president's addkess. 253 



Durham in 1875," by Mr. AVilliani Maling. Additional inter- 

 est was given to these Memoirs by the specimens themselves 

 being exhibited ; and two large cases of insects to illustrate that 

 of Mr. Wassermann were shown, which were much admired. A 

 case of three Shore-larks, which are very rarely met with, was 

 also placed on the table by Mr. Thompson. One was shot in 

 October last on Holy Island, by Mr. Isaac Clark ; another was 

 caught on Tyneside by a professional bird-catcher ; and the third 

 is the specimen, then living, mentioned in Mr. Hancock's 

 " Catalogue of Birds,"* where he remarks, "The Shore Lark is a 

 casual visitant, and is very seldom taken in our district. In 

 June, 1851, a living specimen was bought in Newcastle market. 

 I saw the specimen, but where it was captured is not known." 



A subject of much importance to the well-being of our society 

 has now to come before this Anniversary Meeting. We shall all 

 unite in regretting very sincerely that circumstances have com- 

 pelled two of the most useful of our colleagues to place their 

 resignation of the office of Editor and Co-secretary respectively 

 in the hands of the Committee. At the Committee Meeting held 

 on AVednesday, 24th Nov., 1875, when the letters of resignation 

 were read, Mr. H. Howse kindly consented to act as Editor of 

 the Transactions pro tempore, and, subject to the wishes of the 

 present meeting, as Mr. G. S. Brady's succsssor. It was also 

 arranged that Mr. E. Dodds should be consulted respecting the 

 office of Honorary Secretary. The cordial thanks of the Club for 

 their valuable services in the past were conveyed to Messrs. 

 Brady and Morison by letter at the same time. We must feel 

 glad, however, that notwithstanding their retirement from offices 

 which they have long and ably discharged, we shall not lose the 

 great benefit of their help and counsel in the future, which they 

 propose to give. Those of the members who have observed the 

 laudatory appreciation which the successive issues of our Trans- 

 actions have received in the critiques of scientific societies and 

 periodicals, and even of some literary journals (from which any 

 provincial scientific body like this may well derive a pardonable 

 gratification), must be aware to what a large share of that 



* Transact ions, Vol. VI. New Scries, p. 58. 





