1^8 Royal Australasian OrnitJiologists' Union. [_ ,st "ijec. 



stinging-tree [Laporiea gigas) was noticed growing here freely, 

 with its large leaves of soft appearance. In the evening an 

 illustrated lecture was given in the Alexandra Hall on " Bird-Life 

 in Australia," by Mr. D. Le Souef. Mr. H. K. Alford presided. 

 Early next morning Dr. ■ Price kindly took several of us in his 

 motor cars to a very extensive view at the edge of the Darling 

 Downs, not far from the town. In the foreground was much 

 broken country, and in the distance the Liverpool Ranges could 

 be seen, while behind us, stretching as far as the eye could see, 

 were the far-famed Darling Downs. We were much struck with 

 the fertility of this splendid portion of the Commonwealth. About 

 mid-day we left this town, bidding farewell to Mr. Longman, Dr. 

 Price, and others, who had given up so much of their time in 

 showing us the places of especial note in their neighbourhood. As 

 the line gradually descended to the lower country, on passing along 

 the hillsides beautiful views were frequently obtained, especially 

 of dense scrub-covered gullies. The Parry wallaroo and banded 

 wallaby were often seen near the line from the train. 



Warwick. 



We arrived early in the afternoon at Warwick, and were met 

 by Dr. Phillips and Messrs. S. J. Harwood, C. C. Dornbusch, P. W. 

 Pears, and others. In the evening Mr. D. Le Souef gave an illus- 

 trated lecture in the Technical College on " Bird-Life." Mr. S. J. 

 Harwood presided, and there was a good attendance. After the 

 lecture we were kindly entertained at supper by the gentlemen 

 above mentioned. Next morning Dr. Phillips drove us out to his 

 farm, where we enjoyed an extensive view over the surrounding 

 country, and also observed a fair number of birds in the adjacent 

 scrubs. We left in the afternoon for Sydney, en route for home. 



This short account of our trip cannot be closed without ex- 

 pressing the very great appreciation of the visiting ornithologists 

 of the kindness received from the good people of Queensland. 

 Everything possible was done to make our visit as enjoyable as 

 possible. The only regret was that we could not see more of the 

 resources of the splendid northern State, with its vast agricultural 

 and other resources, as yet hardly touched. 



President's Address. 



By a. J. Campbell, Col. Mem. B.O.L^ 



The Union and Its Work. 



The Union. — The first mutterings of a union of ornithologists 

 commenced in Melbourne, 1896, with a dinner and reunion of 

 bird-lovers, chiefly oologists. These delightful socials, at which 

 nothing stronger than tea and coffee was imbibed, recurred at 

 convenient intervals till the 7th November, 1900 (10 years ago 

 next month), when it was definitely decided to form an Austral- 



