220 The South Australian Ornithological Association. 



Mr. A. G. Edquist had the trophy on the table which had been 

 presented by the members of the Association to be competed 

 for by the schools. Mr. Edquist explained for the benefit of 

 the new members present that upon one evening meeting he had 

 suggested that it would be nice to have a challenge cup for 

 which the school children might compete each year by means of 

 an essay upon a native bird and tree. Thereupon the members 

 subscribed the amount required. This had been the means of 

 giving much pleasure to hundreds of children, had brought 

 out much talent, and had worked wonders for the preservation 

 of birds. Mr. Edquist stated that he had departed from the 

 essay competition, and had substituted a sketch of a native 

 bird and tree from life this year. This had not brought for- 

 ward very many competitors, but some of the work was excep- 

 tionally good. He then handed around the winning sketches 

 of a Magpie in several attitudes, and of a gumtree. All the mem 

 bers were astonished at the life-like attitudes. The Chairman 

 thanked Mr. Edquist for giving the members the opportunity 

 of seeing the inscribed cup, and the excellent work of the 

 winner. He also congratulated Mr. Edquist most heartily for 

 the grand work he was doing for bird protection among the 

 children. The fact that many thousands of members of the 

 bird clubs had pledged themselves to protect the native birds 

 spoke well for the next generation. Mr. W. G. Randall was 

 welcomed as a visitor, and requested to say a few words in 

 reference to sea-birds and weather forecasts. The late 

 Inspector of Oyster Fisheries said that he was confident that 

 gulls foretold heavy weather from the west. He had often 

 seen these birds wheeling in flocks round and round in a most 

 disturbed way, then alighting and lining up on the beach. He 

 spoke of many movements of the gulls before stormy weather, 

 and then went on to say that since the blood money had been 

 taken off the Cormorants, whiting were again appearing on the 

 old grounds near Beatrice Spit, which is now a bird sanctuary. 



26TH JULY. 1918. 



The President, Capt. S. A. White, occupied the chair. 

 Miss Harman, of Tranmere School, and Mr. L. K. McGilp, of 

 Muloowatana Station were elected members, and nominations 

 were received for two new members. 



The Chairman reported that a meeting of representatives 

 from scientific bodies, sportsmen, and professional shooters 

 was held on 8th July, 1918, for the purpose of discussing the 

 close season for ducks and quail, and the Animal and Birds Pro- 

 tection Acts. After a lengthv discussion a resolution was 



