190 
Annual Congress 
f" The Emu 
L Jan. 
departure of the governor. 
At 11.30 Sir Mathew Nathan vacated the chair, as he had to 
catch the midday train back to Brisbane to fulfil his week-end 
engagements there. Dr. Leach took the chair, and spoke in 
appreciation of His Excellency’s conduct of the business. He 
moved a cordial vote of thanks to Sir Mathew, both ^ for his 
presence at the meeting and his services as chairman. The vote 
was carried with enthusiasm. His Excellency, in acknowledging 
it, wished the Conference every success during the remainder of 
its deliberations. Pie then took leave of the members, and accom¬ 
panied by Miss Nathan and Captain Turner, A.D.C., proceeded 
to the station. 
FOSSIL EMU BONE. 
Mr. Longman exhibited a fossil legbone of an Emu found by 
him near Mitchell, in South-western Queensland, and stated that 
it was closely similar to the corresponding bone of the living 
species, Dromaius novce-hollandice It was quite distinct from 
that of a Cassowary, which was shown for comparison. 
DE VIS’ WORK ON THE BIRDS OF PAPUA. 
Mr. Longman read a report by Mr. G. M. Mathews on this 
subject. Mr. Alexander, in commenting on the report, stressed 
the fine work done by the late Mr. De Vis on the birds of 
Queensland as well as those of Papua. 
BIRD PAINTINGS BY NEVILLE W. CAYLEY. 
Mr. Chisholm exhibited a number of bird paintings by Mr. 
Cayley. These were much admired by members. 
BIRDS OF COOMOOBOOLAROO STATION. 
Mr. Barnard then read a paper detailing the changes observed 
among the birds at this well-known station during the last fifty 
years.* Mr. Gaukrodger congratulated the writer on his most 
interesting paper. Speaking of the reason for the dis¬ 
appearance or decrease of certain species he gave it as his opinion 
that cats were probably responsible rather than bush fires. 
Messrs. Chisholm, Alexander, Barrett, Drain, Jerrard, Leach and 
Barker took part in the discussion, and all spoke appreciatively 
of the many valuable observations made by members of the 
Barnard family at Coomooboolaroo. By request Mr. H. G. 
Barnard added many interesting details of his observations during 
and after the 1902 drought, when abundance of birds from the 
interior appeared in the district followed by extraordinary num¬ 
bers of native cats. Certain birds, notably the Squatter Pigeon, 
had been extremely rare ever since. Mr. C. A. Barnard extended 
a cordial invitation to members to visit Coomooboolaroo after the 
conclusion of the Conference. 
*Mr. Barnard’s paper will appear in full in the next number of the 
“Emu.” — Editor. 
