Page:The Emu volume 3.djvu/7



third volume of The Emu is now complete. During the three years of its existence the career of the Australasian Ornithologists' Union has been one of steady and uninterrupted progress. Its success has been largely due to the support of those members who guaranteed subscriptions for the term named, who, it is to be hoped, will continue their invaluable help. In that case it may be possible to realize an aim the editors have had in view from the inception of The Emu—to give it a higher scientific tone, one more on a level with the highest class of ornithological magazines of the world. But to gain this end members must, as heretofore, give whole-hearted support by forwarding contributions, while not forgetting the very necessary subscriptions. According to the food (material aid) the natural Emu receives, so will its dress appear—lustrous or otherwise. The same with the literary Emu. What doings of the Austral Union this journal may yet record! Besides the primary plank—the scientific study of the avifauna—there are other great considerations well worthy of attention: traffic in birds, their wanton destruction, their national value, especially to the farmer, orchardist, &c, not to mention their aesthetic bearing, without which the sum total of human happiness can never be complete.