indigofera efoliata, F. v. M. Acacia glanduligicarpa, Reader CRASSULACE. Tilleea pedicillosa, F. v. M. MyrTacE&. Leptospermum myrtifolium, Sieber... Eucalyptus corymbosa, Smith CoMPosITz&. Erigeron minurioides, Benth. Helichrysum backhousil, F. v. M. re H. diotophyllum, F. v. M. Calocephalus lessingii, F. v. M. Senecio daltoni, F. v. M. Erechtites picridioides, Turcz. EPACRIDE. Epacris mucronulata, R. Brown ORCHIDE. Calochilus campester, R. Brown Prasophyllum brevilabre, J. Hooker. P. reichenbachi, F. v. M. Caladenia testacea, R. Brown #0. LILIACE. Xanthorrhcoea hastilis, F. v. M. GRAMINES. Panicum parviflorum, R. Brown P. trachyrachis, Benth. Danthonia setacea, F. v. M. Stipa scabra, Lindley S. micrantha, Cavanilles S. acrociliata, F. M. Reader LYCOPODINE. Lycopodium carolinianum N.W. — New Districts FOR VICTORIAN PLANTS. Ranunculus hirtus Viola betonicifolia Tetratheca ciliata AEE Stackhousia viminea ... Eriostemon obovalis ... cue INA We = NW. N.W. N.W. 100 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. Portulaca oleracea Claytonia volubilis Pseudanthus ovalifolius Beyeria viscosa Gompholobium huegelii Pultenzea muelleri Bossizea riparia Hovea heterophylla Cassia eremophila Acacia tenuifolia AC upICola yr. Alchemilla vulgaris Aczena sanguisorbee Haloragis aspera H. micrantha Myriophyllum pedunculatum Lhotzkya genetylloides Thryptomene ciliata Eucalyptus hemastoma E. largiflorens om Pomaderris prunifolia... Exocarpus stricta Loranthus celastroides Grevillea alpina G. confertifolia Opercularia varia Solenogyna (Lagenophora) emphysopus x Aster exul Cassinia arcuata C. theodori ... Humea elegans Senecio magnificus Erechtites mixta Lobelia simplicicaulis Goodenia ovata G. amplexans G. gracilis Cuscuta tasmanica f Prostanthera rotundifolia Styphelia strigosa S. rufa : S. serrulata ... S. appressa ... ou Brachyloma ciliatum ... Spiranthes australis Thelymitra ixioides T. antennifera a Calochilus robertsoni ... THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 101 Prasophyllum rufum ... " . — SW. — — Corysanthes pruinosa ... a . NW. — — — Pterostylis nutans ae re: . NW. — — — P. rufa aa Re ea oe OG Eriochilus fimbriatus ... io . oo SW - Caladenia ceerulea.... a . — SW. -— — C. cairnsiana git i i. Calectasia cyanea ae , . NW —- — — Xerotes thunbergii_... ue . NW. = =| — Xanthorrhoea minor ... ft . NW. —- — — X. australis ... a A seo INGA, Alisma plantago eb FE . NW. — — — ' Trithuria submersa_.... Be .. NW. =| — — Lepyrodia interrupta ... 5 . NW. —- — — Scirpus nodosus Jes - . NW —- — — Gahnia (Cladium) radula a . NW. —- — — Panicum sanguinale ... Rr a Lepturus cylindricus ... a wo NW. —- — — Aira ceespitosa oe e . NW. —- — — Danthonia carphoides @ . NW. — — — Woodwardia aspera ... ae Wh Joe Wikia Grammitis rutifolia... ie . NW — — — DESCRIPTIONS OF SOME AUSTRALIAN BIRDS’ EGGS. By D. Le Souer, C.M.Z.S. (Read before the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, 14th August, 1899.) ASTUR LEUCOSOMUS, Lesser White Gosnawk. These beautiful birds are found in Northern Australia, es- pecially in the Gulf country, but their nest and eggs do not seem so far to have been described. They were noticed by Mr. E. Olive building near the Victoria River in October last, but he did not succeed in procuring their eggs. ‘lhe breeding season is from September to January, according to the season, as the birds often delay nesting until the rainy season has set in. ‘The nest is built of sticks and lined with finer twigs and Eucalyptus leaves, and measures—external diameter, 12 inches ; internal, 7 inches; ex- ternal depth, 7 inches ; internal, 4 inches ; and was placed at the fork of a horizontal branch of a Eucalyptus tree, about 50 feet from the ground. The eggs are ovate in shape, being slightly smaller at one end, and are a dull white, with a few faint greyish markings distributed over the egg, and, as is often the case with hawks’ eggs, they are much stained. They measure—(a@) 1.52 x 1.18, (0) 1.54 x 1.19 inch. ‘This bird is considered by some to be simply a smaller variety of Astur nove-hollandie, and I con- sider it so myself. ENTOMYZA ALBIPENNIS, White-quilled Honey-eater. Northern Australia is the home of these birds. They are very 102 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIS', similar in their habits to the Hntomyza cyanotis, and are often found in the same country. They live in pairs, and are bright, lively birds, and have a loud, clear note. Like the #. cyanotis they build their nests in the deserted dome-shaped tenements of the Pomatorhinus. They are made entirely of grass, with finer shreds of the same material for lining. They measure 4% inches high and 5 inches wide, and the inside cup 3% inches wide with a depth of 234 inches. The eggs are an elongated oval in shape, and slightly smaller at one end, and of a reddish pink ground colour, with a few dark reddish brown markings, especially on the larger end, where they form an irregular zone. Other smaller markings beneath the surface are of a pale purplish hue. The eggs measure—(qa) 1.26 x .82 inch, (b) 1.28 x .80 inch. I do not think they have been described before. CALYPTORHYNCHUS BAUDINI, White-tailed Cockatoo. These birds are only found in Western Australia, and chiefly there in the central districts. Mr. Bruce Leake found their nest on 28th August, 1898 ; it was situated in a hollow spout of a limb, 30 feet from the ground, that had broken off close to the trunk and was partly overgrown, the two eggs being laid on the decomposed wood at the bottom. The birds‘had used the same nesting site for several seasons. The eggsare a dull white, slightly granulated, and with a few small excrescences ; in shape oval, and they measure—(qa) 1.79 x 1.30 inch, (6) 1.77 x 1.26 inch. The birds generally congregate in flocks of from ten to thirty birds, but during the nesting season, August and September, the flocks consist of young birds only. Gould has previously described the egg of this bird, but he mentions that the breeding season extends from October to December, but, like the C. banksi and C. viridis, they generally nest in August or September. CALLOCEPHALON GALEATUM, Gang-Gang Cockatoo. These birds are found in south-east Australia, and also in Tasmania, and on King Island, in Bass Straits. They are no- where very plentiful, and go about in pairs, being generally found in heavily timbered country. It feeds entirely on the trees, whereas the majority of cockatoos (excepting the black) feed on the ground ; its food consists of seeds and grubs. They have a peculiar cry, something like the creaking of a hinge. The breeding season is from September to December. They generally choose the end of a hollow branch or cavity in the main trunk in which to deposit their two eggs, laying them on the decomposed wood at the bottom, and, as a rule, the holes they choose are very high up and difficult to get at. The eggs are small for the size of the bird, and are dull white, ovate in form, and measure— (a) 1.25 x .94 inch, (0) 1.28 x .g2 inch. Mr. Keartland de- scribed and exhibited an egg of this bird some time ago before this Club. ADDENDUM—ERRATA.—In my paper entitled ‘“ Ornithological THE VICTORIAN. NATURALIST, 103 Notes from the Northern Territory,” published in the Victorian Naturalist, August, 1899, page 65, line 13, Malwrus cruentatus- bowert should read Malurus dorsalis (cruentatus ), and (page 67, line 43) Ptilotis fasciogularis, Fasciated Honey-eater, should read Glycyphila fasciata, White-breasted Honey-eater, CORRESPONDENCE. VERNACULAR NAMES FOR AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. To the Editor of the Victorian Naturalist. S1r,—I notice in your number for August a paragraph on page 76 referring to the criticisms of the South Australian Ornithological Association, as published in the Register, on the “ List of Ver- nacular Names for Australian Birds” drawn up by Mr. A. J. Campbell and myself, and which, viewed in the light of the present standard of ornithological science, are somewhat remark- able. Exception is taken, it appears—first to the common-sense names, descriptive of plumage and habits, given instead of un- meaning Latin titles ; and second, to the antiquated and incorrect Linnean classification adopted by Gould not being retained. As regards the first point, the object the authors had in view was the doing away with the Latin names, given on the spur of the moment, for want of an English title, by Gould, and instead, bestowing English names, as is done in all other countries. It may well here be asked what is the meaning to a field naturalist or collector, so far as the individual is concerned, of such appella- tions as Acanthiza, Sericornis, Sittella, Podargus,* Gerygone, &c. ? A Latin name used as an English one, to a young collector or student working up ornithology is simply outlandish. Imagine English field naturalists being obliged to call the ‘‘ Willow Wren” the White-breasted Phylloscopus ; the Blackcap, the Black-headed Sylvia; the Wheatear, the Grey-backed Saxicola! The idea is preposterous ; yet it has been done for years in Australia, and is what the ornithologists of South Australia apparently wish to perpetuate for the mystification of field naturalists here. It has never occurred, perhaps, to these gentlemen that Gould had no object in giving apt titles to Australian birds. His work was not so much written for Australians as for the scientific world of Europe, and a Latin name was equally acceptable for labels in English or American cabinets! The same cannot be said of Australia ; and the perpetuation of Latin names here is most pernicious for purposes of nomenclature. The authors, therefore, substituted names suggestive of the birds’ habits, as in the case of those used for Acanthiza, Sericornis, Sittella, &c., or by their * For this genus Lord Tweedale’s very appropriate name, used in ‘‘ The Birds of Malay Archipelago,” was adopted, 104 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. affinities to old world genera, such as in the case of Ephthianura, which is a thorough ‘‘ Chat” in its deportment and mode of life. In other instances, as in Pomatorhinus and Podargus, the Indian names applied to allied species were adopted. ‘This procedure is what, according to our critics in Adelaide, is ‘‘ most confusing.” As regards the second point, classification: the South Aus- tralian “ ornithologists ” have evidently got beyond their depth. It would not seem necessary to point out that one of the chief objects of classification is to bring together groups and families according to their natural and Structural affinities. Gould, who was a personal friend of my own, was eminently a pictorial naturalist, and was not at all a systematist ; he adopted for con- venience sake the most popular classification of his time, full of errors and incongtuities, and discarded years ago. In his “ Handbook” the Pécarian birds are grouped, or I might say “mixed up,” with Passerine birds under the unwieldy order of Vigors—ZInsessores. The truly passerine Swallow is classed with the totally dissimilar and picarian Swift. In his Grallatores he has combined the Herons with the Plovers—two groups of birds absolutely distinct and in no way related ; and in the com- prehensive order Natatores the Gulls, Petrels, Cormorants, and Gannets are combined! If the South Australian ornithologists think for one moment that naturalists of the present day, who think and inquire for themselves, are going to be content with errors of this kind they are much mistaken. The classification in the ‘‘ Vernacular List” is that adopted in all modern works where the Raptores are placed first. It is somewhat more extended as regards the “orders” than that which I adopted in my “Birds of Ceylon;” but these follow one another in a natural sequence perfectly intelligible to all students. The generic and specific names of the birds are up to date, and those adopted in that great work “The Catalogue of Birds” (British Museum), which will now form the basis of all future labour in ornithology, and all Australian workers will be compelled eventually to adopt them. I have to apologize for the length of this communication. I find that I have perhaps gone into particulars as regards classi- fication which are unnecessary for many of your readers. It would, however, be a pity if such criticisms, based on a want of knowledge, should go forth to the world of Australian naturalists and prejudice those who had not studied the subject. It is to be hoped that there are few workers, either “field” or scientific, in Australia who are not alive to the necessity of keeping up with the times, or content to remain in the state of ‘‘ Rip van Winkleism ” which emanates from Adelaide.—I am, yours, W. V. LEGGE, Author of “‘ The Birds of Ceylon.” Hobart, 8th September, 1899. * Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria. Exhibition of Wild Flowers. mo Members intending to exhibit Wild Flowers are requested to ay intimate at once the space required, and to have flowers at_the _ Hall not later than 4 p.m., on Monday, 9th inst. a Annual Picnic. BLAGKBURN, 28th OCTOBER. Trains leave Prince’s Bridge at 1.35 and 3.45 p.m. 2 During the afternoon a botanical ramble and visit to the lake a will take place. After tea (at 6 o'clock) there will be a musical a evening. 4 Tickets for Tea, 2s. each, may be obtained from Mr. oy _ Gabriei or the Secretary. PRACTICAL EVENING. . LOI a> ARs, seSrayOoo TOD EE. Subject, ‘‘ Elementary Factors of the Nervous System.”’ Demonstrator, Rev. W. Fielder. 4 Meet at Mr. Fielder’s laboratory, ‘“Norwood,” Mitchell Street, St. Kilda. (Members are desired, if possible, to provide themselves with dissecting instruments and microscopes. ) CAMP OUT IN THE LERDERDERG RANGES, Going via Bacchus Marsh. Members desiring of joining please send in their names to Hon. Secretary for Camp Out, Mr. A. Mattingly, Customs House, within the next week or 10 days. First. — Those who intend Camping for the week commencing Saturday Morn, 4th November. ~Second.—Those who intend Camping “for three days only, 7th to goth (including the Public Holidays—Cup Day and the Prince of Wales’ Birthday). Members Teinse will be advised of details by post card in ample time. IMPORTERS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION OF MICROSCOPES, GALVANIC BATTERIES, Ghemieal and Scientific Apparatus, &c. STUDENTS’ MICROSCOPES. a a ee |) tthe Siting C se Adju: t, 8 Ft $ LEITZ | MICROSCOPES, | +asstment, cicrometer, njettoe Now. 8 and 7, Eye-pieces 1 and 3, Magnifying 84-600. In Mahogany Cases. With Sliding Coarse Adjustment, Serew : NACHET'S | MIGROSCOPES,| Fine ctajucrment, Doubte inven, Side Condensing Lens, Eye-pteces Nos. 1 and 3, Objectives Nos. 3 and 6, “lass Slip, Cover Glasses, Mounted Object — Forceps, Magnijyimg 80-550. In &ahogany Cases. Microscopic Glass Slips, 3in. « lin,, Extra Thin, Ground Hdges and Rough Edges. : Microscopic Cover Glasses, Nos. 1 and 8, Yin., in. and Fin. Circles. No, 1 square, %in. and Rin.; No. 3 square, Yin, and Yin. - 342-6 LITTLE FLINDERS STREET, MELBOURNE. —- DAVIES, SHEPHARD & CO., MANUEL ACTUPRERS OF Water Meters, Electricity Meters, Turret Clocks, _ Microtomes, &c., &c., 135 GIPY RD., SOUTH MELBOURNE ; And, CLISDELL STREET, SYDNEY. _ NATURAL HISTORY APPARATUS, Supplied by E. CHERRY & SONS, Gisborne, Victoria, Cane ring Nets, - 3/6and 4/6 Zinc Pocket Killing (Laurel) Boxes. 1/6 and 2/- Forceps, 26 Cane or wire folding Nets, 6/- Entomological Pins (best , 1/6 per oz. box. Brass Y's, 1/6 Zinc larve Boxes - 2/- Cyanide Bottles, 2/- CORK SETTING BOARDS, length, 14 inches—all grooves 344 deep—papered. tand 1% wide, 1/- each. 2 and 2% inch, 1/3. 3 inch, 1/6. 4 inch, t/9. © 6 inch, 2/6. (Any of the above sent by post to any part of Australasia at trifling cost.) TRAVELLING SETTING CASE, (15 x 13 x 4 over all) with r2 assorted boards, 20/- ‘ CORK LINOLEUM specially imported, soft, 34 thick), 10x 8, 6d. 32x10,9d. 35x 12,1/t. 16 x 20, 2/- 20x 24, 3/- Any size to suit. eee STORE ge 14x to X 4, corked and papered both sides, hinged and fastened with hookand = eye, 7/- each. ee: CABINETS (10 to 40 drawers) for Insrcrs, EGcs or Micro. Stipes, in Cedar, Walnut, or Mahogany, from latest English patterns. For samples of our work vivit Melbourne © University and Government Entomologist. ; ; Tt tert it Er TE TE TT TT TEE Ty Rate NIN SINAN NIN INN SN eee ~ VoL. XVI.—No, 7. ' NOVEMBER, 1899. he Victorian Alatarelist ‘The Field 4 Materaliaiee Club of Victoria. FN FN FN ANI NANA SN ANANSI INN PUBLISHED 8th NOVEMBER, 1899. Editor: F. G. A. BARNARD, Esq. The Author of each article is responsible for the facts and opinions recorded. CON TEN a Sie ( ( f \ ( ¢ \ / \ / ss K ; \ id \ \ ¢ \ i \ f \ uf lA \ f \ / \ f \ ZL x ¢ \ THE FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA PLANTS OF PREY. By H. T. TISDALL _A NEw Parasitic AGARIc. By D. M‘ALPINE NEST AND EGGS OF THE WATTLE- CHEEKED HONEY- EATER. By A. 7: CAMPBELL is Sa THE “SOUTHERN SCIENCE RECORD”... NOTES & PRICE SIXPENCE. #® Agents for Gurope : DULAU & CQ., 37 Soho Square, Loudon. Melbourne : WALKER, MAY & CO., PRINTERS, 25 MACKILLOP STREET. 1899. ea NN NAN ANN NAN NN NN ENA NNN ANNAN ANANSI ASN ANN IN NNN NIN ANN EN AN AR ANA EES _ SO NN NTN NINN FRAT A 0 kN RY OP Cm nL | % — bis Field Naturalists’ © ROOMS oye SOCIETY’S HALL, Rona ST., MELBOURNE. AW a Vo as Vi BUSINESS PAPER FOR MONTHLY MEETING. oy Monday, 13th November, 1899, at Eight p.m. 1. Correspondence and Reports. 2. Election of Members. \ Proposer. Seconder. Mr. Sydney J. Parsons, on C. French, jun. = G. A. Keartland. © M‘Arthur Street, Malvern. Mr. Wm. Howat, .. AG A. Tadgell.. ate G. Coghill. 358 William Street. 3. Nominations for Membership. Members making nominations will oblige by handing the full name and address to Hon. Secretary. 4. General Business. 5. Reading of Papers and Discussions thereon. (Authors are requested to hand in a brief resume of their papers to the Secretary.) x. By Mr. F. Billinghurst (communicated by Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A.), ‘‘ The Genera of Australian Dragon Flies.” 2. By Mr. D. M‘Alpine, ‘“‘ Two Mallee Fungi.” 3. By Mr. R. Hall, ‘‘ Notes on some SDEDTEL Plumaged Birds.” 6. Reading of Natural History Notes. Members who may note any unusual occurrence, or see anything of interest in Foreign or Colonial papers, are requested to inform the Secretary of the same that he may arrange for their bringing them before the meeting; such notes should, however, be brief. 7, Exhibition of Specimens and Conversazione. Members exhibiting specimens are requested to furnish the Hon. Secretary with — written particulars of their Exhibits for record in Minutes and Vaturatsst. <~ EXCURSIONS. ® SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18.—Ringwood. Under the leadership of Mr. E.G. A Barnard. Meet at Prince’s Bridge Station, 1.35 p.m. train. Entomology and General. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2.—Port Phillip. Under the leadership of Mr. Gabriel. Meet at Middle Brighton Pier, 2.30 p.m. THE Mictaortan aturalist. Vou. XVI.