NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 17 



no trace of the white or yellow which is generally seen on the 

 breast and neck of this species. The legs and feet are also all 

 black, whereas, at an earlier period of the bird's existence, they are 

 blotched with yellow. 



January 7th, 1879. 



Mr. James Barclay Murdoch, Vice-President, in the Chair. 



Messrs. John Guthrie Smith, John H. Fash, Alexander Smith, 

 John Jex Long, and Archibald Drummond were elected Ordinary 

 Members of the Society. 



SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. 



Mr. Jas, Lumsden, F.Z.S., exhibited a specimen of the Spotted 

 Crake, Porzana maruetta (Leach), shot at Aberuthven by Mr. 

 Graeme, of Inchbreakie, on 7th October last, and sent for exhibition 

 by Mr. P. D. Malloch, of Perth. Mr. Lumsden read some notes 

 from Mr. Harvie-Brown regarding this species, who also forwarded 

 skins of the Water Rail and Little Grebe. Both of these species 

 were said to be remarkably abundant this season, Mr. Malloch 

 having got as many as seventeen of the former in one day, while 

 the Grebe has been common on our streams during the frost so 

 long as the least bit of open water remained. 



Mr. D. M'Lellan exhibited specimens of the Hornet Clearwing, 

 Sesia apiformis, with its larva and chrysalis, and a vertical section 

 of the Willow, Salix caprea, from Kelvingrove Park, showing the 

 injury which this insect inflicts on the tree. The larvae feed on 

 the solid wood to such an extent as in many cases to cause the 

 death of the tree. They form a tunnel of considerable length in 

 the trunk or branches, living concealed for two years, eating up- 

 wards, and, when fully fed, spinning a tough cocoon and emerging 

 as a perfect insect in midsummer. Unlike most others, the moths 

 of this genus — of wdrick there are a dozen species — are true lovers 

 of the sunshine, and while sporting among the flowers are apt to 

 be mistaken for bees, wasps, or other hymenopterous insects. 

 Although not rare, they are local in their habits, and, when they 

 get into a well-wooded locality, are very difficult to eradicate. 



Mr. M'Lellan also showed a portion of the trunk of a beech tree 

 which had been cut down in Glasgow Green. Upon splitting up 



VOL. IV. b 



