l66 Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union. '^ i-A^'^Un 



locally) flew by hundreds (anything from 500 to 1,000) in a flock, 

 flock following flock about every few minutes for two hours (8 to 

 10, about) in the morning, the birds always making down the 

 valley — i.e., easterly. 



" I never noticed them going up, for the reason, probably, that 

 they took another valley or made back across the hills. During 

 their passage down the valley they frequently crowded on one 

 of the taller trees. Another flock following would alight too on 

 the same tree, often causing boughs to break off with the un- 

 wonted weight of birds. 



' Every four hours the Pigeons left the tall timber to feed in 

 the lower trees or scrub on the berries or fruit (usually ripe during 

 winter months) of the black pine, teak, liUy-pilly, bangalow and 

 cabbage palms, &c., taking their food mostly on the wing when 

 fluttering about the fruit. When these fruits are cropped the 

 Pigeons depart for fresh fields. In late seasons they would remain 

 to nest among the tall trees on the ridges. 



" These Pigeons have a curious method of ' roosting ' on the 

 mountains or hills, not perching like most Pigeons, but reclining 

 on outstretched wings upon the thickly-foliaged or matted tree- 

 tops, such as Banksia, scrub-apple, &c. 



" Few birds are seen now. Some of the settlers used to shoot 

 great numbers and pickle them in casks. Sometimes seven to 

 eleven birds came down at a single shot. The flesh is very dark 

 in colour, nevertheless sweet and nutritious." 



Eleventh Annual Report of the Royal Australasian 

 Ornithologists' Union. 

 Ladies and Gentlemen, — Your Council have much pleasure in 

 presenting to you the eleventh annual report of the proceedings 

 of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union for the past 

 year. It is a matter for congratulation that the business of the 

 Union is expanding. This expansion has necessitated monthly 

 meetings of the Council, to enable them to cope with the extra 

 volume of work. The members composing the Council have 

 taken great interest in the Union's affairs, and have regularly 

 attended the monthly meetings. The membership roll of the 

 Union has increased considerably, whilst the list of resignations 

 of members, when compared with the increase, is small. The 

 addition to the number of members of the Council and the election 

 of local State secretaries has had a beneficial influence, and has 

 resulted in an increased interest being evinced in the aims and 

 objects for which the Union was founded. The issue of a Royal 

 charter to the Society is regarded as an important event. 



Since last annual meeting the Council have been concerned 

 particularly with the issue of The Emu journal, and have changed 

 the style of some of the type, with satisfactory results. It was 

 also resolved to increase the issue of each part of The Emu to 

 500 copies. 



The setting aside of reservations and sanctuaries for birds has 



