xg6 The Australasian Scientific Magazine [Nov. i, 18S5. 
that the Vienna Society were desirous of carrying out. The letter was as 
follows : 
Sir, — The first International Ornithological Congress at Vienna has re- 
solved upon creating an international Permanent Ornithological Com- 
mittee, whose task it is to establish a net of ornithological observation 
stations, embracing the whole inhabited world. Extremely difficult as 
this task appears to be, we, however, think to realise a happy solution, en- 
couraged by the exceedingly kind favours bestowed on us by most of the 
Governments, and relying upon the mighty protection of our High Pro- 
tector. But such a solution is, however, only possible, if everybody, who 
has the progress of science at heart, wall energetically assist the committee 
in their assiduous exertions of completing this great work worthy of the 
working together of all mankind. We therefore confidently think to do 
no false step by applying to you with the kind request to look for men in 
your circles, who have the mind and intelligence of undertaking this meri- 
torious task by regularly observing all the birds of their surrounding 
countries, referring to their occurrence, trains, hatchings, and ways of life, 
and sending those observations annually (every first quarter of the calen- 
dar-year) to the secretary of the committee. Dr. R. Blasius, President 
I.P.O.C. Vienna. 
The Chairman said that Colonel Legge, Mr. Swan, and other ornitho- 
logists, would, no doubt, give the writer the benefit of their researches and 
observations, and bestow attention on the very interesting questions raised 
by it. The letter would appear in the report of the proceedings, and 
would receive the attention it deserved from the Fellows. 
VOTE OF THANKS. 
On the motion of Mr. C. H. Grant, seconded by Mr. J. B. Walker, a 
vote of thanks was passed to the readers of papers and donors of contri- 
butions to the Museum. 
