^'"'i.jiL'^'] ■^'"^^' ^ccrelaries lieporls. 239 



State Secretaries' Reports. 



New South \\'ali-:s. 



Ax important factor in connection with the preservation of 

 our native birds is the interest that has been aroused by the 

 Gould League. There are now branches in all the important 

 country centres and in 21 of the larger city schools. Judging from 

 reports of teachers and inspectors, most of the leagues* are active, 

 and the spirit of the work is being kept up. Many centres have 

 urged that Quail and Pigeon slaughter of an indiscriminate nature 

 should be stopped, and a general interest in the value and beauty 

 of bird-life is manifest. 



The new Act for protection of birds and animals is now in force, 

 and has been found to be effective where it can be administered ; 

 but it will require the whole-hearted co-operation of the farmers, 

 station-owners, and those interested' in the welfare of the birds 

 to make it of real use away from inhabited centres. The Grey, 

 the Black-cheeked, the Black, and the Little Falcons, the Grey- 

 backed, the White, and the Australian Goshawks have been 

 added to the schedule of birds that are permitted to be killed, 

 and this schedule also contains the names of the Pied Crow- 

 Shrike, Leatherhead, Garrulous Honey-eater, Gill-Bird, the 

 Sulphur-crested and the Rose-breasted Cockatoos, Pennant's 

 Parrot and the common Rosella, the Blue-bellied Lorikeet, the 

 Red-rumped Parrakeet, the Wedge-tailed Eagle, all species of 

 Cormorants, and the Crows. The only game bird mentioned is 

 the Snipe. Of the native birds, only Silver-eyes, Crows, and Cor- 

 morants are permitted to be killed on the many lands, lakes, and 

 parks that have been proclaimed sanctuaries throughout the 

 State. These sanctuaries embrace the whole of the county of 

 Cumberland (round Sydney), the catchment area for the water 

 supply, and numerous lakes, swamps, lagoons, and marshes in 

 various parts of the State. Part of the area known as the 

 Macquarie Marshes is being cut up and made available for selec- 

 tion as a returned soldiers' settlement. This area forms one of 

 the most important game reserves in the dry north-western part 

 of New South Wales. 



Messrs. Angus and Robertson are endeavouring to fill a decided 

 want among ornithologists in bringing out a book on the Aus- 

 tralian birds that will contain a coloured illustration, a full 

 description, and a few notes on each species of bird recognized 

 by the R.A.O.U. " Check-list." This work will be issued in a 

 handy form, and will come out in parts. Mr. Neville W. Cayley 

 is doing the illustrations, and many bird photographers arc being 

 called upon for pictures of birds and nests, and Mr. A. S. Le Soucf 

 is arranging the letterpress. 



A. S. Le Souef, 

 State Secretary for New South Wales. 



