104 Bttd Observers' Club. Lsnd'oct 



dinner. At the meeting afterwards the host was voted to tlie chair. 

 After discussion it was resolved to Umit the twenty-five memberships 

 for the present to gentlemen, but lady associates would be admitted 

 up to the number of five. The following papers were read and 

 discussed: — :" A Trip to the West," by E. B. Nicholls ; "A Trip to 

 Gembrook," by E. J. Christian; "On the Ejectment of Young by 

 the Cuckoo," by A. Mattingley. Mr. C. L. Barrett exhibited two 

 types of Scrub-Wrens' eggs, Mr. A G. Campbell skins of various 

 Acanthizas, while the host showed numbers of interesting trophies 

 obtained during his trying experiences in the memorable siege of 

 Ladysmith, notably a portion of a dark " mealy " loaf — his last day's 

 ration served in the beleaguered city. 



Notes and Notices. 



" A Dichotomous Key to the Birds of Australia" is issued as a 

 " Supplement " to this number of The Emu. Any members re- 

 quiring extra copies of the " Su})plement " may have them at one 

 shining each (postage extra) on application to the hon. sec. of the 

 A.O.U. 



A conference, representing New South Wales, Victoria, and 

 South Australia, was held in Melbourne recently to deal with the 

 question of the Murray River fisheries. Amongst resolutions agreed 

 to was the following : — " That it be recommended that action be 

 taken by each of the States with a view to the destruction of Shags, 

 Pelicans, and turtles in inland waters." 



At a meeting of the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria held 14th 

 August, 1905, Mr. H. J. Coles stated that during the past few 

 weeks seventeen Grass- Owls (Strix Candida) had been forwarded to 

 him from various localities. Fifteen of the birds had been picked 

 up dead, and were in very poor condition. 



In connection with the next (Adelaide) Annual Session of the 

 A.O.U., the hon. sec, Mr. A. E. Mattingley (address, Custom-House, 

 Melbourne) has issued the following circular : — 



" The fifth Annual Congress of the Australasian Ornithologists' 

 Union will be held in Adelaide from nth to 13th of October, and 

 the Council would be glad if as many members as possible were 

 to attend. Thereafter (on the 14th October) will be a ' working 

 excursion ' to and ' camp-out ' at Kangaroo Island, for about 

 10 days. Those who intend to camp wiU need to bring blankets 

 and eating utensils ; other necessities will be supplied. Members 

 leaving Melbourne by evening express on the loth October can 

 obtain a return ticket through the hon. secretary at the cost of 

 £2 5s. It is the intention of the President of the Marine Board of 

 South Australia to ]ilace the steamer Governor Miisgrave, which will 

 be visiting Kangaroo Island, at the disposal of members who intend 

 camping out. The total cost of the ' camp-out ' will therefore be 

 about ;^i or £1 5s. The hon. secretary would be glad to know if 

 you will be able to attend, and the title of the paper, if any, you 

 desire to contribute to the Congress." 



