" Ai OF THE OD” & iz > Ae eps 4 ri Sth one x #3 pe ; / is ay pae” ty, 28 Martin Place. ot acle eile > d4 Arthur Street, P) esley Limited, 2, 3 and 4 Ar “New Oxford Street, W.C.2. | he Da et ee ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES (Established 1879.) Registered under the Companies Act, 1899 (1917). PATRONS : His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, Sir Philip Street, K.C.M.G. Sir Philip Woolecott Game, G.B.E., K.C.B., D.S.O. . COUNCIL, 1936-1937. President: Phillip Shipway. Vice-Presidents : Theodore Cleveland Roughley, B.Sce., F.R.Z:S. ; Neville W. Cayley, F.R.Z.S.; Tom Iredale, F.R.Z.8.; and Clifford Coles, C.M.Z.S8. . Honorary Secretary and Editor: A. F. Basset Hull, M.B.E., F.R.Z.8. Honorary Treasurer: Keith A. Hindwood. . Honorary Librarian: A. 8. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S. Members: A. Spiller Brandon, M.B., B.S.; E. J. Bryce, F-R.G.S.; W. W. Frogeatt, F.R.Z.S.;\ Aubrey Halloran, B.A., LL.B. ; Garnet Halloran, B.Se., M.D., F.R.A.C.S., F:R.C.8. (Had.); Albert Littlejohn; Frank Marshall, C.M.G:, D.D.S. ; E. F. Pollock, J.P., F.R.G.S.; Michael 8S. R. ~ Sharland ; Gilbert Percy Whitley, F.R.Z.S re Assistant Honorary Secretary: Betty French. Honorary Auditor: R. J. Stiffe, A.C.A. (Aust.). OFFICERS OF SECTIONS. Avicultural Section. Chairman: W. Relton. Hon. Secretary: A. I. Ormsby, LL.B. Budgerigar Club. Chairman: E. W. Jones. Hon. Secretary: A. H. Gardner. Marine Zoological Section. Chairman: H. 8. Mort. ~ Hon. Secretary: P. N. Whitley. Ornithological | Section. Chairman: Tom. Iredale. Hon. Secretary: Roy Cooper. Be 20. ) ia » Zt ZH ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES. The Annual General Meeting of the Society was held at Taronga Zoological Park, Mosman, on Saturday, 25th July, 1936, at 3 p.m. One hundred and eighty-five members and visitors were present. The President, Mr. T. C. Roughley, read the: ’ FIFTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. MEMBERS. On 30th June, 1936, there were 594 members on the register, divided into the various’categories, as follows : Associate benefactors, 3 ; life members, 28; ordinary members, 304; honorary members, 8; honorary associates, 3; life associates, 24; associates, 225. Three members died during the year, 34 resigned, and the names of 112 were removed from the register under Article 9. The removals included a number who had failed to pay their subscriptions for the previous year, but quite a large proportion of the removals were associates who had joined the Society at a time when the importation of aviary birds was sponsored by the Society. Upon the cessation of activity in this direction their interest ceased also. There was therefore a net decrease in the total membership of 83, wholly in the ranks of the associates. ~ THE COUNCIL. Twelve meetings of Council were held during the year, the average attendance at which was 12:3. Mr. Anthony Musgrave resigned during the year, and Mr. Michael S. R. Sharland was elected to fill the vacancy. Mr. Musgrave’s resignation was accepted with sincere regret, and a minute, appreciative of his valuable services to the Society, was placed on record. Mr. Sharland acted as honorary secretary of the Ornithological Section during the year. Mr. Bryce was absent for some time visiting China, Europe and South America, where he inspected many interesting zoological gardens and institutions. PATRONS. Upon his appointment as Governor-General, Lord Gowrie relinquished the position of Patron of the Society. His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, Sir Philip Street, K.C.M.G., who has been a member of the Society for many years, retains the office of Patron, and his interest in our welfare. Sir Philip Game, formerly Governor of New South Wales, now Commissioner of Police in England, has retained office as Patron, and expressed his willing- ness to welcome members of the Society who may visit England. A f\ dhs To Q \Y30 NOV Av ive FELLOWS. The title of “‘Fellow’’, in recognition of distinguished services to Australian Zoology, was conferred upon Mr. Gregory Macalister Mathews, of St. Cross, Winchester, England, previously an honorary associate of the Society, whose magnificent works on the birds of Australia form the standard for reference, and Mr. Melbourne Ward, of Sydney, for his work in Australian Carcinology. Congratulations are offered to Mr. Basset Hull, upon whom His late Majesty, King George V, conferred membership of the Order of the British Empire (M.B.E.), and toMr. E. L. Troughton, who has been elected a corresponding member of the Zoological Society, London (C.M.Z.S.). HONORARIUM. In recognition of twenty-five years’ continuous service as a member of Council of the Society, Council voted to Mr. Basset Hull an honorarium. During this period he has three times occupied the presidential chair, and for the greater part of the twenty-five years he has acted as honorary secretary and editor of The Australian Zoologist. FINANCES. The Society has fully maintained its position financially, the reduction in the number of associates being fully compensated by the increase in the number of ordinary members and returns from other sources. HANDBOOK FUND. This fund, which was launched in 1917, now stands at £1,917, but it is still far below the amount originally aimed at. During the year accumulated funds to the credit of the General Account, amounting to £610, were trans- ferred to the fund. In this connection it may be of interest to summarise the works produced from the income of the fund. These are four in number, the first being The Fishes and Fishlike Animals of Australia, by the late A. R. McCulloch, and reprinted from The Australian Zoologist in 1922. Two subsequent editions were issued, each containing supplementary matter compiled by Gilbert P. Whitley, issued in 1932 and 1934 respectively. The second publication was A Monograph of the Australian Loricates, by Tom Tredale and A. F. Basset Hull, issued in 1927. The third was A Bibliography of Australian Entomology, by Anthony Musgrave, issued in 1932, and the fourth was Australian Spiders and Their Allies, by W. W. Froggatt, issued in 1935. The following statement shows the numbers of each publication disposed of, either by way of sale or exchange, up to the end of the year 1935-1936. (1) Fishes. I1sted., 450; 2nd ed., 450; 3rded., 180; total 1,080 (2) Loricates : 150 (3) Bibliography ae a 2 a ne os 325 (4) Spiders he a3 a0 an st oe Ke 410 Total of publications issued se fs an 1,965 OTHER PUBLICATIONS. The second number of the Proceedings, being the record for 1934-1935, was issued in August last to all members, associates, and exchange correspondents. Only one part of The Australian Zoologist, part 3 of volume 8, was issued. Very few papers of sufficiently high standard were offered for publication during the year. | SECTIONS. Good work was done by the four sections, each of which carried out a complete series of interesting lectures, talks, or discussions upon their own or kindred subjects. Attendance of members has increased, and the sectional reports, which will be published in the Society’s Proceedings, contain much interesting matter. AVICULTURAL EXHIBITION. The combined Avicultural and Budgerigar Sections conducted a highly successful exhibition of cage birds at the Town Hall, Sydney, on 27th to 29th February, 1936, the net proceeds exceeding £30, which will be utilized in connection with prizes to be offered at the next exhibition. An exhibition, open to members only, was held in the grounds of Mr. Hubert Fairfax in October, 1935, and this social function was greatly appreciated. EXHIBITION OF NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY. An international exhibition of nature photography, organized by Country Iife, was held at the British Museum (Natural History), London, from October, 1935, to April, 1936. This Society was invited to send contributions, and a representative collection of twenty photographs of Australian birds in their natural state, the work of members, was sent as a composite exhibit