1922. Irish Sucienes. 47 



ranged into a rather wide variety of topics, including the question whether 

 differences in the autumnal tints of otherwise similar trees could be relied 

 on as racial characteristics. 



March 9. — The winter session concluded with a meeting devoted to 

 exhibits with a few short papers, the Vice-President (J. de W. Hindi) 

 in the Chair. Among the objects exhibited were a South American bird 

 {Cacicus persicus) with its pendent nest, contributed by Miss Denning ; two 

 nests of the Long-tailed Titmouse, shown by J. N. Halbert ; and some 

 clutches of eggs of the Irish Jay, Corn Bunting, and Bullfinch, shown 

 by G. R. Humphreys. The last-mentioned was remarkable as con- 

 sisting of six eggs, a number that Mr. Ussher states (" Birds of Ireland," 

 p. 69) that he has not known to be laid by the Bullfinch in Ireland. Mr. 

 Humphreys mentioned that many species of birds laid larger clutches in 

 Co. Wicklow than elsewhere in this country. R. LI. Praeger exhibited 

 sprays of a large number of species of the genus Olearia (Daisy Tree) 

 and explained their curious equipment for the conservation of moisture. 

 Mr. Hinch showed an interesting series of Irish copper and other ores. 

 Of the papers read, that on the " Bird-Life of Dublin City," by A. 

 Harrison, which gave rise to some interesting discussion, is given 

 to our readers in extenso. A short paper on some habits of the Red 

 Admiral and Painted Lady butterflies was contributed by C. B. Moffat, 

 who described a series of conflicts he had witnessed among insects of these 

 two species on the summit of a Co. Wexford hiU on many days during 

 June, 1920. Some other items in the programme were held over owing 

 to the lateness of the hour. 



NEWS GLEANINGS. 



THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



Dr. R. F. Scharff has lately resigned the Keepership of the Natural 

 History division of the Nat.onal Museum, after thirty-eight years' service. 

 The development of the collections — both in the exhibited series and in 

 the study cabinets — -has been his constant care, and the Museum in its 

 present condition is a monument to his zeal and energy. It is hard to 

 over-estimate how much the study of natural history throughout Ireland 

 owes to his work and influence. 



We are glad to state that the vacant post has been filled by the pro- 

 motion of Mr. A. R. Nichols, whose long and valuable service for the 

 Museum is thus suitably acknowledged. 



