212 Gabriel, Notes on the Miiilon-birds of Bass Strait. [ 



ct. Nat. 

 March 



3. That no nets be allowed to be used for taking young 



birds. 



4. That no dogs be allowed on rookeries. 



With these simple precautions, I consider the wonderful 

 yearly assembling of the Mutton-birds at their breeding- 

 ground will remain one of the ornithological sights of Southern 

 Australia for manv a year. 



" The Austral Avian Record." — Such is the title of a new 

 publication, the first number of which, dated 2nd January, 

 igi2, we have just received for review. Its object is more 

 clearly explained by the full wording of the cover — " A scien- 

 tific journal devoted primarily to the study of the Australian 

 avifauna — issued in connection with the Austral Avian 

 Museum, Watford. Herts., England — Editor. Gregory M. 

 Mathews — price is. 6d. net — Witherby and Co.. 326 High 

 Holborn. London, W.C." The number under I'eview consists 

 of 24 pages (5| x 8J), and is devoted principally to a revision 

 of the nomenclature of Australian cuckoos, unsigned, but we 

 presume by the editor, in which many drastic changes are 

 made, and trinomials freely introduced — the latter, perhaps, not 

 without reason. Certainly, Mr. Mathews' words on page 2 — 

 " I could not separate the members of the latter genus (referring 

 to Cacomantis) save by slight difference in size and colouration, 

 which I do not consider to be generic characters " — appear to 

 indicate that he is taking every care to prevent undue multi- 

 plication of genera ; but his attitude towards species and the 

 " priority of naming " fad in its strictest form seems to be in 

 the opposite direction. A marked change in nomenclature is 

 that the Black-eared Cuckoo, originally named by Gould 

 Chalcites oscidans, but latterly known as Misocalhis palliolatns. 

 Lath., now becomes Owenavis oscnlans oscnlans, Gould. 

 L^nfortunately, Gould has gone the way of all flesh, and cannot 

 enter a protest, but we think drastic changes like this should 

 only be undertaken by a council of expert ornithologists. Mr. 

 Mathews does not say how or why he coined the word Owen- 

 rtyt's— probably after some friend or relative ; surely the world- 

 esteemed palaeontologist is not intended to be thus honoured. 

 The cover bears a representation of a bird, presumably a Native 

 Companion, which, by the way, according to Mr. Mathews, is 

 henceforth to be known under the generic name of Mathewsia 

 instead of Antigone. When will this change of name craze cease ? 

 The institution of the Record will, however, be a distinct 

 advantage to ornithologists, as it may be expected to contain 

 the numerous changes foreshadowed by Mr. Mathews, instead of 

 these being scattered through various publications. 



