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17 
ZOOLOGICAL SECTION. 
On some British Birds. 
By the Curator (ALFRED NEWSTEAD, F.E.S.) 
Sketch Maps of the British Isles and the Continent of Europe, 
illustrating the subject of migration in the spring and summer, were 
shewn. ra 
The lecturer confined lis remarks to birds on the British list, 
stating that a variable migration of all birds was in force, more or less, 
throughout the year. Of which (1) a large number regularly visited the 
British Isles from the east and south, returning in the autumn. 
(2) Birds which stayed for a short time on their way to the extreme 
north, where they nested; and (3) those birds whieh were recognised as 
permanent residents (Rooks, Starlings, Plovers, etc.) The meaning of the 
word resident is obvious. Nevertheless, it is not intended to indicate 
that the last-named group of birds never wandered from the country 
in which they lived. Usually in the spring and autumn, intermigration 
takes place. 
Some perching, climbing, wading, and swimming birds in their 
natural haunts, were illustrated by photographs. The structural 
characters and forms were illustrated by sketches, and described 
as indicating the perfect adaptation of the various species to the 
particular lives they lead. 
A series of photographs uf the Life-cycle of the Cuckoo and its 
distinctive habits afforded interest. Some observations of a young 
Cuckoo in a Robin’s nest were given, of which the defensive attitudes it 
assumed when approached were described as being both characteristic 
and remarkable. 
The Common Gull and some of its Nesting haunts. 
By the Curator (ALFRED NEWSTEAD, F.E.S.) 
By the aid of illustrations of the summer and winter distribution 
of the Common Gull in Europe, it was remarked that the cause for its 
scarcity in some localities, and total absence in others south of 
52° N. lat.—that is to say South of Ireland—was due to the breeding- 
range not occurring south of the latitude named. Immature and a few 
adult birds, however, frequented the sea coasts and rivers during the 
nesting season, from April to July, or thereabouts. In August, or 
during the latter half of July, the majority abandoned their nesting 
haunts for the south; occurring on the coasts, rivers, and meres, etc., as 
far as the Nile Valley and the Persian Gulf. Three nesting colonies in 
Denmark; one near the sea shore, one on the Islet of a lake, and a 
third’ in a nursery Fir plantation: Nests, eggs, and young of different 
ages, were also illustrated by photographs. The seasonal changes in the 
plumage of adult birds, and the developmental stages of the plumage of 
immature birds, afforded an interesting subject. Photographs were 
shewn of the parents brooding and teaching the young to feed, by 
regurgitating the partly digested food from the crop, and placing it in 
front of their young. Thanks were given to Mr. Carl Rubow, of 
Copenhagen, for very kindly sending a number of photographs, all taken 
from life, to illustrate this lecture. 
At a meeting held on Thursday, January 16th, 1913, the principal 
Zoological records were given by the following: - Those bearing the 
initials J. A. by Mr. J. Arkle; S. G. C. by Mr. S. G. Cummings ; 
