246 October, 



IRISH SOCIETIES. 



ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Recent gifts include a West African male Leopard from Major 

 Fairclougli, two Golden Carp from Miss E. Uttle, eight Perch from 

 Head-Constable M'Hugh, two Sparrow-hawks, a Long-eared Owl, and a 

 Barn Owl from Mr. W. W, Despard, two Bull-frogs from Dr. Trumbull, 

 a Parrakeet from Miss A. Hill, a Caspian Tortoise from Dr. O'Donnell, a 

 young Chimpanzee and two Paradoxures from Lieutenant Stanley, a 

 Moustache Monkey, three Austrian Squirrels, and two Malabar Squirrels 

 from Mr. J. W. Lentaigne, six Guinea-pigs from Sir Algernon Coote, 

 three Ground Squirrels from Mr. Pierce Mahon)'. Three Lion-cubs and 

 two Golden Agoutis have been born in the Gardens. A Sooty Monkey, 

 many Zebra Finches and Red Cardinal -finches, and a pair of Red-faced 

 Love Birds have been purchased. 



The young Chimpanzee is in excellent health, and attracts many 

 visitors to the Gardens. On fine da3's this little ape may be seen out in 

 the grounds, dressed in a costume of bright blue cloth trimmed with 

 yellow bands. Occasionally he drives abroad in the little pony carriage. 

 The young Elephant, " Padmahati," is very intelligent, and performs 

 many amusing tricks. One of the new ones is entitled " Dinner-time." 

 A properly-laid table is brought out, with a bell to ring for the different 

 courses ; and it is most amusing to see the superior manner in which, 

 when every crumb is cleared from the plate, the animal takes the plate 

 in its trunk and hands it to the keeper. 



All through the summer there have been a number of treats given to 

 the children of various schools and orphanages which are supported by 

 public subscriptions. The Society has as one of its rules, that schools 

 of this kind are admitted free to the Gardens, and the privilege is very 

 much appreciated. On September 20th, for example, the children of 

 the vSt. Joseph's Orphanage, Tivoli-road, Kingstowm, visited the Gardens. 

 It is always a pleasure to see these children enjoy themselves watching 

 the animals. 



BELFAST NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 



June it. — Ninety members and friends attended the second excursion 

 of the season to the Boyne Valley, arriving at Drogheda before 10 o'clock. 

 Brakes were taken for the drive to Dowth, New Grange, and Mellifont 

 Abbey, the antiquarian and architectural features of each being described 

 in detail by the President, W. J. Fennri^t^. M.R.I. A.I. Collections were 

 made in various branches of science ; forty-nine species of birds were 

 noted, and the President's prize for the best collection of flowering 

 plants was won by W. J. C. Tomlinson with ninety-one specie.*^. On 

 returning to Drogheda tea was served in the White Horse Hotel, and a 

 business meeting was held at which .seven new members were elected. 

 Belfast was reached at 9 o'clock. 



JuivY 2.— The third excursion was held, the place selected being 

 Ballycastle and Fair Head. Although the weather was broken, ninety- 



