104 Honorary Secretary's Report. [ is|*'' j"„. 



Honorary Secretary*s Report. 



Ladies and GentlemeNj-Youi- Council has much pleasure in 

 presenting to you the fifth annual report, containing a precis of the 

 transactions of the A.O.U. for the year ending 30th June, 1906. The 

 Union's affairs still steadily progress. Efforts have been made to 

 have water areas and quarantine grounds permanently reserved for 

 the protection of bird-life. Excellent ornithological results attend 

 the "working excursions" of oui annual Congresses. Since the 

 last Congress and "camp-out " at Kangaroo Island a large area of 

 that locality has been permanently reserved as a sanctuary for its 

 avifauna, mainly through the exertions of the South Australian 

 member of your Council. The prevention of the introduction into 

 the Commonwealth of unknown, dangerous, and patent diseases, that 

 may be inimical to our avifauna, has been successfully accomplished, 

 such diseases having been declared " prohibited imports," until they 

 have been satisfactorily proved to be innocuous. A comprehensive 

 and useful index for reference to the first five vohmies of The Eimi 

 is in course of preparation. The personnel of the honorary editors 

 of The Emu underwent a change during the year, but the Council 

 was able to retain the services of the retiring editor in an honorary 

 advisory capacity. Under the able guidance of the new editors, the 

 journal still maintains its standard of scientific, literary, and artistic 

 excellence, and a more observant and attentive public is being 

 gradually created thereby, whilst the science of ornithology is 

 becoming more popularised, and is advancing apace as its 

 utility is being recognized. Nature study training, as well as 

 nature study and also State school exhibitions, it is gratifying 

 to know, are educating the rising generation to appreciate the 

 domestic economy and value of their Australasian avifauna Such 

 training is better " bird protection " than many Acts of Parliament. 

 The finances of the " Coloured Figure Fund," which is raised by 

 voluntary subscription, have been somewhat neglected lately for 

 lack of subscriptions. The thanks of the Council are, however, due 

 to those subscribers who have so kindly helped to increase this very 

 useful fund. The necessity of a " Check-List " is a matter of 

 urgency. Ornithologists generally are awaiting its appearance, and 

 its utility and importance cannot be over-estimated. It is hoped 

 that the convener of the " Check-List " and the committee will be 

 able to present a report to the members of the A.O.U. at the next 

 annual session. The thanks of the members of the A.O.U. are 

 again due to the president, Colonel-Surgeon Charles S. Ryan, for 

 the gratuitous use of his rooms for Council meetings. The Council 

 would be glad to receive further notes regarding the migration of 

 birds. It is intended to tabulate some of these notes at the end of 

 the present year. Useful and informative notes on birds that 

 happen to strike the lighthouses are regularly forwarded by the light- 

 keepers, as will be seen by the report by Mr. D. Le Souef. 



A. H. MATTINGLEY, Hon. Sec. 



