Fietp MEETINGS. 191 
of the wet condition of the fields, a proposed climb of Tynron 
Doon was dropped from the program, and instead the company 
gave a short time to a visit to the museum in Thornhill, which is 
still known by the name of its founder, Dr Grierson. There they 
were impressed with the methodical arrangement of the extensive 
and miscellaneous collection, and with the orderly and cleanly 
manner in which everything is kept. Occasional gifts still swell 
the contents of the museum, among the latest being a very exten- 
sive collection of bird eggs given by Mrs Dickson, late of 
Dabton. Mr P. Stobie, in name of the society, tendered to Mr 
Kerr, the curator, their thanks for his kindness in permitting 
them to see the museum and in piloting them through it, and also 
through the grounds, which are rich alike in botanical and anti- 
quarian interest. 
Driving from Thornhill to Capenoch, the party were hospi- 
tably received by Mr and Mrs Hugh S. Gladstone, who had 
driven over from their own residence of Lann Hall to do the 
honours of the house. There being a lull in the rainstorm, the 
“mere males ’’ for the most part elected to accompany Mr Glad- 
stone on a tramp up the hill to the Far Loch, through the wood 
by “the Picts’ Cairn,’’ and back by way of the home farm. And 
it was a walk replete with pleasure. The beautiful ornamental 
grounds end in a gem of a pond fringed with rhododendrons, 
eucalyptus, and various trees. A belt of hard wood is traversed, 
passing on the way a square-shaped sheet of water, haunt of the 
heron and the curlew. Then the path leads along a hillside 
planted with young larch; and we emerge at a narrow, sinuous 
sheet of water, known as the Far Loch—because, we suppose, of 
its situation, furthest from the mansion-house—and which forms 
a paradise for the birds, in the observation and photographing 
of which Mr Gladstone finds an engrossing pursuit. Here are 
found wild duck, teal, wigeon, little grebe, and an occasional 
pochard. A pair of carrion crows nest regularly in a clump of 
firs on its margin, but care is taken not to allow them to multiply. 
A pair of oyster catchers or sea pyets have lately been frequent- 
ing the lower lochs, indicating that this bird, which is found in 
great flocks on the Solway shore, is coming inland to nest. The 
wigeon does not nest here yet. The curious floating nest of the 
little grebe has been observed here during the last five years. 
But this year the pitiless rain has filled the little craft to such an 
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