the Uictorian naturalist 



Vol. XXX.— No. 12. APRIL 9, 1914. No. 364 



FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. 



The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in the 

 Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, 9th March, 1914. 



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

 chair, and about 40 members and visitors were present. 



REPORTS. 



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

 February, was given by the leader, Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S., 

 who said that, notwithstanding a high tide preventing much 

 investigation of shore-life, enough interest was furnished by 

 the fossils obtained from the cliff to make up an instructive 

 afternoon. 



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

 February, was given by the leader, Mr. J. Stickland, who said 

 that, owing to the dry season, the pools usually visited were 

 very low, and the water difficult of approach ; however, the 

 material collected yielded a good variety of forms when 

 examined at home under the microscope. 



A report of the junior excursion to the Zoological Gardens 

 on Saturday, 7th March, was given by Mr. G. A. Keartland, 

 who said that the attendance was very small. However, with 

 the help of his co-leader. Dr. Leach, a deal of general informa- 

 tion regarding the various animals, birds, &c., seen had been 

 given to inquiring members. 



GENERAL BUSINESS. 



The president said that since last meeting a letter had been 

 received from Mr. H. W. Hunt requesting the Club to appoint 

 two representatives to attend a meeting of those interested in 

 the prevention of cruelty to birds. The committee had 

 appointed Mr. J. Gabriel and himself to represent the Club, 

 and they both attended the meeting, which was held on 26th 

 February. Considerable discussion took place, and it was 

 decided that a petition should be drawn up and presented to 

 Parliament asking that a bill be passed to prohibit the over- 

 crowding, by dealers and others, of our native birds in small 

 cages. A draft copy of the proposed petition had come to 

 hand, and was read to the meeting. 



Mr. G. A. Keartland said that he had always kept birds in 

 captivity for the purpose of observation. He considered that 

 the Club would bring itself into disrepute if it identified itself 

 with a movement to prevent the keeping of birds in captivity^ 

 which, in a great many cases, did not involve cruelty. 



