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TENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NATIVE FAUNA 

 AND FLORA PROTECTION COMMITTEE, TO BE 

 PRESENTED TO THE ANNUAL MEETING OF 

 THE FIELD NATURALISTS' SECTION OF THE 

 ROYAL SOCIETY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 20th 

 SEPTEMBER, 1898. 



The Committee have met three times only in the past year ; 

 but a great deal of attention has been given by members to the 

 Birds and Other Animals Protection Bill. The late Minister of 

 Education had promised to take charge of the Bill, which was 

 printed by the Government, and the Committee had hoped that 

 it might be passed by the last session of Parliament. Dr. 

 Cockburn obtained leave for its introduction, but unfortunately 

 did not proceed further with it. 



The Secretary had an opportunity of handing to Mr. A. J. 

 Campbell, of Melbourne, whose articles on " Australian Birds " 

 in the Australasian are well known, a copy of the Bill, and he 

 suggested alterations in some of the vernacular names in the first 

 schedule (which the Committee decided should be embodied 

 therein as alternative names), to make them agree with those 

 adopted by the Committee of the Australasian Association for the 

 Advancement of Science. 



Recently a legal gentleman occupying a high position in 

 Adelaide, who takes a very warm interest in the preservation of 

 our birds, recommended several alterations in the Bill, the chief 

 of which was the elimination of all reference to " other animals," 

 and the change of the title to " The Birds' Protection Bill." 

 The Bill was printed in its new form, and sent to the Secretary 

 of the Society for the Protection of Birds, who forwarded it to this 

 Committee. The phraseology had been altered, making it more 

 concise and otherwise improving the Bill. After carefully con- 

 sidering it, the Committee, though regretting the omission of the 

 protection to " other animals," which would have been afforded 

 by their own Bill, decided to accept it, subject to a few altera- 

 tions. The Committee hope that this Bill will be speedily 

 introduced, so that it will become law this session. 



In the opinion of the Committee this question becomes daily 

 of more importance, and recent action in Germany, France, and 

 America shows the imperative necessity for protective legislation 

 without which it is hopelesss to expect the preservation of many 

 invaluable birds, whose destruction of insect pests tends so much 

 to the successful cultivation of our vegetable products. But the 

 Committee, feel that unless supported by public opinion the best 

 legislation is liable to be inoperative. 



Samuel Dixon, Chairman. 



Adelaide, September 19, 1898. 



