* " I Australasian Ornithologists' Union. i c c 



among the ornithological journals of the world — and I trust 

 that is also the desire of our leading members — it must aim at a 

 high standard of excellence in all respects. The expression of 

 this view at the close of my remarks is especially prompted in con- 

 nection with the opinion of one of our editors, recently expressed 

 in a " note " alluding to the use of authorized vernacular names. 

 His remark that " if ornithology is to be an exact science, no 

 detail is unimportant " is highly to be commended. The long- 

 established custom of other countries should be followed in a 

 young community like ourselves. Recognized vernacular names 

 are everywhere in vogue, in addition to the popular country 

 names by which so many birds and animals are known, for 

 example in England, but the existence of these latter should 

 not interfere with what one might correctly term the proper 

 name. And it is only by ornithologists and writers strictly 

 adhering to the same vernacular name that it can become firmly 

 established. Let the schoolboy, the country youth, and others 

 who do not work at ornithology as a science, use their own names, 

 as these are mostly synonyms of the true vernacular name, 

 which should have for its interpretation the plumage or the 

 habits of the bird. Furthermore we should remember that we 

 work for posterity in this matter and that we should now lay 

 the foundation for those to stand on who come after us, as has 

 been done in all countries where biology has been a science com- 

 mensurate with the vast field which it covers. This is therefore 

 the responsibility which rests with our editors and leading 

 members. 



The time has now arrived when I relinquish, according to 

 our rules, the honourable position which my fellow-members 

 have accorded me as the first president of the Union. As an 

 old member of the British Ornithologists' Union, which holds 

 such a high status in the ornithological world, it has been a 

 great satisfaction to me to fill the presidential chair, with the 

 conviction, however, that my comparatively isolated position 

 and distance from the focus of the Union's work has prevented 

 my taking that active part which I desired when I accepted your 

 generous offer of the presidentship. 



Circumstances, connected chiefly with my preparation of work 

 for the A.A.A.S. Congress, have prevented, I regret to say, my 

 having time to go more fully into the subject-matter which 

 offered itself for consideration in this paper, and I trust my 

 fellow-members will excuse its brevity, and rest assured of the 

 warm interest I take in the future welfare of the Union as an 

 instrument for the advancement of ornithology, not only in 

 Australia, but wherever The Emu shall be read. 



In conclusion, Col. Legge said he would always take the greatest 

 interest in the Union, and now that he was retiring into country 

 life would be able to do more for natural history. 



A vote of thanks to the president for his interesting address 

 was proposed by Mr. A. J. Campbell, and carried by acclamation. 



