^^°'"^yg"'] Bird Protection in Queensland. 120 



Bird Protection in Queensland. 



The following report is taken from the Brisbane Daily Mail of 

 2nd August : — 



The Minister for Agriculture (Mr. Lennon) adopted a most 

 sympathetic attitude to a deputation which waited upon him 

 yesterday to plead the cause of Queensland's beautiful and useful 

 birds. The deputation suggested that the old Acts (1877-84) 

 were obsolete, and should be superseded by a measure embodying 

 provisions more in keeping with modern views regarding the value 

 of birds. They put forward a number of clauses as suggestions 

 to be incorporated in the proposed new Act. These included pro- 

 visions prohibiting the taking of eggs of protected birds, the 

 penalizing of anyone knowingly having feathers (including Egret 

 plumes) or any other portion of protected native game in possession, 

 the prohibition of trapping during birds' breeding season, pro- 

 vision for the better treatment of cage birds and examination of 

 bird dealers' shops, the bestowal of greater powers on honorary 

 rangers, the prohibition of the use of firearms by boys under 

 16 years, and increases in the penalties under the Act from £1 

 to £3 (minimum) and £6 to £10 (maximum). In addition, it was 

 suggested that a commission of ornithologists be appointed to 

 advise the Minister in the administration of the Act, to issue 

 printed matter for the enlightenment of the public, and generally 

 to control the interests of birds in relation to agriculture in Queens- 

 land, the commission to be purely an honorary one, on lines 

 adopted in certain parts of America. 



The Minister, in reply, acknowledged the many complimentary 

 references made to the valuable work he had already done in the 

 matter of bird protection, and said he fully appreciated not only 

 the value of most birds, but the charm they were to the country- 

 side. He had, he said, been very interested in all the deputation 

 had had to say, and he quite agreed with most of the suggestions 

 put forward. These were, however, largely anticipated in a Bill 

 that was already " on the stocks" — a bill making for the protection 

 of both birds and animals. For instance, there were clauses pro- 

 hibiting the taking of eggs or having in possession the feathers 

 of protected birds, regulations for the control of trapping, and 

 provisions in respect of the power of rangers or guardians. In 

 passing, Mr. Lennon remarked that he knew from personal 

 observation how quickly birds came to recognize places where 

 they were properly treated. On Dunk Island, for instance, where 

 he had been several times, the birds were delightfully trustful 

 and plentiful. 



On 9th August Messrs. Henry Tryon (Government Ento- 

 mologist) and A. H. Chisholm, R.A.O.U., were to have addressed, 

 on behalf of the birds, the annual conference of the associated 

 municipalities of Queensland. At the last moment Mr. Tryon 

 was unable to attend and tell the conference something of his 

 researches into the food of birds, and Mr. Chisholm addressed about 



