222



Notices of New Books , etc.



THE EMU.


Mr. Gregory M. Mathews, when studying the series of

specimens of Malurus in the Tring Museum, discovered some

specimens from South Alligator River which differed slightly

from M.pulchetrimus with which they had been identified. These

he has named Malurus Eilcis and his description appears in

the January number of our Australian contemporary, together

with a coloured plate by Mr. Keulemans. The latter may be of

service as a map showing the distinguishing colours of this newly

discovered race, but the figures, especially that of the female,

would otherwise hardly be recognised as referring to any species

of this elegant and dainty genus.


Mr. A. E. H. Mattingley concludes his most useful and

interesting account* of the Mallee-Fowl (. Lipoa ocellata'), which

is illustrated by photographic reproductions.


Mr. A. G. Campbell gives an interesting account of the

Flame-breasted Robin ( Petroeca fthcenicca') whose migratory

movements this observer has very carefully watched.


Mr. F. E. Howe describes the birds observed by him during

a ramble in North-western Victoria in the height of the nesting

season, when no less than 112 species of birds were identified.


Mr. E. M. Cornwall’s “Notes on Birds found breeding near

Mackay, North Queensland,” are of particular interest, as the

author graphically describes the finding of the nest of the rare

Jabiru (. Xenorynchus asiaticics'). This was placed on a mass of

climbers which smothered the crown of a tall scrub tree. “ The

nest was a large flat structure, composed principally of a long

trailing grass which grows along the sea-shore, few, if any, sticks

being used. It was placed on a mass of creepers large and strong

enough to support the birds if they got out of the nest. The

young birds were ungainly-looking creatures, and lay flat in the

nest, making no attempt to move when Mr. Neilson handled

them.” The young birds, which form the subject of a photo¬

graphic illustration, were judged to be about three months old

when they left the nest.


Interesting papers by Messrs. A. J. Campbell and Robert

Hall, and a liberal supply of Notes, etc., complete a capital

number of this useful publication.



See page 80.



