NOTES—ORIGINAL AND SELECTED.
71
Vice-Presidents they would still have the great benefit of Mr. Rudler's scientific
knowledge and experience. The President's appreciation of the efforts the Club
was making to establish a local museum was one of the best evidences that could
be afforded that these efforts were being pursued on right lines, and Mr.
Rudler's address would not only be most valuable in itself, but would be a
great aid and encouragement in the future of the Museum.
The vote of thanks was seconded warmly by Mr. T. V. Holmes, and carried
by acclamation.
Mr. Rudler replied and thanked Prof. Meldola and Mr. Holmes for their
appreciation of his efforts, and the members for the way in which they had
endorsed the remarks which had been made.
NOTES—ORIGINAL AND SELECTED.
ZOOLOGY.
BIRDS.
Dotterel at Fowlness.—On Saturday, Sept. 2nd, 1905,
a Dotterel (Eadromias morinellus), a bird of the year, was shot in
Fowlness Island, and by the kindness of Mr. H. Matthams, of
Fowlness, it was sent to me for identification and preservation.
—Henry Laver, Colchester. [Christy (Birds of Essex) remarks
that the Dotterel is a rare passing migrant in spring and
autumn when on its way to or from its more northerly breeding
stations among the Scotch mountains.]
How the Wild Birds are returning to the London
District.—In the Daily News for September 28th, 1905, is a very
interesting article on the return of the birds. The writer
says :—
For some Little time visitors to St. James's Park have enjoyed the beautiful
spectacle of a kingfisher flitting about the lake, his brilliant plumage glistening
rainbow-like in the sun as he darts after the small fishes in the water. Mr. C. J.
Cornish, the well-known writer on wild birds in the Thames Valley, yesterday
told a member of our staff that the kingfisher is not the only wild bird that is
beginning to make its home in London after long absence.
' The presence of the kingfisher in St. James's Park may be accounted for,'
he said, 'by the enormous increase of fish in the ponds there. In spite of the
presence of cormorants and pelicans, the water swarms with fish. Roach and
dace are fed from the bridge just as the gulls are in winter, and probably there
is a large quantity of fry to attract the kingfisher. These birds are very bold
when they find nurseries of young fish, and I have known them rob infant trout
from the boxes of a hatchery. They have appeared before this on the pond at
Battersea Park, and a pair nested two years ago in the grounds of Chiswick
House. If the fish supply continues the kingfisher is not likely to desert St.
James's Park. London is becoming increasingly attractive to many kinds of