124 TRANSACTIONS, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 
Lake or Menreira, 20th May, 1897.—This excursion, arranged 
for the day appointed for the local celebration of the Queen’s 
Birthday, did not take place. 

Neston, 29th May, 1897.—On the afternoon of this date a 
fairly representative party turned out to visit Neilston Pad and 
Harelaw Dam. From the former, owing to the atmosphere being 
comparatively clear, an excellent prospect was obtained. By the 
side of a little loch near the “ Pad,” Hippuris vulgaris, Linn., was 
found. Harelaw Dam has been long celebrated for the large 
colony of Black-headed Gulls which nests on an island there. 
The gullery maintains its position in point of numbers, if, indeed, 
it isnot larger in recent years. Numbers of the gulls have nested 
on the loch side, but the keepers, who have orders to protect the 
birds on the island, lift the eggs on the shore, as they attract 
trespassers. Most of the members and friends who were present 
succeeded in reaching the island, and much interest was excited 
at the droves of young gulls and at the great variety in the 
markings and colours of the eggs in the nests. In some cases 
little preparation had been made for the reception of the eggs, 
but in others the nests were substantially built. Several Tufted 
Ducks (Puligula cristata, Leach) were seen on the loch. Perhaps 
the most interesting feature to the ornithologists present was the 
presence of the Great Crested Grebe (Podicipes cristatus, Linn.) 
on the loch, and a nest of this species, with three eggs, rewarded 
the diligence of one searcher. Although becoming well known 
during the past decade as a Scottish breeding species, this (e.g., 
East Renfrewshire) was the first locality in which its nest was 
found in Scotland. 
West Kitpripg, 12th June, 1897.—This was a joint-excursion 
with the Ayr Natural History Society. The attendance was poor. 
From West Kilbride the road to Portincross was followed, and 
from this point to Fairlie the party kept by the shore. On leaving 
West Kilbride, Claytonia perfoliata, Don, was the first notable 
plant met with. At the shore a number of plants was found to 
be in a backward condition. In the neighbourhood of Portincross 
were found Ligusticwm scoticum, Linn., Geranium lucidum, Linn., 
