Vol. xviii.i Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union. 229 



faunal features of the two regions. He was struck with the fact 

 that so many species of plants and birds are common to both 

 regions, and mentioned a number of examples. The very 

 restricted range of such birds as Leucotreron alligator, Petropharsa 

 rufipennis, and P. albipennis was commented upon. Many views 

 taken in North- West Kimberley might be shown as typical views 

 of many localities in the Northern Territory. In referring to 

 Mr. W. M'Lennan's recent trip to the King River, he said he 

 could appreciate the many difficulties and hardships experienced 

 by that collector. The rugged nature of some of this country, 

 the hostility of the natives, the difficulty of procuring food, and 

 the attacks of insects and other pests, all contributed to make the 

 collector's life an exceedingly strenuous one. 



In the discussion that followed, Mr. A. J. Campbell said he was 

 very interested in the views and in the remarks made in reference 

 to them, especially in view of a paper he had in course of prepara- 

 tion. In the paper he would refer to the question of the separation 

 of certain species of birds within a definite zoological region into 

 several sub-species. He thought Mr. Hill's remarks were of 

 particular interest in this connection. Mr. W. B. Alexander said 

 he had noticed a great similarity in the species of insects and 

 mammals received from North- West Australia and the Northern 

 Territory, particularly amongst the butterflies and kangaroos. 

 There was no doubt, in his opinion, that North-West Kimberley 

 and the northern portion of the Northern Territory are one 

 zoological region. Mr. Le Souef thought that Mr. Hill had 

 modestly passed over the difficulties and dangers met with by a 

 naturalist in Northern Australia. In referring to the tall grass 

 which covered most of the country in the summer months, he said 

 that even when mounted on horseback one had difficulty in 

 finding one's way about, the coarse grass in many places being so 

 high. He quite concurred with what the lecturer stated regarding 

 the distribution of species in various types of country. 



Hon. Librarian's Report. 



In order that the various periodicals received in exchange for 

 The Emu may be accessible to members, the Council has decided 

 to have the volumes bound and placed in the Union's room. 

 Owing to lack of funds, only the ornithological journals are being 

 bound at present, but it is hoped ultimately to bind all the 

 periodicals received. In the case of a considerable number of 

 the journals it was found that back parts were missing, but 

 requests were sent to the various societies and individuals con- 

 cerned, with the result that in most cases these parts were 

 replaced free of charge. Bound volumes of the following 

 periodicals are now on the shelves in the Union's room : — Austral 

 Avian Record, South Australian Ornithologist, Ibis, Auk, Condor, 

 British Birds, Revue Francaise d'Oniithologie, Avicultural 



