132 The Irish Naturalist, June, 



John Brown, F.R.S., read a paper on *' The National Expenditure on 

 the Maintenance of Gulls." He referred to the destruction of herrings 

 by these birds, and, taking for his basis the hypothesis that each gull 

 ate 200 fry in one daj', it would, in the two months of which its play- 

 time lasted, said Mr. Brown, dispose of 12,000 fry. On the assumption 

 that if left alone these baby herrings would all have matured, and that 

 the average price of herrings on the pier is about £.\ per 1,000, the keep 

 of each gull for two months cost the nation £\2.. In the "play" of the 

 gulls, which the speaker described, there would be about 100 birds 

 engaged, and, supposing there were five "plays" per mile of coast, 

 taking the coasts of the three kingdoms and adjacent islands, but 

 omitting the smaller inlets, at 4,000 miles, they got a total of two 

 million birds, whose keep for two months in herrings would cost 

 twenty-four millions sterling!! They could hardly hope to extirpate 

 these predatory birds, but if the State were to give a halfpenny per head 

 for those destroyed, their number might at least be reduced. He quite 

 appreciated all that was said in the birds' favour, just as he appreciated 

 the glistening gracefulness of the snake or the striped beauty of the 

 tiger, but against this he had to take into consideration the great amount 

 of mischief which they wrought 



Professor Gregg Wilson said if the herrings were allowed to increase 

 unchecked, the sea would not be able to contain them, and, though he 

 would prefer that they should be eaten by more useful birds than gulls, 

 he was of opinion that gulls did not do nearly so much damage as might 

 appear at first sight. 



Professor Fitzgerald, and Messrs. Gray, Hamilton, and Fennell 

 spoke to the paper. Mr. Brown having replied to the discussion. 



The Hon. Secretary read the paper prepared by J. M'Kean on 

 " Blinking, or Ill-wishing," in the absence of the author. 



Professor Gregg Wilson, who was a delegate to the meeting of the 

 British Association last year, then gave an account of the business trans- 

 acted there. 



BELFAST NATUEALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 



April 19. — Annual general meeting. The President, W.J. Fennell, 

 M.R.I.A.I., in the chair; there was a large attendance of members. 



Nevin H. Foster read the annual report, which stated that, the 

 membership, which last year stood at 312, now numbered 353. Fifty- 

 three new members were elected during the year, while 12 names had 

 been removed from the list through death or other causes. Details o( 

 the past summer's excursions having been given, thanks were returned 

 to Lady Dunleath, Mr. James Bruce, D.L., and the Rev. INIichael Quinu 

 for facilities granted to members of the Club ; and to the President and 

 Mrs. Feunell for having entertained so hospitably at Ballywalter. The 



