24 
PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
OCCURRENCE OF THE BRIDLED GUILLEMOT (URIA LACRYMANs) IN IRELAND. 
Dr. Carte exhibited some specimens of the Bridled Guillemot (Uria lacrymans), 
taken by Fred. Burton, Esq., of the Co. Clare, and also a specimen of the egg of 
this species taken from a nest off which the bird had been frightened. 
Yarrell mentions it as a rare bird, and has some doubts as to its title to rank as 
a distinct species. In all these specimens the semicircle around the eye was very 
well marked, and was present in every specimen. It did not appear to be rare on 
the Clare coast, as Mr. Barton had seen many specimens, and had taken several 
of the eggs. He believed it was the first time that an Irish specimen of this egg 
had been received, and he felt much pleasure in laying the matter before the A s- 
sociation. The egg was somewhat distinct from the common Guillemot, the mark¬ 
ings being more regular ; but in size, after the most careful measurement, he could 
detect no appreciable difference, and would not therefore lay much stress on that 
point. He hoped in the course of next spring to be able to exhibit a series of them 
to the members. All the specimens exhibited were from the Museum of the Royal 
Dublin Society. 
After which Mr. E. Percival Wright read the following— 
LETTER FROM DR. KINAHAN, DATED CALLAO, AUGUST, 1855. 
“ I did not do much in the way of collecting on my passage out—a few Acalephse, 
&c., were obtained. When in lat. 40° south., and long. 39° east, after a heavy 
gale, a chimney swallow flew on board, and was captured. Near Australia I ob¬ 
tained specimens of the green-billed Albatross; of Wilson’s petrel—which species 
took the place of the storm petrel, as we approached the south ; and of some Cape 
pigeons. These, with some Crustacea found attached to fish, and, on, getting near 
land, a few insects, completes my 4 Ship Fauna.’ 
44 1 could not do much in Melbourne. It was nearly impossible to get men to go 
out dredging, they were all so busy money-making. However, I did not regret 
this, as Dr. Harvey has, with more means at his disposal than I had, investigated 
this locality. On the shore I got specimens of one or two species of Trochus, 
some beautiful Phasianella, and several species of Fusus, Buccinum, and Patella, 
Chitons, &c., &c. 
“There are very large beds of semi-fossilized shells all along this coast; and it 
would appear as if the sea had several times submerged and retreated from it. Many 
of these deposits are now undergoing the process of being denuded ; so that I met 
with specimens of shells in a semi-fossilized state, mixed with more recent species. 
44 From Picnic Point to Sandridge, and thence to the Yarra, the coast is of 
this description; next succeed a range of low sand-hills, made up of drifting 
sand and the debris of shells, and covered with 4 tea tree scrub and Epacris.’ In 
other places I found cliffs of stiff clay, running nearly out into the sea, and having 
generally at their base reefs of sandstone; those nearest the water’s edge being 
covered with Chitons, Patellae, Phasianella, &c. These are the only localities in 
which I have found any of the Echinoderms. About six miles from Melbourne I 
came across a section of the upraised beeches already referred to. It is about 
eight feet high, the top composed of blowing sand, in which were growing quan¬ 
tities of the tea tree scrub ; next a layer, about a foot in thickness, of broken shells, 
chiefly 4 Mytili’ and 4 Haliotides ;’ below this, coarse sand and shingle, with stumps of, 
I think, the tea tree (a prior generation to the one now flourishing on the top of the 
sand-hill). About three feet below this there is a bed of stiff clay, with perfect 
specimens of bivalves imbedded in it; species which, after diligent search, are not 
to be found in the recent state about here. So far for my success in the shell line ; 
and you will perceive that all the species I have obtained are (owing to my being 
unable to dredge) essentially of the 4 Littoral zone.’ From the 4 oyster beds’ I 
added to my stock a few Terebratulae, and other deep sea species. 
“ Of Crustacea, I have met with several species. One very like our Portumnus 
arcuatus is found hid under stones on the reefs. Also, a species of Araneus and 
Pilumnus, one, of whose identity I am uncertain, has occurred to me several times, 
buried in small holes in the sand, under water, and frequenting, in large numbers, 
the cockle beds, which are grassy slobs, somewhat like the shore near the ladies’ 
bathing-place at Sandycove. Another species I meet with under dry stones, that 
