392 Natural History in Scotland, 



antiquarian research. Nor have the private meetings been v/ithout their 

 interest and advantages. The inspection of various productions of nature 

 and of art, of ingenious models of machinery, of specimens iUustrative of 

 the several branches of natural history, and of numerous objects of archaeo* 

 logical enquiry, have given rise to interesting conversations, and suggested 

 matter for entertaining and useful discussion. Nor should it be unnoticed 

 that these meetings have drawn together men of varied and extensive 

 attainments; that they have been a point of attraction and union to those 

 who, however congenial may have been their studies and characters, would 

 probably not otherwise have had either opportunity or inclination to meet 

 and interchange their respective views, or to communicate the results of 

 their private investigations and insulated pursuits. 



The full attendance at these meetings must be regarded as an unequivocal 

 proof that much interest has been excited in their favour ; that a taste for 

 scientific and literary pursuits is rapidly spreading among the inhabitants of 

 this great city and its vicinity ; and that the love of trifling amusements is 

 giving way to a relish for pleasures of a more refined and elevated character. 

 To the still wider prevalence of these indications of intellectual improve- 

 ment, the Council look forward with increasing satisfaction. Nor can they 

 contemplate the extent of what has been already effected, without a con- 

 fident anticipation of the period when the leisure of the superior classes 

 will be devoted yet more generally to the cultivation of rational and intel- 

 lectual pursuits, and when such relaxation as is hurtful, or at least unprofit- 

 able, to the mind will be exchanged for that which will tend to give it health 

 and vigour. 



On taking a retrospect of the transactions of this Society from its estab- 

 lishment, and on considering the list of its distinguished honorary members 

 and associates, and its numerous friends and supporters, from whose inge- 

 nious and learned communications it has derived so much credit and advan- 

 tage, the Council cannot but entertain a pleasing confidence, that its 

 resources will furnish such an unfailing supply of scientific and literary 

 contributions, as will enable it to persevere in its dignified and honourable 

 career, (ikfa^ 29. 1828.) — t 



Art. VII. Natural History in Scotland, - '; 



Birds on the Sea Coast of Gomrie, in Aberdeenshire. 'S\Ti The sea coast 

 along the parish of Gomrie, in Aberdeenshire, is one of the boldest and most 

 interesting to be found in the kingdom ; and to the mineralogist, in particu- 

 lar, it affords examples of the leading truths of his science in the most diver- 

 sified manner, and on the most gigantic scale. The rocks, which at intervals 

 arise in rugged majesty along the shore, are of great height, and of a most 

 formidable appearance, and stand perpendicularly from the ocean as striking 

 monuments of those tremendous convulsions which at different times have 

 agitated the world which forms our present abode. Nor is their interest 

 confined merely to the student of mineralogy ; for to the ornithologist, like- 

 wise, they are attractive in no ordinary degree. They are annually resorted 

 to by immense numbers of those birds which are properly denominated sea~ 

 ,fowl; and it is remarkable that the various tribes of which the general body 

 is composed are most punctual with regard to the particular period at which 

 they respectively and yearly return from the cold regions of the north, for 

 the important and pleasing purposes of incubation. The varieties which 

 appear in greatest numbers are the Kittiwake (Z/arus tridactylus Temminck^ 

 JLarus Rissa Linnaeus, provincially Kitti/); the Razor-bill Auk (Aica 



