Field Meetings. 61 
was obtained. In one of the chimneys, and about 7 feet from 
the top, six pale blue eggs in a starling’s nest were seen. 
From the Tower the drive was continued to the mansion-house, 
while the golden yellow of the broom and the furze, which was 
here very abundant, intermingled with the fragrant white of the 
hawthorn, added a new charm to the scenery. In driving up 
the avenue to the house the party were joined by Mr Maxwell, 
the factor on the estate, and on arrival they were received by Mr 
Robinson-Douglas and by Captain Ramsay—the latter gentleman 
only recently invalided home from Burmah. Having arranged 
one o'clock as the hour for luncheon, under the guidance of Mr 
Robinson-Douglas and the other gentlemen, the party inspected 
the grounds, conservatories, and flower gardens, where some 
very beautiful rhododendrons and azelias were yet in bloom. 
The holly trees were greatly admired for their size, and also for 
the abundance of blossom with which they were this year clothed, 
the older botanists of the party never remembering such a show 
of flower as was then observed. 
At the appointed hour they returned to the mansion-house, 
when Mr Robinson-Douglas exhibited his collections of birds and 
beetles. The former contained a good many of the rarer birds of 
this country, and some from the South of Europe and Africa. 
The entomological collection was very extensive, and gave great 
pleasure to Mr Lennon and the other members interested in this 
pursuit. 
The party having adjourned to the dining-room, a substantial 
luncheon was partaken of ; and before rising from the table, the 
usual short business meeting was held, Mr Robinson-Douglas 
presiding. Dr Mackie and Mrs Mackie, Thornhill, and Mr 
William Walls, Dumfries, were elected new members. Mr Shaw, 
of Tynron, moved the thanks of the Society to the sub-committee 
who had prepared and published the Transactions for Sessions 
1883-86, for the trouble they had taken, and for the creditable 
manner in which they had performed that duty. This was 
seconded by Mr Bruce, and unanimously agreed to. On the 
motion of Mr Laing, the Society’s thanks were awarded to Mr 
Robinson-Douglas for inviting the Society to this neighbourhood, 
and for his kindness in conducting and entertaining the party. 
Retiring from the dining-room, the party proceeded to their 
field of work for the day—-the marshy ground, woods, and shores 
of the bay; for it was thought advisable not to ascend the 
