114 Proceedings of the Eoyal Physical Society. 



had tlie honour and the pleasure to fill for so many years. 

 Unfortunately, however, I could not but feel that this state 

 of matters by no means fitted me the better for filling the 

 more prominent and important office of the President ; and 

 in now resigning that office, I have warmly to thank my 

 fellow office-bearers for their constant courtesy and kindness 

 to myself, and, indeed, gentlemen, my hearty thanks are due 

 to all the Members of the Society, in these by-past years, 

 for the invariably pleasant intercourse I have had with them 

 on all and every occasion. 



On the motion of Professor Duns, D.D., a vote of thanks 

 was unanimously awarded to Dr Smith for his able 

 address, and for his valuable services while President of 

 the Society. 



II. Ornithological Notes: (1.) Buteo lagopus, Boitgh-legged 

 Buzzard; (2.) Pernis apivorus. Honey Buzzard; (3.) 

 Otus brachyotos. Short-eared Owl; (4.) Lanius ex- 

 cubitor. Great Grey Shrike ; (5.) Upupa epops. Hoopoe; 

 (6.) Charadrius morinellus, Dotterel. (Specimens ex- 

 hibited.) By John Alexander Smith, M.D. 



(1.) Buteo lagojms, Eough-legged Buzzard. — This fine 

 female specimen of this bird was shot near Eoslin on the 

 23d October. 



(2.) Pernis apivorus, Honey Buzzard. — This bird is also 

 a female, and its plumage is remarkably dark in colour. It 

 was shot near Pencaitland, Haddingtonshire, on the 22d 

 September last. Another fine specimen of this bird was 

 shot last year on the 20th September at Kilberry, Argyle- 

 shire. It was an adult male, and its stomach on being 

 opened was found to be filled with full-grown specimens of 

 the common wasp. 



(3.) Otus hrachyotos, Short-eared Owl. — Various speci- 

 mens were exhibited; this bird having been recently un- 

 usually common this season in various parts of Scotland, the 

 native birds being jjrobably supplemented by many from the 

 Continent, owing to the great prevalence of easterly gales. 



