I08 Camera Craft Notes. \ 



Emu 



took several photographs. As can be seen, the bird became very 

 scared, and I experienced great trouble in trying to get it on the 

 perch specially arranged for the purpose. The lens of the camera 

 seemed to attract it more than anything, and it kept darting at 

 it every now and then, at the same time snapping its mandibles 

 with a loud metaUic noise. At dusk, when I went to take the 

 bird back to its nest, I was surprised at not being able, at first 

 sight, to see it. Upon closer examination I found it mimicking 

 the branch I^ photographed it on. So well was it camouflaged 

 that it took my brother quite a time to discover it. Imagine my 

 disgust when I discovered 1 had not a plate left to take this 

 wonderful example of mimicry.* On releasing the bird near its 

 nest it flew to a near-by tree and remained there for some time. 

 I discovered the other bird sitting on the nest as if nothing had 

 happened at all. I went a week later with the intention of 

 capturing the young, only to find the whole family missing. Very 

 hkely one of those destructive " tame- wild " cats was to blame. 

 The measurements of the photographed bird are — tip to tip, 

 26 inches ; length of body, xyh inches. — James Potter, R.A.O.U. 

 Houghton, Carlton-parade, Carlton, N.S.W. 



State Secretaries' Reports. 



New South Wales. 

 Ix order to secure uniform action in the various States and to 

 assist the Governments in having the Bird and Animal Protec- 

 tion Acts observed, there has been formed " The Austrafian 

 Zoological Control Board," consisting of representatives of the 

 various zoological gardens, together with nominees of the State 

 Governments and probably of the Customs Department. In the 

 past there has been very little restriction on the export of our 

 fauna, and thousands of birds were taken away every year by 

 dealers, very often for the benefit of foreign firms ; but it is hoped 

 now that everything that goes out will be through the Board, 

 who udll see that our birds are not exploited for trade purposes, 

 and those that are sent away go under the best possible conditions 

 to scientific institutions. 



The Customs recently, under a Federal proclamation pro- 

 hibiting the export of plumage, prohibited the export of upwards 

 of 2,500 Galahs and Parrots that had been taken in the open 

 season under the State Acts. The Control Board had then to 

 take these over and consign them direct to the New York 

 Zoological Gardens, with a request that the Director, Dr. Hornaday, 

 would see they were distributed, in accordance with the spirit 

 of the proclamation, to zoological and scientific institutions only. 

 A. S. Le Souef, State Secretary. 



* Mr. D. Le Souef has kindly supplied a picture of the bird in camouflage 

 position. 



