184 The Field Naturalist's Quarterly May 



Correspondence. 



The Duty of Field Clubs. — "The thanks of all members of field clubs 

 are due to the F. N. Q. for directing attention to this question, which in 

 my opinion is at the bottom of the want of success seen in some of these 

 societies. We are all agreed, I take it, that your editorial pointed out 

 a weak spot in directing our secretaries to try and give us more teaching 

 in scientific principles and less elaboration of minute detail. But there is 

 still another failing which was not referred to, but which I believe to be 

 a very common one in such clubs. Some may regard it as a virtue ; I 

 hold it to be an abuse of opportunities. I refer to the undoubted tend- 

 ency there is in field clubs to degenerate into mere picnic societies for 

 the enjoyment of a pleasant outing in the country amid pleasant scenery 

 — a sort of mere relaxation, in fact, from the ordinary routine of daily 

 work, where one meets a number of pleasant companions under attractive 

 circumstances. I do not for one moment imply that all field clubs organ- 

 ise their excursions on these lines — in many cases really good work is 

 done on these field days ; but the fact remains that the majority of those 

 attending in some clubs do so in the holiday-making spirit alone. I 

 have seen in several cases a new club formed in a town, exhibiting great 

 enthusiasm and energy for a season or two, and then dropping away into 

 the picnic stage. I enjoy a picnic as well as any one, but I do. not look 

 to my one scientific club to provide it. What is the remedy ? " — 

 "Another Field Naturalist." 



(We fear that our correspondent's complaint is only too well founded 

 in some cases, by no means in all. The remedy, in our opinion, is to 

 be found in what we advised previously — viz., interest the members in 

 the great things around them, and give less attention to the minutiae on 

 these occasions. — Ed. F. N. Q.) 



Spring Appearance of Adders in Scotland. — "The open weather of 

 the early spring months of this year has had the effect of bringing out 

 the adders from their hibernating quarters somewhat early. The Glas- 

 gow 'Citizen' of March 16 reports the capture of three adders on 

 Warbla Hill, Langholm, the largest measuring 2 i| inches, the other two 

 a little smaller." — David M. Muir, Crossmyloof, Glasgow. 



" I enclose an adder killed here to-day, February 20, — surely very 

 early for adders in Scotland. It is a male, 22 inches long." — J AS. 

 Bartholomew, Kinnelhead, Beattock. 



The Natural Attitude of Puffins. — "Whilst showing some snap-shot 

 photographs of puffins to two naturalist friends lately, they both noticed 

 the attitude taken up by the puffins. I have looked up several books, 

 and in all cases the plates represent the puffin as almost sitting on its 

 tail, which my photographs enclosed all show it does not do. I should 

 be glad to know what is the recognised attitude for the bird to take up, — 



