^'^Igl"-] Reviews. Ill 



the original description from first-hand data of the nest and 

 eggs of the Wattle-cheeked Honey-eater [Ptilotts cratitid). 

 [See Victorian Naturalist, yi\\.,Y>. iii, 1899.] He has Hkewise 

 missed the species Ptilotis carteri, originally described before 

 the Field Naturalists' Club, 13th March, 1899. Subsequently a 

 coloured plate of P. carteri appeared in The Emu, vol. iii., 

 pi. xvi., 1903-4. To this there is also no reference, nor is there 

 to, the critical remarks on the species by Mr. M. A. Milligan 

 {Emu, vol. iv., p. 153). Further examples of "omissions" can 

 be cited, but time and space forbid. It is to be regretted that 

 a work which in future years must, from the source whence it 

 emanates (the Australian Museum), be regarded as the embodi- 

 ment of all knowledge of Australasian ornithology up to its 

 date of publication, should be deficient in any way. As the 

 book now appears the compiler neither does justice to himself 

 as a thorough investigator in the branch of science in which he 

 deals (which hardly anyone can doubt) nor to those whose 

 published records at least deserve — if not reliable — to be 

 confuted. 



Correspondence. 



SOME FIELDS OF RESEARCH. 



To the Editors of " TJie Eniuy 



Dear Sirs,- — Ornithology embraces not only the study of the 

 external structure and habits of birds, their nidification, &c., but 

 also of everything that relates to them even remotely. In this 

 connection may I call attention to some fields of research which 

 as yet have been barely touched upon amongst us. 



(i.) The internal anatomy of our native birds. Let every 

 opportunity be taken by our field workers to study the bony 

 skeleton, muscles, nerves, vessels, and viscera of all the specimens 

 they secure. Make themselves first familiar with the arrange- 

 ment of these structures in such common birds as Starlings and 

 Sparrows, and then take careful notes of the differences that 

 appear in other birds. Especial notice should be taken of indi- 

 vidual abnormalities as distinct from specific ones. 



(2.) The pathology of our birds. An absolutely untouched 

 field lies open here. Every tumour or unusual growth, even 

 those occurring in domestic birds, such as poultry, should be 

 carefully and quickly preserved, say in 5 per cent, formalin, and 

 accompanied by full notes. Any epidemic, especially amongst 

 wild species, should be as far as possible investigated, and post- 

 mortem examinations made. If an infectious disease, communi- 

 cations should be entered into with some interested bacteriolo- 

 gist, and cultures taken for bacteria. Plague, for instance, in 

 some countries has been known to attack birds such as 



