Vol. IX. 



1909 



T . Le Souef^ The White Oological Collection. QI 



represented, and in many of them are splendid series, showing 

 diversified types, such as of Cracticus, Gymnorhina, Corvus, 

 Strepera, Orioliis, C/iibia, Grallina, Collyriocincla, Graucalus^ 

 Sericulus, Ptilonorhynchus^ Entoinysa, Philemon, and many 

 others, as well as specimens of the Golden Bower-Bird {Prtono- 

 dtira), Tooth-billed Bower-Bird {^Scenopcsetes) and Ardea siima- 

 trana. There are many " type " eggs, as well as several unique 

 sets, but the best way to appreciate the collection is to see it for 

 one's. self, and Mr. White deserves the thanks of all oologists 

 for getting together such a magnificent scientific collection, 

 which will become simply invaluable as time goes on, because 

 many of the birds will become scarce, if not extinct, through the 

 country being cleared for cultivation. The collection of nests 

 is also excellent. Personally I consider the nest is just as much 

 part of the bird's natural economy as the eggs. The data-book 

 or catalogue is quite a monumental work. Not only is full data 

 given of each clutch of eggs, but also the measurements of each 

 egg. Great credit is due to Mr. Sid. VV. Jackson, who has 

 systematically arranged and labelled the eggs in the cabinets 

 and also compiled the catalogue. He performs his work 

 enthusiastically, and does everything very thoroughly. 



Belltrees is an ideal home for a naturalist. It was in that 

 neighbourhood that Gould worked for some time and got so 

 many of his type specimens of birds. It was a great pleasure 

 to me to go over the same ground that was traversed by the 

 great ornithologist, to whom ornithologists owe so much. The 

 country is much diversified, has a fair amount of timber, with 

 steep hills, and the Hunter and other rivers winding in and 

 out among them. Native game, such as wallaroo, kangaroos, 

 wallabies, rat kangaroos, &c., also abound, but are being rapidly 

 thinned out for the sake of their skins. 



Mr. White states that the Scrub-Turkey {Catketurus lathami) 

 is to be found in some of the thickly timbered gullies that lead 

 to the higher land. 



I noticed that the European Starling had found its way there, 

 and many of them roosted in a dense thicket of bamboos at the 

 river's edge near the homstead. 



An Australian's Promotion. — News has been received of 

 the call to the English bar in Trinity term at Gray's Inn of Mr. 

 Charles F. Belcher, M.A., LL.B. Mr. Belcher, who was born in 

 Geelong, and is a son of Mr. George F. Belcher, obtained first- 

 class honours in his final examination, being placed fourth out 

 of 124 candidates, a distinction which carries with it a certificate 

 of honour and a prize of ^^50 from the benchers of the Inns of 

 Court. For a year or two Mr. Belcher was one of the c editors 

 of The Emu. His brother ornithologists will be glad tc -'arn of 

 his success in London. 



