INNISKEA WHALING STATION. 169 



the larger Cetacea will not be lost, as there seems every chance of these 

 mammals being rapidly exterminated. 



The Committee apply for reappointment and for a grant of 50L 

 to further the work. 



Experiments in Inheritance. — Third Report of the Committee, consisting 

 of Professor W. A. Herdman (Chairtnan), Mr. Douglas Laurie 

 (Secretary), Professor E. C. Punnett and Dr. H. W. Marett Tims. 

 (Drawn tip by the Secretary.) 



On the Inheritance of Yellow Coat Colour in Mice. 



The experiments have been much interfered with through disease 

 among the mice. It has been necessary to destroy a very large number 

 of them, and to commence again practically at the beginning. The 

 present report is purely formal. A fuller report is anticipated next 

 year. 



The Committee ask to be reappointed without a grant. 



Feeding Habits of British Birds. — Second Report of the Committee, con- 

 sisting of Dr. A. E. Shipley (Chairman), Mr. H. S. Leigh (Secre- 

 tary), Messrs. J. N. Halbert, C. Gordon Hewitt, Kobert New- 

 stead, Clement Reid, A. G. L. Rogers, F. V. Theobald, and 

 Professor F. E. Weiss, appointed to investigate the Feeding Habits 

 of British Birds by a study of the contents of the crops and gizzards of 

 both adults and nestlings, and by collation of observational evidence, 

 with the object of obtaining precise knowledge of the economic status 

 of many of our commoner birds affecting rural science. 



The investigation of the feeding habits of the rook, starling, and 

 chaffinch has been continued during the past year. 



The correspondents whose names are set forth in the Report for 

 1909 have again sent specimens of birds to the Secretary each month. 

 The Committee again desire to express indebtedness to them for their 

 kind assistance. 



During the twelve months (June 1, 1909, to May 31, 1910) 432 

 birds have been received, the number being made up as follows : 

 rooks 87, starlings 193, chaffinches 152. 



Each bird or batch of birds is accompanied by a form filled in by 

 the correspondent giving details as set forth in the Report of last year. 



The contents of ths gizzards of 302 birds have been examined up 

 to May 31, the number consisting of 212 rooks, 50 starlings, and 

 40 chaffinches. The evidence obtained from the examination of these 

 specimens is not sufficient to form a correct estimate of the economic 

 status of any one of the three birds under investigation; when, in the 

 opinion of the Committee, a sufficient number of specimens of any 



