THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
259
Timor, of comparatively recent elevation. The differential action of percolating
water in removal of most of the shells, leaving moulds and casts, composed of the
coral-sand in which they were embedded, was the principal point of interest in
the specimens. Mr. Dalton explained the exhibit, and remarks on the specimens
were made by Mr. F. W. Rudler, F.G.S.
Great Skua from Fowlness.—Mr. Miller Christy, F.L.S., exhibited a
skin of the Great Skua (Stercorarius catarrhactes), which had been presented in
the flesh by Mr. George Cole, of East Newlands Farm, Fowlness Mr. Christy
had had the skin preserved for the Museum.
Varieties of Birds.—The President exhibited, on behalf of Mr. John
Pettitt, of Stanway, Colchester, two interesting pied varieties of birds.
The first was a pied Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus), shot by Mr. Pettitt
himself, at Stanway, ou 15th December, 1907. On the top of the head, the
back, and the wings, the normal colouring of the species and white (the latter in
spots or blotches) were present in about equal proportions ; while the breast and
under parts generally were white, with spots only' of the normal colouring.
Such a pied variety, the President said, was very interesting and uncommon, but
probably not unique.
The other specimen—namely, a pied Pied Wagtail (Motacilla lugubris) —
was of much greater interest and rarity. It was shot at or near Stanway about
the middle of the current month (January 1908), and was wholly white with the
exception of the quill feathers of the wings and tail, which were of the normal
colour. The President said that the specimen was not only one of much beauty,
but also, so far as he knew, unique.
Remarks on these specimens were made by Mr. Shenstone and Mr. French,
and Mr. W. Cole referred to the whitish forms of brown butterflies belonging to
the genus Epinephele found on the coast at St. Osyth, Essex. (See Essex
Naturalist, vol. xiii., 366.)
Cordial votes of thanks were passed to the various exhibitors, and to the
donors of specimens to the Museum.
Composition of Essex "Mineral Waters."—Mr. W. Cole called
attention to the analyses of the waters of the Essex Wells given in the paper on
Essex Mineral Waters by Mr. Christy and Miss Thresh, read at the November
meeting of the Club. Mr. Cole reviewed the conditions of the wells at the time
the samples of water were taken for analysis, and gave reasons for the
supposition that some chemical or bacteriological changes might have taken place
in such stagnant wells. He suggested that further analysis of samples taken.
under different conditions might possibly give results showing that the mineral
reputations of the waters were not merely fanciful. Some discussion took place
on this matter, in which Mr. Christy, Mr. J. C. Shenstone, F.L.S., Mr. John
Spiller, F.C.S., Mr. W. Ping, F.C.S., Mr. Dalton, F.G.S., and Mr. Wilson
took part.
Report of Club's Delegate at British Association.—Mr. F. W. Rudler,
I.S.O., F.G.S., read his report as Delegate of the Club at the Corresponding
Societies' Committee at the meeting of the British Association at Leicester,
1907 (ante p. 116).
Considerable discussion took place on some matters referred to in Mr.
Rudler's report. The hope was expressed that some means might be found by
which full reports of the Corresponding Societies' Committee would be sent to