ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 141 



as visiting the British Isles ; many of these are occasional visitors only, and consequently very rare, 

 and owing to the greater proportion of recording collectors and the limited area of the region, it may 

 be regarded as improbable that many additional species will ever be recorded. In Australia we have 

 ;;j species recorded, and every year bring? us records of new species discovered, not only in the less 

 explored districts, but even in the long settled country. Th2 list of British birds - resident, migratory, 

 and occasional visitors — totaK J70 species, and these were dealt with by Dr. Bowdler-Sharpe in four 

 handy octavo volumes, costing js. 6d. each. There are 700 distinct species of Australian birds, and 

 the latest list compiled by Gregory M. Mathews, adds nearly 1,000 sub-species or varieties. To deal 

 with the distinct species only would require eight volumes of a size equal to Bowdler-Sharpe's. and, 

 locally produced, the cost would certainly exceed 5s. per volume. 



As regards moths, beetles, marine and terrestrial shells, and, in lact, every branch of natural 

 history, the preponderance of species to be described, and the relatively higher cost of production, 

 would make Australian hand-books so much more expensive than those produced in Great Britain 

 for British collectors that the price would, in every instance, be beyond the reach of the average boy. 



There are a few books, such as Dr. Leach's " Australian Birds," and Rainbow's " Butterflies," 

 published at a low price, but there arc practically none on any other branch of natural history. Lucas 

 and Le Soucf's " Birds and Animals of Australia " are praiseworthy efforts to lill the want, but the 

 price is virtually prohibitive. Waterhouse and Lyell's " Butterflies of Australia." North's " Nests 

 and Eggs." Cox's " Land Shells." and many other works might be cited — all very fine publications, 

 indeed, but neither hand-books nor cheap, within the meaning of Lord Chelmsford's plaint. 



Here, then, is a solution. This Society numbers amongst its members men capable of writing 

 the required hand-books. It only requires the funds to print and illustrate them, and having no rent 

 and no salaried managers or salesmen to pay. it could afford to place them on the market at or below 

 cost price for the instruction and entertainment of those desiring to learn about the many rare, 

 beautiful or interesting forms comprised in the fauna of Australia. Some day another Sir William 

 Macleay will enter this Society, or a few men as public-spirited as he was will combine to provide funds 

 which, properly invested, will yield an income sufficient to secure the issue, at stated periods, of the 

 wanted " cheap " hand-books. 



The following members were elected to fill vacancies in the Council, in accordance with the 

 provisions of Article 23 : — Professor Stephen J. Johnston, Dr. R. H. Todd, Messrs. A. R. McCulloch, 

 W. C. Shipway, D. W. C. Shiress, and G. A. Waterhouse. 



At a meeting of the Council held at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting, the following 

 officers were elected : — President, A. F. Basset Hull, R.A.O.U. ; Vice-Presidents, H. E. Finckh, W. W. 

 Froggatt, F.L.S., F.E.S., C. Hedley, F.L.S., S. T. D. Symons, M.R.C.V.S. ; Honorary Secretary and 

 Honorary Treasurer, G. A. Waterhouse. B.Sc, B.E., F.E.S. ; Honorary Librarian, H. E. Finckh. 



