REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR igi2. 
XV 
seems to be kept in the lower part of the Observatory and gets 
offensive, especially in the summer time. Surely this could be 
kept in a meat safe outside the building. 
If it were not for the above two drawbacks to the use of the 
Observatory, there is little doubt that it would be much more 
used than it is. 
Ornithology. —Several interesting specimens have been 
added during the past year, both to the collection of skins and 
stuffed birds, and also to the live birds in the aviaries. 
Zoology. —The collections are all in good order, and addi¬ 
tions are being constantly made to the fine series of skins of 
British Mammals possessed by the Society. 
Field Naturalists’ Section. —The past year has been a 
most successful one so far as the working of the Field Natur¬ 
alists’ Section is concerned ; the Rambles and Excursions 
have been well attended. The excursion to Skipwith Common 
in conjunction with the Y.N.U., brought 23 members together, 
and a most enjoyable day was spent in visiting the Gullery, 
etc. On May 29th, 12 members assembled at Clifton Scope 
for an evening ramble. On June 12th, 15 members visited 
Askham Bogs, and 16 members took part in an excursion to 
the Black Woods, Langwith. 9 members attended the excursion 
to Scampston on August 14th. Scampston was reached about 
2 o’clock, and the whole afternoon was spent in viewing the 
extensive Aviaries belonging to Mr. St. Quintin. The attend¬ 
ances at the Rambles and Excursions have been better than 
for years past ; the average being 14. In 1911 the average 
was 11, and in 1910 only 9. 
The meetings in the Museum have also been well attended, 
especially the Lantern Lectures, at some of which we have 
had large audiences ; but a large number of those present were 
members of the Philosophical Society or the Photographic 
Section and not members of the Field Naturalists’ Section, 
the subscription to which is 2/6 per year to members of the 
Philosophical Society and 4/- per year to ordinary members. 
The Winter Session was opened with papers by Mr. Harry 
Dale and Mr. Charles Proctor. Mr. Dale dealt with some 
interesting “ Insectivorous Birds,” and Mr. Proctor with <£ The 
