Izt8 Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union. [isfXn 



of the afternoon. The suitabihty of Ashton Park as a site for 

 an up-to-date Zoo was apparent, since it would be situate in the 

 heart of virgin country typical of the original conditions of the 

 harbour frontage as it appeared to the early settlers. Afternoon 

 tea, provided by Messrs. C. Coles and A. S. Le Souef and presided 

 over by Mrs. Le Souef, was served en route to Circular Quay, 

 and the city reached at 5.30 p.m. 



In the evening the first general business of the session was com- 

 menced at the British Medical Association Rooms at 8 p.m., the 

 president, Mr. A. J. Campbell, Col. Mem. B.O.U., in the chair. 

 Letters of apology for their absence were read from several 

 members. 



The minutes of the tenth annual session were read and con- 

 firmed, on the motion of D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., and Col. W. V. 

 Legge, Col. Mem. B.O.U. 



The annual report was read by the acting hon. secretary, Mr. 

 A. H. Mattingley, C.M.Z.S., and, after considerable discussion, 

 was adopted, on the motion of Mr. Chas. Barnard, seconded by 

 Col. W. V. Legge. (For report see p. 166.) 



Col. W. V. Legge, in seconding the report, stated that he was 

 of opinion that permits should be given to collect specimens of 

 birds in New Guinea for scientific purposes only. 



Mr. C. Coles stated that he was heart and soul a bird protector, 

 and considered that protection should be accorded birds generally. 

 He spoke as a trader in plumes, and took exception to the pro- 

 tection of the Birds-of-Paradise, which do not mature and 

 obtain their gorgeous liveries until four years old. He further 

 stated that when the male bird gets his good plumes he leaves 

 the female, and is then useless as a progenitor ; therefore, it does 

 not do any harm to collect fully-plumed Birds-of-Paradise, since 

 Nature has already protected them, because the birds, in their 

 sombre plumage during their mating period, are not sought for by 

 collectors and plumage-hunters. He believed in protecting Egrets, 

 but considered the trade in Birds-of-Paradise skins and plumes 

 legitimate. 



Mr. Leach asked for authority for these remarkable statements 

 by Mr. Coles, as also did Col. W. V. Legge. 



Mr. Coles, in reply, stated that he made these assertions through 

 a deputy — a Mr. Richards (a collector of his), recently massacred 

 by savages. His deputy was a keen observer of New Guinea 

 avifauna. His (Mr. Coles's) own observations, and those of his 

 father (a veteran taxidermist), showed that it took six years for 

 Bower-Birds to come to mature plumage. This, to some extent, 

 he contended, proved his statement. 



Mr. D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., said no proof whatever existed for 

 Mr. Coles's statements. Bower-Birds at seven years of age were 

 active breeders. 



Mr. J. W. Mellor supported the report with reference to allowing 

 permits, as suggested by the Union. 



