Here is something entirely new in Australian natural history stories for youngsters--an exciting and humorous detective mystery tale of the busy, in which birds and animals play major parts. Clumsy old Bill the wombat, they grumpiest creature in the bush, is a positive pain in the neck and a great nuisance to police trying to investigate the theft by two thieves of a Chinese treasure box. The police are also pestered by two small boys, lovable but mischievous young rascals, and by several suspiciously-acting and inscrutable Chinese. But it is grumpy old Bill the wombat and his feathered and furred bush friends who take the centre of the stage and provide a great deal of the comedy and excitement. Authentic as to detail, the book provides young readers with much information about the interesting marsupial wombat, a creature hitherto neglected by Australian natural history writers. "Wombat" is a noteworthy addition to the popular bush animal and bird series by popular writer C. K. Thompson.