200 
Annual Congress 
r The Emu 
L Jan. 
Committee on the exact lines proposed by our Adelaide Con¬ 
gress. Scientific work will be encouraged, though foreign scien¬ 
tific collecting in Australia should be controlled. The bird dealers 
in London continue to advertise shipments arriving by each 
incoming boat. 
The New South Wales branch, in affiliation with the Royal 
Zoological Society, has regular meetings, and is doing very good 
work. No other State has yet developed a scheme for a State 
branch. Several proposals are before you to secure closer co¬ 
operation throughout the Commonwealth. 
The official organ of the R.A.O.U .—The Emu —has main¬ 
tained its high place amongst the leading bird journals of the 
world. It is open for the publication of results of scientific re¬ 
search on the bird life of Australia. 
On June 23rd a sad loss was sustained by the R.A.O.U., when 
our esteemed Honorary General Secretary, Mr. J. Cross, B.A., 
died after an operation. One of the best of men and a fine 
worker, the R.A.O.U. expected much from his ripe experience 
and devoted labour. 
In conclusion, I ask for the loyal help and earnest co-operation 
of all members, to further aid our aims and objects. 
Z. GRAY, 
Acting Hon. Secretary. 
REPORT OF THE STATE SECRETARY FOR NEW 
SOUTH WALES. 
I he annual meeting of the Ornithological Section of the Royal 
Zoological Society of New South Wales and the New South 
Wales members of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists 1 Union 
was held on July 25th. Mr. P. A. Gilbert, R.A.O.U., presided. 
The following report was submitted: — 
1 he Committee have pleasure in presenting the second annual 
report on the Section’s activities. Eleven ordinary meetings were 
held. At one meeting twenty members attended, while the 
average attendance was twelve. The membership has increased 
from 45 to 51. The lecturettes have proved interesting and in¬ 
structive. In every instance keen discussion took place. 
The first lecturette was delivered on June 15th, 1923, by Mr. 
A. H. Chisholm, who gave an interesting discourse on Robins. 
1 he Australian Robins, he claimed, are easily the most beautiful 
m the world; all are charming, and some are very remarkable 
little birds. Mr. Chisholm dealt briefly with the various genera 
and species, and discussed the seasonal movements of the 
Petroica and Erythrodryas birds. References to the nesting 
habits of Robins led him to a digression on the Cuckoos, which 
parasitise these birds. An animated discussion ensued. 
At the meeting held on July 20th, 1923, Mr. A. F. Basset-Hull 
delivered a short lecture on Sea-birds, and exhibited specimens 
and eggs of six species of the genus Puffinus, and one of the genus 
