48 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



Gyr Falcon. Such birds are for the most part referrible to the species 

 now under consideration, the Greenland falcon being the only one 

 which is white from the nest. Immature specimens are difficult to 

 distinguish, the young of the Iceland, Norwegian, and Greenland 

 falcons being closely alike in plumage and general markings. The 

 adult birds, however, are easily recognised — Gh-eenlandicus having 

 white feathers with dark spots, while the general plumage of the 

 Iceland bird, a specimen of which Dr Dewar had on the table, is 

 dark, each feather ha\ang a white mark. 



Mr J. Barclay Murdoch exliibited a storm-petrel (Thalassidroma 

 pelagka), from Ailsa Craig, a sjiecies which, during the recent gales, 

 was observed as far up the Firth of Clyde as Port-Glasgow. It 

 was also noticed off Cumbrae. It was remarked by Mr Gray 

 that in recording the occurrence of these birds, it was of great 

 importance to ascertain the exact species — the name storm-petrel 

 being a convenient term for at least four different species found on 

 the British coasts. Petrels are of nocturnal habits, unless in rough 

 weather, when they occasionally venture from their retreats ; con- 

 sequently it is difficult, under any circumstances, to observ'e species 

 when on the wing. The secretary also stated that he had known 

 the storm-petrel as a native of Ailsa Craig for many years ; but from 

 its habit of incubating under the large and immovable blocks of 

 stone which he scattered round the base of the Craig, the eggs 

 have been taken in only a few instances. Three years ago he had 

 seen several petrels issuing from their retreats under these large 

 boulders in a dull day at the beginning of June. The morning 

 was temptingly fine, but on the party nearing the rock, it became 

 evident that a storm Avas at hand. At the moment, however, of 

 observing the birds leaving their burrows, there was but a slight 

 breeze stii'ring the sea, although to the south there were unmis- 

 takeable signs of a coming storm. The sky darkened, and sea and 

 cloud were observed to mingle in the distance. Half-an-hour after- 

 wards, while the party were engaged in gathering eggs, the tempest 

 broke out, and they hurriedly set sail for Girvan about mid-day. 

 When about half way across, four or five petrels were observed 

 following the boat, approaching so near as to be at once recognised 

 as the bird now exhibited. 



Mr Alexander M'Niven of Shemore, one of the society's corres- 

 ponding members, exhibited two specimens of the Powan {Cwegonus 

 Lacepedei), from Loch Lomond. Sixty years ago this fish was first 



