Gardens, by permission of the Marcbioness of Lothian ; one, in 
July, to Melton Constable Park, by permission of Lord Hastings; 
and one, in August, to Pritton Lake and Woods, by permission 
of Sir S. Crossley and Mr. H. E. Buxton. 
Some valuable additions to the library have been received, 
especially those presented by Professor Newton. 
We exchange ‘ Transactions’ with twenty-six other Societies. 
This evening, instead of taking jmu with me into the depths 
of any new theory as revealed by science, — when I should be trying 
to tell you what you already knoAV far better than I do myself, — 
and leaving on record the driest paper you have ever listened to, 
I would rather leave my name associated with this Society in an 
endeavour to stir up in the country a spirit of protection towards 
those wanderers from other lands which now and then seek a 
home with us. We like our country to enjoy a reputation for 
hospitalit3^ We should each and all of us feel it as a slur upon 
ourselves, if any illustrious stranger who visited our shores met 
with the same sort of reception that a certain royal personage 
lately experienced from our neighbours across the Channel. Then 
why should we change our nature towards the feathered visitors 
who honour us with their presence? It is really grievous to think 
of the certain fate that awaits any rare stranger on its arrival 
in this country. I feel that their protection cannot be obtained 
by any law or laws. But is it too much to hope that, by means 
of this and kindred societies, the knowledge of Natural History 
may be more and more widely diffused : and that, as by a wider 
and more general knowledge of the different branches of Natural 
History, the exquisite beauty and marvellous adaptation of the 
several parts of each separate specimen, making together such a 
perfect whole, whether bird or beast, fish or flower, are understood 
and appreciated, — such knowledge bringing more and more clearly 
to light the infinite wisdom of the Almighty Creator, — so to know 
will be to love and admire? and to love and admire must bo 
to protect. 
The same arguments ajiply to the protection of those species, 
which, formerly numerous, are now, I fear, becoming yearly fewer 
