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RETURN TO LIBRARY OF MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY WOODS HOLE, MASS. LOANED BY AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY The Annals OF Scottish Natural History A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED Baturaltet EDITED BY J. A. HARVIE-BROWN, F.R.S.E., F.Z.S. MEMBER OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION JAMES W. H. TRAIL, M.A., M.D., F.R.S., F.L.S. PROFESSOR OF BOTANY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN AND WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE, F.L.S., MEM. BRIT. ORN. UNION NATURAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT, MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND ART, EDINBURGH EDINBURGH DAVID DOUGLAS, CASTLE STREET LONDON: R. H. PORTER, 7 PRINCES ST., CAVENDISH SQUARE The Annals of Scottish Natural History No. 21] 1897 [JANUARY THE LATE PROFESSOR THOMAS KING. THOMAS KING was born on the I4th April 1834, at Yardfoot, Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, a farm which was owned and occupied by his father. He received his early education in a small school in the village of Glenhead. He was destined to be a teacher, and in 1855, after the sale of his birthplace, and the removal of the family to Glasgow, he entered the Normal Training College of the Free Church of Scotland. The early bent of his mind revealed itself in his attendance on the class of Botany in that Institution. In 1862 he was appointed teacher of English in the Garnet Bank Academy, where, in addition to the ordinary subjects, he taught an advanced class of Botany. The work of the session, however, proved too much for his strength, which had never been robust, and he was obliged to relinquish the position. Through the influence of a brother, who had settled in Chili, he was appointed to an English school in Valparaiso. He took this step in the hope that a long sea voyage, and residence in a warmer climate, might be beneficial to his health. Leaving in July, he arrived at Valparaiso in October, 1864. During eight years of residence in Valparaiso his health was in great measure restored, and his love of Botany found new fields for its devotion. His letters during this period to 21 B 2 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY a sister, with whom the latter years of his life were spent, and who survives him, are full of interest and reveal the en- thusiasm of his nature. He describes the scenery of a valley near Valparaiso as resembling that of the Clyde valley about twenty miles north from Moffat, but narrower, and intersected by many cross valleys enriched with a profusion of wild- " flowers, such as yellow calceolarias and mimulus, growing like chickweed." The contrast between their richness and " the sterile mountain scenery struck him as very wonderful." As evidence of the restoration of his health, we may refer to his ascent of La Campana de Quillota, a mountain of 6400 feet in height The ascent was made by moon- " light, which steeped the great silent hills in light, and made one think how little of the grandeur and beauty of nature we see." At a height of 4000 feet the party rested " for the night. When they reached the summit the only " sign of day was the morning star in the east," while in the west the moon was shining on the sea." Gradually the light " " became brighter and brighter over the mountains," rays " from the yet hidden sun streaming into the sky, till at last " an intense point of the colour of lightning rose to view." When the full glory of the sunrise was upon them, the shadow of the mountain was projected for twenty-six miles over land and sea. There is frequent reference to the plants " which he now a calceolaria in a crack gathered ; growing of a rock a few feet from the highest point," and again an " Umbellifer growing like great hassocks among the stones, like a moss about nine inches high, or the golden fern Adiantum sulphureum" The descent was made after sun- rise, and at one point the party went into a copper mine, " but I, liking better what grows on the outside of the earth, took the opportunity to go among the plants." So character- istic of the man ! After eight years residence in Valparaiso he went to Santiago, and communicated to Dr. Philippi, Professor of Botany in the University there, the collection of plants and seeds which he had made during these years. It proved to be one of great value, including several plants new to science. Schizostcmma Kingi, Ph., and Tropaolum Kingi, Ph., perpetuate his name. He was the first to find Stemmatum THE LATE PROFESSOR THOMAS KING 3 narcissoides, Ph. ScJiizosteimna and Stemmatum formed new genera at the instance of Philippi. He was the first also to find Errazurizia glandulifera, Ph., a curious " leguminous plant with long rat-tail spikes of