1^8 Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union. Iisflan 



Mr. J. A. Leach, M.Sc, moved, and Mr. D. Le Souef seconded — 

 " That, while opposed to the use of trinomials, this meeting con- 

 siders that each sub-species should be so designated by the 

 Check-list Committee as to indicate — (i) that it is a sub- 

 species, and (2) the species of which it is a sub-species." 

 Mr. Broinowski supported the motion, and suggested that 

 sub-species be only indicated by a number, and not by a 

 name. 



Col. W. V. Legge said that he was against the trinomial system 

 of nomenclature, and was an adherent of the binomial. If con- 

 sidered a sub-species, a bird should be placed under the ordinary 

 specific name. 



Mr. Basset Hull supported the motion, and mentioned that it 

 would be sufficient for all purposes were the specific name only 

 indicated by a number and the sub-specific by a letter. 



A paper entitled " Fallacies of the Feather Trade " was then 

 read by Mr. A. H. E. Mattingley, C.M.Z.S., wherein a succinct 

 review of the rise and growth of the trade in the plumage of birds 

 was recounted. Statistics from consular reports, as well as those 

 from feather-trade journals themselves, were quoted in support 

 of the insatiable demand for the plumage of birds. Statistics 

 showed that incredible numbers of birds were annually slain to 

 supply the trade. A revulsion of feeling against the destruction 

 of thousands of useful birds for the sake of their plumes as articles 

 of adornment has set in. It was to be hoped that all would do 

 their utmost to prevent the totally unnecessary trade in the 

 plumage of wild birds. 



Col. W. V. Legge, as an old Indian resident, supported all 

 statements made in the paper. 



Mr. A. Le Souef said that the Huia of New Zealand required 

 protection. 



Mr. Broinowski mentioned that one dealer in Sydney had sold 

 498 Lyre-Birds' tails last year, while another dealer, in face of a 

 prohibitory law, sent 800 Lyre-Birds' tails out of Sydney. He 

 considered the exportation of 800 tails meant the destruction of 

 1,000 Lyre-Birds. 



Mr. C. Coles questioned the accuracy of the statement regarding 

 the Lyre-Birds' tails exported. 



Mr. Basset Hull stated that of his own knowledge 2,000 Lyre- 

 Birds' tails had been exported in three years. 



Mr. D. Le Souef supported the statements of Messrs. Broinowski 

 and Hull. 



Col. W. V. Legge moved — " That this Union renews the request 

 made at the last Hobart session that the Field Naturalists' 

 Association of Tasmania and other persons interested in bird-life 

 should approach the State Government with a view to the 

 acclimatization of the Lyre-Bird {Memira) in the highlands of 

 Tasmania, owing to the danger that this beautiful bird is being 

 practically exterminated by introduced foxes and illicit shooting 



