33



Reviews.



REVIEWS.


NORTH’S “NESTS AND EGGS.” *


One of the most useful features of Mr. North’s book (of

which we have just received Part II. of Vol. III.) is the inclusion,

not only of a description of the nidification of the species, but

its life history, hence it is of the utmost interest and value to all

students of the avifauna of the Island Continent. It is, however,

unfortunate that those species whose nesting habits are unknown

are entirely omitted from the work, hence we have no mention

of such species of the Genus Psephotus as P. chrysoplerygius or

of Mr. North’s excellent species P. cucullatus. The part just

issued concludes the Order Psittaci, and treats of several of the

Cockatoos and of those most delightful Parrakeets which are not

surpassed by any in their popularity with aviculturists.


It is strange that Australian ornithologists will persist in

calling so many of the true Parrakeets “ Tories,” a name that is

almost as absurd when applied to Plistes or Aprosmidus as it is

when used for the African Touracous. Inappropriate popular

names will, however, probably continue to be applied until the

end of time, even if ornithologists agree to use only those that

have a sensible meaning.


A remarkable and most regrettable fact about some of the

most beautiful Parrakeets is that they are rapidly becoming ex¬

tremely scarce, though only a few years ago they were numerous.

During the present writer’s stay in Australia he made many

inquiries as to the present whereabouts of the Turquoisine

(Neophema pulchella) with the result that nobody could give any

satisfactory information. The bird had been plentiful twenty

years ago and less, but for years no individual had been heard of.

Mr. North fully corroborates the opinion then arrived at that

this beautiful species is now on the verge of extinction. No

specimen has been received or heard of since 1885, though a

few years before that the species was common a few miles from

Sydney.


The beautiful scarlet-chested Splendid Parrakeet ( Neophema

splendidtz ) which has been impoited to England many years ago,



* Nests and Eggs of Birds found breeding in Australia and Tasmania. By Alfred J.

North, C.M.Z.S. Vol. III. Part II. Sydney: F. W. White, 344, Kent Street.



