178 
Mr. P. L. Sclater on new 
As regards Australia itself there is not much to he said, 
except that Mr. Gould continues to receive occasional novel- 
ites from the northern districts. 
We cannot, however, help thinking that a collector would 
be likely to do well at Port Darwin, the northern terminus of 
the Australian telegraph, as we are not aware that any birds 
have yet been collected in that district, and the place must 
now be readily accessible by sea from Sydney. It is certain 
that in other branches of natural history at least, much might 
be done in this locality. 
Passing to New Zealand, Dr. Bullets valuable work is, as 
most of our readers well know, now complete. Though it 
has been subjected to some rather severe criticisms by rival 
authors, no one can doubt its value, or do otherwise than ap¬ 
preciate the pains that Dr. Buller has bestowed upon its pro¬ 
duction. We are glad also to hear that it has met with a 
good reception in New Zealand, and is exciting the colonists 
to the more complete elaboration of their ornis. The com¬ 
pletion of this work will not, however, we believe, prevent Dr. 
Finsch, who has devoted much time and attention to this 
subject, from finishing and giving to the world an account 
of the birds of New Zealand, which he has had for some time 
in preparation. 
Before finally quitting the Old World, a word must be said 
upon the ornithology of Oceania, or rather of the numerous 
islands which are comprised in it. Our great authority on 
this part of our subject is again Dr. Finsch, and his colla¬ 
borates Dr. Hartlaub, whom we have to thank for several 
recent contributions to os knowledge of Pacific ornithology. 
The well-known house of Godeffroy, of Hamburg, still con¬ 
tinues to employ active collectors in this part of the world, 
and deserves many thanks from naturalists for amassing the 
materials upon which the above-mentioned authors have based 
the greater part of their labours. 
Crossing over to the northern portion of the New World, 
we find our American friends as active as usual. Follow¬ 
ing hard upon Dr. Coues^s f Key to North-American Birds/ 
the merits of which were slightly touched upon in our last 
