The Wombat. 47 



The superb warblers are represented in Victoria by six 

 species, but only one of these is found in the neighbourhood 

 of Geelong. This is the bird known locally as the " bluecap" 

 or " blue wren " ( 'M alums cyaneus). The male bird is 

 extremely handsome. The under surface is grey ; the wings 

 and back in the adult bird are black with a shining metallic- 

 blue band, and the crown of the head has the same azure 

 lustre. The female bird is uniformly grey. The superb 

 warbler is partial to acacia hedges and thick undergrowth. 

 Lake Connewarre is a good place for observing the habits of 

 this species. The nest is placed at no great height from the 

 ground ; it is a dome-shaped structure of fine grass, with an 

 entrance at the side. Often it is built in grass-tree tussocks. 

 The eggs are three or four in number, white as to ground 

 colour, with a ring of reddish speckles near the larger end. 

 One egg of a set usually has the markings larger than the rest, 

 and distributed evenly over the surface without forming a band. 



It has been conclusively proved by Mr. Mulder of this 

 town that ■ the male superb warbler does not attain its full 

 plumage till the second or third year. At any rate male birds 

 of miniature plumage have been found breeding. 



THE MOORABOOL VALLEY FROM 

 A PHOTOGRAPHER'S POINT OF VIEW. 



By " Wanderer," G.C.A.P.A. 



In giving a description of the Moorabool Valley, from a 

 photographic point of view, I shall have to confine myself to 

 those parts about Maude and Clyde Park, local names given 

 to the places by the residents. The Leigh Road and Leth- 

 bridge stations on the Ballarat line are within three or four 

 miles of the spots named, and by following the river, either 

 to its source, or to its junction with the Barwon, the photo- 

 grapher finds abundance of outlet for his energies, as the 

 Moorabool river is noted for its many waterfalls and gorges. 



Working down the river from Lai Lai railway station, 

 we reach the so-called Moorabool Falls in about three and 

 a half miles, and these are subjects worthy of the most 

 exacting and artistic of shadow catchers, in stereo, work 

 particularly. The first fall, called the Big Moorabool Fall, has 

 a drop of about 60 feet into a natural basin, surrounded by 

 precipitous rocks, with moss and ferns growing abundantly 

 thereon ; about 200 yards lower down is another fall, called 



