iqo6 1 From Magazines, &c. J(\ 



welcomed. The pages of the journal are open for Mr. North's 

 criticisms in extenso if he will permit the hon. secretary of the 

 Adelaide Association to forward them to the editors of TJie 

 Emit. In any case ornithologists would like a reference for the 

 alleged prior claim of AcantJiiza zietzi over A. Jialrnaturina. 

 And it will be observed that, while deprecating the " hair- 

 splitting " of species in the Union's report, Mr. North has 

 himself, apparently on even more slender grounds, suggested the 

 separation of the Island species of Platycercus elegans from the 

 mainland form. However, these differences of opinion will, no 

 doubt, be welcomed as expert evidence by the committee of 

 the proposed Australian " Check-List " when its labours com- 

 mence. 



Obituary Notice. 



THE LATE SIR WALTER BULLER, K.C.M.G. 



All naturalists, more particularly Australian, were deeply 

 moved when they learned that Sir Walter Buller, New Zealand's 

 great native-born ornithologist, had passed away, somewhat 

 suddenly, in London, where he had just completed a two- 

 volume supplement to " The History of the Birds of New 

 Zealand," his beloved country. His life came to full fruition, 

 and his mission, so far as ornithology is concerned, was com- 

 pleted by the issue of the supplement — a work which for all 

 time will remain a standard authority. 



The memorial services in connection with the deceased 

 ornithologist took place at St. Paul's Cathedral, London, on 

 Thursday, 19th July, in the Chapel of the Order of St. Michael 

 and St. George, of which Sir Walter Buller was a Knight 

 Commander. The services, which were attended by many 

 notable New Zealanders then in London, were conducted by the 

 Ven. Dr. Sinclair, Archdeacon of London and Honorary 

 Chaplain to the King. 



Sir Walter BuUer's ornithological work has made an enduring 

 name for him throughout the civilised world. As early as 1865 

 he obtained the silver medal of the New Zealand Exhibition for 

 an "Essay on the Ornithology of New Zealand." In recognition 

 of his researches in the bird-life of his colony, and on the 

 publication, in 1875, of his splendidly illustrated work, "The 

 History of the Birds of New Zealand," he was created C.M.G, 

 The year following he was elected F.R.S. on the same account. 

 In 1882 he prepared for the Government a " Manual of the 

 Birds of New Zealand," and in 1888 brought out a second 

 edition of his standard work. 



From The Lyttelton Times, 21st July, 1906, we learn that Sir 

 Walter Buller was a son of the late Rev. James Buller. 