—No.7. NOVEMBER 9, 1899. No. 191. FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA. Tue ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society’s Hall on Monday evening, 9th October, 1899. The president, Mr. J. Shephard, occupied the chair, and about 100 members and visitors were present. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Department of Trade and Customs, stating that after due consideration it had been decided to adhere to the close season for Quail as at present gazetted. REPORTS. Messrs. J. Shephard and J. G. Luehmann reported that owing to unfavourable weather little was done at the excursion to Sandringham on Saturday, 23rd September, though before the rain set in a number of specimens of the curious little plant, Polypompholyx tenella, were obtained. A short report of the excursion to Braybrook was read by the leader, Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, who said that, while knowing the district was not an encouraging one for field work, an interesting afternoon had been spent. Among the plants noticed was a very robust form of Correa speciosa, and a well-marked variety of Goodenia pinnatifida. The only orchid noticed was Diuris pedunculata. The ferns Aspleniwm flubellifolium and Cheilanthes tenwifolia were found growing in the crevices of the basalt. Some specimens of freshwater algze were obtained in the Kororoit Creek, which had not yet been identified. ELECTION OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken, Messrs. W. F. Wyatt, O. Grundt, C. Ludwig, J. R. Tovey, and E. H. Swan were duly elected members of the Club. PAPERS READ. 1. By Prof. W. Baldwin Spencer, M.A., entitled ‘‘ Remarks on a Rare Marsupial.” The author verbally drew attention to a specimen of the rare phalanger, Gymmnobelideus leadbeateri, McCoy, which had recently been obtained in the Bass River district, where the original specimens, on which the species was founded by Prof. McCoy, were obtained some 30 years ago. The animal, which is figured in the ‘ Zoology of Victoria,” vol. i., plate gt, is remarkable for 106 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. the length of its tail, which measures 6 % inches, while the body from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail is only 5% inches, and for the skin of the flanks not being expanded into a parachute as in the flying squirrels. The fact of this being only the third specimen obtained might be accounted for by its small size and nocturnal habits. The specimen had been presented to the National Museum by Mr. A. Coles. In ashort discussion which followed, reference was made to the National Museum, now in course of removal to its new location in the Public Library buildings, and Prof. Spencer stated that he is extremely anxious to make the collection of the Australian fauna as complete as possible, and donations of speci- mens, however common, would be gratefully acknowledged. 2. By Mr. A. Campbell, jun., entitled ‘‘ Field Notes from the Lower Wimmera.” The author gave a number of interesting notes, principally descriptive of the bird life noticed while making a collecting trip through the central Mallee, northward from Hopetoun, in October, 1898. NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. Mr. C. French, jun., recorded the finding of the orchid, Pterostylis grandiflora at Kewell, in the Wimmera, by Mr. J. A. Hill, being new for the N.W. district. Mr. A. J. Campbell read a note describing for the first time the nest and eggs of the Wattle-checked Honey-eater, Péilotis cratitia, Gould, obtained near Nhill, in the Wimmera. EXHIBITION OF WILD FLOWERS. The evening was principally devoted to an exhibition of wild flowers, and a special vote of thanks was passed to Messrs. Walter, Luehmann, and Gabriel for their efforts in connection with it. The following were the principal wild flower exhibits :— By Miss Cochrane, about 50 species from Tunstall and Sandringham, including Thelymitra iuioides, T. flexuosa, Melaleuca squarrosa, and Aotus villosa. By Misses Wise, about 20 species from Sale, including Caleya major, Caladenia cairnsiana, Dampiera stricta, Correa speciosa (red variety), and Boronia polygalifolia, var. anemonifolia. By Mr. G. Coghill, about 80 species from Croydon and Point Lonsdale, including Utricularia dichotoma, Zygophyllum billardiera, Swainsona lessertifolia, Sperolobium vimineum. By Mr. J. G. Luehmann, about 4o species from Cheltenham, including Vhelymitra aristata, T. epipactoides, Epacris obtusi- Sfolia, &c. By Mr. J. R. Tovey, about 30 species from Mentone, including Thelymitra aristata, Isopogon ceratophylius, &c. THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 107 By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, about 12 species from Braybrook, including Veronica gracilis, Lobelia anceps, Craspedia chrysantha, Correa speciosa, and Ptilotus spathulatus. By Mr. J. Wilcox, Boronia pinnata, from Warragul. OTHER EXHIBITS. By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard.—Specimens of scale insect, Cryptes (Lecanium ) baccatus, Maskell, on Acacia dealbata, forwarded by Mr. J. Lidgett, Myrniong. By Miss Cochrane.—Paintings of wild flowers. By Mr. A. J. Campbell.—Carter’s Honey-eater, nest and eggs, and Wattle-cheeked Honey-eater, nest and eggs. By Mr. A. Coles.—Pair Spotted Pardalotes, nest and eggs, in natural surroundings, collected at Mornington by Mr. S. P. Townsend. By Mr. G. A. Keartland.—Eggs of Green-Leek Parrakeet. By Mr. F. M. Reader.—3 species of mosses new to sclence—Barbula androyyna, C. Mueller; B. chrysogete, C. Mueller; B. perbrevifolia, C. Mueller. By Mr. H. C. Smart.— 7 species of Victorian Acanthizas. After an extended conversazione and examination of the flowers exhibited the meeting terminated. PIGANGES) OF WeRENe By Henry Tuos. TIsDAtt. (Read before the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, 11th Sept., 1899.) AmonGstT the animal kingdom we find many notable examples of the manner in which members of that kingdom manage to en- snare or catch their prey. Who has not watched a cat crouched patiently for an indefinite period until the long-wished-for mouse made its appearance? We read of snakes terrifying little birds, so that in their fright they fall an easy prey. In fact, on land, in the air, and more especially in the sea, myriads of animals prey on each other, either by swiftness or by lying in wait. These facts are well known to everyone, but few notice the wonderful adaptations of the organs of certain plants by which they ensnare animals. When we consider the want of swift motion it is hard to see howa plant can possibly catch animals, the said animals for the most part being quick-flying insects. Let us for a moment consider what use a plant could have for the flesh of an insect. Every plant must obtain a certain amount of such elements as carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen, in order to turn them into plant food. They obtain them partly from the soil and partly from the air. Of course, different plants require different quantities of these elements, and this brings us to the fact that many species require more nitrogen than they can 108 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. absorb from the earth. As they have not the means of obtaining enough nitrogen from the air they catch animals by various means and retain their bodies, in some instances secreting juices which act directly on the bodies. In time the insects die and decay, and the plant obtains the required nitrogen. One of the commonest of these plants of prey is the well-known Drosera or Sundew. In any outing of the Club during the season thousands of these plants may be obtained, and if carefully examined under a good lens their curious peltate leaves may be seen to be covered with long hairs, each hair surmounted by a gland. The modus operandz is as follows :—The insect sportively flying among the grass, either for pleasure or prey, comes in contact with a hair-like tentacle ; from each hair oozes a viscid substance, which detains the insect, and then several neighbouring tentacles close slowly over the victim, dragging it down to the centre of the leaf, from whence it seldom escapes, but gradually expires, and its nitrogen is finally absorbed by the Drosera. In some of the half-dried swamps about Oakleigh and elsewhere may be found pretty little plants, each tall thin stem sur- mounted by a yellow, pink, or blue flower. They belong to the Bladderworts (Lentibularineze). This particular species is Utricularia dichotoma. F. von Miilier describes them thus :— ‘“Stem often rather tall, always branchless ; leaves from ovate to almost linear, seldom conspicuously elongated; pitchers few; flowers rather large;” and so on. ‘The organs I wish to draw your attention to are the pitchers or bladders. In the Oakleigh species the bladders are few in number, and the plant does not branch, but in Uéricularia flexuosa, which Mr. Luehmann assures me is to be found in the swamps about the Yarra and Murray, these plants are described as “floating, branched; leaves distantly beset with numerous minute roundish vesicular pitchers.” These bladders form wonderful traps for catching small water insects. Each bladder is borne on a stalk, and has a small aperture on one side, completely sur- rounded by stiff hairs or bristles. The opening itself is closed by a small trap-door, which opens inwards. Now, we can easily fancy a tiny animal fleeing in from its enemy amongst the stiff bristles for protection. It pushes against the delicate valve, which opens easily, and is admitted into the chamber, and the valve immediately falls into its place. The same thing happens over and over again, until the bladder becomes nearly full of these little creatures. In a short time they die, decay, and the products from their remains are absorbed by special cells found in the lining wall of the bladder. According to Kerner the principal animals found in these bladders are the larva and adult individuals of small species of Cypris, Daphnia, and Cyclops. Another plant, Cephalotus follicularis, which, though not THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 109 found in Victoria, is very plentiful in Western Australia, and Mr. Guilfoyle told me that he had met with it on the highlands of New South Wales. The climate of Victoria does not seem to suit it, as they have endeavoured to cultivate it in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens, but it always dies off. In Bentham and Miller’s “Flora” it is marked as endemic in the wet marshes at St. George’s Sound. Amongst its characters are mentioned—‘“‘ Some of the leaves are converted into ovoid or nearly globular pitchers of about 1 inch in diameter, or rather more, each with three external longitudinal raised serves, dilated into narrow leaf-like double wings, ciliate on the edge; the mouth of the pitchers bordered by a transversely plaited ring ; the ovate lid attached to the side next the petiole.” The pitchers mentioned rest on the damp earth, and the half- open lid is brightly coloured, with white patches and purple veins. The inner surface of the mouth is provided with a quantity of honey glands. The bright colours arrest the eye of the flying insect, whilst the strong scent from the honey induces myriads of ants to climb up from the ground. As they fly down or creep up to the mouth of the pitcher they crawl slowly and carefully towards the honey, but the fluted leaf is smooth and slippery and numbers slide into the pitcher. To get out is almost impossible. In the first place many are likely to be drowned by the fluid secreted by the pitcher ; those that escape drowning may attempt to crawl up the side, but they will soon be stopped by hundreds of sharp prickly bristles, pointed like bayonets exactly towards their helpless bodies, and arranged so closely that nothing can pass between. So in time they fall backwards into the putrid fluid, which thus becomes a rich liquid manure. A much larger plant of prey may be seen in the Nepenthes or Pitcher Plants of Queensland. A number of their leaves are so modified as to form pitchers of a large size with closely fitting lids. ‘The general mode adopted by the Nepenthes for catching their prey is very similar to that just described in the Cephalotus; but it is perfectly marvellous to see the various contrivances found in these plants for ensuring the capture and detention of their victims—gorgeous colours for the eye, strong scents for the smell, and sweet nectar for the taste. Again, the paths to the tempting dainties are made easy and pleasant ; but now comes the fall, the hideous prison, and the sharp weapons—prickles, thorns, some straight and some curved, but all so placed as to form an impassable barrier to freedom. A very interesting account of a then newly discovered Nepenthes may be seen in the ‘‘ Trans- actions of the Linnean Society of New South Wales,” dated April, 1880. It may be noticed that the plants under consideration may be separated into distinct divisions. ‘Thus the Nepenthes and Cephalotus form perfectly quiescent pitfalls; the Utricularia 110 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. forms more of a trap with a movable valve; the Drosera has hair-like glands, with distinct active movements. Too wide a field for the consideration of this subject would be open were we to attempt to describe the plants of prey found in other countries. Kerner says that at least 600 different species of plants are now known that obtain a great deal of their nourish- ment by capturing animals either by pitfalls, traps, or the active movement of glands; the quick closing of leaves, as in the well- known Venus’s Flytrap, Dionew muscipula ; and, commonest of all, by sticky mucilaginous glands. Before concluding this paper the writer would wish to acknow- ledge with gratitude the courtesy and help received by him from both Mr. We. Guilfoyle, Director of the Botanic Gardens, and Mr. J. G. Luehmann, Director of the National Herbarium, more particularly in placing at his disposal specimens of the plants herein described. A NEW PARASITIC AGARIC. By D. M‘ALPINE. (Read before the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, 11th September, 1899.) A NEw species of Hebeloma was discovered by Mr. C. French, jun., while conducting an excursion of the Field Naturalists’ Club -around Cheltenham on rgth August last. It occurred on the stem of an orchid, Pterostylis pedwnculata, R. Br., just at the collar and beneath the basal leaves, where it formed a dense felt of mycelium, without apparently interfering with the proper flowering of the plant. I have much pleasure in naming this interesting species after the discoverer, who not only follows that branch of natural history with which his father, the Government Entomol- ogist, is identified, but who has made a specialty of our Victorian Orchidez. ‘This is only one of several fungi which he has already sent me from the Mallee and elsewhere, descriptions of which I hope soon to publish. HEBELOMA FRENCHII, n. sp. Pileus 14 in. across, fleshy, deep reddish-brown, smooth, slightly viscid when moist, convex to somewhat conical, slightly incurved at margin, sometimes bent back on stem, with silky fibres passing from margin to stem; flesh yellowish. Gills reddish-yellow, not crowded, ventricose, adnexed. Stem 34 in. long, % in. thick, central, creamy-yellow, hollow, equal, cylin- drical, slightly curved, apex mealy, passing at base into dense woolly felt and attached to collar of plant. Spores yellow, elliptical, slightly apiculate, ro-12 x 5%-6!4 pw. Strong mush- room odour. Attached to orchid, Pterostylis pedunculata, R. Br., just beneath basal leaves. August, 1899. Near Cheltenham, Victoria ; C. French, jun. THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 111 This is the first instance known to me of a Hebeloma being parasitic. The orchid grew amongst -decayed leaves and moss, in sandy soil, under tall Tea-trees, Leptospermum levigatum, F.v.M. It was in flower, as shown .in the drawing, and the flower-stalk attained a height of 8% inches. The plant did not seem to suffer much from the parasite, although it formed a dense felt at its base, and was firmly attached. Only two were found, occurring on the same plant and springing from a common dense mycelium. This species differs from H. petiginosum, Fr., already found on the ground in Victoria, in the smaller pileus and shorter stem and in the gills not beiny free but adnexed. NS SAND EGGS OF THE WATTLE-CHEEKED HONEY-EATER, PTILOTIS CRATITIA, Goutn. By A. J. CAMPBELL. Tue beautiful Wattle-cheeked Honey-eater has been chiefly found in the southern parts of Australia, where it seems to love the timber of the drier country, such as Mallee tracts. This species may be distinguished from all its kind by the strips of lovely lilac-coloured naked skin which stretch from the corner of the mouth across the sides of the cheeks ; hence the vernacular name, ‘‘ Wattle-cheeked.” The wattle, however, in the young or immature bird is yellowish. Gould first found this honey-eater as a new bird on the 26th June, 1839, in the ranges near the Upper Torrens, in South Australia ; so 60 years have passed before an authenticated nest with eggs was discovered and brought to scientific light through this Club. During a search for Mallee Hen egg-mounds near Lawloit, October, 1884, I flushed a Wattle-cheeked Honey-eater in the act of constructing its nest, but I never passed that way again, and had no further opportunity of exploring the haunts of the honey-eater till September, 1899, when, with two companions, I was investigating some Mallee scrub, locally known as Kemp’s Block, at Woorak West, about ro miles to the north of the flourishing township of Nhill. Finding the interesting birds fairly numerous there, we secured three pairs of skins for museum purposes, and on the 25th I discovered a nest containing a pair of almost fresh eggs, procuring one of the parents for identifica- tion. The nest was situated about 6 feet from the grovnd in a parasitical creeper, Cassytha glabella, entwining a Mallee bush, Eucalyptus oleosa. I saw another nest similarly situated, but about 3 feet from the ground, which had been tenanted by young, but whether the current season or the last I could not say. Other el, THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. two nests, apparently in course of construction, were found, and two old ones—one being in a stiff-leafed Grevillea and one in another kind of bush. One of the bird’s calls—probably its alarm note—is loud and sounds something like “ chuc-chuc-chuc-chuc-chuc” repeated very rapidly many times. Another noise is composed of jerky, rattle like notes. The birds are shy as well as noisy. Nest.—Cup-shaped ; fairly well built of very fine threads of bark, felted or matted together with an abundance of spiders’ webs and torn cocoons, imparting to the structures a whitish appearance externally ; lined inside with fine grass and a few feathers ; usually suspended by the rim, at a height varying from 3 feet to 6 feet from the ground, in creeper in Mallee (Eucalyptus) scrub. Dimensions over all, 234 inches by 234 inches in depth ; egg cavity, 2 inches across by 2 inches deep. Eccs.