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Proceedings. Ixvii 
The locality also abounded in insect life, especially grass- 
hoppers and butterflies. One kind of grasshopper had bright 
red under wings, and was conspicuous in flight, but on alighting 
on a rock and folding its wings it became suddenly invisible, so 
much did its colour resemble that of the stone. Another made 
a loud hissing noise like an angry snake, or like clockwork 
running down. Among butterflies, two species of swallow-tails, 
“fritillaries, clouded yellows, blues, coppers, and others were 
plentiful; also the Apollo, of which specimens were exhibited. 
Another exhibit was a wasp living in small colonies in nests 
with exposed cells, and attached by a stalk to the face of rocks. 
The President remarked that the swallow-tail butterfly, which 
in Switzerland frequented the mountains, was in England only 
- found in the fens. 
November 28th.—In place of the Annual Soirée, which has 
been regularly held since the formation of the Club, the Com- 
mittee arranged for a lecture by Mr. R. Kearton, F.Z.8., on 
‘‘Haunts and Habits of British Birds.’’ This lecture, which 
was profusely illustrated by the beautiful photographs shown — 
upon the screen for which the Messrs. Kearton are renowned, was 
largely attended, and was greatly appreciated by the members 
and their friends. The following brief report is extracted from 
the ‘Croydon Advertiser ’ :— 
*« On Wednesday last, at the Public Hall, Mr. Richard Kearton, 
F.Z.8., gave avery interesting lecture on ‘The Haunts and 
Habits of British Birds,’ illustrated by photographs taken by 
himself and his brother, some of which were obtained under 
great difficulties and at considerable risk. He first showed a 
picture showing the special camera and the other apparatus used 
by them for taking pictures of birds on nests in situations difficult 
of access. He then called attention to the protective colouring 
and markings in the young of birds, especially of sea-birds, and 
showed how, when alarmed, they crouched down on shingle or 
sand, so as to be almost invisible. Then followed several pictures 
of gulls and gannets at rest and in flight, from photos taken at 
St. Kilda and the Faroe Islands, where he was assisted by the 
last living representative of the family of Grace Darling. He 
further gave pictures of sea-birds feeding and uttering their cries, 
illustrating same by giving specimens of the various calls of the 
birds. He also showed an eyrie of the osprey on Helen’s Island, 
in Scotland, where his brother succeeded in obtaining photo- 
graphs of the birds, after two hours’ patient waiting, immersed 
in the water. These included the birds perched on the trees, of 
one of the birds dropping down to its perch, and another illus- 
trating the down stroke of the wing when taking flight. Other 
photographs showed the devices they had to resort to to obtain 
