174 The Irish iSfahirailsi. [July, 



and the like), along with numerous fragments of pottery, 

 which fully repaid us for our toil. We also extended our 

 investigations to Glenshesk, Armo3% Glendun, Cushendun, 

 and Rathlin Island. The day on Rathlin will not readily be 

 forgotten by any member of the party, and general regret was 

 expressed that we could not devote a full week to its explora- 

 tion alone — the scener}^ birds, insects, and plants all com- 

 bining to make it a veritable paradise for any true lover of 

 nature. The long row home in the evening, over a perfectly 

 calm sea, enlivened by the gambols of a school of porpoises, 

 with a glorious sunset lighting up the rugged coast-line, was 

 something to be remembered. At Cushendun we were joined 

 by the Rev. S. A. Brenan, of Knocknacarry, who received us 

 most kindly and hospitably, and pointed out many of the more 

 interesting features of the neighbourhood, together with the 

 localities for several choice objects. He also gave us some 

 valuable notes on the birds and wild animals of the district, 

 and showed us his collection of local birds, birds' eggs, and 

 pre-historic implements. Amongst the animals observed 

 by Mr. Brenan may be noted — in addition to our own 

 observations — the Fox (rare), Pine Marten, Brown Rat 

 (very abundant), and Hedgehog. Colgan, our driver, also 

 gave us some interesting details respecting the wild animals 

 of the district. The Otter and Badger were common, he 

 said, and we saw some stuffed specimens of the latter, 

 captured in the district, where it has the reputation of 

 causing much destruction amongst the young lambs. We 

 saw the Stoat near the old ruined church at Ballycastle, and in 

 the woods alongside the railway, not far from the town, large 

 numbers of gnawed hazel-nuts indicated the presence of 

 numerous mice. On the banks of the Margy — a pretty little 

 river, abounding with trout, which falls into the sea at Bally- 

 castle — we observed at dusk numerous bats, which, as far as 

 could be judged from their flight, were the Lesser Horse-shoe, 

 L,ong-eared, and Pipistrelle. From the resting-places of the 

 Long-eared Owl in the pine- woods at Glenshesk and other 

 places, a large number of Owls' "pellets" were collected. 

 These " pellets," which consist of masses of the fur, feathers, 

 and bones of small animals and birds felted together, are dis- 

 gorged by the Owl after digestion of its prey, and there is no 



