NATURE NOTES 
156 
correct. These flakes probably fall from the bees when clustered and engaged in 
making new comb ; and are swept out by them from the floor of the hive. I 
wonder why it is that they do not collect and use them. 
June , 1903. Edmund Thos Daubeny. 
11 . Large Cowslip. — In a meadow at Barningham, on May 2, I plucked 
a cowslip which had fifty-eight flowers on the stalk. I should like to hear if any 
reader of Nature Notes has found such a large one in any of his rambles. 
Me ford Bridge Road , Thetjord. W. S. S. 
June 13, 1903. 
NATURAL HISTORY QUERY. 
1 . Dropped Eggs. — Five starling’s eggs, three unbroken, partly hatched, 
were found a few mornings ago on the grass in my garden. How did they get 
there? There are many nests in the eaves of the house, and a great commotion 
was heard in one of them the evening before. We have several times found 
fresh starling and sparrow eggs on the grass and presumed them to have been 
laid there. Wm. C. Stapleden. 
2, Marine Park , IVesl Kirby , Cheshire. 
SELBORNE SOCIETY NOTICES. 
Council Meetings. — May 13. This being the first meeting of the new 
Council Elected at the Annual Meeting, the following were appointed officers 
for the ensuing year : — Mr. George Avenell, Chairman ; Mr. J. L. Otter, 
Treasurer ; Mr. Wilfred Mark Webb, Librarian ; Mr. R. Marshman Wattson, 
Secretary. An honorarium of J 15 was voted to the Secretary for past services. 
A hearty vote of thanks was passed to all members and friends who had contri- 
buted exhibits to the Annual Conversazione. The Publications Committee was 
re-appointed, and it was agreed that the pamphlet on “ The Preservation of our 
Indigenous Flora,” should be sent to the Chairman and Clerk of the County 
Councils and Borough Councils throughout England and Wales. 
At the meeting on May 27, it was agreed to issue a double number of Nature 
Notes for June. The Council received with much regret the resignation of Mr. 
Basil W. Marlin, F.Z.S., in consequence of his leaving London. In connection 
with the threatened destruction of cottages at Stratford-on-Avon, it was agreed 
that should a meeting be called, and the Chairman of Council be unable to attend, 
he should appoint a delegate to represent the Society. 
The usual monthly meeting of the Council will be held at 20, Hanover 
Square, W., on Wednesday, July 22, at 5.30 p.m. 
New Members. — A. W. Cobbold, Esq., Stoke Newington; Mrs. Bruce, 
Bury ; J. S. Bale, Esq., Tufnell Park ; Rev. H. Bernard Derhatn-Marshall, 
Norton Cannon ; F. C. Stewart, Esq., New Broad Street, E.C. ; A. Steele 
Sheldon, Esq., Burnley; Miss Blanche Snart, Hampstead; H. Plowman, Esq., 
F. S.A., Hampstead; Major E. F. Coates, C.C., Sutton; J. E. Lawford, E>q., 
Hampstead ; Mrs. F. Mackenzie, Selborne ; Id. M. Piper, Esq., Ealing; Geo. A. 
Bernard, Esq., West Hampstead; Alan P. Gardiner, Esq., Alton; W. Lane 
Claypon, Esq., Hampstead. 
Donations and Subscriptions. — The Council beg to acknowledge the 
following Donation W. J. Thompson, Esq., J. P., 5s. ; Subscriptions over 5s. : 
J. Wilkinson, Esq., 10s. ; G. A. Musgrave, Esq., F.Z.S., F.R.G.S., 21s. ; Mrs. 
G. A. Musgrave, 21s. ; Sir John T. Goldney, 21s. ; F. C. Stewart, Esq., ios. ; 
Geo. Wheeler, Esq., 21s. (two years). 
NEWS FROM THE BRANCHES. 
Abinger and Shere. — On Saturday, April 16, Professor Boulger kindly 
conducted a ramble for this Branch. The starting point was Gomshall station, 
where several Selbornians met at 2.30. The parly walked to Abinger Hammer, 
