WINTER WORK. 47 



the instict of animals, vanishes in my mind to a considerable 

 extent. It is improbable in the highest degree, that a flock 

 of birds all of the first year, should set off for a foreign land 

 alone, with no old ones in their company, who have been the 

 road before ; and therefore, I believe there are always plenty 

 in a flock to guide them. And if so, why should not birds 

 be able to travel about just the same as men ? But even 

 supposing for the sake of argument that such an improba- 

 bility as I have stated takes place, what then ? A flock of 

 birds feel the weather in their locality, getting too cold for 

 them. They do what a tribe of men might do, try to find a 

 warmer place. If they fly northwards, they only experience 

 colder winds, what should they do then but turn round to the 

 south ? In that direction they meet with warmer air, and are 

 beckoned continually on and on by more balmy breezes, until 

 they arrive in a locality which suits them, and there they wait 

 until they feel compelled by circumstances to go back again. 

 In short they act like reasonable beings as they are, I should 

 be glad if some one would take up the discussion of the 

 subject presently. 



I fear I have trespassed somewhat too much on your 

 attention, and must now draw to a close my desultory remarks. 

 I have simply tried to show what we may all do in what are 

 generally called the dreary months of winter, and I hope I 

 have proved that there is plenty of occupation both for mind 

 and body. 



We have received the "Fifth Annual Report of the Belfast 

 Naturalist's Field C//^5," containing the proceedings of this 

 energetic Society during the season of 1 867-68. The accounts 

 of the excursions are exceedingly interesting and instructive. 

 We heartily wish the Club continued success. 



Local Names. — It is desired to collect as many as possible of the local 

 names of British plants ; and the assistance is requested of aU who take 

 an interest in the subject, or who may have the opportunity of ascertaining 

 and recording them. Any list sent to Mr. James Beittes, High Wycombe, 

 or to Mr. Robert Holland, Mobberley, Kmitsford, will be thankfully 

 received and acknowledged. 



