238 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. 



of a collection of birds' eggs made there by him. On this series 

 Mr. North reports: — "This collection, the result of over twenty- 

 five years' labour, contains the eggs of all but two birds that are 

 known to inhabit or frequent the island. It is particularly rich 

 in sea-birds' eggs, the series of Sooty Terns (Sterna fuliginosa, 

 Gmelin), alone numbering over one hundred distinct varieties. 

 As each specimen is perfect, and its history known, the value of 

 the collection is inestimable." 



From Mr. H. F. Marr the eggs of the Comb-crested Parra 

 (Parra gallinacea, Temm.), were received; and from Mr. G. 

 Savidge, twenty-seven other sets from the Copmanhurst District. 



A matter that requires urgent attention on the part of the 

 State Governments is that of the wilful destruction of our native 

 birds, not only the highly plumaged forms, but even the humbler 

 and more sombre-hued of our feathered friends — the former for 

 the sake of their brightly-coloured feathers in their commercial 

 aspect, the latter, too often, from pure wantonness. On this 

 subject Mr. North has lately published some observations'* that 

 are well worth perusal. 



It was hoped that the passing of the " Birds' Protection Act of 

 1893," (56 V"ict. No. 18), would have had a beneficial effect in 

 preserving our birds, but it appears to have become a dead letter, 

 indeed the appended schedules, as a means of legal bird identifica- 

 tion, are far too indefinite. Quite recently an Amended Bill has 

 passed the Legislature, the "Birds' Protection Act of 1901 (1 Edw. 

 vii., No. 26), which will probably share the same fate. 



The following suggestions are offered as a means of rendering 

 the Act more operative : — 



1. Instruct the police to prosecute all persons, who have not a permit, for 



shooting birds that are protected under the Act in the close season. 



2. In the country districts let especial attention be paid to persons who 



shoot birds for profit, such as the Regent Bower-bird, the Rifie-bird, 

 and Lyre-bird, and all game birds and waterfowl. 



3. Near cities instruct the suburban police to prosecute all offenders against 



the Act. (The principal offenders are boys and youths, who shoot on 

 Saturdays and holidays). 



4. Let due notice be given in the newspapers, just prior to any holiday 



occurring in the close season, that persons shooting protected birds 

 will be rigorously prosecuted. 



5. Place in a conspicuous position on every railway-station, post-office, 



court-house, and school in the State, a large poster of the Birds' 

 Protection Act. 



6. Let teachers instruct the children in the public schools the harm they 



are doing in killing birds and robbing nests. 



It may be interesting to note that of the seven hundred and 

 sixty (approximately) known species of Australian birds, our col- 

 lection contains six hundred and eighty-seven. Of the latter, 



4 North — The Destruction of Native Birds in New South Wales. — 

 Aust. Mus. Rec, iv., 1. 1901, pp. 17-25. 



