^°i' o^' 1 Australasian Ornithologists' Union. Q3 



Wellington, was read, dealing with the breeding of the Paradise 

 Duck. The paper was illustrated by some nice photographs. The 

 difficulties these birds had to overcome in trying to rear their young 

 were vividly portrayed, whilst the watchful care exercised by the 

 drake in protecting his brood was instanced in many cases. 



Capt. S. A. White stated how pleased he was to see the magnifi- 

 cent series of lantern slides of the Lyre-Bird that Mr Mattingley 

 had shown during the lecture the previous evening, and he was of 

 the opinion that as the Lyre-Bird might eventually become extinct 

 on the mainland, owing to the surreptitious slaughter of these birds, 

 and also by the predatory ravages of dingoes and foxes, an effort 

 should be made to have them introduced into Tasmania, where he 

 had seen country that was specially adapted for their well-being 

 and propagation. The Governments of Tasmania and Victoria 

 might be approached and induced to try to acclimatise them in 

 Tasmania ere it be too late. Col. Legge supported the suggestion, 

 and said it was a wonder that the idea had not been thought of 

 before. The climatic conditions would not be against the introduc- 

 tion of the birds, as he had found a pair on Mount Hotham, Victoria, 

 as high as 5,000 feet. Mr. Mattingley said that the natural 

 food of the Lyre-Birds, a crustacean like the sand-hoppers on the 

 sea shore, was to be found right throughout the forest country 

 of Tasmania. The vice-president, Mr. J. W. Mellor, said he was 

 glad the subject had been brought forward, and thought that other 

 forms, such as the Lipoa or Mallee-Fowl, and other birds, might 

 weU be introduced. Mrs. Roberts stated that she had been trying 

 for some months to secure the eggs of the Lyre-Bird, but had met 

 with no success. She intended to place them in an incubator and 

 endeavour to hatch out and rear the young ones. 



ALTERATION OF RULE. 



After discussing the subject from many standpoints, it was 

 unanimously decided, on the motion of Mr. A. Mattingley, seconded 

 by Mr. A. Butler, to alter rule 12 to read — "The annual meeting 

 shall be held in one or other of the principal towns of the different 

 States, such State to be decided at the previous annual meeting," 

 &c. 



NEXT CONGRESS. 



It was decided, on the motion of Captain S. A. White, seconded 

 by Mr. A. Mattingley, to hold the next annual Congress in New 

 South Wales. 



GENERAL BUSINESS. 



The locus standi of the hon. advisory editors was brought before 

 the meeting by the hon. secretary, who pointed out that such 

 eminent ornithologists as Mr. A. J. Campbell and Mr. H. Kendall 

 were now precluded from taking an active part in the deliberations 

 of the Council of the A.O.U., and asked the meeting to express 

 their opinion on the subject. 



Mr. A. Butler said that whilst it was highly desirable that such 



