THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 151 



FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. 



Thk monthly meeting of the Club was lield at the Royal Society's 

 Hall, on Monday evening, 9th February, 1886. 



Mr. D. Best occupied the chair, and about fifty members and 

 visitors were present. 



A letter was read from the Bendigo Science Society asking the 

 Club's co-operation in getting the protection of the law extended to 

 magpies, magpie larks, curlews, and laughing jackasses. Copies of 

 a paper read before the Society in support of the protection of these 

 birds, were also forwarded for the members perusal. 



The hon. librarian acknowledged the receipt from Dr. Usher, of 

 Ballarat, of copies of his Zoological and Botanical Charts for 

 students. 



Mrs. C. A, Topp, Dr. MacGillivray, Messrs Donald Campbell, 

 W. Ferguson, — Nicholson, and Jno. Smith were elected members 

 of the Club, and five ladies and six gentlemen nominated for 

 membership. 



Papers were promised for future meetings by Rev. A, W. Cresswell, 

 ■"Notes on a Trip to Griffiths Point;" by Messrs Lucas and 

 Gregory, " An overland journey to Wilson's Promontory;" and by 

 Mr. C. French, " Orchids of Victoria, Part 7." 



Papers read. — 1. Mr. Tisdall contributed a paper on the " Fungi 

 of Mt. Baw Baw," in which he described about twelve species of the 

 genus Agaricus, and being [accompanied by water-color drawings, 

 (natural size), with magnified sections and parts, enabled the 

 members present to easily follow the writer's remarks. The paper 

 concluded with general directions as to the selection of edible fungi. 

 2. Mr, A. J. Campbell read a paper on " The Protection of Native 

 Birds,'' in which he suggested slight alterations in the close seasons 

 for Lyre-birds and Quail, and the extension of the protection of the 

 law to about 200 additional species of native birds. His remarks 

 caused considerable discussion, more especially with regard to 

 magpies and parrots, whilst some extracts were read from the paper 

 from the Bendigo Science Society, by Mr. Nancarrow, (also a member 

 of this Club) giving his views on the subject. In conclusion, Mr. 

 Campbell gave notice that he would propose at the next meeting, 

 that a deputation wait upon the Commissioner of Customs, to 

 request him to alter the schedules of the Game Act as suggested. 



The chairman drew attention to the approaching annual conver- 

 sazione, and urged members to make an early start in the preparation 

 of exhibits. 



