73 



principally of the Early English period. The owner of the 

 estate, Sir Edward Blackett, has had a portion of the ruins 

 covered in for the purpose of protecting the extensive remains 

 of Pre-Conquett Crosses, Grave Covers of Hog-lacked fashion, 

 Sepulchral Remains of Anglican Crosses, etc., and a very fine 

 Mailed Effigy of a Conyers of the early part of the 14th 

 century, and some Memorial Brasses of the same family. 



Sockbnrn originally belonged to the Conyers' family, one of 

 whom, Sir John Conyers, a Knight of the 11th century, is 

 said to have slain a large "Worm" or serpent which infested 

 these parts, and to have received the Estate as a reward, on 

 the tenure of his rendering up his Victorious Sword to every 

 new Bishop of Durham entering at this point. The Sword. 

 or Falchion is at present in the possession of the Owner of 

 the Estate, Sir Ed. Blackett, of Matfen 



After looking over the many objects of interest at Sockburn, 

 the party returned to Dinsdale Station along the Durham 

 side of the river by way of Neasham. During the afternoon 

 a number of plants were noticed in flower by the Botanists, 

 but not so many as are usually noted at this season of the 

 year, on the occasion of our first outing. Foliage was very 

 well forward up to the first week in April, but after this it 

 received a very severe check, hard frost in many cases having 

 killed the foliage entirely, and the blight generally has been 

 the moans of keeping many plants back that would have been 

 well on but for this 



No insects of any moment were noted by the Entomologists 

 of the party. With regard to Birds the Spring Migrants were 

 not very prominent, the only one noticed in abundance being 

 the Willow Wren. The Sand Martin was seen, and the 

 Cuckoo and Tree pipit heard. Resident Birds seemed to be 

 busy nesting, and a Yellow Hammer was flushed from a nest 

 containing three eggs. 



The Club were indebted to Mr. H. Hylton Taylor for in- 

 formation supplied with regard to the route, and to W. H. A. 

 Williamson, Esq., and Rev. E. H. Greatorex for pei mission to 

 visit the Churches of Sockburn and Dinsdale. 



Kildale to Hutton. — At the meeting held at Kildale on 

 Saturday, May 16th, there was a good attendance, upwards of 

 25 being present, including members from Middlesbrough, 

 Redcar, Ingleby, Whorlton, Ayton, Stockton and Nunthorpe. 



