Barking Owls are a nocturnal, medium sized bird of prey native to Australia, parts of Papua New Guinea, and the Moluccas. Average size ranges between 390-440mm in length. Females are generally slightly smaller than males and they are only one of a small number of owl species that do not exhibit marked sexual dimorphism. Barking Owls have characteristic vocalisations, ranging from a 'woof woof' barking dog sound, to shrill, human-like screams, which reportedly alarmed early European settlers to Australia. The Barking Owl's shrill and explosive vocalisation is sometimes associated with Bunyip mythology or referred to as 'the screaming woman call'. The female call is slightly higher in pitch than the male, and males and females often duet, contrasting low and high pitches. Barking Owls may be vulnerable in some parts of Australia due to woodland habitat loss. 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 female Barking Owl is of an average size. It has brown, grey and white spots and vertical streaks. The face and breast are lighter in colour than the wings and the dorsal plumage. The glass eyes are large and dark in colour while the tarsi and toes are yellowish. This specimen stands on a wooden perch with identification tags attached to its leg. [torn] / 16. / Winking Owl / See catalogue Page, 4 /taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, owls, barking owls, screaming woman call, yowing, woodland birds, birds of prey, australian owls, endangered, loss of habitat, woodland habitat, bunyip, australian early settler mythology

The Barking Owl is a nocturnal, medium sized (390-440 mm) bird of prey native to Australia, parts of Papua New Guinea, and the Moluccas. Males are generally slightly larger by weight than females and they are only one of small number of owl species that do not exhibit marked sexual dimorphism. Barking Owls have characteristic vocalisations, ranging from 'a 'woof woof' barking dog sounds to shrill, human-like scream sounds, which reportedly alarmed early European settlers. The Barking Owl's shrill and explosive vocalisation is sometimes associated with Bunyip mythology or referred to as 'the screaming woman call'. The male call is slightly lower in pitch than the female, and males and females often duet, contrasting low and high pitches. The owls are brown-grey in colour with white spots on the wings and vertically streaked chest. Their eyes are large and yellow. Barking Owls may be vulnerable in some parts of Australia due to woodland habitat loss. 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 male Barking Owl is average sized with brown, grey and white spots and vertical chest streaks. The face and breast are lighter in colour than the wings and dorsal plumage. The eyes are large and dark and the legs and feet are yellowish. The eyes are large and yellow irises and the legs and feet are yellowish. The specimen stands on a wooden perch pedestal with identification tags attached to its leg. 17. / Bookook Owl / See catalogue page, 4 /taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, owls, barking owls, screaming woman call, yowing, woodland birds, birds of prey, australian owls, endangered, loss of habitat, woodland habitat, bunyip, australian early settler mythology

This photograph depicts people attending the 'Spotlight on Fox' event watching a demonstration. The event was conducted as part of an awareness campaign highlighting damage done to farm and domestic animals and native wildlife in April 2004. This date is suggested by the photograph's position in the 2004-2005 Wooragee Landcare Group Coordinator's Report folder. A note accompanying the item suggests an alternative date of February 2004, however. This event raised awareness about the impacts of foxes in rural areas and provided practical training in techniques to control their populations. Flyers contained in the parent folder suggest that baiting may have been agreed as a method of fox control as the event depicted was followed by a two week baiting campaign a fortnight later. Pictured in this photograph, left to right: unknown; Sue Berwick ; Jerry Alexander; rest unidentified. A note accompanying the items suggests the photograph may have been taken by Karen Bowley or Maree Missen. Regional areas like Wooragee are susceptible to fox attacks due to the availability of food such as rubbish, scraps, native wildlife and livestock. Foxes can have a huge impact on native wildlife and domestic life as they are known to chew through irrigation systems, dig-up and defecate in gardens, raid rubbish bins and harass other domestic animals. Ground-dwelling native species are particularly susceptible to predation by foxes, which when combined with loss of habitat can endanger these species. Affected species include Speckled Warblers, Plovers, Diamond Firetails, Spotted Quail-Thrushes, Turquoise Parrots, Dunnarts, Bandicoots, Phascogales, skinks, geckos and legless lizards. This photograph is significant as an example of awareness raising and threat control programs undertaken by Wooragee Landcare Group in the 2000s in Indigo Shire.Landscape coloured photograph printed on gloss paperReverse: WAN NA 0ANA2N0 NNN 0 8743 / [PRINTED] (No. 13) / 259wooragee, wooragee landcare, indigo shire, north-east victoria, foxes, fox, pest control, vermin, conservation, baiting, trapping, events, 2004, wildlife, speckled warbler, plovers, diamond firetails, spotted quail-thrush, turquoise parrots, dunnarts, bandicoots, phascogales, skinks, geckos, legless lizards, farming, chickens, ducks, guinea-pigs

