xlvii [Vol. x. 



The difference of the results obtained is very great in cases 

 of birds with a very hollow wing, such as Game-birds, and 

 in no case are the lengths quite the same. 



" Next the tail : we measure to the tips of the longest 

 feathers, but sometimes from the point where these enter the 

 skin, sometimes from the oil-gland, sometimes, again, from 

 the ends of the feathers within the skin. 



" Then the bill : it is sometimes measured from the 

 naso-frontal suture to the tip (culmen), or from where the 

 plumes of the forehead impinge upon the culmen, whether at 

 the middle of the culmen or from more advanced feathers on 

 the sides thereof, or, again, it is measured from the cere, or 

 from the nostril, or from the gape. Usually a pair of com- 

 passes is employed (straight measurement), but sometimes a 

 tape (for the curve). 



" As to the tarsus, a small difference results from mea- 

 suring it in front or behind. 



" It appears obvious that it is high time to take measures 

 concerning our measurements, and make rules for our rules ! 

 The B.O.C. could probably bring about this desirable result. 

 I would suggest that the Club should adopt one certain 

 method of measurement as the normal method, and that, if 

 no indication is given that any other method has been 

 adopted, it should be understood that the normal measure- 

 ment has been made. Any departure from this method 

 should be specially stated. Following the precedent of the 

 Stricklandiau Code, some one distinguished ornithologist 

 should be asked to draw up a Code of Rules of Measurement. 

 Those interested in the matter could communicate privately 

 with him. His Code would be submitted to the B.O.C. and 

 finally, in the hope of obtaining international acceptance, to 

 the Ornithological Congress in Paris next June" 



Mr. Hbatley Noble exhibited a pair of eggs of the 

 Spine-tailed Swift from Nerochinski, and also the nest, eggs, 

 and nestling birds of "White's Thrush (Oreocichla varia), 

 which had been obtained from Mt. Fuji Yama, in Japan, 

 by Mr. Alan Owston. He considered that these eggs were 



