NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 255 



formed of overlapping plates. This evening 1iq exhibited plates 

 of another species of the same genus, from the Ayrshire Carboni- 

 ferous limestone, in which the overlapping character of the plates 

 was very clearly seen. 



Mr G. E. Paterson exhibited a dated series of specimens of the 

 Black Guillemot, Uria grijlle, showing the various changes of 

 plumage from December to June, on which he made some 

 remarks. He stated that he would endeavour to bring forward 

 at a future meeting a series showing the variations from the 

 plumage of the breeding season down to that of winter. 



Mr James Coutts showed a collection of mounted specimens of 

 small organisms, which had been in his possession for some years, 

 and which he had obtained from the limestone strata at Dockra, 

 Waterland, and other localities. In the collection were numerous 

 specimens of sj)onge spicules similar to those obtained at Cunning- 

 ham-Bedland, which were exhibited before the Society in October 

 last, when it was stated that the remains of silicious sponges had 

 not before been noted as being found in the Carboniferous strata 

 of the West of Scotland. Mr Coutts' remarks on the specimens 

 were supplemented by the President. 



Mr James Lumsden, F.Z.S., exhibited a pair of Merlins, Falco 

 aesalon (male and female), shot in July last, from the nest in a 

 tree, on the banks of Locli Lomond. Mr Lumsden remarked that 

 he exhibited these birds in order that the somewhat unusual 

 position of the nest might be recorded. The MerKn in this country 

 is usually found to nest on the ground or in rocks. What 

 rendered the present case of greater interest, was the fact that 

 the ground all round the situation of the tree was just of such 

 a character as is usually chosen by the Merlin to nest in ; sho wing- 

 that the tree could not have been fixed on for want of another 

 suitable place. The nest occupied appeared to be a deserted one 

 of Corvus corone or Corvus comix. Although rare in this country, 

 tree nests of the Merlin are not uncommon in Lapland. 



PAPERS READ. 



l.—Note on the recent occurrence of the Hoopoe (Ujmpa epops) 

 in Arran. By Mr James Lumsden, F.Z.S. 



On the 23d of May, 1877, a Hoopoe, U])uija ejjops, was shot at 

 Dougrie, in Arran. It had been observed for several days 

 frequenting a sand-l)ank where some starlings had their nests, or 



