Occasional J^^otes. 55 



on the 3'oung Fiscal Shrikes are most interesting, and seem 

 to point to a good ca^e of a modification of hahit for the 

 purpose of conceahnent. Harold Fry. 



Rock House, Bertrainstowii, Johanuesburg-, 

 Mav 31, 1908. 



5. Marabou Stork and Flamingoes at Port Eliza- 

 beth. — The following may be of interest : — A Marabou Stork 

 ( L. crnmen'items) was shot yesterday at Cookhouse, within a 

 few miles of Port Elizabeth, on the bank of the Zwartkops 

 River. This I believe is a new locality. A big flock of 

 Flamingoes have been frequenting the same river, and have 

 approached within three or four miles of Port Elizabeth. 

 One was shot last month. They have appeared in this locality 

 during November and December for several years. 



F. AV. Fitz Simons, Director, Port Elizabeth Museum. 

 Port Elizabeth, Dec. IG, 1908. 



6. A Special Meeting to commemorate the fiftieth 

 Anniversary of the Foundation of the British Ornithologists' 

 Union was held in the Zoological Society's Rooms at 

 3 Hanover Square, on Wednesday the Hth December, 1908. 

 The agenda included — 



(i.) An Address by the President, 

 (ii.) A Short History of the Union and its Founders. 



By Dr. P. L. Sclater. 

 (iii.) Notices of the Life and Work of some of the 

 principal Members of the Union. By Mr. A. H. 

 Evans. 

 (iv.) The Presentation of Gold Medals to the Four 

 Surviving Original Members. 

 The Meeting was followed by a Dinner at the Trocadero 

 Restaurant, and an exhibition of Cinematograph photographs 

 of Bird-life. 



On behalf of the S. A. 0. U. the Secretary cabled to 

 Dr. Sclater on the morning of the 9th December : " South 

 Africans' hearty congratulations,^^ which has been acknow- 

 ledged by the B. 0. U. with warm thanks. 



