XXX11 
PEOCEEDINGS OE THE 
has now, from its principal front, throughout the whole of the time 
during which residence in a country house is most enjoyable—the 
later spring, the summer, and autumn months—a view of a dry 
river-bed, in some places deep and wide ; and I cannot imagine the 
house to have been built, situated as it is nearly facing the north, 
except that it might overlook a flowing river. 
“ The extent of variation of the source of the Colne is about 15 
miles, from near Barnet Gate, midway between Chipping Barnet 
and Elstree, to a few field-lengths above Colney Street, where I 
have seen the river rise in a very dry year.” 
From Potterells Park a pleasant route was followed, Hatfield 
being reached at about six o’clock. Tea was partaken of at the 
Temperance Hotel, after which Mr. Thomas Leighton, on behalf 
of the Geologists’ Association, proposed, and Mr. A. E. Gibbs, on 
behalf of the Hertfordshire Society, seconded, a vote of thanks 
to Mr. Green for conducting the party, and to Mr. Hopkinson 
for his paper. 
Mr. Henry Lewis contributes the following notes on the birds 
observed in the course of the walk :—Swallows: one seen. Beed- 
bunting: handsome male in full nuptial dress. A redbreast was 
heard indulging in some of the black-cap’s sweet wild notes, and a 
song-thrush appeared in a similar character. This bird was also 
varying its melodious song by mimicking some of the blackbird’s 
notes, and appeared to be making the same daring attempts at the 
nightingale’s unrivalled melody. This he (Mr. Lewis) thought 
worthy of notice, but he refrained from any positive assertion, and 
merely referred to the incident as it might lead to further investi¬ 
gation on this interesting subject. Pheasants were observed, and 
amongst them was noticed a white variety. The nightingale was 
heard. 
Oedixary Meeting, 22nd April, 1890, at Wateord. 
Upfield Green, Esq., P.G.S., in the Chair. 
Mrs. Ackworth, Mr. C. H. Ashdown, Miss Gertrude Coles, the 
Bev. W. D. Penning, M.A., Mr. Edward Mawley, E.B.Met.Soc., 
E.B.H.S., Mr. H. J. Salisbury, Mr. W. H. Syme, and Mr. Charles 
Yan Baalte, were elected Members of the Society. 
Mr. Stephen Salter, Hills Court, Watford, and Mr. H. Morten 
Turner, Clarendon Boad, Watford, were proposed for membership. 
The following papers were read:— 
1. “Beport on the Bainfall in Hertfordshire in 1889.” By 
John Hopkinson, P.L.S., P.G.S., E.B.Met.Soc. ( Transactions , 
Yol. YT, p. 65.) 
2. “ Temperature and Bainfall at Hitchin, 1850-89.” By John 
Hopkinson. ( Transactions , Yol. YI, p. 72.) 
3. “ Some Hertfordshire Well-sections.—Second Paper.” By 
W. Whitaker, B.A., P.B.S., E.G.S., Assoc. Inst. C.E. ( Trans¬ 
actions Yol. YI, p. 53.) 
