THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEIBI MAGAZINE. 



219 



The Red-whiskered BulbuL 



By J. R. KiNGHORN, 



IN the July issue of this Magazine, 

 page 157, I wrote a note on the 

 habits and distribution of this 

 introduced bird, concluding my re- 

 marks by raising the question of its 

 food, i.e., whether it is destructive or 

 otherwise. In other countries, especi- 

 ally in its native habitat, India, much 

 controversy exists as to whether it eats 

 more fruit than insects, or vice versa. 

 Some hold the opinion that it is a fruit 

 eater, and therefore destructive, while 

 others assert that it eats orchard insect 

 pests, and is therefore to be encouraged. 



In Australia we have not as yet had 

 a very long acquaintance with the 

 Bulbul, or Top Knot, as some have 

 locally named it, and I am endeavouring 

 to gather as much information as pos- 

 sible regarding its food habits. 



To this end readers are requested to 

 observe it carefully, with field-glasses 

 if available, carefully, because a big 

 economic question is involved, and to 

 make available the results of their 

 observations. It matters little how 

 short the note may be providing that 

 it is faithful. Assistance of this nature 

 is essential, for only with it, and an 

 analysis of the stomach contents, can a 

 true estimate of the bird's habits be 

 obtained. A few report3 have already 

 been received, but there is need for 

 many more. 



A full description of the bird will be 

 found in the issue above referred to. 



The Bulbul. 



[Photo. — J. It. Ki'njhiirn. 



Mr. E. Wunderlich, trustee, recently 

 returned from an extended Eurojoean 

 tour. During his absence he paid 

 particular attention to matters of 

 museum interest. 



A short collecting excursion to Upper 



Colo, led by Mr. J. R. Kinghorn, as- 

 sisted by Messrs. H. O. Fletcher and 

 J. H. Wright, added valuable material 

 to the collection. A number of inter- 

 esting field notes and photographs were 

 also obtained. 



