Vol. VI 

 1907 



I From Magazines, &c. 



201 



been formed for the protection of native birds, and members of 

 the Australasian Ornithologists' Union look forward to the time 

 when numerous kindred societies will exist in all parts of the 

 Commonwealth, through whose efforts native game and 

 ornamental or useful birds will be properly protected by far- 

 reaching, well-framed game laws. Mr. W. M'llwraith, A.O U., 

 at the annual meeting of the above-mentioned association, held 

 at Rockhampton on 2nd February, 1907, said : — ' The action of 

 the society in the past had had the effect of making those who 

 were inclined to shoot on every occasion at everything that came 

 in their way more guarded in their movements. The society 

 was to be congratulated also on having had reserves proclaimed 

 in various parts of the district. There were a number of birds 

 in the district, of which the society had a list, which it would be 

 well that the boys at their grammar schools and State schools, 

 who were going in for nature study, should make themselves 

 familiar with and endeavour to find out if there were any birds 

 other than those which were recorded. It would be to the credit 

 of the boys to have their names mentioned as having added new 

 names to the list. The study of birds, when they came to 

 acquire the taste for it, would be found more enjoyable than the 

 mere shooting of them. The society was doing good work in 

 observing these things in this district. There were those who 

 were inclined to go out with rifles and guns and slaughter birds 

 indiscriminately, and it was well that they had friends on the 

 outskirts of the town who could advise them when anything 

 was going on which should not be permitted." 



* * * 



Bulletin of the British Ornithologists Club, No. cxxvii., 

 contains an account of the hundred and twenty-sixth meeting of 

 the Club, including the president's address. Dr. P. L. Sclater, 

 F.R.S., in the course of his address, said he thought one of the 

 leading features of the present epoch in connection with the 

 science of ornithology was the number of expeditions despatched 

 in quest of discovery to every part of the globe. Possibly he 

 excepted the island-continent of Australia. Save for the little 

 private enterprise recorded from time to time in TJie Evm, no 

 well-organised or national expedition has taken place for years. 

 How much money is spent in the Commonwealth over matters 

 of far less importance than the science of zoology, botany, &c. ! 

 In his address Dr. Sclater is sympathetic towards oologists. 

 Referring to recent ornithological events of the Paljearctic 

 Region, he is of opinion that one of the most noteworthy is 

 the commencement of several new works on its oology. Mr. 

 Dresser has already issued the first two numbers of his " Eggs 

 of the Birds of Europe." Mr. Jourdain's " Eggs of European 

 Birds," so far as it has proceeded, also deserves commendation, 



