0C2 Notes and Notices. [ist^A^ril 



Birds and Poison Baits. — In February, 1910, the Bird 

 Observers' Club (Melbourne) discussed the subject of the harm 

 alleged to be done to native bird-life through the system of 

 poisoning rabbits with baits, and it was decided to bring the 

 matter under the notice of the Victorian Department of Agri- 

 culture. This was done, and subsequently the hon. secretary of 

 the Club received from the Secretary of the Department, Mr. E. G. 

 Duffus, a copy of a report from Mr. F. E. Allan, Chief Inspector 

 of Vermin. In a letter accompanying the report (a copy of which 

 was also received), Mr. Allan stated that he had not heard of the 

 death of any insectivorous birds since May, 1909 (the date of the 

 report). He considered the scare to be quite unwarranted, and the 

 statement that " thousands of useful birds are destroyed annually " 

 as greatly exaggerated, if not without foundation. But, even if 

 the grain caused the death of a few birds, the poisoning of rabbits 

 must proceed. In his report Mr. Allan states that the system of 

 poisoning with apples destroys very few birds, and certainly still 

 fewer valuable ones. A few Magpies and Crows fall victims. 

 Grain destroys more birds than fruit does, " and it is my desire 

 to make the latter take the place of the former as much as possible." 



The Bird Observers' Club, after discussing the matter again in 

 the light of these statements by the Chief Inspector of Vermin, 

 decided to take no further action ; but since then evidence has 

 been accumulating, and competent observers, as well as orchardists 

 and farmers, are at variance with Mr. Allan in the view he takes 

 of the matter. Writing from Mansfield, a member of the Gould 

 League of Bird-Lovers states that large numbers of birds are 

 being destroyed by poison laid for rabbits. An orchardist at 

 White Hills says that " something should be done to stop the 

 killing of birds by rabbit poison." At meetings of the Bird 

 Observers' Club it has been stated that the present system of 

 poisoning rabbits is undoubtedly inimical to the bird-life of the 

 Commonwealth. 



Articles, &c.. Received. — The following articles and notes 

 from members have been received, but are unavoidably held 

 over :— " Birds Noted at Wyroona and St. Heliers " (Mr. Isaac 

 Batey), "Some Mallee Birds" (Mr. A. M. Sullivan), "Trip to the 

 Tunnel District, Tasmania " (Mr. P. C. Thompson), " Nesting of 

 the Red Wattle-Bird, &c." (Mr. H. Stuart Dove, F.Z.S.), " Descrip- 

 tions and Dimensions of Eggs " (Mr. P. A. Gilbert, Sydney), 

 "Notes on Honey-eaters" (Miss J. A. Fletcher), "Birds of the 

 Bush" (Mr. J. C. M'Lean, M.B.O.U., New Zealand), "When did 

 the White-eye (Zosterops) Migrate to New Zealand ? " (Mr. A. H. 

 Chisholm), " Birds of Lake Boga District " (Alex. Stone), " Liberat- 

 ing Mallee-Fowl on Kangaroo Island " (J. W. Mellor), " Nesting of 

 Psephotns hcsmatonoius in Captivity " (Mrs. A. F. U. Hardy). 



