VoLXViiil Alexander, Additions to the Library. 210 



of topics. In the first article Capt. White gives an account of 

 three journeys along the Transcontinental Railway, the two latter 

 of which were undertaken with a view to inquiring how far 

 Sparrows had spread westward along the line. Apparently their 

 furthest limit at present is Tarcoola, which they reached in 1917. 

 An account is given of the bird-life in the Ooldea sand-hills and 

 on the eastern edge of the Nullarbor Plains. In the curious 

 underground caves or blow-holes of the latter the familiar White 

 or Delicate Owl nests in some numbers. 



The second article deals with Capt. White's trip on the Murray 

 in 1917, of which he has already written an account in The Emu. 

 The three other articles deal with " Native Art and Rock Shelters," 

 " Nature in Winter," and " Glories of Spring." In each of them 

 interesting notes on Australian birds appear. 



" The Food of Australian Birds." New South Wales Department 

 of Agriculture Science Bulletin No. 15. 

 This valuable memoir was reviewed in the last issue of The 

 Emu. 



" Notes upon the Black-breasted Plover [Zonifer tricolor, Vieillot)," 

 by S. A. White. South Australian Ornithologist, vol. iii., 

 part 8, p. 229. 

 Capt. White's account of this species is illustrated by excellent 



photographs of nests and eggs and a bird on the nest. 



"Notes upon the Brush Wattle-Bird {Anthochcera chrysoptera 

 intermedia)," by J. W. Mellor. South, Australian Orni- 

 thologist, vol. iii., part 8, p. 231. 



Articles of General Ornithological Interest. 



" Some New Facts about Grit," by D. Macintyre. British Birds, 

 vol. xii., part i, p. 2, June, 1918. 



" A Review of the Albatrosses, Petrels, and Diving Petrels," by 

 L. M. Loomis. Proc. California Academy of Sciences, 

 vol. ii., part 12. 

 This important monograph was reviewed in the last issue of 



The Emu. 



" Some Considerations on Sight in Birds," by J. C. Lewis. 

 Smithsonian Report for 1916. 

 The Smithsonian Institution at Washington exists " for the 

 increase and diffusion of knowledge among men." One of its 

 methods of diffusing knowledge is by reprinting in its annual 

 report scientific articles of special interest or importance pub- 

 lished throughout the world. Our member, Dr. J. C. Lewis, is 

 to be heartily congratulated on the distinction which is implied 

 in the selection of his article on sight in birds for republication. 

 It is probably the first time that an article originally published in 

 'The Emu has been honoured in this fashion. 



