I04 The Irish Naturalist. [April, 



Mr. H. J. Skymour read a short paper giving details as to the methods 

 to be followed by members of the Club who may compete for the special 

 prize which he has offered for " the best collection of microscopical 

 minerals obtained from sea-sands, river-gravels, or decomposed rocks in 

 Ireland." By means of a series of lantern slides he showed the best types 

 of localities for collecting material, the apparatus necessary, and the 

 method of working to be adopted. Drawings and lantern slides of some 

 of the rarer minerals found by him in sands were also exhibited. 



The President, Dr. Foord, Dr. C. J. Patten, and Dr. Alcock discussed 

 the paper. 



Dr. C. J. Patten (Hon. Sec.) brought on a communication on (a) The 

 Pigeons native to Ireland; (b) Alaclietes ptigjiax\ (c) Tringa arena7-ia. 



The general characters of the pigeon family were first indicated, after 

 which the different native species were dealt with, and distinguished by 

 the aid of mounted skins and series of lantern slides. Among the rare 

 forms may be mentioned Stock Dove, Turtle Dove, and Passenger 

 Pigeon. The last has only once been recorded from Ireland. The 

 geographical distribution of pigeons was referred to, also the descent of 

 the many varieties of domestic pigeons from one ancestral stock, the 

 Rock Dove. Note was also taken of the history of pigeons — their 

 domestication being traceable as far back as the 5th Egyptian dynasty in 

 3000 B.C. 



The general characters of the RufFwere next described, together with 

 the remarkable variation in size, according to sex. The plumage of the 

 male and female also differs very much in the breeding season. Lantern 

 slides, illustrating these remarks, and also the pugnacious habits of the 

 RuflF, were exhibited. Their occurrences about Dublin Bay as autumn 

 migrants were noted. 



The diminution and increase in numbers of the Sanderling in Dublin 

 Bay at different times of year and their change of plumage w^ere also 

 mentioned. The paper was fully illustrated with lantern slides and 

 stuffed specimens. Messrs. W. F. de V. Kane, J. E. Palmer, and Dr. 

 Alcock spoke on the paper. 



Mrs. D. R. Alcock and Mr. A, L. Otway were elected members of the 

 Club, and two candidates for membership were nominated. 



March 13.— The chair was taken by Mr. R. Liv. Praeger in the 

 absence of the President. Thirty-nine members and visitors were 

 present. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and signed. 



Mr. J. N. H ALBERT read a paper on "A New Water-mite from the 

 North of Ireland," which appears in extenso in the present number. 



Dr. Patten and Mr. Se)'mour spoke on the paper. 



Mr. R. Liv. Praeger read a paper on " Notes on Botanical Exploration 

 in 1899." His remarks were illustrated by a collection of dried plants. 

 This communication will shortly appear in the Irish Naturalist. The 

 paper was discussed by Mr. Seymour, Mr. Ellison, and Dr. Patten. 



Dr. C. J. Patten (Hon. Sec) read a short paper on the Grey Phala- 

 rope {Phalaropus fulicarius), which will be p\iblished in a subsequent 

 number. Mr. Halbert and Mr. Ellison spoke on the paper. 



