Vol. XVIII. J Alexander, Additions to the Library. 317 



Australian ornithology" bears an inscription — "To W. H. 

 Flower from J. H. Gould." The book is not mentioned in Mr. 

 F. H. Waterhouse's " Zoological Works of John Gould," and 

 the Union is greatly indebted to Mr. Barker for such an interesting 

 addition to the library. 



' Handbook to the Birds of i\ustralia " (1865). Two vols. J. 

 Gould. (Purchased.) 



This is a republication of the letterpress of Gould's famous 

 " Birds of Australia," with the additional species described in the 

 Supplement inserted in their proper places. Since, owing to its 

 value, the large work presented to the Union by Mr. White has 

 to be kept locked up, and is not available to ordinary users of 

 the library, the " Handbook " should prove a very useful 

 addition. 



" Useful Birds of Southern Australia." R. Hall. (Purchased.) 



" The Structure and Classification of Birds." F. E. Beddard. 

 (Purchased.) 



" The Evolution of Bird-Song." C. A. Witchcll. (Purchased.) 



" A Book-lover's Holidays in the Open." Theodore Roosevelt. 

 (Purchased.) 



An interesting series of papers on some of the late Mr. Roose- 

 velt's experiences in various parts of the world. Chapter X. 

 deals with the Bird Reserves at the mouth of the Mississippi, 

 where, owing to the protection afforded by the State Conservation 

 Commission of Louisiana and the Audubon Society, numerous 

 colonies of sea-birds of different kinds which were threatened with 

 destruction by eggers and plumage-hunters are now multiplying. 

 The former President of the United States concludes his inter- 

 esting account of the different birds to be found on the islands in 

 the Gulf of Mexico with the following sentences, which are well 

 worthy to be borne in mind and quoted by all interested in bird- 

 protection in Australia : — 



" The Audubon societies and all similar organizations are doing 

 a great work for the future of our country. Birds should be 

 saved because of utilitarian reasons, and, moreover, they should 

 be saved because of reasons unconcerned with any return in 

 dollars and cents. The extermination of the Passenger-Pigeon 

 meant that mankind was just so much poorer — exactly as in the 

 case of the destruction of the cathedral at Rheims. And to lose 

 the chance to see Frigate-Birds soaring in circles above the storm, 

 or a file of Pelicans winging their way homeward across the 

 crimson afterglow of the sunset, or a myriad Terns flashing in 

 the briglit light of mid-day as they hover in a shifting maze above 

 the beach — why, the loss is like the loss of a gallery of the 

 masterpieces of the artists of old time." 



