1904. 



P7'oceedi7igs of hish Societies. 51 



points was the very deeply-keeled sternum, or breastbone, possessed by 

 the great majority of species. This deep keel was to carry the enormously- 

 developed breast muscles^ which enabled a bird to fly and to remain on 

 the wing, it might be, for fifteen hours at a stretch, and to cover many 

 hundreds of miles in one sustained flight. Another very interesting point 

 in the bird's structure was the ingenious arrangement of the tendons of 

 the leg, by which the bird was able to retain its hold upon a branch 

 while asleep, and the more profoundly the bird slumbered the more 

 secure was its hold. The lecturer also referred to the feathers of birds, 

 which varied much, some being for warmth, some for flight, and some 

 for ornament, and touched upon the great and absorbing interest of the 

 bird to obtain food. Most of the small birds were good friends to the 

 farmer and gardener, as they destroyed myriads of insects, while the gulls 

 acted as splendid scavengers, clearing off" the decaying garbage that 

 would bring disease and plague to many a fishing village and seaside 

 town. The lecture, which was illustrated by a large number of lantern 

 slides, shown by Mr. A. R. Hogg, was listened to with great attention, and 

 at its close R. Welch and N. H.Foster referred to it in praiseworthy terms. 

 The names of two new members for the Society were put forward, and 

 the proceedings terminated. 



BoTANiCAi, Section. November 21. — The first meeting of the 

 Winter Session was held on the afternoon of Saturday, the 21st Novem- 

 ber, when Rev. C. H. Waddei^i., B.D., delivered the first of a series of 

 lectures on the Umbelliferce. DECEMBER 19 — W. H. PHii,i,iPS delivered 

 an address on Polystichnm angtdare var. proliferum, past and present. 



DUBLIN NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. I 



i 



January 12. — Annual General, Meeting— C. B. Moffat, B,A., in- 

 the chair. Eighteen members and visitors were present. The minutes 

 of the previous meeting having been read and signed. Dr. G. H. 

 PEThybridge (Hon. Sec), brought forward the changes in the rules of 

 which notice had been given. The Hon. Treasurer (H. K. Gore Cuthbert) 

 seconded the motion, which was passed. The Hon. Sec. then read the 

 annual report, and the Hon. Treasurer presented the balance sheet for 

 1903. Both were passed. 



The names of the Officers and Committee for 1904 nominated at the 

 December meeting were read, when Mr. Praeger rose on a point of 

 order and questioned the validity of the election, in as much as a section 

 of Rule 8 had not been observed, the names of the proposed Officers and 

 Committee not having been communicated to the members. The Hon^ 

 Sec. questioned the interpretation which Mr. Praeger had put upon the 

 rule. After a discussion in which the Hon. Treasurer and Mr. Roycroft 

 and Mr. Ellison took part, the Chairman ruled that the announcement 

 of officers might proceed, but that the decision on the point must rest 

 with the Committee, which would use the powers vestedT iri it Under 

 Rule 17. 