by the Society. These pictures met with much appreciation, and certificates of merit were sent by the Committee to each contributor and to the Society. A selection of these photographs, suitably framed, has been hung on the walls of the Society’s room. PROTECTION OF CROWS AND HAWKS. In March, 1935, when submitting to the Chief Secretary some suggestions for amendment of the Birds and Animals Protection Act, Council put in a plea for the protection, or partial protection, of crows, hawks, eagles, certain honey-eaters and other birds now wholly or partially unprotected, on the ground that they all did some good in the course of their lives, and a more careful balance should be struck between the wholly and partially noxious habits of these birds, according to their environment. After submitting a questionnaire to various institutions and Pastures Protection Boards, the Chief Secretary furnished, in April, 1936, a summary of the opinions expressed by these bodies, and stated that in view thereof it was not considered that any amendment of the Act was necessary. As many of the bodies consulted were in favour of at least partial protection and numerous communications have been received by this Society supporting its action, it is proposed to ask for further consideration at a more favourable opportunity. The Honorary Treasurer, Mr. Phillip Shipway, presented the balance sheet for the year ending 30th June, 1936, and commented particularly on the fact that for the first time the Society’s invested funds, apart from furniture and library, exceeded £2,000 (see p. 7). In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, the Minister for Defence (Sir Archdale Parkhill) said that it was gratifying to observe that the membership of the Society was being maintained at a representative standard. The only alterations which had taken place in this respect had been due to some commercial reason. He was sure that everybody would be pleased to join with the President in his congratulations, first of Mr. Ward, and of Mr. Mathews, for the honours which had been conferred upon them, and he thought he was only re-echoing the sentiments of everybody present when he said that they were pleased to associate themselves with Mr. Roughley’s remarks in regard to the secretary of the Society, Mr. Basset Hull. **T am sure that everybody is exceedingly pleased that some recognition of Mr. Hull’s life’s work has been conferred by his receipt of the honour of M.B.E.”’, Sir Archdale Parkhilladded. ‘‘ We also congratulate Mr. Troughton on his honour of C.M.Z.8.” The Minister referred to the successful exhibitions in which the Society had taken part during the year, and said he was gratified to hear that the Society’s finances were in a healthy condition. There could be no doubt about the importance of the work which the Society was doing. They appreciated the interest of the patriotic citizens who had continued research and publications for more than halfa century. Those present who remembered the zoo at Moore Park could appreciate the magnificent surroundings of Taronga Park, which, while not controlled by the Society, owed its foundation to that body. The Society, as revealed by the report, continued to do good work, for which the public owed it a considerable debt. He had much pleasure in moving the adoption of the 56th annual report. ~ oO Colonel Alfred Spain, Chairman of Taronga Park Trust, seconded the motion, and referred to his long association with the Society, of which he was a past president. He welcomed the members and their friends to Taronga Park. In supporting the motion, Mr. Aubrey Halloran said that he thought that a special effort should be made to obtain an increase in publicity. He noticed from the balance sheet that there was no Government grant to the Society, and from the splendid educational work that was done by the members, he thought that the Government should give a grant of money, as it did to other educational societies. He thought that the advice of the Society might, with advantage, be sought by the Government and public bodies in many of their undertakings. As an instance, he cited the work that was being done for the past twelve months at Centennial Park, where the feeding grounds of the water-fowl were being destroyed, and the result will be that numerous aquatic birds would soon leave that beautiful park. He suggested that the public should be asked to subscribe to the funds, and thus be able to give publicity to the research work done by the Society. Mr. Halloran suggested that the Society might appeal to the general public to use their influence to have Dee Why Lagoon and the adjoining lands resumed by the Government and preserved for the black swans. He had been informed that this area could be purchased at one-half of its valua- tion, and the purchase money need not be paid for many years, provided that interest at a low rate was paid. It was the principal feeding and resting ground for the black swan in the County of Cumberland, and this beautiful lake and its surroundings, so close to the city, should be preserved for all time in as near as possible to its natural state. ELECTION OF COUNCILLORS. The six members of Council, who retired under the provisions of Article 22, were re-elected, there being no other nominations. They were Messrs. E. J. Bryce, N. W. Cayley, W. W. Froggatt, A. S. Le Souef, E. F. Pollock, M.S. R. Sharland and Dr. E. A. D’Ombrain. PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. The President, Mr. T. C. Roughley, delivered a discourse on the oyster, of which a résumé follows. At the close of the discourse the President and members of Council invited the members present and their friends to partake of examples of the Sydney rock oyster on the half shell. (See page 9.) 6 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30th JUNE, 1936. LIABILITIES. eS Genii Send GENERAL ACCOUNT— Capital 600 0 O Income . 99 16 11 —— 699 16 11 | HANDBOOK AC- coOUNT— Capital .. so Llgsl® O C6 Jnecome .. HOR ihr ——_——— 1,917 17 6 £2,617 14 5 | ASSETS. £ ade th wm Q nm GENERAL CAPITAL ACCOUNT— Office Furniture and Equipment (at valuation) 0 0 Library (at valua- tion) ie 0 0 600 O O GENERAL INCOME ACCOUNT— Commonwealth Savings Bank of Australia .. Add Cash on hand Less Amount owing to Hand- book Fund on adjustment 70 O 9 HANDBOOK FUND CAPITAL AC- COUNT— Australian Con- solidated In- scribed Stock (Face Value) Australian Con- solidated Teresa Snlly lays Bonds (Face Value) AS OM Ole O ———— 1,810 0 0 SH) IG a 660 0 0 Including— Albert Little- john En- dowment Hume _ Bar- bour En- dowment Walter and K. Hall Endow- ment HANDBOOK FUND INCOME Ac- couUNT— Commonwealth Savings Bank of Australia .. a 16) °9 Add Adjustments Cie tenon General Fund Account 70 We 2) Saae= 107 ly S £2,617 14 5 I have examined the books and vouchers of the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales for the twelve months ended 30th June, 1936, and certify that the above Balance Sheet and accompanying statements are properly drawn up so as to exhibit a true and correct view of the state of the Society’s affairs as at 30th June, 1936, and the transactions for the year ended that date respectively as disclosed by the books of the Society and information supplied. (sgd.) ROBT. J. STIFFH, F.C.A. (Aust.), Sydney, 22nd July, 1936. ba! | Hon. Auditor. (Sgd.) PHILLIP SHIPWAY, Hon. Treasurer. HANDBOOK FUND INCOME ACCOUNT FOR TWELVE MONTHS ENDED 30th JUNE, 1936. RECEIPTS. DISBURSEMENTS. 25 Sp Gla S S.eGe Saeaseedt To Handbook Sales P 60 17 61! By Debit Balance at ,, Interest on Investments .. 68 16 1 30th June, 1935— ,, Donation sis ib @ WO Amount owing to General Fund on adjustments PE 5) 33 Less Balance—Com- monwealth Sav- ings Bank of Australia BS vntey, TESLA — 19) ie ol ;, Balance, Publica- tion Walter W. Froggatt’s ** Aus- tralian Spiders and their Allies ”’ 315 0 ; Balance at 30th June, 1936— Commonwealth Savings Bank of Australia Jo BY 1G. & Add Adjustment due from General Fund .. 40 0 — UNG iy £130 13 7 £130 13 7 GENERAL INCOME ACCOUNT FOR TWELVE MONTHS ENDED 30th JUNE, 1936. RECEIPTS. DISBURSEMENTS. 