the Tasma and Hooker Glaciers, and in doing so he carried an old-fashioned camera, 12 x 10, which with plates and accessories weighed at least half a hundredweight. Years before the present dry plate process was invented he obtained some very fine photographs of the glacier region, some of which may be seen in the Christchurch Museum; and others won for him a gold medal at an International Exhibition in Vienna. Apart from his scientific attainments, the late Mr. Sealy was of a retiring disposition, a man of sterling worth, and strictly honourable in all his dealings, being conscientious to a degree. Had he been spared longer it was his intention to write an article for The Emu on the Double-banded Dottrel (Ochthodromus bicinctus), an interesting bird which he had especial advantages of observing in the field, particularly during its breeding season. His not having been able to do so is a distinct loss to ornithological science.
The Coloured Plate.
Through the generosity of the contributors to the Coloured Figure Fund the Council has been enabled to have executed the second coloured plate (Plate XVI.), depicting two hitherto unfigured Honey-eaters, an old species and a new one — namely, Melithreptus brevirostris (Brown-headed Honey-eater) and Ptilotis carteri (Carter Honey-eater).
It is somewhat remarkable that the former, described by Vigors and Horsfield, and so long known, should only now be figured. With regard to Ptilotis carteri (Campbell) some ornithologists may have P. Icilavalensis (North) in mind. P. carteri was first publicly exhibited and described at the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 13th March, 1899. The first announcement of P. leilavalensis appeared in the Australian Museum Records, 17th April following. Irrespective of the pros and cons as to priority, some authorities entertain a doubt as to the two being identical, especially as the types came from localities widely apart. P. leilavalensis in vernacular terms has been called the "Lesser White-plumed Honey-eater." On oological grounds, at all events, there is certainly some distinction to be drawn between this species and P. carteri. The eggs of the latter are as large, if not larger, than those of the ordinary White-plumed Honey-eater (P. penicillata), therefore if carteri = leilavalensis how can it be called the Lesser White-plumed Honey-eater? However, this is a matter for the authors of the forthcoming "Check-List" to settle.
Mr. D. Seth-Smith, F.Z.S., Addiscombe, Surrey, is again to be thanked for so kindly superintending the production of the plate in England. Walker, May and Co., Printers, Mackillop street, Melbourne.
