^°';J5^'-] Bird Observers Club. l()y 



Campbell, Hall, Ross, Mattingley, Dr. Bryant, Wilson, Leach, Williams, 

 Thompson, Barrett, Nicholls, Hamilton, Mellor (Adelaide), Cole, Chandler, 

 Tregallas, and Howe (hon. secretary). After dinner a number of visitors 

 arrived. Mr. Campbell was elected to till the chair. Apologies were 

 received from Messrs. Godfrey, Shepherd, and Macdonald. The chairman 

 read a letter from Mr Le Souiif, who was then in London. Mr. Le 

 Souef was present as a guest at a meeting of the British Ornithologists' Club, 

 where he met Mr. C. F. Belcher, another member. Besides domg other 

 good work, Mr. Le Souef was instrumental in unearthing two skins of the 

 extinct Tasmanian Emu at the British Museum. The find has delighted 

 the authorities as well as Mr. Le Souef. The bird was distinct from the 

 mainland form of Emu. The chairman, in welcoming Mr. Mellor, as 

 guest, paid high tribute to his zeal in matters pertaining to ornithology. 

 Mr. Mellor, in responding, earnestly urged members to do their utmost for 

 the preservation of our avifauna, which was being ruthlessly destroyed 

 everywhere. Mr. J. A. Ross read a paper entitled " A Trip to the Mallee." 

 The journey was taken by himself, Mr. Mattingley, and the hon. 

 secretary during September. The paper was well received, and was 

 beautifully illustrated by photographs taken by Mr. Mattingley. Many of 

 the pictures depicted Mr. Charles M'Lennan (well known to bird lovers by 

 his contributions as " Mallee Bird"), who acted as guide to the party. Dr. 

 Bryant moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Ross, who gracefully replied- in a few 

 well-chosen words. 



The ordinary (December) meeting of the Club was held at the Thistle 

 Luncheon Rooms, Elizabeth-street, Melbourne. At the invitation of Mr. 

 Robert Hall, there were present Messrs. F. P. and R. P. Godfrey, Campbell, 

 Ross, Mattingley, Leach, Barrett, Nicholls, Chandler, Cole, Thompson, 

 Tregallas, and Howe. Apologies were received from Messrs. Shepherd, 

 Christian, and Batey, and papers were received from the two last-named 

 gentlemen. The exhibits were plentiful and varied, Mr. Ross showing 

 combination (Cuckoo) clutches — Rliipidura albiscapa with C. JlabelUforinis.^ 

 and Pycnoptilus Jloccosus with C. variolosus (?). He also exhibited a nest 

 of Pycnoptilus taken in sword-grass {Lepidosperma). Mr. Cole's exhibits 

 were adults and young of Cinclorliauiphus riijescens and a nest of Ptilotis 

 peiiicillata showing &<g^ of Cacomantis pallidus woven into the bottom, and 

 merely held by a few grasses. Mr. F. P. Godfrey showed the rare &<g% of 

 Orthonyx spaldifigi. Mr. Hall, with the aid of a map, greatly instructed 

 members by taking them in thought over the ground explored by himself 

 and Mr. Trebilcock (of Geelong) in Siberia. He also dealt with the 

 distribution of birds, and mentioned many interesting species that were not 

 familiar to most ot his audience. After supper was served, Mr. Campbell 

 made reference to the loss the Club would sustain by the enforced absence 

 of Mr. Hall, and wished that gentleman every success in his new sphere in 

 Tasmania. Mr. Hall, in responding, wished members the "compliments of 

 the season," and hoped that, although he was out of sight, he would not be 

 out of mind of the members of the B.O.C. 



South Australian Ornithological Association. 



The ordinary meeting of this association was held at Dr. A. M. Morgan's 

 residence, Angas-street, Adelaide, on Thursday evening, 5th September, 

 Dr. Morgan presided. There was a good attendance. The secretary read 

 a letter from the Secretary to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, in reply 

 to a communication from the association, having reference to shooting on 

 the powder magazine reserve, contrary to notices placed on all sides of 

 the enclosure. No offenders had yet been brought to book, and it was 

 urged that the authorities should be asked to reserve this land for totally 



