Book Reviews Other topics described in this book include: This is a large and attractive book. Its con¬ patterns of reptile and frog distribution, locat¬ tent has been refined and updated over nearly ing specimens for photography or authorised 40 years, and it remains the definitive identi¬ capture, methods for collecting/sampling, fication guide to Australian herpetofauna. No transporting live animals, killing and preserva¬ herpetologists bookshelf is complete without a tion of specimens, care of captive specimens, ‘Cogger’; it provides the descriptive detail that and introduced (exotic) reptiles and amphibi¬ underpins the growing literature on the nations ans. Although not known by Cogger at the time reptiles and frogs. of writing, it is interesting to note that an ex¬ Reference otic amphibian (the European newt Lissotriton Tingley R, Weeks AR, Smart AS, van Rooyen AR, Woolnough vulgaris) has apparently become established in AP and McCarthy MA (2015). European newts establish in Victoria (Tingley et ai in press), adding some Australia, marking the arrival of a new amphibian order. Biological Invasions 17, 31-37 local relevance to the concerns raised in this section. A very useful feature of this book is one Nick Clemann of the most comprehensive and relevant glos¬ Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Department of Environment and Primary Industries saries in the herpetological literature. 123 Brown St, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084 An eye for nature: the life and art of \ F YE FOR NA J URE William T Cooper (cid:9632)r THU LIFE ,\NI> ART OF WILLIAM T by Penny Olsen, COOPED foreword by David Attenborough Publisher: National Library of Australia, Canberra, 2014, x, 278 pages, hardback, coloured illustrations. ISBN 9780642278463. RRP $49.99 An eye for nature: the life and art of William T Cooper is a high quality production, compris¬ ing Penny Olsen’s entertaining, informative, carefully researched account of William T P F N N Y,gl.SE!t Coopers life and career, as well as about 200 DAY 11) A TT fc\ ItOKOl l. reproductions of Coopers superb paintings and drawings, and numerous photographs. Coopers publications, and a very useful index. The foreword, written by David Attenborough The Rainbows on the Moor and text on the dust (who judges Cooper to be ‘the best ornithologi¬ jacket are also printed on the hard cover, so if cal illustrator alive) is, appropriately, accompa¬ anything happens to the dust jacket almost all nied by a reproduction of Coopers stunningly its content will remain with the book. beautiful painting of Lesser Birds-of-paradise. Cooper has always had an interest in nature— (When Cooper and Attenborough were boys, an interest encouraged by both his parents. He both were inspired by seeing an illustration of grew up in the Newcastle area, where there were these fascinating birds.) At the back of the book plenty of opportunities to explore the bush, are two portfolios of previously unpublished learn bushcraft from his father, go fishing, and paintings, one of birds, the other of landscapes. observe animals and plants. His mother taught Ihese are followed by a bibliography, a list of Vol 132 (2) 2015 55 Book Reviews him to sketch, and he began to win prizes at an Penny Olsen writes, ‘many close shaves in pur¬ early age. He left school at 15, and did many suit of subject matter’ (p. 217). During a trip to odd jobs before becoming a window dresser, Bukit Fraser in Malaysia, for example, Coopers an occupation that allowed him to use his ar¬ driver dozed off and the car rolled down a steep tistic talent painting backdrops for displays of hillside and hit a tree. Even here in Australia he merchandise. From the 1950s he entered and has experienced the wrath of a male Southern won prizes in art competitions, thus coming Cassowary protecting his chicks from the per¬ in contact with other artists, including William ceived threat of a human. Dobell who gave him sound advice and intro¬ There are very few faults in this book, though duced him to art dealers. I was somewhat startled to see an elephant re¬ Today, Cooper is perhaps best known for his ferred to as a mammoth (p. 137), and Coopers paintings of birds, especially those featured in mothers maiden name given as Cooper (p. 155) books produced in collaboration with Joseph instead of Bird. Forshaw, such as Parrots of the World, The Birds This is a most impressive book, well written, of Paradise and Bower Birds, Australian Par¬ splendidly illustrated and beautifully present¬ rots, Kingfishers and Related Birds, and Turacos. ed. It is also an important contribution to the However, he has also painted many breath¬ record of Australia’s cultural heritage. At $49.99 taking pictures of a host of other animals, has it is a bargain. Your interest will be aroused travelled widely to observe his subjects in their right from the beginning, for on the title page natural surroundings, and is equally skilled in there is a reproduction of a painting of a domes¬ botanical illustration. His eye for detail, com¬ tic cat, which the caption overleaf describes as mitment to accuracy, and instinct for perfect ‘The infamous cat that nearly wrecked Cooper’s composition are extraordinary. career’. Now read on! After reading this book I am amazed that Cooper is still alive, for this remarkable artist Virgil Hubregtse has had many arduous and often hair-raising 6 San iky Street Notting Hill, Victoria 3168 adventures in various parts of the world—or, as One Hundred Years Ago Wanderings on the Murray flood-plain By J.G. O’DONOHUE In making our first inspection of [Lake) Mournpoul, we noted that, though its area had been reduced to a considerable extent by the abnormal spell of dry weather then prevailing, there were still between 500 and 600 acres covered with water, which in some parts of the lake was estimated to have a depth of twelve feet. The lake is practically encircled by sand-dunes of varying elevations, and overflows to the north-east and south-east. Us shores are flat, and sandy in the vicinity of the dense growth of Red Gum and box timber growing on and at the base of the sand-dunes, but are extremely muddy near the waters edge. The introduced tobacco flourishes in places, and, from the appearance of many upright, decayed stems of the plant far out in the water, seems to have had a more extensive range on the lake bed than at present. The only other plant noted on the shores was the Small Knotweed, Polygonum plebejum. This forms, in favourable situations, a dense sward, which is kept closely cropped by the cattle, sheep, and emus. From The Victorian Naturalist XXXII, pp. 19-20, May 6, 1915 56 The Victorian Naturalist