0 SG Glee oS SG! Saude To Balance at 30th By Publication Australian June, 1935— G Zoologist, Volume S Commonwealth Part 3 63 0 9 Savings Bank ;, Publication Annual Report . 38 16 11 of Australia 199 8 2 ,, Office Rent .. 92 10 10 Less Outstand- ,, Office Printing and Stationery 20 16 1 ing Cheque . 010 6 5, social Functions, Exhibitions, etc. 43 2) 8 “198 17 8 x Annual. Meeting ”“ © @ Add Cash on ;, Lelephone 22 mG, hand 66 Oh 4 ,, Hlectricity 11 3-9 Add Adjust- ;, Insurance 4 . 2) 127 10 ments due ,, Hpidiascope Repairs 6 4 6 from Hand- », Hlectrical Fittings and Re- book Fund pairs. 412 6 Account we LEDS 3 53 Equipment “and " Repairs — ZAR db 83 “ Cabin ’’, National Park 315 0O 5, »subscriptions— ;, Birdrings A Ne aS: 416 6 Annual 55 OMY, Ff @ ;, Investment Commonwealth Life : 10 10 O Bonds (f.v. £200) » 204) 26 ———-—— 362 17 6 ;, Honorarium Hon. Secretary 100 O O , sales Australian ,, Petty Cash Expenses 28 18 6 Zoologist : 24 10 10 , Balance at 30th June, 1936— ,, subletting Office’ Zor 2aG Commonwealth ,, social Functions, Savings Bank Exhibitions, ete. 86 6 5 of Australia £159 13 6 , Bank Exchange Cash on hand 10 4 2 and Postage 116 5 = ,, Telephone 5 3 169 17 8 ie Contr ibutions Tess Amount “Cabin ’’ Main- owing to tenance ¢ 38 0) Handbook ;, sale Birdrings 7 15 10 Fund on ad- ;, Capitation Fees, justments 70 INIBACS Gc a A al KO 99 16 11 > savings Bank Interest ; 4 WG) ali ;> sundries .. 412 0 £753 19 O £753 19 O Presidential Address THE OYSTER. By T. C. ROUGHLEY, B.Sc., F.R.Z.S. The oyster has been an important article of diet for man from the earliest records of his existence. It dates from the Stone Age and the mounds of shells or kitchen middens left by these primitive people in various parts of Europe bear testimony to its popularity in those remote times. In European literature one of the earliest references to oysters occurs in the writings of Aristotle, who stated that oysters develop from mud by spontaneous generation. Later Pliny repeated this assertion, and added that the mud must be in a putrid state. However, Pliny made some amends for this reflection on the oyster’s ancestry by listing a number of diseases which the oyster was reputed to cure or alleviate; these ranged from rheumatism to chilblains on the feet. In Europe during the Middle Ages the oyster was extolled in the most extravagant language ; poems were written about it and odes were written to it, the English language being strained to its utmost adequately to express the esteem in which it was held as an article of diet. When white men first came to Australia oysters were found to occur in the estuaries of the east coast in enormous numbers ; indeed, so prolific were they that the supply appeared to be inexhaustible, and it was customary for architects and builders to stipulate that the lime to be used in the construction of buildings, government offices and private residences alike must be the product of live oysters. The depredations of the natural beds were conse- quently very great, and in 1868 it was found that the supply was no longer capable of meeting the demand for oysters for edible purposes, and an Act of Parliament was rendered necessary, prohibiting the taking of live oysters for conversion into lime. Thus it became necessary to adopt artificial means of cultivation. Although there are about eighteen species of oysters on the eastern Australian coast, two only are of commercial importance, the rock oyster (Ostrea commercialis) and the mud oyster (O. angasi). Of these the rock oyster is by far the more important, for very few mud oysters find their way to market. The names of both these oysters are unfortunate, for the rock oyster will grow attached to any surface hard enough to support it, and the mud oyster will not grow in mud. These species differ considerably in their breeding habits. The rock oyster spawns by ejecting the eggs or spermatozoa direct into the water, where fertilization occurs, while the mud oyster breeds in a manner similar to that of the English oyster (O. edulis)—the eggs are fertilized while still retained within the shell of the female, to be later extruded as shelled larve. The larve of the rock oyster remain free-swimming for about ten days or a fortnight, when they are ready to settle down as spat. The wastage that occurs during this period is enormous, and of many millions of eggs extruded by each female probably not more than one or two develop into adult oysters. Now it has been known for a long time that those oysters which breed. like the English oyster, by retaining the embryos within the mantle cavity of the parent for some time after the fertilization of the eggs, undergo a series of sex-changes, but all those oysters which spawn direct into the water have, until a few years ago, been regarded as of constant sex. In 1928 I was able to show that a sex-change occurs in the Australian rock oyster, and since that time similar sex-changes have been found to be characteristic of the oyster 9 of the Atlantic coast of North America (O. virginica), the principal commercial species of Japan (O. gigas), and the Portuguese oyster (O. angulata), all of which eject their sexual products direct into the sea. Oyster cultivation is most active and most intense on the coast of New South Wales. The principal methods adopted consist of laying out on the beds sandstone slabs or sticks of the black mangrove (A’/giceras majus), the supporting of the oysters on wire-netting racks, the scattering of the oysters on beds made firm by a topdressing of shell or gravel, and the maturing of the oysters on permanently submerged beds, whence they are later recovered by means of a dredge. In the cultivation by means of sandstone the slabs are laid out between high and low tide levels in pairs like an inverted V in order to provide a lower surface, where by far the greater quantity of oysters attach. Subsequent to the following spawning season the slabs are reversed in order to catch a heavy crop on the surface that was formerly uppermost. The sticks of the black mangrove are laid out in compact bundles, usually near the mouths of estuaries, where the crops are heaviest, and are later transported, thousands at a time, to more brackish water, where growth is more rapid. In this way heavy crops are matured in the shortest possible time, but the sticks are serviceable only for one crop. Prior to the year 1870 practically the whole of the oysters marketed in New South Wales were obtained from permanently submerged beds. but in that year the oysters in the Hunter River became heavily infected with mud worms (Polydora ciliata), which rapidly killed off the bulk of the oysters. This worm infestation gradually spread to other rivers, until now there are very few dredge beds which are capable of raising oysters to maturity. The mud worm has therefore been responsible for forcing cultivation to the inter-tidal zone, where the worm can be controlled. The average annual output of oysters in Australia from 1927 to 1932 amounted to £106,000; of this amount New South Wales was responsible for 80 per cent., Queensland 18 per cent., and the rest of Australia 2 per cent. Oysters are exported from New South Wales to Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. In addition to the mud worm there are various other pests which take toll of great quantities of oysters. Whelks of various kinds bore through the shells of young oysters and feed on the flesh ; several species of fish are capable of crushing the shells of young oysters; floods may destroy whole beds, while thieving on a large scale is rampant in both New Seuth Wales and Queensland. Up to the present time the penalties for the thieving of oysters have been quite inadequate to act as a deterrent, but they have been consider- ably increased in a Fisheries Act recently passed by Parliament, and it is to be hoped that they will put a stop to this nefarious practice. There are a number of misapprehensions concerning oysters in Australia which have a widespread belief. For