32 The Irish Naturalist. February, 



" OURSELVES." 



It is with much regret that wc record the resignation 

 from the editorial staff of this magazine of Robert Patterson, 

 F.L.S., who feels that the increase of work in which he is 

 now engaged will prevent him from continuing that help 

 which he has afforded us for eight years past. The colleague- 

 ship of an Ulster naturalist has become necessary for our 

 healthy development, and we have the greatest satisfaction 

 in announcing that Robert Welch, M.R.I. A., President of 

 the Belfast Naturalists' Field Club, is henceforth one of 

 " Ourselves." 



NEW GLEANINGS. 



The National Museum. 



R. Southern, who has been since 1905 Assistant in the Natural 

 History division of the National Museum, is now transferring his activities 

 to the Irish Fisheries Office, where he will work as Assistant Naturalist. 

 A vacancy on the staff of the Museum thus arises, and we understand 

 that the new officer will be expected, on his appointment, to devote most 

 of his time to the insect collections. 



IHISH SOCIETIES. 



KOYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Recent gifts include a Lion Cub, three young Leopards, a Serval, and 

 two Caracals from Mr. Murphy, a pair of Jerboas from Lady Constance 

 Britten, a Crowned Crane from Mr. W. C. F. Robertson, a Carolina Drake 

 from the Kew Botanic Gardens, a Sanderling from Miss Burne, four 

 Peafowl from Mr. J. C. Johnston, and a pair of Cygnets from Mr. W. M. 

 Murphy. An especially valuable collection of New Zealand birds have 

 been presented by the Government of that Dominion, through the kind 

 offices of Lord Plunket, comprising two Owen's Kiwis, two Keas (sheep- 

 eating Parrots), three Weka Rails, four Grey Geese, and five Paradise 

 Geese. 



The Society has lately issued an Index to the Minutes of the Council 

 from 1830 to the end of 1907. This inde.x forms a neat pamphlet of 96 

 pages, and a glance through its entries enables the reader to estimate 

 the dates of many new buildings and improvements in the Gardens, and 

 of the receipt of famous animals. In a short preface, the Hon. Secretary, 

 Dr. R. F. Scharfi, states that the compilation of this index has been 

 carried out by Miss C. S. Cree during the past three years. 



