54 [Proc. B. N. F. C, 



gulls, in various stages of plumage, completed the series exhib- 

 ited. Regarding the colour of the black -headed gull, the head 

 of which in early summer is, as its name indicates, quite black, 

 but in winter almost white, the following remark was made : — 

 Late observations testify the remarkable fact that the change in 

 colour is not, as would at first be supposed, caused by moulting, 

 but by a change in the colouring pigment of the feathers, and 

 that this change takes place in some specimens in a few days. 

 After the notes, members gathered round the table, and Mr. 

 Darragh answered many questions, and received hearty con- 

 gratulations as to his success as a taxidermist, which the collection 

 fully warranted. 



On 1st February — The fourth meeting of the society was 

 held in the Museum — the President, Mr. Wm. Gray, M.R.I.A., 

 in the chair — when a lecture was given by Rev. Canon John 

 Grainger, D.D., M.R.I.A., of Broughshane, on "A late Visit to 

 the County of Gal way." 



The lecturer, before proceeding, stated that he had been 

 requested to come forward that evening to supply the place of 

 Canon Macllwaine, who was, he regretted to say, absent from 

 illness, and in whose company he had the pleasure of this 

 journey to West Gal way in the month of October last. He 

 trusted, therefore, that, as he was only a stop-gap that evening, 

 the audience would pardon his hurriedly-prepared account of 

 their autumn ramble. Meeting his colleague at Portadown, the 

 lecturer stated that, after mutual congratulations in prospect of 

 a pleasant holiday. Science Gossip was produced, in which it 

 was pleasing to find that they were both contributors to the 

 October part of that popular journal on subjects relating to local 

 zoology. Reaching Galway too late for anything but rest, a 

 start was made in the morning to do the lions of the city, the 

 most popular of which is the site of Lynch's gibbet. Canon 

 Grainger illustrated the unreliable character of tradition by the 

 fact that the supposed site of this unnatural execution had con- 



