Jan., 1909.] THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 141 



EXCURSION TO MELTON. 

 Eleven members, including one lady, journeyed to Melton on 

 Saturday, the 24th October, to participate in this excursion, 

 which is generally regarded as an ornithological one, but on this 

 occasion botany was a strong element. As the train approached 

 Rockbank several Black-breasted Plover were observed, which 

 appeared to be family groups, as these birds are early breeders. 

 Then Ravens, Brown Hawks, Kestrels, &c., were passed. On 

 arrival at Melton we at once sought the route taken on previous 

 occasions to Mr. Raleigh's farm, where a country member, 

 Mr. F. L. Billinghurst, of Bacchus Marsh, had arranged to join us. 

 To our surprise nearly all the paddocks we usually crossed were 

 under crop, which, together with numerous barbed-wire fences, 

 somewhat retarded our progress. Here Restless and Brown 

 Flycatchers, Brown Tree-creepers, Pied Grallinas, Pipits, 

 Acanthizae, Wood-Swallows, and other birds arrested our attention. 

 At Mr. Raleigh's farm we found Mr. BiUinghurst awaiting us, and 

 we soon made a start for the mallee scrub, passing on our way 

 through a patch of ideal country for birds, but few were seen. 

 We anticipated finding many species nesting, but young White- 

 browed Pomatorhinus among the saplings, and some Pardalotes 

 inspecting their burrows conveyed the impression that either the 

 birds were breeding late or perhaps may not breed at all this season. 

 Whilst enjoying our lunch the note of the Harmonious Thrush was 

 heard, and in response to our call he came and hopped about the 

 bushes and branches overhead, calling and whistling whilst we 

 mimicked him. Next a brood of young Hooded Robins indulging 

 in their first flight was observed. Yellow-faced and Yellow-tufted 

 Honey-eaters were numerous. A Sacred Kingfisher, apparently 

 disturbed from its nest, perched near us. But a surprise was 

 awaiting us. On skirting the outside of some dense scrub, a 

 Black-eared Cuckoo, Alisocalius palliolaius, Lath., was seen 

 hopping about a small dry tree. It was shot, and proved to be a 

 female. In its oviduct was an egg complete all but the shell, and 

 there were a number of other large yolks. The inference to be 

 drawn from this is that, although it is usual to find only one 

 cuckoo-egg in the nest of the foster-parent, the same cuckoo may 

 lay in a number of different nests. Three of the party interested 

 in botany and entomology went further afield through some 

 scrubby country as far as the Coimadai Creek, but did not get 

 much for their extra walk. Nice specimens of the fern Grammitis 

 rutifolia were found growing in some rock crevices, and a 

 specimen of the little yellow butterfly, Terias smilax, was 

 observed. Early in the day a few specimens of the orchid 

 Pterostylis mutica were found not far from the station, but just 

 past their best. Though in better condition than on the occasion 

 of our visit twelve months before, the country was still suffering 

 from the succession of dry seasons, which probably accounts for 

 the scarcity of birds, &c. — G. A. Keartland. 



