CDc Uictorian naturalist. 



Vol. XXX.— No. 7. NOVEMBER 6, 1913. No. 359. 



FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. 



The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in the 

 Exhibition Building on Monday evening, 13th October, 1913. 

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

 and about 30 members and visitors were present. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



From Mr. H. B. Slaney, hon. secretary " Bird Protection 

 Court," requesting the Club to forward a letter to the Right 

 Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, through the Hon. 

 the Premier, pointing out the vital necessity, in the economic 

 interests of the Commonwealth, for the passing of the Plumage 

 Bill now before the British House of Commons. 



On the motion of Messrs. W. G. Mackintosh and F. G. A. 

 Barnard, the matter was referred to the committee to deal with. 



REPORTS. 



A report of the excursion to Point Cook on Saturday, 13th 

 September, was given by the leader. Dr. C. S. Sutton, who 

 stated that the outing was poorly attended and the results did 

 not call for any special mention. 



A report of the excursion to Whittlesea on Saturday, 27th 

 September, was given by the leader, Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, 

 who reported an interesting day, notwithstanding the fact that 

 the portion of the water reserves visited had been terribly 

 damaged by the bush-fires of January last, and had not had 

 time for recovery. 



A report of the excursion to Cheltenham on Saturday, nth 

 October, was given by the leader, Mr. J. R. Tovey, who 

 reported a fair attendance of members. The spring flowers 

 were in evidence everywhere. The Wedding-bush, Ricino- 

 carpus pinifolius, and the Myrrh Tea-tree, Lepfospermum 

 myrsinoides, were seen in all their glory. The Hairy Aotus, 

 Aotus villosa, Grey Parrot-pea, Dillwynia cinerascens, Snow 

 Beard-heath, Leucopogon virgafus, and Milkmaids, Burchardia 

 umbellata, were seen in great profusion, whilst the Blue 

 Squill, Chamcescilla corymhosa, looked charming amongst the 

 grass and undergrowth. In a depression a large quantity of 

 the Leafless Globe-pea, Sphcerolohium vimineum, was observed. 

 Of the Orchidaceae, the Spider Orchid, Caladenia Patersoni, 

 and the Flower of Sadness, Lyperanthus nigricans, were fairly 

 abundant. Although the weather was at times showery, the 

 ramble over the heathland was an enjoyable one, 



