290 The Irish Natvralist, [December, 



Bird Song^s. 



I have observed the criticism on my " Dictionary of Bird Notes (p. 244), 

 and (althouf^h it may be somewhat unusual) I venture to say that I 

 quite agree with the critic's statement that it " cannot be pronounced 

 complete." My object in writing is to solicit aid in remedying its short- 

 comings : both by pointing out " notes" which may be given incorrectly 

 and supplying others which are not recorded. Any " aids to identifica- 

 tion without slaughter," in the way of manners and markings, easily 

 discernible when the birds are at large, will also be highly appreciated. 

 Dr. Patten's paper, read befoie the Dublin Naturalists' Field Club, and 

 printed in the October issue, is a step in this direction. 



Possibly some reader of the Irish Naturalist may be able to identify a 

 call which I have syllabled, " ku-ho" (hoarse and weird, reminding one 

 of a Heron). I heard this about a year ago uttered by some five or six 

 large birds flying high, and very fast, in a north-westerly direction. 



Chas. Louis He;tt. 

 Springfield, Brigg, Lincolnshire. 



PROCEEDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES. 



RovAiv Z001.0GICA1, Society. 



Recent gifts include a Sambur Deer-fawn from Viscount Powerscourt, 

 and Rainbow Trout from Mr. W. H. Armistead. Four Golden Agoutis 

 have been born in the Gardens, a pair of Cassowaries and a Curessow 

 purchased, 



11,043 persons visited the Gardens during October. 



Bei;fast NaturaIvISTs' Fiei.d Ci.ub. 

 November 2.— Opening Conversazione in the F'ree Librar}-. Tea 

 was served in the News Room. In the Grainger Room, Robert Pell had 

 a collection of fossil sponges on exhibition. H. L. Orr exhibited a 

 collection of land and fresh-water shells and some live lizards. John 

 Hamilton showed live toads and slow-worms. Many members visited 

 the Art Galleries, where the pictures of the Art Society were on exhibi- 

 tion. In the Reference Librar}-, Robert Welch displayed a large collec- 

 tion of shells collected this summer in County Kerry, as well as living 

 specimens of the Kerry Slug. On the same table the Hon. R. B. Dillon 

 had a fine collection of lepidoptera. G. P. Farran, of the Dublin Field 

 Club, exhibited a collection of shells from shell-pockets in West 

 Donegal, and F. J. Bigger exhibited living snails from the Grand Canal, 

 Venice. Arranged on screens at one end of the room was a large collec- 

 tion of photographs taken in Kerry by R. Welch, his studies of plant- 

 life being particularly fine. Rev. C. H. Waddell, B.D. (President of the 

 Club), exhibited a collection of Irish brambles, illustrating the many 

 varieties that may be found. Close to this M'as a collection of mounted 

 alg^ from the Antrim coast, exhibited by H. Hanna, B.Sc. The next 

 table was devoted to microscopy. Professor W. H. Thompson, M.D.j 



