1905. Proceedings of hish Societies, 207 



BELFAST NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 



June 13.— Excursion to Strangford Lough. — In spite of very in- 

 clement weather, fifty-five members and friends attended this excursion, 

 going by rail to Crossgar and driving to Kill5deagh, where boats were 

 waiting. Passing through Killyleagh, the house where Sir Hans Sloane 

 — the founder of the British Museum -was born claimed attention. On 

 embarking a strong headwind was encountered which much impeded 

 progress, caused loss of time and entirely prevented dredging. Botanists 

 and zoologists landed on Ringhaddy, and made good collections for 

 future study. Mahee Island was the chief object of interest, and the 

 ruins here were examined with care. Cars were waiting at Ballydorn- 

 quay, which brought the party to Comber, where tea was provided, and 

 the 8.0 train taken to Belfast, During the day forty-one species of birds 

 were observed, among them being Shell-duck, Red-breasted Merganser, 

 Oyster-catcher, Ringed Plover, and two species of Tern. 



June 27 — Excursion to Greyabbey and Bai^i,ywai,ter.— Over 

 sixt}' members and friends attended this half- day excursion. The well- 

 known Abbey was inspected, and a resolution was passed calling atten- 

 tion to the over-growth of ivy which threatens to destroy the ruins. The 

 owner has since taken steps to put this right. The drive was resumed 

 to Ballywalter-park, where Lady Dunleath had kindly granted permis- 

 sion to examine her wonderful aviary. Hundreds of foreign birds can 

 be seen in the large netting-enclosed forest demesne, about sixty species 

 being kept, among them rheas, cranes, and flamingoes, wandering ap- 

 parently at will. The President and Mrs. Fennell entertained the large 

 party to tea in the new and picturesque Dunleath Arms Inn, a business 

 meeting being held at which six new members were elected. The 7.0. 

 train was taken at Donaghadee for Belfast. 



DUBLIN AND LIMERICK FIELD CLUBS. 



June 18-20— Joint Excursion. — The Long Excursion of the Dublin 

 Club this year took the form of a series of outings with the Limerick 

 Field Club, with Limerick as headquarters. The party leaving Dublin on 

 Thursday, June 18, was a small one, consisting of twelve members and 

 two visitors only. Limerick was reached about half past one and after 

 luncheon at Cruise's Royal Hotel, which was the Club's headquarters for 

 the visit, the party was joined by several members of the Limerick 

 Field Club, and, with the exception of the entomologists, who made a 

 special excursion to Cratloe Wood, proceeded under the able guidance of 

 Rev. J. Dowd, B.A., to inspect some of the objects of archaeological and 

 historical interest in which Limerick is so rich. From the Treaty Stone, 

 which was the last visited, the party proceeded in brakes to Parteenalax 

 where they were entertained to afternoon tea by Mr. R. D. O'Brien. 

 After a most mteresting account by Mr. Place, of the vicissitudes through 



