THE VICTOEIAN NATURALIST. 119 



ninghami, a large beetle from Gippsland, Victoria. By Mr. C. 

 French, jun, (collected near the You Yangs). — Nest and eggs of 

 Singing Honey-eater and eggs of White-faced Xerophila — the eggs 

 of the former not previously collected this side of Geelong, eggs 

 of the latter not previously collected this side of the Dividing 

 Range (on the authority of Mr. A. J. Campbell). By Mr. H. Giles 

 — The Whistling Moth (Hecatesia ftnestrata, Bdv.) captured at 

 Nar-Nar-Goon, 4th November, 6.45 p.m. By Mr. R. Hall. — 

 Representatives of the seven families of the swimming birds of 

 Australia. By Baron von Mueller. — Two plants new to science 

 — viz., Hemigenia Tysoni, from Upper Murchison River, collected 

 by Isaac Tyson ; also Grevillea Williamsoni, from Mount Abrupt, 

 collected by H. B. Williamson. By Mr. W. Scott.— Orchid 

 Caleya major, from Nar-Nar-Goon. By Mr. F. Spry. — Larva? 

 of Hypochrysops delicia ; larvse of Pyrameis Kershaioi found 

 feeding on Ammobium alatum; case Queensland Lepidoptera. 



EXCURSION TO MELTON. 



This excursion, on Saturday, 28th October, was rather poorly 

 attended ; however, an interesting day was spent. On reaching 

 Melton we traversed the box timber on Mr. H. W. Staughton's 

 estate. Bird life was more abundant than usual. We had not 

 proceeded far when a clutch of Pied Grallina, out for their first 

 fly, were noted, and the old birds' anxiety was no doubt relieved 

 when they found we had no desire for a closer examination. 

 Several nests of Geohasilis chrysorrhcea were passed, some of 

 which contained eggs or young of the Bronze Cuckoo. Black 

 Fantails, Restless, Brown, and White-shafted Flycatchers were seen, 

 but a search for their nests was unsuccessful here. Entering the 

 large timber, many parrots were seen, comprising Pennant's, 

 Rosehill,Red-rumped, Blue-banded, also Musk and Little Lorikeets. 

 A Sordid Wood Swallow kindly pointed out her nest on a stump. 

 It contained three eggs, which were left undisturbed, either as a 

 reward for her confidence or because they were hard set. In 

 close proximity a Laughing Jackass was perched, evidently on 

 the look-out for young birds or eggs (they are fond of both), and 

 many Wood Swallows, Tree Creepers, Thickheads, and Fantails 

 tried to drive it away without result ; they had not learned the 

 art of throwing sticks so well as a member of the party, who sent 

 it off in a hurry at his first attempt. We had just commenced to 

 work in earnest when we found that while we were watching the 

 birds a mob of bullocks were watching us, and as they evidently 

 desired a closer examination, we decided to examine the country 

 on the other side of the fence. Here we found the nests of the 

 Brown Hawk, Butcher Bird, Tree Creeper, and Hooded Robin. 



