1909. r; 



IRISH SOCIETIES. 



ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Recent gifts include a Kestrel from Mr. J. C. Gardiner, a vSiamese Cat 

 from Lady Constance Butler, a Badger from Sir Anthony Weldon, a 

 Wood Pigeon from Mr. W. \V. Despard, and a Red and Yellow Macaw 

 from ]Mr. R. Casement. 



Among animals lately acquired by exchange are a young Llama, a 

 Tibetan Yak, two North American Yulpine Squirrels, and two Canadian 

 Black Bear cubs. The latter are both well-grown, and one is of the 

 '•cinnamon " variety. The Yak, a most valuable addition to the collection, 

 is temporarily lodged in the Elephant House. A most interesting feature 

 in the Gardens at present is the new location of the pair of Otters in one 

 end of the large seal pond, where they enjoy a great degree of liberty. 



Dkckmbkr 9. — A public meeting was held in the Lecture Theatre, 

 Leinster House (by kind permission of the Council of the Royal Dublin 

 vSociety"), W. K. PeebIvES (Yice-Presideut) in the chair. Prof. G. H. 

 Carpenter lectured to a large audience on " Our P'riends in the Monkey 

 House," indicating the main divisions of the Primates and their pastand 

 present representatives in Phoenix Park. The lecture was illustrated by 

 a large series of lantern slides. 



BELFAST NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 



Octobf:r 28. — The annual conversazione was held in the People's 

 Palace, Donegall-road. Over 300 Club members and friends assembled 

 in the large central hall, where tea was served. 



In the Patterson INIuseum and the minor hall was shown a fine display 

 of scientific exhibits, mainly illustrative of the Club's work for the past 

 year. The value of the exhibits was much enhanced by the fact that 

 the exhibitors gave informal lecturettes to groups of visitors during the 

 evening. 



In the zoological section, F. BAI.FOUR Browne had a representative 

 collection of British and Irish water beetles ; N. H. FOSTER .showed 

 some rare Irish woodlice, including four species not known in Ireland 

 till the present year; J. Hamilton displayed an interesting case of 

 insects, and the Rev. W. F. Johnson had a fine exhibit of British insects. 

 X. Carrothers showed a clutch of night-jar's eggs, found by him in 

 County Down. James Orr exhibited a collection of the eggs of 

 domestic fowls, showing variation in size, shape, colour, &c. Among 

 the most popular exhibits was W. H. GalIvWAY's collection of living 

 marine animals, which were collected by him locally, and included fine 

 specimens of actinia, echinodermata, Crustacea, &c. 



