I c a Australasian Ornithologists Union. yth'jan 



searched for the chicks, one of which only could be found, con- 

 cealed by a little tuft of grass of brownish colour, like itself. 

 The other two eggs were now hatched, and the young in the nest, 

 which was on a slight eminence and consisted of the usual simple 

 hollow with one or two tiny twig-fragments and a little sheep 

 dung. After remaining there a few moments, I moved away, 

 the birds following me and swooping round my head with 

 their harsh cries ; then, mounting my horse, I rode a short 

 distance and stayed under a tree to watch events. The male 

 alighted about the same distance as before and the hen bird 

 settled some 50 yards from the nest and stood motionless for 

 several minutes ; then, running to and fro a little, quietly went 

 to the nest, where she no doubt was joined by the two little 

 " hiders." As I rode slowly off I could see the white breast 

 facing the same way, to the wind and setting sun, and all was 

 peace again in the little community. 



From what has been said already in the course of my remarks, 

 we see that the illustrations by the camera, during the past year, 

 have added much to the value of the journal, which has now 

 been still further enhanced by an excellent plate in chromo of 

 three Maluri, by H. Gronvold, which, in point of colouring and 

 drawing — as regards two of the birds — is a rival to the work 

 of the great artist Keulemans ; and it is to be hoped that, ere 

 long, each part, as in The Ibis, will have its coloured plate. 

 Chromo-lithography has been now brought to such a pitch of 

 excellence, as is proved by the plates in Grandidier's " Birds of 

 Madagascar " and Buller's " Birds of New Zealand," that hand- 

 colouring can now be dispensed with where economy is necessary. 

 It must be mentioned, however, that, in order that a coloured 

 plate may possess its full value and interest, it should face the 

 article to which it refers. 



Subscriptions to the fund are coming in more freely than at 

 the commencement ; and as subscribers now realize what has 

 been given them for their money, it is to be hoped that all our 

 members will, for the future, keep this important feature of 

 the journal in view, and support the fund. • So far for the 

 illustrations. 



In regard to the subject-matter, we have seen by the foregoing 

 sketch of the work done that there is little left to be desired, 

 taking the infancy of our Union into consideration. In this 

 connection, we have to thank our editors for their zeal in so 

 thoroughly carrying out their labour of love. It is, however, 

 necessary that members should work in the same groove as the 

 editors, in regard to raising the journal to a high scientific 

 standard, as well as making it an interesting record of facts in 

 connection with the life-history of our birds. The Emu, as 

 regards its subject-matter, is a combination of The Ibis and the 

 well-known popular magazine, The Naturalist, and as such it 

 fulfils a very important role in Australia ; but, if ever it is to 

 keep up a scientific reputation abroad, and take a high place 



