Vol. xix.-j Kdwards, Bird Protection. 7< 



1919 J ' I ^ 



There appear, by the way, in the latest New South Wales 

 Birds Protection Act, two striking anomalies — namely, the in- 

 clusion in the " black list " of the (iill-Bird (Wattled Honey- 

 eater) and Painted Snipe. There isn't a shadow of logical reason 

 for " black-listing " cither. 



A Bird Sanctuary. — I recently paid a visit to the vicarage at 

 Warialda. and was delighted to find in Rev. Mr. Nixon another 

 bird-lover and observer. In the back yard were two home-made 

 trays on top of a post, beyond reach of cats. Here fed in compara- 

 tive safety Peewits, Blue-faced Honey-eaters, Magpies, Streperas, 

 the inevitable Sparrows, Black-and- White Butcher-Birds, Soldier- 

 Birds or Miners, while, awaiting their turn in the shrubs close to 

 hand were the little Wrens, Silver-eyes, Tomtits, and Acanthiza 

 nana. Since then the visitors have increased, the Grey Jumper 

 and the Babbler having entered the sanctuary. The vicarage is 

 in the centre of the town, and these birds, though of varied orders, 

 readily eat any scraps placed on the tray. On the second tray 

 are several drinking vessels, readily made use of by all the visitors. 

 So far the reverend gentleman's principal pets seem to be the 

 three beautiful Blue-faced Honey-eaters — the first the writer has 

 seen in the district.— S. A. Hanscombe, R.A.O.U. 12/5/19. 



QUEENSLAND NOTES. 

 An Expensive Duck. 

 In the Rockhampton (O.) Police Court on 19th May, before the 

 Police Magistrate, Mr. P. M. Hishon, the secretary of the Native 

 Birds Protection Association (P. V. Maloney) proceeded against 

 Claud Pollard for having had a Wild Duck in his possession at 

 The Pocket, near Yaamba, on the i8th of April last, such date 

 being in the close season. Mr. P. T. Rees Jones (Messrs. Rees R. 

 and Sydney Jones) appeared for the complainant, and Mr. E. R. 

 Larcombe, instructed by Mr. H. Grant, for the defendant, who 

 pleaded guilty. Mr. Larcombe stated that the defendant was 

 out sliooting wallabies, and had no intention of shooting wild 

 Ducks. Mr. Jones said that the complaint was laid under sec. 4 

 of the Native Birds Protection Act. The constable found the 

 defendant with a wild Duck in his possession and took it from 

 him. He also took his gun and cartridges. The offence was 

 committed on the i8th April, whilst on the i6th of the same 

 month there were notices in the papers that April was a month 

 in the close season. He had been instructed by the Association 

 to ask for an increased penalty, the minimum fine of £1 having 

 apparently had no effect. There had been seven prosecutions in 

 the last twelve months. The maximum fine was £5. The PoUce 

 Magistrate said that it was evident that the fine of ;^i had not 

 acted as a deterrent ; l)ut he would not impose the full penalty, 

 considering the cost of the defence. Mr. Larcombe : " It will be 



