l6o Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union. [ 



Emu 

 ist Dec. 



pose. If both islands were given over for selection, and the swamps 

 were drained, it would practically cause the annihilation, in a few 

 years, of the birds which came there to breed. 



It was decided to ask the Tasmanian Government to reserve 

 Barren Island as a national park for the preservation of the native 

 fauna ; for, though there were a number of smaller islands which 

 had not been thrown open to selection, these were not so suitable 

 for breeding-places for the birds. 



Common Vernacular Names of Birds. — Mr. J. A. Leach asked 

 that some action be taken to change some of the common ver- 

 nacular names of birds, many of which were vulgar, discordant, 

 and unsuitable, and especially so when bird study was being intro- 

 duced into schools in all States of the Commonwealth. 



On the motion of Mr. Leach, seconded by Mr. E. B. Nicholls, it 

 was decided to form a sub-committee to deal with the matter. 

 Messrs. Campbell, Le Souef, Kershaw, and Leach were appointed 

 as a sub-committee. 



Close Seasons for Waders. — Mr. E. M. Cornwall (Q.) said that at 

 present the close seasons for many birds were at the wrong time of 

 the year, and so afforded no protection. Waders did not nest 

 till after the wet weather set in, so that the close season should 

 be regulated to suit local conditions. 



Mr. Cornwall moved that the Queensland members form a com- 

 mittee to report on the Native Birds Preservation Acts of Queens- 

 land, and to make suggestions to the Government re the arranging 

 of close seasons to suit local conditions. 



Mr. Tryon and Dr. Macgillivray spoke to the motion, which 

 was seconded by Mr. C. A. Barnard and carried. 



Reprinting Volumes I., II., and III. of " The Emu." — Many 

 societies and private individuals were desirous of obtaining these 

 volumes, many parts of which were out of print, and it was con- 

 sidered by some that it was advisable to reprint them. The 

 editors had obtained prices for the work, but they were considered 

 to be too expensive. On the motion of Mr. J. A. Leach, seconded 

 by Mr. Cornwall, it was decided that no action be taken in the 

 matter at present. 



The meeting then closed, to allow the members to catch the 

 train for Gladstone. 



TENTH ANNUAL REPORT, ENDING 30TH JUNE, I9IO. 



Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen, — Your Council have 

 much pleasure in presenting to you the tenth annual report of 

 the Australasian Ornithologists' Union for the year ending 30th 

 June, 1910. 



Thirty-seven new members have been enrolled since the last 

 annual meeting. Sixteen members were struck off the roll on 

 account of being three years behind with subscriptions. 



Your Council greatly regrets the deaths of the following members 

 of the Union : — Dr. Bowdler Sharpe, one of the honorary members ; 

 Mr. F. R. Godfrey, Victoria, one of the original members ; and 

 Mr. G. R. Marriner, New Zealand. Mr. G. R. Marriner was the 



