Transactions. 7 
breed upon Ailsa Craig. It is a most successful fisher. The 
short-eared owl (asio accipitrinus P.) seems to be very plentiful this 
winter. I had more of them than I ever recollect of having in 
one season before. I also received lately a very curious speci- 
men of the grey hen assuming the plumage of the cock; she is 
considerably larger than the common grey hen, and has a curious 
mottled appearance— black and grey all over. About the begin- 
ning of last month I received a good specimen of the red-breasted 
merganser (mergus serrator L. ), and in winter plumage; it subsists 
upon fish, and has the bill teethed like a saw for the purpose of 
holding its slippery prey. It is not uncommon about the outer 
Hebrides, and also in the Orkney Islands. These are a few 
specimens that I have thought worth taking notice of—some for 
their rarity in the district, and others for their appearance in 
greater numbers than usual. I may also mention that squirrels 
are now very plentiful throughout the country. 
II. Notes on Lincluden Abbey, No.1. By Mr James Barnour. 
For this important communication, see proceedings of 7th 
March, 1884, as it is combined with No. 2, which was then read, 
for the purpose of giving a more concise and complete description 
of this noble edifice, and of the ruins recently unearthed by the 
excavations conducted by Captain Maxwell. 
4th January, 1884. 
Dr Gincurist, President, in the Chair. Twenty-seven 
members present. 
New Members.—Mr J. M. Aitken, Ravenshill ; Mrs Baird, 
Mrs M‘Kenzie, and Mrs M‘Gowan were elected ordinary 
members ; and Messrs G. F. Black and R. Henderson corre- 
sponding members. 
Exhibits—Mr W. Adamson exhibited specimens of Coralline 
limestone and trap rocks from Winnipeg and Niagara. Mr 
Henderson exhibited numerous specimens of grasses and flower- 
ing plants from Manitoba, and the skins of several wild animals, 
including the badger, goffer, squirrel, and skunk. He stated 
that the specimens of wheat and oats on the table were each 
grown from a single grain, and that it was not unusual for the 
