Page:The Emu volume 4.djvu/219

 in his field observations, remarked that the bird was first observed running over piled-up masses of red and black sandstone, with which the colouring of its plumage harmonized so perfectly that it might easily pass unnoticed. The bird was named by Mr. A. W. Milligan after Dr. House, who acted as naturalist to the North-West Exploration Expedition, led by Mr. F. S. Brockman. The nest and eggs are undescribed.

Xerophila castaneiventris (Chestnut-bellied Whiteface).—This species was also first discovered by Mr. J. T. Tunney at Pindar, in the Murchison district of Western Australia, but as he obtained only one skin, and that a bad one. it could not be declared a new species until further skins were obtained. These were eventually secured for the Western Australian Museum by Mr. Frederick Lawson, in the district named. The birds associate in small companies, and prefer the red soils. They are ground feeders. The bird was named and described by Mr. A. W. Milligan and the eggs by Mr. A. J. Campbell, C.M.B.O.U.

news of the death of Mr. Harry E. Hill, at Kalgoorlie, W.A., on 28th February last, from typhoid fever, has been received with the deepest regret by his friends in Victoria. Mr. Hill was a valued member of the A.O.U. He acted for several years as honorary curator of the Gordon College Museum, and in that capacity did excellent work in classifying the museum specimens for the first time upon a scientific basis. He was editor of The Geelong Naturalist, and later of The Wombat, and by his field notes published from time to time in The Emu and in the journals named he contributed much to our knowledge of the birds of the Geelong district and the Eastern Otway. He continued his ornithological work in Western Australia, and only a few weeks before he died he wrote to the editors to say that he hoped soon to be able to send over full field notes on the birds of Kalgoorlie. Mr. Hill was a man of a quiet disposition, who never sought popularity, but whose friendship was all the more valued by those who knew him best. As an ornithologist he was a painstaking and enthusiastic worker, one who put the science he loved foremost and himself last. The cause of ornithology can ill afford his loss.

Vol. IV., p. 45.—Under heading Fairy Martin, 5th line—Transpose the months September and August, so as to read "from middle of August to early in September."

Vol. IV., p. 46.—Under heading Coucal, "east of Townsville" should read "west of Townsville."