92 The South Australian Naturalist. 



their surprise at the improvements effected in this part of 

 the city domains. Notwithstanding the inclement weather 

 the party passed a pleasant and instructive afternoon. 



Excursion to Kuitpo Forest Reserve, October 11, 1922. — 



By the invitation of Mr. H. H. Corbin, B.Sc, the members were 

 able to visit the Forest Reserve at Kuitpo. Mr. W. Champion 

 Hackett acted as leader. The party were met by Mr. Corbin, 

 who conducted them over some of the blocks, explaining the 

 aims and methods of forestry, and showing the practical re- 

 sults obtained on the ground devoted to trees. A plantation 

 of pines (Pinus insignis), five years old, was an object lesson 

 to the party in the economic value of tree planting. A visit 

 to the mills of S.A. Hardwoods, Limited, showed that the 

 hardwood timbers of the State, formerly neglected, are prov- 

 ing of great value. The party were greatly interested in 

 their visit. 



Excursion to Belair and Hawthomdene, October 21, 



1922.— Mr. E. A. S. Thomas and Mr. W. H. Selway led an ex- 

 cursion to the National Park and through the picturesque 

 grounds of Hawthorndene to the Blackwood Station. The 

 beautiful foliage of the Park was seen at its best, and the 

 party were delighted to find so many of our beautiful orchids, 

 as well as a great many other native flowers in full bloom. 



A specimen of the big "sun" orchid (Thelymitra 

 grandiflora) in full bloom, was one of the most beautiful 

 sights a botanist could wish to see. A notice was put up 

 giving its name, and asking visitors not to pick it. It was 

 pleasing to find that it was still unmolested five days after our 

 visit. In other parts of the Park we found large numbers 

 of several varieties of orchids in full bloom. Members re- 

 clined in the shade of the trees while the leader read a short 

 paper dealing with the bird life of the Adelaide plains forty 

 years previously. 



Mr. Thomas said that it might be of interest to compare 

 the conditions as they affected bird life as existing near Ade- 

 laide about forty to forty-five years ago. The localities he 

 was conversant with then covered all the suburbs south of 

 Adelaide to Glen Osmond and Fullarton, and the nearer parts 

 of the hills. There were no buildings in Malvern, nor in 

 Highgate, and very few in Fullarton. Malvern and the land 

 between it and Fullarton must have been denuded of its native 

 timber early in the history of the State. There were then 

 four havens where birds thrived comparatively unmolested. 

 These were Netherby, Urrbrae, Torrens Park, and a large tract 



