MEETINGS. 115 



their being observed by the speakers in the island. The 

 effect of natural selection and surroundings in modifying and 

 changing animal forms was fully discussed, the cuckoo's case 

 being a very valuable example owing to its peculiarities being 

 so evidently out of keeping Avith its present condition of life. 

 In spite of what is known, the discussion left the impression 

 on the minds of the meeting that very much more is required 

 to be ascertained before the past and future of the cuckoo 

 could be considered fairly well understood. The discussion 

 answered the end of drawing the attention of the members 

 interested in this subject to the need of working up the bird's 

 habits, and of testing the truth of recorded facts by personal 

 observation. 



Among the many interesting facts adduced was one by 

 Mr. A. Burgess, which seems very important : — A cuckoo's 

 egg was found by him in a lark's nest in Les Terres field. 

 The hay in the field was cut, except a patch around the nest. 

 A day or two afterwards two eggs — the cuckoo's and a lark's 

 — were hatched. Soon, however, the young lark and the 

 unhatched eggs were thrown out of the nest by the young 

 cuckoo. The old lark tended the young cuckoo for two or 

 three days and then deserted it. The old cuckoo next took 

 it in charge, and was seen on two or three occasions feeding 

 the young one, and teaching it to fly. Eventually it flew 

 away with its mother and disappeared. 



Monthly Meeting held July 14th, 1891, Mr. J. Whitehead, 

 President, in the chair. 



The minutes of the last meeting having been read and 

 signed, the Rev. D. Cann was proposed for election at the next 

 meeting. The Secretary then referred to the out-door 

 meetings of the Society on June 16th and July 7th. 



Mr. De La Mare exhibited specimens of bones lately 

 uncovered near the Cromlech at L'Ancresse. The Secretary 

 read a note from Rev. F. E. Lowe announcing the capture 

 (apparently for the first time in Guernsey) of the moth, 

 E. fasciaria ; also that he had bred a good specimen of the 

 Noctua, H. hispidus, from a pupa taken at Pleinmont. 



Mr. F. Rose mentioned a case of gross superstition and 

 belief in Witchcraft in the island, which led to a man's 

 dismissal from an employ in which he had faithfully served 

 twenty years, because he had, according to the witch consulted 

 put a spell upon his master's cattle, &c. 



