^"I'ol^ 1 South Australian Oniithologioal Association. 39 



South Australian Ornithological Association. 



The annual meeting of this association was held at the lesidence of Dr. A. 

 M. Morgan on the evening of the 9th March, Mr. F. R. Zietz presiding. 

 The secretary reported that the association had had a successful year, and 

 much good work had been accomplished by members individually and 

 collectively. There had been no falling off in attendance at the meetings or 

 in enthusiasm. The association had assisted in entertaining the visiting 

 members of the Australasian Ornithologists" Union during the Adelaide 

 session in October, and several members had attended the camp-out on 

 Kangaroo Island. The financial statement showed that the funds were in a 

 flourishing condition. A vote of thanks was accorded to Dr. A. M. Morgan 

 for having allowed his residence to be used for meetings. The following 

 office-bearers were elected : — President, Mr. J. W. Mellor ; vice-president, 

 Dr. A. M. Morgan ; secretary, Capt. S. A. White ; these gentlemen to form 

 the committee of management. Mr. L. C. E. Gee gave an interesting 

 account of a trip through the Northern Territory, in which he noted many 

 rare and beautiful birds. Capt. S. A. White and Mr. J. W. Mellor reported 

 that birds were more plentiful at the Reedbeds than they had known them for 

 some years. Mr. Mellor gave an interesting account of birds recently 

 identified by him while on a trip to Narracoorte. Mr. E. Ashby said he had 

 noted the Tawny-crowned Honey-eater {GlycypJiila fulvifrons), at Blackwood 

 early in the year, contrary to the general rule ; also the Black-throated 

 Honey-eater {Melithreptus oularis), in little coveys, uttering strange singing 

 notes while on the wing. Mr. F. R. Zietz recorded the Black-and-White 

 Fantail {Sauloprocta tricolor) within the city. Several specimens were 

 exhibited. Mr. A. H. C. Zietz, F.L.S., showed the pelvis bone of the Emu 

 {Dromceus novcB-hollandio')^ cut to display in sectional form the extremely 

 strong construction of the vertebral column, formed on the principal of an 

 arch, to carry a heavy body. Mi'. E. Ashby showed a specimen of the 

 Albert Lyre-Bird {Menura alberti), from Queensland, and named after the 

 late Prince Consort. Mr. M. Symonds Clark exhibited the Rock-Parra- 

 keet {Neophema petrophila), from Port Willunga. 



Notes and Notices. 



Unlawful Destruction of Birds. — A visitor to the 

 Murray district writes : — " There is an awful amount of ruthless 

 destruction of game taking place here, and probably the same 

 sort of thing is also taking place generally among most of the 

 swamp districts, both adjacent to and distant from the river. 

 Early in the nesting season men regularly visit the swamps 

 two or three times a week and gather eggs, not by the dozen, 

 but in hundreds, robbing only the nests which contain one or 

 two eggs, so as to make sure of obtaining them fresh. The eggs 

 of the Ibis are sent away as ordinary articles of commerce, and 

 those of other birds, such as Coots, are used in great numbers by 

 the gatherers. Not far away is an aboriginal station, from 

 whence the inmates walk through the swamps about 20 abreast, 

 and leave few, if any, nests unmolested. Nearly every house, 

 too, has its punt gun hidden away until the Duck season opens. 

 The slaughter caused by these terrible engines of destruction is 

 beyond calculation. I was privileged to see one such weapon, 