This photograph depicts fox behaviour specialist Camille Veselsky demonstrating the use of a fox bait trap at an event conducted as part of an awareness campaign highlighting damage done to farm and domestic animals and native wildlife in April 2004. Camille Veselsky is a specialist in fox behaviour who worked for the Hume Rural lands Protection Board on pest animal control for 27 years. This date is suggested by the photograph's position in the 2004-2005 Wooragee Landcare Group Coordinator's Report folder. A note accompanying the item suggests an alternative date of February 2004, however. This event raised awareness about the impacts of foxes in rural areas and provided practical training in techniques to control their populations. Flyers contained in the parent folder suggest that baiting may have been agreed as a method of fox control as the event depicted was followed by a two week baiting campaign a fortnight later. Pictured in the photograph are Helmut Wiemann, Ursula Wiemann, Camille Veselsky and two other people (unknown). A note accompanying the items suggests the photograph may have been entered by Karen Bowley or Maree Missen. In the folder, an printed label accompanying the photograph states: 'A marker to identify the bait station will not deter the fox.' Regional areas like Wooragee are susceptible to fox attacks due to the availability of food such as rubbish, scraps, native wildlife and livestock. Foxes can have a huge impact on native wildlife and domestic life as they are known to chew through irrigation systems, dig-up and defecate in gardens, raid rubbish bins and harass other domestic animals. Ground-dwelling native species are particularly susceptible to predation by foxes, which when combined with loss of habitat can endanger these species. Affected species include Speckled Warblers, Plovers, Diamond Firetails, Spotted Quail-Thrushes, Turquoise Parrots, Dunnarts, Bandicoots, Phascogales, skinks, geckos and legless lizards. This photograph is significant as an example of awareness raising and threat control programs undertaken by Wooragee Landcare Group in the 2000s in Indigo Shire.Landscape coloured photograph printed on gloss paper. Reverse: 26 / [HANDWRITTEN] WAN NA 0ANA2N0 0 8743 / [PRINTED] (No. 14) / 260 / wooragee, wooragee landcare, indigo shire, north-east victoria, conservation, pest control, fox, foxes, vermin, baiting, trapping, camille veselsky, hume rural lands protection board, 2004, speckled warbler, plovers, diamond firetails, turquoise parrots, dunnarts, bandicoots, phascogales, skinks, geckos, legless lizards, chickens, ducks, guinea-pigs

