^"'qi^' ] Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union. ^49 



Mr. D. Lc Souef, C.M.Z.S., said that natives should not l>e 

 allowed to collect specimens. 



Mr. A. S. Le Souef, (".M.Z.S., asked lor what term the suspen- 

 sion of the i)roclamation now in force in Pai)ua was sought by 

 traders. 



Mr. Leach asked why Australia should be made the " happy 

 hunting ground " of foreign collectors. 



Mrs. Burrell said that domestic cats gone wild were great 

 destroyers of bird-life. 



A general discussion re the alleged wholesale poisoning of birds 

 mentioned in therejwrt then took place, in which Messrs. Chas. 

 Cole, J. Leach, and E. B. Nicholls took part. 



Mr. C. Coles said that it was a wise act of the Commonwealth 

 Government to prohibit the importation of ferrets. The 

 mongoose, released in Fiji, had already mated with the rats there, 

 and the hybrid destroyed birds. 



The president then read an appalling list of birds destroyed for 

 their plumes, as catalogued in the lists of recent London auction 

 sales of birds' plumage. 



The hon. treasurer's report and financial statement were then 

 read by Mr. Barr, in the absence of the hon. treasurer. A slight 

 deficit occurring was then explained by Mr. A. H. Mattingley and 

 the chairman as due to the production of an extra part of The 

 Emu, issued as a record of the Queensland session. The financial 

 statement was adopted, on the motion of Dr. Long, seconded by 

 Mr. Chas. Cole. 



The librarian mentioned that no report had been prepared by 

 him, and verbally stated what had been done with regard to the 

 library during the past year. 



The meeting adjourned at 11.15 p.m. 



Next morning (29th October) a large party entrained for the 

 National Park, under the leadership of Mr. Basset Hull. The 

 weather was most pleasant, and the park presented a fascinating 

 sight, bedecked as it was with wild flowers and blossoming shrubs. 

 Mr. Frank Farnell, chairman of the trustees of the park, very 

 kindly had motor and other boats awaiting the visitors. The 

 party divided into two sections — one going down the salt water 

 of the Port Hacking River in the launch, and the other in rowing 

 boats up the fresh water. Both parties returned at mid-day for 

 refreshments, and exchanged boats and trips for the afternoon. 

 The beauties of the park were greatly admired. Many birds were 

 seen nesting, and, owing to immunity from harm, all appeared 

 very tame, letting persons approach close to them without 

 exhibiting alarm. In the evening the party returned to Sydney, 

 after a most enjoyable outing. 



General Meeting. 

 On Monday, the 30th October, the adjourned general business 

 meeting was resumed at 8 p.m. at the British Medical Association 

 rooms. 



