224 Field Meetings. 



tude of ten thousand feet; and a cablegram was received from 

 him on Saturday intimating that he had safelv reached Port Said. 

 He brings with him what is beUeved to be the most interesting 

 ornithological collection ever brought to Europe, and that will go 

 to enrich the Hoddom aviaries. This expedition accomplished, 

 Mr Goodfellow is to start again for New Guinea in charge of a 

 survey of the bird life of the country which the British Ornitho- 

 logical Society has resolved to undertake by way of celebrating its 

 jubilee. It is somewhat of a shock to one's ideas concerning 

 these birds of bright plumage, which we naturally picture as revel- 

 ling in perpetual sunshine, to learn that their life is lived at high 

 altitudes, exposed to cold and wet and high winds. This is the 

 case with Meyer's Bird of Paradise (the one with the goi^geous 

 tail, most familiar in pictorial representations) and with other 

 species. These and other tropical birds spend the day in low 

 jungles, protected by vegetation of higher growth ; consequently 

 in places which are always saturated with moisture. In confine- 

 ment they do not care to be out of doors in a brilliant sun, which 

 seems to affect their eyes injuriously ; but are most evidently in 

 happy mood in a downpour of rain if the dav is fairly warm. 



Hoddom Castle is a stately residence, sitting on a steep 

 natural bank, overlooking a broad stretch of meadow bordered 

 by the river Annan, and which in the distant past was probably 

 an extensive lake. The centre of the house is a massive six- 

 teenth century square tower, built by John, Lord Herries, whose 

 name is linked in history with that of the hapless Queen Mary. 

 It is well preserved, with its ornamental corbelling intact, and 

 the cresset whose flame summoned the retainers to repel southren 

 foray or other danger is still set upon the battlements, although 

 large electric arc lamps give more powerful light for more peace- 

 ful purpose. The holes designed for the pouring of molten 

 lead on the heads of assailants who approached the walls are also 

 to be seen ; and in a small apartment opening off the battlements 

 is the only stone fireplace in the tower, which served no doubt for 

 the melting of the metal. The extensive modern additions have 

 been carried out in a style of architecture harmonising admir- 

 ably with the original castle which they incorporate. A still 

 older castle stood on the opposite side of the Annan, on the site 

 of the modern farm steading of Hallguards ; and the visitors had 