This photograph depicts fox behaviour specialist Camille Veselsky demonstrating the use of a fox bait trap at an event conducted as part of an awareness campaign highlighting damage done to farm and domestic animals and native wildlife in April 2004. Camille Veselsky is a specialist in fox behaviour who worked for the Hume Rural lands Protection Board on pest animal control for 27 years. This date is suggested by the photograph's position in the 2004-2005 Wooragee Landcare Group Coordinator's Report folder. A note accompanying the item suggests an alternative date of 24th June 2004, however. This event raised awareness about the impacts of foxes in rural areas and provided practical training in techniques to control their populations. Flyers contained in the parent folder suggest that baiting may have been agreed as a method of fox control as the event depicted was followed by a two week baiting campaign a fortnight later. Pictured in this photograph, left to right: unknown, unknown, Quentin Mansfield, Graeme Missen, unknown, Helmut Wiemann, presenter Camille Veselsky, Ursula Wiemann, unknowns. A note accompanying the items suggests the photograph may have been taken by Karen Bowley or Maree Missen. In the folder, the photograph is accompanied by a printed label stating: 'Sensible precautions must be taken when handling FOXOFF.' Regional areas like Wooragee are susceptible to fox attacks due to the availability of food such as rubbish, scraps, native wildlife and livestock. Foxes can have a huge impact on native wildlife and domestic life as they are known to chew through irrigation systems, dig-up and defecate in gardens, raid rubbish bins and harass other domestic animals. Ground-dwelling native species are particularly susceptible to predation by foxes, which when combined with loss of habitat can endanger these species. Affected species include Speckled Warblers, Plovers, Diamond Firetails, Spotted Quail-Thrushes, Turquoise Parrots, Dunnarts, Bandicoots, Phascogales, skinks, geckos and legless lizards. This photograph is significant as an example of awareness raising and threat control programs undertaken by Wooragee Landcare Group in the 2000s in Indigo Shire. Landscape coloured photograph printed on gloss paper. Reverse: WAN NA 0ANA2N0 NNN+ 3 8743 / [PRINTED] 24 / [HANDWRITTEN] (No. 1 1) / 257 [PRINTED}wooragee landcare, wooragee, north-east victoria, indigo shire, landcare movement, 2004, fox control, pest control, native animal protection, farming, farm life, foxes, vermin, baiting, traps, speckled warbler, plovers, diamond firetails, spotted quail-thrush, turquoise parrot, dunnarts, bandicoots, phascogales, skinks, geckos, legless lizard, chickens, ducks, guinea-pigs, camille veselsky, quentin mansfield, graeme missen, helmut wiemann, ursula wiemann, karen bowley, maree missen

This photograph depicts fox behaviour specialist Camille Veselsky demonstrating the use of a fox bait trap at an event conducted as part of an awareness campaign highlighting damage done to farm and domestic animals and native wildlife in April 2004. Camille Veselsky is a specialist in fox behaviour who worked for the Hume Rural lands Protection Board on pest animal control for 27 years. This date is suggested by the photograph's position in the 2004-2005 Wooragee Landcare Group Coordinator's Report folder. A note accompanying the item suggests an alternative date of February 2004, however. This event raised awareness about the impacts of foxes in rural areas and provided practical training in techniques to control their populations. Flyers contained in the parent folder suggest that baiting may have been agreed as a method of fox control as the event depicted was followed by a two week baiting campaign a fortnight later. Pictured in the photograph, left to right: unknown, Quentin Mansfield; four unknown people; Mary Prowse; two unknown people; Helmut Wiemann; unknown person. In the folder, the photograph is accompanied by a printed label stating: 'Train foxes to take free feeds before using the 1080. Small traces of fish oil can help attract foxes to the bait station.' Regional areas like Wooragee are susceptible to fox attacks due to the availability of food such as rubbish, scraps, native wildlife and livestock. Foxes can have a huge impact on native wildlife and domestic life as they are known to chew through irrigation systems, dig-up and defecate in gardens, raid rubbish bins and harass other domestic animals. Ground-dwelling native species are particularly susceptible to predation by foxes, which when combined with loss of habitat can endanger these species. Affected species include Speckled Warblers, Plovers, Diamond Firetails, Spotted Quail-Thrushes, Turquoise Parrots, Dunnarts, Bandicoots, Phascogales, skinks, geckos and legless lizards. This photograph is significant as an example of awareness raising and threat control programs undertaken by Wooragee Landcare Group in the 2000s in Indigo Shire.Landscape coloured photograph printed on gloss paper. Reverse: 25 / 2 [HANDWRITTEN] WAN NA 0ANA2N0 NNN+ 1 8743 / [PRINTED] (No.12) / 258wooragee, wooragee landcare group, indigo shire, north-east victoria, fox, foxes, pest control, vermin, conservation, baiting, trapping, farming, wildlife, speckled warblers, plovers, diamond firetails, spotted quail-thrush, turquoise parrot, dunnarts, bandicoots, phascogales, skinks, geckos, legless lizards, camille veselsky

