ZA2 Royal Aiistyalasian Ornithologists' Union. [isf"jan 



made arrangements whereby specimens of protected birds were 

 prohibited from being carried upon the railways of the State. 



Col. Legge stated that the Western Highland district and Lake 

 St. Clair would be the best locality to liberate any birds received. 



In the absence of Mr. F. E. Wilson, hon. secretary, the annual 

 report was read by Mr. A. H. E. Mattingley, the acting hon. 

 secretary. On the motion of Col. Legge, seconded by Mr. H. C. 

 Thompson, the report was adopted. Mr. C. F. Cole, in the 

 absence of Mr. Z. Gray, read the hon. treasurer's report, which 

 was adopted, on the motion of Mr. Mattingley, seconded by Mr. 

 O. Rosenhain. 



A letter was received from Mr. A. J. Campbell, regarding his 

 visit to the locality of the working camp-out for the present 

 session 19 years ago. The letter also referred to work on the 

 " Check-list." 



A letter from Mr. Atchison, secretary of the Wild Bird- 

 Life Preservation Society, in reference to traffic in birds' plumes 

 and feathers, was also read. Mr. Mattingley stated that 

 in Melbourne surprise visits had been made to various 

 shops, and plumes and feathers had been seized. Plumes 

 had come in attached to hats, &c., and so the law had been 

 evaded. It required great vigilance to detect the incoming of 

 such plumes and feathers. 



Contributions to the Coloured Figure Fund for the year were 

 acknowledged: — W. J. T. Armstrong (Vic), 4s. 6d. ; Edwin 

 Ashby (S.A.), £2 2s. ; Isaac Batey (Vic), 4s. 6d. ; T. Bell (Vic), 

 2S. 6d. ; F. L. Berney (Qld.), 5s. ; Miss M. Brumby (Tas.), 5s. ; 

 H. Burrell (N.S.W.), £1 is. ; Mrs. Burrell (N.S.W.), £1 is. ; Dr. 

 E. H. Dobbyn (N.S.W.), 6s. : Dr. E. W. Ferguson (N.S.W.), 

 2S. 6d. ; Miss J. A. Fletcher (Tas.), 7s. 6d. ; H. W. Ford (Vic), 

 5s. ; G. Graham (Vic), 2s. 6d. ; Wm. Lawford (Vic), 5s. ; Col. 

 W. V. Legge (Tas.), 5s. ; Dr. W. J. Long (Vic), 3s. ; R. E. P. 

 Osborne (S.A.), los. ; A. W. Swindells (Tas.), 5s. ; T. Tindale (Vic), 

 2S. 6d. ; Capt. S. A. White (S.A.), los. ; Mrs. White (S.A.), 5s. 

 Total, ;^8 14s. 6d. It was also announced that Mr. H. L. White, 

 Belltrees, had paid the cost (;^5 5s. 4d.) of the illustrations in 

 part 3, vol. X., and part 4, vol. xi., of The Emu. 



The president stated that the fund deserved support to enable 

 the Council to publish in The Emu figures of new birds. 



Mr. Littler wished to know whether the Council intended to 

 figure all new birds discovered by members of the R.A.O.U. Mr. 

 Mellor, in reply, stated that the Council would use discretion, and 

 figure only good and authentic species. He did not think that 

 sub-species would be described. Col. Legge favoured the sugges- 

 tion that no specimens should be figured unless proved to be 

 thoroughly sound species. Captain White agreed with Col. Legge 

 when he stated that, if possible, the number of species to be 

 described each year should be enumerated beforehand. Mr. 

 Mattingley thought that the question of re-figuring badly figured 

 species might be considered. Mr. Mellor stated that Mr. Littler's 



