1 20 Transactions of the [Sess. 



fibres between her talons, raises them up, and by that means separates them ; 

 having done this, slie afterwards cuts tliem."' ^ 



On a recent visit to Kenilwortli, I found a young relative very- 

 busy in the observation of the habits and instincts of Wasps. He took 

 me into his study, consisting of a disused loft, telling me at the same 

 time to be rather careful what I touched. There I saw many nests 

 in full work, the insects passing to and fro through an open window; 

 and three different species of British Wasps were fully explained and 

 exhibited. One large and beautifully constructed nest was suspended 

 from a beam ; another was in a basket ; a third was in its casing of 

 clay ; and a fourth, which had been accidentally broken, was in process 

 of being restored by the joint efforts of the student and the insects. 

 He took from a nest and placed in my hand a male Wasp, which, like 

 the male Bee, has no sting, and explained to me how it was distin- 

 guished from the females and workers by its peculiar and beautiful 

 antennae. He was about to remove to his loft the same evening a 

 populoiis nest from the thatch of a cottage, the old woman who 

 inhabited it being desirous of parting with her too numerous yellow 

 neighbours. I merely mention this as an instance that in the habits 

 of the most insignificant or most despised creatures we may find 

 something of interest. 



We have, during the past summer, had many enjoyable trips, 

 which I venture to assert were fully appreciated ; and few of us who 

 were there will forget the Snowdrop-day at Arniston, the Primrose- 

 days at North Berwick and West Linton, and. the Cowslips at Long- 

 Niddry. I am sure I am only expressing the general feelings of our 

 Club, when I mention our obligation to the noblemen and other 

 proprietors who kindly allow us to perambulate their domains ; and 

 foremost among these I would name a very kind friend to our Club, 

 Ilobert Dundas, Esq. of Arniston. It is our earnest desire, as I trust 

 it ever will be, to do no harm to any one, and not to exterminate 

 rare plants, but merely to take a few specimens. Indeed there is 

 one somewhat rare plant which we hope next summer to translate 

 to other localities. With these preliminary remarks I will now 

 proceed with my paper. 



The Hirundines, or Swallows, in which term I include also our 

 Martins and Swifts, though the latter are now generally known 

 under the designation Cy}}seU7ue, form a very interesting tribe of the 

 birds of these islands, and their habits and migrations have always 

 attracted much attention. We have four species, all common as 

 summer migrants — ^viz., the Swallow (Hirundo rustica) ; the House- 

 martin (llinmdo ur'bicd) ; the Sand-martin (Hirundo riparid) ; and 

 the Swift {Cypselus apus); and besides these, there is that very rare 



^ Wildman on Bees and Wasps. 



