BnoK NOTICE : NOTES AND NEWS. 



383 



together in this way by direct appeal to lighthouse and lightship keepers, and the 

 assistance of well-known ornithologists, that uniformity of method and perspicuity 

 of treatment are highly indispensable. A feature in the present series of reports is 

 that an attempt is being made to secure a greater approach to accuracy by the 

 obviously simple means of inducing the observers to send up wings and legs of 

 such birds as they are not perfectly well acquainted with, and, in the case of a few 

 Irish stations, by furnishing the observers with a copy of some work on British 

 Birds. The reporters are to be congratulated on the value of their work, and still 

 more for the pluck with which year after year they incur personally somewhat 

 heavy pecuniary loss for the cause of science. This is not as it should be; it is not 

 just that they who do the work should be saddled with this additional tax, and we 

 would suggest that the example of the Zoological Record Association be followed. 

 Let a ' Bird Migration Association ' be formed at a moderate rate of subscription, 

 for many ornithologists — and others too — would no doubt be ready and willing to 

 contribute to the cause. Such an association could, if funds happened to flow in, 

 furnish ornithological text-books to the libraries of the lighthouses, and in various 

 ways further the cause of science in this particular direction. — R. 



NOTES AND NEWS. 



The Entomological Society of London, a body which was founded in 1833, and 

 has for a long succession of years rendered valuable service to the science, has now 

 received a Royal Charter of Incorporation, so that from henceforth its members 

 will be styled 'Fellows,' and the society itself take rank more accordant with its 

 true place among the learned bodies of the metropolis. 



XXX 



We are pleased to note that the Rev. H. A. Macpherson and Mr. W. Duck- 

 worth have in the press a work on the Birds of Cumberland, with Notes on the 

 Birds of Westmoreland. Its appearance will be looked forward to with pleasure, 

 as a valuable contribution to the natural history of the North of England, written 

 by ornithologists of high standing, and in every way equal to their task. 



>co< 



The butterflies of our islands are supposed to be so well known that it is of 

 great interest to hear of an addition to their scanty number. This year we have 

 one in the form of a common South European blue butterfly {Lycana argiades, one 

 of the ' tailed blues ') which has occurred in one or two Dorsetshire localities, where 

 no doubt it has been passed over by collectors without examination. Now that it 

 has turned up in one county, it may be expected to be found in others lying along 

 the south-western coast of England. 



Our readers will have noticed that Silloth (Cumberland) has ceased to appear 

 in our meteorological page. The Rev. F. Redford, M.A., who has preserved his 

 records unbroken for upwards of thirty years, now finds that serious failure of health 

 compels him to discontinue his observations, and we may well be sure that it is no 

 light reason which has bi^ought about the cessation of so valuable a series of records, 

 by which he has conferred lustre upon his own name, and rendered that of Silloth 

 classical in the annals of British meteorology. May the evening of his life be as 

 beautiful and tranquil as the brightest, calmest, and most glorious sunset which he 

 has ever witnessed in the course of his meteorological investigations ! 



>oX 



The Louth Naturalists' Society continues to flourish. It held its first annual 

 meeting on the 14th July, at which a very satisfactory report and balance sheet were 

 presented. We note that the system of keeping records which has been adopted 

 has greatly encouraged practical observation. The list of recorders includes the 

 names of Messrs. J. Larder (zoology), W. L. Wells (ornitholog)-), R. W. Goulding 

 (in^^ertebrata), and H. W. Kew (botany). The last named also acts as hon. secre- 

 tary and treasurer, while the Rev. W. W. Fowler, M.A., of Lincoln, gives his 

 support to the society as patron. Mr. E. Hall is president, and Mr. A. R. 

 Yeoman, M. A., vice-president. We may state as pertinent to our text that from 

 some of the members we have received interesting lists and notes for incorporation 

 in the series of papers on Lincolnshire natural history which is to form one of the 

 special features of next year's Naturalist. 



Nav. 1885. 



