19^1' Irish Societies. i6i 



was done in the lakes. On the island in the centre of Lough Catherine 

 there is a considerable heronry, and several young Herons were seen flying 

 about. It may be noted that thirty-nine species of birds were observed 

 during the day, all of them being common species. On an elevation 

 in the woods, on the east side of the lake, stand the extensive ruins of 

 an old castle dating back to pre -Plantation days, now the ivy-clad home 

 of owls and Jackdaws. In a corner of it were the remains of a Wild Duck's 

 nest, where a brood had been successfully hatched a few weeks ago. 

 Baron's Court is one of the two recorded breeding places of the Redstart 

 in Ireland, but the forester, who knows the bird and saw the nests for 

 two years in succession, said that it had not been seen there for the past 

 twelve years. 



About three o'clock the members began to assemble together again 

 at the castle. The botanists had nothing specially new to report beyond 

 what has already been listed from the locality by Miss M. C. Knowles in 

 the Irish Naturalist for March, 1897. Oi^e member who collected lichens 

 handed in a good list, and has still other species yet to be identified. 

 Large collections of centipedes, millipedes, spiders, mites, and harvest- 

 men, as well as insects of various sub-orders, were taken for examination. 

 The four common species of woodlice were seen, but searchers were 

 rewarded by the finding in the hothouses of Trichoniscus roseus, Metopo- 

 northns pruinosus, Cylisticus convexus, and Arniadillidium nasatum, none 

 of these species having been previously noted from County Tvrone, Dry 

 weather militated against a large list of Mollusca, but most of the local 

 species, with the exception of Helix hortensis, were obtained. In the 

 woods Zonitoides excavatus, Acaiithinitla lamellata, and Acicula lineata 

 were the best finds, the last-named being a new record for Tyrone. The 

 fresh -water species were not well represented, but Planorbis crista added 

 another species to the county list. In the small pond in the bog garden 

 a large species of Spheerium, doubtless imported, may prove interesting. 

 The cars were mounted at 3.40, and the return drive to Newtown- 

 stewart made. On arrival at the Abercorn Arms Hotel, tea was ready. 

 A brief business meeting was held, the President (R. J. Welch) occupying 

 the chair. Immediately after the members made their way on foot to 

 the railway station. 



The river in the vicinity of the station is very picturesque. It has 

 long been known for its pearls, which arc found in the Pearl Mussel, Mar- 

 garitina margaritifera, but few pearls of value have, it was learned, been 

 got this season. This was probably due to the ruthless destruction of 

 the shells by the more ignorant pearl fishers. In view of this destruction, 

 steps should be taken to preserve the younger sliells, which cannot, in 

 the nature of things, contain pearls of any value. The party having 

 entrained at 5.40, reached Belfast at 8.10. 



July 12-15. — Three-day Excursion to Cavan District. — Cavan 

 was reached shortly after eleven o'clock, and here the party received 

 accessions on the arrival of the Dublin and Limerick members. Imme- 

 diately after arrival lunch was served in the headquarters, the Farnham 

 Hotel, and on its conclusion brakes were in readiness to convey the 



