246 Ourselves. [^^^ 



Emu 

 April 



case, designed on Mr. White's suggestions to hold John Gould's 

 great work, "The Birds of Australia." The volumes are in 

 beautiful order, and are valued at ;^300. 



Further obligations are laid on the Union by the gift of Mr. 

 White's famous collection of Australian birds to the National 

 Museum, Melbourne. This carries, as well as the privilege of 

 inspection in common with the general public during official hours, 

 the special privilege of a monthly meeting in the Bird-room of 

 the National Museum, with Mr. White's collection available for 

 inspection and illustration of papers, discussions, &c. 



Working ornithologists again are indebted to Mr. White for the 

 gift of his duplicate specimens to the Union. These are now at 

 the Union's room, and are always available for examination and 

 study. 



For years, Mr. White, by sending and maintaining field orni- 

 thologists in distant parts of the Commonwealth, has been the 

 sharer with Gregory M. Mathews and Captain White of the honour 

 of chief workers in Australian ornithology. Mr. White has now 

 consummated the work by placing his priceless collection in safe 

 custody, where it is available for scientific workers, and by placing 

 the members of the R.A.O.U. in the fortunate position of having a 

 central meeting room, Jolm Gould's ''Birds of Austraha " in the 

 library, and a working collection of skins for young students 

 desirous of learning Australian birds. Mr. White, in addition, has 

 announced his intention of making the R.A.O.U. room second to 

 none in the world. Other members of our Union are also assisting, 

 but there is still room for contributions of furniture, eggs, skins, 

 books, and other ornithological publications. The hon. secretary 

 would be pleased to hear from those desirous of contributing at 

 this historic juncture. 



Notes. 



Owing to financial stringency consequent on the war and the in- 

 crease in cost of printing, paper, &c., the Council of the R.A.O.U. 

 was reluctantly compelled to reduce the size of the current issue. 

 It is hoped that the next issue will be of normal size. 



The well-known and old-established natural history monthly, 

 The Zoologist, having been acquired by Messrs. Witherby and 

 Co., will in future be incorporated with the illustrated monthly 

 magazine, British Birds, published by the same firm at 326 

 High Holborn. 



Messrs. Witherby and Co. have been appointed European agents 

 for the " Journal of the Natural History Society of Siam." The 

 work is illustrated with plates and figures, and deals with all 

 branches of the natural history of that country. 



Walker, May and Co., Trinters, Mackillop Etrtet, Melbourne 



