Birds of a feather: a century of austral ornithology

On this hundredth anniversary of the leading ornithological journal of our region, it is time to celebrate and reflect on our achievements. This special issue of the Emu begins with a scene-setting paper that presents an historical perspective on the progress of the journal via a retrospective of twentieth-century concerns and trends and follows with six reviews that look back to past research in a particular field and forward to directions for the 21st century. The very first issue of the ‘magazine ’ of the newly formed Australasian Ornithologists’ Union spanned two years (1901–12). Its objective was stated as: ‘The Emu (with the motto “Birds of a feather”) is intended to be “an outward and visible sign ” of union, and should prove of value in the good cause. It will provide a recognized means of intercommunication between all interested in ornithology, whatever their branch of that study may be, and afford all an opportunity of recording facts and valuable observations, and of giving publicity to those and their own deductions. Thus bird students will be kept in touch with one another, original study will be aided, and an Australian want supplied. ’ (Anon. 1901, p. 5). These words may have dated in style but not in sentiment: the journal is still open to all for the common good, including that of the birds.