242 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



Sim had also transmitted careful notes and measurements, which 

 he was sure would prove interesting to the ornithological members 

 of the Society. The mere acquisition of skins of such rare species 

 should not be the sole aim of collectors. By accumulating these, 

 without keeping notes of habits and measurements, etc., in many 

 cases they are depriving science of interesting observations, 

 instead of, as they suppose, furthering the cause. He hoped that, 

 in future, as careful notes would be taken of any rare and 

 interesting species which might come into the hands of local 

 naturalists. 



The measurements given by Mr Sim are as follows : — 

 • Weight, 1 lb. 7^ oz. ; length, 16 J inches; expanse of wings, 

 34 J inches. 



Dissection : 



Rectum — 6 J inches ; breadth when pressed flat, J inch. 



Caecum — 14|- inches; breadth in middle, 1 inch. 



Gizzard — Length, 2 J inches ; breadth in middle, f inch. 



Alimentary canal in toto, 4 feet. 



Proventriculus — Length, 1 inch ; breadth in middle, | inch ; 

 thickness of walls, J inch; coated with a thick mucous 

 membrane internally. 



Gizzard — \ inch in thickness ; the inner lining hard and rough ; 

 posterior half formed into longitudinal furrows; anterior, 

 into confused wrinkles. 



Tail — Composed of 18 feathers; not 16, as stated by Mac- 

 gillivray. 



Mr James Lumsden exhibited a specimen of the Snowy Owl 

 (Surnia nyctea), got on the island of Tyree, in the last week of 

 November this year. A conversation ensued, in which Mr 

 Robert Gray, Dr Dewar, and Mr Harvie-Brown, took part, the 

 general opinion being that the Snowy Owl would be found 

 breeding in the Outer Hebrides. 



Mr Robert Gray, F.R.S.E., exhibited a specimen of the Egyp- 

 tian Goose (Anser egyptiacus), forwarded by Mr John Jaff'ray 

 of Dunbar, corresponding member. Mr Gray said this speci- 

 men of the Egyptian Goose was obtained near Dunbar, on the 

 8th of December; the bird was a male, and had been seen in 

 company with a female of the same species flying along shore 

 and coming from the south. They alighted in a salt-water 

 creek, and having been watched by two wild-fowl shooters, 



