NOTES—ORIGINAL AND SELECTED. 91
Belfast meeting of the British Association, the Council have to thank our Hon.
Member, Mr. W. Whitaker, F.R.S., for acting as the Club's Delegate.
Re-Afforestation of Hainhault.—The Council can hardly permit the
report of the year to pass without recording the warmest thanks of the Club to
the Vice-President, Mr. E. N. Buxton, for his persevering efforts to reclaim a
large part of Old Haiuhault Forest. It is a matter in which the Club can only-
cat by way of exhortation and example, but the Council had much pleasure in
organising the meeting in the Forest on June 14th, to which reference has already-
been made. The best wishes of all naturalists and lovers of open spaces will
be with Mr. Buxton in his truly noble work.
Professor Meldola.—The Council wish to express their warm thanks to-
Prof. Meldola, F.R.S., for his work as President during the past two years. During
the whole life of the Club our President has had its welfare close to his heart, and
a very valuable record of our work was the subject of his Presidential Address last
year. In the Club's interests he can only regret that pressure of Professor
Meldola's engagements in the cause of Scientific Education, and particularly of
ill-health during the period immediately preceding the Annual Meeting, has
precluded the preparation of a valedictory address. But we still retain his services
as a Permanent Vice-President, and may look forward to his advice in the future
as in the past.
PRESIDENCY.—The Council have great pleasure in recommending that Mr.
F. W. Rudler, F.G.S., V.P. Ant. Inst., and late Curator of the Museum of
Practical Geology, be elected President. Mr. Rudler has for many years been
an Honorary Member of the Club, and is now qualifying as an Ordinary Member,
so as to be eligible for election as President.
NOTES—ORIGINAL AND SELECTED.
ZOOLOGY.
BIRDS.
The Influence of the Nature of the Soil on Poultry.—
In the Live Stock Journal Almanac for 1903 there is an article by
Mr. Edward Brown, F.L.S., entitled "Breeds of Poultry for
Farmers" in which the writer states:—
"Some years ago I was consulted by a farmer in Essex, whose idea was to
develop table poultry on similar lines to those met with south of the Thames.
He lives in a very heavy clay-soil district. I pointed out to him that it was
altogether unsuitable for the best qualities of table poultry, and that his wiser plan
would be to go in for egg-production. Personally I was not then as fully
convinced of the causes for this advice as is now the case, and was unable to give
him as clearly as might have been desired the reasons for my objection. How-
ever, he went on, and found that what had been stated was absolutely true,
so that he was compelled to give up the attempt and turn his attention to the
production of eggs. In experience it is found that chickens take much longer to
mature upon heavy land, and thus the cost of production is much greater, whilst
the best quality is not realised. To summarise the results of inquiries which