89 [Vol. xv. 



Blackbird [Tardus merula) which had been taken from the 

 intestinal canal of a Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) . 



Mr. Tegetmeier also made remarks on the scentless nature 

 of birds when sitting on their nests, which had been discussed 

 at the previous Meeting of the Club in May [cf. Ball. B. 0. C. 

 No. cxvi. pp. 72, 73]. He stated that the physiological ex- 

 planation of this fact was well known and that the vicarious 

 secretions causing the scent were retained within the body 

 in sitting birds and passed into the cloaca, being eventually 

 voided with the fasces. He contended that the odour of 

 the faeces dropped by a sitting bird was totally different 

 from that passed at other times, their particularly offensive 

 smell being caused by these secretions. 



Mr. W. P. Pycraft said that he did not think that 

 Mr. Tegetmeier's explanation could be accepted as satis- 

 factory, and that the long retention of the faeces within the 

 cloaca would naturally account for their more objectionable 

 odour. 



It was further pointed out by Mr. H. F. Witherby that 

 Mr. Tegetmeier's observations did not account for the 

 instances of scentless birds which were not nesting, also 

 cited at the previous meeting of the Club. 



Mr. J. G. Millais exhibited some hybrids of surface- 

 feeding Ducks which had been bred by Sir Richard Graham 

 at Netherby in Cumberland. He remarked that some 

 species which were closely allied were found to mate freely, 

 while others were difficult to cross and their eggs were 

 frequently unfertile. The birds exhibited included certain 

 rarities, such as : Sheld-Duck X Mallard; Gadwall x Mallard; 

 Gadwall x Wigeon x Wigeon; <J Wigeon x Pintail X ? 

 Pintail X Mallard. It was observed that first crosses 

 generally conformed to twO different types, and that these 

 birds, especially the males, sometimes exhibited curious 

 colours not found in the corresponding parts of either parent. 



Mr. J. L. Bonhote remarked that he had known one 

 or two instances, or supposed instances, of Sheld-Duck 



