79 Rez'iezvs. ["^"^'.i^' 



["Some Useful Australian Birds." By Walter W. Froggatt. F.L.S.. 

 F.E.S.. Government Entomologist N.S.W.. etc. Published by the De- 

 partment of Agriculture, N.S. W.. through the Government Printer. Price 

 10/6]. 



This modest title introduces a hook originated, the I'reface 

 says, to serve as the re-pubUcation of a series of notes on birds 

 useful to the man on the land. These were begun in the .Ujri- 

 cultural Gazette (N.S.W.) by the late A. J. North, C.M.B.O.U. 



The birds are treated in three sections : — 



1. Birds of the Garden, Orchard and Field. 



2. Birds of the Forest and Brushes. 



3. I'irds of Inland Plains, Swamps, Open Forests and 



Scrubs. 



The author has utilised the opportunity to include many 

 original and valuable field observations made by himself during 

 a life-time of study in natural history. 



The fine plates, over 60 in number, are excellent full-page 

 reproductions in colour of the magnificent plates of Gould's great 

 folio work, "The Birds of Australia." 



An interesting section deals with the "Effect of Changing En- 

 vironment on the Habits of Birds." Another deals with intro- 

 duced mammals and birds — -foxes, rabbits, domestic cats gone 

 wild, sparrows and starlings — serious pests, one and all. 



This handy volume contains much of interest for the bird-man 

 as well as for the man on the land. It is written in a popular, 

 interesting style. References are given to Gould's "Handbook" 

 and to Leach's "Bird Book." 



About Members 



Mr. A. F. Basset Hull, Sydney, on retiring recently from the 

 Government service, was presented by the fellow-officers of his 

 Department with a valuable pair of field-glasses, and a solid 

 leather suit case. Mr. Hull still retains his position as honorary 

 ornithologist to the Australian Museum. We wish him many 

 years at his labour of love. 



From birds to trees is but one remove. . Mr. A. J. Campbell 

 is shortly bringing out an artistic production entitled "Our Golden 

 Wattles, or Australia's National Flower," which will be illustrated 

 by a unique series of full-plate i)hoto-pictures. 



Captain S. A. White at present is leading a small exploring 

 party into Central Australia. Hitherto on such trips he had 

 often, at the risk of his life, to scratch for water. This time 

 floods impede his progress. 



