62 The Ottawa Naturalist. [June 



skirts the swamp and worked their way towards Billings Bridge. 

 The Sugar maples were now just at the fullest glory of their 

 golden splendour. How strange it is that, often as the maple is 

 written of and depicted, little is slid of the extremely beautiful 

 flowers which hang in copious silken tassels from the tip of 

 every twig, their yellow flowers and anthers hanging on the 

 slender thread-like pallid pedicels contrasting with the delicate 

 green of the expanding foliage and making up for their small 

 size by the profusion in which they are produced. Passing on 

 towards Billings Bridge the only Ottawa locality for Claytonia 

 Virginica was visited. Close by fine specimens of Viola Cucullaia 

 in varying forms were collected. Before the close of the Ex- 

 cursion Mr. Frank T. Shutt joined the party and added to the 

 interest of the outing. The wild Plum was one of the con- 

 spicuous ornaments of the open woods. 



No. 5. — To New Edinburgh, May 14th. A rather dull 

 morning with a sharp shower was followed by an exqui- 

 site afternoon and a most pleasant outing was enjoyed 

 in the woods between Rideau Hall, Hemlock Lake and Beech- 

 wood. The party was led by Dr. Fletcher, Miss Whyte and 

 Mr. Halkett The rock\' hill by the Governor General's bay 

 produced many interesting specimens — Hejyatica triloba with 

 pink, blue and white flowers attracted the attention of all. 

 Corydalis atirea and Fedicularis Canadensis were first recorded 

 to-day for this season. Aquilegia Canadensis was found in 

 quantities. This pretty plant sometimes called inaccurately 

 " HoncysucKle " seems to have given its namers some trouble,, 

 its Latin name, Aquilegia, is derived from Aquila, an eagle 

 while its English name, Columbine, comes from Coluinba,3.do\e- 

 Several birds attracted attention, among these the beautiful 

 Brown Thrasher and its relative the Catbird, both close kinsmen 

 of the true Mocking bird and themselves mockers of no mean 

 attainments. The Purple Finch poured forth his delightful song 

 with special fervour in honour of his visitors. In the cedar 

 woods near Crichton Lodge the naturalists had a good oppor- 

 tunity of examining closely a fine American Hare which 



