io6 The Ottawa Naturalist. [July 



SOIREES. 



The sixth soiree was held in the Assembly Room of the Nor- 

 mal School on March iith, when Mr. W. E. Saunders, of London, 

 Ont., lectured on " Native Birds : their Characteristics and 

 Habits." The lecturer showed about 70 slides, which comprised 

 most of the better known birds of Canada. Many peculiarities of 

 these species were mentioned, and frequently the different families 

 were treated as a group ; the modifications of structure and habit 

 which fit them for their place in nature, were also explained. Par- 

 ticular attention was paid to the relation the various tribes and 

 species of birds bear to agriculture, and their influence on this im- 

 portant industry was deduced not only from their own direct 

 efforts but indirectly by their attitude towards other species of 

 birds and animals, both beneficial and injurious. The lecture was 

 illustrated by anecdotes which had come within the speaker's per- 

 sonal experience, and the audience enjoyed especially the imita- 

 tions of the various bird-songs and call-notes, some of which, 

 particularly the plain clear whistles, were very faithful to nature. 

 Deprecating mention was made of the enormous destruction which 

 had nearly exterminated some species of gull, terns and herons 

 on the Atlantic coast and in Florida, aud a short account given of 

 the methods which are now bsing employed to preserve the rem- 

 nant and, if possible, to restore them to something of their tormer 

 abundance. 



The last soirde of the season was held in the Assembly Room 

 ot the Y.M.C.A. on March i8th, when officers for the ensuing year 

 were elected, A paper entitled " Notes on the Arboretum at the 

 Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa," was read by Mr. W. T. 

 Macoun which is printed in this number of The Naturalist. 



