19 



British Islands. Thus in 1814 a specimen was taken in 

 Somersetshire, another was taken in 1831 on the Thames, 

 another near Ipswich, and a fourth in November, 1839, in 

 the Isle of Purbeck, on the south side of Poole Harbour. 

 Its native countries are said to be Switzerland, Hungary, 

 and Turkey. It has also been found at the Cape and at 

 Madeira. 



The Pbesident (Major Cox) said he was sure all the 

 members present would agree with him that the Society 

 was very much indebted to Mr. Brent for the remarks he 

 had made and the able paper he had read on the Stork. 

 One reason, he (Major Cox) believed, why this bird did not 

 now breed in England was because it had beeu so constantly 

 and relentlessly persecuted. In the time of Henry VIII. a 

 fine was imposed on any one who took a stork's or a crane's 

 nest, and at Leeds Castle the tower is seen where the Storks 

 used to build. The Storks migrated in cold weather to those 

 latitudes where its particular food was provided. In Hol- 

 land this bird was entirely domesticated, and any individual 

 thinks himself honoured by their building beside him. 

 They were seen walking about iu the market places, and in 

 many places in Germany a heavy fine was imposed on any 

 one who injured this bird. From Holland the Stork took 

 its way to the Nile, where, from the large number of am- 

 phibiiB, of snakes, and lizards, it found abuadiince of food. 

 But it this country they had been persecuted, along with, in 

 fact, almost any class of birds, and this was the reason why 

 they were now extinct. So also in the case of hawkin'^ _ 

 that was once a favourite amusement, and a gentleman in 

 this neighbourhood used not long ago to keep them ; but 

 no sooner had they flown away to any distance, than a num- 

 ber of guns were pointed at them. (Hear, hear.) On be- 

 half of the Society, he had much pleasure in conveying their 

 thanks to Mr. lirent for his kindness in coming among 

 them, and for his instructing papers. (Applause.) 



Mr. DowKEB, vice-president of the Society, said that al- 