instance, there is an impression that oysters should not be eaten during the months which do not contain the letter ‘“‘r’’ (May, June, July and August). This idea had its origin in England, for it 1s during those months that the oysters breed there, and in order to conserve the supply this period is regarded as a close season. The Australian rock oyster may be eaten with freedom all the year round. At one time it was considered dangerous to eat oysters growing on wood, but this, too, is a fallacy, for such oysters are as wholesome as those grown on rock or any other object ; indeed, quite a considerable proportion of the oysters marketed in New South Wales is grown, as we have seen, on the sticks of the black mangrove. One sometimes hears a fear expressed that oysters may have come from water infected with typhoid. To such nervous individuals, let me say that there has not been one case of typhoid fever that has been traced to ovsters in the medical history of Australia. Finally, there is a prevalent impression that the taking of spirits with oysters is likely to be followed by dire consequences. I can find no evidence in support of this at all. 10 OFFICERS FOR 1936-37. At a meeting of Council held on the 29th July the following officers were elected for the current year : President: Phillip Shipway. Vice-Presidents: T. C. Roughley, Clifford Coles, Neville W. Caylev and Tom Iredale. Honorary Secretary and Editor: A. F. Basset Hull. Honorary Treasurer: Keith A. Hindwood. Honorary Librarian: A. 8S. Le Souef. Honorary Assistant Secretary: Betty French. Honorary Auditor: R. J. Stiffe. CHANGES IN COUNCIL. Dr. D’Ombrain has resigned from the Council, and Mr. Albert Littlejohn has been elected to fill the vacancy. REPORTS OF SECTIONS. AVICULTURAL SECTION. Annual Report. The year opened with Dr. Garnet Halloran as Chairman of the Section. The average of monthly attendances for the vear was 34. with a maximum of 43 members at the November meeting. The Section was responsible for 14 nominations of new members. During the year the following interesting and instructive lectures were given: ‘* Genetics’, by Dr. I. Clunies Ross, D.V.Sc. ** Some Problems in our Struggle Against Disease ’’, by Dr. W. C. Sawers. ‘Taxidermy ’’, by Clifford Coles. ‘The Experimental Embryology of Birds and its Bearing on Human Affairs’, by A. N. Colefax, B.Sc. ‘** Australian Birds’’, by T. Iredale. “Items of Interest at Taronga Park’’, by C. W. Camp. ‘* Bird Parasites’’, by K. A. Hindwood. ‘* Houtman’s Abrolhos Islands’’, by C. Price Conigrave. ‘“‘ Vitamins in Relation to the Food of Birds’’, by Professor Priestley. ‘* Pigeons and Doves’’, by Neville Cayley. ‘* Further Observations in Relation to Zoological Societies Abroad ”’, by Dr. Garnet Halloran. In most cases the lectures were illustrated by means of the epidiascope and lantern. Numerous matters relating to aviculture were discussed and aviary notes of interest recorded. The breeding by members of the Painted Finch (Caylena picta) and Turquoisine Grass Parrakeet (Neophema pulchella) were recorded, amongst other breeding achievements. A most successful annual exhibition of cage birds and budgerigars was held in the Sydney Town Hall, showing a net profit of £34 7s. 10d. The Section has been unfortunate in that Mr. Duncan was unable to spare the time to carry out the duties of honorary secretary, and Mr. Lehrle, who was elected in his stead, met with a serious illness. A. E. HARGREAVES, Acting Hon. Secretary. 11 BUDGERIGAR SECTION. Annual Report. In placing before this meeting the fourth annual report of the Budgerigar Section of the Royal Zoological Society, I do so with the knowledge of work accomplished, both for the benefit and advantage of budgerigar breeders and the improvement of the budgerigar itself. Nature, in giving to us a bird of such obliging and generous habits as to allow scope for scientific and breeding experiment, has conferred a remarkable gift which we, as breeders of this species of the avian world, have much to be thankful for. In the knowledge of work accomplished, I refer firstly to the publishing of our work The Standard of Perfection and Colour Classification of the Budgerigar. This book, for its object alone, apart from its benefit to all budgerigar enthusiasts, must commend itself to everyone in the budgerigar world in particular, and to aviculture generally. The publication of this book brings to a satisfactory conclusion a vast amount of work involved in a compilation which this Section, by its initiative and foresight, has made possible. I might add that this is the first work of its kind achieved in any part of the world, and great credit may be claimed by this Section for its temerity in attempting and placing before the public the objects of our desire in relation to the perfection of the budgerigar. The standard of perfection as desired by the Section was, in the beginning, considered by many fanciers as being too high an objective, and impossible of achievement. In reply to this I can only refer to the remarkable and all-round improvement of the budgerigars benched at exhibitions held during the current season, both as regards quality and numbers. While appreciating the work done by the Committee as a whole towards the compilation of this work, two names must be referred to as responsible for the bulk of the labour attached, viz. Mr. Neville Cayley, for his ready assistance, artistic ability, and knowledge of colour, which proved invaluable in arriving at the ultimate descriptions of the varieties, and Mr. E. W. Jones, who carried the clerical burden to the satisfaction of all who were interested in the production of the work. The New South Wales State Council of affiliated societies, another of the objects of this Section, has also been brought into being, and members of this Section have been elected to the executive control of the Council. The past year has also brought before us, in small but increasing numbers, the three newer varieties of budgerigar, namely albino, lutino and cinnamon wings. The future holds big possibilities for these birds and, we hope, the means of our creating further varieties hitherto unknown. The Annual Exhibition this year was held by the Avicultura] Section, with the co-operation of the Budgerigar Section. This exhibition was the most successful, in point of view of birds benched and credit balance, of any of our exhibitions to date. The Committee spared no effort to make the exhibition an outstanding success, and their efforts were reflected in the result. The “‘ Sydney Mail’ trophy was won by Mr. E. C. B. Surtees, a member of this Section, with a very fine yellow-wing green hen. Congratulations must be given to Mr. Surtees, as the winning of this outstanding trophy is the object and desire of all enthusiastic budgerigar breeders. During the past year we have been indebted to the following lecturers, who, no doubt at times at considerable inconvenience to themselves, have given us their assistance to help in maintaining the interest of members in the Section. To these gentlemen the thanks of the Section are extended, and we look forward to having them before us again for our education and pleasure. ‘“ Neophema Parrots’’, by Neville W. Cayley. ‘“Common Diseases of Parrots’’, by Dr. Garnet Halloran. ‘“‘ Birds of Lord Howe Island’’, by Tom Iredale. “The Lyretail’’, by M. S. R. Sharland. ‘* Bird Psychology ’’, by A. S. Le Souef. “Bush Birds’’, by K. A. Hindwood. ‘* Aviaries and Their Management ’’, by Clifford Coles. p2 The attendances at the meetings held during the year averaged 24. In bringing this report to a conclusion, I am sure I am voicing the sentiments of my president when I ask that whoever you may elect as your officers for the forthcoming year, you will endeavour to give them the co-operation they need, as their work will be arduous enough, and cannot be successfully accomplished without the assistance and continued attendance of the members as a whole. Remember this is your Section. See that you support it. M. F. BRENNAN. Hon. Secretary. MARINE ZOOLOGICAL SECTION. Tenth Annual Report. In presenting its Tenth Annual Report, the Committee of the Marine Section is delighted to be in a position to record that the year just closed has been marked by an advance in interest. Membership has increased substantially, and the attendance at meetings is now very gratifying. Monthly lectures, all illustrated by lantern slides of high educational value and artistic interest, have been delivered as under: 1935— July 1: ‘‘ Fantastic Fishes’’, by G. P. Whitley. August 6: ‘‘ Fish Habits’’, by A. S. Le Souef. September 2: ‘* Ten Months on the Kermadecs’’, by Tom Iredale. October 8: ‘‘ Planktonic Creatures ’’, by Professor W. J. Dakin. November 4: ‘‘ Remarkable Associations in the Animal Kingdom”’, by A. N. Colefax, B.Sc. December 2: ‘“‘ Marine Life of Antarctica’’, by C. F. Laseron. 