THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 149 



By Mr. G. E. Shepherd. — Egg of Jardine's Campephaga, 

 collected at Somerville. 



By Master F. Shepherd. — Nest and eggs of Emu-Wren (rare), 

 collected at Somerville. 



By Mr. O. A. Sayce. — Amphipods collected at Belgrave 

 excursion : — Terrestrial species — Talitrus sylvaticus and Talitrus, 

 sp., so far undescribed. Freshwater species — Atyloids gabrieli, 

 Gammauis austrciHs, G. haasei ; also marine Isopod, Ligia 

 australiensis, in illustration of paper. 



After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. 



EXCURSION TO THE OTWAY FOREST. 



When this excursion was first planned it was intended to 

 make the township of Beech Forest the centre for various short 

 trips, but a preliminary scamper over the ground in November 

 made it evident that better results might be expected if the 

 eastern fringe of the forest at Apollo Bay were substituted, and 

 where in addition the party would have the advantage of the sea- 

 shore, with its various forms of life. 



The results of the outing were satisfactory, especially from a 

 botanical point of view. In zoology, the list of birds seen forms 

 an interesting and useful record. Under my co-leader, Mr. G. 

 Coghill, several members were indefatigable in their search for 

 new or interesting forms of shore life, but the results are not 

 commensurate with the energy displayed. Geology was to some 

 extent neglected, but in view of the fact that the Department of 

 Mines has recently published an extensive report, with map, by 

 Mr. V. Stirling, one of the field geologists of the department, it is 

 hardly likely that the party could have added anything new in 

 that branch of science. From the nature of the locality the 

 botanists had undoubtedly the best opportunities, and their 

 efforts resulted in the collection of about 150 species of 

 phanerogams in bloom, with 30 species of ferns, and at least 

 a dozen mosses. 



The party, numbering eight, including ladies, left town by the 

 6.30 a.m. south-western train on Saturday, 24th December, 

 travelling as far as Birregurra (183 miles), where the branch line 

 to Forrest was taken for another 20 miles. Here a special coach 

 was waiting to convey the excursionists to their destination, 25 

 miles further. The road follows a spur dividing the head waters 

 of the Gellibrand River from the west branch of the Barwon, 

 gradually ascending from about 550 feet above sea level till it 

 reaches, at the half-way house at Mt. Sabine, an elevation of 

 1,940 feet. It then descends to Skene's Creek, and skirts 

 the coast line as far as Krambruk, the township of the 

 Apollo Bay district. Our destination was " Milford House," 



