34 RENFREWSHIRE EXCURSIONS. 



The extensive pleasure grounds of Erskine (since 1703 the 

 property of the Lords Blantyre) were visited in May, 1890, the 

 party being accompanied by the forester on the estate. Entering 

 by the East Lodge, Erskine big wood was traversed to its western 

 extremity, and at this point, in a glade, a large spreading beech 

 was noted and photographed (girth, 1 1 feet 4^- inches ; spread, 

 east to west, 90 feet 1 inch). Just outside the wood mentioned, 

 and near this beech, was a fine group of wych-elms, the tree 

 nearest the wood branching at the ground into two trunks, 

 measuring respectively 11 feet 11 inches and 7 feet 7 inches. A 

 heron on the wing attracted attention, and it appears that there 

 is a small heronry of one or two nests in the wood. A halt was 

 made on the lawn south of the house, as there are many interesting 

 trees there, though none of great size. Among these may be 

 mentioned a pair of cedars of Lebanon ( Cedrus Libani) and a fine 

 deodar cedar {Cedrus Deodara). The larger of the former was 

 photographed (girth, 9 feet 1 inch). The magnificent mansion 

 house is in the " manorial style of Queen Elizabeth's time." At 

 its north-east corner stands a group of great maples which may 

 possibly be of greater age than they appear, as the forester 

 informed those present that this group had some bearing on the 

 site chosen for the present mansion house, built about seventy 

 years since. These trees were photographed, also a large hand- 

 some example of the same species north of the site of the former 

 mansion house (girth, 15 feet 3 J inches). A large birch near 

 the same spot, with beautiful drooping branches, was also 

 photographed (girth, 7 feet 2 inches). In the same neighbour- 

 hood an Oriental plane (JPlatamts orientalis) and a Spanish 

 chestnut (girth, 14 feet 5 inches) also received notice. There are 

 both young timber and much that is well matured on this estate, 

 and the park, especially from the river, presents a noble appear- 

 ance. 



Kilbarchan Parish. — In fine weather the pleasant policy of 

 Milliken in this parish was visited on 25th April, 1891. At the 

 East Lodge there is a large rookery. Immediately after passing 

 this is a planting of young firs to be hereinafter mentioned in an 

 ornithological connection. A pair of redstarts {Ruticilla phivni- 

 curus) were noted on the occasion of the Society's visit. This 