936— February 3: ‘“‘ The Life of a Barnacle’’, by F. A. McNeill. March 2: ‘* Darwin’s Visit to Sydney, March, 1836’, by G. P. Whitley. March 2: ‘“* The Story of the Pearl’’, by Joyce K. Allan. April 6: ‘‘ The Wanderings of a Naturalist ’’, by Tom Iredale. May 4: ‘“‘ Seafaring Mammals’’, by E. Le G. Troughton. June 9: “ Destructive Organisms of the Sea’’, by R. A. Johnson. A new departure was a visit to Sydney University, where Professor W. J. Dakin, assisted by Mr. A. N. Colefax, lectured on ‘‘ Planktonic Creatures’. Individual microscopic work was there made possible, and members appreciated this and other facilities. The Marine Section wishes to record its sincere thanks to these gentlemen, and to express the hope that such a visit might be made an annual event. A most successful field excursion was held in February to Long Reef, Collaroy. This attracted eighteen members, who displayed the keenest interest in proceedings. Fine collections were made. Mr. H. S. Mort. assisted by Mr. G. P. Whitley, added to the value of the day by explaining the scientific significance of the various specimens collected. Detailed notes were taken by Mr. A. J. Border, who wrote a valuable paper, which was read at the next meeting, and copies made available to members. Throughout the year shell specimens, mostly collected in and around Sydney Harbour, and a number of them entirely new, were brought to meetings by Messrs. H. 8S. Mort and C. F. and J. Laseron. Mr. C. F. Laseron, who has a unique method of mounting his shells, gave a demonstration of how his boxes are made. These members are to be congratulated on their enthusiasm as collectors and on their sustained interest in the Marine Section, which is very grateful for their assistance. In conclusion, your officers feel that the year has been a valuable one in furthering our scientific knowledge along correct lines and in cementing zood fellowship among members. R. A. JOHNSON, Matstzr M. Goupine, B.A., Chairman. Hon. Secretary. Officers. 1936-37. Chairman: H. 8S. Mort. Vice-Chairman: C. F. Laseron. Hon. Secretary: P. N. Whitley. 13 ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION. Annual Report. Presented to Annual Meeting 19th June, 1936. Many subjects concerning the study of birds and their protection came under review before the Ornithological Section during the last twelve months, and the period was again notable for the interest displayed by members in all matters relating to the activities of the Section. The average attendance at meetings for the twelve months was 43, compared with 45 during the previous corresponding period; and at the January meeting there was a record attendance of 80 members and visitors. Attendances, however, declined somewhat towards the latter half of the year, the average for the last four meetings being no more than 34, which was unfortunate, because some of the best of the Section’s lectures were given during this period. It should be one of the aims of the incoming officers to strive to check this drift, which, of course, may be only a temporary condition, and endeavour to present a record average attendance at the end of next year. The Christmas party on 14th December, which in 1934 took the place of the usual meeting for that month, was on this occasion (1935) held as a separate function, and again proved successful, a sum of £17 being raised for the National Park Cabin fund. The lectures held during the last twelve months were : July 19: Tom Iredale: ‘ Birds of New Zealand.’’ August 16: M.S. R. Sharland: ‘“‘ Romance of the Sea Birds.” September 20: K. A. Hindwood: “ Birds of the Shale Country.’’ October 18: M.S. R. Sharland: “ Birds of Llandilo Camp-out.”’ November 15: P. A. Gilbert: ‘‘ Nesting Habits of Australian Birds.”’ December 20: J. A. Ward: Film record of the Blue Bird of Paradise (in part). January 17: J. E. Ward: Complete showing of the same film. February 21: C. Price Conigrave: ‘*‘ North Australia.” March 20: Norman Chaffer: ‘‘ Australian Bird Films.”’ April 17: K. A. Hindwood: ‘“* Parasites of Birds.”’ May 15: R. W. B. Oliver: “ Birds of the Sub-Antarctic Islands of N.Z.”’ June 19: N. W. Cayley: ‘“‘Mound Building Birds’’ (Chairman’s Address). Our thanks are due particularly to Mr. Conigrave, Mr. Ward and Dr. Oliver (the lastnamed of Wellington, N.Z.) for the interesting addresses which they gave, and to members of the Section for their assistance in this direction also. During the year the Section had the privilege of entertaining one of the pioneers of bird photography and a noted big game photographer, Mr. Cherry Kearton, and Mrs. Kearton, who were on a visit from England. Welcomed first at an informal gathering at the Society’s room, they later attended a special meeting of the Section, which was arranged to allow them to witness some of the work of Australian bird photographers, in the form of films and lantern slides. This took place on 10th January, 1936, and was well attended. Mr. and Mrs. Kearton also were entertained by members of the Section at the bird cabin in January. Members of the Section were well represented at the exhibition of nature photography, representing all parts of the British Empire, which was held in the latter part of last year and the first three months of this year by ‘* Country Life ’’ (England), in conjunction with the Trustees of the British Museum of Natural History, London, and it is pleasing to note that some of their exhibits will remain to form part of a permanent and distinguished collection of bird and animal pictures in the British Museum, to which they have been presented by the members concerned. Each exhibitor received a certificate of merit. Judging solely by the illustrations which appeared in the British Press at the time the exhibition was opened, and by other illustra- tions which have been prepared in book form from a selection of the exhibits, the contribution from the Royal Zoological Society suffered in no way in comparison with the work of other photographers throughout the Empire, and this is confirmed by one of our councillors (Mr. Bryce), who attended 14 the exhibition and declared that the Society’s exhibit was equal to the best displayed there. It was reported during the year that the Section again had proved itself to be something in the nature of a benevolent institution for certain persons with a kindly regard for its camping equipment at the National Park Cabin. In spite of considerable effort and expense with a view to safeguarding the contents from visitors with evil intentions, the Cabin was broken into and material to the value of approximately £20 stolen. In view of the Cabin’s isolation and consequent invitation to burglary, the question of strengthening the doors and windows was discussed with the National Park Trust, and the Trust agreed to do what it could to minimize the risk of forcible entry. The incoming committee will have to decide whether the steps which have been taken in this direction are sufficient to justify the Section going to the expense of replacing the stolen articles and restoring the equipment in accordance with the capacity of the Cabin. The Section’s camp in 1935 was held at Llandilo, a few miles to the north of St. Marys, in the shale country, on October 5th, 6th and 