THE VJCTORIAN NATUUAMST. 161 



THE PROTECTION OF OUE NATIVE BIRDS. 

 By a. J. Campbell. 



(Read before the Field Na^iialists' Club of Victoria, 9th Feb., lisSo) 



This is a subject of national importance and essentially within a 

 field club's province. 



The Anglers' Protection Society instruct and advise the Govern- 

 ment from- time to time in piscatorial matter.>=. Lately the Senators 

 of the United States of America, recognising the usefulness of such 

 clubs, appointed a commission consisting of delegates from the 

 leading Entomological Societies to inquire into and report upon a 

 certain insect plague. Therefore, it is a fit and proper proceeding 

 for our Field Club to take upon itself the liberty of bringing under 

 the notice of tlie Administrator of the " Game Act" certain anomalies 

 that exist in the protection of our indigenous birds, in addition to 

 others which should be protected. Towards this end I humbly beg- 

 to place at the Club's disposal any knowledge I possess in this par- 

 ticular department of our natural sciences, which I have been study- 

 ing for years. 



However, there are many items to be taken into careful considera- 

 tion. First, our original " Game Act " was framed nearly twenty- 

 one years ago, when the colony was, comparatively speaking, young, 

 and not so much was understood regarding the habits of our native 

 birds, as at present, It may be of interest to some to learn that the 

 original "Act" was created 20th April, 1864, for little over three 

 years, consequently it expired 18th June, 1867. The present Act, 

 which is a facsimile, with the exception of being perpetual, came 

 mto operation 6th September. 1867. 



Tliere is a circumstance that greatly interferes with our birds, and 

 to which they do not appear, like the birds of Europe or America, 

 to be able to adapt themselves, viz., the alteration of the physical 

 features of the country by the advance of civilization and cultivation. 

 Then there is the havoc made with indigenous forests — their natural 

 resorts. Our Land Administrators seem to alienate our valuable 

 timber lands without framing the slightest regulation against their 

 wanton waste. Another instance, the reclamation of many swamps 

 cannot but seriously affect numerous members of the aquatic tribe, 

 by demolishing their native haunts. 



