Cbe Ulctorian naturallsi 



Vol. XXXVII.— No. 1. MAY 6, 1920. No. 437. 



FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VTCTORTA. 



The ordinary monthly meeting of tlio Chih was lielcl ;it tlio 

 Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, I2th April, 1920. 



The president, Mr. A. I). Hardy, F.L.S., occupied the chair, 

 and about sixty members and visitors were present. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



From Colonel J. M. Scmmens, Chief Inspector of Fisheries 

 and Game, acknowledging a request from the Club that the 

 bonus offered by the t)epartment for the destruction of foxes 

 on Phillip Island should be increased, and stating that the 

 request could not be complied with. He pointed out difficulties 

 which would arise if the request were granted, and stated that 

 he had arranged for a fox drive to take place about the middle 

 of April, which, he trusted, would be well supported by the 

 local residents. The departmental inspectors reported that 

 there was no appreciable diminution in the numbers of Mutton- 

 birds visiting the island. 



Mr. J. Gabriel did not think the pi'oposed dri\'e would achieve 

 what it was expected to do. 



Mr. C. J. Gabriel was of opinion tliat the foxes have lessened 

 the number of Mutton-birds. 



On the motion of Messrs. H. ]>. Williamson and C. Dale3^ 

 it was resolved that consideration of the letter l)e held over 

 until next meeting, with the view of getting further information 

 on the questions raised. 



From Colonel J. M. Semmens, Chief Inspector of Fisheries 

 and (rame, asking the Club's opinion as to the desirableness 

 of ceasing to issue permits for the collection of the eggs of 

 protected birds for scientific purposes. 



Mr. C. French, jun., spoke strongly against issuing further 

 permits, giving particulars of certain instances of the export 

 of specimens which had come under his notice, and moved — 

 "That protected birds and their eggs be allowed to be exported 

 only through the National Museum." This was seconded by 

 Mr. C. L. Barrett, C.M.Z.S., who also spoke of the dangi;r to 

 our native birds under the present system. 



Messrs. I). Best and J. Searle supported the motion. 



Mr. G. A. Keartland said that much destruction was caused 

 among the smaller insectivorous birds by the actions of persons 

 who, in setting snares by means of- bird-liivie for goldfinches, 

 caught many other kinds of birds, which were ;iIIowih1 to 

 perish. This practice was particularl\- ramiKuit in localities 

 adjacent to the Whittlesea railway line. 



