The Zoologist — October, 1867. 959 



PolackLake: large beds; never been worked. Nelson River: large beds; never been 

 worked. Warego Lake : very extensive beds ; never worked ; been prospected, and 

 the oysters found very good. Merimbula: good oysters; not many sent to market. 

 Ulladulla : large oysters, and very good. Twofold Bay : small oysters, but in great 

 quantity. 



In conclusion, I may observe that at present there is no scarcity; but, on tbe con- 

 trary, a redundant supply of oysters. I estimate tbe annual supply to Sydney at 

 31,200 bags, equal to 109,200 bushels, which supply could be doubled if required. 

 The oyster-fisheries find direct employment for at least 250 persons, seven small vessels, 

 besides those brought by the steam-boats. Our yearly export of oysters, principally to 

 Victoria, I estimate at 63,000 bushels, of the value of £13,500, and our home con- 

 sumption at 46,200 bushels, valued at £16,500. 



Tlie Fate of Piebalds and Rare Birds. 

 By J. D. Jeffeky, Esq., F.R.C.S. 



We have in Worcester a little Book Society, and we take in no 

 works but scientific periodicals, among which the * Zoologist,' as 

 a matter of course, has a place. I do not know that there is one 

 among us who is a great collector of either animals, birds or insects, 

 but we like to hear and know something about what is being done by 

 others in Natural History. With this admission, it may be that the 

 observations I am about to make will be considered of little account j 

 on the other hand, it is possible that the remarks of those who, having 

 a love of Nature, are obliged for the most part to become acquainted 

 with her beauties and her " freaks " through the labours of others, may 

 not be quite unworthy of notice. 



My theme is the fate of piebalds and also of occasional visitors of 

 the feathered race to the United Kingdom. I observe in almost every 

 number of the ' Zoologist,' among the " facts and anecdotes," that 

 information is given of the destruction of two or more varieties of 

 animals or birds which have been met with by different enthusiastic 

 collectors. Now I must confess that when I read these fatal com- 

 munications I have a strong Darwinian wish that for "collectors" 

 I could read " preservers," in the true and living sense of the word. 

 I have an idea, in fact, that if the first specimens of varieties in colour 

 which are met with, both in birds and quadrupeds, were carefully 

 shielded from harm, " preserved " instead of" murdered," — forgive the 

 word, — that in course of time we might have a greater and, in 

 one sense, more pleasing variety of our Fauna than we have at 

 present. 



