Wilson, Bud. Ringing. 



45 



consisting ot Messrs. L. G. Chandler, A. C. Stone, George Finlay, 

 and F. Erasmus Wilson, was appointed to consider the question 

 and report to tlie Club at its next meeting. The recommendations 

 of the sub-committee were accepted at the meeting held on 21st 

 April. 



As results nmst be looked lor from all parts of Australasia, and 

 even other countries, it was deemed advisable by the sul)- 

 committee that the work should be done under the management 

 of the R.A.O.U. ; firstly, because from the Union's large member- 

 ship many active workers might be enlisted, and secondly, because 

 of its world-wide recognition. The Council of the Union agreed 

 to take charge. 



The most reliable way to obtain information upon the wanderings 

 of birds is by attaching numbered rings to the legs of large numbers 

 of specimens ; when this is carefully done it does not cause any 

 inconvenience to the birds. This method is practised extensively 

 by British and European investigators, who have gleaned some 

 valuable information as a result. 



If a bird were ringed in Victoria and the ring recovered in 

 Japan, the registered number would estabhsh the bird's identity. 

 From information supplied by the person who ringed the bird 

 and the person who recovered it, one might obtain the informa- 

 tion that the bird was in Victoria in the summer and in Japan in 

 the winter time. Should a bird belonging to a species known to 

 winter in Manchuria, which was ringed in Victoria, be recovered 

 in Java, it would point to the fact that a course via Java was 

 the route of migration followed by this species. Of course, it 

 would be necessary to get several records before the fact could 

 be fully established, as occasionally heavy winds deflect birds 

 from their course. 



It was decided that rings should be marked thus : — 



Inform 



No. Oi ,^-^ov. each ring, of course, bearing a chstinctive 



Melbourne, ° " 



number. All rings distributed are to be carefully recorded, also 

 their destination, and the person to whom they are issued will 

 be expected to account for them. In the event of a ring being 

 lost, the central body should be notified. The form of register 

 to be kept at headquarters will be as follows : — 



The sub-committee also suggested that a sheet should be 

 supplied with each set of rings sent out, showing the numbers. 



