Xll 
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR I913. 
Observatory. —The Museum Observatory continues in 
order, the Equatorial Telescope having been subjected to a 
complete overhauling of its working parts by Mr. Scott, last 
November. It is to be regretted that so very few members 
interested in Astronomy avail themselves of the Observatory, 
although it cannot be said to be as well situated for Astronomical 
observation as it used to be in the days before the N.E. Offices 
and Hotel, and other neighbouring buildings, were erected. 
For the currents of air rising from buildings and their chimneys 
are always detrimental to clear seeing. 
Ornithology. —All the collections are in good order, and 
are continually being added to. The aviaries are a great 
source of attraction not only to many of our members, but also 
to numerous visitors, as are also the Pea-fowl and the Ravens. 
Z oology. —Additions are being steadily made to our fine 
series of skins and stuffed specimens of the smaller British 
Mammals, and the other Zoological collections are well looked 
after and are in good order. 
Field Naturalists’ Section. —The Committee of this 
section is pleased to report that they have had a successful 
year, although the excursions were not quite so well attended 
as those of 1912, still with an average attendance of 12 we 
have no cause to complain. 
The first excursion took place on Wednesday, May 8th, 
when 17 members and friends visited Kirkham Abbey. After 
visiting the ruins, the party strolled along the bank of the 
Derwent and through Kirkham Woods. After tea, an informal 
meeting was held, when the finds of the day were reported ; 
Mr. Wilkinson showed and explained several specimens of 
ranunculaceous plants which he had gathered during the 
afternoon. Nests of the cole-tit, treepipit, and grey wagtail 
were seen and left undisturbed. 
A ramble to Tilmire took place on Saturday, June nth, when 
the botanists reported having had a fairly good day, although 
owing to cultivation the mire had not the variety of plants now 
which it formerly had. A fox’s earth was noticed by the 
zoologists, who also reported the absence of water-voles, which 
