Vol. xi.T Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union. 167 



also engaged their attention, with the result that numerous 

 additions have been made to the list of areas set aside in the 

 different States for the protection of our bird-life. It is satisfactory 

 to know that one of the main breeding habitats of Pelicans, as well 

 as the haunts of several species of sea-birds, have been now 

 reserved. 



Encouraged bv the Council and others, certain members of the 

 R.A.O.U. have added further successes to the efforts of the Union 

 by research work and in the investigation of Australasian avifauna. 



During the year our knowledge has been increased by several 

 additions to the list of birds new to science, whilst members of the 

 ITnion have enriched us by the publication of several works dealing 

 with the classification and the nidification of birds frequenting the 

 Commonwealth. These works have been exceedingly useful to 

 students, and have supplied a long-felt want. 



The Council have been especially active with regard to the 

 traffic in birds, their eggs and plumes, and bird-lovers owe 

 a deep debt of gratitude to the Hon. F. Tudor, Minister of Trade 

 and Customs, and Mr. N. Lockyer, Comptroller-General of Trade 

 and Customs, for the whole-hearted manner in which they 

 have responded to the wishes of members of the Union by 

 prohibiting by proclamation the importation and exportation of 

 many species of birds and their plumage, as advocated in a 

 deputation by the Council. The Minister of Trade and Customs 

 of the Commonwealth was fortified in his commendable action 

 in issuing the proclamations by the action of the Council of the 

 Chamber of Commerce, which body, convinced by the report of 

 one of the members of the Union, decided that the trade in birds' 

 plumage was a pernicious one, since the value of a live bird was 

 infinitely greater to the community than would be the profit 

 accruing from the sale of their feathers. This broad-minded 

 interpretation by the Chamber of Commerce, and their concep- 

 tion of the value of our birds to the Commonwealth, is pro- 

 foundly gratifying. 



Our unqualified thanks are again due to the Hon. F. Tudor 

 for prohibiting the importation of ferrets and weasels, which 

 some persons desired to liberate in large numbers to check the 

 rabbit pest. Members of the Union in New Zealand reported 

 that these creatures when liberated there first destroyed birds and 

 their eggs before they attempted to attack rabbits 



The Check-list Committee have been busily engaged in pre- 

 paring a report, and it is confidently hoped that a progress report 

 regarding this much-needed work of reference will be submitted to 

 you during this session. 



In the interests of working ornithologists. Bulletins to The Emu 

 have been issued to safeguard the results of their researches and 

 guarantee to them the right of priority. 



The Council would be grateful to any of the members who would 

 give them definite and detailed proof regarding the alleged 

 wholesale poisoning of our native birds, either designedly or by 



