1 68 Field Naturalists'- Club — Proceedings. [vX"^''xxxv. 



PAPERS READ. 



1. By Mr. Joseph Gabriel, entitled " On the Destruction of 

 Mutton-Birds and Penguins at Phillip Island." 



The author called attention to the serious menace at present 

 threatening the Mutton-bird rookeries at Phillip Island owing 

 to the great increase of foxes. Recently numbers of deacl 

 birds had been picked up, showing signs of having been killed 

 by these animals. He suggested the Government be approached 

 with the view of urging that some steps be taken for the 

 destruction of the foxes. 



Mr. G. A. Keartland suggested the poisoning of the foxes 

 in June and July, when the skins are of considerable value. 

 He referred to the fertility of the fox in Victoria as compared 

 with England. Here it was no unusual thing to find six, seven, 

 and eight cubs in a litter, whilst in England the litter would 

 consist of two, or three at most. Recently, in destroying a 

 litter at Bayswater, the remains of no less than thirty-six Lyre- 

 birds' tails were found in and around the log in which the 

 animals lived. 



Mr. C. J. Gabriel, on whose report the paper was based, gave 

 further evidence of the menace. 



Mr. L. Thorn said that he had seen numbers of foxes when 

 at the rookeries lately. 



Private Potter, a resident of the district, said that it was 

 generally believed that the foxes gained access to the island 

 by swimming across the eastern channel from San Remo to 

 Newhaven. 



On the motion of Messrs. F. G. A. Barnard and C. J. Gabriel, 

 it was resolved that the committee take whatever action it 

 considers advisable in the matter. 



[It has since been announced in the Argus of 27th March that 

 a reward of one pound per head is to be given for foxes killed on 

 Philhp Island.— Ed. Vict. Nat.] 



2. By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, entitled " Notes of a Visit to 

 Western Australia." 



The author gave some account of a three weeks' visit to the 

 Perth district in September last, made principally to see the 

 wild-flowers in bloom. He also referred to the geology and 

 general characteristics of that portion of Western Australia. 

 Having travelled by the Trans-Australian railway, he was 

 able to give some idea of the natural history items to be seen 

 along the route, and illustrated his remarks with maps and 

 diagrams. 



Owing to the lateness of the hour, remarks on the paper 

 were postponed until the next meeting. 



