OFFICIAL NOTICES , &c. 
119 
(9) Parmelia coperata (L.) ; (10) Physcia parietina (L. ); (11) Peltigera canina 
( L. ) ; ( 1 2) Physcia pulveralenta , var. ; (13) Ramalina calycaris, Ach. ; (14) 
Ramalina farinacea (L.) ; (15) Ramalina potlinaria, Ach. ; (16) Claiionia 
'fimbriata, Hoffm. 
Flowering Plants Named. — The plants which “Rusticus” sends from 
Ferns, County Wexford, are as follows : — (1) Pedicularis sylvatica, Linn, 
(lousewort) ; (2) Ajuga replans , Linn, (creeping bugle) ; (3) Potentilla 
comar um, Nestl. (marsh cinquefoil) ; (4) Ranunculus acris, Linn, (meadow 
[buttercup) ; (5) Cerastium triviale. Link, (narrow-leaved mouse-ear chickweed) ; 
(6) Vicia sepium, Linn, (hedge vetch); (7) Latkyrus macrorrhizus, Wimm 
(bitter vetch) ; (8) Ranunculus Lingua .(great spear-wort) ; (9) Carex sp. (sedge) 
too young for identification] ; (10) Luzula cainpestris, Willd. (field woodrush) ; 
( 1 1 ) Dactylis glomerata, Linn, (cock’s foot grass); (12) Poa trivialis , Linn, 
(meadow grass); (13) Anthoxanthum adoratum, Linn, (sweet scented vernal 
grass); (14) Holcus lanalus, Linn, (meadow soft grass). “Rusticus” will 
remember that the “ popular ” names which he desires are not forthcoming in 
the case of most plants in the British Flora ; and in several instances the English 
names given above are not real titles used by country people, but more or less 
clumsy translations of the scientific names. 
Answers to Ornithological Queries (supplied by Mr. A. Ilolte 
Macpherson). Mr. F. A. Fulcher, Harrow.— By the time of publication all the 
common summer visitors will no doubt have arrived. For those which have done 
so, see the lists published in the Field of April 1 8th and subsequent weeks. 
Clericus. — We cannot agree with your theory of the flight of birds. The sub- 
ject is very intricate. Much valuable information will be found in Marey’s Animal 
Mechanism (Kegan Paul), Pettigrew’s Animal Locomotion , and the chapter on 
“ Contrivance and Necessity ” in the Duke of Argyll’s Reign of Law. 
D.II. — There is nothing rare in seeing a Pied Wagtail in January. Birds 
frequently fly to stacks for shelter in winter, the more the merrier (because the 
warmer), but it is hardly likely that they congregate through “sympathy” in the 
ordinary sense, as you suggest. 
Mr. J. M. Wilson. — We very much doubt whether the Kingfishers you propose 
to get would stay with you ; and do not advise you to try the experiment. They 
occur in suitable localities in Ireland, but are not numerous. 
Mr. Henry Forster. — There is nothing extraordinary in a hen living ten 
years. Your bird was certainly a good layer in its old age. The custom most 
generally recommended is to kill hens at the age of two and a-half years, for after 
that age they become tough for eating and the number of their eggs diminishes. 
OFFICIAL NOTICES; WORK OF BRANCHES, &c. 
The object of the Selborne Society is to unite lovers of Nature for the follow- 
ing purposes : — 
The Prevention from unnecessary destruction of Wild Birds, Animals and 
Plants ; 
The Protection of places and objects of Antiquarian Interest or Natural 
Beauty ; 
The Promotion of the Study of Natural History. 
The minimum Annual Subscription (which entitles the subscriber to a 
monthly copy of the Society’s Magazine) is 2s. 6d. 
All particulars as to membership may be obtained from the Secretary of the 
Selborne Society, 9, Adam Street, Adelphi. 
The monthly meeting of the Council of the Selborne Society was held on 
Monday, June 1st, Mr. G. A. Musgrave, F.Z.S., trustee of the Society in the 
chair. A large number of members of Council were present, including Mr. W. 
F. Kirby, F.L.S., Mr. W. D. Wickes, F.L.S., Mr. Archibald Clarke and Mr. 
T. Gray, the new members elected at the annual meeting last month. A new 
branch of the Society at Sutton was formally instituted, and some other business 
was transacted. 
Clapton (Lower Lea Valley) Branch. — An excursion has been arranged 
