ARGYLLSHIRE EXCURSIONS. 143 
The ornithologists observed a pair of turnstones (Strepsi/as 
interpres (Linnzeus) ) between Blairmore and Ardentinny ; the 
wood wren (Phylloscopus sibilatrix (Bechstein) ), which was most 
abundant in the woods, and the garden warbler (Sy/véa hortensis 
(Bechstein) ) heard at a point about three miles up Glen Finart. 
On the occasion of the last visit to this district, on gth August, 
1902, the weather was very unfavourable and no work was done. 
CASTLE TOWARD. 
Three visits were made to the policies of Castle Toward. Of 
the first there is, unfortunately, no record. 
The second took place on 2oth June, 1896, when the Society, 
in company with the Natural History Society of Glasgow, spent 
the afternoon there in favourable weather. The policies and 
gardens are of considerable extent, and occupy, in close proximity 
to the sea, a sheltered situation which is particularly well suited 
for the growth of a great variety of shrubs and trees not usually 
considered, in many parts of Scotland, hardy enough to flourish 
in the open air. A number of these in the avenue leading from 
the lodge gate nearest Toward to the mansion-house were exam- 
ined with interest. The great variety of form and colour in the 
leaves of several handsome examples of the Japanese maples (Acer 
palmatum, Thunb.), was specially striking. The Himalayan silver fir 
(Abies Webbiana, Lindl.), with its characteristic robust horizontal 
branches bearing leaves deep green on the upper and silvery-white 
on the lower surface, and a well-grown example of the one-leaved 
ash (Fraxinus monophylla, Desf.) arrested attention. On the 
opposite side of the avenue from the latter, a birch ( Betula alba, 
L.), which was conspicuous on account of its great size and from 
the masses of adventitious growths on its branches, was found to 
measure 8 feet 1 inch at 2 feet g inches from the ground. 
Further on, at the entrance of a path leading to the gardens, a 
fine specimen of the western plane (Platanus occidentalis, L.) 
measured g feet 5 inches at 1 foot 11 inches from the ground 
on the west side. Near the gardens some fine clumps of 
bamboos were growing luxuriantly, and the tall grass-like stems 
and leaves were in pleasing contrast to the more familiar plants 
in the neighbourhood. JMMimudlus luteus, L, was well established 
in a little stream close by. At the end of the path a Norway 
