110 THE VICTOllIAN XATCRALIST. 



Mr. F. M. Reader, lichens from Studley Park (mounted) ; by Mr, 

 G. Rose, limestone specimens from Lilydale. 



After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. 



THE "CAMP OUl" AT OLllS^DA CREEK. 



On the Prince of Wales' Birthday, November 9th, and the days 

 preceding and following, the F.N. C. had their first camping-out 

 excursion. Olinda Creek, near Lillydale, was the spot chosen. The 

 weather was all that could be desired, and the outing was a pronounced 

 success. The members of the Club who proposed takmg part in 

 the excursion having made all their arrangements, two of their 

 number proceeded to Lillydale by road with the heavier baggage, 

 on Friday, November 7th, and having selected a suitable spot for 

 the camp, erected their tents. The next contingent arrived by the 

 early train on Saturday morning, whilst others followed by the mid- 

 day and evening trains. Saturday was devoted to perfecting the 

 camping arrangements, and making short rambles amongst the 

 adjacent scrub. The spot selected for the camp was within a very 

 short distance of the township of Lillydale, so that in case of 

 provisions running short there would be no trouble in replenishing 

 the stock, the creek flowing close by, afforded an unlimited supply 

 of excellent water, besides furnishing an opportunity for the anglers 

 of the party to try their luck. On Sunday morning most of the 

 " campists" were up at day break and enjoyed the awakening of the 

 numerous specimens oi bird life. Breakfast disposed of, parties Avere 

 made up for collecting purposes. All departments of natural 

 history were represented, zoologists, ornithologists, oologists, 

 entomologists, botanists, etc., being all there. Being Sunday tlie 

 guas were left behind till the morrow. During the day several 

 interesting captures ,were made. The ornithologists were successful 

 in taking for the first time the nest and eggs of the rare and certainly 

 the most beautiful of all the Australian honey-eaters, \iz., the 

 helmeted or sub-crested, JBtilotis cassidix, (Jardine) or P. 

 Leadbeateri, (McCoy), the taking of which nest involved a good 

 ducking for two of the naturalists, as the tree in which it was 

 situated gave way and precipitated the captors, nest and all, into the 

 running stream. Many other eggs were taken, amongst which may 

 be mentioned those of the yellow-faced honey-eater, {P. chrysops), 

 white-shafted fan-tail, {Rhipidura albiscapa), yellow robin 

 {Eopsaltria Australis), finch, (JEstrildateixporalis), Bronze Cuckoo 

 {Chalcitis pladogus), the last was taken in an Acanthizas nest. 

 The botanists. were successful in finding a variety of that singular 

 orchid, Ohiloqlottis Qunnii^ also Oastrodes sesamoidea was noted 

 several times! Splendid spikes of that beautiful orcliid Thelymitra 



