NOTES ON DR. HARRISON'S LECTURE by
W.
H.
PAYN.
JAMES M. H A R R I S O N ON T H E BIRDS OF ISRAEL. The Suffolk Naturalists' Society opened its winter programme on 3Ist October, with a meeting at the Art Gallery, Ipswich, at which Dr. J. M. Harrison, the distinguished Kentish ornithologist, spoke on the Birds of Israel. Dr. Harrison illustrated a most interesting talk with two colour films taken by Dr. David Harrison who also provided the commentary.
The Speaker described the very varied physical conditions to be found in the country which ränge from snow-clad Mt. Carmel, to the Dead Sea Depression with a summer temperature of 120° in the shade, and the almost moon-like desolation of the Negev desert and Desert of Sein. Such varied physical conditions produce a great variety of wild life and the audience were shown some magnificent pictures of Israel fauna—wild boar andjackals, lynx, gazelle and hyrax (coney), a rare desert hedgehog, snakes, chameleons, fruit bats with wing span of some 20 inches, with many beautiful shots of scenery, trees, flowers and insects. For the ornithologist there were sequences of the migration of at least 5,000 pelicans, a breeding colony of buff-backed and night herons with shots of sandgrouse, bee-eaters and rollers and closeups of such rarities as the serpent eagle, lappet-faced vulture and Tristram's grackle. The Speaker was introduced by the Rev. P. H. T. Hartley and thanks to the Speaker were expressed by W. H. P A Y N .