92 



The Muf ton-Bird (Puffinus iemiirosiris) Traffic. [isf'oct. 



his opinion that the industry should be maintained by the islanders, 

 who, as he had stated previously, were very largely dependent 

 upon it. It was not large enough to withstand mainland labour or 

 enterprise. He recommended, further, the proclamation of other 

 small islands as Mutton-Bird reserves at once. Cat Island and 

 Rum Island were instanced, and he thought that if these small 

 islands were not even worked, the rookeries upon them should be 

 preserved as breeding grounds. He recommended that every 

 person employed upon Mutton-Bird reserves during the Mutton- 

 Bird season should be licensed. He thought the present fee (los. 

 and 5s.) small enough. At present the license fee worked out at 

 about 2s. per thousand, while the value of the Mutton-Birds was ^^5 

 per thousand He thought, however, that a license fee of los. 

 should only be charged to persons over the age of 12 years, instead 

 of 10 years. He further urged that the season should open four 

 days later, on 24th March instead of 20th March. This would 

 reduce the take somewhat, and the birds taken would be of better 

 quality, and better prices would rule. It would be wise also to 

 prevent birds being taken after dark. Any person found with a 

 light on the rookeries at night should be liable to a heavy penalty. 

 He would improve the reserves by commencing holes for birds 

 where they were nesting indifferently, and propagate natural cover. 

 He further recommended substituting 15th September for ist 

 September, thus allowing persons to land upon the Mutton-Bird 

 reserves to within a few days of the return of the birds. 



The erection of birders' sheds should also be attended to, and 

 better provision should also be made to prevent any egging and 

 capture of old birds, and in enforcing the regulations generally. 

 Mr. Lord thinks the constable at Cape Barren Island should be 

 provided with a motor boat, to enable him to get about speedily 

 and in all weathers. He recommended provision being made for 

 inspection during the birding season (March to May), and thought 

 dressing, packing, and curing should be done under supervision. 

 The birds for 1908 season might safely be estimated at from 

 1,000,000 to 1,030,000, and the value (including feathers, oil, &c.), 

 at over £6,000. 



His last recommendation in respect to the Mutton-Bird industry 

 was for the prohibition of dogs landing on reserves. — The Examiner, 

 Launceston, 4/9/08. 



Bird Prosecutions under the ''Game Acts/' Victoria. 



Mr. C. W. Maclean, engineer in charge of the Ports and 

 Harbours Department, is also honorary executive oflficer of the 

 Victorian Game Acts, which are administered under the Hon. 

 the Minister of Public Works. Mr. Maclean and his oflficers 

 have shown commendable activity in the numbers of successful 

 convictions they have secured against offenders. Omitting 

 animals and fishes, the following statement shows the convic- 



