From Magazines, &c.
The Journal of Agriculture (Victoria).—To interest and instruct people about the birds, especially the useful ones, of their own country is a better aid to the protection of these birds than many Acts of Parliament. Therefore the Victorian Journal of Agriculture is to be commended for commencing a series of short articles on the "Insectivorous Birds of Victoria." It is a matter for congratulation that Mr. D. M'Alpine, F.C.S., a member of the Aust. O.U., and an enthusiastic worker in many departments of science, has been appointed editor. The bird articles are by Mr. Charles French, F.L.S., &c., Government Entomologist, and the coloured illustrations are from drawings by Mr. C. C. Brittlebank. The February issue (vol. i., part 2) deals with the Kestrel (Cerchneis cenchroides) and the Bee-eater (Merops ornatus). Regarding the former Mr. French states: — "I have adhered to the generic name known to most of us as Tinnunculus, believing as I do that finality in nomenclature is not a thing of the near future." If Mr. French believes that the retention of old and obsolete names is an advantage, it may also be advantageous to show in brackets the later (really the older by the law of priority) and more accepted names. The April number (part 4) deals with that little, gay favourite, the Blue Wren (Malurus cyaneus). The lithographer has very obviously not done justice to the colour of the original drawing of the male bird. Moreover, had its tail been drawn more obliquely the figure would have appeared more natural, besides saving a repetition of the pose of the upper (female) figure.
The inclusion in the advertisements in the Journal of Agriculture of the schedule of the "Close Season for Game" is a wise forethought. No use now for country "pot-hunters" to say "'Tis folly to be wise," &c. It will be rank folly to be ignorant and shoot protected birds during close season.
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In The Wombat, the journal of the Geelong Field Naturalists' Club, &c. (March, 1902), Mr. H. E. Hill contributes an article entitled "Notes on the Birds of the Bendigo District." He enumerates about 100 birds which came under his own, personal observation, giving field data, more or less brief, and of much interest, because original. The following are samples: —
Pomatorhinus superciliosus.—4/11/99. Nest with six eggs in needle bush (hakea), of which three were fresh and three dried up. Do the Chatterers line those nests only which are to contain eggs?
Gymnorhina leuconota.—20/10/94. Watched a fight between two cock birds, a hen looking on from a safe distance without apparent concern as to the result. •
