THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
Loomis records seven specimens shot on November 19, 1906, in 
latitude 35° 40' N., longtitude 133° 10' and 14' W. ; adds, “A male from 
near Kiska Island, June 17, 1911 ” ; and concludes : “ The Mottled Petrel 
is a wide ranging species, breeding in the Southern Hemisphere and visit- 
ing the Northern Hemisphere after the period of reproduction.” He 
observes : “ According to Mr. Gifford, the sexual organs were small in the 
seven Expedition birds ” i.c., those secured on November 19, 1906. He 
lumps all the above, explaining away the observed differences by “wear” 
and “fresher plumage,” as the case may need. It is apparent that the 
November birds were not going to breed in New Zealand that year. It 
is also more than probable that an American breeding locality is indicated. 
The dates, June for Alaska and November for 35° N., suggest a northern 
breeding station, which, while a novel proposal, may be the source of 
the birds. 
I have maintained that injudicious lumping is more fatal to the 
advancement of ornithological knowledge than splitting, however iU- 
considered it may appear. In the present case the recognition of different 
names keeps a pecuhar problem in full sight, whereas the acceptance 
of such a lumpmg hides facts which may lead to the solution of the 
problem presented. There is a problem, as Brewster’s scalaris still exists, 
and the route of its wanderings is difficult to map. I know Palsearctic 
students have refused to see any difficulty in the arrival of a north 
New Zealand bird in the middle of the British Islands, but still the 
study of a map suggests no easy means of travel. 
