EEPORTS ON EXCURSIONS. 243 



Some of the boulders in the bed of the stream were completely 

 clad with the Filmy-Fern, Hi/nienojjhyllum unilaterale, Bory. 



Forty-one species of Birds were noted, ten of these being 

 summer visitors. The song of the Willow Wren accompanied 

 the party during the whole journey. Less common, but still 

 fx-equent, was the tremulous "shiver" of the Wood Wren, while 

 the call of the Cuckoo was occasionally heard. Near Colintraive 

 the Spotted Flycatcher was seen, and shortly afterwards the 

 Wheatear. The Whinchat was frequent towards the head of the 

 loch, where also the Tree-Pipit was noted in the trees. The 

 Dipper was seen hurrying up a small stream, while Common 

 Sandpipers frequented the River Ruel, and were also seen along 

 the shore. About half-way up the loch, the monotonous call of 

 the Chiff-chaft' was listened to for some time. Standing on some 

 mud-flats, in the midst of Oyster-catchers and one or two Curlews, 

 were no less than seven Common Herons As no heronries have 

 been reported to exist on Loch Riddon, it would be interesting 

 to know from what quarter these birds had come One pair of 

 Shell-ducks, and several Red-breasted ^lergansers, were the only 

 repre-sentatives of the duck tribe observed. A Slow -worm 

 {Anguis fragilis, Linn.) was captured at the head of the loch. 



Entomologically the day was almost barren, probably owing 

 to high wind and want of sunshine. At the head of the loch a 

 brief interval of sunshine brought out several insects, among 

 which were a specimen of Bomhylius viajor, L., an uncommon 

 species in the Clyde district, also MeJanostoma mellinum, L., 

 Rhinyia campestris, Mg., and a species of Anthomyia. 



Tipulidtie were scarce, the species netted being Dixa maculata, 

 Mg., Ptyclioptera albimana, F., Livmohia nuhectdosa, Mg., 

 Dicranomyia cJwrca, Mg., Jihypholophus nodulosiis, Mcq., Empeda 

 nuhila, Schum., Erioptera tmuioiiota, Mg., Limnophila aj^erta, 

 Ver., Amalo2)sis immaculata, Mg., and Tipula plumbea, F. 



During the excursion many Flowering-plants were observed, but 

 none sufficiently rare to call for special mention. Reference may 

 be made, however, to the beauty of the masses of Marsh-marigolds 

 and the abundance of Primroses. Lobaria pidmonaria (L.) 

 Hoffm., a large foliaceous Lichen, grew luxuriantly on many of 

 the trees. Eighteen Mosses and six Hejiatics were noted by 

 Mr. John R. Lee, and are separately reported on. 



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