320 [Proc. B.N.F.C. 



the carinatce, in which the sternum is furnished with a deep 

 keel rising from its centre, and which provides a suitable 

 attachment for the insertion of the powerful pectoral muscles, 

 by means of which the bird is able to propel itself through 

 the air. This latter sub-order contains the vast majority of 

 known birds, but not all of them are able to fly — some having 

 lost this power by disuse, and in consequence have, like the 

 great auk, become extinct, or are liable, like the owl parrot 

 of New Zealand, to extermination. Several of the more re- 

 markable species of foreign birds were exhibited on the screen 

 and attention was directed to their peculiar forms and habits, 

 after which a large series of British birds and their nests was 

 shown. Mr. Foster concluded his paper by an appeal to 

 those present to protect our birds, while at the same time the 

 stud}^ of birds in their native habitats was recommended, the 

 only weapon necessary for this purpose being a good field- 

 glass. To the young observer, he added — Do not be discour- 

 aged if you are unable to identify every bird seen; the best 

 and quickest observers find themselves frequently at fault, 

 but, with patience and application, it soon becomes easy, 

 either by sight or sound, to distinguish the great majority of 

 birds noticed in the course of our rambles. The paper was 

 illustrated by upwards of fifty lime-light views. 



Mr. Robert Patterson, F.Z.S., said that the skull of a 

 mole had been found in Co. Derry, in the pellet of a bird of prey,, 

 and that, as this mammal was unknown in Ireland, he concluded 

 that the bird had devoured the mole in Scotland and after- 

 wards flown across to this country before disgorging the indi- 

 gestible portions of its prey. Mr. Welch mentioned the pro- 

 tective colouring of the eggs of black-headed gulls, and the 

 President expressed the pleasure with which he had listened 

 to both the papers read that evening. The election of Messrs. 

 T. Alfred Lowe, Ernest Green, and Joseph Boyce to member- 

 ship concluded the proceedings. 



"PLANT STRUCTURE AND ENVIRONMENT." 



The third meeting of the Winter Session was held on 

 17th January in the Museum, College Square North, when a 



