AO Slate Secretaries' Reports. [j^, 



Emu 

 t July 



meantime have collected certain information, which 1 hope to lay 

 before my fellow-commissioners with the object of inducing 

 them not to agree to the recommendation of the suo-committee. 



The Tasmanian Animals and Birds Protection Act. — Under the 

 provisions of this Act all native and other birds are protected, 

 with the exception of the following :— Native-Hen {Tribonyx 

 mortieri), Cormorants (Phalacrocorax), Goshawk [Astur novce- 

 hoUandicc), Sparrow-Hawk {Accipiter cirrhocephalus), Wedge-tailed 

 l^aglc {UroaHus audax), Falcons {Falco), Brown Hawk {Hieracidea 

 herigora), StarUng {Stiirniis vulgaris), Lorikeets {Glossopsittacits), 

 Green Parrot {Platycerciis flaviventris), White Cockatoo {Cacatna 

 galerita), Raven \Corviis australis), Crow-Shrikes (Strepera), 

 Sparrows, Blackbirds, and Goldfinches. Mutton-Birds {P^iffmns 

 tenuirostris) are protected for such time in each year as may be 

 proclaimed by the Government. Cape Barren Geese, Bronzcvvdng 

 and Brush Bronzewing Pigeons, Wild Duck, Coot, Bald-Coot, Teal, 

 and Black Swans are protected from ist July in each year until 

 the last day of February in the following year! Quail and Wattle- 

 Birds are protected fiom the ist July in each year until the 31st 

 May in the following year. 



Protection of Quail and Plover in Tasmania.— While Quail may 

 be shot during the month of June, neither Quail nor Plover may 

 be offered for sale. This should go far in assisting to preserve 

 these valuable economic species. In the past a considerable 

 traffic has been done, especiaUy in Quail. The practice used to 

 be to obtain large numbers during the open season and place them 

 in cold storage. It was wonderful the number of birds which 

 came "off the ice" during the close season. Foitunately, this 

 traffic is now stopped, and the elimination of commercialism 

 should give satisfaction not only to the bird-lover but to the true 

 sportsman as well. 



Under a regulation recently gazetted, Plovers were placed on 

 the wholly protected list, the economic qualities of this bird 

 are gradually becoming recognized by the agriculturist and sheep, 

 farmer. Clive E. Lord, State Secretary . 



New South Wales. 

 This State is still suffering from the dry period, and the birds 

 west of the Dividing Range are having rather a hard time. ^Irs. 

 Norton, of Boree station, M'alcha, reports that many resident 

 species have disappeared, apparently moved eastwards to where 

 conditions are a Uttie more equitable. 



Pulba Island, an area of about 156 acres, in Lake Macquarie, 

 has been gazetted as a sanctuary, and a trust appointed to control 

 it. The island is well wooded, with some thick semi-tropical 

 scrub and with permanent water. !t is the intention of the trust 

 to put a caretaker in charge, plant with food-bearing trees, shrubs, 

 and vines,' and stock it with such of the rarer Australian fauna as 

 is calculated to thrive there, 



