21 8 Field Naiuralisis' Club — Proceedings, [voTx^xx. 



Mr. J. Gabriel said that the mover of the motion at the first 

 meeting did not propose prohibiting the keeping of birds in 

 captivity, provided fair room was allowed to each bird. He was 

 surprised at the wording of the petition as read by the chairman. 



Mr. Kershaw said that the real purpose of the petition was 

 to prevent the overcrowding of birds in cages in the markets 

 and in the streets for the purpose of sale. 



After further discussion, in which Messrs. Hardy and Searle 

 took part, Mr. O. Rosenhain moved that the Club support that 

 portion of the petition relating to the wanton cruelty of over- 

 crowding of birds in cages by dealers, the portion relative to 

 the keeping of birds by private persons to be eliminated. 

 This was seconded by Mr. J . Gabriel, and carried unanimously. 



The chairman said that the honour of Doctor of Science had 

 been conferred on Professor Spencer by his alma mater, the 

 University of Manchester, and mentioned that he was a past 

 president of the Club. He therefore moved that the con- 

 gratulations of the Club be forwarded to him. This was 

 seconded by Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, and carried. 



It was decided, on the motion of Mr. J. Searle. seconded by 

 Mr. J. Stickland, that the committee make inquiries with 

 regard to the preservation of certain pools along the banks 

 of the Yarra, which may be destroyed when the beautification 

 scheme is being carried out. 



PAPERS READ. 



I. By Mr. J. G. O'Donoghue, entitled " Notes on the Vic- 

 torian Lyre-bird, Menura victories." 



The author referred to the great changes which spread of 

 settlement invariably makes in any locality, and gave a very 

 interesting account of the habits and peculiarities of the Lyre- 

 bird, as observed by him some fifteen years ago in the Crooked 

 River district. North Gippsland, where the birds were almost 

 as numerous as sparrows or starlings in the suburbs of Mel- 

 bourne. Then the rabbit and fox were unknown in the 

 district ; now the valley teems with both, and as a natural 

 consequence the Lyre-bird has almost disappeared. 



Mr. J. Gabriel congratulated the author on his interesting 

 paper, and said that he concurred in the author's opinion 

 that the Lyre-bird was not so shy as was imagined, and 

 related an incident in support. 



Mr. G. A. Keartland said that the fox and the gun were 

 undoubtedly responsible for the rapid disappearance of the 

 Lyre-bird. 



In reply to a question by Mr. A. D. Hardy, the ])resident 

 said that several Lyre-birds had been introduced into the 

 National Park, Wilson's Promontory, and so far as he was aware 

 they were doing well. 



