Ch'kney Natural History Society. 137 mology of Great Britain, from Prideaux John Selby, Esq. of Twizell. From Mr. Plummer Johnston, Sprouston. — 1st, specimen of Fe-male Pintail Duck {Anas acuta) ; 2nd, Ditto, of Female Oyster-Catcher (H^«ma^ojOM5 Ostralegus). From Mr. John Rutherford, Kelso. — Specimen of Common Bunt-ing (Emberiza miliaria). From Mr. Wilkie of Ladythorne. — Twenty-two skins of foreign birds, of beautiful plumage. From Mr. Murray, Corsbie. — White variety of Common Rook. Other specimens of birds, &c. for preservation, were also received from Mr. Eliott Lockhart of Borthwickbrae, Mr. Wilkie of Lady-thorne, Mr. D. M'Dougall, Cessford, &c. &c. From Miss Makdovigall, Makerstoun. — Specimens of a species of Pinna from Australia. From Dr. William Scott, Milsington. — Various skins of birds, &c. from Hindostan. The splendid contributions by Mr. Selby to the entomological col-lection of the Institution were also much admired, and warmly ac-knoM'ledged by the Members present. Dr. F. Douglas read to the Meeting a letter from Mr. Selby, con-taining the outline of a plan for sending abroad an experienced natu-ralist, with the view of making collections in the different depart-ments of Natural History, to be afterwards transmitted to this coun-try, and divided among a certain number of subscribers, who are to bear the expenses of the expedition ; and requesting the Society to join as one of the partners in the undertaking. The Meeting felt compelled to decline this proposal, on the plea of its being attended with an expense too heavy for the present state of the Society's funds, which, besides, they considered as properly devoted to ob-jects of a local nature merely ; upon which. Sir Thomas Brisbane, with that zeal for science by which he has always been characterized, declared his wish to become a subscriber to the scheme in behalf of the Society, to the Museum of which he would cause to be handed over such objects as might be obtained. The Meeting acknowledged, in the warmest manner, this new proof of the liberality of their Pre-sident ; and Dr. F. Douglas was desired to communicate with Mr. Selby on the subject. ORKNEY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. From accidental causes we have only just received the first An-nual Report of this Society (instituted on the 28th of Dec. 1837), Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. 5. No. 29. April ISiO. l
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