XVI 
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR igij. 
The Observatory. —During 1917 the equatorial telescope, 
the transit instrument and sidereal clock have been thoroughly 
overhauled, and are now in good adjustment. The sidereal 
clock has had a new suspension spring fixed to the pendulum, 
and this is a great improvement. The rate of the clock is 
now less than 1*5 seconds per week, but hope to state in next 
year’s report that this rate has been reduced. The fire in the 
stove has been lit on very few occasions, and this has helped 
to keep down the dust and also enabling the telescope to give 
much better definition. Sunspots have been observed, and 
some of them were exceptionally large. Jupiter and Saturn 
have also been frequently seen, Saturn being remarkably good, 
this being due to the reduced lighting of the cit}’. 
I'he Scottish Provident Institution have again sent us one of 
their star maps for 1918. These maps are much appreciated. 
The Observatory will be open for members to see through 
the telescope on all lecture nights providing that it is clear, 
and at any other time b}^ arrangement. 
Ornithology. —During the past year the British Bird Col¬ 
lection in the upper and lower galleries have been thoroughly 
overhauled, re-arranged in order according to Family, and 
each case carefully labelled with the specific name, the locality 
(where possible), and the name of the donor. I'he Collection 
is now not only more attractive to the casual observer, but of 
considerably more educational value than has hitherto been 
the case. 
The only additions to the (mounted) Collection has been 
made, through the kindness of our Secretary, of a fine pair of 
Carrion Crows (Corvus corone), which were shot at Wressle, 
near Hull, 1917; and Hybrid between Mallard and Pintail, 
shot and presented by our President. 
The Reference Collection of European Birds’ Skins in 
cabinets has been referred to on various occasions. 
The Egg Collection is in good order, but no additions have 
been madg. 
Zoology. —The Collection of Yorkshire Mammals are in 
good order ; a few specimens have been added during the past 
year. The Collections of Big Game Heads presented to the 
