The Silver Gull is more commonly referred to as the 'Seagull'. Found all along the coast of mainland Australia and Tasmania, it can also be found in New Caledonia and New Zealand. These birds are a common nuisance at beaches and urban areas, such as shopping centres. Since the 1950s, humans have become increasingly wasteful, leading to an explosion of the Silver Gull population due to the availability of rubbish to scavenge. They feed mainly on small marine life, but they are a versatile scavenger. The population increase has impacted the breeding of other bird species, as Silver Gulls have dominated offshore island breeding grounds. Their breeding season is from August to December, when they nest on the ground, however mating can occur year-round. This species has a harsh, high-pitched call 'kwarwh', well known to all Australians. Although protected under Australian Environmental Law, there are many strategies in place to discourage increasing the numbers of Seagulls. This specimen is an inaccurate example of a Silver Gull, which although is in good condition and intact, does not look like an accurate representation of this species. The legs have been mounted too far towards the tail on this specimen, giving it an unbalanced appearance. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.This adult Silver Gull has a white head, body, underpart and tail. Its wings are silver-grey, with black and white tips. It has an orange-red bill, feet and beak, indicative of its maturity. The irises are white. This specimen stands upon a wooden platform and has an identification tag tied around its leg.Swing-tag: 11a / Silver Gull / See catalogue, page, 40. taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, bird, seagull, silver gull, australian bird, nuisance

Small silver salt spoon.On back silver markings.spoon cutlery domestic salt-spoon silver

Donated with journal by Mrs Betty Geddes, granddaughter. Note incorrect spelling of 'Mackinlay'.+Additional Keywords: McKinley, W Mayor, J.P. / Geddes, Mrs Betty'Memorial Clock Tower Trustees - 4.8.1928'; and on the obverse side: 'W. McKinley J.P. Mayor, Ringwood.'

History of Holy Trinity Church, Patterson Street,. Ringwood East - 25th Anniversary 1955-1980, researched and compiled by A.H. ScollaryForeword by The Rev. Dr. George A. Mullins, first vicar of The Parish of Holy Trinity Ringwood East

35mm colour positive transparency Mount - Black and Whiteelm crescent, eltham north, highpoint crescent, infrastructure, roads, silver street

The Harris trains operated in Melbourne 1956-1988. They were full of asbestos and were taken out of service, wrapped in plastic and buried in land fill near ClaytonDigital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Safety 5063 black and white transparencyharris (blue) train, eltham, silver street, overpass

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP4 black and white transparencyeltham, silver street, overpass, red rattler, tait train

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Safety 5035 colour transparencyKodak Safety 5035 March 1981 process date of printeltham, george coop collection, hurstbridge railway line, overpass, red rattler, silver street, tait train

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Safety 5035 colour transparencyKodak Safety 5035 March 1981 process date of printeltham, george coop collection, hurstbridge railway line, overpass, red rattler, silver street, tait train

Edmond Smith's personal story of his time at the 'country' place of Sutherland Homes in Greensborough. Edmond arrived at the Home in 1948, aged 6.272p., illus. 2 copiesedmond smith, sutherland homes

From a collection of 35 photos taken by Doug Orford at 35 specific locations along the exact boundary of the then Shire of Eltham.Colour photographeltham, silver street

The album was used by the Worrell family early 20th centurythe Worrell's are a locally renowned family Worrellalbum, photograph, worrell

Soft covered book of 71 pagesjeff fyffe, marion snowden, graeme hewitt, jeremy johnson, tim sullivan, red hill national school, maxine berry, nancy rowlands, yvonne horsefield, david henderson, st peter's denomonational school, caroline hutterer, sheryn mitchell, ballarat benevolent asylum ragged school, catherine watt

Anniversary held at Methodist Church, Ringwood Hall Norwood High School Speech night at Ringwood Town Hall on 14 December 1960

photograph, people

Colour serigraphSigned and dated 'Chizuko Yoshida '92' in lower right corner under printed image. Edition 5/100, numbered to the left below printed image.

Gramophone record used in the mending room of the Foster Valley Mill.textile mills staff, valley worsted mill, gramophone, record, textile mills - staff