SESSION 1896-97. Ixxiii 



overlying the gravel a bed of loam which he thought was de- 

 composed Boidder Clay. This gravel, therefore, was really part 

 of the Glacial Drift. It was highly permeable, water easily getting 

 through it. Although it was of Glacial age, it was not necessarily 

 of glacial origin, for during the period in which icy conditions 

 prevailed there were intervals of milder climate. 



After thanking the Earl of Verulam for his kindness the party 

 dispersed, a very pleasant and interesting afternoon having been 

 spent. 



Field Meeting, 19th June, 1897. 

 TRING PARK AND MUSEUM. 



The party assembled at the Zoological Museum which the Hon. 

 Walter Kothschild has established at Ti'ing on the confines of 

 Lord Rothschild's residence, Tring Park, and visited the Museum 

 by his permission, this day (a Saturday) not being one on which 

 it is open to the public. The meeting was under the management 

 of Mr. W. R. Carter, and the members were shown over the 

 Museum by the Director, Mr. E. Hartert. 



Several fine specimens of the Apteryx, a wingless bird from New 

 Zealand, first attracted attention. These birds are rather larger 

 than our domestic fowl, and lay an egg much larger than that of 

 a common turkey. A very much larger egg is of course that 

 of the ostrich. There is also a model of the egg of a Dmornis 

 with a replica skeleton of the bird accurately modelled from the 

 original. The ostrich is a survival from a gi'oup of gigantic birds, 

 some of which have been non-existent for many centuiies, and 

 several of these are here exhibited. 



Mr. Hartert then pointed out the aquatic bird section, comprising 

 such birds as the waders, cormorants, and gulls. Immediately 

 opposite these is a case containing the minor feathered denizens 

 of our woodlands and heaths, and near to them are the birds of the 

 hawk tribe, the beautiful plumage of the snowy owls being much 

 admired. Still richer and more important for study than the 

 stuffed birds is the large collection of bird-skins, which is kept 

 in two adjoining rooms. The monkeys attracted much attention. 

 A grand specimen of the gorilla figures prominently, and on his left 

 stands a still more hideous relative, the ourang-utan. Amongst 

 the smaller species the "howlers" are, perhaps, of most interest. 

 Travellers in South America are well acquainted with their un- 

 earthly vocal powers. Poor old Sally, for many years when alive 

 the centre of attraction in the Monkey House of the Zoological 

 Gardens, is here so realistically set up as almost to appear to live 

 again. 



Next were seen some of the predatory Mammalia — the lion of 

 the plains of Asia and Africa, and his crafty kinsman the Bengal 

 tiger, the jaguar, the puma or American lion, and the cheetah or 

 Indian hunting leopard. Amongst them is a wild cat, a creature 



VOL. IX. — PART VIII. F 



