THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 75 



Caladenia deformis were collected. To enumerate even a tithe 

 of what we saw in the way of small fungi, as Agarics, pretty 

 Clavarias, and others, as also the numerous sedges, mosses, and 

 other small plants, would be to furnish a list far too long 

 for a paper of this kind. In a paddock formerly belonging to 

 the late Sir Charles Ebden, and long known as Ebden's Paddock, 

 was found a very singular-looking eucalyptus, on which was a scale 

 insect quite new to the writer of these notes, and the identification 

 of the gum my friend Mr. Luehmann has promised to ascertain 

 for me from the Baron. In this paddock grow many large 

 trees of the common wattle (Acacia decurrens), nearly all of which 

 are badly infested with insects of many kinds, as the larvse of 

 moths, longicorns and other beetles, some specimens of which 

 were secured for the Government collection of economic ento- 

 mology now in the course of preparation. On the way to Sand- 

 ringham quantities of the Sweet-scented Acacia (Acacia suaveolens) 

 were seen in full bloom, and also the dwarf and local variety of 

 Acacia juniperina. Pimelea octophylla and phylicoides were also 

 plentiful and in flower. The appearance of surveyors' pegs 

 indicated that we were close to the new railway township 

 of Sandringham ; so, after adding to our treasures in the shape 

 of a few sprigs of Epacris, Daviesia ulicina, &c, we made 

 for the railway station. Insects were scarce, only a few beetles, 

 Diptera, Neuroptera, and Hymenoptera, being taken, in addition 

 to the scale insects alluded to previously ; and although 

 we tramped about fifteen miles, no snakes were seen, but 

 persons so travelling should be cautious, as several of these 

 reptiles have been seen within the last two months in this and 

 the Oakleigh district. The number of orchids seen in flower was 

 1 2 — not so bad for the month of August. We reached home 

 about 6.30 p.m., having had a most enjoyable day's outing amongst 

 the heath-grounds. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



To the Editor of the Victorian Naturalist. 

 Sir, — As some of my remarks on Australian teal were appa- 

 rently somewhat incomplete, I would like to state, in reply to 

 Mr. Thos. Campbell, that I only heard of two chestnut-breasted 

 birds being shot at King Island, and only saw one myself. 

 During the trip of the first party down the west coast, a number 

 of the sombre birds were seen, and some half-dozen were shot. 

 I had the opportunity of dissecting five. Four proved to be 

 adult males, so that any doubt as to their being females of the 

 chestnut-breasted variety is cleared away. — Yours, &c, 



G. A. KEARTLAND. 



North Carlton, 6th September. 



