124 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



examined, the party were doomed to disappointment. Not a 

 Longicorn was seen, and of Buprestidae the only three noted 

 were Stic/modera macularia, S. octosignata, and S. octospilota, and 

 of these the first was the more numerous, about a dozen being 

 taken. On the gum saplings were a few of a very common 

 species of Curculio, and a limited number of a few varieties of 

 Chrysomelidse, of the genus Paropsis. For Hymenoptera the 

 result was a complete blank, and the same might also be said of 

 Lepidoptera, for of butterflies not more than six were seen, five 

 of these being Pyrameis Kershawii and the other P. itea. A few 

 small moths were taken, as were also some lepidopterous larvae, 

 but the names we are unable to supply. A fortnight later much 

 better success would attend an excursion to Springvale, which 

 has always been noted as a first-class collecting locality ; and for 

 next year we trust this suggestion will be acted upon ; or, better 

 still, arrange for a special excursion so soon as Mr. Hennell 

 may advise the time to be opportune, which we feel sure he will 

 be only too pleased to do. Orchids were also very scarce, only 

 a few varieties being noted, amongst them being Diuris longifolia, 

 D. metadata, and Thelymitra aristata. — D. Best. 



EXCURSION TO TARRAWARRA. 



The Club was fairly represented at the excursion to Tarrawarra, 

 on the Healesville line, on Cup Day, 6th November, 1894. The 

 party was favoured with splendid weather, and spent a most 

 enjoyable day. We struck out in a northerly direction for the 

 hills. The two geologists, however, decided to work in a different 

 direction, meeting again in the evening. Just over the hill an 

 Australian Pipit, Anthus australis, flew off its nest in a tuft of 

 grass. The nest contained three eggs, but was left undisturbed, 

 our photographer marking it for future operations. A little 

 further along the boy was sent up a sapling after a White- 

 throated Thickhead's nest, on which the male bird was sitting. 

 The nest was found to contain young. All this time our 

 entomologists were busy shaking trees and stripping bark, and, 

 although rather early in the season, a few prizes rewarded their 

 efforts, including the beetles Tryphocharia, sp., T. hamata, and a 

 few Buprestidae, also several larva? and pupae of Hesperidae. 



It was after noon when we arrived at the Maroondah aqueduct, 

 when a halt was called for lunch. Shortly after starting again 

 diversity was lent to the proceedings by the appearance of a large 

 Tiger Snake, which, however, was soon despatched, and the head 

 bagged. We soon reached the Steel's Creek valley, but as the 

 timber was too stunted for good collecting we retraced our steps. 

 The nest of a Yellow-backed Geobasileus was taken, in the hope 

 that it might contain a cuckoo's egg, which proved to be the case. 



