1903- P^'oceedin^s of Irish Societies. 195 



sea-stacks, while the botanists made the most of their time, as shown b}- 

 a list of twenty species of marine alg£e (including Conferva hncca) and 

 man}' land plants, Asplejiium mariniun and Ophioglossinn vu/gatinn being 

 the best finds of the latter. The following birds were found to be 

 nesting on the island : — Herring-gulls, Jackdaws, Rock-pipits, Lapwings, 

 and Martins, while information was obtained of Sheld-drakes having had 

 a nest there this season. The rarest bird observed was the Manx Shear- 

 water, a pair being seen on the eastern side of the island, where they 

 probably breed. Altogether forty-seven species of birds were noted 

 during the day b}' the ornithologists of the party. The rock-pools 

 yielded several species of amphipods and isopods, fishes of the ordinary 

 shore kinds, crabs and man}- other marine animals, and good collections 

 were made. On the highest parts of the island those curious pellets 

 cast up by the gulls were found, some consisting wholly of bones and 

 teeth of fish, others contained remains of rat, rabbit, mouse, and 

 innumerable crabs, with a few wire-worms, while the numerous wing 

 cases and legs of beetles in others proved the gulls to be good friends to 

 the farmer. The day was too dry for land-shell collecting, but six 

 common species were found on the island, including the white form of 

 Helix rotutidata, which seems to be as rare in Ireland as the type is 

 common. The marine shell, Trochtis helicinns, var. fa:>ciatiis was found in 

 quantity in the centre of the causeway, and seemed to be spawning there. 

 This variety is rare here, almost the only recorded locality being 

 Portrush in 1898 (Nichols). Altogether twenty-seven species of beetles 

 were collected, one little pond alone yielding five species. The steam- 

 launch of the Ulster Fisheries Association came round from Larne, and 

 did some dredging in the neighbourhood of Port Muck, the members 

 watching the operations with great interest. At half-past three the 

 coastguards took the entire party back to Port Muck, as the causeway 

 had disappeared under the incoming tide. Here some time was spent 

 investigating the outcrop of Greensand, many characteristic fossils being 

 obtained by the geologists of the party. Fine new examples of snail 

 borings under ledges of the Chalk clififs were found here, with specimens 

 of Helix nemoralis sheltering in them. In some cases clusters of the holes 

 were found together, and these were well photographed. The site of 

 the abbey was then visited, and the return journey was begun, some 

 going by cars and the rest walking. Those who crossed in the first ferries 

 paid a visit to the Marine Laborator}' of the Ulster Fisheries Association, 

 being shown over the house by a member of the association who was 

 working there. At 6.30 all were enjoying a well-earned and most 

 welcome tea iu the Olderfleet Hotel, after which a short business 

 meeting was held— the President, W.J. Fennell, m.r.i.a.i., in the chair— 

 at which nine new members were elected. It was announced that Miss 

 Massy, a member of the Dublin Field Club, had kindly sent a box of 

 small marine shell debris from the Malahide estuary, for distribution 

 among the conchological members of the Belfast Club, and this was 

 much appreciated by them. The 7.25 train was taken at Larne Harbour, 

 and Belfast was reached about 8.30 p.m., when the members separated. 



