xcir PROCEEDINGS OF THE EOYAL HORTICrLTUEAL SOCIETY 



Aiitumn-ffoicering Smicdrop. — Mr. E. A. Bowles, F.L.S., showed a 

 specimen of snowdrop, one of many now in flower in his garden. It 

 was, apparently, a variety of GalantJms plicatus, and it was thought had 

 not previously been seen to flower in autumn in this country. 



Boimtea Ugandece (Rolfe). — This orchid, to which at the last meeting 

 a Botanical Certificate was recommended, was commented upon by Dr. 

 Masters, who drew attention to the remarkable form and size of the 

 rostellum, the length of the caulicles of the pollinia which fitted into long 

 tubes at the sides of the rostellum, and the length of the spur, which 

 reached to between five and six inches. 



Uncommon Orchids. — A species of PleurothaUis from R. I. Measures, 

 Esq., and Onciduiin Waluewa (Rolfe), from H. T. Pitt, Esq., of Stamford 

 Hill, were shown at this meeting, and will be further reported upon at the 

 next meeting. 



Cattleya Fly. — Mr. Bowles showed pseudo-bulbs of newly imported 

 Cattleyas, which were badly infested with the larvje of the Cattleya fly, 

 Isosoina sp., a pest too well known on Cattleyas. Mr. Bennett-Poe 

 suggested that the only way of dealing with the trouble is to collect the 

 affected pseudo-bulbs, which turn black, and burn them. 



Change o f -Food by Birds. — Mr. Hooper said he had recently met with 

 some remarkable changes in the habits of birds so far as their food 

 was concerned. He had heard from Cornwall of some tomatoes being 

 attacked by blackbirds, but could not hear of tomatoes being injured by 

 any other birds. Again, at Blairgowrie, rooks had been discovered eating 

 raspberries. Mr. Hooper is collecting information regarding the food of 

 particular birds that frequent fruit-gardens, and will be glad to receive 

 accounts of any exact observations made upon the subject. 



With reference to this matter Mr. A. C. Bartlett, Pencarrow Gardens, 

 Cornwall, writes : — " During the past autumn I frequently saw a cock-black- 

 bird (or birds) voraciously feasting on ripe tomatoes which were growing 

 against a south wall in front of my house. Tomatoes were plentiful, and, 

 being interested, I took no steps to stop it ; but as the weather turned 

 colder, I had some spare lights placed against the wall to assist in ripen- 

 ing the fruits. There was a space of about four inches between each light, 

 and taking advantage of this the bird continued his feast. I feel sure the 

 hen birds did not participate ; and, judging from the quantity eaten, I 

 should say that probably two birds were so engaged, though I never saw 

 more than one at a time." 



Sempervivum dying. — Mr. O'Brien, V.M.H., sent a specimen of 

 Sempervivum dead and dried up, one of several that had been affected by 

 some disease. Mr. Samiders will report upon it at the next meeting. 



Scientific Committee, December 11, 1906. 

 Dr. M. T. Masters, F.R.S., in the Chair, and eleven members present. 



Dying Sempervivum. — Mr. Saunders, F.L.S., reported that he could 

 find no reason for the death of the Sempervivum shown at the last 

 meeting from Mr. O Brien. " There were no signs of injury to the 



