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

Regent Honeyeaters get their name from their striking yellow-and-black plumage . Previously found across the south east of Australia far as Adelaide and Rockhampton in central Queensland, over the last thirty years their population has dwindled. Regent Honeyeaters are now only found between north-eastern Victoria and south-eastern Queensland, with only three known breeding grounds. Regent Honeyeaters typically live in eucalypt forests and woodlands. The yellow edging on the specimen's wings is duller than the bright yellow typical of most Regent Honeyeaters. The specimen is also stretched taller than most Regent Honeyeaters, resulting in a thinner neck and chest compared to the plumpness typically expected. 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.The Regent Honeyeater is a critically endangered Australian bird due to the clearing of their natural habitat, particularly around the Yellow Box-White Box-Blakely's Red Gum Woodlands in New South Wales. 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 Regent Honeyeater has a dark brown/black crown with a distinct orange patch under each red-coloured eye. Its back and upper chest are also a dark brown but with a white scalloped pattern. At the lower are of its belly, the white colour dominates the brown. Its wings and tail are brown edged with yellow. Its beak is a short, dark brown curl and its legs are brown. The bird stands on a brown, wooden perch with a circular bar, curved stand, and circular base. It has an identification tag tied around its right leg.57a. / Warty-faced Honey-eater ./ See Catalogue, Page 18 ./taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, bird, regent honeyeater, honeyeater, warty-faced honeyeater, australian birds, endangered birds, endangered animals

The Magpie-Lark, also commonly known as a Mudlark, is a carnivorous bird found in many regions of Australia, Indonesia, Timor, and Southern New Guinea. They are a non-migratory species and are extremely adaptable to a variety of environments. These environments include dry forest, savannah, grassland, and even urban areas. Magpie-Larks are typically monogamous and are often found in pairs. They are black and white, with a white underbelly, long legs, and a long, thin beak. The females of this species have a white throat, while the males have a white eyebrow and a black throat. While juveniles have dark eyes, mature adults have light irises. This information helps identify this specimen as an adult male. 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.The Magpie-Lark is a small to medium-sized bird which has distinctive black and white colouring. The bill is long and thin and is a whitish colour which differentiates it to other Magpie species. When mature, like this particular specimen, the Magpie-Lark have distinctive light irises. The glass eyes provided for this specimen are accurate in colour. This male specimen has a white 'eyebrow' marking and a black chest or bib. This Magpie-Lark stands on a wooden mount with a swing tag attached to its leg.Swing-tag: 20a. / Reed Grallina / See catalogue page 10 / taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, bird, mudlark, magpie-lark

The Yellow Wattlebird is Australia's largest Honey-eater. This species is only found in Tasmania and is also known as the Tasmanian Wattlebird. The birds are active, noisy and conspicuous especially when the birds congregate in flocks. It lays two or three pinkish white eggs with light brown speckles. This particular Wattlebird specimen has been mounted in an accurate but stylised fashion by the taxidermist. When calling, this bird throws its head backwards to such an extent that the feathers on its crown may actually touch those on the bird's back. It then suddenly jerks its head forwards while releasing the call. 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.The Yellow Wattlebird's has a distinct yellow belly and yellow-orange wattles on the sides of the head. The wattlebird's chest is white streaked with brown. The head, back and wings are brown. This specimen stands upon a wooden mount and has an identification tag tied around its leg.Swing-tag: 58a. / Wattled - Honeyeater / See catalogue page 18taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, bird, yellow wattlebird, tasmanian wattlebird, anthochaera paradoxa, australian birds, wattlebird