— Clutch 2; in the type set one is almost elliptical in form, the other a roundish oval; texture of shell fine; surface glassy ; colour white, sparingly and finely spotted with rufous or reddish-brown and faint purplish-brown, the markings being more numerous about the apex. Dimensions in inches—elliptical, 184 x@26 ; roundish, \.79 x -64.9) Whese eggs) are vamongene lightest-coloured of Ptilotis eggs. TA SOULAETKN] SCIENCE, LHC OksD: SOME uncertainty seems to exist as to the number of issues of the Southern Science Record, and being one of the few possessors of what is, I believe, a complete set, some particulars about it may enable others to note deficiencies existing in theirs. The journal was commenced as a 16-page octavo magazine, price sixpence, in December, 1880, and its first volume consists of thirteen numbers. Its second volume commenced as a 24- page monthly in January, 1882, at the same price. In January, 1883, it came out as a 32-page journal, at the price of one shilling, but the later numbers of that volume became gradually smaller, owing to want of financial and other support, and did not appear till some months after the months named on their covers, consequently several were not issued until well on in 1884. With the number for January, 1885, commenced vol. 1. of a new series, 24 pages at one shilling per month, of which, however, only four numbers were issued, when it again ceased. However, nothing daunted, the indefatigable proprietor started again, in January, 1886, with the first number of vol. ii, 24 pages at one shilling, intending to gradually supply the missing numbers for the past year, but did not get any further. THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 113 Of the four numbers for 1885, and the one for 1886, I believe few copies reached the general public, and a list of the titles of the papers published may be of interest -— Jan. Contributions to the Paleontology of Older Rocks of 1885 Australia, by Prof. R. Tate. Microscope and its Useful Application, by C. R. Blackett. Remarks on Flora of Australian Alps, with Introductory Notes on the Geology and Meteorology, by J. Stirling, F.G.S. Continued in February, March, and April. Feb. Definitions of Some New Australian Plants, by Baron F. von Mueller. Continued March and April. The Fertilization of Plants, by T. Harrison. Oology of Australian Birds, supplement i, by A. J. Campbell. Mar. The Protection of our Native Birds, by A J. Campbeil. Notes on Lezpoa ocellata, by F. W. Andrews. April Some Indigenous Shrubs of South Australia Suitable for Fodder, by 5S. Dixon. Jan. List of Australian Terebridz, by Prof. R. Tate. 1886 Fossil Terebridz of Australia, by Prof. R. Tate. Description of Medinilla maidenti, by Baron F. von Mueller. Oology of Australian Birds, supplement ii., with illustration of nest of Szttella lewcocephalus, by A. J. Campbell. The Volcanic Eruption in Straits of Sunda, by D. Ploos van Amstel. The journal at the time it was commenced filled a vacant place, and even now a monthly magazine giving such excellent abstracts as appeared in it of the latest proceedings of all the scientific societies of Australasia should be a desideratum to scientific workers throughout the colonies, who now have to wait until the appearance of the quarterly, half-yearly, or annual proceedings, as the case may be, of the different societies to learn what their neighbours are doing. Could not the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science step in and provide this undoubted want? The expense would not be a great deal, and it would do much to keep workers in touch with one another. The magazine, no doubt, did not receive the financial support requisite to enable the proprietor, Mr. Joseph Wing, to carry it On except at a great sacrifice of both time, energy, and money. For the first two years it was subsidized to a small extent by the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, but during 1883 the Club decided to publish its own proceedings, and in January, 1884, the first number of the Victorian Naturalist appeared, the present number being the rgrst of the series. F. G. A. BARNARD. 114 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. NOTES. THe Late Mr. W. KersHaw.—Since our last issue one of the few remaining original members of the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria has passed away in the person of Mr. W. Kershaw, formerly Entomologist at the National Museum, which position he occupied for some forty odd years. He had reached the ripe age of eighty years, and, though retired from active work, still retained a deep interest in natural history, and exhibited and was present at the Club conversazione in May last. Beyond assisting at the annual conversaziones he did not take a very active part in the work of the Club, though always ready to render assistance to those who required specimens named. Probably from his official position he felt himself precluded from putting in writing and placing before the Club much information which he must have gained during a long series of years, and he could recall with pleasure the days when it was possible to walk from Richmond to Caulfield and collect through unoccupied country nearly all the way. Mr. Kershaw was one of the most thorough of insect collectors, and it is to be regretted that he did not live to see the national collection properly housed in its new quarters. THE NationaL Mustum.—We are pleased to announce that Mr. James A. Kershaw, son of the late Mr. W. Kershaw, has been promoted to the position of Curator of the Zoological Department of the National Museum, and that great efforts are being made, under the directorship of Professor Baldwin Spencer, to have the Museum ready for public inspection by the Christmas holidays. THE Scrus-Tit In Nortru-West TasMANIA.—It is interesting to learn that the Scrub-Tit, Sericornis (Acanthornis) magna occurs here. My son, R. N. Atkinson (a rising ornithologist of 13 years), found a nest at which an unknown bird was busily at work. On further examination it proved to be the Scrub-Tit. The nest was situate, and carefully hidden, in a bunch of rushes and tall grass, partly surrounded by water. We visited the place several times after the building of the nest was completed, but could see no trace of the birds ; but after an interval of a few days, on the 30th September last we flushed the bird from the nest and obtained three fresh eggs. The nest and eggs of this rare bird agree with the descrip- tions given by Mr. North in his valuable book on ‘‘ The Nests and Eggs of Australian and Tasmanian Birds,” vide Appendix i1., fol. 387. I may mention that Waratah is 40 miles inland, 2,000 feet above sea level, and is essentially a dense forest country.—E. D. ATKINSON. Waratah, Mt. Bischoff, Tasmania, 7th October, 1899. EXTENDED DISTRIBUTION OF GERYGONE ALBIGULARIS, Gld.—In August last a sportsman presented me with a bird shot near THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 115 Western Port. It agrees with the descriptions given to Gerygone albigularis, Gld., the White-throated Fly-eater, and, as far as I know, it has not been previously recorded from Victoria. The throat being of an impure white and the base of the bill being light in colour, I conclude it is a bird of last season’s rearing. The genus Gerygone is composed of two species, one of which confines its range to the Derby district, N.W. Australia, while the other has a wide range across the continent.—RoBERT HALL. Nore on A Hysrip Duck.—There was handed to me recently for comparison, by E. D’Ombrain, Esq., what appears to me a male skin of a duck, obtained in Victoria. It is most closely related to Anas superciliosa, Gmelin, as regards the proportions, and to WNettion castanewm, Eyton, in the colour. The measure- ments (specimen in the skin) are :— A. superciliosa. Hybrid. NV. castaneune. Total length. 22 inches ... 22 inches ais 18.5 inches Culmen Delay ss a 1.85 5; bo AE. op Wing W® 55 ras 9-5 es TAG as Tail 5 iis ae 5 " Hes AS iss Tarsus NoOS ne 1.60 ,, as I ae The indication of the Black Duck in this specimen is in (a) the boundary lines of the lores being whitish and the superciliary lines being present, though faint; (b) the bill being broad, not compressed, and about the length of the head. The indication of the Teal is in (a) the chest and breast being markedly chestnut, (6) upper wing coverts being slate-grey, (c) head faintly washed with green, (d@) feet and legs black. Opposed to both species are (a) the head and lower throat being black or greeny-black instead of metallic green in the one and brownish-black in the other, (6) the throat being rufous instead of fawn in the one and white in the other, (c) the greater part of the lores being light chestnut and black, (d) the whole under surface being more or less marked by rufous, (e) the entire dorsal surface being blacker, the upper and lower back being black, each feather edged with the usual fawn. ‘This skin was exhibited on the occasion of the reunion of oologists recently held at the invitation of Mr. Dudley Le Souéf. —ROoBERT HALL. Book Novice.—We have received Nature Novitates for 1898 from the publishers, Messrs. Friedlander and Sohn, Berlin. This well-known work contains a list of all the more important books and periodicals published during the year on physical and natural sciences, and is of the greatest use to all who have to search for the literature of science. WICKERSHEIM’S PRESERVING FLu1Ip.—This fluid is not com- monly used, owing to the poor preparations that have been put -upon the market. Animal and vegetable bodies impregnated 116 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. with it retain their form, colour, and flexibility in the most perfect manner. The objects to be preserved are placed in the fluid, and left in it for from six to twelve days, after which they are dried in the air. The ligaments remain soft and movable, and the animals or plants remain fit for anatomical study for long periods. The formula for the fluid is as follows :—Dissolve too grains of alum, 25 grains common salt, 12 grains saltpetre, 60 grains potash, Io grains arsenious acid, in 7 ozs. of boiling water. Filter the solution, and when cold to 5 ozs. of the solu- tion add 2 ozs. of glycerine and % oz. of methyl alcohol.— Knowledge, August, 1899. To PRESERVE SPIDERS AND Myriapops.—Mix thoroughly half an ounce of Wickersheim’s solution, half an ounce of glycerine, and an ounce and a half of distilled water, then add ten ounces of ninety-five per cent. alcohol. It is said that alcohol which has been previously used for preserving mites and spiders is preferable to fresh alcohol, as the former already contains some of the fats dissolved out of the specimens. This fluid preserves the colouring of the specimens, and keeps them flexible-—Anowledge, August, 1890. Tue A.A.A.S.—The eighth session of the Australasian Associa- tion for the Advancement of Science, which will be held, under the presidency of Mr. R. L. J. Ellery, at the University of Mel- bourne on gth January next, should prove an extremely successful gathering. Councillor M‘Eacharn, the Mayor of Melbourne, will officially welcome the Association, and has kindly promised his assistance in other ways. The Mayors of Ballarat city and town have also offered official patronage, and at Bendigo a welcome will be extended to members of the A.A.A.S., who will be invited to visit the chief places of interest in the locality. Evening lectures, excursions for geologists and engineers, and numerous entertainments of a social nature are being arranged. The list of papers to be read before the ten sections and titles of the presidential addresses is a varied and interesting one. ‘Tickets of membership, costing £1 each, will entitle the holders to attend all the meetings and entertainments, and to purchase tickets for the excursions. Ladies’ tickets, at 1os., which will admit the holders to all the privileges of full members, except the right to receive the printed report, will also be available to full members. Subscriptions should be sent without delay to the hon. secretary, Professor Baldwin Spencer, the University of Melbourne. “Nests AND Eccs Or AUSTRALIAN Birps.”—In an earnest letter in a recent Argus the Mayor of Melbourne advocates the claims of Mr. A. J. Campbell’s projected work to the support of all lovers of nature and of Australian literature, and trusts that the 150 subscribers yet required will soon be obtained. fo ER > wie SI Se Se an sa" uPalists’ Clu OFFICE-BEARERS, 1899-1900. + President: MR. J. SHEPHARD. _-Wice=Presidents: MR. T. S. HALL, M.A. MR. J. G. LUEHMANN, F.L.S. thon. Treasurer: MR. J. T. GILLESPIE, Messrs, Alex. Cowan and Sons, 395 Little Flinders Street, Melbourne. Hon. Librarian: MR. O. A. SAYCE, Harcourt Street, Hawthorn. } . t / Hon. Secretary: MR. GEO. COGHILL, 80 Swanston Street, Melbourne. / on. Boditor of the ‘ Victorian Maturalist : ” MR. F. G. A. BARNARD, Bulleen Road, Kew. : Committee ; MR. J. GABRIEL, MR. G. A. KEARTLAND, MR. J. A. KERSHAW, F.E.S., MR. D. Le SQUEF, C.M.Z.S., and MR. H. T. TISDALL. SIP 6 & OBSECTS. »® Tuts Cxus was founded in 1880 for the purpose of affording observers and lovers of Natural _ History regular and frequent opportunities for discussing those special subjects in which they are mutually interested ; for the exhibition of Specimens; and for promoting Observations in the Field by means of Excursions to various collecting grounds around the Metropolis. PRACTICAL EVENING. MONDAY, 27th NOVEMBER. a Subject: ‘‘ Some Elements of Histology.” | Meet at Mr. Fielder’s laboratory, ‘‘ Norwood,” Mitchell Street, St. Kilda. __ (Members are desired, if possible, to provide themselves with dissecting instruments and - microscopes. ) i \ ‘THE VICTORIAN NATU RALIST ‘Contains the proceedings of the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria. - Authors of Papers published in the Victorian Naturalist are informed that ‘reprints of such articles can be obtained at a nominal cost by giving notice previous to publication to the Hon, Sec., from whom all information can be obtained. OST of the Numbers from the commencement, January, 1884, can be obtained from the Hon. Sec., Mr. Geo. Coghill, 80 Swanston treet, Melbourne, at Sixpence each, or in sets (except Vols. I. and IV.), iis ith title page and index, 6/— per volume. _ The Hon. Sec. will pay full price for clean copies of Vol. II., No. 3; Vol. IV., Nos. 2, 3, and 4; Vol. V., No.9; Vol, VIII., No. 10, and Vol. IX., Nos. 2 and 3. | | FELTON, GRIMWADE & (0, IMPORTERS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION OF MICROSCOPES, GALVANIC BATTERIES, Ghemieal and Seientifie Apparatus, &e. STUDENTS’ MICROSCOPES. With Sliding Coarse Adptnone Screw Fine LEITZ MICROSCOPES, Adjustment, Micrometer, Objectives Nos. 3 and @, Eye-pieces 1 and 3, Magnifying 84-600. In Mahogany Cuses. With Sliding Coarse Adjustment, Screu NACHET’S MIGROSGOPES, Fine Adjustment, Double Mirror, a Condensing Lens, Eye-pieces Nos. 1 and 3, Objectives Nos. 3 and 6, Glass Slip, Cover Glasses, Mounied Object — Forceps, Magnifying 80-550. In Mahogany Cases. 3 Microscopic Glass Slips, 3in. x lin., Extra Thin, Ground Edges and Rough — 4 Edyes. Microscopic Cover Glasses, Nos. 1 and 3, Vin., in, and Rin. Circles. ee 1 square, Zin. and fin. ; No. 3 square, Yin, and Zin. a 42-6 LITTLE FLINDERS bea MELBOURN-. DAVIES, SHEPHARD & COs MANUEPASCTURERS oe Water Meters, Electricity Meters, Turret Clocks, Microtomes, &c., &¢., 135 CITY RD. SOUTH MELBOURNE ; And, CLISDELL STREET, SYDNEY. NATURAL HISTORY APPARATUS, 4 Supplied by E, CHERRY & SONS, Gisborne, Victoria, Cane ring Nets, - 3/6and 4/6 Zinc Pocket Killing (Laurel) Boxes, 1/6 and 2/+ Forceps, 26 ae Cane or wire folding Nets, 6/- Entomological Pins (best , 7/6 per oz. box. Brass Y's, 1/6 Zinc larve Boxes - 2'- Cyanide Bottles, 2/- ye CORK SETTING BOARDS, length, 14 inches—all grooves 344 deep—papered. = tand 1% wide, 1/- each. 2 and 2% inch, 1/3. 3inch, 1/6. 4 inch, t/9. 6 inch, 2/6. (Any of the above sent by post to any part of Australasia at trefling cost.) TRAVELLING SETTING CASE, (15 x 13x-4 over all) with 12 assorted boards, 20/- E+. CORK LINOLEUM specially imported, soft, 3g thick), 10x 8,6d. 4r2x10,9d. 45x 12, t/t. Bi. 16 x 20, 2/- 20x 24, 3/- Any size to suit. a STORE ease. Y i x 10x 4, corked and papered both sides, hinged and fastened with hook and eye, 7/- eac r CABINETS (ro to 4o drawers).for Insects, Eccs or Micro. Suipzs, in Cedar, Walnut, or a Mahogany, from latest English patterns. For samples of our work visit Melbourne University and Government Entomologist. ee 4 Biraren te THE JOURNAL AND MAGAZINE == (os) == The Field Aaturalists’ Olub of Victoria. PUBLISHED 7th DECEMBER, 1899. Editor: F. G. A. BARNARD, Esq. The Author of each article is responsible for the facts and opinions recorded. CONTENTS: THe FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA THE LERDERDERG ‘“‘ CAMP-OUT ” -FIELD NOTES FROM THE LOWER WIMMERA. CAMPBELL, JUN. Beat CORRESPONDENCE “ PRICE SIXPENCE. ® Agents for Gurope: DULAU & CO., 37 Scho Square, London. SN NN AN INR NAN ENR RNIN ROR RR CN ene Melbourne : WALKER, MAY & CO., PrinTers, 25 MacKILLoP STREET. 1899. COO TO Mn i or Ie Te te INC TT IY I Ten tT Am Fi 1 AA A A AN YAY HY CN Field Naturalists’ Glub of Victoria, iar Ne x BY Ge : ROOMS—ROYAt. SOGIETY’S HALL, VICTORIA ST., MELBOURNE. BUSINESS PAPER FOR MONTHLY MEETING. £ Monday, 11th December, 1899, at Eight p.m. il 1. Correspondence and Reports. 2. Nominations for Membership. Members making nominations will oblige by handing the full name and address to Hon. Secretary. d : : : ‘ 4 : i ¥ 4 4 7 zi 3. General Business. “a 4 4. Reading of Papers and Discussions thereon. 4 (Authors are requested to hand in a brief resume of their papers to the Secretary.) 4 i 1. By Mr, A. Campbell, jun., ‘‘ Ornithology of the Lower Wimmera, Part II.” “a 2. By Rev. W. Fielder, ‘‘Amoeba and its relatives.” ; { 5. Reading of Natural History Notes. j c Members who may note any unusual occurrence, or see anything of interest in Foreign 5 g or Colonial papers, are requested to inform the Secretary of the same that he " may arrange for their bringing them before the meeting ; such notes should, a however, be brief. A 6, Exhibition of Specimens and Conversazione. Members exhibiting specimens are requested to furnish the Hon. Secretary with written particulars of their Exhibits for record in Minutes and Watzratzst. “« EXCURSIONS. & SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16.—Gisborne. Under the leadership of Mr. F. G. A. Barnard and Mr. G. Lyell, jun. Meet at Spencer St. Station 6.40 a.m. train, return fare 5s. 1d. Entomology. SATURDAY, JANUARY 13.—Willsmere. Under the leadership of Mr, W. Stickland.. Meet at Kew Tram Terminus, 2.30 p.m. Pond Life, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, JANUARY 26 AND 27. Plenty Ranges. Under the leadership of Mr. F. G. A. Barnard. Meet at Spencer Street Station 10.35 a.m. Entomology and General. THE Mictorian Paturalist. Vout. XVI.