211 
The Secretary read a communication from the Rev. J. 
E. Vize, “On the Mite of the Wood Pigeon.” 
It was observed that within a short time of the death of 
the pigeon these mites appear much more frequently than 
when the body of the bird was warm ; that they come and 
go very much like a dissolving view; moreover, they al- 
ways make ingress and egress through the vanes of the 
feathers of the bird ; these they open, and then pass away, 
not head first, but just as a heavy weight would do when 
left on water to gravitate for itself. 
They are very nimble, and always clasped the feather by 
at least two of their feet, never less. Hence their tenacity, 
for it is most difficult to remove them from their holdfast. 
And here is a beautiful and natural means of self-preserva- 
tion : if they lost their security and became detached from 
the bird in flight, they could not regain their place, and 
probably must die. They walk differently to most insects, 
using invariably the central foot on the right side, and the 
first and last of the opposite side, and vice versa. When 
quiescent they adhere very tightly by the pair of feet 
nearest to the head, being aided in this by a pair of very 
small, but most useful, clips or hooks at the extremity of 
each of their feet. 
As to the antennse, they denote very great excitement 
being in rapid restless movement. Whilst the insect is 
alive, they are at something like right angles to the body of 
the bird, but are nearly always parallel to the body when 
dead. 
Annual Meeting, May 4th, 1868. 
A. G. Latham, Esq., Vice-President of the Section, 
in the Chair. 
The Annual Report was read, approved, and ordered to 
be printed and circulated among the members. 
