766 Letters, Extracts, and Notes. 



Birds of North-east Greenland. — In Dr. J. Lindhard's 

 account of the Danish Expedition to N.E. Greenland of 

 1906-8 (Geogr. Journ. xxxv. p. 541) we are told that the 

 " ornithological booty of the Expedition was unexpectedly 

 abundant." Particular attention was paid to the breeding- 

 places of such species as Tringa canutus, Calidris arenaria, 

 Phalaropus fulicarius, Larus sabinii, L. eburneus , Anser leucop- 

 sis, and Somateria spectabilis. Of all these species specimens 

 not only of full-grown birds, but also of eggs and of young 

 in different stages of development were procured. Of 

 Calidris arenaria 24 eggs were obtained, and a breeding- 

 place of thirty pairs of Tringa canutus was discovered. A 

 specimen of Fuligida marila, a species new to Greenland, 

 was brought home. 



New Work on Australian Birds. — Many of our readers are 

 already, no doubt, aware that Mr. Gregory M. Mathews, 

 M.B.O.U., has undertaken the important task of preparing 

 a new illustrated work on the Birds of Australia. By the 

 prospectus, just received, we are informed that the first part 

 of it will be published in November next by Messrs. Witherby 

 and Co. Mr. Mathews, who has lived all his life in Aus- 

 tralia, and has been a close student of its bird-life for many 

 years, is well qualified for this arduous piece of work, con- 

 cerning which full particulars are given in the prospects. 

 As planned it will consist of eight volumes in royal quarto, 

 with coloured figures of every species. 



Departure of Mr. Robinson. — Mr. Herbert C. Robinson, 

 Director of the Museums of the Federated Malay States, 

 who has been in England during the past summer, sails for 

 the East again by the c Mongolia ' on Oct. 7th, to take up 

 his former position. He is planning an exploration of the 

 high mountains of Central Sumatra, which he believes have 

 hardly been touched by Ornithologists, and are likely to 

 produce birds not found in the lower districts. If all goes 

 well he hopes to be able to start on his expedition in April 

 next year. 



