TIIK VJCTORIAN NATUUALIST. IfiS 



comparing- tlie statement. Of the 390 mentioned on the Club's list, 

 only 39 are protected by law. I now propose proclaimin.sr about 

 200 additional species. It may bo argued if the birds are duly 

 proclaimed, not every one can discern the difference between a 

 Podargus and a Graliina. Well, erery person shouLI possess 

 suflficient knowledge of police law to keep out of its clutches. The 

 Public Library and Museum are always open, where may he studied 

 the beautiful plates and specimens of all our native biid-. 



Of the birds already protected, it is proposed to alter ths close 

 season in two instances, viz., for the Lyre-birds and Quail, by 

 extending the beginning and curtailing the end of the season for the 

 first mentioned bird, and vice versa for the other. In a paper I had 

 the honor of reading before this Club 8th September, 1881, it will be 

 remembered that I proved conclusively that our Lyre-birds commenced 

 to breed the month prior to the prohibited season, and I see no 

 reasonable cause why they should be protected later than the end of 

 December. With regard to Quail, what happened latel-y will be 

 still fresh in our memories, how a deputation waited upon the 

 Hon. the Commissioner of Customs to request that the close season 

 for Quail might be abridged, and how the Argus columns contaii^ed 

 numerous letters from experts denouncing such a proposal, and 

 stating if any alteration were made it should be extending not 

 curtailing the prohibited season. Then followed a large and 

 influential anti-deputation of sportsmen, naturalists &c., who 

 interviewed the Commissioner. After hearing the other side, that 

 honorable gentleman prudently allowed matters to remain as they 

 are at present. There is no doubt that Quails are late breeders. 

 In this colony the Painted Quail or Varied Turnix commences about 

 the end of September or beginning of October. The Stubble and 

 Swamp Quails commence in IsTovember or December, terminating 

 generally in January. I have observed birds sitting at Christmas 

 time. Many of my country friends can attest to the same occurrence. 

 Only this season a person informed me that during Christmas week, 

 he had flushed a Swamp Quail fiom her nest in his garden. It is 

 certainly evident that many birds are not fit to be shot by the 1st 

 February. Therefore, it is proposed to extend the close season another 

 four weeks, thereby also assimilating it to that of New S«utli Wales. 



Taking a glance over the new birds to be proclaimed, the Hawks 

 head the list. Here we may meet with a little opposition, as these 

 birds are generally looked upon as vermin, but I can assure members 

 who are not acquainted with their habits, that they are not vermin, 

 but vermin destroyers. They are nowhere abundant now, consequent 

 upon a continual war waged against them as sup[)0sed evil doers. 



Suppose a Hawk does swoop down an a farmer lose a prize 

 rooster or a fat ducknowand again, what is the loss, to the incomparable 

 good performed by that bird in destroying such destructive vermin 



