There has been a suggestion made as to possible excava- 

 tions on the site of " Melandra " Castle in this County : this 

 matter is under discussion, Ijut so far it has not been 

 possible to arrange for the work to begin. 



The Archncological Survey of the County is jiroceeding 

 under the skilled supervision of Mr. John Ward. Upon this 

 subject Mr. \Vard will shortly issue a circular asking the 

 co-operation of members in their own neighbourhood. 



Last Winter and this have been so mild that one did 

 not expect to chronicle instances of visits from unusual 

 birds : it will be interesting to our naturalists therefore, to 

 know that last year we were favoured by visits from three 

 varieties of birds for the first time, as far as I am aware. 



In February, 1898, a specimen of the Rotche or Little 

 Auk was shot on the Trent ; in May, a Black Cormorant 

 appeared, and paid the penalty in the same neighbourhood ; 

 and in September, just outside Derby, two Spotted Crakes 

 made their appearance, these latter were young, so one 

 might almost hope they had been bred in this County. 



Another unusual visitor, a Stag Beetle, turned up also 

 last year at Chaddesden. 



It may be mentioned also that a few years back the 

 Quail nested hi Derbyshire, I believe for the first time on 

 record. 



Your Hon. Sec. will be very glad always to receive infor- 

 mation of the appearance of any bird out of the common 

 in the County. 



Our obituary for the past year includes one Vice-President, 

 Lord Vernon, an original member of this Society, and one 



