HOLMESDALK NATUHAT. HISTORY CLUB. 11 



ll^A December, 1874. — Subject, "Ornithology." The Secretary 

 exhibited a number of birds shot by himself in South Africa, com- 

 prising many rare and some undescribed species : amongst them was 

 a Spurvvinged Goose, from Basutu Land, which did not appear to be 

 the same as Plectopteris gamhensis, the only African Spurwinged 

 Goose hitherto described: the White Ibis (liis religiosa), which is 

 seldom found so far south as the Cape Colonies ; another, doubtfully 

 referable to the Glossy Ibis [1. falcinellus), and the Longtailed 

 Whydah-bird {Chera caffra), a very beautiful species ; the Sentry 

 Lark [Macronyx capensis), with a lovely orange-coloured throat ; two 

 very small Grebes, of an undetermined species ; the African Ox- 

 pecker [Bupliago capensis); Spectacled or Cape Penguin {Apteno- 

 dytes demersus) ; a Darter or Snake-bird [Plotits le-VaiUantii), a rare 

 bird, which swims under water, its long and vibrating neck only 

 e.vtended above the surface ; Parrots, Pigeons, Humming-birds, &c. 



Mr. Walter Webb exhibited a collection of Australian birds, 

 amongst which were the Black Swan {Cygnus atratus), from Western 

 Australia: Giant Kingfisher {Dacelo gigantea), there commonly 

 known as the " Laughing Jackass" or " Bushman's Clock"; a fine 

 species of Nightjar, called "More-pork"; a large blue Crane, called 

 the "Native Companion"; and a beautiful Duck, known as the 

 " Mountain Duck," generally found in company with the last; also 

 specimens of the Wandering Albatross {Diomedia exulans), fifteen 

 feet in expanse of wing, and two smaller species. 



There were exhibited, of native birds, a white Sparrow, pied Black- 

 bird, white Sky Lark, white Bunting, a Bohemian Waxwing, and 

 White's Thrush. 



Messrs. Turner and H. Crosfield showed collections of birds' 



%th January, 1875. — The Club held an open Microscopical 

 Meeting, which was well attended. A large number of microscopes 

 were brought by members and friends, and many highly interesting 

 objects were exhibited. 



