48 
The Emu. 
The Secretary said he would have circulars printed and sent to 
members who were likely to establish observatories, especially to 
those living on the coast line,because Australians knew practically 
nothing concerning the migrations of birds in this part of the 
world, a subject on which the Union desired information. 
Mr. D. Le Souef then read a paper on " Protective Coloration 
of Australian Birds and their Nests," in which he pointed out 
that the various species of birds nested in environments which 
more or less harmonized with their colour, and constructed their 
nests so as to be in harmony with their surroundings and secure 
the necessary protection. The admirable lantern views of the 
lecturer's photographs were exhibited by Mr. R. B. Adamson. 
The Vice-President having thanked Mr. Le Souef for his very 
interesting paper. 
Sir Samuel Way said the visit of their Victorian friends had 
given them great pleasure, and they had spent a most profit- 
able time listening to their interesting remarks on bird life. 
They had paid South Australia a great compliment by holding 
the inaugural meetings in Adelaide. The foundation of the 
Union had been laid in Victoria, where so many distinguished 
ornithologists lived. They had made Adelaide the theatre of 
what bade fair to be a useful and influential society. Not being 
a scientific man, he expressed the hope that the lectures and 
illustrations which had been given by Mr. Le Souef might still 
be further popularized. It was a great advantage to have Mr. 
Campbell's valuable volume upon their shelves for reference and 
study, and it would be a good thing if Mr. Le Souef, who had 
travelled so extensively, would give them the result of his in- 
vestigations. It would be an enormous advantage if in country 
institutes and schools lectures of that character could be given, 
illustrated with lantern views throughout. If that were done 
there would be less occasion to credit young Australia with 
being anxious to destroy bird life ; rather the children would 
learn to appreciate the beauty and usefulness of birds. He 
hoped that at the next session of the society in Victoria South 
Australia would be as well represented as was the sister State 
at the inaugural gatherings in Adelaide. There would probably 
be meetings in Brisbane, Sydney, Hobart, and New Zealand, 
because the operations of the society were not confined to the 
Commonwealth, but extended all over the southern hemisphere. 
He hoped that when the next session of the Union was held in 
Adelaide they would find their visiting ornithologists a complete 
theatre at the University, which he was sure would be at the 
service of the society. He hoped for a long succession of years 
they would have the pleasure of welcoming their visiting 
specialists or experts, and that the membership of the Union 
would grow. 
Mr. D. Le Souef, having returned thanks on behalf of 
the visiting delegates, hoped that the meetings which had 
