I 88 A. J. Campbell, The Protection of Native Birds. [^^f April 



and I venture to believe it is part of the work and duty of a 

 national organisation like the Australasian Ornithologists' Union 

 to make suggestions. Hence, by way of commencement, this 

 paper and tabulated statement up to date are humbly submitted. 



I apprehend the statement will be referred to a committee. 

 But in the meantime I may be permitted to make a i&v^ remarks 

 as examples of some suggested improvements. 



EgT'ets are not yet protected either in New South Wales or 

 Western Australia. The plumes of these birds are much sought 

 after as articles of adornment, and the traffic should be 

 suppressed. It has come to the knowledge of some of the 

 members of this Union that not many seasons ago, in Riverina, a 

 rookery of these beautiful birds was destroyed by nearly all the 

 birds being shot, and the balance driven away in consequence, 

 and that, too, in the breeding season. 



Babblers [Poniatorhini). — These birds are valuable insect- 

 destroyers. When not molested they have been known to enter 

 orchards and devour the larvse of the dreaded codlin moth. 

 They are not protected in New South Wales. 



Cape Barren Geese. — Although protected in the States 

 interested, the protection does not adequately cover the laying 

 season. 



Emus.- — Three States protect this noble bird the " whole 

 year." The States which do not are New South Wales and 

 South Australia. It may be worth their while coming into 

 line, and then there would be no excuse for the traffic in Emu- 

 eggs in any part of Australia, because all the Acts provide a 

 penalty not only for taking eggs but having eggs in possession 

 of protected birds. 



Oiu/s, Frogvwuths {Podargi), and Nightjars.- — New South 

 Wales and Western Australia should afford protection to such 

 useful destroyers of nocturnal vermin. 



Ibises are wholly protected throughout Australia except New 

 South Wales, where the season is only partial. 



Lyre-Birds. — The close season in Queensland and New South 

 Wales does not cover the laying season. 



Plovers. — Western Australia is the only State that does not 

 protect these economic and ornamental birds. 



Wild Ducks. — If South Australia would terminate its close 

 season on the 31st January instead of 20th December the whole 

 of south-eastern Australia would be brought into line in favour 

 of this much-sought-after tribe. 



Mutton-Birds [Puffins). — Western Australia has a close 

 season which is obviously wrong in its duration. Tasmania, by 

 sections 16 and 17 of Act No. 26 (1895), possesses special 

 machinery for the protection of Mutton-Birds within its 

 boundaries, which include all the principal islands in Bass 

 Strait. It is a question whether that machinery should not be 

 more extensively used than it is now. 



