"looo J South Australian Ornithological Association. ^(^ 



South Australian Ornithological Association. 



The tenth annual meeting of the South Australian Ornithological Associa- 

 tion was held at the rooms of Dr. R. H. Pulleine, Adelaide, on the 14th 

 April, when Mr. A. H. C. Zietz, F.L.S., presided. The hon. secretary- 

 submitted the annual report and balance-sheet, which showed that the 

 Association was in a prosperous condition. Six bi-monthly meetings had 

 been held, at which the attendance had been good, and much useful 

 knowledge had been collected by members, while useful points of interest 

 had been made known relative to the habits of native birds. Mr. J. W. 

 Mellor had officially represented the Association and this State at a meeting 

 of State delegates held in Melbourne during last year for the purpose of 

 considering the best means of bringing the various bird laws of the 

 Commonwealth into unison, and better protecting useful birds, and many 

 resolutions had been carried which it was trusted would eventually become 

 law in each of the States. It was stated that there was a decided advance 

 in the desire of the people to protect native birds, owing to the dissemination 

 of knowledge relative to their usefulness in keeping down pests that would 

 otherwise completely destroy the agricultural and horticultural crops and 

 greatly aflect forest trees. A report was received from the committee 

 appointed to wait upon the Commissioner of Crown Lands relative to the 

 preservation of birds on certain islands in the Coorong, also on Dangerous 

 Reef, in Spencer Gulf, and on The Pages and Casuarina Islands, near 

 Kangaroo Island. The Government had considered with favour the object 

 of the deputation. The Starling and Sparrow pests were discussed at 

 length, and various means for their destruction advocated. It was stated 

 that the Australasian Ornithologists' Union contemplated holding their 

 annual congress in Adelaide this year, and it was resolved that the 

 Association should assist in entertaining the visitors. A number of exhibits 

 were shown, including a series of Scrub-Wrens by Mr. A. H. C. Zietz, in 

 illustration of a few remarks by that gentleman upon their habits. Captain 

 S. A. White showed a rare clutch of eggs of the Blue-billed Duck 

 {Erisinaiura mtstralis)^ with the female bird from the nest ; also the t.gg of 

 the Musk-Duck {Biziiira lobata), the nearest ally. Messrs. Thomas Gill 

 and J. W. Hosking were elected members. The following officers were 

 elected for the ensuing year : — President, Mr. M. Symonds Clark ; vice- 

 president. Dr. R. H. Pulleine ; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. W. 

 Mellor — the whole to form the general committee. 



A meeting of this Association was held at the rooms of Dr, R. H. Pulleine, 

 Adelaide, on the evening of 7th May, when Mr. Symonds Clark presided. 

 The hon. secretary reported that the annual congress of the Australasian 

 Ornithologists' Union would be held this year in Adelaide. A lecture will 

 be delivered at the gathering upon the recent scientific expedition to the 

 islands of Bass Strait. In connection with the congress arrangements are 

 being made for a camp in a country district, where bird-life can be studied. 

 Eyre Peninsula being favoured. The subject of enlarging the Association 

 and widening its influence and usefulness was discussed. Hitherto members 

 have been admitted only on scientific qualifications, a system which has 

 debarred many bird-lovers from participating in the Association's delibera- 

 tions. It was decided to postpone consideration of the subject. The 

 proclamation by the Government of The Pages Islands, off the eastern end 

 of Kangaroo Island, Casuarina Islands (known also as The Brothers), near 

 the south-western part of Kangaroo Island, and Dangerous Reef, in Spencer 

 Gulf, as bird protection reserves, as requested by the Association, was 

 referred to amid cheers. Mr. J. W. Mellor reported that birds were 

 breeding late this year at the Reedbeds. The Red-browed Finch and the 

 White-bearded Honey-eater had been noted this month with young. 

 Captain S. A. White showed a pair of Painted Snipe, from near Murray 

 Bridge, and eggs of the Black-backed Coot, from New Zealand, of the 