—No. 8. DECEMBER 7, 1899. No. 192. FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA. THE ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in the Royal Society’s Hall on Monday evening, the 13th November, 1899. The president, Mr. J. Shephard, occupied the chair, and about 35 members and friends were present. REPORTS. A report in diary form of the “camp-out” in the Lerderderg Ranges, 4th to gth November, was read by Mr. A. Mattingley, and Mr. A. J. Campbell gave some notes on the birds, &c., seen. A special vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Mattingley for his energy as manager of the ‘“camp-out,” and for the use of the camping material, &c., placed at the disposal of the party. The hon. secretary reported that the annual picnic had been held at Blackburn on Saturday, the 28th October, and had been attended by nearly 60 members and friends, who all seemed to enjoy thoroughly the ramble in the afternoon and music, &c., in the evening. The hon. librarian reported the receipt of the following dona- tions to the library :—‘‘ Monthly Progress Report, Geological Survey of Victoria,” new series, No. 1, from Department of Mines, Victoria; “Proceedings Royal Society of Victoria,” vol. xii., part 1, from the Society; ‘‘ Annual Report, 1898, Department of Mines, New South Wales,” ‘“ Mineral Resources of New South Wales,” No. 5, and “Records of Geological Survey of New South Wales,” vol. vi., part 3, from the Department of Mines, New South Wales; ‘‘ Annual Report Botanic Gardens, New South Wales, 1898,” from the Government Botanist ; ‘‘ Proceed- ings Royal Society of New South Wales,” vol. xxxii., 1898, from the Society; “‘ Proceedings Linnean Society of New South Wales,” vol. xxiv., part 2, from the Society; ‘Transactions Royal Society of South Australia,” vol. xxii., part 1, and ‘‘ Memoirs Royal Society of South Australia,” vol., i., part 1, from the Society ; “ Queens- land Agricultural Journal,” vol. v., July, August, October, 1899, from the Department of Agriculture; “‘ The Student’s Flora of New Zealand,” by T. Kirk, from the New Zealand Government ; “Proceedings Nova Scotian Institute of Science, 1898,” part 3, from the Institute ; ‘“ Field Columbian Museum, Anthropological Series, vol. i, No. 3, from the Museum; ‘Transactions Wis- consin Academy,” vol. xi., 1896-7, from the Academy; “ Wis- consin Geological and Natural History Survey—Solitary Wasps,” from the Survey Department; “ Bulletin Geological Institute of 118 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. Upsala, Sweden,” vol. iv., part 1, from the Institute; “ Nature Novitates, 1898,” from Friedlander and Sohn, Berlin. ELECTION OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken, Messrs. Sydney J. Parsons and Wm. Howat were duly elected members. PAPERS. 1. By Mr. F. Billinghurst (communicated by Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A.), entitled “‘ The Genera of Australian Dragon-Flies.” The paper was a translation of some notes on the classification and arrangement of Australian Dragon-Flies by M. Réné Martin, a French entomologist, based principally on specimens collected in Victoria by Mr. Billinghurst. 2. By Mr. D. M‘Alpine, entitled “‘ Two Mallee Fungi.” The author described a new micro-fungus, Septoria tabacina, found by Mr. C. French, jun., in the Mallee in October last, occurring on the Native Tobacco, Nicoteana swaveolens, Lehm.; and recorded as new for Victoria, Puccinia nieracit, Mart., also found by Mr. C. French, jun., on Hypocheris glabra, L., in the same locality. 3. By Mr. R. Hall, entitled ‘‘ Notes on Some Abnormal Plumaged Birds.” The author briefly noted some thirty-five instances of birds with abnormal plumage, belonging to twenty-seven species, which had come under his notice, and suggested that further records of such deviations from the normal plumage would prove interesting. Messrs. A. J. Campbell and G. A. Keartland thought that the subject was one worthy of further investigation. NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. Mr. A. J. Campbell, jun., contributed an ornithological note on the occurrence of the White-throated Fly-eater at Rutherglen, and on the nesting of the Southern Fly-eater in the same locality. Mr. A. J. Campbell mentioned that the skin of the rare Rail recently procured in. New Zealand had been purchased for the Otago Museum for £250. Mr. J. Shephard drew attention to his exhibit of exceptionally large Rotifer colonies. Mr. C. French, jun., recorded the finding of the orchid Praso- phyllum elatum in the Mallee, near Lake Albacutya, being new for the N.W. of Victoria. EXHIBITS. By Messrs. A. J. Campbell and H. Anjou.—Photographs of the Lederderg camp-out. By Mr. A. Campbell, jun.—White-throated Fly-eater and Southern Fly-eater’s nest and eggs, all taken at Rutherglen. By Mr. C. French, jun.—Fungus, Mylhitta australis, commonly called Native Bread, from Gippsland. By Mr. J. THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST, 119 Lidgett.—Three new Victorian Coccidze, collected by Mr. J. C. Goudie at Birchip. By Mr. F. M. Reader.—Dried plants, Diplotaxis muralis, D. C., naturalized and new for Victoria ; Barbara vulgaris, new for N.W. of Victoria. By Mr. J. Shephard.—Abnormally large colonies of Rotifer, Lacinularia reticulata, from Brighton. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. THE LERDERDERG “CAMP-OUT.” It having been decided to organize a “‘camp-out” during the spring, the locality of the Lerderderg Ranges, about 40 miles north-west of Melbourne, was selected.. From the easy acces- sibility of the camp from Melbourne it was confidently hoped that the attendance would have been a record one, and Mr. A. Mattingley had taken considerable trouble in perfecting the arrangements, and had kindly placed a very complete camping outfit at the disposal of the members for the week. However, from various causes, not the least of which was the prevalence of influenza in the community, the number of members who were able to join in the outing was smaller than anticipated. Some left town by the early train on Saturday, 4th November, reaching the camping ground, some eight miles north of Bacchus Marsh, by ro a.m. After pitching the camp, and luncheon having been disposed of, the members dispersed in various ways to seek their several specialties, meeting again for the evening meal. ‘The daily routine was much the same—up at daybreak, a swim in the river, breakfast, collecting, lunch, more collecting, tea, general conversation, singing, &c., bed-time. The party was reduced by departures and augmented by arrivals once or twice during the stay, and finally broke up and returned to town on Thursday, the rgth inst., having had a most enjoyable outing, carried out with- out a hitch, and, with the exception of one thunder-shower, favoured with fine weather every day. Mr. A. J. Campbell has supplied the following details of the objects collected or noted :— i Legend says that Lerderderg signifies in aboriginal language “broken reeds.” Whether legend be correct or not, ‘“ The River of Broken Reeds” is indeed a very euphonious title. This stream by erosive action has carved a somewhat direct course for several miles through parallel ridges of bold schistose mountains, which rise by steep gradients from the river’s bed to peaks varying from 800 feet to 1,000 feet. At the entrance of this valley we pitched our camp. Below, the river describes a more sinuous course through rich alluvial flats, and enters the Werribee at the eastern end of Bacchus Marsh township—named after an early settler, Captain Bacchus. 120 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. The waters of the Lerderderg are slightly clay-coloured, caused by sluicing operations in its upper reaches. Ever since the discovery of gold in the colony, gold in more or less payable quantities has been won from the Lerderderg valley. Topazes are also to be found amongst the rubble. The chief eucalypts on the ridges are Ironbarks, Hucalyptus leucoxylon, and Stringybarks, #. capitellata, which send their roots far into the rents among the crumbling slabs of slate. Here, too, are several sweet-scented shrubs. Many flowering plants were also noticed, but the absence of a botanist precludes their names being given. The intervening dells, strewed with moss-covered boulders, hedged about with tussock grass and golden everlastings, were delightful nooks except for mosquitos. The most perfect sylvan spots, however, were noticed at the entrance of the ranges after passing what is locally known as Bald Hill. I am not certain if it has been officially reported that on a previous excursion the Aster-like shrub, Cassinia Jlcevis, was found here for the first time in Victoria, and Westringia glabra, a somewhat rare plant, was also obtained, having been previously recorded for only two other localities in the colony. The ornithological notes made are of ordinary character. Although not of many species, birds were plentiful. The whole valley was fairly filled with cheerful bird songs, the most prominent singers being probably the Thickheads—the White-throated and the Rufous-breasted. The pluck of a little Black and White Fantail amused us. A Jackass approached rather near its nest ; the Fantail immediately jumped on the Great Kingfisher’s back, pecking it violently. A Grey Box tree in bloom appeared a surfeiting ground for numerous nectar-loving birds. Three species of Lorikeets—the Musk, the Purple-crowned, and the Little—were shot from its flowering branches; while three kinds of Honey-eaters—the New Holland, the Lunulated, and the Fuscous—were also present. A pair of Mistletoe-birds (Diczeum) had constructed a tiny moss-made nest in a small gum sapling at the rear of our tents. The ubiquitous Tits, of course, were in evidence. ‘There were the Yellow-rumped, the Striped, the Brown, and the Buff-rumped. Nests and eggs of the two latter were found in tussock grass. The Brown contained an egg of the Narrow-billed Bronze-Cuckoo, the Buffrumped the egg of the other Bronze-Cuckoo. While mentioning Cuckoos, a little White-shafted Fantail was observed feeding a noisy young Bronze-Cuckoo, but whether the Fantail reared the Cuckoo or not is doubtful. A Scrub-Wren (Sericornis) shot proved to be the Allied. It was a genuine pleasure to listen to an Oriole mocking the songs of various of its feathered friends ; the ringing notes of the Grey THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 121 Crow-Shrike (Strepera) particularly being an excellent bit of | mimicry. White Cockatoos flew in flocks of scores. They appeared to roost far back in the ranges, and came to feed about the base of Bald Hill. Flocks of black birds were cawing about the summit of a steep spur. Were they crows or ravens? The question was settled by an enthusiastic member of the camp, who scaled the rocky height and brought back a raven. Some excellent photographs of the camp and its surroundings were taken by Messrs. H. Anjou and A. J. Campbell. The other members of the party were Messrs. J. Shephard, S. P. Townsend, C. Ludwig, T. A. Brittlebank, W. Morton, E. C. Russell, R. Euler, and F. Zeigler, with A. Mattingley as honorary secretary. FIELD NOTES FROM THE LOWER WIMMERA. By A. CAMPBELL, JUN. (Read before the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, 9th October, 1899.) REFERRING to a map of Victoria it will be seen that the course of the Wimmera River, after leaving Lake Albacutya, is due north, and the river finally loses itself in the heart of the Mallee. This tract of country, the Central Mallee, is without doubt the driest part of Victoria, and during the month of October, 1898, when a party, consisting of Dr. Chas. Ryan, Mr. C. French, jun., and myself, paid a visit to the locality, it afforded a highly interesting field to us, as collectors from the southern part of the colony. In the Mallee itself we did not observe many birds. Among the few species we saw four at least may be termed unique in the Australian avi-fauna. The birds I refer to are the Mallee Fowl and the three smaller birds, the Bell-bird, Scrub-Robin, and Red-throat. But what a change when the bed of the Wimmera is explored. It is like coming to an oasis in a desert, and birds of several dozen species are to be seen in scores. At one place in particular that we visited, where there was a large sheet of water, waterfowl were in hundreds. However, the Wimmera in this locality contains no water, save in two or three places along its track, but its course is marked by the belts of redgum and box trees, here and there widening out into broad flats, which during seven or eight months of the year are clothed with a wonderful crop of grass and other herbage. Altogether they are really a pleasure to see after the dreary stretches of waterless Mallee. Early in October, when we visited these flats, the grass was quite luxuriant, and in some places waving like a young crop in the wind, but, alas! our guide told us in another month’s time, after the first hot winds had scorched the herbage, the flats would be stretches of hard, black, cracked 22 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. ground. It is noticed then that most of the feathered tribe keep near the river bed, doubtless so that they may obtain the necessary supply of food for themselves and their young. In this paper I will, however, endeavour to deal with the species of birds met with during our trip, and to do so just in the order that we were introduced to them. Outside the township of Hopetoun is the sheet of water called Lake Norong, and in the timber skirting it we heard and saw the beautiful Black-tailed Parrakeet, Polytelis melanura, and also the Red-backed Parrakeet, Psephotus hematonotus, but we were destined to see and learn more of these two birds and their habits later on. During the journey from Hopetoun to Yallum several classes of country were passed through. Leaving the redgum we passed into belts of box tree and finally into the Mallee. In the box timber the Striped Honey-eater, Plectorhynchus lanceolatus, and the Oreoica were heard, and other birds, such as the Bee- eater, Merops ornatus, the Tree Martin, Petrochelidon nigricans, the Pardalote, P. striatus, and the Xerophila, or White-face, were fairly numerous, while the White-shouldered Caterpillar-eater, Campophaga tricolor, was quite plentiful, and its merry song was heard in all directions. One nest with two fresh eggs was found, and a nest of the White-face containing four eggs was taken from a cavity in a dead tree trunk. While crossing a fine stretch of grass two male Song-Larks, Cinclorhamphus rufescens, and one of the larger brown species, C’. crwralis, were startled, and soared away, uttering their curious songs, but we had no time to spend hunting for their nests hidden away among the long grass. A little further on our track was a swamp, the water in which was evaporated to such an extent that only a thick sludge remained. On the muddy margin we observed a pair of Shieldrake or Mountain Duck, Casarca tadornoides, while Spurwing Plover were circling around overhead, anxious lest we should disturb their eggs or young, which no doubt were in the vicinity. After enter- ing the Mallee we noted no birds at all, but as it was late the few inhabitants may have gone to roost for the night. Next morning we took a short trip under the leadership of our guide, Mr. Chas. M‘Lennan, who promised to take us to the home of the Mallee Fowl. We passed through country known as “sandy Mallee.” The soil is very poor, being mostly sand, and supports a vegetation consisting for the most part of the Huca- lyptus gracilis, which in this class of soil grows about 12 feet high, but the round clumps of porcupine grass (Spinifex), are in profusion. Ridge after ridge is crossed, and there seems to be no end. Standing on one rise we see series of rises in all direc- tions, and we could readily imagine the sorry plight of a lost traveller in such a place, for as far as the eye can reach there is nothing but the undulations of the Mallee appearing one behind THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 123 the other, like the billows of the sea. This country is the home of the Mallee Fowl, of the Oreoica, and of the Yellow-rumped Pardalote, P. wanthopygius. The two last-mentioned birds are without doubt the two of Victorian birds that can put up with a dry habitat, for no matter what the Mallee is like, good or bad, these two species are to be found throughout its entire area. They were seen and heard in tracts where not another bird was found. But the Mallee Fowl, I believe, does not always frequent all classes of Mallee. Passing down a slope we disturbed a little Pardalote, which hurried out from a bank of sand, and upon investigation its nest was discovered. The tunnel was about 2, inches in diameter, and after following it along for 18 or 19 inches we came to the grass and bark made nest, containing four white eggs. ‘The nest itself was situated at a lower level than the entrance to the tunnel, thus showing that the birds had no fear of being flooded out by rain. The little Pardalote, while we were unearthing its domicile, remained in an adjacent bush, uttering now and again its sharp whistle. Like its southern relative, the Spotted Pardalote, P. punctatus, the Yellow-rumped species is an exceedingly hard bird to locate, for its two high-pitched whistling notes, borne on the breeze, seem to come first from one direction and then from another. After traversing about 6 miles we came to a pretty stretch of open plain, surrounded on all sides by clumps of the Murray Pine. This place is known as the Wild Horse Plain, where there is a small permanent waterhole. Here we had our lunch, and dur- ing the afternoon took several nests of the White-winged Chough, Corcorax melanorhamphus, and also a nest each of the White- browed Babbler, Pomatorhinus superciliosus, and the Red-capped Robin, Petreca goodenovi. But asearch in the surrounding Mallee revealed no traces whatever of the Mallee Fowl. The Mallee scrub here again varied, for it is of a very small nature, the growth being entirely of the eucalyptus, and about 8 or 1o feet high. Passing through on horseback one can see well ahead. Return- ing in the evening, on the Yallum Plain we saw a beautiful male specimen of the Black-backed Wren, Malurus melanotus, and I procured a skin of the Crimson-bellied Parrakeet, Psephotus hematorrhous, which is locally known as the “ Bull-oak Parrot,” for it is always found among the patches of Casuarina. It is at the same time the only Parrakeet found breeding in that particular class of country. The Peaceful or Ground Dove, Geopelia tranquilla, is very plentiful here; in the early morning and at evening its loud song is heard among the timber bordering the plain. The following day (Thursday) we set out for Pine Plains, but decided to take a roundabout route by way of the Wimmera bed. Accordingly we set off due west from Yallum, and expected that by 3 or 4 o'clock in the afternoon we should have reached the 124 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. river’s