THE 



South Australian Ornithologist. 



Vol. I.J OCTOBER, 1914. [Part 4. 



A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White- 

 Ornithologist, Soldier, Sailor, and Explorer. 



By his son, S. A. White. 



[II.— THE ORNITHOLOGIST.] 

 In December, 1860, John White, the father, met his death 

 through an accident with horses, and this was the turning 

 point in Samuel White's life, for he was then free to gratify 

 his longing to put the whole of his time into the pursuit of 

 ornithology and the collecting of other natural history speci- 

 mens. In 1861 we find that in company with his brother Wil- 

 liam he made many short trips to such places as the Black 

 Swamp in the south, and Wirrabara Forest in the north, and 

 they were on a big collecting trip up the Murray River in the 

 early part of 1863. During these trips valuable notes and ob- 

 servations were made, and many specimens collected. In the 

 winter of 1863 Samuel White prepared for his first big expedi- 

 tion, and a great undertaking it must have been in those days. 

 Three horses attached to a dray, with ten months' stores, 

 constituted the outfit. The enterprising ornithologist, 

 accompanied by his man, named Cottrell, set out from 

 Adelaide to penetrate the vast interior, which was 

 then unknown. By August 23rd, 1863, we know he was at St. 

 aBecket's Pool, lat., 28° 30', for it was here he collected the 

 type specimen of Artamus melanops. Pushing on past Lake 

 Hope, and away to the north of Lake Eyre, taking his position 

 each day and marking it down on a blank map, beset by priva- 

 tions and hardships beyond description, and attacked by hos- 



