ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION. 17 
Since last year there have been three sectional meetings held. At 
the first meeting in November, at Thirlestaine Villa, Mr. Tanner read 
a paper entitled “A Plea for the Rooks and Small Birds.” The 
second meeting was held at Christowe, in February, when a paper 
was read by D. C. Webb on “ British Birds of Prey.” In March a 
very interesting meeting was held at Thirlestaine Villa, at which Mr. 
Cade read out the notes he had made during the past season on the 
song and habits of our common migratory and resident birds. 
Members who wish to compete for the prize this year should make 
a note of the earliest date on which an egg is found or a migratory 
bird seen, and the list should be given in either to the President or 
Secretary. Any observations made on the habits of various birds 
should also be kept, as these are really of more value than the actual 
finding of eggs. 
Webb and Braddell were the two members who competed for the 
prize and as nearly all the notices were gained by Webb, and no new 
eggs found, it is thought unnecessary to publish the list. The sectional 
prize was awarded to Webb, who obtained 48 notices. 
The subjoined is a list of the dates of arrival of our various 
migratory birds, for nearly all of which we are indebted to Mr. Cade. 
March 25 ... Chiff Chaff arrived. 
April14 —.... Sand Martin arrived. 
April 16 ... Swallow arrived. 
April18 ... Fieldfare departed. 
April 18 ~~... Willow Warble arrived. 
April 19 ... Wheatear arrived. 
April 20 ... Redstart arrived. 
April 23 —.... “House Martin arrived. 
April 25 ... Cuckoo arrived. 
April 25 ... Blackcap arrived. 
May 4 Swift arrived. 
May 4 ...Landrail arrived. 
May 5 .... Whitethroat arrived. 
May 7 ‘Tree Pipit arrived. 
May 7 .... Whincat arrived. 
May 9 .... Lesser Whitethroat arrived. 
May 17... Spotted Flycatcher arrived. 
May 18... Redbacked Shrike arrived. 
Sept. ro... Chiff Chaff departed. 
Oct. 12. ... Redwings arrived. 
Oct. 19  ... Fieldfares arrived, 
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