June 1947 The Queensland Naturalist 
57 
joined Leichhardt's expedition as naturalist. Until he was killed 
by blacks at the Gilbert River on June 28, 1845, he kept a de 
tailed diary of the expedition which contains descriptions of 
new country with remarks on various aspects of natural history 
and comments on the conduct and experiences of members of 
the expedition in general and the leader in particular. A great 
deal of space was devoted to the birds taken and observed, 
more than 200 species receiving mention. These references in 
elude original observations on distribution, habits (feeding, 
nesting, etc.), abundance, anatomy and edibility. It is very 
unfortunate that Gould made no use of these observations 
when preparing “The Handbook to the Birds of Australia ” 
Mr. Chisholm has devoted the greater part of his book to Gil 
bert’s contribution to the knowledge of particular species and 
groups of species with numerous quotations from the diary. 
Pour plates and a map illustrate this interesting and inform 
ative little book. 
A “Check List of North Queensland Ferns” has been pub 
lished by the North Queensland Naturalists’ Club (November 
1946) and is obtainable from the Honorary Secretary of the 
Club, Mr. J. Wyer, “Lochinvar, ' 253 Sheridan Street, Cairns, 
at the cost of one shilling. The list was compiled with the 
assistance of Mrs. I). A. Smith (Miss D. A. Goy) and its plan 
is similar to that of the “Check List of North Queensland 
Orchids” published by the Club in 1945. 220 species, 32 var- 
ieties and a few “formae” are listed with localities. 
obituary 
The Club regrets the death of two of its members and ex- 
tends its sympathy to the members of the bereaved families. 
On 11th October, 1946, Mr. W. Arundell passed away after 
some months of ill health. Born in 1877, he began business as 
a mechanical engineer and then in 1901 entered the service of 
the Brisbane tramways, eventually becoming chief engineer. 
Mr. Arundell was a keen ornithologist and as such was well 
known to the members of this club. He was its president for 
the year 1945. For many years also he was a prominent rifle 
shot He leaves one son, his wife having pre-deceased him 
in 1931. 
On 4th February, 1947, Mr. E. C- Holdawav passed away. 
Mr. Holdaway had been Officer in Charge of the astronomical 
branch of the Survey Office. He was also president of the As- 
sociation of Engineers. Architects, Surveyors, and Draftsmen, 
was a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, and lecturer 
in survey work of the Central Technical College. He had been 
both president and secretary of the Astronomical Society of 
Queensland. He has left a widow and two daughters. 
