SECTIONAL SECRETARIES’ REPORTS. 
The following reports and records of the various subjects 
dealt with at the lectures and field meetings during the past 
Session have been kindly provided by the Honorary Secretaries 
of the Sections :— 
BOTANICAL SECTION. 
During the past year there have been eight Excursions on which 
Botanical study has been the main feature of the expeditions, though, 
of course, almost all the Excursions offered opportunities to the Botanical 
student. Several new districts, so far as this Society is concerned, have 
been visited, and have amply justified the Committee’s selection. 
Two evenings during the winter months were allocated to this 
Section. Owing to the illness of an appointed lectnrer in one of the 
other Sections, this evening also was filled by the Botanical Section. 
Mr. T. E. Miln, at very short notice. undertook the task, but the very care- 
ful preparation that was manifest not only in the admirable lecture itself, 
but also by the illustrative and original photographs, indicated that the 
subject had been occupying the lecturer’s thoughts for some consider- 
able time. Both the other lectures were also well illustrated by lantern 
slides, and delivered to good and appreciative audiences. 
Members of this Section have, as usual, considerably helped im 
maintaining the exhibit at the Museum, under the charge of the Curator, 
ot fresh specimens of the local flora, 
ZOOLOGICAL SECTION. 
Gulls and other Sea-birds which frequent the Dee, and their 
Breeding Haunts. 
By the Curator (AtFrrRED Newsteap, F.E.S.) 
Illustrations of the summer homes of several species of Gulls were 
shown and referred to as indicating the reasons for the total absence 
of certain species, and the scarcity of others which frequented the Dee 
during the summer months. In the immature stages they were to be 
seen, more or less, all the year through, and the return of the adults 
with their young in the autumn shewed that their nesting labours were 
at an end until the following spring. 
Other sea-birds dealt with as casual visitors included Guillemots, 
Razorbills, Fulmar Petrel, Terns, Shags, and Cormorants. In each case 
the nesting sites were illustrated by lantern slides. The lecturer stated 
that it was common knowledge to ornithologists that the occurrence of 
these birds inland—which live almost exclusively on the sea coasts and 
the open seas—was the result of being storm-driven. 
The seasonal changes in the plumage of adults and of immature 
birds was referred to as an exceedingly interesting subject. Further- 
more, the specific characters of the adults and immature stages were 
discussed, special reference being made to the more obscure and closely 
allied forms of the Laride. 
The tide and its influence on sea-birds in general was also dealt 
with, and the occurrence of the truly oceanic species in remote inland 
districts was also explained. 
The following are the principal zoological records which were sub- 
mitted at the meeting held on Thursday, the 15th of February, 1912- 
Those bearing the initials S. G. C. are by Mr. Sidney G. Cummings, and 
A. N. by the Curator (Mr. Alfred Newstead), respectively. Notes were 
also contributed by the Chairman (Dr. W. Henry Dobie) Messrs. J, Arkle 
and J. Thompson. 
Grey Wagtail (Motacilla melanope), at the Bache, 16th January, 1911; 
one singing on 24th March; and another seen on 23rd October at 
the same place. (S.G.C.) 
