140 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [vo' C xxxii 



cipal species of flowering plants, shrubs, &c, noted by the way- 

 side on a trip taken in October last from Pakenham to Mount 

 Beenak. By reason of the eminently favourable season the 

 flora of the district was at its best, such species as Piiltctura 

 mollis. Oxylobiutn alpestre, and Tecoma austral is, var. Latrobei, 

 being exceptionally abundant and luxuriant. A visit was made 

 to the Nar-Nar-Goon State school, where, it was pleasing to 

 note the mastei and pupils had many native plants and shrubs 

 under cultivation. Among others. Callistemon lanceolatus 

 seemed to respond well to the care and attention bestowed. 

 two fine bushes being clothed with large brush-like spikes ol 

 rich vermilion colour. Over a hundred miles was covered by 

 the author during his trip, and he advocated the opening up 

 of the district by the Government to tourists and holiday- 

 makers. 



In the discussion on the paper that ensued, the chairman and 

 Messrs. F. G. A. Barnard. (.. Coghill, P. R. H. St. John. R. W. 

 Armitage, and H. B. Williamson took part. 



NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. 



Mr. K. W. Armitage, M.Sc, said that, according to several 

 report- that recently appeared in the daily papers, the wild fowl, 

 particularly wild ducks, were dying in large numbers in many 

 parts o| the State. Various reasons had been assigned to 

 accounl foi the mortality. One was that the epidemic was 

 induced by the large quantities ol decaying vegetation in the 

 areas they frequented. He would like to heai an expression 

 <>t opinion on the subject from some member present. 



Mr. G. A. Keartland said he had no doubt that the mortality 

 among the wild ducks was due to poison laid by the farmers 

 to encompass theii destruction. In some parts oi the State 

 the wild fowl had become so numerous as to pollute the water, 

 To prevent this the land-owners had possibly adopted the 

 procedure mentioned. He admitted thai it would be a difficult 

 maiiei to substantiate a charge against them, since they were 

 not in the habit oi parading their intentions to the general 

 public. Any difference oi opinion that exi ted, as to whethei 

 the bird- died bom disease 01 bom poison, could be settled by 

 cursory examination. Il a bird had died Mom disease it would 

 be thin and miserable; whereas it would be in good condition 

 if it-, death had been occa iioned by poison. 



Mr. G. A. Keartland said thai in his aviary a1 the presenl 

 time mighl be witnessed a remarkable instance ot reversion 

 to original habit , Some time ago he liberated his canaries 

 among the other birds, when one paii built a nesl about one foot 

 from the ground in a tussock o1 prairie grass. As it was close 

 to the wire front, the birds were disturbed by a cat. A week 

 afterwards they built anothei open nesl in a tussock and reared 



