Che Ufctorian naturalist 



Vol. XXVI.— No. 6. OCTOBER 7, 1909. No. 310 



FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. 



The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal 

 Society's Hall on Monday evening, 13th September, 1909. 



The president, Prof. A. J. Ewart, D.Sc, occupied the chair, 

 and about 70 members and visitors were present, 



REPORTS. 



A report of the excursion to Bayswater on Saturday, 14th 

 August, was given by the leader, Mr. C. F. Cole, who reported a 

 fair attendance of members. Owing to the cold, wet weather, the 

 season was very backward, so that only a few of the commoner 

 species of birds were seen. Several partly constructed nests of 

 the Yellow-breasted Shrike-Robin were observed. A few plants 

 were noticed in bloom, but they were only the usual early spring 

 species. 



A report of the excursion to Warrandyte on Saturday, 28th 

 August, was given by the leader, Mr. G. Coghill, who reported 

 an attendance of nearly 50 members and friends, notwithstanding 

 the very inclement weather at the time of starting. The party 

 travelled from town in three large motor-cars, and though a little 

 late, owing to the wet roads, reached Warrandyte without mishap. 

 Afternoon tea was then taken, after which members had time to 

 visit the river banks and admire the Silver Wattles in bloom. 

 Unfortunately, owing to frost and rain during the previous days, 

 the wattles were not so fine as usual. Little collecting could be 

 done, owing to the scrub being so wet ; however, the orchids 

 Pterostylis pedunculata, P. nutans, P. curta, Corysanthes pruinosa, 

 and Acianthus exsertus were recorded. In addition to Acacia 

 dealbata, A. acinacea, A. diffusa, and A. pycnantha were noted in 

 bloom. 



A report of the excursion to Sandringham on Saturday, nth 

 September, was given by Mr. J. A. Leach, M.Sc, who acted as 

 leader in the unavoidable absence of Dr. Sutton. He reported 

 a fair attendance of members, and that a good collection of the 

 usual spring flowers was made. Some attention was given to the 

 numbers of sea-birds in the bay at present, and great interest was 

 taken in the diving of the terns. 



A report of the junior excursion to Fairfield on Saturday, 4th 

 September, was given by the leader, Mr. J. S. Kitson, who 

 reported a good attendance of juniors. Attention was directed 

 to the geology and geography, the animal (pond) life, and the 

 plant life of the district, and short demonstrations given under 

 each heading. 



