May, 1909.] THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 3 



Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S., considered the Goshawk one of the 

 most destructive species, and he had known it attack magpies. 



Mr. C. F. Cole related that the Harrier had proved very 

 destructive to the White-faced Storm-Petrels at Mud Island, and 

 also to the Ibis on inland swamps. He considered they took five 

 or six years to attain full plumage. Whistling Eagles were 

 extremely fond of Cormorants and Quail. 



Mr. A. H. E. Mattingley, C.M.Z.S., asked why the Powerful 

 Owl should be so scarce, but without satisfactory reply. 



NATURAL HISTORY NOTE. 



Caterpillar of Gum Emperor Moth. — Mr. J. S. Kitson 

 stated that on 23rd March, while watching some captive larvae of 

 Gum Emperor Moth, Anthercea eucalypti, moulting, he noticed 

 that one, shortly after casting its skin, turned round, and, while 

 the cast skin was still moist, commenced to eat it, and did not 

 cease eating till the whole was devoured, a proceeding which took 

 the caterpillar a little over an hour. There was a plentiful 

 supply of fresh eucalyptus leaves alongside the caterpillar, so 

 that want of food could scarcely be the reason for the action, 

 and he would like to know if any reason could be given for the 

 occurrence. 



exhibits. 



By Mr. J. W. Bainbridge. — Nest of wasp, built in broken glass 

 steam-gauge pipe, showing the different cells. 



By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard. — Geological specimens from Beve- 

 ridge excursion ; Big Hill, Wallan ; and volcanic tuff from Lilydale 

 excursion. 



By Mr. J. Booth.— Stick-insect among twigs, showing protective 

 resemblance and colouring ; frogs, Hyla lesueurii, from Sunbury, 

 and Heleioporus pictus, from Wagga, N.S.W. 



By Mr. J. W. CoUings. — Volcanic bomb from Beveridge 

 excursion. 



By Mr. C. F. Cole. — Specimens of falcons, hawks, kites, owls, 

 &c., in different stages of plumage, in illustration of discussion. 



By Mrs. C. H. Edmondson. — Flowers and berries from Buffalo 

 Mountains. 



By Mrs. A. D. Hardy. — Skin of Black-cheeked Falcon. 



By Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S. — A fresh-water alga, Entero- 

 morpha intestinalis, Link, (family Ulvaceas), from Burnley. 



By Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., on behalf of National Museum. 

 — Specimens of rarer Victorian hawks and owls. 



By Mr. D. J. Mahony, M.Sc— A fossil watch found at St. 

 Kilda, in illustration of paper. 



By Mr. C. Oke. — Berries from Mt. Wellington, Tasmania, 

 gathered at an elevation of over 2,500 feet. 



