480 Northern Diver, Redbreast. 



present members, for the purpose of reviving the Society, 

 balloting for new members, fixing upon the prize question, 

 and other effective business. 



I ought to observe, that the Society consists of three classes 

 of members, according to its regulations, of which I procured 

 a copy from the treasurer ; viz. : — 



Resident members, " who reside in the metropolis, or within 

 seven miles thereof." 



Corresponding members, " who reside at a greater distance 

 from the metropolis than seven miles ;" and 



Honorary members, " who are persons eminent in mete- 

 orology, or sciences connected therewith." 



It is very desirable that so eligible an opportunity of esta- 

 blishing a cooperative system of meteorological observations 

 should be embraced without delay; and, therefore, I san- 

 guinely hope that every meteorologist, at what distance soever 

 he may be placed from the metropolis (and the more nume- 

 rously stations, in every portion of the habitable globe, can be 

 established, the more desirable), will lose no time in forward- 

 ing his intention of becoming a member. — W. H. White. 

 Old Kent Road, Aug. 16. 1836. 



Art. XI. Short Communications. 



Birds. — The Northern Diver. — I am much inclined to think 

 that this is more common on the south coast than is generally 

 supposed : I saw many in Mount's Bay and Falmouth Har- 

 bour in May, 1834. On about May 10. 1836, one was taken 

 in a fishing net near this place. — T. S. Martin. Seaton, near 

 Axminster, Devonshire, June 18. 1836. 



An individual of the immer, or great doucker, or ember 

 goose (Colymbus Tmmer Lin.), was taken, a few days ago, 

 near the mouth of the Ystwith, at Aberystwith, in a net, at 

 night, in company with a fine salmon. The kind had never 

 before been seen in these parts. When alive, it weighed near 

 14 lb., and made a shrill noise, like the wail of a person in 

 distress. It was savage in its nature, and seized with its strong 

 bill on the feet or lower garments of any person who ap- 

 proached it, leaping up at him. (Quoted in the Worcester 

 Herald of Nov. 30. 1833, from the Salopian Journal.) 



The Daring of Birds on Account of their Young or their 

 Eggs (VIII. 504— 508); an Instance in the Robin, or Red- 

 breast, on Account of its Eggs. — I perfectly agree with Mr. 

 J. D. Salmon (VIII. 504.), that questions like that " treated 

 of in VII. 483, 484., can only be satisfactorily answered by 



