vi. INTRODUCTION. 
What are known as the animals typical of Australia—the emu, 
the kangaroo and the lyre-bird have due prominence given them. 
Dr. Bennett erred in concluding that the emu always laid an odd 
number of eggs for a sitting: so did Mr. Gould in trusting the state- 
ments of the blacks that the lyre-bird laid two eggs. These 
inaccuracies having beén mechanically copied are taught in schools 
to this day. There is much confusion with the various species of 
seals. ‘The fourth reading book of the Australian series (N.S. 
Wales) says: ‘* The seal most commonly found upon the coasts of 
Australia is that called, from the colour and marking of its coat, 
the sea-leopard.” The sea-bear, not the sea-leopard, is that most 
commonly found. A school history of Australia made the reckless 
assertion—that no seals are now found on the coast of this continent, 
all having been exterminated. The mound-raising birds have been 
ullotted considerable space in these pages. Bower-birds in the 
grounds of the Acclimatisation Society, Melbourne, are domiciled in 
very large aviaries of wire network, enclosing small trees, shrubs 
and long grass; the interior is arranged in such a way as to be 
assimilated as closely as possible to their natural home. The 
director informed the author that he had seen bower-birds attempt 
to erect in the ground with their beaks small pieces of stick and 
grass for a bower, just as they dco in a state of nature. Another of the 
staff of this Society remarked : —‘t The amount of misconception as 
to the playhouses of the bower-birds—for they are nothing more—is 
most extraordinary. Not long ago, here in Melbourne, what was 
supposed to be a scientific paper was read before a number of gentle- 
men in which, among other things, it was suggested that the peculiar 
markings on their eggs were to be accounted for by the reflection of 
the sun’s rays, through the interstices in the walls of the bower. 
Now, it ought to be known by this time that the birds do not make 
their nest in the bower, but in a tree some distance away from the 
scene of their gambols.” The number of known species of birds 
inhabiting Australia in 1865 was 672; this has been increased of late 
years by the discoveries of new species, and by occasional visitors 
from other countries to 744, most of which are found in north-east 
Australia. In the vicinity of Rockingham Bay nearly 300 species 
are found. By reason of the diversitied nature of its flora, and the 
style of country in general, this is perhaps the richest district in 
Australia ; it is the only part of northern Queensland in which the 
scrubs at all approach to those rich brushes or scrubs of the Rich- 
mond River. 
It seems somewhat remarkable that strangers are so successful 
in discovering new species. Mr. Gould visited this continent in. 
1838 and remained two years ; as a discoverer of new species of birds 
he stands pre-eminent. In 1880 a Norseman undertook an expedi- 
tion to Australia. Having proceeded to the north-east and havin 
travelled and camped with the wild blacks for months, he succeeded 
in finding four new species of mammals—one being the handsome 
tree-kangaroo, the rest were species of opossums. A few years later, 
Mr. De Vis announced to the Royal Society of Brisbane the dis- 
