66 
April, 1922 
The Queensland Naturalist. 
henceforth it is to include other branches of nature study. 
It will continue to work among children, while the 
Naturalists’ Club will accommodate adults in all parts of 
the country. 
Officers were elected as appears on the cover-page of 
this issue of the Naturalist. 
As a Presidential address, Mr. Chisholm lectured on 
the History of Ornithology in Queensland. The subject 
was dealt with in detail, and references to the Cardwell 
and Blackall districts made 'appropriate a number of 
lantern slides which followed. These were from pictures 
taken by Mr. D. W. Gaukrodger, of Alice Downs (Black- 
all), and from others which Mr. Chisholm took recently 
when visiting Alice Downs and Dunk Island, the latter 
place being the home of Mr. E. J. Banfield. Mr. Chisholm 
was thanked on the motion of Ilis Excellency and Dr. 
F. W. S. ("umbrae- Stewart (president, Historical Society), 
and the Governor was also accorded a vote of appreciation. 
0 
BIRD SEEKING IN QUEENSLAND.* 
By A. H. Chisholm, R.A.O.U. 
(Part I.) 
The history of the study of the brilliant and remark- 
able birds of Queensland is scarcely less fascinating than 
the birds themselves. Much of the romance of early 
exploration in primitive wilds is associated with this study, 
and it is a pursuit that has led to at least three of its 
devotees meeting violent deaths at the hands of the untamed 
aborigines of the country. 
As is the case with other parts of Australia, the earlier 
history of bird-study in Queensland is full of notes of 
exclamation — expressions of wonder on the part of white 
men who met for the first time the remarkable mound- 
builders, the wonderful Bower-birds, the brilliant Parrots 
and Honey-eaters, and such other species as the curious- 
voiced Kookaburra, Bell-bird, and Whip-bird. The pity 
is that familiarity with these unique creatures has bred 
indifference on the part of many Australians of this 
prosaic age. Is the time coming when we will have to go 
abroad to find proper appreciation of our birds? Mr. 
A. H. Wilson, a visiting British ornithologist, stated 
* ‘ ‘ The Ornithological History or Queensland ’ ’ ; Presidential 
Address, 6th March, 1922. 
