53 



to Cobham, and from thence the walk was to the Black Pond at 

 Esher, and back to the train at Oxshott Station. I have no records 

 of captures except that of Semioscopus avellanella. Tea was obtained 

 at Packham's, just outside Surbiton Station, at which about a dozen 

 members and friends sat down, all having enjoyed the early ramble 

 in full sunshine. 



APRIL 13th, 1916. 



Mr. F. W. Frohawk gave a lecture on the " Flight of Birds," 

 exhibiting a number of preserved skins in illustration of his 

 remarks. 



The following is a short resume :- — 



" Before referring to the different modes of flight, allusion may 

 be made to the difference of the wing area in comparison to the 

 weights of birds, which vary considerably in this respect, consequently 

 the strength and bulk of the pectoral muscles vary accordingly to 

 correspond with the different types of birds. The formation of the 

 wings likewise varies enormously in different species ; in some, like 

 the falcon and swift, they are long, narrow, and pointed, while in 

 others like the pheasant and partridge the wings are short and 

 rounded. But it is not birds with the greatest wing area which are 

 always possessed with the greatest speed, as very frequently we find 

 the reverse ; for instance, heavily built birds with conspicuously 

 small wings, like guillemots, divers, and ducks, are capable of 

 attaining tremendous speed ; the teal has been proved to fly at the 

 enormous velocity of 150 miles an hour. On the other hand gulls, 

 terns, and owls, with great wing area, although adapted for long 

 sustained flight, are comparatively slow. The following table will 

 convey an idea of the comparative weight with the wing area in 

 certain species: — 



