Vol. X. 

 igio 



"I Correspondence. yi 



In his notes on Aviytornis gigantura, Mr. Whitlock refers to 

 my classing this species with A. niacriirus, and says — " There is 

 110 reason for this." Mr. Wiiitlock has written me that " no " is 

 a misprint for " more." As this puts a very different complexion 

 on things, there is no need for comment. 



As to the soundness of A. gigantura as a species there seems 

 to be some doubt ; several specimens from widely different 

 localities have been obtained by myself and forwarded to Mr. 

 North, with the verdict " niacrurusr The matter, however, is 

 sub judice, and I hope during the coming season to assist in the 

 final settlement of this point. — I am, &c., 



CHAS. G. GIBSON. 



Geological Survey, Kalgoorlie, W.A., 29/5/10, 



[The editors have pleasure in publishing Mr. Gibson's letter. 

 They have no desire to do injustice to anyone, but seek to 

 record the scientific facts and history only of Australian birds, 

 and in this connection any further notes on Amytornis 

 gigantura or any other species by such a good field observer as 

 Mr. Gibson will always be welcome. — Eds.] 



To the Editors of " The EmuT 



Sirs, — In the account of my recent collecting trip to the East 

 Murchison, I find a misprint has crept in. Referring to 

 Amytornis gigantura, on p. 203 — ninth line from the bottom 

 (excluding footnote) — should read " There is more reason for 

 this." This error is unlucky, as I wished to convey the 

 impression that my mind was an open one on the question of 

 the identity or otherwise of A. gigantura and A. macrurus. 

 Also, after re-reading my notes on Cinclosoma marginatum, in 

 connection with the female skin collected by Mr. C. G. Gibson 

 and forwarded to Mr. A. J. North, I fear I may have conveyed 

 the impression that in my opinion Mr. Gibson had not the 

 ability to make a good skin. It was simply lack of the necessary 

 leisure on his part that was in my mind when I wrote. Having 

 had some experience of the amount of work to be accomplished 

 by the officers of our Geological Survey Department when 

 examining our vast mineral belts, I know how little spare time 

 there remains of the short winter's day when the field-work is 

 done. When I have a Cinclosoma to skin I approach the task 

 with a mind resigned to a tedious and discouraging operation. 

 Despite the most delicate handling, the feathers of the rump 

 and flanks will fall out. A Cinclosoma rivals a Dove in this 

 respect. But, whatever the condition of Mr. Gibson's specimen 

 may have been, I question if it afforded Mr. North sufficient 

 evidence, unaccompanied as it was by a skin of the male, to 

 enable him to determine its identity with absolute certainty. 



