I 86 Australasian Ornithologists' Union. ist April 



migrate from the more northern districts before the open season 

 commences. 



The Union is also endeavouring to have Lake Moodemere, 

 Wahgunyah, still maintained as a breeding reserve for wild fowl, 

 as so few of these places are left in Victoria. 



A letter has also been written to the Government of Tas- 

 mania, asking that every effort be made to prevent the destruc- 

 tion of the eggs of the Cape Barren Geese, which breed on 

 certain islands in Bass Strait, and it would be a great pity if this 

 fine bird were exterminated. Unfortunately, the result was 

 hardly as satisfactory as desired. The Tasmaniaii authorities 

 were assured by those deputed to inquire into the matter that 

 no destruction had taken place ; but the mere fact of inquiry 

 having been made will render residents on the islands more 

 cautious as to what birds they destroy. 



One of the Council was enabled to visit the rookeries of Short- 

 tailed Petrels, or Mutton-Birds, on Phillip Island. He wrote 

 an interesting and valuable report of his visit, and, at the 

 instigation of the Union, the Government have preserved certain 

 rookeries that were nearly destroyed, and regulated the taking 

 of the eggs and young of these birds, as they are a valuable 

 source of food supply, and one does not wish to see them ruth- 

 lessly destroyed. 



Efforts have also been made to have, as far as possible, 

 poisoned pollard and grain laid for rabbits covered over lightly 

 with soil, as it does not prevent the rodents from getting it, but 

 is not so liable to be eaten by birds.* 



Copies of the Game Acts of the various States have been 

 obtained, with a view of making them coincide as far as possible. 



The Council would urge all members of the Union to make 

 notes of anything that may be of interest regarding bird life, 

 however simple it may be, and forward them to the editors of 

 TJic Emu. 



For the Council, 



D. Le Souef, Hon. Sec. 

 BALANCE-SHEET, 1901-02 (30TH June). 



Receipts. 



Subscriptions, Current Year, and Poundage ... ^103 13 i 

 Subscriptions in Advance, and Poundage ... 22 15 o 



^126 



Donations to Coloured Figure Fund ... ... 2 



BySaleofiiw« ... ... ... ... 2 



By Advertisements in Emu ... ... ... 4 



^136 3 5 



* The report of Mr. F. E. Allan, officer in charge of these operations, in answer to 

 this, asserts there is small danger to birds from this source ; but this assertion is hardly 

 borne out by observed facts. 



