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Philatelic Ornithology



including one in which “ Observations and experiments on birds in

captivity 55 will be given place.


Particularly good provision has been made for evening entertain¬

ment during the course of the Congress, and there will be excursions

to places of interest in and near Rouen, to Cleres, and to the Valley of

the Seine. 14th and 15th May will be devoted to a visit to the Natural

History Museum and kindred institutions in Paris, and from 16th to

19th May there will be a long excursion to the Carmargue in order to

see the interesting and varied bird-life of that well-known district.


Those who wish to become members of the Congress should notify

the Secretary, Monsieur Jean Delacour, Chateau de Cleres, Seine

Inferieure, France, well in advance in order to receive the final

programme with full information concerning hotels, etc.


Notification of papers, giving full information as to title and length

and whether illustrated by lantern slides or films (in which case size

of slides or films must be given) must be sent to the Secretary not later

than 31st January, 1938.


The fee for each member of the Congress is £1, and if accompanied

by a lady 10s. extra.


Copies of the Provisional Programme of the Congress may be had

on application from the Hon. Secretary of the Avicultural Society.

It is hoped that many members of the Society will be able to attend the

Congress and benefit by the opportunity of exchanging ideas with

aviculturists of other countries.



PHILATELIC ORNITHOLOGY


NEW AUSTRALIAN STAMPS PORTRAY INDIGENOUS BIRDS.


By our own Correspondent —E. W. R.


The new one-shilling stamp of Australia portrays a Lyre Bird.

The scientific name, Menura, of the genus is so called from the crescent¬

shaped form of the spots on its tail, the tail itself being shaped like a

lyre. The name was given to the bird by General Davies in 1800. There

are several reasons why the Lyre Bird should be preserved. From a

purely utilitarian point of view it is of value, for it is insectivorous

and preys upon insects which prefer orchard fruit to their natural bush



