^^'■•';^^^7"l] Book Notices. ' 63 



dealing mainly with the birds of Victoria, has by various refer- 

 ences so enlarged his subject that the volume may almost be 

 called a condensed catalogue of the world's birds. At any rate 

 it is easy to trace, by the method adopted, the systematic 

 position of any Australian bird among the birds of the world, 

 and the proportionate number of species of any family occurring 

 in Australia. Side by side with the systematic matter runs 

 what the author terms a lecture, which contains an immense 

 amount of information so clearly and pleasantly put that it 

 cannot fail to interest and instruct. The unique feature of the 

 book, however, are the coloured plates. These contain figures 

 of 175 birds, so accurately coloured that no detail seems to 

 have escaped the eye of the artist. Miss Ethel M. Paterson, 

 while the printing is a splendid example of three-colour work. 

 When it is borne in mind that the largest figure, that of the 

 Wedge-tailed Eagle, is little over three inches in length, while 

 the Pardalote is just over an inch, and that all will bear the 

 closest scrutiny, the prominence of this feature cannot be 

 denied. In addition, there are 73 plates in black and white, 

 containing about 400 figures ; thus a figure is given, either 

 coloured or plain, of every bird, while sometimes both sexes are 

 given. Full details as to 395 Victorian birds are given, also of 

 a few introduced species which have become fairly common. 

 These details consist of vernacular names, scientific name, 

 range, brief general description, rarity or otherwise, habitat, 

 food, size, &c. The author appeals to Australians to protect 

 their bird fauna, the most interesting in the world, and far 

 from being songless, as often asserted. The Director of 

 Education, Mr. F. Tate, M.A., I.S.O., has written a sympathetic 

 and appreciative introduction, and it is gratifying to learn that 

 large orders for the work have been received from the 

 Education authorities of the other States, where, as well as in 

 Victoria, a copy is to be supplied to every State school. No 

 Victorian nature student can afford to be without this handy 

 volume, which we hope is only the first of a series badly needed 

 in the interests of our plants, insects, shells, &c. 



Handbook of Destructive Insects of Victoria, Part V. 

 By C. French, F.E.S., Government Entomologist. Mel- 

 bourne : J. Kemp, Government Printer. 2s. 6d. 



We are glad to welcome another part of Mr. French's useful 

 work on the destructive insects of Victoria, which is quite up 

 to the high character of the earlier parts of the publication. 

 i\s in parts 3 and 4, the author includes descriptions of several 

 of our larger birds which make insects the principal article of 

 their diet. Among these are the White Ibis, White-fronted 

 Heron, Australian Bustard or Wild Turkey, and the Giant 



