Ia6 Bird Observers' Club. \ 



Emu 

 St Oct. 



bell, T. H. Tregellas, E. B. NichoUs, and the hon. secretary. A vote 

 of thanks for their hospitality was accorded Dr. Ryan and Mr. Le 

 Soucf. 



The July meeting of the Club was held at the residence of Surgeon- 

 General Williams, Prahran, the host presiding. Mr. A. H. E. Mat- 

 tingley reported, in regard to the action taken in England to afford 

 fuller protection to bird-life and place checks on the plume trade, that 

 Major Semmens had been consulted and had promised the support of 

 his department in any efforts made by the club. The hon. secretary 

 read a communication from the Secretary of the Department of 

 External Affairs, received in reply to a letter sent to the Prime 

 Minister asking that the Federal Government support the action of 

 the British authorities in the matter of bird protection. Mr. Atlee 

 Hunt stated, inter alia, that the destruction in the Territory of Papua 

 of Birds-of-Paradise, Goura Pigeons, Ospreys, and White or Lesser 

 Herons had been prohibited by a proclamation published in the 

 Government Gazette on 31st October, 1908. As regarded the prevention 

 of the destruction of birds in Australia, that was a matter for the 

 various State Governments. The letter was received. Mr. H. W. 

 Wilson reported that the Gould League of Bird Lovers was progressing 

 satisfactorily. About 18,000 certificates had been distributed, and 

 the finances were in a sound state. It was decided that efforts be 

 made to promote branches of the League in other States. Mr. Wilson 

 was thanked for his valuable services to the League. It was decided 

 that Bird Day be celebrated in Victoria on 28th October, 1910. 



The chairman related some interesting observations of the behaviour 

 of the Indian Minah in his garden. Mr. T. H. Tregellas read a paper 

 on Australian song birds. He compared several familiar species with 

 the European Skylark, Blackbird, Thrush, and Goldfinch, and praised 

 the native songsters highly. The chairman and Messrs. A. J. Camp- 

 bell, A. H. E. Mattingley, Dr. Bryant, and others took part in the 

 discussion. It was mentioned that the Skylark had become a nuisance 

 as a seed-eater in New Zealand. Dr. Bryant gave some reminiscences 

 of early days in Gippsland, and spoke of the medley of bird song 

 he had been wont to hear in the incult bush. Mr. J. A. Leach quoted 

 John Gould and Alfred Russel Wallace in praise of the Magpie's min- 

 strelsy. Interesting bird notes were contributed by Messrs. F. E. 

 Wilson {re Emu eggs being broken by stock-riders), C. F. Cole, L. G. 

 Chandler, and the hon. secretary (dates of arrival of the Fan- tailed 

 Cuckoo, C. flabelliformis), and A. H. E. Mattingley (Starlings, Minahs, 

 and Java Doves eating larvae of the cockchafer beetle). Exhibits. — 

 Mr. L. G. Chandler, skin of Mountain-Thrush (G. lunulata) ; Mr. A. J. 

 Campbell, skins of Climacteris melanura and other species from North- 

 West Australia, exhibited on behalf of Mr. H. L. White, Belltrees 

 (N.S.W.) ; Surgeon-General Williams, mounted specimens of the 

 Rifle-Bird and Birds-of-Paradise (.? sp.) from German New Guinea. 



South Australian Ornithological Association. 



The monthly meeting of this Association was held at the rooms of 

 Dr. R. H. Pulleine, Adelaide, on the 3rd August, Dr. Pulleine pre- 

 siding. The hon. secretary reported upon the progress of the move- 

 ment to place the Mallee-Fowl on the National Reserve on Kangaroo 

 Island, and having received the donation from the Government of 