The Bassian Thrush is a secretive bird, often difficult to see, as it is an unobtrusive species that forages among dense vegetation. When disturbed, it sometimes crouches on the ground and freezes, relying on its scalloped plumage to conceal its presence. The Bassian Thrush feeds on the ground, scratching under the leaf-litter for small invertebrates. This specimen has been mounted in an accurate and yet stylised fashion. 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.The plumage of this Bassian Thrush specimen is a mottled brown to olive-brown colour, heavily scalloped with black crescent-shaped bars on the back, rump and head. The paler underparts all have brown-black scalloping. It has a white eye-ring which surrounds glass eyes which have been included by the taxidermist to replace the originals. This specimen stands upon a wooden platform and has an identification tag tied around its leg.Swing Tag: 44a / mountain Thrush / See Catalogue Page 15 taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, bird, australian birds, bassian thrush, thrush, zoothera lunulata

The Morepork is a small brown and white spotted owl found in New Zealand, Tasmania and Norfolk Island. It is known by around twenty different names which are all onomatopoeic which emulate the birds distinctive two-pitched call. They are mostly nocturnal and carnivorous (eating insects and small vertebrates). They reside in habitats with trees, they sleep in roosts and hunt mainly in the evenings and early morning. Females are slightly bigger than males. This species attains full plumage in its third or fourth year. They can turn their heads 270 degrees." In Māori tradition the morepork was seen as a watchful guardian. It belonged to the spirit world as it is a bird of the night. Although the more-pork or ruru call was thought to be a good sign, the high pitched, piercing, ‘yelp’ call was thought to be an ominous forewarning of bad news or events." (NZ Department of Conservation). 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 Morepork (also known as the Masked Owl) is covered in brown and white plumage on its head and body. The white feathers delineate its round yellow eyes. Its belly and back are brown and white with the white feathering appearing spotted. This Morepork specimen sits on a wooden perch with his head turned to the left. A swing tag is attached to its left leg.Swing tag: 10 / Masked Owl / See Catalogue, page 3 /taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, bird, ruru, spotted owl, tasmanian spotted owl, morepork, mopoke, new zealand owls, new zealand birds, tasmanian owls, tasmanian birds, norfolk island owls, norfolk island birds

B&W Photograph with road names and arrows added.Catalogue card reads, "Intersection of Kalinda Road and Plymouth Rd. 1967".

Catalogue card reads, "Widening of railway bridge on Warrandyte Rd.". 1977

Catalogue card reads, "Railway crossing, Bedford Road." 11/77

Catalogue card reads, "Ringwood, 1982. Proposed primary school site".

Catalogue card reads, "Ringwood, 1982. Ringwood Timber and Hardware Co."

Catalogue card reads, "Mine site, 1963. Site of Civic Centre".

Catalogue card reads, 'Anzac Commemoration Service 1956. The last post'.

Catalogue card reads, 'Unveiling of plaque in memory of Edward George Honey'.

Catalogue card reads, 'Highland pipe band in march through city'.

Catalogue card reads, 'Highland pipe band in march through city'.

Catalogue card reads, 'Sir Dallas and Lady brooks, City celebrations'.

Catalogue card reads, 'Sir Dallas and Lady Brooks, City celebrations'.

Catalogue card reads, 'Council election dodger, 1939. Borough elections.'

Catalogue card reads, 'Petition 4/9/1872 "for road to Melbourne".

Catalogue card reads, "C1858 Parish Map - Nunawading, Ringwood & Scoresby".

Catalogue card reads, "View over Ringwood from Loughnan Hill".

Catalogue card reads, "Ringwood East - Railway Station Estate, 1925".

Catalogue card reads, "Ringwood Tennis Club Ball, October 1921".

Catalogue card reads, "Football - Ringwood v East Ringwood - 1955".

Catalogue card reads, 'City of Ringwood celebrations, 1960. Float by Coles'.

Catalogue card reads, 'City of Ringwood celebrations, 1960. Official party'.

Catalogue card reads, 'City celebrations, 1960. Hansom cab in procession'.

Catalogue card reads, 'City of Ringwood celebrations, 1960. Bugler'. (Was CE0292)

Catalogue card reads, 'Mr. G. Mawson, M.L.A. City celebrations'.