until he moves away- The flrown Hawk is the worst enemy with which our 

 plovers have to contend. He will wait his opportunity to approach the nest, 

 hut usually he. is observed in time. There will then- he a performance ol aic 

 aerobatics fascinating iu the extreme, until the hawk departs* followed by 

 the plovers. One always returns almost immediately to resume guard over the 

 nest however: the other partuet may follow the hawk lor some distance. 



One morning, ;* hawk had apparently managed to reach the ground near 

 a nest without first being observed, and two frantic birds flew about 4 hove 

 bun. Fearlllg the worst, T ran to take a hand tft the matter, and was 

 relieved to hud rhar the enemy had not reached the nest, and all was attain 

 peaceful. More oueu than not only one chick survive?, at leas; one h*G 

 rarely seen two. When the ctiiek is fairly well grown, there appears to l>e 

 rather more tratf rnixarion between adjoining couples, whose nestj 3 re 

 usually a hundred yards or so apart. Perhaps there is a feeling of collective 

 security as the chick? are rather more vulnerable. Once the chick is able to 

 fly the normal gregarious habit is resumed, and hy late December tlic^ are 

 seen in large flocks. One suddenly finds that some fifty birds have been in 

 the small area under observation. Assisting to keep the pastures dean they 

 are among- the farmers best friends. 



On tliH roeks of the Tamar Uiver l>aok at low tide. I had uotn.cd lhat 

 numbers of the small bivalve shell. Modiolus fisuex were at times dislodged 

 from position, opened and the animal removed, without any apparent damage 

 to the shell. There was some curiosity as to which bird had been responsible, 

 bin li have s'mee seen flock* of plovers at the snot several rimes. On investi 

 Ration, many freshly opened shells were usually lonnd, so presumably the 

 plovers, were responsible The birds may wait an iinporiun'ify lo s**>^C \he 

 animal when 1he valves arc parted. T have also seen chitons removed from 

 the rocks, but not when plovers were about; these would be bard to shift 

 without damaee. 



— RoK- C Kershaw. 



WHAT, WHERE AND WHEN 

 Future F.N.C.V. Meetings: 



Monday, December 10 -''Scenes m the Dolomites of Northern ItaU'*. by 



Dr. G. Chtistenseu ol Foitst Products Division. C.S.I. R.O. 

 V/onday, Janunrv 14 — Mcmhers* Mij_*Ht, with \fr, ond MVji F. 3. Colli ver. 



F.N.C.V, Excursions; 



Sunday, November 18 — Seville. Subject: Hclmeted Honeyeatcrs and general. 

 Leader*. Mr. and Mrs Hanks. Take 9.15 a.m. War bur ton train to Seville 

 railway station where traders will meet party Bring two meats, 



.Saturday, November 24 — Visit to Museum of M>. S. Ti. Mitchell, ^'Arcoona". 

 Overport Rd.. Frankston. to see Mr. Mitchell's work! -famous collection of 

 Artifacts. Take y 48 a.m. tram lo Frankstoii or meet 10.45 a.m. at Irank- 

 ripTi stanon. Bring; one meal. 



Sunday, December 9 — Geology Group excursion. Details, at Group Mee<i|itr. 



Group Meetings: 



(8 p.m. at National Herbarium"! 



Wednesday, November 21 Microscopical Croup, Spt*kvr : Mr. A. Tctmam. 



Subject: Metallurgy. 

 Wednesday. November 28 — Botany Group. Speaker: "Mr. H. Haa^e. Subject: 



"Western Australian WildfiWerV', with KodaUuume siides 

 Wednesday, December 5— Geology Group, Subject- Origin oE Coral Islands. 



Speaker: Miss B. Mielsou. 



M a»»e AUAtfftEft, Incursions Sccreiarv 



