Vol: XI. J Royal Australasiau Oynitliologists' Union. l^y 



In conclusion, returning to Mr. Petherick's Australian bibli- 

 ography, and to the fact that the greater amount of Natural 

 History work has been performed privately for the nation as 

 against what the nation officially has undertaken for itself, would 

 it not be opportune for the Royal Australasian Ornithologists' 

 Union, now met in session, to bring under the notice of the 

 Commonwealth Government the need of proceeding with the 

 publication of this valuable bibliography, and to respectfully urge 

 that at least the part (possibly containing 1,400 or 1,500 titles) 

 ])ertaining to the avifauna of Australia be commenced. This in 

 itself would form a reference complete and invaluable, not only 

 to scientists and students, but to the people and politicians. No 

 country in the world has so complete a bibliography from its very 

 earliest beginnings as that compiled for Australasia by Mr. 

 Petherick — the results of the " labours of love " during the well- 

 spent leisure hours of a busy life. 



On behalf of Capt. S. A. White, of South Australia, Mr. E. B. 

 Nicholls read a letter eulogizing the work of the retiring president, 

 Mr. A. J. Campbell, and also that of a former (now acting) hon. 

 secretary, Mr. A. H. Mattingley. 



Mr. G. J. Broinowski s{wke in favour of Mr. Campbell's work 

 for ornithology. 



Col. W. V. Legge spoke at length in terms of the highest praise 

 of the retiring president's work for the Union, and moved a vote 

 of thanks to him, coupled with the name of the acting hon. 

 secretary. Seconded by Mr. D. Le Souef, and carried with 

 acclamation. 



New Office-Bearers. 



Election of office-bearers resulted in the return of the fol- 

 lowing : — President, Mr. J. W. Mellor ; vice-presidents, Messrs. 

 Robt. Hall, C.M.B.O.U., and A. H. E. Mattingley, C.M.Z.S. ; 

 hon. secretary, Mr. F. E. Wilson ; hon. treasurer, Mr. Z. Gray ; 

 hon. librarian, Mr. Dudley Le Souef, C.M.Z.S. ; hon. editors of 

 The Emu, Messrs. A. J. Campbell, C.M.B.O.U., and C. L. Barrett ; 

 hon. press correspondent, Mr. E. Brooke Nicholls. Hon. State 

 secretaries — Victoria, Mr. F. E. Wilson : South Australia, Captain 

 S. A. White : New South Wales, Mr. A. S. Le Souef ; Western Aus- 

 tralia, Mr. T. Carter M.B.O.U. ; Tasmania, Mr. A. Butler ; Queens- 

 land, Dr. Hamlyn Harris, F.Z.S. ; New Zealand, Mr. H. Hamilton. 

 Additional members of the Executive — Messrs. A. F. Basset Hull 

 (New South Wales), Dr. C. S. Ryan (Victoria), Dr. A. M. Morgan, 

 (South Australia), Mr. J. A. Leach, M.Sc, and Dr. Geo. Home 

 (Victoria), Dr. Wm. M'Gillivray (New South Wales), Mr. C. A. 

 Barnard (Queensland), and Mr. A. W. Milligan (Western Aus- 

 tralia). 



The newly-elected president, Mr. John W. Mellor, then took 

 the chair, and thanked members for the honour conferred upon 

 him. He would do his best to forward the Union's great work 

 and high aims. 



