140 PRK-H1ST01!IC FollTS. 



siderable size lying about, especially on the sloping sides of the 

 fosse, the presumption is that they were used as the basis of the 

 wall, even if we make allowance for the fact that the deep outer 

 trench has been used as a " free coup " for stones gathered by 

 farmers from the fields adjoining. 



I could discover no trace of an entrance. Apparently the 

 inhabitants came and went on a plank, which could be withdrawn 

 at the slightest sign of an enemy's approach. 



Notice must be taken of what appears to be an outpost on 

 the southern side of the earthwork. This is a raised mound, the 

 innermost part of which is almost obliterated. The outermost 

 end is 68 feet from the edge of the trench. It measures 22 feet 

 across at the widest part, and at its highest point is elevated four 

 feet above the cultivated ground. A good view is to be obtained 

 from this slight eminence both up and down the valley, though of 

 course nothing to be compared with the wide prospect from the 

 summit of Springfield Hill. 



At the foot of this mound may be seen a white wooden peg. 

 one of the line marking the course of the Cairn Valley Light 

 Railway. The ancient and the modern are thus brought into 

 striking juxtaposition. It is devoutly to be hoped that the rail- 

 way, operations on which have new been carried to within a mile 

 of the earthwork, will make no encroachment upon this interest- 

 ing and suggestive relic of the days of old. 



II. — List of the Biids of Gkucairii. By Dr MAiiTlls, Holy wood. 



To every lover of nature the study of birds must be of surpass- 

 ing interest, and that from a manifold point of view. Their purpose 

 in the general economy of nature, their oneness of type and struc- 

 ture, their beauty of form and plumage, with many engrossing- 

 peculiarities, such as song and nidification, give to the feathered 

 tribe an attraction for study hardly equalled in the whole realm 

 of things that possess life. It is our privilege to-night to devote 

 a little attention to this great and important class of " aves," anil 

 to deal with a given area, to see what of interest can be evolved 

 for any scientific enlightenment that may commend itself to us as 

 a Society. Might it be too much to forecast and hope that some 

 day we may have a paper on birds in their relation to the pre- 



