178 Mr. P. L. Sclater on new 



As regards Australia itself there is not much to he said, 

 except that Mr. Gould continues to receive occasional novel- 

 ites from the northern districts. 



We cannot, however, help thinking that a collector would 

 be likely to do well at Port Darwin, the northern terminus of 

 the Australian telegraph, as we are not aware that any birds 

 have yet been collected in that district, and the place must 

 now be readily accessible by sea from Sydney. It is certain 

 that in other branches of natural history at least, much might 

 be done in this locality. 



Passing to New Zealand, Dr. Bullcr's valuable work is, as 

 most of our readers well know, now complete. Though it 

 has been subjected to some rather severe criticisms by rival 

 authors, no one can doubt its value, or do otherwise than ap- 

 preciate the pains that Dr. Buller has bestowed upon its pro- 

 duction. We are glad also to hear that it has met with a 

 good reception in New Zealand, and is exciting the colonists 

 to the more complete elaboration of their ornis. The com- 

 pletion of this work will not, however, we believe, prevent Dr. 

 Finsch, who has devoted much time and attention to this 

 subject, from finishing and giving to the world an account 

 of the birds of New Zealand, which he has had for some time 

 in preparation. 



Before finally quitting the Old World, a word must be said 

 upon the ornithology of Oceania, or rather of the numerous 

 islands which are comprised in it. Our great authority on 

 this part of our subject is again Dr. Finsch, and his coUa- 

 borateirr Dr. Hartlaub, whom we have to thank for several 

 recent contributions to our knowledge of Pacific ornithology. 

 The well-known house of Godefli'oy, of Hamburg, still con- 

 tinues to employ active collectors in this part of the world, 

 and deserves many thanks from naturalists for amassing the 

 materials upon which the above-mentioned authors have based 

 the greater part of their labours. 



Crossing over to the northern poi'tion of the New World, 

 we find our American friends as active as usual. Follow- 

 ing hard upon Dr. Coues^s ' Key to North-American Birds,^ 

 the merits of which were slightly touched upon in our last 



