THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 229 



Superintendent would be appointed. The object of this was to obviate the 

 difficulty which would arise if two new officers took up their respective 

 duties at the same time. At considerable personal inconvenience Mr. 

 de Winton accepted the appointment, and rendered valuable aid to the 

 Council and the Committee. 



The appointment of a foreman keeper.* 



The rearrangement of the duties of the Prosector, who ceased to be 

 Vice-Secretary. 



The reorganisation of Committees. 



The investment of composition fees. 



The election took place at the Annual Meeting on April 29, 

 at the Portman Rooms, Baker Street. Nearly 900 Fellows 

 attended, though many only stayed long enough to record their 

 votes. No discussion of the merits of the candidates was 

 allow^ed; nor, indeed, was any necessary, as the Council had 

 distributed their application and testimonials. The figures, as 

 announced by the President, stood thus : 



Dr. P. Chalmers Mitchell 530 



Mr. W. L. Sclater 336 



Majority 194 



At this meeting Mr. North Buxton raised the question of 

 what he termed a recreation ground for the animals, and in this 

 he was seconded by Mr. Elwes. The President promised that 

 this suggestion should be carefully considered. No mention, 

 however, was made of the Kingston Farm Experiment. At the 

 Annual Meeting in 1904 the Secretary announced that the 

 Council had considered the establishment of a Sanatorium at 

 some distance from London, but were of opinion that while it 

 would be desirable to keep this in view, the funds of the Society 

 did not admit of proceeding with it at present. 



Dr. P. Chalmers Mitchell assumed office on May 1. In the 

 Report for 1903 the Council recorded "their appreciation 

 of the efficient manner in which Mr. W. L. Sclater had dis- 

 charged his duties during the interim in which he had filled 

 the office of Secretary, and tendered to him their best thanks 

 for the services he had rendered to them and to the Society.'' 



♦ A temporary appointment was made at once ; and Mr. Bertling, formerly 

 a clerk in the office, became head-keeper in 1904, with special charge of the 

 birds. 



