NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 75 



Greater Black-backed Gull, Larus marinus. Linnaeus. 

 Not uncommon. 



Lesser Black-backed Gull, Larus fuscus. Linnaeus. 

 An abundant species. 



In the foregoing list are included 168 species; but of those 

 several must be struck off if we confine ourselves to a list of the 

 birds which may now be met with. Many species which were at 

 one time common are now never seen, and are quite unknown in 

 the district. 



Hawks of nearly all kinds are on the decrease. The Osprey, 

 Hobby, and Kite we can scarcely again expect to see on the 

 banks of Loch Lomond. On the other hand, some of the smaller 

 birds are increasing in numbers as plantations get up. Blackbirds 

 and Thrushes are decidedly more common than they were at one 

 time, and all the species of warblers are gaining ground. 



The above notes have been put together only as an outline of 

 what I hope may some day be made a more complete paper. 

 Local lists are always of interest, especially from such places as 

 the present, which, from its position, includes both highland and 

 lowland species, and although an inland district, has its full 

 complement of sea birds and wild fowl. 



III.— On the Honey Bee. By Mr R. J. Bennett. 



It is well known that throughout Britain thousands of stocks 

 of Honey Bees perish every winter from starvation, or if they 

 survive the early months, it is only to succumb during March 

 or April. To the natural question as to the reason of this, the 

 answer is simply that our bee-keepers lack knowledge, and 

 there can be no success where there is not a proper understand- 

 ing of the natural history and habits of the Bees, and a 

 knowledge of the unmistakable laws by which they are governed. 



I propose, then, to ask your attention, while, with the 

 specimens before you, I try to explain the best method of 

 cultivating and protecting this useful and industrious insect. 



It is a singular fact that the best forms of government exist 

 among the lower orders of the animal creation. Amongst the 



