136 Vice-Presidential A depress : ' isf'Tnn. 



them give us in form, colour, and song. Australian producers 

 appear slow to recognise the great utility of birds, because their 

 (the birds') work is mostly unobserved. The diet of numerous 

 birds consists mainly of the lower forms of life — insects, and 

 such like crawling creatures. Experts who have studied the 

 question know how the lowly hordes of insect pests increase, 

 often at an astounding rate, and what a destructive power they 

 are to almost every living green thing. Happily this insect life is 

 kept in check by birds. Contemplate what would become of the 

 forest and field — the pastures of man and beast — were there no 

 birds ? The land would in time become a wilderness. In 

 endeavouring to combat the attacks or increase of insect pests 

 there is no " insecticide " so cheap or so effective as ths original 

 and natural one — birds; therefore, let us at all times, in all 

 places, and by all means protect our useful native birds from 

 destruction, not to mention the humanitarian and ethical side of 

 the question. Referring enpassajit to the humanitarian and ethical 

 side, the study of Mr. A. Mattinglcy's graphic pen and picture 

 description in the last issue of The Emu, concerning the ruthless 

 destruction of beautiful snow-white Herons in Riverina by the 

 plume-hunters, should spur all bird-lovers into hot action. 



In all probability the following session of the A.O.U. will be 

 held in Melbourne next November, 1908. I would suggest that 

 we make that session famous by calling a congress of all persons 

 interested in bird protection. We could at least have a 

 conference of one delegate from each State (following the 

 example of the kingdoms of Europe) appointed by the respective 

 administrators of the Game Acts, and invite them to consider as 

 a basis the Model Bird Protection Bill which our member, 

 Mr. C. F. Belcher, M.A., LL.B., is preparing for the Council. 

 The contingent expenses of such a conference would be trivial 

 compared with the importance of such a national concern, and I 

 have no doubt that the Government of Victoria, if approached 

 through the Hon. the Premier or the Hon. the Minister of 

 Agriculture, would readily guarantee the small expense. 



Therefore, in conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, I beg to move, 

 accordingly, that a deputation be appointed by this session, or 

 the Council of the A.O.U., to wait upon the Hon. the Premier or 

 the Hon. the Minister of Agriculture, Victoria, regarding this 

 matter early next year. 



Report of Honorary Secretary. 

 Ladies and Gentlemen,— Your Council has much pleasure 

 in presenting to you the sixth annual report, embodying ^precis 

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

 1907. During the past year excellent progress has been made 

 in tlie Union's affairs. 



