40 Field Meetings. 



leaving Maxwell tovni shortly after eleven o'clock in two wag- 

 gonettes. The fields being for the most i)art cleared of stooks, 

 the large flocks of migratory birds occupying them, preparatory to 

 leaving for southern climes, were seen to advantage. At one part 

 of the way a curious habit of the Starling, and very unlike the 

 bird's usual habit, was being briskly indulged in. We refer to 

 that myotherine habit of this bird, which is said to be developed 

 only in hot seasons, of hawking backwai-ds and forwards for flies 

 after the manner of swallows. Several times the Blackheaded 

 Gulls were noticed at the same business, but with them the habit 

 is confirmed. While passing the extensive woods of Shambellie 

 a brisk look-out was kept for the Siskin, which is known to breed 

 tliere, but it was not seen on this occasion. After a brief halt at 

 Newabbey village, the party drove on till the farm of Ai-dwall was 

 reached. Here the vehicles were left, and the company divided — 

 the corpulent and weakly to explore the banks of Loch Kindar 

 and vicinity; and the vigorous and enthusiastic to make the 

 ascent of Criffel. The latter party were rewarded by finding a 

 small colony of the Parsley Fern (Allosorus crispus) shortly after 

 the ascent commenced. It is rather remarkable that this fei-n, 

 although abundant in Dumfriesshire, is comparatively rare in 

 the Stewartry ; but the different geological formation doubtless 

 explains this. The climb to the summit was a most toilsome one, 

 owing to the suflbcatiug heat ; at least one of the party had to 

 own himself beaten and return ; and several others, it was 

 apparent, preferred punishing themselves rather than be the 

 subjects of the jokes of their more muscular companions. Thei-e 

 was little of more than ordinary interest to be noted, with the 

 exception of the unusual abundance of the Titlark (Anthus 

 pratensis), A flock of more than sixty was seen together, and 

 smaller parties were very numerous. The ascent having taken 

 up so much time, but a short stay was made at the top, and the 

 descent was of the usual hurried description. The other party 

 meanwhile had been employing the time in botanising and other 

 congenial pastimes near Loch Kindar. Application for the use of 

 a boat to examine the two small islands had iinfortunately been 

 omitted in the arrangements for the meeting, so that the numerous 

 Cormorants (or " Co'en' Elders," as they are locally termed) were 

 left in undisturbed possession of their resting place. These birds 

 evidently find here an abundance of food ; but it is to be hoped 

 they confine their attention to the eels, and leave alone the 