The world’s most ecologically distinct bird lives in the native grasslands of Victoria - but only just. The plains-wanderer is a small bird that was once widespread across the grasslands of south-eastern Australia. Today there are fewer than 1000 mature birds in the wild. The plains-wanderer is under threat due to habitat loss caused by overgrazing, cropping and suburban sprawl. Unlike most other birds, female wanderers are larger and more colourful and the males take care of the chicks. They are only about 15cm tall and weigh between 40-80g for the male and 55-90g for the female. Their intricate plumage mirrors the colours of their grassland home so they blend in perfectly with their surroundings. The plains-wanderer’s origins date back to when Australia was part of the Gondwana supercontinent over 60 million years ago. They are so biologically distinct that their extinction would result in the loss of a branch of the tree of life. A fussy grass dweller, they like neither too much nor too little grass. That is where sheep grazing can help. After years of low numbers in Victoria, plains-wanderer populations have been increasing in Terrick Terrick National Park in north west Victoria, as sheep grazing maintains the grass in the park at a suitable level. With the right management, this ecologically important bird species is continuing to survive in the native grasslands of Victoria. Managing these habitats for the plains-wanderer can also support the conservation of many other threatened plant and animal species. Object: Nest of plains-wanderers by Mary-Jane Walker, 2020. Outer made from upcycled paper, internal structure steel. Nest of plains-wanderers by Mary-Jane Walker, 2020. Outer made from up cycled paper, internal structure steel. native grasslands, plains-wanderer, terrick terrick national park

The dusky antechinus was first described in 1840 by English naturalist George Robert Waterhouse, making it the second species of antechinus to be formally recorded. It was named in honor of zoologist and artist William Swainson, with the holotype likely originating from the Tasman Peninsula in Tasmania, collected by Swainson’s associate, Thomas Lempriere. The dusky antechinus is distributed across southeastern Queensland to southwestern Victoria, as well as in Tasmania. It is most frequently found in mountainous areas, including Kosciuszko National Park and the Brindabella Ranges, where it inhabits alpine heath and tall open forests with dense understorey vegetation. While the species is not considered threatened, some local populations have declined due to habitat loss caused by controlled burning and the replacement of native forests with pine plantations. Additionally, predation by cats and red foxes is believed to negatively impact its numbers. This specimen was originally identified as a bandicoot and 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 and the National Museum of Victoria, as well as individuals such 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.Small sized dusky antechinus with a pointy snout, small rounded eyes made of glass, a thin tail, small rounded ears, and sharp clawed legs. The fur in colouring is golden brown with streaks of dark brown, and is of medium length and fine.On wooden mount: BMM5896/ On Catalogue Tag (attached to left foreleg): Bandicoot Mou(...)/ Catalogue, Page. 45/ burke museum, taxidermy, taxidermy mount, fauna, animal, animalia, reynell eveleigh johns, bandicoot, marsupial, peramelemorphia, dusky antechinus, antechinus swainsonii, swainson's antechinus, dusky marsupial mouse

The red wattlebird is a passerine bird native to southern Australia. Measuring 33–37 cm (13–14.5 inches) in length, it ranks as the second-largest species among Australian honeyeaters. The species was first described by John White in 1790, and three subspecies are currently recognised. The red wattlebird is found across southeast Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and southwest Western Australia, inhabiting open forests, woodlands, and urban gardens or parks. Known for its loud and conspicuous presence, the red wattlebird primarily forages in trees, although it occasionally searches for food on the ground. As one of the world's largest nectar-feeding birds, it consumes nectar from a wide variety of flowering plants, supplementing its diet with insects. Territorial and sometimes aggressive, it defends rich nectar sources from other bird species. Breeding occurs throughout its range, with the species constructing cup-shaped nests in trees and raising one or two broods annually. Despite localized declines due to habitat loss, the red wattlebird is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This specimen was falsely identified as a yellow wattlebird in original catalogue records and 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 red wattlebird has predominantly grey-brown plumage, featuring red eyes, pale pinkish-red wattles on each side of the neck, white streaking on the chest, and a prominent yellow patch on the lower belly. 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, red wattlebird

