Ill Royal Aiisiralasian Orniihologisis' Union. \ J'^"i^ 



Annual Congress and Field Excursion of the 

 R.A.O.U. 



For the first time, the annual congress and field excursion of the 

 R.A.O.U. were held in \^'estern Australia. The Transcontinental 

 Railway having been completed and obligations to Queensland 

 discharged, the Union seized the first opportunity of meeting in 

 the distant " Golden West." 



The large party started in the person of the president-elect, 

 ^Ir. C. A. Barnard, from the north-east of the continent on the 

 4,000-mile rail journey to Perth and Busselton, where the rail 

 was left for the field to be explored ornithologically near the south- 

 west extremity. Mr. E. H. Barker, of Brisbane, completed the 

 Queensland delegation ; Messrs. A. S. Le Souef, G. Goldsmith, 

 and J. F. Thomas represented New South Wales ; and Miss Mac- 

 donald, Tasmania. These made the party leaving Melbourne on 

 Friday, 15th October, up to 21, and 10 others joined in South 

 Australia. 



As magnificent rains had fallen since the end of July, all were 

 looking forward to their trip across the great "desert." However, 

 little desert was seen. The country looked well, and wherever 

 rattle or sheep were observed they were in forward condition. 



A keen look-out was kept for birds along the Transcontinental 

 Railway, and at every stopping-place in daylight parties hurriedly 

 left the train to gather some of the beautiful wild-flowers and to 

 make a chance observation of the animal fife. 



The train being luxuriously fitted and excellently managed, 

 the weather cool and dust little in evidence, the journey was a 

 pleasure to all. The various committees, notably the Check-list 

 committee, kept steachlv at work, and time passed rapidly and 

 pleasantly. 



Kalgoorlie, with its wide, tar-paved streets and electric trams, 

 was reached according to time-table. Full use was made by 

 l)otanists, entomologists, ornithologists, and photographers of 

 the stay of some hours. Perth was reached in time for breakfast 

 on Tuesday, 19th October. The party was welcomed by the 

 acting State secretary. Major E. A. Le Souef, who had stepped 

 into the breach and performed well the difficult task of gathering 

 up the threads when, at short notice, Mr. W. B. Alexander, State 

 secretary of the R.A.O.U. for Western Austraha, absent on a 

 visit to England, was commandeered for scientific research in 

 America. The morning was occupied in settling prehmina'ries and 

 in paying official calls. 



At 2 o'clock the congress began at the Western Australian 

 Museum, Perth, where a meeting-room was kindly placed at our 

 disposal by the trustees, for whom Mr. Battye welcomed the 

 delegates. Representatives of all the States were present. 

 Dr. J. A. Leach occupied the chair. 



i'I<-onomv dictates a summarized report. Tlie annual report, 

 i ndicating a busy and prosjM-rous year of varied artix'ities, was 