7th. There was a good attendance, and the camp site, located at a bend in South Creek, near its junction with Rope’s Creek, proved to be the centre of an excellent bird district, no fewer than 77 species being noted, including nearly 30 nesting. Two cooks were employed to attend to an important part of the camp, and the outing, assisted by perfect weather, proved highly successful. Two controversial subjects given prominence during the year consisted of the collection of birds’ skins and the collection of birds’ eggs. The first arose at the annual camp of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists’ Union, which was held at Marlo, at the mouth of the Snowy River, Gippsland, and the happenings’ at that camp culminated in the withdrawal, concertedly, of the ten members from New South Wales, as a protest against what they claimed to be unnecessary and indiscriminate collecting taking place in the vicinity of the camp. A full statement of the New South Wales case, as well as the views of supporters of collecting, was given at the R.A.O.U. Congress shortly afterwards, so nothing further need be said here except to emphasize that the attitude adopted by our delegates resulted in the whole question of collecting birds being reviewed by the Union and a rule passed prohibiting collecting at future camps, except for reasons to be approved by a majority of camp members. It might also be pointed out that the New South Wales members made it clear that they were not opposed to the principle of collecting within the Union, but expressed definite opposition to the practice of taking birds at camps indiscriminately. The subject of egg collections arose at the Section’s November meeting, when a member of the R.A.O.U., who regularly attended Section meetings, disclosed that his private collection had been confiscated by the authorities. A discussion took place on the practice of collecting without a permit, and in bird sanctuaries, but no finality was reached, and the matter passed into the hands of the Council of the Society. Subsequently, egg collections owned by members of the Society and others were presented to the Australian Museum, and within the last few months reports have been made of extensive collections of eggs of birds taken in Victoria being removed to the National Museum in that State. The Section during the year initiated opposition to the Government’s proposal to drain Lake Urana, which is situated in the Riverina, and constitutes the breeding area for several species of water birds. It was considered that the draining of this water would not only cause the birds still further to flock to the rice fields of the Murrumbidgee, with consequences harmful to rice growers and themselves, but might adversely affect the fertility of the surrounding country, so the Council asked the Minister for Lands to appoint an expert to investigate these aspects of the proposal. The result was that an officer of the Department was sent to the district to make certain inquiries, and it is understood that his report was such as to cause the Minister to review the scheme, and it now seems that the work may not be undertaken. At the request of the Boy Scouts’ Association, four members of the Section offered their services for the instruction of boy scouts in ornithology and for assistance in examinations. 15 In April our chairman (Mr. Neville W. Cayley) held an exhibition in David Jones’s Gallery of the bird paintings by his father and himself. This created interest not only among bird lovers, but many other admirers of his work. Many interesting notes under the heading of “ observations’’ were submitted by members during the year, and lists of birds observed on excursions and other outings were read and included in the minutes as permanent records. The officers desire to thank all those who assisted the Section in many ways, particularly the organizers of the Christmas party, those who helped with the annual camp arrangements, those who donated articles towards the Cabin equipment, and others whose co-operation and enthusiasm were important factors in the progress which the Section can with some justification claim to have made during a successful year. M. S. R. SHARLAND, Hon. Secretary. Officers, 1936-37. Chairman: T. Iredale. Hon. Secretary: R. Cooper. Hon. Assistant Secretary: T. A. Everett. Committee: N. W. Cayley, M. S. R. Sharland, D. Leithhead, P. A. Gilbert, N. L. Roberts and Mrs. Norman Lowe. BREEDING RECORDS FURNISHED BY MEMBERS OF THE AVICULTURAL SECTION. In November, 1935, some members of the Section visited my home, and were shown the following young birds, bred for the first time in my aviaries : one painted finch, two Madagascar weavers. I feel confident there were more painted finches hatched, but only one reached the flying stage. The parents were wild stock secured from South Australia at the same time as those from which Dr. Halloran reported having bred three young ones last month. The aviary in which these birds (three pairs) are housed is a small one ahout five feet high, three feet wide, and four feet deep, facing north, and a good quantity of ti-tree in bundles was hung at the rear and one bundle quite close to the double wire front. All three pairs apparently nested, but the eggs In two nests were infertile. The nests were built of grass with a very few feathers for lining, and the general shape of all the nests was an elongated trough open at the top. The eggs were very small—considerably smaller than gouldian’s or star finch’s eggs, but like those varieties were plain white with a very slight pinkish tinge. The Madagascar weavers were in an aviary twenty-three feet by eleven feet by nine feet high, with about forty other weavers and whydahs, as well as about twenty Java sparrows and Aberdeen and cutthroat finches. They built about three feet from the ground in a privet bush. Their eggs were longish, and of a beautiful pale blue shade. The other birds did not interfere with the nests or the young. My standard food for all my birds is Hungarian millet and plain canary seed, and this was not varied while breeding these birds. No insect food was provided. W. RaLpH SMITH. I desire to place on record the breeding by me of six cordon bleu—blue- breasted waxbill hybrids, three in the first nest early in March of this year, and three at the end of April. The mating was cock cordon bleu—hen blue- breasted waxbill. J may mention also that I have reared to maturity, this vear, two blue-headed parrot finches, two green strawberry finches, eleven vellow-rumped finches, one diamond sparrow (more in nest now), four blood finches, and two pictorella finches. 16 With the exception of the blood finches, it is the first time I have produced the birds in the above list: consequently, I think the achievement worthy of mention. Cuas. E. STEELES. I had a pair of king quail. The male was killed by a brown quail, which mated with the female king quail. The first clutch of six eggs was infertile. From the second clutch of six eggs three chicks were hatched, and two were reared, both males, and carrying black and white throat markings. These young hybrids are larger than the mother, and smaller than the father. (Synoicus australis, male; Hxcalfactoria chinensis, female.) Cuir. COoLEs. NATURE NOTES FROM THE ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION. A number of interesting items under the heading of ‘‘ observations ”’ were brought to notice during the year by members of the Ornithological Section. Many of these were supplied in conjunction with “ bird lists ”’ from different localities, and I want to refer to the value of these lists, and suggest that we may receive more in future, for by studying them over a period we may learn something about the movement and range of birds. At the same time, I want to stress the importance of accuracy in the compila- tion of these lists. A genuine mistake in identifying a bird in the field may occur, but if there is any doubt at all about the identity of a bird seen, its name should not be included in the list, except its