16 CHELTENHAM COLLEGE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, 
ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION. 
Prestdeme £22 os M. Tanner, Esq. 
Sacrpiage a en, © L. BRADDELL. 
SECTIONAL MEETING was held in October, 1893, at 
Thirlestaine Villa at which a paper was read by A. G. 
AG Gamgee on the “ Habits of some British Birds.” There 
were present Mr. Tanner, Mr, Cade, Mr. Scot-Skirving, 
oe 
Mr. Griffen and about thirty other members, 
On Saturday, October 27th, 1894, a Meeting was held at 
Thirlestaine Villa, at which 2 paper on “ Birds of Gloucestershire ” 
was read by W. L. Mellersh, Hisq.,‘0.C. In explaining the utility of 
many classes of birds he pointed out one instance in particular, that 
of the goldfinches, which, through being almost exterminated by bird- 
catchers, as many as 120 being caught in one day, are now unable to 
fulfil their ihtended work, which is to destroy the thistles by eating 
the seed. These birds used once to be very plentiful on Leck. 
hampton hill, now very few, if any, can be seen. The lecturer advised 
us to visit the museum at Bournemouth if we ever visited that place, 
as they have a very good collection of hawkes there, which are alone 
worth seeing. He told us that the Golden Oriole has visited this 
county, but owing to its destruction by collectors, this interesting 
bird has not been known to breed. Many birds, such as the jay, 
magpie, crow, Sparrow, and kestrel hawks were mentioned. After 
the paper a proposal was made by Mr. Tanner that the College 
collection of eges should be overhauled and renewed, which was 
met by Mr. Mellersh, Mr, Tanner then promising to give his own 
collection to the Museum. Besides Mr. Tanner, Mr. Cade, Mr. 
MacDonald, there were about 35 members present. 
NOTICES IN 1893. 
DATE. NAME OF EGG, LOCALITY. TAKEN By, 
March 25th .. Blackbird +. Pittville -» L.O.T Baines, 
April 2nd ., Redstart +» Battledown -» L. Braddell, 
