XVI 
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR IQI2. 
Reptilia of the Vale of York.” A lantern lecture on “ Plant 
Life on land” was given by Dr. A. H. Burtt, which was 
followed by another lantern lecture by Mr. V. Zimmermann on 
“ The Birds of Strensall Common.” Mr. Harwood Brierley 
gave a paper on “ The Crayfish in the Ure,” and Mr. J. H. 
Evers one on “ The Geranium Family.” On November 27th, 
Mr. Riley Fortune lectured on “The Birds of the Dutch Meres 
and Polders.” Mr. S. H. Smith read a long paper on “The 
Mammalia of the Vale of York,” and Mr. Ingham gave a 
lecture on “ Hepatics or Liverworts.” Mr. Geo. Benson gave 
a paper on “Floral Decoration in Local Mediaeval Art,” while 
Mr. T. J. Martin spoke on “ The Family Limnaediae,” illustrat¬ 
ing his remarks with a very large series of Shells which Mr. 
Harry Sowden brought to the meeting. Mr. Geo. Machin 
dealt with “The Nesting of the Yorkshire Buntings,” telling 
us of his observations of the Yellow, Common and Reed Bunt¬ 
ings ; several exhibits were shown dealing with Mr. Machin's 
paper. Mr. S. H. Smith showed the skin of a Common Bunt¬ 
ing; Mr. Harry Dale a pair of Snow Buntings; and Mr. V. 
Zimmermann a large case of Eggs which exhibited the different 
types of the Yellow, Common and Reed Buntings; and Mr. 
Machin showed some fine clutches of the Yellow and Common 
Buntings. The best attended meeting was when Mr. Herbert 
Lazenby gave a lecture on his favourite “ Photographs of Birds 
of York and district.” 
The Reports on local observations by the Sectional officers 
were read on March 12th. Mr. Lockwood dealt with Geology, 
Mr. V. G. F. Zimmermann with Ornithology, Mr. Martin with 
Conchology, Mr. A. Smith with Entomology, and Mr. Charles 
Proctor with Vertebrate Zoology. On March 26th, Mr. F. 
Lockwood read a very instructive paper on “ The Geology of 
the Derwent Valley Railway.” On April 23rd, Mr. F. \V. 
Taylor told 11s what is known of “ The Life History of some 
Freshwater Fish,” and Mr. W. Ingham read a paper on 
“ Variations in a Common Moss.” 
Our membership shows a slight increase. We commenced 
the year with 79 members, 11 gentlemen having joined during 
the year; 5 having resigned, 1 deceased, and 3 struck off, 
leaving 81 on the books,—an increase of 2 on the year. 
