100 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



EXCURSION TO MELTON. 



Saturday, 26th October, was the date fixed for an excursion to 

 what may be considered one of the best districts near Melbourne 

 for the study of ornithology ; but the weather was very unfavour- 

 able. Whilst on our way to Spencer-street a strong north wind 

 accompanied by clouds of dust betokened an unsuccessful day, 

 and gave rise to the query as to where all the birds go when the 

 north wind blows. Owing to the force of the wind our train 

 journey occupied more than twice the usual time. On arriving 

 at Melton railway station a start was at once made for the race- 

 course paddock, but the gale came with such force across the 

 open country that if the train was slow, walking was slower. 

 Birds were scarce, and when disturbed from some sheltered spot 

 were blown away too quickly for observation. After going further 

 into the timber broods of young Geobasileus chrysorrhcea were 

 disturbed, and several discarded nests of the Butcher Bird, 

 Cracticus torquatus, seen. Nests containing fresh eggs of the 

 Spotted-sided Finch were found in the box saplings, and occasion- 

 ally rabbits were disturbed as we worked along. Approaching 

 the margin of the timber a pair of young White-backed Crow- 

 Shrikes, Gytnnorhina leuconota, were observed. Across the open 

 plain a course was now taken to the deep gullies, hoping that 

 the shelter there afforded by the high walls of rock would be the 

 means of attracting most of the birds in that direction. At Mr. 

 Raleigh's farm a halt was made, and, as is always the case when 

 any members of the Field Naturalists' Club pass that way, we 

 were invited to partake of a cup of tea. This was not declined, 

 as the long walk against the wind made us all thirsty, and the 

 short stay gave time to rest before starting to work the timber 

 close to this homestead. With renewed energy we commenced 

 work in earnest, our entomologist vigorously rolling over logs 

 or scanning the mallee and other bushes in search of insects; 

 but I am afraid that an umbrella ten times the ordinary size 

 would be too small for his work, as instead of shaking one branch 

 the whole tree or forest had already been well shaken. The 

 birds were now more numerous, and several new to the district 

 noted. In a mallee clump a fine female Shining Flycatcher, 

 Myiagra nitida, was shot, and the following other birds noted : — 

 Rosella Parrots, Black Fantails, White-shafted Flycatchers, Red- 

 eyebrowed and Spotted-sided Finches, Rufus-breasted and White- 

 throated Thickheads, Black and Wliite Lalage, Scarlet-breasted, 

 Vellow-breasted, and Hooded Robins, Pallid and Bronze Cuckoos, 

 Wattled, White-plumed, New Holland, Spiny-cheeked, Yellow- 

 faced, and Yellow-tufted Honey-eaters, &c. Along the creek 

 Superb Warblers were numerous, and, with the Sericornis, were 

 found in the undergrowth. On the high ground beyond the 

 bell-like note of the Crested Oreoica was heard. The latter bird, 



