no Royal Australasian Ornithologists'- Union. [ist^Tan. 



Nomenclature. 



Capt. White moved that a recommendation be conveyed to the 

 editors of The Emu, through the Council, that the trinomial 

 system of nomenclature in connection with Australian ornithology 

 be adopted for all sub-species. He had properly described a 

 sub-species in a paper which he had written, and this name was 

 altered to a binomial. As a result of this, he was adversely 

 criticised in many quarters outside Australia. The Auk had said 

 that he did not know how to describe a bird, and he could not 

 run the risk of this again by publishing in The Emu. 



Mr. Mellor seconded the motion. He said that there must be 

 some means of identifying sub-species. 



Mr. Ashby supported the motion. He considered it a scientific 

 necessity that Australia should come into line with the rest of 

 the world, and use trinomials for valid sub-species. 



The motion was carried unanimously. 



Mr. Zietz criticised the " Check-list." 



A suggestion by Mr. Edquist that was favourably regarded was 

 that a small sub-hst should be pubhshed, giving the full nomen- 

 clature of the few sub-species that were recognized as sound. 



Bird Protection. 



Mr. Ashby intimated that everything possible was being done 

 with regard to the Kangaroo Island reserve. It was hoped that 

 the desired Act would be passed next session, and would make 

 provision for the reservation of 300 square miles. It was also 

 hoped that the reserve would be vested in trustees, outside 

 political influence. He was greatly desirous of seeing Lyre-Birds 

 introduced to the island, where he considered they would do 

 well. These birds were formerly plentiful in the Blackall Ranges, 

 N.S.W., where a few still remained in country very similar to 

 the interior of Kangaroo Island. 



Arising from correspondence from Mr James Buckland, Mr 

 Chisholm moved — " That this annual congress of the R.A.O.U. 

 urges upon the Commonwealth Government the great necessity 

 that exists for such a measure as the British Plumage Prohibition 

 Bill, and suggests that the High Commissioner be requested to 

 petition the British Prime Minister to have this Bill made law 

 without delay." The motion was carried unanimously. 



Thanks. 



On the motion of Mr. Somerville, seconded by Mr. Zietz, a vote 

 of thanks was accorded the retiring office-bearers. Mr. Mattingley, 

 in responding, paid a tribute to the work of Mr. Zietz. 



A hearty vote of thanks was also accorded the Royal Society 

 for the use of its rooms for meeting purposes. 



On behalf of visiting members, Mr. Mattingley thanked the 

 South Australians, and particularly Capt. White, for the kindly 

 reception given all. 



It was agreed that the next session should be held in Victoria. 



