The South Australian Ornithological Association. 



the grass lands in bands of 50 to 100. Mr. E. Ashby recorded 

 a pair for the first time at Blackwood. Dv. Morgan stated 

 that these birds nested in o-reat numbers last year at Robe, 

 where they were considered as new to the district. Mr. McGilp 

 said there is none at Lake Frome this year 



Mr. J. N. ^IcGilj) exhibited a clutch of eggs of the Austra- 

 lian Dotterel from Mooloowatana, and described interesting 

 habits of the bird. An open nest is made in the claypans, and 

 when leaving the nest the bird covers the eggs with loose earth, 

 sticks and other debris. Mr. F. E. Parsons exhibited a speci- 

 men of the beautiful Scarlet-breasted Grass Parrot (Neophema 

 splendida.) received from Mooloowatana Station. This ex- 

 ceedingly rare bird has not been recorded for very many years. 



An interesting account of a trip to a belt of mallee country 

 between Woodchester and Wellington was given by Mr. Edwin 

 Ashby, and a number of birds collected were exhibited. A 

 specimen of the rare Blue-winged Grass Parrot {Mfionanodes 

 chrj/fto.<^tomiis) was secured. The speaker pointed out the 

 desirability of making a reserve of several miles of this country 

 in order to preserve some of the naturnl mallee country near to 

 Adelaide. With this object in view. Messrs. Parsons and 

 McGilp were appointed a sub-committee to ascertain how the 

 country is held. 



Xovembor 28, 1919. 



Oapt. S. A. White presided over a large attendance. A 

 letter was read from the Minister for Industry, asking for two 

 representatives of the a'ssociation to attend a conference 

 which is to be held shortly in regard to the new Animals and 

 Birds Protection Act. The President and Mr. E. Ashby were 

 deputed to attend the conference. A motion of sympathy was 

 accorded Mr. J. W. Mellor in the loss of his mother (Mrs. J. F. 

 Mellor). The Chairman spoke of the great interest Mrs. Mel- 

 lor had taken in nature study, and especially with the doings 

 of the field naturalists. Mr. E. Ashby and Mr. A. G. Edquist 

 •supported. Sympathy was also expressed with Mr. C. H. 

 Lienau upon the loss of his father. 



Mr. W. J). Bruce (Chief Inspector of Fisheries) wag 

 present as a visitor, and was asked to speak upon the new 

 Act, which comes under his jurisdiction. The Chief Inspector 

 said that 162 copies of instructions to accompany the new Act 

 Avere being prepared, and would bo sent out to every police 



