" Bir^s of a fc2itt7Cr." 



Vol. VII.] 1ST JANUARY, 1908. [Part 3. 



Australasian Ornithologists' Union. 



SEVENTH (SYDNEY) SESSION. 



On Saturday, the 26th October, 1907, several ornithologists from 

 South Australia and elsewhere arrived in Melbourne, and were 

 met by some Victorian members of the A.O.U., and the united 

 party journeyed together to Sydney by the afternoon express. 



On arrival next morning at Sydney, the visiting members were 

 met and welcomed by representative New South Wales members 

 of the Union. Manly, a picturesque suburb of Sydney, was 

 visited during the afternoon, and a trip was taken to the week- 

 end residence of Mr. A. F. Basset Hull, named Banksia Camp, 

 at Freshwater. It was noticed that Mr. Hull has thoughtfully 

 preserved the native flora surrounding his house, and many 

 sweet-voiced birds, principally Honey-eaters, were observed 

 skimming over the trunks of the gnarled banksias in the search 

 for insect life, or were seen flitting from flower to flower, ravish- 

 ing first one th^en the other for the nectar contained therein. 

 Owing to the freedom from molestation in this sanctuary, birds 

 naturally shy had become so confiding that they had nested 

 within a few feet of the back door. Under the guidance of Mr. 

 Hull and Mr. C. Coles, visiting members were privileged to 

 make a short excursion through the surrounding country, which 

 was of a rocky formation, clothed with stunted banksias, euca- 

 lypts, and many varieties of flowering shrubs, interspersed with 

 the peculiar flannel flowers. Cursory observations were made 

 of the avifauna of this part, which is the home of the Hylacola, 

 Origma, and several Honey-eaters, and other birds. On return 

 to Mr. Hull's home the company were entertained by Messrs. 

 Hull and C. Coles, and the former's collection was examined. 



Next day (Monday, 28th October) excursions were made in 

 the morning to different parts of Sydney Harbour, and the 

 picturesque scenery was greatly admired. In the afternoon a 

 visit was paid to the Zoological Gardens. A specimen of an 

 albino Emu was critically examined, and it was considered that 

 the occurrence of albinism in the Dromceus was rarely met 

 with. 



