86 Australasian Oniitkologists Union. [=;th"jan 



bell and H. Kendall ; members of Council — Colonel W. V. Legge, 

 F.Z.S. (T.), Messrs. R. Hall, F.L.S. (V.), D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S. (V.), 

 F. R. Godfrey, J. W. Mellor (S.A.), and A. W. Milligan (W.A.) 



Prof. Robert Ridgvvay and Dr. J. A. Allen, both of U.S.A., 

 and Count Salvador! (Italy) were elected honorary members. 



It was decided that members desiring to show their connection 

 with the Union when writing articles, &c., may use the abbrevia- 

 tion "A.O.U.," or for foreign correspondence "A.O.U. (Aust.)," 

 after their names. 



Mr. J. W. Mellor (of Adelaide) brought up the subject of the 

 proposed introduction of " chicken cholera," or some " patent " 

 disease, suggested by the Pasteur Institute for the destruction 

 of the rabbit pest. In view of the dire effect upon native fauna, 

 especially indigenous birds, such an introduction may cause, 

 the Union placed on record its protest against the introduction 

 into Australia of any " secret " or unknown disease, until its 

 properties have been fully investigated by competent authori- 

 ties. 



It was resolved to hold the next annual meeting in Adelaide 

 during October, 1905. 



Second D.w. 



On the afternoon of Tuesday, 29th, members attending the 

 session were entertained at the Zoological Gardens by the 

 Director, Mr. S. Le Souef. A very pleasant and profitable hour 

 or two were spent, and the visitors complimented the Director 

 on the good appearance of the stock and gardens. 



In the evening, at the Queen's Hall, Pitt-street, Mr. Robert 

 Hall gave his popular lecture, entitled " A Naturalist's Tour 

 through Japan, Corea, Manchuria, and Siberia," illustrated by 

 over 100 photo. -views, which was much appreciated by those 

 privileged to hear it. Mr. J. H. Maiden, F.L.S., Director of 

 the Botanical Gardens, occupied the chair, and at the conclusion 

 of the lecture pronounced it to be one of the most unique and 

 interesting he had ever listened to. 



Third Day. 



In the morning, Wednesday, 30th, members finished their 

 inspection of the bird-exhibits at the Australian Museum. The 

 inspection was commenced on the afternoon of the first day, 

 under the personal attention of the Curator, Mr. R. Etheridge, 

 jun., F.G.S., who conducted the visitors from the taxidermists' 

 workroom, where skins were being prepared, up to the splendid 

 group collection of birds in the galleries. By the way a superb 

 collection of Australasian ethnological specimens was critically 

 examined. This day the bird skins, especially many interesting 

 type-specimens, occupied the attention of the visitors, who by 

 the direction of the Curator were placed under the sympathetic 

 care of the veteran ornithologist and collector, Mr. J. A. Thorpe. 

 The visitors were so pleased, as well as profited, by what they 

 saw that a written vote of thanks was sent to the Curator. 



