1903] Sub-Excursions. 75 



and spruces. The different species of ash also attracted attention. 

 Some of the early butterflies were noticed, but none of them were 

 numerous. The early white Pieris oleracea-hiemalis was the most 

 abundant, and some nice specimens were secured. A single ex- 

 ample of the small Fritillary {Argynnis bellond) was seen flying ; 

 the 9th May is an early date for the species. 



Shortly after 5 o'clock the company gathered near the Direc- 

 tor's house, where Mrs. Saunders had kindly prepared most wel- 

 come refreshments. At the request of the President, Dr. Saunders 

 gave an interesting talk relating to some of the work carried on 

 by the Dominion Experimental Farms. Special ment'on was 

 made of the value of the experiments in the hybridizing of fruits 

 for the North-west, which gave every promise of great success. 

 On invitation from the President, several questions were asked by 

 some of those present, on natural history and farm work. Short 

 addresses were also delivered, appreciative of the good work being 

 done by the Club, by Mr. White, the Principal of the Normal 

 School, and by Father Lajeunesse, of the Ottawa University. 

 Before the members dispersed, the President drew their attention 

 to the presence, in a near-by tree, of the Purple Finch and the 

 Brown Thrasher. These charming birds were singing merrily, 

 each vieing with the other to enchant the visitors with the sweet- 

 ness of their notes.. 



A. G. 



The excursion of May 30th to Queen's Park, Aylmer, was 

 attended by some twenty members of the Club — mainly from the 

 botanical section. The burnt grass and the scarcity of many 01 

 the flowering plants told of the unusual spring drought but 

 emphasized the beauty of the trees and shrubs. Especially 

 worthy of note was the tall, graceful Sweet Viburnum ( F. leri- 

 iago), very prominent near the Chute. 



During the afternoon Prof. Macoun found Salix longijolia 

 and Salix atnygdaloidcs, and Mr. O'Brien discovered both species 

 of Hepatica. Ranunculus septentriojialis was found along the line 

 of the railway, and a fine patch of the large yellow Water- 

 Crowfoot {Ranunculus multifidus) in the swamp. Prof. Macoun 

 and Mr. Clarke came upon a nesting whip-poor-will in a shady, 

 retired spot. The bird floated from the nest in its moth-like 