ancient track, where we intended to camp for the night. The distance was 18 or 20 miles, but 3 and 4 o'clock passed, and nothing came in sight but hill after hill and ridge after ridge, clothed with Mallee and porcupine grass. Soon, however, we could see an occasional clump of pine trees, and then a larger patch ahead. Just about this time, too, a small flock of four or five Black-tailed Parrakeets flew over, and, as our guide said, we could depend upon them as a sign that water was not far away. Our hopes then went up like a rise in a thermometer, for one at least of our party had already seen visions of four weary men and four weary horses roaming about in the Mallee with their tongues hanging out for want of water. On entering the larger clump of pine trees a little Black and White Fantail, Rhipidura tricolor, was seen, another sure sign of the presence of water, for a few hundred yards further on we caught sight of the waving foliage of redgum trees. Descending the slope we were on a beautiful grass flat, and Lake Brambrook could be seen shining through the trees. It is remarkable with what suddenness the country changes, for we saw absolutely no sign of the redgums until we were almost on’them. The chief reason may be that the flat on which they grow is on a lower level than the surrounding country,, and consequently the gums, although they are giants in comparison to the Mallee, are hidden from view by the ridges of intervening scrub. It was now getting late, and the night threatened to be stormy. After watering our horses, we decided to camp for the night on a point of land running out into the lake, and pitched our tent alongside a tree which had recently fallen, and which would afford us partial shelter from the wind. During the night the storm passed over, and a few drops of rain fell. We were out early in the morning, and what a beautiful sight it was to see the long, narrow sheet of water, surrounded on all sides by the red- gum trees, which here and there ran out in little headlands or retreated in small bays; and on the surface of the lake stately Pelicans and Black Swans feeding in hundreds, while flocks of Ducks and Cormorants moved about from one quarter to another. Several Tippet Grebes were close in shore, no doubt wondering who the new arrivals were; and round in a small bay on our right an old Black Swan was endeavouring to entice its young ones, which had evidently just left an old nest lying among the weeds, out into the open water, where they would be safe from our interference. Along the shore the little Black-fronted Dottrel, Zgialitis melanops, was seen running anxiously to and fro, uttering its single piping note. After hunting in vain for Dottrels’ nests, we turned our attention to the birds on the flats. We first visited an old tree from which a White Cockatoo, Cacatua galerita, was flushed the previous evening, and, with the aid of climbing spurs and 20 feet of rope, the nest was reached ; THE. VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 125 but great was our disappointment on finding the two eggs just hatched—in fact, one of the young was not yet entirely free from the shell. . This, the first nest of the parrot tribe, proved to be a bad omen ofall our trip, for all the other parrots’ and cockatoos’ nests investigated were found to be very nearly about the same stage: either the young hatched, or the egys very close upon it. This shows how regularly the birds commence breeding. Had we been a fortnight earlier we should have taken eggs in nearly every instance. After breakfast a Black-tailed Parrakeet’s nest near our camp was visited and found to contain four addled eggs and one young bird newly hatched. It was also remarkable, during our trip, that we should find such a number of addled eggs in parrots’ nests. A White-fronted Heron, Ardea nove-hollandie, was intently watching our proceedings from its nest, situated in a tree almost above our tent, but the nest had fledglings ; while in a tall gum tree a short distance off a large stick nest was observed, and a Sea-Eagle, Haliaetus lewcogaster, soaring round above raised our suspicions. The nest, however, had not been used that season, but it had a new lining of fresh green leaves. It was highly interesting to notice at Lake Brambrook, besides all along the old river’s track, the water-marks left on the barrels of all the gum trees, which now are high and dry. The marks are no doubt from flood waters, and at Lake Brambrook they were very distinct. Looking through the timber one could see that the tree trunks below were of a darker colour and with hard, corrugated bark, while above the high water mark the stems were the usual smooth shining grey. This water-mark was fully 20 feet above the present level of the lake. At some remote period this place must have been subject to periodical inundations. Has this era of floods passed here ? Not having much time to spare we now essayed to push on northward, and soon were in the saddle again. Rounding one headland on the lake we surprised a flock of Coots, /wlica australis. They were close in shore, feeding, and, being startled by our sudden appearance, made off as fast as they could swim for the open. There were many dozens in the flock, and, swimming closely together, they appeared as a black mass moving across the water. We soon left the lake behind, and were making along the river’s old bed. A nest of the Black- backed Magpie, Gymnorhina tubicen, was seen, containing one young bird. Magpies were very uncommon in this region, only an odd example of the Black-backed variety being seen. Another White Cockatoo was disturbed, and flew off screeching through the timber. Two eggs, nearly hatched, were taken from the nest. A little further on a third nest was discovered, but, being in rather a difficult position, it was left alone. 126 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. Soon we came to another broad flat, studded thickly with red- gum trees, and here we found a good nesting ground. This place is called “ Black Flat,” because of the very dark colour of its rich alluvial soil; but to us no black soil was visible, for the surface was thickly clothed with waving green grass, in some patches so luxuriant that it reached almost to our horses’ knees. The first bird to be disturbed from its nest was a Red-backed Parrakeet. The hollow was in a living red-gum tree, and was easily reached by standing on the horse’s back. It contained, however, several young birds and one addled egg. In the next tree a Mallee Parrot, Barnardius barnardi, betrayed its home by rushing out of a dead spout. This nest, unluckily for us, also contained fledglings. This was the first place where we found these two varieties of parrakeets breeding. Neither of the species was observed at Lake Brambrook, but from Black Flat northward they were everywhere in evidence. ‘The beautiful “ Rock Pebbler” (Black-tailed Parrakeet) was also plentiful at Black Fiat, and we succeeded in taking another clutch of five eggs. Here, too, we could hear the notes of the Purple- crowned Lorikeet, Glossopsittacus porphryocephalus, among the trees. We observed one pair of birds investigating a small hole in the elbow of a redgum branch, but were evidently too early for their eggs. A short distance away another lorikeet was seen to leave a hole, and one small fresh egg was found therein. Moving to the other end of the flat we observed a pair of the beautiful Little Cuckoo Shrike, Graucalus mentalas, but were unable to locate their nest. Another Red-backed Parrakeet’s home contained two addled eggs, besides young -(newly hatched). Other birds inhabiting the timber were the Brown Tree-creeper, Climacteris scandens, the Striated Pardalote, and the Tree Martin. Two nests of the last-mentioned were found to contain young. This damped our ardour, so we did not trouble chopping out any others. After thus making a quick search of this flat we proceeded on our journey, for it was our intention to reach the next water and spend the coming night there. All we had now to do was to follow along a well-defined track which is used occasionally by shearers travelling from Western Riverina into Victoria. The track runs almost due south from Mildura to Lake Albacutya and Lake Hindmarsh. What a weary journey it must be through the uninhabited Mallee, for well nigh too miles, without a drop of water till the Wimmera bed is reached ! Late in the afternoon we arrived at our next camping place. This patch of water takes the name of Lake Wonga. It is only about 6 or 8 acres in extent, but is of a greater depth than Lake Brambrook. A few waterfowl, such as Black Swans and Coots, were feeding leisurely on its surface, while a flock of Ducks made a THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 12 off on our approach. Next morning a careful search was made in the surrounding timber, but the only eggs obtained were a clutch of 4 of the Nankeen Kestrel, Cerchnets cenchroides, taken from a hollow spout near which the bird was seen perched. Parrakeets as usual were plentiful. The male birds were notice- ably handsome in their brightly coloured plumage, flying from tree to tree or feeding among the grass. Several mature males of the Mallee Parrot were quite conspicuous for their beauty, while a pair of Rock Pebblers we had an opportunity of observing were truly the handsomest birds I had seen. The two birds possessed a nest containing 4 fledglings in a dead tree near our camp, and as they anxiously watched us from a neighbouring branch they were indeed a pretty picture, the spotless olive-green colour of the female contrasting with the beautiful jonquil-yellow of the male’s plumage, and the morning sun shining on them only enhanced their beauty. Much as I should have liked to procure the male bird for my collection, yet I felt restrained from breaking the happy family, so I sought elsewhere for my specimen. Ina second dead tree close by was another happy family. A pair of White-rumped Wood Swallows, Artamus lewcogaster, were incu- bating their eggs high up on a fork, from which a small broken branch now hung suspended, forming a secure base on which to place the nest. While we were watching the mate came to change places with the brooding bird, and the latter soared away out in the morning air. In all the larger redgums Tree Martins were flitting in and out of the small holes, evidently busy conveying food to their nestlings ; while up among the foliage the merry notes of the Striated Pardalotes are heard, as they hunt about among the leaves for their titbits. Down on the bank of the lake two small down-covered chicks of the Spur-winged Plover, Lobi- vanellus lobatus, were disturbed, and the old birds, in their anxiety, only betrayed the whereabouts of their hiding young. Several pairs of the Black-fronted Dottrel were here too, and by their antics led us to think they were nesting, but although we searched diligently along the sandy margin and among the débris no eggs were found. Later in the morning we started on the third and final stage of our journey, for now Pine Plains was only 10 or 12 miles distant, and could be reached by following the shearers’ track. The general aspect of the country was noticeably changing as we moved northward, and giving place to smaller and more stunted timber and vegetation, while the soil, instead of being the rich black alluvial deposit, was becoming more of a sandy nature. After a while the great belts of Murray Pines from which the station takes its name came in sight. The heavily-clad ridges of these trees are indeed pretty, and in the distance they could easily be mistaken for forests of the Pinus insignis, so close a resem- 128 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. blance do they bear in general contour. On the outskirts of the pines we passed Bracke Well. The well is about 30 feet deep, and the lines of troughs connected with it show that it is a water- ing place for stock, but only during the dry weather, when the waterholes are giving out. The water is brackish, the name Bracke evidently being a corruption of the word brackish. At present the water tasted quite fresh, but later in the season, when the supply is drawn upon, it becomes very salt. From a neigh- bouring ridge we could see the homestead of Pine Plains, situated on arise at the far side of a stretch of open grass land. While passing through some small box trees on the outskirts a little Red-capped Robin was flushed from her nest, which contained two eggs, and on the plain itself a number of the Black-breasted Plover, Zonyer tricolor, rose at our appearance. A Raven’s nest in a solitary tree further on was investigated, but found to contain young. The Pine Plains homestead has an extensive outlook across the plain, which is several miles in circumference. This plain is highly typical of the stretches of grass land that are met with throughout the Mallee, although it is of larger proportions than the average. It is surrounded on all sides by hillocks and ridges clothed with the Murray Pine, patches of bull-oak, and kindred vegetation. The outskirts of this plain are timbered with box trees, and an occasional clump of redgum. Small belts or patches of a species of Ti-tree, Melaleuca, are also met with. To our left is pointed out a rise a few feet higher than its fellows, which rejoices in the name of Mt. Jenkins, and behind us is another hillock. The several large patches of whitish sand show- ing have suggested the name of Mt. Snowdrift. On the morrow, our party, having been joined by our host, Mr. Le Couteur, set out in a south-westerly direction, our guide taking us to where he knew of a Mallee Hen mound. Our track lay through the box timber and into the pine scrub and Mallee. Among the pines we heard the whistling of the Red-throated Thickhead, Pachycephala gilberti, and I was successful in obtain- ing an immature male bird for my collection of skins. The nest ot the Mallee Fowl was found without much trouble, but it was not in a very tidy condition, for we must have disturbed the birds while they were working at it. The mound was situated on a slope, among thick scrub composed of Mallee and other bushes. It measured 25 feet in diameter and nearly 3 feet 6 inches in height. On the upper side the surface of the ground for many yards had been scratched quite clean by the birds, and the sand brought down hill to form the nest. After a photograph was taken, all hands eagerly set to work and unearthed three eggs. The bulk of the mound consisted of almost pure sand, with perhaps a few sticks or twigs amongst it, and a quantity of this material had to be removed before we could reach the egg cavity. The place in which the eggs are deposited is a firm bed of decay- THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 129 ing leaves, from which the heat, generated internally, is derived. The actual egg cavity in this case measured no more than 18 inches across, and about 7 or 8 inches in depth, and was sur- rounded on the bottom and sides by the bed of leaves before mentioned. The three eggs taken showed that the birds had only begun to lay, and had not yet completed their first tier of _ four. We returned home well pleased with the result of our morning’s ride. For dinner we had scrambled Mallee Hen eggs, and they proved first-class diet. Next day our experience of Mallee Fowl nesting was still further enlarged. This time we went more afield and in a northerly direction. Soon after leaving the homestead we emerged on to a fine open plain, geographically known as Warringen Plain. According to observations this must have been at one time a splendid lake, not very deep but of considerable area, and into it the Wimmera River emptied itself. The track of the river can now be traced to it but not beyond. The plain must be quite six miles in diameter, and the most of it is good. for grazing purposes. In or very near the centre, however, is a large tract of barren sand, which has so far defied the efforts of plant life to grow thereon. The plain is bordered with belts of redgum and box trees, which are alive with birds. Three varieties of Parra- keets, the Brown Tree-creeper, the Tree Martin, and the Striated Pardalote are again in numbers, among the dead and living timber alike. The Red-capped Dottrel, Mgrahtis ruficapilla, has been collected here too, and one day Mr. M‘Lennan saw a male specimen of the Tricolored Chat, Hphthianura tricolor. But we did not cross the plain. Our track lay along the edge for a short distance, and then turned off into the pine scrub. Here the birds most numerous were the White-browed Babbler ; one nest taken contained three eggs. A few Pink Cockatoos, Cacatua leadbeatert, were seen, and one nest was found, situated in a hollow of a dead pine trunk, not more than ten feet from the ground. Three eggs were in the ciutch, but so nearly hatched that the bill of one of the young birds had already chipped the shell. Among some pine bushes, too, I tried hard to shoot a beautiful male Black-backed Wren which was attended by three little brown females, but was unsuccessful because of the birds’ quick movements among the undergrowth. The male bird moved about with great rapidity in the small shrubs and creepers, and wherever he went he was closely followed by his three little brown mates in single file. In concluding this part of my paper, I will mention an incident that occurred during this outing, causing some amusement among us. When crossing a grassy open among the pines, a rough- skinned lizard was espied feeding leisurely on the blue-bell flowers. One of our party captured the reptile, and, holding it in one hand, attempted to remount. ‘The horse, however, started off before our 130 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. friend was back in his saddle, and while attempting to scramble into position the saddle, slowly at first, but surely, slipped round, with the result that the collecter, who was also encumbered with a large botanical portfolio slung around his neck, was soon sprawling upon the ground. But he did not let go the lizard. The reptile, too, must have been anxious for its own safety, for it had managed to get a erip of the reins and it held them like a vice, so that the horse stopped and looked on, wondering, perhaps, what was the matter. THE BLACKFISH.