The Chih Dinner. 63 



stipulating- that the only recog-nition lie could accept for any small 

 services he had been able to render the club (it had been, a 

 "labour of love" if such a term were permissable), was the 

 raising' of a sum of money to put the club's fHian:?es in an easier 

 position, as stated in the circular sent round. While fully appre- 

 ciating the members' kindness and the great honjui- conferred upon 

 him, he had a feeling of regret that money had lieen spent upon 

 swch an object, esi>ecially as the full sum stated on circular (£125) 

 was needed to make the Avorking of the club easy. At the same 

 time he gratefully accepted the beautiful address which had been 

 pneisented to him that night, and also the sentiment expressed. 

 Ho found himself utterly at a loss to express what he really felt, 

 and must ask the donors to accept a hearty English " thank you." 

 In regard to the work he had done for tlie club, ho must insist 

 that with him must be associated his colleagues during his term 

 of office, viz., ]\Irs. K. Leslie Miller, Messrs. S. JNl. Townsond, 

 TinniswooQ Miller, H. Wilford, the Magazine Committee, and Council 

 — ^also the work of his predecessors in the editorial chair — Mr. H. E. 

 Fillmer, Mr. H. Goodchild, and Dr. W. G. Creswell, all of whom 

 had contributed to the present day position of the Foreign Bird 

 Club. 



Seme of the suggestions made were as follows: — 

 That a series of meetings be held during the winter season 

 in some central position, and that a lecture and discussion on 

 avicultural topics form the basis of these gathei'ings. A collection 

 to be made at each to defray the necessary expenses, which would 

 be very small. It is hoped that members will communicate their 

 views to the Hon. Editor at once — suggesting time, locality, and 

 character — it is quite possible to arrange for one in late March or 

 April if such be done. 



That the meetings at the Zoo, commenced last year, be 

 Glontinued and extended in other directions as far as possible. 

 That every member be urged to secure another member, 

 so that the number required — about 400 — to comfortably meet the 

 needs of the club, be quickly attained; as unless the bulk and 

 illustrations of the Magazine were reduced, the amount representing 

 any shortage of that number, must be the total of an annual 

 'deficit I 



A permanent increase of our subscriptions was neither 

 necessary nor desirable — as above all it was desired that our member - 

 shi^J should be truly national. It was suggested l)y several that 

 the difficulty might be got over by each member paying the cost 

 of postage and distribution of the magazine, viz., Is. 9d. per 

 year, which would produce a sum of about £15 annually at 

 our present membership. It was also suggested that in the middle 

 of each y&ar, a small donation to the Illustration Fund be sent, 

 till such times as our membership reached the required 4 00. 



The character of the coloured plates w^as mooted, and the 



