Cq Correspondence. Tisf"!"! 



soon lessen them by smashing all the eggs on both islands, 

 without the slightest fear of being found out, which would 

 certainly be the death-knell of this fine bird, but we have not 

 the slightest intention of doing so, as we all admire them as a 

 somewhat unique bird, and I understand these are the only 

 places in Bass Strait where they breed. — Yours, &c., 



Clarke Island, 23/5/08. J. D. MACLAINE. 



South Australian Ornithological Association. 



The eighth annual meeting of the South Australian Ornithological 

 Association was held at the residence of Mr. A. H. C. Zietz on Thursday 

 evening, 5th March. Mr. Zietz presided. Thehon. secretary reported good 

 progress during the year, several new members having joined. Interest in 

 the study of native birds had not abated, but much had been done indi- 

 vidually and collectively in the protection of useful birds, notably the little 

 Kestrel {Cei'cJiiieis cenchroidcs), a species of the Hawk family, which had 

 been totally protected, with other birds. The association had also used its 

 influence in recommending the national reserve on Kangaroo Island. The 

 financial report showed a good credit balance, and was adopted. The 

 chairman read interesting notes by the late Mr. F. W. Andrews on bird 

 life in the earlier days in the Mounts Compass and Jagged districts, and a 

 pamphlet upon the meat-eating Kea Parrot {Nestor iioiabilis) of New 

 Zealand, by G. R. Marriner, F.R.M.S. Mr. F. R. Zietz showed plates of 

 Petrels and other illustrations of bird life. Mr. M. Symonds Clarke read a 

 letter from Mr. W. C. Skipper, advocating the introduction of native birds 

 into Botanic Park. A number of interesting exhibits were shown, including 

 a series of Nightjars by Mr. A. H. IC. Zietz, F. L.S., the White-throated 

 Nightjar {Eurostopodus alboott/aris). Spotted {E. argus), and the Large- 

 tailed (Caprinmlgiis viacruriis), also specimens of the Flame-breasted 

 Robin {Pctraca pliauiicea)., and the Scarlet-breasted (/". Jcggii)^ and an 

 interesting zoological collection. Mr. E. Ashby showed several birds from 

 Port Keats, Northern Territory, notably a new Pigeon — the Lilac-mantled, 

 which has just been described by Mr. A. J. North, of the Sydney Museum, 

 as CJialcopJiaps occide7ttalts. Mr. Ashby also exhibited a Nightjar from 

 New South Wales. Captain White showed nest and eggs of Rufous- 

 breasted Shrike-Thrush from Tweed River. The following officers were 

 elected : — President, Mr. A. H. C. Zietz ; vice-president, Mr. M. Symonds 

 Clarke ; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. W. Mellor. 



The next meeting of the Asssciation was held at the office of Messrs. 

 Saunders and Ashby, Adelaide, on the evening of 7th May, Mr. A. H. C. Zietz 

 presiding. The hon. secretary read a letter from the Commissioner of 

 Crown Lands relative to the total protection of Black Swans and the Kestrel. 

 Several members bore testimony to the extreme usefulness of the latter bird in 

 killing mice and small vermin. Mr. Ashby reported that the Government 

 had refused to set aside an area at the western end of Kangaroo Island as a 

 National Reserve and Park, and were only willing to consider the Cape 

 Borda lighthouse reserve. The subject for discussion was " The Malurus 

 Family," commonly known as " Wrens," and noted for the beautiful plumage 

 of the males of all the species. The family is purely insectivorous, and 

 therefore extremely useful in keeping down blight and small insect pests. 

 The chairman showed 14 species of the male birds in illustration of some 

 interesting remarks made, which were supplemented by 10 species exhibited 

 by Mr. Ashby for comparison. Mr. Ashby also showed the Rainbow Pitta 

 {Pitta iris), from the Northern Territory, the Western Australian Grass- 

 Bird ( Megalitrtis striattcs), and the Western Field- Wren [Calamanihus 



