iq8 Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union. [,J 



Emu 

 Jan. 



and Mrs. Gillies entertained the visiting and Queensland members 

 on a trip down the river on board the Lucinla. The Minister of 

 Education, Mr. Huxham, was also present. 



Mr. Gillies welcomed the visitors to Queensland, and spoke 

 strongly of the importance of the work in which they were 

 engaged, and also of the economic value of the avifauna. He 

 said he would welcome suggestions regarding the new Game Bill 

 which had been before the Legislative Assembly during the last 

 session. 



Dr. Leach, in moving a vote of thanks to the Minister, stated 

 that Queensland was worthily maintaining its reputation for 

 hospitality. Capt. White (S.A.), Dr. J. Burton Cleland (N.S.W.), 

 and Mr. Give Lord (Tas.), as representatives of the other States, 

 supported the motion, which was carried with applause. 



In the evening Dr. Leach gave an interesting lantern lecture 

 on " The Birds of Australia." He took his audience through the 

 various orders of Australia's numerous birds, selecting typical 

 species for illustration, and having something important to say 

 about each. 



A cordial vote of thanks was accorded to Dr. Leach, and also 

 to His Excellency the Governor, Sir Hamilton Goold Adams, who 

 presided. An appreciative reference was made to the assistance 

 rendered by His Excellency to the Queensland Gould League of 

 Bird-Lovers. 



On Wednesday the members visited the Enoggera Reservoir 

 as guests of the Brisbane Field Naturalists' Club. Bird-observing 

 was done in the adjacent bush and about the picturesquely-situated 

 reservoir itself. Seventeen different birds were identified on the 

 way out, and, walking on the leaves of the water-lilies that grew 

 in the reservoir, several of those interesting birds, the Jacanas 

 or Lotus-Birds, were noticed. Two nests were also found of 

 Lambert's Blue Wren, and a photograph taken of the mother 

 feeding her young. Refreshments were served in a building on 

 the premises. Before leaving, the hearty thanks of the members 

 were given to the Field Naturalists' Club for the exceedingly 

 interesting day the visiting ornithologists had spent. The vote 

 was responded to by the president of the Field Naturalists' Club, 

 Mr. C. D. Gillies, M.Sc. 



In the evening the hon. secretary, Mr. W. H. D. Le Souef, 

 C.M.Z.S., gave an illustrated lecture in the Royal Geographical 

 Society's rooms on " The Barrier Reef and the Coastal Districts 

 of North Queensland." About 70 illustrations were shown of 

 photographs he had taken himself, giving a slight description of 

 the bird and animal life as well as marine forms found in this most 

 fascinating part of Queensland. His Excellency the Governor 

 presided. The lecturer was presented with the certificate of 

 fellowship of the Royal Geographical Society, and was accorded 

 a vote of thanks. 



The congress was resumed on Thursday at the Royal Geographical 

 Society's rooms. 



