92 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



Flycatcher were heard, mingled with the merry carol of the 

 Rufous-breasted Thickhead, and the many pairs of Rosellas 

 passed proclaimed that nesting time was ai hand. A pair of 

 Podargus perched in a casuarina attracted attention by their small 

 size, and if Gould is correct in his classification they are certainly 

 P. Cuvieri, as, in addition to the difference in size, they lack 

 the tawny markings on the shoulders of F. strigoides. After 

 crossing several stubble fields we made a hasty run through the 

 maliee along the creek and through a quantity of low scrub 

 familiar to many of our members, and in doing so secured 

 specimens of the Leaden Flycatcher and Fuscous Honey-eater, 

 two birds recorded for the first time in that district. Although 

 much of the maliee was in blossom, the weather was too cold 

 for insect life, but the birds were fairly numerous, and the 

 Yellow-tufted Honey-eater was frequently seen, and nests in all 

 stages of development, from partly built to those containing 

 half-fiedged young ones, noted. A small round hole tunnelled 

 into the bank of the creek contained the nest of a Striated 

 Pardalote, and although the opening was enlarged sufficiently 

 to permit an examination of its contents, which proved to be 

 young ones, the old birds did not seem much disturbed, but after 

 a casual survey of the altered entrance, commenced feeding their 

 brood. In a bush overhanging the creek a Spiny-cheeked 

 Honey-eater had just finished its nest, and in the same neighbour- 

 hood the Spotted-sided and Red-eyebrovved Finches, Harmonious 

 Thrush, Yellow-tufted Honey-eater, and Yellow-tailed Geobasileus 

 had been similiarly employed. Three small bushes in one corner 

 are interesting from the fact that in season they always contain a 

 nest of the Yellow-tailed Geobasileus in which a Bronze Cuckoo's 

 egg is invariably found, and this visit was no exception to the rule. 

 On our return Mrs. Raleigh, with her usual generosity, invited us 

 all to a cup of tea, which was much appreciated after our long 

 ramble. En route to the station a few specimens were obtained, 

 and many nests of the Pomatostomus passed, and thus ended a 

 very enjoyable day's outing, during which over 30 species of birds 

 were noted. — G. A. Keartland. 



NOTES ON ROCK SPECIMENS FROM KERGUELEN 



ISLAND. 



By Evelyn G. Hogg, M.A. Communicated by Robert Hall. 



{Bead before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 8th August, 1898.) 



The rocks submitted to microscopic examination form a most 

 interesting series, including tachylite, oUvine basalt, phonolite, 

 trachyte and hornblende por[)hyrite, and volcanic ash. 



