Vol. X. 

 igio 



] Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union. l6l 



representative of the Union in New Zealand, and the thanks of 

 the Union are due to Mr. H. Hamilton, of the Dominion Museum, 

 Wellington, who kindly transacted the business of the Union after 

 the decease of Mr. Marriner. 



During the past year distinctions have been conferred on the 

 following members of the R.A.O.U., mainly for work done in con- 

 nection with ornithology : — Mr. A. H. E. Mattingley, Victoria — 

 Gold medal, Germany, for nature photographs ; Mr. F. E. Howe, Vic- 

 toria, received the distinction of C.M.Z.S. ; Mr. Chas. Barrett, 

 Victoria — ^The Smithsonian Institute asked permission to publish 

 article on Cuckoos, printed in vol. vi. of Emu, in the annual 

 report of the Institute to Congress. 



During the year five meetings of the Council were held, the 

 attendance being — 5, 6, 5, 6, 7. Since June four meetings have 

 been held, the attendance being — y, 6, 4, 5. As only seven 

 members of the Council could attend, the attendance was very 

 good. The Council desires to thank Col. Chas. Ryan for his con- 

 tinued kindness in placing his rooms in Collins-street at their 

 disposal for holding meetings. 



Through the lamented death of the late King Edward VII., our 

 royal patrons (the Prince and Princess of Wales) have become 

 our gracious King and Oueen. It was considered that, such being 

 the case, a royal charter might be granted to the Union. New 

 Zealand is not under the jurisdiction of the Governor-General of 

 the Commonwealth, so the New Zealand Government was asked, 

 through our representative in that State, if it would be agreeable 

 to the change of title of the Union if a royal charter were granted. 

 The reply stated that they were in entire sympathy with the 

 matter. 



During the past year a wave of interest in bird-life has passed 

 over the whole world. This is greatly due to the movement being 

 made in almost all countries for the protection of bird-life, espec- 

 ially of birds which are slaughtered for the sake of their plumes. 

 But the value of birds to the agriculturist, and hence to the well- 

 being of any State, is becoming more appreciated. The study of 

 ornithology is spreading. It is interesting and fascinating. It 

 takes people out of doors and gives them more pleasure in life. 

 For the enthusiast no trouble, and often no danger, is too great 

 in his pursuit of knowledge of birds and their habits. As a member 

 of the Union or of bird observers' clubs or associations, one is 

 greatly helped in his work and often stimulated to greater efforts 

 by coming in contact with those of kindred tastes. Then, again, 

 the valuable knowledge gained by him or her in the field is given 

 to others through the means of the publication of the Union, The 

 Emu, and so others are stimulated, encouraged, and informed. 



In America the movement for the protection of birds has, in 

 the case of many species, started too late — the birds have been 

 annihilated. It is our duty to see that such a thing does not 

 happen in Australasia. Many of our birds are unique, and it 

 would be a great shame if they were not preserved for the study 



