THE VICTORIAN NATUKALIST. 67 



had been long expected, and even now contains fewer pages than 

 originally intended, owing to some disappointment as to the 

 supply of paper of the requisite quality. The size adopted, 

 quarto, admits of plates and illustrations being on a larger scale 

 than in tiie previous edition. The part under notice commences 

 with the order Passeres, and deals with fifteen species belonging 

 to the families Corvidas and Paradiseidae. The general plan 

 adopted is — following the Latin name of the bird is given its 

 vernacular name, then the various synonyms and references, 

 descriptions of the adult male and adult female, and distribution 

 through the different geographical (or political) areas of Australia. 

 Then follow general notes from various sources as to habits, food, 

 nesting, &c., concluding with the description of the nest and eggs. 

 Speaking of crows and ravens, which years ago were frequently 

 seen in large flocks near Melbourne, but of late seem to have 

 deserted the suburban districts, Mr. North quotes from the 

 reports of the Pastures and Stock Protection Boards of New 

 South Wales, that during 1899 142,000 of these birds were 

 destroyed, the Wagga Wagga district furnishing nearly 25,000 

 of this number, showing that Riverina is evidently their strong- 

 hold, and what a menace they must be to the pastoralist. Many 

 illustrations are contained in the text, that of Queen Victoria's 

 Rifle bird being a particularly beautiful black and white drawing. 

 Two full-page plates are included in this part, one being the 

 nest of the Australian Raven, and the other depicts sixteen eggs, 

 belonging to nine species of the families Corvus, Corone, Gym- 

 norhina, and Strepera. This is printed in dull chocolate colour, 

 the use of which tint is somewhat questionable. The printing 

 and general get-up of the work have been admirably executed by 

 Mr. F. W. White, of Market-street, Sydney. 



" Carpenter on the Microscope." — The eighth edition 

 (price 28s.) of this standard work on the microscope is announced 

 as ready by Messrs. J. and A. Churchill. The work has been 

 much enlarged and revised, and eight of the chapters entirely re- 

 written, while the volume contains nearly 1,000 illustrations. 



Central Australian Anthropology. — Professor Spencer, 

 F.R.S., notified by telegram from Alice Springs on 19th July that 

 his expedition had finished its work at Barrow Creek, where six 

 weeks had been spent among the Kaitish and Ummatjera tribes. 

 Much valuable information relating to tribal organizations, totemic 

 systems, &c., had been collected, and a fine series of photographs 

 of sacred ceremonies, types of natives, &c., secured. 'I'he next 

 main camp will be formed at Tennant's Creek, about 150 miles 

 further north (latitude 19'^ 30' S.) The members of the party were 

 in excellent health, and well pleased with the results of their work. 



