238 
NATURE NOTES 
tree where I see squirrels daily ; and squirrels, I suspect, for they will eat almost 
anything. 
October, 1904. Edmund Thos. Daubeny. 
38. Tappers. — In a room here some creature or other frequently taps. The 
noise is not that of the death-watch, with which I am well acquainted, but is 
louder, more deliberate, and with longer intervals between the strokes, and con- 
tinues for a minute or two at a time. Some kind of spider, which I have been 
unable to detect in the act, is said to make a tapping noise. The sound, however, 
is difficult to locate. What is the name of the animal that causes it ? 
September, 1904. Edmund Thos. Daubeny. 
SELBORNE SOCIETY NOTICES. 
The Secretaryship. — The Council has to announce, with much regret, 
that, owing to the pressure of other work, Mr. R. Marshman Wattson has with- 
drawn from the post of Secretary, which he has filled with so much advantage to 
the Society during the past five years. During that period Mr. Wattson’s duties 
were at times rrf a very onerous and responsible nature, to discharge which it was 
necessary for him to enlist clerical aid, so that, although he appeared as a paid 
official, his services to the Society have really been of an honorary character. In 
the financial department Mr. Wattson achieved particular success, and it is not too 
much to say that it is to the system which he inaugurated that the Society’s 
improved position is due. As one of the oldest Members, his knowledge of the 
history of the Society and of the changes inevitable from time to time has been of 
peculiar value, and the Council is happy to say that Mr. Wattson’s services will 
still be preserved to the Society, though in another capacity. At its meeting on 
September 27, the Council passed the following resolution : “The Council desire, 
on the withdrawal of Mr. R. Marshman Wattson from the post of Secretary, to 
express their deep appreciation of his able and energetic services to the Society, 
of which he is one of the oldest members, and order that this expression of 
opinion be entered on the Minutes and be published in the November number 
of the Magazine.” 
At the same meeting the Council appointed Mr. Wilfred Mark Webb, F.L.S., 
to be Mr. Wattson’s successor, with the title of Honorary Secretary, and with an 
allowance of £7.^ per annum for clerical help. 
Council Meetings. — The next meeiig of the Publications’ Committee will 
take place on Monday, November 14, at 5.30 p.m., at 20, Hanover Square, and 
the next meeting of the Council on Tuesday, November 22, at the same hour and 
place. 
November 22. — Special General Meeting, at 20, Hanover Square, at 
5.30 p.m., to consider the advisability of altering Rule 2, paragraph (c). 
Section (2), which now runs as follows : — 
“ birds and their plumage, except when the birds are killed for food, reared for their 
plumage, or are known to be injurious,” 
so as to read : — 
the skins and plnniage 0/ such birds as are not domesticated S 
Library. — The Hon. Librarian has pleasure in announcing the gift of the 
following book, which Mi.ss A. Martelli has kindly made to the library of the 
Society, “ Birds of Oxfordshire,” by O. V. Aplin. 
NEWS FROM THE BRANCHES. 
Clapton, October 15. — The Members of the Branch met at the Sigdon Road 
Board School, near Hackney Downs Station, to hear a paper on “Snail Shells, 
Land and Freshwater.” given by Miss A. .S. Philpott. The chair was taken 
by Mr. R. Marshman Wattson, and there w.as a fair attendance. Miss Philpott 
commenced her very interesting paper by an .account of some of the old legends 
and medicinal lore connected with snails. A description of the animal and its 
