WCP2206

[1]

Dunalley

Tasmania

Feb. 7. 1894

Honoured Sir

After reading several of Darwin's books including his life and letters I laid my hand upon your "Darwinism" and beg to express my acknowledgement for the pleasure it has afforded me. As I have been a studious observer of Nature, especially plant life, and have more recently taken up Entomology, I venture to make one or two observations, knowing that generally distinguished workers are patient with amateurs.

Of the 46 species of terrestrial mammals of Tasmania not one so far as I know is brightly coloured. They are nearly all of a common grey as the Kangaroo and Wallaby [2] (Macropus and Halmaturus) and this harmonises well with the dull green foliage and light grey bark of the ubiquitous Eucalyptus, and as all the under-growth is evergreen it too is of a dull shade, so that some of the animals are easily seen. The larger quadrupeds (Marsupials) are very fleet of foot. The Wombat (Phascolomis [now Vombatus]) is a clumsy creature but he burrows. The Tiger (Thylacinus cynocephalus) though somewhat striped is very inconspicuous, and the "Native Devil" (Sarcophilus ursinus) is not swift. He is darker than any of the other animals so far as I have seen, and is very rare. These animals live chiefly on sheep since the island has been settled upon, and as man by means of dogs and cats has preserved [3] the balance by destruction it is not very certain what was their chief support formerly. Neither the Wallaby nor ground birds such as quail (Tetraonidae & Turnicidae[?]) seem to have increased during the settled period. The quails like their congeners the Partridges at home are splendidly protected among the brown decayed leaves by their russet coating. The Australian decayed leaves are never, I think, nearly as bright yellow nor highly coloured as the <home> autumnal <sort?> — but <continuing> to a dull grey. Magpies, owing partly, perhaps, to increased areas being cleared, exposing worms and insects, and to their being protected by law, have increased much. These birds have more white than the long-tailed magpies at home, especially [4] so the small "white magpie" which is the only protected one. With the exception of the White and the Black Cockatoos the very numerous Parakeets &c are green with some red markings, but they keep very much among the green foliage of young Eucalypts. The Black Australian Swan being gregarious shows well its "colour as a means for recognition". It shows no white when at rest bit very distinctly so on the wing. It will be said that it could not be mistaken for anything else on account of size; but I know from experience that on flying up and down rivers with the invariably steep wooded banks it is most difficult to see with such a background except for the white feathers showing in the wings. When it frequents inhabited country it is very shy; but it [5] is fairly tame (as regards boats) in such undisturbed places as Port Davey as I have observed in my botanical explorations.

Out of 187 known species of birds here there are 11 hawks and eagles; these with the exception of an occasional white hawk are inconspicuous in colour. The larger bird[s] often kill sheep and have been known to carry up young pigs! Probably the strength of beak and ferocity of the white Cockatoo compensates for its conspicuous colour: its yellow erected crest too is alarming. They go in flocks but are not numerous, whereas the green parakeets &c are abundant. Of the colour of eggs I know nothing here. I well remember the conspicuous hue of the "Peewit's" eggs on the Welsh commons. [6] The four eggs, with small pointed ends[?] in the bottom of the nest of dry Erica roots &c were provokingly hard to see. I believe that most of our eggs are a dull white.

Recently I captured on the coast a good specimen of Diomedea fuliginosa [sooty albatross] (now in Hobart Museum) which is very rare around Tasmania.

However little an Englishman knows of Australia he generally knows that Rabbits have become a pest! Now I knew "Bunny" pretty well as a boy at home where he was by no means such a nuisance and black ones were common. Here when he has taken possession of our stockyards even I have rarely seen a black one. Do the more numerous enemies such as Tiger cats and Native cats ( Dasyurus [7] maculatus and viverrinus [quolls]) find this an unprotective colour and so keep the "parsons" down? Where there are 100 times as many rabbits there might be more numerous black ones, other things being equal. I have seen a new colour in wild rabbits here, viz., fulvous or yellowish. Snakes (Hoplocephalus [Broad-headed]) destroy and swallow whole many young rabbits. I notice that the rabbits burrow far less here than at home, the numerous hollow "logs" affording them shelter.

Our butterflies, which I am ever industriously collecting, are not so large and showy as some of your American wonders. Heteronympha are exceedingly numerous as indeed [2 words illeg.] and are fairly showy. Yesterday I saw a bird with one, and two [8] other birds clamouring for it. I should be happy to send you a few of our Lepidoptera if you should wish it. Unless they are different species I find great variation of colour and markings in Heteronympha merope.

I find myself greatly lacking in external stimulus here in regard to Entomological work. There are no good authorities who will name and described and much original work I feel still remains to be done. It would help me if I were a Fellow of the Ent. Soc. I think. Should you think my zeal worth the distinction I should be happy for you to propose me. I look to its utility more than the distinction of it. I hope this will find you and that you will forgive my rambling remarks and believe me to be your sincere admirer and disciple.

John Buxton [signature]

Dr. Wallace, F.R.S., F.L.S, &c