genus, if this is known definitely, for one wrong bird on a list will leave the names of others open to question and adversely affect its value as an ornithological record. ‘“‘ When in doubt, leave out ’’ is a good journalistic axiom, and can well be applied to the compila- tion of bird lists. Members submitting bird lists or observations at meetings are requested to have them typed in readiness. Naturally, the reservation ‘‘ where possible ’’ applies here, for it has been found that one observation on a certain bird generally leads to another, serving, in fact, as a reminder to others of what they have noticed, but which might otherwise be overlooked, and when these are given impromptu it is not possible to type them at the time, though the secretary will be within his rights if afterwards he insists that they be re-submitted in typed form. But if this is te be made a hard and fast rule, then I think some members may hesitate about stating their observations. Glancing through the minutes cf the meetings held during the year, I notice that among the observations were the following : Two pairs of little terns (Sterna albifrons) seen at Maroubra on November 2 by Mr. Leithhead—an interesting note. Another note on terns was submitted by Mr. Norman Chaffer, who described to the December meeting his experiences with the sooty tern (Sterna fuscata) and other sea birds on the Admiralty Islets, Lord Howe Island, which is a famous breeding ground for this species. Among the land birds which he noted during his visit to the island were the golden whistler (locally called ‘‘ robin’’), green-winged pigeon, sacred kingfisher, currawong, starling and also the white-fronted heron, whimbrel, turnstone, sea curlew, golden plover and bar-tailed godwit. At the same meeting the retiring hon. secretary referred to the birds of Wilberforce, mentioning particularly the breeding of the jacana and black- throated grebe. Members will be interested to hear that Baker’s Lagoon, a short distance from Wilberforce, and a fine spot for water birds, notably black swans, pelicans, two species of ibis, plover, cormorants, grebes, cisticola and many others, has been declared a sanctuary under the Birds and Animals Protection Act. Mr. K. A. Hindwood reported having seen three pairs of the white- plumed honeyeater in a small area near Sandringham on March 2. The chairman (Mr. Cayley) said that this species came into the coastal areas during the winter. Mr. Chaffer said he thought he had seen the species at different times near Middle Harbour, but there was some difficulty in separating it from the more common fuscous species. Ez The fairly closely settled suburb of Artarmon, five miles from the centre of the city, is not one that would be expected to yield the sight of many bush birds, but the hon. secretary reported to the March meeting that his list for the district included two pairs of Cisticola exilis, several dusky wood swallows. shrike tit, sacred kingfishers, yellow-faced honeyeater, ‘* scissor-grinder ’’, scarlet robin, spinebill honeyeater and others more common. At the April meeting Mr. Hindwood submitted a list of birds seen on a trip to Madden’s Plains, Myrtle Creek and Appin on April 11, the most notable feature of which, he said, was the sight of many little lorikeets feeding on the flowering gums. Other observations were: Two pairs of brush wattlebirds with young ones out of the nest, National Park, Good Friday ; rufous fantails at Bulli Pass, April 11 (late record); spur-winged plover at Camden, and a New Holland honeyeater with newly completed nest near Wattamolla on April 4. Mr. P. A. Gilbert, at the May meeting, recorded a flock of yellow- faced honeyeaters, which, he said, must have aggregated more than 1,000 birds. A list of 44 birds seen on a walk from Waterfall to Lilyvale, via National Park, on May, 2, was submitted by Mr. Hindwood. Some interesting notes on the log runner (Orthonyx temminck?) were submitted by Mr. Hindwood to the June meeting. These were: One male bird only seen at Mount Kembla, June 14, 1936. Many scratchings about. Cold and windy day. Birds said to be fairly plentiful on both sides of the range. Known locally as ‘“‘ pheasant’s mother ’’, 1.e. the lyrebird’s mother, because they are said to give the alarm at any intrusion, and so warn the lyrebirds of approaching danger. Mount Kembla, at one time known as ‘‘ Hat Hill’’. is the type locality of the log runner. Specimens were collected by Robert Brown in 1804, 132 years ago. Birds still numerous in locality. Mr. Hindwood also recorded the golden plover at the Curl Curl swamp on May 16, 1936, in partial breeding plumage. Owing to protracted discussions on other subjects, some of the meetings had to be closed before observations could be given; but we hope that in future these records will form an important part of the proceedings. Moss aki: SHARLAND. SYLLABUS OF SECTIONAL MEETINGS. July, 1936, to June, 1937. AVICULTURAL SECTION (Second Monday in the Month, except when a Public Holiday, then on Tuesday)— 1936. August 10.—‘‘ African Love Birds’’, by W. R. Smith. September 14.—“‘ Aviary Construction and Management ’’, by J. Murray. October 12.—Address by Dr. Garnet Halloran. November 9 December 14 1937. January 1] February 8 >Subjects to be selected. March 8 April 12 May 10 June 14.—Annual Meeting. BUDGERIGAR CLUB (Third Tuesday in the Month)— 1936. July 21 3} August 18 ae gee on matters pertaining to Budgerigars, such | as Standard Requirements, Management, etc. | September 15 October 20 November 17 December 15 J 1937. January 19.—*‘ Colour Factors in Budgerigars ’, by T. J. McSwiggan. February 16.—Discussion. March 16.—‘‘Some Economic Applications of Genetics to Poultry Production’, by Dr. I. Clunies Ross. April 20.—‘* The Development of the Bird from the Egg’’, by Alan N. Colefax. May 18.—Discussion. June 15.—Annual Meeting. Chairman’s Address. MARINE ZOOLOGICAL SECTION (First Monday in the Month, except when a Public Holiday, then on Tuesday )— 1936. July 6.—‘*‘ Houtman’s Abrolhos Islands ’’, by C. Price Conigrave. August 4.—‘* Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs’’, by G. P. Whitley. September 7.—‘‘ A Naturalist in Strange Places’’, by Tom Iredale. October 6.—‘* Reef Life of the Whitsunday Passage Islands’’, by Melbourne Ward. November 2.—‘‘ Life and Habits of Shells’’, by Joyce K. Allan. December 7.—‘‘ Biological Regions ’’, by Prof. J. MacDonald Holmes. 1937. February | March 1 April 5 +Subjects to be selected. May 3 | June 7 J ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION (Third Friday in the Month)— 1936. July 17.—‘* Early Australian Ornithologists’, by Gilbert Whitley. August 21.—‘‘ Nature Travels Abroad’’, by E. J. Bryce. Series of lectures covering six phases of ornithology, with general discussien, as follows: September 18.—‘‘ The Value of Field Observations ’’, by K. A. Hindwood. “The Value of Photography ’’, by M. S. R. Sharland. October 16.—‘‘ The Value of Aviculture ’’, by Clifford Coles. ““The Value of Nestlings’’, by P. A. Gilbert. November 20.—‘‘ The Value of Egg Collecting ’’, by A. F. Basset Hull. ** The Value of Skin Collecting ’’, by T. Iredale. General discussion. December 18.—‘*‘ Birds of Centennial Park’’, by K. A. Hindwood. December.—Christmas Party. (Date to be fixed.) 1937. January 15.—‘* Honeyeaters’’, by P. A. Gilbert. February 19.—*‘ Birds of the Swamps ”’ (Cinema), by N. Chaffer. March 19.—‘*‘ Afield with a Camera’’, by M.S. R. Sharland. April 16.—‘“ Biological Regions ’’, by Prof. J. MacDonald Holmes. May 21.—“ The Interrelations of Bird Life ’’, by N. L. Roberts. June 18.—Chairman’s Address, by T. Iredale. Meetings of all Sections are held in Room 6, Third Floor, Bull’s Chambers, Martin Place, Svdney, 7.30 (for 8) p.m. A NEW FISH FROM NEAR SYDNEY. Messrs. C. F. and J. Laseron recently dredged a small fish from off Long Reet which belongs to a new genus and species (Hnigmapercis reducta) of the Grubfish family (Parapercide). This novelty is only two and five-eighth inches long, and is distinguished from its allies by having only two dorsal spines, which are quite separate from the eighteen soft dorsal rays. A full description of it will be published later, but this note will serve as a pre- liminary record. The new fish is very hardy, and evidently lives on a gravel bottom in about fourteen fathoms, where it lies partially buried. G. P. WHITLEY. 