n6 Australasian OvnitJiologists' Union. f isf "ran 



was supported by Mr. Mellor, Captain White, Mr. R. Hall, Mr. A. 

 G. Edquist, and Mr. Symonds Clark, seconded by Dr. Morgan, and 

 carried unanimously. 



The Council of the A.O.U. offered to give a special lecture to the 

 vSouth Australian Education Department, and it was enthusiastically 

 accepted by the Director of Education (Mr. A. Williams). 



It was then resolved that Mr. J. A. Leach, M.Sc. (Organizing 

 Inspector of Nature Study, Victoria), be selected to deliver an 

 illustrated lecture on bird study, such lecture to be delivered under 

 the auspices of the Union on the return of the delegates from the 

 camp. 



It was suggested that rule 3 should be altered so as to read — 

 " The Society shall consist of members, honorary members, and 

 honorary associate members," &c. After some discussion it was 

 decided to add the words " and associate members " after the 

 first word, "members," on the third line, so as to read — "The 

 Society shall consist of members, honorary members, and honorary 

 associate members." 



Rule II was amended so as to read — " The annual meeting shall 

 take place in the months of October or November, or in such 

 month as the Council may appoint," &c. Both alterations were 

 made unanimously. 



An estimate of £74 was submitted for the publication of an index 

 to the first seven volumes of The Emu. It was moved by Mr. 

 J. A. Leach and seconded by Dr. W. V. Angove — " That Mr. G. M. 

 Mathews be informed that, while thanking him for his very great 

 trouble in compiling it, it has been decided not to publish the index 

 out of the funds of the Union." Carried. 



Colour-Chart. — It was fully recognized by the Congress that 

 there was a need of a colour- chart for the purpose of having a 

 universal and uniform method of describing the colours of birds' 

 plumages as well as their eggs. The present inadequate and 

 indefinite method of expressing the true colours of natural history 

 specimens has in the past caused and is at the present time creating 

 confusion, which gives rise to the introduction of baneful synonyms 

 leading to misconceptions and re-descriptions. This clogs the 

 wheels of scientific investigation and retards research. A colour 

 chart approved by a conference of leading scientists would be 

 indeed a boon to systematists and especially to field workers. 

 Both would have a common and a uniform method readily under- 

 stood by either with the help of such a chart. It is suggested that 

 delegates be appointed by all the scientific societies of Great 

 Britain to draw up a colour scheme. This conference would be 

 assisted by expert colourists in arriving at a comprehensive scheme 

 of colouration which could then be accepted as a standard and as 

 an official scientific colour-chart. It is felt that there would be 

 throughout the world a large demand for such a work especially if 

 of a size that could readily be carried about in the pocket. A 

 pocket chart would be of inestimable value if used in the field, since 

 the colours of specimens as found in life could then be faithfully 



