Vol. VI. 



] Obituary Notice. 



still a good field, but a stupendous task if they would do 

 better — one worthy of all endeavour. What Sir Walter Buller 

 did for science is his best memorial. 



South Australian Ornithological Association. 



The ordinary meetino; of the association was held at the residence of Dr. A. 

 M. Morgan on the evening of the 3rd August, the president, Mr. J. W. 

 Mellor, being in the chair. The chairman drew attention to the movement 

 on foot for the formation of a reserve on Kangaroo Island as a national 

 park for the total protection of fauna and flora. Mr. J. W. Mellor and Capt. S. 

 A.White reported having identified a number of species of native birds at the 

 Reedbeds this winter, some of which were rare visitors. They gave interesting- 

 notes upon the early breeding habits of some birds this season. A dis- 

 cussion took place on the protection of the European Goldfinch {Fringilca 

 carduelis) and the European Blackbird {Tierdiis meruld). Good points 

 were accorded to both species, but it was unanimously agreed that their 

 destructiveness was in excess of their usefulness. Dr. A. M. Morgan 

 showed an interesting early ornithological volume, " A General Synopsis of 

 Birds,"' by the late Dr. Latham, written in 1783. The chairman produced a 

 volume of interesting photographs of Kangaroo Island fauna and flora, 

 recently presented to him by the Council of the Australasian Ornithologists' 

 Union, in recognition of services rendered in connection with the leadership 

 of the recent expedition to Kangaroo Island. Mr. F. R. Zietz exhibited the 

 Broad-billed Petrel {Prion jiittatiis)^ which had been found near Adelaide ; 

 also a specimen of a near ally, the Dove-Petrel {Prion dcsotatiis). Mr. A. 

 H. C. Zietz, F.L.S., in conjunction with Mr. E. Ashby, displayed a large 

 collection of Kangaroo Island birds and their allies of the mainland to 

 illustrate a paper sent by Mr. A. J. North, F.L.S., of the Sydney Museum, 

 in criticism of new names given by Mr. A. G. Campbell* to several birds 

 recently found on Kangaroo Island by the A.O.U.'s expedition. Mr. North 

 also kuidly forwarded a number of type specimens from the Sydney 

 Museum, which were valuable for purposes of comparison. The debate on 

 the subject was adjourned to a special meeting, so that the specimens may 

 be examined in daylight. 



Bird Observers^ Club. 



The July meeting of the Bird Observers' Club was held at the residence of 

 Mr. Donald Macdonald, Balaclava. The host presided, and there was a 

 good attendance of members. The subject for the evening's discussion was 

 " Shore Birds," including Plovers, Dottrels, Sandpipers, Snipe, &c., of 

 which a fine series of skins was shown by Mr. A. G. Campbell, who pointed 

 out the distinguishing marks by which the various species might be identi- 

 fied. Mr. D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., exhibited a series of eggs, and also gave 

 a lantern lecturette illustrating the protective colouration of the eggs and 

 young of various shore birds. It was resolved to elect 25 corresponding 

 members in the country districts of Victoria. 



The August meeting of the Bird Observers' Club was held at the residence 

 of Mr. J. A. Ross, Soiith Yarra. The host was voted to the chair, and there 

 were about 12 members present. After Mr. Ross's numerous trophies and 

 medals for rifle shooting had been admired, several carefully compiled lists 

 of the birds of the Cheltenham district were laid on the table and collated 

 by members. It was found that well over 100 different birds frequented the 



* "Eeport on Birds of Kangaroo Island : a Comparison with Mainland Forms," 

 E?nu, vol. v., pp. 139-145. 