19 ZOOLOGICAL INSTITUTIONS ABROAD. By E. J. BRYCE, F.R.G.S. Plates I and II. During a recent visit abroad a number of innovations in regard to zoological gardens and parks came under my notice, and of these auite the most interesting was ASKANTYA NOVA. The Rakovsky State Zoological Park at Askaniya Nova is a Russian experiment in zoological research. The investigations carried on there have attracted the attention of eminent zoologists all over the world, and Dr. Julian Huxley, the director of the Zoological Society of London, advised me strongly to include Askaniya Nova in my itinerary. This famous State preserve is located in the south of Russia, not far from the Black Sea. It occupies an area of roughly a hundred thousand acres; ten thousand acres represent the Dorenburg State Farm, and the rest is administered as a scientific zoologica] park. It is the function of the park to acclimatize, domesticate and propagate useful animals, in particular those accustomed to the Steppe climate. The Askaniya Steppe is the last surviving piece of a huge desert which in the 17th to 18th century stretched across the entire south of the Ukraine from the Dnieper to the Sivash and the Black Sea. The rainfall here is scanty and unreliable, similar to the inland districts of Australia. In 1934 only seven inches were registered ; in 1933, however, the rainfall was twenty- four inches. The former owner of Askaniya, Count F. E. Faltz-Fein, a wealthy sheep breeder, laid the foundations back in the eighties of the past century for the acclimatizing zoological park, which was to have been, and is, the only one of its kind in the world. Sparing neither effort nor money, he constantly expanded it, experimented in the acclimatization of mammals and birds from every part of the world. and improved the breed of domestic cattle by crossing them with wild species. He succeeded in acclimatizing the zebra, buffalo, Mongolian wild horse. Corsican wild goat (moufflon), African and Indian antelopes, llamas, kangaroos, emus, etc. Experiments were made in crossing the zebra with the domesticated horse, the bison with the Ukrainian cattle, the moufflon with the Rambouillet sheep. The zebroid which he produced combined the power and endurance of the zebra with the best features of the horse. In the botanical park, developed through tremendous efforts with artesian irrigation. the rarest birds were kept amongst the specially planted trees and shrubs. and in addition numerous wild fowl have been attracted from the marshes of the Dnieper and the Don; also other native birds, of which a beautiful little falcon, the hobby (Falco subbuteo), is most numerous. We arrived early one morning at the village of Kharkovna, the landing place from which Askaniya Nova is reached, after a ten hours’ journey by river steamer from the famous Dnieproges Dam. The car which had been ordered to take us to the preserve, owing to a misunderstanding, had not been sent, and we had to spend many weary hours waiting, first on the wharf. and later at the Gastinitza (village inn) while our guide made strenuous efforts to procure a conveyance. Such an unusual occurrence as foreigners at Kharkovna attracted considerable attention, and so it was not long before we were surrounded by a crowd of wharf labourers, one of whom spoke German. He came from the German Republic on the Volga, to which his ancestors emigrated during the reign of Katherine the Great, one hundred and fifty years ago. I encountered these Volga Germans in many out of the way parts of the U.S.S.R., and having a knowledge of German, I was often helped out of a tight corner by them. It was not until the afternoon that we secured a very old motor bus, and were soon travelling over the Steppe. It was a hot summer day, and mirages appeared on the horizon : the vast plain, flat as a billiard table, seemed utterly devoid of human habitation. Ina couple of hours we reached our destination, all covered with the fine dust of the Steppe. 20 On the way we passed the Dorenburg state farm, with tractors at work preparing the ground for the autumn sowing. As we approached the village we observed a number of American buffaloes grazing on the dry Steppe vegetation. Like all south Russian villages, Askaniya Nova consists of one long straggling street, on both sides of which nestle the one-storied houses of the Administration. Everyone living in Askaniya Nova has some connection with the work that is carried on there. The Manor House, where Faltz-Fein so often entertained his many distinguished guests, has now been converted into offices and quarters for some of the forty scientists who are on the staff. There is an up-to-date laboratory and a museum; the latter, started by Faltz-Fein, contains a good collection of the animal and bird life of Russia, as well as numerous specimens from other countries. Particularly interesting, and perhaps unique in the world, was the collection of hybrids produced on this estate over a period of fifty years. Adjoining the outer walls of the main buildings are huge bird cages where rare pheasants, guinea fowl, etc., are housed. Beyond is a large park or botanical garden 1,100 acres in extent, with artificial lakes and ponds. Many ducks, geese, swans, flamingos and cranes have been introduced. Twice daily food is left near the ponds, and the birds have become remarkably tame. The keeper is an old woman who has been employed there all her life and has an intimate knowledge of the breeding habits of the birds. The Australian fauna was represented by emus, black swans, wallabies and kangaroos. Although the temperature drops to —40° Fahr., the emu can exist in the open. Kangaroos, however, do not stand the cold as well. and have to be taken inside when the temperature drops to 21° Fahr. Emus are being bred with the object of liberating them in Turkestan, where the climatic conditions approximate those of our inland areas, except that it is colder in winter. The black swans adhere to their Australian winter breeding season like all birds taken from the southern to the northern hemisphere, and the unusual sight of a black swan nesting in the snow aroused considerable interest. Beyond the park is a large enclosure of 1,500 acres, securely fenced, where herds of antelopes, such as gnus, nilgais and elands, also llamas and other animals, roam and live under almost natural conditions, somewhat similar to what I have seen at Whipsnade, near London. They breed readily, a sure sign that conditions are favourable. From a high staging erected near the fence the animals could be observed and studied at leisure. I was told that Faltz-Fein, who loved his wild animals, would often spend the night there so as to see the animals feeding at the break of dawn. Out-stations dealing with some particular phase of the work are placed in different parts of this reserve, where wells have been sunk to ensure a regular supply of water. Nearest to the village is the piggery ; then come the cattle sheds, and further out on the plain the antelope and zebra enclosures, and some ten miles from the homestead the sheep pens. Travelling out to these stations we noticed herds of buffalo, Indian antelope and Przewalski’s wild horse. It would be tedious to enumerate all the different hybrids evolved, so I shall mention only a few of the most outstanding successes. The Arabian zebu has been used very extensively in their experiments. as its milk has a high percentage of fat (7% to 8%), whereas the domestic cow has only 3% to 34%. The hybrid cow, galva, progeny of Ukrainian cattle sire and zebu dam. gives 14 to 16 litres a day, with a percentage of butter fat of 4-8 to 5-8. Others crossed were the American bison and zebu, American bison and Ukrainian cow, Ukrainian bull and European bison.