FIELD MEETINGS FOR 1912 379 



are driven from the flats to the shore. A few godwits were 

 noticed on the North Shore; one or two large flocks of ringed 

 plovers were met with, but these curiously enough in the 

 meadows, comparatively few were to be seen nearer the sea. 

 On the rocks frequented by the waders were a few rock pipits, 

 characteristic small birds of the North-East Coast, and it was 

 amusing to see a wren hopping about and singing on the most 

 exposed part of the shore. Of the actual sea birds, the gulls 

 (of all the usual species) were the most conspicuous. A good 

 many flocks of ducks were seen flying in the distance, but 

 mallards and wigeons were all that could be definitely 

 recognised. A few small parties of eiders were on the water. 

 One string of geese was seen, too far off to be identified ; we 

 were told, however, that some bernicle geese were on the flats 

 and that a few had been shot. Cormorants were as numerous 

 as ever, and one gannet was noticed, in the dark plumage of 

 youth. After a cup of tea we again essayed to cross the flats, 

 and arriving safely at Beal Station, returned to Newcastle. 

 Thus having a pleasant ending to our Field Meetings for the 

 year. 



During the winter three evening meetings have been held. 

 At the first a very interesting collection of conifers and other 

 trees was exhibited, showing the arrangement of the leaf buds 

 for the coming year. The fruit of the monkey-puzzle was 

 most interesting to us all, as few had ever seen it before. Our 

 second meeting was mostly talk on the subject of the proposed 

 introduction of the card system for recording natural history 

 observations, Mr. R. S. Bagnall kindly explaining its working. 

 I think that when in full working order, it will be most useful 

 in all the branches of natural history. The third meeting held 

 on Wednesday, February 26th, was devoted to a lesson to 

 beginning lepidopterists in the relaxing and setting of lepidop- 

 tera. A fine collection of silk-producing moths, lately acquired 

 in exchange by the Society, was also on view in the Committee 

 Room where our meeting was held. This, I think, concludes 

 our resume of the year's work. These evening meetings I 

 hope may be continued, as it is desirable that the members 