—Some interesting notes on the habits of the Blackfish, Gadopsis gracilis, McCoy, appear in the Australasian of 25th November, which, though written from an angling point of view, are worthy of attention, and possibly criticism, especially by country naturalists. Blackfish can almost be claimed as purely Victorian fish, and even here are nearly confined to the southern streams. The only other habitat of the genus is Northern Tasmania. Professor McCoy recognizes three species, and remarks, in ‘‘ The Prodromus of Victorian Zoology,” vol. 1., p. 39, that the colour is very variable, in some specimens being of a light olive-green, becoming yellowish-white towards the belly, while the sides, back, and fins are marbled with distinct irregular patches of dark brown; whereas in other specimens the dark brown spots are more numerous, and extend over the belly as well as the head, tail, and fins. The writer of the article is of opinion that the colour of the fish is generally due to the condi- tion of the water in which it is found, and states that he once caught Blackfish, after a heavy rain, ina creek with clayey banks, when the water was thick with clay, and that the fish were as yellow as the water—in fact, had it not been for their general appearance they would not have been recognised as Blackfish ; however, after being dead some hours and washed and cleaned, they became almost the colour of ordinary Blackfish. Specimens obtained in clear water, amongst rocks, are of a beautiful deep purply black, which he regards as the normal colour. On another occasion some fish were obtained out of holes in a creek which was not running—the water was quite black, owing to the leaves of the overhanging trees which had fallen into it and decayed ; the fish taken were as black as ink, but, like the yellow ones, after being washed and cleaned they assumed the natural colour. Large Blackfish are undoubtedly scarce, owing to the many enemies they now have to encounter, and are only to be found in the upper reaches of the streams in the most unfre- quented portions of the colony. In the early days of Melbourne fish of 6 lbs. to 8 lbs. in weight were of common occurrence, but one hears of such fish but seldom now. One was taken in the Cockatoo Creek, near Seville, in January last, which weighed 7% \|bs., and it is on record that some twenty years ago a fish was THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 131 caught in the Ringarooma River, Tasmania, which turned the scale at 13 lbs. 4 oz. In seeking for Blackfish the size of the stream does not seem to matter; in fact, fine fish are often obtained in the smallest streams. They are very shy fish in day- light, seeking the shelter of sunken logs, stones, &c., and though with great care they may be caught in the daytime, especially if the water be discoloured by rain, the best time to secure them is in the brief period between sunset and darkness. They can sometimes be taken all night, but another good time is just before or at daybreak. The writer, though in favour of protec- tion for the Blackfish, states that the present close season, from 31st August to 15th December, is of no practical use, as in the first place it is rarely observed, and secondly his experience leads him to believe that Blackfish spawn nearly all the year round, as he has taken the fish containing spawn in January, February, March, and April. Hesuggests that instead of a close season a minimum weight of half a pound should be adopted, and so give the small fish | a chance to grow and provide sport worthy of the fisherman. THE S.A. ORNITHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.—At the usual bi- monthly meeting of this society held in Adelaide on the 3rd of November last, considerable discussion took place with reference to the recently published “‘ Vernacular Names for Australian Birds,” and the president was desired to write to the Victorian Naturalist expressing the views of the Association on the subject. Mr. J. W. Mellor gave an account of a week spent among the birds at Eyre’s Peninsula, where he identified 60 species, and had undoubted information of at least 15 more, exhibiting speci- mens of the Yellow-eared Cockatoo, Grey-breasted Robin, and Spotted Scrub-Wren, &c. [n addition to other exhibits, Mr. S. A. White exhibited the Black-eared Cockatoo from the same locality, and Mr. A. H. C. Zietz, F.L.S., exhibited the Marsh Snipe from Port Noarlunga. CORRESPONDENCE. VERNACULAR NAMES FOR AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. To the Editor of the Victorian Naturalist. Sir,—My attention has been drawn to a letter from Colonel Legge in your journal, severely criticising a resolution carried by our Association some months ago. Whilst thanking Colonel Legge for having offered some explanation of the alterations adopted, we feel that his letter requires some comment. In the first place, I do not consider that the Latin names given by Gould are vernacular names—all the instances, by the way, quoted by Colonel Legge are Greek names. If these names are to be done away with, let us at least have something reasonable in their place, and not such absurdities as “Cuckoo-Shrike” for Graucalus; and if Ephthianura is to 132 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. be altered, why call it ‘“ Chat,” which conveys nothing at all to the average Australian field naturalist? Why in this case, as in others, was not one of the many local vernacular names given, such as ‘‘ Tin Tac,” which means as much as Chat, and is already familiar to many Australians? I should like to give a few instances of what we consider “most confusing.” Firstly, the omission of any reference numbers either to those of Gould’s “ Handbook” or Dr. Ramsay’s list. As it is, anyone not already familiar with Australian birds would find it impossible to deter- mine what bird is meant. For instance, two birds are removed from Eopsaltria and placed in Poecilodryas without any comment ; and another confusing alteration is that of Ground-Thrush to Ground-bird and of Mountain-Thrush to Ground-Thrush. I am well aware that the Cinclosome are not true Thrushes ; but then neither are the Shrike-Thrushes, yet the name is retained, and, I think, wisely. I think, also, it is a mistake to alter scientific names where there is any doubt as to the justification of such alteration, as in the case of Micropus for Cypselus and Cerchneis for Tinnunculus)s A few, among many, other confusing points are the misplacement of the reference No. I on page 12, the misplacement of the specific synonym of No. 517, and the transposition of the vernacular names of Nos. 285 and 286, to say nothing of numerous typographical errors and mistakes in spelling. As regards classification, I am well aware that Gould made many mistakes in that respect. In fact he himself says, in the introduction to the ‘‘ Handbook ”—“ This is not to be regarded as a natural arrangement, but one which offers great facilities for the study of the avifauna of a single country,” which is exactly the position I take up. When the grosser mistakes have been rectified, such as the position of Struthiones, the classification is a fairly natural one. However, to my mind there is nothing more ridiculous in Gould’s classifi- cation than the association of Grallina with Collyriocincla, or Diczeum with Pardalotus, in the new list. The whole of the classification and the greater part of the scientific nomenclature is acknowledged to have been copied from the ‘“ Catalogue of Birds of the British Museum,” a work which informs us, amongst other interesting information, that the Sittelle breed in holes, and that the Sun-birds lay white eggs. This is the work which is to “ form the basis of all future labour in ornithology,” including, I pre- sume, Australian ornithology. If Colonel Legge is so anxious that the Latin and Greek names, of which a translation is easily obtainable, shall be removed, why retain such barbaric names as Manucode, Drongo, and Pitta, which are said to hail respectively from Malay, Madagascar, and Telugu dialects >—I am, yours, &c., A. M. MORGAN, President S.A. Ornithological Association. Angas-street, Adelaide, 8th November, 1899. id Naturalists’ Chub of Victoria. « OFFICE-BEARERS, 1899-1900. # President: MR. J. SHEPHARD. e Vice=Presidents: MR. T. S. HALL, M.A. MR. J. G. LUEHMANN, F.1..S. bon. Treasurer: MR. J. T. GILLESPIE, Messrs. Alex. Cowan and Sons, 395 Little Flinders Street, Melbourne. Hon. Librarian: MR. O. A. SAYCE, Harcourt Street, Hawthorn. tbon. Secretary: MR. GEO. COGHILL, 80 Swanston Street, Melbourne. hon. Boitor of the ‘Victorian Waturalist : ”” MR. F. G. A. BARNARD, Bulleen Road, Kew. Bo Committee : aA MR. J. GABRIEL, MR. G. A. KEARTLAND, MR. J. A. KERSHAW, F.E.S., MR. D. Le SOQUEF, U.M.Z.S., and MR. H. T. TISDALL. & OBSECTS. ¥ Tuis CLus was founded in 1880 for the purpose of affording observers and lovers of Natural History regular and frequent opportunities for discussing those special subjects in which they __ are mutually interested ; for the exhibition of Specimens; and for promoting Observations _ in the Field by means of Excursions to various collecting grounds around the Metropolis. INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS. . _ The Committee invite the co-operation of Members in this - necessary branch of the Club’s work. No entrance fee is _ charged, and persons joining now need only pay 7s. 6d. for the _ balance of the year. Pe a i THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Contains the proceedings of the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria. _ Authors of Papers published in the Victorzan Naturalist are informed that ‘reprints of such articles can be obtained at a nominal cost by giving notice previous ; to publication to the Hon. Sec., from whom all information can be obtained. ng “KA OST of the Numbers from the commencement, January, 1884, can IV\ be obtained from the Hon. Sec., Mr. Geo. Coghill, 80 Swanston Street, Melbourne, at Sixpence each, or in sets (except Vols. 1. and IV.), with title page and index, 6/- per volume. _ The Hon. Sec. will pay full price for clean copies of Vol..II., No. 3; Vol. IV., Nos. 2, 3, and 4; Vol. V., No.9; Vol. VIII., No. 10, and Vol. , x. Nos. 2 and 3. a ee HenanrEee CGF EVERY DESCRIPTION OF i E .. MICROSCOPES, GALVANIC BATTERIES, Ghemieal and Seientifie Apparatus, &e. : STUDENTS’ MICROSCOPES. ein: OES ET al With Sliding C Pei ae BIG MICROSCOPES ) dR hous, icrom occa eee oe a Ay — 7, Eye-pieces 1 and 3, Man gusiyareg 84-600. in Mahogany Cases. INAGHET’S | MIGROSCOPES)| arme ctajustmenc, Donate mirron, Site Condensing Lens, Eye-pieces Nos. 1 and 3, Objectives Nos. 3 and 6, Glass Slip, Cover Glasses, Mounted Object Forceps, Magnifying 80-550. In Mahogany Cases. Microscopic Glass Slips, 3in. x lin., Extra Thin, Ground Edges and Rough % Evlges, \ Microscopic Cover Glasses, Nos. 1 and 3, Ware afin and Rin. Circles. No, — 1 square, yin, and Rin.; No. 3 square, Yin. and in. : $42-6 LITTLE FLINDERS STREET, MELBOURNE. DAVIES, SHEPHARD & CO., MAW US ACLTULSRS Of Water Meters, Electricity Meters, Turret Clocks, — _Microtomes, &c., &¢., 135 CITY RO, SOOTH MELBOURNE ; And, CLISDELL STREET, SYDNEY. NATURAL HISTORY APPARATUS, Supplied by E. CHERRY & SONS, Gisborne, Victoria. Cane ring Nets, - 3/6and 4/6 Zinc Pocket Killing (Laurel) Boxes, 1/6 and 2/- Forceps, 26 a Cane or wire folding Nets, 6/- Entomological Pins (best’, 1/6 per oz. box. Brass Y's, 1/6 Zinc larve Boxes - 2/- Cyanide Bottles, 2/- if CORK SETTING BOARDS, length, a4 inches—all grooves 34 deep—papered. r and 114 wide, 1/- each. 2 and 2% inch, 1/3. 3inch, 1/6. 4 inch, 1/9. 6 inch, 216. é (Any of the above sent by post to any part of Australasia at trifling cost.) TRAVELLING SETTING CASE, (15 x 13x 4 over all) with 12 assorted boards, 20/- CORK LINOLEUM specially imported, soft, 3g thick), 10x 8, 6d. i12x10,9d. 45 x12,1/t ~ , 16 x 20, 2/- 20x 24, 3/- Any size to suit. a Sree emi 1 ie x 10 x 4, corked and papered both sides, hinged and fastened with hook and * eye, 7/- €ac : CABINETS (ro to 40 drawers) for Insecrs, EeGcs or Micro. SLIDES, in Cedar, Walnut, or ~ Mahogany, from latest English patterns. For samples of our work visit Melbourne University and Government ‘Entomologist. f ats, he Bsc Sta amet Obe Field Aaturalisty Glub of Victoria. PUBLISHED 11th JANUARY, 1900. Editor: F. G. A. BARNARD, Esq. The Author of each article is responsible for the facts and opinions recorded. CONTEN Ts - PAGE. THE FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA aa sid He _NOTES ON THE BLUE WRENS. By ROBERT HALL... 135 Two MALLEE FuNGI. “By D. M‘ALPINE Bt jie d EAE AN ABNORMAL FORM OF THE. FOXGLOVE FLOWER. By D. M‘ALPINE. Be oie ae ele aT AD “« PRICE SIXPENCE. » me — Age ents for Gurope : DULAU & CQO., 37 Soho Square, London. eae Melbourne : WALKER, MAY & CO,, PRINTERS, 25 MACKILLOP STREET. 1900. TOT TT MD IY We ee NE eI ne Tt nF TT Tt Tn ITN In TTD \ Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, ROOMS—ROYAL SOCIETY'S HALL; VICTORIA ST., MELBOURNE, (Wi J A} ; 2 - BUSINESS PAPER FOR MONTHLY MEETING. Monday, 15th January, 1900, at Eight p.m. 1. Correspondence and Reports, 2. Nominations for Membership. Members. making nominations will oblige by handing the full name and address to Hon. Secretary. ‘ 3. General Business. Reading of Papers and Discussions thereon. (Authors are requested to hand in a brief vesunce of their tapers to the Secretary.) By Mr. F. M. Reader, per Geo. Coghill, ‘‘ Contributions to the Flora of Victoria,”’ No. IX. 2, By Mr. D. Le Souef,“ A visit to West Australia,” illustrated by Limelight views. I. 5. Reading of Natural History Notes. Members who may note any unusual occurrence, or see anything of interest in Foreign or Colonial papers, are requested to inform the Secretary of the same that he may arrange for their bringing them before the meeting; such notes should, however, be brief. 6. Exhibition of Specimens and Conversazione. Members exhibiting specimens are requested to furnish the Hon. Secretary with written particulars of their Exhibits for record in Minutes and Waturaizst. t EXCURSIONS. *® SATURDAY, JANUARY 20.—Willsmere. Under the leadership of Mr. W. Stickland. Meet at Kew Tram Terminus, 2.30 p.m. Pond Life. Postponed from 13th. s FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, JANUARY 26 AND 27, Plenty Ranges. Under the leadership of Mr. F. G. A. Barnard. Meet at Spencer Street Station 10.35 a.m. Entomology and General. Details of Excursion will be announced at meeting. Accommodation is limited, and names of those intending to take part must be handed to the Hon. Sec. or leader not later than Wednesday, the 17th inst. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10.—Heidelberg. Under the leadership. of Mr. J. Shephard. Meet at Collingwood Station 2.15 p.m. train. Pond Life. THE Hictorian aturalist. Vou. XVI.—No. 9. JANUARY 11, 1900. No. 193. FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA. THE ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in the Royal Society’s Hall on Monday evening, the 11th December, 1899, when the president, Mr. J. Shephard, occupied the chair, and about 45 members and visitors were present. REPORT. A report of the excursion to Ringwood, on Saturday, 18th November, was forwarded by the leader, Mr. C. French, jun., who reported that, proceeding in the direction of Bayswater, many bushes of Leptospermum myrsinoides were found in flower, but owing to the dull weather insects were very scarce, though the buprestid beetle, Stegmodera macularia, and several Curculios were collected, while on the eucalyptus saplings several species of Chrysomelidz were taken. Flowering plants were fairly numerous, the beautiful blue flowers of Dianella tasmanica and the pink ones of Comesperma ericinwm being especially noticeable. Several orchids, such as Pterostylis cucullata, Thelymitra carnea, T. longi- folia, Prasophylium fuscum, Microtis atrata, and M. porrifolia were obtained, and several other interesting plants—Candollea despecta, Utricularia dichotoma, and Selaginella preissiana— noticed. On a plant of Limnanthemum exaltatum a fungus was noticed which, on being referred to Mr. M‘Alpine, had been determined as Septoria limnanthemi, being new for Australia. A young Copper-head Snake was met with and killed, and altogether an interesting afternoon was spent. GENERAL BUSINESS. The president announced that Mr. C. A. Topp, M.A., and himself had been appointed to represent the Club on the Council of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science for the ensuing Melbourne session. Mr. C. A. Topp pointed out the advantages members would derive by becoming members of the Association, and was sup- ported in his remarks by Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., H. T. Tisdall, and the president. PAPERS. mely, Wir. ‘Ay. Campbell, jun., entitled “Ornithology of the peek Wimmera,” part 1. The author continued his remarks on the birds met with during a visit to the Central Wimmera, in October, 1898, and gave some interesting details of the egg-mounds of the Mallee Fowl, Lipoa ocellata. 134 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. Messrs. G. A. Keartland, A. J. Campbell, and A. E. Kitson took part in the discussion which followed. 2. Owing to the unavoidable absence of Rev. W. Fielder, his paper on ‘‘ The Amceba and its Relatives” was postponed, and Mr. O. A. Sayce, at very short notice, gave ‘‘An Outline Sketch of the Sub-class Entomostraca,” demonstrating the types of the different orders by drawings on the blackboard and preserved specimens. . NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. Mr. D. M‘Alpine contributed a note on an abnormal flower of the Foxglove, and recorded the finding by Mr. C. French, jun., at Ringwood and Oakleigh, in November and December, 1899, of the fungus Septoria limnanthemi, new for Australia, parasitic on Limnanthemum exaltatwm. Mr. G. E. Shepherd read a note giving particulars of the finding of the eggs of two species of Cuckoo. Mr. H. B. Williamson, of Hawkesdale, forwarded a note recording new localities for Victorian plants. EXHIBITS. By Mr. R. Hall.—Western Australian representatives of 9 species of Eastern birds— Petraca campbellt, Ptilotis levlavalensis, &c. By Mr. F. M. Reader.—Mounted specimens of new grass, Stipa luehmanit, F. M.R. By Mr. O. A. Sayce.—Types of four orders of Entomostraca. By Mr. G. E. Shepherd.—Nest and eggs of Spine-bill Honey-eater ; eggs of Kestrel (5 set) ; nest and eggs of Buff-rumped Tit, with egg of Narrow-billed Bronze-Cuckoo ; egg of Goshawk ; also mounted specimen of Roller-bird, all procured at Somerville. By Mr. C. Walter.—Dried plants, Cryptandra bifida, F. v. M., from northern parts of Mallee (north-west), found by Mr. D’Alton, previously only known from South Australia; and Eriostemon scaber, from Myrniong Ranges (south), found by Messrs. C. C. and T. Brittlebank, previously recorded from New South Wales and Queensland. By. Mr. H. W. Whitney. —Wild flowers gathered at Ringwood. By Mr. H. B. Williamson. —Dried plants—IMontia fontana, new for south-west of Victoria ; Haloragis alata, found on Curdie’s River, December, 1894, new for south-west and possibly for Victoria ; Pseudanthus ovalifolius and Zieria veronicea, new for Gippsland. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. Cuckoos’ Eccs.—Last month, when photographing an Emu- Wren’s nest with Mr. A. J. Campbell, it was observed that a Narrow-billed Bronze Cuckoo, Chalcococcyx basalis, had deposited her egg in the nest. Also, the same day, a Blue Wren’s nest was found containing a clutch (three eggs), besides the egg of a Square-tailed Cuckoo, Cacomantis varvolosus.