xvm 



Oedinaet Meeting, 16th Makch, 1892, at Hertford. 



John Hopkinson, Esq., F.L.S., F.G.S., etc.. President, in the 

 Chair. 



Mr. Thomas Benskin, 196, High Street, Watford; Mr. John 

 Larkin, Delrow, Aklenham ; Mr. Albert Eiggall, 3, Albert Terrace, 

 Watford; Mr. A. Sainsbiiry Verey, M.B., CM., Heronsgate, Rick- 

 mansworth ; and the Rev. John Wardale, M.A., Datchworth 

 Rectory, Stevenage, were proposed for membership of the Society. 



The following lecture was delivered : — 



" An Hour with the Microscope at a Pond Side." By F. W. 

 Phillips. 



The lecture was illustrated by illuminated drawings prepared by 

 the author. 



Ordinary Meeting, 18th March, 1892, at "Watford. 



John Hopkinson, Esq., E.L.S., E.G.S., etc.. President, in the 

 Chair. 



Miss Janet Archer, Mr. Thomas Benskin, Mr. John Larkin, Mr. 

 W. H. Lees, Mr. Albert Riggall, Mr. A. Sainsbury Verey, M.B., 

 CM , and the Rev. John Wardale, M.A., were elected Members of 

 the Society. 



The following papers were read : — 



1. " Report on the Rainfall in Hertfordshire in 1891." By the 

 President. {Transactions, Vol. VII, p. 53.) 



2. "Notes on Birds observed in Hertfordshire during the year 

 1891." By Henry Lewis. {Transactions, Vol. VII, p. 62.) 



Mr. RooPER said that it was genei*ally supposed that there was 

 only one hole in the nest of the long-tailed tit. If that were 

 the case the birds would be badly off for fresh air, but he had 

 discovered that there was a second hole in the nest, which, although 

 covered over, admitted of a free passage for air. Referring to 

 what he termed "the murder of the buzzard" in the county, 

 he said that if the bird were left alone it Avould breed here freely. 

 He remembered buzzards being quite common. 



Mr. Vaitghan Roberts remarked that buzzards were not so 

 uncommon in this country as was generally supposed. He saw 

 several at Barmouth last year, and was told by a local ornithologist 

 that they were common there. 



A discussion was commenced on a Scheme which had been pro- 

 posed for the Regulation of Bricket Wood Common, one of its 

 provisions being the sale and enclosure of considerable portions of 

 the Common in order to provide funds for obtaining an Act of 

 Parliament and for other expenses incident to the scheme. The 

 President opened the discussion with an explanation of the present 

 position and rights of the Lord of the Manor and the Copyholders ; 

 of the interest of the pubHc and especially of natui'alists in the 



