Julj'. 1908.] THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 47 



as we examined specimens on the table, I acquired much in- 

 formation, and at the same time found that my earlier 

 observations in the field enabled me to be of service to them. 

 I think the first time I ventured a decided difference of opinion 

 from that expressed by others was when a discussion took place 

 regarding one of our native birds — the Chestnut-breasted Teal, 

 Nettioit, castaneum, Eyton, formerly known as Anas castanea, 

 Eyton. 1 expressed a firm conviction that there were two 

 species of teal, but Mr. Forbes-Leith reminded me that 

 Gould had stated that there was only one — that the bright- 

 coloured one was found only in the breeding season, and that 

 it was the male in its nuptial dress. After procuring further 

 evidence, in July, 1890, I read a paper (Vict. JVat., vol. vii., p. 43) 

 on the subject, and produced specimens shot in the month of 

 June in support of my contention, which has since been fully 

 recognized as correct. 



"In November, 1887, I had the pleasure of joining in the 

 Club excursion to King Island, the organizing of which was 

 greatly due to the exertions of Mr. A. J. Campbell. The results 

 of that excursion, and the names of those who participated in it, 

 are now matters of past history. Suffice it to say that a con- 

 siderable amount of work was done, the fauna and flora of the 

 island being fairly well catalogued. Other extended excursions 

 were held, but I had not the opportunity of taking part in one 

 until the excursion to the Kent Group in November, 1890, during 

 which I gained a fuller knowledge of the range of several of our 

 sea-birds, at the same time making a nice collection of them. 



" In February, 1894, I had occasion to visit Sydney on business, 

 and, furnished with a letter of introduction from Mr. Barnard to Mr. 

 A. J. North, Ornithologist to the Australian Museum, I made the 

 acquaintance of the latter, who kindly showed me the collections 

 and introduced me to the officials of the Museum at their work, 

 and in various ways added to my knowledge of taxidermy. The 

 friendship then formed has continued ever since, and Mr. North 

 was joint author of the reports of the ornithological section of the 

 two exploring expeditions in which I afterwards participated. 

 Mr. North, by the way, is one of the original members of this 

 Club, and was an exhibitor at its meetings before he went to 

 Sydney. 



" Early in 1894 the Horn Scientific Exploring Expedition to 

 the Western Macdonnell Ranges, Central Australia, was equipped, 

 and to my connection with this Club I owe the fact that I was 

 asked by Professor Spencer to become one of the party. My 

 duties were to collect anything that had life, and some things 

 that had not. The trip resulted in the addition of a vast amount 

 of information concerning a number of mammals, birds, reptiles, 

 fish, and insects, many of which were new to science. In the 



