86 



THE AUSTRALIAX MUSEl'M MAGAZINE. 



The R.A.O.U. Conference 



Ax I) MusKUM V. Frivatk Col[.kc:tiox8. 



By J. R. KixGHORX. 



The Museum has lately been the meet- tiiat we indulged in, in the Museum lee 

 ing- place for the annual conference of tare hall 



the Royal Australasian Ornithologists' 

 Union. Here ornithologists from all 

 parts of the Commonwealth gatliered to 

 discuss matters dealing with Australian 

 birds, and the meeting this year was of 



When the R.A.O.U. finished its meet- 

 ings in Sydney, a ten days' camp was 

 held at the head of Wallis Lake, Tun- 

 curry, N.S.W., where umch useful ob- 

 servation work, listing species and 



special importance because of the work photography was carried out 

 done in revising and compiling a com- 

 ])lete new check list of names of birds 

 (both scientitic and vernacular), to- 

 gether with references to habitat and 

 geograi)hical distribution. This list, 

 when published, should be of the greatest 

 importance and use to ornithologists and 

 laynu'n throughout the Connnonwealth 

 and other parts of the world. 



When tlie question of correctly nam- 

 ing some of our l)ir(ls came before the 

 meeting, several of the best known 

 species such as the laughing jackass 

 and the lyre bird underwent a severe 

 test and cross examination as to whether 

 their scientific names were wrong or not, 

 the rule in science being to al)ide by 

 the earliest correct name, unless that 

 name be vei'y misleading. The finding 

 was that the lyre bird, known for a 

 long time past as Menura superha, had 

 been living under a false name, while 

 the jackass, Dacelo gigas, had been 

 laTighing at us for many years because 

 it alone knew that its earliest name was 

 J). Horde-gitiiiiae, misleading surely, as 

 the bird is not known from New Guinea. 

 The check list committee decided that 

 the lyre bird shall henceforth be known 

 as Menura nni-ae-lioUandiae, this being 

 its earliest correc-t name. No doubt the 

 great shyness of tliis bird in the past 

 was due to its being aware that it lived 

 under an ''alias;" however-, it stands 

 corrected, and so, in its emban assment, 

 should most likely continue to be shy 

 and ])erliaps excn moi'e evasive than 

 ever. The name of the jackass is to 

 remain as Dacelo gigas, and the bird 

 will continue to laugh at the ways of 

 man. ])erhaps even more heartily and 

 mockingly, especially if it gets to liear 

 of tlie lieated discussions concerning' it 



The evenings were si)ent in holding 

 meetings eitlier for lantern lectures or 

 discussions on ornithological matters. 

 Important (|uestions relating to official 

 Museum collections and private collec- 

 tions were raised. Tt was suggested 

 that no unauthorized member of the 

 Union be allowed to form a collection. 

 In my opinion, if tliis is carried out it 

 will be a very fine move and a step to- 

 wards cheeking the indiscriminate killing 

 of birds, likewise tlie robbing of their 

 nests to satisfy jiersonal vanity. 



It was also suggested that certain pri- 

 vate collections or small local museums 

 be estal)lished tlirougliout the country 

 for the convenience of the people, t'le 

 plea being that the larger museums, 

 such as the Australian Museum, or any 

 other State museum, being government 

 institutions, nia.y at some time or otlier 

 be so 1)ound up in red tape, or staffed 

 with such unapproachable officials that 

 a request to examine certain birds in the 

 reference collection may be refused. 

 Witli the exception of a few very fine, 

 already established, private collectiims, 

 lielonging to well-known and competent 

 ornithologists, all attempts to form col- 

 lections by other persons should be 

 strongly discouraged. A collection of 

 birds is one of the most difficult to keep 

 free from the ravages of insects and 

 other destroyers, and I know of several 

 small collections in New South Wales 

 country towns which have been allowed 

 to deteriorate beyond all reason. In a 

 museum such as the Australian Museum 

 there are two collections of everything, 

 a gallery or public exhibition collection, 

 and a duplicate or reference collection, 

 which is stored away in specially dust- 

 and insect-proof cabinets, and is avail- 



