^^'^■^1 Excursion to Mavysville. 163 



From the number of birds observed while sitting quietly in 

 the bush, it would appear that ornithologically the district is also 

 good, but, as none of us professed much knowledge of 

 birds, little can be said under that heading. One Lyre- 

 bird and many Gang-Gang Cockatoos, King Parrots, Blue 

 Wrens, Robins, &c., were seen. A male Scarlet-breasted 

 Robin was particularly fond of the top of the lamp outside the 

 hotel, and could generally be seen there morning and evening. 

 Insects were very scarce, beetles particularly so. Of butter- 

 flies three or four species were noted : the common brown, 

 Heteronympha mero-pe, Painted Lady, Pyrantels kershawi, and 

 the Mountain Swallow-tail, Papilio madeayanns — the last-named 

 insect was seen in considerable numbers in many places. 

 Reptilia were represented by a Blue-tongued Lizard and numerous 

 smaller species, and the Black Snake previously mentioned. 



In addition to the plants already named the following were 

 seen in bloom in different places : — Loranthiis penduhis, Sisyrin- 

 chium ptilchellum, Helichrysum rosmarinifolium, H. fernigineum, 

 H. leucopsidmm, Dipodmm pundatum, Lagenophora Billardieri, 

 Mentha laxiflora, Leptospermttm scoparium, Viola hederacca, 

 Senecio vagus, and S. australis. 



Although it cannot be claimed that anything particular was 

 done in the way of scientific work, the beautiful scenery 

 naturally attracting most attention, all of the party seemed 

 well satisfied with the excursion, which was made all the more 

 pleasant by reason of the exceptionally favourable weather 

 experienced at a time of year when extreme heat might have 

 been expected. The elevation of Marysville (1,600 feet), and 

 the presence of ranges up to 4,800 feet within a few miles, 

 may perhaps account for the invigorating air, which enabled us 

 to cover some seventy miles on foot during the week. The 

 outstanding features of the district are undoubtedly the profusion 

 and robustness of the vegetation, many of the Myrtle Beeches 

 of the Forest of Arden possessing trunks six to eight feet in 

 diameter, being correspondingly tall, while other flowering plants 

 usually found as dwarf shrubs are here almost arborescent, 

 and, instead of occurring as scattered specimens, grow in dense 

 thickets to the exclusion of other species. Many more plants 

 might have been mentioned, but only those prominent at the 

 time of our visit are recorded, for the names of some of which 

 I am indebted to Mr. F. Pitcher, who was put down as co- 

 leader of the excursion, but was unfortunately unable to take 

 part in it. The tourist map issued by the Lands Department 

 was found of great service during the outing, and, as a copy 

 of it was posted under the hotel verandah, it was easily 

 referred to and discussed before and after each day's trip. — J. 

 Stickland. 



