l52 Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union. [ f""^ 



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and benefit of posterity. To the credit of the R.A.O.U. it may be 

 said that great strides have been made in the direction of bird 

 protection through its infl.uence and through the energy and active 

 interest of the members. But there is yet a great deal to be done, 

 both in the matter of bird protection and of obtaining a systematic 

 knowledge of our birds and their habits. In fact, the latter field 

 is practically untouched. The main work, then, of the Union is 

 to endeavour to educate the people, young and old, in the know- 

 ledge of bird-life and to stimulate their interest, so that they will 

 become active workers in the field of ornithology. We do not 

 wish to make collectors — there are more than sufficient of them 

 — but rather observers. It is better to shoot a bird with a camera 

 than with a gun — better for the bird and better for the country. 

 Certainly there must be collections, but the collectors should be 

 rigidly restricted 



On the 30th August the Hon. F. Tudor, Minister of Customs, 

 received a deputation from the R.A.O.U. Council. The object of 

 the deputation was to ask the Minister to take action to prevent 

 the destruction of native bird-life in the Commonwealth. The 

 president urged that a bill on similar lines to the one before the 

 British Parliament should be introduced, and that the bill should 

 prohibit the exportation of plumes and of Emus' eggs, and the 

 importation of plumes from other countries. It should also be 

 provided that the possession of plumage of certain birds was an 

 offence. Messrs. A. H. E. Mattingley, Le Souef, Barrett, and the 

 hon. secretary also spoke on points connected with the value of 

 birds, the sales in England, the necessity for immediate action, 

 and the methods adopted in other countries for bird protection. 

 Mr. Tudor, who seemed well up in the subject, expressed entire 

 sympathy with the object of the deputation, and promised to do 

 what he could to stop the wholesale murder of native birds. The 

 power of the Commonwealth regarding the exportation of certain 

 goods was doubtful, but under the amending Tariff Bill adequate 

 powers would be taken. The British bill dealing with the subject 

 seemed to meet requirements. It prohibited the exportation of 

 certain birds, and provided penalties ranging from £'$ to £25 for 

 the possession of prohibited plumage. In England Mr. James 

 Buckland has been working for years to prevent the sale of plumes. 

 He has supplied the Union with information relative to sales, &c. 

 People say he has bird protection on the brain. Well, it seems 

 necessary that someone should be so afflicted, for it appears that 

 if anything is to be done in the matter the enthusiasts must keep 

 on persistently nagging — if you like — at the authorities till they 

 are forced to do something. The subject of bird protection is a 

 live one at present. It behoves us to make the most of the 

 opportunity. 



Many areas have in the past year been set aside as sanctuaries 

 for native birds and animals. In many cases private individuals 

 have done this, and this shows the spirit of the times. As a result 

 of the efforts of Mr. J. W. Mellor and the South Australian Orni- 