—Gro. E. SHEP- HERD. Somerville, rrth December, 1899. THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 135 NOTES ON THE BLUE WRENS. By Ropert HALL. (Read before the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, 14th August, 1899.) In the following notes I propose to give some account of the life-history, &c., of the Blue Wren (Superb Warbler), Malurus cyaneus, Ellis, and of Gould’s Blue Wren, WM. gowldw, Sharpe (longicaudus, Gould). The genus Malurus is peculiar to the Australian continent, and no less than sixteen species are distributed through its various regions. ‘These can be roughly subdivided into two groups, the red-backed and the black-backed. Some of the latter differ in appearance, like the Humming Birds, according to the light in which they are viewed. This is specially noticeable in the two species under consideration and another which occurs in Queensland. Malurus gouwldii occurs in Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania, the latter locality being probably its stronghold, as it is the only Blue Wren found there, while M. cyaneus is the common ‘“ Blue Wren” of Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales. It seems to stay its north- ward course just south of Brisbane, and is then represented in Queensland by JZ. cyanochlamys, a closely allied species. The habits of the two species are so similar to one another that I am unable to name any characteristic by which they may be distinguished in the field, and as the difference in the colours is so slight, and only distinguishable when handled and examined in the same light, it is difficult to say whether the birds are found together in certain localities. However, I know that M. gouldivi is strong in the Heytesbury Forest district, while Mf. cyaneus is most numerous about the Werribee. For at least some months of the year I. cyaneus is gregarious— that is, in small companies—preferring to keep within their individual family circles, or perhaps associating with another similar group. From the time the young birds leave the nest till the following spring they stay with the parents, and can be depended upon to be found in or about the same place. Asa help towards keeping a family in view it is often possible to note a white patch on one of the parent birds, which thus enables that particular family to be watched, but if you would view the wren at home with its children you must be very quiet, for then only will you see the group of from six to twelve birds travelling along the ground beneath the undergrowth, feeding and chatting as they go. Should the leading bird take to flight, the others will follow in single file, and faithfully keep together, though perhaps the last of the colony may be a little late. The late Mr. John Gould found a difficulty in attempting to mimic by words their melodious notes. There is first the grand 136 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. oratorio of the male in spring, when he is leading a charming competitive life ; then the notes of rollicking fun of the summer bird ; and thirdly, the series of thrilling squeaks when the young have ventured into a gambol among the boughs, which would be quite out of place in birds of maturer years, while, during nesting the female will sometimes utter a call as if a tragedy were taking place. Blue Wrens are occasionally known to sing at mid- night, and may frequently be heard between 9 and Io p.m., as well as the Black Fantail and the Great Brown Kingfisher (Laughing Jackass). By July the young birds have acquired their highest attainments in their musical efforts, though young wrens in captivity do not burst into song so soon as those of the adjacent bush. My correspondent, Mr. Graham, says that a young male of JZ. gouldi in captivity attempted its first notes on 16th September, 1898, when its note seemed to equal about half the fulness of the old bird. These birds have wonderful appetites, and should be particu- larly useful to market gardeners. I have seen them busily eating the small Plutella Moths in the early morning when the dew was ’ still upon the grass. At such times one in a family will leisurely expand its body feathers and become almost spherical in appear- ance, while another will seem to rest lazily as much upon its tail as upon its feet, while the wings lie limp and disarranged. Under such circumstances the young show no fear, and leave all timidity to their parents. The staple articles of their diet seem to be grass- hoppers, hard-winged insects, and larve. The persistent work of Mr. Graham, as a skilled keeper of wrens in captivity, in provid- ing food has proved that they are capable of disposing of eighty larvee of the Cockchafer Beetle daily for several months in suc- cession. At the commencement of the breeding season the males show their greatest activity, and as many as five have been seen en- gaged in a pugilistic encounter to determine who should claim the favoured female. Nest-building usually takes place in September, and it is generally placed within three or four feet of the ground, sometimes in a thistle, but more often in some small bush. In a previous paper, “ Notes on the Birds of Box Hill” (see Victorian Naturalist, vol. xiv., p. 71), I gave some ex- tended notes on the nesting of the Blue Wren, which need not be repeated now. The period of incubation is fourteen days, and the young fly from the nest on the eighth to tenth days, though - sometimes remaining till the fourteenth. The brood of I. gouldz is usually three, and Mr. Graham has frequently noticed at Heytesbury that before the break-up of the family in the following spring it consists of one male and two females. This he has been able to do owing to their habit of persistently following the plough. He has also observed the fact that more than one adult THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. ays male will attend the brood of nestlings. Three nests of young were brought from the forest and placed in three cages somewhat apart. Each nest had its female, which in one case was attended by three males, in the second two, and in the third one, all helping in the task of feeding the young. In the first-mentioned case this was observed before the nest was removed, and was continued for fourteen days after the removal to the new quarters, where the feeding was done through the wires. Con- sidering the large number of female wrens, it seems probabie that young females pass the first year without breeding. Un- fortunately broods of both species suffer much from the depredations of foxes. My friend Mr. G. Graham, of Heytesbury, has supplied me with an interesting series of observations, the result of four years’ careful watching of Malurus gouldw. ‘This bird,” he says, ‘‘is hatched out on the fifteenth day from the time of laying the last egg. The eyes open on the sixth day, the wings are feathered and fairly fledged on the seventh to eighth days, and they leave the nests in from ten to fourteen days. The young birds are short-tailed when leaving the nest, the feathers rarely exceeding one inch in length. At the end of the first month the tail seems to have attained its full length, and young wrens are able to catch flies and otherwise provide themselves with food, though they are still fed by the parents for another month or six weeks. They seem to require teaching as to the manipulation of the bulkier items of their food. Last summer I watched a female wren give a young bird a lesson. The latter was trying to reduce a large caterpillar to a condition fit for swallowing by beating with its bill, but after a few strokes the caterpillar would slip from the young bird’s bill and fall amongst the grass, when the old bird would pick it up and place it on the log near its offspring, then, giving the caterpillar a few strokes to show how it should be done, would leave the young bird to finish it. Sometimes the object would be picked up and handed over without further treatment, and sometimes would have to be repeated several times before the food was finally ready for swallowing. I have observed these actions many times, and on one occasion spent at least fifteen minutes carefully watching the method of procedure. After leaving the nest the young wrens, male and female, are alike in outward appearance until their fifth month, when the first moult takes place, after which the males are distinguished from the females, young or old, by their light blue tails, which remain the outward symbol of their sex until the second moult, in the tenth or eleventh month, when they assume the full plumage of blues and blacks, with a still darker blue tail. The bill also becomes a darker colour, and finally a jet black. It wears this spring and summer suit until the third moult, generally in 138 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. February or early March, when it is changed to grey for a season more or less prolonged. With the older males there seems to be no regular time for recovering their blues and blacks, as individuals can be found moulting the grey from the middle of April to the end of September. This season seems favourable to an early recovery of their blue dress, as at this time (June, 1899) there are more coloured wrens than I have seen for many years. In August the family is disbanded, the males attacking and driving away the younger members of their sex, and the old females doing the same, though at a slightly later period. Another token of the approach of the breeding season is the intense pugnacity of the mated males. From the time the young are driven off until long after the next brood is out all trespassing wrens of either sex are persecuted. In my garden a male wren proved a great nuisance. It was im- possible to give my caged wren the benefit of air and shade outside, so I was obliged to keep it indoors, and cover the windows with fine wire netting, so as to protect the caged bird from the incessant attacks of the free bird. Should I have happened to have left the door open, and to be looking into the cage to see how the changes of plumage were progressing, the tormentor was sure to fly past my head and hang on to the wire of the cage till driven away, though constant chasing seemed to make no difference. It never missed an opportunity for an attack, and its own nest being situated in a gooseberry bush just opposite the door, -it was always ready to enforce the universal law that no wrens may come within a certain distance of the breeding place. In this district October is the breeding month. In selecting a site for the nest the female is chiefly concerned in securing a place somewhat removed from other wrens. Ideal nesting-places are small detached portions of cover situated a short distance from the main cover, and all the better if it contains plenty of tussocky grass. When the young are old enough to make an outcry if disturbed is the time to see a display of pugnacity and courage on the part of the male. It does not flutter or utter alarm notes like the female, but goes silently and swiftly to the attack, with its little body crouched, its wings and tail depressed, and its blue mantle standing out like a ruff. It moves quickly along the twigs or over the ground after the manner of a mouse, making angry darts at the intruder until it retires. Nest-building occupies the female a part of each of six days, and I have not been able to detect a male assisting in this work. A large overhanging tussock comes first in favour as a site for the nest; next, low prickly bushes. During incubation the female leaves the nest frequently to feed. The evening of the first day the young leave the nest is an anxious time for the parents, Much calling and persuasion is needed to get the young THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 139 family to follow to a suitable perching place for the night. When this is at last accomplished, one may, with great caution, get a peep at them, all in a row, with an old bird at each end. Low, dense, broad-leaved shrubs, Eucalyptus trees, if low, or dense masses of broad-leaved sword-grass are the usual camps chosen. Young wrens seem to lose their early notes about the time they have fully acquired the song. July and August are the earliest months in which I have detected the young wrens practising the song, though to some it may come earlier than others. Besides the song there are the notes of alarm, harsh and quick ; the low note of satisfaction uttered at every peck at an insect, especially when the family has alighted on a good patch ; and sometimes, not often, a low melancholy note uttered at each series of hops. In spring the males sometimes make a continued utterance of what is like half the usual song. One use for the song is to keep the family together, and acquaint each other of their whereabouts. One may often see a wren which has been left behind mount the topmost twig of a bush and sing until answered from a distance, when it will fly off in that direction and rejoin the others. Gould’s Wrens are not gregarious ; though two or three families may hunt over each other’s ground, they never join in a community like the Acanthizas and Chats, but each family keeps, if it can, to its own particular ground and has its own particular camp. In one of my letters to you last year I told you about three males attending a nest I had transferred toa cage, and about which I was making notes. The spring before (1897) I had noticed a similar case, so when in August, 1898, I found a pair of males attending one female in a very isolated patch of cover, which could be easily watched, I determined to watch them right through. From the first it was evident that one male had possession of the female, and that the other male was tolerated either because it could not or would not be driven away. When the female was on the nest, the two males were apparently friendly enough—fed, hunted, and camped together. One day when I was watching a Pied Grallina build- ing its nest, a female wren—a stranger—came into the tree, when both males at once attacked it. For five minutes their bills were clipping like shears, when the poor little female took flight for the nearest cover, pursued by both of its tormentors. When the young were hatched out, on 28th October, both males fed and attended to them, and right on to the present time (20th June) the partnership continues. This being the third instance of such conduct in three successive seasons leads one to assume that it is no uncommon occurrence. That wrens can think seems to me proved by the following incident:—In June, 1897, I had completed the building of a large heap of logs preparatory to burning, and was intently watching the actions of a White- 140 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. throated Tree-creeper, which, having secured an unusual prize—a meal worm—was making a long task of killing it. Tree-creepers do not seem as expert at such work as other birds, for a robin would have finished it off in a few seconds. There were some wrens about at the time, and one female seemed as much interested as I was, and twice sidled close up to the tree-creeper, and was rewarded with a couple of sharp pecks in order to make it mindful of its own business. After watching the tree-creeper for a few moments the wren made a sudden rush, and fairly frightened the tree-creeper some inches away from its food, which the wren quickly picked up and flew off with. This was clearly a feat of strategy, and happened on the heap of logs. My garden male wren is becoming quite shrewd, for it does not now mistake glass for space, as if surprised inside when I come home, it makes a rush past me through the doorway, the result, I suppose, of its having been caught in the window so often and examined. I have a habit of feeding it and its family on a block by the door, and a few crumbs of cheese are sufficient to bring them to my feet. Last March I was using a kerosene tin to pick up windfall apples. Standing it by the door, I very soon saw the garden female wren come and perch on the edge of the tin, and catch sight of a grub on the bottom, but how to get that grub was the trouble. It leaned over and hopped round the edge of the tin many times. It would like to go down to get that grub, but it looked too risky ; happy thought—it would get down out- side and get it. Down it went and hunted all round the tin and seemed surprised it could not see the grub. “Up again to the edge, to see if it really was there. Yes, there it was, so down it wert again and tried to insert its bill beneath the tin. Again it hopped up and feasted on the sight for some little time, and and then gave up the grub in despair. As enemies, the Nankeen Kestrel during summer takes numbers of young, while the fox, that terrible bird exterminator, plays havoc in the breeding season, and the wren is lucky which does not have to rear a second brood. As to at what age wrens start- breeding I have no certain knowledge, and the large number of wrens that during spring and summer have no other occupation than that of feeding themselves leads me to infer that the females do not breed the first year. Male and female, when once mated, remain so until accident or the advent of a stronger or more pugnacious male causes a division. With regard to the proportion of males to females in the brood, I have not as yet observed more than one male in a brood of three. My garden wrens had the unusual brood of four, but still only one male, but to be certain of this point the families will require further watching.” The results of our observations on the moulting of these two species appear in fullin the “ Proceedings of the Royal Society THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. seit | of Victoria,” vol. xii. (new series), p. 59, from which you will understand that the males moult in spring as a general act, and again in autumn on a smaller scale. Point casting does not take place in the black-backed section, and a complete fall of quills and contour feathers is effected twice a year. That the quills fall is specially interesting to us, because Mr. A. H. Evans, in the ‘‘ Cambridge Natural History—Birds,” page 5, writes of the spring moult affecting the smaller feathers only. TWO MALLEE FUNGI. By D. M‘ALPINE. (Read before the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, 13th Nov., 1899.) DuRING the recent visit of Mr. C. French, jun., to the Mallee he found several fungi, notwithstanding the drought and the dried-up appearance of the herbage when he was there, in October. Two are here recorded, one of which is new to science and the other on a new host-plant for Victoria. 