42 



Field Naturalists' Cluh — Pyoceedinf^s. \v!-\"x\\\. 



the laying oi poison tor the deslruction of vermin. In the first 

 case one notable event of the year has been the organizing, 

 through the instrumentality of a number of bird-lovers, of a 

 monster jietition to the British Ciovernment, containing 17,000 

 signatures, protesting against the traffic in ornamental bird- 

 skins and feathers, and in the case of insectivorous l)irds much 

 has been done to minimize the evil, but the work is not yet 

 complete. 



" The Railway Commissioners have been reminded of their 

 promise to keep certain stratigraphical exposures free from 

 decorative vegetation for the purposes of instruction in geo- 

 logical formations, &c. 



" The hon. tieasurer's report will show that the balance in 

 hand, £78 iis. 8d., at the ist of May, 1913, has been reduced 

 to £36 14s. iid. at 30th April, 1914. This has been principally 

 caused by the purchase of a bookcase and the increased cost of 

 printing the Club's journal, owing to higher charges in the 

 printing trade. The net receipts have been ;^i66 2s. 3d., and 

 expenditure £207 19s — net shortage, £41 i6s. 9d., of which 

 the bookcase accounts for £25 los. 



" The hon. librarian reports : — ' During the past year 192 

 parts of the various journals to which the Club subscribes or 

 receives in exchange were added to the library, in addition 

 to various publications, proceedings, &c., from the Royal 

 Societies of Australasia and the numerous publications of 

 American museums and universities. Very little has been 

 spent during the year on the purchase of new books, on account 

 of the heavy expenditure incurred in purchasing the new 

 bookcase. The number of borrowers is rather below the 

 average, and special announcements should be made from 

 time to time to induce members to make greater use of their 

 library. About 30 com^Dlete volumes are ready for binding 

 as soon as the Club's finances will permit of same. In addition 

 to various maps received fiom the Mines Department during 

 the year, Mr. A. D. Hardy, on behalf of the Forests Depart- 

 ment, presented to the Club a map of Victoria showing forest 

 reserves, fkc, and Mr. Barnard a map of Melbourne and sur- 

 rounding country within 50 miles radius. A donation to the 

 Club's permanent exhibits was an enlarged photograph of 

 young Blue Cranes in the nest, presented by Mr. M'Callum, of 

 Colac. As it is impossible for every member to read each 

 journal as it comes to hand, it might be to the Club's advantage 

 and of assistance to the hon. editor if a sub-committee were 

 appointed to review the monthly publications and pubhsh in 

 the Naturalist items and references of interest to members. 

 Before closing, I must acknowledge the great assistance given 

 on meeting nights by the hon. assistant librarian, Mr. J. G. 

 O'Donoghuc, who attended to the issue of books to members.' 



