The South Australian Naturalist. 
49 
To the Editor- 
Humbug Scrub, 
4‘th Jamiary, 1926. 
A few words lo my many friends of the Field Naturalists’ Section of the 
Royal Society. 
My life ia so crowded that 1 find a difficulty in keeping in touch with 
my many friends — a seeming neglect that is unintentional on my part. I 
have much appreciated the honour done me and my work in that T was 
elected an Honorary Member of such an association, and my thanks arc due 
for copies regularly recei\-ed of your interesting journal. 
1 have much appreciated your kindly reference to the birth of our 
new organisation, the Nature’s Lovers’ League (re November issue your journal). 
Having similar ideals we shall have much in common and the relation- 
ship existing between the two associations should be a most happy one. 
As with us. the Field Naturalists have grieved at the swift depletion of 
Australia’s unique and wonderful wild life — Fauna and Flora, and as with us, 
they recognize the need of action for its preservation. Toward that cud 
we have protecti\'e laws that are not recognized in our hinter lands, and educa- 
tive measures working for future good among the rising generations. 
Science is with us in theory, but of practical work the past has been 
very barren of results. 
Years have come and gone and with them have gone some opportunities 
that we ought not to have missed, and with these passing years more and 
more destructive agencies have come into play. Also these passing years have 
proved that for the end in view we cannot rely with safety on Government 
interest or on scientific Interests for action, that action that shall be immediate 
and speedy as the ca.se demands. 
What is left.^ Is it not tliat we ourseK'es take action.^ We, wliose 
heritage of the ages Is so fast being destroyed. When we have risen to our 
responsibilities then we can demand the support that is our right from the 
powers that he. 
Acts of Parliament will not save our disappearing native life. Motions 
of censure will not stay its de.siruction. petty jealousies are a hindrance. 
W'liat is needed is immediate practical work. And since we cannot turn these 
creatures adrift on any area and tcl! them to be sa^•ed, the work will have 
to be specialized on selected areas and the life habits of every creature known. 
In my long experience of animal j-jsychology I have known animals to starve 
amid apparent abundance; further study corrected the faulty environment 
and the same species then prospered. Wide success can only attend specialized 
effort under the control of efficient and sympathetic Biologists. 
The fine flock of breeding duck at the Sanctuary had their genesis In a 
pair of decoy ducks secured in 1898. There are Mallee fowl here, IS and 
16 years old, still going strong and the parents of many descendants. There 
are Island Kangaroos and opossums 14 years old. and still breeding. The 
wallabies arc now breeding well. 
Thanks to the help of those whose sympathy was with the work, who are 
interested in Forestry or people's parks throughout our widely varying districts. 
1 am now putting things on a better working basis and am much better 
equipped to carry out my studies — studies so long iiegleced yet so important 
to our success. 
