IV 



Uktoiit of ]naugural Meeting of the South AftvICan 

 Ornithologlsts' Union. 



A CONFERENCE of South African Ornitbologists was held on 

 the 8th April, ir04, at the Normal School, Johannesburg, 

 Transvaal, at 6 p.m. Ihere were present, amonorst others : — 

 W. L. Sclater, M.A., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. (Director of the 

 South African Museum, Cape Towti); Dr. J. W. B. Gunnino;, 

 F.Z.S. (Director of the Transvaal Museum and Zoological 

 Gardens), Messrs. C. S. Aitcheson, J. A. Alexander, F.R.S.E., 

 S. H. Boyle, J. A. Bucknill, M.A., F. J. Ellemor, A. Haagner, 

 M.B.O.U., A. 0. Pittar, W. J. Powell, and C. C. Roberts. 



Mr. W. L. Sclater was unanimously voted to the Chair, 

 and in his opening remarks stated the reasons for the holding 

 of the Meeting. 



He said that, although the date of the conference was 

 ])ropitious in view of the visit of so many scientific men to 

 the town, it could not be expected that every individual 

 interested in the Avifauna of South Africa could be present ; 

 but Mr. Haagner had taken the trouble to endeavour to 

 ascertain, as far as possible, what was the general feeling 

 amongst local ornithologists as to the possibility and de- 

 sirability of forming a South African Ornithologists' Union. 

 He asked Mr. Haagner to give the Meeting some account of 

 w hat had already been done by him in this direction. 



Mr. Haagner stated that, in response to a circular issued by 

 him, 40 gentlemen had handed in their names as desirous of 

 becoming Members of the Union if such was formed, and 