1. The one found on Native Tobacco, Nicotiana suaveolens, Lehm., is of some economic interest, since it has been found that diseases of Native Tobacco may pass to the cultivated plant and cause considerable damage. ‘Tobacco Mould is a case in point, caused by Peronospora hyoscyami, De Bary, and which has even threatened the existence of the industry in Australia, although it is now being successfully treated at the Government Tobacco Farm, Edi, Victoria. It was considered passing strange that a fungus disease should virulently attack the cultivated Tobacco in a comparatively new country like Australia, while in America the ‘‘ weed ” had been long and extensively grown with- out any such fungus. The discovery of this fungus on the Native Tobacco at Myrniong by Mr. C. C. Brittlebank probably accounts for its appearance, and the genial climate, with its heat and moisture producing the too well-known “ muggy ” weather, would encourage its rapid and extensive spread. There are several other instances tending to show that some of our new plant diseases at least are derived originally from native plants, and the fungus, passing from them to the more delicately nurtured and well-nourished cultivated plants belonging to the same family, finds a more congenial home and a more liberal host. Fortunately the présent fungus, Septoria tabacina, n. sp., has not yet spread to the cultivated tobacco, but it shows, what is so difficult to impress upon growers and their advisers, that even the fungi on so-called weeds are well worthy of study from an economic point of view, since they may some day become a menace to an important industry, if not carefully watched and guarded against. 2. Pucconia hieracwi, Mart., or a form of it, has only hitherto Wap THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. been found in Queensland on Hypocheris glabra, L., and now it is recorded for the first time in Victoria on the same host plant. I. SEPTORIA TABACINA, n. sp., Tobacco Septoria. Spots scattered or confluent, frequently extending over entire leaf, orbicular or irregular, somewhat translucent when held up to the light, very pale brown, averaging 8-ro mm. broad, with minute, black, punctiform pustules on both surfaces of leaf, but most numerous on under surface. Perithecia depressed-globose, fragile, pale blue by transmitted light, with wide mouth, 130-180 p diameter. Sporules hyaline, numerous, straight, curved, or flexuous, blunt at both ends or only at one end, I-, 2-, and occasionally 3-septate, 30-43 X 2-3 p. On leaves of Wicotiana suaveolens. October, 1899. Mallee, Victoria ; C. French, jun. This species destroys the leaves of the Native Tobacco, some- times causing actual perforations or entire portions to fall away. The sporules are all slender, but sometimes very crooked and with one half separated by a septum much stouter than the other half. It differs from S. nicotiane, Pat., found in Ecuador, in the absence of concentric zones and red margins to the spots, in the larger perithecia and the shorter sporules, which are found to be 3—4-septate and 50-55 pu long. 2. PUCCINIA HIERACII, Mart. Uredospore and teleutospore sori on both surfaces of leaves, but particularly on upper, of Hypocheris glabra, L. October, 1899. Mallee, Victoria; C. French, jun. AN ABNORMAL FORM OF THE FOXGLOVE FLOWER. By D. M‘ALPINE. On the 1st of December I received from Mrs. Parsons, Olinda, near Bayswater, a specimen of Foxglove with a regular bell- shaped flower at the top of the stalk, requesting an explanation of the unusual appearance, and for various reasons I consider it worthy of mention among the Natural History Notes. It is no uncommon thing (at least I have several times met with it) to find the cultivated Foxglove producing a flower at the end of the stalk, but then it is no longer irregular, like the ordinary lateral flowers, but regular. I have never met with this appear- ance in a plant growing wild, so that it appears to be a product of cultivation. Not only was this specimen bell-shaped and regular, but the symmetry in number of the different parts was remarkable. There were 13 green sepals of the usual shape crowded together. Then the bell-shaped corolla had 13 lobes, each one corresponding to a petal. The stamens were also THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 143 13, placed opposite to the slight ridges or seams between each lobe of the corolla, and they were all pretty much about the same length. Finally, the top of the carpels or stigmas numbered 26, and the ovary when cut accross showed 13 chambers with their ovules. If we compare this with the lateral flowers on the same axis, we find not only a different number of parts, but in different proportions. The calyx is composed of five sepals, the corolla is usually five-lobed, but the stamens are only four, and the pistil consists of two united carpels, as indi- cated by the two-lobed stigma and the two-chambered ovary. The size, too, was very striking, as the terminal flower measured about 1% inches in diameter, while the greatest breadth of the lateral flowers was about 34 inch. Thus the principal differences in this abnormal flower are :— 1. Upright, instead of pendulous. 2. Terminal, instead of lateral. 3. Regularly developed, instead of irregularly bell-shaped. 4. Number of parts symmetrical throughout. 5. About double the size. If we are justified in drawing conclusions from such abnormally produced specimens and regarding them as indicative of the primitive type of the flower, then each of these points would be very suggestive, but to dwell upon them all would make the note toolong. ‘The terminal flower is regular because its various parts are equally exposed to the various forces of nature, and there is no reason why one part should be more developed than another, but whenever the flower becomes lateral instead of terminal then the different forces of nature, such as heat, light, gravity, &c., would act unequally on different parts and thus tend to produce the so-called irregularity of flowers. Then, with the visits of insects this tendency would be taken advantage of, and the stimulated protoplasm would respond. It may also be noted here that with increased differentiation there is usually con- densation of parts and economy of material, so that the number of parts is gradually reduced, and some of them more so than others on account of some counterbalancing advantage. RECORDS OF VICTORIAN PLANTs.—At the December meeting of the Field Naturalists’ Club I exhibited Cryptandra bifida, F. v. M., from the northern parts of the Mallee as new for Victoria, collected by Mr. D’Alton, but I find that a specimen had previously been exhibited by Mr. F. M. Reader, which had been given him by Mr. D’Alton. However, Hriostemon scaber, Paxton, found by Messrs. C. C. and T. Brittlebank in the Myrniong Ranges (south division) is new for Victoria, though previously recorded from New South Wales and Queensland. The follow- ing plants are new for the respective divisions ;—NortTH-WEst. 144 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. —Cassytha pubescens, R. Br.; Lycopus australis, R. Br. ; Pimelea elachanta, F. v. M.; and Pomaderris subrepanda, Reisseck and F. v. M., all collected by Mr. D’Alton, Dimboola. The last-named plant occurs on limestone ridges in different parts of the northern Mallee as a low shrub, while in other districts it is only found on the banks of watercourses, attaining a height of 15 feet. SoutH-West.—Pomaderris subrepanda, Reisseck and F. v. M., Grampians, C. Walter. SoutTH.—/6, (Any of the above sent by port to any part of Australasia at trifling cost.) TRAVELLING SETTING CASE, (12 x 13x 4 over all) with 12 assorted boards, 20/- 5 CORK LINOLEUM specially imported, soft, 34 thick), 10x 8,6d. «2x10,9d. 15x12,1/1. 16 x 20, 2/- 20x 24, 3/- re size to suit. eye, 7/- each. } CABINETS (10 to 40 drawers) for }ssects, Ecos or Micro. SLipEs, in Cedar, Walnut, or ee Mahogany, from latest Englisl patterns. For samples of our work visit Melbourne ~ University and Government Entomologist. a f Wee Fs a he Mictariex 3 THE JOURNAL AND) MAGAZINE | _ FEBRUARY, 1900. ~ a OF) aes The Field Naturalists’ Glub of Wictoria. PUBLISHED 8th FEBRUARY, 1I900. Editor: F. G. A. BARNARD, Esq. The Author of each article is responsible for the facts and opinions recorded. CONTENTS = THE FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA EXCURSION TO GISBORNE FIELD NOTES FROM THE LOWER ete ( Concluded). By A. CAMPBELL, JUN. ‘ CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FLORA OF ane No. 1X. By F. M. READER, F.R.H.S. BS Sha Ba savt yea elsts) NoTEs nies ag coe), wien ey Bere eh) LOL “&« PRICE SIXPENCE. Agents for Gurope : DULAU & CO., 37 Soho Square, London. Melbourne : WALKER, MAY & CO., PRINTERS, 25 MACKILLOP STREET. 1900. Field Natura lists’ Club ‘of Victoria, i 2 { x ROOMS—ROYAL SOUCIETY’S HALL, VICTORIA ST., MELBOURNE. Monday, 12th February, 1900, at Eight p.m. - t. Correspondence and Reports. 2. Nominations for Membership. Members making nominations will oblige by Ce the full name and addooss to Hon. Secretary. 3. General Business. 4. Reading of Papers and Discussions thereon. (Authors are requested to hand in a brief resume of their papers to the Secretary. ) 1. By Messrs. E. Ernest Green and Jas. Lidgett, introduced by Mr, F. G. A. Barnard, “ Description of New Victorian Coccide.” 2. By Mr.R. Hall, ‘Notes on Bronze Cuckoo and 3 other Birds.” 3. By Mr. J. G. Luehmann, F.L.S. “ Observations on some Specimens in the National Herbarium, collected over 200 years ago.” : 5. Reading of Natural History Notes. Members who may note any unusual oceurrence, or see anything of interest in Foreign or Colonial papers, are requested to inform the Secretary of the same that he may arrange for their eee | them before the meeting; such notes should, © -however, be brief. 6. Exhibition of Specimens and Conversazione. ~ Members exhibiting specimens are requested to furnish the Hon. Secretary with written particulars of their Exhibits for record in Minutes and Waturadest. « EXCURSIONS. ® SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10.—Heidelberg. Under the leadership of J. Shephard. Meet at Collingwood Station 2.15 p.m. train. Pond Life. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24.—Black Rock. Under the leadership of Messrs, H. T. Tisdall and O. A. Sayce, Meet at 1.20 p.m. train, Flinders Street Station. Marine Biology. SATURDAY, MARCH 1!0.—Sydenham. Under the leadership of Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A. Meet at 12.15 p.m. train, Spencer Street Station. Geology. - prea A OSs i ea why y = cole: ‘ THE Mictorian Waturalist. VoL. XVI.—No. 10. FEBRUARY 8, 1900. No. 194. FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA. THE ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in the Royal Society’s Hall on Monday evening, the 15th January, 1900, when the president, Mr. J. Shephard, occupied the chair, and about 90 members and visitors were present. REPORTS. A report of the excursion to Gisborne on Saturday, 16th December, was read by Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, who stated that an enjoyable afternoon had been spent, though entomological captures were few. Many interesting plants had been noted. GENERAL BUSINESS. The president mentioned that the committee had invited members of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science to attend the meeting, and expressed himself glad to welcome so many distinguished scientists from other colonies, specially naming Father Curran, Messrs. Maiden, Rainbow, and Froggatt, of New South Wales, and Messrs. Clark and Selway, of South Australia. PAPERS. 1. By Mr. F. M. Reader, communicated by Mr. G. Coghill, entitled “‘ Contributions to the Flora of Victoria,” part 1x. This was the description of a new grass from the Wimmera district, and named by the author Stipa luehmannit. 2. By Mr. D. Le Souéf, entitled “‘ A Visit to Western Australia.” The author gave a brief account of a recent visit to the southern part of Western Australia, in which he described and illustrated by about 60 lantern views the various things of interest seen, such as the wonderful flowers; also the timber and other vegetation, the hills of granite and so-called soaks at their base, the ancient drawings of the natives, and also the graves of some of that fast- disappearing race. Habits of some of the birds and reptiles seen were also touched on, as well as a description of the country about Perth. . Messrs. Keartland, R. Hall, and J. H. Maiden, F.L.S., joined in the discussion which followed. A special vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. J. Searle for his kindness in providing the lantern for the illustrations. NATURAL HISTORY NOTE. Mr. W. J. Rainbow, F.L.S., Entomologist to the Australian Museum, Sydney, exhibited, on behalf of Mr. C. French, jun., a photograph, by Mr. C. Frost, of a curious spider’s nest and 146 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. cocoons or egg-bags (genus Dicrostichus, sp.), and gave some interesting details of the animal’s architecture. The nest is made of leaves, closely woven together and held in position by silk. This takes various forms, sometimes being constructed in the shape of a miniature cornucopia, From the nest there is sus- pended two or more long, yellowish, closely-woven, tough egg- bags, and these are always jealously guarded by the mother. Only three species of the genus have been recorded so far, and all of these from New South Wales. Mr. Rainbow also drew at- tention to the curious structure of the cephalothorax of spiders of the genus under consideration, which he illustrated by diagrams drawn upon the blackboard. EXHIBITS. By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard.—Beetles of the genera Schizorrhina and Stigmodera, from the neighbourhood of Kew. By Mr. A. J. Campbell.— Four varieties of Blue Wrens; also, the eggs of Eastern Swallow, Hirunda javanica ; Grey-rumped Swiftlet, Callocalia francica ; Chestnut-bellied Rail, Hulabiornis castanet- ventris ; and Blue-faced Lorilet, Cyclopsittacus maccoyt. By Mr. A. Coles.—Leopard cub, two days old. By Mr. C. French, jun.—Lrythrea spicata, with white flowers, collected at Western Port ; photograph of remarkable cocoons of the spider Dicros- tichus, sp., collected in Victoria; also, nest of Rose-breasted Robin, from Dandenong Ranges. By Mr. R. Hall.—Male cone of Macrozamia, from Western Australia, and nest of White- browed Spine-bill. By D. Le Souéf.—Dried Western Australian flowers, in illustration of paper. By Mr. J. Stickland.—Pholas, a rock-boring mollusc, from Picnic Point, Sandringham. By Mr. C. Walter.—Plants new to science—Corchorus longipes, Tate, Minuriella annica, Tate, Zygophyllum hybridum, Tate, coliected by Max Koch, Mt. Lyndhurst, South Australia, August, 1899: Melodinus australis, Maiden and Betche, collected by R. G. Brown, October, 1899. By Mr. H. W. Whitney.—Egg of Minorca hen, with smaller one inside ; weight, 634 ozs. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. VICTORIAN PLaNntTs.—I desire to record new districts for the following plants, specimens of which were exhibited at the December meeting of the Field Naturalists’ Club :—WMontia Jontana, L., found at Winslow, near Warrnambool, new for S.W. ; Haloragis alata, Jacquin, found at Curdie’s River, De- cember, 1894, identified by the late Baron von Mueller, who said that it had been once before doubtfully recorded from Victoria ; Pseudanthus ovalifolius, F. v. M., from 18 miles south of Sale; and Zieria veronicea, F. v. M., from 20 miles south-east of Sale, Gippsland, both unrecorded for the eastern district—H. B. Witiiamson, Hawkesdale, THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 147 EXCURSION TO GISBORNE. NOTWITHSTANDING the beautiful day on Saturday, 16th December, 1899, only two members left town by the midday train for Gisborne. Perhaps the distance (40 miles) was answerable for the small attendance. On arrival there, at 2 p.m., we found that our leader, Mr. G. Lyell, had kindly provided a conveyance to take us some four or five miles south of the station to some scrubby country forming the slopes of the valley of the Pyreete Creek. Passing through the old township the fine trees in the main streets were justly admired. Turning into the Melton road we travelled along this for about three miles, and then, selecting a shady spot, left our youthful driver to beguile the time as best he could for some three hours. A visitor to the locality for the first time is at once struck by the resemblance of the flora to the heath grounds around Sandringham, though here we were at least 1,500 feet above the sea level. Another peculiarity is that one seems to descend instead of ascend into the ranges. ‘The fact is that the valley of the Pyreete Creek forms a huge basin covering some twenty square miles, which drains into the Djerriwarrh Creek, and thence into the Werribee, and is really the most easterly tributary of that river. This basin is bounded on the eastern side by Mt. Gisborne, the source of Kororoit Creek, and on the west by Mt. Bullengarook, while the roads from Gisborne to Melton on the eastern side, and to Bacchus Marsh on the western side, keep along the outside edge of the basin on an elevated table-land. We were soon at work, but, being now rather hot, insects were scarce. Quantities of Native Heath, Hpacris impressa, were everywhere, and in the season the hillsides must present a lovely appearance indeed. AHuzbbertia fasciculata and Correa speciosa were plentiful. But the few remaining flowers of such legumin- aceous plants as Dillwynia floribunda, Bossicea cordigera, Daviesia corymbosa, and Pultencea daphnoides made us wish we had been there a month or so earlier. The locality seems also to be a stronghold of the Acacias, for eight species were identified during the afternoon, among them being Acacia leprosa, with its sticky foliage ; A. armata, the Kangaroo Acacia, well known as a hedge plant about Melbourne ; and the pretty little A. acinacea. Grass- trees, Xanthorrhea australis, were numerous. Following down a somewhat easy valley, a few ferns, such as Davallia dubia, Lomaria capense, and Adiantum cthiopicum were noticed, also Veronica derwentia and Senecio dryadeus in flower, while fine bushes of Goodia lotifolia and Indigofera australis were bearing their burdens of seed-pods. A single specimen of Gompholobiwm huegelit added another papilionaceous plant to our list. On the hillside Zrachymene billardiert was growing. Arriving at the creek we worked down for a short distance, coming to a rocky bank 148 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. brilliant with the flowers of the golden everlasting, Helichrysum lucidum, while among the stones at the water’s edge grew a stunted form of Zomaria discolor. We now commenced to reascend to our starting point, up a succession of stony ridges timbered with Eucalyptus, Exocarpus (Native Cherry), Banksias, Hakeas, Acacias, Grevillea alpina, Grasstrees, &c., in some places very dense. On the tops of some of the ridges we got extensive views to the south-west, embracing Bacchus Marsh and the plains on the other side of the Werribee. The country near at hand put one very much in mind of the undulating scrubby hills near Sydney, between Willoughby and Middle Harbour, with the exception that here Silurian rocks with numerous quartz outcrops took the place of the Hawkesbury sandstones of that locality. With regard to the zoological results of the trip, perhaps the most noticeable animal seen was a Kangaroo, but which species I am unable to say. Birds were scarce, though an ornithologist might have noted more than we did.