Four species of quoll occur in Australia: the northern, spotted-tailed, eastern and western quolls. Once, most parts of Australia were inhabited by at least one of the species.Captain Cook collected quolls along the east coast in 1770, and recorded "quoll" as their local Aboriginal name. Quolls were often seen by early settlers, who called them "native cat", "native polecat" and "spotted marten", names based on familiar European animals. Since 1770, all four species have declined dramatically in numbers. This is mainly because of habitat loss or change across Australia, and introduced predators such as foxes and cats. Quolls are carnivorous marsupials with a pointed snout, a long tail and brown to black fur distinctively spotted with white. They are lively, attractive animals, with bright eyes, a moist pink nose and many sharp teeth. Like most Australian mammals, quolls are mainly active at night. Typically, they spend the day in one of their many dens, although spotted-tailed quolls and northern quolls sometimes forage and bask in the sunshine. Their large home ranges can extend for several kilometres in each direction from a smaller core range, and the range of a male quoll often overlaps those of several females. An interesting feature of their behaviour is the use of shared latrine (toilet) sites in open spaces such as rock ledges, for marking their territory and other social functions. Male quolls travel widely during the breeding season, with mating occurring during winter. All four species have a gestation period of 21 days. Because they are marsupial mammals, their young are born tiny and undeveloped and must work their way to the pouch, where they attach themselves to a teat to feed. Only the spotted-tailed quoll has a true pouch. In the other species, the young are protected by shallow folds of skin around the teats. As the pups grow, they dangle from the mother's belly; later, she carries them on her back. Quolls reach sexual maturity at one year. They have a naturally short life span, with smaller quolls living an average of only two years, and the larger spotted-tailed quoll about four to five years. The northern quoll is particularly short-lived. 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 and the National Museum of Victoria, as well as individuals such 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.Average sized quoll with brown fur with white spots on body but absence on the long tail which is furry unlike the smooth body fur. The quoll has a small had with a pointed snout lined with sharp teeth, and thin membraned ears that are slightly covered in fur. The forelegs of the quoll are slightly smaller than the hindlegs, with all four legs featuring sharp clawed paws.On mounting board: BMM5984/ On Catalogue Tag (attached to left hindleg): Native Cat./ Catalogue. Page 50./ burke museum, taxidermy, taxidermy mount, fauna, animal, animalia, reynell eveleigh johns, quoll, native cat, dasyurus

Series of newspaper clippings about travelling on Melbourne trams, people, conductors, and what can happen. .1 - Newspaper clipping titled "Swanston Express", from The Age 18/5/1985 by Alan Fitzgerald, about travelling on a tram and being on the wrong tram to an unusual destination and the things that can happen. Based around the story that a person was supposed to fly to Oakland USA but finished up in Auckland NZ. .2 - ditto titled "Its not easy losing green", from The Herald, 12/12/81 written by Lawrence Money about the loss of the green W's and their quirks - like sand on the floor, ticket butts, trap doors, peep holes, Melbourne habitats, compared to the orange trams. .3 - Letter to the Editor "Keep our trams and buses green", written by R Francis head of the graphic design, Swinburne Institute of Technology - regarding the colour of our vehicles, heritage and the craze of having orange colours - industrial design. Dated 8/5/1982. .4 - Editorial, 17/1/1995 - titled "Other peoples' trams" - The Age, about the reliance on Melbourne trams by its people, comparison with other large cities e.g. St Petersburg, cost of running it, finishes with the view that the system should be extended.trams, tramways, melbourne, behaviour, tramways, crews, tramcars, people and places, sanding equipment, compressors, livery, colour schemes