74 



THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



The eggs are described in a clear and lucid manner, and 

 dimensions given to the looth part of an inch, and in many cases 

 of every specimen in a set or clutch. The description I particularly 

 take exception to is the Gallinule {Gallinula tenebrosa, Gould). Mr. 

 North has evidently re-described the same set of eggs that Dr. 

 Ramsay used in the "Proceedings Linnsean Society N.S.W.," 

 vol. vii., p. 56 (1882), and I informed Dr. Ramsay I was of 

 opinion he had described Rail's eggs instead. And so sure was I 

 of it that I took an opportunity of personally collecting the eggs 

 of the Gallinule in an arm of Lake King, Gippsland, where the 

 birds were numerous. I also shot a pair of birds, which, together 

 with eggs, I presented to Dr. Ramsay, at the Australian Museum, 

 in order that he might have an opportunity of correcting his own 

 error. He has not, however, seen fit to do so. They have 

 probably described the eggs of the Red-necked Rail (Rallina 

 tricolor, Gray), instead of the Gallinule, which is a larger bird. 

 Here are the cardinal points of their own two descriptions of the 

 eggs, given in parallel columns, which it will be seen are almost 

 identical : — 



Gallinule (page 325). — Pale creamy Red-necked Rail (page 330). — Pale 



white — ^blotched with reddish chest- cream — spots reddish chestnut, and a 



nut and lilac spots. First egg measured few of lilac tinge. First egg measured 



1*53 X I "15 inches. I "55 x i*i inches. 



I think Mr. North, as I have proved, will find that the egg 

 described as the Black-bellied Storm Petrel {Procellaria melano- 

 gaster, Gould) should really be that of the Diving Petrel 

 (Felecanoides icrinatrix, Gmel.) His dimensions coincide with 

 those of eggs I obtained from the same locality, and my specia:ens 

 were accompanied by one of the birds found hatching in the 

 burrows. I am somewhat surprised at Mr. North's statement that 

 the Australian Gannet (Sula serrator, Banks) lays two eggs instead 

 of one — a fact which we may verify during our forthcoming 

 expedition to Flinders Island, where there is a nursery of Gannets 

 five or six acres in extent on a rocky islet off the larger island. 



Some of the notes embodied from a valuable correspondent, Mr. 

 K. H. Bennett, are very entertaining, especially the chapter on 

 the Buzzard in reference to the supposed smashing of Emu eggs 

 by the bird of prey, and the account of a visit to the rookery of 

 Ibises. The notes clearly demonstrated the force and value of 

 data taken on the spot. The more costly edition of the work is 

 beautifully illustrated, reflecting great credit upon the artists con- 

 cerned. Plates iv. (Hawks' eggs), xi. (Nightjars' and Bower 

 Birds'), and xvi. (Dottrels' and Quails'), apart from their scientific 

 value, are really pictures. 



Without wishing to detract in the slightest degree from the 

 merits of Mr. North's work, one is inclined to be a little dis- 

 appointed at its conservative character, if I may so express myself. 



