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gratifying to find that this undertaking is regarded with considerable interest 

 in literary circles ; not only will the Hereford Mappa Mundi find a place in the 

 mansions of the rich, but in many public and free libraries in our large towns 

 will this work also be found. The promoters feel confident that within another 

 year they will complete the publication in the most satisfactory manner (applause). 

 Two sections of the map, representing the half of it, in full size, fac simile, 

 were exhibited to the meeting, and were much approved. 



RARE BIRDS. 



BY MR. JAMES W. LLOYD, OF KINGTON. 



The following rare birds were exhibited to the meeting : 



PHALAKOPDS Lobatus, the Grey Phalarope, two specimens that were shot 

 at Bexhill, near St. Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex, Sept. 19th, 1866. During the 

 autumn of that year an unusual number of these pretty birds visited this 

 country, especially the southern counties. It is recorded that no less than 225 

 specimens were shot during the month of September. The cause of this great 

 influx is supposed to have been the severe gales which prevailed during that 

 month, when icebergs came further south than had ever been known before. 

 A few instances of their occurrence in inland counties is recorded, one being in 

 our own neighbourhood, a specimen having been shot by the gamekeeper of W. 

 de "Winton, Esq., on his grouse moors in Radnorshire. The bird was swimming 

 and diving in an artificial dam near some dwelling-houses. 



Sturnus Lddoviciands, Linn. (Alauda magna, "Wilson) the American 

 Meadow Starling, or, as it is more commonly called, " Meadow Lark." This 

 interesting bird was killed by a man when snipe shooting close to the town of 

 Cheltenham, about the year 1840, when it rose from a boggy place. According 

 to the Editor of The Field it is one of only three instances in which this bird is 

 known to have appeared in England, and the first — for the others are recorded 

 by Mr. P. L. Sclater in The Ibis for 1861, one being killed at Thrandeston, in 

 Suffolk, and the other at Walsham, in Norfolk. 



This bird is a very well known species in the United States and Canada, 

 where it is called the " Meadow Lark," from its resemblance to a lark in its 

 actions and habits. It has, however, nothing to do with this family of birds, 

 but is an aberrant form of the Icteridre or hang nests ; its structure being 

 modified to adapt it for terrestrial habits. Tt is a curious compound of many 

 widely different families. With the bill and feet of a starling, it has the rounded 



