238 
Notes and Comments 
The Emu 
Jan. 
comprised Messrs. Barrett, Chisholm, Gaukrodger, Brenan, Mus- 
grave, Carter and Sloane. The extent of their visits was from 
a few hours to several days, and all were the guests of Mrs. 
Geissmann and Miss Hilda Geissmann at their hospitable home, 
“Capo di Monte/’ Weather conditions, on the whole, were rather 
unfavorable, rain following a heat wave, but both the ornitholo¬ 
gists and entomologists of the party had a very interesting time. 
Some attention was given also to flora, notably a fine old Cycad 
( Macrozamia) and a glorious lot of ravine orchids (Sarcochilus 
fitzgeraldi) that bedecked mossy rocks in a deep gorge. 
Birds were plentiful. It was a delight to hear and see again 
those jungle-lovers that were missing from Byfield — among them 
Rifle-Birds, Regent and Satin Bower-Birds, Cat-Birds, Yellow- 
throated Scrub-Wrens, and Brown Warblers. The last-named 
bird (Gerygone fusca) made the fourth species of its genus we 
had seen in Queensland. Nest, adults and young were photo¬ 
graphed. 
1 am bo ui me Mountain has to its credit nearly 200 species of 
birds. The only South Queensland jungle bird absent is Atri- 
chornis rufescens , the Eastern Scrub-Bird, which is found in 
Queensland only on the main Alacpherson Range. 
Notes and Comments 
I lie current number is devoted almost exclusively lo the 
Annual Meeting of the Union, and the various excursions organ¬ 
ised in connection therewith. 
Ihe 1924 Congress was unique in several features, and it is 
toped that members who were unable to be present will appre¬ 
ciate a fuller account of it than has been published of most pre¬ 
vious congresses of the Union. 
In the fust place, the23rd Congress was honoured by the pres¬ 
ence at most of its sessions of His Majesty’s representative in the 
11 WaS he,d - His Excellency Sir Mathew Nathan, 
i. • u G ° vernor of Queensland, specially journeyed from 
I ms bane to Rockhampton to take part in the conference. His 
presence was inspiriting to the members as a proof that their 
labours on behalf of bird study and protection are appreciated 
by one whose high position makes his opinion of great value The 
presence of the Governor also tended to increase the interest of 
the people of Queensland in the work of the R.A.O.U., and to 
prevent the inhabitants of the Rockhampton district from regard¬ 
ing the visiting ornithologists as mere cranks. 
Tn the second place, the Congress was the first to be held at a 
city which is not one of the State capitals. Rockhampton is the 
puncipal city of the central division of Queensland, which has an 
