Emu 



1^4 Australasian Ornithologists'' Union. Iist'jan 



primary migrations of these remarkable birds in such a manner 

 as to throw a most interesting light on their history. In con- 

 tributing this paper Professor Hutton has rendered an important 

 service to the Union and its organ, TJie Emu. 



Concerning an interesting district from the far north of South 

 Australia, Mr. C. M. Lyons contributes a good paper on distri- 

 bution, with field notes. The Lake Eyre country must always be 

 an interesting ornithological region. Its vast size, and the fresh- 

 water rivers running into it, make it a likely habitat for water 

 birds and Waders, as well as the rendezvous about isolated water- 

 holes of numerous species of other " orders." Fifty-three species 

 were identified, and others seen that Mr. Lyons coul'd not make 

 sure of The young plumage oi ErytJirogonys cincttts is described 

 in the article by Mr. D. Le Souef 



Various other papers, mostly short, furnish the field notes of 

 observers and bird-lovers, and these, in most instances, add to 

 the local information previously possessed. In order, however, 

 to keep up the scientific standard of our journal, it is necessary, 

 I must here mention, for the editors to carefully supervise 

 these contributions. In one there are mistakes in classification 

 which have been accidentally overlooked. 



In Mrs. Parker's charmingly written article one gets an insight 

 of the delightful tameness and fascinating trust which members 

 of the feathered creation develop when unmolested and shown 

 kindness by their — nearly always — natural enemy, man. 



In concluding this short notice of what has been done in our 

 journal towards advancement of ornithology in Australia, I 

 would fain express the hope that members of the Union will 

 confine as much as possible their descriptions of new species to 

 the pages of The Emu. There is often a tendency, as is seen in 

 England, to resort to monthly publications, so as to secure 

 priority of description. I have always lamented this circum- 

 stance, as owing to it the pages of The Ibis have often been 

 deprived of descriptions of new species. Let us endeavour to 

 bring our journal to the front in the direction indicated. It is 

 to be hoped that ere long funds will be available for coloured 

 plates of new species and undescribed eggs. The photographic 

 illustrations are all that could be desired, excellent in effect and 

 beautifully done ; but it is the hand-coloured plate or the care- 

 fully produced " chromo " which sets the journal off, and 

 commends it to the public. In this respect what have not Wolf 

 and Keulemans done for TJie Ibis ? I hope to live to see the 

 work of the latter artist embellishing our journal, and so soon 

 as our editors accomplish this it will be a handsome feather 

 in their caps ! 



Mr. A. J. Campbell moved that a hearty vote of thanks be 

 accorded to Col. Legge for his interesting address. This was 

 seconded by Mr. Mellor, and carried unanimously. 



Mr. Campbell then handed to members an elaborate tabulated 



