^°'- ^^-1 Australasian Ornithologists' Union. ^35 



statement, showing' the close seasons of protected birds under 

 the Game Acts o( the various States, and read a paper advocating 

 the bringing of all such matters into line, also suggesting that 

 each State should secure legislative authority to proclaim reserves 

 wherein birds might breed unmolested. 



Mr. J. W. Mellor thought the matter needed consideration. In 

 South Australia much was done, and it was annoying to see 

 birds which had been cared for pass away to be shot by neigh- 

 bours. An Act was needed for the protection of birds which 

 would cover all Australia. Being a prime mover in drawing up 

 the South Australian list of protected birds, he could speak with 

 ..feeling. He had included the names of many more birds than 

 appeared in the list, but had to withdraw them, owing to opposi- 

 tion from sportsmen and others. A committee should be 

 appointed, representative of each State, to draw up a schedule for 

 submission to the Parliaments. The longer the delay the less 

 opportunity for doing good work. 



Mr. D. Le Souef thought Mr. Campbell ought to be thanked 

 for the great trouble he had taken. If the whole of Southern 

 Australia could be brought under one Act it would be a great 

 help. He thought the matter might be carried out by the 

 Council, which embraced representatives of all the States. 



Mr. A. H. C. Zietz thought the Council could work the whole 

 thing out ; but it must be borne in mind that the breeding seasons 

 were not the same for the whole of Australia. 



On the motion of Mr. Le Souef, the Council were requested to 

 take the matter up, and to get a representative from Tasmania 

 to act with them. 



In some brief notes, " On Lighthouses as Observing Stations," 

 Mr. Le Souef suggested that papers be sent to the various light- 

 houses, which the keepers could fill up with a list of birds noted 

 and other particulars. 



The Chairman thought the difficulty of getting replies would 

 be great, and mentioned some experiences of his own in similar 

 matters. He would suggest that if the papers could be issued 

 through the Marine Boards the request for information would 

 carry more weight. 



The Council were authorized to take the necessary action. 



Mr. Le Souef then read some notes, illustrated by specimens 

 of feathers, to prove that birds do not necessarily moult when 

 changing the colour of their plumage. There was a short and 

 appreciative discussion on the subject, in which Mr. Mattingley 

 expressed the opinion that Mr. Le Souef's theory clashed with 

 the idea of protective colouration. 



Mr. Robert Hall sent in a short paper on "The Reversion of 

 Colour in Kingfishers' Eggs," and in the discussion which followed 

 the opinion was expressed that the author had hardly proved the 

 premises on which his theory was based. 



Mr. F. M. Littler having read portion of a long and interesting 



