20 Field Meetings. -,i^ 



grudged them, as vasculums and other receptacles for specimens 

 were as empty as when they had set out. Under the conduct of 

 the gardener and the forester the party went round the beautiful 

 and well-kept gardens and policies, various fine trees and shrubs 

 being pointed out. Prominent in interest was a fine Silver Fir, 

 which about twenty years ago was broken over about eight feet 

 from the ground. The late Mr Murray Dunlop had lead run into 

 the stem to preserve it, and soon after seven or eight horizontal 

 branches grew out. From these again thirty-five upright, tree-like 

 stems have sprung to a height of about forty feet, forming a very 

 curious and interesting sight. There are several other fine trees, 

 amongst them being a beautiful Flcea nordmanniana, a handsome 

 Wellingtonia gigantea, a Fern-leaved Beech, some fine Copper 

 Beeches, &c. A splendid collection of herbaceous plants occupies a 

 boi'der in the garden, and proved of much interest to the botanists 

 present. The party were next conducted round the outside of the 

 mansion-house, which is of quite modern construction. Built into the 

 northern gable there is an old stone bearing the coat-of-arms of a 

 Mr John Nelson, who was executed in Edinburgh in 1588. Pro- 

 ceeding next to the loch, where the party were joined by the Rev. 

 Mr Sturrock, minister of the parish, and Mr Bruce of Slogarie, 

 boats were launched, and some enjoyable hours were spent in sailing 

 about and in exploring the margin of the loch ; while some others 

 had a turn with rod and line at the trout with which it is well 

 stocked. A good many broods of Wild Duck and Teal were 

 noticed, and most amusing it was to see the consternation of the 

 parents when the boating pai-ties approached too near the reed 

 beds, where the ducklings hid themselves. In rambling over the 

 moor some of the party noted great quantities of eggs which had had 

 their contents abstracted by these enemies of the game preserver, 

 the Carrion Crows, or " corbies," or " hoodies " as they are locally 

 termed. Amongst these eggs we observed Pheasants', Partridges', 

 Wild Ducks', Black Grouse's, and Wood Pigeons', and in no small 

 numbers either. Even the little Sandpipers, breeding along the 

 margin of the loch, had been laid under contriljution, as we noticed 

 several of their eggs lying broken and empty. The majority 

 of the j)arty now, on the invitation of Mr Sturrock, pi-oceeded 

 with that gentleman to the manse, where they were shown what 

 was perhaps the most interesting sight of the day — an aviary 

 containing about forty native and foreign birds, all in vigorous 



