Anniversary Address, . 59 



denuded of trees on the height behind Bowhill, which stands out 

 conspicuous like the tonsure- baldness of a priest. NeoUia Nidus- 

 Avis is found occasionally under trees in the Bowhill grounds ; 

 where also in suitable localities grow Pyrola minor, Listera ovata 

 and cordata, Ophioglossum vulgatum, and Botrychium Lunaria. 

 Blysmus compressus was picked up many years ago in a marshy 

 spot between the farms of Middlestead and Hartwoodmyres, and 

 near the site of an ancient camp which was pointed out on our 

 drive down the Ettrick. Attention was called in passing to the 

 Mote hOl on the farm of Howden. Its summit is encircled by 

 an entrenchment. 



The only zoological fact worth recording during the day was 

 ■ the occurrence of a flock of Siskins, ( Carduelis Spinus), which 

 rose from an Alder thicket on the left side of the road, when we 

 were within half a mile of Howden Farm. They were seen but 

 a few moments as we drove past rapidly, and some doubt re- 

 mained as to their being Siskins. The Haining gamekeeper, 

 however, whom I had asked to look out for the flock, brought 

 me in a few days a pretty specimen of a young bird, one of a 

 flock which he found frequenting the Alders where we had seen 

 them. It is worth recording that Macgillivray, who speaks of 

 the bird as rare in Scotland, mentions having found it in Selkirk- 

 shire. " On the 5th September, 1832," he says, " I saw a con- 

 siderable number in a fir-wood, in Ettrickdale, in Selkirkshire. 

 They were in the tops of the trees, accompanied by Grey Fly- 

 catchers, Golden-crested Wrens, and Black Titmice ; but I suc- 

 ceeded in shooting three individuals. But in no other part of 

 Scotland have I ever seen this species, which I must consequently 

 infer to be rare in that country." (Macgillivray's British Birds, 

 Yol. III., p. 402.) 



The Hotel was reached in time to constitute the annual busi- 

 ness meeting at 3 o'clock. In terms of the motion, of which he 

 had given notice at the Corbridge meeting, Sir Walter Elliot 

 proposed that in future only sufficient copies of the Proceedings 

 shonld be printed to give one copy to each member, and a few 

 extra copies, to be sold at the rate of 2s. to members, and 4s. to 

 non-members. This motion having been seconded, Mr Turnbull 

 moved that the printing of the Proceedings continue as at pre- 

 sent; which motion was also seconded. On a vote 10 supported 

 Sir Walter Elliot's motion, and 9 Mr Turnbull's. When the re- 

 sult was declared, several members stated that they had abstained 



