26 



to the Tod Rivpr, where they did some excellent work, and they 

 were able to add several aquatic species of birds to the list, as 

 well as make some useful observations of bird life found in the 

 hilly country which divided the camp from the Tod River. Mr. 

 Robert Crompton (S.A.). also journeyed to this river, and, after 

 a tramp of 12 or 13 miles, struck it in a more northeiiy direction 

 at Koppio homestead, where he remained a few days making 

 daily excursions for the purpose of observation. He is to be con- 

 gratulated on the amount of good work done in that direction. 



— A True Bird Lover. — 



To, on yon branch whose top is dead, 



Over the gums' still clustering shade the black magpie sits 



Torpid arid motionless, yet peering round 



Suspicious of deceit, at our approach, 



They mount, and loudly chattering from on high. 



Bid the wild scrub of human guile beware I 



It was most gratifying to all members to hear Mr. Crompton's 

 graphic account, on his return from Koppio, of the way in which 

 the owner (Mi*. Richardson) rigidly and jealously protects the 

 native birds upon his station. We were all delighted to hear this 

 jnlews, and it is a pity there are not more landowners like INIr. 

 Richardson, who, apart from the love of the birds, recognises the 

 great good our native birds are doing. I feel sure if the owner of 

 Koppio, as an observant man, will have discovered long ere this 

 that he has been repaid a hundredfold by the good work the birds 

 have done for the trouble entailed in their protection. I only 

 wish the Government, in fact, every individual in Australia, 

 Avould awaken to the fact, an,d stamp out the many enemies of ou-r 

 native birds — fire and poison, and the boy with the pea rifle — 

 and grant them suitable reserves where they can safely live and 

 nmltiply. Like America, Australia will awaken to the fact, but 

 it will be too late! 



— The Last Excursions. — 



The last field ExLursion tlic- writer made was at the invitation 

 of Mjr. George Home, M.D., of Melbourne, a most unselfish and 

 genial spirit who delighted in seeing others happy. The party 

 consisted of Surgeon Mjr. Home, Mr. Ifobert Crompton (S.A.), and 

 the writer and his wife. Mjr. Home had spent considerable time 

 and energy the day before beating up the district for some mode 

 of conveyance. Of course it is very nice when one has a long 

 tramp to a farmer's home, and is told that he cannot hire, lend, 

 or give any transport, but Mr. So-and-So lives 12 or 13 miles 

 from here iti that direction, and he most likely can let you have 

 a horse and dray, and when you get there this man tells you of 



