120 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



A Start was then made for the gulUes, and regret was felt at the 

 smallness of the party, as with the Umited time at our disposal 

 we could do little more than scamper over what should prove 

 good ground. Birds were plentiful, and in addition to many 

 previously noted we found the Varied Grauculus, Yellow-tufted 

 Honey-eater, and others. The Wattled Honey-eater was just 

 commencing to build, whilst the White-eyebrowed Pomatorrhinus 

 had her brood on the wing. On the bank of the creek a little 

 Spotted Pardalote revealed her nest. The bird emerged from the 

 ground within a yard of our feet, and on looking round a little 

 hole was noticed; on tracing its course, it ran into the bank about 

 14 inches, ending in a chamber, where a ball-like nest of bark 

 contained four pearly-white eggs. Close by Mr. Gabriel found 

 the nest of the Yellow-tufted Honey-eater (Ptilotis auricomis) with 

 one egg. As we were desirous of properly authenticating it, our 

 gunner concealed himself in some bushes, and in five minutes 

 secured the pair of birds, which were in splendid condition. We 

 then made our way homewards, well pleased with our outing. — 

 G. A. Keartland. 



EXCURSION TO NAR-NAR-GOON. 



This excursion was fixed for Thursday, 9th November, in order 

 to take advantage of the general holiday (Prince of Wales' Birth- 

 day) for an all-day outing. We left Prince's Bridge at 7.50 a.m., 

 our object being "general collecting." On starting we mustered 

 only four in number, but on arrival at our destination we found 

 another member, accompanied by two juvenile visitors, had 

 travelled in the same train. On alighting, the local leader (Mr. 

 H. Giles) was waiting, and, after a few necessary toilet arrange- 

 ments and a brief consultation, we at once started on the object 

 of our visit. 



We struck off north from the station for some distance, and 

 after crossing the main Gippsland road, decided to enter the 

 paddocks and shape our course north-easterly for the Ararat 

 Creek, after crossing which we should arrive at what should and 

 would have been a good spot in more favourable weather. But 

 the previous day it had rained steadily from early morn to dewy 

 eve, when a cold easterly wind sprang up, and, as we found to 

 our discomfort, still continued, thus making collecting rather out 

 of the question. 



After we entered the paddocks we immediately began to beat 

 and shake, and roll over logs, in quest of the dwellers under- 

 neath ; but they, on this occasion, either had notice of our 

 advent, or else had removed to warmer regions —any way, they 