flowers of a " " " peculiar purple and yellow with an incense -like scent. Philippi named it in honour of President Errazuriz, and " King adds so characteristic again I was better pleased than if he had named it for myself." Early in 1873 ne returned to Scotland, with such restored health that he determined to remain at home. In 1873 ar>d 1874 we find him studying Botany in the of under the late Professor Dickson University Glasgow, ; and again in 1878-79 he attended the class of Practical Botany under Professor Bayley Balfour. For a time he was engaged in teaching in various schools in the West of Scot- land, and set himself to qualify as a certificated teacher in Science. In 1877 he was appointed Lecturer on Botany in the Eastern Mechanics Institute, Glasgow; and in 1878 he was appointed to a similar position in the Glasgow Mechanics Institute, now incorporated in the Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College. In 1883 he attended lectures on Botany and instruction in laboratory work at South Kensington, and in the same year he obtained the Certificate of the Department of Science and Art as a teacher of Botany. In 1889 he was elected Professor of Botany in Anderson's College Medical School, and in I 890 Professor of Botany in the Glasgow Veterinary College. He continued to discharge the duties of these various offices till the date of his death. Professor King was an active member of the Geological, the Eastern Botanical, the Natural History, and the Micro- scopical Societies of Glasgow. He was a Fellow of the Cryptogamic Society of Scotland, of which he was Honorary Treasurer from the year 1883. He has left no permanent work in the literature of science, if we except an enlarged edition of Kennedy's "Clydesdale Flora," which he published, " and an article on the Botany of Scotland," which he wrote for the "Ordnance Survey Gazetteer of Scotland." But he frequently contributed valuable papers to the various societies of which he was a member. 4 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY It was while attending the Annual Conference of the Cryptogamic Society that he contracted the illness which proved fatal. On the evening of Monday the 7th September last he joined the members, who were assembled at Fochabers, was one of an good health and spirits. The following day long and arduous exertion in field-work, and at its close he was the unusually fatigued. On the morning of Wednesday gih but were not symptoms of pleurisy developed themselves, they such as to cause any grave apprehension to the medical friends who were with us. Although he was not able to rise from bed during the remainder of the Conference, he was progressing members favourably, and was interested in our work. When full would be left on Friday the i i th, it was in hope that he able shortly to return to his home and duties. On Sunday with the i 3th, however, a relapse took place, complications, and, though all that medical aid could do was done for him, to all of us to he sank rapidly. It was a painful shock learn that he died on Monday the I4th. It was matter of Fochabers in time great satisfaction that his sister reached to nurse him in his last hours. The end was peaceful. His remains were interred in the Abbey Churchyard of Paisley, beside those of his ancestors. Professor King was a man of sterling character, which commanded the respect and esteem of all who came in contact with him. He had many friends, and no one can Of a conceive the possibility of his having an enemy. he uncon- singularly guileless, unselfish, and gentle nature, the of his sciously attached to him all who had privilege his made acquaintance. The very quaintness of peculiarities him more lovable. His enthusiasm in his favourite pursuits became the was unwearying, and latterly the study of fungi It was ever his absorbing interest of his leisure hours. the which he highest delight to impart to others knowledge in those possessed, and he was singularly patient helping who had the desire to learn. Devoted to science, he took or ecclesiastical con- little part in public affairs. Political troversies were alike alien to his modest and gentle nature. missed us. His presence will be long and sorely among JOHN STEVENSON. JAMES STIRTON. A LIST OF THE BIRDS OF BERWICK-ON-TWEED 5 A LIST OF THE BIRDS OF BERWICK-ON-TWEED, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO "THE BIRDS OF BERWICKSHIRE," AND NOTICES OF THE OCCURRENCE OF SOME OF THE RARER SPECIES IN THE ADJOINING DISTRICTS. By GEORGE BOLAM, F.Z.S., etc. (Continuedfrom Vol. K, 1896, /. 93.) PASSERES. MISSEL THRUSH, Turdus viscivorus, Linnaeus. A resident species, breeding in a few places within the limits of the borough, as, for example, in the plantation below New Water Haugh, and sometimes also in gardens in Ravensdowne.

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