64 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



forcibly was the fact that the above birds were exactly in colour, 

 &c., what I should expect to find from a cross between these two 

 species of the same genus. 



I have seen several crosses in the wild state between Parrakeets 

 of different genera, therefore those of the same genus mating 

 would not be so peculiar. 



It may be stated that Charlotte Waters or Howell's Ponds are 

 not the habitat of either species of Polytelis, but my experience 

 convinces me that you cannot fix any locality, especially on a 

 continent, as the sole habitat of members of the great Psittacidse 

 family. 



From what I know of the parrot family it would not astonish 

 me to learn that a pair of birds of even different genera had 

 brought forth young for over twenty-eight years within a day or 

 two's journey of the same locality. 



I shall be only too pleased to feel certain that I am wrong in 

 my suggestion of these birds being " hybrids," for although I have 

 long known of the bird by name I have never seen it, and it 

 always gives me a thrill of delight when I hear of a new Australian 

 species, or when I read again the names, in print, of Leichhardt, 

 Burke, Wills, Bauer, Stuart, Giles, Forrest, and others of our 

 Australians, who have never been equalled, in any other land, as 

 explorers. — I am, &c., 



T. AUGUSTUS FORBES-LEITH. 

 Surrey, England, 17th February, 189 1. 



We are obliged from pressure on our space to refrain from 

 giving a review of the " Handbook of the Destructive Insects of 

 Victoria," part i, by Mr. C. French, F.L.S. In oneof his letters 

 from Selborne, one hundred and twenty years since, Gilbert White 

 writes : — " A full history of noxious insects, hurtful in the field, 

 garden, and house, suggesting all the known and likely means of 

 destroying them, would be allowed by the public to be a most 

 useful and important work. Great improvements would soon 

 follow, of course." This is the work Mr. French is laying himself 

 out to do for Victoria, and from a study of his first instalment 

 we conclude that he intends to do it in such a graphic manner 

 that the farmers and fruit-growers will be able to very easily 

 identify their enemies, and be directed to the best means available 

 wherewith to combat them. We have faith in White's prophecy 

 that " great improvements will follow " the publication and 

 diffusion of the handbook. We would also congratulate Mr, C. 

 C. Brittlebank on the accuracy and beauty of his coloured 

 drawings. 



