l68 REPORT OF FIELD MEETINGS 



stoppage to view at some distance off a promiscuous gathering 

 of sea birds, consisting of two or three Icinds of Gulls, Ringed 

 Plovers and Dunlins, the remainder of the ramble was un- 

 eventful. 



Ladies and Gentlemen, — I am glad I now have the 

 opportunity of thanking the Field Committee for the honour 

 they conferred upon me a year ago, and I also heartily thank 

 the ladies and gentlemen who accompanied me in the rambles 

 for their companionship, courtesy, and forbearance ; and ex- 

 press a sincere hope that I may have the pleasure of their 

 society in the pursuits of future field work. 



To our energetic and obliging secretary, Mr. Robson, I am 

 greatly indebted, and hereby express my warmest thanks and 

 d^ep gratitude for his kindness and attention, and I offer him 

 my sincere congratulations for the highly successful arrange- 

 ments of the meetings. 



If I may be permitted, I would like to add a few words in 

 conclusion pertaining to our pastimes as naturalists. 



In our endeavours to classify, arrange, and record a little of 

 the manifold subjects of the kingdoms of Nature as we find 

 them bountifully distributed in her realms within our own 

 reach, it should be our earnest aim and duty, in making use of 

 the special talents with which we are endowed, to preserve the 

 creatures of the Great Creator, and promote their welfare by 

 stemming the tide of wanton destruction which emanates from 

 the "lords of creation" who know nothing and care nothing 

 for the marvellous revelations and beauties met with in 

 Nature's byepaths. 



I would like to see the crowds, who are now cheaply trans- 

 ported from towns to the country by railway companies and 

 promoters of fresh air funds, educated a little in nature study, 

 so that they may show the same respect and reverence for the 

 wild life of our country lanes, fields and woods, as they have 

 already learnt to do for the tame and cultivated objects 



