THI* VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 127 



Lastly, and most important to the club, it would form a bond of 

 union of the various sections of the Club, and also a link of 

 affiliation with the various clubs in the country, and would extend 

 the influence and circulation of the Club and its journal. 



I have to acknowledge my indebtedness for much valuable 

 information, in the preparation of this paper, to Mr. Roberts's 

 " Naturalist's Diary," the text-book of naturalists in England, 

 Professor Henslow, and others, including particularly the Govern- 

 ment Botanist and Astronomer, for the data suitable to this 

 country. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



PROTECTION OF NATIVE BIRDS. 

 [The following letter from Sir George Verdon has been forwarded 



to us by Baron von Mueller for publication. — Ed.] 

 My Dear Baron, — Will you permit me to express my great satis- 

 faction that you are giving your valuable aid and influence to the 

 protection of the insectivorous birds ? The magpies in the 

 Macedon district have been nearly exterminated by the poisoned 

 wheat laid down for rabbits. It is quite useless there for that 

 purpose ; but it has killed a vast number of the native birds, 

 which do far more good in destroying insects than the rabbits do 

 harm. It may be of use to you to know this, and so I trouble 

 you with the information. 



Dr. Plummer, of Gisborne, informs me that, near his house, he 

 found fifteen magpies dead in 150 yards. — I am always, my dear 

 Baron, yours most sincerely, 



GEORGE VERDON. 



Melbourne Club, 24th November, 1891. 



NOTES ON CUCKOOS. 

 To the Editor of the Victorian Naturalist. 

 Sir, — A friend of mine, living near Oakleigh, informs me that 

 one day, when out collecting, he came across a nest of the White- 

 eared Honey-eater (Ptilotus leucotis) ready for eggs, and on 

 visiting the same nest the following day, it contained an egg of 

 the Pallid Cuckoo (Cacomantis pallidus), which he left, thinking 

 the Honey-eater would lay shortly ; but on his return the third 

 day, he found that the egg of the Pallid Cuckoo had been 

 thrown out of the nest by the Fantail Cuckoo (Cacomantis 

 flahelliformis), and she had laid an egg in the nest. The Honey- 

 eater deserted the nest. This is the second time my friend has 

 noticed this same proceeding. 



C. FRENCH, JUN. 

 South Yarra, 24th November, 1891. 



