15G Miscellaneous. 



bited ; and upon the table there were several new kinds of roots, 

 including the new vegetable (Tropaohnn), &c., presented by Mr. 

 Kernan. After the usual discussion, the Meeting was adjourned 

 until the 16th March. 



March 16. — John E. Gray, Esq., F.U.S., President, in the Chair. 



The Curator delivered his second lecture on Roots, &c. to the 

 Members and their friends. The Society proceeded to ballot for Dr. 

 J. Streiten of Worcester, who was accordingly elected. The Secre- 

 tary announced that since the last Meeting the Society had received 

 from H. B. Fielding, Esq., of Stodday Lodge, near Lancaster, a valu- 

 able donation of plants from all parts of Europe, comprising upwards 

 of a thousand species, some of which were exhibited. A paper was 

 then read from J. Riley, Esq., of Nottingham, in answer to a paper 

 by Mr. White on the Hybridity of Ferns, which excited much inter- 

 est. Mr. D. Cooper exhibited and explained the principles of the 

 Endosmometer , after which the Society adjourned until April Gth. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



NOTES ON IRISH BIRDS. 



Kite. Milvus ictinus, Sav. — In the Magazine of Zoology and Bo- 

 tany, vol. ii. p. 171, this bird is mentioned as of doubtful occurrence in 

 Ireland ; but from what I have subsequently learned from the very 

 intelligent gamekeeper at Shanes Castle (the seat of Earl O'Neil, on 

 the borders of Lough Neagh), who, from having frequently taken 

 the species in Northamptonshire, is quite conversant with it, and de- 

 scribes it accurately, I have no doubt of its occasional appearance 

 in this country. He states that in cold weather (the season is not 

 remembered), about eight years ago, he saw a kite on two or three 

 occasions hovering over Glenarm Park (county of Antrim), and that 

 in March, 1835, his attention was called to a strange bird, which 

 appeared for three successive days in Shanes Castle park, and which 

 proved to be of this species. In both instances the forked tail served 

 for specific distinction : neither specimen was obtained. 



Tawny Owl. Ulula stridula, Selby (vide Mag. Zool. and Bot., 

 vol. ii. p. 179). — By the same person I am assured that an owl of 

 this species was killed within the last few years in Shanes Castle 

 park. Having served, in the capacity of game -keeper in England, 

 before coming to this country, he then became acquainted with this 

 bird, which was correctly described to me under the name of Brown 



