256 TRANSACTIONS, NATURAL IIISTOr.Y SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 



This excursion was arranged jointly with the Andersonian 

 NaturaHsts' Society, and took place during very favourable 

 weather. The attendance numbered thirty-two. 



Tiie party travelled by rail from Glasgow to Balloch Pier, and 

 by steamer on Loch liomond from Balloch to Balmaha. On 

 emerging from the Pass of Balmaha and proceeding downhill, 

 beautiful glimpses were obtained of the sparkling waters of the loch 

 bordered with softest green ; while far ahead towered Ben Lomond 

 and other lofty mountains, some of which still showed traces of 

 wintry cold in the snow which lay in their gullies. The walk along 

 the side of the loch towards Rowardennan was greatly enjoyed 



It was reported by Mr. Alexander Ross that thirty-seven 

 species of Birds had been observed, of which eleven were summer 

 migrants. A short distance from Balmaha, several Redstarts 

 were seen flitting about among the branches of trees near the 

 roadway. The Cuckoo was both heard and seen ; the Willow 

 Wren was frequently noticed during the course of the walk ; and 

 the " shivei-ing " notes of the Wood Wren were occasionally 

 listened to. The Spotted Flycatcher was observed at intervals, 

 and a pair appeared to be nesting in a hole in an ash-tree at 

 Tigh-an-Laoigh. Tree-Pipits were common, and the Common 

 Sandpiper was seen on the margin of the loch. 



Reptiles were represented by an Adder, about eighteen inches 

 in length, which would not wait for an interview, but darted 

 into a clump of withered bracken, where it was lost to vision; and 

 by the Common Newt, which was observed in a pool near 

 Rowardennan Hotel. 



Mr. Ross also reported that a considerable number of Diptera 

 had been taken, of which the Tipulidfe alone had as yet been 

 identified. Insects of this group, however, were disappointingl}^ 

 scarce. The only species met with in abundance was Amalopsis 

 immaculata, Mg., while of Tijnilti o/eracea, L., usually a veiy 

 common species, one specimen only was seen. Among other 

 species netted were Limnobia 'iiubeculosa, Mg., Dicratiomyia 

 chorea, Mg., Evipeda nubila, Schum., Goniomyia sp. (a dark 

 species), Erioptera trivialis, Mg., Idioptera jmlcheUa, Mg., and 

 Amalopsis uiiicolur, Schum. 



Eighty-two species of Flowering-plants were noted, but none 

 of these calls for special mention. Of the Mosses observed 



