Che Uictorl an naturalist 



Vol. XXV.— No. 7. NOVEMBER 5, 1908. No. 299. 



FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. 



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

 Society's Hall on Monday evening, 12th October, 1908. 



The president, Mr. G. A. Keartland, occupied the chair, and 

 about 60 members and visitors were present. 



REPORTS. 



A report of the Club excursion to Black Rock, Sandringham, 

 was given by Mr. C. French, jun., who acted as leader, in the 

 unavoidable absence of Mr. C. L. Barrett. The afternoon had 

 been set apart for ornithology, so a visit was made to Ebden's 

 paddock, the site of the proposed park, as almost the only 

 portion of the district remaining in its natural state. Here a few 

 birds, such as the White-browed Scrub-Wren, Fulvous Honej'- 

 eater, New Holland Honey-eater, White-plumed Honey-eater, 

 White-shafted Fantail, and Yellow Robin were seen. The nest 

 with young of the Mountain-Thrush was also noted. Some mem- 

 bers devoted themselves to botany, and secured specimens of the 

 orchids Caladenia carnea, C. deformis, Pterostylis nana, P. 

 fedu.nculaia, Diuris loncjifoUa, the Adder's-tongue Fern, Ophio- 

 glossum vidgafAim, and the singular lycopod, Phyloglossum 

 Driiinmondi. 



A report of the Club excursion to Ringwood on Saturday, 3rd 

 October, was given by the leaders, Messrs. G. Coghill and O. A. 

 Sayce. The former took charge of the botanical section of the 

 party, and reported an interesting afternoon among the wild- 

 flowers, of which about 80 species were noted in bloom, among 

 which was a very fine specimen of the orchid Pterostylis harhafa. 

 The crustacean section, under Mr. O. A. Sayce, also had an 

 interesting afternoon, and the leader devoted some time to 

 pointing out, with help of the specimens captured, the general 

 features of the classification of Crustacea. 



A report of the junior excursion to Blackburn, on Saturday, 

 3rd October, was given by the leader, Mr. C. French, jun., who 

 reported an attendance of over fifty. As entomology was the 

 subject for the afternoon, and a number of interesting finds were 

 made, opportunity was taken to demonstrate the methods of 

 pinning and setting insects for cabinet puropses, and practical 

 work was done by several of those present. Some attention was 

 also given to wild flowers, and Mr. G. Coghill kindly assisted in 

 the management of the excursion. 



The hon. librarian reported the receipt of the following dona- 

 tions to the library ; — ".Annual Reporc of the Secretary for Mines, 



