president’s address. 
233 
implements from Massingham, West Norfolk. The evening of 
the 2Gth of May was most pleasantly filled up by the ex- 
amination of some living Hydroids under the microscope, especially 
Conlylophora lacustris, which Mr. E. Corder exhibited on behalf of 
Mr. Bidgood, who had found it in some plenty at Hickling Broad, 
growing in colonies on the under side of dead wood or attached 
to water plants. Mr. Geldart gave a graphic account of its life 
history, commencing with the planula, which travels freely by 
means of cilia, until after a longer or shorter time it loses these 
and becomes fixed to its future home. Tentacles are developed, 
and by various stages the creature becomes a perfect Cordyluphora. 
The colony is continually increased by buds formed on the mature 
Hydroids. 
In accordance with our usual custom no meetings took place 
during the summer months ; but an excursion was made to Wells 
on June 19th, by invitation of Colonel Feilden, for the purpose of 
visiting the nesting-place of the Common and Lesser Terns near 
that spot, and the trip was a most enjoyable one. It is a privation 
which I keenly feel that I can never take part in any of these 
excursions ; but I received an enthusiastic account of the day from 
Mr. E. Corder, and can well imagine the pleasure it must have 
given to all who were present to see these charming birds tenanting 
in considerable numbers the stations which, a few years ago, seemed 
in imminent danger of being deserted. Colonel Feilden, with the 
support of Lord Leicester and a few friends interested in the 
preservation of these beautiful birds, and assisted by the tenants 
of the warren, engaged a watcher to protect the birds from 
molestation during the breeding season, and with the happiest 
results. Besides the Terns other species were seen ; nests of the 
Binged Plover were in some places so thick as to require care in 
walking, and the Redshank was also found breeding. By kind 
permission of Lord Leicester the party visited the hall, and 
inspected the collection of local birds, the library, &c. The 
hearty thanks of the Society are due both to llis Lordship and to 
Colonel Feilden for a most successful excursion. 
At the next ordinary meeting, held in September, Mr. Southwell 
R 2 
