Che Uict orian naturalist 



Vol. XXXI.— No. 4. AUGUST 6, 1914. No. 368. 



FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. 



The ordinary meeting of the Club was held at the Royal 

 Society's Hall on Monday evening, 13th July, 1914. 



The president, Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., occupied the 

 chair, and about 35 members were present. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



From Mr. D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., Director of Zoological 

 Gardens, Melbourne, in reply to the hon. secretary's inquiry, 

 stating that he was pleased the Tasmanian people intended 

 making an effort to introduce the Lyre-bird into their State, 

 and expressing an opinion that the probable cost of trapping 

 birds would be about £5 per pair. The necessary food the 

 birds would need before being set at liberty could be supplied 

 from the Gardens. The transportation charges, he thought, 

 would be nominal. 



For the information of those present, the hon. secretary 

 explained that at the last meeting of the committee a com- 

 munication was read from Mr. H. Stuart Dove, West Devonport, 

 Tasmania, soliciting the co-operation of the Club in securing 

 several pairs of the Victoria Lyre-bird for liberating in the 

 reserves adjacent to Mount Wellington, Tasmania. Before 

 taking definite action in the matter the committee had thought 

 it advisable to solicit Mr. Le Souef's opinion respecting the 

 probable cost of trapping and transporting the birds. 



It was resolved that the hon. seci'etary write to Mr. Dove, 

 furnish him with the information obtained from Mr. Le Souef, 

 and ascertain the number of birds required, and the probable 

 amount of money that would be subscribed to defray expenses. 



REPORTS. 



A report of the excursion to Evelyn on Saturday, nth July, 

 was given by the leader, Mr. F. Pitcher. Contrary to expecta- 

 tions, the excursion was well attended, a party of eleven 

 members (including four ladies) taking part. On arriving at 

 Evelyn at 2 p.m. a start was at once made for the Olinda Creek, 

 where lunch was partaken. Prior to quitting the creek for 

 collecting purposes, a few remarks were made on the character- 

 istics that differentiated our so-called " native heaths," which 

 belong to the natural order Epacrideae, from the true heaths. 

 N.O. Ericaceae, of the Old World. Though too early for 

 wild-flowers, the pink and white Epacris impressa abounded, 

 and large bunches were gathered. Along the Lilydale water- 

 supply channel various ferns were noted, chief being Lomaria 



