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very desirable to enlarge the area to the 300 miles, and to> 

 vest the whole chase in trustees as early as possible, as the 

 difficulty of securing the rarer fauna yearly increases with the 

 rapid multiplication of foxes on the mainland and the ex- 

 tension of settlement. There will thus be provided not only 

 a health-giving possession for the future population of the 

 city and suburbs, but also an invaluable collection of the 

 Australian fauna when certain species have become extinct 

 elsewhere. 



New Btrd-protection Reserve. 

 In compliance with a request made by the Committee 

 the islands in Coffin's Bay, Port Douglas, Mount Dutton Bay, 

 and Kellidie Bay, which comprise breeding - grounds for 

 Cape Barron geese, rock parrakeets, and other birds, were in 

 December last proclaimed a Bird-protection District. 



Protection of Opossums, etc. 

 A letter having been received from the Commissioner of 

 Crown Lands asking the opinion of the Committee regarding 

 a proposal for the protection of opposums, a reply was sent 

 recommending that opossums should be protected throughout 

 the State for a period of five years, but allowing their de- 

 struction in gardens and orchards. The rapid destruction 

 of all fur-bearing animals throughout the world indicates 

 that very high prices will be obtainable for their skins in the 

 near future. New legislation will be needed to enable their 

 recommendation to be carried out, and your Committee has 

 been asked for suggestions as to any other amendments they 

 may propose to the Games Act. The views of the Committee 

 have also been sought by the Commissioner regarding a sug- 

 gestion from the Victorian Gun Clubs' Association that the 

 close season for game should be extended from December 20 

 to February 28, to bring the South Australian regulations 

 into line with those of Victoria and New South Wales, and 

 the Committee recommended that the alteration should be 

 made for all game birds excepting quail. Subsequently it 

 was intimated that instead of thus lengthening the close 

 season, the names of some of the birds should be transferred 

 to the schedule of totally protected birds. The Secretary, 

 therefore, suggested that the following should be so trans- 

 ferred, namely : — Bee-eaters, native pheasants or mallee hens, 

 black cockatoos of all species, gang-gang cockatoos, pigeons 

 and doves of all species, and bustards or native turkeys. Your 

 Committee has pleasure in reporting that this recommendation 

 is being carried out, and a proclamation will probably be 

 published shortly. 



Saml. Dixon, Chairman. 

 M. Symonds Clark, Hon. Secretary. 



