38 PnOCEEDIXGS OF SOCIETIES. 



subject which is identified with the name of Kidd, and is treated by him in 

 a light and playful, yet solid, style, which cannot fail to secure him hosts of 

 supporters^ for who is there that has not some fortunate or w/jfortunate pet, 

 the happiness of which may be increased or secured hy following the advice 

 that is and will be given in "Kidd's London Journal?" Many highly interesting 

 anecdotes are given, and more promised. Who can read Mr. Kidd's account 

 of the destruction of his splendid aviary by Rats, leaving him only eleven out 

 of three hundred and sixty-six feathered bipeds, without sympathy; or of his 

 turning the tables so completely on the invading army, as to annihilate it 

 entirely, without gratification; we confess we could not. 



The healthy and proper tendency of Mr. Kidd's writings is well known, 

 and we are happy in being able to say that the present work is a safe- addition 

 to our domestic literature — no mean desideratum now-a-days — it will afibrd 

 instructive amusement to the fireside, we hope, of many. In conclusion, we 

 beg to wish '^Kidd's London Journal" a icarm reception. 



^Jrntri^Mngs iif Intictia 



B.oyal Thyskal Societij, Edbiburgh. — The usual monthly mectino: of this Society was held at 

 6, York Place, on the evening of Wednesday, December 3rd., 1851.— Dii. Coldstkeam in the 

 chair,— there was a full attendance of members and visitors. The following gentlemen were 

 unanunously elected oflSce-bearers for the current session:— 



Presidents.— John Goodsir, Esq., Professor of Anatomy, University, Edinburgh; John 

 Coldstream, Esq., M. D., F.E.C.P.; and Hugh Miller, Esq. 



Council.— llaralin W. Lee, Esq. ; Eev. John Fleming, D.D. ; James Cunnmgham, Esq., W.S.; 

 Bobcrt K. Grevillc, LL. D.; Robert Chambers, Esq.; and WUliam II. Lowe, Esq., M. D. 



Treasurer.— William Oliphant, Esq. 



Secretary.— Wyville T. C. Thomson, Esq. 



Assistant Secretary.— George Lawson, Esq. 



Honorary LiiiiiARiAN.— Eobert F. Logan, Esq. 



It was remitted to the Council to forward to his Royal Highness, Prince Albert, a congratu- 

 latory address upon the success of his labour in connexion with the Great Exliibition, and also 

 to memorialize the Treasurer upon the importance of_^^ forming in Edinburgh a museum of the 

 geology and natm'al liistory of Scotland. 



Tlie following communications were then brought forward: — 



1. Ur. J. A. Smith read a notice of the occurrence of the Black Tern near Coldstream, and 

 exhibited a specimen of this bird shot in the beginning of July last. It was killed when flying 

 in company with several others, apparently of the same species, in pursuit of its insect prey, on 

 the banks of the Tweed. Dr. Smith believed the specimen before the Society to be an adult 

 bird, though from the dullness of its colouring, when compared with others which he had 

 examined from the south of England, he was led to the conclusion that it had only lately 

 assumed its adult plumage. Like the other Terns, Sterna nigra is a summer British visitor, 

 but, unlike them, it frequents rivers, ponds, and marshes, in preference to the , sea coast, breeding 

 amongst the grass and rushes of their borders. This bird is mentioned by Yarrell, Jardine, and 

 ilacgillivray, as not having been met with in Scotland; and as this individual had pursued its 

 prey to the northern bank of our boundary river. Dr. Smith considered it the first Scotch 

 specimen. Mr. Archibald Ilcjpbuni, however, Avho was present, stated that some years ago an 

 individual had been shot iu East Lothian. 



2. Mr. Evans exhibited to the Society a beautiful specimen of the Bohemian Waxwiiig, lately 

 captured by him in the Experimental Gardens; and a specimen of the Nightjar, shot iu Uopc- 

 toun woods. 



