8 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



four miles along the Yan Yean road, and put them down within 

 about a mile from the river. Several fields of stubble, from 

 which the crop had been recently cut, were passed through, but 

 the only insects captured there were the small cicadas, which 

 were numerous. Shortly before reaching the stream, several 

 nests of the Red-eyebrowed Finch were found, but all the nests 

 had young in them. On the rocks and the banks of the river 

 numerous wasps' nests, with larvae in, were found hanging in 

 sheltered places, some were also found hanging on the bracken 

 fern. The shrubs Leptospermum scoparium, L. lanigerum, and 

 the Kunzea peduncularis were in full flower, and attracted a 

 number of insects, but mostly of well-known kinds ; and although 

 a vigorous search was kept up during the afternoon, no rare 

 beetles were found, nor were as many different species obtained 

 as were expected. Close by the river, in the branches of Fros- 

 tanthera lasiantha, the nest of the Yellow-tufted Honey-eater 

 was found, with three fresh eggs in. The nest was beautifully 

 covered on the outside with bright green moss. Another nest of 

 the same species was also found during the afternoon, and also 

 that of the Wood Swallow and Welcome, but both had young 

 birds in. The principal birds noted were the Pallid Cuckoo, 

 Bronze Cuckoo, Black Fantail, Brown Hawk, Wood Swallow, 

 Musk Lorikeet, Rosella Parrot, Red-eyebrowed Finch, Yellow- 

 tufted Honey-eater, and Lunulated Honey-eater. The flowering 

 plants seen were the Linum marginale (or Native Flax), the 

 Viminaria denudata, Glycine clandestina, Leptospermum lani- 

 gerum, Kunzea peduncularis, Callistemon salignus (or Bottle 

 Brush), Eucalyptus amygdalina, Wahlenhergia gracilis (or Blue 

 Bell), Goodenia ovata, Prostanthera lasiantha, Ajuga australis, 

 and the Dipodium jounctatum orchid. The party walked back to 

 the Preston station, and only just caught their train, having had 

 a most enjoyable outing. D. Le Souef. 



EXCURSION REPORT, HEIDELBERG, 14TH Feb., 1891. 



Considering that this was one of the hottest days of the season 

 and the Melbourne Observatory record was 100.5° i'^ ^^^ shade, the 

 attendance was as large as could be expected, and consisted of 

 the leader (Mr. F. G. A. Barnard) and one follower. The party 

 went to Heidelberg, and, making towards the Yarra, gave up the 

 idea of collecting for that of observing, and interested themselves 

 for some time watching the movements of a family of Blue Wrens 

 among the branches of the silver wattle. A try was then made 

 on some Bursaria for insects, but it was too hot for them even. 

 Some specimens of Horsfield's Bush Lark were seen, not far 

 from the Heidelberg Park. The party returned to town by an 

 early train, rather exhausted by the strong north wind and heat. 



