Hi PROCEEDINGS—PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE. 
leaves (in this case the whole turf, with nest, was taken up, and has 
been carefully preserved for exhibition in the new cases); a Bullfinch’s 
with five eggs; a Night Jar’s with two—the full clutch; this bird 
makes no particular nest, laying its two beautifully spotted oval eggs 
on the bare ground; the whole turf with its surroundings was care¬ 
fully lifted, and will be shown with all its characters as in nature. 
Mr. Keay deserves the very best thanks of the Society for having suc¬ 
ceeded in so carefully preserving the characters of the several nests 
he has sent. From Mr. Andrew Davidson, Kinfauns Manse, has 
come a very perfect nest of the Brown Linnet with five eggs. From 
Mr. Herd, Scoonie Burn, a Swallow’s nest with five eggs. As this, 
unfortunately, did not come first through the Curator’s hands, some 
difficulty may be found in properly representing it when it comes to 
be arranged. An interesting nest also was received from Mr. Herd, 
of the Tit-Lark, with a nearly full-fledged Cuckoo in it, with its sur¬ 
roundings ; this, it is hoped, will be fully represented with its 
foster-parents. From Mr. Wylie, the debris of a Kingfisher’s nest 
without eggs; it is doubtful whether it would be worth the time 
and trouble to put it together. From Mr. Gloag, a beautifully- 
formed nest of the Corn-Bunting, but without eggs, as it had 
been unfortunately robbed just before. The nest with eggs of the 
Sheldrake, referred to in last year’s report as having been notified 
from R. W. R. Mackenzie, Esq., of Earlshall, through Col. Campbell, 
has been now received, and is represented as found in a rabbit burrow, 
a front section of which is shown with the nest, which is generally 
from six to twelve feet below the surface. The nest of the Dunlin, 
which was also mentioned in last year’s report, seems not to have 
been obtained as was supposed, never having come into the Curator’s 
hands. It is hoped, however, that a specimen will be got this season 
with several other desiderata, so that by the time the Museum is 
opened the series found in the district may be, if not quite complete, 
nearly so. 
Before concluding, I cannot but revert to the very great and irri- 
parable loss we have all sustained in the death of the late Dr. 
Buchanan White—a loss to me especially severe, for he was to me 
not only a valued friend and a companion, sometimes for days to¬ 
gether, in many a scientific ramble, but in all matters connected with 
my department an adviser of untold value, and now of corresponding 
loss. 
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN. 
The progress of the building operations during the past year has 
interfered with the usefulness of the Library, but doubtless by next 
winter a period of renewed activity will have set in, and many 
readers will take advantage of the valuable collection of books to 
which they have access. 
REPORT OF EDITOR. 
The Editor reported that the first part of the second volume of 
the Society’s Transactions and Proceedings was now ready, and would 
be forthwith issued to members. The next part would consist of the 
Tay Valley papers, and would be published as soon as possible. 
