^ Ar^y^o r Vict. Nat. 



60 Notes: I Vol. XXXIV. 



belief that the Austin origin is true, for ho remembers that 

 the wave of rabbits which spread over the Western Dishict in 

 the early seventies seemed to come from the direction of 

 Winchelsea. This is to a certain extent confirmed by a para- 

 graph which appeared in the Richmond Australian of 31st 

 December, 1859, and is quoted by Mr. F. G. A. Barnard in a 

 paper, "Gleanings from the Richmond Australian, 1859-61," 

 read before the Historical Society of Victoria in June, 1912. 

 It reads as follows : — " The Lightning has brought an excellent 

 addition to the live stock of the colony — viz., 66 partridges, 

 4 hares, and 24 wild rabbits. They are for Mr. Thomas Austin, 

 of Barwon Park." At the time the paper was read a gentle- 

 man in the room confirmed the statement by saying that he 

 was present when the rabbits were li]:)erated. 



The Melbourne Zoological Gardens. — A numl^cr of 

 recent additions to the Mellx)urne Zoological Gardens arc 

 figured in the Australasian of 7th July ; they include speci- 

 mens of the Livingstone Eland from East Africa, the Duiker 

 (deer family) from South Africa, White-fronted Capuchin 

 (monkey) from South America, Kolbe Vultures (Africa), Coyote 

 (North America), European Wolf, and a pair of young Camels 

 from Mildura. In a recent note the director, Mr. W. H. D. 

 Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., says : — " Several Tiger Cats have been 

 ol)tained from Tasmania lately. These animals are now very 

 scarce in Victoria : they seem to have decreased in numbers 

 like the Native Cats, but it is difficult to assign a cause. A 

 Tasmanian Devil is also on view that has three young ones in 

 lier shallow pouch. The little ones can be seen when the mother 

 is lying on her side, as they are not fully enclosed like the young 

 in the jjouch of the Kangaroo. The newly-arrived pair of Wa])iti 

 Deer, from America, are growing fast. It is many years since 

 these animals liave l)een exhibited in Victoria. The Ele])hant 

 house is being improved, and visitors will soon be able to sec 

 this ])opular animal without any intervening fence, as a ditch 

 is l)eing made in its place. Two Canadian Lynxes have also 

 been added. Australia is fortunate in not having such animals 

 wild, for they are even more destructive to game than domestic 

 cats gone wild, and that is saying a good deal. The collection 

 of Australian ])arrots has received several notable additions, 

 and the Hight aviary is well filled with, honey-eaters, csiK-cially 

 the Lunulated. These birds bred last year, as well as tlie White- 

 plumed." 



" Made in Germany." — Tliis legend was found branded on 

 the stock of a rifle captured on GalIii)oli by an Australian 

 soldier. When carefully examined, it was foimd to be made of 

 Australian stringy-bark ! — Mr. R. T. Baker. F.L.S., of the 

 Sydney Te( huological Museum, at the Forest League meeting. 



