OrnitJiological Notes. 
227 
during tlie autumn of the previous year ; but unfortunately 
nothing but the head and wings were preserved. The bird 
was new to the keeper, being the first of the kind he had 
seen. 
(2.) Pious major. (Linn.) The Pied Woodpecker. — The 
Pied or Greater Spotted Woodpecker exhibited, was taken 
on Mr Trotter's property of The Bush, near Penicuik, on 7th 
November. Mr James Stewart, who shot the bird,was at- 
tracted, at about 100 yards distance, by the noise made from 
its tapping on the trunk of a large oak tree. The bird was 
an adult male, showing the crimson occiput. It is one of 
our permanent residents, but rare. 
Dr Smith brought under the notice of the Society in 1851, 
a specimen killed in the neighbourhood of Dryburgh Abbey. 
(3.) Lanius excubitor. (Linn.) The Great Grey Shrike. 
— Dr Smith noticed the capture of a Great Grey Shrike, 
on the 9th of November, in the vicinity of Dirleton, East 
Lothian. 
(4.) Perdrix cinerea. (Linn.) Common Partridge, — An 
accidental variety of the Common Partridge was also exhi- 
bited, showing pure white feathers in the scapulars, wings, 
and tail. 
V. A large Gup-shaped Sponge was exhibited hy John Alexander 
Smith, M.D. 
A very large and fine specimen of a Cup-shaped Sponge, 
Halichondria ventilahrum, attached by its base to a stone, 
was exhibited. It was sent from Shetland, where it had 
been dredged up from the sea bottom. The Sponge was 
sent for exhibition, at Dr Smith's request, by Mr James 
Carfrae, Princes Street, who was desired to make inquiries 
as to the exact locality where it had been discovered.* 
* This sponge has since been acquired for the Museum of Natural History, 
University. 
VOL. II. 
